Show your home some love this Valentine’s weekend
From Deep Freeze to Warm Hearts
Turn up the heat (fun) without tripping a breaker
Is it just us, or did that snowstorm feel like it lasted a month? Now that the roads are clear and the temperatures are normalizing, we are ready to celebrate the warmer side of February.
We’ve packed this issue with tips to show your home some love, a steak dinner recipe that’s better than a reservation, and some fun ways to keep the kids busy while you enjoy the thaw. Let’s dive in!
DIY Tips:
Show Your Electrical System Some Love
February is the perfect time to give your home a little TLC before the transition to spring. Here is a quick 3-step “date night” for your electrical panel:
Those buttons on your bathroom and kitchen outlets are there to save lives. Press “TEST” (it should click and cut power) then “RESET” to restore it. If it doesn’t pop, it isn’t protecting you.
Go look at your main electrical panel. Listen for any buzzing sounds and look for signs of rust or moisture. If you hear buzzing, call us immediately—that is not a sound of love!
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors can get clogged with dust, which causes false alarms or failure. Gently vacuum them with a soft brush attachment to keep them running smooth.
Valentine’s Fun For The Kids
Keep the little ones entertained this weekend with these low-stress activities:
- 🍕 Heart-Shaped Pizza Night: You don’t need to be a chef. Buy pre-made pizza dough, roll it out, and let the kids shape it into hearts. Let them top it with red ingredients like pepperoni, peppers, or tomatoes, and lots of cheese. Kids love loads of it!
- 🏹 The “Cupid” Scavenger Hunt: Hide paper hearts around the house. On each heart, write a clue leading to the next one. The final clue leads to a “treasure” (like a small bag of candy or a movie night coupon).
- 🐛 “Love Bug” Crafts: Use empty toilet paper rolls, paint them pink or red, and glue on pipe cleaner antennas and googly eyes to create cute “Love Bugs.”
Romantic Dinner
Pan-Seared Steak with Bourbon Garlic Cream Sauce
Skip the crowded restaurants and make this impressive (but easy) meal for two.
Ingredients:
- 2 New York strip steaks or Ribeyes (about 1 inch thick)
- 2 tbsp butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup bourbon (or beef broth for non-alcoholic)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt, pepper, and fresh thyme
Instructions:
- Sear: Season steaks heavily with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet with 1 tbsp butter for 3-4 minutes per side (for medium-rare). Remove steaks and let them rest.
- Sauce: In the same pan, lower heat and add the remaining butter and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer: Carefully pour in the bourbon (watch for a flare-up if using a gas stove) and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce by half.
- Finish: Stir in the heavy cream and simmer until thickened (about 2-3 minutes). Stir in thyme.
- Serve: Spoon the rich sauce over the resting steaks and serve with mashed potatoes or asparagus.
- ENJOY! Pair with a lovely red wine or the beverage of choice.
Keep The Sparks Flying (The Safe Kind)
That’s your February power-up! Keep your dinner hot, your lights low, and your home feeling the love. We’ll take care of the voltage; you take care of the Valentine’s fun.
— Justin, Duke & the 4G Electrician Team