After a year like 2020, it was up in the air as to what 2021 had in store for us. We feel so lucky because it has certainly been a wonderful year. Of course, there have been some hiccups that all design and build companies faced, like supply chain, weather delays, and staffing issues as we continued to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic, but overall it's been a year full of hard work, success, and growth.
Some of our favorite moments of the year? We placed second in the Hardscape North America Awards in the residential retaining walls category, jumped over 1700 spots to No. 2057 on the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, contributed our work to the HGTV Urban Oasis Indianapolis home, and supported the first fundraising event for Cecilia's Advice, a non-profit supporting research efforts for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. We laid over 15,000 square feet of patio pavers, moved and placed over 300 tons of natural stone boulders, constructed over 10,000 square feet of retaining wall blocks, installed over 5000 outdoor lights, and planted over 400 trees!
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Click below to check out our 2021 Year in Review video:
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All of these accomplishments were possible thanks to our fantastic employees who have stayed dedicated to meeting the Property Pros standards, and we would be nowhere without them.
This year, our team has collectively made trips to Kentucky, California, Ohio, Florida, and Missouri for networking and industry learning events as well as for project sourcing. On top of all of these accomplishments, we stayed true to our mission to provide high-quality landscaping services and exceptional customer service to our clients while engaging with and supporting our community and creating long-last relationships.
At the start of this year, our Executive Director Jeff Mull kicked off our season quoting, "A rising tide raises all ships." As Property Pros continues to grow and strengthen itself as an industry leader, so too do every one of our team members, so too does the quality and expertise of our work, and so does our community we love to support. This year, we like to think all ships were raised. We look forward to sharing another great year in 2022. Happy Holidays to you!
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All of the festivities and decorations come with a few extra household hazards to keep an eye out for as the holiday season begins. Here is a short list of tips to keep your family and friends safe throughout this joyful time of year.
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Check all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together—no more than three per extension cord.
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Only use up-to-date cords. Ensure your electrical power strips and extension cords are compliant with modern codes and no more than five years old.
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Keep decor away from direct heat sources. Keep live and fake trees away from fireplaces, radiators, or other sources of direct heat. Don't light the fireplace if stockings are hung there without adequate space.
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Water your live trees, poinsettias, and holiday plants. Regular watering will prevent trees from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
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When decorating outside, make sure decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. Avoid securing lights with nails or hooks that will split any cords to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
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Have a spotter when using a ladder. Make sure to have good, stable placement and wear shoes that allow for good traction. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
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Don’t forget to turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Light timers can help with this.
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Hang delicate or breakable ornaments further up and out of reach of pets and young children to help prevent accidents.
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Check your smoke detectors and keep a fire extinguisher on hand. It is vital to have the proper safety response equipment on hand in case of kitchen mishaps or holiday decor accidents.
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It's been a year chock-full of impeccably finished projects. From pools, paver patios, water features, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, turf installations, covered structures, fire features, and more, our team has worked tirelessly to churn out some of the best work in the Indianapolis area. Explore some of our highlighted projects you may have missed this year and get inspired to start your own project next year!
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What would you like to see more of in the Property Pros newsletter next year?
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Landscape & Patio Design Trends
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Property Pros Team Updates
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Landscaping Tips & Guidance
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Other - Feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts!
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Congratulations to our Employee of the Month, Mario Ortiz!
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Mario's consistently positive attitude has been a huge help to Kyle's crew as they've completed fall clean ups and leaf removals this past month. He is not only hard working but incredibly reliable and always willing to do whatever is asked of him without complaint. Please help us in congratulating Mario as our last, but not least, employee of the month for 2021!
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Christmas Tree Brownies
They're extra-fudgey and perfect for a large group at a holiday gathering. Or just keep them home to yourself, we won't judge. That's Santa's job.
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Ingredients
- Vegetable shortening or spray
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate wafers or chopped chocolate
- 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- Candy canes or spears
- Store-bought or homemade vanilla icing, see recipe below
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°. Line a 13x9" baking pan, preferably metal, with foil, pressing firmly into corners and smoothing creases. Lightly coat with nonstick spray; set aside. Whisk flour, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl (if cocoa powder is very lumpy, sift mixture).
Step 2
Heat chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring constantly, until melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk eggs, both sugars, and vanilla in another medium bowl until smooth, then whisk into chocolate mixture. For a shiny, crackly top, whisk mixture an additional 10 seconds. Add dry ingredients and whisk just until flour disappears and mixture is smooth and glossy. Scrape into prepared pan and smooth top.
Step 3
Place pan in the oven and reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake brownies until lightly puffed in the center and a tester inserted into the center comes out greasy but mostly clean with only a few crumbs attached, 25–30 minutes. While brownies are baking, unwrap the candy canes, and use a sharp knife to gently cut/break the candy canes into 1.5" long pieces. Let brownies cool completely before slicing.
Step 4
Invert brownie pan onto a wire rack, remove foil, then invert onto a cutting board right side up and cut into triangles. (Cut in three rows, then cut in alternating diagonals.)
Step 5
Push a candy cane piece into the bottom of each brownie triangle. Using a piping or Ziploc bag, start at the top of the brownie triangle, and gently squeeze out the icing in a curvy zigzag as you go down the tree. Add your favorite sprinkles and a small star sprinkle at the top.
Step 6
Do Ahead: Brownies can be baked 2 days ahead. Store tightly covered at room temperature.
To Make Icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of fine salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon whole milk
24 drops green food coloring
1 drop red food coloring
Combine the confectioners' sugar, butter and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a handheld electric mixer). Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Loosen the consistency with milk as desired. Add 24 drops green food coloring and 1 drop red food coloring and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Set aside.
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Do you know somebody looking to upgrade their outdoor lifestyle? Maybe your friends saw your backyard renovation and are looking to revamp their outdoor oasis? Refer them to us, and we'll reward you for your efforts!
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Refer a project of $10,000 - $24,999
to receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
Refer a project of $25,000 - $34,999
to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
Refer a project of $35,000 - $49,999
to receive a $200 Amazon gift card.
Refer a project of $50,000 - $99,999
to receive a $300 Amazon gift card.
Refer a project of $100,000 or more
to receive a $500 Amazon gift card.
Once the referral project is complete, we will send your reward!
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