You haven’t heard much about the duplex we purchased three months ago. It may seem like progress is slow, but behind the scenes we’re steadily advancing three major projects that are bringing us closer to demo day. In this update we’ll share those efforts, talk about what it’s really like to produce a home magazine with HGTV Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Sara Peterson (including the highs, the awkward moments, and the sweaty work), offer simple cost-effective ways we’re automating parts of our home without adding more smart devices, and share practical tips for making candles burn longer and stronger.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio—or listen to it on the player below. Use this page as a companion for any links, notes, or photos we mention. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader you might need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- If you missed the initial announcement about our duplex purchase, we covered the backstory and the first tour in Episode #64 and in an earlier blog post that includes a video walk-through.
- Our layout plans have evolved significantly since that early video tour. We’re waiting for final approvals so we can lock them in with our contractor. Once they’re approved we’ll share the finalized plans and the reasoning behind the changes.
- We also discuss a county tax credit program that’s helping with this project; we covered more of that in Episode #34 for anyone who wants additional context.
- A small but effective upgrade: I installed a $9 dusk-to-dawn photocell sensor on each outdoor fixture at the garage. The package called it a “replacement,” but I was adding sensors for the first time and they worked perfectly. Installation required drilling a tiny hole and a bit of wiring, but it was straightforward and nearly invisible once finished.
- Even easier was swapping several exterior bulbs for inexpensive Philips LED bulbs with built-in dusk-to-dawn sensors. Those bulbs do the job without additional wiring. In a few fixtures that use non-standard bulb sizes I still needed the separate photocell sensors, but overall this simple swap saved time and energy.
Practical Tips and Favorites
- We shared seven practical tricks to make candles last longer and burn with a stronger flame—small habits and techniques that improve performance and safety.
- We also highlighted two soy candles scented with essential oils that we enjoy; they have a clean scent profile and a steady burn, which makes them easy favorites for everyday use.
Sara Peterson, HGTV Magazine Editor-in-Chief
- A sincere thank-you to Sara Peterson from HGTV Magazine for taking us behind the scenes of magazine production. Her perspective helped demystify a lot of the planning, styling, and logistics that go into a magazine shoot.
- We previously documented our own experience being photographed for a magazine in a post that includes some candid, behind-the-scenes moments (including our now-famous “aggressive sandwich”).
We’re Digging
- The divided turntable we use under the sink has been a small organizational revelation. It brought frequently used cleaning supplies to the front and helped us pare down what we keep stored there.
- For morning routine items—like vitamins and a small bottle of apple cider vinegar—Sherry uses a cabinet Lazy Susan to keep everything accessible and neatly contained. These simple organizing tools make daily habits feel easier.
- On the entertainment side, if you’re looking for a thoughtful, occasionally hilarious podcast, Heavyweight is a great pick. A few standout episodes include “Gregor,” “Milt,” and “Kenny,” and Sherry’s favorite so far is “Isabel.”
If you want to find topics we’ve covered in past episodes but can’t remember which show notes to open, we keep a master list of everything we’ve been digging across all episodes. It’s a handy reference when you’re trying to locate a previous recommendation.
Finally, a thank-you to The Annie Selke Companies for sponsoring this episode. Use the code YHL15 to receive 15% off select orders at their site, including bedding, rugs, and home accessories.
Thank you for listening and following along. We’ll keep sharing updates as the duplex work progresses and as new ideas and discoveries pop up in the process.
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