Blog Posts

Moving Day Made Easier

If you’ve decided to move to Canyon Park we’re so excited to welcome you to our property. Moving can feel really stressful and overwhelming but we’ve got some tips to make it as seamless as possible. Take some time to study the layout of your new apartment so you can plan ahead where you will want to put your furniture. Using one of these room design apps is a good way to envision what your furniture will look like in the new place. Read carefully through your lease and apartment rules so you will be aware of what’s allowed and what’s not. If you have questions, ask on-site staff for clarification. Keep all of your moving-related information together in one place. What method or device you use to organize things doesn’t matter as much as simply doing it; so grab a notebook, create a spreadsheet, or use a moving app and create your moving plan. Your moving plan is likely to contain several lists. Lists are helpful for keeping us on track when we have a big task to accomplish (and moving certainly qualifies as a big task!). If you are moving into your first apartment, it’s handy to have a list of what you will need. Be sure to update your address with the USPS . They also have some good information for avoiding moving fraud. Contact your banking, billing, and other accounts to update your address with them, too. Find out about parking options for your moving van before the day of the move and take pictures of your old place before you leave so you have visual proof of the condition if you need them to claim deposits. It’s a good idea to take a picture of the new apartment, too, before you move in to have a record. Thanks for reading, and welcome to our apartment community here in Puyallup, Washington.

Managing Your Work from Home Workspace

If you are working from home these days, or considering, how you set up your workspace can have a big impact on your productivity. Today, the Canyon Park Blog is sharing some ideas about how to arrange your space to enhance your ability to work effectively. If possible, create the same setup you have at the office. Having all of the things you are used to accessing will save time and be less disruptive than setting up something completely new (although, if it’s possible you may want to invest in an additional monitor or two if you’re not already using multiple monitors — a word of warning though, if you do go to multiple monitors, you won’t ever want to go back to a single screen). Choose a designated space for your work area. A desk would be best, but if that’s not possible, a dedicated table, so you don’t have to set up and take things down every day is optimal. Make sure you have a comfortable chair that you can adjust to the height of the table or desk. When you are working from home it is easy to forget to take breaks. If need be, set an alarm to go off every few hours to remind you to stretch and walk around for a few minutes. Be sure to take a lunch break — away from your desk. Take time to get outside and get some fresh air during your workday too. It’s perhaps more difficult to achieve, but at the end of the day, leave work, at work, and switch gears. This will help you keep work at work (even if it’s at home). Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read our post. We’re glad you’re a part of our Puyallup, WA apartment community.

Refreshing Summer Beverages

Staying cool in the summer can be difficult, but our Canyon Park Blog is here to help you out. We are sharing a few refreshing beverages that taste great to give you that extra motivation to stay hydrated this summer here in your Puyallup, WA apartment. Fresh Peach Lemonade Lemonade and peaches are two summer classics that make one incredible summery drink. This recipe comes from No Biggie and calls for the following ingredients: fresh or frozen peaches, Country Time Lemonade, cold water, ice, frozen blueberries, frozen peach slices, and Sprite or 7up (optional). Strawberry Limeade This recipe comes from Two Peas & Their Pod. For this fruity, summer classic, you will need fresh strawberries, fresh lime juice, cold water granulated sugar, ice cubes, and lime slices. You will love the combination of sweet and tart flavors in this drink. Watermelon Lemonade Classic lemonade gets a summer twist with the addition of watermelon! You will need the following ingredients: fresh-squeezed lemon juice, sugar or other sweetener, water, and blended watermelon juice. Add slices of watermelon and lemons and top with ice. The recipe comes from Sugar and Charm. Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber and Mint Infused Water This recipe comes from Wholefully. This is a great way to naturally add some flavor to your water if you are looking for a little extra motivation to stay hydrated. You will need sliced strawberries, cucumber slices, lime slices, fresh mint leaves, ice cubes, and water. Sparkling Rainbow Sherbet Floats We love this recipe from Practically Functional. All you need to make them is rainbow sherbet and lemon-lime soda. The result is a deliciously fruity and delightfully colorful drink that kids and adults alike will enjoy. What is your favorite drink to enjoy during the hot summer months? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Car Care Basics

Getting around Puyallup, WA is great when you have a well-functioning vehicle, but unfortunately, car problems often arise when you least expect it. Do what you can to stay aware of how your car is doing and prevent any serious problems by practicing these basic but important car care tips. Know your car. This is important for the long-term health of your car and your ultimate peace of mind. Read or at least skim through the manual in your vehicle, taking notes of special care you would tell anyone else who would own your car. Become familiar with how it sounds and feels when it’s running smoothly so you can address abnormalities as soon as they occur. Check, change, and refill fluids. Whether you do this on your own or at a shop, this is vital to the health of your car. Things to check include your car’s oil, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and air conditioning coolant. Check out these tips for checking these 7 fluids for details about how to do so. Check tire pressure. The condition of your tires should never go under your radar. Check the tire pressure and tire tread to prolong the life of your tires and to significantly lower your risk of accidents on the road. Clean and lock your car. These may be extremely basic, but they can be easy to overlook, putting your safety unnecessarily at risk. So put safety and quality at the forefront of your mind by making and storing a spare key for your car somewhere secure and locking your car when you’re not using it. Clean your car to protect paint and the interior and use some hacks to make your car cleaner than it’s ever been . What other car care tips would you add to our list? Do you know a mechanic near Canyon Park you would recommend? Share your thoughts with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading! Good luck keeping up with your vehicle and getting where you need to go this summer.

How to Stay Cool When It Heats Up

Here at Canyon Park in Puyallup, WA, we want you to have the most enjoyable summer possible. July is when we experience higher temperatures, so to stay cool on those days it gets uncomfortably hot, we’ve provided a few tips on how to fight the heat this summer. Drink water. You hear this one all the time, but that’s probably because it can’t be stressed enough. This is one of the simplest ways to regulate your core temperature. Drink water regularly throughout the day to avoid getting thirsty and avoid dehydration. Headaches are one of the most common signs of water loss and dehydration. Increase your water intake when doing any sort of physical activity or when you’re outside in the summer sun for long periods of time. Use a refillable water bottle and keep it with you wherever you go. Dress for the weather. Choose loose-fitting, light-colored, lightweight clothing to assist with your endeavors to stay cool. Natural fabrics that breathe let the heat out; think cotton and linen, and stay away from synthetics. Wick away fabrics, the kind of clothing usually worn when exercising, is a good choice. Go for a swim! Swimming is a refreshing way to stay cool and exercise at the same time. Go for a swim in our pool or throw a pool party this summer. Just be sure to wear sunscreen to avoid getting burned. Wear a hat. It’s amazing what a little shade can do to keep you cool. A hat or an umbrella is a good way to keep the sun’s rays away. Avoid getting a sunburn on your face by wearing a hat all summer long. Take a nap. Stay indoors during the day, if you are able. The sun is at its hottest between noon and about 4:00 p.m, so plan indoor activities for this time of day. If you can, take a nap to recharge! Limit vigorous activity. Limiting vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day will help you stay cool. Choose instead to exercise in the early mornings or late evenings when the temperature is quite a bit cooler. Gadget or gimmick? There are several gadgets out there are designed to help you stay cool. Use a spray bottle to mist your face. A personal fan, umbrella hat, or even a thermal-cool neck wrap can make a huge difference in your comfort — go ahead and try them out. Don’t worry about looking ridiculous; at least you will be cool. Seek air conditioning. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, fans may not be enough. Seek out an air-conditioned venue. Eat right. Avoid heavy foods and opt for foods high in water content — fruits, salads, and soups are all good ideas. Foods can also be a great source of water to keep you hydrated and avoid headaches from the heat. Hope you enjoyed our Canyon Park Blog post! Feel free to share any other tips you find helpful for fighting the summer heat with us in the comments.

Picnic Anyone?

It’s summer here in Puyallup, WA! Take advantage of the warmer weather and (hopefully) clearer skies and celebrate summer by getting out of your apartment and throwing a picnic. The Canyon Park Blog is here to help you celebrate with recipe suggestions for your next picnic. For an appetizer: Individual Seven Layer Dips from The Girl Who Ate Everything The main thing to keep in mind when you’re putting a picnic together is to make sure you’re packing picnic-basket friendly food. Bean dip can be difficult to transport from place to place — it’s messy, it gets everywhere, and it often needs to be carried in a heavy glass or metal dish. Problem solved — these Individual Seven Layer Dips are pretty straightforward to make and easy to transport. For a side: Cilantro-Lime Orzo Pasta Salad from The Stay At Home Chef This Cilantro-Lime Orzo Pasta Salad looks fancy, tastes great, and only takes 15 minutes to make. If you want a simple recipe that will impress your friends, this is the side to try. For a main dish: Turkey Ranch Club Wraps from Life in the Lofthouse Wraps are the perfect main dish for your next picnic. Yes, this is a classic, but there’s nothing wrong with sticking with a recipe you know your friends and family will love. For a snack: Greek Salad Skewers from Little Broken These Greek Salad Skewers are light and flavorful, and you won’t mind interrupting your frisbee game for a taste. For dessert: Strawberry Brownie Skewers from One Little Project These skewers are easy to make, transport, share and eat. And you can even add a little excitement to the skewer and toast the marshmallows if you are picnicking near a fire pit or outdoor grill. We hope that you enjoy our suggestions. What are your favorite summer picnic recipes? Let us know in the comments!