Archives for the month of: November2015

One of the best things about buying a home? If you ask us, it’s about creating all those new holiday traditions! All the fun and festivities, the family and friends, the feasts and the falalalala’s. It’s a season we look forward to (presents & food!) – we dread (all that work, work, work to make it all perfect) – and we cherish (memories – both good and bad – whichever, they all make up our unique life stories).

We’d like to share some fun things centered on the holidays that we found and that put a smile on our faces. We hope they do for you, too!

A tree to remember. True story (<—-get it?) – because all your visitors will definitely be telling their friends about this one. Imaginatively simple and appropriately studious at the same time – this one tells the perfect tale about the host: Give me books for Christmas!

And for those who would like to take their Christmas tree in a different direction (<—ha! did it again!): An old ladder, a few boards, a little paint, and then bring on the lights and decorations!

What is better than a gift – that’s also food? (Other than a new Jaguar, we mean.) At least it’s great if you have people on your gift list that are passionate about their baking hobbies. Great tip: Offer a gift of holiday-shaped cookie cutters – but bake brownies in them for presentation. Fun, tasty, AND useful!

If presentation is everything, then we’d just like to say we need a few of these around to present our hors d’oeuvres for our holiday party. Arrange your mints on a parchment-lined pan, bake at 350-degrees for 5-8 minutes (watch them closely, though), turn out and let cool. A fantastically-easy and creative way to present your menu in style – and then hey, you can just eat ’em! (A neat twist: Use Jolly Ranchers….we hear they come out like stained-glass windows!)

Decorative balloons placed on a Frappuccino bottle + Ribbons = Are you kiddin’ me? How creative is this? An impressive and inexpensive packaging idea – great if you’re making homemade items such as bath salts or scrubs as gifts. We’ll take two, thanks!

And speaking of packaging, is this the greatest idea for wrapping children’s gifts EVER? We’re betting they’ll be so entranced, they’ll forget about the present INside. At least for awhile. (We know a few adults who would do the same thing!)

Gift Wrapping 101 continues with this clever presentation that will ensure no one at the office party is switching name tags on your Secret Santa deliveries! Note the cinnamon stick for a festive aroma, and the live greenery to enhance the effect.

We wonder how many of those paint-chip cards they have to keep in stock at Home Depot around the holidays?

Keep the kids in the spirit by assigning them the task of making these adorable GrinchKabobs for your holiday events. Or heck, just for breakfast. Green grape, banana, strawberry, mini marshmallow, and a candy heart on top. Couldn’t be simpler – or more fun (especially when they start piping the chocolate expressions on!)

Finally, if you’ve ever wondered how bakeries manage to create those adorable, individual lattice-topped holiday tarts, look no further. (It’s a little bit like exposing a magician’s secret, huh?) Eh – no matter. We figure we can use all the cheat-sheets we can get this time of year.

Whatever your holiday this season, and whatever your personal tastes – we truly believe they’ll all be better served in a home of your very own. If you’d like to make it happen for your family, let’s chat about it over the eggnog!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Everyone enjoys the holidays, and each of us does it in our own way. But with all the hustle and bustle going on during the season, it’s also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared, or too aware. So we’d like to share the following tips with you to help ensure you’ll get through the season happy – and most of all, safe.

While Out Shopping

• Try to shop during daylight hour. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

• Dress casually and comfortably – and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

• In parking lots – even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash – and carry the cash you do have in your front pocket.

• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.

• If you must use an ATM, choose one that is located in a well-lit location – and withdraw only the amount of cash you need.

• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you.

• Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location.

• Teach your child to go to a store clerk and ask for help in the event they are separated from you.

• Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping.

• Never allow children to make unaccompanied trips to the restroom.

• Children should never be allowed to go to the car alone and they should never be left alone in the car.

• Teach children their full name, address and telephone number to give to police officers or mall security.

• Teach children to immediately inform you if a stranger is bothering them.

• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home. (Not on your cell phone!)

• Wallets and purses are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, and especially in tourist locations (of which Las Vegas has many!).

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. Take two trips to your vehicle if you have to – or better yet, ask the store clerk for help. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists will try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings – or even worse.

Driving Safe – Before, During & After Your Trip

• When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.

• Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car, and set your alarm or use an anti-theft device if you have one.

• If you must shop at night, park in a well-lit area.

• Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.

• Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.

• Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.

• Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.

• Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.

• Keep a secure hold on your purse, handbag and parcels. Do not put them down or on top of the car – or leave it in the shopping cart – in order to open the door or load your packages.

• Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.

Keeping Things Safe At Home

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.

• When leaving home for an extended time, ask a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.

• Put both indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.

• When not at home, leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.

• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.

• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts or flowers.

• It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.

Enjoy Those Holiday Parties, But . . .

• Arrange for an official designated driver who will not drink at all.

• Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages and know your safe limit.

• Never drink and drive.

With extra attention paid to what is going on around you, you’re more than likely to NOT be the target of criminals – they tend to focus on those who are distracted or unaware of their immediate surroundings. So stay aware and stay safe this season – because there’s way too much to celebrate (and to eat)!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

So – you think you know everything there is to know about Thanksgiving, eh? Well – maybe . . . and maybe not. But just to make sure you can pass the “Thanksgiving Trivia Test” that someone at the dinner table is sure to deliver this year, here’s a few tidbits that might help you score.

Does Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?

One of the most common misconceptions – but the real answer is “Not so much.” Turkey does contain the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is a natural sedative, but so do a lot of other foods – like chicken, beef, pork, beans and cheese. Though many people believe turkey’s tryptophan content is what makes many people feel sleepy after a big Thanksgiving meal, it is more likely the combination of fats and carbohydrates, as well as the large amount of food (not to mention alcohol, in some cases) consumed, that makes most people feel like following their meal up with a nap.

How Many Turkeys Are Consumed On Thanksgiving?

An estimated 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving (the birds weigh, on average, 16 pounds). That is more than double the amount eaten on Christmas (22 million) and Easter (19 million). In 2010, more than 244 million turkeys were raised and about 226 million of those were consumed in the United States. Holy Turkey!

If Not For Thanksgiving – The Freezer Food Aisles Would Be Less Crowded

One of the greatest marketing triumphs of the 50’s, we’d say – because TV dinners have Thanksgiving to thank. In 1953, someone at Swanson misjudged the number of frozen turkeys it would sell that Thanksgiving — by 26 TONS! Some industrious soul came up with a brilliant plan: Why not slice up the meat and repackage with some trimmings on the side? And the family dinner has never been the same since.

Careers To Avoid If Black Friday Is Your Favorite Event

Going shopping the day after Thanksgiving? Not if you’re a plumber. Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for them, according to Roto-Rooter, the nation’s largest plumbing service. After all, someone has to clean up after household guests who, er, ‘overwhelm the system.”

The Movement Of The Turkey Inspired A Dance

Yep – and it’s called the Turkey Trot. Modeled on the bird’s characteristic short, jerky steps, it was one of a number of popular dance styles that emerged during the late 19th and early 20th century in the United States. The two-step, a simple dance that required little to no instruction, was quickly followed by such dances as the one-step, the turkey trot, the fox trot and the bunny hug, which could all be performed to the ragtime and jazz music popular at the time. The popularity of such dances spread like wildfire. (Although we’re just glad they didn’t change the main course to one of those other critters!)

Why Pick An Eagle When There’s Turkeys?

In a letter to his daughter sent in 1784, Benjamin Franklin suggested that the wild turkey would be a more appropriate national symbol for the newly independent United States than the bald eagle (which had earlier been chosen by the Continental Congress). He argued that the turkey was “a much more respectable Bird,” “a true original Native of America,” and “though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage.” (While we admit that plenty of people already know this bit of trivia, it’s still an interesting way of gaining our forefathers’ perspective, we think!)

And let’s just wrap it up with a few quickies (or perhaps “one-liners” would be more appropriate):

• A full-grown turkey has over 3,000 feathers.

• Only male turkeys, called toms, gobble. Females, called hens, cackle.

• Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday – Canadians celebrate it, too (except they do it the second Monday in October).

• Turkeys have heart attacks: The United States Air Force was doing test runs and breaking the sound barrier, and nearby turkeys dropped dead with heart attacks. (Altogether now: Awwww! That’s so sad!)

• Green bean casserole came about some 50 years ago – thanks to the Campbell’s Soup people creating new recipes for its annual cookbook. (Now, the company sells about $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup, most likely for people to make the casserole.)

Now the ball’s in your court. If you can’t win yourself a bar-bet with one of those tidbits, then odds are you’re not the genius in the room. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

If there’s one thing that Baby Boomers are used to, it’s going through life’s changes as a group. One of those changes includes addressing the issue of aging parents who reached the point where daily assistance with living is often necessary. Fortunately, others have been there before you and have shared solutions, and there are many organizations and facilities available to help both parties prepare for these transitions.

It’s not an easy thing for seniors – or anyone, for that matter – to face the thought of losing their independence due to age or health matters. Most often, the burden of easing people into these necessary transitions falls to their children. It’s a challenging process that brings out the best and the worst in everyone involved – primarily because there are so many factors to deal with. It can seem overwhelming. We’d like to suggest some methods to help prepare for this change if it may be coming up in your near future.

1. PLAN AHEAD.

One of the biggest mistakes that many families make is putting off discussions until it becomes an urgent matter and then decisions must be made rapidly – such as after a major medical crisis. Many seniors unrealistically believe they will be able to care for themselves for the rest of their lives. And that’s where their children or other family members can be instrumental – to identify current or potential future problems, and then open ongoing discussions.

No matter what the age of your parent, it is never too early to begin communicating about the future. Decisions can be made together about how your parents will wish to proceed when (or if) certain aging or health benchmarks occur. This can include taking steps to document wills or health directives. And planning ahead is also a valuable tool to secure their peace of mind regarding any concerns they may have about catastrophic illness or end-of-life preferences they have. (It’s always easier to talk about it when it’s not actually happening!)

By opening the lines of communication early, it allows for long-term dialog and planning that can remove the sudden shock of going from independence one day – to being fully dependent the next.

2. ENLIST HELP.

a) Involve the Family. This will undoubtedly be a big job, so enlist help from your family. It is especially crucial that all the adult siblings are giving their parents the same general message.

b) Form a Caregiving Team. Gather brothers, sisters, children and uncles and aunts together to address an ailing loved ones needs. Have a meeting and discuss the problem and suggested solutions without the parent present. Having the input of a professional to guide the family through the transition’s emotional and physical aspects would be helpful, too.

c) Power of Attorney. One of the most important things is to decide is “Who will make the critical decisions?” Typically, experts recommend that one capable person be appointed as the primary advocate. This person should be in charge of financial decisions and act as the durable power of attorney for health care.

1. PREPARING FOR THE MOVE.

a. Plan Effectively. Before families begin the sorting and organizing process, it will help to have a visual representation of where they will be living. What rooms need to be furnished? How many square feet is the new residence? Having a say in what will be included in their immediate surroundings will help provide your parents with a sense of empowerment.

b. Sort and Organize. Downsize and categorize everything: Items to be moved, keepsakes to be left with family, to be sold or donated, and what to throw out. But don’t allow yourself to become a packing robot lacking feelings. Honor the emotional attachment to personal belongings and allow your parents to reminisce as you help sort out their possessions. Remember, these are not just things you’re moving; they’re memories.

c. Clean and Repair. Whether the house is going to be sold, rented or passed on to another relative — the general requirements are the same. The house should be cleaned, and required repairs should be made. It’s better to take care of maintenance issues all at once rather than dealing with them later while the house is for sale.

d. Moving Day. Decide if you’re doing it yourself, hiring help, or using a full-service mover. Then pack accordingly.

e. Ensure Their Comfort. Take care to ensure the most precious cargo of all: your loved ones. If a long-distance move, keep in mind that 18-hour driving days probably aren’t the best choice for them. If possible, arrange to have them moved by air or comfortably by car, and to stay with relatives or in a hotel until their belongings have been unpacked at their new residence. Helping them to avoid confusion, worry, and fatigue will go a long way to creating optimum circumstances for the transition.

It can’t be said often enough that by far, the most important tool you have at your disposal is communication. By having regular conversations with your parents about future plans – and sharing your concerns about wanting to ensure their health and safety – it allows them to take an active role in the decision-making process. One great way to see if from your parents’ point of view: Ask yourself how you would want your kids to address this topic with you!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!