12/20/2013

New Year's Resolutions

It may be time before New Year's to make financial resolutions. 
Call me to discuss a lower payment. 
Together we can come up with a plan to save more money.
perhaps your insurance needs a tune up or there is deffered maintenance on the house that needs some attention?






12/19/2013

Sell Your House

How to prepare your house to sell

Tips for preparing your house to sell



  1. De-clutter: Donate it, dump it, or store it. 
  2. De-personalize: Remove family photos, personal memorabilia, keepsakes, etc. 
  3. Remove furniture: Create the feeling of space, especially if square footage is limited. 
  4. Clean your house: A clean home tells buyers that it is well-maintained. 
  5. Paint the walls: Keep the walls neutral to appeal to more buyers. 
  6. Bring in the light: Take down heavy window treatments, clean the windows, bring in lamps. Buyers like bright homes. 
  7. Do the minor repairs: Replace light bulbs, fix leaky faucets, make sure closet doors are on track, etc. 
  8. Add curb appeal: Clean the yard, trim shrubs, add a nice doormat to welcome visitors. 
  9. Update kitchen: Buyers place a huge value on updated kitchens. This is where you should make big improvements. Now that we've entered into a 'buyer's market', creating a positive first impression and showcasing the best attributes of your home are essential in today's real estate market.

 

12/18/2013

Bathrooms

Orange County bathrooms to die for
white soaking tub


vanity and cut mirror

marble tub
Solid Carrera marble tub




beach glass shower

mermaid bath

Tub for a mermaid at the  "Rock House" in Laguna Beach now for sale for only fifteen million dollars






black marble counter with pea green glass tile shower no seams

12/17/2013

Spagetti Squash Recipe

Squash boats in the oven before baking
spaghetti squash vegan gluten free PASTA recipe

Cut the squash in half. Save the seeds to grow more in your garden



Ingredients

1 whole spaghetti squash

1 large onion ( I prefer maui or sweet) chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 medium tomato chopped rough in 6 pieces

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

¼ cup fresh snipped basil

2 cloves garlic minced or garlic powder 1 teaspoon if you are in a hurry

¾ teaspoon rough sea salt

¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

¼ cup grated Parmesan or romano cheese, optional

Small jar marinara sauce


Instructions


1.      Do not bother to Pre-heat oven – this is a side dish added to your oven temperature for whatever else you are baking. Tonight I’m baking a salmon in lime and dill on top shelf, and whole sweet potatoes (ingredients for something tomorrow) Line a baking pan with foil, makes easy clean up. I like to use my iphone timer to help remind me to multi task. Prepare salmon and sweet potatoes on baking dish on top shelf.

2.      Using the tip of a sharp knife cut squash in half. Scoop out seeds. Save seeds for your garden. This squash is easy to grow. Place on foil lined baking pan with cup upright. Fill with olive oil, tomato, thyme, garlic salt and pepper. Allow the foil to curl around the two halves. Bake for around 1.25 hours at 350 or 1 hour at 375 just check is roasted and tender.

3.      Meanwhile cook the onions in olive oil until tender (3 minutes) add sauce.  Bring to a bubble, turn heat down to a simmer, cover and cook for 3 minutes. Uncover and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring

4.      Remove squash from oven, scoop out the contents of the two halves and add to the sauce pot. You are only mixing the squash and sauce together. Add basil, taste and check the sauce. My son like’s hot sauce, perhaps it needs a dash of soy sauce. Using the same baking sheet and new piece of foil return the “noodles” with the sauce back into the halves and warm in the oven. You can add cheese on top (perhaps only on one half as in my household one doesn’t eat cheese)


5. To serve: Place the spaghetti squash on a serving platter with some fresh herbs around. Allow everyone to scoop their own portion.

Makes 8 servings. Preparation time: 3 minutes. Bake time 1 hour. Serve on table in 1 hour 20 minutes.

Without the cheese this is vegan. With the cheese the recipe is vegetarian. I grow my own herbs, tomatoes, garlic and squash organic in my little yard in Laguna Niguel California ( Orange County ).  I like to use the oven for several dishes. This saves energy and time. Start the squash when you get home from work. Cheap as I only purchased the jar of organic sauce at Trader Joe's. Both my children love this, it is gluten free alternative to pasta. 




I line a cookie tray with foil and then curl it around. The top will roast but there is no cleanup. Dice one red bell pepper, chop a whole tomato in 5- 6 pieces, tablespoon of cheap not virgin olive oil, smashed garlic clove or if you are in a hurry- sprinkle garlic powder, salt and pepper

Preparation time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes less if the squash are small in size
Serving Size 1 half the squash
Calories: 100
Cuisine: Easy Italian Vegan
Nutrition Facts:

Calcium, Vitamin C and K, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
Author: Caroline Gerardo