DECEMBER  CHRISTMAS IS HERE , TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING AND RECIEVEING FALL IS HERE , TIME FOR GIVING THANKS AND REFLECTION  TURKEYS, PUMPKINS, APPLE CIDER,WARM FIRES A personal message from Kimberly... Welcome to the DECEMBER edition of our Newsletter.   I hope you find this month's feature article on green cleaning with HEPA vacuums to be helpful.   I am always looking for money saving tips to share with you.   As always, your feedback is appreciated. Feel free to contact me anytime with your ideas, or questions. Kimberly Fogle  972-365-6965 Green Cleaning With HEPA Vacuums by Lee Harris Green cleaning has become a large part of the commercial [and residential] cleaning industry. Green cleaning is not only effective at producing a cleaner chemical free environment but also can create a more hospitable work or living environment. Air quality is an important part of green cleaning making the vacuum cleaner important for dust and allergen filtration. Dust and particles are heavier than air making them settle on surfaces and compound over time. Dusting has been an excepted method of removing dust and particles from an environment but utilizing a vacuum cleaner is much more thorough and effective. HEPA vacuum cleaners can remove up to 99.9 percent of particles from the air that measure over 1 micron. Vacuum cleaners actually filter the dust through a filtration system whereas dusting can propel particles back into to air. The best type of vacuum cleaner for cleaning green facilities are HEPA vacuum cleaners. 'HEPA filter' stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. HEPA filters use tiny glass fibers to remove particles from the air. As a HEPA filter in a vacuum gets dirty it becomes more efficient gradually letting only smaller particles escape the exhaust until the filter becomes totally clogged. It is important to change HEPA filters on vacuum cleaners regularly to let the vacuum motor work at maximum efficiency and prevent premature burn-out. HEPA filtration standards are regulated by such agencies as the CDC, OSHA and the EPA and a vacuum cleaner has to meet their requirements to be fully deemed a tru HEPA vacuum cleaner. HEPA filters were first developed in World War II for cleaning of sensitive military areas but have evolved over the years to become part of everyday life. Another important part of green vacuum cleaning is noise level. Green cleaning buildings require that vacuum cleaner makes a noise below seventy decibels [though home versions are not subject to this rule]. It is believed that vacuum cleaners that are quieter than seventy decibels do not disturb occupants as much and create a more serene environment. Making a vacuum cleaner perform with a noise level quieter than seventy decibels can be achieved with baffling and filtration. The major drawbacks to this method of noise suppression are the effects of reduction in power and lack of air flow through the motor system making the vacuum cleaner less powerful. The solution to this problem is the utilization of HEPA filtration to clean the air and suppress the vacuum motor noise. Green cleaning vacuum cleaners come in many styles and can fit many uses. Upright vacuum cleaners can be fitted with HEPA filters to fit the green cleaning standards of a building or facility. Backpack vacuum cleaners are usually fitted with an external filter to fit these requirements and can either be purchased as HEPA units can be modified to HEPA clean air standards. The newest addition to HEPA and green vacuuming is the addition of HEPA wet dry vacuums which can be useful in the task of construction cleaning of green buildings. These HEPA wet dry units can pickup wet dry and then be quickly converted into a HEPA vacuum for on-the-spot cleaning. . DECEMBER   is in the Christmas seasons, for Winter festivals and all things cool and crisp. Check out our list of local area Fairs and Christmas Traditions. December  is also a great month to assess your housing needs, take advantage of the $8000 First Time Homebuyers Credit and low, low mortgage rates. Are you lost in the tall grass house hunting or selling your home? Bring your basket to us.  We'll fill it with expertise, up-to-date market knowledge and professional service! Kimberly Great news for First-time homebuyers and those looking to refinance!  First-time homebuyers now get an $8000 tax credit that does not have to be repaid while mortgage rates continue to hover at historic lows. Call or E-Mail for service as sweet as fresh spring  air!     We'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge someone really special, YOU! YOU are the referral lifeblood of our business and bring worth to our vocation by thinking of us,  when you or someone you know has a  housing need. Please accept this greeting along with our  thanks, a personal Thank You if you will, straight from the heart! Have a Fantastic February       Clear Your Mind Productivity Will Follow How many times have you experienced a brilliant revelation while in the middle   of something else? Ten minutes later, you go to retrieve it, and it's gone.   Or you have a task that you know you must complete, perhaps a phone call at work,    but other items keep popping up. The day ends, you pull into your driveway,   and realize that you never made that call. Years ago, George A. Miller wrote an article for The Psychological Review in    which he suggested that the number of items a person can keep in their short-term memory    is approximately seven, plus or minus two. With everything going on in the world    around us, it's no wonder that we forget so many things. What's the solution? Write it down!    Productivity expert David Allen* believes that you should avoid having the same   thought more than once, unless you enjoy that particular thought.   Our minds are prone to remember items that happened recently or which contain   emotional content. Given the choice, we would probably prefer more selective    criteria, especially considering the space constraints of our short-term memory.   By writing notes, you free your mind to do more productive things such as coming    up with innovative new ideas or analyzing existing data. Allen has also observed that as adults, we often experience ideas somewhere other   than where they're to be implemented. Perhaps you've been discussing something   with a client, and you have an additional thought while standing in line at the grocery.   The reverse can also happen, where you remember that you are out of milk while   you're in the middle of a meeting. By writing these thoughts down when you have    them, you'll ensure that they'll be acted upon when the opportunity arises. How should you begin this process? Stock up on working pens, pads of paper,    and a location to place these notes at work, at home, and when you're traveling   in between the two. The only thing worse than forgetting an idea is writing it down   and losing the note, which doubles your anxiety. You're wondering where the note    went, prompting fears that other notes have been lost, and you're trying to retrieve   an idea which you've already placed in your mental recycle bin.    (This bin is emptied regularly, unlike the one on your PC's desktop!) By documenting your ideas, you will achieve a clear mind and be ready to face even   larger challenges.     NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT We can only create our lives from this present moment in time.    I think most of us are aware of this, yet so many live in the past,    unwilling to forgive, or in the future, afraid of what is around    the corner. If you are still looking for a New Season resolution    why not start by forgiving everyone for everything they have ever    done to you, and start off by forgiving yourself for anything   you may regret. Whenever we refuse to forgive either ourselves   or others we are living in the past, and this living    in the past is precisely what keeps us from creating    our future. Haven’t we all done things that we    wish we had not? Maybe it was something mean    or just stupid. It is time to move on as we begin    another new year. We all have a clean slate, not only every new year,    but every day, to create our lives.    We must begin by getting ourselves out of the past    and out of the future.   Forgiving our parents, children, bosses, spouses,    our government, the economy, ourselves, etc.    is a wonderful way to get our lives on track again.    How about it?    Can we all add forgiveness to our list of resolutions?    Believe me, it really feels good!!!    This is one of the happiness keys  How are you feeling about your future as this New Year rolls in?    Does the constant negative barrage of the news media    or even your friends leave you frightened and   insecure of what may be around the corner?   Does this fear of money, your health, your relationships,    terrorism, etc. affect your well being in the present moment?    NOW, yes right NOW, is the perfect time for us all    to take control of our thoughts, emotions, words,   and actions and begin loving our life experience   and manifesting our dreams. Whenever the student asks, the teachers always arrive.    I had yet another wonderful example of how this works just yesterday.    I began writing this month’s newsletter a few days prior to January 1ST.    I chose the subject matter of “being in the now” and wrote a couple of paragraphs  with the idea of completing it later in the week.    The day I began writing this piece my wife Julie   was visiting a friend who handed her a movie DVD    he thought she and I might enjoy together.   That evening, Julie and I totally enjoyed watching   “Peaceful Warrior” starring Nick Nolte. What was    the topic of the movie?   That’s right, you guessed correctly. It was all about   being happy in the present moment in order to live    one’s life to the fullest! Was it just coincidence that    this movie came to me at precisely the time I am   writing on the same subject, of course not? It was just    the information I was silently asking for to complete    this month’s newsletter.    Do you want to learn how to be happy and live in   the present moment in order to enjoy life to the fullest?    Just start asking and your teachers will arrive.    I would love to be one of them. Here is what I would like to share for now.   We all have our very unique picture of the life we    desire and this life will be created by our actions,   our thoughts, our emotions, our words,   our self-love, and the balancing of our male and female energies.    Our life is intended to be all about free will and free choice.    When we are in a place of fear, jealousy, anger, helplessness,    or revenge it is practically impossible to create a   joyous life experience. As human beings we have   control of the present moment, and how we use it   to think, feel, and act.    Author Eckhart Tolle in his recent book states that    in every moment of our lives we must be in a place of enthusiasm, appreciation, or acceptance. Once here,    the power to create with free will exists.   One of the biggest factors keeping us away from the    present and in the past or future is lack of faith.    Faith is simply believing in something we cannot prove.    We cannot prove today what our future will bring,    but we can have faith that all we desire is on the way.    Faith cannot co-exist with fear and lack of forgiveness.   As we begin the New Season, many of us are getting   a wonderful new life test as our economic crisis may    be causing a great deal of personal upset. We are   learning that joy, happiness, and inner growth must    replace the negative emotional dominance of materialism.    Eliminating fear and loving our life’s journey begins   with being in the present with self-love, and this can be learned and practiced. This will be the basis of my message    going forward. Want to learn more and have me speak or    do a workshop with your group?    Our wake-up call has arrived!!!   There are no victims, and it is all about self-responsibility.    Ask your questions, learn to love the present moment,    have faith, and the teachers and answers will come    streaming to you.  Happy 2009 to all!! With love and appreciation,     GREAT HOLIDAY RECIEPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS Seasoned Roast Turkey This gorgeous turkey is seasoned with nine spices for flavor impact. Note that it also releases lots of delectable drippings for some dynamite gravy. Ingredients: 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed 1 tablespoon salt 2 teaspoons seasoned salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 1 cup water Garnishes: kumquats, fresh sage, fresh rosemary Preparation: Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for making Giblet Gravy, if desired. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Place turkey, breast side up, in a greased broiler pan. Combine salt and next 8 ingredients. Using fingers, carefully loosen skin from turkey at neck area, working down to breast and thigh area. Rub about one-third of seasonings under skin. Rub skin with softened butter; rub with remaining seasonings. Tie legs together with heavy string, or tuck under flap of skin. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under turkey. Add water to pan. Cover turkey with aluminum foil. Bake at 325° for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into meaty part of thigh registers 180°, uncovering turkey after 2 hours. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, reserving pan drippings for gravy. Let turkey stand 15 minutes before carving. Garnish, if desired. Tip: If you buy a frozen bird, remember to allow about 3 days for a 12- to 14-pound turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Giblet Gravy If you often wish you had more gravy left after a holiday meal, this recipe is for you. A long-simmering broth and pan drippings contribute rich flavor to this abundant gravy that's not overly thick. Ingredients: Neck and giblets reserved from turkey 4 cups water 1 celery rib with leaves, cut into pieces 1 onion, quartered 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper Preparation: Combine first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours, removing liver after 20 minutes to prevent overcooking. Remove from heat. Pour broth through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl. Remove neck meat from bone; chop, and set aside. Chop remaining giblets, and set aside. Stir 3 1/2 cups broth into reserved turkey drippings in broiler pan that turkey roasted in, or in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Combine flour and 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth; gradually whisk into boiling broth. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in chopped neck meat and giblets; cook until thoroughly heated. Cornbread-Biscuit Dressing This simple Old South dressing is a no-egg recipe, so it's slightly crumbly. We liked it smothered in Giblet Gravy. Make Ahead. Ingredients: 4 cups biscuit crumbs (see shortcut below) 4 cups cornbread crumbs 6 celery ribs, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried sage 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 2 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth 1/2 cup milk Preparation: Spread biscuit and cornbread crumbs in an ungreased pan. Bake at 300° for 15 minutes or until crumbs are toasted, stirring twice. Sauté celery and onion in butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until tender. Remove from heat. Combine sauteed mixture, toasted crumbs, parsley, and next 3 ingredients. Stir in broth and milk. Spoon dressing into a greased 13â?? x 9â?? pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until browned. Shortcut Solution: Six frozen biscuits, baked, or six fast-food biscuits will give you 4 cups crumbs. We tested with Pillsbury frozen biscuits and Pioneer cornbread mix. You could also use frozen baked cornbread and warm it in the microwave oven before crumbling. Or buy cornbread from a cafeteria or deli. Make Ahead: Spoon prepared dressing into pan; cover and chill overnight. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour. Let stand at room temperature until almost serving time. Just before serving, reheat at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes. Green Peas and Baby Limas with Pine Nuts Tender lima beans and petite peas cooked in chicken broth are even better with fresh rosemary and toasted pine nuts. And there's no need to thaw the peas or beans before cooking. Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth 1 (10-ounce) package frozen baby lima beans 4 1/2 cups frozen petite peas (1 1/2 [16-ounce] packages) 1/2 teaspoon sugar 3/4 cup pine nuts 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 3 green onions, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons butter or margarine Preparation: Bring broth to a boil in a saucepan; add lima beans. Return to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Stir in peas and 1/2 teaspoon sugar; cook 2 minutes. Drain. Sauté pine nuts in 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat until golden. Add bean mixture, green onions, and next 3 ingredients; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Stir in remaining 3 tablespoons butter until melted. Gingersnap Sweet Potatoes A crisp gingersnap topping earns this Southern sweet potato casserole high marks. Purchase crisp gingersnap cookies rather than the soft variety for making the streusel. Ingredients: 6 sweet potatoes (4 pounds) 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/3 cup half-and-half 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into pieces 32 coarsely crushed gingersnap cookies (we tested with Nabisco) Preparation: Cook sweet potatoes in a Dutch oven in boiling water to cover over medium heat 30 minutes or until tender. Cool; peel and mash potatoes. Combine mashed sweet potato, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and next 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. (Or mash with a potato masher until smooth.) Spoon into a greased 2 1/2-quart or 13" x 9" baking dish. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and flour. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Stir in crushed gingersnaps. Sprinkle streusel over sweet potato. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes or until streusel is lightly browned. Make Ahead: Prepare sweet potato filling, and spoon into a greased 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe dish. Cover and chill overnight. Microwave at HIGH 10 minutes or until hot. Prepare streusel, and sprinkle over filling. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until streusel is lightly browned. Cranberry-Kumquat Relish Kumquats add a citrus surprise to this favorite holiday sauce that you can make up to a week ahead. Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce 1 cup finely chopped kumquats (about 18) 6 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Cover and chill. Holiday Lane Cake We've made this fancy Southern cake doable for anybody. The shortcut? Cake mix and frosting mix. You're just in charge of the gooey filling and baking the cake, of course. Ingredients: 1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix (we tested with Duncan Hines) 3 large eggs 1 1/4 cups milk 1/4 cup vegetable oil Raisin-Nut Filling 1 (7.2-ounce) package fluffy white frosting mix (we tested with Betty Crocker) 1/2 cup boiling water Garnish: maraschino cherries with stems Preparation: Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 8 round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool on wire racks. Wrap cake layers in nonstick aluminum foil and freeze 30 minutes. (This step aids in frosting the finished product.) Unwrap layers. Spread Raisin-Nut Filling between layers, reserving about 1 1/3 cups for top of cake. Beat frosting mix and 1/2 cup boiling water at low speed 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl; beat at high speed 5 to 7 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Spread frosting on sides of cake. Spread reserved filling on top of cake. Let stand at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish, if desired. See you in 2009       *Release*** Today the President signed H.R. 3221, the "Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008." This legislation contains a number of victories for homeowners including GSE (Government Sponsored Entity) reform, FHA reform, permanent loan limit increases, and a $7500 homeowner tax credit. This bill will help homeowners facing foreclosure find ways to refinance, and will help strengthen mortgage markets. Effective dates of the bill differ among provisions, but I thought it would be helpful for you to see an outline of the key provisions and the direct impact that we should feel in the housing industry. Permanent Increased FHA Loan Limits should help stimulate buyer activity giving confidence to buy as FHA mortgages have a much lower down payment structure but still have great low fixed interest rates. According to H.R. 3221, 115% of the local median home price will be used to determine the max FHA loan limit by County. I will forward the final limit list once FHA publishes it, but as far as I know, we should stay at $271,050 loan limit. Seller Funded Downpayment Assistance Programs will be prohibited.This is a big change as these programs were widely used to do low or no out of pocket type deals. Buyers that are now pre-qualified (or would like to be) using seller funded grants have until Oct. 1st. to close (it is important to understand that the market may dictate an earlier date depending if HUD determines this to be with loans closing or underwritten or case number ordered by this date- we will let you know as soon as we receive the mortgagee letter from HUD). If you need assistance getting your buyers off the fence who need DAPS, please let us help- we know these products well! There is now a short window of time to get these transactions done. Remember that municipal grants and bonds fund are also still available. I will be also sending out in the next few weeks other ways that FHA allows funds to close for our buyers. Minimum Cash Investment for FHA loans will be 3.5% (vs the current requirement of 3 %). We are still awaiting word from HUD as to how that is to be calculated, but just looking at the wording, on a $100,000 sales price, the buyer must have at least $3500 (3.50%)minimum investment into the loan vs the current $3000 (3.00%). Again we will be sending out in the next few weeks other ways that FHA allows funds to close for our buyers. First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit up to $7500 tax that will be available for any qualified purchase between April 8, 2008 and June 30, 2009. To qualify as a first time homebuyer, the buyer must not have owned a home during the last three years. The credit is repayable over the next 15 years (making it, in effect, an interest free loan). Please call me if you have questions on how this will work. We are having our CPA review the verbiage so we can give specific advice to our clients on this. This should be an extremely powerful tool to help our "fence sitters" who are financially ready to buy now. Please be aware, however, that as far as we know, this money cannot be used (nor is it given upfront) to close on the loan. FHA Risk Based Pricing Moratorium in place October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009 (risk based pricing went into effect on July 14th). This will help higher risk buyers keep payments as low as possible by reducing monthly and up front mortgage insurance premiums that would otherwise be subject to higher premiums resulting in higher payments. Mortgage Revenue Bond Authority authorizes $10 billion in mortgage revenue bonds for refinancing sub-prime mortgages. It is important for us all to help stop the rise of foreclosures by referring at risk homeowners that have sub-prime mortgages into this refinance program now. This will help keep our home values and communities strong. Less foreclosures are good for families and for all homeowners who don't want to live next to a foreclosure or have to compete against one when they want to sell their home. Please call us if you know of any at risk homeowners and let us educate them about their FHA options. The more people that go from sub-prime mortgages into an FHA fixed mortgage, the more quickly we will see a "bottom" to our inventory levels and foreclosure filings. From this, pricing structure will stabilize and begin to increase again. GSE Stabilization from the Treasury Department to authorize the Treasury to make loans to, and buy stock from the GSE's to ensure that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae do not fail. This is a major step in shoring up the housing market as there has been fear that if either Fannie or Freddie failed, mortgage lending could essentially freeze up. This stabilization will help to give confidence to our system and should help "grease the wheels" thereby creating greater access to mortgage financing and the long term ability for Fannie/Freddie to operate as needed. As H.R. 3221 was just signed into law, the final Bill is now available for review in it's entirety. The bill is roughly 600 pages long, and I am looking forward to a great reading weekend :). As there is additional information given, I will make certain that we forward to you as quickly as possible. Please feel free to call me if you have a specific question about H.R.3221 or have a buyer that we can be of service. You can reach us directly at KKFOGLE@AOL.COM 972-365-6965 If you have questions about home sales or values in your neighborhood we're just a phone call or E-Mail away. If you're not in the market. We're here when you need us!     Stimulus Package: Lawmakers Raise Lending Limits: Do you qualify for a better rate? The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is a $168 billion plan intended to jumpstart the sliding U.S. economy. While a lot of media attention has been focused on the $600-$1,200 rebate checks that millions of taxpayers will begin receiving this spring, the new bill is also designed to help certain "high-cost regions" of the struggling housing market by: Temporarily increasing the "conforming loan limit" from $417,000 to as high as $729,750 in specified areas; and Temporarily increasing the size of loans the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can insure from $362,000 to as high as $729,750 in specified areas. If you're looking to purchase or refinance a home in a "high-cost region," this is great news. These temporary increases could help you avoid the higher interest rates associated with "non-conforming," or jumbo, loans. Although these new limits only apply until the end of 2008, the legislation does not exclude the refinancing of any past mortgages into these new "conforming loans." That means, if you qualify, you can take advantage of the new limits no matter how many years have passed since you obtained your mortgage. While this is great news, I should remind you that qualification standards are tougher than ever. So your credit score and credit worthiness are more important than ever. Give us a call today. We can review your options and discuss if we can make this legislation work for you. Do You Live in a High-Cost Region? Not everyone will benefit from these temporary loan limit increases, but experts estimate that areas in at least 17 states will be able to take advantage of it. So how do you know if your neighborhood qualifies? A high-cost region is typically determined by the median value of its homes. The median value is the specific price that is halfway between the least expensive and most expensive home sold in an area over a given period of time. Do not confuse this with the average home price. The median home price is the price at which half of all buyers bought more expensive homes and half of all buyers bought less expensive homes. If that sounds confusing, don't worry. It is the responsibility of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine, within the next 30 days, what the median home price is for regions across the country. But I don't want you to wait until HUD makes its determination; give me a call to discuss if you might benefit from this new legislation.

Top 20 Winner: Best Use of Color Indoors
 

Mixed vintage furnishings and accents with new pieces in home and then used hefty doses of bold color to tie the look together. Susan Won Top prize in the Best Use of Color Indoors category of Better Homes and Gardens' Top 20 Home Improvement Contest.

Bring a Room Alive with Color
This bright and colorful living room features a simple combo of just two colors: green and gold. The warm palette is a perfect complement to Susan's interesting mix of old and new furnishings. "I'm not real strict about eras," she says. "If I like something, I try to incorporate it. The colors and fabrics pull everything together and make it all work." The armchairs, which belonged to Susan's mother, were re-covered to match the decor. The window treatment is embellished with holiday ornaments hung from ribbon.

Foster an Eye for DIY Details
A talented seamstress, Susan made all of the pillows and curtains in her living room. The pillow in the foreground includes interesting details, which Susan often adds to her projects. "I collect vintage buttons and I thought they were interesting enough to add to that pillow," she says. "I use a lot of knickknacks on my pillows and drapes."

Show It Off
After searching flea markets and garage sales for 20 years, Susan has amassed a colossal collection of colorful dinnerware. "Unfortunately, I have cupboards full of it," she laughs. She keeps a rotating display of her treasures in the kitchen in a custom shelf she had built to match an antique sideboard.

Collect with Nonchalance
Although her collection includes some familiar names, such as Fiestaware, Susan says she chooses pieces for their color, not their pedigree.

Pick What You Like
This mix-and-match collection of dinnerware includes dumpster finds, hand-me-downs, and gifts, such as these vintage rooster salt-and-pepper shakers.

Find Color Cues
The kitchen nook is filled with a large window seat and an antique table and chairs, which Susan found at an estate sale. "I liked the character and color of it" she says. "Also, I knew the family that owned it so I had a sentimental attachment." A colorful collection of dinnerware (on display elsewhere in the kitchen) inspired the room's citrus hues.

Remodel with Purpose
In her effort to make her new home feel as old as its historic neighborhood, Susan added wainscoting, moldings, and a vintage-looking utility sink to the guest bathroom. She added shots of yellow, which pop against the woodwork. "I like warm colors, but I also like the crispness of white accents."

Add Flowers and Tchotchkes
Tulips add color and life to the kitchen table. "I grow and love flowers so I try to keep them on display -- when my cats aren't eating them," Susan jokes. The vintage salt-and-pepper shakers are part of a collection that includes items chosen for their color and character.

Bedroom Decorating Secrets
Source: My Home Ideas/www.MyHomeIdeas.com


Get inspiration from these six bedrooms and transform your space into a place of peaceful refuge.

Bedrooms Galore	Photo: Mali Azima
It wasn't so long ago that the last room to be tackled in any interior makeover was the bedroom. Not so anymore. Check out six different bedrooms with six different styles. You're sure to find one to suit every family member.

Florida Blues	Photo: Pieter Estersohn
With a refreshing color palette and sharp details, T. Keller Donovan, a designer based in New York and Miami Beach, transformed this master suite into a cool, comfortable retreat. What Makes It Work Bold scale. "A smaller-scale toile would look country, while this looks more sophisticated and dramatic," says Donovan. The settee. It reiterates the main fabric and also serves as a bench for pillows, blankets, or clothes. Plenty of white. On the walls, headboard, linens, lamps, mirror, and even prints framed with wide white mats in simple white frames, it lessens the intensity of the intricate toile pattern. Bedroom Basics: Bedside tables should have closed drawers and doors. Everyone has clutter next to the bed, so invest in a good nightstand to store these items neatly.

Crisp and Modern	Photo: Tria Giovan
"Color is exciting. You don't need that in the bedroom. A bedroom should be quiet and serene," says D.C. designer Frank Babb Randolph. This master bedroom he designed in a Georgetown home is a study in quiet, with pale grays and a whisper of robin's-egg blue. What Makes It Work Calm color. The overall palette is soothing, with soft taupes and grays in the linens and other accents and a pale grayed blue on the walls. A glass-and-silver side table. It lends hints of shimmer to the muted tones. Minimal art. A few personal touches can do the job. Natural illumination during the day. Bedside lamps provide light for reading at night. Bedroom Basics: The clean, tailored look is increasingly popular as homeowners look to the bedroom to provide a place for serenity. Two sets of pillows on the bed, with bolsters or square cushions, and monochromatic linens help create a calm atmosphere.

English Elegance	Photo: Ka Yeung
For a '30s Tudor home in Dallas, architect Ralph Duesing, with designers Cathy Kincaid and Charles Birdsong, created an elegant bedroom that pays homage to the heritage of the house. What Makes It Work A generous, sheltering bed. The domed canopy and bed curtains lend a softness that counteracts all the wood. The bed's lacquered finish provides additional polish. Modern-day amenities. An intercom is disguised as an old-fashioned bell system, like those once used in English houses, and a sound system is hidden inside the walls, so you never see a speaker grille. The most charming touch: dog beds are concealed inside the paneling. Bedroom Basics: Most designers agree that sisal is too rough to feel comfortable on bare feet. For neutral texture, braided sea grass is much softer. If you prefer carpet, consider having it bound and installed as an area rug.

Girl Power	Photo: Erik Johnson
Under the direction of 11-year-old Virginia O'Connor, designer Elizabeth Reynolds and Virginia's mother, Cynthia, created a vibrant retro room inspired by Virginia's love of music from the '60s and '70s (she plays the guitar). What Makes It Work Bold color. Pink becomes empowered in this vibrant shade of fuchsia mixed with orange and purple. Simple furnishings with modern touches. The maple bedside table and ivory carpet don't compete with the brights. On the other hand, the re-covered vintage lounge chair suits the '60s vibe perfectly. Colorful details. Beaded trim from Bargia bestows the candy-striped lampshades with a chic touch of "jewelry." Fabric-covered nesting boxes enliven a corner. Bedroom Basics: Swing-arm lamps by the bed offer wonderful reading light. They are generally placed 42 inches from the bottom of the shade to the floor, but experiment to find the right height for you.

Fit for a Prince	Photo: Andreas von Einsidel
Boys' rooms are tough. When the children are young, they're into sports, popular music, and all sorts of things that don't lend themselves to lovely wall decorations. Tailored stripes and plaids bring order to this 10-year-old boy's room designed by Jane Churchill. What Makes It Work Striped fabric. Both distinctive and understated, the scale is strong enough to make a statement but not so bold that it overpowers the room. The vertical lines visually raise the height of the ceiling. Upholstered headboards. With points instead of curves, they lend a masculine look. A quietly neutral rug. It doesn't compete with the patterns in the room. A sky-blue ceiling. A simple detail, it picks up the blue of the stripe. Bedroom Basics: Aqua or frosty blues, especially when used with taupes and chocolate browns, are sophisticated and fresh enough to work in traditional or modern rooms.

The Pampered Guest

Photo: Mali Azima

Though this cozy, charming guest suite has the appearance of being tucked up in the attic, it is actually the second story of a pool house. "It's almost like a dorm room," says Atlanta-based Jackye Lanham, who designed the interiors. What Makes It Work Two double beds. Dressed with simple, matching linens, they offer neutral texture. Monogrammed pillows. The modern M adds personality and underscores the color theme. A straightforward black-and-cream palette. It keeps the small space simple and uncluttered. Old leather trunks refurbished as side tables. They've been turned on their sides to make them tall enough for the beds. Bedroom Basics: If you don't have an empty dresser, place a bench, trunk, or luggage rack at the end of the bed or along a wall so that guests can stow their gear, suggests Lanham.

 

HOLIDAY FOGLE  FAMILY    RADITIONS!

Roast Turkey with Cranberry Orange Glaze  Maple syrup, cranberry juice and orange marmalade combine for a glaze with traditional  ingredient 12 Bake/Roast 25 minutes 2+ hours 3+ hours Ingredients 3/4 cup orange marmalade 3/4 cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed 3 tablespoons maple syrup 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (14 pound) Butterball® Frozen Whole Turkey no-stick cooking spray Directions Serving Suggestions Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine marmalade, cranberry juice concentrate, maple syrup, vinegar and salt in small heavy saucepan. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low. Cook, uncovered, stirring frequently for 12 to 15 minutes, or until glaze is reduced to about one cup. Remove neck and giblets from body and neck cavities of turkey; discard or refrigerate for another use. Drain juices from turkey and dry turkey with paper towels. Turn wings back to hold neck skin against back of turkey. Place turkey, breast side up, on a flat roasting rack in a shallow pan. Brush turkey lightly with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Roast turkey for 2 hours and then cover breast and top of drumsticks loosely with foil to prevent overcooking of breast. Continue roasting turkey for another 45 minutes. Remove foil and brush generously with glaze. Return foil loosely to top of turkey and cook for another 45 minutes, or until meat thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into the deepest part of the thigh. Brush with remaining glaze. Let turkey stand 15 minutes before carving. Do not substitute regular cranberry juice for the concentrate. The cranberry flavor will be minimal.                                                                             Kimberly's Barbeque and Apple Baby Back Ribs These Baby Backs are marinated in sweet applesauce and barbeque sauce before being grilled. Soooo Good! Ingredients: 4 cups barbeque sauce 4 cups applesauce 4 pounds baby back pork ribs Salt and coarse ground black pepper to taste Onion powder to taste Garlic powder to taste Directions Mix barbeque sauce and applesauce together in bowl. Place ribs on a large cookie sheet, then sprinkle and rub with the salt, coarse ground pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Let Ribs set for 30 minutes to absorb spices. Pour combined sauces over ribs. Coat evenly. Cover ribs on cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Marinate in the refrigerator 3 - 5 hours, preferably overnight, the longer the better. Preheat gas or charcoal grill for high heat. Place ribs directly on the grill. Cook 1 hour, turning every 15-20 minutes, until meat juices run clear when poked with a fork. Baste with sauce the last 10 minutes before serving, while continuing to grill.  Garlic Pepper T-Bones with Grilled Corn Relish   Dad will love the lime-peppered corn relish that accompanies these grilled T-bones. The relish is rounded out with onions, tomatillos, sweet pepper, and cilantro. Here's to you Pop! Ingredients: 4 beef T-bone steaks, cut 1 inch thick 6 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 recipe Grilled Corn Relish (see recipe below) Directions Trim fat from steaks. For rub, in a small bowl combine garlic, pepper, and salt. Sprinkle over both sides of steaks; rub in with your fingers. For a charcoal grill, grill steaks on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat until desired doneness, turning once halfway through grilling. Allow 10 to 12 minutes for medium-rare (145 degree F) or 12 to 15 minutes for medium doneness (160 degree F). Serve with Grilled Corn Relish. Grilled Corn Relish: In a small bowl combine 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Remove husks and silks from 2 ears fresh sweet corn. Brush corn lightly with some of the lime juice mixture. For a charcoal grill, grill corn on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals for 10 to 20 minutes or until tender and slightly charred in places, turning occasionally. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium-high. Place corn on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.) Set corn aside until cool enough to handle. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Combine corn kernels; 2 tomatillos, finely chopped; 1 small sweet pepper, chopped; 1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro; 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion; 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and the remaining lime juice mixture.       --------------------------- --------------------------- Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Salad Ingredients: 8 small yellow squash, halved lengthwise 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound total) 4 small zucchini, halved lengthwise 2 large red, yellow, and/or green sweet peppers, cut into 1-inch-wide strips 2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted 6 white, green, or purple salad savoy leaves, curly endive leaves, and/or Chinese cabbage leaves Red Salsa or salad dressing Directions Cook the squash, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 3 minutes. Set aside. Grill chicken on an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals for 15 to 18 minutes or until tender and no longer pink; turn chicken halfway through grilling time. Meanwhile, generously brush the squash, zucchini, and sweet pepper strips with melted margarine or butter to prevent vegetables from sticking to grill rack. Lay vegetables on grill rack perpendicular to the bars so they don't fall into coals. Cook vegetables on grill with the chicken until tender and slightly charred, turning occasionally (about 10 minutes for squash, 8 to 10 minutes for peppers, 5 to 6 minutes for zucchini). Line four salad plates with savoy, endive, and/or cabbage leaves. Arrange chicken and vegetables on plates. Serve with Red Salsa or favorite salad dressing. Makes 4 servings. ©2002 All Content copyright of ContactDirect.Net  Kimmies Brisket 5 pounds first-cut brisket 3 tablespoons oil 3 pounds onions, sliced thin 5 cloves garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons peppercorns 2 teaspoons Wrorcheshire Cracked Black Pepper Sea Salt Parsley White horseradish Pat brisket with paper towels to dry. Heat oil in casserole. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown meat on all sides; remove from casserole. Add onions to casserole and saute until golden. Return meat to casserole, and add garlic and peppercorns. Cover and simmer 3 hours, or place in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 3 hours. Season with salt and pepper, slice, and serve with its own juice. If a thicker sauce is desired, mix 1 tablespoon potato starch with 1 tablespoon water; add to sauce, stirring and heat through. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, Serve with white horseradish. Tropical Lemon Hot Tea A jiffy treat with Make-Ahead Lemonade Base and off-the-shelf ingredients. Ingredients: 1/4 cup Make-Ahead Lemonade Base (See Below) 1/4 cup orange juice 2 tsp. instant tea powder Ice 1/2 of a 12-ounce can lemon-lime carbonated beverage Orange or lemon wedge (optional) In a tall glass combine Make-Ahead Lemonade Base, orange juice, and tea powder. Add someHot water and the lemon-lime carbonated beverage. Garnish with orange or lemon wedge, if desired. Makes 1 serving. Make Ahead Lemonade Base For full-flavored old-fashioned lemonade, stir 1/2 cup of the base and 1/2 cup cold water together in a tall glass. Serve with ice cubes. Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups water 1-1/4 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel 1-1/4 cups lemon juice For sugar syrup, in a medium saucepan heat and stir water and sugar over medium heat till sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool about 20 minutes. Add lemon peel and lemon juice to the sugar syrup. Pour into a jar, cover, and chill. Store lemonade base in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use to make Lemonade or Tropical Lemon Iced Tea above. Makes about 5 cups lemonade base. --------------------------- ---------------------------