* You HAVE to try this recipe!!!!!

Serves 4
Wild Rice Salad with Cucumber & Orange
Ingredients:
1 1/3 wild rice
3 ½ cups water
1 each red, yellow & orange bell peppers, seeded & thinly sliced
1/1 cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 orange (I use 2), peeled, pith removed, and cubed
3 ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks (I use cherry tomatoes, they last longer!)
1 red onion very finely sliced (I use half)
Generous handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley

For the dressing: (I double this part)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Put the wild rice and water into a large pot or pan and bring to a boil. Stir, then cover and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the rice is al dente (firm to the bite). Uncover the rice for the last few minutes of cooking to let any excess water evaporate.

To make the dressing, put the crushed garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and seasoning into a a screw-top jar and shake vigorously. Add extra vinegar, oil, or season as required.

Drain the rice (if needed) and turn into a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and mix in. Then mix in the rest of the ingredients and serve.

Recipe source: Simple But Perfect Salads recipe book from Cost Plus.

* KEEP YOUR ALLEY CLEAN.....for Safety's Sake!

If you have an alley next to your house it may your responsibility to keep it clean and free of weeds and trash that can somehow mysteriously just happen to appear out of nowhere! Last I checked someone had left a pair of black sweatpants right by the gate leading to my alley!

A clean and weed-free fence line is good for safety, weather it’d be fire hazards, trash to be hidden such as old junk people throw away. An un-kept alley may also give the appearance that no one ever looks back there and may invite idle minds to cause trouble.

With July 4rth around the corner and temperatures rising, it is a good idea to inspect and correct any thing needing attention. This will lessen the chance of a fire getting started.

If you are not sure if you are responsible for keeping your alley clean, contact your local police dept and they will be able to guide you to the right dept. I know that because it was my city’s police dept who send me a notice asking me to clean my alley.

I knew of one side I was responsible for, but then I discovered that I was also responsible for another side between my house and an empty lot next door. The weeds were thriving there! I also found other trash that had been discarded there who knows how long ago. The accumulation of trash/weeds contributes to faster decaying of fences and can also block view of anything going on back there.

Best time to clean is in the morning or in the evening when it is not too hot. Wear long sleeves, pants instead of shorts, and gloves. Some weeds have long thorns that can really hurt!!

Here are some samples of what to expect......AND try to get your dog to help you with the clean up!!

* FLYERS FOR MY LISTINGS

CHARMING HOME WITH POOL IN TURLOCK: 3 BEDS/2BAS $259,000
http://www.postlets.com/res/640378

GOOD BUY IN STOCKTON'S FRENCH CAMP COMMUNITY: 3-4 BEDS/2BAS $149,500
http://www.postlets.com/res/640483

GREAT 2-STORY & MOVE-IN READY HOME IN CERES: 5 BEDS/3BAS $229,000 http://www.postlets.com/res/632776

* PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE - Photos follow...

When you're selling your house you have to think of it as a "product" that buyers would want to buy. It will be a product that will be competing with other houses on the market.

The way we live in our homes and the way we sell them are two different things. You prepare the home by de-personalizing it and preparing it for the unknow buyer.


Studies show that staged homes sell in the average for more money and in less time. Staging does not have to be costly and it can be done with items already in the home. If there is a cost to stage, it is always less than your first price reduction!! Staging is not really a cost, it's an investment.


Staged homes send the message of well-cared for homes. Photos are more appealing to buyers and allow them to see the potential of the home and will be more likely to want to come see the inside.


As a Staging Realtor it is one of the best tools I can recommend is ALWAYS stage BEFORE putting a house on the market if at all possible. Staging is a marketing tool every seller and agent should be using in today's market. The goal of putting photos of your home online is to ATTRACT buyers. Putting photos of a cluttered house will do the apposite!

Staging helps the buyers "picture themselves" living in the house. That's the goal......get them to mentally move in!!


Here is a simple sample of what very little staging can do:
Here all personal photos on the end table, dresser ( excpet for one) & on the all were removed. Simple drapes & curtain rod added along with some greenery from the yard. A round metal grate from the garden was place on wall. On the bed some pillows and a throw were added for color. A large print to anchor the bed and a smaller lamp that's more to scale with the room. The small table by the dresser was removed and really openned up the space leading to the bathroom. Which version do you think looks more inviting?

BEFORE & AFTER

* MAY TIPS....HELPING YOU STAY ON SCHEDULE!

Courtesy of my Martha Stewart's calendar. I find these tips very helpful. They help us stay on track of things we need to but may forget!

May 1st: Fertilize rose bushes

May 8th: Air out comforters and store them

May 10th: Clean and service all air-conditioning units

May 11th: Mother's Day

May 17th: Clean out and organize basement/garage

May 22nd: Take dogs and cats for yearly check-up

May 26th: Plant tomatoes & peppers
May 26th: Memorial Day