THE END OF THE YEAR

As December draws to a close, many of us are hastily composing New Year's Resolutions.  

I know I make them every year.  Mine used to be the same old clichés: Go to the gym every day, cut back on calories...

And there's nothing wrong with these old resolutions.  Many of us could stand to exercise more often or get rid of some bad habits.  But there's more to life than a drive for physical improvement.

That's why I've recently begun putting a new twist on my resolutions.  I've found carrying out these new resolutions so much more fulfilling that I thought it might be worth sharing some of them with others.  Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Spend more quality time with your family.

Make sure your loved ones know how much you love them.

Share a kindness with passing strangers.

Make an effort to appreciate everyone for who they are.

Be slower to anger, and more thoughtful in your responses.

Try some fun new activity.

Whenever you see the opportunity, do something to make the world a little better and more joyful than it was a moment before.

These resolutions won't cost you a thing, might take less effort than the usual ones, and will almost certainly leave you and those around you feeling happier!

May this next year be the best yet for you and your family!

Sincerely, 

Valerie McConville

CHRISTMAS MORNING MEALS

Christmas morning is often a busy one, especially with kids or family visiting from out of town crowding the house.  Putting together a great meal for the morning is something many people don't want to take on in the midst of gift wrapping and preparations for a big dinner as well.  

Try one of these easy make-ahead ideas so that Christmas morning is relaxing and easy.

Breakfast Casseroles

A breakfast casserole lets you get together all of the elements of a complete breakfast into one dish and simply slip it in the oven to bake come Christmas morning.  There are a number of easy and delicious recipes from which to choose.

A simple breakfast casserole can be made by layering scrambled eggs, cooked potatoes, crumbled sausage, and cheese.  Simply put it together ahead of time and refrigerate.  In the morning, it needs only to be heated up in the oven and will be ready to serve within half an hour.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls

There's nothing quite like a warm cinnamon roll fresh from the oven, and if it's made from scratch it's even better.  Of course, no one has time to wait for dough to rise on Christmas morning, nor do they want to put in the effort.

You can have homemade cinnamon rolls fresh on Christmas morning, however, if you simply make them the night before.  Prepare them as usual, but when it comes time for the second rise, put them in fridge instead.  In the morning place them in the oven with a pan of hot water for 30 minutes.  Then remove the water, preheat the oven, and bake as usual.  This holiday treat will be appreciated by young and old!

Cook And Freeze

Waffles and French toast can both be made ahead of time, frozen, and then simply reheated in a low oven or a toaster.  Instead of store-bought frozen choices, you can make your own from scratch days before.  Lay them on cookie sheets to freeze and then transfer to plastic freezer bags so they won't stick together.

Freezing lets you do the work far ahead of time and simply enjoy the results come Christmas morning.  Top them with fresh fruit and whipped cream and no one will know they just came from the freezer.

Take the pressure off Christmas morning with any one of these easy and impressive breakfast ideas.  Make them ahead and then spend only a few minutes in the kitchen when the big day comes, so that you can relax and enjoy the day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

'TIS THE SEASON FOR CHARITY

All of us like to help out when we can. Whether it’s volunteering our time, or providing funds for those in need, the spirit of charity is vital for a healthy, caring community. 

If you want to give, but don’t know where to start, here are some ways to evaluate causes that can use your help.

There are those in this world who do not enjoy the comforts of home. Those who lack the fundamentals of food, shelter, and safety. During the holiday season it can be easy to overlook the less fortunate, even when they’re right here in our own communities.

Like many in real estate, I support causes I believe in with donations of time and money. There is nothing quite as satisfying as giving back and knowing that what I give makes a difference in the lives of others.

If you’re new to supporting causes, you may have some doubts about whether or not your donations go to the people who are most in need. There are many organizations out there which claim to support a cause, but how can you be sure they devote most of their resources to the cause and not the pockets of their directors and offices? I have two resources which might help you evaluate organizations and feel secure about your donations.

First, Charity Watch (www.charitywatch.com) is a top-list of groups which “generally spend 75% or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, have met CharityWatch's governance benchmarks, and receive "open-book" status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents to CharityWatch.” The website provides each group’s mission, contact information, and detailed information about governance and transparency.

Another resource for making sure your donations are effective is Giving What We Can (www.givingwhatwecan.org). This organization works to combat the effects of poverty worldwide. You can pledge up to 10% of your income here knowing the money is going directly to programs helping those suffering the most, or “Try Giving” which is a scaled-down pledge that allows you to participate at a different level.

Regardless of how you go about it, I hope this inspires you to give in any way you can. If you’re looking for other local causes to support, I’d be glad to give you a list of some worthy local organizations. Contact me today: valeriemcconville@realtyexecutives.com

WHAT SHOULD WE TRULY VALUE?

As we enjoy the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the season when family and friends gather, and the big picture in terms of how we're all expected to get along on this increasingly crowded planet of ours.

The holidays often put people around the table who may not normally see one another throughout the year. Far flung relatives, cousins, in-laws, and other guests-of-guests may come from all walks of life. Their political, religious, and social viewpoints may differ widely from our own. Yet when we see them during the holidays, we do our best to tolerate differences. Ideally, we look for ways to connect rather than provoke arguments.

Tolerance is not always the easiest value to embrace. Now, especially, we can find ourselves thrust into polemic arguments driven by political and media forces which command enormous attention and influence. Social media and a profound lack of face-to-face interaction makes it easier to distance ourselves from our mutual, essential humanity if we let it. It is easy to be intolerant. Easy to erect high walls. Easier than ever to segment and align ourselves with only those who agree with our values and sense of our role the world.

I would gently urge everyone to see the holidays as more than a time to buy gifts, give thanks for our blessings, and eat sweet treats. Let us remember to practice tolerance, acceptance, and recognize the importance of diversity in this world.

With hope and gratitude,

Valerie McConville

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM A GAS LEAK

Natural gas is a safe, effective energy source, but there are times when a leak can threaten lives and property. Share this post about spotting and protecting yourself from natural gas leaks.

With the winter months upon us, it's especially important to be on the lookout for gas leaks. Heaters which may not have been used recently, lines which may have been damaged in storms... they can all be the source of gas leaks.

I wanted to offer you these tips, shared by Pacific Gas & Electric in California. Did you know that an underground utility is damaged in America every eight minutes? Gas lines are among the most frequently damaged utilities.

Here’s how you can spot a natural gas leak:

• Smell: Natural gas supply is mixed with a sulfuric "rotten egg" smell. This way, even small amounts of gas may be detected.

• Sound: Hissing, whistling, or "roaring" coming from underground or a gas appliance may be an indication of a gas leak.

• Sight: Though gas is invisible, its effects are not. Spraying dirt, constantly bubbling water in ponds and creeks, and vegetation which always dies in a certain spot may be an indication of escaping gas.

Here’s what to do in the event of a gas leak:

• Alert others and move upwind from the location of the suspected leak.

• Do not use anything that could be a source of ignition, such as vehicles, cell phones, matches, electric switches, doorbells, and garage door openers.

• Call 911 to notify authorities, including the police and fire department.

If you’re planning any digging in an area where gas lines might be present, be sure to contact your utility company before you begin digging. Most companies have free services which will help you identify the location of gas lines and advise you on how to dig with those lines in mind.

Be a safe neighbor and share these tips!

Maybe you’re looking for a home with great natural gas features like an outdoor fireplace or kitchen? I would love to help you find that home today. 

Visit my website: www.valeriemcconville.com

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR HOLIDAY GUESTS

It's wonderful having friends and family at your home to share the holidays, but it can also be a lot of work.  

Hosting for the holidays comes with some challenges that are best met with preparation and an extra dose of patience.  Here are a few quick tips to get your home ready for your holiday visitors.

Overnight Company

Whether you are expecting guests to spend the night or a surprise visit leaves you scrambling to find bedding for everyone, the simplest way to deal with it is to keep an air bed on hand.  Today's air beds are a lot more comfortable than they were in the past, and you can buy a quality raised air bed for less than a hundred dollars.  A raised air bed will keep guests off the floor and will feel more like a real bed.

A deflated air bed can be stored easily and blown up in a matter of minutes, so you can save space and still have a comfortable guest bed when you need it.  Having an extra in the house comes in handy for all sorts of holiday guests.

Anticipate Their Needs

Be prepared with things holiday guests may use up or simply forget to bring.  Stock up on things like toilet tissue.  Pick up a few extra toothbrushes and toothpaste. Add a few extra towels as well, to avoid having to do constant laundry.

Buying in bulk can save a lot of money on the household items you go through quickly when extra people are in the house-make a trip to your local warehouse store before your guests arrive.

Clear The Clutter

Nothing makes clutter more obvious, or more of a problem, than having extra people in the house.  When you are expecting guests, grab a few storage bins and put away some of the things that tend to clutter up counter tops.  Make a sweep through the house and grab anything that won't be needed for a while.  The less general clutter you have, the more room you'll have for guests and their luggage.

Getting through the holidays smoothly and with as few frustrations as possible can be done-even with holiday guests in your home.  Just be ready for their arrival and anticipate what will be needed ahead of time, so you aren't running around in search of an extra towel.

Here is a great guest checklist you can download to help you during the holidays! Click here to download.

DON'T TAKE STAIR SAFETY FOR GRANTED

The first known use of stairs was in ancient Egypt during the building of the pyramids. Chances are, some workers back then tripped and fell on them. Some 3,000 years later, injuries on stairs are still a big problem.

According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the insurance cost of injuries from falls on stairs is second only to automobile accidents! Clearly, it's a bigger problem than most people imagine.

So how do you prevent trips, falls and other mishaps on stairs?

The most common way is to use handrails. In fact, most trips and falls occur when people aren't able to regain their balance because they are not holding a handrail.

Another source of accidents are items, such as toys, left on stairs. Some people have the bad habit of using stairs as a temporary shelf for books, magazines, mail and other items. That’s not a good idea!

Always be careful when carrying heavy items on stairs. Even an overloaded laundry basket can be a hazard. If it's too heavy or you can’t see over the top, it’s too full.

A lot of this is common sense. However, because injuries on stairs are so prevalent, we need to use our common sense more often.

THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE - HOW IT ALL BEGAN

I love Christmas stories and Christmas traditions and nothing is more fascinating then how the Official White house Christmas Tree came to be. The tradition of a placing a decorated tree in the White House began in 1889 on Christmas morning during the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. 

The President's grandchildren, young Benjamin and Mary McKee, led the Harrison household into the second floor Oval Room to take a look at the first White House Christmas tree, which was lit with candles. Filled stockings hung from the mantel, and presents, candy and nuts were distributed to family and staff. President Harrison gave turkeys and gloves to his employees, and he received a silver dollar- shaped picture holder from his daughter, Mame Harrison McKee.

What began as a family gathering has become a national tradition. Over the years, the White House Christmas tree has reflected both the times and the tastes of the First Family. First Lady Frances Cleveland created a "technology savvy" tree in 1895 when she hung electric lights on the White House tree. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of Christmas Tree themes when she decorated the 1961 Christmas tree in toy trimmings from the Nutcracker Suite ballet by Tchaikovsky.

Today, the First Lady selects a theme and taps the talents of American artisans, who give life to the idea. Laura Bush chose "Home for the Holidays" for the 2001 theme, which features replicas of the family homes of the nation's Presidents.

The former U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama welcomed the official White House Tree on December 1, 2015 to signal the start of the Holiday season. 

The current First lady Melania Trump unveiled this season's White House Christmas decorations on November 27, 2017. 

The current tree on display at the White House is a 19.5-foot balsam fir that will serve as the official White House Christmas Tree. It arrived at the White House on November 20, 2017.