HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2019!

With the New Year almost upon us I want to take this opportunity to wish you the very best for the coming year. I'm looking forward to sleeping in late and kicking back in the easy chair after lunch to enjoy a football game. Of course I'll be sleeping in late because, just like you, I'll start off the New Year at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve by singing Auld Lang Syne. We'll all be singing it and most of us won't have a clue what the title actually means!

So, just for fun, I looked up the song online to find out its history. I learned that Auld Lang Syne is a traditional Scottish song. The version we know today was written (in part at least) by Robert Burns in the 1700s. The title refers to “old long ago,” or the good old days, as we would say today. I don't want you to stumble around when it comes time to sing it, so I'm passing along to you the lyrics. Have a great New Year's Day and don't forget to break a resolution or two!

Sincerely,

  

Valerie McConville

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?

And here's a hand, my trusty friend , and gie's a hand o' thine,

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

WINTER HOME ENERGY SAVINGS TIP #10

BUYING A HOME VS RENTING A HOME

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

WHY HOME OWNERSHIP IS A GREAT INVESTMENT

WINTER HOME ENERGY SAVINGS TIP #9

HOLIDAY GUIDE: CUSTOM GIFTS FOR KIDS, PARENTS AND COWORKERS

Christmas shopping for friends and family can be entertaining and rewarding, just don’t wait until the last minute. These days, there’s a million ways to plan ahead, buy awesome gifts in advance and—just maybe—you won’t feel like the holidays set you back six months financially.

Savvy shoppers can download free apps from selected retailers, explore websites for announcements on sales, pick up a bouquet of gift cards while in line for groceries and shop online for custom gifts. Hint: look for free shipping!

Personalized gifts tend to mean more, and they give families a chance to use all those birthday photos, memorable candids or classic snapshots. Custom photo gifts trigger fond memories and remind you of a special person. Consider these custom gift ideas for the following types of people you may shop for this holiday season:

For kids: If you’re toting an adorable baby or small toddler on your hips, buying presents for them is almost like shopping for yourself. Get a baby bib with an off-the-charts favorite picture of your little tike, one more thing to make you smile while you’re trying to make them eat peas. For older boys and girls, parents can customize Kindle cases with group shots of friends, or decorate volleyballs, basketballs and soccer balls with team photos. Daughters and nieces will love plush Pashmina scarves with their initials, or maybe a tote bag adorned with dance team pictures.

For parents: Parents might not expect much, but it’s great to show appreciation in the form of thoughtful presents. If your parents have a weakness for wine, treat them to a set of engraved wine glasses [www.snappyphotogifts.com/recipient/for-parents/personalized-white-wine-glasses-set-of-4/]. Their dinner parties just got a little classier. Is your father a whiskey or bourbon connoisseur? He could use a stainless steel flask with a quote from a favorite author. Or, design an iPad case with your choice of black leather, faux suede, neoprene, and a company logo or a family picture. You can also think jewelry, such as pinstriped cufflinks or unique pendants.

For coworkers: The workplace wouldn’t be the same without trusted coworkers-turned-friends. Get them something for their desk, like a mahogany pen holder with a picture from their wedding or a new mouse pad with an image of their newborn baby girl. Avid coffee drinkers might enjoy a new mug with an image of a beloved pet, motto or personal artwork. If you guys work out together after work, consider an aluminum water bottle with a sports team logo, picture or engraving—perfect for the gym, hikes, camping and who-knows-what-else.

Need more custom gift ideas? If you’re thinking about using all those great photos hibernating on your laptop, explore Snappy Photo Gifts at www.snappyphotogifts.com. Their new website, designed for convenience and great customer service, is ripe with fun Christmas gift ideas. Don’t forget about stocking stuffers, like sports team koozies, engraved pocket knives, custom bookmarks and key chains, coat hooks with a picture frame and personalized cocktail shakers.

SAFEGUARDING YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be making plans to visit out-of-town family and friends, which means leaving your home vacant—and open to the possibility of getting robbed. This—along with the still struggling economy—can make your home a target-rich environment for burglars.

According to the FBI, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. during November and December each year, and the reasons are obvious: Those are the months that many of us are away on vacation or out buying gifts.

“Burglars are opportunists looking for a score, and the holidays are a perfect time for it,” says Robert Siciliano, a security expert whose work with major businesses has earned him the title “the Lifesaver.”

So how do you prevent yourself from being one of the 400,000? Read on to find out.

• Burglars Use Facebook, Too. We’ve all laughed at the stupidity of people posting their foibles on Facebook and Twitter, which raises the question: Why are you checking in on Foursquare or using social media at all?

• Let the Lights Shine. Using high-wattage exterior lighting, set on timers along with indoor lamps, serves a twofold purpose: they help neighbors spot suspicious activity at night, while giving your home what Siciliano calls “that lived-in look.”

• Not All Locks Are Created Equal. Burglars have been known to case homes during the day, dressed as contractors to fit in, and jiggle doorknobs in search of cheap locks. This is why it’s essential to protect your home’s main point of entry, advises Siciliano, with a strong one like the new Touchscreen Deadbolt from Schlage (www.schlage.com), America’s most trusted brand for security that’s been creating technologically advanced security products for more than 90 years. “I like it because it offers the highest-grade residential security available, has a built-in alarm and an anti-pick shield, and is easy enough to install yourself.”

• Disconnect the Garage Door Opener. Understand this: A powerless GDO can’t be hacked with a universal remote.

• Finally, a word about presents. While you may be overjoyed to get that plasma TV you’ve been eyeing for months, immediately putting out the box it came in on the curb (along with all your other trash) does nothing more than shine a spotlight on what you got for Christmas for post-holiday burglars on the prowl.

“The best thing to do,” says Siciliano, “is cut the box up and put it in a big, black trash bag. That way, they don’t know you have a plasma TV.”

SWEETEN YOUR HOLIDAY MENU!

Nothing is more festive than indulging in your favorite seasonal desserts. Add these treats to your holiday celebration to satisfy your sweet tooth.


Oreo Peppermint Bark

*   10 mini candy canes, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
*   12 Oreos, chopped (about 1 cup)
*   1 cup milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
*   1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Melt milk chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread flat. Sprinkle with chopped Oreos. Chill for 10 minutes.
3. Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Pour over Oreos and spread. Sprinkle with chopped candy canes. Chill until set. Break into pieces and serve!

Eggnog Fudge

*    2 cups sugar
*    1/2 cup butter
*    3/4 cup eggnog
*    10.5 oz white chocolate bars, chopped into small pieces
*    1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
*    7 oz marshmallow crème
*    1 tsp rum extract

1. Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil and spread butter over.
2. In a 3-qt saucepan combine sugar, butter and eggnog. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring frequently. Boil 8-10 minutes over medium heat or until a candy thermometer reaches 234° F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
3. Using a wooden spoon, quickly stir in white chocolate and nutmeg until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in marshmallow crème and rum extract. Beat until well blended. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with freshly ground nutmeg. Let stand at room temperature or refrigerate until   cooled. Cut and serve!

Gingerbread-Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

*    1 roll (30z) Pillsbury refrigerated Gingerbread Cookies
*    2/3 cup all-purpose flour
*    2 egg whites, beaten
*     2 cups finely chopped walnuts (or pecans)
*    1 cup dulce de leche or caramel dessert topping
*    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir
   or knead in flour until blended. Shape dough into balls. Place egg whites in one shallow bowl. Place chopped nuts in another bowl. Dip each ball into egg whites. Roll in chopped nuts. Place cookie balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press thumb in center of each cookie to make indentation.
3. Bake 10 to 14 minutes until cookies are set around edges. Remove cookies and cool. Place 1 teaspoon dulce de leche or caramel in the indentation of each cookie.
4. In a small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave in 15 second increments until chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate mixture over cookies. Enjoy!

WINTER HOME ENERGY SAVINGS TIP #8

WINTER HOME ENERGY SAVINGS TIP #7

STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

People love the holiday season. To keep your holiday decorations enjoyable and safe, keep in mind these safety tips.

Candles: Keep anything flammable away from a lit candle. Place the candles out of the reach of children or pets. Blow out the candles when you need to leave the room or go to bed.

Christmas tree: Water the tree to keep it hydrated. Place the tree away from any heat sources. Make sure the tree is not blocking entryways or foot traffic. Hang fragile Christmas ornaments on higher tree branches away from the reach of children and pets. Turn off lights before going to bed.

Electric lights: Lights will be labeled for either indoor or outdoor use. Throw out lights with worn or torn wires. Replace missing or cracked bulbs. Read labels to make sure you are following acceptable wattage levels and are not overloading the circuits.

Outdoor decorations: Fully secure outdoor holiday decorations so they don’t get blown away or stolen. Put lights and fans on a timer so you don’t forget to turn them off. Use waterproof electrical connectors.

Ladders: Ensure your safety by making sure ladders are on level and sturdy ground. They must also be able to support not only your weight, but the weight of the decorations.

Holiday plants: Be sure to keep plants such as mistletoe or poinsettia away and out of the reach of your pets.

Cleaning up: After the holidays, check with your city or waste management company to see if they have a tree recycling program. Carefully take down outdoor decorations and inspect them for damage.

Have a great holiday! Bookmark my blog page for more great tips and advice!