Backyard ‘Staycation’ Safety Tips

Summer brings more opportunities for outdoor activities around the house.  Why not plan a “staycation” in your own backyard; but play it safe:

• Keep your grill on a level surface away from your house, garage and any flammable objects.
• Don’t step away from a grill while it’s on, and keep children and pets at a safe distance from the flames.
• When using charcoal, extinguish properly by breaking up the embers with a long stick or grilling tool, then covering the grill to cut off the oxygen.  Or, slowly sprinkle the coals with water.  Once the coals are cooled completely, dispose of them in a metal container.

 

 

• Before mowing, clear the yard of any loose objects that could fly out from under the lawnmower.
• When using power tools for yard work, wear protective gear and cover your eyes with goggles.
• Wear protective clothing when using pesticides etc and don’t spray around children or pets and precisely follow directions.
• Before you dig a hole in your yard for any reason call your local utility company to avoid underground gas or power lines.

 

• Install four foot high fence around the pool area and include self-closing gates with latches out of reach of children.
• Keep the pool area clear of toys and other objects that someone may trip over.
• Never allow children to swim without adult supervision.
• Place a sturdy pool cover over the pool when it’s not in use.

 

• Place swing sets and other play equipment on level ground, and make sure legs are properly
  anchored.
• Inspect play sets regularly for any sharp bolts, screws, nails or rot.
• When celebrating with fireworks, wear safety glasses when handling fireworks, and have water handy to soak spent fireworks before disposing of them.

Be careful of becoming over-exposed to the sun.  Drink plenty of fluids, and seek air conditioning if you become overheated, and have fun!

Ideas taken from: https://www.horacemann.com/insurance/property-insurance/summer-backyard-safety-tips

Happy Mother’s Day

May your Sunday be filled with love creating happy memories with family as you celebrate Mother’s Day!  Best Wishes!

Happy Easter

Wishing you a wonderful Easter creating beautiful and loving memories with your family and friends!

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season

Wishing you a Holiday Season filled with warmth, comfort and good cheer!

Should the new year bring you a change of address, please contact me so that I can assist you. Please remember that I’m only a phone call away (even during this hectic time of year) should you wish to discuss your current home value or your plans for a new home purchase. I’m here to help you realize your real estate dreams!

 

 

 

Christmas Table Decoration Ideas

Thought this would be a good one to re visit in preparation for Christmas; click “view original” to see photos of some great holiday table decorations …

Marilyn Wilson Realtor

When decorating for the holiday season many people remember to decorate the yard, the Christmas tree and the mantle, but what about the dining room table? You want your dinner guests to be transformed into the holiday season mood immediately upon entering the dining room.  Christmas Day is near and I wanted to share a few table decoration ideas that won’t break the bank. Enjoy !

View original post

Cacio e Pepe – The Simplest Pasta Recipe

It is among the most basic, simplest pastas there is, and suddenly trendy to boot. Why? Because when made right, it is incredible.

INGREDIENTS

• Salt
• 1 ½ cups finely grated pecorino Romano, plus more for dusting completed dish
• 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, plus more for finishing the dish
• ¾ pound tonnarelli or other long pasta like linguine or spaghetti
• Good olive oil

PREPARATION

1. Put a pot of salted water on to boil. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses and black pepper; mash with just enough cold water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste evenly in the bowl.
2. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta. The second before it is perfectly cooked (taste it frequently once it begins to soften), use tongs to transfer the pasta into a skillet, put some of the pasta water there and slowly add the cheese while flip mixing the pasta to create your sauce that sticks. You have to do this for a good 1-2 minutestir vigorously to coat the pasta, adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a bit of the pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if necessary. The sauce should cling to the pasta and be creamy but not watery.
3. Plate and dust each dish with additional pecorino and pepper. Serve immediately.

 

Sweet Potatoes fit for Thanksgiving

Wishing you and yours a safe, blessed and Very Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These sweet potatoes are sliced and roasted in the oven, then drizzles with balsamic and topped with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. They can be enjoyed as a side dish for eight, or as a meatless main for four people.  These would be beautiful on your Thanksgiving table if you would like to serve this as a side.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, I know the holidays can be a stressful time. Between traveling, extra calories being consumed and stress of having to take care of so many people, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  That’s why it’s so important to take care of yourself during this time of year. In addition to making healthy and delicious food, hit the gym to work out any stress. It’s a guaranteed way to feel great, quickly.

 

 

Parmesan Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic Glaze

taken from: Skinnytaste.com

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1 sweet potato • WW Points+: 8 pts (or 4 as a side)

Calories: 302 • Fat: 10 g • Sat Fat: 3 g • Protein: 6 g • Carb: 48 g • Fiber: 7.5 g

Sugar: 17 g • Sodium: 284 mg • Cholesterol: 10 mg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. With a large, sharp knife, make ¼-inch slices down the length of each potato, cutting only 3/4 of the way through.

In a small bowl, combine butter and olive oil. Place the potatoes in a medium mixing bowl and drizzle half of the olive oil/butter mixture over the top of each potato, then toss to evenly coat.

Place potatoes on a small baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake for 50- 60 minutes, or until potatoes are tender inside and caramelized and crisp on the outside. Drizzle with remaining butter/oil and sprinkle with parmesan, herbs and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Enjoy An Extra Hour of Sleep!

Contact me if you are in the Nashville Area!  Fall is a great time to evaluate you real estate needs.  With interest rates remaining low it is a good time to buy and with the growth taking place in Nashville your home may be worth more than you think.  Call me today for a FREE no-obligation market analysis.  My objective is to work diligently to assist you in realizing your real estate dreams.

 

Happy Halloween! Some Pumpkin Carving Tips…

• Do not eat a pumpkin that has been carved as a jack-o’-lantern.

• Choose a large pumpkin. The larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve. Pumpkins with a lighter color tend to be softer and easier to carve.

•  When cutting out the top, place the knife at a 45 degree angle so the lid will have a place to rest when you replace it. If you cut straight down, the lid will fall through.

• When cleaning the pumpkin, save the seeds. Toasted pumpkin seeds make a healthy as well as tasty snack. A 1-inch thickness of the pumpkin wall is optimum.

• Print out or draw the pattern on a piece of paper. Use small sharp scissors or a razor knife to cut out the areas you will be carving into the pumpkin. Tape the template onto the pumpkin and use a marker to trace the carving lines. Cutting slits in the paper will help it to conform to the round surface.

• As an alternative, you can tape the outline to the pumpkin and use a nail or large pushpin to score the carving lines onto the pumpkin. Connect the dots as you carve.

• A long serrated knife or a pumpkin-carving knife with teeth will be necessary to cut through the thick flesh. Use a sawing motion and take your time cutting along the outside edge of the marker lines so there is no marker residue.

• Consider cutting off the bottom of the pumpkin, as well as the top. The pumpkin will be more stable and also easier to carve. If you plan on using a candle to light your jack-o’-lantern, be sure the opening in the bottom is large enough to fit over the candle. Place the candle on a fire-proof base large enough to accommodate the pumpkin. You can then easily lift off the jack-o’-lantern to light the candle.

• A small battery-operated flameless candleis a safer choice than traditional candles for lighting your jack-o’-lantern.

• Sprinkle the bottom side of the pumpkin lid with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or cloves to let your jack-o’-lantern do double duty as an air freshener.

 

from … http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookvegetables/a/pumpkincarving.htm

Are you looking for a new home in Nashville?

2 Bedroom End Unit Townhome Shows Like New With Lots of Updates

3000 Hillsboro Pike Unit 6, Nashville TN 

A Friendly Community Conveniently Located in a Prime Area of Green Hills

If care free living and location is your goal, this is the home for you!

CLOSE TO Green Hills Mall ♦ Restaurants ♦ Hill Center

Trendy  Hillsboro Village and 12th Avenue South ♦ Centennial Park

Historic Bluebird Café ♦ Vandy ♦ Belmont University ♦ YMCA

For more information and photos visit my website. www.marilynwilsonrealtor.com         

My goal is to make your selling or buying experience pleasant, to save you time and money. I’m here to help you get the best price possible for your home and/or help you find your dream home at the right price.