What Fathers Really Want for Fathers Day!

What Fathers Really Want for Father's Day!

Well, it's only fair that since I wrote a blog about what Moms really want for Mother's Day, I should do the same for the other side.  Dads, I did some asking around and got a few Fathers to tell me what they really wanted for Father's Day.  I will give you a quick tip: it's not another tie or #1 Dad shirt. 

1. Let him watch the game.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Some Dads just want some snacks, a beer and their favorite sports on TV without interruption or distraction.  No to do lists, no kids running in and out asking questions, no wife asking, "What you doing?".  Just the game. 

 

2. Kick him out.  No, not for good. Send him to go play golf, or go shooting, hunting or fishing; whatever his hobby or passion is.   No guilt, no "When will you be home?" questions, no asking him to pick up milk on his way back. Pack him a lunch, give him a kiss, and tell him to have fun. Best gift ever.

3. Spend some time together.  Most Dads are really busy: working long hours plus weekend honey do lists. Sometimes it seems like they just don't get to spend any time with their family.  Every Dad I asked said all he really wanted was to just spend some time with his family. Not that they needed to do anything in particular, just hanging out and catching up. We can totally do that.

So this Father's Day, give Dad what he really wants. A day just for him and his family.  He deserves it and spending quality time with Dad is a family win all around!
  

Happy Father Day!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

What to Ask For in Your New Kitchen

Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets

Whether cooking at home or shopping for

someone who does, the right kitchen

appliances can make it easier to prepare

meals. The experts at Epicurious.com

recommend a few must-have kitchen gadgets.

Professional chefs and savvy home cooks

alike need a reliable knife for everyday use.

Epicurious.com recommends the Global

G-2 8-inch stainless steel knife, which is

easy to use and ideal for precise dicing

and heavy-duty chopping.

A mandolin makes it easy to slice, crinkle-cut or waffle-cut veggies such as potatoes, carrots and cucumbers. Epicurious.com suggests the DeBuyer swing mandolin, which has a smart handle designed to protect fingers, nonskid feet, and stainless-steel blades that can be easily removed for cleaning.

A standing mixer is one of the most useful appliances home chefs can have, and Epicurious.com recommends the KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart model. It takes up little counter space and has a tilting head for easy access to the bowl. Optional attachments do everything from grind meat to juicing fruits and vegetables.

Immersion blenders, such as the Cuisinart Smart Stick, make it easy to prepare soups and sauces. Home cooks can puree soups right in the pot without the danger or hassle of transferring hot liquids, and sauces can be thickened and emulsified without removing them from the stovetop.

Slow cookers, which were popular in the 1970s, are kitchen staples for many of today’s savvy home chefs. For family-size meals, Epicurious.com recommends Cuisinart’s 6.5-quart digital slow cooker which features a programmable 24-hour timer and high, low and stay-warm settings.

By having just a few great gadgets on hand, homeowners can make sure their kitchen is equipped to help them make great at-home meals for years to come.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Keep Your Info Safe This Holiday.

 

Mall security (ONLINE VERSION)

According to a 2014 Deloitte survey, 55 percent of American consumers say they are concerned about protecting their personal data when shopping online, and 42 percent say they have similar concerns when shopping in stores. With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, consumers need to be more vigilant about protecting their personal data. PC Magazine offers the following tips to shop safely online.

   If possible, avoid using a debit card for purchases. Most debit cards don’t have the same level of fraud protection that credit cards have. If a debit card is all you have, protect your PIN by shielding the keypad with your hand or body.

   Visit only trusted sites, which are more likely to be secure. Make sure an “https” appears in the site’s URL and a lock icon is visibly displayed. Log out of all shopping accounts after completing a transaction.

   Avoid using a public Wi-Fi for your online shopping and financial transactions. Also use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each shopping site.

   Provide as little information to merchants as possible. Online retailers do not need to know your social security number or birth date to do business.

   Purchase gift cards directly from the retailer, not through a third-party source. Some scammers will auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.

   Review online bank statements frequently to confirm charges; don’t wait for your monthly statement to arrive in the mail. If you notice any questionable charges, contact your financial institution immediately. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you can enjoy a secure holiday shopping experience.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Its Getting Gray!

CURBING THE WINTER BLAHS

While the weather outside might be frightful, your home’s curb appeal can still be delightful. The following ideas from HGTV.com can help make your home stand out even when it’s cold and gray outside.

    Clean the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home, create ice dams that can damage gutters and attract pests.

    Keep visitors safe. Clear the walkways, driveway and stairs of snow and ice so prospective buyers can make it to your front door without slipping.

    Provide proper lighting. As the days get shorter, it gets darker earlier. Lights can illuminate the path to the front door, and sconces or lanterns on each side of the door can give buyers a warm welcome.

    Colorize the exterior. Bare trees won’t hide your home’s faded or chipped paint, so give your home a fresh coat. A front door painted in a bright color can make it stand out amidst the gray landscape.

    Use winter decorations wisely. Keep holiday decorations to a minimum, and use them to show off your home’s best features. A string of white lights around the windows can make your home look festive.

    Bring out the green. Evergreen
trees and cold-weather plants, such
as pansies and witch hazel, can                               
liven up a dreary landscape.

 By following these simple tips, your home
can make a great first impression in any season.

Your Home - Holiday Staging Tips

You may be trying to sell your home during the festive holiday season, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo the holiday decorations completely.  Just don't overdo it, say the staging experts at Frontdoor.com.  Instead, stick to a few simple decorative touches, such as a pinecone centerpiece or an evergreen wreath.  Avoid religious themed decorations, which may turn off potential buyers.

Avoid using decorations that might clash with your current color scheme.  For example, if the decor in the living room is blue, silver and white, choose accessories that complement that color scheme, such as blue glass ornaments and silver or white candles.

Use accessories to draw attention to the home's best features.  Hang a few tasteful ornaments from the mantel to showcase an elegant fireplace or hang an evergreen garland around the bay window.

Keep inflatable characters in storage while your home is on the market.  Instead, use simple string lighting to showcase a fir tree in your front yard.

Make your home extra inviting by lighting a fire in the fireplace or turning up the heat a couple of degrees on chilly days.  Offer tasty treats like hot apple cider and fresh-baked cookies to create a warm environment.

With a little creativity and common sense, you can enjoy the holidays while trying to sell your home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com