Fun with Family

What a great week. I got to see my cousin Pam from Arizona. Her husband, Ken took us flying and let my husband, Dan fly the plane. Dan was thrilled. He has wanted to fly all of his life. Ken you just checked off the main item on his bucket list. We even had those cool head sets so we could talk to each other in a normal voice. I flew once as a teenager and remember everyone had to yell at each other.The local scenery was beautiful. Albeit, reminding me of how small I am. I did not realize how many "Hollywood" sized home we have around here. If you have not seen the GEOPORT you should. It is very nice.I learned it stands for Guthrie Edmond Oklahoma (Air)port
We followed with dinner. My son Jason, who only makes time for those he deems wonderful joined us. It was so much fun. 7000 calories and 800 fat grams later here I am blogging.
Oh by the way Jason did have to work. He was cancelled and then called back in.

Only a few days before Dan's sister Susan brought her husband Phil and their three semi adult sons.Phil is a teaser but my new daughter Summer held her on and may even have out teased him once or twice.It was great seeing the boys. It makes me wonder how Eric Mark Zack and Ben will look in a few years.

Kathy Presley REALTOR

Kathy Presley REALTOR

Big Kahona Cakes Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse
Show: Emeril Live
Episode: Singular Sensations

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_8363,00.html



1 cup plus 2 teaspoons butter
1/2 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch salt
4 eggs
3 cups shredded carrots
8 ounces crushed pineapple
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup toasted coconut
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup toasted macadamia nuts, finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and grease with 2 teaspoons of the butter.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle, combine the 1/2 cup butter, oil and sugar. Cream the mixture until smooth.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a small mixing bowl. Add the egg to the butter/sugar mixture, one at a time. Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Add the carrots and pineapple. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place in the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until the center sprigs back when touched.

Remove from the oven and cool. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut the cake into 24 rounds.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese and remaining 1/2 cup butter. Mix well. Add the coconut. Mix well. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time and mix until the frosting is spreadable. Spread 2 tablespoons of the frosting in the center of half of the cake rounds. Place the remaining cake rounds on top of the frosting. Frost each round with the remaining frosting. Garnish the top of each cake with a sprinkle of the chopped macadamia nuts.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_8363,00.html

Selling Fast!

Following these steps will ensure that you get more buyers interested in your property than the competition.
1. The first and most important step is to see it as a house, not your home, but a product that needs to be marketed. This is difficult. We often attach personal power to our homes. It is so important to look objectively at the pros and cons in a buyer's eyes.
2. It is a good idea to go over your home carefully. You just want to be sure that there are no unpleasant surprises at the buyers inspection. Never attempt to cover over a flow. If you cannot afford to repair the problem, openly state it and reflect it in the price.
3. Be realistic about price. An overpriced home sits on the market and loses buyers. They buy something else while you are waiting to get a few more bucks. In the long run it usually brings less than if it had been priced right in the first place.
4. Beautify, neaten up and appeal to the greatest number. Neutral is better. Curb appeal is key.
5. Have all unfinished projects complete. Buyers would rather not do heavy maintenance or finish projects right away.
6. Try not to have a home that identifies only one group. You want whoever qualifies to like your home, not just someone like you.

Houseplants for Beginners

Plant
Light Requirements
Features and Why We Like Them
Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior
Low
Cold tolerant.
Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema
Low
Tolerates dry air.
Dracaena Dracaena
Low
Many varieties to choose from.
Kentia Palm Howea forsteriana
Low
Unlike most palms this one tolerates dry, heated air.
Philodendron Philodendron
Low
Vining habit works in hanging baskets as well as containers.
Snake Plant Sansevieria
Low
Insect resistant.
African Violet Saintpaulia
Medium/Indirect
Great combination of foliage and almost constant blooms.
Likes humidity.
Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia
Medium/Indirect
Several varieties to choose from.
Ficus Ficus
Medium/Indirect
Seldom needs repotting.
Many varieties of shapes and sizes.
Fishtail Palm Caryota mitis
Medium/Indirect
Tolerates lower light better than most palms.
Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa
Medium/Indirect
Can tolerate cooler indoor temperatures.
Peperomia Peperomia
Medium/Indirect
Semi-succulent leaves.
Can tolerate lack of water.
Pothos Epipremnum aureum
Medium/Indirect
Vining habit.
Tolerates irregular watering.
Rubber Plant Ficus elastica
Medium/Indirect
Seldom needs repotting.
Variety of forms.
Schefflera Brassaia
Medium/Indirect
Glossy leaves.
Likes high humidity.
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Medium/Indirect
Good hanging basket plant.
Produces stems that in turn can be potted to produce new plants.
Aloe Aloe barbadensis
Bright/Direct
Fleshy succulent leaves have a nice texture.
Cactus (Various)
Bright/Direct
The epitome of easy care.
Don't let any preconceived notions limit you. There are countless attractive variations of this sturdy plant.
Croton Codiaeum
Bright/Direct
Variety of foliage colors available.
Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata
Bright/Direct
Slow-grower.
Bulb base stores water.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/BeginnerHouseplants.html