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January 2019
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Ahhhh, France. Just when you think it can't possibly get any better or suprise you more, you head north and discover the rolling hills, seaside villages, and history of Normandy. Our final stop on our British Isles cruise was – surprise! – actually not in Britain at all. While some of our group made their way to Paris for the day, a few of us decided that we may not be seeing this northern shore again anytime soon, and to take advantage of the opportunity to explore and experience a new part of one of our favorite countries. We took an early morning bus from the ship, which docked in Le Havre, to the seaside village of Honfleur. Located where the Seine meets the English Channel, the old harbor looks like a movie set, it's so damn charming. We had a late breakfast of giant crepes before a quick walk through the town. Known as a home to many artists – including Monet – during the rise of Impressionism, the town is still referred to as a bit bohemian, and has such a laid-back feel to it. The buildings are far from meticulous, and I liked that they embraced their harbor roots and age here. One of my favorite things about Normandy is the facades of the countryside homes and village buildings… Whether painted on or actually built out of wood, I had always assumed this type of facade to be more Bavarian than French. Turns out I needed a little history lesson to discover that northern France is infamous for this style! The market in Honfleur was a highlight, with so many goodies that I wanted to take home! Mostly bottles and bottles of French cidres, which I love. The market ended into one of the town's larger, busier squares with several restaurants and cafes to enjoy, with the sea just a few steps away. From Honfleur the plan was to go to Deauville, which is much more of a resort town and I would have liked to explore and see the contrast between the two places. Sadly, we couldn't find a taxi that would take us there because it was during the annual film festival (sounds much like Canne, no?), and traffic would have been horrible. With our plans for the rest of the day thwarted, we decided to see if we could sneak into one of the later excursions through Princess, and we scrambled back to the ship just in time to catch a bus to the Benedictine Palace! Sidenote: on the way to the palace, we took the scenic route along the water, and my goodness was it stunning! If you can take some time to explore the coastline, especially around Etretat, you won't regret it! The draw of the palace was not necessarily the palace itself, but actually Benedictine, the liqueur. In 1510, the Benedictine monk Don Bernardo Vincelli created the recipe for this French liqueur, which calls for 27 plants and spices. Today, it is still made here, in the palace, and only a handful of people know the actual recipe, as it is still kept in great secrecy. While we received a full tour of the palace and the distillery, it was Joe we really came for. He came from Deauville (ironically!), where he is a bartender, to teach us how to make two cocktail recipes – one of which I'm going to share with you today! The Monk's Sour // serves one
Any drink that I can make that uses only one type of alcohol is a win to me! Not only is it easier, but cheaper too. No need to stock the bar with three different liqueurs that you'll use once a year. To make, add all the ingredients into a shaker, then add ice. Shake extra hard, and for longer than usual, to get the egg whites to whip up. Strain into a glass and garnish with nutmeg. I loved the taste of this! It's light but with so much flavor, thanks to the Benedictine. And definitely a perfect winter cocktail! And now, you can feel as fancy as we did, sipping cocktails in a grand palace. The post A Day in Normandy :: Seaside Villages & Cocktails in a Palace! appeared first on coco kelley.
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CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT SHORTBREAD1/4/2019 ![]() We went out last night to pick up a tree. The kids were bundled and the packing blanket was in the back to protect the roof. This is the first year both of the kids are super jazzed about the holidays. Curran (4.5) is excited for new toys and allllll the colorful, tacky decor. I am told every day that the white lights we have on the house are NOT festive AT ALL. Cleo is excited about whatever Curran is excited about lately, so anytime we see lights (trees, wreaths, fake reindeer, whatever) squealing ensues. It was cute at first, and now it's just… loud. But truly, I love it. The first few years of parenting are so much work, with few of those personal connections where you actually get to see your children as a people. The more I get to know them, the more I like them. Even the complicated, emotional parts. Anyway, their excitement is infectious, and their Scrouge McWhite-Christmas-Light-Preferring mother is even considering putting rainbow lights up somewhere… like inside their room ;) Anyway, the tree. I had this romantic idea about the tradition of picking out a tree and how we would pick up dinner after and decorate it, fireside, with classic Christmas tunes. As it turns out, it was not the romantic vision I anticipated in my head. There was a time this would have wildly disappointed me, but kids have lowered my expectations for the better. We ended up at Costco which I love for many reasons, but rustic tree buying experiences is not one of them. I mean you can't even see the trees, they are all wrapped in twine in bins and you just take a wild guess. Curran seems to be recovering from a minor concussion so complains and whines frequently, and I get that he doesn't feel well, but, again, with the Cleo doing everything he does. Our dinner was underwhelming and by the time we got home, people needed to go straight to bed. They both screamed at the reality of needing to take a warm shower (how dare me!), and tucked away they went. There was no decorating, no songs, no fire. I am not disappointed, this is life. When I think back about getting a tree and decorating it with my family, it was not some Norman Rockwell scene every time. Traditions and memories in their imperfect state are just as nostalgic for me as the ones where everything went 'right.' Fighting over whose year it was to put the angel on top, holding the twine down through the windows of the mini van to make sure the tree didn't fly off, how all the limbs starting breaking off the clay wisemen in the manger scene and no one bothered to glue them back on, or the year a votive candle lit a garland on fire. I would maybe argue that the messy parts, the imperfect parts, are actually more interesting. I don't think I even remember the moments that went as planned, if there were any. So Mr. Frankie, the bare, unlit, lopsided tree, is sitting in the living room, reminding me that all I want for this month is just to soak in the holidays and stay flexible. Mayyyyybe we'll even put rainbow lights on him this weekend. ![]() CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT SHORTBREADMakes 18 Recipe adapted from Real Simple I made these a touch sweeter than the written recipe because well, it's a holiday cookie. You could sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top while the chocolate drizzle is still soft and that should act as glue for the candies. If you have tried Dorie Greenspan's World Peace Cookies , they are basically shortbread with a bit of baking soda to help them rise a bit. I've tried it here, but don't think it changes them wildly, so it depends how dense or light you prefer your cookie. Add 1/2 tsp. if you want to try. These are snappy day one, and start to become more tender as they sit. Taste great either way, texture changes, just a fyi. Ingredients1/2 cup/1 stick plus 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature 3.5 oz. bar of dark chocolate flaky salt, for garnish, optional InstructionsIn a stand mixer with paddle attachment or with an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add the salt, vanilla, peppermint and beat those in to combine. Add the cocoa, flour and beat until just combined, do not over mix. Roll the dough into a log about 2” across (this is kind of hard, just do your best), wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour, or overnight. Alternatively, you can roll it out and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Preheat the oven to 325' and line a baking sheet with parchment (maybe two, or work in batches). Slice the cookie log into 1/2” coins and arrange them on your baking sheet. They won't spread much, but give them an inch between for safety. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just dry on the edges. They will look raw in the center but that's ok! Pull them, and let them cool. While they cool, melt the chocolate either in the microwave or in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir in the remaining peppermint extract. Drizzle it on top of the cookies, sprinkle flaky salt or peppermint candies, if using, and let the chocolate set. Sara Forte 2018-12-04 CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT SHORTBREAD18 A pepperminty, chocolate shortbread cookie with a chocolate drizzle because it's the holidays.
49 calories5 grams fat1 grams carbohydrate0 grams protein In a stand mixer with paddle attachment or with an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add the salt, vanilla, peppermint and beat those in to combine. Add the cocoa, flour and beat until just combined, do not over mix. Roll the dough into a log about 2” across (this is kind of hard, just do your best), wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour, or overnight. Alternatively, you can roll it out and use cookie cutters to make shapes.
american Dessert cookie, holiday, chocolate, treat, dessert
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![]() Las Vegas, NV (January 4th, 2018) – PinRaise, the company that connects local real estate agents with local clients and nonprofits, announced today that the donations continue, with the help of their esteemed real estate professionals each making donations on behalf of their clients to the nonprofits of their clients' choice. Quinlan Realty in Creve Coeur, MO has generously made 4 donations thanks to Agent with Heart Tayler Karhliker and distinguished Broker with Heart, Craig Carr. Tayler Karhliker has generously donated to Backstoppers Inc. on behalf of her client, Becky Murch. Craig Carr has has made 3 generous donations. One to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of his client, Becky Murch, a second to Bridgeway Behavioral Health on behalf of his clients, Jason and Chrissy Hagan, and a final donation to the Buddy Fund, made on behalf of his clients, Harold Osorio and Mauren E. Carvajal Becerra. “We are very proud to be partnered with such an incredible brokerage as Quinlan Realty,” says Mr. John Giaimo, president of PinRaise. “Throughout the year Quinlan Realty has made 49 donations to many nonprofits, and for that we are incredibly grateful. That is an astounding amount of donations to local nonprofits that can use the assistance, and we couldn't be more honored to have Quinlan Realty as our partner in giving.” “I would like to thank Craig and Tayler for rounding out 2018 with their generous donations, and for their continued dedication to paying it forward within their community. Without agents like them our program wouldn't succeed in assisting nonprofits nation-wide, and all of us at PinRaise thank them for their kindheartedness and compassion, and look forward to seeing the continued good they will do in the coming year,” concludes Mr. Giaimo. About the Broker with Heart Program: Through the Broker with Heart program, brokerages agree to donate a percentage or fixed dollar amount of their commission from a home sale or purchase to the nonprofit of their client's choice after closing. This provides needed revenue for the nonprofit and makes a real difference in their community. For more information, please visit www.PinRaise.com. To contact Craig Carr, please call 314-401-9286 or visit www.QuinlanRealty.com. To contact Tayler Karhliker, please call 314-401-9889 or visit www.QuinlanRealty.com.
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I'm back today with a little more info about my pantry remodel. If you missed the big “before and after” post filled with photos of my newly finished pantry remodel, you can see it here: I had intended to include a short video tour in yesterday's post, but after encountering technical difficulty after difficulty with my computer on Wednesday, it was all I could do to just get photos edited. So I finally gave up on the video and went to bed. But I gave it another try yesterday (after doing quite a bit of computer maintenance to make things run smoother), so I thought I'd go ahead and share it today. (Having difficulty with that video? You can click here to view it on YouTube.) I also wanted to take a moment and answer a couple of questions that I was asked by several people yesterday. First, let's talk about under cabinet lighting. How I installed my under cabinet LED tape lighting Several people wanted the details on just how I installed the lighting in my pantry, so let me show you some close up photos of just how and where everything is attached. You can click here to […]
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Putting People First1/4/2019 It's said that most adults will spend one third of their life at work. That's roughly 90,000 hours! Putting it in these terms provides a different context in which to view the employer-employee relationship. Author Tom Peters says leaders need to accept responsibility for the role they play in employees' lives. “Every leader has a moral obligation [today] to develop people so that when they leave, they are better prepared for tomorrow than when they arrived,” writes Peters. That's heavy. I care about our people a lot. I think about the 150+ families relying on our leaders to make good decisions with the best interest of our team at heart. Yet “moral obligation” is an even larger burden. And you know what? He's right. We owe that to our team. ![]()
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![]() Glitter cardboard star ornaments are stunning when you use Glitterific paint, which looks like a mix of glitter and gold foil pieces. These Christmas star ornaments are so easy to make! You find these packages of cardboard stars in craft stores, and you might even walk right past them without noticing. Or, if you do [...] The post Glitter Cardboard Star Ornaments for Christmas appeared first on Pet Scribbles.
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Which Will Cost More?It used to be that driving was the hands-down winner in the cost comparison, but that was when gas prices were much cheaper. Even with the higher cost of fuel, driving will often cost less overall. AAA offers a fuel-cost calculator that can help you determine approximately how much your road trip will cost. When you compare that figure to the cost of a plane ticket for each member of your family plus (possible) additional airline fees in addition to the cost for parking or a shuttle to the airport plus the cost of a rental car or local transportation at your destination, driving seems to be the smart option financially. What's More Convenient?This is another factor that is not as clear-cut as it once was. It used to be that flying was a fairly glamorous and low stress enterprise, where you sat back and relaxed while you traveled. Driving, on the other hand, was hours of tedium punctuated by refereeing fights between Junior and Sis in the back seat. Neither of those are still the case. Flying now involves long waits and intrusive security measures before you get on an overcrowded plane. And in the digital age, driving can mean the whole family (except the poor driver) gets a chance to catch up on their favorite media-dvds, audiobooks, or blogs while eating up the miles. To decide which mode of travel will be more convenient depends a great deal on how far you have to go. It's worth it to calculate the amount of time you will be traveling door-to-door in both cases to decide which method is most likely to have you still talking to each other once you get there. What's Safer?This is the one component that is easy to calculate. Flying is one of the safest modes of transportation, and driving is the most dangerous way to travel. It's easy to forget these facts since we drive every day and fly rarely - and because every airplane crash makes the news while we hear next to nothing about the thousands of car wrecks that occur every single day in America. If you do decide to drive, take your safety seriously by making certain your car is in good condition before you leave, by buckling up, and by placing your small children in appropriate child-safety seats with 5-point harnesses. For our trip to Virginia, we decided to brave the potential frustration and definite cost of air travel rather than give up two days of our vacation in travel time. My husband probably won't admit it, but I'm sure we made the right decision by flying. This article originally appeared on MoneyNing.com. Let us know what you think (or read what others thought) here.
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Most of you will agree – there is nothing like a good first impression.However, as a business owner, when it comes to office buildings, have you thought about whether your office decor makes the right noise? A subtle landscape in front of your office building can work wonders, acting as a chance for potential tenants to invest in your property or your potential clients to get drawn to the relaxed vibes surrounding your office. Commercial landscaping has its own charm, and is something you wouldn't want to miss out on. Here are some easy landscaping tips that will transform your office building. keep reading! The Top 4 Easy Office Building Landscape IdeasSetting up the perfect landscape can be a tough nut to crack. Here I have tried to list four ways through which you could have a subtle office landscape, to leave a lasting impression on others –
Colors seem to add a much-needed spark to a rather dull day in the office. What better way to add those colors than with flowers? You could plant flowers that are colorful and leave a lasting impression. If your office building is tall, small pots may not be visible. Opt for plants or trees that are easy on the eyes and help to clean up your landscape like no other. Plants also help to provide fresh air and beautify the area surrounding your building, making it statement-worthy.
Once you have set up the greenery, you need people to enjoy nature's beauty in a comfortable position. Install an outdoor seating area that is cozy. It will act as a perfect spot for the employees to read a book, have a chat or enjoy a sandwich. Do not forget to install shade and no one would like to face the heat rays from the sun. Something like a patio would be a go-to option for the perfect spot to rest in between the employees' grueling schedule.
There are so many easy landscaping ideas that you can do to create a welcoming entrance to your office building. It is one of the most important factors while considering a subtle office entrance. Try to have a welcoming entrance. Installing flower beds which are easy on the eyes would be helpful in this case. In short, the entry needs to be warm and one which freshens you up instantly.
Try not to confuse those who enter your office premises. It always better to have a set plan in place. It would be best if you had a brief understanding of the architecture and the feel of the construction. Once you have that in place, ensure that your landscape design ideas suit your office building idea. Always remember that the landscape should enhance the architecture and not dominate it. ConclusionOnce you have a landscape in place, ensure that you take good care of it. The plants and flowers can be changed every year, depending upon your preferences. There are several other ways by which you can enhance your office landscape. Keep in mind that your potential clients may see this as a first step towards signing a contract with you. Also, ensure to keep some aspects of the building your landscape design to tone down the confusion. Happy landscaping!
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CFD 505 – The Food Revolution1/3/2019 ![]() Ocean Robbins is co-founder and CEO of the 350,000+ member Food Revolution Network, adjunct professor in Chapman University's Peace Studies... The post CFD 505 – The Food Revolution appeared first on Cashflow Diary. |