Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner | March 2022 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 9 Issue 3

LOCAL VENUE Tubac City Arizona

Founded in 1726 and originally “Tubaca” in Spanish, this tourist spot is great for anyone with a bent for the artistic. Located on the Santa Cruz River, Tubac is home to many art galleries, museums, jewelry shops, and other charming local businesses. In fact, it was recently voted Best Small Art Town by USA Today readers and boasts an active and recognized art school. But it’s not all just about art. Tubac has amazing hiking trails off the Santa Cruz, world-class spas, golf courses, and a wide variety of restaurants, all creating a relaxing but fun atmosphere.

Source: NPS.gov

HOW DOGS COMMUNICATE E

ver wish you could communicate with your pet? We all wish we knew exactly what our dog or cat was thinking or trying to tell us. Luckily, at turns out, there are subtle ways our pets are talking with us every day. Here’s how to read their signals and respond back.

Did you know a recent study showed that dogs try to communicate with their humans with 19 different signals? Amazing! First thing for humans to watch for is their pet’s tail: If it’s curled, the dog is relaxed. If the tail is straight, the dog is tracking something. And a tucked tail could mean your pup or kitty is feeling scared or insecure.

Ever noticed your dog’s ears perk up when you talk to them? That means they are very focused on what you are saying. And that adorable way they tilt their head means they are super intent on listening to what you are saying.

(Hint: They are hoping you just said the word “walk” or “treat.”) Dropping ears are a signal of submission, perhaps when your pet is around a more dominant dog.

What about your pet’s eyes? When a dog looks directly into your peepers, she is telling you she loves you. And yes, avoiding eye contact with you could mean he’s upset or has done something wrong. And when you see your puppy smile when you’re giving a pet or a belly rub, your dog is showing you he or she loves you.

What about a dog’s barking? Simple reasons for barking could be the dog needs to go out, wants a treat, or is alerting you of someone outside or inside your house. If your dog is licking you, it could mean your skin simply tastes nice and salty or they could be showing you affection and love that they learned from their mommy when they were pups. So sweet!

A few specific body movements your dog may initiate? If they roll over and expose their belly they’re trying to appease you and would almost certainly love a belly rub. Another common dog move is the downward dog greeting. When a pup lays his front down with paws outstretched and his back in the air, he is letting you know it’s playtime. So get ready to run and around and go a little crazy with your furry friend. She will love you all the more for it!

LIFEWISE

BRAIDED BREADS Braided loaves have been around since the 1400s, when they became popular in Germany and Switzerland. The trend endured the test of time, as bakers still love to create elaborate plaited designs. The technique can be kept simple using as few as two strands or made more complex working with up to eight strands. Braiding gives your bread extra dimension and visual interest and works well on challah dough or sourdough.

T

hough not exactly new, the trend of bread art has seen a recent resurgence as people pick up the skill as a fun pastime. Making decorative bread is less complicated than you might think. Many of the necessary tools are probably already in your kitchen or easily available for online purchase. Once you get the basics of bread making down, the designs are limited only by your creativity and willingness to get your hands dirty. Here are two beginner-friendly bread designs to try at home.

Similar to how you would interweave sections of hair or strands of thread, the method of braiding bread is basically dividing one loaf into as many strands as you desire and then following a pattern. To help keep strands from sticking to each other, lightly coat each with flour before beginning. This will also ensure the definition of your pattern remains after baking. For extra style points, color the different strands you’re working with or shape your finished plait into a heart or wreath before baking.

Ready to try these trends for yourself? Look up designs online to get inspired or decorate freely as you go. The important thing is to have fun and a little patience as you learn.

GARDEN ART FOCACCIA This particular style of decorative bread saw a rise in popularity throughout 2020 and 2021. Focaccia is a traditional Italian flatbread similar to pizza dough. Customarily, the surface is kept simple with shallow dimples poked into it and drizzled with olive oil, coarse salt, and dried herbs. Those staples are still part of garden art focaccia, but additional vegetables and herbs are added to resemble flowers and plants.

Thin asparagus spears, chives, and herbs like thyme and parsley are perfect to use for the stem part of your design. Rings of red onion, pitted olives, or thinly sliced radishes replicate the look of a pistil, or center of a flower. Sliced cherry tomatoes and bell peppers can be arranged to look like petals. The result is a lovely floral scene full of flavor.

FLAVORFUL

Blackberry Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS 1 pkh

Poundcake mix

1/3 cup

All-purpose flour

1 tbs

Instant coffee

2 tbs

Packed brown sugar

1/4 cup

Unsalted butter

1/2 tsp

Ground cinnamon

2 large

Eggs

3 tbs

Cold unsalted butter

1 cup

Frozen blackberries

1/4 cup

Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Beat cake mix, coffee mixture, 1/4 cup butter and eggs in medium bowl on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute (batter will be thick).

Pour half of batter into prepared pan; spread evenly. Top evenly with blackberries. Pour remaining batter on top. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and butter in a small bowl and sprinkle over top of batter.

Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Place on wire rack and cool completely.

GoodNes.com

J

ane Blacker has been a widely-respected member of the Valley of the Sun real estate industry since 2000. With over 30 years as a real estate professional,

her track record remains spotless-something she attributes to always placing her clients’ interests first, providing unsurpassed service, meticulous attention to detail, and staying abreast of market trends and changes affecting the real estate industry.

Jane joined Russ Lyon Realty Company in March 2001. She achieved a topproducer ranking within two years and continues to be a top producer with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

Originally from England, her career in real estate began when she joined a commercial real estate company in London and worked for ten years as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner.

Her many community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. In 2013 and 2014 Jane was recognized by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding contributions to the community and has been the recipient of two prestigious business volunteer awards.

Jane Blacker REALTOR | SRES

Cell 480.283.3009 Fax 480.624.3711 Jane.Blacker@RussLyon.com Call Jane today if you are thinking about a new home!

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by Prime Source & DLP • 480.921.0511 • PrimeSourceAZ.com

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