Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner | April 2022 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 9 Issue 4

TRAVEL TIME

FLOWER POWER

Point Reyes National Park California

F

lowers were once more than just general symbols of beauty to admire. Each blossom had special, specific meaning based on traits such as variety and color.

They helped people communicate feelings and messages – and still can. Are you well-versed in the language of flowers? Here are what some of the most popular flowers are trying to tell you.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a spectacular showcase of California’s coastal beauty. Boasting rocky cliffs, long stretches of sandy beach, grasslands, and even forested ridges, this natural wonder is ripe for discovery. Visitors can search for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals including tule elk, elephant seals, blue herons, and occasionally the California gray whale during migration periods.

There are numerous hiking trails to explore as well as campsites for longer stays. The historic Point Reyes Lighthouse serves as a landmark for this National Park.

Source: nps.gov/pore/index.htm

Daisies – These blossoming white flowers have been a mainstay for centuries.

Appropriately, they represent innocence, purity, and loyal love. They also are the traditional floral gift for a five-year anniversary, an April birthday, or as an expression of thanks.

Lilies – This is a flower that comes in many varieties, each signifying something different. Give a calla lily to someone you find beautiful and a tiger lily to someone who needs good luck in wealth. Stargazer lilies can show appreciation for those who are honest and pure of heart.

Roses – Even though it’s the most popular flower of all time, many don’t know that the color of a rose can communicate very different things. Falling in love with someone new? Primroses are best. Have a passion built over years? Use red or coral roses. Want to celebrate a friendship? Yellow roses work great for platonic love.

Hydrangeas – These versatile flowers can be good for multiple occasions, their meaning changing slightly each time. For a wedding, use hydrangeas to communicate heartfelt emotion and a sense of perseverance. But if you want to specifically say “thank you for understanding” to a friend or loved one, a hydrangea will also do the job.

Carnations – Native to the Mediterranean region, this flower has been around so long it was mentioned by Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. Carnations also happen to be the perfect flower to give for Mother’s Day. Pink carnations express gratitude, while red carnations symbolize admiration.

Dandelion – These delicate beauties are commonly known to help grant wishes and desires if you blow them away, but there’s more to their story. They truly represent happiness, which makes sense considering the simple pleasure of scattering theirs seeds to the wind.

Now hopefully you are a little more fluent in the language of these wonderful creations. Keep in mind that meanings will vary throughout different cultures and communities, so it’s always a good idea to include a note letting the next person you give a flower to know what their floral gift is intended to mean.

LIFEWISE

GADGETS

YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

S

ure, we’ve all got the basics in our kitchen. But did you know there are certain kitchen tools that could make cooking easier and more enjoyable than ever before? Be sure to pick up these must-have accessories. You’ll wonder how you’ve cooked so long without them.

Let’s start with some simple things. How about a pot with a built-in strainer lid? Sure makes draining pasta or potatoes a lot easier when you don’t have to look for separate colander. And it’s one less thing to wash, a plus in our book any day.

Are you still cooking meat without a digital thermometer? A simple and inexpensive instant read digital thermometer probe is just what you need. This compact device takes all the guesswork out of cooking meats. Some will even beep when the meat reaches its proper internal temperature.

FLAVORFUL

Are you a waffle king? Why not make breakfast more enjoyable with a batter dispenser? Just mix the ingredients in the dispenser and squeeze out the exact right of batter for perfect pancakes and waffles.

Clean up has never been easier. Speaking of breakfast: If you love eggs, it’s time to pick up a rapid egg timer which takes out all the guesswork on how long to cook hard or soft boiled eggs (It can even poach and scramble eggs).

Just add water, push the buttons, and steam cooks the eggs to perfection.

Need a little help with food prep? Pick up an inexpensive onion chopper. Simply place a chunk of onion on the box, close the lid, and diced onions appear in the box ready for cooking. You can also use it for other veggies, like tomatoes and peppers. Like pomegranates but hate all the work to get the juicy seeds out? Pick up a pomegranate tool. Just place a half a pomegranate on the tool, hit the fruit with a spoon, and the seeds will be released. Look for helpful gadgets for other tricky fruits and veggies such as kiwis, pineapples, mangoes, and avocado, too.

Finally, what gadget could be better than a homemade ice cream maker?

After all, who doesn’t love ice cream or frozen yogurt? Cuisinart offers a new ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt maker that churns up delicious frozen treats in about 20 minutes. (Just make sure the bowl is frozen ahead of time.) With recipes included it’s a perfect and inexpensive way to treat yourself or anyone you love.

Dulce de Leche Banana Swirl Bread INGREDIENTS 3 large

Ripe bananas

3/4 cup

Brown sugar

2 cups

All-purpose flour

½ cup

Unsalted butter

1 tsp

Baking powder

2 large

Eggs

1 tsp

Baking soda

1 tbs

Vegetable oil

1/2 tsp

Salt

1/2 cup

NESTLÉ Dulce de Leche

1/2 tsp

Ground cinnamon

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.

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About Jane