Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner | June 2021 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 8 Issue 6

Get Traveling

Bucket List Travel Destinations

Fonthill Castle

Doylestown Township, PA

Raspberry Cream Pops GoodNes

TRAVEL TIME Fonthill Castle Doylestown Township, PA

MUST-SEE HOT SPOTS

W

hether you’re dreaming of your next big international journey post-pandemic or are about to book a closer-to-home vacation next week, consider these unexpected and unique summer destinations. Some may be a bit off the beaten path but that’s what makes them so special. Of course, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, check local government restrictions on your destination before booking.

Designed by archeologist, anthropologist, and scholar Henry Chapman Mercer, this concrete castle in rural Pennsylvania is a charming mix of architectural styles including Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine. Beginning in 1908, Mercer spent four years building his castle to showcase his extensive collection of rare Moravian tiles and prints. The structure is a notable early example of reinforced concrete and features a grand interior with 44 rooms and 18 fireplaces. History buffs, fans of design and architecture enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the guided tour of this “Castle for the New World,” as Mercer called his creation.

Source: MercerMuseum.org

Yearning for a European vacation? Sure London and Paris are on most people’s travel bucket lists. But why not consider a city or region a little less frequented? Travel blogger Dan Flying Solo suggests Mantua, Italy, for architecture and art and fewer crowds than Rome and Florence, and Brisighella, Italy, for medieval villages, quiet cafes, and gelato. He also recommends Bosnia and Herzegovina, for outdoor adventure and history, The Hague, The Netherlands, for history, beach bars, and museums, and Durham, England, for castles and nature, among many other hidden gems. (See his complete list at www.danflyingsolo.com/unique-placesvisit-europe/.) Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, are also both trending as top locations searched for summer 2021 travel, according to Travel Pulse.

With great weather, top-notch museums, and summer festivals, we can understand why.

Looking to head to Asia? Bloggers recommend Kyoto, Japan, home to ancient gardens, traditional temples, museums, and Geisha performances.

According to the travel company Skyscanner, Kyoto is the “birthplace of the tea ceremony, Nintendo, and the ancient art of flower arranging,” and offers a unique mix of old and new. You’ll also love its traditional sake and green tea ice cream. If China is on your list, Skyscanner recommends the city of Qingdao, on China’s Yellow Sea Coast. A little off the beaten path, this seaside city offers cool breezes and interesting architecture sure to delight travelers.

Finally, for those looking to stay in the U.S., Travel Pulse reports that Miami, New York, Honolulu, Orlando, and L.A. are all trending for summer 2021 travel destinations. Travel+Leisure offers a list of more hidden gems that may be less crowded, including Alaska’s Coast (highlights include national parks and small-ship excursions), the Berkshires, Massachusetts (think rolling hills, wellness resorts, and the arts), Florida’s Middle Keys (between Key Largo and Key West, here it’s all about protecting ecosystems and enjoying the sun), and Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah (nearly one million acres of remote landscape dotted with natural bridges, arches, and canyons, perfect for camping), among other locales. For the complete list, check out www.travelandleisure. com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2021. We’ll keep our bags packed and our fingers crossed!

LIFEWISE

updated and interesting. Sending new photos to a frame you gift a loved one is a sweet way to let them know you’re thinking of them, even from a distance.

I

f you were born before the year 2000, chances are many of your cherished childhood memories were showcased in scrapbooks and photo albums. Perhaps now you’re in the habit of sharing your milestone moments on social media. There’s nothing wrong with these methods, but with today’s advances in technology you can take your meaningful memories to the next level with digital solutions that store, display and organize in new and improved ways.

A simple and effective way to get started is investing in a digital photo frame. Excellent space savers, digital photo frames allow you to display all your favorite moments with a slideshow effect.

You get the freedom to display more memories without worrying about where you’ll put them. This option also allows you to add photos with the touch of a button – you can send them to your frame from your mobile phone, laptop or even your digital camera in some cases. This can be a fun way to keep your décor

If you want a more comprehensive scrapbook, consider custom-made email memories. This is an intimate option that is growing in popularity. Basically, you create a new email account that will solely function as the inbox for all your digital memories. Photos, videos, special notes and more can be shared to the account and viewed by anyone who has the login information. Many people use this trend to document the lifetime of a child or grandchild and gift them with a personalized recollection of moments they can access as an adult. This also is a meaningful way to document your own life events and share the account with a longdistance friend or loved one.

There are several advantages to taking your memories digital.

They are easier to update as quickly as life happens. Snap a photo of tonight’s sunset and send it directly to display in your digital frame! Additionally, moments become more shareable in a digital format. One digital account can be accessed by multiple users and worked on collaboratively to share family memories. Most importantly, digital collections are better protected from damage than physical scrapbooks that can be lost or aged by the elements. A digital memory bank is guaranteed to have a long life, with space to grow and change with you as your life unfolds.

FLAVORFUL

Raspberry Cream Pops INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup 1/3 cup 1 lb (4 cups) 10 to 20 tbs

Water Granulated sugar Fresh raspberries Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer

DIRECTIONS Combine water and sugar in small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 90 seconds; stir until sugar is dissolved. Let cool.

Place raspberries and cooled sugar mixture in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Divide mixture evenly between 10 ice pop molds. Top each with about 1 to 2 tablespoons Coffee Mate Natural Bliss creamer. Gently stir with end of spoon to create marbling.

Insert sticks. Freeze for several hours or overnight.

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

DIGITAL

About Jane