Jane Blacker | Arizona Homeowner

ArizonaHomeowner

Vol. 6 Issue 12

“You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.”

Roll Out the Bar Carts

- MARISSA MAYER

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 for 2017!

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

Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com

Mind-Blowing VR Virtual Reality Gets Real

Johnson Space Center Houston, TX

Hash Brown Bake GoodNes

TRAVEL TIME

THE ESSENTIALS Once you have your trolley, it’s time to stock and decorate it before your next soiree. Here are some of the suggested musthaves:

Johnson Space Center Houston, TX

• Start with 3 preferred spirits, such as whiskey, gin, rum or vodka.

E

ver wished you could climb Mt. Everest, deep-sea dive in Tahiti, or travel to the Colosseum … all without leaving your sofa? Thanks to significant advancements in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), you can (almost) do just that. And a whole lot more. Here are a few ways to make the most of your virtual journey.

NASA’s Johnson Space Center has served as a hub of human spaceflight activity for more than half a century. It is home to the nation’s astronaut corps, the International Space Station mission operations, the Orion Program, and a host of future space developments. Space Center Houston, the official visitor center, shares the thrill and wonder of space exploration.

Source: VisitNASA.com

Virtual reality has come a long way in the last few years. But what exactly do you need to get in on the fun? To enjoy the new tech sensation, you’ll need a smart phone that supports VR apps (i.e. the latest iPhone or Android) and for a truly immersive experience a VR headset or goggles, though you can use some of the VR tech solely with your phone. Many headsets support both iPhone and Android phones, but some are specific to one platform. Once you select the right set, just pop your phone into the headset to enjoy the VR experience.

Android users will want to check out vr.google.com, where visitors can travel to remote corners of the world in 3D. Feel as if you are walking around Vatican City or soaring above the Matterhorn. Many independent VR companies are also creating their own content, with games and interactive story experiences that allow you to journey through the Grand Canyon or even feel as if you’re walking on the moon.

The tech company Timelooper offers a different spin on augmented reality.

When visitors download their app, they will be virtually transported to actual sites in New York City, London, Tokyo, and many other cities and historic venues. For example, pop into modern-day Times Square in New York City and suddenly the era and people around you change to 1945 and you witness the iconic Times Square kiss celebrating the end of WWII. It is a unique and ground-breaking way to experience history and travel.

And for those looking for a more practical use of virtual reality, check out YouVisit.com. This is one web site high school juniors will definitely want to bookmark. Offering virtual and 360-degree tours of more than 600 of the country’s top colleges and universities, YouVisit is a one-stop shopping experience for students and parents alike. Simply log on, click the school you want to learn more about and sit back and feel like you are walking the campus, all while learning about the history and offerings from the online tour guides. College visits have never been so easy!

• Cocktail shaker and bar accessories like whisk, corkscrew, bottle opener and stirrers.

W

hether entertaining a large group of friends or hosting an intimate gathering, there’s one piece of furniture that will declare you as the host or hostess with most-est: a fashionable, well-appointed bar cart.

Also referred to as a drink trolley on the other side of the pond, this stylish accessory has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years and we are here for it! Bar carts first started appearing in homes after the end of prohibition when people were able to celebrate with spirits out in the open again. Rolling ahead into the 1950s and ’60s they really came into their own – just watch an episode of Mad Men and you’ll be ready to break out the crystal decanters and matching tumblers – hold the ashtrays.

It’s easy to find all styles of bar carts at major retailers like Crate & Barrel or online outlets. Ideally, you want at least two levels for storage and display, and some carts include extra features such as slots for hanging wine glasses or a rack for bottles. It can also be as simple as the ubiquitous metal utility caddy that can be found at IKEA or craft stores. Elegant carts and authentic mid-century pieces in metal, wood or bamboo are waiting to be discovered in your local flea market or antique malls. Just add elbow grease and maybe some spray paint to restore it to glory and load it up.

• Glassware. Tumblers and wine glasses depending on drink preference.

• Carafe or pitcher for serving decanted wine or Bloody Marys.

EXTRAS A few fun additions can really designate the cart as party central and help to fit seamlessly into the style of whichever room it resides.

• Ice bucket. Go vintage, classic or cute and don’t forget the tongs.

• Bar towel and napkins.

• A classic mixology book for easy reference and one with new ideas.

• That extra flourish, in the form of a plant, fresh flowers, twinkle lights or objet d’art.

You’ve found the perfect corner for your new cart and you’re ready to get social – so head over to social media and really get inspired! A “quick” search on Pinterest or the Instagram hashtag #barcart will send you spiraling down a rabbit hole of ideas.

Hmm, better pour yourself a drink first.

HASH BROWN BAKE

FLAVORFUL

ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

• Mixers and liqueurs. Keep non-refrigerated mixers like vermouth and bitters handy, and perhaps one liqueur that comes in an interesting bottle.

INGREDIENTS 9 cups

Hash brown potatoes

2 tbl

Dijon mustard

4 cups

Cooked ham

20 oz

Frozen spinach

2 cans

Cream of potato soup

2 tsp

Black pepper

2 cans

Evaporated milk

2 cups

Shredded swiss

DIRECTIONS Combine potatoes, ham, evaporated milk, soup, mustard and pepper in large bowl.

Pour half of potato mixture into greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle with spinach and top with remaining potato mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 400° F for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

LIFEWISE

Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

GoodNes.com

TRAVEL TIME

THE ESSENTIALS Once you have your trolley, it’s time to stock and decorate it before your next soiree. Here are some of the suggested musthaves:

Johnson Space Center Houston, TX

• Start with 3 preferred spirits, such as whiskey, gin, rum or vodka.

E

ver wished you could climb Mt. Everest, deep-sea dive in Tahiti, or travel to the Colosseum … all without leaving your sofa? Thanks to significant advancements in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), you can (almost) do just that. And a whole lot more. Here are a few ways to make the most of your virtual journey.

NASA’s Johnson Space Center has served as a hub of human spaceflight activity for more than half a century. It is home to the nation’s astronaut corps, the International Space Station mission operations, the Orion Program, and a host of future space developments. Space Center Houston, the official visitor center, shares the thrill and wonder of space exploration.

Source: VisitNASA.com

Virtual reality has come a long way in the last few years. But what exactly do you need to get in on the fun? To enjoy the new tech sensation, you’ll need a smart phone that supports VR apps (i.e. the latest iPhone or Android) and for a truly immersive experience a VR headset or goggles, though you can use some of the VR tech solely with your phone. Many headsets support both iPhone and Android phones, but some are specific to one platform. Once you select the right set, just pop your phone into the headset to enjoy the VR experience.

Android users will want to check out vr.google.com, where visitors can travel to remote corners of the world in 3D. Feel as if you are walking around Vatican City or soaring above the Matterhorn. Many independent VR companies are also creating their own content, with games and interactive story experiences that allow you to journey through the Grand Canyon or even feel as if you’re walking on the moon.

The tech company Timelooper offers a different spin on augmented reality.

When visitors download their app, they will be virtually transported to actual sites in New York City, London, Tokyo, and many other cities and historic venues. For example, pop into modern-day Times Square in New York City and suddenly the era and people around you change to 1945 and you witness the iconic Times Square kiss celebrating the end of WWII. It is a unique and ground-breaking way to experience history and travel.

And for those looking for a more practical use of virtual reality, check out YouVisit.com. This is one web site high school juniors will definitely want to bookmark. Offering virtual and 360-degree tours of more than 600 of the country’s top colleges and universities, YouVisit is a one-stop shopping experience for students and parents alike. Simply log on, click the school you want to learn more about and sit back and feel like you are walking the campus, all while learning about the history and offerings from the online tour guides. College visits have never been so easy!

• Cocktail shaker and bar accessories like whisk, corkscrew, bottle opener and stirrers.

W

hether entertaining a large group of friends or hosting an intimate gathering, there’s one piece of furniture that will declare you as the host or hostess with most-est: a fashionable, well-appointed bar cart.

Also referred to as a drink trolley on the other side of the pond, this stylish accessory has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years and we are here for it! Bar carts first started appearing in homes after the end of prohibition when people were able to celebrate with spirits out in the open again. Rolling ahead into the 1950s and ’60s they really came into their own – just watch an episode of Mad Men and you’ll be ready to break out the crystal decanters and matching tumblers – hold the ashtrays.

It’s easy to find all styles of bar carts at major retailers like Crate & Barrel or online outlets. Ideally, you want at least two levels for storage and display, and some carts include extra features such as slots for hanging wine glasses or a rack for bottles. It can also be as simple as the ubiquitous metal utility caddy that can be found at IKEA or craft stores. Elegant carts and authentic mid-century pieces in metal, wood or bamboo are waiting to be discovered in your local flea market or antique malls. Just add elbow grease and maybe some spray paint to restore it to glory and load it up.

• Glassware. Tumblers and wine glasses depending on drink preference.

• Carafe or pitcher for serving decanted wine or Bloody Marys.

EXTRAS A few fun additions can really designate the cart as party central and help to fit seamlessly into the style of whichever room it resides.

• Ice bucket. Go vintage, classic or cute and don’t forget the tongs.

• Bar towel and napkins.

• A classic mixology book for easy reference and one with new ideas.

• That extra flourish, in the form of a plant, fresh flowers, twinkle lights or objet d’art.

You’ve found the perfect corner for your new cart and you’re ready to get social – so head over to social media and really get inspired! A “quick” search on Pinterest or the Instagram hashtag #barcart will send you spiraling down a rabbit hole of ideas.

Hmm, better pour yourself a drink first.

HASH BROWN BAKE

FLAVORFUL

ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

• Mixers and liqueurs. Keep non-refrigerated mixers like vermouth and bitters handy, and perhaps one liqueur that comes in an interesting bottle.

INGREDIENTS 9 cups

Hash brown potatoes

2 tbl

Dijon mustard

4 cups

Cooked ham

20 oz

Frozen spinach

2 cans

Cream of potato soup

2 tsp

Black pepper

2 cans

Evaporated milk

2 cups

Shredded swiss

DIRECTIONS Combine potatoes, ham, evaporated milk, soup, mustard and pepper in large bowl.

Pour half of potato mixture into greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle with spinach and top with remaining potato mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 400° F for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

LIFEWISE

Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

GoodNes.com

About Jane 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 for 2017!

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

Produced by DLP Marketing • (480)460-0996 • DLPmarketing.com