Diego Jaramillo | Texas Homeowner December 2017

JARA

T E X A S Vol. 4 Issue 12

HOLIDAY CHARM

Big Apple Window Displays

Hot Chocolate, Anyone?

Winter’s Perfect Drink

Closing Out The Books Year-End Saving Strategies

Ground Tenderloin Chili The Stockyards If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by DLP Marketing • (877)660-0996 • DLPmarketing.com

Closing out the BOOKS

Holiday Windows New York, NY

A Cup of

Warm & Cozy I

t’s been said that consuming chocolate is an angel’s only earthly indulgence.

If that is true, who can blame them? And who among us doesn’t want to wrap cold wintertime hands around a steaming mug of pure sweet and frothy decadence?

Tis the season to spread holiday cheer with the Big Apple’s world famous NYC department store Christmas window displays! This New York holiday tradition makes it possible for everyone enjoying the holidays in NYC (even those on a tight budget) to experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city’s most popular shopping destinations like Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s without spending a penny. Each year, major department stores transform their window displays into miniature winter wonderlands that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus jealous!

Conveniently located across the street from Rockefeller Center – another must-see in NYC during the holidays – Saks is known for its fun and fantastical Christmas window displays that are a favorite among children. Happy “window shopping!”

Source: NYCTourist.com

“Drinking chocolate” was originally a cold mixture of ground cocoa beans and water with the addition of spices such as cayenne pepper, vanilla and pimento.

Later, spices such as cloves and cinnamon were used. It was drunk from large bowls so its aromas could be savored. By the time it was introduced to Europe, the more pungent spices in the drink were replaced with cane sugar and it was served hot instead of cold.

After being introduced in England, milk was added to the after-dinner treat.

By the 18th Century, so-called “chocolate houses” were as popular as coffee houses. The first chocolate house opened in London in 1657. Because it was so expensive, hot chocolate was considered a drink only for the elite.

Americans often use the terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” interchangeably, while others make a difference between “hot cocoa” – made from a powdered mix of cocoa, sugar and thickeners and “hot chocolate” – made directly from bar chocolate, which already contains cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter. Hot chocolate can be made with dark, semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces and stirred into milk with the addition of sugar. Hot cocoa powder often includes powdered milk or other dairy ingredients so it can make a drink without using milk. A modern American concept is the addition of marshmallows to hot chocolate.

Today, hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world. It is especially popular in Europe where it is very thick, made directly from chocolate (such as Italy’s cioccolata densa, ubiquitous in their bars and restaurants). In Spain, hot chocolate and churros have been the traditional working-man’s breakfast. In cities like Madrid, Spaniards mark the traditional end to a night out by dipping churros into this very thick hot chocolate.

Decadent Hot Chocolate 1c 1c 1 oz

1 oz

1 tbsp 1 tsp

Milk Half and half Semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chips) Milk chocolate, chopped (or use chips) Brown sugar Vanilla

Melt chocolate in saucepan over medium heat with the milk, half and half and brown sugar.

After chocolate melts and sugar dissolves, pour half into a bowl and whip until foamy. Return to the saucepan, and add vanilla. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream.

LIFEWISE

I

t’s this time of year that we all get a few extra days off to enjoy some time with friends and family. It’s also a chance to catch our breath and reflect on the end of another year. In the financial area of your life, there are a few tips to save you money that are worth considering.

Our first tip is to pre-pay your January 2018 mortgage payment.

Mortgage interest is tax deductible. If you can afford to send the payment in early it will result in an extra month’s interest that you can deduct on your taxes for the 2017 tax year. Property taxes are also tax deductible, and in both cases, make sure the payment clears by December 31st.

Secondly, analyze how much principal you have paid down on your mortgage this year. Does it match up with your expectations? If your annual principal payments do not match your goals then perhaps it’s a good time to send in a lump sum payment to your mortgage lender to reduce the balance further.

This may coincide well with year-end bonuses that many people receive this time of year. Whether you pay down your mortgage with a lump sum at year end or commit to paying down your balance by as little as $100 a month in the future, it’s a rewarding feeling to start chipping away at your balance.

Lastly, many credit card

companies send out annual account summaries at year end that detail how much and where you’ve spent. If you’re like us, reviewing year-end statements usually leaves you scratching your head in amazement of how much money was spent throughout the year. But there is a lesson to be learned in all of this and money to be saved. By reviewing your year-end credit card statements you can identify how much interest you are being charged every month. You may be surprised to find that your rates on these bills are ranging from 9% to 21%, and possibly higher. Regardless of how small your balances are on these accounts, if you’re not paying them off each month then you’re paying too much money at these rates. There are options to reduce your rates and save money such as negotiating your rate with the company.

Good luck with your year-end review, and enjoy a happy and safe holiday season!

Ground Tenderloin Chili INGREDIENTS

FLAVORFUL

TRAVEL TIME

2 lb 4 cloves 1 large

2- 14 oz cans 2- 14 oz cans 2- 4 oz cans 1 small can 1 qt 2 tbsp 1 tbsp ½ tbsp ½ tbsp ½ tbsp 2-3 dashes 1-2 tbsp 1-2 tbsp ¼ c

DIRECTIONS Ground beef Garlic (minced) White onion (medium dice) Tomatoes (small dice) Ranch style beans Green chiles Tomato paste Beef stock Chili powder Cumin Crushed red pepper Cajun spice Oregano Tabasco Salt Pepper Slurry (cornstarch and water)

Garnish with chopped red onion and grated cheese

Cook ground beef over medium high heat in a large soup pot until browned evenly. Drain, remove beef from pot and set aside. Use a small amount of the beef fat to cook the garlic and onions over medium heat in the same large pot until translucent. Add the drained ground beef to the onions and stir well. Add the tomatoes, beans, chiles and all the other ingredients besides the cornstarch slurry. Stir well and cook over medium heat until the mixture just starts to boil and then turn down and simmer for at least a half hour. Add the cornstarch slurry, bring back to a simmer for a few minutes and serve topped with the chopped red onion and grated cheese.

Homemade cornbread is the perfect complement to homemade chili!

StockyardsSteakhouse.com

Closing out the BOOKS

Holiday Windows New York, NY

A Cup of

Warm & Cozy I

t’s been said that consuming chocolate is an angel’s only earthly indulgence.

If that is true, who can blame them? And who among us doesn’t want to wrap cold wintertime hands around a steaming mug of pure sweet and frothy decadence?

Tis the season to spread holiday cheer with the Big Apple’s world famous NYC department store Christmas window displays! This New York holiday tradition makes it possible for everyone enjoying the holidays in NYC (even those on a tight budget) to experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city’s most popular shopping destinations like Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s without spending a penny. Each year, major department stores transform their window displays into miniature winter wonderlands that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus jealous!

Conveniently located across the street from Rockefeller Center – another must-see in NYC during the holidays – Saks is known for its fun and fantastical Christmas window displays that are a favorite among children. Happy “window shopping!”

Source: NYCTourist.com

“Drinking chocolate” was originally a cold mixture of ground cocoa beans and water with the addition of spices such as cayenne pepper, vanilla and pimento.

Later, spices such as cloves and cinnamon were used. It was drunk from large bowls so its aromas could be savored. By the time it was introduced to Europe, the more pungent spices in the drink were replaced with cane sugar and it was served hot instead of cold.

After being introduced in England, milk was added to the after-dinner treat.

By the 18th Century, so-called “chocolate houses” were as popular as coffee houses. The first chocolate house opened in London in 1657. Because it was so expensive, hot chocolate was considered a drink only for the elite.

Americans often use the terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” interchangeably, while others make a difference between “hot cocoa” – made from a powdered mix of cocoa, sugar and thickeners and “hot chocolate” – made directly from bar chocolate, which already contains cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter. Hot chocolate can be made with dark, semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces and stirred into milk with the addition of sugar. Hot cocoa powder often includes powdered milk or other dairy ingredients so it can make a drink without using milk. A modern American concept is the addition of marshmallows to hot chocolate.

Today, hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world. It is especially popular in Europe where it is very thick, made directly from chocolate (such as Italy’s cioccolata densa, ubiquitous in their bars and restaurants). In Spain, hot chocolate and churros have been the traditional working-man’s breakfast. In cities like Madrid, Spaniards mark the traditional end to a night out by dipping churros into this very thick hot chocolate.

Decadent Hot Chocolate 1c 1c 1 oz

1 oz

1 tbsp 1 tsp

Milk Half and half Semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chips) Milk chocolate, chopped (or use chips) Brown sugar Vanilla

Melt chocolate in saucepan over medium heat with the milk, half and half and brown sugar.

After chocolate melts and sugar dissolves, pour half into a bowl and whip until foamy. Return to the saucepan, and add vanilla. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream.

LIFEWISE

I

t’s this time of year that we all get a few extra days off to enjoy some time with friends and family. It’s also a chance to catch our breath and reflect on the end of another year. In the financial area of your life, there are a few tips to save you money that are worth considering.

Our first tip is to pre-pay your January 2018 mortgage payment.

Mortgage interest is tax deductible. If you can afford to send the payment in early it will result in an extra month’s interest that you can deduct on your taxes for the 2017 tax year. Property taxes are also tax deductible, and in both cases, make sure the payment clears by December 31st.

Secondly, analyze how much principal you have paid down on your mortgage this year. Does it match up with your expectations? If your annual principal payments do not match your goals then perhaps it’s a good time to send in a lump sum payment to your mortgage lender to reduce the balance further.

This may coincide well with year-end bonuses that many people receive this time of year. Whether you pay down your mortgage with a lump sum at year end or commit to paying down your balance by as little as $100 a month in the future, it’s a rewarding feeling to start chipping away at your balance.

Lastly, many credit card

companies send out annual account summaries at year end that detail how much and where you’ve spent. If you’re like us, reviewing year-end statements usually leaves you scratching your head in amazement of how much money was spent throughout the year. But there is a lesson to be learned in all of this and money to be saved. By reviewing your year-end credit card statements you can identify how much interest you are being charged every month. You may be surprised to find that your rates on these bills are ranging from 9% to 21%, and possibly higher. Regardless of how small your balances are on these accounts, if you’re not paying them off each month then you’re paying too much money at these rates. There are options to reduce your rates and save money such as negotiating your rate with the company.

Good luck with your year-end review, and enjoy a happy and safe holiday season!

Ground Tenderloin Chili INGREDIENTS

FLAVORFUL

TRAVEL TIME

2 lb 4 cloves 1 large

2- 14 oz cans 2- 14 oz cans 2- 4 oz cans 1 small can 1 qt 2 tbsp 1 tbsp ½ tbsp ½ tbsp ½ tbsp 2-3 dashes 1-2 tbsp 1-2 tbsp ¼ c

DIRECTIONS Ground beef Garlic (minced) White onion (medium dice) Tomatoes (small dice) Ranch style beans Green chiles Tomato paste Beef stock Chili powder Cumin Crushed red pepper Cajun spice Oregano Tabasco Salt Pepper Slurry (cornstarch and water)

Garnish with chopped red onion and grated cheese

Cook ground beef over medium high heat in a large soup pot until browned evenly. Drain, remove beef from pot and set aside. Use a small amount of the beef fat to cook the garlic and onions over medium heat in the same large pot until translucent. Add the drained ground beef to the onions and stir well. Add the tomatoes, beans, chiles and all the other ingredients besides the cornstarch slurry. Stir well and cook over medium heat until the mixture just starts to boil and then turn down and simmer for at least a half hour. Add the cornstarch slurry, bring back to a simmer for a few minutes and serve topped with the chopped red onion and grated cheese.

Homemade cornbread is the perfect complement to homemade chili!

StockyardsSteakhouse.com

JARA

T E X A S Vol. 4 Issue 12

HOLIDAY CHARM

Big Apple Window Displays

Hot Chocolate, Anyone?

Winter’s Perfect Drink

Closing Out The Books Year-End Saving Strategies

Ground Tenderloin Chili The Stockyards If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

Produced by DLP Marketing • (877)660-0996 • DLPmarketing.com