Living In The Corridor

LIVING IN THE CORRIDOR

Vol. 3 Issue 1

Out with the Old 5 Painless Ways to Declutter

Get Fired Up!

Curl Up with a Good Book

OHSO Brewery’s Delish Blue Crab Dip

Explore & Hike

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

clearing the

CLUTTER Explore a living treasure and make memories you will remember for a lifetime. Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including the beautiful McDowell Mountains, currently encompasses more than 30,000 contiguous acres with almost 150 miles of trails. Trailhead gates are open from sunrise to sunset and there is no charge for parking or access.

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Tom’s Thumb was the first of our trailheads on the north side of the McDowell Mountains.

This trail offers access to many important features such as Tom’s Thumb, Windgate Overlook, Gardener’s Wall, Sven Slab, Mesquite Canyon and the Windmill Trail. Explore the Marcus Landslide Trail to learn all about the 2nd largest landslide in Arizona.

Source: McDowellSonoran.org

E

ver feel the need to purge your home of unnecessary clutter but feel discouraged when you look around and feel overwhelmed by the task? Start fresh this year by decluttering your casa with these easy steps. Come on, we know you can do it!

Pretend you’re moving. That’s right … it’s time to stage your house for a “fauxsale.” Put a box or bin in the center of each room that needs a clean sweep. Walk around and put all the stuff you don’t need or love and put it in the box. If you have the energy, go through closets and drawers. Mark each box “living room” or “kitchen” and move the boxes to the garage. If you don’t miss or look for these items in the next month or two, donate all to Goodwill or try to resell them. Stick to your plan!

Simplify walls and décor. Remember the old adage “less is more?” It goes for home décor as well, especially if you’re craving that minimalist look. Try to choose one piece of artwork for the walls and take down smaller distracting pieces.

Draw attention to one special object on a tabletop or mantle. You’ll be surprised how calming and up-to-date your old familiar rooms can look by simply removing objects. You can always swap these décor items out seasonally to give your interiors a fresh look.

Tackle papers once and for all. First, repeat after us: Recycle junk mail and unnecessary papers before they ever hit your kitchen counter. Next, create a color-coded system to help keep important papers sorted and easy to find. Have several kids and zillions of school reports and memos? Give each child a color folder and sort his or her papers accordingly. Simply too many house-related papers? Give each category—bills, coupons, renovation project, and so on—a different color folder. Sort papers into these easily accessible files daily.

Crank up the tunes. Because everything is easier … and more fun … with music!

Pare down the clothes. Nothing feels more discouraging than overstuffed drawers and closets when you’re trying to clean through your house. Sort through each family member’s closet and vow to keep only three coats per person, two weeks worth of mix and match outfits, and five pairs of shoes.

You really don’t need more than that (unless you’re female, and then all rules are off when it comes to shoes!).

Take a nap … you deserve it after all that hard work!

Booked for the Winter T

his winter, take a tip from a big brown bear and go into a bit of a hibernation. No, we don’t suggest sleeping the season away. But why not make the most of your indoors time by catching up on your reading. After all, there’s nothing quite like curling up in front of a fire with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a really good book. The good news is that today you don’t have to hop in the car to search for the perfect tome … the world’s largest libraries are all just fingertips away on your iPad, KindleFire, or Tablet. (Did you know Amazon’s Kindle has more than 3 million titles? That’s quite a reading list.) Also gone are the days of reading whatever is on your bookshelf. That is so yesterday.

So where to start? If you don’t already have an eReader, you have some choices: Amazon’s Kindle is a dedicated eReader (no internet surfing, games, movies, etc.) with a screen made for easy, low-glare reading. So if you’re looking to get a device solely for reading and want a lightweight reader to take with you anywhere, this is the one for you. For those multitasking, you can download the Kindle app on your iPad or tablet and download books to read on that device.

Only one device to manage … but way more distractions if you’re trying to tackle War and Peace once and for all. Candy Crush anyone?

Next, decide if you’re interested in a current, all-the-talk page-turner or if it’s finally time to get some of those classics under your belt. One of the best things about using an eReader is that you can access thousands of reviews of books before deciding what to read. Within seconds you can be reading Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, or A Tale of Two Cities. Your high school English teacher would be so proud! Or perhaps The Hunger Games trilogy is more your speed. With eReaders you can not only track what page you last read, but you can also highlight your favorite passages, and look up difficult words. Like a particular book? You can even get recommendations for similar novels you may enjoy based on your reading library, right on your device. Sweet!

So go ahead and take advantage of the cooler weather and cuddle up with your sweetie and an eReader. There’s no better winter boredom buster than a good book!

Blue Crab Dip

LOCAL FLAVOR!

LOCAL VENUE

PICO DE GALLO

CRAB DIP

4 1 2 1/2 c 1/4 c 1 tsp 2 tsp 1 tsp

16 oz 8 oz 1/4 c 1/4 c 1/4 c 1/2 c 1/4 c 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tbsp 1/2 c

diced Roma tomatoes white onion diced jalapeno seeded & minced chopped cilantro lime juice minced garlic salt pepper

DIRECTIONS Add all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix together. Reserve for later use.

cream cheese claw meat diced white onion chopped scallions diced Roma tomatoes heavy cream white wine mustard powder chicken bouillon powder butter shredded parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS In a medium size skillet begin by melting down butter on a medium heat then toss in onions and cook until they become translucent. Deglaze the pan with white wine and add in the remaining ingredients (except for crab until the very end). With a whisk, stir mixture constantly until it becomes smooth. Once the mixture becomes smooth remove from heat and fold in claw meat.

Enjoy!

YOUR HOME

O.H.S.O. Eatery + nanoBrewery | OHSOBrewery.com | (602) 955-0358

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

clearing the

CLUTTER Explore a living treasure and make memories you will remember for a lifetime. Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including the beautiful McDowell Mountains, currently encompasses more than 30,000 contiguous acres with almost 150 miles of trails. Trailhead gates are open from sunrise to sunset and there is no charge for parking or access.

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Tom’s Thumb was the first of our trailheads on the north side of the McDowell Mountains.

This trail offers access to many important features such as Tom’s Thumb, Windgate Overlook, Gardener’s Wall, Sven Slab, Mesquite Canyon and the Windmill Trail. Explore the Marcus Landslide Trail to learn all about the 2nd largest landslide in Arizona.

Source: McDowellSonoran.org

E

ver feel the need to purge your home of unnecessary clutter but feel discouraged when you look around and feel overwhelmed by the task? Start fresh this year by decluttering your casa with these easy steps. Come on, we know you can do it!

Pretend you’re moving. That’s right … it’s time to stage your house for a “fauxsale.” Put a box or bin in the center of each room that needs a clean sweep. Walk around and put all the stuff you don’t need or love and put it in the box. If you have the energy, go through closets and drawers. Mark each box “living room” or “kitchen” and move the boxes to the garage. If you don’t miss or look for these items in the next month or two, donate all to Goodwill or try to resell them. Stick to your plan!

Simplify walls and décor. Remember the old adage “less is more?” It goes for home décor as well, especially if you’re craving that minimalist look. Try to choose one piece of artwork for the walls and take down smaller distracting pieces.

Draw attention to one special object on a tabletop or mantle. You’ll be surprised how calming and up-to-date your old familiar rooms can look by simply removing objects. You can always swap these décor items out seasonally to give your interiors a fresh look.

Tackle papers once and for all. First, repeat after us: Recycle junk mail and unnecessary papers before they ever hit your kitchen counter. Next, create a color-coded system to help keep important papers sorted and easy to find. Have several kids and zillions of school reports and memos? Give each child a color folder and sort his or her papers accordingly. Simply too many house-related papers? Give each category—bills, coupons, renovation project, and so on—a different color folder. Sort papers into these easily accessible files daily.

Crank up the tunes. Because everything is easier … and more fun … with music!

Pare down the clothes. Nothing feels more discouraging than overstuffed drawers and closets when you’re trying to clean through your house. Sort through each family member’s closet and vow to keep only three coats per person, two weeks worth of mix and match outfits, and five pairs of shoes.

You really don’t need more than that (unless you’re female, and then all rules are off when it comes to shoes!).

Take a nap … you deserve it after all that hard work!

Booked for the Winter T

his winter, take a tip from a big brown bear and go into a bit of a hibernation. No, we don’t suggest sleeping the season away. But why not make the most of your indoors time by catching up on your reading. After all, there’s nothing quite like curling up in front of a fire with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a really good book. The good news is that today you don’t have to hop in the car to search for the perfect tome … the world’s largest libraries are all just fingertips away on your iPad, KindleFire, or Tablet. (Did you know Amazon’s Kindle has more than 3 million titles? That’s quite a reading list.) Also gone are the days of reading whatever is on your bookshelf. That is so yesterday.

So where to start? If you don’t already have an eReader, you have some choices: Amazon’s Kindle is a dedicated eReader (no internet surfing, games, movies, etc.) with a screen made for easy, low-glare reading. So if you’re looking to get a device solely for reading and want a lightweight reader to take with you anywhere, this is the one for you. For those multitasking, you can download the Kindle app on your iPad or tablet and download books to read on that device.

Only one device to manage … but way more distractions if you’re trying to tackle War and Peace once and for all. Candy Crush anyone?

Next, decide if you’re interested in a current, all-the-talk page-turner or if it’s finally time to get some of those classics under your belt. One of the best things about using an eReader is that you can access thousands of reviews of books before deciding what to read. Within seconds you can be reading Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, or A Tale of Two Cities. Your high school English teacher would be so proud! Or perhaps The Hunger Games trilogy is more your speed. With eReaders you can not only track what page you last read, but you can also highlight your favorite passages, and look up difficult words. Like a particular book? You can even get recommendations for similar novels you may enjoy based on your reading library, right on your device. Sweet!

So go ahead and take advantage of the cooler weather and cuddle up with your sweetie and an eReader. There’s no better winter boredom buster than a good book!

Blue Crab Dip

LOCAL FLAVOR!

LOCAL VENUE

PICO DE GALLO

CRAB DIP

4 1 2 1/2 c 1/4 c 1 tsp 2 tsp 1 tsp

16 oz 8 oz 1/4 c 1/4 c 1/4 c 1/2 c 1/4 c 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tbsp 1/2 c

diced Roma tomatoes white onion diced jalapeno seeded & minced chopped cilantro lime juice minced garlic salt pepper

DIRECTIONS Add all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix together. Reserve for later use.

cream cheese claw meat diced white onion chopped scallions diced Roma tomatoes heavy cream white wine mustard powder chicken bouillon powder butter shredded parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS In a medium size skillet begin by melting down butter on a medium heat then toss in onions and cook until they become translucent. Deglaze the pan with white wine and add in the remaining ingredients (except for crab until the very end). With a whisk, stir mixture constantly until it becomes smooth. Once the mixture becomes smooth remove from heat and fold in claw meat.

Enjoy!

YOUR HOME

O.H.S.O. Eatery + nanoBrewery | OHSOBrewery.com | (602) 955-0358

A Tradition of Sound Advice and Exceptional Representation

Heather MacLean, ABR

Born and raised in Camelback Corridor, as the daughter of a commercial architect and an interior designer, Heather MacLean literally grew up with a love of real estate.

Starting as one of the youngest actively licensed agents on the west coast in 1997, Heather genuinely loves all aspects of real estate and her career. She brings her extensive real estate knowledge, local area expertise, honesty and passion to walk clients through their entire real estate transaction.

Ranking annually in the Top 1% worldwide for sales volume and listed as a leader in Arizona real estate, Heather MacLean is a tradition for sound advise and exceptional representation.

602.214.5169 Direct

Heather@AreaSuccess.com

AreaSuccess.com Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Arizona Properties 3200 E Camelback Road | Suite 103 Phoenix, AZ 85018 If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

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