ARIZONA Vol. 3 Issue 12
Holiday Memories AND FAMILY TRADITIONS
Safe & Sound
Securing Your Home for Vacation
Fogo de Chão Grilled Lamb Chops
Coastal Contrasts
Key West, Florida
TRAVEL TIME
practices within their own family. In establishing traditions in your household, imagine the holiday of your dreams and ask yourself how can you turn that fantasy into a bit of reality. What elements of the holidays do you enjoy the most? If you don’t already celebrate your ethnicity and its traditions, discover cultural ways to do so. How ever you decide to celebrate, revel in the knowledge that the traditions you’re establishing may become the most important memories for yourself and family for years to come.
Key West Florida
BUTTONED UP TIGHT
Keeping Your Home Secure During Vacation During the holiday season, many of us travel “back home” to visit friends and family. If you find yourself planning an out-of-town holiday this year, take some extra time to secure your home while you’re away. • Unplug appliances and electronics that won’t be used. Not only will you reduce the risk of dangerous malfunctions while you’re away, unplugging appliances that aren’t even turned on will save you money on your energy bill.
Palm-lined streets with gingerbread mansions and tin-roofed conch houses were home to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffett, a few of the famous people who discovered solace and inspiration in the island city whose Bahamian and Cuban heritage in large part was inspired by Bahamian wreckers, commercial fishermen, spongers and Cuban cigar makers. The island’s Historic Seaport district is a popular place to arrange a day on the water, whether diving, fishing or snorkeling. Others come just to dine or stroll along the harbor that dozens of shrimp boats once called home. In this city of fascinating contrasts, you could easily find yourself wanting to let go of mainland hassles permanently – and many have done so. Come visit Key West, and you’ll see why. Source: Fla-Keys.com/KeyWest
• Double-check that the oven and range aren’t turned on. • If you have a gas fireplace, range or BBQ, it may be prudent to turn off the pilot lights if you’ll be gone for an extended period. • Clean out the refrigerator of any food that may spoil and turn your automatic ice-maker to the off position. • Turn your hot water heater down or to “vacation” mode. • Make sure all faucets are off and that no toilets are running. • Adjust the thermostat to save on energy bills. • Close the flue in fireplaces. • Dispose of all garbage from inside the home and make arrangements for a friend or neighbor to take your trash cans out and back in on pick-up days. • Check your calendar and change or cancel any scheduled deliveries. • Stop your newspaper delivery and put a hold request on your mail. • Check your irrigation system in the yard. Is the timer set appropriately? Are there any underground water leaks or sprinkler problems?
W
hatever your faith, creating lasting and meaningful traditions in celebration of the holiday season can spark some of the most enriching and endearing memories of your life. Think back to your own childhood and the way your family celebrated the holidays. Most people can vaguely remember what gifts they received from year to year, however, faces light up at the remembrance of time-honored traditions and rituals that have become the backbone of their lives. Unforgettable holidays are all about the experiences and it’s those experiences you and your family will reminisce fondly about for years to come. According to the American Psychological Association, there is strong evidence that traditions act as a sort of glue helping families stay connected and strong. It doesn’t matter what the tradition is, but just the fact that it is practiced is the key. As humans, traditions allow us to identify with our own group and serve to set aside your family from all of the others. Observing traditions can give a sense of family pride and is a catalyst in helping families forge strong bonds and stay connected. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines traditions as “the handing down of information, beliefs and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.” From hanging the same silly homemade wreath on the mailbox every year, to anticipating Uncle Leroy’s famous cinnamon buns at family gatherings, there are plenty of personal rituals that are observed year after year. As children grow to adults, many continue those childhood
• Of course, lock and secure all entry points to the home. Don’t forget to lock the door from the garage into your home.
• If you are leaving a car behind, be sure it is locked as well. Even if it’s in the garage. • If you don’t have a pool service company to care for your pool, make arrangements for somebody to make a special trip to your home in the event of a storm.
HOMEWISE
• Take the family on a holiday light tour. With holiday music playing, drive through your neighborhood and enjoy the light displays that homeowners have created. • Craft holiday decorations and deliver them to nursing homes, hospitals and shelters for the needy. It’s an invaluable lesson for kids to see spirits raised by their act of kindness. • Make it a tradition to send gift recipients on a scavenger hunt to find their present! • Sponsor a family in need. Spend time making gifts and cards, purchasing wanted items and cooking special holiday dishes for another family. • Create a special Christmas Morning dish that is served each and every year. Cranberry-orange scones, cinnamon crepes or rich and creamy Eggs Benedict can become a delicious part of your holiday memories.
INGREDIENTS 8 rib Lamb chops 2 c White wine 2 tbsp Lemon pepper ½ c Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp Salt, or to taste 1 c Mint leaves Juice of one lemon Vegetable oil spray Mint jelly and mint leaves for garnish
• Attach timers to lamps and to your TV or radio. Set it for the hours you typically watch TV. • Adjust blinds, shades and curtains. However, if you normally have them open, completely shutting them down tends to alert a burglar that you have shuttered up the home in your absence.
• Make your own Menorah candles. Craft stores offer an entire section for candle-making with all the supplies and instruction.
Grilled Lamb Chops
Just as you may be anticipating your travels, so might the local burglars! So take some precautions to keep criminal minds at bay:
FLAVORFUL
Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, Key West is Florida’s irreverent southernmost subtropical paradise, a unique confluence of history, climate, natural beauty, cultural diversity, architecture and unabashed romantic appeal.
Counting on Tradition
Suggestions for making your holidays memorable from each year to the next:
DIRECTIONS
FogoDeChao.com
Trim lamb of excess fat. Blend all other ingredients in a blender to make marinade, including mint leaves, and marinate lamb chops for 5-10 minutes. Spray grill with vegetable oil. Remove lamb chops from marinade and place on preheated grill. Grill chops without moving them for 4 minutes for medium rare. Baste chops with marinade and turn over to grill for another 4 minutes on other side. Remove to serving plate. Season with additional salt and garnish with additional mint leaves and mint jelly. Serves 4.
TRAVEL TIME
practices within their own family. In establishing traditions in your household, imagine the holiday of your dreams and ask yourself how can you turn that fantasy into a bit of reality. What elements of the holidays do you enjoy the most? If you don’t already celebrate your ethnicity and its traditions, discover cultural ways to do so. How ever you decide to celebrate, revel in the knowledge that the traditions you’re establishing may become the most important memories for yourself and family for years to come.
Key West Florida
BUTTONED UP TIGHT
Keeping Your Home Secure During Vacation During the holiday season, many of us travel “back home” to visit friends and family. If you find yourself planning an out-of-town holiday this year, take some extra time to secure your home while you’re away. • Unplug appliances and electronics that won’t be used. Not only will you reduce the risk of dangerous malfunctions while you’re away, unplugging appliances that aren’t even turned on will save you money on your energy bill.
Palm-lined streets with gingerbread mansions and tin-roofed conch houses were home to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffett, a few of the famous people who discovered solace and inspiration in the island city whose Bahamian and Cuban heritage in large part was inspired by Bahamian wreckers, commercial fishermen, spongers and Cuban cigar makers. The island’s Historic Seaport district is a popular place to arrange a day on the water, whether diving, fishing or snorkeling. Others come just to dine or stroll along the harbor that dozens of shrimp boats once called home. In this city of fascinating contrasts, you could easily find yourself wanting to let go of mainland hassles permanently – and many have done so. Come visit Key West, and you’ll see why. Source: Fla-Keys.com/KeyWest
• Double-check that the oven and range aren’t turned on. • If you have a gas fireplace, range or BBQ, it may be prudent to turn off the pilot lights if you’ll be gone for an extended period. • Clean out the refrigerator of any food that may spoil and turn your automatic ice-maker to the off position. • Turn your hot water heater down or to “vacation” mode. • Make sure all faucets are off and that no toilets are running. • Adjust the thermostat to save on energy bills. • Close the flue in fireplaces. • Dispose of all garbage from inside the home and make arrangements for a friend or neighbor to take your trash cans out and back in on pick-up days. • Check your calendar and change or cancel any scheduled deliveries. • Stop your newspaper delivery and put a hold request on your mail. • Check your irrigation system in the yard. Is the timer set appropriately? Are there any underground water leaks or sprinkler problems?
W
hatever your faith, creating lasting and meaningful traditions in celebration of the holiday season can spark some of the most enriching and endearing memories of your life. Think back to your own childhood and the way your family celebrated the holidays. Most people can vaguely remember what gifts they received from year to year, however, faces light up at the remembrance of time-honored traditions and rituals that have become the backbone of their lives. Unforgettable holidays are all about the experiences and it’s those experiences you and your family will reminisce fondly about for years to come. According to the American Psychological Association, there is strong evidence that traditions act as a sort of glue helping families stay connected and strong. It doesn’t matter what the tradition is, but just the fact that it is practiced is the key. As humans, traditions allow us to identify with our own group and serve to set aside your family from all of the others. Observing traditions can give a sense of family pride and is a catalyst in helping families forge strong bonds and stay connected. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines traditions as “the handing down of information, beliefs and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.” From hanging the same silly homemade wreath on the mailbox every year, to anticipating Uncle Leroy’s famous cinnamon buns at family gatherings, there are plenty of personal rituals that are observed year after year. As children grow to adults, many continue those childhood
• Of course, lock and secure all entry points to the home. Don’t forget to lock the door from the garage into your home.
• If you are leaving a car behind, be sure it is locked as well. Even if it’s in the garage. • If you don’t have a pool service company to care for your pool, make arrangements for somebody to make a special trip to your home in the event of a storm.
HOMEWISE
• Take the family on a holiday light tour. With holiday music playing, drive through your neighborhood and enjoy the light displays that homeowners have created. • Craft holiday decorations and deliver them to nursing homes, hospitals and shelters for the needy. It’s an invaluable lesson for kids to see spirits raised by their act of kindness. • Make it a tradition to send gift recipients on a scavenger hunt to find their present! • Sponsor a family in need. Spend time making gifts and cards, purchasing wanted items and cooking special holiday dishes for another family. • Create a special Christmas Morning dish that is served each and every year. Cranberry-orange scones, cinnamon crepes or rich and creamy Eggs Benedict can become a delicious part of your holiday memories.
INGREDIENTS 8 rib Lamb chops 2 c White wine 2 tbsp Lemon pepper ½ c Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp Salt, or to taste 1 c Mint leaves Juice of one lemon Vegetable oil spray Mint jelly and mint leaves for garnish
• Attach timers to lamps and to your TV or radio. Set it for the hours you typically watch TV. • Adjust blinds, shades and curtains. However, if you normally have them open, completely shutting them down tends to alert a burglar that you have shuttered up the home in your absence.
• Make your own Menorah candles. Craft stores offer an entire section for candle-making with all the supplies and instruction.
Grilled Lamb Chops
Just as you may be anticipating your travels, so might the local burglars! So take some precautions to keep criminal minds at bay:
FLAVORFUL
Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, Key West is Florida’s irreverent southernmost subtropical paradise, a unique confluence of history, climate, natural beauty, cultural diversity, architecture and unabashed romantic appeal.
Counting on Tradition
Suggestions for making your holidays memorable from each year to the next:
DIRECTIONS
FogoDeChao.com
Trim lamb of excess fat. Blend all other ingredients in a blender to make marinade, including mint leaves, and marinate lamb chops for 5-10 minutes. Spray grill with vegetable oil. Remove lamb chops from marinade and place on preheated grill. Grill chops without moving them for 4 minutes for medium rare. Baste chops with marinade and turn over to grill for another 4 minutes on other side. Remove to serving plate. Season with additional salt and garnish with additional mint leaves and mint jelly. Serves 4.
BLAN
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Vol. 2 Issue 5
Lighten Up!
Rob Bland has over 25 years experience of real estate lending in Arizona’s local markets, as well as on a national basis. His background includes structuring complicated jumbo loans for high net worth borrowers, custom home construction loans, working with production home builders and most other types of financing. Professionalism and superior customer service are the driving forces behind his success in meeting clients’ expectations. It’s the foundation he builds on every day.
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