New Year's Soup

 

The New Year's Soup Of New Beginnings  New Year's Day always filled the Anderson house with the comforting aroma of herbs and warmth. At the center of this tradition was Grandma Sarah's special black-eyed pea soup, a dish she believed could inspire positive change. This year, the Andersons needed that inspiration more than ever. Tom had lost his job in October and Emily's small bakery was struggling. Their teenage son, Jake, was withdrawing into himself and neither parent knew how to reach him. As the family gathered in the kitchen on New Year's Eve, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken concerns. Grandma Sarah, sensing the tension, clapped her hands. "Come on, let's start the soup," she said, her eyes twinkling. She assigned tasks to everyone. Tom soaked the black-eyed peas, Emily chopped onions and garlic, and Jake oversaw the herbs. "Easy with the thyme, Jake," Grandma said. "It's potent, like new beginnings." Gradually, the kitchen filled with conversation and the rich aroma of simmering soup. When the clock struck midnight, Grandma ladled the steaming soup into bowls. "Remember," she said, "it's not just about eating it; it's about believing in new possibilities." They savored each spoonful of the warm broth and tender peas. While they ate, something shifted. Tom mentioned a promising job lead. Emily's eyes lit up with an idea for a new line of pastries. Jake, to everyone's surprise, suggested helping at the bakery after school. Whether it was the soup's warmth or the simple act of coming together, the Anderson family stepped into the New Year with renewed hope and determination. Here's Grandma Sarah's recipe for New Year's Black-Eyed Pea Soup. Ingredients: 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight 1 large onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups broth 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 carrots, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes Salt and pepper to taste Chopped parsley for garnish Instructions: 1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. 2. Add carrots and celery, and cook for 5 minutes. 3. Add soaked peas, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and paprika. 4. Simmer for 1 - 1.5 hours until peas are tender. 5. Add diced tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes. 6. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Serve hot, garnished with parsley. As Grandma Sarah always said, "Serve with a side of hope and a sprinkle of faith in the future." With Warmth,

What Does 'Thanks' Mean To You?

 

As we get ready to gather with the people we care about, let’s pause and appreciate the simple joys that fill our lives. The thoughts we nurture create the world around us, so when we focus on positivity and abundance, we invite more of it in. Today, let’s reflect on what truly matters and embrace the happiness we can create with our mindset. Think about what you think about. What you think about you talk about, and what you talk about you bring about, so what are you thinking about? Have a look around! What you see is what you’ve been focusing on. Happiness is free. Experience shows that when you commit to being happy now, the journey of building the life you want is much more enjoyable. Abundance is your birthright. The scarcity mindset doesn’t think there’s enough to go around. The abundance mindset says, “There is plenty for everyone.” Nothing to fear. It’s funny how some people choose to worry about things they have no control over. As Roosevelt said, "There is nothing to fear, except fear itself." Know that a setback is a setup for a comeback. Most people give up when they meet setbacks and obstacles. When you meet challenges, do what you did when you learned to walk: When you fall down, learn from the experience, pick yourself up and keep going! Seize the day. Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. Stop for a moment and realize that you are occupying a unique space, at a time in history that will never be repeated. Seize this day and own it all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Self-Care in October for a Joyful Holiday Season

 

October is the perfect time to start thinking about the upcoming holiday season. Although this time of year brings warmth, joy and togetherness, it can also bring a flurry of activities and obligations that could leave us feeling drained. Before our energy shifts to focusing on the holidays, it's crucial to spend time this month caring for ourselves. Think of October as your personal recharge month. Use this time to reflect on the year so far and plan for the busy months ahead. Start with simple self-care practices: Enjoy quiet moments with a good book, take leisurely walks to admire the fall colors or indulge in a hobby you love. These small acts of self-kindness can help replenish your energy and provide a sense of calm. Planning early for the holidays can also alleviate stress. Making a list of to-do tasks — such as gift shopping, meal planning and organizing gatherings — spreading them out over the next few weeks and tackling these tasks gradually will make the process more enjoyable. Taking care of yourself now ensures you can fully embrace the holiday spirit when it arrives. Prioritize your well-being this October and approach the upcoming season with a renewed sense of peace and joy. Thinking about it now, which self-care rituals will you do during the fall season to help you recharge and prepare for the holidays? I'd love to hear your thoughts and maybe even get some new ideas to share with others!

Five Holiday Budgeting Tips

It's happening earlier and earlier every year! What is it? The holiday shopping season. Retailers boast holiday sales months before the actual season begins. So, with that in mind, I decided to do a little research to provide you with some holiday shopping tips to help you win this season.

Stick to a Budget and Payback Plan Budgeting isn't a new tip, but when the excitement of the season is overwhelming, budgets sometimes go out the window. So, before clicking or swiping your card, create a budget and a solid plan to pay back your holiday debts.

Create a Buying Schedule ​Create a buying schedule to get the most out of your holiday shopping season. If you're an online shopper, buy early to avoid extra shipping costs. If you wait until the last minute, you could end up paying more than you would have if you had bought early.

Use Rewards Apps Rewards Apps like Honey, Rakuten, and BeFrugal can help you win the holidays when shopping online. If your credit card works with these apps, congratulations! You'll get even better discounts to help with your budget.

Go Deal Hunting A little hunting can pay off big time during the holiday season. When shopping for a specific item, hunt for deals. Look for impromptu deals. Take advantage of coupon code sites and "Daily Deal" sites. Also, don't forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. They're often advertised weeks earlier so you can plan.

Use Credit Card Rewards Pay attention to and use different credit card rewards programs to your advantage. Many offer signing rewards with cash,  points, and miles for travel. Pay attention to rewards programs early and take advantage of a program that makes sense for you. However, watch out for retailers' special financing offers; those often come with a nice initial rate but can jump in the coming months if you don't pay it off immediately.

As we all get excited about the shopping season, planning will help you reduce the already hectic season so you can truly enjoy giving the perfect gifts this year. Learn more about these tips and others here. I hope they help.  If there's anything that I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask. Happy shopping!

4 Ways to Show Your Kitchen Some Love

 

With the fall season officially underway this weekend, we'll all begin to move our celebrations indoors. There's only one room tough enough to handle the hosting duties: the most important room in your home—your kitchen! If you want to really impress this season, here are a few upgrade trends.

More and more homeowners are building larger islands, which provide more space to gather and prep for parties.

Whether you already have a backsplash or need to add one, ceramic and porcelain tiles are trendy this year. You can also make an impression with natural stones such as marble, quartz, or granite.

Having space in your kitchen is helpful and freeing. After all, you don't want to feel cramped while entertaining. Try creating an open kitchen. Take down walls to other rooms. Your kitchen is the center of the house; show it off. If you're entertaining, you'll feel part of the party.

Add some color to your cabinetry to bring your kitchen to life. While white is still the most popular color, greens and wood tones are becoming increasingly common.

If you're hosting this fall or winter, renovating your kitchen will help you with entertaining and meal prep. Try one of these trends to impress your friends and family. It will impress potential buyers if you're considering selling this year or in the future. If you need to connect with a design professional or have questions about the current real estate market, fall is a great time to buy and sell. Let's talk. Call or text to schedule a meeting.

Do You Know Your Very Next Step?

                           

The Mapmaker's Dilemma

Here is a quick story about how to take your next step in a complex world.

In a bustling town lived Ella the mapmaker. She was known for creating the most intricate and detailed maps anyone had ever seen. People came from far and wide to commission her work, believing that the more complex the map, the better their journey would be.

One day, Sam, a young traveler, arrived at Ella's shop.

"I need a map to the Whispering Falls," he said. "It's for my first solo adventure."

Ella began crafting an elaborate map, filling it with countless paths, landmarks and warnings. As she worked, she noticed Sam's anxiety growing.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"It's just ... it looks so complicated," Sam said. "I'm not sure I can follow all this."

Ella paused, remembering her own first journey. On impulse, she set aside the complex map and took out a fresh sheet.

With a few simple strokes, she drew a clear path to the falls. "Here," she said, "this is all you need to start. Just take the first step, then the next. The path will reveal itself."

Sam's relief was apparent. He took the simplified map and set out with newfound confidence.

Weeks later, Sam returned, his eyes shining with adventure. "Your map was perfect," he said. "I discovered so much more than just the falls. I learned to trust myself and enjoy the journey."

From that day on, Ella changed her approach. She realized that, sometimes, the best map is the one that simply shows you where to take your first step

Enjoy This Moment

 

During the summer, daylight lasts longer, the air is warmer and the scent of blooming flowers makes the air sweeter. Yes, summer is special. Most people think about inspirational messages during January, when the new year begins. But summer is unique because it brings people together, makes us feel alive and invites us to step out of our routines, take family vacations and spend time with the people we care about most. Children are out of school, running around in the sunshine, their laughter echoing through the neighborhood. During these few months, people congregate around water — the beach, lakes, ponds and water parks. There's something about the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the water that brings us together, that makes us feel alive. Yet, summer will soon be over, so enjoy every minute of it. I've made a commitment to myself — to appreciate every moment; to live in the now. And I encourage you to do the same. As you read this, I hope you're somewhere beautiful and surrounded by the people you love. I hope you're living in the moment and appreciating the beauty of the world around you. And I hope you remember that time is precious and that every moment is a gift. With warmth and love, Zen Ziejewski CEO, Team Leader & Realtor Z Team Real Estate Group Mobile: 949-391-3141 Fax: 949-891-0385 Email: Zen@ZTeamREG.com DRE#00998118

Want to Keep Your Home Secure?

With security cameras and apps, it's easier than ever to keep track of what's going on at home from anywhere. But if you still need a camera, how do you pick the right one? With so many options, it can be overwhelming. Here are four questions to ask when buying a home security camera.  1. Where Will You Put Your Camera? To find the best camera, you must consider where you'll put it. Do you want it inside or out? If it's outside, do you want a doorbell, wireless, or floodlight option? A doorbell might be your best option if it's the front and back door. 2. Where's Your Power Source? Do you want to wire your camera, or do you want a wireless battery-powered camera? Think about how often you'll need to change the batteries. If you wire your camera to your home, it's almost a "set it and forget it" situation. 3. How Much Do You Want to Spend on Storage? When you buy a new security camera, you'll need to consider your options for storing your videos in the cloud. Video files are large, so it makes more sense to store them on a server rather than a memory card. Many companies have plans that cost extra for more storage. 4. Are You Concerned About Privacy? Your home security camera will give you peace of mind, but remember that many cameras are connected to the internet. If you can watch your home from your phone, there's a risk that someone else can, too. Make sure that you use a secure password and keep cameras out of private places like bedrooms. Keeping your home safe should be a top priority. Ask yourself these four questions to ensure you have the right camera. If you're looking for a new home to protect, I'd be happy to help you with your real estate needs.