For some fun Christmas ideas...

Christmas Fun for Everyone!

I hope you're having an awesome Christmas Season, loving the spirit and the giving, enjoying traditions with the kids and making memories. Here are a few things I thought you would love to check out this week to get more out of your Holiday Season....more listed on the event calendar.  FREE Day tomorrow (wed.) at Tracy Aviary FREE Day Tomorrow (wed) at Utah Museum of Fine Arts Kids Eat FREE at Carls Jr Wed and Chick Fila Wed Brighton Ski Resort has Teamed up with Utah Kids Club!! $10 off kids' lessons ages 4-12 at Brighton Resort Brighton Resort is the place "UTAHANS LEARN TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD". With our super-friendly instructors and excellent terrain for learning, children learn to love skiing and snowboarding in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Now, Brighton Resort is also the most affordable option when it comes to learning for UKC members. UKC promotions are valid all week until December 20, 2011. Must have UKC card at the time of purchase. Look for more promotions later in the season too. *Also, discounts on Woman's Workshop for ski and snowboard and Day Care!!  Whoot Whooot--take a peak at the discount directory at www.utahkidsclub.com  801 532 4731 ext 209 brightonresort.com Winter Princess Festival!  Our upcoming Holiday shows will provide the same FUN and ADVENTURE that all Princess Festival events bring, this time for the whole family. Girls and boys (about ages 4 to 10) will meet over a dozen characters in an imaginary world, including our original Princesses and their wise, fun & unconventional mentors, the Hobbydukes. At this interactive experience, all will become part of the story while learning how to make the world a better place!  Two shows will be featured over the course of the Holiday Season, with tickets for each show sold separately. Visit www.Princessfestival.com for more info, show times etc. Kids Club Countdown Week 50% all tickets from today through Friday. (Plus: 3 high quality Princess Dresses for $99 together with Tiaras and Storybooks.... a $69 savings). Code is: anninn34 Christmas Miracle of Johnathon Toomey, The world premiere of a new original musical based on the based-selling book! Showing: Fri November 25, 2011 thru Sat December 17, 2011 Times: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30pm Use your Utah Kids Club card for the Buy One Get One FREE, more details on the discount directory, under Scera Candlelight Christmas at This is the Place, Heritage Park.  The Village is decorated like a Currier & Ives card, and you'll feel like you've taken a step back in time. You'll enjoy a visit with Father Christmas and see real live reindeer (taking a break from their duties at the North Pole)! In the quiet of the Village the live Nativity scene is sure to touch the hearts of young and old alike. The Heritage Village Carolers return each year for an encore presentation, providing an inspiring backdrop to the glitter of lights, the glow of warm fires and the smells of Christmas. FREE Holiday Art Show Bountiful/Davis Art Center 37th Holiday Show & Sale, November 18-December 23 plus Family Art Night, November 21 and December 19 Kringle 2Bountiful, Utah, October 26, 2011- For three decades Bountiful/Davis Art Center (BDAC) has been offering original hand-made art in its galleries during the Holiday Season. "A seasonal favorite since 1974, this year's Annual Holiday Show & Sale features the works of Utah's most creative artists and artisans. Nearly one hundred artists will be represented and the variety and selection will be endless Sounds of the Season FREE Date: December 9th and 10, 7pm, Bingham High School Auditorium I hear the kids waking up from naps....keep your fingers crossed I get these boys potty trained before baby #4 arrives!! Game Night Games offers Open Game Nights on Saturday nights, giving people a chance to play board games, card games, CCG's, and role playing games of various kinds. Folks are welcome to bring their own games, or try out games from the stores vast demo game library, great idea before buying Christmas presents! Space is limited; participation is on a first come, first served basis.  www.gamenightgames.com FREE Photos with Santa: Free Photos with Santa Dec. 10 & 11 / 17 & 18,Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Big Game Museum.  Santa will be at Cabelas from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on these two weekends in December. Bring the family and enjoy your holiday season with Cabela's. One free photo with Santa per family, please. Dicken's Christmas Festival The sights and sounds of 19th Century London come alive at the Dickens' Christmas Festival. This Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. Olde English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty, and the "real" Father Christmas all combine to offer our guests a Christmas experience like no other! December 8- December 10, 2011 December 15- December 17, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Utah State Fairpark Oh, got to go, kids are wanting their mommy check out the fun things to do on our Utah Kids Club calendar and make it a Christmas Season NEVER to Forget!   www.UtahKidsClub.com  I almost forgot!  We're announcing winners of the Christmas Sweepstakes on our facebook page tomorrow!!  Winners have 48 hours to respond....be watching.

Annual Holiday Party - Come one, Come all!

Thanksgiving Recipe #3

Pumpkin Pie

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

30 min

Cook Time:

50 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Thanksgiving Recipe #2

Emeril's Fried Turkey

Recipe from Every Day Is a Party, by Emeril Lagasse, with Marcelle Bienvenu and Felicia Willett, published by William Morrow, 1999

Prep Time:

--

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

--

Level:

Difficult

Serves:

--

You will need a turkey rig to fry the turkeys and syringes to inject them.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon liquid Zatarian's Concentrated Crab and Shrimp Boil (optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup Emeril's Creole Seasoning (Essence), recipe follows
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• pinch ground cloves

For the Seasoning Mix:

• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

To Fry:

• 2 turkeys (8 to 10 pounds each)
• about 10 gallons peanut oil

Directions

To make the marinade: Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process for about 5 minutes. Fill a syringe and inject each turkey in the breast and thigh area, as well as the back, wings, and legs. You will have to fill the syringe several times. Next, combine the seasoning ingredients and rub the mixture evenly all over each turkey.

Place the turkeys in large plastic bags and secure before icing them down or refrigerating them for 24 hours.

To fry each turkey: Fill a large pot three quarters of the way full with the peanut oil and heat the oil to between 350 and 360 degrees F. Place 1 turkey in the basket insert and carefully and slowly lower it into the hot oil. Turn the turkey every 10 minutes, using long-handled forks. A whole turkey will take 3 to 5 minutes per pound to cook. It is done when the internal temperature reaches 170 to 180 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer. Carefully lift the basket out of the hot oil. This can be done by inserting a broomstick through the handles and having two strong people lift the basket out of the pot. Using the long-handled forks, transfer theturkey to a large brown paper bag and let stand for about 15 minutes before removing to carve. Repeat the procedure for the second turkey. Carve the turkey and serve with the other traditional side items.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking" by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Thanksgiving Recipe #1

This is one of our favorites! So, so good! Comes from www.food.com

No pictures on this one...but you can totally imagine it...and smell it...and dream about it...oh wait, that's just me :)

Chestnut, Onion and Cornbread Stuffing
 Prep Time: 45 mins
 Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
 Servings: 8

Ingredients

  1 1/2 loaves cornbread
  2 medium red onions, cut into 1 inch pieces
  6 shallots, cut lengthwise into 6 ths
  5 leeks, white & pale green parts only halved lengthwise & cut into 1/2 inch thick pieces
  3 stalks celery, chopped
  1 cup flat leaf parsley, packed, chopped
  1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped
  2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  1/2 cup unsalted butter
  3/4 lb whole chestnuts, vacuum-packed or canned
  3 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 325°F Prepare cornbread ahead of time                                                       2.Cut cornbread into 1/2" cubes.
3.In 2 large shallow baking pans, bake in the middle of the oven until just dry, about 20 minutes.
4.Using only white and pale green parts of the leeks, halve them lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2" thick pieces.
5.In a large heavy skillet cook red onions, shallots, leeks, celery and herbs with salt and pepper to taste, in butter over moderate heat; stirring, until onion mixture is golden brown and softened-- about 25 minutes.
6.If using canned chestnuts, rinse and drain.
7.In a saucepan simmer vacuum-packed or canned chestnuts in 2 cups of chicken broth for 15 minutes.
8.In a large bowl, toss together bread, onions, chestnut mixture and remaining 1 1/2 cups of broth, with salt and pepper to taste, and let cool completely.
9.(Stuffing may be made ahead up to 1 day before and chilled, covered-- bring stuffing to room temperature before proceeding).
10.To cook all or part of stuffing outside of poultry: In a shallow baking dish bake stuffing in preheated 325F oven 45 minutes.
11.For moist stuffing, bake covered entire time; for less moist stuffing with a slightly crisp top, uncover halfway through baking time.
12.Enjoy!

The 8 Healthiest Housing Markets

I saw this on realtor.org this morning and got a little excited :)

The 8 Healthiest Housing Markets

Daily Real Estate News | Monday, November 07, 2011

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Many of the housing markets projected to have the biggest gains into 2012 tend to be the home to major universities, strong private sector employment, or have nearby military bases, according to a list of the healthiest housing markets by Builder Magazine. Builder teamed with Hanley Wood Market Intelligence to compile its annual list of the healthiest housing markets in the country, factoring in housing projections from Moody’s Economy.com. The list was based on projected price appreciation, population growth, income growth, and improving employment picture.

The following are the eight cities that topped Builder’s list, including projected housing permits in 2011 and 2012.

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Minn.-Wis.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 4,511

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 10,118

Home prices here are expected to rise 8 percent next year, the highest growth projected in the 100 cities analyzed. As a hub for medical technology and headquarters for several large companies, employment is expected to grow 2.5 percent in 2012.

2. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 1,004

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 1,650

With Colorado State University the major employer here and often ranked as one of the best cities to live in the country, households are expected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2012 and employment is expected to grow 2.6 percent. Housing permits are expected to rise 50 percent as well, according to Moody projections.

3. Salt Lake City, Utah

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 1,294

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 1,181

With lots of high-tech businesses, Salt Lake City is poised to have some grains in employment and income in the coming year. After a drop in home prices, prices are expected to rebound and increase 4.7 percent next year.

4. Jacksonville, Fla.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,284

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 4,363

Jacksonville has a strengthening employment picture, with a military presence and a growing financial services sector. Employment is expected to increase 3.2 percent in 2012. With stabilizing home prices already, prices are expected to rise 5 percent next year and housing permits are expected to double.

5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,708

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 7,522

This metro area is expected to reverse course with jobs forecasted to grow by 2.7 percent, home prices stabilizing, and housing permits expected to double. The rebound is expected to be mostly driven by two major projects, the CitiCentre and Resorts World Miami, are expected to add tens of thousands of jobs in coming years.

6. Charlottesville, Va.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 634

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 798

The city is home to the University of Virginia and also continues to attract a surge in second-home buyers from the Washington, D.C., area. Home prices are expected to rise 1 percent in 2012 and median income is forecasted to grow by 3.7 percent.

7. Colorado Springs, Colo.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 2,099

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 3,639

The biggest employers in Colorado Springs are military bases and the Air Force Academy, which are expected to see big growth when the troops from Afghanistan return. Home prices are expected to rise 2.6 percent, employment to grow by 1.4 percent, and households to increase by 1.8 percent in 2012.

8. Oklahoma City, Okla.

2011 Building Permit Forecast: 3,417

2012 Building Permit Forecast: 5,284

At 6.1 percent, Oklahoma City has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Furthermore, the job market is expected to continue to rise there, and incomes are projected to increase 3 percent next year. While the area has a seen a drop in home prices recently, housing prices are projected to rebound and increase 2.6 percent as Oklahoma City’s low cost of living continues to attract businesses and new households.

See which other cities made Builder’s top 20 list.

Source: “Healthiest Housing Markets: Mid-2011 Update,” Builder Magazine (2011)

Free Utah Kids Club membership for November!

I got this email this morning and thought it sounded like fun things to do with the kid-lets...and how could that be bad?

Now, everyone can get on the event calendar and find tons of fun, EVERYDAY of the week. Already, there are over 30 things to do each day. FREE arts and crafts, FREE candy factory tours, FREE Magic Shows, bird shows, air'obics, even FREE pictures with Santa at the end of the month.

Check it out--better yet--get your FREE membership!

www.UtahKidsClub.com

Top right, "Become a Member" Then choose the "Thankful Turkey FREE Membership" and get a username and password.....You're On Your Way To FUN FUN FUN

Thanksgiving Recipes...or just because these are phenomenal!!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Source: Annie's Eats
Makes 24 muffins
Print Recipe
Ingredients:
For the filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
For the muffins:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree (see Note)
1¼ cups vegetable oil
For the topping:
½ cup sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Note: A standard sized can of pumpkin is 15 ounces, just shy of 2 cups (16 ounces). You could open another can if you want and freeze the extra or just use one can which is what I did. The amount is so little I don't think it makes a difference in the final product.
Directions:
To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 1½-inches in diameter. Smooth the plastic wrap tightly around the log, and reinforce with a piece of foil. Transfer to the freezer and chill until at least slightly firm, at least 2 hours. The mixture will still be somewhat soft but firmer.
To make the muffins, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line muffin pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil. Mix on medium-low speed until blended. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. I always get inpatient here and mix it together with my hands so that it looks like the texture of wet sand. I know you aren't supposed to do it this way but I'm impatient. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.
To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well with a small amount of batter, just enough to cover the bottom of the liner (1-2 tablespoons). Slice the log of cream cheese filling into 24 equal pieces. Place a slice of the cream cheese mixture into each muffin well. You want to put the cream cheese lower than you think because it will rise a lot during the baking process. Divide the remaining batter among the muffin cups, placing on top of the cream cheese to cover completely. Sprinkle a small amount of the topping mixture over each of the muffin wells.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. I like them warm, cold, and room temperature.

Found this article today on Active Rain and thought it was some great reminders!

Top 10 Halloween Safety Tips

Trick-or-treating can be one of the most fun Halloween events for your kids. However, it can also be potentially dangerous because it happens outside in the dark. Here are some Halloween safety tips to make sure your kids come home safe and happy:

1. Never go into a stranger’s house – Only get candy from houses that give it to you at the door. If someone invites them in, tell them to just say “no, thanks” and leave immediately.
2. Use the buddy system – Kids should never go trick or treating without a sibling, friend, or parent. If they are going out without parents, make sure you know the area where they will be trick-or-treating.
3. Set a curfew – If you aren’t going trick or treating with your kids, set a time that they need to be home by or a time for them to check in with a phone call. That way, you know that they are safe.
4. Eat a snack / dinner before trick or treating – By eating something beforehand, your kids won’t be as tempted to eat their treats before they come home…which leads to the next tip…
5. Always cross streets at interections and walkways – Make sure your child knows how to cross a street and to only cross at designated intersections.
6. Always check candy before giving it to your child – Make sure none of the candy is open or looks like it was tampered with. If you have small children, make sure the candy is not a choking hazard.
7. Go on your local police website and search for sex offenders in your neighborhood - While this may seem overly precautious, you may want to steer clear of these houses or areas.
8. Wear something reflective in your costume and carry a flashlight – It’s going to be dark out by the time you go home, so make sure cars can see you at night. Put reflective tape on the costume and trick or treating bags.
9. Create well fitting costumes – Kids will be running from house to house, so make sure their costume is suitable for running. Make sure face marks still allow your child to see their full range, make sure capes are not too long to trip over, and ensure any swords are not too sharp. Have them wear gym shoes.
10. Choose flame resistant materials for costumes – Since there can be candles and other open flames at houses, choose a fire resistant material for costumes to avoid burn injuries.

Photo Credit: Flickr / eyeliam

testing!!

learning how to use posterous for posting!!

 

This one is for you Lori!! Hope this works.

I know it seems early, but we are already planning our annual Client Holiday Party with Santa and all - check out this cute family from last year's party!

Back to school

I cannot believe it is time again...SCHOOL! As I wrote out a HUGE check for all the kiddos to head off to Jr High this year, I am excited and sad all at the same time. My baby is off to 7th grade...which means, either I am getting really old or I am staying young & fun while he gets old. Either way, one of us Tiger Ladies is getting along in years :)

Some of you might have already started school - year rounders or early schedules...so hope you are settling in on routines & finished all your shopping.

For the rest of us, when you see a great deal on back to school essentials, please post it and let me know.

And better yet, good luck to all the students this fall! Have fun & learn!!

August Featured Home of the Month - Ogden, UT

Great value on this 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath end-row townhome. Kitchen with large, lighted pantry, spacious dining, master bedroom with walk-in closet & continental bath, separate laundry room, laundry chute, new 50 gallon water heater, linen & coat closets, extra insulation, 2 car garage, cozy patio with garden boxes, end unit at end of street allows privacy. HOA fee includes water, sewer & garbage, snow removal, maintenance on exterior & common area, insurance on common ground, pest control maintenance.

http://www.tourfactory.com/772123

July Featured Home of the Month - Roy, UT

Beautifully maintained, warm & welcoming home. New roof, new windows, upgraded insulation, newer water heater, & disposal. Amazing great room/sunroom opens to relaxing backyard. Bright open kitchen with skylight. Main floor bath with a jetted tub. Formal living room with a fireplace. Family room with wet bar & fireplace for entertaining downstairs. What a fun house!!

http://www.tourfactory.com/653646

March's Featured Home of the Month - Clinton, Utah

Beautiful one owner Rambler! Plenty of room for your growing family with 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, great room & family room with a fireplace. Immaculate, move in condition, vaulted ceilings, fully fenced, spacious yard ready for playing and entertaining!

http://www.tourfactory.com/687223

Featured Home of the Month

This is a fantastic home! Plenty of space with 5 bedrooms,2 vent free fireplaces, 2 baths, a huge family room apart from the bedrooms with built in storage and entertainment center, a beautiful covered deck & backyard with lots of shade. A nice workbench in the large 2 car garage, plenty of storage, lots of extras & quality work throughout! Home Warranty provided.

Featured Home of the Month

Check out this fabulous featured home of the month! Beautiful executive home features quality throughout! 6 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, great room with fireplace, Kitchen with island & HUGE pantry, granite, stainless appliances -- A cook's dream. Spacious master suite with master bath shower plumbed for steam. Full kitchen in basement along with amazing theater room and game room. HUGE guest suite. Walkout to patio with hot tub for great entertaining. Plantation shutters throughout, vaults, open, spacious rooms. Not your typical home!!