Love, Passion, Help-U-Sell and Cookies
Posted: March 4, 2012 Filed under: Good Eats & Drinks, Help-U-Sell, Lifestyle | Tags: food, help-u-sell, james dingman, lifestyle, sonora, tuolumne, tuolumne county 2 Comments »RED- the color of love, passion, Help-U-Sell,*
and now….
my new favorite cookie.
Have you ever had a Black and White? It’s a cookie. When I worked in downtown San Francisco in my 20s you could find them in almost every coffee shop, bakery or deli. To say I liked them would be an understatement. And, when they became the breakfast of choice with my double espresso it was official; I was obsessed.
The other day Black and Whites popped into my mind and I felt such nostalgia. Not so much for the taste of the cookie but perhaps more for the time. Yes, it was a time when eating cookies for breakfast didn’t matter so much but it was also a time before email, cell phones, the internet and docusign.
I wondered – how fun would it be to create a new cookie? One with it’s roots in the traditional Black & White but one made for my tastes today. And so I introduce to you:
The Red & White
The foundation of this cookie is chocolate with black pepper, cayenne and cinnamon giving it depth and a little kick. White chocolate icing gives it a subtly elegant finish and serves as the perfect compliment to the cookie’s deep flavor. Red makes it pop.
It’s not traditional and it’s not ordinary. The Red & White takes an old fashioned favorite to a new level. Made for today, this is one smart cookie.
*Shamelessly stealing from James Dingman, again…
TUOLUMNE
Posted: December 1, 2011 Filed under: Help-U-Sell, Lifestyle, Out and About, Uncategorized | Tags: help-u-sell, lifestyle, real estate, sonora, tuolumne, tuolumne county 3 Comments »
I was on the weekly Help-U-Sell Broker Round Table call yesterday. These calls are great. We talk about the latest in our industry and get a chance to exchange ideas. I always walk away with something new and interesting to ponder.
Yesterday, I walked away a little embarrassed. You see, I was talking about this blog when one of the brokers asked me what “Tuolumne” means. Having no idea what-so-ever, I was at a complete loss. How could this be? I grew up coming to Tuolumne County (Sonora and Twain Harte) on a regular basis since the age of 4 and I have sold real estate here now for over 6 years. Geez- time to make this right.
So here it is – straight from Wikipedia:
The name Tuolumne is of Native American origin and has been given different meanings, such as Many Stone Houses, The Land of Mountain Lions and, Straight Up Steep, the latter an interpretation of William Fuller, a native Chief. Mariano Vallejo, in his report to the first California State Legislature, said that the word is “a corruption of the Indian word talmalamne which signifies ‘cluster of stone wigwams.’” The name may mean “people who dwell in stone houses,” i.e., in caves.
Going Against the Grain – The Help-U-Sell Way
Posted: November 27, 2011 Filed under: Buyers, Help-U-Sell, Lifestyle, Sellers | Tags: help-u-sell, lifestyle, real estate, sonora, tuolumne 2 Comments »
I shamelessly stole this picture from James Dingman because it reminded me of a card I bought in my early 20s that resonated with me. There were 100s of penguins standing on the ice with one standing higher than the others boldly declaring, “I’ve just got to be me.” It’s not that I would characterize myself as a rebel. I’m too quiet for that. But I have always been an independent thinker who likes to chart her own course. I like to read and contemplate, research and listen. Then, move forward- my way. Sometimes my way is with the grain. Sometimes it is not.
As it relates to real estate two things that “went with the grain” didn’t set right with me: Commissions and Hoarding Information. On my path to find a better way I came across Help-U-Sell. Here was a group of independent thinkers who felt the same as me. With their Set-Fee pricing and philosophy of “Information without Obligation” I found the perfect fit.
Commissions: It just seemed to me that charging more money to the person who sold their home for $300,000 but received the exact same service as the person who sold their home for $200,000 was akin to charging the guy driving a BMW more for his carwash than the guy driving a Toyota Corolla. Help-U-Sell’s set fee for services rendered, in contrast, is fair and logical.
Hoarding Information: You know what I mean…withholding addresses or key information just to get a phone call. In essence, holding information hostage just to get a lead. In today’s mobile world where we literally have oceans of information at our fingertips anytime, any place, this is like trying to fence the sea. Fruitless and foolish. At Help-U-Sell, we want you to call because you are interested in our professional services, not because we deliberately withheld the address or square footage of a property. (I attended an education session this year that actually recommended w/holding addresses from Craigslist so as to get more leads – I believe this is an insult to one’s intelligence and so out of sync with today’s world)
At Help-U-Sell we will continue to proudly go against the grain. As others try to build a fence, we will continue to build a better boat and chart our own course. As James Dingman said-
It’s good to be Help-U-Sell.
TASTY TUESDAY – NUTS FOR BUTTERNUT
Posted: November 1, 2011 Filed under: Good Eats & Drinks, Lifestyle | Tags: good eats & drinks, help-u-sell, lifestyle, real estate, sonora, tuolumne, tuolumne county Leave a comment »
I love butternut squash and, for me, nothing says fall quite like Butternut Squash Soup. There are so many ways it can be prepared. Adding leeks and pears give the soup a subtly complex flavor while adding coconut milk and curry powder make it warmly exotic.
This Sunday I was craving Butternut Squash, simple and pure, and so I made a pretty straightforward batch of soup. Easy, simple and delish.
2 Butternut Squash, chopped (I had 2 from a friend’s garden in East. Sonora. Thanks Robin P.!)
1 Lg. Onion, diced
Olive Oil
Water
Salt & Pepper
Home Made Croutons (made from Dad’s homemade wheat bread. Thanks Dad!)
Parmesano Reggiano
Sautee onion in olive oil until it just starts to caramelize. Add Butternut Squash, salt & more olive oil. Continue sautéing until squash starts to soften. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook until squash is easy to smash with a fork. Puree soup in a blender in batches using as much liquid needed to create the consistency you like. Pour through a sieve to make it extra silky. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Top with home made croutons and parmesano reggiano.
For a more Rustic Version: Set some of the squash aside in a small dice and while the rest of the squash cooking, lightly coat in olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast in the oven until it is nice and browned. Do not pour the soup through a sieve after it is pureed. Add the roasted squash to the pureed soup.
CRAZY FOR COCO
Posted: March 13, 2011 Filed under: Good Eats & Drinks, Lifestyle, Out and About Leave a comment »
I love chocolate. This love affair started before I was even one years old and began innocently enough with the taste of a single M & M. From that moment, according to my mom and grandma, my favorite word was “m ‘n m ‘n m ‘n m” which I repeated, hand stretched out, enthusiastically and frequently. To this day, given the choice of fine Belgian chocolate or M & Ms I will enthusiastically choose the latter.
Another love I have is going to “coffee” with my friends. Predictably, I always add chocolate to the mix. Slowly sipping a mocha or hot chocolate while chatting and laughing and enjoying life with a friend~ well, it doesn’t get much better than that.
My picks for fun places in Tuolumne County to go for “coffee” with friends:
Starbucks: The atmosphere is fun and familiar and their drinks are consistently yummy.
Sonora Joes, Washington St., Sonora: I’ve only been a couple times but they have a great downtown coffee house feel.
Schnoogs, Mono Way, Sonora: Comfy and cozy. I love to settle into one of their big chairs with both hands cradling my coco or mocha.
Alicia’s Sugar Shack, Hwy 108, Long Barn: Super charming…and their chocolate scones are divine.
Where do you go?? I’d love to know…
NEW YEAR ~ NEW CALENDAR
Posted: January 2, 2010 Filed under: Home Keeping & Maintenance, Lifestyle 2 Comments »One of my favorite things about the New Year (besides champagne and parties, of course) is getting a New Calendar. High tech options be damned. I love my old fashioned calendar and will not give it up!!
The size, the color, the texture ~ I give much thought to all. It has to be pleasing to look at and feel right to the touch. Looking back it seems that I’ve gone through phases…in my early 20s I liked them to be paper bound and filled with artwork. There was the year of the Impressionists & the year of Gustav Klimt. For a while I liked inspirational or funny sayings. Of course there was the Day Planner phase. For the past few years I’ve preferred a simple, medium sized book style bound in leather and in some fantastic color. This year it is a deep red. It is soft and beautiful and serves no other function besides being my calendar.
For me, regardless of style, a brand new calendar symbolizes endless potential. I love to flip through the blank pages and day dream about the upcoming year. What goals will I reach? What escrows will I close? What parties and travel and wonderful adventures will fill the pages?
As I look through 2009’s calendar I am thankful that although there were some challenges there were also many, many, many good times.
And so with 2009 lovingly tucked away and 2010 a blank page with endless potential I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
My Tuolumne Top Ten
Posted: May 12, 2009 Filed under: Lifestyle, Out and About 2 Comments »
My Tuolumne Top Ten
Selling Real Estate, I often talk to people who are thinking of relocating to Tuolumne County. Since I’m still a “newbie”, having moved here in 2005, I’m often asked, “Are you glad you moved here; would you do it again?” My answer is always YES & YES.
There are many things I love about living in Tuolumne County but my Top Ten are:
#1 The People: I noticed it right away. The people in Tuolumne County are quick to smile and always take the time for a friendly hello. And when someone is in need you’ve never seen a community rally together more quickly. Yes, the folks in Tuolumne County are there for each other.
#2 The Drivers: I know, this is really a sub-category of People but the Drivers here are so polite that after almost 4 years I’m still amazed. Granted, I did move here from the L.A. area where the even nicest people can turn crazy as soon as they get behind the wheel. Not so in Tuolumne County. Here, drivers not only stop for pedestrians, but also other cars. Even when they don’t have to!
#3 The Farmers Market: It is just about ready to open for the season and I can’t wait. The perfect way to start a Saturday morning is with a cup of Mother Lode Coffee at the market and to leisurely peruse the stands for the freshest and best looking fruits and veggies.
#4 The Restaurants: Villa de Oro, Azzo’s, Seven Sisters, Bon Appetite, Diamond Back, The Ahwahnee just to name a few. We have EXCELLENT restaurants in Tuolumne County.
#5 Yosemite: Stunning. And, did I mention the Ahwahnee?
#6 The Grocery Stores: Call me crazy but I love to go grocery shopping and we’ve got some great stores. It’s fun to shop gourmet at the Twain Harte & Tuolumne Markets. Cost-U-Less is always a great value and the thrill of what’s new (& cheap) at the Grocery Outlet can’t be beat. Everyday shopping? Save Mart or Safeway (love the new remodel) are perfect.
#7 The Boutiques: The Princess Shop, Polka Dot, Back Space, and more. They make it easy to shop local.
#8 The Lakes: New Melones, Don Pedro, Pinecrest. For boating, wakeboarding or just sunbathing, there’s no better place to be on a hot summer day.
#9 The DMV: I know this one is weird but I truly believe we have the most amazing DMV in the world. It is clean, the lines are relatively short and the employees are, you guessed it, FRIENDLY. I’ve never walked out of our DMV without saying “wow”.
#10 The Air: It smells so crisp and fresh. I’ve been living here almost 4 years and yet every morning I still step out to my backyard with my cup of coffee, take a deep breath and feel lucky to be living in such a wonderful place.
What do you love about Tuolumne County? I’d love to hear.
