Blog

     HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
 To all the strong and independent 
Mom’s who have helped to shape
 and guide us. We honor you with 
respect and love!

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY’S

The first quarter of the year is over. Did you meet your goals? Where did you lag behind? What are your aspirations for the second quarter? At Barnes and Phillips, we can help you reach your goal of owning a new home. Our skilled agents will walk you through the process one step at a time, taking the time to make sure you find the perfect match. The market changes daily so you need an agent with their finger on the pulse of the market. Stop by our office and speak to an agent who will help you with your wish list for your dream home. Let our agent customize your search for the perfect home. One that fits your needs to a tee. A home is a major investment not to be taken lightly. So don’t just jump into any deal. Find the one that is right for you and the life you lead. Is it your dream to be in a fast-paced community or a retirement community? Do you work from home, or do you need to be centrally located to your work? All these questions can lead you to the best location and community for you. Choosing a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. So, take the time to do it right. Make the second quarter of the year an exciting time. Let Barnes and Phillips guide you through the process of buying a new home. Call us today! 941-743-4200

As the weather starts to cool down (just a little) we notice our FPL bill rise. Here are a few ways to help curb the rise in your bill.

Check your window & door seals.

Take shorter, cooler showers.

Adjust the temp. in freezer and ref.- use energy star appliances.

Wash clothes in cold water / clean lint filter in dryer after each load.

Swap light bulbs for LED bulbs.

Watch time of use rates-cost of elect. is higher at peak times.

Change air filters frequently.

Unplug unused items – phantom or standby power can raise your bill.

Pool pumps run 6 hrs. per day in the summer and 4 hrs. per day in the winter.

Use a programmable thermostat and light timers.

Use ceiling fans to your advantage. Summer turn counterclockwise pushes air down creating a cool breeze and clockwise in the cooler months.

These are just a few ideas that might make the beginning of your holiday season a little brighter. Now how about a couple of easy to make recipes.

Seven Layer Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. salted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 1 c. sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 c. butterscotch chips
• 1 can (14 oz. size) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c. pecans chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 11 x 7 baking pan.
2. Stir together melted butter and graham cracker crumbs. Press into prepared pan.
3. Add the other ingredients in order: coconut, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top. Add the pecans.
4. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Place pan in the refrigerator and serve cold

Hot Toddy

1 ½ ounces of whiskey, rum or brandy.

1 ½ ounces honey or maple syrup

½ cup of steaming hot water

1 lemon wedge

Garnish- 3 cloves and 1 cinnamon stick

Stir together liquor and honey, pour in hot water, add garnish

IT’S TIME TO PREPARE

June 1^st was the beginning of hurricane season in our area. The time to prepare is before any word of a storm approaching is heard. Make sure you have a disaster plan in place and emergency supplies on hand. We have the Charlotte County Disaster Guide available at our office or you can find one online at www.Charlotte CountyFL.gov.  Last year was my first hurricane season in FL. I would like to say that I now know how and what to prepare for. But…….. I’m not sure that you can totally prepare. No two storms will be the same. But the basic Things to do stay the same. You need to plan what to do before, during and after the storm. It may be a hurricane, flooding, fire, or tornado. You need to be prepared and know what to do to keep you and your family safe. After an event you may not be able to leave your home for several days. You will need to be self-sustaining for this time – you will need food, water, medicines, and other life sustaining materials. Experts say to prepare 2 -3 weeks of these items. You do not know how long it will take for things to get back to “normal”. If you decide to evacuate the food and water will most likely be needed when you get back.

 Remember if you are a renter your landlord’s insurance won’t pay for your things if they are damaged or stolen. Renters insurance is very affordable, and in the long run, it could save you a lot of money.  For as little as about $16 per month you can have a nice renter’s policy. Many owners are now requiring new tenants to get insurance. These are the coverages that should come with your rental policy.

Personal Property Protection

Theft Protection

Guest Medical Coverage

Liability Coverage

Additional Living Expenses

 Insurance companies reserve the right to stop writing policies in certain areas when a hurricane watch has been issued, which can be several weeks before the storm is set to make landfall. So be sure and plan ahead – just in case.

So, in conclusion. It’s time to prepare!
Don't forget to stop by our office for a copy of the Charlotte Co. Disaster Guide and some information on renters insurance.

SUPER BOWL PARTY #58  

Date & Time:    Feb 11^th 6:30pm

Place: Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium

Half time: Usher

Tickets: Level 100 & 200 $ 9290

                  Level  300 $ 8090

                  Level  400 $ 7379

TEAMS: San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs

Weather:  64/42 Chilly nights

Are you ready for some football? Bring out the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­red and white!!  It’s time to play football. Some fun facts about the Super Bowl. 71,835 fans will attend the Super Bowl. The Lombardi Trophy weighs seven pounds and costs $50,000. Each franchise pays for 150 Super Bowl rings with help from the league ($5M). The Super Bowl is the most-watched sporting event in the world. More than 100 million people worldwide watch the Super Bowl every year. It's also the second largest eating day of the year for Americans. It really doesn’t matter if you like the game or the teams that are playing, this day it is all about football. 

So, why not make some cornbread muffins, plug in a crock pot of chili, sit back, enjoy the game and the food. ENJOY SOME FOOTBALL!  

CORNBREAD MUFFINS

1 ¼ cups AP flour

¾ cup cornmeal

¼ cup sugar

1TBSP baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 lrg. eggs

2 TBSP honey

¾ cup milk

½ cup butter melted

Preheat oven to 350. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or spray with Pam. Whisk eggs, honey and milk together, set aside. Whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk mixture and butter. Fill muffin tins ¾ full. Bake 17-20 min. or until the tops are set and golden. Enjoy!

CHILI

2-16oz cans red kidney beans (drained)

2-14oz cans tomatoes

2lbs. ground chuck (browned and drained)

1 green pepper and 1 med. Onion (chopped)

2 garlic cloves (crushed)

3TBSP chili powder

1 tsp each pepper, cumin, and salt

Put all ingredients in the crockpot in order listed. Sitr, cook on low 10 to 12 hrs. (High 5-6 hrs.).

The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.

By the late 1860s, Americans in various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

           
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, & whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village & hamlet churchyard in the land.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem.


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