A Great Time to go to the Movies
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It’s a great time to go to the movies… with lots of choices now and in the next few weeks – where do I begin!
“BOLT” – A Family Fun Movie. This animated feature has the voices of Miley Cyrus and John Travolta.
“MARLEY & ME” – A Comedy, Family Movie. Based on the New York Times Best Seller. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson AND their energetic pup, Marley.
“FOUR CHRISTMASES” – A Comedy – with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. This is not your typical heart-warming holiday movie. Instead, Peace on Earth becomes Hell on Earth!
“THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON” – Oscar Bait – A story of a man who ages backwards – This could be be the fantastical epic we’ve been waiting for AND Brad Pitt is the main character!
“AUSTRALIA” – Oscar Bait, Blockbuster – with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in a sweeping WWII Love Story. I have plans to see this movie this weekend!
“TWILIGHT” – A Blockbuster, Tween Sensation – this vampire action, romance starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart is for all teens and their moms!
and last on my list… but not least – “SEVEN POUNDS” – Oscar Bait, Blockbuster- I am so looking forward to this! Starring Will Smith, so you know it’s going to be BIG – an IRS agent tries to right his karmic wrongs by helping 7 strangers – one of which becomes a love interest, Rosario Dawson.
For more on some some of these movies, and many more due out click on ABC News.
With Lowes Movie Theatre in Danbury, CT – telephone # 203-796-7777- just 10 minutes from my home in New Fairfield, CT – I look forward to seeing a few of these movies… and seeing who gets an Oscar nod.
Thanksgiving Day
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Oh My! It’s almost Thanksgiving Day – and I’m still looking at different recipes and ideas – always wanting to surprise my guests!
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Of course – The Food Network is my FAVORITE!
Between working with all my clients – approximately 8 to 10 hours a day on the computer- along with appointments viewing homes and being in the office – AND let’s not forget the family!- 5 kids and my hubby – which equals to many beds to be made – 4 to 6 loads of laundry a day – dinner EVERY night as a family and constantly cleaning, dusting and picking up after everyone – including Tisha – our dog, Moe – our cat, Chico, Cha-Cha and Fofita our Cockatiels and all the fish! Whew! I will squeeze in my baking, cooking and preparing for Thanksgiving Day with pleasure!
I will be stirring…
and baking…
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and preparing…
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and I will be drinking lots of coffee!
peterastn – Flickr.com
Off to an appointment – the supermarket for the 5th time this week! and a few more errands… HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY EVE TO ALL!!
Thanksgiving Fun – Gobble, Gobble!
A Thanksgiving Alphabet
T…Turkey, table spreads, being together,
H…Happiness and homes, to protect us from all weather,
A…Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall,
N…Nieces and nephews, family members all!
K…Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner,
S…Surely you’ll have fun, but you won’t get thinner!
G…Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide.
I…Indians and Pilgrims we remember with pride.
V…Very special times – there could even be snow.
I…Imagine what it was like on Plymouth long ago.
N…Never forget how the settlers led the way.
G…Giving Thanks and blessing this special day.
There are many more Thanksgiving poems to be read.
Also, a great holiday movie and one of my family’s favorite, A Christmas Story, has a very funny scene where the dad tries to sneak a piece of delicious Turkey - but never makes it due to the neighbors dogs getting to it first!
A Yummy recipe from Jen’s Blog on Homegood’s site:
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- 1-15 oz can pure pumpkin
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup oil
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 3-1/2 cups flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and water. Mix flour, baking soda, sugar, spices and salt in a separate bowl and add pumpkin mixture. Mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Place batter into 2 well greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until done. Making 2 loafs allows you to share one enjoy the other!
jslander – Flickr.com
I have so very much to be Thankful for – my family, our health, my and my husband’s job, my country (because I KNOW we will come out of this and be even stronger!), my friends, and my HOME. I am also Thankful for all my past clients that I have assisted in finding their home - where they will have many Holidays, making wonderful memories. AND – I look forward to my future clients and helping them to find a Home for the Holidays as well!
Preciouskhyatt – Flickr.com
Preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner
Today is Tuesday – that means I have 2 more days to prepare for Thanksgiving Dinner – Yikes! My guests will be arriving at around 1pm – so it’s actually a late lunch, early dinner by the time we sit down and give “Thanks”.
sth – Flickr.com
My sister has e-mailed a few recipe ideas – wonder why she thinks I need them??
Some are from The Food Network - watch videos and get tons of recipes, hints and ideas for Thanksgiving from Emeril “BAM”, Rachael Ray “EVOO”, Paula Dean “Hi Y’all” – and all the Food Network Stars. Even if it’s to make one dish a little different.
Carl E Lewis – Flickr.com
Can you believe the First Thanksgiving was in 1621?? – read more on History .com
GOBBLE – GOBBLE!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
xybermatthew – Flickr.com
It’s almost Thanksgiving – and I’ll have about 30 somewhat family and friends over. So it’s not 1, but 2 Turkeys that I will be roasting and many potatoes to be peeled, boiled and mashed along with preparing some treats to be served when my hungry guests arrive – some of which will be traveling up I-684 from Mt. Vernon, NY. Others will be coming from Brookfield, CT and my sis lives here in New Fairfield, CT – just minutes away from my home.
virtualern.jpg – Flickr.com
Click here for some Thanksgiving Ideas from HGTV videos.
Hey Paul – Flickr.com
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving Day – I have been very fortunate this past year and my family and I have many Thanks to be given AND I can’t wait for a slice of PUMPKIN PIE!
pbody – Flickr.com
A Very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Family!
It’s COLD Outside!
antaresjhw – Flickr.com
Boy is it COLD outside! Yesterday, I showed a home in Brookfield, CT – nice, cozy - warm cape. My clients took their time and checked everything out – the way viewing homes should be. Then we made our way into Danbury, CT- Brrrr!!! We viewed two Foreclosures – with no HEAT!! Both had been winterized so that the pipes wouldn’t freeze – too bad I did! By the second home, my toes and hands were numb and my nose was running – but I couldn’t feel it! I DON’T know how people work outdoors - like my husband.
Jonas B – Flickr.com
My state of mind says it’s only November and technically we are still in the Fall season – but – Mother Nature seems to want winter here – NOW! So, lesson learned for me – time to wear a winter coat – scarf – warm boots AND bring something warm to drink for me and my clients!
Closing Day for a Home in East Fishkill, NY!
Closing Day – what a wonderful day for all involved! My buyers are a wonderful couple with two young boys, and they will make great new neighbors in East Fishkill, NY.
Noellium – Flickr.com
East Fishkill is in Dutchess County and conveniently located off the Taconic State Parkway.
I wish them many years of happiness and joy in their new home!
Shopping on a Budget in Danbury CT
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This week I went shopping in Danbury, Connecticut. With the economy being where it is and the heating and holiday season upon us, getting the most for my dollar was, and always is, important to me.
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A few stores I went into to purchase a Closing Gift and start my Holiday Shopping was on Newtown Road in Danbury – off exit 8 on I-84. I simply parked my car and had access to a few great shops like – HOMEGOODS
and… WALMART
and… MARSHALLS
All these shops with great prices – and… I saved gas too!
Click here for some Danbury News by MapQuest.com
New Fairfield Connecticut High School
Connecticut Magazine conducted it’s first ever survey of top high schools in the state. New Fairfield High School came in 23rd overall on the list published in November 2008 containing 35 schools ranked by 11 categories.
Here in Van Nuys-Flickr.com
New Fairfield, Connecticut is a great place to live! Approximately 1 hour from NYC, lots of shops including the Danbury Fair Mall and great schools!
GOOGLE MAPS
This is’nt the first time New Fairfield High School has been recognized for being a “top school” – U.S. News & World Report gave NFHS a silver ranking in tis review this year. It is 1 of 18 Connecticut schools to receive that designation. Also, Newsweek ranked NFHS in the “Top 1,200 Schools in the Country in 2007.”
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Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop in New Fairfield, CT
Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop in New Fairfield, Connecticut is serving some great flavors - PUMPKIN – MAPLE /OREO - and – CINNAMON/APPLE/CARAMEL – YUM!
Sprinkles colors are Pink and Blue. My oldest daughter, Melissa, works there – making it convenient to her dorm in Danbury and home in New Fairfield.
Some other awesome popular flavors mostly for adults are: Coconut Mounds- Coconut ice cream with coconut flakes and chocolate chips – Matt’s Frapp- Kalua ice cream with brownies and Heath bar – Smores – Chocolate ice cream with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate chips – Yum Yummy!!
Some kids favorites are: Party Cake, Blue Cloud and Cotton Candy.
Sprinkles is located on Route 39 just across from SHAWS Supermarket. They are open Wednesday’s through Sunday’s and will stay open during the winter – so go on over – after a game, to pick up a Birthday cake or to just treat yourself and make up your own favorite!
November Birthdays
November is a busy month for my family. We have a total of 7 BIRTHDAYS! So this post is for…
Kristin – November 6th 
Joe – November 8th 
Richie – November 10th 
Jonathan – November 11th 
Isabella – November 11th 
Anna Carolina – November 16th 
Ma - November 22nd 
Feliz Anos to all… and many more!
Our Nations Economy
ClipArt.com
With our current economy problems growing and more and more people being affected – causing much un-needed stress, I have decided to do a “Friday Fun Post” – I hope it makes you smile.
Joke from Comics.com – Man eating a bowl of alphabet soup at a diner…”Sigh!…Everybody’s cutting corners in this economy. My alphabet soup doesn’t have enough letters to make a word!”
A picture from Nicholas_t – Flickr.com -
Another great photo from Aussiegall – Flickr.com
Daily Inspiration “We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.” – Carlos Castaneda
And remember - Chocolate works wonders!
Wine – A Great Closing Gift!
TheBusyBrain – Flickr.com
Wine – also pronounced Vino (in Spain & Italy), Vinho (in Portugal), Wein (in Germany), and Vin (in France) – has become one of my favorite “extra” closing gift. If I’m not giving a credit, I tend to give a gift or gift certificate that the new homeowners can use on a daily basis or for special occasions – and – I also like to give a bottle of wine for that special “First Dinner” in my clients new home!
Stringbot – Flickr.com
I’ve always given Portuguese wines, since they are my favorite – but there are so many “Fabulouso Vinhos” to be tasted! Gary Vaynerchuk with Wine Library TV has broadened my horizons in the “Wine World”. His latest video post shows Gary tasting and talking of wines from South Africa, California, Spain and Portugal.
Zest-pk – FlickR.com
I grew up in a home where my parents had wine with dinner every night. My dad, who came here from Portugal in the early 1950′s, would make his own wine. I loved going down to his wine cellar and smelling the wine ferment, but I didn’t enjoy drinking wine until my late 30′s! What a shame since drinking wine does have health benefits! Good excuse – right?
roblisameehan – Flickr.com
Should I Move?
Todd D Jones – FLICKR.com
FrontDoor.com has a QUIZ you can take if your wondering if now is a good time to sell your home and move – and so many other guides and tips to homebuying and/or selling.
Jsome1 – FlickR.com
Many of you may be renting and would love to have the ability to control the heat - instead of feeling as though your living in a cold stone house. I guess the Flinstones didn’t mind!
James Gordon – FlickR.com
Others may want to go from their started home to a bit larger home to accommodate their growing family or to start a family. I’ve been there – feeling like the old woman, living in a shoe filled with children! For years I waited to be able to move to a larger home since we had 5 growing children. I knew it would be difficult for us to afford a larger home in Harrison, NY – so, we made the best decision of our lives – to do the commute up and down I-684 and move to New Fairfield, Connecticut!
Country Music Awards
Tonight the 42nd Country Music Awards aired on ABC with Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley as co-hosts. The two also performed and both won awards. I have a client that I have been working with for almost 2 years now. She LOVES country music – so Samantha, this post if dedicated to you!
The show started off with an awesome performance by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. Other performers were The Eagles, Sugarland, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and my favorite of the night, “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock.
Kenny Chesney wins “Entertainer of the Year” – country’s music top prize. Here is the list of all the winners tonight from CMT.com and photos of the CMA Awards Red Carpet Pictures from AOL.
Wine Library TV with Gary Vaynerchuk
This is a stressful economic time for many people right now - and everyone needs to take time to themselves.
Whether it’s listening to some of your favorite songs – I have so many, but Hotel California by The Eagles, brings back lots of memories. My parents had a country house in Margaretville, NY. Every chance possible, we would pack up the 5 kids, clothes, food, Pebbles – our dog and stuff everyone into our mini van for the 2-1/2 hour ride. With no I-Pods around yet and hardly any radio reception – cd’s were it and Hotel California was our favorite!
Whether it’s watching a movie that cracks you up – or possibly makes you realize how lucky we are even in these tough times – or… a great romance – The Notebook ranks really high on my list!
Reading a book – a really, really good book. One that you take into the bathroom even if it’s just to read a paragraph. Maybe you’ll enjoy The Lighthouse Keeper by James Michael Pratt.
Getting together with friends – maybe your house one week, a friends house the next time. Taking the stress and financial burden off of one person since everyone contributes. One guest can bring cheese and crackers – bought on sale at the supermarket, another can purchase a bottle or two… or three of wine – keeping in mind that you do not have to spend alot of money.
A FANTASTIC site that I just stumbled upon is WineLibraryTV.com with Gary Vaynerchuk where he speaks passionately while educating you on wine – like take the time to take a “sniffy, sniff” before drinking your wine – and teaching you to look for wine with “thunder” – costs less, tastes BIG. Gary has been a guest on many popular shows – Ellen De Generes, Mad Money, Night Line and my favorite – Conan O’Brien – too funny! When visiting Gary’s site, under National TV Appearances, click on “Conan O’Brien” and watch him get a “Buzz”! Or view the video below to get to know him a bit.
My husbands birthday is coming up. I never know what to get him, but this year, Gary has inspired me to try new wines. I will purchase a few different bottles – a Portuguese wine will be at the top of my list since my husband was born and raised there and he LOVES his country’s wine. Then I’ll just have fun picking a few different varieties. Once a week or so, my husband can pick which bottle he’d like to have with dinner – and that means I get to have some too! Awesome – I can’t wait!
FLICKR – Jesiehart
Obama – Mr. President
Election Day has been a day of anticipation for me. Many speculate that the economy, the war in Iraq and the real estate market would begin to change and improve after the elections. Now, I anticipate that much needed change in our nation.
After a massive voter turn out – with more than 14 million voters than our last election day, Presidential elect Obama, completed a historic journey to presidency – promising CHANGE. Thousands filled streets to celebrate the making of a historic day in America.
Click to view “Presidential Results”
It was a moving and memorable day for me – beginning with taking my 12 year son with me to vote, to hearing McCain’s gracious speech – and ending with President elect Obama speech in Chicago.
Election Day – VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! – Obama or McCain??
Today is a Historical Election Day and I want to encourage everyone to VOTE!
Wondering where do you go to vote… until what time are the polls open… can you vote?
Go to CanIVote.org
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Family Halloween Night!
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My family and I celebrated HALLOWEEN night at my brother, Louie and sister-in-law, Leia’s home. They went all out with “spooky” decorations and “scary” – but yummy – TREATS. We had a ton of LAUGHS through out our “MONSTER MASH” night!
Tonight, after Trick-or-Treating, I watched The Poltergeist – a favorite of mine. I have MANY others that I can share. Remember, it doesn’t have to be Halloween to watch a scary movie.
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Friday the 13th
- Halloween
- Carrie
- Jeepers Creepers
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- The Shinning
- The Birds
- The Sixth Sense
- The Exorcist
- Amityville Horror
- Psycho
- What Lies Beneath …. Just to name a few!
GETTING TO KNOW ME
As a full time REALTOR in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties in NEW YORK – and Fairfield and parts of Litchfield counties in CONNECTICUT , I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my passions on REAL ESTATE, FAMILY, PETS, anything and everything in and around a HOME – including COOKING, MOVIES, MUSIC and more!
I have been married for 25+ years to my wonderful husband Joe. We have 5 children – Melissa, David, Amanda, Sara and Jonathan. After waiting anxiously – for almost 17 years, being home with my kids for 10 and a Nursery school teacher for 7 years – I FINALLY became a Licensed Realtor – first in Connecticut - where my family and I live – and then in New York – where my office, Century 21 V.J.F. Realty is located.
I was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York. My parents, who came to the US from Portugal, were extremely hard working – with even stronger ethics on being good to everyone – everywhere – period! “Faz bem, nao olhes a quem.” This has been instilled in me all my life, which has made me the mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and the REALTOR I am today. Thank You Ma and Papa. 
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Should You Move or Remodel?
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Fielding a Lowball Purchase Offer on Your Home
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