HOUSTON Vol. 3 Issue 11
MAKE HOLIDAY GUESTS FEEL
Right at Home
Take Stock!
The Perfect Pantry
Grilled Salmon Fillet The Stockyards
Vibrant Variety
In Bennington, Vermont
Downtown Bennington Vermont
Pantry Prep 101 T
Downtown Bennington is everything you imagine Vermont to be, from the quintessential Main Street experience with over 40 shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafés to a vibrant cultural scene with live equity theater, art galleries, museums, and Vermont’s largest downtown Wi-Fi network. It’s home to four colleges, B&Bs, Riverwalk, a farmers market, and over 40 locally owned businesses including a book shop, bakery, chocolate shop, general store, antique stores, Vermont’s largest arts supply store, library, over a dozen restaurants, and more. Bennington has preserved what most of America has sacrificed; a thriving community center with a rich history, stunning architecture, locally owned shops, and small town hospitality. Downtown Bennington’s Arts District is home to six galleries, two outdoor performance venues, live theater, and the soon-to-be-completed 336 Main Art Park. Source: VermontVacation.com
he holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! And that means it’s time for you and your kitchen to go into overdrive. The pies, the roasts, the cookies galore. How can you get it all done efficiently and beautifully, Martha Stewart style? Just like your clothes closet needs a thorough revamping every season, your kitchen pantry also needs a facelift before it heads into its prime time holiday season. No more rummaging for that one elusive ingredient! First thing to do? Remove all the items from your pantry and check all the expiration dates. Toss anything old and add those items to your shopping list. Next, clean out all the shelves and organize where you want to put various items. Think categories such as baking, spices, canned goods, grains, etc. Put items you use again and again within easy reach, and relegate lesser-used products to the back (tiered shelves work wonders in these situations). For some families, organizing by broader categories such as “school lunches” or “breakfast items” might also be useful. If any family members are on specific diets, for example someone has a food allergy, it might make sense to have a bin or basket where those allergy-friendly items are stored in one specific spot. Label the areas with a label maker and choose attractive, coordinating bins or baskets so your pantry has a unified and pretty look.
An Inviting Visit
T
he holidays are here and for many of us that can mean a house filled to the rafters with friends and family. We all love to have visitors … but having houseguests can add unwanted and unnecessary stress during an already-hectic holiday season. Here’s how to make your overnighters feel warm and comfortable in your abode without you losing your cool. Start out by making your guests feel special from the moment they walk through the door. Make your home look festive—think wreaths, seasonal plants, and holiday accents at your entryway. Fill your rooms with the scents of the season by scattering scented candles throughout your space or even better have freshly baked cookies in the oven to add that cinnamon and spice aroma. One thing guests may not want to be greeted by is a jumping dog. If your visitors aren’t comfortable around dogs or cats, try containing your furry friend in a separate part of the home. Next, show your guests to their room, carry their bags for them, and allow them time to settle in and freshen up. For a nice touch, leave a welcome basket in their room, filled with luxurious toiletries (think organic cleansers, lavender lotions, and even simple items they may have forgotten at home such
Once you’ve got a system in place, go online to get ideas on what ingredients you may still need to get for the busy season ahead. Just Google “holiday pantry checklist” and you’ll find suggestions of items to stock up on for all those traditional holiday recipes. (Think pumpkin pie spice, cloves, and vanilla, which you can never have too much of come December.) After all, there’s nothing worse than starting a recipe only to find you don’t have one or two critical ingredients. Get organized now and save yourself time and headaches later on. For those who think all this is a bit too daunting, consider getting a little help from organization juggernauts IKEA and the Container Store, both of which offer shelving systems. The former offers plenty of shelving options, clip-on baskets, and bottle racks, to keep the pantry organized. The Container Store offers an array of bins and baskets, under shelf bins, and expandable shelves that are sure to make your pantry the envy of all your neighbors.
as toothpaste and a toothbrush, razors, shampoo, and other essentials). Bottled water and festive holiday flowers in their room are special touches that will ensure they feel welcome. Also double check the guest bathroom is stocked with tissues, toilet paper, fluffy towels, and room freshener. Planning ahead by keeping these items stocked in your linen closet can help relieve any last-minute running around town. When it comes to food, do your research ahead of time and make sure your guests don’t have any food allergies or special diets and plan accordingly. Plan meals that are easy to prepare (even better, make them ahead) and would appeal to most palettes. (Hint: Now is not the time to try that five-alarm hot chili or raw foods menu you’ve been reading about!) Stick to more basic fare and offer plenty of vegetarian side dishes for those who prefer to avoid meat. Offer plenty of snacks before the main meal to ensure guests aren’t hungry when they first arrive. Add the final touches—soft candlelight and festive music—and your guests will feel special and know coming to your house was worth the trip.
Grilled Salmon Fillet with Citrus Chile Glaze Salmon 4 (6-8 oz each)
FLAVORFUL
TRAVEL TIME
Fresh salmon fillets
Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat to desired doneness. Citrus Chile Glaze 1 1 1 4 4
c tbsp tbsp tbsp tbsp
Orange juice Lime juice Lemon juice Brown sugar Ancho chile spice
Mix all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and reduce to half of original volume. Remove salmon fillets from the grill and brush with the citrus chile glaze to coat. Serve immediately.
HOMEWISE
At The Stockyards we serve the salmon with our rice pilaf, but you can also accompany it with couscous, orzo, or any grain or pasta of your choice.
StockyardsSteakHouse.com
Downtown Bennington Vermont
Pantry Prep 101 T
Downtown Bennington is everything you imagine Vermont to be, from the quintessential Main Street experience with over 40 shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafés to a vibrant cultural scene with live equity theater, art galleries, museums, and Vermont’s largest downtown Wi-Fi network. It’s home to four colleges, B&Bs, Riverwalk, a farmers market, and over 40 locally owned businesses including a book shop, bakery, chocolate shop, general store, antique stores, Vermont’s largest arts supply store, library, over a dozen restaurants, and more. Bennington has preserved what most of America has sacrificed; a thriving community center with a rich history, stunning architecture, locally owned shops, and small town hospitality. Downtown Bennington’s Arts District is home to six galleries, two outdoor performance venues, live theater, and the soon-to-be-completed 336 Main Art Park. Source: VermontVacation.com
he holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! And that means it’s time for you and your kitchen to go into overdrive. The pies, the roasts, the cookies galore. How can you get it all done efficiently and beautifully, Martha Stewart style? Just like your clothes closet needs a thorough revamping every season, your kitchen pantry also needs a facelift before it heads into its prime time holiday season. No more rummaging for that one elusive ingredient! First thing to do? Remove all the items from your pantry and check all the expiration dates. Toss anything old and add those items to your shopping list. Next, clean out all the shelves and organize where you want to put various items. Think categories such as baking, spices, canned goods, grains, etc. Put items you use again and again within easy reach, and relegate lesser-used products to the back (tiered shelves work wonders in these situations). For some families, organizing by broader categories such as “school lunches” or “breakfast items” might also be useful. If any family members are on specific diets, for example someone has a food allergy, it might make sense to have a bin or basket where those allergy-friendly items are stored in one specific spot. Label the areas with a label maker and choose attractive, coordinating bins or baskets so your pantry has a unified and pretty look.
An Inviting Visit
T
he holidays are here and for many of us that can mean a house filled to the rafters with friends and family. We all love to have visitors … but having houseguests can add unwanted and unnecessary stress during an already-hectic holiday season. Here’s how to make your overnighters feel warm and comfortable in your abode without you losing your cool. Start out by making your guests feel special from the moment they walk through the door. Make your home look festive—think wreaths, seasonal plants, and holiday accents at your entryway. Fill your rooms with the scents of the season by scattering scented candles throughout your space or even better have freshly baked cookies in the oven to add that cinnamon and spice aroma. One thing guests may not want to be greeted by is a jumping dog. If your visitors aren’t comfortable around dogs or cats, try containing your furry friend in a separate part of the home. Next, show your guests to their room, carry their bags for them, and allow them time to settle in and freshen up. For a nice touch, leave a welcome basket in their room, filled with luxurious toiletries (think organic cleansers, lavender lotions, and even simple items they may have forgotten at home such
Once you’ve got a system in place, go online to get ideas on what ingredients you may still need to get for the busy season ahead. Just Google “holiday pantry checklist” and you’ll find suggestions of items to stock up on for all those traditional holiday recipes. (Think pumpkin pie spice, cloves, and vanilla, which you can never have too much of come December.) After all, there’s nothing worse than starting a recipe only to find you don’t have one or two critical ingredients. Get organized now and save yourself time and headaches later on. For those who think all this is a bit too daunting, consider getting a little help from organization juggernauts IKEA and the Container Store, both of which offer shelving systems. The former offers plenty of shelving options, clip-on baskets, and bottle racks, to keep the pantry organized. The Container Store offers an array of bins and baskets, under shelf bins, and expandable shelves that are sure to make your pantry the envy of all your neighbors.
as toothpaste and a toothbrush, razors, shampoo, and other essentials). Bottled water and festive holiday flowers in their room are special touches that will ensure they feel welcome. Also double check the guest bathroom is stocked with tissues, toilet paper, fluffy towels, and room freshener. Planning ahead by keeping these items stocked in your linen closet can help relieve any last-minute running around town. When it comes to food, do your research ahead of time and make sure your guests don’t have any food allergies or special diets and plan accordingly. Plan meals that are easy to prepare (even better, make them ahead) and would appeal to most palettes. (Hint: Now is not the time to try that five-alarm hot chili or raw foods menu you’ve been reading about!) Stick to more basic fare and offer plenty of vegetarian side dishes for those who prefer to avoid meat. Offer plenty of snacks before the main meal to ensure guests aren’t hungry when they first arrive. Add the final touches—soft candlelight and festive music—and your guests will feel special and know coming to your house was worth the trip.
Grilled Salmon Fillet with Citrus Chile Glaze Salmon 4 (6-8 oz each)
FLAVORFUL
TRAVEL TIME
Fresh salmon fillets
Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat to desired doneness. Citrus Chile Glaze 1 1 1 4 4
c tbsp tbsp tbsp tbsp
Orange juice Lime juice Lemon juice Brown sugar Ancho chile spice
Mix all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and reduce to half of original volume. Remove salmon fillets from the grill and brush with the citrus chile glaze to coat. Serve immediately.
HOMEWISE
At The Stockyards we serve the salmon with our rice pilaf, but you can also accompany it with couscous, orzo, or any grain or pasta of your choice.
StockyardsSteakHouse.com
Dedicated To Your Northwest Houston Real Estate Needs
Enrique Lima 832-797-1746 ELima@REBGroupOnline.com In addition to showing clients the best of what Houston has to offer, Enrique is dedicated to his spiritual growth, enjoys spending time with his family, and playing golf.
Enrique Lima epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work, and creative service in every detail of your real estate transaction. Enrique grew up in Cypress, TX and started his sales habit in elementary school with a candy business. His entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow and sprouted in intermediate school with Lima’s Landscaping Services. He began his real estate career in 2004, and founded Real Estate Brokerage Group in 2009. Enrique has served in every aspect of the industry over the past 11 years serving sellers, buyers, investors, and companies, in both the residential and commercial market. Enrique also works in the property management side of the real estate profession. Enrique is devoted to the Northwest Houston area and its economic growth. He has served with several committees and boards with the Houston Northwest Chamber, the Economic Development Committee, Renaissance 1960, Boy Scouts of America, Klein Education Foundation, and Leadership North Houston, to name a few. As a leader in his community and his field, Enrique has a great love for service and is passionate about the needs and goals of his clients.
Enrique Lima 15814 Champion Forest | 110 | Spring, TX | 77379
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