Courtesy of Ainsley Creighton

Ainsley Creighton

Sales Representative

Direct: 613 545 7253 Office: 613 389 7777

ac@ainsleycreighton.com www.ainsleycreighton.com

Finest Realty Inc., Brokerage Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. #105, 1329 Gardiners Rd Kingston, ON K7P 0L8

2025 | ISSUE 2

There are many different backsplash options available for those looking to renovate their kitchen or just bring new life to the walls above the counters. Gone are the days of a standard four-inch tile above the counter that is functional but not really visually appealing. Modern kitchens have more creative backsplash options from large slabs of marble to small, intricate tile patterns. Some spaces are even seeing backsplash brought in from floor to ceiling to create a visual statement and make smaller rooms feel larger and more cohesive. When you find a backsplash tile that you love, consider making it more eye-catching with a coloured grout. Or choosing a bold colour tile with a neutral grout paired with white cabinets and trim. Mixing tiles, like a classic subway tile along side an intricate pattern tile (above the sink for instance) is another trend designers are incorporating into more kitchens these days too. BOLD BACKSPLASH

Spinach Artichoke Dip

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened • ½ cup grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped • 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry • Tortilla chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, and garlic; mix well. Stir in artichokes and spinach. Transfer to a greased 4- or 5-cup broiler-safe baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese. 2. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Preheat broiler. Place baking dish on a baking sheet. Broil 4-6 inches from heat until top is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Courtesy tasteofhome.com

THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME DIFFERENT ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME, ME.”

PIGLET, CHARACTER IN THE WINNIE-THE-POOH SERIES BY A.A. MILNE

MINDFUL EATING Being mindful in the sense that you’re fully present in the moment and aware of your feelings and thoughts is not a new concept and has long been practiced as a way to find a deeper connection and understanding of yourself and the world you find yourself in. Mindful eating is another aspect of this mindset and can improve digestion, prevent overeating and even help you absorb more nutrients from a meal. A key in mindful eating is to remove distractions like your cell phone, the television or a noisy dishwasher during mealtime. This will allow you to focus more on what you’re eating and how your body is responding. When practicing mindful eating, take the time to taste each bite, chew slowly, put your utensils down between bites, acknowledge what nutrients you’re consuming and pay attention to your hunger cues. You’ll want to engage all of your senses while eating and pay attention to your body telling you you’re full or still hungry or not enjoying a particular taste or smell on your plate. Mindful eating is something that will take time to adjust to so be patient with yourself and if you’re unsure of how to proceed with becoming more mindful, consult a specialist or do more research on the subject

MAGIC SQUARE

A JUMP START ON SPRING CLEANING

The key to solving a magic square is that each row, column, and the 2 corner-to-corner diagonals must total the given sum.

THE SUM IS 75

11

27 20

5

24 22 15 8

18 16 9 7

10 3 26

11 4 27 20 13 5 23 21 14 12 24 22 15 8 6 18 16 9 7 25 17 10 3 26 19

Good luck!

It’s not quite spring, but if you wanted to get a head start on some cleaning projects one weekend, there are quite a few places we often overlook when doing a deep clean of our homes. Walls : Spot clean scuffs and dirty areas first then use warm water and a gentle cleaning agent to wash the entire wall and follow up with a dry cloth to collect excess moisture. Window blinds : Ideally, you’ll be able to take the entire blind off the window and wash it in the bathtub with water and soap. If that’s not the case, start by vacuuming the blind and/or dusting with a rubber sponge and spot cleaning soiled areas. Dishwasher : Shockingly enough running the dishwasher each day isn’t enough to keep it clean and working in tip top shape. Look to your manufacturer’s manual for their recommended cleaning tips but overall, removing and cleaning the filters and spray arms along with scrubbing away any food residue is going to help a lot. Drains : Regularly cleaning your drains (sink and shower) can help prevent clogs and untimely floods. Remove the stopper to clear out any visible blockages like hair, food or grease. Then use either a natural solution (for example baking soda and lemon juice followed by boiling water) or drain specific cleaner to clear out the parts of the drain you can’t access by hand.

SOLUTION

February is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. FEBRUARY FACTS

The birth flower of February is the violet which symbolizes numerous things including faithfulness, everlasting love and innocence.

In the Southern Hemisphere, February is a summer month, similar to August.

The February birthstone is amethyst which can symbolize intellect, love and security.

February is the only month where it is possible there won’t be a full moon. (Not this year though, it’s February 12, 2025.)

Ainsley Creighton

Direct: 613 545 7253 Office: 613 389 7777

ac@ainsleycreighton.com www.ainsleycreighton.com

TRAVEL TIPS

It’s that time of year when many Canadians long for a change of pace from the dark, cold, wet winter and opt for taking vacation to somewhere sunny, warm or tropical. The internet is full of travel blogs and websites from experienced travellers sharing ways to make your trip more enjoyable and efficient. From booking flights to packing tips to what not to purchase at the airport, there is bound to be a resource out there to help you navigate your upcoming journey. Here are a few sites you might want to check out before booking a trip. travel.gc.ca - a comprehensive list of current travel advisories as well as information of required travel documents, how to access emergency assistance abroad and more. Tripadvisor.ca - even if you’re not booking through this website, you’ll find a lot of information on destinations from travellers who have been there; done that. www.travelandleisure.com - a website offering advice on everything from the best toiletry bags to buy to the 50 most beautiful places to see in the world and everything in between.

UNPLUGGING IS GOOD FOR YOU Spending your work week in front of a computer may be inevitable, but how you spend your downtime is completely up to you. Experts say that spending less time in front of screens can reduce sleep issues, depression, anxiety and other physical and mental health concerns. A good way to reduce your screen time is to do so gradually and intentionally. Here are some suggestions you can follow: • Track your screen time over a week. You may be stunned by just how much time you spend on your phone. • Keep screens out of certain rooms in your home such as the bedroom, kitchen or bathroom. • Turn off alerts and notifications for apps other than text and email. You will be less likely to get distracted scrolling on social media after checking a notification. • Set screen limits on your phone so you can only access it during certain periods of the day or for a specific length of time. • Change your phone to grayscale to make scrolling social media or playing games less appealing. • Have a list of alternate activities you like to do so you don’t get bored and frustrated without a screen. Things like reading a physical book, playing a board game, doing a puzzle, going for a walk, getting in a workout, meditating, take a class, sleep, etc.

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