Courtesy of Akis Lagoudakis

www.akis.ca akis@royallepage.ca Cell: 604.760.2231

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West Real Estate Services

Volume 17 | Number 11

CUSTOMIZING GENERIC

FURNITURE PIECES Furniture from a big box store is great - it’s affordable, easily accessible, functional and a blank canvas for you to customize. Imagine if everyone in your family received the same piece of furniture and free reign to adjust it to suit their needs. Each unit would look and function completely different. That’s the benefit of purchasing simple furniture pieces that are rather generic to begin with. As your decor and tastes evolve, you can change them rather easily. From paint, to peel and stick tiles, to hardware and feet, the options are really endless. Then, if you grow tired of the piece or it’s no longer functional, you can change it again, sell it or donate it without feeling guilty. Therefore, before your next big purchase, consider buying something you can personalize yourself. Look online for inspiration or head to your local craft supply or home improvement store to see what inspires you.

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL

Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Yields: 6 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS • ¼ cup butter, cubed • ½ cup chopped onion • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups broccoli florets • 1 large carrot, chopped • 3 cups chicken stock • 2 cups half-and-half cream • 2 bay leaves • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon pepper • ¼ cup cornstarch • ¼ cup water or additional chicken stock • 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese • 6 small round bread loaves

DIRECTIONS 1. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter over medium heat; sauté onion and garlic until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in broccoli, carrot, stock, cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 10-12 minutes. 2. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cheese until melted. 3. If using bread bowls, cut a slice off the top of each bread loaf; hollow out bottoms, leaving ¼ inch-thick shells (save removed bread for another use). Fill with soup just before serving. 4. Serve soup with toppings as desired.

Optional toppings: Crumbled cooked bacon, ground nutmeg and pepper ,additional shredded cheddar cheese

Edith Sitwell (Sept 1887 - Dec 1964) was a British poet who published her first poem in 1913 which started a life long career where she received the Benson Medal of the Royal Society of Literature.

WINTER IS THE TIME FOR COMFORT, FOR GOOD FOOD AND WARMTH, FOR THE TOUCH OF A FRIENDLY HAND AND FOR A TALK BESIDE THE FIRE: IT IS THE TIME FOR HOME. - Edith Sitwell

TIME FOR AN ANNUAL FIREPLACE INSPECTION

Before the temperatures drop and you start using your fireplace to warm your home, industry experts suggest having it inspected. An inspection will ensure your fireplace is safe to use, is performing efficiently and complies with local codes and standards. An inspector might also suggest tips on how to prolong the life of your fireplace and how to keep it burning clean to keep your emissions and environmental impact low. This annual task should be performed by a professional but that doesn't mean you can't keep an eye out for potential issues throughout the season. Look for any signs of damage to the exterior, if dust or debris has collected in or around the fireplace, if

the flame isn't consistently blue or shows irregular flickering patterns and other changes in typical function. These are signs that something could be amiss and should be checked out as soon as possible.

SNOW SHOVELLING TECHNIQUE

Even if it's your thousandth time shovelling snow, it doesn't hurt to review proper snow shovelling technique. Like any activity, be sure to stretch and warm up before starting. Stretch your arms, legs, shoulders and back and then march in place for a few minutes to loosen up your body so you're less likely to get injured. Take frequent breaks if the snow is heavy or your area to shovel is large. Remember to stay hydrated and don't shovel on a full stomach; wait a couple of hours after eating. As for technique, aim to push the snow out of the way rather than lift it. Shovel small amounts at a time, especially if the snow is particularly deep or wet to prevent injury. Keep your core engaged (tighten your stomach muscles) when pushing or lifting and avoid twisting your body. Keep your feet hip width apart for balance and hold the shovel close to your body and near the base for maximum leverage and to reduce lower back strain. Always bend at your knees and lift with your legs instead of your back.

SURPRISING SNOWFLAKE FACTS

SUDOKU

The 9×9 square must be filled in with numbers from 1-9 with no repeated numbers in each line, horizontally or vertically. Furthermore, each of the 3×3 squares can't have any repeat numbers either.

Even though winter doesn't officially begin until December 21, and not everyone in Canada will see snow this season, here are some unique facts about snowflakes for your information.

The largest snowflakes ever reported were in Fort Keogh, Montana in 1887 and were reported to be around 15" wide!

Snowflakes are extremely cold, water droplets that freeze onto a pollen or dust particle in the sky forming an ice crystal. As this ice crystal falls to the ground, water vapor freezes onto the crystal building new crystals and thus the snowflake.

A snowflake can take hours to fall from a cloud to the ground as they tend to float down from about 1.6 kilometers to 6.4 kilometers per hour.

Solution:

Featured Listings

CALGARY STATS Vancouver Statistics

BENCHMARK PRICES

NEW LISTING FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

$2,022,900 detached UP 0.3% year-to-year

$757,200 apartment DOWN 1.6% year-to-year

16785 27 Avenue Grandview Heights

12550 206 Street Maple Ridge

Updated corner suite has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, in-suite laundry, and it’s own separate entrance from the patio providing direct access to the courtyard and parking. Close to Willowbrook mall and all other amenities! $559,900 #201 19721 64 Avenue Willoughby

Stunning 3929 sq ft home on the most sought-after street in West Maple Ridge! Nearly $400,000 spent on recent upgrades. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 7191 sq. ft lot backs onto acreage + room for the inlaws! $1,920,000

Exceptional custom-built 8440 sq ft home nestled on a meticulously landscaped 1-acre lot, offering ultimate privacy & a park-like setting with an inground swimming pool. 4 bedrooms, 7 baths! $3,799,000

$1,108,800 townhouse UP 0.4% year-to-year

SOLD

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

5.5 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

18% SALES TO ACTIVE LISTING RATIO

9851 Seavale Road Richmond

Fully updated - 2 bedroom, 2 bath GROUND FLOOR END UNIT townhome in executive sought after ADULT-ORIENTED complex “CHELSEA GARDENS” $750,000 #297 13888 70 Avenue Chelsea Gardens

15049 61B Avenue Sullivan Station

Beautiful, immaculate 4 bedroom, 4 bath , two storey with daylight basement (very easy to suite) home on approx. 4000 sq ft lot! $1,550,000

First time offered for sale by original owner, well-maintained home sits on a spacious 7,760 sq ft lot with lane access 2 car detached shop/garage. $1,699,000

Statistics reflect market activity October 2024. Source: The Greater Vancouver REALTORS ® (GVR). Market values stated are benchmark prices. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to date evaluation of your home.

www.akis.ca akis@royallepage.ca Cell: 604.760.2231

Send your friends and family my way. I treat every client to the same high level of service and effort. No matter the value of the home they are buying or selling. What matters most is my clients satisfaction. Nothing else.

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