Courtesy of Doug Smilski

LEFTOVER DELIGHT: TURKEY POTATO CHOWDER

Courtesy of www.aheadofthyme.com

INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons butter ½ small onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 cups chicken stock 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a pot, melt butter over medium-high heat, until it bubbles. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender and starting to brown, about 3-4 minutes. 2. Add flour and mix well until combined. Cook for 1 minute. Pour in stock and Italian seasoning and mix well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, about 3-4 minutes. Add in mashed potatoes, stir until potatoes have broken up. Let the soup simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Add turkey and half and half cream. Cook until heated through, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in corn and season with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and green onions, if desired.

2-3 cups cooked turkey 1 cup half and half cream ½ cup corn, frozen salt and pepper (to taste)

cheddar cheese (optional topping) parsley, chopped (optional topping)

Courtesy of www.ehow.com

BRAIN TEASERS Courtesy of www.riddles.com

Considered by many to be the father of American rocketry, Robert Hutchings Goddard was an engineer, professor, physicist and inventor who is credited with creating and building the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. He successfully launched his rocket on March 16, 1926, which ushered in an era of space flight and innovation that continues to the modern day. A visionary, he imagined what was possible, and then through work and study turned that vision into a reality. It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. -Robert Hutchings Goddard

1. What 8 letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes a word. Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on doing that until you have one letter left. What is the word? 2. I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I? 3. What belongs to you, but other people use it more than you?

Answers: 1. The word is starting! starting, staring, string, sting, sing, sin, in, I.

2. Fire. 3. Your name.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ANY HOME RENOVATION

Spending money on upgrades with hopes that the investment will generate profit is a common practice for sellers. Aside from simple upgrades, such as new curtains or adding a fresh coat of paint, practical improvements that improve the livability of the home have the best proven return on investment. Examples include: Altering the layout or functionality of a home will typically improve its value more than a large construction effort that adds structure but not form. An upgraded kitchen or eating area will probably have more value than a swimming pool or backyard water feature for example. Builders know certain upgrades pay off when it comes time to sell. Remodelled bathrooms, installation of new windows and others have historically added to a home’s value. Improving a plumbing or heating system, such as incorporating modern energy-saving technology is another upgrade that has proven value. Any upgrades that reduce operating costs or reduce its environmental footprint are also popular. Switching to energy-efficient lighting, sealing off heat loss areas and upgrading a home’s insulation are relatively simple choices. Before you begin, create a budget and try to calculate how much your efforts will add to the home’s value. Talking with a REALTOR ® , a home builder or staff at a local home improvement store might provide you with ideas. Then, once you’re ready, get to work.