Courtesy of Gary Jones

GARY JONES Office: 604.433.2211 Cell: 604.209.8080 gjones@remax.net www.garyjones.realtor

Crest Realty

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. 1 - 5050 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 4C2

THE TERRACOTTA TREND

2026 | ISSUE 6

Terracotta has grown in popularity and use for decoration. Celebrated for its sun-baked warmth, rich texture and incredible versatility, this clay-based ceramic is the perfect way to infuse your home with vibrant, high-energy colour that bridges the gap between indoor comfort and outdoor living. While classic terracotta is famous for its earthy orange-red hues, today’s trend embraces a much bolder spectrum, from fiery sun-drenched shades to saturated pinks and deep rustic reds, with these eye-catching colours breathing new life into contemporary design. Ready to embrace this vibrant trend? You can incorporate bold terracotta into your space by selecting shades that harmonize with your existing colour scheme, incorporating terracotta details such as decorations, art, linens and curiosities to carry the colour throughout the room, and combining terracotta with natural materials like wood for a softer appeal. You can also use terracotta plant pots instead of plastic ones for better drainage, coordinate outdoor planters with warm-toned flowers like Mountain Agoseris, Butterflyweed, Scarlet Painted Cup and Red-eyed Susan. Install a terracotta backsplash for authentic traditional charm, construct rustic garden paths, fences and dividers using terracotta bricks, and apply terracotta coloured wall paint and accents to add warmth and depth. Did you know the word comes directly from the Italian terra cotta? It literally translates to “baked earth” or “cooked earth.”

Soy-Ginger Glaze GRILLED VEGGIE KEBABS WITH

INGREDIENTS:

Glaze: • ¼ cup soy sauce • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 1 tbsp grated ginger

Veggies*: • 1 red onion • 2 bell peppers • 2 zucchinis • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 4 minced garlic cloves • ½ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop up the vegetables into 1” chunks. 2. Whisk all glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. 3. Thread the vegetables onto skewers. 4. Brush skewers generously with glaze. Save a small amount for basting later. 5. Preheat the grill to medium (180°C). 6. Grill for 8–10 minutes, turning and basting occasionally until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred. *Make it yours: swap in mushrooms, pineapple chunks, eggplant or corn on the cob!

REJUVENATING SOCIETY AND GIVING US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE ARE BEST NURTURED BY THE GOOD DEEDS THAT WE DO FOR OTHERS.”

DR. ROBERTA BONDAR

The rise of porch pirates, individuals who illicitly seize delivered packages from residential doorsteps, has become a significant concern for modern homeowners. This crime of opportunity is often underreported, yet thieves’ tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Porch Pirate Prevention: • Secure deliveries by installing heavy-duty, bolted-down lockboxes. • Deter thieves using motion-activated LED lighting and visible security signs. • Use strategic landscaping (like planters or shrubs) to hide packages from the street. • Redirect packages to secure third-party pickup locations (lockers, retail points) or your workplace. • Require a signature upon delivery for high-value items. • Use carrier apps to reroute packages mid-transit if plans change. • Coordinate with neighbours to accept packages on your behalf. • Position security cameras to cover street-level approach paths, rather than just the porch itself. If theft occurs, documentation is essential for reimbursement. Keep all digital invoices, tracking histories, delivery confirmation photos and product serial numbers. Immediately file reports with the retailer, the carrier and your financial institution.

PARCEL SECURITY

RESILIENT PLANTS

Gardening across Canada can be a real challenge. High wind speeds, fluctuating temperatures, short summers and surprise frosts can kill plants overnight. That’s why leaning on Canadian native plants is such a gamechanger. These plants have spent thousands of years adapting to our local weather, so they don’t just survive — they thrive where other plants struggle, turning your yard into a hotspot for local birds and pollinators by providing the exact food and shelter they need. By choosing local plants, you’re choosing a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that’s already built to handle the Canadian outdoors. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a prairie native that is built for extremes. Beyond its toughness, it provides a stunning visual payoff, turning a deep reddish bronze in the autumn and providing seeds for wintering birds. Canada Columbine and Lanceleaf Coreopsis are known for their resilience, with smaller leaves that help reduce wind resistance. Silverweed (Argentina anserina) and New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) are dense, low-growing shrubs. Virgin’s Bower, also known as Clematis virginiana, is perfect for vertical interest. This plant’s vines are flexible enough to sway rather than snap.

Word Scramble

What does corn say when it feels embarrassed? Aw-shucks! What’s a dancer’s

Let’s make a sizzling kabob! Unscramble the words below to reveal the ingredients.. Hint: Some of them are from the vegetable kabob recipe, but not all of them.

favourite kind of vegetable? Spin-ach!

1. DRE NOONI 2. AAOPELJN 3. LLBE RSEPEPP 4. CCIHIUZN 5. CRNOA QUASSH 6. REHCYR STAMOTEO 7. MOSRHMOUS 8. AELPEPNIP 9. GLPTGEAN 10. ENWMERLOTA 11. RNCO 12. WTEES TEAPSOOT

What is a zucchini’s favourite game? Squash! How do you fix a broken tomato? Tomato paste! Which vegetable can’t you take on a boat? Leeks! Why did everyone dance to the vegetable band? It had a good beet!

Answer Key 1. Red onion, 2. Jalapeño, 3. Bell peppers, 4. Zucchini, 5. Acorn squash, 6. Cherry tomatoes, 7. Mushrooms, 8. Pineapple, 9. Eggplant, 10. Watermelon, 11. Corn, 12. Sweet potatoes

GARY JONES Cell: 604.209.8080 gjones@remax.net www.garyjones.realtor

GROWING A CONTAINER HERB GARDEN

Growing herbs in containers enhances not only your kitchen ingredients but also your home’s ambience, adding freshness to the space. Herbs are convenient, aromatic and useful year-round, providing fragrant foliage, visual interest and a steady supply of leaves for cooking even after the outdoor season ends. Consider herbs like mint, thyme, oregano and parsley. Not only are they fast-growing, used in many recipes and smell amazing, but they are also known for their gorgeous appearance. Consider popular options like chives and green onions, their savory flavour is a favourite in many dishes. Basil and rosemary also add beauty and flavour but can be more challenging to grow. Both garlic and dill add great flavour to a range of dishes, but they require more space than other herbs.

OPTIMIZING YOUR WORKSPACE Remote employment offers a unique opportunity to manage your work-life balance effectively, yet it also presents distinct challenges. A primary concern for those working remotely is the development of chronic back pain resulting from prolonged sedentary behaviour. This is typically caused by a combination of poor ergonomics and inefficient configurations, which often lead to reduced productivity and physical ailments such as migraines, cramping and eye strain. Here are some suggestions for ergonomic improvements to renew your work-from-home productivity: • Seating : Investing in an adjustable chair or utilizing lumbar cushions can provide significantly better support. • Peripheral Tools : Using an external keyboard and mouse helps keep your hands and wrists in a neutral position. • Monitor Placement : Elevating your screen to eye level reduces neck strain. • Modify computer settings : adjusting your monitor’s brightness, font size and contrast preferences.

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