Courtesy of Jack Marsala January 2025

344 O’Connor Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1W1 Hallmark Realty Group Brokerage. Each Office Independently Owned and Operated “in Ottawa”

Jack Marsala Real Estate Broker 563-1155 24 hour paging thru office 613-762-1739 Jack Marsala Real Estate Broker

Metro-City Realty Ltd.,

Brokerage 344 O’Connor Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1W1 Helping Families Find Homes Since 1973 “Helping Families Find Homes Since 1973”

2025 | ISSUE 1

BARNDOMINIUM

While it's not a new concept to convert a barn into a home, it is certainly a trend making it's way into more farms and acreages across the country. A barndominium is more than a barn with bedrooms, or a house with a barn roof though. The term originated in the 1980s, but has been made more common in recent years since a popular home repair duo converted a barn into a contemporary home and viewers fell in love with the style. A barndominium is essentially a

steel (or sometimes wood) home and workspace all under one roof. The interior is highly customizable and often created with an open concept living space that is adjacent to a garage/shop area. Aside from being built relatively quickly and for less than a typical home build, barndominiums are low-maintenance, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and durable.

Turkey Biscuit Stew

INGREDIENTS:

• ⅓ cup chopped onion • ¼ cup butter, cubed • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour • ½ teaspoon salt • ⅛ teaspoon pepper • ¾ cup 2% milk • 1 cup cooked peas

• 1 can (10-1/2 ounces) condensed chicken broth, undiluted • 2 cups cubed cooked turkey • 1 cup cooked whole baby carrots • 1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the turkey, peas and carrots; heat through. Separate biscuits and arrange over the stew. Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 20-25 minutes.

Yields: 8 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins

Courtesy tasteofhome.com

WE MUST ALWAYS CHANGE, RENEW, REJUVENATE OURSELVES; OTHERWISE, WE HARDEN."

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE GERMAN POET, PLAYWRIGHT, NOVELIST, SCIENTIST, STATESMAN

EXTENDING YOUR PHONE'S BATTERY

Almost nothing is more frustrating than having to take an important phone call and noticing your phone battery is in the red zone. There are a few things you can do to preserve your phone's battery life throughout the day so it doesn't get to that point. The most common suggestion is turning down the brightness on your screen or setting it to adapt based on your surroundings. You can also adjust how long your screen stays on after using it. Other tips and tricks include turning off keyboard sounds and vibrations, utilizing the dark theme and turning on the adaptive battery feature which helps your phone prioritize which apps run in the background and how much power they need based on your usage patterns. Now, if you do happen to be running low on battery, you can stretch the life out by not using the phone in general and turning on the battery saver or low power mode. Utilizing the internet, navigating with GPS, watching videos, playing games and streaming videos or music all use a lot of battery power, so restrict if possible.

WINTER PICK ME UP IDEAS

1. I have a neck, but no head. I have two arms, but no hands. What am I? 2. What five-letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down? 3. Ask this question all day long, but always get completely different answers, and yet all the answers will be correct. What is the question? 4. I cannot talk, but I always reply when spoken to. What am I? 5. What can go through glass without breaking it?

Answers: 1.A shirt, 2.SWIMS, 3.What time is it?, 4.An echo, 5.Light.

Commonyms Commonyms are a group of words that have a common trait. For instance: a car, a tree, an elephant - they all have trunks. Now you try! If you get stuck, answers are below each set of words.

Feeling down and lackluster during the long, dark days of winter is common for a number of Canadians. Staying active and getting out of the house are vital to taking care of your mental health this time of year. Partaking in your usual favourite activities might not be an option with the weather conditions and shortened daylight hours, so it might be time to pick up a new hobby while helping you beat the winter blues. Here are some activities to consider. Volunteer —many worthy causes rely on volunteers to provide services throughout the year. Giving back to a cause that's near and dear to your heart will give you purpose, help you meet new people and provide connection to the community. Take a class —research classes provided by your local community center, gym, church, library or store. You never know what's offered and you can learn a new skill, language or hobby. Exercise —if hitting the gym isn't your forte, know that even taking a walk around the local mall or grocery store will help boost your mood because it will trigger the release of endorphins into your body. Go outside —remember that sunlight is important to your mental health as well, so whenever possible during the day pop outdoors for a few minutes to soak up some winter rays. If it's dark when you arrive at and leave from work, consider taking a bit of your coffee or lunch break outside.

Potato • storm • needle Steam • bird • bubble Ball • salad • coin Cold • fish • ball Miner • dentist • guitarIST Swiss • cream • cottage A . They all have eyes. A. Types of baths. A. They all use picks.

A. They are all tossed.

A. They are all caught.

A. Types of cheese.

Jack Marsala 613-762-1739 jack@remaxottawa.com www.jackmarsala.com

MOCHA MOUSSE

You read that right, Mocha Mousse is the 2025 Pantone Colour of the Year. It's a rich, warm earth tone Pantone describes as a "soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires." The colour can be incorporated into your home easily wherever you want to create an inviting, comfortable atmosphere. Pair the earthy brown with metallic pieces for a more sophisticated, chic look. When used with elements of nature (think wooden furniture, greenery, woven textured fabrics, etc.) you can create a more relaxed and welcoming space.

Jack Marsala 563-1155

NEW YEAR NEW GOALS FOR YOUR KIDS Many adults start the New Year with goals or resolutions in mind and a plan to achieve them. Whether it’s a monetary goal, fitness plan, lifestyle change, etc. goals help give you direction and purpose. Goals can be good for children too but with more of a focus on the process itself and not just the desired outcome of achieving the goal. To help your children set goals, sit down with them and make a list of what they want to achieve. Then, choose one or two goals to start the process. Be sure the goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable/Achievable, Relevant and Timely) so they’re easier to follow. Once the goals are set, help your child think through how they will succeed or follow through on their goal. Draw pictures (for younger kids) or write lists of the steps to help children visualize what needs to be done to achieve the desired outcome. As they’re working their way towards the goal, be sure to encourage them, discuss what’s working and what isn’t and be flexible if the process needs to change.

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