Courtesy of Laurie Fearon & Shapoor Hoghooghi

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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.

LAURIE FEARON & SHAPOOR HOGHOOGHI REAL ESTATE BROKERS

LAURIE: 514.575.7984 | Brokers@LaurieFearon.com SHAPOOR: 514.295.8787 | Brokers@ShapoorHoghooghi.com

www.YourMontrealRealtors.com

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

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

(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.

- 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.

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL

Yields: 6 servings | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup cornstarch • ¼ cup water or additional chicken stock • 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese • 6 small round bread loaves Optional toppings: Crumbled cooked bacon, ground nutmeg and pepper ,additional shredded cheddar cheese

• 3 cups chicken stock • 2 cups half-and-half cream • 2 bay leaves • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon pepper

• ¼ cup butter, cubed • ½ cup chopped onion • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 4 cups broccoli florets • 1 large carrot, chopped

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.

Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

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:

BUYING THRIFT STORE FURNITURE TIPS

Spending a weekend afternoon browsing thrift stores, estate sales or antique stores for new-to-you pieces for your home is not only a great way to spend a day but a great way to add unique pieces to your home. Plus, you're giving second life to items so they don't end up in the landfill; you can feel good about making a positive impact on the environment at the same time. Not everything you find will be worth your while, so here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping. First, make a list of what you're looking for as well as pertinent measurements. Bring a tape measure along so you can easily determine if a certain piece will fit or not. Once you know the item will fit where you want it to, do a thorough inspection. Look at it from all angles, smell it, lift it, consider how you'll get it home, etc. Small cosmetic damage can add character or be fixed, but structural issues or a strong odour will take a lot more time and effort to repair, which might not be worth your investment. When more extensive work is required, see if you can negotiate on the price. To know if you’re being charged a fair price, try a quick search online to see what similar items are listed for. Take into consideration repair costs before forking over your hard-earned cash. Once you have the item at home, give it a thorough clean. Baking soda will help remove odours and a good scrubbing should take care of most other dirt and grime. Then sit back and enjoy your new purchase.

COLD AND FLU SEASON As we all know, getting a flu shot is a highly recommended way to prevent the flu this time of year. In addition to preventative vaccines, health experts remind everyone to take these preventative measures to avoid picking up a cold or flu: 1. wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds with lots of soap and scrubbing) 2. ensure you're eating a balanced diet 3. drink enough fluids so you're not dehydrated

4. prioritize sleep; aim for seven to eight hours each night 5. reduce stress to keep your immune system in tip top shape 6. exercise daily

If you do happen to catch a cold or flu, stay home and away from others to avoid spreading your germs. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue or the crook of your elbow and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.

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