Courtesy of Lori Loewen

Volume 16 | Number 2

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2023 A group of top interior design experts put their collective creative heads together and determined that these will be some of the most sought-after design features this year. Multi-purpose Room : Having a room that serves more than one function is a design feature experts feel is here to stay. A living room can also be a games room if you bring in the pool table, or the entertainment room if that ’s where the big screen TV is located. Many clients of the top designers want their homes designed in such a way that any room in the house could fulfill more than one function. Sustainability : The concept of sustainability has become a way of life. This includes making sustainable choices inside our own homes. Many designers and builders have embraced the sustainability movement by constructing homes that are both energy efficient and non-polluting, far beyond anything constructed before. Reduce, reuse and recycle has become the mantra of many in Canada – a movement that includes everything from LED lightbulbs to incorporating vintage furniture in a design rather than purchasing new items. Open Floor Plans : While not every designer agrees, the bulk still believe that wide open space in the form of an open floor plan is still the preferred design choice. One school of thought says an open plan is yesterday’s choice, but for many the clean open expanse from the kitchen to the living room is a welcome contrast to the cloistered, private workspaces often found in modern offices.

MEATLOAF: THE PERFECT COMFORT FOOD

Courtesy of www.natashaskitchen.com

MEATLOAF INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs lean ground beef 1 med. onion, finely chopped 2 large eggs 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 tbsp ketchup 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

GLAZE INGREDIENTS: ¾ cup ketchup 1½ tsp white vinegar 2½ tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp ground black pepper ¼ tsp salt

¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs 1 / 3 cup milk 1½ tsp salt, or to taste 1½ tsp Italian seasoning ¼ tsp ground black pepper ½ tsp ground paprika

DIRECTIONS: 1. Line a 9”x5” loaf pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375˚F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients for the meatloaf. Mix well to combine. 3. Add meat to the loaf pan, gently press meat down and shape evenly and bake meatloaf at 375˚F for 40 minutes. 4. In a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients together for the sauce. Spread the sauce over meatloaf then return to oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 160˚F. Rest meatloaf 10 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with baking juices from the pan.

" WHEN A TRADITION GATHERS ENOUGH STRENGTH TO GO ON FOR CENTURIES, YOU DON’T JUST TURN IT OFF ONE DAY.” -Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet and critic who is regarded as the dominant figure of modern African literature. His first novel and magnum opus, ‘Things Fall Apart ’ (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated and read African novel.

OLD IDEAS ARE FINDING NEW LIFE IN OUR MODERN WORLD

What ’s old is new again – it ’s an adage that many Canadians now know as they have either rediscovered, or learned for the first time, the value and pleasure that comes from making goods and products with their own hands. As therapy, as hobbies, and in some cases as homebased businesses, a myriad of different products and practices have been saved from creative extinction thanks to the dedicated effort of crafters from coast to coast to coast. Basket weaving, has now found a fascinated audience. Using fibers as diverse as reeds, grasses and even synthetic materials, artists are producing beautiful and practical items that could include everything from simple baskets, to mats, art pieces and even furniture. Another resurrected Canadian craft is candle-making. What was once a farmhouse necessity is today a creative and often lucrative hobby or business. Working with everything from paraffin and beeswax to such exotics as gels and even soy, home made candles bring light, warmth and aroma into a home.

Ceramic enthusiasts have once again discovered the potter’s wheel and the joy of shaping wet clay into something that could potentially last for centuries. Ceramic societies have sprung up, and college level courses are regularly taught to provide knowledge and inspiration to those with a yearning to create.

HOMEOWNERS HAVE CHOICE WITH

ROOFING MATERIAL

A key part of the structure, look and efficiency of any home is its roof. But as no two people are the same, so it goes with the choice of roofing material used in the construction of Canadian homes. These are some of the common roofing materials employed by contemporary builders. Clay or Concrete Tiles can add a combination of texture and elegance to a roof. Coming in a variety of colours and styles, you can choose designs that are flat, scalloped or ribbed in appearance. Clay and concrete tiles help to regulate indoor temperatures, are great for shedding water and are highly durable. However, these tiles are very heavy and cannot be supported by all roof structures. Consult an engineer if you are thinking about clay or concrete tiles for your home.

Asphalt Shingles are one of the most common materials used in roofing today. Relatively inexpensive to produce and straightforward to install, asphalt shingle roofs are used throughout North America and are suitable for a wide range of architectural styles. Metal Roofs are highly resistant to extreme weather conditions, and are in use across the country on everything from sub-urban homes to log cabins. Metal roofs normally come in one of two different styles. Panels or shingles and can be constructed of different materials including aluminum, copper, stainless steel and even zinc.

BRAIN TEASERS Courtesy of www.rd.com 1. No matter how little or how much you use me, you change me every month. What am I? 2. Spelled forwards I’m what you do every day, spelled backward I’m something you hate. What am I?

3. I have branches, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I? 4. Two in a corner, one in a room, zero in a house, but one in a shelter. What am I? Mathdoku Complete the puzzle by entering the numb s 1 through 9 in each empty white cell. Each number will be used exactly once, a d there is only one unique solution that will satisfy all six equations. Good luck!

1. A calendar 2. Live 3. Bank 4. The letter “R.”

Answers:

= 17

×

+

MATHDOKU Complete the puzzle by entering the numbers 1 through 9 in each empty white cell. Each number will be used exactly once, and there is only one unique solution that will satisfy all six equations. Good luck!

–

–

×

7

÷

+

=

+

+

+

= 10

–

+

=

=

=

7

12

23

Courtesy of www.printable-puzzles.com

Puzzle ID: UUJ642U7

Moderate

Supply of lower-priced homes remains low for January

$277,600 apartment UP 9.68% year-to-year

$622,800 detached UP 6.74% year-to-year

BENCHMARK PRICES

1,852 NEW LISTINGS 1,199 SOLD LISTINGS

$361,400 rowhouse UP 12.34% year-to-year

detached 879 detached 561 318 apartment 545 apartment

65% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

42 DAYS ON MARKET

2.04 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

ACTIVE LISTINGS (residential inventory) 2,451

Calgary, February 1, 2023 - The level of new listings in January fell to the lowest levels seen since the late 90s. While new listings fell in nearly every price range, the pace of decline was higher for lower priced properties. At the same time, sales activity did slow compared to the high levels reported last year but remained consistent with long-term trends. However, there has been a shift in the composition of sales as detached homes only comprised 47 percent of all sales. “Higher lending rates are causing many buyers to seek out lower priced products in our market,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann Marie Lurie. “However, the higher rates are likely also preventing some move-up activity in the market impacting supply growth for lower priced homes. This is causing differing conditions in the housing market based on price range.”

With 2,451 units available in inventory, levels remain 43 percent lower than long-term trends for the month. While overall inventory levels are slightly lower than last January, there is significant variation by price range. Homes priced under $500,000 reported year-over-year inventory declines of nearly 30 percent while inventory levels improved for homes prices above that level. Although conditions are not as tight as last year, lower supply levels are preventing a significant shift toward balanced conditions and prices did trend up slightly over last month breaking the seven consecutive month slide. As of January, the benchmark price reached $520,900, 5 percent higher than last January, but still well below the May 2022 high of $546,000. Statistics reflect market activity in January 2023 | Source: CREB ® Calgary Real Estate Board. Market values stated are of the benchmark of the city of Calgary. 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.

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