Courtesy of Sonnichsen Team September 2020

Blair & Tyson Sonnichsen

Dynamic Real Estate 3-1450 Corydon Avenue Winnipeg MB R3N 0J3

204 989 5000 tf: 877 800 5066 Blair@WinnipegHomes.com Tyson@WinnipegHomes.com

Visit us at: www.WinnipegHomes.com

Volume 13 Number 9

COUNTERTOP TRENDS The variety of countertops available seems to be ever- changing. If you’re in the market for a countertop upgrade, here are three popular materials and finishes that are currently trending. Quartz. Introduced as an alternative to granite, which comes with a bit of maintenance, quartz has the beauty of natural stone with the durability of a manmade product. And while this non-porous material has been around for awhile – all signs show it isn’t going anywhere. Leathered. A finish rather than a material, leathered countertops can be granite, marble and quartz. The finish gives a soft sheen, but is much more matte than a polished countertop. It also has a texture that hides fingerprints and spots extremely well.

Recycled glass. Just as in other areas of home construction, many homeowners consider sustainability as an important factor when choosing a countertop. And while there are multiple countertop options that are easier on the environment, recycled glass is near the top of the wanted list because of its durability and appearance. Made from small pieces of broken glass and held together with a resin, recycled glass counters have the look of natural stone – with a twist.

INGREDIENTS : 6 firm Roma (plum) tomatoes 1/2 red or white onion, diced HOMEMADE PICO DE GALLO Courtesy of www.ehow.com If you love zesty and fresh flavors, treat yourself to homemade pico de gallo. It calls for just a handful of ingredients and zero cooking time. Simply chop, mix and chill in the refrigerator. Enjoy it as a dip or topping... or eat it by the spoonful! Juice from 1/2 lime 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1. Cut each tomato in half. Scoop out the seeds and pulp and dice. 2. Repeat with the jalapeño pepper, if using. For extra heat, leave some seeds. 3. Finely chop the cilantro. 4. Juice the lime. 5. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix well, then cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, let chill for two hours or more. 6. After chilling, taste your homemade pico de gallo. Feel free to add more lime juice, cilantro or spices, if you’d like. 7. When it’s time to dig in, pair with tortilla chips or add to burritos, tacos or quesdillas. Be sure to use a slotted spoon.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with the remaining basil and serve. FALL WEATHER GARDENING CHECKLIST If you have a garden, then autumn means time to start thinking about readying your garden for winter. Even if you live in a part of the country where colder weather is a few months away, there’s plenty to do to ensure all your hard work pays off – and that your garden will be ready to go next spring. Here is a checklist of all the big and small fall tasks to tackle in your garden space.  Cover any water features with netting to collect the falling leaves.  Plant any new trees or shrubs in order to give them time to root before frost settles in.  Plant spring flowering bulbs.  Clean any bird feeders.  Clean your gardening tools and sharpen lawn mower blade and pruners.  Pull weeds before they go to seed in order to control them next year.  Fertilize your lawn.  Cut any diseased portions off perennials and do not compost.  Rake and compost leaves as they fall.  Harvest and clean up remaining vegetables and fruit plants.  Continue watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.  Collect seeds and herbs for drying.  Add compost or manure to your garden beds.

HOW LIGHTING CAN SELL YOUR HOME

There are a lot of things to think about when readying your home for sale. Repairing broken door knobs, painting scuffed walls and adding curb appeal are all must-do’s. But there are other often forgotten things that play an important role in preparing to list. Lighting is one of those things. Perhaps you feel the lighting in your home is sufficient. However, if you carefully consider how a potential buyer will view its lighting, you’ll begin to take on a new perspective. Not only do rooms need to be adequately lit simply so buyers can see what the home looks like, but light fixtures help create an overall feel to your spaces. Perhaps your home is well maintained, but your light fixtures are leftovers from decades gone by. Dated fixtures can be a turn off and even though lighting is relatively easy to change, buyers may not want to purchase a property they feel they need to update right away. The next thing to consider is how the amount of light in a room can change its vibe. For example, an under-lit kitchen can feel small and dingy. Meanwhile the exact same room with flush-mounted pot lights and over-the-island pendants feels like the perfect space to whip up a tasty home cooked meal. You’ll also want to consider the role of each room when examining your lighting. Bedrooms need both soft light – such as table lamps – and bright overhead lights for cleaning and organizing. And don’t assume that having plenty of windows means you don’t need as much lighting. Natural light is fantastic for daytime showings, but what about buyers who want to come in the evening? You’ll have to wow them without the help of the sun. Last up, consider installing a few dimmer switches in spaces such as the living room, bedrooms and kitchen. Being able to choose the level of lighting is something that feels a tad luxurious – and that buyers will certainly appreciate.

PUZZLE - WORD SEARCH FOR KIDS

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SOLUTION :

HOW TO LET GO OF YOUR OLD STYLE Whether you’re readying your home for sale, or are simply in need of a fresh start, you may be holding onto your past decor style more than you think. While it can feel comforting to keep the furniture and accessories we’ve had for years, being too attached is often what leaves us stuck in a home style rut. If you’re ready to let go of the past and create an interior space that reflects more of who you are right now – read on! First, get inspired. Head online or pick up a current design and decor magazine and study the rooms you find. Instead of writing a space off as not your style, study it and see if any elements jump out at you. Maybe you’re more farmhouse than industrial, but a matte black metal light fixture has caught your eye. Lean more toward traditional than contemporary? Many contemporary spaces incorporate elements of a more traditional decor style. Once you’ve made note of a few items from other styles that you’d like to bring into your space, look at your own home with a more objective eye. Do you own decor items that no longer bring you joy? Or that feel dated? Consider swapping them out for an item with a different vibe. For example, update a heavy, wooden coffee table for one with simple metal legs. Or go the other way and replace a lightweight piece with something that has more presence and detail. Gone are the days homeowners have to stick to one decor style. Today’s trend is blending elements frommultiple styles, which helps to create a home that is uniquely you. 5 CREATIVE HOBBIES TO TRY RIGHT NOW Aside from giving us something to do in our spare time, hobbies provide s many additional benefits. They can help us to relax, get exercise, create, grow, learn and connect. Some hobbies can even bring in extra cash flow, if you create or do something you can sell. Here are five creative hobbies to try right now. And remember, if you aren’t getting enjoyment from a hobby – you can always try another one! Bullet journaling. Part organizational skill, part creative outlet, bullet journaling has become extremely popular – especially among the young and extremely busy crowd. You can start with a blank notebook or buy a premade planner, but the goal is to record your life and plan for future goals using colourful lettering and drawings. Cross-stitching. Like so many trends, in the world of hobbies what is old becomes new again. The oldest form of embroidery, cross- stitching has been around since the Middle Ages. The current trend is to mix this classic hobby with modern sayings or adorable nature themes. Photography. With the popularity of smart phones, it’s almost like everyone has become a photographer. But there’s a difference between simply taking pictures and being an artist. The cool thing is, that even if you only have a cell phone, you can still begi o learn the principles of photogra hy by trying out free nline urse. Origami. The classic art of folding paper is one of those hobbies that can r ge from simple to extremely complex. It’s really up to you how far you want to take it! Creating anything from plants to animals to buildings is a great way to b th create and to sharpen your mind. Cake Baking. If you already love to cook and bake, cake decorating may be the perfect hobby for you. And if you’ve never baked anything in your life – maybe now is the time to try! Not only is cake decorating something for you to enjoy, but your friends and family members will love eating your creations.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY ORGANIZATION TIPS Home organization is one of those areas that can range in cost from inexpensive to high-end. Thankfully, you don’t actually need to spend a lot in order to get that “everything in its place” look and feel. Here are three tips – and complimentary products – that will help your home feel like it was just overhauled by Marie Kondo. Reuse and DIY. You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on fancy bins and dividers. You likely have items around the home that can be repurposed. Use ribbons from gifts to wrap your sheet sets together. Not only does this look nice, it also saves you from having to search for matching sheets and pillowcases. Transform boxes into storage bins by covering with paper, fabric, or wrapping with string. No one but you will know they began as humble cardboard. Unify. It’s amazing how much more organized your closets and drawers will feel if you create unity. In closets, use only one kind of hanger – made from a simple material like wood or metal. Same goes for any in-drawer organization tools you buy. Many home stores carry bamboo trays or ones made from clear plastic. Colourful items seem fun, but they can add to the chaos if they clash with everything else. Neutral or clear organizers blend in more and can be found in a range of prices. Hang it up. Use hooks, bags – even decorative ladders – to hang things up at various locations around your home. You’re more likely to tidy up if it feels easy. Inexpensive hooks and other places to drape items play a double role as they also add to the aesthetic of your home.

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