Lauras Choice

A Blog from Laura Kubicki

Triad Monthly Market Update – March 2017

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Here’s your monthly real estate update for our area for February 2017.  Remember the data lags by one month so March’s report shows activity for the preceding month – February!

The real estate market continues to build momentum as we head into Spring.  Take a look at this…

  • The number of properties that closed in February was up 12% YTD vs 2016! Over the last 12 months, resale closed properties have increased by 15.4% with the average price improving by 3.5%.
  • The total number of active listings, whether looking at the overall market or just new construction, are down by 35% vs 2015.
  • By comparing active listings to total sales during the last 12 months there is currently a 4.1 month supply of inventory, both overall and for newly built homes.

I hope you find this information useful!  Stay tuned for next month’s report…

Spinach with Spunk

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Hi Guys!

One veg I often turn to in the winter months is Frozen Spinach.  It’s quick, easy, good for you, and warm.  Great side to throw next to just about anything and the amount of spinach you actually get in a freezer baggie is generous!  I buy bags and bags of this stuff for sides as well as soup, stew, pasta, and egg additions!

And when I use it as a side – besides salt and pepper…we add a splash of…

Red Wine Vinegar.

Yep.  I call it “Spinach with Spunk”!  And that’s it.  We just drip drops of “RWV” on top to taste.  Nothing else.  No fat.  No cream.  Just tons of spunky, tangy, flavor for about $1.49 a bag!

A friend of mine tried this idea the other day…ok folks – her youngest had TWO helpings.

Anyway, just a quick thought to share…in case you’re into the “tangy” type thing at dinner!

ps.  Goes great with Mac and Cheese or Pot Roast…!  Let me know what you think!

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Decorating Advice: Creating Focal Points

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Creating Captivating Focal Points

Hello Friends!

For those of you who are in the process of buying a new home, you may wonder how to put your personal stamp on its décor. How do you start? I always recommend, whether you’re decorating a living room, bedroom or bath, starting with a focal point – to enhance the room’s ambiance and underscore the room’s purpose.

Focal points can be easily be created by highlighting a room’s unique architecture, such as a magnificent fireplace or a sunny bay window with a garden, pastoral or water view. But what if some rooms don’t have an outstanding architectural feature to build upon? You may have to create one yourself. Here are some tricks of the trade you can use – size, color, light, and curiosity.

Size: Large items attract interest. Start by putting the largest piece of furniture against the largest wall to help traffic flow.  This can be an entertainment center in a family room, the bed or recessed seating area in a bedroom, hutch in a dining room etc.  Rugs also command attention and work to anchor your décor.

Color and Texture: Paint a contrasting wall color behind your sofa or bed, or add texture with fabric, colorful quilts, or wood such as shiplap. Pop the color on small items like pillows, table runners, and placemats. Vivid color helps direct the eye to seating areas and pairs well with neutrals.

Shiplap creates a dramatic, natural focal point for this fireplace.

Light: Your eye travels to where it can see the best. Put directional light on a piece of fine art. Dim or brighten lighting when you want to change the room’s atmosphere.  Make sure you have plenty of lamp light vs. the harshness of bright overhead lighting.  Cabinet lighting can create a beautiful glowing focal point in your kitchen!

Curiosity: A collection under glass, a great piece of art, interesting plants, flowers, or books, an unusual piece of furniture – all invite conversation and draw attention.

By establishing your focal point, I’m sure you’ll have an easier time putting the rest of the room together!

Thanks for reading and have fun decorating my friends!  As always call/text/email/comment me if I can help your further!

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Triad Monthly Market Update – Feb 2017

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The real estate market continues to build momentum as we head into Spring.  Take a look at this…
The number of properties that closed in January was up 12% YTD vs 2016!

  • Over the last 12 months, resale closed properties have increased by 15.4% with the average price improving by 3.5%
  • The total number of active listings, whether looking at the overall market or just new construction, are down by 35% vs 2015.
  • By comparing active listings to total sales during the last 12 months there is currently a 4.1 month supply of inventory, both overall and for newly built homes.

I hope you find this information useful!  As always, if I can ever be of any help to you, or your friends and family, I do hope you’ll text, call, or email me at your convenience! And thank you for all your referrals!

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli

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Laura’s Choice Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli

Hi Guys!

Holy cow – it’s FEBRUARY!!   How in the world did that happen!

My dear readers and friends…I must confess.  The truth is this hot, creamy, cheesy concoction was supposed to be posted in January for you, but low and behold – life happened.  And so here we are the first of Feb and I’m finally getting this out…luckily it’s still cold outside and this meal is still drooling-ly delicious!  Please forgive :o)!

So…let me ask.  Is there anyone who doesn’t just love macaroni and cheese?  My kids practically dive in and so, ahem…does Jason!  However, being a stickler for veggies and lots of protein, I just feel a bit chintzy serving it plain as a main dish dinner – so I always use whole wheat pasta and add in ham, broc, and cheesy tomatoes…and just YUM! Plus you know with all those complex nutrients, dinner will last in their little tummies longer…hence no bedtime snack requests on this night!

Cream cheese creams this up beautifully and the parm adds a bit of a bite that just intensifies the flavor.  This three cheese blend is warm, creamy, cheesy, and not too tangy for my kiddos tastebuds – but bursting with layers of flavor – and we all just gobble it up.

It’s a frequent meal in our home during the winter months and I always love getting the “YEA!!!” when I answer the “what’s for dinner” question!

Hope y’all enjoy it as much as we do!  Thanks for visiting and please – if you like, SHARE!

XOXO

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Print Recipe
 LC Mac and Cheese with Ham and Broccoli
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Passive Time 10 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Passive Time 10 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Cook macaroni in salted water - whole wheat usually takes 7-9 minutes. Leave al dente as the mac will absorb cheese sauce as it cooks after prep in the oven. Add broccoli to boiling water in the last minute of cooking and drain well.
  2. While pasta is boiling, melt butter in a separate pan and whisk in flour and S&P if desired. Once the butter and flour have been combined, add the milk all at once and mix well. Cook and whisk until slightly thickened and bubbly. Add 1.5 C of cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheeses. Stir in until melted.
  3. Add in cubed ham, broccoli and macaroni.
  4. Transfer to casserole dish (or leave in same pan if it’s oven proof), and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Take out and place tomato slices on top. Sprinkle with S&P and remaining cheddar. Add a little more Parmesan if desired.
  5. Return to oven for 5 minutes and let stand 10 min or so before serving. Serve with a side of cooked frozen spinach if desired. Enjoy!
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