10 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Traveling

Great article provided by Houzz if you’re traveling this Holiday Season…or anytime you’re going to be away from home for that matter.

 

 

Leaving for the holidays? Even if your trip prep list is a mile long, taking the time to go through a few extra steps to ensure that your house is well cared for can bring a lot of peace of mind. Installing a home security system may be the first thing you think of, but there are plenty of smaller steps you can take that are just as (or even more) effective in deterring theft.
Here are 10 things you can do to make sure that your home is safe and sound, and you can enjoy your trip without worry.

 

10 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While You're Traveling

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

 

 

 

1. Tell neighbors you'll be away. Even if you rarely speak with your neighbors, it is important to give them a heads-up when you are leaving town for a week or more. If you have a good relationship with a neighbor, consider leaving a copy of your key in case of emergency — or at least your contact info while you're away and the phone number of someone locally who has a key.
Think twice, however, before sharing specific details about your trip on social media or through a blog. I know plenty of people do, and nothing comes of it, but file this under "Better safe than sorry."

2. Use light timers and motion sensors. Giving the impression that your home is occupied is one of the surest ways to deter theft. Pick up a basic light timer at the hardware store and program your interior lights to flick on for several hours each evening — you can even set the TV to turn on as well.
If you don't already have motion-sensitive lights outdoors (front, back and side), consider installing them before you leave. If you already have them, make sure the bulbs work before you go.

3. Hire a pet sitter or house sitter. Even better than creating the appearance of someone staying in the house is someone actually staying in the house. Hiring a pet sitter to stop by once or twice each day is a smart choice. Not only will your pet be happier at home than in a kennel, but your house will be looked after as well — most pet sitters will gladly bring in the mail and water a few plants.
No pets? Consider doing a swap with a friend or family member in the area — he or she watches your house this time, and you return the favor later on. Or hire a professional house sitter.

4. Lock up. It sounds almost too simple to mention. But really, it's all too easy to forget to latch all of those less frequently used windows and doors in the rush to catch a plane. Write a big note and stick it near your car keys as a reminder to do a thorough lockup before leaving.

5. Secure sliding glass. Sliding glass windows and doors require special care to be really secure. Luckily the fix is a simple one; just cut a wooden pole or thick dowel to fit in the groove of the tracks when the door is shut, and lay it in before you leave. This won't stop someone from shattering the glass, but it will make your home a less desirable target.

6. Keep up the appearance of routines. If you will be away for more than a week, see if one of your neighbors can bring your garbage and recycling bins out for you and back in the next day.
Also, don't let mail pile up on the porch; have the postal service hold your mail for up to 30 days instead. You can fill out the form online here, so you don't even need to step foot in the post office during this busy time. Likewise for newspapers — contact your newspaper carrier to suspend service while you are away.

7. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed for visibility. Make it more difficult for someone to break in unnoticed by keeping trees and hedges trimmed back. Ideally, all windows and doors should be visible, with little room for a person to duck down and hide.

8. Keep that snow or lawn service coming. Not only will it be a relief to come home to a neatly shoveled path and tidy yard, but maintaining a normal level of care will help give your house a lived-in look while you are gone.

9. Move valuables away from windows. You may want to leave a few shades open, since it can look rather odd to see a house all closed up if that is not your norm. However, do be aware of what is visible from those open shades when someone is peering in from the outside. Laptops, flat-screen TVs and other pricey gear within reach of a window make an easy mark for a smash-and-grab-type burglar.

10. Ask someone to check in every now and then. If you don't have a house sitter (or especially conscientious neighbors), ask someone you know to at least drive by every now and again to make sure everything is OK. Give this friend a key so he or she can toss any packages or flyers from your porch inside the door. Remember, even if you have the postal service hold your mail, you may still receive packages from other carriers.
And if you live in a cold area, it is wise to have a friend come by to flush toilets and run the faucets every now and again to check for and prevent freezing pipes.

Pinterest Christmas Queen

Tis the season and Yes, I admit it I am addicted to Pinterest. Some of you may not have heard of this social media site, but it is well worth looking into. It’s filled with millions of pictures and information. I find it very peaceful and relaxing to just scroll through all the different pictures and subjects that I enjoy. It is certainly different than Facebook where you never know what you say may be attacked or you may be targeted by certain people. I think you will find it a pleasant difference.

You are invited to follow any of my boards anytime. Let me know if you see something worthwhile. I love sharing websites this way. So if you have not discovered Pinterest, Now is a good time.

Follow me on Pinterest!

 

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup or brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

 
Cherry Mistmas !

Browse Inside The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Mary Engelbreit

Browse Inside The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Mary Engelbreit

Every child deserves to have this classic on their bookshelf. Click on the link above to take a peek inside and see the beautiful illustrations that only Mary Engelbreit can do.

The Perfect Gift

Christmas Decorations

Never to early to start thinking of Christmas 2012

More PowerPoint presentations from Nubia

Peppermint Bark Recipe’s like William Sonoma

As another blogger posted, things can get pretty ‘K-razy’ at a Willams-Sonoma store during the holidays.  ‘Mostly because that’s the time of the year this gourmet foodie shop rolls out their delicious peppermint bark. It can be total mayhem if you attempt to shop around while the staff hands out generous samples of the signature holiday treat as customers clammer and fall over each other just to snag a free bite. No, we’re not kidding.’

Before you head down to grab a batch of your own for the 2011 bargain price of only $26.95 or 2 for $46, be aware that it isn’t unusual for the peppermint bark to be completely sold out, seeing as it is always one of Willams-Sonoma's “Top 20 Favorite Gifts”.

In order to avoid the fuss I found 5 recipes that claim to be just like Williams Sonoma’s famous Peppermint Bark. Some folks even claim their recipe is better. Personally I haven’t tried them but I’m willing to see which one comes closest. 

FYI – almost all the recipes suggest using the finest ingredients to make this fab recipe turn out just right! Please click on each recipes link if you want to visit the individual websites. My daughter sent me the 1st recipe so unfortunately I don’t have the url. I always try my best to give credit where credit is due.

1st Recipe * What You Need:

(this recipe makes 1.5 pounds of the holiday treat)

• 12 oz. white chocolate
• 30 red-and-white candy canes (crushed)
• 12 oz. dark chocolate 1 cup whipping cream 1 tsp. peppermint extract

How the Magic Happens:

Step 1: Combine dark chocolate, whipping cream, and peppermint extract together in a bowl. Set over sauce pan of barely boiling water until chocolate is smooth and melted.

Step 2: Pour chocolate onto foil and spread evenly over the surface. Sprinkle crushed peppermints over the chocolate layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Step 3: Repeat step 1 with the white chocolate.

Step 4: Pour white chocolate over the dark chocolate peppermint layer and top with more peppermints. Refrigerate for at least 25 minutes.

2nd Recipe * Peppermint Bark Recipe like William Sonoma

 

Peppermint Bark Recipe

Rita’s clone of white chocolate Peppermint Bark recipe is like Williams Sonoma's. William Sonoma is a gourmet food and cookware store found in many malls. Their peppermint bark is admittedly delicious - but this one may be even better.

Use the best chocolate you can buy, and you’ll give Williams Sonoma some stiff competition! 

Be sure and use the best quality white and semi-sweet, Belgian or bittersweet chocolate for this recipe.

New! Tips for the perfect peppermint bark below!

Peppermint Bark

12 oz. chocolate chips
1 pound white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup peppermint candy, crushed

Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.

Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don’t let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. You can use your microwave for this if you’re brave! Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn’t melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with crushed candy.

Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2” wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

Tips from Rita's Kitchen for Perfect Bark:

1. Don't make the layers too thin as this can cause the layers to separate.
2. Take the bottom layer out of the frig a few minutes prior to spreading the top layer. Sometimes if the bottom is too cold, the top will set but may not bond completely with the bottom. 
3. If there's condensation on the bottom when you remove it from the frig, sometimes this prevents the top from sticking to it, as well.
4. I use white chocolate chips that contain cocoa butter, which are good quality chips. Read the label as the kind of white chocolate you use may affect the bonding.  I also use a good quality (Kroger brand) semisweet chocolate chips - again, read labels - the label should say they are real chocolate, not "chocolate flavored".  I have used the white and chocolate  flavored "barks"  that are sold in blocks with success when I make a one layer bark.  For multiple layer barks, I like to use real chocolate.
5. Let the bark sit out a few minutes before you try to cut or break it apart.

Click here to learn more about Rita Heienfield - ©2006-2010 Rita Heikenfeld and AboutEating.com

3rd Recipe * Help me make the yummiest peppermint bark!

The claim that it's very close to the Williams-Sonoma bark is pretty accurate. I buy Ghirardelli white and bittersweet chocolate in chunks at Trader Joe's, although the Ghirardelli chips are fine, easier to find, and slightly easier to melt (no chopping required). And I found peppermint oil at a baking supply store; I think it was $3 at most. It's a lot more flavorful than extract, which is why you use less. I also use more candy cane than is called for, and sprinkle some on top of the poured bark.

Peppermint Bark

• 1 lb. (500 g) chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 8 drops peppermint oil - Try aromatherapy peppermint oil available at health food stores. It tastes much better than peppermint extract.
• 1 lb. (500 g) chopped white chocolate
• ¾ cup (175 ml) chopped candy canes (smash 'em in a Ziploc works) (note: 1 box of 12 canes is enough)

Line an 11x17 baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Adjust amounts for different sized cookie sheets. Set aside.

Melt bittersweet chocolate in a heavy pot on low heat, stirring constantly.

Stir in four drops peppermint oil or more to taste.

Spread chocolate evenly onto the prepared cookie sheet. Chill until set, about 1 hour.

Melt white chocolate in a heavy pot on low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining four drops of peppermint oil, then add candy canes.

Quickly spread white chocolate mixture over chilled dark chocolate, spreading to the edge of the pan. (note: It's best if bottom layer is very cold; it melts very quickly.)

Chill until set, about four hours or overnight. Break into pieces. Will keep in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.

4th Recipe * Peppermint Bark - Like Williams Sonoma

Peppermint Bark

12 oz. chocolate chips
1 pound white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup peppermint candy, crushed

Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.

Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don’t let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. You can use your microwave for this if you’re brave! Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn’t melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with crushed candy.

Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2” wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

Note, I typically double the recipe and use a cookie sheet instead.

5th Recipe * Peppermint Bark Recipe from userealbutter.com

(I can’t wait to try this one…perhaps because I’m a sucker for pictures! – visit userealbutter.com to view other crafts and recipes)

Peppermint Bark

1 lb. dark chocolate, chopped
1 lb. white chocolate, chopped
12 peppermint candy canes, crushed (about 1 cup)

Melt the dark chocolate and pour onto a jelly roll pan lined with aluminum foil or a silpat. Spread evenly to desired thickness. Place in refrigerator to harden. Sift peppermint candy to separate the large chunks from the peppermint sand. Melt the white chocolate. When cooled, fold the peppermint sand into the white chocolate taking care not to over mix (and getting pink chocolate instead). Remove dark chocolate from the refrigerator and spread the white chocolate on top. Sprinkle the peppermint chunks evenly over the white chocolate and gently press the pieces into the layer. Refrigerate until hardened. Break the bark into pieces.

Candy Canes for Smashing

Sifting Smashed Bits

Peppermint bark is actually very easy to make. The reason I hate making it is because I always try to temper the chocolate only to realize after the fact that it isn’t tempered and it doesn’t matter. Instead of smashing the peppermint candy canes or peppermint starlight candies, I suggest using a food processor. I’ve tried smashing them in Ziploc bags with hammers or rolling pins, only to put dents in tables, counter tops, rolling pins, and silpats. Once the peppermint is crushed, I sift the powdery bits out from the larger pieces.

Spread Melted Dark Chocolate

Chopped White Chocolate

I used Guittard semi-sweet chocolate chips. They are my favorite chocolate chips. For peppermint bark, I don’t tend to use the best chocolate I have in my cupboard. Valrhona and Callebaut are saved for things like truffles, flourless chocolate cake, or chocolate soufflé. For the white chocolate, I had some compound Ghirardelli on hand. I am not fond of white chocolate, but of the few I’ve worked with and tasted, I like Callebaut the best.

Stirring in the Pulverized Candy Cane Dust

Layer the White Chocolate Mixture

After spreading a nice and even layer of melted dark chocolate on a silpat, I placed it in the refrigerator because I’m impatient. I then stirred the candy cane dust/sand into the melted (and cooled) white chocolate. If you stir too much, the whole thing turns pink, so a few folds should be good. Mine still turned pinkish. I suppose you could stir it into the dark chocolate, but because I hate white chocolate, the sandy bits make it more tolerable to me. I then poured and spread the mixture over the cooled dark chocolate and sprinkled the peppermint chunks over the white chocolate layer.

Almost Done

It helps to press the candy chunks into the white chocolate so that the peppermint bark doesn’t shed candy as much. Let the bark cool completely before breaking or else it won’t break cleanly. Also, I recommend wearing a glove with plastic over it when breaking up the pieces so that 1) your body heat doesn’t melt the chocolate and 2) you don’t leave your finger prints on the chocolate.

Distribute

Click the link below to see a video on how to ‘temper’ chocolate.

http://video.about.com/candy/How-to-Temper-Chocolate.htm

Happy Baking!