Pelosi Partners - Your source for local community events and real estate expertise. 
In this issue...
  • Happy New Year 2017
  • New Year's Resolutions
  • Did You Know?
  • Local News
  • Recipe of the Month
  • Learning to Garden
  • Real Estate News
Happy New Year 2017!
new-year-champagne-banner.jpg
Happy New Year!!! It's hard to believe it is 2017 already! The holidays went by so fast this year. I know it sounds cliche, but it seems like time is moving faster every year. It was an eventful 2016 and I wish everyone a very happy and healthy new year!

I'm still working on my resolutions. I hope you have better luck narrowing them down than me :)
New Year's Resolutions
make_it_happen_torn_paper.jpg
I am still working on my New Year's Resolutions, but have spoken to others and have noticed a few common themes.

Eat Health y
- I found this company called the Daily Harvest. They make healthy smoothies. I might try it! https://daily-harvest.com/?gclid=CLrPk7i6n9ECFUOewAod9C8L4g
- I am also thinking about just cutting back on carbs and sugar. How can I do that and still drink wine? ;)

Work Out
- Join a gym (Club Sport, Fitness 19, Crunch Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness). There will be lots of New Year's specials.
-Run a 5k (1/14 -Orinda, 2/26 - Santa Cruz, 2/12-Martinez, 3/11-San Francisco) There are lots of amazing outdoor runs in our area!

Read More
- I stumbled upon this website "Book of the Month Club". I am thinking about trying it!

Go on adventures/see more of California
- There are so many places I want in California that are great for the whole family. I want us to get to some of these this year: Big Sur, Yosemite, Eureka, Tahoe, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, Lake Shasta, Santa Barbara (wine country). The possibilities are endless! I want to take some adventures this year!

Keep a journal
- A place to write down all my thoughts to help with the stresses of everyday life.I've never done it before, but I'm always up for trying new things!

Get Organized
- I think this really means getting rid of everything we don't need...too much clutter. I am also going to organize all my seasonal decor into labeled storage boxes in the garage!

Budgeting
- Discussing money is always difficult. Even if you and your partner have the same long range goals in mind, the day to day expenses can be hard to agree on. My husband and I have decided we really want figure out where our money goes. It seems like it disappears so easily. What are we buying???

We have decided to give Mint.com a try....I am nervous it may cause some arguments, but may be good in the long run. I have no doubt, it will be eye opening ;)

  Did you know?
businessman_lightbulb.jpg
The practice of making resolutions for the new year is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.)

Local News
lions_gate_vancouver.jpg
Broadway Plaza Renovation: Zara (Now Open) and Old Navy (Coming Soon)!

Pasta Pomodoro: The restaurant chain abruptly shut down all 15 Bay Area locations the day after Christmas. Employees were notified via text message that the locations will be closed effective immediately.

Compost for Sale: Contra Costa Waste, RCTS, located at 1300 Loveridge Road, sells some of the best compost and bark in the county.  Compost can be good for preparing soil for new lawns and can also be used as a top dressing or mulch. (credit: Concord Disposal Service-CDS News).

PG&E: Automated Gas Safety Valves Speed Emergency Response to Gas Leaks. The PG&E valve automation program allows valves to be opened or closed from PG&E's newly designed Gas Control Center, instead of requiring an employee to travel to the site to manually open or close the valve. The valves will allow PG & E to stop the flow of gas immediately. To report a potential gas leak in your home or community, call 1-800-743-5000 immediately. (Credit: PG&E Newsletter, December 2016 Edition)


Recipe of the Month
Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep: 10min
Cook: 1 hr
Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients

3 pounds small red or white potatoes
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and place in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic; toss until the potatoes are well coated. Transfer the potatoes to a sheet pan and spread out into 1 layer. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until browned and crisp. Flip twice with a spatula during cooking in order to ensure even browning.

Remove the potatoes from the oven, toss with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

Credit: Copyright 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All Rights Reserved

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-roasted-potatoes-recipe.html?oc=linkback

  Learning to Garden
farm_sign_vegetables.jpg

I have bought many beautiful orchids over the last few years. They are so amazing, but I have a very hard time keeping them in bloom. I was given a wonderful tip last year to water with ice cubes to help from over watering.  It is helping, but I am still struggling to keep them as beautiful as they are in the store.
pink_orchid.jpg

I just read a very interesting article in Better Homes that an ideal climate for orchids is the bathroom. The warm, damp environment is perfect to keep the soil damp, but not wet. They do well with bright, filtered bathroom window light.

Hopefully my orchids will fare better in that climate, while also brightening up the space. It will make the bathroom look fresh and vibrant!

Credit: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/11-plants-that-will-grow-better-in-your-bathroom-281474979547631/
Real Estate News
house-fence.jpg
High-tech toilets
Until our latest remodel, I had not realized the number of high-tech features that are now offered on specialized toilet models these days. There was even a model with a touch pad that controlled all the functions with a blue LED backing light that reminded me of a robot :)

I just  happened to get an email from Houzz about a survey in which 20% of homeowners that are doing a bathroom remodel will choose a toilet with at least one high-tech feature (i.e. self-cleaning, overflow, anti-clog protection, motion-activated seat cover, built in nightlight, heated seating, self-deoderizer, and hands-free flushing.

Check out some of these models:
Credit: Houzz.com
Credit: Lowes.com
If you have topics about our local East Bay scene that you would like to see covered in Beyond the Fence, please send me an email at janel@pelosipartners.com and I'll do my best to include your suggestions.  
Janel Pelosi |  Pelosi Partners | 925.408.8990 | janel@pelosipartners.com