- Happy New Year
- Reading in 2019
- Did You Know?
- Rotator Taproom
- Dave & Buster's
- Recipe of the Month
- Real Estate News
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Whether or not you like to set New Year's resolutions, it is that time of year that many of us think about what we hope the next year will bring. We know there will be good days and bad, happy times and sad, but when you look at the next year are there a couple of things we really hope will happen? A vacation, a graduation, a relationship, a wedding, a baby, a new job or maybe a promotion. Whatever your hopes and dreams are, I hope they come true in 2019 and that it is your best year yet. 2019 we are coming for ya!
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Every year I tell myself I am going to read more books. I think the problem with that resolution is that it is too broad. I need more specific goals if I am going to achieve success! Instead, I decided to do some research on some of the "Must Read" books of 2019 and pick only 1. It may not seem like a big goal, but let's start there and see what happens :)
The book "Educated, A Memoir" by Tara Westover showed up on a lot of lists. I checked out the premise and the book looks fascinating. I really enjoy reading books about real people that overcome extremely challenging circumstances to achieve their dreams. I'm going to order it and get started.
If I get through this one, any other books I should add to my list? Send me your suggestions!
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You shouldn't widely share your New Year's resolutions........
Some research shows that telling others your goal makes you feel like you've already achieved it," says Dr. Oz. But other studies indicate that sharing progress can help you keep going, he adds. Dr. Oz's advice: Confide in one friend, "then share achievements with others when you're on the road to success."
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A new taproom has opened up in Walnut Creek! It was opened by three locals (Ryan Westerman, Jeff Stephens, and Marc Trapani). It has 21 craft beers on tap (they rotate often). There is also a game room that offers darts, foosball and billiards. I have not had a chance to check it out yet, but it sounds really fun! Hopefully I can get over there sometime in the next few weeks!
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There is something about this chilly weather that makes me want to cook warm, comfort food. I am always looking for recipes that are relatively quick and easy. A big plus if the boys will eat it. I love lasagna so when I ran across the below recipe, I knew I had to try it!
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Quick Skillet Lasagna
Makes: 6 servings
Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups (6 ounces) dried mafalda (mini lasagna) noodles
- 12 ounces lean ground beef or bulk pork sausage
- 1 26 ounce jar tomato-base pasta sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- Meanwhile, cook meat in a 10-inch nonstick skillet until meat is brown; drain. Set meat aside. Wipe skillet with paper towel.
- Spread about half of the cooked pasta in the skillet. Cover with about half of the sauce. Spoon cooked meat over sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining pasta and sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over top.
- Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through and cheese melts. Remove skillet from heat and let stand, covered, for 1 minute. Makes 6 servings.
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It's the start of a new year and a great time to make sure we do regularly scheduled maintenance on our homes. Like a car needs an oil change, there are things in our homes that need regular maintenance too. For example, your HVAC system. It is important to get your HVAC checked twice a year to make sure it is running properly, so you don't have to pay peak prices for a repair if your heat goes out in the middle of winter. One of the ways to maintain the system is to change the filters once a month as dirty air filters can do long term damage to your system. We had air quality issues this past fall with the fires, so if you have not changed your air filter since then, now is a good time to do so. We changed ours and it was filthy.
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Dave & Buster's Restaurant and Video Arcade is coming to the Veranda Shopping Center in Concord. There isn't a specific opening date available yet, but they have started remodeling on the location that used to be Toys R Us. If you like arcade games, you should definitely keep this on your radar!
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