Muster Field Farm Museum's ice harvest event will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 9am on Kezar Lake until the ice is in.
Volunteers will demonstrate ice cutting by gas-powered saw and finished by hand. The ice harvest will be loaded by an ice block fulcrum onto wagons and vehicles then hauled to the farm. The ice house, c.1890, will be fully stacked with block ice for use at summer events. The Ryder Corner Schoolhouse, c.1810, will be warm and welcoming with hot beverages, homemade baked goods and hot soups. Antique cars converted into snowmobiles will be on display at the farm, free admission (donations appreciated), rain date 2/12/17.
For information and directions call 927-4276 or www.musterfieldfarm.com
Congratulations! You’ve just purchased your first home. There’s no denying that this is a very exciting time in your life. Becoming a homeowner will bring many new opportunities your way, the first one being a chance to go shopping! As a first-time homebuyer, there are some things you need for your home that you may not have needed previously. So grab a piece of paper and pen because it’s time to create the ultimate first-home shopping list.
1. Lawn Equipment
One amazing thing about owning a home is that you own the lawn, the grass, the flower beds, and everything else that comes with the property. However, this also means you have to take care of what you own, and unless you’re hiring a landscaping company, you will need to purchase some lawn equipment. Here are a few useful tools to help with lawn maintenance and get you started in your outdoor maintenance:
- Lawn mower
- Weed whacker
- Weed puller
- Water hose and sprinkler
- Ladder
2. Household Tools
Even if your home is newly built, maintenance will be required. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, squeaky hinges, or more elaborate home repairs that crop up, you’ll need some tools of your own. The upfront cost of purchasing tools can be significant, but they can save you an abundance of money in future home repairs. After all, if you let problems persist, they will only get worse—and much more expensive. In addition, you may wish to do some simple home renovations yourself, such as hanging a TV on the wall or changing out the house’s original hardware. As a rule of thumb, grab these tools to ensure regular maintenance and quick home repairs:
- Screwdriver set
- Hammer
- Level
- Pliers set
- Tape measure
3. Gardening Gear
Gardening gear is different than lawn equipment; while you have to maintain your lawn, you aren’t required to plant beautiful, vibrant flowers to enhance the landscaping of your home. However, planting some fresh flowers and/or a vegetable garden can bring an abundance of enjoyment to your experience as a first-time homebuyer. It will also enhance the exterior appearance of your home, and may even provide you with a new hobby to enjoy for years to come. Some items to get you started on the path to creating a captivating landscape include:
- New plants, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, bushes, etc.
- Soil, fertilizer, and mulch
- Gardening gloves
- Gardening tools, such as cultivator, trowel, and fork
- Shovel
4. Outdoor Patio Furniture
As a new homeowner, you may not have had the benefit of an outdoor living space previously. However, now that you have purchased your first home, if you do have this benefit, you can style your backyard to your liking. Whether you have a condo balcony, small yard, or acres to enjoy, you’ll need some outdoor patio furniture. Create the ultimate outdoor living space with the following items:
- Patio chairs and table
- Outdoor lights
- Barbecue
- Outdoor plates, bowls, and cutlery
Buying a home is a huge investment. It’s the first major purchase you make towards building a better future. Preparing yourself with a list of must-have purchases you need as a first-time homebuyer will help decrease the stress of the move and responsibility, and bring much enjoyment in the long run.
Reprinted from BHGRE.com
This 226 acre parcel has 360 degrees of spectacular views - Cardigan Mountain, Ragged Mountain, the Belknap Range, Mt. Kearsarge, Mt. Sunapee, the Windmills of Lempster, Gray Ledges, and Corbin Park. A gradual driveway to the top allows enjoyment of the beautiful vistas. The property is in "Current Use". Owner is a licensed NH real estate agent. Come build your dream home! Offered at $499,000. Emily Campbell, Listing Agent, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Milestone Team, 224 Main St., New London, NH, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
You can pull off a last-minute party with ease—when you keep the following in mind.
There’s a special art to throwing a successful last-minute event. It requires a little planning and organization to make it happen with style and ease, but more importantly, throwing a last-second affair (without making yourself crazy!) largely comes down to your ability to let your normal entertaining-at-home etiquette slide. We’re not suggesting that you throw all party-planning ideas out the window; merely that you take a realistic approach to feeding hordes of unexpected guests. Your ability to roll with the punches and adapt to the circumstances will stand you in good stead when it comes to putting your home on the market, too. Unexpected knock from a potential home buyer? No problem!
Here are some tips on pulling off a successful last-second soiree.
Be realistic.
If you have just a few hours (or minutes) before your guests are showing up, your goal is to be ready to welcome them when they arrive—not to be elbow-deep in a complicated recipe for homemade dinner rolls when the doorbell rings. Don’t try to do too much when you don’t have enough time; these kinds of gatherings are meant to be informal and relaxed, so make sure the food and the setting—and you—are, too. Know how quickly you like to work in the kitchen and plan the menu around what you can easily accomplish on short notice. Your guests will know (and appreciate) that you haven’t had much time to prepare.
Don’t apologize for serving take-out food.
It’s the company and atmosphere that are most important. Most guests would far prefer great company and mediocre food than the opposite—and many take-out options are unexpectedly delicious. If nothing else, you can rest assured that your kitchen won’t be filled with dirty pots and pans when your guests arrive. Leftover paper and plastic take-out containers are a cinch to whisk out of sight and straight into the garbage can!
Choose foods that can be made ahead and reheated, or are easy to fix at the last minute.
We’ve all thrown parties where we’ve spent the majority of the time in the kitchen, trying frantically to pull off some dish meant to impress our guests. This is not the party to try that trick. Stick to tried-and-true, easy recipes that don’t require much work to plate and serve. Foods that are designed to be served cold or at room temperature are good choices, as are those that you can make the night (or morning) before. If you can arrange them on a platter or serving dish before they go in the fridge, all the better. And don’t underestimate the value of keeping the ingredients for a quick dip or salsa on hand. Sometimes a quick Romesco dip—made with jarred roasted red peppers—can really save the day.
Don’t be afraid to buy something from the bakery for dessert.
No one will bat an eye if you pull out a cake or tart from the bakery for your party. Feel free to embellish it with fresh fruit, nuts, sprinkles or whipped cream if you like. Or, simply pass a plate of fresh fruit, nuts, and chocolates.
Prep your table in advance.
If possible, set the table the night before the party, and place beverages in the refrigerator to chill overnight. You can also take a buffet-style approach, and stack napkins and silverware in jars for guests to pick up as they go through the serving line.
Strawberry & Brie Bites
Yield: 12 servings
Servings: 12
Serving Size: 1 skewer
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
To Make Ahead: Hold (without glaze) at room temperature for up to 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Equipment: 12 appetizer-size skewers or toothpicks
Recipe Description:
Strawberries, Brie cheese, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar come together in this addictive one-bite appetizer recipe.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 12 small fresh strawberries, hulled
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 3 ounces Brie cheese, cut into 12 small pieces (about 1/2-by-1-inch)
- 2 teaspoons balsamic glaze (see Tip)
Recipe Steps:
- Thread a strawberry, basil leaf and piece of cheese onto each of 12 toothpicks.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
Recipe Tips & Notes:
- Balsamic glaze is balsamic vinegar that’s cooked until it’s very thick. Look for it with other vinegars in well-stocked supermarkets. Or make it yourself by boiling 1 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 14 minutes.
Recipe Nutrition:
Per serving: 28 calories; 2 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 7 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 1 g total sugars; 2 g protein; 0 g fiber; 45 mg sodium; 28 mg potassium.
Source: Reprinted from www.bhgrelife.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
A mantel is often the focal point of its room, so it can be the perfect place to set the tone and ambiance of your interior. With this incredible amount of potential, you may need some tips and tricks for decoration. Luckily, with these 10 ideas on how to decorate an inviting mantel, yours will bring warmth, dimension, and personality into the room.
www.bhgrelife.com
Check out the deals and fun at Mount Sunapee Ski Resort in Newbury, NH. The snow has been falling with more to come tomorrow. 5 lifts and 17 trails are open with a base of 12-26 inches. And don't miss Ugly Sweater Day on Thursday, December 29. Take part in a parade from the Sunapee Express to the North Peak Triple. They'll have prizes for the Ugliest Sweater and Most Spirit! Dust off your skis and snowboards and hit the slopes!
Now that winter has arrived, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. In order to keep your home in top showing condition, here are a few common sense tips to follow.
- Always keep your driveway plowed and entryways clear.
- Clear snow and ice from walkways, stairs, and decks.
- Make sure there are interior rugs in front of entry doors to protect your floors.
- Have a vacant house heated to at least 50 degrees. A warm house holds more appeal and encourages buyers to take their time looking. Buyers will rush through cold homes and it leaves a negative impression.
- Maximize lighting. Open drapes and turn on lights to shake off winter gloom.
- Have a good map to show where your septic system is. If your house goes under contract and a septic inspection is scheduled, it will speed along the process.
If you are looking for an experienced Realtor with the common sense to help sell your house in any season, then give me a call! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
It’s not unusual to downsize to a smaller home at one point or another; a smaller home is something that many people look forward to and take advantage of as they get older.
You may be wondering if it’s time for you to start downsizing and start a new chapter in a smaller space. Whether you’re an empty nester looking for fewer maintenance requirements or simply interested in a smaller space, there is one thing that is inevitable: You will have to get rid of some of your stuff. This is somewhat bittersweet, but you get a chance to go through all of your belongings and determine what truly needs to make the trip to your new destination in life. Follow these tips to make the downsizing process significantly easier.
List or leave it -The first step to downsizing is to make a list of the things you absolutely need. Items that don’t make the cut shouldn’t come to your new house. It’s important to do this at least three months prior to the move to ensure you have an ample amount of time to go through your items and think about whether or not you need them.
Sort and sell - Once you have determined the items not coming to your new house, you can start getting rid of them. This can be a difficult task, as your items will have different values and varying degrees of wear and tear. Grab three boxes and label them for selling, donating, or throwing out. As you sort through your belongings, you can quickly assign them to the correct box and get rid of them accordingly.
Compare new rooms with current rooms that have similar dimensions - It can be hard to determine how much room you will actually have when downsizing. Get the dimensions of each room in your new house, and compare it to rooms in your current house that have similar dimensions. This gives you the opportunity to see what kind of space you’re working with, and more importantly, what furniture will fit in your new downsized home. When trying to determine what furniture pieces will make the move, look at your new floor plan: determine if it’s plausible to keep those all sofas, or chairs, or if you should part from your old furniture all together and upgrade with newer pieces.
Downsize your kitchenware - If you’re an empty nester, there is truly no need for ten mixing bowls and seven spatulas when you move into your new house. Narrow down your bowls, plates, forks, and spoons to reasonable amounts, and use paper kitchenware when hosting in the future.
Target the garage - Depending on the kind of home you’re downsizing to, you may not need a lot of the items in the garage. If your new condo handles lawn maintenance and snow removal, you can get rid of the shovels, your lawn mower, and possibly even the ladder. Determine what tasks will be taken over by someone else when you make the move, and sell any equipment you will no longer need.
Downsizing your home can be an emotional task. It can also be just as exhilarating. Follow these tips to de-clutter and reorganize your belongings as you head into a new chapter in your life.
Reprinted from www.bhgrelife.com
Join in the fun at Spring Ledge on Saturday, December 3rd at 10am for a wreath-making workshop and bow-making tutorial.
Learn how to craft a hand-made wreath using fresh balsam brush. Then make your own bow using ribbon offered at the farm. Cost is $18. and includes the instruction, wreath supplies & bow supplies. You'll finish with a beautiful wreath just the right size for your front door. Additional decorations will be available a la carte.
Call 526-6253 to reserve your spot at Spring Ledge Farm, 37 Main St., New London, NH.
The National Association of REALTORS recently published their annual survey of recent home buyers and sellers. This covers information on national housing data such as demographics, housing characteristics, and consumer experiences. Below are come interesting highlights from the 2016 survey.
- First time home buyers made up 35% of the total buyers - up 3% from 2015.
- 'Buyers typically searched for ten weeks and looked at a median of ten homes before purchasing.
- 88% of buyers used an agent in their buying process.
- 88% of buyers got a mortgage to finance their purchase.
- Sellers typically lived in their home ten years before selling.
- 89% of sellers worked with an agent to sell their home.
- Only 8% of the homes sold were for sale by owner (FSBO) and sold for less than agent-assisted sales.
Contact me if you want to work with an agent who knows the pulse of buyers and sellers in today's market! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com