I Believe in Giving...and Yes Virginia There is a Santa.   Here we are, December 2012, and there are so many that need help this  holiday. There are many wonderful people who are willing to give so freely from their heart and donate to organizations and fund raisers.     Macy’s Dept Store has been giving back to the community since 1924 when they started having the Macy’s Christmas Parade. Macy’s is still giving back every year and you can help them give money and it doesn’t cost you a penny. This is the 5th year that Macy's has donated $1,000,000 to the Make-A-Wish organization.     Macy’s has an inside kiosk Mailbox/Desk inside all or most of the Macy’s Dept Stores. If you go to the Macy’s website at www.macys.com and then click on the picture of Virginia located at the lower right.... 12/13/2012

  Today Was Bath Day in Redlands CA   Today it warmed a little and I went outside early this morning to fill the bird feeders. A few minutes later, I could hear a lot of squawking and I looked outside to see if a cat was creeping on the fence or an owl/hawk eying the feeders but that wasn’t it. The birds were all taking baths. It wasn’t even that warm outside but there must have been 8-12 birds in the fountain. I ran and grabbed my camera and tried to get a good shot. When the turtle doves arrived, the others ran to the feeders and started eating. Bath time over!   California is a dream come true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in southern California, ... 12/12/2012

  © Christmas Nutcrackers…. at Mozarts in Redlands © MOZART’S Fine Gifts and Collectables 244 E. Citrus Avenue Redlands, CA 92373 Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM   Telephone: (909) 798-2573 Web: www.mozartsfinegifts.com   If you are looking for the perfect gift for holidays or birthdays or even for yourself, look no further as Mozart’s has everything; Brighton, Vera Bradley, Swarovski, Pandora and so much more. From jewelry, holiday decorations, collectables, bath & body, children’s boutique, and when your purchase is all rung up, they offer complimentary gift wrap too. My daughter has loved nutcrackers from the time she was little girl. We added one to her collection this week from Mozart's. It wouldn’t be Christm... 12/10/2012

New Listings Report:  South Redlands - December 2012 As of today, there have been a total of 12 new Homes for Sale in South Redlands that have come on for the month of December.  Of the 12 new Homes for Sale in South Redlands, 3 have been on the market recently and are showing longer cumulative days on market than the new listings.  What that means for the buyer is that there is more history about the sales efforts than those with equal days on market v.s. cumulative days on market. Of the 12 New Homes for Sale in South Redlands, here are a few stats to review about the new properties: Maximum Bedrooms:  6 Minimum Bedrooms: 3 Maximum Price:  $558,800 Minimum Price: $273,000 Average Price:  $391,243 Maximum Square Footage:  3,988 Minimum Square Footage: 1,300 Average Square Footage: 2,0... 12/09/2012

  I Smell a Skunk…a Brave Skunk       Late last night, I let my 3 little dogs outside and my terrier immediately charged a skunk near the backdoor. Brave girl!             I finally corralled the dogs inside and grabbed my camera. I followed this skunk around the backyard for 10-15 minutes.               It was really dark and hard to see the skunk. I did get a few before he slid under the iron gate and escaped.             It is nice to live at the foothills and get wildlife surprises in the yard at night. Yesterday I saw a deer running on the road who had apparently gotten under the barrier and was scared. Earlier in the morning, I spotted huge owl and then a falcon on my fence watching the bird feeders.           This photo is pretty grainy but i like the design on his head and back.... 12/09/2012

 Have You Tried 'A La Minute' in Redlands Yet for Good Ice Cream Treats? Have you been to ‘A La Minute’ in Redlands yet? If you have not stopped in for a treat, you are missing out. Last March, 2012, I wrote this article A La Minute is the Newest Ice Creamery in Redlands, CA...Give Your Taste Buds a Thrill about this fairly new ice cream store in the downtown section of Redlands, CA. Well, it the past 8 months, this store is all anyone is talking about. There are long lines day and evenings and no one cares that they have to wait. We stopped in yesterday and we tried the holiday flavors; Eggnog Rum and Pumpkin Cranberry. Oh, were they ever delicious. My favorite is the Orange Honey but I wanted to try a flavor that was featured. Don't wait another minute to go and try this new ice cream... 12/05/2012

Inland Empire Luxury:  Top 10 Luxury Homes in Redlands Redlands, California is a great community with lots of offer future residents. Historical Homes, tons of History, Golf, Top-Notch Schools, a Trader Joe’s, a Top Private University, Consignment Shops, a Weekly Farmers Market, lots of strong local businesses man in the old fashioned downtown area... and so much more to offer.  It is conveniently located between Los Angeles and Palm Springs.  Here is a map of the Inland Empire: Of course, there are also the Luxury Homes and here are the top 3 homes from the Top 10 Luxury Homes in Redlands list. To view the complete list of the Top 10 Luxury Homes in Redlands or to see about Inland Empire Luxury Living, please visit:  Inland Empire Luxury. 12/05/2012

  ©Is it Alright to Have an Artificial Tree?© This is a question that seems to come up a lot. Many people think it is un-American to use an artificial tree and others feel it is the perfect choice for them. I grew up with severe allergies and Christmas trees were high on the list so I would cough day and night. For a couple of years, my parents put the tree up on Christmas Eve and usually took it down on Christmas night. When I was 5 yrs old, my mother found a wholesale store in Pasadena, CA that finally agreed to sell her an artificial tree. Back in the 50’s, they were not very attractive.     By the time I was 13, I had outgrown my allergy to Pine trees so I always had to have a real tree. I remember my Dad and I going to the Christmas tree farm to pick it out and carry it home. Good ... 12/05/2012

Three Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays While most are getting ready to hibernate for the coming winter and holiday season, there are still a few good reasons to commit to listing your home for sale during the month of December. Reason Number One: There are buyers who need a home NOW!  While it may seem like many would wait until after the holidays, there is always the job transfer candidate, or a family emergency that requires immediate relocation.  When this happens, many buyers choose what is on the market because they can't wait. Reason Number Two: Many sellers will wait until January to list because they don't want to disturb their holidays.  What this means for you is LESS inventory and your home can shine even brighter on the multiple listing service. Reason Number Th... 12/04/2012

REDLANDS REAL ESTATE REALTORS / HOW TO SHORT SALE REDLANDS HOME If you need a Redlands Real Estate Agent / Redlands REALTOR to handle selling or buying your home remember these considerations when choosing us as your Redlands Real Estate professional: We have extensive experience handling listings in this difficult market We handle all aspects of Redlands listings and Redlands real estate sales We handle Redlands Short Sales, Redlands Foreclosures and Redlands Land Sales We have an unfair advantage in our marketing and advertising experience, enabling us to effective advertise your Redlands home for sale to as many buyers as possible, maximizing the total sales price. ---------------------- So contact us and let's get started! Call us now: (888) 9-List-It. That's (888) 954-7848. Or clic... 12/04/2012

  Christmas Parade in Redlands on December 1, 2012   December 1, 2012 at 5:30 pm   The Redlands Parade is a fun event for all. Below is the University of Redlands mascot, Thurber. See unique floats, marching bands and Santa.                                             Due to threat of rain, the city will make final decision at 2:00 pm today. Alternative date of Dec 8. Be sure to double check online if it looks like rain.   California is a dream come true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and aware of the local market. I am here to help you find... 12/01/2012

  NYPD Officer Buys Sketcher Boots for a Homeless Man   This story has gone viral all over the country in the last day and it shows one great NYC police officer who has a caring heart.     A tourist, Jennifer Foster, who was visiting NYC on Nov 14, 2012, observed a police officer kneeling down to put on some boots on a homeless and shoeless man. The man had been sitting there asking for change and it was while Jennifer was approaching to give the man some money she observed this heartwarming event. She snapped the picture and later put it on her Facebook page. This FB photo has been shared 80,000 times and liked over 518,000 times.               The NYPD identified the officer as Larry DePrimo. The New York Times reported the 25-year-old police officer was shocked over the attention his... 11/30/2012

  ©WCR Christmas Luncheon© and Fundraiser for Youth Hope   We are getting together at Spaghetti Factory on December 6th at Noon- Realtors, Affiliates, and Friends. Lets party and enjoy each others company over lunch.   Lunch approx. $10 which includes Drink, Salad, Entrée, Ice Cream and Tip. (No Host Lunch) We would appreciate if everyone would bring a wrapped gift for homeless kids; a warm pair of socks, mittens, scarf, hat, or even a sweatshirt/sweater. Wrap it- label girl/boy and size. WCR is involved with Youth Hope-to assist teenagers living on the street in Redlands, CA. Heidi Myer has approx 300 that she feeds daily. Your donation would be greatly appreciated. Hope to see you at the luncheon. Heidi Myer from Youth Hope will be joining us. Any Questions or Comments:  kristinhamilt... 11/29/2012

Friends of the A.K. Smiley Public Library Holiday Book Sale Today was the opening day for the three-day book sale at the beloved A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands, CA.  The sale will feature children's books.  The hope is that shoppers will consider the gift of a good quality book for a child.  New to the sale are many puzzles, games and activity books for children, as well.  Adults are not forgotten, there will be many books for adults to give as gifts or keep for themselves. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 1p.m to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Books cost $6 on Friday, $5 on Saturday and $4 on Sunday. The event will be held in the library's Assembly Room located at 125 W. Vine St. Redlands. Friends of the Library is membership driven and dues range from $5... 11/29/2012

It seems to be easy for folks to learn through stories, so I thought I'd post about a client in Redlands, California who just closed on her reverse mortgage.   A younger senior, in her late 60's, Ms. B husband passed away almost 10 years ago and it's been a struggle to make it on one income.  When her husband was alive, they refinanced the home to take advantage of lower rates so she was still making those mortgage payments. She is very frugal and creative, and has come up with a good retirement strategy for her situation.  Here's what she's done: Rents Out 2 Bedrooms - A smart woman she rents out the extra two bedrooms to other single seniors. This brings her in just over $1,000 a month. (Kind of reminds me of college roomies the way they look out for each other, yet mind their own bus... 11/28/2012

  Black Friday Violence- Do Retailers Promote this Violence with Their Sale Practices?  Here is a video of a huge number of customers going into a Victoria Secret store at midnight inside a mall. Amazing! All I have heard on the news this weekend was the hype about the violence across the nation for “Black Friday”. The retailers for many years typically have opened up on Friday morning after Thanksgiving at 6:00 am but for the past few years, more stores have started opening earlier and earlier.   The violence seems to increase yearly and 2011 seemed to be the worst with one shopper spraying pepper spray and grabbing someone else’s Xbox, several shootings in the long winding lines, and customers getting trampled as the doors opened.   But this holiday season, the stores have become more... 11/24/2012

  “Small Business Saturday” Nationwide Day - Shop Local in Redlands CA   The major retailers and malls get the large masses of shoppers on the Friday after Thanksgiving which is commonly known as “Black Friday” but now we have a new title for the Saturday after. “Shop Small” is a nationwide program created in 2010 that reminds shoppers to keep the money and business in their own cities.   Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses for all they do for their communities. This day was actually the creation of American Express in Nov 2010.   Redlands, CA is a beautiful little city and has a lovely downtown section to park and walk. Places to shop or grab a nice meal..…you will not be disappointed. At night, the trees are lit year-round with twinkle lights in... 11/24/2012

©We Just Couldn't Agree on the Pie© As of yesterday morning, we had still not bought a pie yet. I like pumpkin and cherry and my husband likes Pecan and Apple. So we decided to just not have pie. My husband went back to the store about noon for an onion and guess what he came home with?     Yes, he bought pie! Not just one pie but two! He bought me a “pumpkin” and himself an “apple” pie.               And here is the pie late last night as we had a snack.   Did anyone else have this issue?                     California is a dream come true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live ... 11/22/2012

My Mother’s Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe This was my mother's Cornbread Dressing recipe that had been passed down from her mother and grandmother in Tennessee. First she made the cornbread on the holiday eve and the next morning she made the stuffing. It has become a holiday tradition and my daughter and I still make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yummy!   Ingredients: vCrumbled Cornbread from Recipe below. v1 large Onion- Cut Up. v2 cups Celery v1 cup Butter v5-7 cups Chicken Stock (2 Boxes Swanson’s) v1-2 cups slice raw mushrooms-optional v½ cup cooked giblets-chopped up v5 raw Eggs v1 tsp to 1 tbl Sage- Season to Taste v½ tsp pepper v1 tsp salt v½ tsp poultry seasoning v1 dozen saltine crackers- crumbled Directions: vSauté chopped onion and celery in 1 cup butter until on... 11/19/2012

Stop at Collective Journey- Terrific Scrapbooking and Gift Store in Redlands Collective Journey is a 7000 sq. ft store filled with papers, die-cuts, scrapbooking supplies, unique gifts and foods. Come and see their decorated trees filled with adorable ornaments; perfect for your trees or to give as gifts.     Collective Journey is happy to bring you this Season's Best Gifts, Gourmet Foods, Seasonal Decor, Candies, as well as our fantastic selection of Rubber Stamps, Scrapbook Supplies, a Helpful, Courteous Staff and Top-Notch Classes. The entire store has displays of many examples to make cards, scrap booking pages, mini books, and ornaments. Please find out for yourself what an awesome store it is and I think it will become one of your favorites too. Also you can go to their web site a... 11/16/2012