The mountain picture was taken just a few days ago. Spring was in the air. The picture on the right was taken 15 minutes ago. We are told it can be another 4-6 inches! So instead of my early morning jog and planting flowers it looks like it will be hot cocoa and pancakes this morning followed by a great book and a roaring fire. I think hiding Easter eggs in the snow will be challenging! 03/15/2009

Today has been a day all about the number 13. Whether you are unlucky today or very, very lucky today, I am willing to bet you took notice that it was also Friday as well. So in honor of our special day lucky or not I have a picture of a new mother with her 13 whining whimpering sweet as can be Puppies! 03/13/2009

Washington State is know for Apples. We love them and we have many different and healthy kinds. You never have to get tired of them because they are so tasty in a huge variety of recipes. My favorite is in salad. Apple and cranberry salad- 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce 1 cup of fresh chopped spinach 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts 1/4 cup of sun flower seeds 1/2 cup of dried cranberries 1 shredded carrot 1 large cubed granny smith apple 1/2 cup of grated Parmesans cheese Drizzle a light vinaigrette dressing over the top and you have the perfect lunch. Not to mention a few other benefits like- Lowering your cholesterol,improving lung health, decreased risk of cancer and heart disease.Apples also contain 5 grams of fiber and no fat or cholesterol. It is important to eat the bright skins as they ... 03/12/2009

This may be one of the more extreme examples of spring cleaning, but no one can deny that it is that time of year again. Time to put a fresh face on the house and get to enjoying the outside once again. This is my little list to get me going... 1. open the windows and let the fresh air in. 2.Go shopping it will inspire you. 3. Buy new shoes. It helps with the inspiration. 4.Organize your cleaning supplies 5.Bake a pie and let it cool on the window sill. 6.Eat some of the pie to make sure it taste as good as you think it does, and smells. 7.Fluff the pillows on the sofa. 8. Take a break. You have been working really hard. 9.Spray Febreeze. 10. Take a shower and get cleaned up. your spouse owes you a night out for all of your hard work! For more information visit our website at www.thenor... 03/12/2009

My family loves to go to the ocean. It is not far from us and we go often. One of our favorite times is in the winter so we can watch the storms roll in. I love walking the beaches in the summer and feeling the warm (yes Washington can be hot) sand on my feet. I feel like I can truly relax at the beach, and leave the cell phone behind and just be myself. To keep the kids busy we always buy a kite. Watching them run and jump and fly and...crash is a lot of fun. At the end of the day they collapse around the campfire and tell their tales. It is a good day and we owe a lot of it to a bright piece of fabric soaring through the air with the greatest of ease. 03/12/2009

It is almost time for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The times of course are set by mother nature, but we are expecting to see fields of tulips for the entire month of April! I am providing a link to a utube video that shows all of the incredible tulips. There are also brilliant daffodils. It can be a remarkable day. I also recommend stopping by and shopping in the little town of LaConner while there.You will enjoy wonderful artist studios and great little diners. Weather sunny or cloudy the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival will be certain to brighten your day! 03/12/2009

The LakeLand Village Clubhouse and Restaurant in Allyn, Washington. This 6,000 square-foot complex houses the LakeLand Village Clubhouse, available for group gatherings, and Home to the Lakeside Bistro and Lounge, a cozy, gourmet restaurant overlooking the trout pond. Consistently ranked "tops" in atmosphere by residents, the Bistro' specializes in casual fine dining, featuring steaks, seafood and pasta. Banquet facilities for golf club members and guests are also available. March 1st was the Grand RE-Opening for the Bistro a LakeLand Village Landmark. It is one of my favorite places to enjoy a fine glass of wine and some classy cuisine. New Owners, Barbara Yarnall and her son "Chef Johnny", bring to the Bistro fresh new talent, experience and food service quality.   The atmosphere at t... 03/11/2009

The world stretches out in all directions before me. I can go as far as I want and it just keeps revealing new things to me. I love just getting on the Ferry and going where ever it takes me. The Olympics encircle me, the sound surrounds me, and the sky covers me. With a day like today I feel my potential is unlimited.The Northwest life is one like no other. 03/10/2009

I feel very fortunate to have an active Chamber that jumped on the web 2.0 bandwagon and blogging. I understand that this is a new venture for a lot of businesses- but it is really Paying off.We have a new networking site and it is connecting all of the business people to one another. In this trying economy we are thriving and promoting ourselves in a productive manner. I am going to provide a link to the North Mason Chamber of Commerce so that you can see just what we are all up to. Some of this is patterned after Active Rain and Localism.... which was our inspiration! 03/10/2009

 I had to share this poem that Paul Henderson posted just one more time. I loved it and I have to say I have taken the advice to heart. It is true what they say...  a mothers work is never done, and then it becomes the responsibility of the wife!-LOL He didn't like the casserole And he didn't like my cake. He said my biscuits were too hard... Not like his mother used to make. I didn't perk the coffee right He didn't like the stew, I didn't mend his socks  The way his mother used to do. I pondered for an answer I was looking for a clue. Then I turned around and smacked the crap out of him... Like his mother used to do... 03/10/2009

I love it when I've worked hard for a client, going that "extra mile" so to speak.  From turning on the heat in time for their arrival from Arizona, to making sure every i was dotted and t's crossed on the sales contract and negotiating the best price for their home, it gives me  warm feeling when take the time to return a Customer Service Questionnaire with comments like,"Perfect", Dick Potter gets the job done! Well, enough blowing my own horn but it sure did feel good. Dick Potter, Windermere Peninsula Properties, Allyn, WA. 03/09/2009

 This picture is for my husband-Dan I know when he thinks of 500 he is thinking of a Ford Gt 500 and not a lot of blog posts. This, if you were not aware is my 500th post. Time really flies when you are blogging. I almost did not catch that it had actually been this many. I have been going over my pasts posts and I have noted that it is like reading a diary of my life in real estate. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I can see how hopeful we were to start a new year, how helpful we hoped to be for each and every new client. The days that it all seemed too hard and the days that we were on top of the world. What a great journey it has become and I am glad that I had you to share it with. 03/07/2009

Today was a great day to tour waterfront homes on Case Inlet near Allyn and Grapeview, then a coffee break and over to Hood Canal.  The buyers from Seattle were very impressed at the peaceful, beautiful beaches and waterfront homes we found in their price range of under $300,000.  Right now you can get more for your money than before.  The weather cooperated with just one hail/snow shower, but sun and pretty warm with white caps on the Canal.  Stretch Island is a perfect get-away!  We left at 9:30 and returned at 3:00, going up to Brinnon and Lilliwaup. 03/07/2009

    Scalloped Oysters Ingredients: 6 to 8 tablespoons cold butter, cut in small pieces 1 quart oysters, shucked, liquor drained 2 cups cracker crumbs 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg salt and pepper, to taste -1/4 cup whip cream   Preparation: Lightly butter a 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish. Set aside 1/3 cup of cracker crumbs and 1 tablespoons of butter for topping. Cover the bottom of the dish with some of the cracker crumbs then top with a layer of oysters, a layer of crumbs, and some of the butter pieces. Repeat layers until all oysters are used. Season with the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Pour the cream over the dish then top with reserved crumbs and butter. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until heated and browned. Serve immediately.Serves 4.  For more recipes ... 03/05/2009

 I put this post together for all of you who love cats. I thought these pictures were priceless. I have to say these are not my cats, but mine is capable of being just this goofy. My favorite is the kitty on the computer. Don't ya know he just loves how warm it is!I fear for the mouse in the last picture. I have seen enough Tom and Jerry shows to know that this could end badly...LOL     03/05/2009

Mason County Sunsets picnics in the Allyn Waterfront park Hiking in the Olympics Smelling the sweet salt air in Union Shopping along the pier in Hoodsport Eating the Chinese Buffet at the Royal Shanghi wine tasting at the Walter Dacon Winery spa day @ the Alderbrook Resort and Spa kayaking on Case Inlet Treasure Island sunsets a good book find at Sage Book Store jet skiingon Mason Lake A hot cup of Coffee from Allyn Towne coffee Exploring the Theller Wetland Trails in Belfair skydiving at the Shelton Airport riding dirt bikes in Tahuya Whale watching in Hood Canal sailing the sound...... 03/05/2009

...Fresh baked bread. My favorite is sourdough,although it all tastes so good, it is hard to pick just one type. I love having a hot steaming loaf setting out for my family when they walk in the door. The aroma is unforgettable and makes a place really feel like home. Now thanks to bread machines it is even easier to have fresh baked bread anytime you want it. I think it a great idea for sellers to have a loaf baking away on the counter. Not only does the smell seem warm and inviting but you can also leave a note on the table, with few saucers set out and a few pats of fresh butter- offering them a hot slice. Who can resist it? 03/05/2009

I have been finding a lot of family that over the years have been lost for what ever reason, be it moves, or new names, or just loosing touch. I am excited to bring us all back together.  I have to thank Active Rain for pointing me in the right direction with the web 2.0 world.My cousin Rob Espedal found me and we will be meeting in Seattle next week along with others in the family- I did not know were still alive.  It warms my heart to think back to the days that our great Grandparents fell in love in Norway not knowing that 100 years later their ancestors would find one another and create a family bond on another continent via the internet.  I am looking forward to next Wednesday very much. I hope that my daughters learn from Rob and I... to never loose touch. Sisters are sisters for ... 03/05/2009

  What is the real estate market like in Allyn, WA?  Let's Take a look! The following takes into consideration, homes that are for sale that are currently listed, pending and/or sold with a professional real estate agent and company. In the area code of 98524, Allyn, WA, there are currently 42 homes for sale.  27 of these homes are located in LakeLand Village. The rest are sprinkled throughout the small village of Allyn - some waterfront as well. The price range for these homes start as low as $141,380 and vary all the way up to A $699,000 asking price which is a waterfront home offering 2889 sq ft of living along the pristine shores of the Treasure Island community. Average price per square foot overall for homes in Allyn, WA  is $172.63; with an average asking price of $373,674.   The... 03/01/2009

What has been going on in February 2009 in the LakeLand Village Real Estate Market? For those of you who do not know about LakeLand Village, check this LakeLand Link out - there are some great opportunities for home ownership and it is a community that offers many amenities within itself as does the surrounding area of Southern Puget Sound and Hood Canal. There are currently 27 homes for sale in LakeLand Village.  This is a decrease from the 34 in January. This is a "positive" movement for sellers and buyers beware,as this could be a turning point as far as prices go in LakeLand Village and LakeLand's homes for sale inventory!  Looking at the pending sales, we are finally seeing some movement as the buyers realize this market is a GREAT time to take the plunge into home ownership in Lak... 03/01/2009