Fall time is here and I don't know about the rest of you but it's a great time to bake and eat! I have been using this recipe for a few years now and I just can't get enough of it. I get my apples fron Jose's Friut Stand in Belfair. He sells apples by the box every year and I just love em. I served this at my last brokers open and it was a hit.   Apple Bread INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup buttermilk 1 cup chopped, peeled apple 1/3 cup chopped walnuts TOPPING: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons butter or margarine   DIRECTIONS In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat... 10/30/2008

I do not want to disappoint you, but this is not a blog about dishonest agents. Instead this is a blog about being honest with your agent. Many people including myself only want to show their best side. We do not want others to think of us as anything, but how we want to appear...perfect. No troubles, no tempers, no problems. The truth of the matter is that we are all human, and we occupy the same planet. Who do we think we are fooling? We have ups, and downs, shortcomings, and issues. When you hire an Agent to negotiate, and market your property, both of you have expectations of one another. It is being honest about these expectations that will lead to a successful relationship, and outcome. Selling your home can be a stressful situation, and agents understand this. I personally feel t... 10/27/2008

Please join us at the annual haunted fire station in Allyn. Many volunteers work countless hours transforming the fire hall into a haunted, spooky station sure to cast a spell of terror. There is a scary maze for little ones, and a large maze for those not faint of heart. firefighters and EMT's will be standing by should they be needed. So stop by Halloween from 5-8 for the scare of your life! 10/27/2008

I wanted to thank the kids at the Boy's and Girl's Club for our new memorial at the fire station in Allyn. My husband works there, and I wanted to let you all know how much your hard work, and efforts were appreciated. The statue is incredible, and to think that you did this all on your own. You make all of your neighbors proud. I love that visitors to our little towne can see the love, and caring that we have for one another exemplified by the hand crafted wooden fireman gazing in admiration of our nations flag.I wanted to share a picture online so that anyone who visits this blog could see your wonderful accomplishment. It means a lot to all of us to have all of you.                                                                                       Thank You,                       ... 10/27/2008

I was a little moody this afternoon when I got home, and realized that instead of canceling my propane agreement the company had just topped off my tank instead. The reason I wanted to change was due to the fact that I had been offered a much better deal by a local company, and I was just waiting until the gas was gone before switching, since it was already paid for. So I called the company up to straighten everything out. They surprised me.I encountered a whole new attitude compared to the one from my last call. Not only did they adjust my bill, but they said anyone I refered would get that rate as well. I started thinking that it might be a good idea to have local companies get together, and offer savings to new members in our community. I know that I will pass on the gas companies na... 10/23/2008

The Allyn Dock is a transient moorage facility and boats can moor for up to two weeks during boating season - May thru September. Longer term storage during winter months can be arranged.It has 10 slips, and an 80 foot gangway making it easily accessible during all tides.  At a minus 2.5 foot tide there is a minimum of 2 feet of water at all points around the floats and up to 4 feet on the finger pier.Potable water and a coin operated marine pump out unit are available throughout the boating season.  No fuel is available at this facility.  There is a waterfront park, with playground and picnic area; groceries, shopping, liquor store, post office, emergency medical care, and restaurants within 1 block of the park.There are sanicans nearby.  The Port plans to build permanent restrooms by... 10/21/2008

I wanted to share a few pictures I took last January of our Polar Plunge. The money raised by the local community benefits the Boys and Girls club in North Mason. The Boys and Girls club is a great place for kids in our community to hang out when school is not in session. They have a lot of great activities, and the cost is minimal. This is a pretty big deal for us every year. I have not been brave enough to jump in the water, especially this time of year, but I always have my camera poised to honor those that do jump in!If you would like more information just call us at 360-551-8888 or visit us on the web @ NowYouAreLiving.com   Ryan and Tim in victory!Thanks Guys! 10/21/2008

  Today's blog will be the first in a series of informative articles introducing readers to LakeLand Village "A Residential Golf Community" located in Allyn, Washington. Hopefully you are reading this on the localism link and find it helpful. LakeLand...A Dream Fulfilled   More than 50 years ago, Virgil Anderson acquired his first 160 acres, with a dream of farming and raising cattle. He moved his family to their new home, a log cabin built on the "old farm". Adjoining lands were gradually acquired where he and his two sons went to work striving to preserve that dream which brought him and his family to this wooded land. Together they would reclaim the marshland, restore the lake fed by the creek and underground springs, clean out the tangled underbrush, clear the rotting and fallen ti... 10/20/2008

Have you ever heard real estate agents refer to the brokers tour? Do you know what they are talking about? Well if you don't allow me to explain. A Broker's Tour is usually set for a certain day of the week, for a specified amount of time. The local area real estate agents get together, and go view other agents listings. The Listing agent is there to explain all of the interesting detail about the home, that the Agents may not know if they showed the home on their own. The wonderful thing about a Broker's Tour is that it gives a chance for other agents to preview a listed property, and know all of the tributes that make it special. They can then knowledgeable talk to their clients about it, with first hand information. Words in an MLS can have a hard time capturing some of the special q... 10/17/2008

Some people would like specifics about their area and what is going in with the real estate market. We tend to "generalize" probably more than not. I hope this is beneficial to those who would prefer a little more detail... LakeLand Village -Located in North Mason County in the town of Allyn, WA ACTIVE LISTINGS: There are currently 42 active listing in LakeLand Village. The average square footage of the homes is 2232. The average dollars per square foot is $166.13 The average days on the market is 263 The average price is $365,009. This can be deceiving so to break it down a little further: There are 2 under the price range of $200k, 5 between $200k and $250k $250k, 8 between $250k and $300k 6 between $300 and $350k 8 between $350k and $400k 3 between $400k and $450k 5 between $450k and... 10/16/2008

Another Haiku. Sparkle, Scare, Shiver Halloween is here tonight Moon full and bright A haiku is a poem originating in Japan. They are very simple and consist of three lines. The first line is 5 syllables the second is 7 and the third is again 5. They are usually about nature, but they can be about anything. Check out my new group "Haiku poems for Active Rain" and post one of your own. it can be relaxing. 10/15/2008

Dewalt apparently makes the best Pumpkin carving tools around. I just had to share this with all of you. I was surprised when I heard the saw running in the kitchen. I could not imagine what he was up to this time, now I know. The pumpkin turned out great!This is truly the most manly way to carve a pumpkin!   10/15/2008

I started my own group today for Haiku poems. Haiku poems originated in Japan. They consist of three lines with the first being 5 syllables the second 7 and the third 5 again. They are often about nature.I wrote one to start off my new group and thought that I would share it with you first.                                                          Blogs of yours and mine                                                                    Advice, Hope, and Company                                                                           Active Rain Pouring   10/15/2008

I have had some interesting clients over the years. Infact I should probably take notes for a book I can write when I retire. Some of the experiences were great, some were funny,and some were horrible.I guess it is all part of the job, and I would not trade it for anything. In fact Active Rain makes some of those horrible days much better. I love reading other Agents experiences and stories. I also know that what comes around goes around. So when you have a rotten day, just remember that you are now in the running for a great day! For all of you needing to hear about a bad day, here is my husband Dan's last Saturday. Wake up late to take the girls to their soccer game. Miss breakfast ( Dan lives for biscuits and gravy) Need to fill up the empty truck tank. Find Megan's game.check Get lo... 10/15/2008

I have been giving out binders that hold info about the new home. It is a great place to keep inspection reports, important receipts, and all the info on the home. This makes it much easier when you sell the home in the next few years. Your Buyer turned Seller now has your contact info for finding you, and you have all the important documents,ect. in a nice little binder ready to go! 08/22/2008