Home. Run. Recipes.

This is one of those days where I have something to say about everything.  It happens a lot...just ask my husband!  It makes for excellent blog fodder, though, and I'm overdue with a new-reader reminder of what this blog is supposed to be about.

Home:  It was windy as heck here last night.  I am so grateful for our cozy airtight home.  While the wind had me up until 1:00 this morning I never feared that my house was going to come down with one good gust.  That is not the case with the first house we bought.  There were several large, mostly-dead trees in the front yard and the house was old.  Something bad was bound to happen.  It wasn't shocking that wind would come in around some of the windows but was more than a little disconcerting to come down the stairs and feel a puff of wind on your arm as you passed a certain seam in paneling.  So put "well built" on the list of things I love about my home.

I'm going to get out and preview a few homes this afternoon.  I like to put on my "buyer goggles" and view each home with my clients in mind.  It is so satisfying to walk into a home and think "This would be perfect for the Smiths!"  Even more satisfying to go back with them and have them feel the same way.

Run:  I am going to get on the treadmill as soon as I'm done writing this.  I put off running all day yesterday because I thought the wind might die down.  By the time I saw the local weather forecast that indicated it would actually pick up through this morning it was late afternoon and I had already invited friends over for dinner (more on that later).  So I got no run in yesterday and don't want to let it get away from me today.

I would actually love to get out and run in the rain.  I am, after all, a girl who was born and raised in Oregon!  The rain has always refreshed me.  And I sorta like running in horrible conditions (dark, snow, cold, rain) because I feel like such a badass when I'm done.  But I do not enjoy the wind.  If you've ever blown in a baby's face and seen it squirm and gasp you've got a pretty good image of what I look like on a blustery run.  Only not cute.

Recipes:  I've been craving some sort of comfort food.  But that usually involves a big to-do and lots of leftovers of food that should be an indulgence in my diet, not a steady intake.  So I decided to make some beef stew and biscuits and invite my neighbors over.  I made the call and then got out my recipe only to find out that I was about two hours short of having time to prepare it.  So I made chicken enchiladas instead.  I'll post that recipe on Monday.  If you like chicken and dumplings, my bacon potato chowder or enchiladas, you're going to love this recipe.

Baseball:  I'm half panicked about talk of the Reno Aces perhaps leaving Reno.  I hate the idea of that lovely stadium standing empty, of summers without games in the warm Reno sun, and mostly, of the thought of not getting to see the sheer joy on my husband's face as we sip a beer and wait for the game to start.  There is nothing else like it.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Tools of the Trade

One of the things that I love about running is that you can do it any time, any where with almost no special equipment.  I've run off and on all my life but when I got back into it back in 2000 I did it in an old pair of Saucony trail shoes and all cotton shorts and shirts.  It was what I had.  I would walk out my front door, run until I was half tired and run home.

All these years later I can say that I have more money tied up in one of my sports bras than I had in my entire ensemble back in those days.  And I'm no more or less a runner for it.  I am a more comfortable runner to be sure.  And I will admit I struggled with shin splints in those Sauconys. But I've also struggled with pain in a $120 dollar pair of Asics. Find what suits YOU and get out the door or on that treadmill. It may not be the great find your friends are raving about.

Electronics are optional.  You don't need an iPod or GPS or smartphone app or fancy watch or Nike+ to run.  You may find that you love them, but you don't need them to get your fitness on.

If you need proof, just watch a kid at play.  If I hadn't been driving yesterday I'd have a picture to share with you right now.  I was driving back to my office, in the rain, and saw a boy of about 14 running up the street.  And by up I mean "up"...a fairly long pull of a hill.  He was in  skate shoes, a cotton hoody sweatshirt and baggy denim jeans.  And he was just running right up that hill.  Perfect form.  I glanced at his face as I went past and he wasn't grimacing or smiling he was just running.  It was such a great reminder that I can run even if my favorite moisture-wicking socks are in the laundry.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Stanimal

When I was in my twenties I worked for a small Mom & Pop grocery.  The owners were elderly and I remember a conversation with Raymond when he was in his late 60's.  He was lamenting the fact that he was at the age that all of his friends were dying.  I thought that was just heartbreaking.  And yet, here I am on the backside of my mid-40's and I'm beginning to feel that same sense of loss.

We can all name people who have helped form our lives, have touched us in a way that changes the type of person we choose to be.  For me, and many of the people whose lives she touched, one of those people was Stana Landon.  She passed away on Thanksgiving this year after a battle with cancer and even though we haven't been in regular contact for nearly 5 years I'm experiencing a depth of sorrow I never could have foreseen.

I do remember the last conversation I had with her.  For some reason the voice command on my phone would get confused when I would try to call my brother Marvin.  Clearly "Marvin Stewart" and "Stana Landon" sound a great deal alike.  When the phone would misdial I would just let it ring through and Stana and I would get a laugh out of the silly mistake and take a quick moment to say hello and I love you.  The best part of those calls, the best part of any time spent with Stana, was her laugh.

This may seem a bit somber for a blog about houses, running, recipes and baseball.  But there is a definite tie-in.  Stana is a very large part of why I run.  Years ago we played on a softball team together.  While we were running to the outfield we'd complain about how sore we were from a recent run.  Sharing running joys and tribulations grew to sharing every other aspect of life.  Neither of us was particularly fast or thin but sharing that bond with someone as amazing as Stana made me want to stick with it.

When I ran the Mary Woodbury Memorial 5k Turkey Trot this year I didn't yet know that Stana had passed.  But every run since has been with her on my mind.  And every Turkey Trot I do in the future will be for my friend.  What better way to stay connected to someone who gave me her passion for the sport?

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

A Housing Market Kind of Morning!

I'm still coughing a lot so am working from home in an attempt to minimize the spread of cold germs.  In spite of that, I have been busy on the phone and computer staying on top of business.  A lovely luxury of being a real estate agent.  Call me if you'd like to learn more!

One of the items I came across is an article about continued home value increases.  12 months running.  And that is good news for everyone.  Whether you own a home, want to buy a home, or sell your home...a strong market is good.  Here is the article:   http://www.dsnews.com/articles/october-marks-12-months-of-home-value-increases-2012-11-26.  I've got buyers so let me know if you're interested in selling!

I also had a conversation with an appraiser who heard on the news that short sale approvals by some of the big banks (Wells Fargo and Bank of America included) are going to be happening much more quickly.  This may be good news if you're planning to short sell your home.  But there is still the issues of whether or not the debt forgiveness will be honored and how the title companies can be expected to process a glut of short sales.  I so wish I had a crystal ball!!  I've searched for the news article he was referring to and have had no luck turning it up.  I'll share it as soon as I do!

In any event there is a lot going on in real estate.  Feel free to comment with your questions or concerns!  I'd love to hear the public opinion!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Mary Woodbury Memorial Run

I did something the other day that I usually recommend against.  I ran while sick.  The Friday before the Fernley 5K Turkey Trot I thought I might be coming down with a cold.  I felt alright when I was running, just a bit short of breath which I attributed to the cold morning air.  Later that evening it became clear that a cold had taken hold.  Since I only get sick about once every other year and they are typically of short duration I wasn't worried that it would interfere with our plans to run another 5K in Kuna, Idaho on Thanksgiving morning.

I was good and sick by Thursday.  And I wasn't anywhere close to the recovery I had predicted.  But I'd already committed to doing the event with my husband, a sister-in-law and a family friend.  Two of my brothers and a cute little dog came along to cheer us on. How could I NOT do it?!

I did it, felt surprisingly good, and enjoyed a really great event.  It is a family-and-friend-organized run to honor Mary Woodbury who lost her battle with breast cancer.  This was the 3rd Annual Memorial Run and had a good turnout on a 30 degree Thanksgiving morn.  There is no registration fee and they offer a frozen turkey to the winners and other raffle prizes that all participants are eligible to win.

I may have prolonged my cold by a few days by running while sick, but in this case I think it was totally worth it.  Great friends running for a great cause...plus a nice balance to the feast that followed at my brother's house!

How 'bout you?  Did you participate in a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot?

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Thanksgiving fish!

I took a few days break from blogging and now I have so many things I want to talk about!  But, as so often happens, I know I'll have nothing to say in two days so I'll try to pace myself.

My husband and I drove to Boise, Idaho to spend Thanksgiving with my family at my brother Sheldon's and his beautiful family's house.  He and his wife Lori are a large part of the reason my husband and I love to cook together.  They have perfected the process of preparing a meal together.  They can put eggs Benedict and fried potatoes on the table before I can make toast.  And the kitchen is clean when they are done.  They don't look frazzled, they aren't bumping into one another or getting frustrated that the other is doing something wrong.  They actually seem to become happy and relaxed and by the time they come to the table, delicious food in hand, they are laughing and smiling.  Who doesn't want to be able to do that?!

We arrived at their house in time for dinner on Tuesday evening.  I love salmon and was pretty excited to see that that was what they were serving.  Todd, on the other hand, is not a huge fan.  But, as always, Sheldon and Lori managed to serve an incredible meal.  The secret?  Fresh rosemary from their yard!  It is planted along the front walk as a decorative plant...but when it came time to pull dinner together Sheldon just went out and cut off what he needed!  Cooked for a while with lemon, salt and pepper, garlic and rosemary and then pulled out, rosemary removed, coated with a generous layer of Best Foods Mayonnaise, and just a bit of the rosemary returned to season and offer a delectable crisp texture and returned to the oven until cooked through.  It seemed to take no time at all to prepare and was so good even Todd went back for seconds!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Crust Quest

After our 5K race on Saturday Todd and I ran some errands and then treated ourselves to a late lunch/early dinner at Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria.  I am always on the lookout for great pizza crust - both in the recipes I use and the restaurants I visit.  It is all part of my crust quest.

We have been past Grimaldi's many times but hadn't stopped until now.  I'm sorry it took us so long! The service was great, the ambiance was romantic yet family friendly, and the food was terrific. We were so hungry we ate the Caprese salad and half the pizza before I thought to grab out the camera.  The crust is rather cracker-like and the sauce is pure, not overwhelmingly seasoned.  My only complaint is that when I re-heated the leftovers (yes...there were leftovers!) the crust became tough.

In any case - if you're looking for great pizza and don't want to build one at home you should give Grimaldi's a try!  I'll certainly be going back!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Second place is alright by me!

Yesterday was my neighbor's birthday and because he's so worth celebrating the usual group of neighbors got together for good food and drinks.  That was a lot of fun.  The not so fun part was getting up early this morning to drive to Fernley, approximately 40 minutes from here, to run in the 1st Annual Turkey Trot put on by the Healthy Communities Coalition to benefit the Fernley Stand Tall Scholarship program.

It got fun again when we started running.  It was a smallish group of about 50 of us that started in the cold morning air on the high school track.  And then it got less fun when we hit the silty dirt road and dropped to almost no fun at all when we hit two washboardy steep hills.  And, as is usually the case, it got fun again when we crossed the finish line.  The funnest part of all is standing around at the finish chatting with fellow runners, cheering those still completing the race and enjoying the accomplishment of the run.  And winning a big fat gift certificate for taking second place in your gender category!

Thank you HCC and your wonderful volunteers and sponsors.  Thank you, especially, to the Fernley Swimming Pool for providing swim passes to winners and participants and to The Peppermill Casino in Reno for the generous gift certificate!  I'll put them to good use!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Turkey Trots

Turkey trots is not an ailment you get from eating undercooked turkey.  Well, it is, but it isn't the kind of trot I'm talking about.  (Except now I am!  How do I break from this!!)

THANKSGIVING FUN RUNS! THAT'S what I'm talking about! We are doing the Fernley Turkey Trot 5K Run tomorrow in Fernley, NV at 9:00 am. For anyone that would like to join us the race day registration starts at 8:00 AM at the Fernley High School.

Then we are going to do another one in Boise, ID on Thanksgiving morning.  My husband found four online to choose from so we need to pin down which it is going to be and then see how many of my family members we can sucker into joining us!  I do love that running family of mine! 

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Strata? Casserole? I call it delicious!

I have a make-ahead recipe for a French toast casserole-bake-strata-thingy that I love because it is delicious and makes breakfast for guests seem somewhat effortless.  Unless my guest is my brother Nick.  He's never been the biggest fan of eggs and when I made this I learned he also isn't a big fan of wet bread.  Oh well.  Nick can fend for himself.

I found the original recipe in a Better Homes & Gardens Favorite Recipes from Country Inns cookbook.  But I didn't love it love it...just kind of liked it loved it.  It had potential.  So I found another recipe from www.allrecipes.com and took ideas from both and then added some stuff that I like.  Now it is love love.

Quick to throw together the night before, toss it in the oven in the morning, serve with fruit and ham or whatever floats your boat.

Stuffed French Toast Casserole

1 one-pound loaf unsliced French bread
1 8-oz package of cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups half & half
1 cube of butter, divided
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1/4 cup real maple syrup
maple syrup and/or confectioners' sugar to top

Cut French bread into cubes*.  Melt 2 Tbsp butter and spread in bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking dish.  Put half bread cubes in baking dish.  Top with cream cheese cubes and then remaining bread cubes.

In mixing bowl combine eggs, half & half, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup and remaining 6 Tbsp melted butter.  Mix on medium until well combined.  Pour slowly and evenly  over bread and cream cheese.  Press slightly with spatula.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Remove casserole from oven and let rest while oven preheats to 350 degrees F.  Remove plastic wrap from baking dish and place sheet of aluminum foil loosely over casserole. Bake for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until top is golden brown.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Top with confectioners' sugar or maple syrup to taste.

* Couple of notes about the bread.  I like to get the kind in a plastic sleeve.  The crust tends to be more tender.  I also cut the bottom crust off altogether and do not use it in this recipe.  And I like my cubes to be about 3/4".  They offer more surface area and better absorption of the egg mixture.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Personal taste

I was in Fernley day before yesterday showing a house. It was such a darling house, on two acres, that I am sure if my husband and I had seen it when we were looking 16 months ago I'd be living in Fernley right now.  It is very reminiscent of our previous home in Cove, Oregon.  There were quail and doves everywhere, raised garden beds, covered patio area, distance between neighbors, and did I mention two acres?!  Driving away from that house made me more homesick than any other event since I've been here.

When I got back to my house I was struck by how NOT like my Cove house it is. Or isn't.  And I love this one every bit as much.  The reasons people like a given property are as different and numerous as the people who live in them.  Todd and I enjoyed the birds at our other home and have worked to attract birds to this house.  I love looking out the window while doing dishes to see them at the feeder or bathing in the sun.

Just down the street from the Fernley house was a ranch property with a large gated entrance.  Atop the gate on either side of the drive was this:

Not exactly my cup of tea but fun to see.  Fun to wonder about the people who put it up and what they were thinking when they chose do to do so.  So, dear readers, comment! comment!  Tell me what about your home brings you joy!

www.rnohomes.com

Tread tired

It is 10:43 pm and I just got off the treadmill.  I spent the day showing property - met some nice people, saw some great homes - and then spent time catching up on e-mail and voicemail.  I was exhausted and my back hurt.  Then I got on the treadmill, walked for a few minutes, and then ran a 5K.  My back doesn't hurt and I feel more energy than I've felt all day.  I need to remember that the next time I'm looking for reasons not to run!  And now I'm going to go to bed because tomorrow looks like it is going to be just as busy as today.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Chili Cookoff Surprise

Some of the best recipes are the simplest ones.  I know the chili cookoff folks were slaving over hot pots of meat and beans for hours and hours.  I spent 6 minutes on pan cookies that turned out to be the hot item of the night.  Okay, okay...it was more like 20 minutes if you include baking time.  This is a recipe my sister shared with me ages ago and I love them!  So do my neighbors!

Krusteaz Chocolate Chip Pan Cookies

3/4 cup margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups Krusteaz buttermilk pancake mix
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 370 degrees F.

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla.  Whip until fluffy.  Stir in pancake mix.  Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spread evenly in bottom of 13x9x3 baking pan.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.


www.jerianne.rnohomes.

If you run, you are a runner.

One of the things I love about Reno is its culture of fitness.  Everywhere I go I see people running, walking or cycling.  I showed a home near Shadow Mountain Sports Complex yesterday and as I was leaving I drove past a number of people walking or playing fetch with their dogs.  It still makes me happy every day.

I saw one gentleman in particular that cheered me up.  I'd say he was in his 60s and he was rather overweight.  His solid tree-trunk legs barely came off the ground with each effort.  And he was giving it quite a bit of effort.  He wasn't running quickly, barely faster running than he was when he was walking.  But he was DOING IT.  He was was out there doing it.  I've seen every body type running and I am always most proud of those that aren't "built for speed".  I wanted so badly to put down my window and cheer for him.  But I would hate it if he thought even for one second that I wasn't genuinely supporting his effort.

If you run, you are a runner.  I hope he knows that.  I hope he knows that with every step he is inspiring others.  He certainly inspired me.

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

This is harder than I expected!

Work is keeping me busy and I love it!  I had a message from a seller's agent before I even got out of bed at 6:30 this morning.  I took my husband to the airport on my way to a Keller Williams sales meeting.  I drove from there to meet with a lender to discuss ways he can help with a couple of buyers I am working with.  I ran home for a quick bite to eat (leftover chili, of course!) and then replied to several e-mail messages and made some phone calls.  And I still have several to plow through!  When I get through that I get to do some marketing and some lead generation and then I get to read a couple of big fat escrow packages. I Love It.  Seriously!

While some of that isn't exactly easy, it also isn't exactly hard.  What is hard is the crazy idea that I could do all of that, still have time to run and spend time with family and friends, and write a novel! I am so far behind on the writing that I am pacing to finish some time in late May! My niece would say "at least you'll finish!"  but my thought is "MAY!?  What part of 'write a novel in November' includes a May finish line?!"

One thing you should know if you're considering 1) buying or selling a house, or 2) writing a novel:  it CAN be done!  Call me!  I'd love to discuss your real estate needs or writing goals!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Stage Four

I'd like to propose a toast to the beautiful and indomitable Judy:

Peace to ease your worries.
Comfort for your pain.
Boundless love from all who know you.
Thank you for your sense of humor...a beacon to others even in this difficult time.

Cheers!


www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Cooking up a Chili Cookoff

Tonight my husband and I are hosting our second neighborhood chili cookoff.  It is the 5th annual event for our neighborhood and is just one of many reasons we love living here!  When I tell others that our neighbors do this fun event, a block party for the fourth of July and a progressive cocktail party on New Year's Eve they want to know how we do it.  We just do!

Our cookoff is pretty simple.  We pick a date that works for the majority.  This year it falls on a Monday because last year's winner wasn't available over the weekend and it didn't seem right to let him off the hook.  We also pick a football game day and have two football pools, one for the adults and one for the kids.  One neighbor is in charge of that.

This year we created a Facebook group so we could communicate more easily.  And by communicate I mean "throw down some trash talk".  Actually - it does allow us to determine who is bringing what...sour cream and cheese from one family, macaroni noodles from another, hot dogs from another, beer, wine, soda...you get the idea.

Last year, our first, we were sure we would win.  I was sure I would win with my beanless chili.  Todd was sure he would win with his spicy crowd-pleaser.  The biggest surprise for us and our family that came to participate:  our neighbors make some REALLY good chili!  Every single bowl was delicious.  Really, really delicious!

Our voting process is pretty simple.  All of the chili is prepared ahead of time. The crockpots and pots are placed out of the way and the chili itself if presented in matching bowls to protect the chef's identity.  A cup with a number on it is placed in front of each chili.  (This year we added a second cup for the kids' vote.)  Every "judge" is given 3 dry beans to use to cast their vote.  If they really love one chili they can vote all three beans on that chili.  If they are torn between two or three they can vote accordingly.  At the end, we count the beans...most beans wins!  Our winner gets bragging rights and an ugly traveling trophy.

Husband's 2012 entry simmering away.

Do you and your neighbors do great neighborhood events?  I'd love to hear about it!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Fall Food Drive

As a real estate agent I get the benefit of working for myself while working for a great company.  I set my schedule and I create my own success.  One of my recent marketing ventures also served a very worthy cause and the results were quite surprising for me.

The Reno and Sparks offices for Keller Williams hosted a Fall Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.  As a group we collected almost 300 bags of non-perishable food items to help people in our own communities.  A very worthy cause, indeed.

It all adds up!

What surprised me was not that people were so generous.  I was surprised that a couple afternoons knocking on doors in my own neighborhood, even my own street, would be so rewarding.  I met a lot of really wonderful people.  In spite of the political door-knockers and television/Internet providers that have been in our neighborhood recently a large number of people opened their homes to me.  While I do hope to be able to serve these people with any real estate needs they may have I have already been rewarded with the knowledge that I am surrounded by such great neighbors!

Go introduce yourself to the neighbor you've been waving at on your way to work for years.  Stop and chat with the family raking leaves down the street.  You'll be glad you did!

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com

Trick or Chowder

This has been a wonderful Halloween week!  My friends and I attended a couple of very fun parties in our neighborhood.  My mom made it to and from DC safely in spite of Hurricane Sandy.  Our annual neighborhood chili cookoff is coming up in a few days and plans are coming together very nicely.  The fall colors are resplendent, but the temperatures have been pleasant.  And Halloween was a blast!

My neighbor and I pooled our resources and handed out candy (me) and cute little bendy monsters and spider rings (Vykki).  We enjoyed a glass of wine and I made a big ol' pot of potato chowder.  Paired with some Dutch crunch dinner rolls we had a warm, cozy meal.  And when her boys needed a break from trick-or-treating they stopped by for a bowl too.

We had a very polite bunch of costumed kids (and some parents) at our door!  Little tiny princesses and Batmen to scary zombies and funny rodeo clowns.  But I'd have to say my favorite trick-or-treater was my darling neighbor who showed up with a bowl and a spoon looking for some Halloween chowder!  I think I've started a new tradition in my house!

The recipe comes from a Land O' Lakes cookbook my sister-in-law got me years ago.  The book falls open to this page!  It is simple and delicious - no reason not to make some tonight!

Savory Bacon Potato Chowder
8 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch slices

6 medium (2 cups) new red potatoes, cubed 1/2-inch

2 medium (1 cup) onions, chopped

1 cup Land O' Lakes sour cream

1 1/4 cups milk

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (8-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Cook bacon in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes; add potatoes and onions. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender (10 to 15 minutes).

Add all remaining ingredients. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until heated through (5 to 10 minutes).

www.jerianne.rnohomes.com