Surely everyone these days knows about Facebook, right?  It’s the grown up version of MySpace.  Sort of.

There is a growing concern among the younger generation that they really don’t want their parents to be on the same network as they are for privacy reasons.  Not only this, but I’ve seen evidence of family squabbles, blatant misunderstandings and even job loss over things that are posted here. 

It’s actually easy to understand when you think of all of the people here.  I have people from childhood, from high school, from college, from every job I’ve had, family, friends, acquaintences, clients, customers and people I don’t even know in the vein of “networking.”  Is it any wonder worlds collide sometimes?

I’ve read article after article about this phenomenon, but this one has some good advice: Facebook Etiquette.  Or, you can live by the same credo I do:  Don’t post ANYTHING you wouldn’t want anyone in the world to see…because once it’s on the web, there’s no way to control it anymore.

Did you know that the refrigerator is the biggest energy draining appliance in your kitchen (typically)?  It would make sense, then, to ditch that old fridge and get yourself a new, more energy efficient model.

This little blurb from Vance Air Force Base was particularly interesting to me:

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are more than 47 million fridges more than 10 years old in the U.S. A new, nationwide effort has begun, encouraging every American who owns an old, inefficient refrigerator to save money, energy and the environment by recycling that old fridge. And if a replacement unit is needed, savings are available when buying a new Energy Star-qualified refrigerator. Visit www.recyclemyoldfridge.com for more information. 

According to Mr. Stamper, if replacement is not an option at this time, there are ways to ensure getting the most efficiency from the old appliance: 

1. Make sure the door closes securely. There is a rubber-like seal around the door that can be tested by closing the door on a dollar bill. See how easy it is to pull out. If the dollar slides out easily, the door is probably leaking moist hot air into the refrigerator then having to cool it. Re-sealing the fridge door is definitely one way to keep cold air inside the fridge where it belongs. 

2. Every couple of months, vacuum lint and dust, and remove debris from the coils on the back and bottom of the refrigerator. This makes the transfer of heat from inside the refrigerator to the outside easier for any refrigerator. 

3. Another simple step to save energy is to move the refrigerator away from the stove and dishwasher and keep it away from direct sunlight. Also, the refrigerant coils in the back of the refrigerator should have some space away from the wall, and on top of the unit, so the air that is pulling heat out of the refrigerator has a place to escape instead of heating the space around the refrigerator. 

4. When replacing burned-out light bulbs, use the manufacturer-recommended lamp size. Compact fluorescent lamps are normally not good for this application due to the low temperature. Use a CF suitable for outdoor use. 

Ask yourself – is your refrigerator running… as efficiently as possible?

One of the coolest fridges I’ve ever seen is this LG stainless steel side by side

LG Side by Side w/TV

 with a TV screen in the door!  Isn’t that crazy?  Now, you don’t have to wait for a commercial to get yourself a soda.  It features a 15-inch LCD screen with inputs for TV, DVD, cable and radio, as well as an ice-maker, a wine rack, pizza tray and LED for controlling the temperature.  Needless to say, it ain’t cheap.

There are some pretty important points that you should know about food safety for the fridge.  I found this video short and informative:

Fridge Safety

Picnic Shelter

Highland Park is relatively new and certainly the newest we have in Lincolnton.  It is a wonderful park with a lovely playground at the top and a picnic shelter.  I’ve been to several birthday parties here and it is really a perfect place.  The shelter is just a few steps away from the fenced playground area, so you can let your little one play while you set up for the party.

Playground

Speaking of the playground, your little one will love this one.  All of the equipment is relatively new and quite colorful.  I love that is has a fence surrounding it so that would be escapees will be curtailed.  There are plenty of opportunities to swing, climb, slide, balance and run.  That’s my little one climbing in the pink.  Everything a good playground should have is here!

There is also a lovely walking trail that begins at the top of the hill by the playground and winds its way through the wooded areas below.  There are

Walking Trails

 benches along the way for resting and a few picnic tables along the way for picnicing.  On our meanderings we saw adults walking and jogging, kids biking, roller blading and skate boarding.  There are also soccer fields and baseball fields for youth sports. 

If you choose to visit a park in Lincolnton, this one is one of my favorites.  It’s new, fresh and happy

Here are the properties that are close by the park, call me if you’d like to see one!  Highland Drive Park Properties

I’ve long ago given up the dream of being a professional chef.  Selling homes is where my talents ultimately lie.  However, I found a few folks who’ve managed to have their cake..and bake it, too.  Meet my new heroes:

I first saw Jim Fox, 45, of Wilmette, Ill. on the Food Network Challenge show “Hot and Spicy”.  Even though he isn’t a REALTOR per se, he is the Chief Financial Officer of a national real estate investment firm.  His signature dish,Sharsh’s White Bean Chicken Chili was developed by him for his wife.

If you live in Florida, you are in luck!  Mark Horan of Osceola County promises he has the recipe for Central Florida Real Estate.  Though I didn’t notice any recipes on his blog, I’d still probably use him if I were a buyer or seller for having a chef’s hat in his advertising.  If I’m honest.

I’ve saved the best for last.  I’m currently rooting for Jeffery Saad who owns a real estate brokerage firm in Bel Air California, to win the Next Food Network Star that airs every Sunday and for days thereafter.  And he’s going to win, mark my words.  His food is delicious (maybe not the lobster pot pie fortified with blueberries) and he has an easy demeanor that keeps his fans watching.  I know I am.  I’m even following him on Twitter.  Makes me want to move to Bel Air just to get him to be my agent.

Ever heard of a cooking school just for kids?  And where was this when I was a kid???

Camp Can-I-Cook is on for Summer 2009!  Kids can attend in a membership, monthly or single class basis.  The theme of this summer’s camp is “The Great Kitchen Mystery.”  To see the schedule and description of classes, check out the schedule.

In addition to the camp, you can have your child’s birthday party here.  Prices begin at $250 for a party of up to 10 children and includes invitations, paper supplies, drinks and balloons.  The most basic party package includes pizza or pasta party, chef hat and recipe card for each child plus a t-shirt or apron for the birthday child.

The cooking classes offered here vary by monthly theme and are categorized by skill level and begin with classes for your 3 year old.  Students sharpen their skills by employing the mantra, “Mise en Place” which, in the cooking world, translates into “Everything in its place.”  (I love it!) 

Examples of monthly themes I’ve seen include the recipes of celebrity chefs Rachel Ray or Emeril Lagasse or the old world dishes of Italy.

Young chefs will learn basics in:

• kitchen safety
• proper food handling
• food preparation
• cooking and baking techniques
• presentation
• table setting
• manners
• basic cognitive subject matter
• and so much more!

Check out the website at Young Chefs Academy or call704-987-9300.

Fireworks Displays!

Lincolnton:  Sundown at Lincoln High School on July 4th

Crouse will hold a Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. at Crouse United Methodist Church.

Mooresville: Friday, July 3rd from 5:00 – 10:00, Summer Celebration at Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville.

July 4th at Queen’s Landing

Charlotte:  July 4th at 9:30pm there will be a spectacular fireworks display at the Memorial Stadium.  “Red White and Boom!” fireworks show can be viewed from a variety of locations around the city.

Court Street Grill in Lincolnton

113 Court Sq, Lincolnton, NC

Tel: (704) 732-3242

Court Street is one of our favorite restaurants in Lincolnton.  Located on the court square, it is a popular destination for the white collar lunch crowd.  But, don’t let that dissuade you, this place is popular with everyone!

The offerings include sandwiches, Italian standards, pizza, salads and wraps.  Everything is very fresh and homemade.  The owner’s mom makes a homemade cake(s) daily, and when it is gone, it’s gone.  So, get there at lunch and get a piece!

Italian Sandwich Platter

Cross-section of Italian Sandwich

On this visit I had the Italian Sandwich platter.  They wrap all of their sandwiches in foil and serve them warm.  As you can see by the cross section I’ve provided, the Italian sandwich is filled with ham, mortadella (bologna?), cheese, lettuce, tomato and dressing.  As you can see, I opted for no tomatoes.  The platters themselves come with french fries and a small side salad.  The french fries are crisp and covered with seasoned salt.  For the salad, you have your choice of mesculan mix, iceberg lettuce or a mix.  I find the mix to be the best choice.  Their dressings are homemade (at least the house Italian and the Ranch) and the salads come with tomatoes and a large helping of cheese, which for me turned out to be too much for the amount of lettuce.  I’m probably in the minority there.

The variety of sandwiches there is pretty flavorful.  Some of my favorites include the buffalo chicken wrap, and the chicken sandwich with Obama’s (that’s the owner) specially seasoned chicken.  All are served dressed the same way mine is.  I’ve also asked them to make my daughter a “pizza sub” with pepperoni, cheese and sauce (not on the menu) and they happily obliged.

Chicken Fingers

Now, if you have picky children who wouldn’t dream of eating a sandwhich with all of that “stuff” on it, try the chicken fingers off of the appetizer menu.  Yep, they are pretty basic, but you can see the pepper flakes in the breading, so that counts for something.  My son was thrilled with them.

The pizza is offered on the kid’s menu, and on the adult menu as well.  It was cheesy and delicious while it was hot, but after it became lukewarm it was not

Pizza

as appetizing.  They also have lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti and the like.  It is good and served with a salad and grilled garlic bread.

The service is normally quick and the owner is friendly.  The atmosphere is probably the best in Lincolnton with the buffed hardwood floors, the exposed air ductwork, large picture windows, plants and location to the court house.  My only gripe is the parking.  It is always, no matter what time I arrive, crazy packed and you feel you’ve won the lottery if you find a space up front.

Even if you have to walk a piece, it’s worth it.

I’m in the process of making cookbooks for customers of some shared recipes and some of my own tried and true family favorites.  I used to send in recipes to magazines (Southern Living, Taste of Home, Cooking Light, etc.) to try to win contest, or just be published.  I used to have considerably more time on my hands.  I am busier now, but still love to cook.  Apparently, some of those recipes made it, and then trickled onto the web, because many of these are not put on these sites my me!

Here’s a list of the ones I found.  I must have tried them all (if I sent them to the magazine).

• Baked Garlic Chicken - sent when I lived in Arkansas.  I had A LOT of time on my hands then.
• Crab Au Gratin Spread
• Macaroni Tuna Casserole
• Antipasta
• Key Lime Daquiri Poundcake – I actually won a county fair contest with this recipe.

My recipes from this blog

• Realtor Luncheon (Hello Dollies, Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches, Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, and Tuna and Egg Salad Sandwiches)

My recipes on Epinions:

• Thanksgiving Side Dishes
• Baby Shower Goodies
• Mini-Cinnamon Rolls
• A friend in need is a friend indeed: casseroles to take to an ailing friend.
• Hiking and Camping
• After School Snack Cake
• Fiesta Dinner Party
• Christmas Party Time
• Valentine Fondue Party

My recipes on Recipezaar:  BarenakedChef’s Recipe (don’t let the name fool you, I’m a fan of the Barenaked Ladies AND the Naked Chef…so I combined the two…no bacon cooking jokes, please!)

My recipes on Suzanne’s Cooking Spot:

• Appetizers
• Beverages
• Breads
• Breakfast
• Desserts
• Main Dishes
• Soups
• Vegetables and Sides

Recipe Circus

-photo credit: Life or Something Like It

Daniel Barefoot was recently honored by the Lincoln County Historical Association for his 12 published works on Lincolnton and other North Carolina historical figures and places.  His topics run the gamut from Gen. Robert Hoke to ghosts that haunt our colleges!

According to REALTOR Magazine, Mortgage rates have reached a 7 month high.  What are you waiting for?  The time is now to get that new home at a decent rate locked in for 30 years! 

An interesting article in US News describes some things you need to know about the increase, and why now is a great time to buy.  An excerpt:

It’s important to remember that 30-year, fixed mortgage rates of 5.36 percent–heck, 5.5 percent–are still incredibly low by historic standards. Still, higher rates have the potential to force home prices lower to compensate for the higher purchasing costs. “If [the higher rates are] in place for a while it could have the effect of putting some additional pressure on home prices,” Gumbinger says.