Want to bring some joy to a child who would otherwise not get any Christmas presents this year? You can through the Samaritan’s Purse organization and the Operation Christmas Child project. Operation Christmas Child’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It’s simple to do, just get a standard size shoe box, choose whether you would like to buy gifts for a boy or a girl and then pick which age bracket: 2-4 years, 5-9 years or 10-14 years. (You can print out labels on the website that you’ll attach to the top of the box.) Purchase your gifts and then wrap your box–wrap the lid separately. You can include a personal note from yourself and your family if you would like.

Include $7 per box to help pay for shipping costs; simply fill out the donation form that’s on the website–it’s on the same page as the labels–and write a check. Put those items in an envelope and place them inside the box on top of the gifts.

There are several drop-off locations and next week, November 16-23, is the collection week. This is so easy to do and what a difference you could make in a child’s life–think of the smile you’re going to bring to their precious face when they see the goodies you’ve given them.

Be creative with your gifts inside the boxes…here’s some ideas to get you started:

TOYS small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

In case you missed the link to the Operation Christmas Child website at the top, here it is again:

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD DETAILS

Good news potential home buyers!! The first time home buyer tax credit has been extended into 2010 and now there’s even a tax credit for those current home owners looking to purchase a home as well!

First Time Home Buyer Extended Tax Credit Basics:

• The $8,000 tax credit has been extended until April 30, 2010. As long as you have a written, binding contract in force by that date you have until July 1, 2010 to close.

• You will not have to repay this credit as long as you live in the home as your primary residence for three years or more.

• Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, town homes and co-ops.

• You qualify as a first time home buyer if you or your spouse has not owned a home during the previous three years.

• Income limits have been increased: single buyers are now eligible with income limits of up to $125,000 and married couples are eligible with income limits up to $225,000

• This extension was put into effect on November 7, 2009

Current Home Owner Tax Credit Basics:

• Current home owners can get a credit of up to $6,500 when they sell their primary residence and purchase another home during the November 7, 2009 to April 30, 2010 time frame

• You qualify to get the credit if you’ve used the home being sold as your principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight

• The other factors such as which homes qualify, whether or not you have to repay the credit and the income limits are the same as the first time home buyer tax credit.

Now it’s a great time to buy in Georgia whether you’re a first time home buyer or one who’s lived in your home for at least five consecutive years. I would love to help you buy a new home or sell your current one! If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!

(Please note, information in this post was obtained from the article written by the National Association of REALTORS and can be found at this link: The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit.)

Also, if you have specific questions as to how this tax credit pertains to you or if you want more details please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800.829.1040

If you’re considering purchasing a home, now’s the time…especially if you’re a first-time home buyer! I would be honored to help you through the very important and sometimes overwhelming home buying process. Please don’t hesitate to contact me!

 Natural beauty surrounds you in this distinctive custom home. The approximately 5,000 square foot home is situated on 84 gorgeous acres.

The home has a custom gourmet kitchen featuring granite countertops, Lyptus hardwood cabinets (a Brazilian wood) and stainless steel appliances. In addition to the oven in the kitchen, there are 2 more ovens around the corner in the laundry room…perfect for easily preparing the Thankgsiving meal or entertaining friends.

This beautiful and elegant dining room can comfortably seat 14 people at the table. There’s also plenty of room for a sofa and two chairs on one side of the room and a large sideboard on the other side. The hand-painted mural was done by a local artist and really adds a unique touch to the room. The large, gorgeous chandelier is over 100 years old and is originally from a department store in Salt Lake City.

Come relax for a while in this comfy screened-in patio adjacent to the kitchen and family room. Cozy up to the stacked-stone fireplace during the winter months or just enjoy the view of the woods…you may even spot a turkey or deer! It’s the perfect little spot to savor your morning coffee.

This hand-carpentered study is made entirely of birch wood and features a custom-designed stained glass window. The built-in shelving and cabinets provide plenty of storage space for your books and other memorabilia. It makes an elegant office or a great place to relax with a book.

Upstairs, the veranda is spacious and offers a peaceful place to cuddle up and enjoy the day. It overlooks the four horse pastures and provides a beautiful place to take in some sunshine and fresh air.

 You’ll think you’re at a 5 star resort when relaxing by this heated saltwater pool. It’s designed like a lagoon and is surrounded by professional landscaping. The guest house is fully complete with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, full bath, changing room and pool equipment storage room.

This property truly has it all! It also includes a barn with 6 horse stalls, a complete apartment for living quarters, hay loft, tack and feed room and more. There are also four fenced horse pastures. Beautiful upland woods with food plots throughout to attract wildlife. 1,000 feet of river front property on the Flint River and an old wooden train trestle on the back corner of the land. Whatever you’re looking for, I’m sure you could find it here!

Also, be sure to view the virtual tour; it really shows off the amazing features of this estate.

Click to watch the Virtual Tour

Something to consider: does your kitchen already have great bones? Meaning, are the cabinets stylish, are the countertops granite and are the appliances stainless steel? If so, then you may just need to work on the details, which I’ll get to in a little bit. If not, this is where you should really spend your time and money to begin with. Upgrading your kitchen is one of the rooms in your home that will give you a bigger return on your investment when you sell. People want awesome kitchens, is yours great or just mediocre?

Now if you already have great bones to your kitchen, then you may just need to get rid of the clutter and consider whether or not your kitchen is stylish and inviting. Do you feel like you’ve walked into the pages of a magazine when you enter your kitchen? You can enhance stylishness by adding details which can be as simple as adding beautiful glass bowls full of colorful fruit and vases of flowers. Use collections you already have such as great china pieces.

Another key to enhancing your kitchen is to change it up often. In doing so it will keep the room fresh and inviting, energizing and more appealing. This doesn’t have to be fancy changes–maybe change out the decorations–use different flowers or different fruit or incorporate a different piece of china. An easy change to do is to swap out the drawer and cabinet knobs for more modern ones. Don’t get stuck in a rut and don’t be afraid to move things around.

This recipe is so easy and delicious that I bet you make it this weekend! And it tastes perfectly when paired with garlic green beans and horseradish mashed potatoes. Doesn’t that sound like a delightful combination?

INGREDIENTS:

• One 3-lb boneless chuck roast
• 1.5 teaspoons House Seasoning (See note at bottom)
• 1/4 Cup vegetable oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 or 4 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 10.75 oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 to 1/2 Cup Chardonnay wine

DIRECTIONS:

1. Sprinkle roast on all sides with House Seasoning; seasoning well
2. In moderately hot skillet, brown roast on all sides in oil
3. Place roast in Crock Pot
4. On top of the roast, layer onion, bay leaves, crushed beef bouillon cubes, crushed garlic and cream of mushroom soup
5. Add Chardonnay
6. Cover with just enough water to cover all the ingredients sufficiently
7. Cook on low setting approximately 8 hours

House Seasoning is made of: 1 Cup salt, 1/4 Cup black pepper and 1/4 Cup garlic powder. Stir all ingredients together.

I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe! Bon Appetit!

(Recipe is from the cookbook: Paula Deen’s Kitchen Classics)

In addition to this beautiful home, there’s also a barn complete with an apartment, 4 pastures, plenty of woods, a pool and a guest house.

This beautiful gourmet kitchen was custom designed for the home and includes granite countertops, cabinets made from Brazilian Lyptus hardwood and 3 ovens.

Spacious screened-in porch is adjacent to the family room and kitchen and features a gorgeous stacked-stone fireplace.

The in-ground beach entry saltwater pool features a waterfall and professional landscaping. The guest house is complete with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, full bath, changing room and pool equipment storage room.

There are so many other wonderful features of this home from its elegant dining room that seats 14 people comfortably to its study entirely made of hand-carpentered Birch wood.

For questions about the property or to show, contact me at 404.357.2231 or Anne@TheRainsTeam.com

(My AWESOME virtual tour was done by Reel Productions team, Tara Jones and TJ Hedges)

It’s a great time to buy a home in Georgia, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or not, and I would love to walk you through this process. If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today: 404.357.2231!

I hope you watch the video because the designer really has great ideas. Here’s three tips that I found especially helpful:

• Look for the focal point of the room, whether it be a fireplace or another unique feature, and build the room around that. Make the focal point be what pulls everything together.

• Don’t be afraid to bring furniture forward in the room, by floating the furniture in the room and not lining everything up against the walls it creates a more intimate and cozy atmosphere.

• When you’re ready to change up the look of a space, look around your home at pieces you already have. It’ll save you a lot of money if you mix up your furniture throughout your home and will achieve the feel of a new look at the same time. Then you can use your money to either freshen up the paint, add a new coffee table or other accent piece or get some great accessories such as candles, lamps, books or other decorative touches.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did and learn some neat decorating tips in the process. Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! If you have any tips for improving the family room (especially Stagers–I know y’all will have wonderful ideas), please leave them in the comment section!