Saturday, December 11, 2010

Home for Sale in Fenton, MO | $750000

Home for Sale in Fenton, MO | $750000 Custom Two Story, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Gourmet kitchen with ultra deluxe appliances that include granite counters, 42 inch cabinets with crown molding, subzero refrigerator, viking range and stainless range hood with cooling racks, center island, walk-in pantry and wood flooring. An awesome pecan finished den with raised panels and custom hardwood flooring. Relaxing master bedroom has large walk-in closet and luxury master bath with whirlpool tub, separate shower, adult height vanity and marble floor. Two Story entry foyer with front and back split staircase. Surround sound and gas fireplace in the family room. Wardrobe closet organizers, can lighting, Low-E Pella windows, atrium and french doors, four panel solid doors, coffered - vaulted - cathedral ceilings, double crown molding, central vac, alarm system, electric pet fencing. Side entry heated 3 car garage. 200 amp split panel in ... 90037535 Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Gundaker, St Louis Missouri MO "

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

And the River, She Rises

There's a full moon in sight,

Shinin' down on Lake Ponchatrain.

And the River, she rises

Just like she used to do.

She's so full of surprises

She reminds me of you.

My daughters have i-pods. They don't know the joy of hearing their favorite songs on the radio-especially the thrill of that magical coincidence...that blissful, ephemeral moment when the song plays exactly when it should. My daughters, Robyn and Trystan, don't know about listening to top-40 radio day and night and day and night until even your parents, who are Glenn Miller through-and-through, cave-in and start singing along with your favorite song. My girls don't know about the endless guerilla battle for buttons on the car-radio; they won't know the number one Road Rule-"driver calls the music," even more important than who calls shotgun. They and their passengers will live in parallel universes, those little ear-plus in their ears.

"Poco," who I'm wildly speculating were the sane and sober survivors of "Buffalo Springfield," sang about New Orleans during my summer between sixth and seventh grade...I think. 1978. Whatever grade you're "going into" when you're 11 and the whole world is about boobs, boys, love, romance, and learning how to French kiss. Naturally I, more concerned about boys than song lyrics, didn't figure out that Poco sang about New Orleans until about two years later when I actually listened to all the lyrics. I tend to "perseverate" on things. I hate that word, but I admit that I do it; and in my original 1978 summer of "Heart of the Night," I gently and quietly held my breath until the boys busted-out the refrain, "I trust in your love just like I do in this town." For all I knew, they were singing about Park Ridge, Illinois, the old neighborhood, where my darling mother still lives and takes care of business.

I didn't feel crushed when I discovered Poco paid homage to the Crescent City. I've been there-stayed at "The Maison DeVille," a very-very-very comme il faut little fourteen room hotel in The French Quarter, of course, allegedly once home of the cocktail's inventor, which I think is wonderfully coincidental, because the hotel adjoins the Court of the Two Sisters, where one can enjoy the cocktails Msr. DeVille so ingeniously conceived and concocted.

That's the long way of saying I've been to New Orleans, loved every minute of it, didn't want to leave, but at these prices, unless you're Poco, you cannot afford to stay. Better to pay homage in song and go home to Park Ridge.

Now, it's different. Now, when I hear that song, I do feel a little crushed...and a lot worried.

New Orleans, bravely rebuilding itself, paid a high price for washing away its fine patina of culture and gentility. When the traditions washed away, the ugly racial and economic divisions came out, and we all had to deal with the ugly realization that the government really won't go where the po' folk live.

"Put 'em in trailers" sounds a whole helluva lot to me like "Let 'em eat cake."

That's the intellectual part of my worrying. The visceral part feels a lot more intense.

In my world, the associative chain links with links until it gets to "Hurricane, wildfire-it's all pretty much the same."

In other words, I identify with the people in New Orleans. I understand their dilemma, because I, too, have wrestled with it. And for all my relentless questioning and very skilled grappling, I never have mastered, subdued or reconciled the dilemma. When the voice on my radio growls, "We interrupt this broadcast...," my heart goes into overdrive, because I know-deep down in my gut where I never have made a mistake, I know-we're about to repeat the series of impossible questions families must answer as they face imminent disaster.

When the water's rising in what used to be your front yard, or when the fire's tear-assing down the hillside you used to call your "view," you've gotta face and deal with some truly profound questions for which I don't think we have right answers.

With a hurricane, you get a little warning and some really cool Technicolor pictures on CNN. With a wildfire, you get lots of smoke in the air and ribbons of fire coming down your mountain sides-also cool pictures if you don't live in them. For the people who have addresses and roots in "the cone of uncertainty" or "the fire's path," it's all still beautiful-awe-inspiring and breathtaking really-but really not so cool.

Question One: Will you leave? Where will you go?

Here's my basic data: I'm the single mom of two beautiful and brilliant daughters, one of whom is away at college in a place where neither hurricanes nor wildfires appear-ever!-on the horizon. Robyn didn't plan it that way, but she's not unhappy about the serendipity. With one daughter in college and another in high school, both addicted to Abercrombie and Billabong, life grows progressively more expensive. Yes, the "x" pays his support, and it's pretty-much right on time, but we're not makin' the $5million a year John McCain says we need to rise out of the middle class. We're off by quite a few zeros. The house is just about my only asset. Without the house, my net worth is about like the national debt.

Given all that data, living under the data's influence all day every day, actually with all that data so deeply tattooed on my brain it seems like part of my genome, my first instincts already put me at war with myself. I want Trystan to be safe, and I want to save my beloved little house-have Marie Antoinette's cake and eat it, too. I know you recognized the dilemma.

How much time do we have before "imminent" becomes right here and right now?

If we go, where will we go?

I would like to stay with family, but I'm an only child. My local ex-mother-in-law still likes me, but I have approximately as many qualms about going there as I have questions about life, literature, politics, and the human condition. My very own sole surviving family member, my darling mother who, as we noted, still lives and takes care of business in Park Ridge, Illinois, is not exactly "driving distance"-not even by California standards, and not even with my passion for jammin' along the Interstates like I was the original Mustang Sally.

"Stay with friends," my little voice perkily suggests, except all my friends are right here with me in the fire's path, and not one of them is so all-fired fireproof that she can say, "Sure! Come on over! We'll barbeque."

My little voice, still perky and determined to make the very best of a perfectly shitty situation, then goes Mary Poppins on me: "Well, screw it! Pack Wendell, the dog; Annie, the cat; Trystan, the kid, and just take off for Palm Springs. Get tan instead of sooty." But we ain't even got tuppence for the bag of birdfood let alone the cost of a night or two or three in Palm Springs. Hell, when you live in a resort, you don't really save-up to go to resorts. We invented the "staycation," and we just recently got around to sharing it. There is no way I'm gonna pay resort prices and 21% credit-card interest; and don't try to comfort me by reminding, "It's the off-season, you know." I'll show you an off-season.

It comes down to "shelter or house?"

How many garden hoses do we have, exactly? I mean the ones that actually will hose water the way they're supposed to? How much can Wendell lift his leg and pee?

Question Two: Are you actually prepared to stay?

The cunning linguists coined "Shelter in place" as a polite term for "you're on your own."

I actually felt relieved when Ray Nagin, whose moustache really has to go-get the full goat or shave it all, dude-kept it real, saying flatly, "If you stay, you are on your own. No services. No water, no power, no sewer. And if we see you out on the streets after curfew, you are a suspicious person."

So, there you have it-your warning and your checklist all in one simple announcement.

Can we make it without cable and internet, the staves of life in our world? Hey, we still have a top-40 radio! Let's turn it on. Naturally, no batteries. Okay, if the power goes out, will we have some place to plug in our radio...and even more importantly, our refrigerator. Yes, by the oddest series of coincidences, we do have a generator big enough to power those two-and probably only those two-appliances. We have books to read; I have my favorite old legal pads and lots of soft pencils; we can recreate pioneer life.

Do we have enough gas to power the generator? Can we keep that gas from exploding? And speaking of exploding gas, can we turn-off the gas to the house and protect the car, so that we're not surrounded by IED's?

Yeah, we can do that.

If the water really does go off, what can we do to fight the fire? Well, why wait? Take the sprinklers to the roof and start watering-down the eaves. The roof is fireproof-red tile, very southern California and all-it's the eaves that catch. And turn-on all the garden sprinklers. Drought, my ass. Still, we'll double check our insurance coverage, and we'll find a safe place to hunker down. "Hunker" seems like a great verb until you actually have to act-it-out.

If the water really does go off, can we handle being dirty, stinky, and without toilets for several days? Well, we've been to the Over-the-Line Tournament in Mission Beach. If we can survive that kind of deprivation and stink, what's a wildfire?

We're already suspicious. Trystan and I think of ourselves as women on the edge. We'll control our urges to run outdoors and into the flames; that kind of good behavior should curtail the suspicions.

Do we have enough food to last for several days? Does dog food count? How good am I at cooking on an open flame? Yeah, we could make it. Helluva way to drop a few pounds, but didn't I already say we're recreating pioneer life? Damn pets are too fit; no good meat on either one of 'em. But there's that possum that lives in the ivy up on the hill...

Combo questions Three and Four: If you stay, how will you feel? If you go, how will you feel?

We have come to the heart of the matter. Wasn't that a song, too? But by Don Henley, not Poco.

Let's face the grim uglies, bombaderas: No matter how we answer the questions, no matter what we choose, I am going to feel absolutely, totally and completely, 112% powerless. And among all the feelings we will endure for the fire's duration and all the time it will take to recover, powerless ranks number one among the very-very-very worst.

I hate feeling powerless!

And now we transcend the heart of the matter, going into its spirit.

"What's your most familiar quotation, Kyrie?" my little voice prompts. Yeah, yeah, I snarl, because I know I take fierce pride in "proclaiming" my personal gospel: We go to church just as an excuse for the dinner or brunch afterwards, but you never will find a person with faith more profound than mine. The pride, of course, kills; but the sentiment remains true, and the faith remains even truer.

Although He doesn't always return my calls, and although He has not sent me a personal angel like Earl on "Saving Grace," nevertheless I can tell my Great Father likes me. I am the living proof, the Deity's Exhibit 'A', that He has a great sense of humor and an even greater sense of irony.

Given the nature of our relationship, God will make certain that the house burns to the slab and the landscaping remains perfect. Of course, I am generally considered part of the landscaping, so I'll be fine.

Given the nature of our relationship, God will make certain that, if we go to the shelter, it will be packed wall-to-wall with PTA Moms and televangelists, all of whom have been waiting-planning, preparing, and counting down to the perfect moment-just to corner me and give me hell for something I said or wrote. The goddam President of the PTA will have a copy of the article, and she will wave it in my face as she rants. The televangelist will play with me, capriciously, like "sinners in the hands of an angry god," detailing how I am the incarnation of all things depraved... And no matter how much I protest, "Hey, dudes, I just ask questions!" No matter how well I can demonstrate that they totally have taken the stuff out of context, that they're takin' it way too personally, and that they're just flat-out reading it wrong-that's not what that word means, damn it!-still, they're gonna hold me personally responsible for everything from West Nile virus to the wildfire itself.

Given the nature of our relationship, of course, God will consider these attacks part of my apprenticeship as a writer. One way or another, He will let me know that we were on Chapter 37 anyway, and I learn so much more from experience than I ever would learn from reading the book. Yes, this will be on The Midterm. And, yeah, my house still will burn to the ground, but it's a small price to pay for so much wisdom.

The Ultimate Dilemma, and The Answer

Fire or ire?

Hmmmm. There's no Door Number Three, hunh?

Well, if this really is it, then I'm takin' the big leap of faith, and I'm takin' my dog with me.

C'mon, Wendell, get your list. We gotta shop for survival supplies.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Incredible Clinton 1 Bedroom

406 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 James Nickerson The Acocella Group www.tagrelo.com Sun-Filled Fully Furnished 1 Bedroom With Pre-war Charm!! Rare chance to live in PRE-WAR CHARMER in a beautifully furnished loft-like large one-bedroom on the nicest tree-lined block in NYC's most convenient neighborhood--Hell's Kitchen (also called Midtown West This quiet apartment has a full wall of exposed brick, SOARING 13-foot ceilings, a fully-equipped chef's kitchen (Viking Stove & Dishwasher, stainless refrigerator, professional blender, cappuccino machine, etc) and absolutely gorgeous Danish Modern furnishings throughout (the real deal--1960's teak tables, planters, credenzas, etc). All furnishings are high-quality--including a new orthopedic queen sized bed and flat-screen tv and dvd player. Move right in and start enjoying NYC! Everything you would need is here-- AC, beautiful plants, paintings, Great closet space with antique stained glass doors. Apartment can even come with a gym-quality recumbent exercise bike! Friendly and beautiful Coop apartment with only 15 units. The halls and marble were just refinished beautifully. There's laundry and free bike storage in the basement. Only a block away from restaurant Row, near Times Square, fabulous nightlife, cafes and much more! Available for short term (3 months min) at $3000 per month. MLS: 19209 Price: $2800/month Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1

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Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday School Craft - Memory Verse Scrapbook Page

I teach a Sunday school class of fourth and fifth grade girls. One of things they enjoy the most is when we do a craft together. Sometimes they give me ideas of what they want to do, and other times I find some easy projects. I always try to either relate the craft to the lesson, or at least to a Bible verse.

A craft that the girls really liked was this memory verse scrapbook page. The colors of all the materials can be adapted to the season, if desired.

Materials

One 12 by 12 inch sheet of scrapbook paper in a decorative pattern for each girl
One 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of plain colored scrapbook paper
Markers or glitter markers
Glue
Scissors, either plain or the ones that cut decorative borders
Yarn or ribbon
Hole Punch

Directions

1. Write the Bible verse on the plain sheet of scrapbook paper. This can be done with a black or colored marker, or a glitter-type marker.

2. If you have the decorative-cutting scissors, let the children cut around the edge of the paper they have just written the verse on. If not, it is fine the way it is.

3. Glue the plain paper to the larger patterned scrapbook paper.

4. Now, hole-punch around the outside of the large scrapbook paper. Make the holes evenly spaced at a length good for stitches.

5. Using matching yarn or ribbon, have the kids "sew" in and out of the holes. You may need to put a little piece of scotch tape at the end of the yarn to keep it from fraying or being too wide to go through the holes.

6. When finished putting the yarn or ribbon through all of the holes, tie a little knot in the yarn where it won't be seen. You can even put a piece of tape to hold it to the back of the project for extra strength.

This creates a lovely scrapbook page from the Bible memory verse. They can hang it up in their room, on the refrigerator, or put it in a plastic sleeve in an actual scrapbook. Don't forget to have them put their name and date on the back of the page.

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Friday, September 10, 2010

Stand Mixer Buying Advice

Heavy-duty stand mixers are no longer reserved for the professional chef. Many kitchens are now sporting this sleek modern convenience as even the novice cook is finding the benefits of the stand mixer to be invaluable. Stand mixers can finish off time-consuming steps like beating egg whites or whipping cream in a flash, or put a family-size batch of mashed potatoes on the dinner table in mere minutes. Unlike portable mixers, powerful stand mixers can take on heavy-duty chores like blending flour into stiff cookie dough and kneading bread. If you are in the market for a stand mixer, you need to choose the one that fits your lifestyle and budget, whether you're a novice cupcake-baker or a serious home chef.

Mixing Action

Most stand mixers share the same basic setup - a mixer head mounted on a base that holds the mixing bowl. The head tilts up or lifts with a lever so you can attach or remove the beater(s). But all beaters are not created equal.

Budget stand mixers often use the familiar pair of stationary, interlocking beaters seen on hand mixers, with a rotating bowl. If you're an occasional baker, this type of stand mixer can get light tasks done at a bargain price, but be warned, it will likely struggle with stiff cookie or bread dough. The beaters can get too clogged to spin, and the bowl may stop turning. Also, since the beaters can't reach the bowl's edges, you'll be scraping down the sides frequently.

The best choice for most buyers is a stand mixer with "planetary mixing action." In this design a single flat beater (or other attachment) moves the way a planet orbits the sun simultaneously spinning on its own axis and traveling a circular path around the bowl. This motion creates more contact between beater and ingredients, acing tasks like creaming butter or blending flour into dough in record time. Another time saver - the beater makes it to every part of the bowl, so you seldom need to scrape it down.

Power and Speeds

Are you going to use your stand mixer frequently for tough jobs like bread kneading? If so, you'll want a powerful model, but determining power can be confusing. Stand mixer motors are rated in watts. Different mixers offer anywhere from 200 to over 1000 watts of power. But don't be too impressed by a high wattage rating it's mainly a marketing gimmick. Stand mixer tests and reviews consistently show little correlation between wattage and performance. One helpful measure of a stand mixer's true power is the number of cups of flour it can handle. KitchenAid has a "Flour Power" rating in their stand mixer descriptions, ranging from 8 to14 cups depending on the model. A bread enthusiast should choose a stand mixer that can tame 10 or more cups.

Speeds are another case where you shouldn't get hung up on numbers. Stand mixers offer anywhere from 3 to 15 speeds, which are adjusted with dials, slide levers, push buttons, or digital touch pads. Slow speeds incorporate dry ingredients without flinging them out of the bowl; the fastest speeds are used to whip cream or egg whites. You'll want to choose a stand mixer with at least 5 or 6 variations for the best control, but more, while they certainly won't hurt, won't affect performance much.

Attachments

Budget stand mixers may come with a pair of standard chrome or stainless stationary beaters, and not much else. They'll do the trick on simple batters, but if breads, cookies, and meringues are part of your baking routine, you'll get better results if you have the right tools for the job. That's where attachments come in. Opt for a planetary action stand mixer that comes outfitted with a flat beater for efficient stirring/blending, a wire whisk for whipping tasks, and a dough hook tailored for kneading bread. Some stand mixers also come with a splash guard, a pouring chute for adding ingredients, or a very handy second mixing bowl.

Serious cooks should check out mid-to-high-end stand mixers that can accept a myriad of optional attachments. Accessories like juicers, meat grinders, grain mills, pasta makers, sausage stuffers, can openers and shredders can convert a stand mixer into a multi-purpose kitchen workhorse. Of course these extras will boost cost, so carefully consider which ones you'll actually use.

Size Matters

Stand mixers are hefty items, many weighing well over 20 pounds. A heavier all-metal mixer will be more durable than a lightweight, partially plastic model, and also more stable less likely to "walk" across your counter during mixing. A lighter model may need a hand to steady it occasionally not ideal if "hands-free" mixing is your goal. However, if you're planning to stow your stand mixer in a cabinet between uses, lighter can have advantages. Be realistic about how many pounds you can comfortably lift and maneuver.

Many cooks skip the lifting and make their stand mixer a permanent fixture on their countertop. If that's your plan, consider height as well. If the mixer will live under a cabinet, make sure you have sufficient clearance, including enough extra room to tilt the head up.

The other size issue to consider is capacity. Stand mixer bowls hold anywhere from 1 ½ to 7 quarts. 4 to 6 quarts should be plenty for most cooks. If you need to feed a dozen hungry people or make double batches of bread, you can choose a super size 7-quart bowl, but these can be very tall and hard to scrape down, and may be too big when you just need to beat a couple eggs. Some stand mixers come with two bowls of different sizes, letting you pick the best size for the task at hand.

Styling

There's a good chance your stand mixer is going to stay on your countertop, where you'll see it every day. Luckily, these machines are often as decorative as they are functional. Performance is crucial, but once you've identified the features that are right for you, don't be shy about considering looks too. Long gone are the days when a plain white stand mixer was your only choice. KitchenAid offers classic styling in a rainbow of over 20 hues like Almond Cream, Green Apple, and Bing Cherry. Other stand mixer manufacturers have followed suit, so even in the budget range, you'll find a selection of colors.

If classic isn't quite you, Hamilton Beach and Sunbeam offer stand mixers with retro appeal, and DeLonghi's design has a sleek modern edge. Great styling that coordinates with your kitchen will give you one more reason to love your stand mixer.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Los Angeles Refrigerator Repair Service - CM Refrigeration

CM Refrigeration is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1980 and is led by Carlos. We are conveniently located in the San Fernando Valley, servicing Los Angeles and the surrounding areas; for over 30 years we have been servicing commercial and residential clients alike. Our technicians have graduated from Los Angeles Trade Technical College; they are certified, and continue to receive special training through seminars provided directly from the product manufacturers. The technicians are experienced and have specialized in the repair and maintenance for a wide variety of high-end name brands, like, Sub-Zero and Wolf. We are also factory authorized for many companies, like U-Line, Marvel, Perlick, Federal, Beverage-Air, and many more... Visit Our Website at www.CMRefrigeration.com

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Viking the refrigerator plunderer

Viking climbs his favorite toy - the refrigerator door.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

20655 Wells Drive - www.20655wells.com

VISTA DE ORO at it's finest! From the circular paving stone driveway, nestled behind electric gates, to the entertainer's backyard, your clients will flip when they see this turnkey treasure! Privacy fenced around entire property with mature landscaping and many orange trees. Sparkling fenced pool and grass area as well as a covered patio with fans for gracious entertaining. Wired inside and outside for music. Gigantic gourmet cook's kitchen features six burner Viking professional range set in an enormous granite island with breakfast bar for five or more. Very versatile floor plan makes this a perfect home for families of all sizes and ages. Separate wing and loft can be used for guests, home office or master suite. Sellers have maintained and upgraded this home with such loving care, your buyers will be able to just move right in. Built-in refrigerator, green house window, French doors, much, much more.

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Quality Custom View Home

www.tourfactory.com For more information, contact: Karen ODonnell Full Time Realtor 509-217-0091 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson North Custom Ponderosa Ridge daylight rancher, territorial views, quality throughout, built 2005, 3100 SF, 3 bedrooms (huge master suite 14'8'x16'2', double vanities, jetted tub, walk-in shower with rain head, walk-in closet, other rooms are 13'4'x13'5' & 13'11'x15'), 2.5 bathrooms, 5' wood plank wood floors, slate, tile work, solid doors and trim work, large rooms, gourmet kitchen with slab granite, Subzero refrigerator, Thermador double ovens, Viking 6 burner gas cooktop, kitchen island eating bar, bay window dining area, living room with gas fire place (17'x17), double doors to office, main floor laundry room with slate floor, sink and folding counter, basement family room with pellet stove (17'x31'), informal bay window dining room or game table area, central air conditioning, covered deck, patio, fire pit, basalt column water feature, professionally landscaped with sprinkler system, 3 car garage with extra long 3rd bay fits boat, no neighbors between you and the sunset view, great home for entertaining. Visit www.team-spokane.com for additional information, photo tour and directions to property.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Maytag Dryer Review - What Can You Expect From a Maytag Compact Electric Dryer?

In this Maytag dryer review, you will learn a bit about the history of the company and what it offers today. This company has been around since 1907, during which time Frederick Louis Maytag decided to build quality appliances from the best materials possible. He obviously succeeded, since dryers, washers, refrigerators and many other Maytag appliances are still around today.

Not only are they still around, they are also very popular. The dryers, for instance, receive a lot of praise and high ratings from consumers. The compact Electric dryer is especially a great choice. It's a compact appliance with a large interior capacity. It is designed with a reversible door to accommodate various installation options. You can easily set up a Maytag compact Electric dryer in your laundry room.

The performance of such a dryer is made possible through its innovative technology and spacious interior. Most models come with at least 3.7 cubic feet of space for drying clothes and towels. You will get all of your drying finished rather quickly with less energy, thanks to its energy efficient features. A Maytag dryer review should also mention the GentleBreeze Drying System. An increase of airflow throughout the drum will evenly dry your clothes. It automatically adjusts so you won't have to worry about any overheating.

Here are some of the key features you can expect.

· Flexible and easy installation
· Commercial quality stainless steel drum
· Electronic controls
· 13 dryer cycles
· 3 temperature settings
· Auto dryness controls
· Time indicator
· Chime played at the end of each cycle

These are just a few of the many great features of this type of dryer. These models are built to last, so you won't have to worry about replacing it for years to come. Maytag also offers warranties just in case something goes wrong. The price varies, depending on which dryer you choose, as well as the store from which you buy it. A home goods store such as HomeClick is the best place to look for the best deals.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Verile Viking Food Is What We Have For You Today-Eat If You Dare

Welcome to the Gourmet Chicken Series. Today we bring you the the most sought after dish on the dinner tables of Iceland and soon to be around the globe. This is the signature dish that has put Iceland on the map, Icelandic Chicken with Saffron and Cinnamon.

Saffron Food Facts: It is a product of the crocus flower and adds not only a very pungent and aromatic flavour to dishes, but also a brilliant golden color. It is native to the Middle East, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years to be used in medicines, perfumes, dyes, and as a wonderful flavouring for foods and beverages.

Ingredients: 4 lbs chickens cut into 8 pieces, 2 garlic cloves minced, 1 pinch saffron, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. sea salt, 2 tsp. flour, 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 cup white, wine preferably semi-dry, 2 chicken livers finely chopped or 1/2 chicken bouillon cubes

Method:

1. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, saffron, cinnamon, salt, flour, vinegar and olive oil, stirring until smooth.

2. Rub chicken pieces all over with the spice mixture and either place in a covered dish in a single layer or in a plastic zipper bag and marinate at room temperature for 45 minutes, or up to 1 day in the refrigerator.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

4. Bake chicken pieces skin side up for 30 minutes.

5. Add wine and chicken livers (or 1/2 bouillon cube) to the pan and bake 20 to 30 minutes more (stirring a couple times if you're using the bouillon cube).

6. Check to see if chicken is done by piercing in the thickest part with the tip of a knife. The juices will run clear when done.

(Serves 4 people)
BON APÉTIT......

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Viking at the 2009 International Builders' Show

Viking gives a first look at their induction range, outdoor gravity feed smoker and an array of color finishes for Viking appliances.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Modern Townhouse in Rittenhouse Square

www.tourfactory.com For more information, contact: Arlene Grabel 215-292-6579 Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors Three bedroom townhouse, 2 full baths, gourmet kitchen with Viking stove, SubZero refrigerator, Asko dishwasher, granite countertops, center island, living room with fireplace, open den on 3rd floor. The whole rear of the house has new windows, new door to garden. Professionally landscaped, enclosed brick courtyard.

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Saturday, August 14, 2010

Stainless Wine Refrigerator

The best thing you can do when trying to keep a wine collection is store them at the right temperature. If you let your wine get too warm it will destroy the taste and the overall quality. When choosing a refrigerator the main thing to consider is the size. How many bottles will you want to put in the unit? Another thing is, I know this may sound materialistic, but you want it to look good in its surroundings. Will you want a wooden or a stainless wine refrigerator? Once you decide this, price will need to be considered.

There are a lot of different brands just like any other household appliance. Many people already have their favorite brand when it comes to these sort of appliances. There is a lot to choose from, LG, Westinghouse, Avanti, Whirlpool, Viking, Electrolux and many, many more. Price will probably be a more determining factor when it comes to choosing your unit. A stainless wine refrigerator will also most likely cost more than a wooden one. There is also a unit with dual zone temperatures, to store your prized bottles of red, as well as your white wine.

I am a very keen wine collector and the best thing I ever did was purchase a wine refrigerator to keep my collection pristine. I purchased a stainless wine refrigerator because it suited my furniture and fittings in my apartment. I love the old looking wooden ones too though. I think they have a lot of charm and character. Make sure you look around when purchasing your unit because there is a lot places that sell these at really good discounted prices. I purchased mine online and I still haven't found a better deal anywhere. I am a big believer in finding the best deals online so have a look around and see what you can find.

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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Food Processor Reviews - 8 Tips That Can Save You Money!

If you have decided to buy a food processor for yourself or for giving away as a gift then reading consumer reports or commonly known as customer reviews is a great way to pick up the right machine.

Reading real customer reviews can give you lots of vital information that no company will ever advertise publicly. Here are some of the most important aspects you will learn when you read food processor reviews.

1) What's the average customer rating for the product you want to buy? Most home appliances are rates out of 5 points. So look for a good rating more than 4 for a good quality machine.

2) How many functions does the food processor carry out? Some of the most common preparation functions are slicing, chopping, shredding, mincing, etc. Customer reviews can definitely tell you how the machine performs while carrying out these functions.

For example does the food processor motor gets hot while slicing a particular food item? or does it's shaft gets jammed because of too much quantity. Real life reviews can be helpful in this matter. No companies will openly advertise these facts in their product brochures.

3) What are the accessories you get when you buy the food processor of your choice? Accessories may include extra blades/ discs for various special tasks, which can speed up the preparation process.

4) What are the guarantees on the food processors, it's motor and it's accessories? A good manufactures will always openly publish this information for the safety of the customers.

5) What about safety from electrical shocks. How the food processor has been designed to keep the user safe from electrical shocks as well as moving parts of the machines such as blades/ rotating slicing discs.

6) How is the overall customer support? This information is of vital importance because finally it's a machine and can go wrong or stop working anytime. At this point what kind of customer service is available.

7) What happens to the faulty machine or it's accessories? Does the manufacturer replace all the parts or the customer is charged extra for such service.

8) Are their any discounts available if the customer buys more than one food processor? Many manufacturers have such bonuses available with their products such as free shipping within certain territories or states.

This was just a short example of what sort of information you can expect to get when you read real food processor reviews that have been submitted by real customers. You should always read them and benefit from their experience.

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Sunday, August 8, 2010

How to Outfit Your Very Own Game Room

Many guys dream about someday having the coolest game room where everyone wants to come and hang out every weekend. But, to keep the basement from looking like a frat house, it needs a lot more than just billiards and pool cues. Here are some suggestions for what every well-appointed game room needs for maximum entertainment and enjoyment.

It is not absolutely necessary, but sometimes it is helpful as well as more interesting to decorate the game room in some kind of theme. Some popular ones such as sports, race cars, college teams, 50's, tropical and the movies can really unify a room. Many different decorative items can be found in any theme one can think of. Some people start by finding wallpaper, a unique light fixture or a rug to use while others may have a collection of memorabilia they want to highlight.

Even if it is just to watch a football game or play a few hands of poker, a good host makes sure to provide refreshments for guests who come to visit. So, a home bar with some stools and a refrigerator are essential to keep the beverages and snacks coming without interrupting all the fun. It does not matter if the bar is built in permanently or if it is portable. Just keep a fully stocked bar with a variety of beverages and your friends will be certain to enjoy your company even more. Add a dart board or two and you have got a winning combination.

Even if no one is a very good player, it is always fun to get a friendly card game going, so a game room should have a poker table and chairs. Once covered up, it can also function as any other table, so get one large enough to accommodate guests for eating or other activities such as playing board games. Other popular game tables one might want to consider are air hockey, Foosball and ping pong. If there is not enough room for many different game tables, look for one table that can be converted into multiple games.

No real game room would be complete without at least one arcade game. Find your favorite basketball, bowling or video games as well as pinball machines at online stores in new or used condition. You and your guests will have fun trying to beat each other's score. Bring back family game night and stock your game room with all the classic board games that you remember from when you were a kid.

A big screen TV and some comfy furniture will be sure to attract all the sports fans in your life no matter what season it is. Or, host movie nights with a home theater system. Any gathering will be a success with the addition of a karaoke machine. Throw in a popcorn machine and a jukebox, and your home will suddenly become party central.

Depending on the budget, a game room can be as elaborate as you would like it to be. With people staying home more because of the poor economy, a game room that has just a few of these suggestions will still provide many opportunities for entertainment.

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

1204 Laurel Springs Way Virtual Presentational Tour

Welcome home to this stately Signal Mountain home located on approximately 2 acres at the end of a private cul-de-sac. The home has a wonderfully open floor plan which is perfectly suited to family time and entertaining guests. The main level has an impressive foyer which sets the tone for the whole house and leads to formal living and dining rooms, a receiving area with brick floor, fountain and beamed ceiling, a light-filled vaulted sunroom which accesses the expansive rear deck, a handsome office with built-ins, and the spacious master suite with relaxing master bath boasting separate vanities, one with make-up counter, jetted tub, separate shower and walk-in closet. The heart of this home is the amazing kitchen which is open to the breakfast area and keeping room and boasts 2 work islands, granite counter tops, pendant and under cabinet lighting, Sub Zero refrigerator, wet bar, ice maker, Viking gas cook top, Jenn-Air double wall oven, pantry and kitchen desk. 2 Half baths and a large laundry room round out the main level. The upper level features a large rec/bonus room, 2 bedrooms adjoined by a Jack and Jill bath with double vanity, an additional bedroom with shared access to the hall bath, as well as walk-out storage. A 5th bedroom suite is accessible from rear steps in the laundry room or informally through the walk-out storage area - makes a great space for guests with tons of privacy. There is additional storage and space for a workshop in the unfinished basement ...

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Monday, August 2, 2010

How to Drain a Clogged Washing Machine

When your washer suddenly clogs up before all the water has finished draining, what do you do? This seems to be a dilemma most of us are faced with when our washing machine suddenly acts up. If this suddenly happens to you, you should drain your clogged washing machine first before finding out what is wrong.

Here are the steps to do that:

1. The first thing you need to do is to make sure the drain hose is not twisted. If this is the case, the twisted part might be preventing water from flowing freely. Make sure you straighten it first before resuming the drain cycle. If this is not the cause of the problem go to the next step.

2. Some washing machines have drain hose located close to the water pump filter. If your machine has this, you can unstop the drain hose first for a while and then direct it to an empty bucket. The bucket will catch the water draining from the machine. This might take some time. You also have to get another empty bucket and place it nearby just in case the first one is filled up completely.

3. Another method you can try is to check your machine for the rear drain hose and then remove it from where it is connected. In this process, the water will run quickly. Make sure you direct it on pails again before it makes a pool of water on the floor. If you have a floor drain, just direct the hose there. When all the water has been removed, you can now reconnect the rear drain hose.

4. If you positively have no idea how to remove drain hose or where it is located and you do not want to open your washer up feeling incompetent in this problem as you are, you can always use a small pail and remove it one bucket at a time. Bail excess water out until only about an inch of water is left. In this case, you can absorb the rest of the water through the use of towels. This is the best you can do while you are waiting for a technician to solve the problem for you.

Here are the things you should do when you are facing the daunting task of draining a clogged washing machine. Try any of these steps for an immediate solution to your problem.

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Fabulous Carriage Home!

www.tourfactory.com For more information, contact: Excite Realty 903-432-4338 Excite Realty Fabulous Carriage home in the Willow Bend Polo Estates. Custom built home numerous upgrades. Entry and kitchen area have slate floors. Kitchen features Viking gas cooktop,double ovens, porcelain 'apron' sink, granite counters, chalk board front on refrigerator, perfect for household reminders! Hard wood floors,hand scraped floors, plantation shutters make this home outstanding for this neighborhood. Oversized garage.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Choosing and Buying the Right Kettle

Buying a kettle may seem like a task requiring little consideration, but bearing in mind that your kettle may be the most used item in your kitchen, buying the best model with the features you need can turn boiling water from a chore into a pleasure (or at least make it a little more pleasant).

Here are a few features that you should consider.

Corded or Cordless

Many kettles sold today are cordless. The actually means that the power chord is attached to a base, which the kettle sits on. You'll still have to place the base close to a power socket, but once the water's boiled you're free to move around the kitchen with the kettle, unrestricted by chord length.

Capacity

Many kettles can hold around three pints of water. Considering that a large up of tea is often just under half a pint of water that's adequate for over 6 cups. You might want to think about a kettle with a reduced capacity if kitchen space is limited.

Power Rating

The power rating of a kettle determines how quickly you will be able to boil a quantity of water. The higher the rating, the less time is needed. Most kettles have power ratings from 2.2kw to 3kw and higher. Any kettle with a power rating of above 3Kw is classed as a rapid boil kettle - better for those in a rush.

360 degree base

A 360 degree base is simply a base where the kettle can be placed in any direction. This is better for ease of use; it saves you needing to look and find out which way the kettle should be aligned. however, it's worth pointing out though that manufacturers state that kettles need to be removed from the base before you fill them with water.

Concealed element

A feature of a concealed element is that the water is separated from the element, meaning the kettle is a lot easier to clean. This is a feature that most modern kettles have.

Boil dry protection

This is a valuable feature to have in that it turns off the kettle if there isn't enough water inside.

Make

There are many makes, and premium makes of kettles such as Le Creuset kettles may come with more features or better quality.

Quiet boil

This is a feature that you may see on some kettles. What constitutes 'quiet boil' is down to the manufacturers interpretation. If a quiet kettle is important to you you may want to search for specific decibel measurements (and not buy a whistling kettle).

Water Gauge

A clear gauge which allows you to view on the exterior of the kettle how much water is contained. Only boiling as much water as is required is important to avoid wasting money and energy.

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Saturday, July 24, 2010

4883 Calderon Rd, Woodland Hills, CA,Homes for sale in Woodl

Listed at: $1475000 4883 Calderon Rd, Woodland Hills, CA Estate Agent: Denise Zago cel:818.903.8587 email:dzago1122@msn.com Ewing & Associates, Sotheby's International Realty Custom built estate located south of the Boulevard. This property features 6 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, elevator, custom wrought iron spiral staircase and a family room with marble floors. All bathrooms have extensive marble throughout. 3 marble fireplaces, granite counters, huge wet bar, cathedral ceilings, coffered ceilings w/specialty lighting, custom designed dual glazed glass doors, windows and balconies. Master suite located on first floor has a private balcony overlooking views, pool and spa. Master retreat with walk-in closet and fireplace. Master bathroom has double designer sinks, black spa tub and separate steam shower. Stainless steel kitchen with Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking stove with hood, double oven, built-in microwave, utility sink, walk-in pantry and warming drawer. Lush yard overlooking views of the custom pool and spa. Three car garage located on a private street. This is a true entertainer's estate.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Winchester, Massachusetts real estate & homes | 7 Washington Street

www.NorthOfBostonRealEstate.com - Do you fall in love with older homes yet want modern conveniences? Youve found it all in this beautiful Victorian located right in the heart of Winchester, Massachusetts. Located literally just outside of Winchester Center and it's commuter rail stop, this grand home has it all. If you enjoy gardening, youll love the perennial gardens as well as the pear, apple, dogwood, and Japanese cherry trees. As you enter the front door and youre immediately impressed by the original chestnut woodwork. Hang your coat in the closet and proceed to the sitting room. Enjoy a warming fire; settle on the window seat with a good book in this comfortable room which hearkens back to olden days. Across the foyer is a large living room with custom crown molding matching the original chestnut woodwork, hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, and custom cherry cabinetry with granite top. Exit to a four season wraparound porch with radiant heating, Pella windows and doors, and ceiling fan, a perfect sunny spot to have your morning coffee. Youll love entertaining family and friends in the adjoining fireplaced dining room with it's distinctive and unusual mantle, beamed ceilings, glass front built-ins, hardwood flooring, and plate rails. A study or bedroom is located on this level. Prepare your meals in the adjacent kitchen with Viking 6 burner stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, radiant heated tile floor, recessed lighting, custom quarter sawn oak ...

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Refrigerator, Deep Freeze, and Today's Home

Freezers and refrigerators have been around for two centuries now. However, their development continues until today in response to the equally changing lifestyles of the people from all across the globe. Their usefulness in every household or commercial food establishments cannot be discounted, but rather more than any other kitchen facility, the fridge or freezer is considered the most important appliance in every household.

In the United States alone, it is estimated that 99.5 percent of households have a refrigerator or freezer to keep their foods safe, last longer, and preserved with their natural nutrients.

German inventor Carl Paul Gottfried von Linde surely must have thought about the fundamental use of the fridge and freezer when he invented the first of its kind in 1876 in Germany, using methyl ether and later, ammonia cycle as the main preservation materials for his earlier models.

Manufacturers and developers have seen how a fridge, a freezer, or a cooler should work hand in hand with man's consumption lifestyle. Consumers, on the other hand, continue to embrace the growing sophistication of these appliances which has afforded them the convenience, comfort, and peace of mind that their food will always be taken cared of before and even after every meal ends in the dining room.

From humble beginnings, the market rapidly began to expand for these modern conveniences. As they became more and more popular, different brands and models became available for the discerning consumer to choose from.

For example, there is a long and impressive line of fridge and freezer appliances manufactured by the Maytag Corporation. This company was started in 1893 by Fredrick Maytag and in the years since their inception have created a reputation for building quality appliances. There is a long standing joke that no one is lonelier than the Maytag repair man is! It is this legacy of reliability not to mention style that keeps their customers coming back for more.

Within the last couple of decades one thing became abundantly clear, people were going to have to pay attention to the environment and the freezer temperature. Many of the refrigerators and freezers in people's homes were considered energy drains plus they carried fluorocarbons on board proven detrimental to the ozone and contributors to global warming. It was time to go back to the drawing board and revamp these appliances.

The two most harmful chemicals have been discontinued and most appliances in homes today are free of these environmental dangers. If you are truly concerned about the environment, you should check out the Bosch Freezer line. They are truly environmentally safe and have proven their tactics are based on sound ecological principle. This is one of the many reasons they won 2009 Best Domestic Appliance as awarded by a United Kingdom organization formerly known as Consumers' Association.

What does all this mean for the modern homeowner? Today you have newer and indeed better options in appliances such as the freezer or refrigerator than ever before. You of course may choose your appliances with a little less attention to engineering and the environment and more on whether the brand and appliance has a good record of accomplishment of preserving your food!

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Make Perfect Meals With a Food Strainer

A food strainer is a very valuable tool to have in the kitchen. It can do so many different things to help in the preparation of meals. Many different kinds of foods are prepared using water. The food is either boiled in the water or it is cooked in some other kind of fluid. In many cases the food needs to be separated from the liquid it was cooked in to be served.

Using a food strainer is simply the easiest way to separated solid food from a liquid. Think in the terms of pasta and boiling water. You certainly can not take pasta straight from boiling water and put it on the table you need to strain the majority of the water out.

How It Works

There are a couple of different kinds of food strainer models. There is a hand held variety that usually has a very long handle for safety purposes, there is the type that is collapsible that sits in the sink and then there is the type that sits in the sink but is not collapsible.

All of the models have one thing in common regardless what material they are made from they will have a sieve at the sides and the bottom. This is a tightly woven area that will only allow liquids to pass through, but will keep solids within the strainer.

The sieve part of the strainer sometimes encompasses the entire strainer but in some cases the sieve part only goes up so high on the strainer than the strainer becomes solid.

Materials

Several different types of materials are used to make the various models of strainers. There are stainless steel models that are made out of one hundred percent stainless steel. There are plastic models that are made out of composite plastic materials. Some models are made out of aluminum.

Most all of these models have hard plastic handles. The hand held models usually are made of thin screening with a long handle. The collapsible models are almost always made of plastic.

The Cost

You can find a food strainer for fewer than ten dollars of course the larger the strainer the more expensive it will be. Consider what you will be using the strainer for, if you need a place to rinse off large items like salad greens and fruits you may want to invest in a larger food strainer, if not than a hand held model will probably be perfect for you.

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Monday, July 12, 2010

Kitchen Stand Mixers - Like Having an Extra Set of Hands

Remember what it was like to watch mom in the kitchen mixing up a batch of cookies or brownies? It was always fun to wait for her to be finished with the mixer so you could like the beaters of all the sweet cookie dough or brownie batter. And no one can argue the taste of good old home made fluffy mashed potatoes. Imagine how hard it must be to do all that by hand. Old style mixers were little more than gadgets that made it easier to avoid doing actual hand mixing with a large kitchen spoon or spatula. Kitchen stand mixers are such a handy little appliance, adding the convenience of being able to set the mixer to the proper time and power setting so you can get on with working on other food items around the kitchen.

Hand mixers have been around since the mid 1800's with the original device being a hand-cranked egg-beater type contraption that did little to alleviate the real effort of mixing food ingredients. Since then, the mixer has evolved into two distinct types, which are the hand-held mixer and the kitchen stand mixer. KitchenAid was the first company to develop electric stand mixers in 1919, which was to offer households a small countertop appliance with the same convenience many restaurants already enjoyed with larger industrial sized models. Since that time, KitchenAid has enjoyed a large share of the market for kitchen stand mixers, but other companies such as Cuisinart and Viking have developed their own products offering similar characteristics, convenience, and quality of design.

Stand mixers are designed to be like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen. Kitchen stand mixers are generally larger than their smaller cousins, the hand-held mixers, and have considerably more power as well. Most home-type stand mixers have a bowl capacity of anywhere between 1 to 7 quarts, and make it easy to add and pour ingredients while mixing. Most models typically are packaged with a wire whip, a flat beater, and a dough hook to start. Combined with the high power of most modern mixers, up to 1000 watts of output, even the most muscle cramping ingredients can be easily and efficiently mixed for smooth pouring batters and fluffy bread dough. Add to this the additional mixing ends and external attachments, and most higher-end models can double or triple as a meat grinder, past maker, juicer, or blender. Most modern kitchen stand mixers make it so you can virtually replace a large portion of all the extraneous appliances in your kitchen.

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Friday, July 9, 2010

A Look at Sewing Machine Parts

Most sewing machines are well-built and will last for many years with only a few parts needing replacement. A great number of antique sewing machines are still in operation, but parts can be hard to find if the company is no longer in business. Typically, the manufacturer is the best location for sewing machine parts, but there are also many companies now specializing in replacement parts for sewing machines.

Sewing machines are made up of many mechanical and electrical parts, the most of which only need regular care while others will need frequent replacement. The parts that wear out more frequently are light bulbs, belts and the needles. These items are usually easily replaced and found at local retailers. Replacement parts can be sold as original manufacturer items or universal parts made to fit a variety of machines.

Some sewing machine parts such as the needle plates, bobbins and feet attachments may have to be purchased from a dealer or a sewing machine repair shop. In order to determine the correct part, the dealer will need to know the manufacturer of the sewing Machine, the specific model name or number and the part number.

In addition to replacement parts, it's possible to purchase after-market sewing machine parts. Typically, a new sewing machine will come with basic accessories such as the pressure foot and a zipper foot. If a sewing job requires a ruffle or quilting attachment, the retailer or parts supplier would have those items as well. Sewing machine parts from a specific supplier may sometimes be limited to a specific brand.

Suppliers of a particular brand of sewing machine will typically offer parts for all models or types of machines made by that manufacturer. Dedicated suppliers or repair shops frequently offer to maintain the sewing machine with recommended tune-ups.

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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

62 Springfield, Mission Viejo, CA

For more information about this property, please contact First Team Real Estate at 866-938-5812. View all our videos at www.youtube.com Company website www.firstteam.com MLS ID S620037 Remodeled Canyon Crest-Lake Mission Viejo home w/approx 3358 Sq Ft of living space & panoramic city lights views. Great open floor plan consisting of 4 bedrooms plus a bonus room (optional 5th & 6th BR's). Downstairs bedroom w/custom built-in desk & bookshelves. Modernized kitchen w/slab granite counters, travertine floors, Viking Stove, BI stainless refrigerator & quality appliances w/center island. Formal living room w/tall cathedral ceilings & a fireplace. Formal dining room & large family room are adjacent to the kitchen w/custom built-ins & fireplace. The massive master suite w/a gorgeous remodeled bathroom including stone counters, floors & shower wainscot. Many, many upgrades throughout including custom crown mouldings, trim & baseboards, custom iron railings, custom BI cabinetry & designer colors! All of this in a wonderful guard gated community walking distance to Lake Mission Viejo. Community amenities include tennis, pool, spa, clubhouse, BBQ's, gym, sauna & much more!

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Saturday, July 3, 2010

Cash For Appliances Rebate Program - Are Your Appliances Clunkers?

To move the United States out of the financial crisis of 2009, the Obama administration created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriating billions of dollars for a variety of programs meant to get America working again. In addition to plans like the Mortgage Loan Modification plan and Cash for Clunkers, there's also a Cash for Appliances plan that has been in effect in some states and will just come into effect in many states later in April.

The goal with this program is twofold: give the economy a boost with appliance sales and take America down a greener path by encouraging them to buy Energy Star rated, more energy efficient appliances.

According to Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, "These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs."

Are upgrades for any of these appliances on your wish list for 2010?

Plans vary by state but here's what will likely qualify in most states:

Clothes washers

Dishwashers

Central air conditioners

Water heaters

Heat pumps

Boilers

Furnaces

Freezers

Refrigerators

DOE Secretary Steven Chu also says, "Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there's enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month."

According to the Department of Energy, the rebate plan could lead to a savings of:

-$1,006,607 in energy cost annually

-355 gallons of water annually

-8042 tons of CO2 prevention annually

The Cash for Clunkers rebate program got some clunky reviews. The Cash for Appliances program is different in several ones. For starters, each is managed by states.

Secondly, you don't have to haul your clunker of a refrigerator or your energy sucking dryer with you to the appliance store. While some stores require verification that you did in fact recycle an old appliance, the rules are generally much more buyer friendly.

How much are the rebates?

Rebates will vary from state to state and also from Energy Star appliance to Energy Star appliance but expect rebates in the $50.00 to $200.00 range. For example in some cases there's a $100.00 rebate on clothes washers and a $75.00 rebate on refrigerators -energy efficient ones, of course.

Important Notice: The Cash for Appliances program has already been closed in these four states:

* Rhode Island

* Iowa

* Kansas

* Minnesota

How can I find out the details about the Cash for Appliances Rebate Program for my state?

Go to the Department of Energy website (energysavers.org) and click on your state. Often these links give you some general information about start dates and the appliances included as well a more local contact for details and applications. The DOE is warning folks to be ware of fake websites. It seems that whenever American consumers go to "cash in," hackers try to "cash in" too.

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Should You Hang Onto Your Old Appliance Or Buy New

Sometimes we are torn whether to fix our favorite aged appliance that has never seen a repair person or buy new. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you find yourself in this position.

Has your appliance been very reliable in the past?

If you have been lucky enough to have an appliance for over a decade before needing a repair, it may be wise to put some money into it to to keep it going. Many times the repair is inexpensive but remember, at some point, replacement parts for your appliance may become no longer available. Hopefully after a repair you won't have to worry for at least another decade. Consideration of the repairs cost should be taken into account. Generally, any repair that costs more than half the price of a new product is best avoided. For those costly repairs, the added savings of buying an energy efficient appliance will make more sense. It is wise to ask retailers, local utility companies and local governments about any recycling and energy efficient product rebates they may offer.

What is the overlooked cost of replacing an older appliance?

The true cost of replacing your appliance needs to be considered when comparing repair cost vs. replacement cost. Replacing your older appliance usually requires fees for installation, delivery and removal and disposal of your old appliances. So before you rush into junking your current appliance, ask yourself how much will it cost to remove the existing appliance, install the new appliance, and dispose of the old appliance. Paying over a hundred dollars to have an appliance installed is not unusual.

Are new appliances made of the same quality as my current appliance?

The quality of lower-end appliances today has degraded when compared to similarly priced machines 15 years ago. This is the result of manufacturers' loss of control of the quality of parts ordered from around the world. It seems as though they would like us to replace our appliances every few years. You can still buy high-quality appliances but the more bells and whistles they come with, the more there is that can go wrong. High-end appliances can cost a lot of money to fix because they use leading-edge technology such as smart circuit boards. Also. spending top dollar on an appliance no longer means more reliability; you are just as likely to require an appliance repair on an expensive top of the line model as you would a less expensive model. When it comes to major cooking appliances, Consumer Reports Magazine readers rated high-end brands such as Viking, Thermador, Dacor, and Jenn-Air as the least reliable.

So, although there are a lot of nice looking appliances out there with fancy extras such as a steam feature on a clothes washer. Your reliable old trusty washer may do you well if you just give it a second chance at life.

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

$735000 - 127 Rue Caribe, Miramar Beach, FL

www.ewebengine.com 127 Rue Caribe Miramar Beach, FL 32550 SHORT SALE, GREAT PRICE...Enjoy the luxury lifestyle of Caribe! 127 Rue Caribe offers flawless design, upgraded features and unparalleled comfort. You'll be greeted by a pavered drive and walkway, tiled front porch and inviting wicker furniture. Once inside, notice the attractive Mexican tile, exquisite lighting, designer furniture and gallery art and surround sound. The first floor features a formal living room, bedroom with bath, great room with large built in book cases and fireplace. It is open to the kitchen which features granite counter tops, tumbled marble back splash, a breakfast bar, stainless steel GE Profile appliances with a gas stove, a large pantry and a Viking wine cooler. At the top of the staircase, there are additional built in book cases. The top floor features the master suite, a private office with built in desk and storage areas, and two additional bedrooms with a jack and jill bath. The master suite is across the entire front of the home and has a sitting area, a master bath with shower and jacuzzi tub, large walk in closet, plantation shutters and french doors that open onto a large balcony overlooking beautiful Rue Caribe. The lovely back yard has easy care landscaping, pavered patio, pergola. Additionally, there is a screened porch for those lazy days of reading a book. Store bikes and more in the extra-large heated and cooled laundry room with an extra refrigerator. Caribe is a quaint ...

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Evolutionary Heritage of the Innate Nature - How to Understand Your Own Nature

Without semantic knowledge or the memic heritage of developed knowledge, humanity would never had left the jungles, but had remained as intelligent animals, chasing for breakfast. Although the complexity of our thought would make a seagull jump all over the ground, wherein an ordinary day of perceiving the flashing representations and episodes we go through in our minds would be a baffling religious experience to an ape and the contemporary level of knowledge would make Aristotle suffer a severe form of inferiority complex, that is if he could survive the shock of what humanity become, we are still bound to our innate nature.

The long chain of evolutionary development has lead in one of its branches to the emergence of human existence. While most of our humanist nature can be called nothing else but the emerging ethical nature of our being, developed throughout ages as guiding principles to value the aspects of equal existence and thus equal rights, and how to behave in relativity with others with these two characterizing rights to exist in the way one chooses, life in its all layered dimensionality are non-the-less the properties of our bodies.

If I had been born at the eleventh century, as the roots of my bloodlines originate partially from Norway, I would without a doubt been a notorious Viking. This is due to the fact that knowledge conditions the innate nature, yet having relatively the same eyes to receive photons from the environment to perceive the contents of it as relatively the same as an image as the person standing next to me, if her eyes are able to perceive the same range of colors as I am. And what are muscles but properties of the innate nature, as are the range of emotional responses my body is able to produce? Remove one body part, and the range of experience lessens, thus clearly indicating how we are but the emerging result of our nature.

Now, the value of existence does not lessen in any way if a person is considered fully as the body he or she is. Everyone acts in accordance of their own nature, and the fact of existence, or the enjoyments and sufferings of life do not disappear anywhere whether a human is considered as an emerging form of bodily existence or not. Does this then remove the spiritual dimensions of our existence away? Of course not. Our ability to perceive beyond the environment in representational level exists, and the ability to make spiritual choices do not vanish to thin air in the moment when a person realizes that he or she is what his or her body is. Existence is valuable as it is, human life as it is is extraordinary and filled with exceedingly complex experiences.

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Monday, June 21, 2010

Refrigerator Buying Guide - Tips You Need To Know When Buying A New Refrigerator

Buying a new refrigerator can be a daunting experience. Reading through all the refrigerator reviews, refrigerator ratings and consumer recommendations can be mind boggling. After all, there are so many different models to choose from in addition to all the different brands, styles, even colors. So where do you start?

Well, the easiest place to begin is by asking yourself the following questions:


1) How Much Space Do You Need?: The space inside a refrigerator is expressed in Cubic Feet. Considering most people don't understand what a cubic foot represents, think of it this way. You need about Ten Cubic Feet of interior storage capacity per 2 people.



This 10 cubic feet is for freezer space as well as refrigerator space. So, figure about 7 cubic feet of refrigerator space and 3 cubic feet of freezer space per 2 people.


Granted, even though that's the rule of thumb, you have to consider your specific space needs such as:




How big is your family? - If you have a family of four, figure you'll need at least a 20.0 cubic foot fridge.


Are you a Vegetarian? - If you are a vegetarian, you won't need as much freezer space or internal meat drawers. You'll want as much refrigerator space as you can handle to be sure you have the space for your fresh fruits and vegetables.


How will your family grow, or shrink? - Are your kids in college and about to flee the nest? Do you have a baby on the way or elderly parents moving in? All of these factors are things to consider when making a refrigerator purchase. Consider that most refrigerators last about 10 years, so factor in how your family will be growing or shrinking over that time period so that you don't have to keep buying new refrigerators.


2) What Kind of Refrigerator Will Fit into Your Kitchen?: It sounds silly, but there have been a number of people that have purchased a new refrigerator only to get it home and find out that the new fridge doesn't fit into their existing kitchen. So, take measurements before you go refrigerator shopping.

Factor in not only where the fridge will be sitting, but also how far out the door will swing. After all, you don't want to get your new fridge home and then find out you can't open it!

Keep in mind that counter depth refrigerators are very popular, but they often lack the storage capacity that most people need. So, consider this when you're shopping. Counter depth by the way means that the front face of the refrigerator will sit flush with the existing counter top, rather than sticking out. It looks much nicer, but it's not always the right choice for everybody.


3) Color Choices: There's good and bad news with refrigerator colors -- the good news is there aren't too many to choose from -- and you guessed it, that's also the bad news.

Refrigerators typically come in white, black, stainless steel, bisque (or beige) and a stainless steel alternative called, satina. Satina is usually cheaper than stainless and easier to maintain, but it doesn't always (depending on the brand) look as nice.

The days of avocado green and lemon yellow are gone for the moment.

So, what do you do if you need a different color? Well, many refrigerators have attachable panels that affix to the face of the refrigerator that allows you to make it any color your desire. Most people like to blend their refrigerator into their existing cabinetry by getting panels that match the wood work. GE Monogram, Kenmore Elite and Kitchenaid offer this option and all have performed well in a number of online refrigerator reviews.


4) Type of Refrigerator: The type of refrigerators available are:
Side by Side - Where the freezer and refrigerator are next to each other


Top Freezer - Where the freezer is mounted on the top of the refrigerator


Bottom Freezer -- There the freezer is mounted on the bottom of the refrigerator


French Door Refrigerator -- Which is also referred to as a bottom freezer because it has two split (side by side) doors on the front with a pull out drawer freezer on the bottom.


Built In Refrigerator -- Can be any of the above styles, but the refrigerator is built into the existing cabinetry and hidden away with the stylized color panels mentioned above.


Compact Refrigerator -- Also called a "dorm refrigerator", the compact refrigerator is perfect for game rooms, spare rooms, garages or family areas.


5) Best Refrigerator Brands: We're always reviewing different models of refrigerators by a wide variety of manufacturers. In all of the refrigerator reviews that we've done, only a handful of manufacturers rise to the tops as leaders -- so these are the brands to consider and brands to avoid:

General Electric: GE, GE profile and GE Monogram are all excellent choices and rate very well with consumers. The GE Aurora brand (sold exclusively at The Home Depot) was above average, but did NOT rate as well as the GE or GE Profile brands.

Consider:

Amana: Amana has consistently been rated by Consumer Reports as one of the best performing refrigerator brands. Our testing proves the same as well. Amana is one to consider.

Kenmore: Sears has had its ups and downs with its many inside brands, but Kenmore consistently has led the pack with high quality, durable and affordable refrigerators. The Kenmore Elite was especially outstanding.

Whirlpool: Whirlpool has been making high quality products for decades. They are now the parent brand of Amana, Maytag and JennAir. Whirlpool is top notch.

LG: Although they lack a bit in customer service, the LG French Door Refrigerators are some of the most affordable and attractive units on the market.

Brands to Avoid:

Maytag: Maytag used to be a mark of quality, but for the past ten years or so their quality of refrigerators has been deteriorating rapidly. Hopefully the execs at Whirlpool can bring the luster back to this once great brand name.

SubZero: Although we personally love their refrigerators, they tend to have a lot of problems over the course of their lifetime. If you have the budget, you may want to consider a Viking or a Gaggenau refrigerator instead.

Fisher & Paykel: Seemingly always at the bottom of the Consumer Reports quality lists, Fisher & Paykel has been slightly improving year after year. But, they still have a ways to go.

We hope this helps you as you journey out into the world of refrigerator shopping. If you're looking for more suggestions, refrigerator reviews or refrigerator ratings, be sure to pay us a visit at http://www.refrigeratorpro.com.

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Monday, June 14, 2010

may 12 2009 029 viking refrigerator

What cause Refrigerator to melt down. Advantek Service Technician (advantekservice.com) make-shift hinge to caused damage to Viking Refrigerator and was not failed switch from normal wear and tare that Mike Lake told American Home Shield (ahsservice.com) it was.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

How to Re-Appliance Your Kitchen

If you're looking to renovate your kitchen, you've come to the right place. We're going to talk about how to create a surface level renovation, using new appliances to achieve a new, more modern look for your kitchen. Let's get started.

1. Color: If your kitchen already has a color tone, you probably want to stick with it. White is a classic choice for appliances, black is sometimes secondary, and stainless steel is always popular because of its more modern look.

2. If you want to make appliances like your fridge and dishwasher blend in, you can work with a cabinet maker to camouflage your Sub Zero appliances.

3. Ovens: There are many different kinds of ovens out there, but if you're serious about cooking and entertaining, you might want dual Viking gas ranges or Wolf gas ranges. These bad boys have six to eight burners rather than the traditional four and are easier to control when you're cooking than electric stovetops. You also have the option to stack your ovens on top of each other which helps you save space. This is called the modular approach, and is growing increasingly popular today.

4. Range Hoods: These are a good investment because they prevent common kitchen odors and the irksome cooking smoke that often sets off a fire alarm. Moreover, vaporized grease can dull new kitchen surfaces while condensation and moisture can work against your home's insulation. Range hoods direct all of this matter to one common place to eventually move it outside the house.

5. Refrigerators: You can go with the traditional freezer on top fridge on bottom, freezer and fridge side by side, or, my personal favorite, the freezer below. This style is used in Sub Zero appliances and is one of the better options for high volume refrigeration, usually with a 22 cubic foot capacity. Of course these models are more luxurious and expensive, but dang they look good.

6. Size: The average refrigerator has a volume of 18 cubic feet. A general heuristic is 12 cubic feet for two people and then 2 feet extra per person. If you're an entertainer, the more space the better and if you like your wine and you have the space, a wine fridge is a great option.

7. Dishwashers: Technology has made the dishwasher smaller, quieter and more energy efficient than those of yore. To further reduce energy, choose a model with internal water heating, which removes the burden from your home's hot water heater. More expensive models have optional settings for china, pots and pans or crystal, while more basic ones have the standard light, medium, and heavy settings.

The kitchen is usually the center of family activity 'from cooking and eating to resting and relaxing, many families today even have a computer and TV in their kitchens. It's important to ensure that your kitchen is comfortable and that your appliances are reliable. Your refrigerator, for example, is one of the only appliances in your household that must run continuously. So choose wisely, but remember that you can look for discount kitchen appliances that are last season's models or are on sale in order to save some extra cash.

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Luxury Cruise Ships of Royal Caribbean (Jewel of the Sea)

Royal Caribbean launched its first Mega Ship in 2000. The ship itself is a sight to behold. With its offering of Broadway styled show to entertain you and dining that is an absolute thrill. The explorer has restaurants and lounges to numerous to mention, so here are a few highlights.

The main dining room has three levels all connected by a sweeping staircase and each one yet different. Each has a variety of menus to choose from and each one has its own specialties.

Exploring the ship itself is an adventure. It even has an on board Shopping Mall. Accommodations match that of all luxury ships with the Royal Suites that have a separate bedroom with a king sized bed, whirlpool bath, T.V. with surround sound and entertainment center and a private balcony.

The ship has 15 decks with a Wedding Chapel on the top directly atop the Viking Crown Lounge on the Observation Deck the highest point on the ship, and the chapel will accommodate up to 40 people.

Eighty percent of the living quarters on board have panoramic views of the ocean. The ship has a Full Fitness Center, a Spa, and Rock Climbing Wall, 3 Swimming Pools, 6 Dining Rooms, theater and a Lobby that raises 7 stories high.

Suites and Staterooms:

Royal Suite: separate bedrooms, balcony, whirlpool bath, some have Baby Grand Pianos, entertainment center, separate living area, refrigerator, T.V., phone complimentary concierge service and access to a private lounge.

Owners Suite: luxurious separate living area with private balcony and mini bar, whirlpool bath, entertainment center refrigerator, complimentary concierge service, phone, access to a private lounge T.V.

Royal Family Suite: two deluxe bedrooms, two bathrooms a living area with a sofa bed, phone, one bath has whirlpool bath, living area is equipped with same amenities as other suites

Grand Suite: comfortable bedroom and living area, T.V. phone, and entertainment center with a balcony

Junior Suite: comfortable bedroom with a small sitting area, T.V. and phone, and private balcony

Superior Ocean View Balcony Stateroom: luxury stateroom with sitting area, bar private bath T.V. and entertainment center and private balcony vanity area and phone

Deluxe Ocean View: Spectacular view of the sky and sea from a private balcony, small sitting area, private bath, T.V.,

Dining

Main Dining Room: for culinary delights

Portofino; Fine Italian food, fresh pasta dishes, seafood wines and desserts

Sea view Café: light meals and snacks

Chops Grille: steaks and seafood

Windjammer Café: casual buffet with lavish setting for breakfast, lunch dinner or snack

Nightlife:

For a fun-filled evening check out some of the ships' Hot Spots

Champagne Bar: champagne, fine wines and spirits and canapés

Vortex Lounge: this bar revolves around inside the Viking Crown Lounge

Viking Crown Lounge: located on the Observation Deck and has a full view of the ocean

Fuel: night club open until 2a.m.

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