e-PRO Certification

I can say that I finally complete my e-PRO designation course. It seems silly but it almost took me the full six months to complete it. I had a lot of changes during that time. I changed offices and my business grew exponetially. However, even though it did take me the full six months, I have to say that this was one course that was well "worth it's weight in gold". This course explores everything from domains, internet marketing to simple blogging techniques and I really believe is the new role in the real estate industry.
I next will be working on my ABR designation as I do work as a Buyer's agent most times and am always looking for a way to be better and improve my skills. I am hoping as the snow begins to fly and things settle down in our sleepy mountain time I will have some time to cuddle up next to a roaring fire and my laptop for some educational credits.
Education seems to be the core of a better business in my opinion aside from actual learning knowledge from transactions this appears to be the single most effective way to better yourself.

Well...I am off to work on my latest course, everyone have a wonderful day.

Real Estate and Recipes Collide - Recipe 2

Well friends...here is the second recipe as promised. This one is always a hit at every function I have taken it to. The sugar topping melts onto the muffins and produces a wonderful crunchy top with a hint of something special...a blueberry jam to top these off makes them perfect.

Blueberry Muffins

Lemon-Sugar Topping

1/3 c. sugar

2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

Muffins

2 c. fresh blueberries

1 c. + 2 T. sugar, 1 tsp. sugar

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

4 T. butter, melted and cooled a little

1/4 c. canola oil

1 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Stir together sugar and lemon zest and set aside. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray or use paper cups. Put 1 c. of the blueberries and the 1 tsp. sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick (5 mins) cool to room temperature. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl and set aside. Whisk remaining sugar (1c. + 2T) and eggs for 1 min, whisk in butter, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Add the remaining 1 c. of blueberries to dry ingredients and fold into the wet using a rubber spatula just until combined. Use an ice cream or a #20 scoop and portion into 12 cups, spread 1 tsp of jam over the top and then sprinkle with the sugar coating. Bake for 18 minutes, cool and ENJOY....

Real Estate and Recipes Collide - Recipe 1

Hello fellow friends...I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I should blog about and a very good friend of mine came up with an excellent idea. In addition to my passion for Real Estate and my children I also love to cook...specifically, BAKE. It is my favorite past-time. All of my friends and family have been nagging me for years to open a Bakery in our town and several have offered to pay me to make cakes for them on special occasions. However, I have this fear that if I opened a bakery the passion that burns deep inside to please people and make them smile through my cooking would fizzle if this was something I was required to do with deadlines on a regular basis. So, instead, I have decided to add this to my subjects to blog about and will be offering an original recipe each Monday for you to try and maybe share with your friends or colleagues to make them smile. Each of my recipes were made by me and I will also post pictures of each for you to see (personal pet peeve of mine when you see a recipe without a photo). Also, please note that most of my recipes did originate from a cookbook but due to my endless pursuit of perfection, each has been changed significantly from the original.



So without further ado, here is the first in the series:



Spiced Nuts



This is a great recipe to have on your desk to share with anyone who stops by it is slightly sweet, crunchy and just plain delish...



1 egg white
1 T. cold water
1 tsp. table salt
1 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 c. white sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 lb nuts (your choice almonds, peanuts, pecans, cashews or walnuts or a mixture of each)



Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk egg white, water and salt. Add nuts and stir to coat, drain in a colander for at least five minutes. Meanwhile, mix sugar, ginger and cinnamon together in a bowl add nuts and toss to coat. Pour onto the baking sheet and spread them out. Bake 40-45 minutes, let cool, break apart and enjoy...