Thought of the Day: "It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela Celia Manley Realtor ® ERA Real Estate Professionals (601)214-3307 [email protected] http://www.celiamanley.com/ 7 Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About Memorial Day In the US, Memorial Day is commonly associated with a long weekend of barbecuing, spending time outdoors with friends and family, and heralding the arrival of the summer months. While most Americans know that the purpose of the holiday is to commemorate those who have lost their lives serving in the military, here are some lesserknown facts about this important day: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaManleyRealEstate/ l Watermelon and Charred Tomato Salad Ingredients l l l l l l l l 4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing 2 pounds seedless watermelon rind removed, flesh cut into 1/2-inch dice 1 English cucumber halved, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 cup chopped cilantro Kosher salt l l l l Directions l l l l l Light a grill or preheat a grill pan; oil the grill grate. Brush the tomatoes with olive oil and grill cut side down over high heat until charred, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely. Cut the tomatoes into 1/2-inch dice. In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the watermelon, cucumber, lime juice and crushed red pepper. Stir in the cilantro, season with salt and serve at once. Recipe from foodandwine.com l It has its roots in the Civil War. An estimated 620,000 Americans died fighting in the Civil War. In recognition of this staggering death toll, groups of women began placing flowers, flags, and wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers as early as 1864. The practice soon evolved into municipalities holding official commemorations. Although many cities have claimed the title of the "Birthplace of Memorial Day," Congress bestowed this designation on Waterloo, New York in 1966. It did not become known as Memorial Day until the 1880s. The original name of the holiday was Decoration Day, which reflected the practice of adorning the graves. James A. Garfield, who would later become President, delivered a lengthy and emotional speech to a crowd of thousands at the first official Memorial Day ceremony in 1868. According to a law passed in 2000, Americans are legally required to pause and observe a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time. Nine states celebrate two Memorial Days. In order to honor soldiers who died fighting on behalf of the Confederacy during the Civil War, nine Southern states have designated a Confederate Memorial Day separate from the federal holiday. The date of Confederate Memorial Day varies by state. Over 400,000 people are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including approximately 5,000 unknown soldiers. An average of between 27 and 30 funerals are held at Arlington every day. Generally, only active and former military members, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and high-ranking federal government officials and their dependents may be buried there. 7 Home Design Trends That Will Appeal to Today's Buyers As the weather warms up, this spring is an excellent time to review 2016 s hottest home design trends. In real estate, buyers' preferences are constantly evolving, and sellers can benefit from incorporating some of the latest styles into their homes. As a seller, even if you do not have the time or budget for a full renovation, minor adjustments that pay homage to these new trends could help to optimize your sales price and reduce your time on the market. Here are seven 2016 design trends to serve as inspiration as you prepare your home for a quick and lucrative sale: 1. Sustainable features. As concerns about climate change and dwindling natural resources become more commonly discussed, homeowners are seeking to add sustainable features to their homes. These features may include energy and water-efficient appliances and fixtures, the use of recycled materials, systems for harvesting rainwater, solar panels, and LED lighting. In addition to providing homeowners with the satisfaction of minimizing their impact on the 2. environment, these "green" features are highly effective ways to reduce utility expenses. Sleek kitchen designs with clean lines and neutral colors. Although they were popular only a few years ago, mosaic backsplashes and granite countertops with busy patterns are no longer in style. The kitchen is the focal point of many homes, and when assessing this important room, today's buyers are drawn to the simplicity of attributes like white subway tiles, quartz countertops, and white cabinets. 3. Permeability between the indoors and outdoors. Homeowners are increasingly seeking to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. This trend translates to a heightened interest in large-scale pocket doors that can easily be opened to eliminate the barrier between the home and the yard, as well as outdoor living spaces that incorporate the comforts of the home. Such comforts include full outdoor kitchens and patio heating and cooling systems, including fire pits, heat lamps, and misters. With the addition of these features, homeowners can enjoy the 4. tranquility that comes with fresh air and nature regardless of the season. Copper accents. Usually found in sinks, faucets, and doorknobs, these features provide a richer alternative to the stainless steel that has been popular for the past several years. Today's buyers are also turning their attention to copper's bacteria-resistant properties as part of the quest to create healthy homes. 5. Calming colors. Typically, the international color authority Pantone names only one "color of the year." In 2016, however, its experts bestowed that title on both Rose Quartz and Serenity, the latter of which is described as a cool blue. These colors allegedly reflect a 6. widespread desire for order and tranquility, so incorporating them and similar hues into your home should appeal to current buyers. Incorporation of craftsmanship into modern design. Homeowners are opting to add materials such as aged wood to soften the sterility of 7. otherwise modern rooms and create an appealing contrast of styles. Spa-like master bathrooms. Many homeowners are expressing an interest in master baths that serve as at-home retreats. Popular fixtures include high-tech showers with features such as LED lights or showerheads that can play music, as well as freestanding tubs, the styles of which range from vintage clawfoot to modern and minimalist. If you are currently working with another Broker please do not consider this a solicitation.
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