Susan Hawke

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Like A Hawke: My Tumblr

I am having so much fun curating my Tumblr for you! Find imagery that inspires! Here.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

My Current Listings

You may find my current listings here.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Monday, 18 November 2013

Don't let your Christmas tree lead to tragedy this season - How to prevent accidental fire during the holidays

(NC)— It's the Christmas holiday season, our most treasured time of the year. It's a time of celebration, joy and sharing time with family and friends. Unfortunately, this important time can also be one marked by tragedy if precautions are not taken against accidental fire. According to the Canadian Safety Council, every year about 400 Canadians lose their lives in an accidental household fire. In fact, it's during the holiday season that the number of deaths caused by accidental household fires is at its highest.

Patrice De Luca, vice president of marketing and business development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, says the major culprit for this significant increase is the famed Christmas tree. “You need to take every possible precaution to minimize the risks of fire, especially if you choose a natural tree,” he added. “Fire is one of the greatest threats to your family and home. People do not realize the emotional toll a fire can take, even if there is no loss of life.”

Here are safety tips to consider from Protectron's free “Saving Lives Program”:

• If possible, consider an artificial tree. They are much safer and cleaner.

• Leave the tree outside until you're ready to decorate.

• The tree stand should hold at least 1 gallon of water. It's crucial to check the water level every day.

• Detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide should be installed at strategic locations – your kitchen, stairwell, bedroom hallways and other high-traffic household areas. Monitored smoke detectors can save lives by having operators standing by 24-7 and dispatching emergency services if required (for example if fire occurs while sleeping).

• Keep the tree away from floor heaters, fireplaces, or other heat sources.

• Use only CSA-listed lights, and no more than three strands linked together.

• Use miniature lights–which have cool-burning bulbs.

• Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.

• Examine light strings each year, discard worn ones.

• Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.

• Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.

• Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.

• Practice an escape plan at least once a year. Make sure the whole family is involved.

• Finally, make sure to dispose of your tree properly at the end of the season.

Protectron's “Saving Lives Program” is offered free to families considering home security solutions. More information on the program or on fire safety and home security is available online at www.protectron.com.

Friday, 15 November 2013

10 Ways to Bring Tudor Architectural Details to your Home

If you’re a fan of romantic movies, children’s fairytales and architecture that feels like it’s right out of your favorite novel, Tudor style homes are probably the epitome of these memories. Tudor architectural details are not necessarily from the Tudor England style of buildings in the 16th century. When most homeowners refer to this style of architecture they are referencing the style made popular in the United States in more modern times. The 19th and 20th centuries had beautiful examples of this nod to medieval English architecture as well as the details that made cottages and early century mansions what they are today. If you’d like to bring Tudor architectural details into your exterior and interior home, here are a few ideas. - Fresh Home

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Gluten free/Dairy free Apple Crisp

Gluten free/Dairy free Apple Crisp –
 (4 small servings – double for more)

Confession – I didn’t measure so this is an estimate.  It sure turned out.  Was a great dessert after having Beef Bourguignon.

2 apples sliced (Organic is best.  I didn’t have a cooking apple so I used Organic Fuji Apples)
p.s – leave the skin on
2 cups Apple, Walnut Coconut Delight from Love Grown
(you can use another Granola mixture – I like this because it is Gluten Free and non GMO)
½ cup Organic coconut palm sugar
2 – 3 tablespoons Earth Balance coconut spread, melted
½ cup Pure Maple Syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
Place sliced apples in the bottle of a small oven safe dish.  
Mix Granola mix, coconut palm sugar, melted coconut spread and maple syrup in a bowl.
Spread over the apples.  Drizzle a bit more maple syrup over the top.  Cover with foil and place in oven for about 20 min.  Remove cover and bake for 10 more minutes.
You can eat as is, or serve with coconut milk ice cream (Or a little liqueur on top – I have some Maple Liqueur from Nova Scotia that is wonderful)

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Beef Bourguignon

6 strips of Free Range Bacon diced 3 lbs stew beef or cross rib steak cubed (I used a mixture- meat was grass fed from a local farmer*) 3 – 4 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil Salt, pepper 4 tablespoons gluten free flour (I used spelt) 2 yellow onions chopped 4 – 5 carrots, chopped (mine were organic from a local farmer) 2 tsps minced garlic 2 – 3 celery stalks (preferably organic) 1 bottle dry wine (I used Pinot Noir) Small handful fresh parsley 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 package pearl onions ½ cup – 1 cup beef broth 1 pack button mushrooms (preferably organic) ½ cup brandy 1 tablespoon butter or dairy free alternative such as coconut oil 1 tablespoon gluten free flour
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In large pot or dutch oven, sauté diced bacon until crisp. Remove from pan (set aside in a small bowl). Place 3 tablespoons of flour on plate and mix about 1 tsp salt and pepper. Coat cubed meat in flour mixture. In about 3 batches brown in pan. Add oil with each batch as needed. Set aside in bowl.
Add a bit of oil to pan and about 2 tablespoons of brandy. Scrap brown bits from bottom of pot. Add chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic. Saute over medium heat until softened – about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon of gluten free flour and cook while stirring for about 1 more minute.
Add bottle of wine to pot, thyme, parsley, bacon and beef with drippings. Bring to a boil. Transfer to baking dish (I used a roasting pan). Place in oven and cook 2 – 3 hours (meat should be very tender). About 20 minutes before ready, boil pearl onions for about 3 minutes. Reserve the water, cool onions slightly and peel off skin. In small bowl place ½ tablespoon of soft butter and half tablespoon for flour, form into a ball.

Place in hot skillet and add onions. When onions begin to brown, add 2 tablespoons brandy and cook til reduced. Remove from skillet.
With remaining butter and flour make another ball and place in skillet. Add mushrooms, cook for about 3 minutes. Add remaining brandy. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove roast pan from oven. Warning – it will smell so good that you will want to eat it – but wait.
Add onions and mushroom with ½ cup beef broth (I used homemade broth). Place back in oven for about ½ hour more.

You will have a fabulous dinner.
I had enough left over for lunch the next day, and a meal for the freezer.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Is your home flood proof? Security systems can now detect leaks, prevent damage

(NC)—Over the years most homeowners can expect to experience at least one form of water damage to their home. It could be their washing machine hose that splits, their pipes that freeze and burst, the dishwasher that leaks, toilet that overflows, or water heater that fails.

Any one of these conditions can lead to expensive property damage, and destruction of personal belongings such as photographs, furniture or computer data – items that are often irreplaceable.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than seven times as many insurance claims are caused by water damage and freezing (17 per cent) than by theft (2 per cent). Of those water related claims, 60 per cent were caused by faulty indoor appliances or plumbing leaks, 25 per cent were caused by heavy rain or flooding and 11 per cent caused by sewers or sump-pumps that overflowed.

Preventing a water leak from causing extensive damage is even more crucial now with the trend towards homeowners investing thousands of dollars in their basements creating home theatres, play rooms, guest rooms and laundry rooms.

These flooding events can lead to several inconveniences and unexpected costs such as having to relocate while the problem is cleaned up (in severe cases), having to replace damaged items and most importantly dealing with the health problems from the mold and mildew caused by the water damage.

“Flooding events often go undetected for hours causing extensive damage to your home and personal belongings,” said Patrice De Luca, vice president of marketing and business development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, a leader in home security services who offer, among their suite of products and services, affordable solutions to help thwart the threat of water damage.

According to De Luca today's security systems are capable of monitoring much more than just intrusion detection devices like motion detectors, door/window contacts and glassbreaks. Flood sensors, water flow switches, temperature sensors and many other devices can be installed and linked to a remote monitoring centre that protects homes 24 hours a day to help minimize and, if detected early enough (like for a sump pump with a high water level sensor), prevent losses due to environmental factors with specially trained professional operators standing by and dispatching appropriate emergency services if required.

De Luca says “the latest technology in security systems (when monitored by a professional monitoring centre) can even allow for the monitoring and detection of water damage in your home from a distance by wireless transmission (TeleGARD) on your cell phone or PC at work for example.” More information on protecting your home while you're away is available online at www.protectron.com.

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