Mother's Recipe Box: Apple Crisp - 09/30/09 10:39 AM
Apple Crisp or Apple Pie,  Childhood Favorites
    
Let's have coffee while we peel Macintosh apples from a friend's tree.
5 cups tart Pennsylvania or New York apples, peeled & sliced
Topping1 cup brown sugar3/4 cup flour3/4 cup oatmeal1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon nutmeg1/2 cup oleoMix until crumbly.  Pour over apples.  Bake 350 45-50 minutes until golden brown. 
Apple Pie--apples, Pillsbury Pie Crust, 2-3 tablespoon flour, 2-3 tablespoon oleo, cinnamon, nutmeg. 
Bake 425 for 20 minutes. Turn down to 325 for remaining 20-30 minutes until apples are fork tender & crust is golden.
Other Favorites from Mother's Recipe Box
… (14 comments)

Mother's Recipe Box: Cranberry Salad - 09/28/09 08:39 AM
Cranberry Salad

 
This is a holiday favorite made with fresh or frozen cranberries.  Winter holidays aren't complete without Mother's Cranberry Salad.                                       1 box cherry jello
1 cup hot water3/4 cup sugar1 tablespoon lemon juice1 cup pineapple juice1 cup crushed pineapple1 cup ground cranberries1 cup ground orange1 cup celery cut fine1/2 cup chopped walnutsAdd hot water to jello mix & sugar.  Stir until melted.  Add other ingredients.  Chill overnight to set flavors.
###########################################################################
On my next visit to my Mother's, I will have to copy the Christmas cake recipe.  Twelve eggs!!!  Cholestrol here I come!
 
More Mother's Recipe … (9 comments)

Mother's Recipe Box: Golden Corncake - 09/25/09 01:44 PM
Mother's Recipe Box: Golden Corncake 

 
3/4 cup corn meal  (My mother often buys hers fresh-ground from the Amish)
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 egg, well beaten
2 tablespoon oil
 
Mix  all ingredients.  Pour into greased iron skillet.  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over batter.
Bake 425 for 20 minutes. Test with toothpick.  Come back later and enjoy Mother's Golden Corncake with coffee.
My mother often makes this recipe when I come for overnight visit.  Between the two of us, we eat the whole batch before bed time!
 
… (12 comments)

Toastmasters Noon Timer Meeting Thurs. Sept. 24 - 09/23/09 11:44 AM
Learn the Skills of Success!  Toastmasters
Interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills?  Communication is essential for success in so many professions in today’s competitive workplace.
Toastmasters meetings provide a positive atmosphere in which you can develop speaking and leadership skills.  No matter what your current level of speaking ability, Toastmasters has something to offer you.  Feel free to sit in on a meeting.  You will not be pressured to make a presentation.
Join Toastmasters Noon Timers on September 24th
Location:  Waddell Reed, 5473 Village Common Dr. #205 (off Zuck & Interchange Rd) Erie, PA 16506
Time:  12-1 pm
… (4 comments)

Mother's Recipe Box: Elderberry Pie - 09/23/09 11:42 AM
Let me tempt your taste buds.

 
M-m-m-m
Having promised my mother that I would bring an elderberry pie for dessert on the day of my visit, I got up early to make it.  All good pie bakers know that a pie is never as good as the day it is baked, right? 
Elderberries grow wild usually along the roadside and under wires as birds drop the seeds.  They prefer moist, but not soggy ground.  Finding the bushes is always a challenge unless they grow on your own properties, as these do.
              
… (6 comments)

Visit with My Mother at the Old Homestead - 09/21/09 01:35 PM
Visiting my aging mother has become a monthly routine.  Fortunately she only lives an hour and half away.  What at first was part obligation & necessity is now an opportunity to revist my growing up years as well as renew our mother/daughter bond. 

I loved the front porch and spent many days & evenings there.
Notice the flowers hanging near the bush.  My mother grows the most beautiful flowers.  Each trip from spring to fall I take a bouquet back to Erie with me.  I have transplanted a few bushes in my own yard, but my trees & flowers don't … (8 comments)

Mother's Recipe Box: Grandma's Baked Beans - 09/21/09 01:31 PM
Mother's Recipe Box:  Grandmas's Baked Beans
 

1-2 cups dry beans from last year's pole bean crop from her garden  or 1 lb can baked beans 1 lb can butter beans 1 lb kidney beans 1/2 medium onion  (from her garden of course) 1/2 lb bacon cut in small pieces  (she prefers slab bacon) 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup molasses 1-2 cups beef or veggie broth (depends on type of beans you use dried or canned)  Add more if too dry.  
Optional:  ketchup & dry mustard  How much?  It depends on the taste. 
I think I will have … (10 comments)

Just Passed Real Estate Exam & Looking for Real Estate Company? - 09/17/09 01:29 PM
Looking for a Real Estate Company?

 
So many companies.  Which one is best for me? 
 
Let's talk.  Perhaps I can help you avoid a common mistake many prospective agents make.  They are blind-sided by the recruiting propaganda and then feel pressured to make a decision.  They skip the analysis, called the A-Step, of the options available in their market. 
 
A-Step, an Analysis of Real Estate Employment Opportunities
Analysis of the employment opportunities in myReal Estate market will help me answer the Big Question:  Which company will help me develop my talents and give me the … (8 comments)

Family Gathering at Cross Creek Resort - 09/17/09 06:46 AM

Family Gathering at Cross Creek Resort

 
Following a long family tradition our family gathered at Cross Creek Resort & Golf. last night to greet my brother, Bob & his wife Katherine, who arrived from Texas via Amtrack. My sister, Irene & her daughter Anna drove up from Maryland to surprise Bob who has always been the King of Surprises. 
I think I was in college when my father who is now deceased started taking the family to Cross Creek for Mother's Day each year. It is fitting that we choose this site and Dave mentioned Dad in … (6 comments)

Are You Tired of High Water Bills? Is It Time for New Hot Water Tank? - 09/16/09 02:27 PM
 
Simple Do-it-yourself projects could save you $$$$$$
Turn off water while brushing your teeth Replace leaky faucets Repair toilets that run constantly Other projects that will lower your water bill include:
Install new energy efficient hot water tanks Install tankless hot water heater  
For these and other plumbing projects I recommend:  T & T Plumbing 814.836.0305
 

… (8 comments)

Remembering Flight 93 - 09/14/09 11:23 AM
 
Flight 93 Shanksville, Pennsylvania
 

American flag marks the spot where the plane went down in field  
 
           
Makeshift Memorial:  visitors have left memorabilia on fencing that will eventually be part of permanent memorial yet to be built.   Volunteers had binder with photos/names and story about each victim and the terrorists who died in crash.  Hardly a whisper was heard while we toured the exhibit and listened to the brief history of Flight 93.                                                                   
 
My husband & I detoured off the PA Turnpike last fall to visit the site … (8 comments)

A Little Inspiration for Your Monday Morning - 09/14/09 09:44 AM
 
Good Monday morning world, Good post with many inspirng quotes. Thanks.  Enjoy!          Mary
 
Via Heather Chavez, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 412-4469 (Second Self Virtual Assistance):
Here's a little inspiration for your Monday morning.  I hope you like them as much as I did.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.  - Mark Twain
Far better is it to dare mighty things, … (6 comments)

Boom Over Presque Isle Bay: Hear the Cannon's Roar - 09/14/09 08:06 AM
Join my daughter, the grandkids and I at Liberty Park overlooking Presque Isle Bay to hear the Last Blast of Summer as the Brig Niagara fires off its cannon for the last time this season.
 
Last Blast of Summer
 

 
Erie Philharmonic
 
               
 
Join my daughter, the grandkids and I at Liberty Park overlooking Presque Isle Bay to hear the Last Blast of Summer as the Brig Niagara fires off its cannon for the last time this season  What a scene!  Thousands of people on lawn chairs, blankets or … (9 comments)

Toastmasters Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest - 09/13/09 07:25 PM
Erie, PA Toastmasters Clubs
Just a quick note about the upcoming Humorous Speech and Table Topics competition.  Please mark your calendars for September 19th from 9 to noon at the Blasco Library on Erie's Bayfront.  We need volunteers from all groups to compete, judge, assist and most important support each other.Weekends are crazy for everyone.  This is a great opportunity to hear speakers from other clubs and meet those members.Looking forward to seeing you there.  Ink in the date today!  For more information, call Mary Yonkers, 881-7548. 
Erie, PA Noon-Timer Toastmasters
… (5 comments)

Are You Registered for Real Estate Pre-license Classes? - 09/12/09 05:15 PM
 
Your Real Estate Career Begins with Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate    
 
Classes start soon in Erie, Pennsylvania
 
Real Estate Fundamentals---September 19, 20 and 26, 27  
Real Estate Practice---October 10, 11 and 24, 25  
Held at Bel-Aire Hotel/Clarion Inn 2800 W. 8th St. Erie, PA 16505  
Do delay register today to reserve your seat in this premier class
… (3 comments)

800th Sunday Showcase/ Howard Hanna - 09/12/09 04:21 PM

Howard Hanna
Sunday Showcase of Homes TV program airs 800th Show on Sunday
          
Sept. 13, 2009 at 11:00   TV's most watched
 
Erie, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Harrisburg
 
Chairman & CEO, Howard W. "Hoddy" Hanna, III, described the weekly Showcase of Homes as,  "an integral part of our marketing program." The Showcase of Homes gives Howard Hanna's sellers a marketing venue not offered by other Real Estate companies in most markets.
Congratulations Howard Hanna
 
 
… (2 comments)

3530 Muriel Drive, Erie, PA 16506 - 09/12/09 03:44 PM
 
3530 Muriel Drive, Erie, PA 16506

$144,900
QUIET CUL-DE-SAC.  OVER ONE ACRE WITH FRUIT TREES AND MATURE WOODS AT BACK OF PROPERTY. 12X14 TOOL SHED/ WORK SHOP.  NEW ROOF OVER 10 X 23 SCREENED PORCH. BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS IN LIVING ROOM/ KITCHEN.  REMODELED KITCHEN AND BATHS.
 
Contact:  Dave Yonkers, Coldwell Banker Select Realtors 1.814.833.3331 x231 or his cell 1.814.881.8303
****************************************************************************************
My Hubby, Dave, listed this home for navy medic & his wife who really would like to find a family who will love this remodeled home as much as they did.
 
 
 
… (4 comments)

Big Update - Want to Endorse Active Rain in the Shine A Light Contest? - 09/12/09 08:18 AM
 
Let tell the world that ActiveRain is THE BEST.  Read Judy's post & submit your endorsement of AR.  You will need to register before endorsing AR.  It takes less than 5 minutes of your time and is quite painless.
 
Via Judy Jennings - Realtor® Serving Plymouth & Barnstable Counties (Cedrone and MacDonald Real Estate):
BIG UPDATE
to

"Want to Turn Your 1000 Active Rain Points into $3,000?"

I had an email conversation with Bob Stewart and as a result, I have nominated Active Rain for the Shine A Light Contest! At first I did not believe … (2 comments)

What to Compost? - 09/11/09 03:42 PM
As Green becomes the way to go more and more people are talking about composting as a convenient & practical way to dispose of yard waste.  I have friends who live in subdivisions who bag 50+ bags of leaves & other green waste every fall and almost that many during their spring clean-up.  Did you know that compost is just decomposing organic matter?  Take a walk in the woods & breathe deeply.  That rich, earthy smell is decomposing organic waste that nurtures new growth in the coming season.  Yes, you can have that same compost whether you live in town, in … (10 comments)

Are You Working Your Tail Off for No Money? Ready for a Career Change? - 09/10/09 08:16 PM
 
 
 
Is this you in the picture?  Lost behind a mountain of work that never goes down?
Are you working your tail off for little or no money?  Do do feel under-appreciated and over-worked? 
Or maybe you lost your job due to the recession? Are you one of the Lucky Few who did not lose their job, but now are doing the work of two or three people with no extra $$$?
Are you in a rut, but don't know which way to go?      Not challenged?  Can't wait for 5:00?
 
Is it time for a career … (12 comments)

Need New FSBO Approach? Try Six-Six-Six or DEEP SIX! - 09/08/09 12:55 PM
 
 
 
 

 Need New FSBO Approach?

               
                  Try Six-Six-Six
 
                                 or
 
 
                       DEEP--SIX
 
  Choose target area.   
Scour your target area daily or at least SIX times a week looking for new FSBO signs  
Work SIX FSBOs at a time  
Contact them SIX times over SIX WEEKs:  in person, print, mail, phone, e-mail, area newsletter  
If they list, sell or don't do anything Deep-Six them after six weeks and replace them  

 
It is best to pick an area where you have had other listings/sales … (12 comments)

Going Green with Composting - 09/07/09 07:26 PM
Going Green with Composting
 
 
After making macaroni salad and caprice salad for dinner my compost container (an empty sherbert container) needed to be emptied.  Over the years I have had compost piles.  My parents had compost piles before they became popular.  But for some reason I had gotten too busy and fell out of the habit of composting until I attended a formal seminar on composting last summer & received a free beehive compost bin. 
 
 
 
At first I loved the style, but it quickly became too small and cumbersome to turn.  Prior to this … (17 comments)

Jacob--He is All-Boy! - 09/07/09 04:59 PM
JACOB
 

 
This is about as calm as you ever see Jacob, unless he is sleeping.  He is so proud of his Big-boy bed. 
My house is never the same after his visit.  He does love to touch everything and is learning to treat things a little more gently.
A frequent favorite witht both Jacob and his older brother, Hunter, is walking along the stream.  Let me share a few pictures.
 
          
 
His older brother has learned to skip rocks, but Jacob just likes to pick up rocks and throw them … (7 comments)

Macaroni Salad with Rings & Hint of Dill - 09/07/09 04:37 PM
Macaroni Salad with Rings & Hint of Dill
 
          
 
Here are the ingredients:  one cup ring pasta,  two hard boiled eggs, celery, onion, grated carrot, Miracle Whip Lite, sea salt, white pepper, garlic powder and dill.
Cook the pasta and eggs.  Add other ingredients to your liking.  I put grated carrots in the salad and on top for garnish.  I use very little salt, but use pepper & garlic powder more heavily.
But the secret is the Ring Macaroni I use for this time honored picnic favorite.
 


Notice how tiny the ring … (9 comments)

Let's Take the Covered Bridge Tour - 09/05/09 03:30 PM
Recently my friend, Carol, and I set out to tour a few of Ohio's 16 covered bridges in Ashtabula County.  We opted to take the scenic road along Lake Erie rather the I-90.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  With our slow pace it was almost lunch time when arrived at the Geneva Convention Center so we decided to start with lunch on the veranda overlooking Lake Erie.  Carol & I never tire of talking with each other.

 
After lunch we couldn't resist the urge to walk along the bank, past the marina and into a state park.  Hawks … (16 comments)

Colored Text Series - How to Put Easily Put Color in Your Posts... - 09/05/09 09:15 AM
 
If you haven't added Color to your posts, your readers are missing a lot.  It works with Mac or PC which I have.  I have icons for Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer on my computer as some of my programs work better with one or the other.  Once you get the hang of switching back and forth "It's a piece of cake!"

Michael Thornton is Master of Technology in my book!  Thanks, for your help.
 
Via Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.):
Yesterday, I  wrote a 2 posts "Colored Text Series - How … (8 comments)

Prospecting Equals Dollars in Your Pocket Rather than Dollars Spent - 09/04/09 05:12 PM
Prospecting  =  $$$ in Your Pocket
 
                             
 
 
Agent   +       Opportunity    =  $$$$$
Are you taking advantage of every prospecting opportunity?  Or are you letting dollars and success elude you?  Let's look a few easy prospecting tips that will help you prospect over the weekend or any time you choose to use them.
 
Family time
Now you may ask how can I spend time with my family and still prospect for business? 
Easy:  Wear logo clothing yourself. Buy logo clothing for others in your family. Some agents buy T-shirts with company logo for their kids.
… (15 comments)

Social Media Users Beware - 09/03/09 08:44 PM
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace have just recently annouced newest category of users: 
 

 
BURGLAR
Unfortunately these participants have not been listing their profession as Burglar when registering for an account on any of these social networks.  However, they have been absorbing the information provided so freely by the users of Facebook and other social networking sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace.  
"Hear Ye Hear Ye"  An open invitation to ALL burglars.
 

My home is vacant. Come rob me.
According to a survey by Protection One 73% of Facebook users recently posted their vacation plans on the site.
Even … (12 comments)

Why Wear a Name Badge or Logo Clothing? - 09/03/09 04:32 PM
Yeh, yeh, I know.  I should wear my name badge.             
 
 
 
Who is wearing their name badge?
 
                     Answer:  Top-notch agents
 
 
Top-notch agents know the importance of presenting a professional image in the community where they work.
Top-notch agents are always looking for new sources of business and know that wearing their name badge can lead to another contact.
 

But today is my Day Off!!                  
 
                    Answer:  Logo clothing/Include your name under logo
 
Last time I attended my grandson's football game, many parents were wearing jackets, … (14 comments)

BUDGET WISE MARKETING - 09/03/09 02:59 PM
BUDGET WI$E MARKETING
 
Yes, yes, we all know we need to market ourselves as well as our company, BUT we hate to spend the money. 
Just in case you a tight wad by nature or by necessity I have a few low cost marketing ideas to share.
Tips for the tight wads amongst us
 
 
 
   Car signs:  FREE AD after initial fee
Add your personal website, too
 
   Name Badge w/Smile:  PRICELESS
 
 
Logo clothing:  Hot days or just casual
 
GOLF OUTINGS
 
              … (8 comments)

 
Mary_y_edited-1 Rainmaker_large

Mary Yonkers Erie/PA Real Estate

Erie, PA

More about me…

Howard Hanna/Alan Kells School of Real Estate

Address: 4248 West 12th Street, Erie, PA, 16505

Office Phone: (814) 833-1000

Cell Phone: (814) 881-7548

Email Me

Real Estate Education is my passion. My goal is to encourage YOU to maximize your strengths and overcome your weaknesses. How can I help you? View Mary Yonkers, Educator/Trainer's profile on LinkedIn


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find PA real estate agents and Erie real estate on ActiveRain.