Garden Update: August 2010 - MUMS!!!

Hi there everyone,

I'm so excited that I've already gotten some Mums for my garden! I really love fall and am looking forward to also getting my mini pumpkin and hay bale for my porch! Anyways, here are some current pictures of my garden in August:

Here are two of the Mum plants on my porch.

Here are the other two Mum plants.

My sweet potato vine on my front porch has gotten HUGE!

I'm really excited about my new Venus Fly Trap! These plants are awesome and live in your house year-round.

All of the flowers in my garden have gotten huge and basically taken over!

My red bell peppers are looking good! Yum!

This plant has grown as large as a bush! It started as only a tiny plant in the spring when I bought it because I thought it looked cool.

My pretty purple flowers!

Well, that's my update for now. I can't wait until my Mums start blooming and I can get the rest of my fall decorations!

- Ashley

Recipe of the Month: Cookie-Brownie Bars

These cookie-brownie bars as I so cleverly call them are absolutely delicious and amazing! I made them once for a concert at the Ravinia and they were devoured. They have just the right amount of richness.

Cookie-Brownie Bars

Ingredients:
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, cubed

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine the dry cake mix, eggs and oil. With floured hands, press two-thirds of the mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Set remaining cake mixture aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk, chocolate chips and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds; stir. Microwave 45-60 seconds longer or until chips and butter are melted; stir until smooth. Pour over crust.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls of remaining cake mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.

Next time you need a great snack for any event, you should seriously try this recipe. I'd love to hear your comments when you make them!!!

- Ashley

Build-to-Suit in New Lenox! Great location and lot!

Build-to-Suit in New Lenox! Great location and lot!

Just listed: 19436 S Foxford Lane, Mokena, IL 60448 for $369,900

Just listed: 19436 S Foxford Lane, Mokena, IL 60448 for $369,900

Article in the Wall Street Journal Online

Hey Everyone, So I was perusing through the Internet and reading stories about real estate when this one in particular caught my attention. The headline read "Redfin: Less Than Half of All Home-Sale Attempts Successful in ‘09". That's less than a 50% success rate! No wonder sellers are so hesitant to list their home in this economy! "A survey of seven major housing markets found that less than half of all attempts to sell a home in 2009 had, as of last Wednesday, resulted in a sale." (http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/08/16/redfin-less-than-half-of-all-home-sale-attempts-successful-in-09/). When buyers see all these properties sitting on the market for so long without selling, they definitely should see opportunities for great deals. Not that they should take advantage of these desperate sellers, but many sellers are settling for lower offers just to get rid of their houses so they can move on. The good news for these distraught sellers is that they will luckily make up for some of that loss in their next purchase! Interest rates are so low right now so not only will they get a low interest rate on their mortgage, but they will also get a good deal on their purchase of a home. It really does all even out in the end. Here is data from Cook County: County Name Listings Activated in 2009 # 2009 Listings Sold % 2009 Listings Sold # Still Active % Still Active Cook County, IL 134,710 44,789 33.3% 7,893 5.9% Here's the link to the entire article: http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/08/16/redfin-less-than-half-of-all-home-sale-attempts-successful-in-09/ - Ashley

Just listed: 11915 Holly Court, Plainfield, IL 60585 for $224,500

Just listed: 11915 Holly Court, Plainfield, IL 60585 for $224,500