DUFF GOLDMAN & PAM DEVENDORF CHIT CHAT IN CHICAGO!

Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes decided to step out of his "safety zone" of constructing and decorating cakes and decided to make a fruit dessert this year at the International Home and Housewares Show held at the McCormick Center Place, Chicago, Il.
Duff was given 45 minutes to cook a dessert at the Cooking Theater in front of a live audience. My sons and I were fortuitous enough to be in the audience. The dessert Duff choose to create was poached pears in a star anise, cinnamon red wine sauce, stuffed with a crunchy chocolate mousse, poised on a puff pastry cookie with a raspberry cream sauce, topped with a cookie. OMG! I would never attempt to create this delicious sounding dessert.
Gotta give Duff credit, during the 45 minute time frame, he whipped, rolled out, baked, poached, folded, crunched, assembled, drizzled, joked and topped off 3 Bosch Pears! Delectable!

After his presentation, Duff signed autographs and took pics with attendees. I got my pic with Duff for the 2nd year in a row and we had a short conversation about pecan pie crusts, his new TV show on Food Network: Duff til Dawn and the proper way to eat a cupcake.
Duff is completely charming with an infectious laugh.Next year I would love to bake my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Cake with Duff!

CHEF CHRIS COSENTINO DISPLAYS HIS CHEF SKILLS IN CHICAGO!

There's nothing more engaging than watching a fine Chef like Chris Cosentino prepare a classic entree of chicken with some added WOW factors!
This past weekend, my two sons and I visited the International Home and Housewares Show which is held at Chicago's McCormick Center Place. The private Trade Show brings manufacturers and store buyers and distributors together for an intense 4 day "shopping spree".
An advantage to this show is the Cooking Theater which hosts celebrity chefs who have 45 minutes to prepare a dish. Chef Chris is one of our favorites, not only is he an imaginative Chef, he brings humor to his presentation!
Next year when Duff & Chris come into town, I would love to be one of their dinner guests!

PAULA DEEN & PAM DEVENDORF AT THE INTERNATIONAL HOME & HOUSEWARES SHOW, CHICAGO, IL

Each year I attend this amazing Trade Show which is filled with every product you can imagine for the home. The Show takes place in three enormous halls at Chicago's McCormick Place. One of the perks of attending the International Home and Housewares Show are the Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations. Manufacturers promote their products with cooking demo's held at the Cooking Theater located in the South Building.
This year, it was great to see Paula Deen back at the International Home & Houseware Show's Cooking Theater! I have been a fan of Paula's since 1999, when she and Gordon Elliott hosted Doorknock Dinners.
After a quick kiss from her hubby Michael Groover, Paula prepared a hearty soup with a crusty garlic herb bread. During the preparation, Paula brought the audience up to date on what she's got cooking for the future.
* Paula's 15th cookbook will be released sometime this year offering healthier recipes
* Paula acquired her previous TV shows from Food Network and will be releasing them on her own Network. The Network will be state of the art and include digital experiences that lets users access southern cooking on computer, smartphones and tablets
* Paula's two sons Bobby and Jamie have created a new cooking show which will be featured on their mom's Network.
* A new restaurant is scheduled to open Spring, 2015 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Dollywood).
* Paula is developing a new cooking show for her Network with a co-host.
* and Paula will be a guest on The Chew
WOW! Paula is one busy person for 68!
After the demo, Paula mingled with the audience taking questions. I personally asked Paula if she would consider moving her production to Chicago since Oprah is closing Harpo Studios located on the west side of Chicago. Paula's response: "Wellll, Oprah is worth a few more $'s than me, not sure I can afford it since I've haven't worked for the past 2 years".
I'm so happy Paula is back! ~Pam

INTERNATIONAL HOME & HOUSEWARE SHOW, CHICAGO, IL

This past weekend the International Home and Houseware Show descended upon Chicago, Illinois. The show provides a world class marketplace to sellers and buyers focusing on Home products. The show is absolutely one of the best Trade Shows in the Industry! Three halls at McCormick Place are filled with exhibitors selling their products to local, national and international buyers. I have been attending this show for the past decade.
Trending products from the show included single serving coffee makers, humidifiers of all shapes and sizes, water pitchers and bottles with a separate compartment for fruit to flavor the water and pastel colors. One of my favorite parts of the show: free samples given by some Manufactures to Buyers to try their products. This can include smoothies, coffee, pastries, popcorn, pancakes and more. My 1st stop when I arrive at the show is the Bodum booth. Bodum provides a travel coffee mug filled with a dark roast coffee, delicious!
Other favorite Booths of mine this year were:
1. Soda Stream, putting carbonation and flavor into regular tap water.
2. Ecovacs Robotics, household robots designed to clean a home, floors, windows and air.
3. Nespresso, single serving coffee machine using round pods filled with rich, flavorful coffee.
4. OXO, this manufacturer provides affordable, quality kitchen tools to the home Chef.
5. Kitchen Aide, I just wanted one of everything from this Booth! The appliance selection is phenomenal and OMG, all the color choices!
This year Conair, Wahl and a few other manufactures had Barbers and hairstylists onsite and provided complimentary haircuts and styles to Buyers.
I attended the show on Sunday and it was filled with Buyers! Good sign for the economy.
Check out this: World's Largest Measuring Cup by Pyrex, affirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records.

EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY is MARCH 6TH!

Job satisfaction or employee satisfaction has been defined in many different ways. Some believe it is simply how content an individual is with his or her job: whether an employee likes or does not like their job. Individual aspects or job responsibilities along with the work environment and supervision are primary components to an employees' performance and attitude. Others believe it is not so simplistic, this definition suggests that multidimensional psychological responses to one's job are involved.
Today, March 6th is EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY. All you bosses, managers, supervisors, business owners take the time to say "THANK YOU" to your employees. Make them feel appreciated for their hard work, dedication, endurance, pride of job completion, timeliness, long work hours by celebrating them today.

Seven Ways to Celebrate EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY:

1. Say "THANK YOU" to your employee verbally, personal handwritten note or create a poster
2. Enjoy a long lunch date with your employee at their favorite restaurant
3. Bring them their favorite coffee and breakfast treat
4. Deliver a special gift: bouquet of flowers, scented candle, gourmet cupcakes, everyone loves gift cards!
5. Arrange for a Spa Day at the office: manicures, pedicures, massages
6. Explore a local park, museum, movie theater together
7. Offer a paid day off of their choice.

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR NORTH SHORE OF ILLINOIS.*

THE NORTH SHORE OF ILLINOIS
........................................Units...DAYS on MARKET...Median Sold $.........TOTAL SOLD
Condo’s/Town Homes.......86.…............70....…................$185,000.................$20,306,050
Single Family……….......155…...........118........................$530,000….............$94,990,995
TOTAL…………………241….…......101…………........$415,000……..…...$115,297,045
RENTALS
…………....................Units..... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $....TOTAL VOLUME
.........................................118.................59...……….…… $1,825…………….$246,346

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2014
TOTALS………………228……….....101………..……..$362,000………….$98,635,615
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

This Data Includes the Following Areas: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, Glencoe, Glenview/Golf, Mundelein/Ivanhoe, Vernon Hills/Indian Creek, Winnetka and Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois

PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR BUFFALO GROVE, Illinois.

BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........17.....................56.……...................$162,000..............$3,243,400
Single Family…...............14.....................88............................$476,625..............$6,475,000

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................18......................69.....……...…........$1,800.……….....$32,147
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR VERNON HILLS/INDIAN CREEK, Il.

VERNON HILLS/INDIAN CREEK, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........12.....................70.……...................$137,450..............$2,212,870
Single Family…................7......................70............................$410,000..............$3,393,750

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................29......................45.....……...…........$1,649.……….....$54,379
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR MUNDELEIN/IVANHOE, Il

MUNDELEIN/IVANHOE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.........5.......................51.……...................$165,000..............$746,500
Single Family…...............22....................107............................$166,950..............$4,843,050

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
..........................................9......................35.....……...….........$1,470.……….....$14,645
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR GLENVIEW/GOLF, Illinois.

GLENVIEW/GOLF, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........16......................74.……...................$197,500..............$4,331,600
Single Family…...............21....................128............................$525,000..............$13,603,155

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................14......................52.....……...….........$1,800.……….....$30,825
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR NORTHBROOK, Illinois.

NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........20......................72.……...................$199,500..............$5,213,280
Single Family…...............26....................142............................$621,000..............$16,792,999

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................13......................50.....……...….........$1,950.……….....$27,500
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR LINCOLNSHIRE, Illinois.

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.........3......................41.……...................$325,000..............$1,070,000
Single Family…................7....................155............................$570,000..............$4,190,500

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................3......................72.....……...….........$1,800.……….....$4,400
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 28, 2015: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR LAKE BLUFF, Illinois.

LAKE BLUFF, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.........2....................129.……...................$195,750..............$391,500
Single Family…................6....................213............................$775,000..............$2,685,000

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................4......................86.....……...….........$1,900.……….....$8,550
Data provided by 2015 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.

For home owners who are considering selling your home, please call me for a complimentary Market Analysis of your homes’ market value. For Buyers who are considering purchasing a home; whether it takes 5 homes or 50 homes, together we will search the Real Estate market until you find the right home suited to your needs. “Experience the Difference!”
Providing exemplary service to Lake & Cook Counties, Illinois
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com