HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS! A SHORT STORY

It was the night before Christmas, when all thru the home, only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of X Box 360 and Barbie flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV, with a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?" With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, she descended the stairs, and saw the old man. He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug. "Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug." "Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake." "Your gift was especially difficult to make." "Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone." "A clone?" she asked, "What good is that? Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat." "She'll cook, she'll dust, and she’ll mop every mess. "Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true! "I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!"

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.”Mommy? I’m scared... and wet." The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart." "Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part." The clone changed the little one, and hummed a tune, as she bundled the child back into bed. "You’re the best mommy there ever was, I really love you", said the little one. The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.” That's my child's love. Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,” Only one loving mother, is needed here." The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time." With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right."

A story like this makes me appreciate my family, friends, business associates and clients. Thank-you for helping to build my business in 2014, your care and your trust are very much appreciated. Take Care and Enjoy the Holiday Season. Warm Regards, ~Pam

GEAR UP FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A HOT CHOCOLATE BAR!

During the Holiday Season, why not throw a Hot Chocolate Party?
Start with a large batch of hot chocolate in the crock pot (low heat) with a ladle.
Decorate a counter top, buffet table or bar with festive table runners and napkins.
Arrange mugs, spoons and napkins.
Add a spread of treats for topping the hot cocoa: marshmallows, whip cream, flavored syrups, chocolate chips, chopped up mints, candy canes, peppermint schnapps, etc.
Let your guests customize their own cup of hot cocoa and let the fun begin.

The Hot Chocolate Bar works well with cookie exchanges, pot luck dinners, and Holiday Parties.

PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA WITH SCHNAPPS!

1 quart milk (skim, 2 percent or whole) or half-and-half
6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (Scharffenberger or Lindt)
9 ounces peppermint schnapps
Whipped cream, for serving
6 peppermint sticks or mini candy canes

Heat 1 cup of the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate, stirring constantly, until melted. When the chocolate has melted, increase heat to medium and add the remainder of the milk while whisking rapidly. Do not allow to boil.

Serve in your favorite mug with 1.5 ounces of peppermint schnapps and a dollop of whipped cream. Add a peppermint stick or candy cane to stir.

WOW! That's some good hot cocoa!

P.S. Can substitute 1 tablespoon peppermint syrup (found in the coffee aisle)if you prefer non-alcoholic drinks.

TASTY ALTERNATIVE COCOA GOODNESS

Do you have food allergies or have dietary preferences?
You can still enjoy a delicious cup of cocoa.
Instead of dairy milk try coconut or almond milk instead.

Simply melt 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips with 4 - 5 cups over low heat with coconut or almond milk.
Stir constantly until chips have dissolved and blended with milk.
Pour into mug and top with marshmallows, whip cream, chocolate chips or a candy cane.
Sip and enjoy.
Want to add a flavored syrup, simply add 1 tablespoon caramel, raspberry or mint syrup during cooking process.
*Syrups are found in the coffee aisle at your local grocery store.

SWEET & SAVORY SALTED CARAMEL HOT COCOA

This recipe is so easy!
1 package instant hot cocoa mix
Caramel Syrup (can be found by the coffee section in your grocery store)
Whipped Cream
Pinch of sea salt

Follow directions on package of hot cocoa mix.
(I prefer 1/2 water and 1/2 milk)
Stir, add 1 tablespoon of caramel syrup
Swirl top with whip cream add a pinch of sea salt
For some extra glam, and a few chocolate chips and another swirl of caramel syrup on top of whip cream.
Delicious!

RASPBERRY WHITE HOT COCOA

1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
4 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Whipped cream and Raspberry Syrup for garnish
Add a little kick with Peppermint Schnapps, 1 - 2 tablespoons
*Ok to use 2% milk for a lighter version

n a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously until white chocolate chips have completely melted. Stir in the half-and-half, vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Pour into mugs and top with a dollop of vanilla whipped cream and a drizzle of raspberry sauce.

INDULGE IN SOME COLUMBIAN HOT CHOCOLATE

2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, such a Lindt, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Smallest pinch cayenne pepper
Long cinnamon sticks OR candy canes for stirrers, optional

Place the milk and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, and stir in the chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper with a wooden spoon and allow to rest for 3 minutes. Reheat the hot chocolate over low heat until it simmers.
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy the spicy flavor combination.

For a quicker way to spice up your cocoa: simply add a little cinnamon.
This is known as "Columbian style" because of it's popularity in Bogota, Columbia, the country's capital.

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: 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.......99.…............62.....…...............$217,500.................$24,847,383
Single Family……….......188…...........103........................$447,500….............$109,563,538
TOTAL…………………287….…........89…………........$338,500……..…...$134,410,921

RENTALS
…………....................Units..... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $....TOTAL VOLUME
..........................................78..................52..……….…… $1,975…………….$165,964

NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30, 2013
TOTALS………….……305………......98………..……..$332,500………….$134,979,883
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.


This Data Includes the Following Areas: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, Glenview/Golf, Mundelein/Ivanhoe, Vernon Hills/Indian Creek and Buffalo Grove.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.
If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR BUFFALO GROVE, Illinois.

BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.......19....................57.…….....................$128,000.................$3,063,824
Single Family…..............19.................. .61..............................$322,000….............$6,593,900

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................11...................35.......……...…........$2,100…...…….......$23,100
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR VERNON HILLS/INDIAN CREEK, Il.

VERNON HILLS/INDIAN CREEK, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.......19....................72.…….....................$160,000.................$3,684,610
Single Family…..............10.................. .62..............................$332,375….............$3,979,639

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................11...................78.......……...…........$1,700…...…….......$19,270
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR MUNDELEIN/IVANHOE, Il

MUNDELEIN/IVANHOE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.........6..................117.…….....................$162,750.................$952,500
Single Family…..............28..................101..............................$210,250….............$6,482,366

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................11...................49.......……...…........$1,450…...…….......$17,500
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR GLENVIEW/GOLF, Illinois.

GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.......16..................30.…….....................$250,000.................$3,939,600
Single Family…..............28..................91..............................$427,500….............$14,711,250

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
........................................14.................58.......……...…........$2,250…...…….......$37,070
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR NORTHBROOK, Illinois.

NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes.......19..................46.…….....................$250,000.................$5,821,399
Single Family…..............30................112..............................$597,500….............$17,354,150

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................8..................30.......……...…........$1,425…...…….......$14,075
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR LINCOLNSHIRE, Illinois.

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........1....................3.…….....................$252,000.................$252,000
Single Family…...............3..................37..............................$545,000….............$1,513,500

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................1..................52.......……...…........$3,000…...……......$3,000
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR LAKE BLUFF, Illinois.

LAKE BLUFF, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........2.................130……......................$198,500.................$397,000
Single Family…...............8.................101..............................$521,250….............$4,556,500

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................4..................44.......……...…........$1,500…...……......$5,900
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR LAKE FOREST, Illinois.

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........7.................128……......................$490,000.................$4,358,950
Single Family….............16.................203..............................$1,066,250..............$23,722,100

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................3..................63.......……...…........$5,000…...……......$14,000
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com

NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 30, 2014: SOLD & RENTAL DATA FOR HIGHLAND PARK, Illinois.

HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS
....................................Units…...DAYS on MARKET…….Median Sold $..........TOTAL SOLD
Condos/Townhomes........4...................77……......................$248,750.................$1,042,500
Single Family….............32...................87..............................$580,000.................$22,487,526

RENTALS:…............Units....... DAYS on MARKET…….Median Rental $........ VOLUME
.........................................6...................36.......……...…........$2,250…...……......$14,100
Data provided by 2014 MRED, LLC, not Guaranteed. Fair Housing Compliant.
Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. After all, aren’t potential buyers sidetracked with the holidays and likelier to postpone their house hunt due to bad weather and shorter days? But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com.


If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in the North Suburbs of Chicago, please contact me:
PAM DEVENDORF, REALTOR at Coldwell Banker. Direct: (847) 681-4143, pam.devendorf@cbexchange.com