Rose Cottage Ltd

Where is the year going? Is it just me or does life seem to be at warp speed?

++ Drones used for aerial real estate videos

++ SunTrust: Benhem listings have been reinstated

You’ll remember these guys – HGTV dropped their proposed TV program because they were “too” anti-gay, and “too” faithful to their religion. Then their bank, SunTrust – which apparently is NOT that trustworthy, dropped them. They reinstated the Benhem brothers’ business after the negative publicity started having an impact. Banks are a service organization and have no place in politics (cough,) or the personal lives and beliefs of their customers. End of rant.

If you missed the main story – you can read a recap of it here.

++ Real Estate Rebound in Asheville, N.C.

It’s a beautiful spot, but you’ll need deep pockets.

++ Mortgage Rates Today: Up-To-The-Minute Current Mortgage Rates

++ On global scale, Miami luxury home prices puny

I’m guessing their definition of “puny” and mine – are two different things…

Take a break from the world for an hour or two – pretend money is all “puny” and take a stroll through some of the properties on these luxury real estate web sites…a little escapism now and then is good for the soul!

+++ Unique Homes

+++ French Castles!

+++ Fine & Country UK

+++ Luxury Properties – Australia

Happy Weekend!

And it looks pretty refreshing to me – especially now that warm weather has arrived!

Directions: Drink one glass a day for 7 days.

Here’s a link for more details on why you should be concerned about your lymphatic system…

Look for other articles on this blog about the benefits of using raw and natural ingredients by searching with the term “OTC” in quotes!

Happy juicing!

Mississippi Aluminum Oval 9-piece Dining Set

This Mississippi Oval Nine-Piece Dining Set is beautifully designed to enhance any outdoor dinner setting. It is just the right size for any backyard or patio, and includes one oval dining table and eight dining chairs. It features rust-free cast aluminum construction and hardened powder coat finish for years of beauty. It also has an opening for an umbrella.

Have a smaller space to work with?

7 piece with Swivel Chairs option.

Here’s a great and traditional choice when it’s just you and your newspaper or novel, and a glass of wine or frosty iced tea…

Cedar American Forest Adirondack Rocker and Table

The Cedar American Forest Adirondack Rocker and Table is seamlessly designed to grab attention. The beautiful collection of Adirondack chairs exudes flawless designs, robust construction and durability. Created for easy storage and added convenience, these chairs are sure to provide you with exceptional comfort. Here you will definitely find that perfect Adirondack chair for spending a lazy afternoon and enjoying the beauty of your backyard patio. Click the link for sizes, weights and dimensions.

Amazonia Rennaisance 9 Piece Dining Set

Great designs, beautiful colors and varied styles let you add the perfect finishing touch to your favorite space. Set can be used indoors or outdoors. Free feron gard wood preservative for longest strap durability. It works great against the effects of air pollution, salt air and mildew growth.

Fabric/Material: 100% FSC Eucalyptus table/Aluminum and Synthetic wicker chairs.

Amazonia Teak Luxemburg 7Pc Wicker Dining Set

Real teak – built to last, great look and can withstand all the seasons might have to offer!

++Table is made from genuine plantation-grown teak.
++Stackable side chairs are made from all-weather wicker.

Dimensions: Table – 59″L x 35″W x 29″H

Did I mention FREE SHIPPING on orders over $99? That means any of the table and chair sets above ship FREE!

Adding a statue to your yard or garden can be an inexpensive and quick way to add a bit of whimsy or to highlight a particular point of interest. Kids love them – and I’ve known a few (adult) neighbors who will “kidnap” garden statues and make it a neighborhood summertime event to figure out “Where is the statue this week?”

I have several already and am in the market for maybe one more. Let’s look at a few potentials for Summer 2014…

Just Chillin’ Garden Statue – $199.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Sprouts – $49.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Vintage Dog w/ Basket – $178.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Wow – this next one is a beauty and will be sure to be THE point of interest in your garden this year! The price is a little high, but think of the money you will save on feed and boarding!! Plus you might make one HAPPY child recipient for this summer!!

Charlotte’s Choice – $469.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

And here’s one that won’t eat your plants!!

Snail Garden Statue – $39.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Take a stroll through Garden Fountains web site for many more selections and also for lots of other yard and garden accents!

Here’s a follow-up to yesterday’s post on a few natural remedies and cures for what ails you.

I’ll be adding to these posts as I find new and interesting info – I’ll put “OTC” in quotes in each subject line so you’ll be able to find them by just searching the blog. Today, here are some surprising (to me anyway!) facts about cucumbers…

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2.For a pick me up in the afternoon… Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. Slice some and put in your water bottle.

3. If you rub a cucumber slice along your bathroom mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Place a few slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the photochemical will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

I have at least one aluminum pie tie in my cupboard and since I got my first mosquito bite of the season yesterday, I will be giving suggestion #4 a try – immediately!

Even better news? It’s cucumber season right now. They’re available – and cheaper than most of the alternatives in your green grocery section.

I’m always on the lookout for ways to solve problems or make improvements without using a “quick fix” chemical or pharmaceutical approach. I’ve found a few images around the internet lately that provide good input on what to use and when. Maybe some of these solutions will be good for whatever issue you might be trying to resolve:

Think I’ve posted this first one before but it’s worth a re-post…

++ 12 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

From Rose Cottage Ltd

What the heck is going on in this world?

How can a cable network as large as HGTV allow itself to be bullied by about 5% of the population?

Of course I am talking about HGTV’s decision to cancel the pending show, “Flip It Forward” with David and Jason Benhem. Apparently, some remarks they made commenting on their own beliefs about religion and about homosexuality are not properly aligned with the latest rush of atheist and pro-gay push that is inundating this country.

++ Interview with the Benhem brothers

My first comment about this is that I don’t know WHY I have to be hearing about anyone’s sexual orientation OR about their religious leanings. I’m not going to a party to socialize in person with these guys and I am not going to either a religious retreat OR an atheist club event – I just want to see how they flip houses and how they help people afford homes they otherwise couldn’t own.

But now I can’t because some handful of people locked in on several statements made by one or the other of these brothers (and in one case, something their FATHER said,) and started whining.

I hate whining – and the phrase “get over yourself” comes to mind.

Let ME speak out for a moment on a few things that “offend” me and one I noticed just this past week. Bravo TV has a HUGE gay agenda and to be honest, they are coming close to dropping off my radar for good.

Watch “Flipping Out” or “Million Dollar Listings” – Los Angeles or California. Gays EVERYWHERE. They can’t seem to get enough homosexuals on nearly every show on the network. On Million Dollar Listings New York just last week, a homosexual man made repeated and harassing overtures to a heterosexual agent – which was uncomfortable for him and uncomfortable for me to have to watch. It got even worse when the “client” continued to call Luis “Ricky Ricardo” based on the character played by Desi Arnaz in the “I Love Lucy” TV show. Luis is so young he had NO IDEA who “Ricky Ricardo” was – and when it was pointed out that Luis is Puerto Rican, NOT Cuban like Desi Arnaz AND Ricky Ricardo – the client acted as if that made no difference. I imagine it does to Luis. I have HUGE respect for Luis for not punching the guy out – it would have been more than deserved – on both counts!

I can only imagine what would happen if a heterosexual male tried to “sway” a homosexual over to his way of thinking – and then joked about his ethnicity. The outrage would be immediate, loud, and public. But no, Luis is supposed to try to laugh it off and attempt to get the other guy’s mind back on business.

Either you decide the show is worth watching and NOT offensive to you or, you use that little thing that comes with the TV called the remote – and you change the channel.

There is a LOT to be said for that old “don’t ask, don’t tell” era. I really don’t care, don’t want to know, and don’t think the offended feelings of the 3% gay population or the maximum quoted 5% atheist population should control what the MAJORITY see and hear. Keep your lifestyle and your thoughts about what you don’t believe in to yourself and you’ll find that most others will do the same.

Keep on limiting what I can watch based only on YOUR views – and you may find the wrath of the 92% to 95% will be awakened.

We’ll return to the regular real estate news next week – as soon as my blood pressure drops a bit and assuming (fingers crossed) that nothing else this ridiculous happens before then!

I can’t believe more people are not using Tracfones. I prefer no-contract cell phones and service versus paying hundreds per month – but then again, I don’t live my life via phone either!

Tracfones are now available that can handle just about anything more expensive “smart phones” can do – for a fraction of the cost. I’m still holding my cell phone expenses to around $90 per year. How many can say that?

I’ve had the same model phone now for about 4 years – and it cost me all of $19.95 when I bought it. I see no need to buy a model with more bells and whistles, but check out the link above and to the right if you’re in the mode for a new model.

Mother’s Day Offer! Free Overnight Shipping on Phone or Phone Bundle Orders over $19.99!