Ask Mary

Even Ducks Enjoy A Sunset Over Lake Erie

Despite the frozen Lake Erie the ducks were happy to swim in the mouth of Trout Run along with the steelhead & brown trout.

After working most of the afternoon on a PowerPoint presentation for next week's Continuing Education class I just had to take time to capture the sunset over Lake Erie.

More to come as the weather gets warmer as Erie, PA has some of the world's best sunsets.

Now to put the finishing touches on my class notes before dinner.

Points! Points! Points!  Who wants more points?

Are you competitive?  Does a Contest get you excited? 

Let's team up and enter ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest hosted by Russel Ray  Since I have been an ActiveRain member I have enjoyed Russel's enthusiasm and willingness to lend a ear or hand to brighten another member's day.  Yesterday he visited my site, left a comment and an invitation to enter his latest contest. 

Russel didn't stop there. He went back home to sunny southern California to write a post Luck & Hard Work that included a link back to me.  Just in case I missed his post he sent me an e-mail with a link back to his post. 

And I took most of Sunday afternoon off from AR so Russel's message was a pleasant way to start a new week.  Thanks Russel.

After you read the contest directions, the next challenge is finding a partner.  Send me an e-mail if you would like to team up with a Real Estate Instructor.

Let's see if we can find signs of Spring in Erie, PA

Wow!  Erie, PA and the Northeast has had three wonderful days of sunshine in a row. 

Now, how do I take a picture of sunshine?  In the past I have shared with you sunrise and sunset photos, but I haven't figured out how to take the in-between shots of sunshine.

Let's just look for signs of spring.

Well, even that is hard in Erie, PA given the amount of snow we still have on the ground.  The birders are posting reports of bluebirds and cedar wax wings in the area and the local ice cream stand is counting down the days until Opening Day.

  FLOWERS  =  SPRING

Since my flower gardens are still covered with snow, I will just go into my craft room and put together a few arrangements. 

ENJOY . . .  

It has been a long time since I have seen a beautiful sunset due in part to the many snowy or cloudy days the northeast has had this winter.  So let me share with you the first of many for 2010.

EriePA

And the good news is the weatherman is predicting more sunny days and even a little warmer.

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Have you completed Real Estate Continuing Education classes for 2010 renewal?  www.alankells.com

As many of you know I enjoy cross country skiing during the winter.  Fortunately I have many options:  the woods below my house, the fields across the road, a nearby golf course or the trails on Presque Isle.   Sunshine = Spring Fever

This morning I was so happy to see a clear road again. No snow.  No icy patches. 

It's time to put the skis in the rafters of the garage and put on my hiking boots.  It's not quite time for sneakers. 

Join me.  It's only one mile to the end of the road & back.

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If you or someone you know is studying to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate exam, please join me on Saturday for FREE coaching class.  www.alankells.com 

Are You As Ready for Spring As I AM?

 Erie, PA                Your area ?

I am so ready to see flowers growing instead of the mountains of snow I see outside my door.

Lately I have read a few posts from other areas of the country with beautiful photos of the first signs of spring in their area.  Just today Fred Carver shared a close up of a  Red tulip using tips by photographer Debi Boucher.  In my comment to Fred I said that I was going to try close up photos. 

What better subject than spring flowers!!!   

Now I let me be upfront and disclose the true source of my flowers . . .

 One of my past times is working with silk flowers.  At this time of year I start putting together my spring bouquets. Each day I add to my collection.  Enjoy . . .

Maybe spring will come to your area soon.

Hubby is a great cook, but sometimes I just need to give him a reason to practice.  So this weekend while I was teaching I asked him to make his Famous Seafood Chowder.

Seafood Chowder

Choose three or four kinds of fish:  walleye, cod, shrimp, clams, salmon

One & half quarts whole milk

Potatoes

Scallions, chopped finely with green tops

One or two cans cream corn

Seasonings:  Worcheshire sauce, hot pepper sauce, old bay seasoning

Optional:  salt & pepper, butter

Directions:  

• Poach fish in small amount of water; drain
• Peal potatoes; cube; cook; drain                               
• Chop scallions

• Scald milk & add fish, shrimp, clams

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy

Maybe I should teach every weekend.  Join me in class soon.  www.alankells.com

Thanks, Carra.  I am looking forward to being a guest on BlogTalkRadio. Carra has been so supportive of the ActiveRain community and willing to share her time and expertise.  I feel honored to join Carra on the Cosmic Cow Pie BlogTalkRadio on March 4th at 11:00 am EST (or 9:00 am MST)  If you would like to be a guest on Carra's show, contact her via e-mail or phone.

If you haven't visited Charleston, South Carolina, I suggest that you add it to your list of places to visit. Let me tempt you with a few of the many photos I took during a recent visit.

Even during the winter months flowers bloom in protected locations.  This camelia just seem to say come closer.

Can you imagime what fun it would be to be a guest in this Bed & Breakfast on the corner of Meeting and the Battery?

How would you like to arrive by horse & buggy?

So many historic mansions and churches.

Don't miss Rainbow Row

 . . . . . . and cobblestone streets

Having just read The Eight New Rules of Real Estate fby John Tuccillo for an upcoming class, I sat down to prepare a PowerPoint presentation.  However, I threw away most of my notes and wrote this outline.

• The Basics Are Still the Basics                                

• The I-key Has Moved                     

• Consumer Power    

• Become an 'Info Analyst'    

• Navigate the Tech Corridor           

• Upgrade Your Social Skills  

• Go Green   

• Sell the Value of You        

Rather than include detail under each heading I used the bullet points as discussion triggers.  What a great class!  Agents were more involved and willing to add their two cents than when the material is spoon-fed to them.

Join me in class March 16, 2010  www.alankells.com