The Magic of Summer and the Outdoors

We wait all year for the magical season of summer.  After at least five months of winter and the hibernation that ensues, we are ready to get out and own the nice weather that we feel we've earned.

Often we aren’t just reconnecting with our yards and gardens, but also with our neighbours and barbeque. Our living space begins to extend to the outdoors like a yearly tradition, with a hurried pace to get everything set up for this short but beautiful season.

This great season also offers plenty of summer dinner options. An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables makes summer cooking both exciting and delicious.  A platter of ribs, corn on the cob, lemonade and strawberry shortcakes makes a perfect summer menu great for a family dinner or entertaining friends!

Design-wise there seems to be a resurgence of the retro palette with the introduction of old fashioned lawn chairs, fire pits, patio lights and the porch swing. A bright colour scheme modernizes these accessories and it’s not long before our outdoor space becomes a cozy living room under the stars.

I wish you a happy summer. Enjoy and Relax.You've earned it!

Joanne Hutchinson

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Definition of Rain:
water falling from clouds: water condensed from vapor in the atmosphere and falling in drops from clouds
period of wet weather: any storm, shower, or other quantity of water falling from the sky
rainy weather: weather marked by heavy or persistent rainfall


Lately it feels like we are in another land here in Ottawa, ON. Seattle, WA, Portland, OR or Vancouver, BC! We're just not used to this rain and more rain and more rain and I think it's safe to say that the novelty has worn off! Our warm season is short and this weather makes us think it may be shrinking even more BUT to survive this Noah's Ark weather, we must think positively!


And until we can get out into the garden and plant and weed and sit and enjoy, we have to think of other projects to keep us focused until we can grab the sunblock and bug spray and get out 'there' and enjoy!


What's your favourite thing to do on a rainy day? I'm sure calling in sick to work and snuggling up on the couch with a good book or movie and some tea and toast is a popular idea! Sneaking out of work for a midday movie also sounds exciting but isn't practical for most of us. It's a great time to focus on some indoor projects that we won't want to tackle once the sun is out and we can enjoy long days outside. 


As for the kids, we all know that too much indoor time is even harder on them as they seem to have limitless energy! And there's nothing wrong with suiting them up in rain gear and heading out to splash some puddles before heading in for some hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course)!


On the upside the rain is bringing good things too. Lush lawns and healthy growing plants and the rain reduces the  strain on the city water system when it comes to watering our lawns and gardens. We are guaranteed that there will be lots to do once the sun does show itself again and in the meantime, get out your favourite umbrella and if you haven't already invested in a pair, go out and buy yourself a pair of rubber boots. I'll meet you at the corner to go splashing in the rain!


Working for you every day!


Joanne

Tulips in the Capital and Mother's Day

One of the great perks of living in the nation's capital of Ottawa, ON is all of the unique events and festivals that take place here and as the season begins, the Tulip Festival starts this weekend and runs for the next 3 weekends. Downtown and along the canal there will be many explosions of colour as you walk or drive or jog (you adventurous ones) by the many beds of tulips lining the festival corridor. A great backdrop for family photo ops so wear your best smile.

The most up to date report says that the tulips may be a bit 'shy' this weekend but with a little coaxing from Mother Nature and a ever present audience (that's where you come in), I'm sure they will be blooming very soon. For more information on the Tulip Festival, click here.

Mother's Day is almost here. And it means different things to different people. It's a day for celebrating with our moms or remembering our moms. Moms wear a lot of hats over the years and I think that sometimes we don't realize EVERYTHING a mom does until we become one ourselves. Some say it's the hardest job out there and this is true in many regards but it's also one of the most gratifying (most of the time anyways:)

So, whether it's breakfast in bed, flowers, something shiny, an original poem, a coveted craft made at school or a big hug and kiss, enjoy it all!

Happy Mother's Day!

                                          Joanne

Royal LePage Shelter Foundation      

The Annual National Garage Sale for Shelter

A one-day charity garage sale to raise money for women's shelters and violence prevention programs. Since 2009, we’ve raised $435,000 at the National Garage Sale for Shelter in order to stop the cycle of violence. Join us on May 14th, 2011 to provide a safe haven and new beginnings to women and children across Canada.

When: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Where: Royal LePage offices across Canada

Royal LePage is involved in charities and giving back to the community on many levels and in many ways.

One of our big events will be taking place across Canada on May 14 and we hope that you will support this initiative. Locally, here in Ottawa the event will take place at: Royal LePage Team Realty, 2344 Renfield Rd and starts at 7am!

Hope to see you there!

Joanne


What We Do

Home sale commission donations from Royal LePage agents and funds raised at special events made a lasting difference at hundreds of Canadian shelters. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has helped fund new shelters, create art therapy programs, develop job training initiatives, and cover the cost of crisis counseling and therapy for more than 30,000 women and children each year.

On a national level, our partnership with the ground-breaking Fourth R curriculum-based education program is now in more than 800 Canadian school classrooms, and studies report significant results in decreasing violence.

Together with our partners at the Canadian Women's Foundation, we take a long-term view to prevention by annually funding innovative grassroots work in every province, including the following:

• Programs that help women and their children rebuild their lives after violence
• Violence prevention programs that outreach to youth
• Support for children who have witnessed violence to help them heal and   prevent them from becoming victims or abusers themselves

Headlines that Get you Thinking

 

For many, spring isn't just a time for renewal on the home front. Tidying gardens and cleaning the garage in anticipation of a garage sale are things that many homeowners engage in at this time of year. But there's also another way to look a renewal or spring cleaning and that is spring cleaning of finances, investments, new starts etc.

With the snow gone and the grass attempting to revive, renters contemplate home ownership, sometimes over a lust for lawn and other times it's part of a strategic investment plan. Some would say that owning 'something' i.e. property, a home or condo, lends to investment stability or a look to one's future and finances.

There's a lot to read these days involving real estate and home ownership in general. Between interest rates, market values, HST and other taxes, government and political tangents, the stock markets amd the value of the U.S. dollar. The list goes on and on and it's a lot to take in and follow.

You might want to bookmark my facebook page, follow me on twitter or connect on linked in. I trend a lot of what's going on in the news and market and you will find headlines linking directly to articles that you may find of interest. AND, you don't have to search for them as they are right there.

As always I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you should you need the services of a realtor.

Enjoy your weekend!

"Working for you every day."

Joanne

Backyard Bling and Indoor Fab

Since my last update Spring has sprung, at least on the calendar! We are experiencing really cold weather with a windchill fierce enough to send us back inside and under an electric blanket all over again!

But fear not, Spring is just waiting to spring under that layer of cold (and in some cases, snow) and it's only a matter of time now. The warmer temperatures will show up soon. They have to right?!

The birds are back, the geese are noisy and the squirrels have left the hollow of the tree. Mother nature cannot put us off for that much longer!

Another sign of spring - the renovation, home and backyard shows and seminars taking place all over.
There's the Ottawa Home Show taking place right now. The Cottage Show and Big Backyard Show as well as the Spring Garage Show

That's a lot of 'show' going on in the next few weeks. Considering attending one or all. It's a great place to get ideas from, especially if you are a visual person and like to see things already put together. As well, it's a one stop shop for resources, finding out who does what in the city and picking up some brochures and business cards for your own upcoming project.

Enjoy

Joanne

Spring is in the Air and our Thoughts are with Japan

There is so much in the air right now. Here, there is the hope of spring through the rainfall, the sun, the longer hours of daylight and the big puddles left in the aftermath of melting snow. Spring and hope seem to go together. It's a time of renewal and new beginnings and we are more than ready to embrace it after months of winter.

Elsewhere, particularly in Japan, there is much more in the air since the earthquake and tsunami. What has happened in Japan is unimaginable yet through the news and hourly photo reports via CNN and other news agencies, we are seeing first hand what, up until now, we could only ever imagine. And, it is real. Very real. The tragedy, the ensuing loss, the unknown. 

Not to be missed in all of this is the courage, the strength and the banding together of people in this time of crisis. There has been no looting. In its place, cooperation and continuous stories of strangers helping strangers. That's not to say there isn't fear and sadness but the people of Japan seem to be working together and dwelling on hope instead of despair. They must. This is their home, their livelihood. There is no option to leave for most. They must dig in and persevere. And they are. 

Everyone wants to help and as a country, we are and so are many other nations. Individually, we feel the need to help and to be thankful for all we have here. The need to be thankful for what we do have is more poignant than ever in light of what has happened and we need to remember this daily.

With Spring comes optimism and with this tragedy comes hope for the future for Japan.

Warmest

Joanne