Alafaya, FL

I would like to wish all AR Members a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

So what one thing are you going to do in your Business in 2010 that will make a difference?

As for me, I feel that Systems in my Business will be a big help this New Year.

Feel Free to share your Ideas here.

Happy New Year to You!

Some interesting facts for you to share at the Thanksgiving Gathering this year.

Happy Thanksgiving.

1 .Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a National Holiday until 1941.

2. Turkeys can have Heart attacks.

3. Fossils show that turkeys were around ten million years ago.

4. About one-half of all Americans put the stuffing inside the turkey.

5. Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the National Bird.

6. 20% of all cranberries eaten yearly are eaten on Thanksgiving Day.

7. The very First Thanksgiving lasted for 3 Days.

8. A scared turkey can run as fast as 20 MPH.

9. Turkeys have been known to fly for short distances at 55 MPH.

10. Wild Turkeys taste different than domesticated farm raised turkeys.

11. Turkeys can drown if they are left outside in a rain storm.

Feel Free to add any thay you may know.....

Yes Today is our annual office Thanksgiving Lunch.

So Today, I thought I would write a blog about giving thanks. (If it's Turkey cooking instructions you wanted please read my prior post).

This year more than ever if you: number one have a JOB, Or at least a closing this month you have a lot to be Thankful for.

It seems the last few days more than usual ive heard of this business closing or that person being out of work.

Last Tuesday I was at a Large Commercial Event here in downtown Orlando. After the event while walking to our car a couple were standing next to the building with a sign Please Help.

As I looked at the lady her eyes so red from crying the pain just hit me! They had old torn clothing on and looked like they hadn't eaten in a few days.

As I watched the hundreds of professional business people file past these 2 clearly needy people I was astonished that no one gave anything to them. at least while I was watching.

Well you might as well guess, I did the right thing. But my point here is not about me.

My request is that when you see someone over the holidays please don't judge, JUST GIVE!.

And Always be THANKFUL for all that you have every day of your life!

Being Thankful can be more than words. it can be Helping someone less fortunate.

In closing I leave you with 4 words.

DO THE RIGHT THING!!

This is my 8th year of making Deep Fried Turkey. After preparing over 40 birds I can speak to you as an expert here. I truly have done it all from cooking my cell phone to spending over 800.00 to find out our yorkie has an allergy to peanut oil.

Last Thursday I make a bird for our office party, all went extremely well. From the prep to the actual cooking. And everyone enjoyed the taste. infact no leftovers here only bones.

The following are a few pointers that I have learned over the years, mostly from trial and error I am happy to share with you.

1. Always fresh never frozen. ask your butcher or grocery store for a fresh bird the will go in the back and bring out one for you just ask!

2. Keep the weight tag from the package handy, to remind you of the birds exact weight.

3. Make note of the exact time the bird go into the oil. You want to cook him 3 to 3.5 mins per lb.

4. Measure twice cook once! use a large wooden spoon to see how tall your bird is, the have enough oil to cover him while cooking.

5. Safety tip Have a way to remove hot oil if you happen to have too much. I.e. metal can or ladle and some pot or metal dish to place the hot oil into. (You will need cooking Buddies to help with this)

6. SLOWLY place the bird into the oil. you should take 3 mins to do this step. slowly enter the oil so you do not want to over flow. ( see #4 measure oil)

7. When done let him rest! the bird actually is still cooking. I usually wait 30 mins or more before carving.

8. Let your oil cool, you can re-use this the older the better. Well seasoned oil seems to bring out the best! I never re -use more than 5 times.

9. ENJOY! This should be a fun experience so have fun with it, don't get all caught up in the fancy seasoning injections and such, I use only a seasoning on the outside just prior to cooking. And everyone raves on it.

10. Feel free to call me (really) I would love to hear your stories or give advice if you need it. Especially if it's your first time. My Best Dan...

Photo from 2008 Taste of Orlando

Homeowners reluctant to sell because prices have fallen should do the math and realize that the market downturn could work in their favor.

"People are finding houses at prices they thought they'd never see again,"
I would like to point out that to potential sellers that if the house a buyer covets used to be $500,000 but its price has fallen 20 percent to $400,000, it is a deal, even if the buyer's own home also has lost 20 percent of its value.

In general, the toughest will be for people who bought within the last three years, at the height of the market. But even for these homeowners, selling now may make sense as long as they can at least break even, or their trade up property is down more than their current property. (ie., that $500,000 home 3 years ago that may be now worth $400,000, considering it's down 20%, when your home 3 years ago was worth $450,000 and is now worth $390,000 down only 13%. That's nearly an even trade considering you would be getting a bigger home in potential a better neighborhood.

Almost everyone forgoes something, and probably several things, that he or she wanted when buying a house. For instance, the home may be in the right school district but on a busy street. Or it may in a great neighborhood, but it's a 2 story, not a 1 story. These are "unchangeables."

It's a good time to sell if a seller can get rid of the most negative unchangeables in his current home and replace them with better unchangeables in a new home. Once the market really turns around, the growth will be bigger in the better house.

About the author:

Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011

(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.)