Cheri' Smith, Realtor Prudential Gary Greene

I was reading Yahoo News this evening and came across this article.

http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/five-cities-with-biggest-decline-in-home-values.html

The good news is that Houston was not on the list. The bad news is that according to the article the 5 cities with the biggest decline in home values are:

Las Vegas

Miami

Phoenix

Los Angeles

San Diego

Personally I believe that was because the houses were overvalued, overpriced to begin with and it was only a matter of time before the bubble burst.

Regardless, I am happy to see that in that article they included the top 10 seller's markets and they were:

Rarleigh, NC

San Francisco, CA

Austin, TX

San Antonio, TX

St Louis, MO

Houston, TX

Portland, OR

Dallas, TX

Denver, CO

Baltimore, MD

That is 4 Texas towns! So real estate is still doing well in Texas which is what we here knew all along. So anyone that was hesitating on buying or selling in Texas, let this article be "proof" that the sky is not falling in Texas real estate.

One of my all time favorite flowers is the Passion Flower. I first saw it on a magazine cover when I was in the 4th grade. I believe that magazine was Texas Highways. I am lucky enough to have it now growing around my property and my neighbors' properties.

There are many uses for this beautiful flowering vine. You can make medicinal teas from the leaves, flower and root that are used to treat everything from insomnia to epilepsy (however, please consult a professional before trying to self medicate). The passion fruit grows on this vine but there were none on it as it is too early in the season. Bugs apparently like it too as you can see there are several on it in the picture.

The story behind the passion flower is that Spanish Missionaries discovered it and said that it reminded them of the crucifixion of Jesus. The 3 "stigmata" represent the 3 nails. The 10 petals represent the 10 "faithful" apostles. The purple area you see in the picture represents the crown of thorns. The 5 yellowish anthers represent 5 wounds. So, when we look at this flower we are reminded of the sacrifice that was made for us. I can't think of a better way to describe it but other countries/states have thought of other names and descriptions for it.

In Japan they call it the clock flower. In Tennessee it is called Ocoee. In some states it is called the Maypop. I like to be reminded of Christ's sacrifice so I will just call it the Passion Flower.

It's no secret that I love all things green and all things flowering. I live to garden. I unfortunately will not be able to attend this year but I want to share with my friends a plant sale that happens every year at Mercer Arboretum. I wish I could steal some of their pictures to post with this blog but I can not.

There will be a BIG plant sale on MArch 28th and 29th from 8am to 4pm. Get there early because the plants go fast. Mercer Arboretum is located at 22306 Aldine Westfield, Humble TX 77338. It is about one mile north of 1960.

They will have over 20,000 different plants for sale on that day. You should bring a wagon or prepare to rent one for about $5.00. Even if you don't buy anything, you MUST see the gardens. I am sure they are starting to bloom and are beautiful this time of year.

IF you get hungry, you can stop by the cafe which is open from 10am to 2pm. They serve sandwhiches and salad and deserts.

Proceeds from the sale go to precent 4 for improvements and upkeep to the gardens although this sale is largely successful due to it's many volunteers who will be on hand to help those of you that do not have a green thumb.

For more info visit their website at www.hcp4.net/mercer or call them at 281-443-8731

For those of you that don't drive down 290 west, there is a new outlet mall coming to the Cypress area. I've driven by it several times and it looks to be almost complete. Some of the articles I have read say it is supposed to open in April or May 2008. Their website says the grand opening is March 27-30.

There are supposed to be 120 stores in a 430,000 sq ft area.

The exit is Mason road off of 290 between Mason and Fairfield place.

Some of the store signs I have seen that are already up include the following:

1. Coach

2. Tommy Hilfiger

3. Juicy Couture

4. Adidas

5. Nike

6. Banana Republic

7. Crocs

8. skechers

9. Aeropostale

10. Gap

See their website for more info.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=77

This is great news to my teenage daughter because I can no longer use the excuse that the mall is too far to drive. She's very disappointed that we won't be here for the grand opening. You guys will have to tell me how it is.

Apparently you can win prizes during the grand opening and I've listed a few below....

GRAND PRIZE

GREAT PRIZES FROM OUR PARTNERS

GREAT PRIZES FROM OUR MERCHANTS

The Humble Rotary has an annual Spaghetti Dinner at the Humble Civic Club every year. The men all cook the spaghetti and serve it. The women make deserts and have a raffle.

It is from 5-8. They have silent auctions, live auction, entertainment, etc. They also raffle off a car every year. I believe those tickets are $100 each and 600 raffle tickets are sold. My mother buys me a ticket every year hoping one year we will win a car but so far no car. lol. Every 50th raffle ticket or so drawn(don't quote me on that) wins a prize as well.

I searched the internet and could find NOTHING about this event. It's been a family tradition in our house since I was 10 years old. My dad is one of the rotarians serving tonight. He's usually in the to-go line.

The price for a spaghetti plate is either $8 or $9. I can't remember!!!! Regardless, it is for a good cause and you never know who you will be rubbing elbows with. There are some well known people there every year.

Hope to see you there!!!