Victoria Murphy ~ Santa Fe, NM

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, and he is sometimes otherwise known as Closings. I was fortunate enough to close two deals in the last two weeks, and also a referral closing. I have another tied up with a few lender issues but that too should be closing within the next two weeks. So have a few checks in hand has been a wonderful thing, and I can tell you my credit card companies were very happy about this as well.

So here's to all of you my fellow brokers - I wish you well and may the blue ink soon be dotting your offers. I wish all of you very quick and successful closings!

You know the old saying it comes in threes? And when you hear it you know it isn't good. It would be great if it applied to winning the lottery or any other great and exciting thing I can't even phathom at this moment.

So what were my 3's?

1. First my home office computer crashed. Thank goodness my brother has a local computer repair company called Gremlin Computers (little plug for the brother). He was able to save my hard drive.
2. My office computer caught a virus and I don't thing it was the Swine Flu - so little brother to the rescue again. He scrubbed my hard drive and got rid of the virus. Did I mention my little brother has a local company by the name of Gremlin Computers? Sorry - had to plug the bro again.
3. My Blackberry Storm decided not to let the phone button work any longer. Do you understand how not fun it is to make every phone call from voice recognition?

Now did these all happen a week or so apart? Of course not! They all happened within a day apart. I was having email and blogging withdrawals. The sight was not a pretty one. But I am happy to say that thanks to the folks at Verizon for replacing my Storm and to my delightfuly little brother who owns a local computer repair place called Gremlin Computers (things come in 3's including plugs to little brothers) I am up and running again.

Whew!

I love it when i find new gizmos and gadgets. Things to simplify my life or just make my life more fun and exciting. I hd so much fun this weekend putting together videos for my listings. I am still in the process of adding some othe properties. But take a look and give me your feedback.

http://animoto.com/play/HpoSjeQM0HbpRLcQ1SldpA?autostart=true#

http://animoto.com/play/n0yWOpLMWLig2shI4VoAGg?autostart=true

I just read a great blog about using your photo and not the Gray avatar. That set me off on the simple fact that one needs to update not only their profile photos but also their MLS listing photos and information. I get a big kick out of doing an MLS search. Here it is the end of August and there is snow on the ground of listing - and the seller wonders why there property isn't selling - it's your agent they aren't paying attention to your home.

I also love the 10-20 year old profile photos used - people accept your age - you've earned it. After all your still on the right side of the ground. This weekend I was with a buyer from out of town that I had been communicating with via email. When I went to meet her in our lobby the first thing she said was "You look just like your photo". Well I hope so - I update it every 2 years. Does it cost to have this done - yes. But that is just one of the costs of doing business.

Another pet peeve - update your listing information. On a recent MLS search a property came up matching my buyers criteria but I had to ask my self "Why has it been on the market for over a 1000 days"? Could it be the remarks that if this property went under contract and closed by July 30, 2007 the seller would cover the closing costs and a $2,000 bonus to the buyers agent?

Get with it people - check out those photos and remarks and get them updated.

age 2

2005

2007

2009

On Friday I will be staying with my mother at her home and I thought I would make one of her favorite dishes - Trenette con Pesce Spada E Spinach - otherwise known to my mother as the Pasta, Fish and Nuts dish. So since I have pulled out the recipe which has begun to yellow in my collection of recipes to copy it - I thought I would pass it along because it really is truly delicious. The recipe originally came from Cucina Italiana but I have modified to to our tastes.

3/4 of a can of anchovies fillets, drained and patted dry

2 large garlic cloves

3 cups Swiss chard, stems removed and roughly cut leaves

3/4 pound of firm white fish, swordfish, mahi mahi, halibut

4 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup pine nuts, roasted to golden brown

1/2 cup of slivered almonds, roasted to golden brown

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, toasted in 2 tblsp olive oil

1 package penne pasta, cooked al dente, and drained reserve 2 cups liquid. (I prefer whole wheat)

1/4 cup Olive oil

1 cup dry white wine

2 Tblsp lemon juice

2 cups reserved water from pasta.

In a heavy skillet add anchovies and olive oil and cook over a moderate flame. Stir until the anchovies dissolve. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the Swiss Chard, fish, tomatoes, nuts, and wine and simmer until the fish is cooked through about 3 minutes. Add mixture and lemon juice to pasta. Add 1 cup of the reserved liquid and toss gently. Add more liquid as needed.

Serve pasta sprinkled with bread crumbs and enjoy!