---------------------------

Better Judgements eZine
Terria Judge, Realtor
CRS,ABR, GRI, Broker Associate

Better Judgements is a newsletter on home matters, from Terria Judge, your Garden City, KS 
real estate agent!

Contact Terria Judge at 620-271-2129!

Terria Judge
Coldwell Banker, The Real Estate Shoppe
John P. Judge, Broker
1135 College Dr. Suite E
Garden City, KS 67846

620-275-7421 x 223
http://terriajudge.com

tjudge@gcnet.com

Subscription Management at end of newsletter.

---------------------------

Happy Holidays! Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

In This Issue
==========

1. Recipe: Cranberry-Wild Rice with Shiitake Mushrooms and Walnuts
2. Article: Make a Grand Entrance of Your Front Door 
3. New Home Listing: 6935 Joss Rd
4. Home Tip: Cold Air Drafts

---------------------------

RECIPE
======

Cranberry-Wild Rice with Shiitake Mushrooms and Walnuts

Serves 8

Combined with garlic, butter, and olive oil, hearty shiitake mushrooms melt in your mouth­and 
benefit your immune system. Cranberries can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections 
and are a good source of ellagic acid, shown to help protect cells from cancer. Although the 
recipe calls for dried cranberries, you can mince fresh organic cranberries and add them 
along with the broth just prior to the baking stage.

1 cup brown and wild-rice mix
2 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 small onion)
1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms (1/4-1/3 pound)
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Place rice in a wire strainer. Run cold water through rice and rinse, lifting rice with 
fingers to clean thoroughly.
2. In a 2-quart saucepan, heat rice and water to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat 
to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Drain any remaining water.
3. Preheat oven to 350º. Lightly coat an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Melt butter 
in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, onions, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring 
occasionally, until onion is tender.
4. Mix rice and onion mixture in baking dish. In a small saucepan, combine and heat broth, 
salt, garlic, and sage. Pour over rice mixture. Cover and bake 1 1/4 hours. Stir in 
cranberries and walnuts. Cover and bake 15 minutes more, or until liquid is absorbed.

---------------------------

ARTICLE
=======

Make a Grand Entrance of Your Front Door
by: Debbie Rodgers 

You may find it difficult to believe that the days will start getting longer in the Northern 
Hemisphere in just four short weeks. You can find yourself this time of year coming home on 
dreary days, or welcoming evening visitors in the dark. It's neither safe nor inviting. But 
good lighting at your front entrance gives a warm and secure welcome to any who enter. 

Mention outdoor lighting at this time of year and many people think of strings of lights. But 
why not go for a more elegant look that will continue to be appealing throughout the winter 
ahead? 

First, decide what areas it is important for you to light. For your own late arrivals, that 
may be the front steps and the lock. You'll want to be sure visitors can see the house number, 
which door they should approach, and perhaps the pathway leading to the steps. 

The biggest outdoor lighting mistake is to use a bulb with a wattage that is too high. Bright 
lights actually create glare, making the surrounding area look darker. Remember, house 
surfaces reflect back light and so does the snow. Light "layering" -- soft lighting from 
several sources -- results in a subtle and inviting overall effect. 

Install low wattage lights under the gables and eaves of your porch or overhang and direct 
the lights down, softly illuminating the general area. Let your architecture guide you. If 
you're using extension cords, rather than hard-wired fixtures, be sure to hide the cords. 

Your second layer of light can be used to highlight such features as your house number, the 
steps or an interesting architectural feature, such as a piece of gingerbread gable. Again, 
use low wattage bulbs and aim the fixture directly onto these areas. Don't overdo accent 
lighting. If you install a timer on these first two layers of light, you can welcome yourself 
home at the end of a hard day. 

The last layer of light you'll want to use is the one that will actually attract the eye of 
your visitors - because it will be directly seen and will appear to be the brightest source. 
This can be an electric fixture with a soft yellow bulb or candles in hurricane lamp globes 
on sconces on either side of your door. For extra allure, install small mirrors on the wall 
behind the sconces and spread the warmth! If you would rather keep your lighting all overhead, 
try wrapping a grapevine chandelier with tiny white lights on a battery operated pack and 
hanging this from a hook in your porch ceiling. 

For special occasions, you may want to light up the walkway. Winter is a great time to use 
candles outside because the snow is a built-in fire extinguisher. If you have concrete or 
brick steps, arrange some candles on the stairs too. To protect the candle flames from the 
wind, use purchased luminaries or shiny metal buckets. If the snow is deep enough, simply 
scoop out holes slightly deeper than the height of the candle and insert it in the snow. The 
flame will glow through the snow, providing a subtle and beautiful effect. 

So, think subtle but warm. The best winter lighting scheme is neither too elaborate nor too 
skimpy. Well-designed exterior lighting effects speak glowingly of those who live there. Make 
a grand entrance at your house this winter! 

About The Author


Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create 
outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at 
www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your 
outdoor space”. Mail debbie@paradiseporch.com 
 

---------------------------

New Listing
=========

Country Living & Horses Allowed!
6935 Joss Rd

--3 bedrooms, 2 baths 
--Formal Dining room, Up Laundry 
--Formal dining room, family room plus living room 
--Full unfinished basement with rough in plumbing 
--Lots of living space & 2.7 acres! 
Country living on 2.7 acres and all zoned ag for all your agricultural needs. Full 
unfinished basement has rough in plumbing. Covered deck in back. Lots of room for all your 
fun inside and outside. An excellent value at only $78,500!

See it at http://terriajudge.com/6935joss.html

---------------------------

HOME TIP
=========

Sam S. from Rockford, IL says "On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to any area 
that is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke travels horizontally, you have 
located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather-stripping."

---------------------------

This newsletter published by Mitone, http://funkyfranks.com