Ready for a New Home in 2019? Rare Lease with Option to Buy!Open Sun., 1:30pm-4:30pm! Spacious 3 Br, 2.5 Ba with Cupertino Schools, including Miller Middle and Lynbrook High.Follow the Yellow Board Signs to Hyde at Norfolk in West San Jose with Cupertino Schools!Yummy Treats!Rare Lease Option Opportunity!Newer Corian Kitchen!All 3 New Baths! Soft & Warm Spacious Feeling!E-Z Walk to All 3 Top Cupertino Schools! Dilworth! Miller! Lynbrook High!See photos and details at the virtual tour:https://listings.realbird.com/tour/E2F3C3C5/524878/1-3/-San-Jose-CA-95129Thanks for reading Open Sun., 1:30pm-4:30pm! Spacious 3 Br, 2.5 Ba Miller, Lynbrook High! 01/05/2019

January 4th Is National Spaghetti Day! by Silicon Valley REALTOR Michelle Carr Crowe While many people think that spaghetti can be any kind of noodles with some red sauce, in reality, spaghetti only deserves that name when it is made with the long, thin "spaghetti" noodles.  Even with this limitation there are still so many ways to cook it. You can make your own noodles or you can boil dried noodles; you can serve it al dente or mushy; you can season it with garlic, bay leaves, oregeno, mix it with parmesan cheese or meat...and more. Despite requiring the specific noodle with a red sauce, it is still completely up to us how we want to make it, cook it, and consume it. Spaghetti is a great dish for gatherings both big and small, and certainly a meal worth celebrating over. Images provid... 01/04/2019

by Silicon Valley REALTOR Michelle Carr Crowe Who doesn't enjoy a good trivia contest? Here on ActiveRain there is even a group dedicated to Trivia you can join called "Trivia 21" and ActiveRainer Wayne Martin offers up daily trivia quizzes to participate in.  At the local San Jose Applebee's, they regularly hold trivia contests during happy hours, as do many other Silicon Valley bars. At the Santa Cruz Diner, every table has a container of well-aged original Trivial Pursuit cards to keep you entertained while waiting for your food.  Pogo, an online game company even offers a free version of the 1990's hit game Trivial Pursuit. If you are full of useless information, you may enjoy participating in some or all of these trivia quizzes. Trivia Day is always celebrated annually on January ... 01/04/2019

Almaden Valley Homes For Sale | Belief in Homeownership as an Investment is Far from Dead We've streamlined and perfected the process of finding dream homes for our clients in Almaden Valley      We know you want to spend less time looking at perhaps hundreds of homes for sale, looking all over. . .just to find that special place, allow our knowledge, experience and passion for Almaden Valley to guide you through the process of finding the right neighborhood that will fit your lifestyle. We strive in making it easier and have a direct path to help you find your dream home.    We are also your Trusted Resource for Almaden Valley Real Estate, offering complete solutions for buyers, from financing assistance to creating innovative marketing strategies for home sellers.     Check out the Al... 01/03/2019

Hello Friends! Hopefully you enjoyed ringing in the new year with people (and pets) you care about. The New Year is always a good time for reflection on the significant events and accomplishments of the past as well as setting the intentions and goals and good habits for the present and future year.Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com. Thanks for reading "Happy New Year! May You Be Richly Blessed in 2019!" 01/01/2019

Just in time for New Year Resolutions, December 31 is "Make Up Your Mind Day".Whether a person is considering healthier lifestyle choices, increased kindness, paying down bills or just mindfully enjoying life, today is a good day to Make Up Your Mind about the kind of life you want to enjoy in the coming year. According to www.NationalDayCalendar.com, Make Up Your Mind Day is observed annually on December 31st.  This day is set aside to encourage us to quit wavering, to take a side, to follow through with a decision and stick to it.  As New Year’s resolutions go, this may be the day to decide which ones to declare.  HOW TO OBSERVEBeen hesitating on making some decisions? Make Up Your Mind Day is the incentive to make a choice. Use #MakeUpYourMindDay to post on social media. Images court... 12/31/2018

As a child, we loved going to our grandparents house.My Granddad Carr was a big believer in eating a big breakfast. He knew the aroma of sizzling bacon would wake up even teenage grandchildren and bring them down to partake of breakfast together.Granddad Carr always asked each of us how we liked our bacon, crispy or wiggly, and then cook it to order. (I like mine crispy.) I can still taste that yummy bacon now.Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com. Thanks for reading "Crispy or Wiggly Bacon to Celebrate "Bacon Day" Dec. 30?" 12/30/2018

Silver Creek Valley Homes For Sale | 24 Hours that Suddenly Improved the Market There's is an abundance of open space, hiking trails, great schools and charm. Locals know that Silver Creek is a great place to raise a family.While some people may say that the area is energized by new growth and rapid changes, Silver Creek value comes from its welcoming warm atmosphere, where neighbors participate enjoying various spectacular amenities enjoying a great convenient location.All great neighborhoods have this in common. Pride in ownership is obvious when the residents, whether renters or owners, maintain their homes and care about their neighborhood. Neighbors participate to connect and create local groups that bring the residents together for the betterment of the area.Connect with the past,... 12/27/2018

by Silicon Valley REALTOR Michelle Carr CroweIf, like me, you've never heard of Boxing Day, it's because it's originally a British holiday. The first I learned of it was when I read it on the calendar in my Christmas stocking a few decades ago. 1. Scholars believe Boxing Day began in the Middle Ages as a way for the wealthy to help the less fortunate on a regular basis. One theory is that in many large households, servants were required to work on Christmas Day but always got the following day off.Imagine how pleasant it must feel to see the boss coming to serve and give presents on a holiday. (A meat pie or Christmas leftovers might accompany a monetary gift or clothing.)More practically, wealthy people received new clothing, housewares and other gifts on Christmas. Naturally, to make ... 12/26/2018

Almaden Valley Homes For Sale | 4 Quick Reasons NOT to Fear a Housing Crash We've streamlined and perfected the process of finding dream homes for our clients in Almaden Valley      We know you want to spend less time looking at perhaps hundreds of homes for sale, looking all over. . .just to find that special place, allow our knowledge, experience and passion for Almaden Valley to guide you through the process of finding the right neighborhood that will fit your lifestyle. We strive in making it easier and have a direct path to help you find your dream home.    We are also your Trusted Resource for Almaden Valley Real Estate, offering complete solutions for buyers, from financing assistance to creating innovative marketing strategies for home sellers.     Check out the Almaden Valley R... 12/20/2018

From June 21 until December 21, the days get shorter and the nights get longer.December 21 is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and beginning of days getting longer and nights getting shorter.Many cultures celebrate and acknowledge this time with festivals and rites to welcome the seasonal start of winter.It's believed that Stonehenge in England was used for these types of rites by ancient druids.Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com and www.pexels.com. Thanks for reading "Shortest Day of Year is December 21 Winter Solstice". 12/20/2018

'Twas the Thursday before Christmas and all through the land, many creatures were re-gifting and searching the house. In honor of office parties, and the unique Christmas gift exchanges, the Thursday before Christmas is the most common day for companies to hold their annual employee/company Christmas party.On the merits of recycling alone, about 14% of those surveyed believe that regifting is becoming more popular for that reason alone.Re-gifting can easily cause hurt feelings should the original giver find out. Re-gifting implies that the item is unwanted by the first recipient, and may be unwanted by its next recipient, too.Keep in mind the following re-gifting etiquette when considering participation in this holiday. Re-gift only when certain the recipient will enjoy your (unwanted) ... 12/19/2018

The countdown to Christmas has started-just six days left. Do you have a Christmas Tree yet? If not, December 19 is your day, it's National Look For an Evergreen Day.An evergreen is often pictured as a fir tree found and cut down for installation in the home. Many think of a Noble Fir or Douglas Fir as the typical Christmas tree. Yet it can also be a small living fir tree or even an aromatic rosemary shrub.In this photo is my youngest child's cat Prince Hobbes, who has obviously found the right evergreen tree.Images courtesy of owner's collection.Thanks for reading "No Christmas Tree? December 19 is Find an Evergreen Tree Day". 12/19/2018

What visit to a grandparent's home didn't feature hard candies-butterscotch, peppermint or assorted fruit flavors. Memories of finding hard candy sweets in my chidhood Christmas stocking still makes me smile. To celebrate National Hard Candy Day on December 19, my  family brought back one of our traditions from my children's childhood. We got out our lollipop molds and made hard candy treats and lollipops to share. Candy making can be tricky. First, gather all of the ingredients before starting, and make sure everything is fresh. If it is a wet or snowy day outside, it can affects whether or not the hard candy will cure properly. Most hard candies are made of sugar, corn syrup and water with flavoring and colors added. To achieve a hard candy, confectioners boil a sugar syrup to either ... 12/18/2018

Who doesn't enjoy freshly baked cookies at Christmastime?My family has a few traditional favorites, including Snickerdoodles, and especially the flavorful Molasses Crinkles.Unlike gingerbread or a gingersnap, Molasses Crinkles are soft and comprised of a delicious combination of spices, yet no one spice overpowers the others. They are just yummy! Make a date with your family and friends.This December 18 why not get together and cook up some yumminess and good memories by baking cookies?Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com.Thanks for reading "Bake Cookies Day December 18 The Holiday We Waited For". 12/17/2018

No need to choose between Gingerbread or Doughnuts-starting December 19 and going through Christmas Eve on December 24, local Krispy Kreme doughnut shops offer gingerbread glazed doughnuts. In Silicon Valley, Krispy Kreme doughnut shops are located in San Jose and Mountain View.Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com and www.KrispyKreme.com. Thanks for reading "Gingerbread or Doughnuts? Yes! Dec. 19-24 Krispy Kreme"                    Available at participating U.S. Krispy Kreme shops. For a limited time only. Products may vary by market. ©2018 Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation     This e-mail was sent by Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, located at 370 Knollwood Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103 12/17/2018

As a San Jose Realtor, I've learned to follow my heart and let my passion and fire burn in my soul. I live my life fully, authentically, fearlessly, vulnerably naked and following my heart. I know many people, including those I love and are dear to my heart who feels much differently about Mr. Steve Jobs than I do.  That's okay. We are all entitled to our opinions, thoughts, and beliefs.  The following is only part of a speech Mr. Jobs gave in 2005 at Stanford University.  My purpose in this post is to focus on a few lines in that speech.     You Are Already Naked - There Is No Reason Not To Follow Your HeartBold emphasis added to the last two lines of a portion of the speech. "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big ch... 12/15/2018

Huge Private Back Yard! Hard to Find at Any $! Cupertino Schools!E-Z Walk to All 3 Top Cupertino Schools! Meyerholz-10! Miller-10! Lynbrook High-10!Looking for serenity and privacy, a place to refresh your soul as you retreat from the rush of Silicon Valley? Enjoy this home with the huge private back yard and no back neighbors while still easily accessiable to commute corridors.Open Sa., Su., 2-4! 12/15/2018

If you and your friends love doughnuts here's a reason to justify a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts holiday splurge. If you missed the annual Krispy Kreme "Day of the Dozens" on Dec. 12, you still have time to cash in on that hot deal!Simply purchase one dozen of any type of doughnuts (excluding doughnut holes) and receive a dozen classic glazed doughnuts for just $1! (Limit is 2 per customer.)Santa Clara County Krispy Kreme doughnut shop locations include San Jose at The Plant and Mountain View near Costco.Images courtesy of www.pixabay.com and www.KrispyKreme.com. Thanks for reading "Krispy Kreme Day of Dozens Promo Extended Thru Dec. 14!". 12/14/2018

Silver Creek Valley Homes For Sale | No Bubble Here! How New Mortgage Standards Are Helping There's is an abundance of open space, hiking trails, great schools and charm. Locals know that Silver Creek is a great place to raise a family.While some people may say that the area is energized by new growth and rapid changes, Silver Creek value comes from its welcoming warm atmosphere, where neighbors participate enjoying various spectacular amenities enjoying a great convenient location.All great neighborhoods have this in common. Pride in ownership is obvious when the residents, whether renters or owners, maintain their homes and care about their neighborhood. Neighbors participate to connect and create local groups that bring the residents together for the betterment of the area.Connect wi... 12/13/2018