Easy Container Plants to Make Your Home Smell & Look great!

Sweet-scented lavender and rosemary are elegant and fuss-free. Both thrive  as container plants, filling the air around them with a splendid fragrance.
                      
 Lavender :                             
Charming little blue, purple, pink or white petals and silver, blue-green foliage adorn lavender’s stems. A resilient perennial, the herb will become woodier with time. In a large container, it will grow up to 24” high.

• Care: Lavender enjoys full sun, well-drained soil, and being watered when the top three inches of soil are dry. During the winter months, store it in a cool garage or basement and water only twice throughout the season. Celebrate the coming of spring by bringing it outdoors again.
• Relaxing with Dried Lavender: Use dried lavender to create thoughtful, spa-inspired gifts. 

Rosemary                                                            
Often used in cooking, rosemary is a wonderfully perfumed herb that features glossy, dark green needles and delicate lavender-blue flowers. And planting it in a container will help prevent it from becoming twig-ridden!

• Care: Rosemary enjoys full to partial sun and good drainage. It is highly adaptable and only needs watered once a week.
• Cooking with Fresh Rosemary: Strip fresh rosemary leaves from their stems and cook with them. Try it in dishes like Lemon and Rosemary Chicken and Rosemary-Sage Bread. For a refreshing summer beverage, whip up our Rosemary Peach Frost.         
•                                                                                                                                          

How to Dry Herbs

• Step 1: Harvest fresh herbs in the morning, just after the dew has dried.
• Step 2: Cut stems to desired length.
• Step 3: Gently pick off dead or discolored leaves.
• Step 4: Gather 6 to 10 stems in small bunches, then tie the cut ends together with string or a rubber band. Small bunches will dry faster than larger ones.
• Step 5: Hang bunches upside down in a warm, dark, dust-free and well-ventilated area, like an attic or over a water heater.
• Step 6: Take down bunches in two to three weeks, when they have become dry and brittle.

Tip: Dry herbs out of the way and without a mess! Simply hang a line of string up in your garage, then use clothespins to clip your herb bunches, upside-down, to the line.

A Simple Potpourri
Create your own sweet-smelling potpourri by combining dried rosemary and lavender in a pretty bowl. We love adding other dried components, like rose buds, cinnamon sticks and orange peel. Place the bowl on a bathroom counter or bedside table to infuse the space with a lovely fresh scent. 

www.davidthelocator.com

Finding the best Apartments in Houston with the help of DavidTheLocator

                                    

 

                                                                                                                                        

 

 

Hi! I’m David J. Moore aka DavidTheLocator! My wife Marisol and I own a Real Estate & Relocation company in Seabrook, Texas that specializes in relocating families to and within the Houston & surrounding areas.  Our company is unique in that not only are we Real Estate experts but we also specialize in Apartment Locating which not many real estate companies do. Best of all, our Apartment Locating service is completely FREE… yes, free!  When someone is looking for an apartment, here are some of the things I tell them and have them think about…

 

The Houston apartment rental market is quite oversaturated, which spells good news for apartment hunters. In addition to all of the rental properties in Houston, many condo and townhome developers are turning to renters because of the downturn in the real estate market.

Because there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to the Houston apartment rental market, you should begin your search with a good game plan.

Here are some things to ask yourself for entering the Houston apartment rental market as a renter:

1) Where in Houston do you prefer to live -- North, South, East or West?
(The more detailed the better, ie: Pearland, Tomball, Spring, Katy, Kingwood or close to interstate (45, 59, I-10, etc... do you need to have quick access to Beltway 8 or 610?) Do you need to be close to a certain work location or within a certain school district ?

2) How many bedrooms do you require(min) and bathrooms(min) and how many occupants will there be ?

3) Must you have washer/dryer connections in the apartment or are laundry facilities at the property sufficient ? In other words, will you consider doing laundry outside of your apartment and/or do you own your own w/d that you must use??

4) Are you a first time renter? A co-signer may be required. Do you have anyone that would co-sign for you? How is your credit and how much rental history do you have?

5) Have you ever broken a lease or been evicted or do you owe an apartment complex or any utility company any money?

6) Do you have any felonies? (Sorry, I have to ask - but I am aware of some complexes that will consider each case.)

7) Do you have any pets? If so, what breed and weight?

8) When can you set aside time to actually view properties with the intention of putting down a deposit to hold it for a later move in date? We are available to personally escort you if you would like.

9) When is your scheduled move date? Do you have to move in on a certain date or is your time frame to move flexible ??

10) Please include a preferred price range and maximum price range...... I want to locate the perfect place for you.

11) Will you need rental furniture?

12) Is there anything else you might want or need that would be helpful?
(garages, fitness center, specific square footage, etc.)

13) Please include your daytime and evening contact phone numbers so we can visit at some point.

Be careful about what you see on the internet. Pictures and offers can be very deceiving. My job is to do this work for you. I will create a list of apartments that meet your needs. I will call and check specials and availability and set appointments. I have extensive knowledge on apartment communities. I know which ones have good management and will take care of you.  You will not see this information on the internet. Best of all my services are free to you because I receive credit from whatever apartment community you choose to live in. I also offer special referral fees to anyone you refer to me.

Please visit our website which is loaded with great information at www.davidthelocator.com ! If you have any questions and are looking to move you can contact me (David) directly at 281-235-7811. Thanks for this opportunity to help you. I promise you will be very happy with our level of integrity, property knowledge and service. We care about where you live and will definitely help you find the best possible options.

Gyro Burgers with Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce- Easy Prep/Easy Cook

Your grill has seen its fair share of hamburgers. Tonight, turn traditional cookout cuisine on its head with Mediterranean-style Gyro Burgers. Stuffed with savory lamb meat, crisp veggies and cool, creamy Tzatziki sauce, they’re sure to please and surprise your guests!

                                                                             
Serves 4 
Prep time: 15 minutes/ Cook time: 10 minutes 

 INGREDIENTS: 

Gyro Burgers 1 pound ground lamb* 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 white onion, finely chopped or grated 1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary Salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 red onion, sliced for garnish 1 tomato, sliced for garnish 2 cups lettuce, shredded for garnish 4 pitas, halved *You can use ground chuck in place of lamb (available from your butcher), or even combine both meats for a unique flavor. 

 Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 3 mint leaves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Tip: We love the bold, earthy flavor of dried herbs in this recipe, but you can use fresh versions of rosemary and marjoram, too. Since dried herbs are stronger, use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs as a substitute for 1 teaspoon of dried. 

  INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the lamb, garlic, onion, marjoram and rosemary with clean hands.
2. Shape the meat into 4 evenly sized patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill over medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer registers 160°F.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce ingredients, stirring until well-blended and smooth.
4. Place each patty in a halved pita. Garnish with onion, tomato, lettuce and Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce, then serve. Tip: For perfectly even patties, pat your meat into the bottom of the bowl, then score it into four quadrants with the side of your hand.
Enjoy!
David J. Moore
www.davidthelocator.com

Creative Centerpieces!

Make your springtime table the center of attention with easy, beautiful centerpieces that you can create in an instant. Bring on the whimsy with teapots, pinwheels and pennants, or keep it classic with a simple floral arrangement. Whichever direction you take, these looks are perfect for graduation parties, weddings and beyond.

Our Guide to a Winning Centerpiece

• Choose an Unexpected Container: Think outside the box when picking a vessel. In lieu of a traditional vase, use an antique coffee tin or a collection of soda bottles. Instead of a bowl, try a teapot or fruit crate.

• Work with Color: Even if you’re creating an all-white centerpiece, be sure you’re displaying it against something saturated, like a colorful wall or tablecloth. The contrasting hue will give a neutral look extra depth and texture.

• Give it a Twist: Before you complete your centerpiece, look for a quick, clever touch that will take it to the next level. Add height with a stack of vintage encyclopedias at the base. Or, lend a fresh shock of color to a glass vessel with sliced fruit, sea glass or sand.

 Looks to Try:

If you have any creative pictures of centerpieces you've created we welcome you to post them and share them with our viewers! Have a great day!

David 

www.davidthelocator.com

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome Mom's out there!!!

                                                              
Before I was a Mom, 
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, 
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, 
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep. 

Before I was a Mom, 
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, 
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy. 
 
Before I was a Mom, 
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom 


May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life