Courtesy of Susan Sieg

#510, 800 Broadmoor Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4Y6

Trusted Service... Every Step of the Way

Call: 780.686.0068 susansiegsells@gmail.com ■ www.SusanSieg.com

Volume 17 | Number 05

ARTFULLY ARRANGE ACCESSORIES

Have you always been envious of those who can create a beautiful aesthetic on their mantles, shelves and tables with an assortment of accessories that just go together? Knowing what items to group together is an artform and some people have the skill and others have to work a bit harder to achieve it. To get you started, follow these basic steps: 1. Choose a colour scheme - analogous, complimentary or contrast are your best choices with analogous being easiest to achieve. 2. Use layers - items in different heights, sizes

and weights create depth and visual interest so don't be afraid to vary your items on display. 3. Grouping - an easy rule of thumb to follow is to group similar items together. Books with books, candles with candles, etc. 4. Negative space - sometimes having a space around or between bold objects creates the visual break the eye needs to really appreciate the items. Once you master the basics, experiment by adding in different colour choices, mixing up the items you currently have, etc. to find what pleases the eye the most.

AVOCADO CRAB BOATS

INGREDIENTS: 5 medium ripe avocados, peeled and halved 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 cans (6 ounces each) lump crabmeat, drained 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided 2 tablespoons minced chives 1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced 1 tablespoon capers, drained 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese 1/2 teaspoon paprika Lemon wedges

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat broiler. Place 2

avocado halves in a large bowl; mash lightly with a fork. Add mayonnaise and lemon juice; mix until well blended. Stir in crab, 3 tablespoons cilantro, chives, serrano pepper, capers and pepper. Spoon into remaining avocado halves. 2. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro; serve with lemon wedges. Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Audrey Hepburn (1929 - 1993) was a British actress, humanitarian and fashion icon. Renowned for her iconic roles in films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Roman Holiday," she captivated audiences with her unmatched grace and charm.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE WORD ITSELF SAYS

'I'M POSSIBLE! - Audrey Hepburn

SHRUBS AND BUSHES FOR ANY GARDEN

Low maintenance bushes and shrubs are great for those with busy summer schedules as well as those with less than stellar green thumbs. After consulting the plant hardiness zone map online, or asking at your local greenhouse, look for one of the following greenery options that are relatively easy to maintain regardless of how much TLC you provide. Obviously, where you plant them plays a part too, so ensure you follow proper planting guides for sun/shade, drainage, soil PH, etc. Azalea - great as a border or hedge plant with beautiful flowers. Barberry - grows four to five feet tall. Caryopteris - blooms later in the summer and into fall with blue flowers.

Hydrangeas - known for the lovely flowers they produce. Spirea - resilient to drought conditions and has flowers that bloom all summer long.

THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING OUTDOOR FURNITURE

The age-old question when buying new patio or outdoor furniture is: do you purchase furniture that will last a season or two or do you purchase higher quality furniture that will last longer? A lot of this depends on where you see yourself in a few years and what your needs at that point may be. Here are three areas to consider before making a purchase.

1. Cost: If you're planning to move into a new home in the foreseeable future, perhaps saving money and purchasing something that meets your needs now is more prudent and you can splurge on a larger, different or more functional set in the future when you're in your forever home. 2. Aesthetic: If the look of a particular set floats your boat, consider how you can alter it if your tastes change over time. Can you change out cushions, umbrellas, etc. or can it be painted or refinished if the structure is something you like but the colour may get tiring over a few seasons?

3. Durability: To purchase the perfect outdoor furniture, consider the elements it will be exposed to. Furniture made from plastic vs. wood vs. metal, etc. will all wear and age differently in different climates. For example, if you live in a humid climate with lots of rain, wood furniture may take more maintenance to keep looking new than it would in a dryer area. Conversely, if your furniture is exposed to hours of direct sunlight, you would want to choose furniture that has some UV protection to keep the fabrics and paint looking newer, longer.

FUN MAY FACTS

• May is "Get Caught Reading Month" - what's on your TBR list? • Have you ever heard the saying, "A warm January, a cold May"? • May has two birth flowers: the Hawthorn and the Lily-of-the-Valley symbolizing hope and the return of happiness respectively. • The full moon in May (May 23, 2024) is called the Flower Moon representing the abundance of flowers that bloom during the month.

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1. Sour beginning

HINK PINK

2. The boy's test

What's a Hink Pink you ask? Hink Pinks are fun rhyming word riddles. The answer to the riddle is a pair of words that rhyme with each other. For example: Large Feline would be Fat Cat.

3. Tanned circus entertainer

4. Used honker

5. Stubby, tennis area

Solution: 1. Tart Start 2. His Quiz 3. Brown Clown 4. Worn Horn 5. Short Court 6. Dumb Plump 7. Dime Crime 8. Pest Nest 9. Sub Grub 10. Strong Thong

6. Stupid fruit

7. Ten cent violation

8. Termite haven

9. Submarine food

Courtesy of: www.thinkablepuzzles.com

10. Burly summer footwear

Housing Market Shows Strong Sales, Still Moderate Prices

$200,968 apt./ condo UP 3.7% year-to-year

$529,957 detached UP 5.8% year-to-year

AVERAGE SALE PRICES

$294,417 row/ townhouse UP 12.5% year-to-year

3,909 NEW LISTINGS 3,128 SOLD LISTINGS

detached 2,275 791 detached 1,858 514

apt./ condo

apt./ condo

1.7 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

80.0% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

36 DAYS ON MARKET

5,464 ACTIVE LISTINGS

Edmonton, May 2, 2024: There were a total of 3,128 residential unit sales in the Greater Edmonton Area (GEA) real estate market during April 2024. New residential listings amounted to 3,909. Total residential average prices came in at $431,387, a 2.5% increase from March 2024, and 5.4% increase from April 2023. Detached homes averaged $529,957, increasing 2.5% from March 2024 and up from the previous year by 5.8%. Row/townhouse prices were up 4.2% from March 2024 and 12.5% when compared to April 2023, selling at an average of $294,417. Apartment Condominium average prices hit $200,968, increasing 3.5% over last month and coming in 3.7% higher than the previous year.

“Sales continue to outpace last year’s numbers with generous margins,” says REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton 2024 Board Chair Melanie Boles. “Sellers are doing their best to hold up their end, adding 8.7% more new listings to the market last month, and hopefully we’ll see even more homes up for sale now that prices are steadily rising.” Overall, all residential listings averaged 36 days on the market. Statistics reflect market activity in April 2024 | Source: REALTORS ® Association of Edmonton | Market values stated are of the average of Edmonton and surrounding region. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

The greatest compliment you can give me is the referral of family and friends!

Call: 780.686.0068 susansiegsells@gmail.com ■ www.SusanSieg.com

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