FRENCH QUARTER HOMES AND CONDOS, BY RAISA!: Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?

FRENCH QUARTER HOMES AND CONDOS, BY RAISA!: Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?: Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. Having family and friends over, and being thankful for all the wonderful things in life is w...

Are You The Host With The Most for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays. Having family and friends over, and being thankful for all the wonderful things in life is what it’s all about.

Now, cleaning up after is a different story. Here are some tips that'll make your Thanksgiving kitchen cleanup faster and easier.

Cut down on cleanup by selecting cookware that can go from oven to table to freezer.

Before beginning Thanksgiving prep, pick up depressing home clutter and clean out your fridge to make room for ingredients and leftovers.

Plan a potluck: Let your guests share the fun and bring dishes to share. Then make sure they take home their serving bowls and platters, which will cut down on dishes to wash and put away.

 You won't have to clean what you don’t get dirty. So line your turkey roasting pans with heavy-duty aluminum foil, or cook the bird in a bag.

Double- or triple-line garbage cans, which saves time when the cleaning campaign begins. After you toss a trash bag, there’s another waiting for action.

Soak pots and pans as soon as you transfer food to platters. Designate a small trashcan as the soaking spot, fill it will soapy water and dirty pots, and hide it under a sink or in a mudroom. That way, your sink is free throughout the evening to clean as you go and rinse dishes on the way to the dishwasher.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Top Five Ice Cream Shops in Louisiana

Have you ever had an unconquerable craving for some delicious ice cream? The best way to satisfy the craving is to bypass the grocery store and go instead to a fun ice cream shop. Here are some of the best places to get ice cream in Louisiana.

 

The Creole Creamery

Located in New Orleans, the Creole Creamery features all sorts of sundaes and banana splits to choose from. For people who can't eat sugar, this ice cream spot offers a sugar-free special, the "Susie Q." Their motto is: "Eat ice cream, Be happy." The Creole Creamery includes fountain classics, creamery specialties, toppings and beverages. This shop is a great place for all members of the family. For more information, go to http://www.creolecreamery.com.

 

Angelo Brocato

Angelo Brocato's is a New Orleans institution offering traditional Italian ice creams and other desserts. It specializes in cookies, candy, spumoni, cannoli, ice cream and ices. Brocato's can even ship your ice cream and desserts if you are unable to stop by in person. If you have a hankering for a sweet treat while in the Crescent City, there's no better place to go. To find out more, visit http://www.angelobrocatoicecream.com.

 

Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe

In Lafayette, you'll find the last Borden's ice cream shop in the world. At one time there were many Borden's locations; those days are long gone. Borden's offers specialty cones, baked goods and treats, coffee and beverages, and hot dogs and nachos. The shop's simple slogan is, "If it's Borden, it's got to be good!" If you want to go to a place with some history behind it, Borden's is for you. For more information, go to http://www.bordensicecreamshoppe.com.

 

Geauxsicles

In this shop in Shreveport, you can buy delicious ice pops embossed with the iconic symbol of French Louisiana: the fleur de lis. Geauxsicles come in 18 different flavors, and each one is made with real fruit and fresh ingredients. It is a great place for families to have fun while tasting each and every flavor. For more information, go to http://www.geauxsicles.com.

 

Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe

In Baton Rouge, you can find the Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe. The shop offers 21 unique flavors, including almond, amaretto, biscotti, cake, caramel, coffee, mango, mint, Nutella, panecotta, pistachio, tiramisu, white chocolate and zabaglione. Bacio di Roma Gelato Cafe also sells coffee and salads. It's an ideal place to go if you're looking for ice cream flavors beyond the usual chocolate or vanilla. For more information, check out http://www.baciodiromabr.com.

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HOUSING GAINS PREDICTED

More modest gains are likely this year, according to the most recent Kiplinger Letter forecast. The national average of appreciation in home values will be up 4 percent-4.5 percent, compared with a gain over 11 percent in 2013.

The top stated reason for this increase is rising mortgage rates, will increase to 5 percent or so for 30-year fixed rate loans by the end of the year. Another possible is that fewer investors are offering all-cash deals, with bargain prices and.

The Kiplinger letter forecasts that new-home building will accelerate again, helping to offset the construction drought of 2008-2012. Keep an eye out for housing starts this year to climb by 15 percent and top 1 million for the first time since 2007. Sales of new homes are predicted to be a bright spot.

Another prediction: More existing homes will go up for sale, as price hikes pull homeowners out from mortgages that are underwater, making them more willing to sell. Sales will climb by 4 percent, but inventory won’t be as tight.

Affordability, though declining, is still better than the historical norm: A median-price home costing 20 percent of household income. In 2013, it took just 15 percent of income to buy an equivalent home. When mortgage rates rise to 5 percent, it will cost 17 percent of income.

More moderate growth this year is not necessarily bad news, it signals a more sustainable, long-term growth trajectory that will help quell fears that another bubble is arising.

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ENJOY!

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What a year for home design it’s been! A recovering housing market has led more home owners to spruce up their interiors. As designers take a look forward of what will be trending in 2014, let’s take a look back at the design trends that caught on this year that will likely stick around.

Wooded decors: Natural-looking wood grains showed up in more home décor, particularly the kitchen – from the cabinets to butcher block counters. The greater use of natural-looking wood grains offered a light, modern feel while still adding a homey comfort.

Traditional Kitchen by Salem Photographers Tess Fine

Larger sinks: Farmhouse utility sinks have been gaining popularity over the last few years but really caught on in 2013. The deep, double sink offers up clean lines and a classic use.

Traditional Kitchen by Portland Interior Designers & Decorators Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Flexible furniture: Furniture that can be shifted, moved, and customized gained popularity. For example, kitchen islands that could be expanded like a dining room table for family gatherings. Regardless of small spaces or large, more home owners also looked to incorporate more multifunctional pieces too, such as an ottoman that could also double up as storage.

Craftsman Kitchen by Portland Photographers Whitney Lyons

Tile explosion: The use of nontraditional tile surged in 2013. Tile with a natural touch continued the wood trend, with grain and uneven edges that mimicked boards. Faux wood tile was incorporated throughout the house too – kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and even bedroom walls.

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Tracage Condos are Moving Ahead

For years, plans to build a high-rise luxury condo building known as the Tracage in the Warehouse District stalled in the headwinds of a diving economy. Now, developers say a scaled-back version offering apartments - not condos - will begin construction by mid-2014. The $55 million, 16-story building would be located at Annunciation Street and the Pontchartrain Expressway.

In the nearly nine years since it was first proposed, the project has drawn the ire of some Warehouse District residents who insist the building doesn't fit with the neighborhood character of low-rise condos and apartments converted from historic industrial buildings.

Last week, the Historic Landmark District Commission assented to developers' plans for the 185-foot version of the Tracage, bringing the project closer to construction.  Developers scaled-back the building's height by 300 feet based on neighborhood feedback. The original plans called for a building as tall as 40-stories, which was later reduced to 24 stories, and now 16 stories.

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