Archive for the ‘Lana Torre’ Category

Falling Around Rochester

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

By Lana Torre

Are you searching for fun activities for your family this fall? My husband Jamie, is always on a mission to find interesting, outdoor fairs and fun festivals to attend on beautiful autumn weekends. We enjoy day tripping around the Finger Lakes and scenic southern tier. He loves to stop at farm stands to purchase organic vegetables. Last weekend we bought so many tomatoes that it took me 3 days of cooking ‘crazy sauce’ [ a homemade marinara] and those containers of sauce almost filled the freezer. One zucchini we bought was so large that I cooked it three different ways on three different days. And for 10 cents each, green peppers sliced and bagged with onions will be on hand all winter for a sausage and pepper dinner. Even on the coldest of winter days, Jamie will be bonding with his outdoor grill.
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In late September you can attend the Naples Grape fest. This is a must on your must do list! We never miss it. Located on rt 21 south, just past the end of Canandaigua Lake. This fest offers up an homage to the grape and everything purple. There are craft and art vendors, wine tastings and [not to be missed] the grape pie contest. There are fair games and plenty to do with the kidlets too. Wear your purple pride and be sure to bring home a grape pie [we love the pie with the crumb topping].
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Also, in late September is the Appleumpkin Fest. This fest is in the quaint community of Wyoming, known for it’s historic Gaslight Village. Events are a baking contest, music and entertainment including country clog dancers and an Irish band.
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The Garlic Fest in Cuba is a fest for the foodies. A new king and queen of garlic will be crowned and given staffs adorned with large garlic bulb finials. Garlic braiding demos and a garlic cook off at the ‘stinking rose’ food tent are some of the highlights.
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My sister never misses the Hilton Apple Fest. Here you can enter an apple pie in the great apple pie baking contest. There will also be an auto show and music by the 60’s group, the Invictas.
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For dates and times, check out these websites visitRochester.com, Rochesterkidsoutandabout.com, or localwineevents.com.
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Get out of the house and hop in the family truckster and enjoy a fall festival. While riding around, stop at farm stands and bring home local produce. Nothing is more beautiful then a large wooden bowl on the table brimming with fresh, sweet apples. And remember to bring home a grape pie from Naples, [the pie with a crumb top].

By the Beautiful Sea

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

By Lana Torre

Planning a late summer getaway? Are you traveling to the ocean? Bring home the best of nature’s treasures– sand, sea shells and broken colorful gifts of sea glass and stones.
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My husband Jamie and I started a tradition to memorialize our trips. We always gravitate to the water and because we can’t bring the water home, we collect sand and shells. Labeled simply in glass jars, we have these treasures displayed on long shelves at our cottage. It is nostalgic to look at our collections and remember our trips Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Hampton Beach.
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When you bring your shells home, soak them in a bleach and water solution. Lay them in the sun to dry and they will fade to a soft white, and eliminate any critters living in them. I like to sort the shells by shape and then decide how I will arrange them in the glass jars.
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There are so many projects to do with your shells. Get the kidlets involved. They can be made busy for hours. Buy natural wood picture frames and have the kids glue a border of shells around it to display vacation photos.
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Drill small holes in flat shells and string together with natural twine. You can hang these from a cup hook on the porch and they will dingle-dangle like wind chimes. You could also use these lengths of shells to decorate a vacation Christmas tree. Gather a small handful of shells and place in the center of tulle netting. Hang these with binder clips at the corners of your tablecloth to hold it down when the late summer winds blow.
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Are you considering a concrete patio? Sprinkle shells of all sizes into the wet concrete, then wash off the ‘fat’. Bits of sea shells will remain exposed. You will have a unique and vacation like setting for family picnics.
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Find your nature’s treasures and get shelling. If you are stay-cationing this summer, there is a useful website where you can purchase shells, starfish, and sand dollars. Visit SeaShellCity.com. You can also have your vacationing friends bring home souvenir shells for you, or simply shop at a craft store for them.
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Have fun on your late summer getaway. Keep the kids busy and creative this summer. Put your feet up, pour a glass of iced tea, and figure out how you are to pay for all this fun!

Simple Summer Ideas

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

By Lana Torre

Summer is here, hooray! We have such a short season here in Rochester. Let’s give your home a light and summer fresh look. Maybe you will love it so much that you will continue the new look beyond summer and lighten your home all seasons. Perhaps you are considering a move. This is the right time to get motivated before you are spending your time shopping for back to school goodies.
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Here are some simple yet effective ideas for you.
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Let the sunshine in. Remove heavy and outdated window treatments. When you are ready to sell your home, most buyers desire natural light. Hang panels of linen or cotton twill. Use whites and off whites, try to match to your trim color. If you have some extra cash in your caboodle, plantation shutters are a classic choice. Made of wood or a composite material, they make controlling the room’s light so easy. Shutters can be made in different slat widths too. I always recommend a wider slat. They are an investment, but they will never go out of style. I would always suggest a professional installer. This is not a DIY job.
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Paint is another quick fix to spruce up your home. If you are planning to put the house on the market this fall, now is the time to attack that job. Use fresh colors, soft grass greens, nautical blues, and many shades of white and cream. Popular now is a muted shade of taupe-ish grey.
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Paint the common areas of your home the same color for a calming effect. A new paint job is the least expensive fix and it will have the most dramatic effect. Use blue or green painter’s tape for clean edges. I like an eggshell finish on walls. It’s very easy to clean. A satin finish on the trim gives a classic, clean appearance. Glaring, shiny, gloss white trim is definitely a 1985 look!
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If your wallet isn’t cooperating with your dreams, there are still some things that you can do that have zero cost. It hurts me to say this… but rid your home of clutter. As a collector, it pains me to de-clutter. I just like stuff and every object has a meaning or a memory. But, I do arrange like things together and change the arrangements with the season. Clear the fridge of all papers and schedules. Use a corkboard, hang it in the pantry or laundry room. Keep counter surfaces clear too. Remove most everything except the coffee maker and your Kitchen Aid mixer.
Aaahhh, take a fresh breath. Work is done. You will feel so enlightened and free. Make yourself a frozen Margarita. You deserve it!

Grill Friends

Thursday, July 5th, 2012
By Lana Torre
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Do you love grilled foods? Do you ponder charcoal grilling vs. gas? Both will grill your food, gas grilling will certainly offer more control, but you could argue that charcoal grilling gives a better flavor.
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If you’re charcoal grilling, use a chimney to get your coals lit. A chimney can be found at hardware or big box stores. It is basically a metal cylinder. You put the coals in the top and newspaper in the bottom compartment. Light the newspaper and wait for the coals to get hot, then pour them into your grill. Make sure that the coals are white hot before cooking. Separate some of the coals in the grill pan so that one side is very hot and the other side just warm. This will allow you to sear your food on the hot side and move the food to the cooler side to cook through. If you are using a marinade to flavor your grilled chicken, never pour in on the meat, but brush it on to avoid a flare up or a smoky mess. Always start your steaks or chicken from room temperature. Place the meat on the hottest side of the grill and allow the meat to char, if you move the meat too quickly it will stick to the grate, so be patient and wait. When the meat is ready to be moved it will release freely from the grill.
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Gas grills are a bit easier to use and very in vogue these days. Most are made of stainless steel and come with various combinations of 1, 3 or more burners. With multiple burners you can adjust the heat levels at different parts of the grill to enhance your grilling experience. You can use a sauté pan on top of your gas grill for sautéing onions for your steak or with many grills, use a side burner to heat water or cook other foods. Another useful grill accessory is a grill pan that has perforations in the bottom of the pan. You can easily grill fish and vegetables in the grill pan. Oil it first and allow it to warm up before placing on the gas grill and your food won’t stick. If you love the taste of charcoaled grilled foods but have a gas grill, you can buy hardwood chips to place in the grill to give your food a charred flavor.
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This summer, try to grill a pizza, it is so easy. Buy pizza dough from the deli counter. Flatten the dough into any shape. Place the dough on the grill and cook until char marks are present. Flip it over and add your toppings which could be the usual pepperoni and cheese, or you could try goat cheese and arugula or salami and tomatoes. The kids will have a memorable time when you get them involved in grilling.
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Other easy grilled foods are fruits, try peaches or pineapple and serve with vanilla ice cream. Fish is so good on the grill. You can place a meatier fish right on the grill, but if you have more delicate fish, wrap the fish in foil or parchment paper, drug store style, brush with olive oil, add herbs and a squeeze of lemon. My favorite is grilled vegetables. Coat them with olive oil, add a little salt and pepper and let them cook about 5-6 minutes a side.
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A recent survey noted that 65% of men in households are the primary grillers. In our family, my husband is the grill king. He seems to enjoy grilling and has a special relationship with HIS grill. I just love grilled foods, especially artichokes, and I enjoy being the sous chef , if only for a short time.

Come To My Garden Party

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

By Lana Torre

Last Sunday I finished planting my garden. Red geraniums, white geraniums and lots of blue lobelia add so much charisma to the garden. Some of the spring blooming perennials have opened their pretty little faces of color. The Spring garden is so fresh. The grass, creeping so close to the flower beds, is a bright, light green. The excitement of the garden makes me excited to plan a party for my friends- a garden party!

A few tips to plan your own party: First, set the stage. Pick the perfect spot in your garden and create the right setting. A shady spot is best, near a blooming bed. If your garden is in the afternoon sun, grab your table umbrella. Decorate the umbrella by hanging paper lanterns from the spokes, or if your theme is beachy, hang seashells with twine. An evening party is fun too, hang strings of fun lights. I have seen lobster lights, red chili lights and even champagne bottles. Fasten them to the umbrella using large clips or clothes pin.

Choose your dishes carefully. Clear glass plates always look fresh and inviting and work with any theme. Antique plates in lively floral patterns will give you a shabby chic  look. Create the canvas for your table using white table linens. If you don’t own any, make a trip to goodwill or a thrift shop. You will certainly find the perfect linens there. If you own silver flatware, use it. Most of us only use it for the holidays, if at all. Wine goblets can be used for homemade lemonade. Always add a slice of fresh citrus.

Third, make individual flower arrangements for each place setting. Use old canning or jelly jars as vases. I once used cleaned fruit cocktail cans – they were totally cute. Fill your vases with cut flowers, leaves and herbs. And if you hate to cut flowers from your early garden, take a drive and collect some from the roadside. Even wild weeds are acceptable. Remember “ a weed is a plant that grows where you don’t want it too”.

Lastly, consider your menu. Make small sandwiches and cut off the crusts. Use your cake stand to hold them. Serve lots of fresh fruits sliced very, very thinly. Dessert should be light too. Make macaroons or meringues, or serve frozen yogurt in pretty pastel colors. Always remember, presentation is more important than flavor.

The stage is set. The canvas of your party table is painted with colorful flowers and seasonal food. The only untouched detail is the music. Download Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party” and enjoy an afternoon with your BFF’s.

Lana Torre Returns to PSR with Aristo Company (4/21/12)

Friday, April 20th, 2012

After a 4 month absence, Lana Torre returns to Property Source Radio!! Tune is this Saturday morning from 9-10am on Sportsradio 950AM ESPN as she talks with House & Coyne. Lana brings a special guest with her, Stacey Haralambides who is the owner of the Aristo Development. Builders of Fine homes and subdivisions such as Woodcliffe, Coastal View in Webster, Canal Grove, Cobblestone Creek and Mallards Landing.

Stacey and Lana talk about the current new homes market both nationally and locally in Rochester, NY along with building Trends for Baby boomers down-sizing to smaller and more manageable spaces.

Carlos Rodriguez closes the show with a couple more scams to watch out for.

Join Steve Hausmann and Pat Coyne each and every Saturday from 9-10am for Property Source Radio. You can listen on the radio or stream the show from your computer or smart phone.

Design: What’s New For 2012

Friday, January 6th, 2012

By Lana Torre

It’s a new year. There is hope that the housing market will finally take a positive turn in the US. We are fortunate, though, that Rochester hasn’t been hit like other areas of the country. Interest rates for mortgages are at historic lows, so if a new home or remodeling project is in your plans, here is a memo of what is in and new for 2012.

Think green. Save water by selecting new sink and shower faucets that use about one gallon of water per minute. Gray water systems can be implemented to recycle bath and shower water into water for irrigation for your lawns and flushing your toilets. Solar roof panels are back, and redesigned to provide 75% of your home’s energy usage, and some provide so much energy, you can even move your meter backward. Anderson Windows has developed a window with high E4 performance and the frames are made of a fiber that is 700 times more efficient than aluminum windows.

Fabric. Looking to add a punch to your family room without adding a great expense? Use toss pillows everywhere. The new fabrics are earthy, like linens and burlap, full of natural texture and interest. The newest patterns this year botanicals, ferns, sprigs and buds. Busy florals are back but the colors are muted and soft. Look for spring flower patterns in shades of light green and butter yellow

Area rugs. Think pattern here. Even if you are searching for a neutral sisal, find one with a pattern, like herringbone. Look for stripes of blues and browns or patterns of sea shells or lively circles. The price of area rugs has come way down lately, and a new rug under your coffee table is an inexpensive design fix.

Lighting. When looking for table lamps, pendants and chandeliers search out clear glass. New pendants shown in stores can even be glass jars or wine bottles made into light fixtures.

Furniture. Classic sofa styles are always in. Look for softly rolled or squared arms. Smaller sizes are back, gone are the chair and one half large scaled pieces. Occasional chairs with exposed high legs and large patterns are being shown.  If you have a large room, fill it with furniture arranged into decidedly different areas, like conversation and reading. Add case pieces like hanging cubbies or shelves for books and picture frames, usually painted in black. Mirrored accent tables will be big in 2011, look for side tables and bachelor chests. They will add interest to your room while creating reflective light. Place candlesticks on top, or sleekly framed family photos. Generally speaking, the look is more transitional to contemporary, clean and simple lines.

Recycle. Always green idea. Look for old silver pitchers, trays and ice buckets. Don’t even bother to polish them, retain the old, tarnished patina. Found bottles in colored glass are popular again. Greens and browns, earthy colors can be arranged on your sideboard or fireplace mantle. Always group objects in odd numbers for interest.

Enjoy your new year. Clean out, de-clutter, look for muted colors and natural fabrics. Keep it soft, keep it simple and make it another great year in the comfort of your home.

It’s The Holidays, ‘Naturally’!

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

By Lana Torre

Is the stress of holiday decorating getting you down? Do you detest styrofoam evergreen trees on your holiday table? Does the thought of pouring over holiday catalogs to find the perfect centerpiece give you indigestion?

Give yourself and your family the gift of a natural holiday. Gather up the kidlets, grab your pruning shears, some tattered old tote bags, and your best pair of gardening gloves. Take a walk around your yard or a friend’s field, or find a wooded area nearby.

Look for bird’s nests, berries, herbs, seed pods, feathers, small branches with leaves, and pine cones of different sizes. If your pine cones have lost their scent, spray with evergreen oil. I have a secret ‘spot’ where I clip rose hips. They are so beautiful and such a deep red. I very carefully clip the hips and remove any thorns. I then put them in a large plastic bag and spray with bug spray. When I am ready to decorate, I will place a large bunch of hips mixed with evergreen branches in an old silver pitcher, add a festive ribbon… simply beautiful!

Slip some florist wire through a bird’s nest and hang from your tree or wreath. Collect your seed pods and give them a spray of gold paint. I also love to dry artichokes, the mini version, and spray them gold too. Place them in a large, clear, glass bowl for a centerpiece on the dining room table.

On a Saturday morning at the public market buy lots of citrus fruit. Lemons, limes and oranges studded with cloves remind me of Christmas’ past, and the aroma is still engrained in my mind. You can also slice the citrus very thinly, lay the slices on a screen and allow them to air dry. Take a needle and fishing line and thread them in a line to make scented garlands for your tree. If you are the old fashioned type, string popcorn and cranberries in long lines to drape across the mantle. Remember stale popcorn always strings best.

If your plan is to prune your evergreens and use the branches to make roping or wreaths, prune late. Evergreens dry out quickly. If you do prune, keep them cut side down in a bucket of water, with a splash of bleach. I cut holly and pachysandra from my garden and make small bunches to hang from the arms of my dining room chandelier. After they are attached with pipe cleaners, I will add ribbon to secure the greens. If you save ribbon from year to year [like I do], grab your curling iron and run the ribbon through it, much easier than the Rowenta! If you make garlands and wreaths from fresh greens, after assembly simply spritz them with clear floor wax and they will look shiny and fresh for weeks. If you wish your tree to look like it was just cut from a snowy forest, sprinkle the branches with baking soda.

This season, give your family the gift of a natural holiday,

Mother Nature approves.

Happiest of holidays to our readers!

Happily Ever After

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

By Lana Torre

Have you ever thought about how you would negotiate your older years? Do you have long-term plans for your housing? Will you remain in your home, or do you plan to move into an assisted living facility?

I know what my answer is. Simply, “there is no place like home”.

The Property Source is delighted to have a new advertiser. He is Dennis Draper, COO of “Home for Life” Renovations. Dennis is an accomplished architectural designer and home builder in the Rochester area. I am proud to say we have collaborated on many residential projects throughout our careers.

His company, very forward thinking, will assess and evaluate your needs and then create a design especially for you and your current home so you can live safely and comfortably as you age. Another term for this is “aging in place,” which is simply modifying your home to negotiate your needs as the years pass. His company will work with you throughout the total process from inception to completion.

The trend is to stay in your home and avoid nursing homes and assisted living centers for many reasons. One reason is comfort, to be able to stay in your familiar environment. I know that I just couldn’t be without my garden! Our homes are our palaces, full of memories. Another reason is cost. We all know how pricey private facilities are and the cost is mounting. Many times the monthly fee for assisted living is $2,000 to $6,000, so renovation of your current home is absolutely more cost-effective.

Home for Life Renovations provides a team of professionals including architects, physical therapists, interior designers, licensed contractors, and aging-in-place specialists. This team can design and implement internal ramps, barrier-free entries, adjustable sink heights, handrails, elevators, roll-in showers, voice-activated light switches, any and all solutions for accessibility.

This concept of aging in our homes is the perfect solution for most of us. Personally, I have broken my leg several times and was a prisoner in my own kitchen. Having accessibility would have made my recuperation much easier. I did remove my slate and brick walkway and replaced it with a beautiful winding exposed aggregate ramp. The ramp served me well to get in and out of the house and also looks just perfect in my rustic garden.

If staying in your home as you age is your perfect solution, call Dennis at 585-444- 0300 or visit his website at HomeForLifeNY.com for a free in-home consultation.

May you live in your home happily ever after!

Getting Cozy

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
By Lana Torre
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When I think of autumn, I think nesting. I so look forward to getting cozy in the house, cooking up a pot of lentil soup, finding my lost furry flip flops, adding a large bowl of polished red apples to my kitchen table, and preparing the super soft flannel sheets for duty.
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Since we spend one third of our lives sleeping, the bed and bedroom should take high precedence in your home.
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Let’s talk paint. As many designers believe, the bedroom should be a calming place to rest. Using bright, bold colors could conjure up nightmares or screaming matches with your honey. Softened blues and greens are soothing watery colors, and would be perfect choices for your bedroom wall color. Neutral shades of beige, ivory, natural, and sand with trim painted in a soft off white is a good canvas for adding colors in sheets and duvets. I love an all white bedroom, using white, but in different shades, from creamy to whipped creamy [yes, totally different].
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Good quality sheets are a must [no exceptions here]. Buy by the thread count, which translates to how many threads are in one square inch. The more threads, the better the sheet, and usually softer too. I am a huge fan of organic sheets, which means the cotton has not been sprayed with insecticide and the fabric has not been synthetically dyed.
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Plan to always purchase sheets of greater than a 300 count, and if you really want to indulge, look for 700 or 800 count, and of course, all cotton. A down comforter is a certain pleasure for good sleeping. Buy one with channels to keep the down in place. If you are allergic to down, some have feathers that are washed and washed again to cleanse all the dirt and debris so some people find these tolerable for their allergies. For the ultimate nest, place a down featherbed over the mattress and under the sheets. It is like sleeping in marshmallow fluff.
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Keep your bedroom spacious and simple. Try not to overcrowd furniture here. Have plenty of space to make the bed. I think the perfect bedroom should have only a bed and nightstands and everything else stored in a huge master closet.
Think Feng Shui placement. The bed should greet you when you enter the room, but most people find a pleasing layout of centering the bed between two windows.
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Window treatments here are a must. Most people find room darkening shades to be the perfect solution to negotiate natural light and privacy. Imagine simple roller shades made of fabric to match the window trim. Blinds that open and close and move up and down are another choice. Plantation shutters look clean and southern and are available in various slat widths and can be mounted inside the window case and outside.
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Use muted patterns for duvet covers and comforters. Remember, go Zen. Use natural leaves and vines, and soft florals. Solid colors upon solids will always give your space a classic look, try charcoal greys and cream.
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Give yourself and your honey the gift of a good night sleep. Prepare the nest, close your eyes. Sweet Dreams.