DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

2nd: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

3rd: Find a Rainbow Day

7th: National No Housework Day

9th: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

16th: National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day

27th: National Tell a Story Day

30th: National Bugs Bunny Day

March is here, and Spring is near, my favorite time of the year! Spring afternoons are perfect for strolling the Courthouse Square or taking your dog for a walk. Prescott is a very pet-friendly town. If you look, you will notice that our local shops and vendors like to put out bowls of water for our four-footed friends. Stop in and see all the unique items and gifts the local shops have to offer and the delicious variety of foods and treats in the downtown eateries! Once you fall in love with Everybody’s Hometown, give The deSoto team a call. We are your friendly hometown realtors. We can help you find your dream home, sell your current home, or both! We are…

Making dreams come true……….one home at a time………!!!!!

Never mind, March, we know
When you blow
You’re not really mad
Or angry or bad;
You’re only blowing the winter away
To get the world ready for April and May.

by Annette Wynne

The Month of March is . . .

• National Umbrella Month
• National Noodle Month
• National Cheerleading Safety Month
• National Sauce Month
• National Frozen Food Month

WEEKS TO CELEBRATE!

• First Full Week: National Professional Pet Sitters Week
• Second Full Week: World Glaucoma Week
• Third Full Week: National Button Week
• Fourth Full Week: National Physicians Week

DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

• 1st- National Dadgum That’s Good Day
• 2nd- National Old Stuff Day
• 3rd- National I Want You to Be Happy Day
• 9th- National Get Over it Day
• 13th- National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day
• 14th- National Napping Day
• 22nd- National Goof Off Day

THERESA’S TASTY TREATS

Crispy Beefy Cheesy Wraps

Ingredients

• 1-pound ground beef
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn canned or frozen
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 cup cooked rice white, brown, or rice pilaf
• 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese (or Monterey or pepper jack)
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 6-8 large flour tortillas

Instructions

Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and crumble until browned. Drain grease.
Season with a little salt and pepper and add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and water. Stir to combine.
Add black beans, corn, bell pepper, and onions and toss to combine. Saute for a 2-3 minutes.
Warm the rice. Layer tortilla with a handful of cheese evenly spread across the tortilla.
Add a small scoop of rice, placing it in a line along one end of the tortilla.
On top of the rice add a few small dollops of sour cream, and a spoonful of the beef filling. Starting at that end, roll the tortilla up, folding in the sides like a burrito.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil to a skillet or spray the skillet generously with cooking spray. Place the wraps seam side down in the greased skillet.
Gently brush the tops of the wraps lightly with oil, or spray them with cooking spray. Turn the wraps every minute or two until they are golden and crispy on all sides.
Serve warm, with salsa and/or a creamy cilantro dipping sauce.

Andy’s Actually Factual Facts**

• The collective name for a group of unicorns is called a blessing.
• Elephants can die of a broken heart if their mate dies.
• President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested while in office. He was charged, booked, and released for speeding on a horse, and had to pay a fine.
• Dogs have a total of 42 teeth when they are fully grown.
• The average person takes 12 seconds to count to 24.
• The fear of cooking is known as Mageirocophobia and is a recognized phobia.
• The entire world population could fit in Texas allotting 330 square feet per person. The area of Texas is about 262,000 square miles.
• It is illegal to play a musical instrument in the Northern Territory, Australia, for the purpose of annoying other people.
• The Danish flag is the oldest current flag of a sovereign state. It was adopted in 1370 or earlier. The second oldest is the Netherlands at 1572.
• Jellyfish are considered biologically immortal. They don’t age and will never die unless they are killed.

**(They must be true, I found them on the Internet!!!)

February. The short month. It seems to me that it should be longer to give us a chance to catch up from the holidays, the New Year and now we are off and running into the second month. February is the Friendship month and the month to take care of your pet’s dental health (who knew?). Of course there is Valentine’s Day so start thinking about how you are going to let that special someone in your life know that they are “the one” for you! Check out our downtown local shops for unique gift ideas and eateries for that special dinner night out. If you are looking to know what is happening around town, go to Theresadesoto.com and check the Community Connection link for all the goings on around town. If you are visiting you will also find information links for where to eat, stay, worship and play!!! And if you want to make everybody’s Hometown your own The deSoto Team can help. If you are looking for your dream home, selling your current home, or both…. we are your friendly hometown realtors and we are………

Making dreams come true……one home at a time!!!

I’m not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I’m Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country’s flag for you!
I’m Valentine of airy grace—
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send,
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I’m quite a big month, after all!

by Annette Wynne

The Month of February is . . .

• Friendship Month
• Pet Dental Health Month
• National Snack Food Month
• National Bake for Family Fun Month
• National Grapefruit Month

WEEKS TO CELEBRATE!

• February 1 – 7: National Patient Recognition Week
• February 7 – 14: National Marriage Week
• February 13 – 19: Random Acts of Kindness Week
• February 20 – 26: Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week

DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

• 2nd – National Tater Tot Day
• 7th – National Send a Card to a Friend Day
• 8th – National Kite Flying Day
• 11th – National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
• 16th – Do a Grouch a Favor Day
• 26th – Tell a Fairy Tale Day

THERESA’S TASTY TREATS

Butternut Squash Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch chunks (Note 1)
• 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 15-ounce can black beans, drained
• 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained
• 1.5 cups vegetable broth, plus 2 tablespoons for sautéing
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

Sauté: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable broth in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, chipotles, and butternut squash to pot, cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more vegetable broth if pot gets dry. Add bell pepper, cooking for another 5 minutes.

Simmer: Add black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes (including liquid in can), 1.5 cups vegetable broth, quinoa, and all spices (paprika, cinnamon, salt, pepper). Stir well. Bring to simmer. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until butternut squash is tender. Serve.

Andy’s Actually Factual Facts:

• The first known recipe of Angel Food Cake was published in 1878.
• Scientists have no idea how dinosaurs mated.
• Rabbits can be literally “scared to death” if approached by a predator when they are totally unaware.
• Another term for your nieces or nephews would be “niblings.”
• It requires seven to eight trees to provide enough oxygen for just one person per year.
• Walking uses a total of 200 muscles with every step you take.
• In general, people tend to read as much as 10% slower from a screen than from paper.
• The insurance company backing the payouts for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” sued the show for being too easy.
• Every day in the U.S., more than 100,000 people get a speeding ticket.
• Eating a banana can help to form a lining that prevents heartburn from getting worse.

www.TheresadeSoto.com

Merry Christmas to all and to all a happy New Year!

December rings in the Christmas Season and all is merry and bright in downtown Prescott! Please join us on December 6th for the 39th annual Christmas parade in the Courthouse Square followed by Arizona’s Christmas City’s 67th Annual Courthouse Lighting. And that is just the beginning! From Acker Night to the annual boot out the new year with the Boot Drop on New Years’ Eve, the historic Prescott Courthouse Plaza will be ringing with the festivities. For all the community events please visit theresadesoto.com for a community connection. When you are enjoying the parade watch for the Better Homes and Gardens BloomTree Realty float as we usher in the community festivities! If you miss us there be sure to stop by on Acker night, we are right downtown waiting to wish you and your family the best Christmas holiday yet. And remember we are your friendly hometown realtors. We are The deSoto Team and we are here to help you with all your real estate needs whether finding your dream home, selling your current home………. Or both!!!

We are making dreams come true…. One home at a time!

Child of the grand old winter,
December floateth by;
And the ground without is bare and white
As the moon in the cloudless sky.

The wind blows cold and dreary,
Across the whitened plain;
And we see the oaks with their branches bare,
Through the frost on the window pane.

But within where the yule-log’s burning,
Each heart is happy and gay;
For the loving Prince of earth and Heaven,
Was born on Christmas day.

Then hail! grand old December,
We welcome you once more!
For the memory sweet of a night you bring,
That came in the days of yore.

by Joseph D. Herron

The Month of December is . . .

Handwashing Awareness Month

Hi Neighbor Month

Tomato and Winter Squash Month

Made in America Month

Stress-Free Family Holidays Month (Don’t we wish)

WEEKS TO CELEBRATE!

Dec. 1-7

National Handwashing Awareness Week

Dec. 5 – 11

National Cookie Cutter Week

Dec. 12 – 18

Gluten-free Baking Week

Dec. 14 – Jan. 5

Christmas Bird Count

DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

2nd – National Mutt Day

3rd – National Roof Over Your Head Day

8th – Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

12th – National Ding-a-Ling Day

15th – National Cupcake Day

21st – Look on the Bright Side Day

THERESA’S TASTY TREATS

Theresa’s Moses’ Famous Italian Wedding Cookies

Ingredients:

6 Eggs

1 cup Sugar

½ tsp. Salt

½ bottle Lemon Extract

6 tsp. Baking Powder

1 cup Oil

6 cups Flour

Instructions:

Mix eggs in bowl until frothy.

Mix in sugar a little at a time.

Add salt.

Add lemon extract.

Add baking powder and 2 cups of flour, mix,

Add oil and remaining a cup at a time while mixing by hand flour until dough is well blended.

Let rest ½ hour and then roll into rope around finger forming small stack.

October is here and fall is here and it is such a beautiful time of year. One of the things I love about our town and our area is that we get the four seasons so we get to see trees change colors and leaves fall to the ground. The air has that crisp autumn feel to it. Come by the square and take in all the activities, the great shopping and the good food. You may even come across one of the food carts or trucks that will be popping up around town now. If you would like to make Everybody’s Hometown your hometown we would love to show what is on the market and help you. We are The deSoto Team and we are ready to help you with all your real estate needs whether finding your dream home, listing your current home…………or both!!!

“October is crisp days and cool nights,

a time to curl up around the dancing flames

and sink into a good book.” — John Sinor

The Month of October is . . .

• Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
• Bat Appreciation Month
• National “I’m Just Me Because” Month
• National Sarcastic Awareness Month
• Positive Attitude Month
• National Toilet Repair Month

WEEKS TO CELEBRATE!

• Oct. 3 – 9: National Carry A Tune Week
• Oct. 8 – 12: International Cephalopod Awareness Week
• Oct. 10 – 16: World Rainforest Week
• Oct. 17 – 23: National Character Counts Week

DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

• October 1 – National Black Dog Day
• October 7 – Bring Your Bible To School Day
• October 9 – National Moldy Cheese Day
• October 13 – National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day
• October 21 – Count your Buttons Day
• October 23 – Slap Your Irritating Co-Worker Day
• October 31 – National Knock-Knock Jokes Day

THERESA’S TASTY TREATS

• Smoked Cheese Ravioli
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen cheese ravioli
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon white pepper

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil over high heat; stir in the frozen ravioli and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the ravioli float to the top and the filling is hot, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Meanwhile, bring the half-and-half to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the Gouda cheese until melted; season with parsley and white pepper. Pour the sauce over the cooked ravioli to serve.

Andy’s Actually Factual Facts:

• Swedish meatballs originated from a recipe King Charles XII brought back from Turkey in the early 1800s.
• Those cute furry bits inside a cat’s ear are called “ear furnishings”. They ensure that dirt doesn’t go inside and also helps them to hear well.
• If you heat up a magnet, it will lose its magnetism.
• Scotland was one of the few countries able to hold off being conquered by the Romans in the first century A.D.
• Nobody knows how the Academy Awards came to be referred to as the Oscars. The earliest mention was 1932, and was made official in 1939.
• The word “kimono”, literally means a “thing to wear”. Ki is “wear”, and mono is “thing”.
• In order to protest the high tariffs enforced by a U.K. censorship board, a filmmaker sent in a 10-hour “movie” of white paint drying. They had to watch the entire film.
• 50% of apartments in Los Angeles don’t come with a fridge. This is legal, as fridges are considered an “amenity”, and therefore landlords are not required to provide one.
• The quietest room in the world in Minnesota is measured in negative decibels – so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat and your bones moving.
• “Tsundoku” is a Japanese word for the habit of buying too many books, letting them pile up in your house, and never reading them.
• Chewing gum boosts mental proficiency and is considered a better test aid than caffeine – but nobody knows why.
• Even though Irish is the official language of Ireland, Polish is more widely spoken.
• There’s a bar in Yukon that serves a “Sourtoe cocktail”. It consists of a shot of whisky with a human toe floating in the glass. An estimated 60,000 people have had it.

It seems like just last week we were celebrating Valentine’s Day. Enjoy the hot weather and Monsoon, before you know it we will be shoveling snow! It does seem like time goes by faster every year so make sure to slow down and take the time to smell the roses. We live in a beautiful town with a lot to see and do. To check out what is going on in town go to the Community Connection on my website, TheresadeSoto.com. When you are taking a stroll in the square downtown, be sure to stop and shop and dine in our unique local shops and eateries. And if you are looking to make “Everybody’s Hometown” your hometown or have a friend that is, remember The deSoto Team is here to help. Whether buying your dream home, selling your current home or both! We are your friendly home town realtors and we are…. Making dreams come true…….one home at a time.!

“The brilliant poppy flaunts her head

Amidst the ripening grain,

And adds her voice to sell the song

That August’s here again.”

– Helen Winslow

The Month of August is . . .

Goat Cheese Month

Happiness Happens Month

Admit You Are Happy Month

Save A Tiger Month

Happy Cat Month

All American Breakfast Month

DAYS TO CELEBRATE!

5th- Work Like a Dog Day

10th- National Spoil Your Dog Day

22nd- International Tongue Twister Day

27th- National Just Because Day

30th- National Toasted Marshmallow Day

WEEKS TO CELEBRATE!

National Simplify Your Life Week (first week)

National Smile Week (second week)

National Friendship Week (third week)

National Be Kind to Humankind Week (fourth week)

Theresa’s Tasty Treats:

Tatertot Casserole

Yield:

8 servings

1-pound ground beef 

1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 (16 ounce) package frozen tater tots

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2: Cook and stir ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink and completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes; season with salt and black pepper. Stir cream of mushroom soup into the cooked ground beef; pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer tater tots evenly over the ground beef mixture; top with Cheddar cheese.

Step 3: Bake until tater tots are golden brown and hot, 30 to 45 minutes.

Andy’s Actually Factual Facts:

• The first movie ever to put out a motion-picture soundtrack was Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
• The tongue is the only muscle in one’s body that is attached from one end.
• If you cut down a cactus in Arizona, you’ll be penalized up to 25 years in jail. It is similar to cutting down a protected tree species.
• 75% of the world’s diet is produced from just 12 plant and five different animal species.
• IKEA is an acronym which stands for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd, which is the founder’s name, farm where he grew up, and hometown.
• A wildlife technician, Richard Thomas, took the famous tongue twister, “how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood” and calculated a rough estimate of what the answer would actually be. It came out to be around 700 pounds.
• There is a town in Nebraska called Monowi with a population of one. The only resident is a woman who is the Mayor, Bartender, and Librarian.
• The unique smell of rain actually comes from plant oils, bacteria, and ozone.
• A bolt of lightning can reach 53,540 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun, which is 10,340 degrees Fahrenheit.
• There are only two countries in the world that have the color purple in their flags: Nicaragua and Dominica.