SOLD - Nature Lover's Retreat on 84 Acres at 8426 W Berrysville Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133

THIS PROPERTY HAS SOLD

PLEASE CALL TO VIEW SIMILAR PROPERTIES

Escape to this 84 acre nature lover's retreat!  This wooded property has an artesian spring-fed pond, beautiful rolling hills, and a rock bottom creek which crosses the property.  There are ducks on the pond, and the woods are filled with wild turkey and deer.  It would be the perfect place to bring the horses and trail ride, hunt, fish, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Call Kim at Real Living Classic Real Estate @ 937-403-2425 for more information.

THIS PROPERTY HAS SOLD

PLEASE CALL TO VIEW SIMILAR PROPERTIES

Escape to this 84 acre nature lover's retreat!  This wooded property has an artesian spring-fed pond, beautiful rolling hills, and a rock bottom creek which crosses the property.  There are ducks on the pond, and the woods are filled with wild turkey and deer.  It would be the perfect place to bring the horses and trail ride, hunt, fish, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Call Kim at Real Living Classic Real Estate @ 937-403-2425 for more information.

Crime in Hillsboro



For everyone who can't understand why I moved here -- check out this link:  Hillsboro Police Report

It's kinda like living in Mayberry.  For those of you who are too young to remember the old Andy Griffith Show, take a look:   Crime Mayberry Style



For everyone who can't understand why I moved here -- check out this link:  Hillsboro Police Report

It's kinda like living in Mayberry.  For those of you who are too young to remember the old Andy Griffith Show, take a look:   Crime Mayberry Style

Life Is Like Coffee



When I went into the Real Estate business I put a lot of thought as to what I wanted to be known for in this business:

• Cut throat competitor (uh.... no)
• Top of the heap (if I can do it without sacrificing what's important to me like time with family and friends, volunteering, spiritual grown, etc.)
• Hard worker (yes)
• Honorable (yes)
• Knowledgeable (yes)

You get the picture.  What was my mission statement going to be?  After much thought I came up with "I don't want to sell you a house -- I want to help you find a home."

It's turned out to be a good one.  While I love the opportunity to see all kinds of high end houses, and even sell a few, what I enjoy the most is seeing that "click" when someone realizes they've found the house that best fits their family's needs.  They've found their HOME -- not just a house.  It's not about how extravagant it is -- it's about how it feels, and the life they can picture there.

With all that in mind, please view the video.  I'm going to watch it again while I have my second cup of coffee from a mug I got at my favorite thrift store.  Enjoy.

http://www.flickspire.com/m/DailyEnergize/LifeIsLikeCoffee



When I went into the Real Estate business I put a lot of thought as to what I wanted to be known for in this business:

• Cut throat competitor (uh.... no)
• Top of the heap (if I can do it without sacrificing what's important to me like time with family and friends, volunteering, spiritual grown, etc.)
• Hard worker (yes)
• Honorable (yes)
• Knowledgeable (yes)

You get the picture.  What was my mission statement going to be?  After much thought I came up with "I don't want to sell you a house -- I want to help you find a home."

It's turned out to be a good one.  While I love the opportunity to see all kinds of high end houses, and even sell a few, what I enjoy the most is seeing that "click" when someone realizes they've found the house that best fits their family's needs.  They've found their HOME -- not just a house.  It's not about how extravagant it is -- it's about how it feels, and the life they can picture there.

With all that in mind, please view the video.  I'm going to watch it again while I have my second cup of coffee from a mug I got at my favorite thrift store.  Enjoy.

http://www.flickspire.com/m/DailyEnergize/LifeIsLikeCoffee

A Favorite Book by a Favorite Author

Barbara Kingsolver has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read The Poinsonwood Bible.  She's written a new favorite -- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, this book (released May 2007) tells the story of how her family was changed by one year of deliberately eating food produced in the place where they live. Barbara wrote the central narrative; husband Steven's sidebars dig deeper into various aspects of food-production science and industry;  and daughter Camille's brief essays offer a nineteen-year-old's perspective on the local-food project, plus nutritional information, meal plans and recipes.

In the book you'll read a lot about CSAs -- Community Supported Agriculture.  Check out her web site to find out more.  It's an idea whose time has come for Highland County

http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

Barbara Kingsolver has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read The Poinsonwood Bible.  She's written a new favorite -- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, this book (released May 2007) tells the story of how her family was changed by one year of deliberately eating food produced in the place where they live. Barbara wrote the central narrative; husband Steven's sidebars dig deeper into various aspects of food-production science and industry;  and daughter Camille's brief essays offer a nineteen-year-old's perspective on the local-food project, plus nutritional information, meal plans and recipes.

In the book you'll read a lot about CSAs -- Community Supported Agriculture.  Check out her web site to find out more.  It's an idea whose time has come for Highland County

http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

CHURCH LADY COOKBOOKS

Another thing I love about living in the country is easy access to Church Lady Cookbooks.  For the unenlightened, the official name for these would be fundraising cookbooks, and they don’t even necessarily have to come from church ladies.  However, with that being said – most of the recipes DO seem to come from, well…. Ladies who attend church.  If you have ever lived in a rural area, I don’t have to explain this phenomenon.  For those who haven’t, allow me to enlighten.

A group wants to raise some money, so self publishes a cookbook made up of recipes from it’s members.  Here are some “rules” that identify a church lady cookbook:

·         They are held together by plastic spiral binding.

·         There is a “queen bee” who everyone knows is the best cook around and tries her recipes first. 

·         At least 30% of the recipes must contain some sort of cream-of-something soup.

·         Potato chips are not a snack – they are a topping.

·         Even though a number of the church ladies submitting recipes are also farmers’ wives, very few fresh ingredients are used.

·         This is what is meant when someone refers to “stick to your ribs” food

·         It seems a majority of the recipes must contain name brand ingredients, i.e. “CAMPBELL’S Cream of Mushroom Soup”

·         This is no place for low calorie recipes

·         The recipes range from the sublime (Crème Brulee Cheesecake Bars) to the ridiculous (Velveeta Cheese Fudge).

Hopefully I haven’t given the impression I’m making fun of these gems – I am NOT!!!  I own approximately 20 of them.  The most prized belonged to my mother, and grandmother before me.  The best are covered with stains from a young girl first beginning her love affair with cooking.

My favorite recipe from one of these books is for Cherry Pudding  Cake.  My mother made it for special occasions.  I hope you enjoy it.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) water-packed pitted tart red cherries, well drained
• 2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• Whipped cream or ice cream, optional

Directions

• In a bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, milk and oil; pour into a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. In a bowl, combine cherries, food coloring if desired, extract and remaining sugar; spoon over batter.
• Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream if desired. Yield: 10-12 servings.

In my hometown of Winchester, Suzy Copas is the “queen bee” whose recipes are the most coveted.  The house in the upper left hand corner of the blog belongs to her.  If you want to see if Suzy’s kitchen is the magic ingredient you need to turn you into the village’s best cook, just let me know.  It’s now on the market.

Another thing I love about living in the country is easy access to Church Lady Cookbooks.  For the unenlightened, the official name for these would be fundraising cookbooks, and they don’t even necessarily have to come from church ladies.  However, with that being said – most of the recipes DO seem to come from, well…. Ladies who attend church.  If you have ever lived in a rural area, I don’t have to explain this phenomenon.  For those who haven’t, allow me to enlighten.

A group wants to raise some money, so self publishes a cookbook made up of recipes from it’s members.  Here are some “rules” that identify a church lady cookbook:

·         They are held together by plastic spiral binding.

·         There is a “queen bee” who everyone knows is the best cook around and tries her recipes first. 

·         At least 30% of the recipes must contain some sort of cream-of-something soup.

·         Potato chips are not a snack – they are a topping.

·         Even though a number of the church ladies submitting recipes are also farmers’ wives, very few fresh ingredients are used.

·         This is what is meant when someone refers to “stick to your ribs” food

·         It seems a majority of the recipes must contain name brand ingredients, i.e. “CAMPBELL’S Cream of Mushroom Soup”

·         This is no place for low calorie recipes

·         The recipes range from the sublime (Crème Brulee Cheesecake Bars) to the ridiculous (Velveeta Cheese Fudge).

Hopefully I haven’t given the impression I’m making fun of these gems – I am NOT!!!  I own approximately 20 of them.  The most prized belonged to my mother, and grandmother before me.  The best are covered with stains from a young girl first beginning her love affair with cooking.

My favorite recipe from one of these books is for Cherry Pudding  Cake.  My mother made it for special occasions.  I hope you enjoy it.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) water-packed pitted tart red cherries, well drained
• 2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• Whipped cream or ice cream, optional

Directions

• In a bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, milk and oil; pour into a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. In a bowl, combine cherries, food coloring if desired, extract and remaining sugar; spoon over batter.
• Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream if desired. Yield: 10-12 servings.

In my hometown of Winchester, Suzy Copas is the “queen bee” whose recipes are the most coveted.  The house in the upper left hand corner of the blog belongs to her.  If you want to see if Suzy’s kitchen is the magic ingredient you need to turn you into the village’s best cook, just let me know.  It’s now on the market.

Guys Who Wear Carhartts

Yesterday I stopped at a gas station and decided to check the oil on my car.  Only trouble was (and you can’t imagine how I hate to admit this) I couldn’t get the hood open. Let me add here it was cold, snowy, and windy.   Literally within minutes two guys come over to see if they could help.  They were wearing Carhartts.

For those who have never lived in a rural area, let me attempt to explain Carhartts.  They are WORK clothes.  They are NOT in any way, shape, or form intended to be a fashion statement.  They are functional, practical and sturdy  -- much like the people who wear them.     Believe me – I mean this as the greatest of compliments.

You can trust a guy (or a woman for that matter) who wears Carhartts.  They aren’t going to rob you, or ask you for a handout.  As a matter of fact, my heroes wouldn’t even hear of it when I offered to pay them for their help.  They got the hood up, pointed out what the problem was (the latch needs some WD40), and I was able to make my listing appointment on time.

I like living in an area where Carhartts outnumber mock turtlenecks approximately 6000 to 1.  To me it indicates a strong work ethic, common sense, and an appreciation of function over form.  It means I live in an area where neighbors help friends, and even complete strangers, when they can.  So to my heroes Jerry and Chad a heartfelt “thank you”.   I’m sure glad you’re the kind of guys who wear Carhartts.

Yesterday I stopped at a gas station and decided to check the oil on my car.  Only trouble was (and you can’t imagine how I hate to admit this) I couldn’t get the hood open. Let me add here it was cold, snowy, and windy.   Literally within minutes two guys come over to see if they could help.  They were wearing Carhartts.

For those who have never lived in a rural area, let me attempt to explain Carhartts.  They are WORK clothes.  They are NOT in any way, shape, or form intended to be a fashion statement.  They are functional, practical and sturdy  -- much like the people who wear them.     Believe me – I mean this as the greatest of compliments.

You can trust a guy (or a woman for that matter) who wears Carhartts.  They aren’t going to rob you, or ask you for a handout.  As a matter of fact, my heroes wouldn’t even hear of it when I offered to pay them for their help.  They got the hood up, pointed out what the problem was (the latch needs some WD40), and I was able to make my listing appointment on time.

I like living in an area where Carhartts outnumber mock turtlenecks approximately 6000 to 1.  To me it indicates a strong work ethic, common sense, and an appreciation of function over form.  It means I live in an area where neighbors help friends, and even complete strangers, when they can.  So to my heroes Jerry and Chad a heartfelt “thank you”.   I’m sure glad you’re the kind of guys who wear Carhartts.

Yes -- we have snow here

As a matter of fact, we have all four seasons.  Aside from having to drive in the stuff I wouldn't change a thing.  While many retirees seek year round warm (and then in the summer HOT) weather, I don't find it a fair trade-off for seeing the seasons change.  Here are just a few of things I love about living where there are four seasons:

Because I’m a bit of a fashion addict – Shorts and flip flops are great, but I really wouldn’t want to give up wearing sweaters, jackets, boots and scarves.

If you’re a kid – Sometimes it snows so much school is cancelled.  Also, in my humble opinion, no child should miss out on jumping in a pile of leaves, swimming in a lake, or catching fireflies in an open field.

It gets quiet – Sounds in the background include crickets, bullfrogs, and the occasional tractor or barking dog.

It gets dark – If you have lived your life in the city, you may THINK you’ve seen the stars.  You haven’t.  There’s what they call light pollution, and it makes the stars pale by comparison.  Come to the country and you’ll see what I mean.

If you’re into sports – Besides the organized sports, there’s both water AND snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking and boating all within 45 minutes from where I live.

It’s like you get to live in four different places.  Stay put and watch the view out your window change.

Then there’s the scenery – I’m simply not willing to give up the sight of the colors of fall, jonquils in the spring, and the sight of the first tomatoes ripening on the vine.  Or a scene like this one in my back yard.

As a matter of fact, we have all four seasons.  Aside from having to drive in the stuff I wouldn't change a thing.  While many retirees seek year round warm (and then in the summer HOT) weather, I don't find it a fair trade-off for seeing the seasons change.  Here are just a few of things I love about living where there are four seasons:

Because I’m a bit of a fashion addict – Shorts and flip flops are great, but I really wouldn’t want to give up wearing sweaters, jackets, boots and scarves.

If you’re a kid – Sometimes it snows so much school is cancelled.  Also, in my humble opinion, no child should miss out on jumping in a pile of leaves, swimming in a lake, or catching fireflies in an open field.

It gets quiet – Sounds in the background include crickets, bullfrogs, and the occasional tractor or barking dog.

It gets dark – If you have lived your life in the city, you may THINK you’ve seen the stars.  You haven’t.  There’s what they call light pollution, and it makes the stars pale by comparison.  Come to the country and you’ll see what I mean.

If you’re into sports – Besides the organized sports, there’s both water AND snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking and boating all within 45 minutes from where I live.

It’s like you get to live in four different places.  Stay put and watch the view out your window change.

Then there’s the scenery – I’m simply not willing to give up the sight of the colors of fall, jonquils in the spring, and the sight of the first tomatoes ripening on the vine.  Or a scene like this one in my back yard.