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Marinated Grilled Shrimp

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
¼ cup tomato sauce
2 tbs red wine vinegar
2 tbs chopped fresh basil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
2 lbs fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
skewers, soaked

In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce and red wine vinegar. Season with basil, salt and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp to the bowl and stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 mins to 1 hour, stirring once or twice.
Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp on preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

Summer moving tips

Helping friends and relatives move is one of life’s
many joys. Make it a breeze with these tips!

Plan ahead

Shop moving companies at least a month
before you move. Book a van or truck well
ahead of time.
Sort your belongings into three categories:

Things to be tossed, recycled or given away;
Things to be packed ahead of time; and
Things to keep handy until moving day.

Arrange childcare and/or petcare for moving day.

Stay cool

Wear light, close-fitting clothing and avoid getting snagged on obstacles.
Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes – exposed feet are prone to injury.
Drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary drinks that speed dehydration.
Take lots of breaks! Stop for water and a snack in the shade every hour or so.

Protect your belongings

Take heat-sensitive electronics, house plants, small pets, candles and medicines with you in an air-conditioned car.
Pack and load basic kitchen and bathroom items last. Label theses boxes “Open First.”

Recruit help

If you hire movers, offer them cold water and provide somewhere for them to take periodic breaks.

Thinking of a move yourself? Call me to talk about listing your property and finding a new one!

Keep intruders out while on vacation

Planning a summer trip? Don’t leave your empty home vulnerable to intruders. Take these extra steps to keep your home safe:

Don’t break the pattern. A change in your daily routines alerts burglars to your absence. Maintain typical patterns by investing in light timers, hiring a lawn service or arranging a house sitter.
Stop! Put a temporary stop on your mail and newspaper deliveries. The hold-mail service is free and you can make the request online.
Shhh… Remember to turn off your alarm clock and turn down the ringer on your house phone before you leave. Audible alerts draw attention to an empty home.
Neighborly love. Tell a neighbor when you leave town so they can keep an eye on your property and put up your garbage bins. If you’re good friends, ask if they will occasionally park in your driveway or rotate the cars parked in front of your house. Don’t forget to return the favor!
Lock up and disconnect. Lock all windows and doors. Be sure all external doors have deadbolts and place metal or wooden rods in sliding door tracks so they can’t be forced open. Disconnect the power to your garage door so it can’t be opened by a universal opener.

Have a great trip! If you find your getaways are frequent, maybe it’s time for a move to a more permanent paradise. Give me a call if you’re thinking about listing your house!

Your August Maintenance Tip

Here are some fire safety tips to keep in mind for these hot California summers!

When cooking: