It is an honour and my privilege to belong to the Kingston chapter of 100+Women Who Care.  Last quarter our group was able to provide Kingston's  RKY Camp with almost $20,000.  RKY Camp provides value-based summer camping and outdoor education programming to participants from all backgrounds encouraging them to challenge themselves, practice cooperation, teamwork, and to grow in mind, body and spirit. Along with a new dock, our group donation of nearly $20,000 in November will send over 25 campers to camp this summer! Last night we were able to provide $20,000+ to St Vincent de Paul Society in Kingston in 1 short hour!   This much needed organization provides a hot lunch 5 days a week - we were told they have recently had to downsize the portions due to such a high cost of food and lack... 02/06/2015

It is a snowy, blowy day in the 1000 Islands region today.  A day to snuggle up in front of the fire and be thankful to be healthy and happy with a roof over your head.   It is a day to enjoy a steamy bowl of homemade soup and . . . Tea Biscuits!!! I love them and make every variety under the sun too.  I'm far too lazy nowadays to roll out my dough, so I just add an extra 1/4 cup of milk and drop them by the spoonful on to the cooking sheet.  In 15 minutes, from start to finish, I'm enjoying a warm, buttery tea biscuit. Standard Dough Recipe: (from a 60 year old Red Roses Flour Cook Book) 2 cups flour4.5 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt3 TBSP shortening/lard/butter  (whatever you have available)1.25 cup of milk Sift and stir together all dry ingredients.  Add the fat and cut in with finger... 02/02/2015

Oh to be the most famous ground hog in the world . . . you're either loved or despised all based on one little move you make, once a year! Tradition has it (128 years) that he peeks out each February and if he see his shadow,  another 6 weeks of winter.  Groundhog Day is related to Candlemas, a mid-winter Germanic holiday that had a hedgehog as its weather forecaster. When German-speaking immigrants came to Pennsylvania, the tradition came with them.  There were no hedgehogs so this guy was chosen to be the Oracle of Spring. With a little research I discovered a very sad fact: "Most groundhogs leave their mother when they are a few weeks to a few months old. That’s when they dig their own burrows, where they live alone for the rest of their lives, except when they mate and rear their yo... 02/01/2015

This year, ice conditions at Kingston, Ontario have been ideal and the city was chosen for the DN class International World Championship Regatta being held this week and ending today, January 31st.  Fifteen countries are represented in the event, including Canada, the United States, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Russia and France. With just a 12-15 mile per hour steady wind, "the DN ice boat can reach 55–65 miles per hour, providing a thrilling rush of purely unadulterated, bone chilling, wind powered ice sailing!"  See the video below to watch the ice boats in action. I've been fascinated with ice boats since the early 60's when I read about them in my favourite Hardy Boys book, "The Mystery of Cabin Island"  "While riding in their homemade iceboat on the frozen surface of Barmet B... 01/31/2015

  ATTENTION NATURE LOVERS for house photos click on CUSTOM WATERFRONT HOME ON 17.7 ACRES   At the gated drive, you can feel the excitement and anticipation building inside. It takes you right out of the thick of things to Home Sweet Home where neighbours are a world away.   17 acres of sweet seclusion, rich in serenity with winding walkways perfect for all seasons of activity. 600` of waterfront 50` deep at the centre yet Monet`s water lily paintings burst into life and bloom at the shore.   This open concept custom ICF home is built to R2000 standards engineered to exacting specifications with all the energy efficiencies in place. Gorgeous Cork, Porcelain and Pine flooring recovered from 200 yr old Ottawa River logs. Sound proof Media/Music Room and a Gym and office on lower level.   ... 01/30/2015

Taken today from the ferry I was on whilst showing properties to a client!   No, this was NOT taken in B & W These poor little ducks were surviving in the bubble system used on the ferry route on Lake Ontario which is supposed to keep the ice from freezing solid. Instead, the route looked like a giant slushie!! OMG it was cold.  I think with the wind chill it was minus 35 at least. Poor wee duckies - you'd think they'd be snowbirds and head south, LOL 01/26/2015

I may not be Scottish but I do know how to appreciate Robert Burns!  (Or "Rabbie" in Scotland) And, any excuse for a celebration in January!!! Just in case you are unaware of the poet and the tradition, each year on the 25th January, Robbie Burns is celebrated the world over. Click here for more info I have set up my own Pinterest board in honour of same. Admittedly, I do not enjoy Haggis but I have purchased a version to serve just to honour the tradition:   It may look upside down depending on your device!  But regardless of how you look at it, it is still made up of animal parts I'd rather not injest :) Our menu will look a little like this: Potted Blue Cheese & Scotch Whiskey Whiskey Doused Salmon Smoked Haddock Chowder Scotch Eggs Scottish Steak Balmoral and Laphroaig Whiskey Sauce... 01/23/2015

In the Kingston and Area Real Estate Market, there were 11.6 months of inventory at the end of December 2014, up from 8.8 months at the end of December 2013 and in line with the long-run average for this time of the year. (The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.) This means a Seller needs to hire a Realtor who is committed to getting the job done! There is no longer a "Season" to list and sell your home.  We are in a Buyers Market which means the Sellers need to be out there in front of all competition, and out there NOW! There were 223 new residential listings on the Kingston Association’s MLS® System in December 2014, an increase of 5.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis. Now is the time... 01/14/2015

There are so many people who still falsely believe there is a PERFECT time to list your house for sale and that it is in the Spring! I think you would have a difficult time persuading this Happy Seller who just had a SOLD sign erected in her yard! If you, or someone you know would like an ear to ear grin on their face because of a Successful Sale of their Home, call Susan Emo today!   The Right Time is Right Now!  S O L D CUSTOM KINGSTON WATERFRONT HOME ON 5 ACRES OverviewMapsPhotosDescription $795,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomLot: 5.00 acre(s) Location 4351 Westview LaneSouth Frontenac, ON K0H 1H0Canada Our recent listings Linger By The Lakes EdgeQUIET LAKEFRONT LOTMILLION DOLLAR SETTING FOR FAR LESS!LOG ON TO A LOG HOME IN 1000 ISLANDS1 M... 01/13/2015

Happy Birthday Sir John A Macdonald - Canada's first Prime Minister!  Macdonald served 19 years as Canadian Prime Minister. He was born in Scotland but when he was a boy his family immigrated to Kingston in the colony of Upper Canada, today known East Eastern Ontario.  Macdonald is credited with creating a Canadian Confederation despite many obstacles, and expanding what was a relatively small country to cover the northern half of North America. By the time of his death in 1891, Canada had secured most of the territory it occupies today.  Through archival images and artefacts, a small display at City Hall will examine the former prime minister's connections with Kingston as a child, student, lawyer, businessman, Alderman, Member of Parliament and community member. Foley House, located а... 01/11/2015

Well, we made it through the traditional holiday season!  But, do you ever wonder what else is out there? What other "holidays" or "traditions" you could embrace? (Sort of like George Costanza's family celebrating Festivus!!) I was reading an intriguing article this morning about different cultures and their different celebrations titled "7 Cultural Concepts We Don't Have in the US"   (even though I'm Canadian!) It questioned if perhaps one of these ideas would inspire me to think differently in my day-to-day life? Seven concepts well worth reading about such as: Friluftsliv  from Norway Shinrin-yoku from Japan Wabi-sabi again from Japan Kaizen another from Japan Jugaad a Hindi word Gemütlichkeit from Germany Hygge  from Denmark Of all of these, #3 is my favorite!   The author asks thes... 01/10/2015

If you've not heard of The Shoebox Project it is not too late to get involved for this holiday.  The Shoebox Project was founded in 2011and last year collected and distributed gifts in the form of shoeboxes to 9,100 women in 188 shelters in Canada in 26 communities across the country! Each shoebox is filled with items valued at no more than $50 that a woman would enjoy but would not splurge on for herself in difficult times. These shoeboxes brighten the holiday season and let the women know they are special and not forgotten.  What to Include: • Something warm: mitts, scarf, hat, socks, specialty teas• Something sweet: nut-free chocolate and candy (not alcohol filled)• Body or hand lotion, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss• Brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner• Nail polish, mascara, eye... 12/18/2014

Well this was the year to throw out the old lights and start fresh! Decisions, decisions - WOW - there are soooooo many to choose from. We knew we wanted energy efficient but didn't realize what a selection there would be. I found this amazing tree for our sun room that was done in silver with blue lights and the decision was made!     (Thanks to Gananoque Home Hardware for their patience and great selection!) We bought miles of cool white lights to trim the house and blue lights for the bushes and trees.  Some cool white icicles for our car port caught my eye too. I couldn't bring myself to part with two of my warm white reindeer so we tied them in with the massive warm white wreath on the turret. Now to find the energy to begin on the inside of the home!  We'll begin this weekend on t... 12/08/2014

There are many parents using the "Elf on a Shelf" in an attempt to keep excited children under control during the holiday period.  "The Elf is Santa's eyes" they're told.  He lets Santa know who has been Naughty and Nice.   Many seem to think this is a new idea, with books and even a movie from the 2005 era . . . I share with you below, my Mother's 45+ year old Elf  (probably closer to 50 years old) His suit is a bit faded but his lovely little face is as fresh as a youngster! (must be magical Elf DNA!!) My Mother's Great Grandson is facinated by him too :)   12/04/2014

This was a question asked of me this weekend.   How many single family, detached homes are currently For Sale on the WATERFRONT in the Greater Kingston and Area?  This includes the 1000 Islands region as well as west to The Bay of Quinte area. On our Real Estate Board, we currently show 246 waterfront properties available for sale.   And, quite the varity too! As low as $49,900 in Central Frontenac up to $2,790,000 on the St Lawrence River. Currently we have 7 waterfront properties for sale over $2,000,000 I have one listing priced at $2,750,000 located in Westport, Ontario on the Rideau Canal  Click Here for more info 11 properties are available priced between $1,500,000 and $2m FOUR of which are mine . . .  here is one example: 240 year old treasure situated on 5 acres on the ST Lawre... 12/01/2014

"For when you've found the one who will watch every sunrise with you until the sunset of your life." Exquisite Open Concept Bungalow with 300' of pristine waterfront on exclusive 14 Island Lake with clean, deep water (35' off the dock) and fantastic views from every window.   Many upgrades in the past 5 years include Custom Kitchen with quartz granite worktops/breakfast bar and classic white subway tile backsplash, walk-out to spacious deck complete with screened gazebo, C/Vac, HRV, and 40 year shingles in 2012.   Skylights scoop up sunshine and pour it into the interior with a wood burning fireplace to light up the nights.   The main level Master Suite has a walk-in closet and a stunning view from the bed that may make you late for appointments!   Fully developed lower level with Frenc... 11/19/2014

I thought I would make a pretty breakfast for my Mother this morning and found the perfect idea on Pinterest!  (of course, where else?) We decided on Baked Egg cups in Ham - easy peasy, right?   Simple enough:  put ham slices in muffin tin and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Remove from oven and crack egg into center.  Cook for a further 10 minutes and Poof . . .  just like the picture. Well after 10 minutes in the oven we exploded in fits of giggles when the muffin tin was removed . . .   All the Ham looked like deflated balloons and there was no way in any shape or form did they resemble "cups"! After burning my fingers several times, I managed to open them up with one hand and had to pour the egg from a ramekin with the other.  Success was mine!  Back into the oven for another 1... 11/18/2014

Can you guess how many Kingston & Area properties are for sale over $1.6m? 32!  (of course this does include a few commercial offerings too!) Of those 32, 4 of those are listings of mine: 75 Andella Bay Lane $1,625,000.  6 bedrooms and 6 baths including a 2 bedroom Guest Annex situated on 14 acres with 500' of the prettiest Lake Ontario waterfront around. Whites Point Road  $1,680,000.  1 mile of wonderful waterfront on Troy Lake plus 368 acres of forest, valleys, ponds and meadows   9698 County Road 2  $1,999,000.  Mohawk Bay Recreational Park on 10 acres with 1000 feet of Lake Ontario shoreline, looking south down `The Long Reach` of the Bay of Quinte.   45 Main Street, Westport $2,750,000.  Features 7 bedrooms, magnificent gourmet kitchen, library, wine cellar and family room which ... 11/10/2014

Can you guess how many single family residential homes priced between $1million and $1.5million are currently for sale in the Greater Kingston and Area? At the moment we have 27 (not including Condos or attached homes) Of those 27, I have 4 of these listings; 6020 Highway 96 $1,100,000  Luxurious log home with 500’ of Lake Ontario waterfront sitting on 25 serene parklike acres. Tennis court, 2+ miles of groomed walking trails ( Solar Panels generating approx $12K annually.) 1601 Shales Road $1,100,000  An enchanting retreat rich in serenity just the way nature intended. A haven of over 7 acres of pampered privacy with 733' of clean shoreline on Draper Lake just 20 min from Kingston. 5 Mathew Street  $1,150,000  "Enchanting, Distinctive, Elegant, Inspiring, Romantic, Timeless and Histori... 11/10/2014

I was asked this morning how many homes are for sale in the Greater Kingston area that are priced between $800,000 and under 1 million dollars.    I had a rough number in my head but wanted to check it out on our local MLS. Not counting Condos, but only single family, detached residential homes. 53 homes were listed for sale as of today's date. They begin with one home priced at $818,500 up to the highest of $998,500. Of these 53 homes priced over $800k but under $1m, FIVE (5) are my listings: 492 Hillcrest Drive $975,000   Located on The Highest Point on The St Lawrence River between Montreal and Toronto. Easy Access to Ottawa and New York. 7 Dawson Drive $925,000   3.5 year old custom design with over 6,300+ sq.ft. of living space, this ICF home sits on a gorgeous 2.5 acre lot only 20... 11/10/2014