CACTUS CREEK PRIME STEAKHOUSE         

Last night the Sexy Mexican and I had a date night at one of the best kept secrets in town.  To say it was epic would be an understatement.  Back in the corner of a smoked filled local casino is a little spot called the Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse.  Now our go to steak place has always been the Western Village Steakhouse.  This is another underrated local casino place.  But, tonight there was a changing of the guard - a passing of the crown - a butt whoopin' of the best kind!

We have been to the Cactus Creek before and have always enjoyed our meal, but tonight was top shelf delicious.


The wine list at the Cactus Creek has always been fantastic and their prices are the best in town.

Tonight we opted for a 2010 Peppoli Chianti Classico.  We love a good a Chianti - because they are low in tannins and it is one wine that my husband can drink without getting a headache.  Always look for the Black Rooster emblem and a DOCG label.  This ensures that it is 100% Chianti.  At $28 - it was a great bottle of wine.  With this meal, I would have preferred a hearty Cabernet - but I sacrificed for the greater good.




THIS...THIS WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW!  A 32 oz. Tomahawk Rib Eye.  Tomahawk steaks are the latest marketing genius for restaurants.  We even saw them on our last trip to Baja, Mexico. This is basically a bone in Rib Eye steak where they have left the bone long and then frenched it for the tomahawk look.  It will easily serve 2 - 3 people.  They slice it and serve it at your table on one platter.  The presentation is very nice - but the flavor was even better.  I'm not sure why it is so difficult to find a perfectly seasoned steak with an incredible crusty sear that is still medium rare. But, they have figured it out at the Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse - for sure!!

We have eaten in steakhouses all over the world and this is one of the BEST steaks we have ever had. Cactus Creek only serves USDA Prime beef and is one of only a couple of restaurants in town that do so.  Now while there are some varying opinions on the difference in taste between Choice and Prime - I think it is minimal.  The quality of meat was great - but the seasoning and sear and perfect temperature was the business.

This dish was a special they were having - but I am certainly hoping that they will consider putting it on their regular menu.  At $65 - it came with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetable for two - both were also perfect.

So - if you are thinking of a date night out this weekend - you can't lose with a reservation at this restaurant.  I will warn you that you have to walk through a smoke-filled, cancer cloud of a casino...but it is well worth it.

eat. love. live well.

I hope this information is useful to you in your decision making process for buying or selling a home. Please contact me for more market statistics or market information.

I have been helping families buy and sell homes in the Reno/Sparks area for over 18 years.  It is vital that you have a solid, well respected, and seasoned Realtor on your team when you are looking to buy or sell a home.  Please call me today and let's have a conversation about the market and how you can take advantage of our increasing values and low interest rates.


Contact me for all of your Real Estate needs at 775-762-7653 or move2reno@gmail.com.

Best,

ONE OF IRELAND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC COUNTRY ESTATES HAS HIT THE MARKET

I love pork.  They say it is the other white meat.  It is versatile.  There are a million ways to cook pork.  AND...IT IS BACON.  Enough said.

When my kids were little my sister-in-law raised three pigs at her Summer Camp...we bought one - his name was Bacon.  THAT..is our sense of humor.

This weekend is the weekend of the pig at Biggest Little Life. Enjoy.

FUN THINGS TO DO...

Every month the River Walk District Merchants sponsor their popular Wine Walk event.  All you need is $20 and a valid I.D. - they'll give you a glass and you can stroll among 20+ local merchants for 3 hours of unlimited tiny pours.  Proceeds go to the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. For a his and hers guide on how to wine walk like BOSS - read THIS





Who doesn't love a beer festival? We do!  Here are the details.

• Freeze your Pints Off
• Saturday, February 20th, 2016 
• 12 pm - 5 pm - VIP, 1 pm - 5 pm General Admission
• Under the Rose Brewing Company - back alley - 559 4th St., Reno, NV. 
• Ticket Prices: $65 VIP pre-sale only, $45 General Admission pre-sale, $55 General Admission day-of, $15 Designated Driver add-on
• Local DJs 
• Local food trucks. 
• Over 14 local breweries
• Proceeds to benefit the Reno Instagrammys
• Tickets available HERE

WHAT'S COOKIN...

ONE PAN WHISKY PORK CHOPS

courtesy of www.myrecipes.com

ETC...

courtesy of www.totalwine.com

There were 1,359 available listings for January 2016, which is a new 6-month low dating back to 2015. The number of available listings has decreased each month since August, which posted an available listings mark of 2,158. Typically, in our market, the number of available listings decline in the fall and winter months before an increase over the spring months and peak in summer months. Whether that will happen this year remains to be seen.

The 6-month trend of sold properties has fluctuated more than the total number of available listings. There were 375 sold properties for January; a 22 percent decrease from December 2015. The low number of sales is largely attributed to the inventory shortage that we have been experiencing for many months.

January recorded a median sales price of $277,000, which is a low mark for the past six months. The drop-off may be due to the slow-down in activity from the winter months, but the median sales price is still trending at a healthy rate compared to recent years. The median sales price has not dipped below the $200,000 mark since March 2013, and the market has trended above the $270,000 mark since March 2015.

The 6-month trend for the average days on market is more of an inverse of the trends for available listings and median sales price. January 2016 witnessed a mark of 105 days on market, eclipsing the previous high of 104 from December. This is still significantly less than the 141 days on market from November 2010.

Knowing what to do when buying or selling a home can be a challenge. Having a market expert on your side is an invaluable asset. As your Dickson Realty agent, I can help provide you with up to the minute information about what is selling in your neighborhood. That can give you a definite edge.

I hope this information is useful to you in your decision making process for buying or selling a home. Please contact me for more market statistics or market information.

775-762-7653 or move2reno@gmail.com.

Best,

Yes - Valentines day is just around the corner.  Oh, the pressure!!!  I know singles hate it - who can blame them.  Everywhere you turn everything is lovey, smoochie, sappy, and sweet.  I'm not sure guys love it either!  Do I buy candy?  (she is probably dieting) - Do I buy lingerie?  (If I buy it too big - it screams...I think your fat) - Dinner out is way overpriced on V-Day - THE CHOICES ARE TOO MUCH.

I am here to rescue you...guys.  Consider this my gift to you.  A little gift guide and some easy recipe ideas to wow her at home.  Cue the music and let the romance begin.

FUN THINGS TO DO...

Wine Tasting

Jonny Lange - Saturday, February 12, 2016 - 8 pm - Montebleu Resort Casino

WHAT'S COOKIN...

Cheese Plate

You Won't Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta

compliments of www.foodnetwork.com

compliments of www.unclewallys.com

For dessert, there is nothing a girl loves more than chocolate.  Go to your local candy makers - ours here in Reno are Sweets Handmade Candies and Dorinda's Chocolates.  Ask for truffles.  You don't need more than two - I love chocolate/raspberry truffles. These are off the hook and best paired with a late harvest zinfandel or port wine.

ETC...

No one hates a massage.  Buy her a gift certificate for an hour massage or if you want to be really romantic - buy one for a couples massage.

The best way to make coffee, drink coffee, and the best brand of coffee are arguments for the ages that no one will ever win because we all have our own personal taste.  However, we continue to passionately argue our points about the best of the best...because...well...coffee is the love our lives!!

There are Keurig lovers, drip lovers, pour over lovers, instant lovers (it's a Mexican thing), French press lovers, and more.

Because I blog - I get to share with you my coffee passions.  You don't have to agree with me.  Just love me and love coffee.

COFFEE METHODS

• Keurig- Yes, these are quick, easy, and give you a vast array of coffee, tea, and cocoa options from one machine.  However, I have owned three of these and find several issues.  1.  They are dirty - dirty.  2. They are environmentally awful.  3.  I had to return all three of them because they stopped working - even after being cleaned.  Over it!

• Drip - Drip is fine - good for a crowd - you can grind and brew all at once.  But, REALLY - this is not a good cup of coffee.  Trust me on this - there is a better way.

• Pour Over - Pour Over makes a great cup of coffee.  This is the hipster way to brew your black gold.  While I like it - I miss, miss my coffee pot.

• Instant - Do I really need to talk about this?  The sexy Mexican loves a cup of instant Cafe de Olla from Nescafe.  But, I just can't.

• French Press -  This my friends is the shining light of salvation.  The French Press is bringing sexy back to coffee...and I am in love.  I think that this method of coffee making is far superior, simple, clean, and amazing.  Let me show you.

This is my large 12 cup, double walled, stainless steel French Press.  It is my weekend/company coffee pot.  The cinnamon sticks are my secret weapon.  I use 6-7 Tablespoons of coffee for 12 cups and one cinnamon stick.  Cinnamon sticks are best if bought in bulk at your local Mexican grocer. Find a similar French Press HERE 

This is my everyday 8 cup Bodum Brazil French Press.  I love how easy it is to make 8 cups or 2 cups.  For 8 cups I use 4-5 Tablespoons of coffee and 1/2 of a cinnamon stick.  I purchased this at World Market.  They carry smaller pots as well.  Find one HERE

GRINDING BEANS

 I believe that grinding fresh beans is critical to a great cup of coffee.  Some people in my house disagree.  When I make it - I grind my beans fresh.  When the Sexy Mexican is in charge of coffee - I grind a few days for him.  FYI - store your beans in the pantry - do not put them in the freezer.  Find this grinder HERE

COFFEE

MAKING COFFEE

FUN THINGS TO DO...

The Piano Guys - Friday, February 5, 2016 - 8 pm - Silver Legacy Resort Casino

Hailing from Utah, The Piano Guys are four dads who became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original self-made music videos. They've made over 50 since early 2011, including their hit video, an innovative multi-handed version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and a gorgeous reinvention of the hit song "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen. It's the Guys' highly original blend of classical music with pop that has really been the cause of an Internet phenomenon and has led to over 500 million YouTube views. It is their endearing personalities along with their obvious will to inspire young and old, which keeps the fans coming back for more.

The Piano Guys have appeared in People magazine and have performed on TV around the world. Some of their major appearances include: The Today Show, Katie, The Tonight Show, Fox & Friends, CBS This Morning, Huckabee, BBC Breakfast (UK), Globo TV (Brazil), Mario Barth Show (Germany) and more. They also had a national PBS Special Live at Red Butte.

Buy tickets HERE

Super Bowl 50 - Sunday, February 7, 2016 - 3:00 pm Eldorado Resort Casino -  

The Eldorado will be showing the game in several venues - each unique, exciting, and sure to be a good time.

• Showroom - Stadium style seating/ food included
• Novi Night Club - food included
• Prime Rib Grill/Cin Cin - food included
• Sports Book, Brew Brothers and various other restaurants and bars throughout the property.

Buy tickets HERE

WHAT'S COOKIN...

compliments of www.cookinglight.com

I have done several different versions of jalapeno poppers and these are the lightest and easiest. These are kind of...poppers deconstructed without the deep fat fryer.  These will be gone in a flash - so make plenty.  Find the recipe HERE

compliments of www.ro-tel.com

This cheesey gooey goodness is always the kid's favorite.  I use my fondue pot for this - because it needs to stay warm to be good.  Feel free to add some cooked ground beef, sausage, or chorizo to this to make it extra yummy.  Find the recipe HERE

compliments of www.foodnetwork.com

EVERYBODY loves pizza and there are a million things that you can do with this recipe.  I use to make this for the kids once a week.  It has now graduated to party food.  I just slice it up and serve it on a platter.  Feel free to mix up the toppings - meats, cheese only, even vegetarian.  Sooooo good!!
Find the recipe HERE

ETC...

When I think of American comfort food - I dream of creamy macaroni and cheese, hot chicken noodle soup, and toasty grilled cheese sandwiches.  But, for the Sexy Mexican - comfort food means Albondigas Soup.  Javier has sweet memories of his Madre in the kitchen cooking this wonderful dish.

Albondigas soup is a meatball soup in a light broth with veggies.  It is laced with mint and Mexican oregano.  The flavors are rich, but not heavy.  It has quickly become a family favorite.

It took me a long time to develop the right recipe.  I surveyed the family and made many attempts, but none of them were his Mom's recipe.  I think I have finally got it right - he says I am now a bonafide adopted Mexican.  Salud!!

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs

• 2lbs ground beef (you can use half beef and half ground turkey)

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt & pepper

• 1/2 cup diced yellow or white onion

• 3 - 4 Tablespoons of chopped fresh mint

• 1/2 cup of long grain rice

Soup