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602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com March/April 2023 North Valley Pride
BUT ROOTS ARE CONTINUING TO GROW You May Not See Progress Starting Off
Like every living plant, the Chinese bamboo tree requires fertile soil, daily attention, sunshine, and water not just to live, but to grow toward the sky! Like the Chinese bamboo tree, we need a solid foundation and a plan for personal growth not just to survive, but to thrive! The first five years of a Chinese bamboo tree’s life are uneventful. At the end of the first year, despite the abundant sunshine, fertile soil conditions, and consistent watering, no visible signs of growth will exist. At the end of the second year, there will still be no visible signs of change. This will continue for the third and fourth years. At this point, your patience will be tested, and you will be tempted to dig up the seeds and throw them in the trash as you scream at the top of your lungs, “This does not work!” But then finally, in the fifth year, something magical happens. Not only does the Chinese bamboo tree break through the soil, but it will also grow up to 80 feet tall — in just six weeks! But did the tree really grow that much in just six weeks? Did it lie dormant under the earth’s surface for four long years only to dramatically explode upward in the fifth year? Or was the little seedling growing all along, underground, developing a strong root system and a stable foundation that would prove to be strong enough to support its growth potential? The principles illustrated by the Chinese bamboo tree parallel the growth path of our personal lives, families, and businesses. We work every day on our goals. We build strong character traits while overcoming adversity and develop a strong foundation to handle success.
growth. But they continued to water the soil, all the while believing that a breakthrough would occur one day.
The Chinese bamboo tree is a perfect parable for our personal growth — signs of progress are often slow ...
full of frustration, sometimes invisible, and even go unrewarded. Then, one day, everything comes together, and a burst of growth occurs!
Once you begin to see growth, bamboo will start to spread and appear everywhere. Likewise, you will begin to see progress and improvement in all aspects of your life if you continue to nurture your body and mind — your garden.
Whether you are building a business, raising a family, or making personal changes in your life, let the lessons of the Chinese bamboo tree teach you these five things: patience, perseverance, faith, personal growth, and human potential. If you follow these lessons, one day, like the Chinese bamboo tree, you will experience a breakthrough.
While you may not see any changes at first, under the surface, there are roots
branching out and flourishing. You’re building the foundation for your future self to grow; keep going!
Oh! One more thing. Before you plant a Chinese bamboo tree in your yard, make sure your homeowner’s association approves it! –Dennis and Lisa Jones
But even though we are working hard, we may not see instant results.
Had the caretaker dug up the seeds every year to see if they were growing, they would have stunted the Chinese bamboo tree’s
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Extraordinary Realtors
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
‘IRISH I KNEW THAT SOONER!’ 6 FUN FACTS ABOUT ST. PATRICK’S DAY
St. Patrick is not his name. As mentioned earlier, St. Patrick is not his real name! When he became a bishop, Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick. He did not banish snakes. Legend says that St. Patrick banished all of the snakes from Ireland. In fact, even some portraits depict him doing so. However, fossil records show that snakes were never present in Ireland around his lifetime. Corned beef and cabbage originated in America. On March 17, everyone loads up on corned beef and cabbage in celebration, but did you know that in Ireland, they ate ham and cabbage, and the corned beef tradition actually began in America? In the 19th century, Irish Americans bought leftover corned beef from ships returning from China. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade happened in America. Many believe that St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Ireland, but in 1737, the first St. Patrick’s Day parades actually took place in Boston and New York City.
Year after year, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and Lucky Charms, but did you know that St. Patrick was actually British? Even more surprising, St. Patrick is not even his real name! Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish while impressing others with some fun St. Patrick’s Day trivia. The man’s British roots run deep. St. Patrick is not Irish — he was born in Britain around the end of the fourth century. Legend has it that at 16 years old, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery by Irish raiders. After six years, he was able to escape back to Britain and returned to Ireland much later as a Christian missionary. Ireland named him the country’s patron saint after he passed away. March 17 is not St. Patrick’s birthday. Many believe that we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on his birthday, but it’s actually the day he died in 461 A.D.
The Sweet Scents of Spring 3 POTPOURRI MIXTURES YOU NEED TO TRY
Lemon, Rosemary, and Vanilla Making this sweet-smelling scent is easy. Just add 2 sliced lemons, a handful of fresh rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to a large pot filled with water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and enjoy the fresh and clean scent! Lime, Mint, Ginger, and Thyme Add 3 sliced limes, a handful of fresh mint and thyme, and finely sliced ginger to a pot for this mixture. When the ingredients come to a simmer, you’ll immediately smell a citrus-mint aroma that will spread throughout your home. Lemon, Cinnamon, Mint, and Thyme This mixture is perfect if you want to add a hint of spice and warmth to your fresh Spring scent. Combine 2 sliced lemons, a
Many have heard about using a stovetop potpourri to simmer oranges, apples, and cinnamon to make your home smell like Christmas. But you can also fill your home with fresh scents that remind you of Spring. The best part is that you probably have most of the ingredients you need at home or in your garden! But first, what is potpourri? Potpourri combines fruits, spices, herbs, and other edible ingredients to make rich scents that spread throughout your home. Potpourri is one of the most natural and least expensive ways to freshen the air you breathe. Here are three stovetop potpourris to make your home smell like Springtime.
handful of fresh mint and thyme, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a pot before bringing the water to a simmer. One of the best things about potpourri is that the mixture will last a couple of days. Once you turn off your stove and drain the water, you can keep the ingredients in the pot and reuse them. All you have to do is add more water and bring it to a simmer again. Alternatively, you can prep your ingredients in advance, store them in an airtight container like a mason jar, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to use them.
Enjoy filling your home with sweet fragrances to usher in a joyous Spring!
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
SHOULD YOU BUY OR SELL YOUR HOME?
Nothing says spring like this great salad that my family always requests on Easter. My mom made this salad my entire life! DOUBLE LEMON SALAD LISA’S KITCHEN
INGREDIENTS
The Answer Is Yes!
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2 (3 oz) packages lemon Jello (sugar-free Jello does not work well for this recipe) 2 cups boiling water 1 can lemon pie filling
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1 can (1 lb, 4 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained 1 envelope Dream Whip 1 package (4 serving size) lemon instant pudding
If you turn on the TV or read a news article, you will find that most people are talking about rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and other stories that give the impression that the real estate market is not a good place for buyers or sellers. However, Dennis and I are very optimistic about the Phoenix real estate market. We believe now is the perfect time to buy or sell your home! Why is now a great time to be a buyer? • No competition for homes • Sellers are willing to make repairs • No bidding wars • Sellers are willing to negotiate the price of the home • No escalation clauses to beat out the highest bidder • Plenty of inventory, which means more choices • No appraisal contingency waivers • No financing waivers
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1 1/2 cups cold milk
DIRECTIONS
1. Dissolve Jello in boiling water and stir in pie filling and pineapple. Pour into 9x13 pan or 3-quart casserole. Chill to set for several hours before adding topping. 2. For the topping, combine Dream Whip, instant pudding and cold milk in deep, narrow bowl. Blend ingredients, then beat on high speed to form soft peaks (4–6 min). Spread on top of set salad and chill. Makes 16 servings.
Additionally, some may think that now is not a good time to buy because mortgage rates are increasing. However, the mortgage rates were at an all-time low, meaning the only place for them to go is up — we may never see those low rates again! But regardless, now is still a great time to be a buyer. Why? Because the mortgage rates are now normal — and still on the lower side, which means you do not have to increase your purchase price by $25,000–$50,000 to win a bidding war! Why is now a great time to be a seller? While inventory has increased, overall inventory is still relatively low for sellers. Furthermore, with the economic growth the Valley is experiencing, we are not expecting a massive decline in real estate prices. Additionally, as the mortgage rates are still relatively low, more buyers are re-entering the market. I am very optimistic about the greater Phoenix real estate market — particularly the North Valley, where Taiwan Semiconductor is building a $40 billion chip manufacturing plant. If you have any questions about the real estate market, please allow me or Dennis to assist you! We will be happy to outline your options and help you find a decision that will work best for you and your family.
–Lisa Jones
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Springtime is filled with flowers, baby animals, and colorful birds flitting through the sky. And while many people love to watch our fine feathered friends, not everyone wants to put a colorful birdhouse in their yard that clashes with their decor or attracts unwanted visitors like squirrels. The DIY Birdhouse That Blends Into Your Garden Bring on the Birds!
The Spring Market Is Heating Up!
Spring is traditionally a great time in the real estate market as the weather breaks and people start thinking about moving. Also Spring is a great time to be on the market as we have many visitors
Luckily, there is a style of birdhouse that will blend into your yard, keep pests away, and is incredibly easy to make — a flowerpot birdhouse!
and snowbirds in town. This winter we had Barrett Jackson, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Super Bowl, and the Arabian Horse Show just to name a few events that brought people to the Phoenix area. Here are some of our amazing listings that we have on the market. We are always looking for luxury homes to feature on our “American Dream Valley of the Sun” TV show. You can view the most recent show segments on our website, DLJonesHomes.com, and on our YouTube channel by scanning the QR Code with your phone camera.
To make a flowerpot birdhouse, you will need the following items from your local hardware store:
• Drill with a regular drill bit and a 1 1/4-inch hole-boring drill bit • Two 1 1/4-inch fender washers • 1/4 x 2 1/2-inch carriage bolt • 7-inch-diameter flowerpot (preferably terracotta) • 1/4-inch nut • 6-inch-diameter round wooden plaque • Sandpaper • Outdoor acrylic paint • Sponge brush where people rarely walk. Then, determine how high you want the birdhouse to be, and use the regular drill bit to make a hole. Step 2: Mount your pot. Take your flower pot and align its drainage hole to the hole you drilled in step 1. Then, slide one of the washers over the carriage bolt before pushing the bolt through the drainage hole and into the drilled hole. Slide a washer over the end of the bolt sticking through the other side of the fence or wall, and twist the nut onto the bolt to hold the pot in place. Step 3: Give the house a door. Use your 1 1/4-inch hole-boring drill bit to create a door in the round wooden plaque, about 1 1/2 inch from the bottom. Use the sandpaper to smooth out the edges of this hole for the birds’ safety, and use your outdoor acrylic paint to coat only the outside of the plaque and let it dry. Step 1: Choose your location and drill! Pick a vertical surface like a fence or wall to mount your birdhouse. Try to pick an area
Anthem Country Club — Clean and Cozy 2 BR, Great Room — $442,000
Once the paint is dry, push the wooden plaque into the pot until it is firmly wedged inside, and you are done! This birdhouse is an excellent way to attract birds to your yard without the obviousness of a stand-alone house. Also, the lack of a perch stops predators from gaining a foothold that can lead them inside. To make the pot more discreet, hang in a corner where shrubs or trees block the birdhouse from view.
Anthem Country Club — Million Dollar Views! 3BR, Den, 2.5BA, 3191sf — $897,000
Anthem Cou Lock and Leave 3BR, S
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
REMEMBER THE TITANIC AND ITS CAPTIVATING STORY
Anthem Country Club — Stunning 3 BR, Den, Pool, Golf & Mountain Views — $925,000
Everyone has their favorite movie, and “Titanic” is mine.
The first “Titanic” movie was released in 1953 and starred Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck. As soon as I watched the film, I was immediately hooked. Ever since that day, I have been fascinated with the Titanic and its history. If you look at my bookshelf, you will notice an entire section dedicated to the Titanic. I have tons of books about the ship. I always learn something new or notice a new perspective I never saw before when I reread the books or watch the movies. Most people have seen or heard of the 1997 film, “Titanic,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Everyone who watched this movie was captivated by the tale of Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt-Bukater. While some fell in love with the film because of the star-crossed lovers, I enjoyed seeing the actual underwater footage of the Titanic! Did you know there are two tours each year that take 10 people down to see the actual ship on the bottom of the ocean floor? I am sure that would be such a surreal and once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Anthem Country Club — Golf Course Living! 2 BR, Den, Great Views — $600,000
I remember when the 1997 film came out — I went on opening night. Then, I went back to rewatch the movie in theaters at least three different times over the 10 months the film was in theaters. Once the movie was released on video, I purchased the double VHS tapes, the original DVD set, and the Special Collector’s Edition DVD set. Most recently, I bought the Blu-Ray version! Not only is my bookshelf filled with different Titanic books, but I also have a section dedicated to the movies! Some people have asked me how many times I have seen the 1997 “Titanic” movie, and to be honest, I have lost track! Sometimes, I will put on the film, watch a few scenes, and then come back a few days later to watch some more — I can even recite some of the lines. If I had to guess, I would say I have seen the movie at least 30 times. April 14 will mark the 111th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Are you surprised that I will be watching the movie in honor of this special day?
Just SOLD! Anthem Country Club — 5 BR, Pool, Cabana, Huge Lot —$1,275,000
untry Club — Swim Spa — $465,000
Under Contract! Queen Creek — 1 Year Old Contemporary, 4 BR, Den, Loft, Pool — $665,000
–Dennis Jones
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2 Strategies to Remove Rug Stains My Floors Have a Yellow Tint
How can rug stains be removed? Some stains, such as the ones caused by the rubber backing of certain rugs, are permanent. However, you can remove the stain if you have yellow stains from mats without rubber backing. The first strategy involves using sunlight. You want to remove all of your rugs and allow your floor to get as much sunlight as possible — do not put your mats back until the stains have faded. The cons to this method are that some bathrooms do not have windows (or have small windows), and regaining color can take a long time. Another strategy is to use baking soda. After mopping your floor, wet the stained areas with water and cover the stains with baking soda. Allow the baking soda to set for 10–15 minutes before wiping away. Repeat this process until the stains are gone. Can yellow stains be prevented? To prevent yellow stains, remove the mats when they are not being used. While some of the yellow stains on your bathroom tiles could be permanent, you can ensure they will never happen again. These strategies can be used for all rugs on your bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room floors.
Have you ever gone to mop your bathroom floors and found yellow stains on the floor where your bath rugs usually are? No matter how often you mop and scrub, it
seems like these stains will never come out. But how do the stains happen?
Can they be removed?
Why are there stains on the floor? If your rugs stay in the same place for long periods — whether they have a rubber backing or not — they can leave a yellow stain on your floor. If sunlight does not enter your bathroom, the materials on your rug and flooring can oxidize, creating a yellow tint on the floor. Additionally, if you have vinyl flooring, the materials used to create the flooring could cause a chemical reaction with the rug. If your rug has rubber backing, the backing can also have a chemical reaction with the materials in the vinyl flooring.
Add Organization to Your Spring-Cleaning List!
4 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE TIDY
Use an old disinfecting wipes container to store your plastic bags. If you like to reuse plastic shopping bags at home, finding a way to store them can be a pain. Next time you run out of Clorox Wipes (or another generic equivalent), rinse the inside of the container with water and store your plastic bags there. Then with the container’s built-in feeding lid, you’ll be able to pull the bags out one by one as you need them. Label messy cords with tape. As working from home and numerous consumer electronics (be quiet, Alexa!) become more prevalent in our lives, the cords connecting these devices can become tangled and hard to differentiate. By wrapping a piece of painter’s or masking tape around a cord, you can create a tag to write what that cord is attached to. No more guessing which cords you are unplugging!
March is the month of Spring-cleaning! While many often think of scrubbing the windows or washing the floors, Spring is the perfect time to reorganize your house into a more efficient space. And no, you do not need fancy storage furniture or shiny color-coded bins to put your home in order. Try these organization hacks to tidy your home this month and beyond. Keep your matching bed sets together by using a pillowcase to store them. Organize your linen closet by slipping the flat and fitted sheets into one of their respective matching pillowcases (fold the other pillowcase in there as well!). This way, you will never have to hunt for the matching sheets again!
Add some chalkboard paint to your jars. Sometimes, we have no idea what is inside the jars in our pantry; maybe flour or maybe powdered sugar or maybe neither! To solve this dilemma, you can buy a little jar of chalkboard paint at your nearest craft store and paint squares on your jars (or other unlabeled containers around the house) to write with chalk what is inside! The best part is you can erase these labels and change them based on the jar’s contents. These hacks will help you give your spring- cleaning a major boost by keeping your home neat and tidy for the rest of the year!
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
Take a Break
We expect our doctors to wash their hands before examining us — a no-brainer. But more than 100 years ago, the idea was not only laughable — it was heresy. The first doctor who implemented mandatory hand-washing in a hospital saw swift improvements in patient mortality rates, but the backlash among other doctors came just as quickly. Before germ theory began to catch on in the late 1800s, doctors believed illnesses were caused by “miasma,” bad smells that originated in swamps, garbage, and decomposing matter. While the concept sounds strange now, convincing a doctor that miasma did not exist would be much like telling a modern scientist the earth is flat. The idea of germs or viruses contradicted everything they thought they knew. Before Doctors Kept It Clean THE HORRIFYING HISTORY OF HAND-WASHING
Still, a Hungarian doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis began to notice startling mortality rates between two maternity wards at his hospital. The ward run by midwives had a much lower maternal mortality rate than the one staffed by doctors. After watching a colleague die of infection after cutting himself during an autopsy, Semmelweis determined something similar might be happening to maternity ward patients. Many doctors were examining mothers-to- be after performing autopsies — but midwives were not.
BUDS CONSERVATION DIAMOND EASTER
LILY PLANTING REFUND REGROWTH
SHOWER SWEETS TAXES VOLUNTEER
Semmelweis blamed the problem on miasma from corpses. Nevertheless, he instituted sterilization and hand-washing procedures in the hospital in 1848. The maternal mortality rate dropped substantially in the doctor-run ward, becoming on par with the midwives. Semmelweis had solved the problem. Yet, his colleagues disagreed. Other doctors at the hospital resented the suggestion that they had been causing their patients’ deaths. And Semmelweis allegedly did not make matters easier, behaving in ways others found condescending and arrogant. Further, Semmelweis had no hard proof that hand-washing and sterilization worked. Eventually, the other doctors stopped washing their hands. Semmelweis lost his job at the hospital and, sadly, died in a mental institution. Fortunately, for the rest of the world, Semmelweis was not the only hand- washing proponent. Though they likely came by the idea independently, Doctor Oliver Wendell Holmes and a nurse, Florence Nightingale, encouraged the practice. Their championing and the emergence of germ theory gave us medical professionals who now have much safer habits — and, hopefully, the humility to acknowledge that they always have more to learn.
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Inside Why You Need a Chinese Bamboo Tree
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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6 St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts
Make Your Home Smell Like Spring!
Lisa & Dennis Jones
Lisa’s Kitchen: Double Lemon Salad
3668 W. Anthem Way, Ste. B-158 • Anthem, AZ 85086 602-677-4130 • DLJonesHomes.com
We Are Optimistic About the Real Estate Market!
The DIY Birdhouse That Blends In
Fresh Spring Listings
Everyone Has a Favorite Movie
Why Do My Rugs Leave Yellow Stains?
Pro Tips to Organize Your Home This Spring A Time Before Doctors Washed Their Hands
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Take a Break
You Will Always Be Able to Reach Me!
I Am Always Plugged In Because I Care About You, Our Clients!
As you know, Dennis and I are constantly plugged into our work and are available at any time to speak with you. Our clients always come first; we will do anything to ensure we are always on standby for you. Before my head hits my pillow at night, I will touch base with anyone who has reached out to me, called my “sundown rule!” No matter where I am or what I am doing, I will always connect with my clients — even when Dennis and I travel! We pay extra on cruises to have internet access and ensure our vacation rentals have Wi-Fi. One year, Dennis and I were in Europe, and we carved out time to check our emails, phone calls, and voicemails. We have negotiated a contract from the base of the Eiffel Tower, in Galleries Lafayette Department Store, and from the rooftop of a villa in Cinque Terra!
We take calls on most holidays as well, but there are a few like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where we do not answer our phones! I have only been away from my phone for more than a day on a few occasions: when my daughter and I were entirely off the grid for three days as we took an African safari adventure and when the Blackberry Network went down worldwide. While I may be plugged in at all times, March 3 is the National Day of Unplugging — and Dennis and I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary! Dennis looks forward to putting his phone on do not disturb, but no need to fear — my ringer will be on!
–Lisa Jones
Photos: Elizabeth Turner
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