Twas three days before Christmas, and we're all working hard
And Derrick's on crutches......he fell in his yard

Coleen at the front desk, and me at the back
Right by Dave's office, to keep me on track

Lisa in her office, and Steve just ran in
He's early today.......it's not even 10!

Cliff is here working - but haven't heard from Kate
She comes in at varied times; usually late :)

Maybe she's with grandma - or getting a map
Or texting or face-booking - or taking a nap

No John or Junior - so who is on floor?
I hope a new buyer doesn't come through the door

My ads are all finished; I'm caught up, so to speak
I'm very thankful - since it's a short week

Some Kaufman's have left town; to Florida they go
Where they will have Christmas without any snow

Some Kaufman's are still here - but not in the office yet
Dave will be in - he's at Wallhouse, I bet

Oh no - here he is. And his appointment is here
He's happy and smiling and spreading good cheer

Curt just came too - still working he is
But he's leaving too - a holiday break from this biz

So have a Merry Christmas, and a great New Year, too
Have fun and be safe.......whatever you do

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the time of year to give THANKS. There is always something to be thankful for and people forget that these days.

Here is a great recipe for The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie. Try it on your Thanksgiving table next week!

Ingredients:

CRUST

2 cups all purpose flour, plus a little more for dusting

5 teaspoons sugar

Salt

12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

FILLING/TOPPING

1 15oz can pure pumpkin

2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

Salt

3 large eggs, and one egg white

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup pecans

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 2.3 oz package amaretti cookies (about 12)

DIRECTIONS:

Make the crust first. Combine the flour, sugar and a pinch of salt in large bowl. Mix in the cold butter with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work in 3 tablespoons ice water until the dough holds together without being too sticky. If it's still crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tsp at a time. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

On a floured surface, roll out the dough into an 11-12 inch circle with a floured rolling pin. Ease into a 9" pie pan. Press firmly into the bottom and sides. Trim the excess dough, then pinch the edges. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Place a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat oven to 375. Make the filling: Whisk the pumpkin in a bowl with the butter and a pinch of salt. Whisk in 3 eggs and the sugar. Stir in the cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Lightly beat the egg white, then brush onto the pastry edges. Carefully place the pie on the preheated baking sheet, lower the oven temperature to 325 and bake until the pie is set, but still jiggles slightly - about 50 minutes. Let cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping: Toast the pecans on a baking sheet in the oven for about 10 minutes. Cool. With a knife or food processor, coarsely chop the pecans, cranberries and cookies. Sprinkle over the cooled pie. ENJOY!!

Hopefully we are going to have autumn before winter arrives.....
The weather has perked up and the sunshine has peeked out a little more this week than last. Hate to have the furance running in mid October!

The deadline is just about a month away to qualify for the $8000 first time home buyer's tax credit. The property must be "closed" by 12/1/09 in order to claim the credit. However, there is some talk in Washington about possibly extending this credit. Nothing is confirmed, though, so don't wait just in case.

Homemade Apple Cider

a fall favorite!

Ingredients:

8 - 10 apples (I prefer Gala)

1/2 to 1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons cinnamon

4 tablespoons allspice

Directions:

Quarter apples. No need to remove peel or seeds.

In large stock pot, add your apples and fill with water - just enough to cover apples.

Add sugar.

Wrap cinnamon & allspice in a doubled up cheesecloth and tie. Add to apples & water.

Boil on high for one hour, uncovered, checking frequently.

Turn down heat & let simmer for two hours, covered.

Take off heat after 2 hrs of simmering and let cool.

Remove spices and mash up the apples to a pulp-like consistency (use a potato masher).

Once cool, pour into a strainer over large bowl. When most of the juice has drained away, put the remainder of the pulp into a doubled up cheese cloth and squeeze over the bowl until no more juice comes out.

Store in air tight container in fridge for up to a week, or can be frozen.

Reheat in microwave or on the stove to enjoy warm.

Can also be warmed in crock pot with cinnamon candies added for flavor/color!

AHHH AUTUMN


What a beautiful time of year.








"October's the month when the smallest breeze


Gives us a shower of autumn leaves


Bonfires and pumpkins, leaves sailing down


October is red and golden and brown"

Happy Fall!

CONGRATULATIONS

to our 2009 Ohio Assn of Realtors

President's Sales Club Award Recipients:

D. Anthony Kaufman

Junior Miller

Jason Miller

Steve Maag

Kaufman Realty & Auctions also was recognized for the following in the OAR Promotion & Advertising Contest:

First Place: Office Exterior Signs

Award of Excellence: Residential Listing Print/Brochure Advertising

Award of Excellence: Firm Website

Kaufman Realty & Auctions Welcomes Tony Mullet as our newest agent. Tony has over 20 yrs experience as a home builder in Holmes County. He is president of Dutchland Construction, Royal Development and co-owner of Timberstone Ltd, all locally owned companies. He served as area vice president and executive board member for the Ohio Home Builders Association of Wayne & Holmes Counties. He is a member of the Tusc Co Board of Realtors, Ohio & National Assn of Realtors, and the MLS. He is a board member for the Holmes Co Economic Development Council and also a board member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Northern OH Chapter. He is also a past board member for Goodwill Industries in Wooster.

He is a life-long resident of Holmes County with over 25 years experience in residential & commercial construction. He can use this experience to help buyers & sellers get the best results.

He & his wife of 20 years, Annelle have 2 children, daughter Michaela, 17 and son Braxton, 13. Contact Tony at 330-763-0249 for all of your real estate needs.