Archives

Who is the most important person you know? It could be anyone, living or not. Who do you think of if you ask yourself, “Who is the most influential person I can think of?” Is it someone well known perhaps; a head of state, a religious leader, or a politician? Maybe it’s someone close—a parent, sibling, mentor, or your best friend. Is it Jesus, Buddha, or Mohammad?

We all know, or know of, other people who we think of as “important,” which is of course, a subjective and relative term. The first responder who arrives at the scene of a serious accident you are involved in is the most important person in your life at one moment, as is the surgeon who holds the fate of a loved-one’s life in their hands, at another.

Many years ago, a childhood friend asked, “Isn’t the person who cleans the pool for the President just as important as the President, because if he doesn’t do a good job, the President could get sick and die?” It was a heavy philosophical point to consider for a middle-schooler—and he was quite correct.

When it comes to the importance of certain people and how we relate to one another, one could argue that timing and context matter a great deal. This is especially true when we are thinking about our own needs and wants, and it sometimes seems as though much of life is consumed with that. I don’t know about you, but I seem to hear myself saying, “I need ‘x’,” more than I do, “What do you need?”    

Now back to original question. Isn’t it true that beneath everything we think about others, there lies the critical element of how we see ourselves? Do we see ourselves as important or influential? I’m not talking about “status” here, where we seek to impress others by putting on a show of sorts. I mean, do you see yourself as having intrinsic, God-given value? Do you see yourself as being worthy of playing a seemingly small a role in what may be a grand plan designed to help the world around you?

In my faith, we are all—and that includes you—children of a loving God, each with immeasurable value and potential. But there is a catch; first, we must believe it; then, we must understand our role as being conduits of His will for humanity; and finally, we must choose to use it (“it” being our potential).

Every person is important, and everyone serves to influence others in one way or another, for good (or otherwise, when we don’t understand or accept the ‘conduit’ part)—but it is how you see yourself that matters most. 

My hope and prayer this holiday season is that you choose to see yourself as God sees you. You, my friend, are a miracle—a most important person—and the world needs you.

            The happiest time of year has arrived! What could be better? Time to break out the bubbles and have some fun. This year, don’t agonize over what the proper wine pairing might be for each dish on your holiday table. In every case, the answer is sparkling wine, of course. Nothing screams “Celebration” louder than the pop of a cork. Great bubbles come from all over the world so you’ll enjoy seeking out just the right bottles to complement your favorite holiday foods.

            Everyone loves Prosecco. A fresh, light sparkler from the Veneto region of Italy, Prosecco is refreshing and easy. Made from the Glera grape, it’s the perfect wine with which to greet your guests at the door. The very best quality Prosecco will bear the monikers “Conegliano-Valdobbiadene” or “Cartizze.” Look for these names on the label and you’ll know you are buying a top of the line Prosecco. A glass in the hand puts a smile on the face.

            A wonderful, budget-conscious holiday choice is Spanish Cava. Cava is a lovely, sparkling wine produced primarily in Catalonia in Eastern Spain. Made from a variety of traditional grapes, with a healthy dose of Chardonnay thrown in for good measure, Cava is the Spanish answer to Champagne with light to medium body and crisp acid. Two respected producers are Freixenet and Codornieu. Cava is a welcome addition to any table.

            California produces some of the best wines in the world and the sparkling wines are no exception. Beautiful, dry sparkling wines from California will add finesse to your holiday celebration. Look for names like Gloria Ferrer, Roederer Estate, and Chandon. Made from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir, California sparklers offer impressive quality that will make your table shine.

            For a little fun and intrigue, why not try a red sparkler? Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Central Italy. Made from the grape, Vitis Labrusca, from which it takes its name, Lambrusco comes in slightly sweet and dry styles with low alcohol and crisp, high acidity. The wine is fruity on the nose with flavors of wild strawberries and rose petals on the palate and a soft, bubbly mousse. Lambrusco is the perfect wine to accompany appetizers, charcuterie, and cheeses.

            Heading “Down Under” to Australia, you’ll find delicious red bubbles in the form of sparkling Shiraz. Sparkling Shiraz is a richly flavored, robust wine with aromas of warm vanilla, dried flowers, and smoke, and a palate of intense forest berries with a whisper of cinnamon.  Perfect for any celebration, sparkling Shiraz pairs beautifully with roasted meats and game. The unexpected bubbles in the Shiraz only add to the fun of the occasion.

Every champagne is a sparkling wine but not every sparkling wine is champagne. Champagne is a sparkling wine produced within the borders of France’s Champagne region in the northeast of the country. By French law, a bottle may be labeled “champagne” only if it was produced within the borders of Champagne itself. Everything else is simply called sparkling wine, or in French, “Cremant” or “Mousseux.”

            There is incredible prestige in champagne. People have been drinking champagne for centuries. Kings and queens, politicians, celebrities, and the common man have all celebrated special occasions with a bottle of good Champagne. Many of the venerated champagne houses are hundreds of years old and the house-style produced in each is unique.

            While the aromas and flavors of some finely crafted, sparkling wines may rival champagne, champagne stands alone as the best of the best, the benchmark to which all others are compared. Pour yourselves a glass of Champagne and hold it up to the light. Observe the fine bubbles which aficionados call “Strings of Pearls.” Sniff the fine toasty aromas, and savor the rich flavors. Indeed, ‘tis the season to indulge.

            This holiday season, show your guests you know a thing or two about bubbles with these lively, sparkling wines.  May all your joys be pure joys, and all your pain, champagne. Cheers!

A flannel shirt is a great piece to have during the fall and winter months. It’s awesome worn casually or dressed up, and looks great on its own or layered.  But, wearing with a pair of jeans and sneakers is predictable. Why not mix it up and have some fun! Try new things! Plus, there’s still so much time to wear a flannel. So, let’s talk the style options. Let’s freshen up the way we wear our flannels this winter…

• Wear your flannel oversized.

Choose an oversized flannel and wear with leggings, lace up sneakers, and a graphic tee. This is great for keeping it super casual. The flannel acts as an overlay and covers the behind which is appropriate for when wearing leggings. This style is perfect for everyday wear. It looks put together with little effort. Head out the door looking casual chic and grab your leather tote on your way out!

• Wear your flannel around your waist.

This one I recently tried. I felt so nervous…thinking am I cool enough to wear it around my waist? But honestly it was so much fun! Trying new things with your style is way more fun than keeping it the same because you’re too nervous. If you want to give it a go, then you should! If anything, someone is looking at you going, wow! She looks so cute and I now want to try that with my style. Wear it around your waist with cropped denim, lace up booties, a classic v-neck tee, and leather backpack. Sometimes matching shoes and bags is fun and sometimes it’s even more fun to not match! Give it a go and wear brown booties and a black bag, or vice versa.

• Wear your flannel with a pleated skirt.

Skip the jeans and pair your flannel with a pleated skirt. The pleats give body to the lower half and is more likely to allow for the flannel to tuck well underneath. If your skirt is a midi-length then I feel it is okay to skip tights. With this look, a fitted flannel is the way to go. Another way to style is to do a half tuck. Button down the flannel leaving two or three buttons undone and tuck one side of the flannel into the skirt. Leaving one side out as well as the entire back of the top out. Finish the look with a pair of snakeskin pumps and a crossbody clutch. The snakeskin print adds another dimension for super sassy style!

Thanks for reading dear ones. Stop by maccarose.com for links to these looks.

With another new year only days away, it’s that time when you will likely read about the many highlights (and low-lights) of 2019, and predictions of things to come in 2020. So, I thought it would be timely to write my “Review and Preview” article this month; a lookback at this year’s market and expectations for next.

Review

It’s a toss up to decide which is more surprising about this year in review—what happened, or what didn’t happen. It could easily be what didn’t happen because there was so much market fear and anxiety over what was widely expected to happen that just turned out the other way. Imagine the bull stock market walking into a dark room on its 10th birthday and upon flipping the light switch hears, “Surprise!” That’s what happened this year. The U.S. stock market had one of its best gains in history this year, scoring over 20 new record closing highs. Not expected.  In early October 2018, many of the world’s stock indices were making new all-time highs, only to see all the year’s increases wiped away in a severe decline that didn’t end until December 26. During that plunge, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 19%.  Entering this year, three to four rate hikes were expected. Earnings weakness was expected to continue, spiraling into an earnings recession. Worsening global economic slowdown expectations were widespread. Scares of U.S. recession were seen on magazine covers. Forecasts flashed trade a war with China would stall the U.S. economic engine. It did not happen!  Instead, well, you know… the unexpected things that did happen.

There has been over $6 trillion in wealth created in the stock market this year. The majors U.S. stock indexes are all up well over 20%–one of the best years in history. Away from stocks, the U.S. bond market was fueled by a dramatic drop in interest rates and had a bull market of its own in 2019. Nothing speaks louder to falling interest rates then the estimated $17 trillion earning less-than-zero interest in global bonds issued by countries paying negative interest. No recession. Global economic slowdown appears over. No earnings recession. Surprise!

Preview

Firing on all cylinders, the U.S. economy and financial markets are soon to enter 2020 full throttle. Capital spending is increasing. Productivity is rising along with the strongest labor market in over 50 years. Trade tensions with China are loosening. And the icing on the cake, the lag effect of the monetary easing of the past year is now kicking in. Today is the first time in more than 15 years that unemployment rates and mortgage rates are both below 4%. That is a great set up for borrowing, business profit expansion, and consumer spending. The stage is now set for a turn to the upside for 2020 corporate profits as the global economy begins the fourth mini-cycle rise of this record-long expansion. This situation could be called the Goldilocks Economy. But there is no perfect porridge. Let’s not throw caution to the wind. 

Some caution about the year ahead is warranted. There are potentially big hurdles to clear for financial markets and the economy in 2020. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty, and the U.S.-China trade war are high on the list. Almost 8 in 10 investors polled in a recent survey expect higher volatility next year and nearly 3 in 4 investors believe the investment environment is more challenging than it was five years ago. The 2020 Presidential Election is likely to keep the markets in its grip for the first 10 months and three days of next year. The election effect will likely impact markets beyond November 3, especially if the markets react anything like they did in 2016. Already, many analysts and market mavens are predicting a 25 – 30% drop for stocks should Sen. Elizabeth Warren win White House residence. Conversely, others forecast that a Trump re-election would trigger a 20% jump in the S&P 500.

Everyone has the brainpower to make money in stocks.  Not everyone has the stomach. Peter Lynch. 

With most of 2019 behind us and 2020 ahead, it may helpful to borrow from 2019’s playbook: Expect the unexpected.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Living in the lap of luxury has taken on a whole new meaning for today’s luxury shoppers. The luxury experience is alive and well—a Blain Luxury Study reports the overall luxury market grew by 5 percent last year to an estimated 1.2 trillion globally—but modern luxury shoppers are not buying opulence and exclusivity as they once did.  They are not so interested in buying image and status; they are very interested in buying lifestyle and experience.

In her January 2019 article for Applause.com, Yasmine Diekman says that luxury shoppers are looking for products that offer a story, an experience value, and individual emotional experience. Deloitte research establishes that 45 percent of luxury shoppers want more personalized products and services and that 65 percent of luxury shoppers prefer to see and touch items before they make a purchase, highlighting the key role of physical stores.   Perhaps most important, millennials are the key force driving the emergence of a strong luxury market.  The Deloitte study suggests that millennials value craftsmanship and attention to detail only visible or known by connoisseurs.   

With holiday shopping well underway, shoppers from the East Bay should know that a luxury experience awaits them at the Danville Livery, an experience that focuses on personalized service, lifestyle touchpoints and millennial values.

Danville Livery merchants strive to ensure holiday browsing is personal and engaging. This is the lifestyle shopping center, after all, that endorses as its slogan “The Art of Living.” Renovated architecture has created storefronts that are personalized for each merchant.  Often the person greeting shoppers as they stroll into the many charming boutiques is the owner who is focused on superior service, attention to detail and a personalized experience.  Livery merchants understand that many of their luxury shoppers aren’t their wealthiest, but their most valued customers. Most know customers by name and maintain databases for future contact and to tailor their merchandise to customer desires. Shop owners also know that old fashioned trimmings matter.  Some offer champagne while shopping; nearly all offer gift wrap, package carry out and custom shopping bags.

At the Danville Livery, shoppers looking for an upscale lifestyle in their homes will discover some of the finest home product and home décor stores in the Bay Area. One jewel of the center is Misto Lino, a luxury linen, home décor and gift store that has been open since 1994. Misto Lino offers luxury bedding and curated old-world styles of finery such as Arte Italica Dinnerware.  The store’s tabletop department features handmade glass infused with original patterns and designs recreated from the 17^th Century.

Just next door, shoppers can enter the imaginative and fanciful world of David M. Brian, a unique store that features whimsical furniture from the luxury brand MacKenzie-Childs. With specialty items like Fabergé eggs and Baccarat crystal, patrons will find the perfect luxury gift at this boutique retailer.

High-end home décor is also featured at the charming home design store, At Home Décor & Design. The store has access to custom products that can’t be found, even in San Francisco showrooms. 

Finally, millennials will find merchants hip to the younger cohorts’ needs.  Most feature products that tell a story and that are responsible and renewable.  The center itself is stylish and eco-friendly and seeks to leverage social media.  Merchants know that millennials see the world through a digital lens and want to appeal to the younger cohort on three levels: in-store, on-line and mobile.  

At the Danville Livery, East Bay luxury shoppers can find a bit of the high life that is always focused on building a good life.

Q. I‘ve started a compost pile, but I am having trouble making it hot enough for it to decompose completely. How can I make my compost pile hotter?

A. There are two general types of compost piles, active and passive. Compost created by generating heat is called an active compost pile while the passive compost forms over an extended period of time. Heat is generated in compost piles by physically turning the material and having the proper balance of green and brown material. A fifty-fifty ratio is recommended. Grass clippings, garden trimmings, and kitchen wastes are primarily used for the green component while dry leaves make up the brown. Shredded newspapers, cardboard strips, or straw are expectable substitutes. It’s also advisable to bag the falling leaves and store them for next year. The green and brown layers are alternated to form the pile. The key to building up heat is turning the pile constantly. The pile is physically flipped, as the bottom becomes the top and the top the bottom. When done correctly, you create sufficient heat to create the ideal compost. For those who can’t manually turn a pile, you might consider a composter that rotates. They available locally and online

Q. Last winter I planted a bare root pomegranate. It has done very well, in fact, it has nearly doubled in size, but the growth is very leggy. Should I cut it back now to encourage branching, or wait until it is dormant? By pruning now, will I cut off any potential fruit?                                              

A. Pomegranates are pruned usually during January and February, but you can start earlier when the leaves begin to drop. They’re grown as a medium size shrub or a multi-stem small tree. There are three things you need to do when pruning pomegranates: eliminate the dead wood, remove the rubbing and crossing branches, then shape the plant by reducing the length of the growth. Pomegranates naturally have long arching branches that give it an arching, vase-like form, so heavy pruning can alter the plant’s aesthetics. You preserve the natural tree look by removing branches to the trunk or larger limbs, instead of an overall shearing. The canopy should be thinned out every three years, regardless of the growth form. Of course, all of this is a judgment call on your part, as there are many correct methods of shaping, depending on the location and the plants surrounding it. Pruning can affect the size of the crop as the fruit forms on new wood. Hence, it’s important to feed annually in the early spring with a complete fertilizer to encourage the new growth. Pomegranates are one of the easiest fruits to grow. The Spaniards introduced them to California in the sixteenth century. They’re native to southern Europe and the spread throughout California with the establishment of the missions. Today they’re being rediscovered by a new generation of gardeners just like blueberries. They’re popular for the following reasons. Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and easy to grow in a wide variety of soils or in containers. They’re somewhat drought tolerant and not affected by many pests or diseases. The bright orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and are a popular plant choice for bonsai. Wonderful and Eversweet are the two most widely available varieties, but there are many others. And finally, you’ll also find Punica Granatum is a non-fruiting landscape shrub, that is available in our area. It grows to four feet with a three-foot spread, so it’s very adaptable to small yards.                        

Q. How do I separate and store the Dahlias that I have recently taken out of the ground? I planted one in April, and it has multiplied into a clump of twenty to thirty bulbs.

A. Dahlias are actually classified as a tuber and not a bulb. A true bulb contains modified leaves called Scales. It’s a basal plate that develops roots and a shoot that emerges from the center. Dahlias lack the basal plate, scales, and the roots, and the new shoots from Dahlias grow from ‘eyes’ or growth buds. Tulips, Daffodils, and Cyclamen are true bulbs, while Dahlias, and Potatoes are examples of tubers. You should first wash the dirt off the clump, exposing all the tubers. If the dirt is already dried, submerge the clump in a bucket of water. After thirty minutes, hose them off and let the clump air-dry. Next, you have two options: divide the clump into individual tubers now and store them, or store the entire clump until next year. In April or May, the clump is divided two to four weeks before planting. You’re probably not going to plant all the tubers, so select the largest and firmest, discarding the rest. Each tuber must include a growth bud or ‘eye.’ The ‘eyes’ are located along the narrow end of the tuber close to where it attaches to the main or last year’s stalk. With freshly dug Dahlias, the eyes are easy to recognize; otherwise, include a piece or section of last year stalk. All the fresh cuts should be dipped in dusting sulfur to prevent rotting. Dahlias are stored in a cool, dry location in an open container in sawdust, sand, vermiculite or perlite. Dividing Dahlias is not as difficult as it might seem. It does have a high success rate.

There are “Tall Tales” about real people in U.S. history, such as Betsy Ross’ flag and George Washington’s cherry tree.  Those stories were designed to make our origins as a nation more stirring, and easily taught and “sold” to the next generation.  Explorers and frontiersmen added to the mix with humorous and bigger-than-life tales that spread as the West grew.  How much do you remember reading about these fantastic folks?

1)  Texas cowboys talked about this big man who had a snake for a whip, ate dynamite, rode a horse named Widow-Maker, and once lassoed a twister. Name him.

2)  Believed to be based upon Mary Ludwig Hays, this woman brought water to men in the battlefield during the Revolutionary War.

3)  A real person born in the late 1700s, he was a fighting keelboat riverman. Scout, hunter, and practical joker, he boasted to add to his feats. Name this “king” of the Mississippi River keelboaters.

4)  You remember the larger-than-life lumberjack Paul Bunyan, but can you recall the name of his giant blue ox?

5)  Johnny Appleseed was also based upon a real person, John Chapman. He’s been portrayed as goofily wandering, throwing apple seeds. Actually, he was kind, spread the Gospel, and was careful with his apple tree nurseries. But he supposedly really did wear something unusual on his head. Name it.

6)  Whose prowess as a steel-driver was measured in a race against a steam-powered rock drilling machine, a race that he won, only to die in victory with hammer in hand as his heart gave out from stress?

We all have a special need to feel that we belong.  Whether it is the community in which we live, our family or our work life, there is a basic human need in all of us to be included. As the holiday seasons approach, for some it is an activity or to do list that is completed without blinking an eye. For others, it is a task that they long to complete with an objective to be able to provide someone with a gift or gesture that they otherwise wouldn’t receive. However, what is a simple task for some can be a mentally and emotionally burdensome goal that they struggle to complete. Dire situations, whether financially, emotionally or medically, exist for many people around us. It is out of compassion that others take action to help alleviate some, if not all, of the burdens of others.

Just as holidays can be misrepresented as a time to buy expensive gifts out of obligation, the season can also be a time where we get to see the best in people through their actions. Whether it is individuals, businesses, or organizations, a sense of hope and inclusion is provided to others through compassionate, kind effort.  It is a way to let others know, whether we know them or not, that they are not forgotten. 

The collaboration of Bay Alarm Company and Toys for Tots is a perfect example of such compassion.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” is a quote that says to help when you have the resources to do so, especially if you have an overflow of those resources. Mary Smith is one person who provides new meaning to this quote, who gives without expecting anything in return.  It is the pure joy of giving to others just to see the smiles on children’s faces and the display of relief and gratitude from the families. Remembering the experiences in her life when there were struggles, Mary Smith made it a part of her personal day to day life to help others through volunteering or giving gifts to those in need.

In 1986, she extended her fundraising activities to Toys for Tots and eventually through her employer, Bay Alarm.  Bay Alarm began generously matching the funds raised at 100%, doubling the financial ability to provide gifts for families that struggle all year long to make ends meet, let alone obtain extra provisions during a holiday.  It was in 2016 that Mary’s fundraising at work reached the highest earnings of $35,000.00 with all of it used to purchase gifts and care packages for the Toys for Tots families. Whether it was families in foster care, those struggling with addiction, or individuals with medical challenges, it was through her 30+ years of devotion to giving to others that still reminds the world that it takes a village.

In 2019, Mary Smith retired from Bay Alarm. At her retirement celebration she was surprised with an honorary gift—a dedication award from Bay Alarm that included the new title of the fundraising efforts to be named “Mary Smith Toys for Tots.”  Just as their logo says, “What Have You Got to Lose?”, her employer showed its gratitude because when a village practices unconditional giving, that village has nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Even though people may retire from jobs, people never retire from having a heart to compassionately give others a moment of joy just when they need it the most.  As the torch is passed for other kind-hearted Bay Alarm employees to maintain the momentum of giving, may the same selfless energy of these individuals carry on infinitely.  

That’s what the season is meant to represent—when we give it our all with a focus to benefit others, we never lose.  We gain memories and set the paths that last for generations.  Bay Alarm, Toys for Tots, and Mary Smith are reminders of what really counts in life; not the measurable and tangible, but the immeasurable and intangible.  May we all stay on a path to deliver hope from the heart, not just during the holidays, but every day.

For more information on how you can give to those in need, please visit:

www.toysfortots.org

For more information about Bay Alarm’s community support, please visit:

It might not be quite in the league of A Christmas Carol but I recently saw, no strike that, experienced, a Christmas movie that I loved.  It was one of those one night in the theater movie events that they use to stir some word of mouth to promote the film either on streaming or DVD. After watching it, I decided that I needed to add it to my personal film collection. 

The Christmas Jars is based on the bestselling novel written by Jason F. Wright. It tells the story of reporter Hope Jensen, who uncovers the remarkable secret behind the “Christmas Jars,” literally old fashioned canning jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. Hope is desperate for a Christmas story for her boss, and this one appears to fall in her lap.  She does the research and finds the family that she believes started the Christmas Jar phenomena. She engages them under false pretenses to get her story even though she knows they have worked hard at keeping their secret among their family. The more she gets to know this very special family, the deeper she gets into her lies. The film is well done.  The acting is amazingly good and the directing is thoughtful.     

It isn’t often that you find a story that creates a culture but when I decided to order my copy of the DVD, The Christmas Jars I went online at a major big box store.  What I found was very interesting.  Not only were they selling pre-orders of the movie, there had been over a million inquiries directly after a one night, single showing of this beautiful movie for, you guessed it…canning jars!  This was just one store!  What an incredible impact for such a small audience.  But then again, I too, was looking for my own Christmas Jar. I also realized that the very next day after I saw the movie, I started using bills to pay for my purchases instead of digging exact change out of my wallet or using my debit card.  I actually wanted the coins for the first time in my life.  I had found a true purpose for them!

So, if you’ve decided to skip the movie and go straight to the Christmas Jars idea, you will do yourself a huge disservice. Although the self-sacrificing act of the jars is a central theme to the film, the plot is much deeper, more tender, sweet, and downright heartfelt. Unlike A Christmas Carol, there are no ghosts, just an intriguing story that unfolds at a magical pace.  By the time the film ends, Christmas has arrived in so many ways.  The true Spirit of Christmas. The Spirit that every year we tell ourselves we’re going to make it last all year long, and then sometime after Valentine’s Day it’s nowhere to be found.

I want to challenge you this Christmas.  See The Christmas Jar, find your jar, even decorate your jar if you’re so inclined. More importantly, fill your jar packed full of “anyway money.”  Then let that “anyway money” make a huge difference in someone’s or some family’s life next Christmas.  It will change your perspective all year long if you let it.  Have a Merry Christmas and a Bless New Year! Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.