Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Wonderful Winter Reads
Welcome to the WBC Book Club, where your favorite Admins & Agents share our favorite books of the moment! From fictional adventures to inspiring true stories, you can find it all right here on the WBC blog. You may notice that the format of our book recs look a little different than most, but that’s because our team loves to stand out and provide an unparalleled experience in all aspects of our business.
‘Tis the season for curling up in front of the fire with a good book! This month’s round up of Literary Listings will transport you to winter wonderlands where not everything is always merry & bright, but full of possibility when we have the right people by our sides. Find peace and joy with these great books and happy holidays!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Marketing Remarks: It’s Christmas in Concord! Embrace the yuletide spirit from the cozy ambiance of Orchard House. This sprawling property located a short carriage ride away from downtown Concord has everything you need to create a fairy tale Christmas. Convert the traditional parlor into a flex space for wrapping and hiding presents, walk the short distance to Walden Pond for ice skating & winter fun before warming up by the antique wood-burning stove for mulled cider.
Agent Remarks:
A WBC Team Member Favorite! – “I love rereading Little Women during the winter months; it’s a heartwarming story about family and sisterhood that brings the spirit of the season to life. Through her powerful storytelling, Louisa May Alcott reminds generations of readers the importance of finding beauty and joy in the simple things, but most of all, the importance of surrounding ourselves with those we love. Nothing feels cozier than snuggling up with this book in front of the fire at Christmastime.” – Makena Schoene
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak
Marketing Remarks: It’s a winter wonderland at Weyfield Hall. This country estate is the perfect place to hunker down for the season, complete with antique furnishings dating back two centuries! The main house sits far enough from the main road to ensure optimum privacy and social distancing, while numerous guest suites provide plenty of space for housing long-lost family members and disgruntled fiancées for the holidays. Escape to Essex today!
Agents Remarks: Seven Days of Us is not your typical holiday story. Set against the backdrop of a global pandemic (no, not Covid!), a family must quarantine for the Christmas holiday at their estate in the English countryside. When the dysfunctional Birch family is forced to spend a full week in forced proximity, old battles resurface as new dramas enfold, including but not limited to, secret affairs, hidden diagnoses and surprise children. Francesca Hornak crafts a Christmas tale where not everything ends up tied perfectly in a bow – her characters are flawed, even unlikable, and yet their struggles and attempts at reconciliation are relatable, making this a refreshing addition to the holiday season reading list.
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Marketing Remarks: Welcome to your home; a cozy retreat to relax and reflect. Where friends and family gather, with a kitchen perfect for cooking up yummy meals that warm your heart as well as your stomach. Where years and growth spurts are recorded on tall doorways, the dining areas where stories are told and memories are made. Where backyards are meant for cartwheeling, barbequing and stargazing. Welcome to your home, where its always a good idea to snuggle up in front of the fireplace for a quiet night in. Home really is where the heart is.
Agent Remarks: Made famous by the happiest country in the world, Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is loosely defined as a “quality of coziness”, a way of living that seems to have been perfected by the Danes and other Scandinavian countries. The Little Book of Hygge is the perfect guide for creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in your everyday life, especially during the cold, dark days of winter. From crafting delicious, hearty meals to finding peaceful moments amidst the hustle and bustle of work or school, Meik Wiking shows us that hygge can be found everywhere, anytime.
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
What should we read next? We are always on the lookout for new book recommendations and would love to hear from you – tag us on social media with your favorite stories!
Instagram @windermerebellevuecommons
Twitter @WindermereBelle
Facebook @Bellevue Commons (Windermere)
Written by Makena Schoene
Host a Stress-Free Holiday Dinner
Tis the season for holiday festivities! Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and all the celebrations in between, the fall and winter months are chock full of opportunities to gather with friends and family for a warm meal. If you are in charge of organizing this year’s get-togethers, we’ve got a list of do’s and don’ts to help making your holiday hosting duties easy as pie.
DO Set Your Budget
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the holiday season. With all the parties, gifts, and meals that you may be responsible for, give yourself one less thing to stress about by setting a comfortable budget for your dinner party. If you find yourself feeling a bit of a financial strain, try opting for a potluck-style meal where each guest brings a dish. This is always a great way to try new food and experience how others celebrate the holidays.
Narrowing down your guest list in accordance with your budget is a great first step in planning your dinner. Typically, social gatherings adhere to the rule of fours, based on the theory that the human brain can only mentally manage three other minds (or conversations) at a time. According to Professor Robin Dunbar, author of The Social Brain, “An individual’s share of speaking time decreases rapidly as the number of people in the conversation increases.” Keep the natural flow of conversation going by keeping your guest list small or to multiples of fours.
DON’T Send Out Invites Too Late
The holiday season is a busy time of year, and there is a high chance that your guests will be making appearances at different gatherings over the next two months. Once you know who you want in attendance, make sure to send out invitations so that your guests can add your dinner to their schedules. The sooner you know who can make it, the easier it will be to plan other aspects of your dinner party.
For a holiday dinner, Emily Post recommends sending out invites 2 weeks to 2 months in advance, whether that be by mail, phone or email. For more casual dinners a few days to weeks should suffice.
DO Overstock the Beverages
One of the biggest mistakes a host can make is not having enough beverages for their guests. A good rule of thumb is at least one drink per person per hour, so make sure your bar is stocked with the basic liquors and mixers where guests have options for making their own cocktails. You can also purchase wine by the case to help cut costs if you are hosting a larger group of people.
General calculation for a two-hour party:
Wine: One bottle for every two guests
If serving both red and white, plan to have twice as many bottles of white as red
Beer: Three beers per guest
Two servings per person for the first hour, and one per each subsequent hour
Cocktails: Three cocktails per guest
One 750 ml bottle of liquor will serve 15 drinks
Nonalcoholic beverages: Three drinks per guest
Water: One liter of water per four guests
DON’T Complicate the Menu
As much as you want to knock your guest’s socks off with a jaw dropping meal, now is not the time to get experimental. If it is your first time hosting, stick with what you know and supplement your menu as needed with store-bought food that is already prepared. Check out these easy cocktail, appetizer and entrée recipes if you need inspiration!
Opt for simple recipes or something that you have made before so that you know what to expect; as the Queen of Hosting, Martha Stewart, says, “Practice, practice, practice. If you’re going to host a dinner party, make sure you know how to cook that dish and it’s really good.”
DO Save Time with Mise en Place
Take a page from a chef’s (cook)book and prepare what you can in advance, A.K.A mise en place! Measuring out your ingredients, chopping veggies or making a casserole a day ahead of your party are great ways to take some of the load off the actual day of the event. “Casseroles are great to make the day ahead. They reheat well, and I feel like they actually benefit from being made a day ahead, to give the flavors time to marinate,” advises chef Tony Galzin of Nicky’s Coal Fired in Nashville.
Certain desserts and gravy can also be done ahead of time if stored correctly, but there are a few things that are best cooked the day of for peak freshness like dinner rolls, mashed potatoes and the main entrée!
Being the host of a holiday dinner party is not an easy task, but with preparation and a little creativity, you can create an evening to remember. Happy Holidays!
Written by Makena Schoene
2017 Christmas Ship Festival by Argosy Cruises
A fun activity during the Holidays
The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship™ Festival is a ship-to-shore holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition since 1949. The Spirit of Seattle, the Official Christmas Ship™ is decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights and sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities – around 65 in all. Choirs on board the Christmas Ship™ perform to guests aboard as well as to our Follow Boats and to those communities gathered on shore. Select your preferred way to experience the Christmas Ship and prepare for the holiday event of the season!
Buy your tickets Here!
And here is the 2017 schedule…
