tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13279677328307770582024-03-14T06:00:54.641+07:00PALAZZO PIZZO - Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.comBlogger423125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-18078826829159412922015-04-08T09:08:00.001+07:002015-04-21T11:28:58.709+07:00The blog has moved !<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY_9kx1FD3h0yKOZmUp6XXMkK1fwxJihOAsE6p2bxcePSguzcp5U9EKt3TMZrzDWS2aHSnH-ZN8AldQlr5CGFzq6J0wAEZyNERzqLxaNeQZZRDaHWw-BCMukV56JUwjpXEy_1znoTPvU/s1600/Greetings+from+Pizzo+(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY_9kx1FD3h0yKOZmUp6XXMkK1fwxJihOAsE6p2bxcePSguzcp5U9EKt3TMZrzDWS2aHSnH-ZN8AldQlr5CGFzq6J0wAEZyNERzqLxaNeQZZRDaHWw-BCMukV56JUwjpXEy_1znoTPvU/s1600/Greetings+from+Pizzo+(4).png" height="451" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our homemade postcard </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">D</span>ear Readers,<br />
<br />
After all those happy years of blogging (2006-2015), here on this platform blogger / blogspot, I have moved my blog (<a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/blog">to here</a>).<br />
<br />
<b>Thank you Blogger.com !</b><br />
<br />
Blogger is a great blogging platform. I always said that, and I still believe it is the best choice for bloggers: it's easy, flexible and free! It should be the first choice for starters. And I have helped others who needed a little web presence to get started with blogger.<br />
<br />
<b>The Guest Residence</b><br />
<br />
Over the years, the blog that started out with chronicling our renovation project, has become more than a blog. It is almost a brand! ... After our renovation project was finally accomplished, we decided to rent out our <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/residence">guest residence</a>. In the beginning it was just for fun. Then it became a good way to contribute to the running cost of the house. We even named the residence after the blog - somehow it seemed logical as it was all about web presence.<br />
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<b>Growing and new focus</b><br />
<br />
Since then, the focus shifted more towards travel information for travelers who want to spent days in <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/pizzo">Pizzo</a>, discover <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/calabria">Calabria</a>, and live like an Italian in a vacation rental - in our <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/residence">Palazzo Pizzo Residence</a>. But of course, I will keep blogging!<br />
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As blogger started offering 'pages' it became easy to organise a blog like a website. However, the landing page is always the blog. If you grow out of blogging, or it is not your main focus anymore, a new website might organise and host more different aspects of your 'brand'.<br />
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I did my homework, researched a lot, and wrote about <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/2014/11/why-blogger-is-better-for-bloggers-than.html">all options</a>. At the end, I decided to move from blogger to <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace</a>. Their choice of templates is not too overwhelming while they offer the best designed templates. And you can combine the best of them. Further, their customer support is unbelievably fast, and their price is reasonable.<br />
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<b>Stay connected!</b><br />
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Dear readers, thank you for connecting with me and the blog over the years. Of course, I continue blogging - at my own slow pace. When you have been already subscribed to the <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/PalazzoPizzoblog" target="_blank">RSS blog feed</a> you don't have to change a thing. If not, subscribe now.<br />
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I also plan a newsletter - just twice a year - about our South Italian projects. Soon, we will have a soft opening of two more apartments in Pizzo! Exciting? Want to hear about it? You can also now sign up for for the newsletter at our new<a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/" target="_blank"> homepage</a> (see footer).<br />
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<i>Mille grazie, tanti saluti ed a presto</i><br />
<br />
Susan<br />
<a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/">www.PalazzoPizzo.com</a><br />
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PS: This version of the blog on blogger remains accessible. You can use the search function and labels below to browse my posts. However, 99% is imported and available in a <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/blog/" target="_blank">new look</a>. See you there!<br />
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-29546843308879880492015-02-11T21:01:00.001+07:002015-03-10T19:42:05.672+07:00Fly directly to Calabria from many cities worldwide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWxr0TVu9zTZPhRrx_388tjU_aPmjaRYocHNVE1ugrLohT3VoFzfSzHr53xN0e1Uqmymq6_EvvVt9UfiLncBVbgZ2fcJh1fT0q4-yevNa8K8qku-CWGG6-XNhwWPMgOdJgNJ0ZBjrW8I/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWxr0TVu9zTZPhRrx_388tjU_aPmjaRYocHNVE1ugrLohT3VoFzfSzHr53xN0e1Uqmymq6_EvvVt9UfiLncBVbgZ2fcJh1fT0q4-yevNa8K8qku-CWGG6-XNhwWPMgOdJgNJ0ZBjrW8I/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizzo, old village center in Calabria (photo by Susan C)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whenever we are suggesting a holiday in Pizzo to our friends I realized how lucky we are in Pizzo (aka Pizzo Calabro or Pizzo di Calabria) being located so close to the international airport of <a href="http://www.lameziaairport.it/" target="_blank">Lamezia Terme (SUF).</a><br />
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Lamezia airport brings thousands of passengers every year to Calabria in Southern Italy from around the world. There are business men among tourist on the daily Alitalia flights from Rome or Milan, but most tourists come with budget airlines which fly directly into Lamezia Terme (SUF) once or twice weekly from allover Europe and even overseas. <br />
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I was impressed to find out from how many cities you can fly directly to Calabria, and of course vice versa, to where you can fly directly from Calabria. I am happy to share my list. Check with your airline during which months and which days direct flights are available. (Let me know, if I missed any city or airline). <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Direct Flights to Lamezia Terme (SUF) :</span><br />
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<table style="table-layout: fixed; width: 700px;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 200px;"></col> <col style="width: 200px;"></col> <col style="width: 300px;"></col> </colgroup> <tbody>
<tr> <th><div style="text-align: left;">
Country<br />
</div>
</th> <th><div style="text-align: left;">
City<br />
</div>
</th> <th><div style="text-align: left;">
Airline<br />
</div>
</th> </tr>
<tr> <td>Belgium<br />
</td> <td>Brussels (CRL)<br />
</td> <td><a href="http://www.ryanair.com/" target="_blank">Ryanair</a><br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Czech Republic<br />
<br />
<br />
</td> <td>Brno (BRQ) <br />
Prague (PRG)<br />
Ostrava (OSR)<br />
</td> <td><a href="http://www.smartwings.com/" target="_blank">SmartWing</a><br />
<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>France<br />
</td> <td>Paris Orly (ORY)<br />
</td> <td><a href="http://www.easyjet.com/" target="_blank">Easyjet</a><br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Germany<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td> <td>Berlin Tegel (TXL) <br />
Koeln Bonn (CGN) <br />
Düsseldorf (DUS)<br />
Frankfurt Hahn (HHN)<br />
Hanover (HAJ) <br />
München (MUC) <br />
Stuttgart (STR) <br />
Weeze (NRN)<br />
</td> <td><a href="http://www.airberlin.com/" target="_blank">Airberlin</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.germanwings.com/" target="_blank">Germanwings </a><br />
Airberlin/Germanwings <br />
Ryanair <br />
Germanwings <br />
Airberlin <br />
Germanwings <br />
Ryanair<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Italy<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td> <td>Bologna (BLQ) <br />
Milano Bergamo (BGY) <br />
Milano Malpensa (MXP)<br />
Milano Linate (LIN)<br />
Torino (TRN)<br />
Pisa (PSA) <br />
Roma (FCO) <br />
Venice Treviso (TSF)<br />
</td> <td>Ryanair <br />
Ryanair <br />
Easyjet <br />
Alitalia<br />
Alitalia<br />
Ryanair <br />
<a href="http://www.blu-express.com/" target="_blank">Blu-Express</a>/Ryanair/Vueling/<a href="http://www.alitalia.com/" target="_blank">Alitalia </a><br />
Ryanair<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Netherlands<br />
</td> <td>Amsterdam (AMS)<br />
</td> <td><a href="https://www.transavia.com/" target="_blank">Transavia</a><br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Spain<br />
</td> <td>Barcelona (BCN)<br />
</td> <td><a href="http://www.vueling.com/en" target="_blank">Vueling</a><br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Switzerland<br />
</td> <td>Zürich (ZRH)<br />
</td> <td>Airberlin<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>United Kingdom<br />
</td> <td>London Stansted (STN)<br />
</td> <td>Ryanair<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>Canada</td> <td>Toronto (YYZ)</td> <td><a href="http://www.airtransat.ca/" target="_blank">Airtransat</a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
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Pizzo is located just 25 km from Lamezia Terme airport, and can be reached by rented car or taxi in less than 30 minutes drive.<br />
<br />
Tropea is located further down the coast, 60 km from the airport and about 1h 15min drive.<br />
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The central train station in Lamezia Terme is about 1 km from the International Airport. There is a shuttle bus to the station. Some people with light luggage even walk along the road, but you could also hire a taxi. However, if your destination is Pizzo, we would recommend to take a taxi directly to Pizzo or pre-book a pick-up service (both around 40 Euro one-way to Pizzo). Pizzo is a great place to start to explore <em>la bella Calabria</em>.<br />
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At the airport you will find different car rental services. You can pre-book a car online or book one at the airport. If you plan to drive into historic old towns, we recommend to rent a SMALL car as the alleys are very narrow.<br />
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Please note, if you plan to just spend a relaxing holiday in <em>centro storico di Pizzo</em>, the old town center, <u>no car is required</u> for your holiday as restaurants, bars, shops, tourist sights and the beach are in walking distance. <br />
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Other airports in Southern Italy: Reggio di Calabria, Catania (Sicily) and Naples.<br />
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<em>photo source: Palazzo Pizzo copyright 2014</em>- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-14346506618858927232015-01-11T17:37:00.003+07:002015-01-12T00:08:34.946+07:0010 Steps to improve your Vacation Rental's Ranking onlineNo matter with whom you are listing your vacation rental - holidayletting, homeaway, airbnb or other - there is an algorithm for a ranking of listings in a town, region or country. The more competition you have in your area, the more important it is that your rental shows earlier than others.<br />
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Some websites offer you to pay for a better ranking with annual subscriptions (homeaway) or a temporary "hot deal" advertisement (Holidaylettings). However, you do not need to pay extra money for a better exposure, if you follow some simple steps.<br />
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<h3>
You do not need to pay extra money for better exposure.</h3>
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Think of Google's search engine. There is an algorithm that makes some webpages to be listed earlier than others. And you do not pay for being on top. (Unless you do and are marked as advertisement). But of course it requires good content and continuancy to become seen and clicked often before the system recognises the importance of your site and gives you a better ranking. It works similar for holiday rentals on holiday rental platforms. The more bookings and good reviews you have the more likely you are on top. But how to get there? Here are some recommendations, 10 steps, that all owners, host and vacation rental manger know:<br />
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<strong>1) Download the apps to your mobile phone to answer faster</strong><br />
Every vacation rental website has an app that you can download to your smart phone or tablet. An enquiry for your vacation rental will instantly appear on your screen, and you can answer directly. Although some websites allow 24h for your answer, I am sure, you get a better "score" when you are faster. And with your phone you are faster, even when you check your emails several times a day. Statistics claim, if you answer in less then 6 hours your chances to get the booking is higher. Most travelers ask more than one rental at the same time. Actually the websites encourage them to do so. Right after they sent you an enquiry the websites propose other properties. This is because they don't want to loose a potential customer in case one host reacts too slow. Answering faster improves your ranking, and of course if your fast answer has resulted into a booking, it's the best for your ranking.<br />
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<strong>2) Update your calendar regularly</strong><br />
Not only a potential guest can see that your calendar is up to date - but also the system recognises that you are active and therefore provides you with a better ranking (because you are more likely to attract a customer than someone who has not updated his/her calendar for months.) <u>That means, click on the "update my calendar" button even when you do not have a new booking!</u> It is easy and fast when you do it through the app mentioned above. And if your calendar is empty, block out some (not important or near) days and make it look like you have a booking. Who wants to rent a place where no one else goes? It builds up more confidence. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKWT6_ogWRLjJAgP41VKLBsw9aa8Peia4NVJo-jt9pQX88x7yuE5Yrep0qSZY8u2CUO2ATjywSSw71JZkJGpjFfq0gNYlMbG7PcXW-edG7wR15YWBu17bALNLJqkgsUKd2RGSg6SjPtM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+new+PPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKWT6_ogWRLjJAgP41VKLBsw9aa8Peia4NVJo-jt9pQX88x7yuE5Yrep0qSZY8u2CUO2ATjywSSw71JZkJGpjFfq0gNYlMbG7PcXW-edG7wR15YWBu17bALNLJqkgsUKd2RGSg6SjPtM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+new+PPR.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">choose the best photos to advertise your vacation rental</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<strong>3) Upload maximum amount of photos - and nice photos</strong><br />
Most websites allow 24 photos, so upload 24 photos. As photos help selling. Those who have them are better off in the algorithm than others. (Some websites indicate your are not 100% done with your listing if you have not uploaded all photos). You do not have to take 24 photos solely of your bedroom, bathroom or view. Take photos of the neighborhood, the restaurant you would recommend, your favorite dish, the public transport station, the grocery shop etc. People who have to self-cater like to know how easy it is to get the daily groceries or if restaurants are in walking distance. Reduce the quality of the photos in order they can load faster. Apply for the free professional airbnb photo service to get better pictures (although they are loading slowly). If you do your own photos, use a slightly wider angle lens, and switch all lights on. Do some staging. This all leads to potential booking, or at least people revisit your listing and read further, book mark you, or add you to their wish list (airbnb) and come back later... which all leads to a better internal statistic of your listing and for sure is rewarded by the system with a better ranking result.<br />
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<strong>4) Aim for a good enquiry-booking ratio</strong><br />
treat your potential guest friendly, ask questions about their travel plans, answer promptly and give good advise even before the booking in order to find out if they are a good match for your rental and then to get their booking. <br />
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<strong>5) Avoid declining requests and cancellation of bookings</strong><br />
If your acceptance rate is low, your ranking will not get better. And it gets worse, when you cancel an already booked deal. Although you can indicate the reason for a cancellation (guest request) it might have an impact on the ranking result. (When you cancel twice in 6 month you even get punished with 50 Euro deduction from your next booking with Holiday Lettings). And it's complicated to explain to Airbnb customer service why you cancelled to avoid a downgrading. So just avoid cancellation. Or let the guest cancel if they wish.<br />
<br />
<strong>6) Have rates for all year round and for at least 15 months ahead</strong><br />
People often search for specific dates and your property does not show up for those dates if you have not entered your rates. Make sure you have a default standard rate for this year and the year to come. <br />
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<strong>7) Have an accurate address</strong> <br />
Not only the full and correct street name and house number but also the pin set in the right place on the map and make it available (not hide) for potential customers (house number might be protected as private though). Especially when you have a city rental, guest feel comfortable knowing in which street you are located, and when they know the house number as well they might be able to check the area virtually with Google Street View. Again, this leads to potential booking, or at least better statistic results for your listing which is rewarded with a better ranking result. Also consider a pin with Google Map and a link back to your listing. Or even your own website.<br />
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<strong>8) Good reviews</strong><br />
Make sure all goes smoothly during a guest's stay. Communicate well, solve problems quickly and with charm, invite them for a coffee if you feel or feel it's necessary, follow up after they checked-out if they arrived safe etc. If you are listed on Airbnb, check out the Airbnb Groups for hosts. The New Host Group is especially helpful. Read older posts to get familiar with things that could happen. And if something happens search their advise if not sure how to handle. Even if a guest writes a bad review, you can turn around the effect with your answer to a not so nice guest review. Some hosts answer to all reviews to not have a bad review (with your answer) stick out. However, the system might rank you down (depending on the overall ranking). If your guest have not written a review, you can remind them friendly, especially when you are new and need a couple of reviews to start off. But some guest just are not into it. In the beginning as a new host, you might want to set the minimum stay down to 3 days in order to get more bookings and more reviews. <br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>9) Join a host forum</strong><br />
Airbnb has Airbnb Groups and Homeaway has a host forum. Join in and read some subjects, you can learn a lot. Airbnb Groups like "New Hosts" and "Host stories" are even fun to read. Place a like or comment where you feel. I have the impression that it helped with my ranking (not that I did it intentionally, I found out later) as again, the system recognizes that you are an active host, or more online and therefor more likely to get deals faster.<br />
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<strong>10) Don't temporarily unlist</strong><br />
Some hosts think of unlisting their vacation rental for different reasons. When travelling themselves and not able to answer promptly online enquires, or because no one else can manage their rental. Others are renovating for an uncertain period of time. I would just block out a long period for your rental but stay listed online. You could upload a photo that includes a text saying "we are renovating for you from x to y and plan to reopen again in month z ". Or add the text in the description / summary of your holiday home. Unlisting is an act that interrupts the internal statistics for your vacation rental and will not have a good effect on the ranking for sure.<br />
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If you are a host and have your own experiences or thoughts, please share! Happy hosting.<br />
And happy holidays to those who chose to book a holiday rental instead of the usual hotel room.<br />
<br />
<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-24909445363984179602014-12-18T10:52:00.000+07:002015-01-12T13:07:04.258+07:00Advertising on Blogs and spamming<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCgCQ5ngBAxxucypU4_7h_AO-cXhmG5jL0Xd3z2Ov7up4a-QhHoxrXnzgWI9r0N2Z5DY6x6SwcA_5G5C35xkV3CTg740G8iFjoBVEk-6RqffzkLRfNkvqj6_eg9ibaJZPgn1yT8T3tIs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCgCQ5ngBAxxucypU4_7h_AO-cXhmG5jL0Xd3z2Ov7up4a-QhHoxrXnzgWI9r0N2Z5DY6x6SwcA_5G5C35xkV3CTg740G8iFjoBVEk-6RqffzkLRfNkvqj6_eg9ibaJZPgn1yT8T3tIs/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spam comments with hidden ad links </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello dear fellow bloggers,</span><br />
<br />
this is an open letter to ask about your experience with advertisers and your blog. <br />
<br />
I am bogging for eight years now (since end of 2006) and when my blog had started to reach a Google Pager Rank of 3, enquires of advertisers dropped in. It was fun! And rewarding! Some bloggers, the professional ones, who posted 3 posts a week (that was a target back then), could probably almost live from their blogs. I only made little pocket money, but it would have paid the cost of web hosting and some cups of coffee. <br />
<br />
Advertising back then was a text link or banner on your blog roll (blog list) for a certain company that paid by month or year in advance via paypal. <br />
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Some companies would even send sample products that bloggers could review on their blog. You would get the product for free. Sometimes a partner program was also in place. Bloggers would earn for every click or product sale referred from their blog. I am sure that still works with the top bloggers.<br />
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Then the more sneaky offers came. "Can you do a text link somewhere inside a blog post of our choice?" Yeah, hidden advertising for 5 USD a link that remains there for ever. No way!<br />
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And with the rise of social media, like Facebook, blogs seemed to have become less interesting for advertisers. (Ok, in my case, I am not the frequent writer and that's of course a reason for advertisers to stop renewing a co-operations. But then, why on earth I get spam comments every single day?) <br />
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<h3>
Why do these people (or robots?) submit constantly different comments with different hidden text links referring to different companies on different posts, every single day? </h3>
<br />
They prefer older posts, hoping their hidden links get on your blog unrecognized ... But who hasn't 'comment moderation' on? BTW, in comment moderation you do not see the hidden links and they often even have a blogger profile, see photo. But Blogger has a very efficient spam filter in place.<br />
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No doubt, that top bloggers are always interesting for advertisers as popular websites always have and always will be. But how about the casual long-time blogger (like me) ?<br />
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I think, the explanation for many of these annoying spam comments are spam sending 'robots' that pick blogs and place comments anonymously and just randomly. Not for selling goods, but to boost the page rank of their clients who are mainly small companies. Or they are private people who get referral fees for clicks on their links. All these advertising links try to sell various products: from tiles and furniture to software products, SEO services, to English schools.<br />
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Very curious about your experience with advertising on your blog lately. Please share!<br />
<br />
Would love to hear from you,<br />
kind regards<br />
Susan<br />
<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-86702647879111616002014-12-17T12:09:00.002+07:002014-12-18T09:10:59.147+07:00QUICHE<br />
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Quiche Lorraine <o:p></o:p></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A quiche has a pastry crust and a filling of eggs, cheese and cream which becomes a custard after baking. Instead of the classical “Lorraine” version from Alsace with bacon and ham, you can do a vegetarian version and add vegetables (cauliflower, spinach, peas, mushrooms, or else). Instead of a frozen short crust / pastry (Mürbeteig) DIY, it’s easy and fast. The following recipe is for an average quiche or tart form (up to 28 cm diameter) and up to 12 servings.<strong> It's a fast and ideal vegetarian dish for any Christmas buffet style lunch or dinner.</strong></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC4hKM0B6wxQ02AGJy7sZMa7zIVhViLNvGN-lNd61Slp0T1e8kaXYRfpezbl_tJ2OAAwDLusWtf1hlOsz2PQ_TtfAybXmOe7hUe-1uAcaQyEaQFf5aY9EeRN_bXbl7cx0GVFOwbacsRc/s1600/quich+lorraine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Quich Lorraine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC4hKM0B6wxQ02AGJy7sZMa7zIVhViLNvGN-lNd61Slp0T1e8kaXYRfpezbl_tJ2OAAwDLusWtf1hlOsz2PQ_TtfAybXmOe7hUe-1uAcaQyEaQFf5aY9EeRN_bXbl7cx0GVFOwbacsRc/s1600/quich+lorraine.jpg" height="400" title="Quiche Lorraine" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiche Lorraine (photo via pinterest)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">DIY short crust:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">200 gr flour (250 gr, if you need more mass for a higher border)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">100 gr butter (120 gr)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 egg (add 2 spoons of cold water)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Baking soda and salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For custard:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">300 gr sour cream (or replace sour cream with liquid whipped cream or mix, see photo)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">125 ml milk (equals empty sour cream cup of 150 gr filled with milk)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">200-250 gr grated Gruyere (or Emmental) cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">100-150 gr of bacon and ham for classic quiche (or vegetables of your choice)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 small red onion (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Seasoning: nutmeg, salt, pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4wYjJG1YHZkWMPHxva6IoBNzhrLAaPsbMGZ41R4p_Dr6_zeLauAbn8rBISkBgL-XzPGT1sabu-_SJX_PMgD2eKz63l79eIXbflUVHyCmY1LUpn2YdgYpc-xZlVksr_8oqo1MwqFewqY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4wYjJG1YHZkWMPHxva6IoBNzhrLAaPsbMGZ41R4p_Dr6_zeLauAbn8rBISkBgL-XzPGT1sabu-_SJX_PMgD2eKz63l79eIXbflUVHyCmY1LUpn2YdgYpc-xZlVksr_8oqo1MwqFewqY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2/3 sour cream, 1/3 milk <br />
OR 1/3 sour cream, 1/3 cream, 1/3 milk<br />
OR 300 gr cream (liquid whipped cream)</td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">How to:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1) Make your own crust pastry:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sieve flour and baking soda, add salt, cut cold butter into deices, add the cold egg, work with hands. Make a pastry ball and let it sit for 20min in the fridge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2) In the meantime cut the onion and fry it with a bit of butter in a hot pan until golden brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3) Use a bit of butter for the form, and lay out the pastry flat (I press it in by hand, or you can roll it out first and place the thin layer of pastry), pre-bake blind (with weight of beans on baking paper or aluminium foil) at 180 degree Celsius for 15 min. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY2MQqysEN7gECzH-6Vx1IS9rpaHCeuPLj5PR5fsybMAZgYLiiV7VrOSVAqkuXMUJ6JFTwcgC7gYy4bjIRxmnh8ed4bAFKrXCuok-z5q8d9sUJvbGKwn6lbpiWzqHEsR_7mG1iS13BH0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY2MQqysEN7gECzH-6Vx1IS9rpaHCeuPLj5PR5fsybMAZgYLiiV7VrOSVAqkuXMUJ6JFTwcgC7gYy4bjIRxmnh8ed4bAFKrXCuok-z5q8d9sUJvbGKwn6lbpiWzqHEsR_7mG1iS13BH0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blind baking with weight of beans</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4) In the meantime: If you use ham or bacon, fry it in the pan. If you use vegetables, clean, cut and blanch or pre-cook them a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5) Take out the quiche form from the oven and remove the weight, let the crust cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6) Mix eggs, add nutmeg, pepper and salt. Add sour cream / cream and milk, whisk more. Add onions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyY4QyAhnTn15aKSlb650T6OY3CC7hZ8yw-eTvok8WFF7VWyiUNYV6S6U1_vbm1086WrN_7gvW2LTGEFcJQzWIqE1Y2AHQqPmatxx05BISieoK30aN6gxMiK1mT1Az9UPbk7bzhciE4A/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyY4QyAhnTn15aKSlb650T6OY3CC7hZ8yw-eTvok8WFF7VWyiUNYV6S6U1_vbm1086WrN_7gvW2LTGEFcJQzWIqE1Y2AHQqPmatxx05BISieoK30aN6gxMiK1mT1Az9UPbk7bzhciE4A/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">top short crust with grated cheese</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7) Lay on the crust the bacon and ham (for classic version) or vegetables (tip: spread first some mustard on the crust), then top it with the cheese and pour liquid mix of egg and cream over it carefully.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmTFJ6bP-zeFYicMJHKkTekvqMhGRBpt7TRTjIB2JBZZcnpYl2PsPxmqWuFwpdVDr4kmytKV7eGjnB20i5fyuN-SK6vM34kEQlv_wcR3G50g3N-k7P9l71lk8m9hPTje3pSGWR9qpOUc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmTFJ6bP-zeFYicMJHKkTekvqMhGRBpt7TRTjIB2JBZZcnpYl2PsPxmqWuFwpdVDr4kmytKV7eGjnB20i5fyuN-SK6vM34kEQlv_wcR3G50g3N-k7P9l71lk8m9hPTje3pSGWR9qpOUc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quiche baking: 180 degree Celsius 30-40 min</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8) Bake at 180 degree for 30-40 min (check after 30 min.) If it is getting to dark, cover with baking paper or aluminum foil. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Serve at room temperature or re-heat. A quiche can last several days in the fridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/p/recipes.html"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">find more recipes on this blog</span></a> </div>
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- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-22648354033921878122014-12-08T09:46:00.000+07:002014-12-15T11:32:18.807+07:00Christmas time in Pizzo!<br />
<div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo/photos/a.310542745687669.72074.310481185693825/744992742242665/?type=1" data-width="466" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmKO2aSl2r8cOWq-zUeeLRnvpbhIqwaXf_qibRGPWH-eLk4s3sr8sMjDfKsFpIo7gWmahl6K_RFa3TNdkFrBSa8QUeRXdIFHBjCY5mTQvX2XY2sh8vjfm3HApe2tyL4d_C2JMBQXix6w/s1600/Natale+a+Pizzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Natale in Pizzo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmKO2aSl2r8cOWq-zUeeLRnvpbhIqwaXf_qibRGPWH-eLk4s3sr8sMjDfKsFpIo7gWmahl6K_RFa3TNdkFrBSa8QUeRXdIFHBjCY5mTQvX2XY2sh8vjfm3HApe2tyL4d_C2JMBQXix6w/s1600/Natale+a+Pizzo.jpg" height="360" title="Natale in Pizzo" width="640" /></a></div>
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The photo that Angelo sent me last night is so beautiful that I changed our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo" target="_blank">facebook page</a> cover for the first time to share the Christmas feeling in the South of Italy. </div>
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This week the temperatures are from 6 degree (lowest during night) up to 15 degree Celsius during the day. Winter clothes and heating is definitely required as occasional rain and wind make it feel more chilly.</div>
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This year's festive illumination (<em>luminarie</em>) in Pizzo is especially beautiful. On December 8, with the fiesta of the "immaculate conception", the day Italians traditionally decorate their homes for Christmas, a procession took place in Pizzo's piazza. I shared a photo and a link on Facebook. Click below and read more about this special day in Italy: </div>
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<script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br />
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo/posts/745929965482276" data-width="466">
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo/posts/745929965482276">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo">Palazzo Pizzo</a>.</div>
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-54238814356971810152014-12-02T05:30:00.000+07:002014-12-08T10:35:04.569+07:00Renovating an external wall - correcting an error of our previous renovation <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSPVmf7ZEQNeDb5UgNWcDEW5vIVV4tPfxCtmjH6NADTdSXFbGWHZOOYM6pAe6TxN8g0x9ug0679f0On28BiAcrOjZQykD7vwn8czBsCZ6J_Aejh1-vmhO0Nlv8304NtTf5m8G2R3OuzU/s1600/IMAG0172_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSPVmf7ZEQNeDb5UgNWcDEW5vIVV4tPfxCtmjH6NADTdSXFbGWHZOOYM6pAe6TxN8g0x9ug0679f0On28BiAcrOjZQykD7vwn8czBsCZ6J_Aejh1-vmhO0Nlv8304NtTf5m8G2R3OuzU/s1600/IMAG0172_BURST001.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renovation reloaded (November 2014)</td></tr>
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We are renovating again an external wall, that was beautiful restored during our previous main renovation six years ago in November 2008. See my post about <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2008/11/side-facade-election.html" target="_blank">how to renovate the side facade here</a>. It included a voting by readers, and the result is presented <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2008/11/and-winner-is.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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It turned out, the decision we made back then was an error, as the bare stone wall was deteriorating over time and soaked in all rain water in some particular areas. With the result of having humidity spots on the inside which dried out during summer, but let the plaster and paint on the inside constantly come off the walls. That was not a problem in the guest residence as the residence has a different surface on the outside walls, but in our living room on the ground floor, and in the master bath and guest room upstairs. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8cImEtgiALtJ4BuAcvWSor-UIC0ExJO68QCPtrcSOsiQkwUhBhIWjbCETMAdI5rv3JRDFGgmlTs0yxciqD7wZRZqYNAKwdfD2YCjCeh95Z5o3E3xNq1nAaasca-7YPOnMywhGq99K_c/s1600/mura+esterna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8cImEtgiALtJ4BuAcvWSor-UIC0ExJO68QCPtrcSOsiQkwUhBhIWjbCETMAdI5rv3JRDFGgmlTs0yxciqD7wZRZqYNAKwdfD2YCjCeh95Z5o3E3xNq1nAaasca-7YPOnMywhGq99K_c/s1600/mura+esterna.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deteriorating stone wall (July 2014)</td></tr>
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The picture (above) was taken during the procession of La Madonna del Carmine in July 2014 and shows at least one of the crucial areas.<br />
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Why did we wait so long for the correction? <br />
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First it was not clear where the water infiltrated. It looked more like a leak on the roof terrace and on one balcony. But then it became more and more visible from the outside.<br />
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Second, we lost many months and weeks thanks to our reluctant neighbor who had to give access to our wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi762gTGRKKHpPNceDAp2kkbormhrzbfq8fTDXaNcA6hSzD2sSaAxsnbuJ9EH0X57-9gZzzCT4mFohLb41uS44BM33n8n5JDZH8f1owB7cXVPpJ_zNYPSbAejNmxJfOPNHvmF19YZewbQ0/s1600/IMAG0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi762gTGRKKHpPNceDAp2kkbormhrzbfq8fTDXaNcA6hSzD2sSaAxsnbuJ9EH0X57-9gZzzCT4mFohLb41uS44BM33n8n5JDZH8f1owB7cXVPpJ_zNYPSbAejNmxJfOPNHvmF19YZewbQ0/s1600/IMAG0177.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after applying impregnation paint, foam is added for further insulation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fczAz4ocD4eouKwaJeQd8fECcCAmBdCp8m8CNfs3A6FPqCPY3xNgI6CerBOvPMzvQFkeWVeQztqWT6_j3o6Y8orEPdP59sRAfDTlIaOx-Yn47BoaI2pXuXRIiZ4wNdZHJIhq1B2tJpo/s1600/IMAG0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fczAz4ocD4eouKwaJeQd8fECcCAmBdCp8m8CNfs3A6FPqCPY3xNgI6CerBOvPMzvQFkeWVeQztqWT6_j3o6Y8orEPdP59sRAfDTlIaOx-Yn47BoaI2pXuXRIiZ4wNdZHJIhq1B2tJpo/s1600/IMAG0184.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fixing the foam to the wall with these blue pins</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LPAOXn7Ivy8szQnW_hb_Jac8uAaoNcThy_4L6wT_Cb5k7qWVm76lcwCHTjOmYsDvEz_145gdwFjc3GhRr8ZD5oMTje-WZLQlddIxISZExD2E8bP4LOrfbDlr40okwZtJD_P3cQr2uPU/s1600/IMAG0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LPAOXn7Ivy8szQnW_hb_Jac8uAaoNcThy_4L6wT_Cb5k7qWVm76lcwCHTjOmYsDvEz_145gdwFjc3GhRr8ZD5oMTje-WZLQlddIxISZExD2E8bP4LOrfbDlr40okwZtJD_P3cQr2uPU/s1600/IMAG0187.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foam fixed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The new method of renovating this external wall: applying an impregnation paint on the stone wall. After that a 4 cm thick insulating foam was fixed on the wall (with blue pins, see above). And at the end, a finishing of colored plaster comes on top. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUM_gSFGyUAFf_DpUQ36nOaZcABpZ098vx_oTXR_SswQER8fJ6XsNLJNyBTNdsECnspsqsUs_8eijXgNqdDlnEFKVOm32pv2WSa2oRXIUnerohilbQF-GfNqtEmP5f1EHDwC5triXurU/s1600/IMAG0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUM_gSFGyUAFf_DpUQ36nOaZcABpZ098vx_oTXR_SswQER8fJ6XsNLJNyBTNdsECnspsqsUs_8eijXgNqdDlnEFKVOm32pv2WSa2oRXIUnerohilbQF-GfNqtEmP5f1EHDwC5triXurU/s1600/IMAG0196.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a glimpse of the new look (December 2014)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A large portion of our first year's vacation rental earnings will go into that wall.... But that is the purpose of renting out our guest residence. The income should help to maintain and improve the residence and to pay the running cost of the house. Hopefully, we won't have this kind of major spending on renovation again any time soon, and will be able to build up some reserve funds. Our project remains a project ... but a wonderful one.<br />
<br />
See below the side façade over the years. And now, just in time before some rainy days, we finished the insolation and plaster work. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZuQFSWt7Ujaw0nzybDoqmFNbMqvwEUOqsGjdD-q4LXYpvnjFEdsSH-ihMa_PauQnfW2bsL1Rzx6Bf7d-LdvSNv3iaNHiAhsXmhE2_r1cfE6UGk7w59SrWpJU9-2H-Tkypi9sxqJx7Jo/s1600/mura+2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZuQFSWt7Ujaw0nzybDoqmFNbMqvwEUOqsGjdD-q4LXYpvnjFEdsSH-ihMa_PauQnfW2bsL1Rzx6Bf7d-LdvSNv3iaNHiAhsXmhE2_r1cfE6UGk7w59SrWpJU9-2H-Tkypi9sxqJx7Jo/s1600/mura+2006.jpg" height="640" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">house in 2006 before renovation project started</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismigQgHxV7RmG7_y6kS3hHrljLZ59ui_mBI6tNz2y6hI-VBY-elYZdosXRPdOR4d76LYtqYGXnEwHeNRKGXVuhNilh4BGXheMUi5fHg2T0sXt6yFr1V_RIOMd-rUbvh4I8TfA01Em6hI/s1600/mura+2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismigQgHxV7RmG7_y6kS3hHrljLZ59ui_mBI6tNz2y6hI-VBY-elYZdosXRPdOR4d76LYtqYGXnEwHeNRKGXVuhNilh4BGXheMUi5fHg2T0sXt6yFr1V_RIOMd-rUbvh4I8TfA01Em6hI/s1600/mura+2008.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after renovation in November / December 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYgm807LTK4JdYoiv72pk9MVCyNsIU-kyZ8-PyFNNB-p6KhDASfrv4zVFlfY_zVSL4RvpHA92njTTdTPMreisjN6rvjB_xd0a51xFdwnQAN2IpCG04yRiOPwzVsE9GeRKuGwky2Dw4r4/s1600/IMAG0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYgm807LTK4JdYoiv72pk9MVCyNsIU-kyZ8-PyFNNB-p6KhDASfrv4zVFlfY_zVSL4RvpHA92njTTdTPMreisjN6rvjB_xd0a51xFdwnQAN2IpCG04yRiOPwzVsE9GeRKuGwky2Dw4r4/s1600/IMAG0263.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after 2nd renovation December 2014 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-24893085735816869912014-12-01T06:00:00.000+07:002014-12-01T12:54:02.011+07:00Hoaba Datschi - Bavarian Blueberry Cake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwQjzzrT2BF_QblS2bOpYCGAqOEo5s7_6EWM_KALYqn0ARtvOt1y7AQr1_AOdt5tfYYvzStn3dOEcvsdkiQyeN6Fb7Czx_9tK-6Fw9QJT8Chn9DdLYiEYLyvfzunrxNkR-3QPiDTozqI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwQjzzrT2BF_QblS2bOpYCGAqOEo5s7_6EWM_KALYqn0ARtvOt1y7AQr1_AOdt5tfYYvzStn3dOEcvsdkiQyeN6Fb7Czx_9tK-6Fw9QJT8Chn9DdLYiEYLyvfzunrxNkR-3QPiDTozqI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoaba Datschi (here with blueberries and raspberries)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <em><strong>Hoaba Datschi</strong> </em>is a Bavarian desert. You could translate it into German as "<em>Heidelbeer-Auflauf</em>" which doesn't sounds even half as original (<em>urig</em>), and don't think of it as a "Blueberry Casserole". Its' a Hoaba Datschi.<br />
<br />
I was invited to a girls evening at my friends house. She planned on serving Bavarian food and asked me if I could bring a desert. So I googled "bayrische Suessspeisen" and decided on that yummy looking desert which I found via the blog <a href="http://www.dielandfrau.com/2012/09/hoaba-datschi.html" target="_blank">Die Landfrau.</a><br />
<br />
"<em>Hoaba</em>" is Bavarian and translates blueberries (which is <em>Blaubeeren</em> or <em>Heidelbeeren</em> in high German language). But what is a "<em>Datschi</em>"? It's a Southern German word, and stands for the cake (although there are many different recipes for a "<em>Datschi</em>", most famous is the "<em>Zwetschgendatschi</em>", a plum sheet cake). The original meaning might come from the verb "<em>tatschen</em>" (English = to touch) or "<em>hineindatschen</em>" as the fruits are pressed into the dough (in some recipes). In the "<em>Hoaba Datschi</em>" the fruits however sink into a very liquid dough, comparable to a pancake dough.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><u>ingredients:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">5 eggs (separated)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 gr sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">300 gr flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">350 ml milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 pinch of salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">some butter for the mold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">500 gr blueberries</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how to:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1) pre-heat the oven, add some butter into the mold(s)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2) beat the egg white until stiff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">3) mix egg yolk, sugar, flour, salt and milk like a pancake mixture</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4) gently fold in the stiff egg white</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">5) pour the liquid into mold(s) and top it with the blueberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">6) bake it in the oven at 180 degree for 20-25 minutes</span><br />
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<br />
<u>tips:</u><br />
You can use fresh or frozen berries, and you could add raspberries to the blueberries. For serving you could sprinkle a bit of icing sugar. It goes also nicely (when fresh from the oven or warmed up) with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpE9Cv_lHrCrKn-sCeKhdUJ8B22Vl8t7ohC5jyps2i_gM1TWD2FKfe6CC_A6UjKjptkkoE9z0VEM5SMMTjsIgFvdn-_62eo8UaX4KwrW2a3nYKtOzLXfsrYJheeHlmdQo3xjrVBVfKLk/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpE9Cv_lHrCrKn-sCeKhdUJ8B22Vl8t7ohC5jyps2i_gM1TWD2FKfe6CC_A6UjKjptkkoE9z0VEM5SMMTjsIgFvdn-_62eo8UaX4KwrW2a3nYKtOzLXfsrYJheeHlmdQo3xjrVBVfKLk/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries added on top<br />
- you can use excess dough to make muffins -</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZO9KLARSbyHyHuUa0YEcEYYi1uvselVBhPC8AtrC8SLw30H0WL7hO5b5zZVt6xvJl16xc1eic3gJ3ujN7eBae4g4In3Zcg8M8QUg-hdhrzfSfAmmBveEZAcInIyTDQaKeDkKBOxWAKg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZO9KLARSbyHyHuUa0YEcEYYi1uvselVBhPC8AtrC8SLw30H0WL7hO5b5zZVt6xvJl16xc1eic3gJ3ujN7eBae4g4In3Zcg8M8QUg-hdhrzfSfAmmBveEZAcInIyTDQaKeDkKBOxWAKg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before baking - the berries before sinking </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL42keg_FJlgn4Wpk96wzIxtrzjAWy1p-r5PsR80xh5yL_f7HgXLyHeb330hkIZUY8WbHMskIPwkstxjjI8NJmxuUsvKUGs9_AkLX1_dO0LIf8N2mTQk2TIxmqjPX87ji4NiZj1Fpw0_c/s1600/photo+2+sharper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL42keg_FJlgn4Wpk96wzIxtrzjAWy1p-r5PsR80xh5yL_f7HgXLyHeb330hkIZUY8WbHMskIPwkstxjjI8NJmxuUsvKUGs9_AkLX1_dO0LIf8N2mTQk2TIxmqjPX87ji4NiZj1Fpw0_c/s1600/photo+2+sharper.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">make the wooden stick test after 20 minutes in the oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwQjzzrT2BF_QblS2bOpYCGAqOEo5s7_6EWM_KALYqn0ARtvOt1y7AQr1_AOdt5tfYYvzStn3dOEcvsdkiQyeN6Fb7Czx_9tK-6Fw9QJT8Chn9DdLYiEYLyvfzunrxNkR-3QPiDTozqI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwQjzzrT2BF_QblS2bOpYCGAqOEo5s7_6EWM_KALYqn0ARtvOt1y7AQr1_AOdt5tfYYvzStn3dOEcvsdkiQyeN6Fb7Czx_9tK-6Fw9QJT8Chn9DdLYiEYLyvfzunrxNkR-3QPiDTozqI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoaba Datschi with blueberries (Hoaba) and raspberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMSWFe0KqrXhOYIJXbci_c_cLL0tb8iGAEn9PMLuaQI4MHihh8dKbwbRaJ8aI-r3VUx7bq_HNraTIb4pTgawQF2zgw7zZUAf_eCiutdisKXs8E2ER5MVIReVDirWb8ZDH7PYEHypE8Gc/s1600/photo+5+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMSWFe0KqrXhOYIJXbci_c_cLL0tb8iGAEn9PMLuaQI4MHihh8dKbwbRaJ8aI-r3VUx7bq_HNraTIb4pTgawQF2zgw7zZUAf_eCiutdisKXs8E2ER5MVIReVDirWb8ZDH7PYEHypE8Gc/s1600/photo+5+ps.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to sprinkle with sugar or icing sugar (with or without whipped cream)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-18673024423553018122014-11-28T08:00:00.000+07:002014-11-28T12:02:49.840+07:00Tiroler Nusskuchen - Tirolian Nutcake - and a simple pound cake recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6tKdHpJfy-EXi4I7rnoBEgfKZIT-OJaZANdU1de4g5W_z3JTPupQm44cQ4zRKvFWtWMOWZjz_5fuNAxXSFQo9eY4frSP7m0fBUvNgUHbTRzFdhr99_ulOAGWXAy1XC1uCtrIz7X8EOU/s1600/Tiroler+Nusskuchen+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6tKdHpJfy-EXi4I7rnoBEgfKZIT-OJaZANdU1de4g5W_z3JTPupQm44cQ4zRKvFWtWMOWZjz_5fuNAxXSFQo9eY4frSP7m0fBUvNgUHbTRzFdhr99_ulOAGWXAy1XC1uCtrIz7X8EOU/s1600/Tiroler+Nusskuchen+res.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tirolian Nutcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I was a kid, I helped my mum in the kitchen. My special fields were salad dressings and cakes. Despite being around when she was cooking, I never really developed cooking skills. Beside some dishes I am quiet successful with, I prefer very much baking over cooking. For good reasons: the entire home smells better, the kitchen is less messy, and you enjoy a cake usually over a longer period of time meaning baking is a much more efficient process.<br />
<br />
One of my usual cakes for the weekend was among others a <strong>plain "pound cake"</strong> <em>(Sandkuchen</em>) with lemon icing. That easy and quick cake can be varied and become a "marble cake" (<em>Marmorkuchen</em>) when adding chocolate powder (and icing sugar on top). Or it can become a "birthday cake" when adding chopped nuts and chocolate (and rum raisins for those who like it, together with a chocolate coat). But recently, <strong>I found a more elegant variation of the pound cake, a recipe that tops it all: it's the Tirolian Nutcake (<em>Tiroler Nusskuchen</em>).</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ingredients:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 gr butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 gr sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">6 eggs (separate white and yolk)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">250 gr almonds (1/2 roughly cut, 1/2 finely ground)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 gr dark chocolate grated (rasped or finely cut)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">125 gr flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 teaspoon baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">lemon skin grated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how to:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1) mix well butter, sugar and egg yolk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2) add flour, baking soda and cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">3) add all almonds (fold in with wooden spoon)and lemon skin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4) mix well egg white until stiff (in separate bowl)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">5) fold into dough with wooden spoon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">6) at the end add the chocolate and fold in slowly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">7) bake 1h at 180 degree (don't forget to preheat the oven)</span><br />
<br />
<u></u><br />
<u>Tips:</u> <br />
Bake the cake a day earlier as it will taste even better the next day(s). <br />
You can also freeze the cake or part which makes it also yummy moistly later. <br />
Instead of making a cake, you can make muffins. <br />
Top the cake or muffins with icing sugar. <br />
If you don't have icing sugar, make some by adding normal sugar in a mixer.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My <u>basic Pound Cake recipe</u>, easy to remember, easy to vary:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><u>ingredients:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">250 gr butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">250 gr sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">250 gr flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">4 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 pack of vanilla sugar (teaspoon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1/2 teaspoon of baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">1 spoon of rum</span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how to:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1) mix butter, entire eggs and sugar well</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2) add flour ad baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">3) add vanilla sugar and rum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4) bake 1h at 180 degree</span><br />
<br />
<u>Tips:</u> <br />
You can double the ingredients to use the heated oven more efficiently with two cakes, or one cake and muffins. You can freeze part of your bake. <br />
Topping can be simple icing sugar, or lemon icing (lemon zest with icing sugar), or melted chocolate. <br />
For the "<strong>marble cake" variation</strong>, take 1/3 of the dough in another bowl and add (sieved) dark chocolate powder (up to your taste). Into the cake pan add first one layer white dough, then a layer chocolate dough and the last layer again white dough. Dip with a fork gently up and down through the layers to achieve the marble effect.- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-79752711971555034562014-11-25T10:08:00.001+07:002014-11-27T12:22:16.218+07:00Cantuccini - The Recipe <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntvTCJU47yBXYixdbXdkOpklm5ZIiLDxWmT-j092AwohrySdj3Hn_w5s1tEg_TAxVHvQ6hVeRcGAZCeeo0kjDPLaz3APWs9YFoB1ve_h3i-pjJCA6cNVDuahNaxSISSZIy2mGbpV5910/s1600/1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntvTCJU47yBXYixdbXdkOpklm5ZIiLDxWmT-j092AwohrySdj3Hn_w5s1tEg_TAxVHvQ6hVeRcGAZCeeo0kjDPLaz3APWs9YFoB1ve_h3i-pjJCA6cNVDuahNaxSISSZIy2mGbpV5910/s1600/1216.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">home made cantuccini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is THE Cantuccini Recipe many friends have asked me about. Even a famous Italian <em>ristorator</em>e had asked details - which made me already consider to start a new business ... maybe I should become an Italian restaurant supplier of <em>cantuccini?</em><br />
<br />
Since I don't seem to follow that new career option anytime soon, I thought about revealing the secret. But will my <em>cantuccin</em>i still be appreciated, when everyone can easily (yes, easily, that was my secret) bake them at home? - Well, finally, I decided to file and share the recipe here on my blog (and yes, filing and sharing was always a main purpose of blogging after all).<br />
<br />
The recipe is of course from Tuscany (<em>Toscana)</em>, but the <em>signora</em> who had thought me how to make <em>cantuccini </em>lives in Calabria - in Pizzo to be precise, and that's where I made them the first time, together with her (see photos below).<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ingredients:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 g almonds (with skin, natural, not roasted, not salted) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">200 gr flour (00 or 405 type)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">180 gr of sugar (90 gr per egg)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 pack of vanilla sugar (teaspoon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 pinch of salt</span><br />
<br />
The ingredients are for an oven tray of 60cm. The output is about 1/2 kg of <em>cantuccini.</em> If you have a larger oven, of 90 cm, you could just double the ingredients.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how to:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1) pre-heat the oven to 180 degree (C)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2) mix sugar and egg (long)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">3) add (sieved) flour slowly and well</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4) add almonds and fold in with a wooden spoon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">5) cover tray with paper, make two strings of dough (see photo below)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">6) bake 15 min in oven</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">7) take the tray out, chop the "bread" in finger thick <em>cantuccini</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">8) lay chopped <em>cantuccini</em> flat on the tray and bake for another 15 min.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
FAQ:<br />
Q: do you need yeast or baking soda? A: No, no need.<br />
Q: do you use egg white on top for the meringue-effect? A: No.<br />
Q: how about butter or oil? A: No!<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos of my baking class in our kitchen in August 2012, with double ingredients for a 90 cm tray:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk9bycSOGDEaEAJd-1HM8XqAk866uH2pN8lYlgeklv8FJxUXMMIoBc-Gk_ohyphenhyphen59JaJezh40Q16CUsn7ObovoWthKW7m5bDimuImSV3wuZv8r3QG-Mw7FgcctQ4rZMm1Cw1i0FEh0tLNQ/s1600/2013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk9bycSOGDEaEAJd-1HM8XqAk866uH2pN8lYlgeklv8FJxUXMMIoBc-Gk_ohyphenhyphen59JaJezh40Q16CUsn7ObovoWthKW7m5bDimuImSV3wuZv8r3QG-Mw7FgcctQ4rZMm1Cw1i0FEh0tLNQ/s1600/2013+015.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">make two strings of "bread" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9rL-bnVK6V1DNyYYL9uiRVZW5ERtCLgNIKsoGo8A7ylRrJ7UP0v3sGOhshjZ9v51UsR_TXcJzkyoVKlCL8C834iFEIewwNveSS1oiW4hfgXBuECDI-6ceix-yO944gqAsAMx0fd8Otc/s1600/2013+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9rL-bnVK6V1DNyYYL9uiRVZW5ERtCLgNIKsoGo8A7ylRrJ7UP0v3sGOhshjZ9v51UsR_TXcJzkyoVKlCL8C834iFEIewwNveSS1oiW4hfgXBuECDI-6ceix-yO944gqAsAMx0fd8Otc/s1600/2013+017.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after baking 15 min take it our from oven and cut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErHOjQypH2JqzV7gRVg2OD5zTvEZuJih4WAiAIfMno38z8bmZm339XvHGdtgAXKFJlst4UfJ-lr5cczs49dAhVHEwiEHEj_GeF0lsnXj5Dvy_lfGPX6zD6Zvj4ol7o_CnHZ6QGX7CnZ8/s1600/2013+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErHOjQypH2JqzV7gRVg2OD5zTvEZuJih4WAiAIfMno38z8bmZm339XvHGdtgAXKFJlst4UfJ-lr5cczs49dAhVHEwiEHEj_GeF0lsnXj5Dvy_lfGPX6zD6Zvj4ol7o_CnHZ6QGX7CnZ8/s1600/2013+018.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lay them on the oven tray and bake again for 15 min</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntvTCJU47yBXYixdbXdkOpklm5ZIiLDxWmT-j092AwohrySdj3Hn_w5s1tEg_TAxVHvQ6hVeRcGAZCeeo0kjDPLaz3APWs9YFoB1ve_h3i-pjJCA6cNVDuahNaxSISSZIy2mGbpV5910/s1600/1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntvTCJU47yBXYixdbXdkOpklm5ZIiLDxWmT-j092AwohrySdj3Hn_w5s1tEg_TAxVHvQ6hVeRcGAZCeeo0kjDPLaz3APWs9YFoB1ve_h3i-pjJCA6cNVDuahNaxSISSZIy2mGbpV5910/s1600/1216.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoy home made <em>cantuccini!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tip:<em> Cantuccini</em> can be served for breakfast with <em>cappuccino o espresso café;</em> they can be dipped in the coffee or even be dipped in sweet <em>vino santo</em> after a meal. And if you don't become a professional <em>cantuccini </em>yet, your home made bake will make nice little presents when packed in clear bags and wrapped with a ribbon. Just don't bring them when we are invited to the same party ;-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Recipe credit: Yolanda Pezzo</em><br />
- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-20432938048128458792014-11-24T12:53:00.000+07:002015-02-20T12:35:37.225+07:00Why Blogger is better for bloggers than Wordpress or Squarespace<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyapnEnDI-kmbf-whDeXedCXGUa9_3juYa6R1Jbwgt2hQt0TcJPPjmps8Dl8wZARTnw0Hm2T8iQtAKnjGIRPAZLiyFULr9b6UJTtg_7T_d8SiK0XMlUHIiBaOAXAgNF6sr9prtbkmmg0/s1600/blogger_logo-thumb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyapnEnDI-kmbf-whDeXedCXGUa9_3juYa6R1Jbwgt2hQt0TcJPPjmps8Dl8wZARTnw0Hm2T8iQtAKnjGIRPAZLiyFULr9b6UJTtg_7T_d8SiK0XMlUHIiBaOAXAgNF6sr9prtbkmmg0/s1600/blogger_logo-thumb.gif" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Once every now and then I try to re-design my blog. And it's about time to have a real website that integrates this blog. Therefore, I did some massive research on the Internet, to find out the advantages and disadvantages between Bloger vs Wordpress vs Squarespace vs Wix vs Weebly and others ... <br />
<br />
The internet offers fantastic information on many tech blogs and youtube - but you need to be careful: Most comparisons between Blogger and Wordpress, or Wordpress and Squarespace are written by great IT experts who often happen to be affiliates of one of these sites - and then it can get biased. Or they claim everything is so complicated because they want to sell their own web development / web design skills.<br />
<br />
What you cannot do, is to compare Blogger with Wordpress<u>.org</u> - because it is like comparing apples with oranges! <strong>You need to compare Blogger's free service with Wordpress's free-ish service at Wordpress<u>.com (dot com)</u></strong>. And then Wordpress(.com) looses and Blogger wins! At least that's what bloggers like me say, with blogs powered by Blogger for many years (me, now almost 8 years), and who know how to easily personalise your blog here at Blogger or BlogSpot, not even much HTML coding is required (but it is allowed).<br />
<br />
To learn more about the blogging platform and features of <strong>Blogger vs Wordpress</strong>, and to be able to make a decision, you should read the most unbiased article I found on the internet by <a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/blogger-vs-wordpress-comparision/" target="_blank">Make Use Of</a>. I totally recommend to read Tim Brookes' post and also to read through the comments as he answeres all the questions of his readers and that might answer your questions too. <br />
<br />
My short (2 days) experience with Wordpress allows me to say that freedom feels different. I couldn't believe that they shot down my new page (in the making, not even having content yet!). Although, another 2 days later they appologised for the mistake, and I am free to continue (and was asked to delete my cookies as they detected spam). But does that make me feel confident?<br />
<br />
<strong>Wordpress(.com)</strong> can also shot your blog down when they detect any paid or affiliate links. BUT they are free to place any advertising into your posts! Don't like that? You can pay for an ad-free page. Want some small changes in your design? Pay some bugs extra! Videos? Only if you pay 60 USD per year! A favicon (small logo in the URL)? Costs extra! And pointing your own domain to yourname.wordpress.com page is possible, but you need to pay 13 USD per year (not including the registration)... Calculate, it adds up! That's why I say WordPress is "free-ish", as it is not really free.<br />
<br />
In seven years with<strong> Blogger</strong> I had no single technical issue, and unlimited space for media, including videos, my own favicon and no charge for pointing my personalised domain name to my blog. So why I would think of changing after all?<br />
<br />
Well, I wasn't a very active blogger (I never made the three posts per week rule). But although I blog less and less (our mission, the renovation and main content of this blog, is accomplished), I want to keep my little writing playround. And now, our beautiful guest residence requires some internet presence as well. - Before starting all over with a new website, I thought, it would be nice to have a professionally looking welcome page, a static landing page, instead of landing on the latest blog post.<br />
<br />
<strong>My blog needs a static landingpage! </strong><br />
<br />
I tried to tweak Blogger a bit in order to have a static landing page (and another page called "Blog" would feature the blog posts). I followed these <a href="http://www.bloggertipspro.com/2012/06/creating-blogger-static-home-page.html" target="_blank">intructions to create a static home page.</a> It is really simple and worked. The problem that I saw however, was a longer loading time. The redirecting worked fine on the PC and on the tablet, but did not work for the smart phone. The error message was about <em>server cannot be loaded due to too many redirection</em>. Also it did not look that great as your landing page shouldn't have a blogroll. With blogger however you cannot change the template design for single pages. There is one frame for all. And a blog needs a blogroll. Otherwise what is the point of blogging if you cannot engage your readers? <br />
<br />
On the internet there are many rumours that Google would close its blogging platform Blogger one day, as sudden as they closed Google Reader. It would be a pitty as Blogger is really easy to handle and you can make your blog look good with the "simple template" and then play around with the template in the advanced modus, or tweaking around with HTML and CSS - and it is all free! You are not even forced to use Google Adsense. <br />
<br />
And then there is <strong>Squarespace</strong>. They are very, very good in martketing their platform! It seems like a hype (maybe their affiliate program is so attractive). They are already around since 10 years with 1,8 million websites/blogs. - They have a different approach. You need to pay a monthly fee. For that you get access to the web building software with top stylish templates and all seems easy to handle. And you have access to a 24/7 custmer support which is great in the beginning. They seem super nice and let you import your blog from Blogger (and others) and export your website to Wordpress, in case you want to terminate the hosting plan ... sounds fair enough.<br />
<br />
Squarespace let you try out their templates 14 days for free and then you need to decide if you want to publish with them. I liked it. Their templates are clean and 'pretty'. Great for photographers and artist who want to show their work in galleries. Or for restaurant owners (there is a plug-in for a menue). BUT the features for a blog are very limited! As a blogger I would not choose this solution. I deem Squarespace is mainly for small businesses that do just a little bit of blogging on the side. There is no Html-CSS-fiddling-DIY-tweaking allowed. <br />
<br />
Of coures there are many other platforms beside Blogger, Wordpress and Squarespace. A good overview and comparison can be visited here by the <a href="http://www.websitebuilderexpert.com/website-builders-comparison-chart/" target="_blank">Website Builders</a>. I checked <strong>Weebly</strong> and <strong>Wix</strong> as well, but they don't have the same good looking templates / themes as Wordpress or Squarespace, and furthermore they also cost some money for ads-free pages, favicon and domain pointing.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I returned to my blog powered by Blogger and have to say, it still looks okay. (I have now moved the blogroll(s) to the bottom of the layout). All these modern stylish minimalistic pages are maybe not even suitable for my love of the simple life in Southern Italy. And blogger is totally free - so best value!<br />
<br />
For now, I will continue with Blogger. And one day I might either have a peaceful deal with Squarespace or my self-hosted website with Wordpress.org (dot org and NOT dot com).<br />
- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-31857530566007440982014-08-16T17:50:00.000+07:002014-12-17T10:58:00.937+07:00DIY Home Staging for Holiday Rentals - 10+ ideasHome staging is the art of styling and presenting a property - mainly to improve its appearance for potential buyers. In the U.S., almost an entire professional branch has emerged from 'home staging to sell'. And it works. So why not stage your holiday rental to 'sell' it to vacationer? Take great photos and advertise them online. The first impression counts!<br />
<br />
Of course you do not have to hire a professional stager when you have some sense for aesthetics and interior, and are able to handle a camera. It can be as simple as placing a vase with fresh flowers on the table or a bottle of wine and 2 glasses. Although professionals staging can even include a complete redecoration and repaint of the entire home before dressing it up with some magic touch. How much you want or need to invest in your vacation rental to make it look more appealing depends on your budget, the actual condition of your property and the price you will be able to achieve in your area. <br />
<br />
The residence we are letting is over 200 years old. It used to be a storage space for olive oil and hand made soap and only had only an earthy ground and stone walls and ceilings. It was more than a renovation. We made it livable. After insulating walls and laying a floor, we furnished the residence with modern and antique items, and decorated it. We bought some pieces of local art work to hang on the walls. Over time I had taken many photos. Some were nice. But some photos I took just looked lifeless, without a soul.<br />
<br />
A good friend of mine told me "'Stage it!". And further elaborated for me (coming from an undeveloped country in that matter), <strong>"Put some lemons next to the sink"</strong>. She had lived long enough in the States knowing 'unstaged' - or even worse - empty property does not sell as people can less envision themselves at home.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWnaaWTtUl1Pg1Fm49wn8GVn2U5cr7JBQA0rromBKFN4Uc0j5S6C5mspVFLoNXRUwGKF7rWSuiFtcOhNC4RbXa1NXODJsupZYEca_opq2L0K69eQxSn2XgIi3hYrABtGmrBtoqII687k/s1600/staging+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWnaaWTtUl1Pg1Fm49wn8GVn2U5cr7JBQA0rromBKFN4Uc0j5S6C5mspVFLoNXRUwGKF7rWSuiFtcOhNC4RbXa1NXODJsupZYEca_opq2L0K69eQxSn2XgIi3hYrABtGmrBtoqII687k/s1600/staging+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"put some lemons next to the sink!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is no difference with vacation rentals. <br />
<br />
Imagine a yourself planning a romantic get away in the South of Italy, looking at some holiday lettings' websites. What do you see? What does trigger your decision? - Photos and reviews. - And it is all connected. If a place is well decorated, it will not only look good in your visitors' eyes, and possibly lead to positive reviews, you will also be able to take good photos. And even attract more visitors with even better photos after some additional staging. But keep your staging fair and real.<br />
<br />
You can stage flowers or fruits and assume guests would not necessarily expect exactly those in a holiday home. But you cannot stage crystal glasses when in reality guests will find plastic glasses in your kitchen. Or a beautiful umbrella in the garden when you don't provide one.<br />
<br />
Let's get started. Prepare a camera you are familiar with. It can be set on autofocus, with a standard lens, or even a smartphone. Make sure you get most of the space of a room into the picture, but also take some close up details. Always try different angles and heights. Ideally use some photo editing software or smart phone app afterwards to adjust the lighting of the indoor shots, crop or sharpen if necessary.<br />
<br />
And here are some ideas and details for your DIY Holiday Rental Staging:<br />
<br />
<strong>0. Clean Up</strong><br />
I know, this is so evident, so basic. But it goes beyond the daily routine. Weather you are renting your entire home with private photos and books, or a separate room or residence just for guests, it needs to be perfectly cleaned before a photo shoot. The faucets in the bathroom and kitchen should shine! But there is more. If you rent your private home, you will probably have it already de-cluttered to the max to allow guests to feel comfortable. Your collection of regional pottery will ad charm, your blurred snap shots of your childhood might not.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-VXx9VGuJHGUlDAXiT00g1BKuCzs-FbV-YxWLLKOu15yO9nqLmHkMLo40nDTfXJ29ihafqgz2G9HnsvN1vGpD4_8XkY7LzrOEKlJwXbKDyRuaRC87M_x3NYR3BZKBk1FM7RoobElCxw/s1600/staging+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-VXx9VGuJHGUlDAXiT00g1BKuCzs-FbV-YxWLLKOu15yO9nqLmHkMLo40nDTfXJ29ihafqgz2G9HnsvN1vGpD4_8XkY7LzrOEKlJwXbKDyRuaRC87M_x3NYR3BZKBk1FM7RoobElCxw/s1600/staging+15.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaned up, all shiny, lemons staged, but don't forget to hide the cleaning utensils when shooting (can you see it?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<strong>1. Decorate with flowers</strong><br />
As said above, staging can be simple. Get fresh flowers from your garden, or single branches from a tree with decorative leaves or blossoms from your street. Otherwise buy them from the local market or flower shop. Try to reflect the flair of the location and the spirit of your home. For a Mediterranean home purple Bougainvillea branches or white Callas are more typical than tulips or orchids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuBjAWe7Tv9411EiWiCSVOhBa61dgSWLobeZxZ0n5r44Pa_AUAEUMsSXEBrH2LgZzsF1L1rqaO3IrKM8tJttwIGvWCDnexigFoKt9Df8TM1aABBo1PDychJqi6whw5Gii36pEOpfQID8/s1600/staging+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuBjAWe7Tv9411EiWiCSVOhBa61dgSWLobeZxZ0n5r44Pa_AUAEUMsSXEBrH2LgZzsF1L1rqaO3IrKM8tJttwIGvWCDnexigFoKt9Df8TM1aABBo1PDychJqi6whw5Gii36pEOpfQID8/s1600/staging+16.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought some beautiful Agapanthus flowers and placed the pots in the garden - they remained of course after the photo shoot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4M9_o9uCBZOC91hUGSiHpbKyX4qKW_l1gutmW6sgbcllLCbKkzMaRSO7ODS2BEJZkllTc7zwFGmFpGqm_Pl2ckQI0K773UQFHvzhX9diGnRMP-5Ia9ewNqrxmPRz_k2e7BZdX970qhg/s1600/wine+3+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4M9_o9uCBZOC91hUGSiHpbKyX4qKW_l1gutmW6sgbcllLCbKkzMaRSO7ODS2BEJZkllTc7zwFGmFpGqm_Pl2ckQI0K773UQFHvzhX9diGnRMP-5Ia9ewNqrxmPRz_k2e7BZdX970qhg/s1600/wine+3+ps.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bottle of wine, wine glass, cork and flower from the garden - together with a retro lace table clothes from the local market - a beautiful staging! (Next time, I would maybe add part of a chair).</td></tr>
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<strong>2. Bathroom</strong><br />
Did you invest in large and soft towels for your guests? Show them in your photos. Fold the toilet paper like the room maid does in hotels. Close the toilet lid. If you offer shampoo and shower gel or spa style hand soap, show them in your photo. Take pictures, with all lights on, from different angles, then shoot details: fluffy towels with the amenities in the background; your beautiful tiles or a fancy hook. Hang a straw hat on the hook or place it on the window sill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov4U5kG7ZcuTa5gEnEg4NxZCS1zcCZXz_6blzPV6Ol9d_YhqdcFAQSJK8nHhzeQspynnmySI7AnLFcNpljjAnbY_I0GG0WN8-t3saD68dLneElD39TPxO332udVKQ1MhUUtmBPT7-ZKA/s1600/staging+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov4U5kG7ZcuTa5gEnEg4NxZCS1zcCZXz_6blzPV6Ol9d_YhqdcFAQSJK8nHhzeQspynnmySI7AnLFcNpljjAnbY_I0GG0WN8-t3saD68dLneElD39TPxO332udVKQ1MhUUtmBPT7-ZKA/s1600/staging+13.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best image quality - but it shows the guest you put effort in details</td></tr>
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<strong>3. Kitchen</strong><br />
"Put some lemons next to the sink" if your vacation rental is in Southern Italy. Or some tomatoes or oranges. Choose a contrast to your kitchen colour. Show details of the coffee machine or fridge, if they are vintage or of any interest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiS86vb8ZjFA8hfcORCLGqQBq8o1sIicgp36G8G-VV04heyBeeca_jUBOwzeeMcHe3A9fFZgPksVOZx38BGEEEhwvNz2rKkkj7zQUbb73gQSCvCldZPDl87Md5G7aE2jC4qNK3n4lrNA/s1600/staging+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiS86vb8ZjFA8hfcORCLGqQBq8o1sIicgp36G8G-VV04heyBeeca_jUBOwzeeMcHe3A9fFZgPksVOZx38BGEEEhwvNz2rKkkj7zQUbb73gQSCvCldZPDl87Md5G7aE2jC4qNK3n4lrNA/s1600/staging+3.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose fruits or veggies to display in the kitchen that stand out with their color, switch lights on if necessary</td></tr>
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<strong><br /></strong><strong>4. Dining Table</strong><br />
Put all you have to offer on the table. Tablecloths, plates, glasses, cutlery, candles, napkins. Vacationer will envision themselves having lunch or dinner in your place. Take the lunch photo during lunch time and the dinner photo with candles lit on when its dark outside. (You might even notice during your photo shoot that something is missing in your property. Maybe not enough light to see the food on the plate? Or the light bulb is too bright for a romantic atmosphere?). Sometimes two glasses and a bottle of wine are also enough to present, especially when you expect the guest to eat at restaurants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_kFI_4vAy1C9lPSYBHBv2Z5mGJUscdTT_QXEdbT5Hi-uURiT9qgHQBoLSGFJpETWrdwEd5Qm8C3nk51I1zb7FtQLjyhVWIFl7wE7KhFs1_4qXtggNco1UgCDM3T8YLHjeIVG_xqIMPI/s1600/staging+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_kFI_4vAy1C9lPSYBHBv2Z5mGJUscdTT_QXEdbT5Hi-uURiT9qgHQBoLSGFJpETWrdwEd5Qm8C3nk51I1zb7FtQLjyhVWIFl7wE7KhFs1_4qXtggNco1UgCDM3T8YLHjeIVG_xqIMPI/s1600/staging+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add some life to your rental, place fresh fruits in a bowl, a bottle of wine with glasses on the table to help potential visitors to envision themselves in the picture</td></tr>
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<strong><br /></strong><strong>5. Living Area</strong><br />
Do you provide cushions on the sofa? If not, do provide two or three. If yes, is the cushion cover matching the ambiance? If not, change it. By something local from the weekend market. Then shoot the photo. Decorators suggest to place objects in pairs or in uneven numbers, like one or three. Place three books or magazines on the couch table. (I wouldn't show the TV, for three reasons: 1) it seldom looks attractive, 2) it is enough to mention it on the rental website, it shouldn't be a major activity during holidays, 3) burglars might be interested in electronics.)<br />
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<strong>6. Bed Room</strong><br />
The bed cover should match the flair of the location (get it from the local market). The bed can be made in two ways: 1) cover all with the bed cover (this is functional) or 2) fold the bed cover back and cover it with the linen and show the pillow with pillow cases (this looks inviting and homey). For the pillow cases you can choose a good quality. Iron it well as wrinkles would show in the photo. Adjust the bed cover and pillows as long until they look in perfect harmony, then shoot. Switch on the bed side table lamps and shoot again. Try different atmospheres, with lights on and out during day light and at night with all lamps on. Take a photo that shows the wardrobe, or part of it (as that is an information for the guest). Place the straw hat (if not yet used for the bathroom) on a chair.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2wfi-DpfNQzuJ-1yUj-9-iNURF-A6UAFsU6RME07Hgc2y58Jj-ryF-VZMzYDwim_P9evf-kXPy8rd0DUVBkhnITwyhajaaeJV1Wl8t8mwxKcFVIpnh-9KNEoQbAEY9zyCgaDLcaJFMY/s1600/staging+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2wfi-DpfNQzuJ-1yUj-9-iNURF-A6UAFsU6RME07Hgc2y58Jj-ryF-VZMzYDwim_P9evf-kXPy8rd0DUVBkhnITwyhajaaeJV1Wl8t8mwxKcFVIpnh-9KNEoQbAEY9zyCgaDLcaJFMY/s1600/staging+14.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take photos right before your guests arrive, present the pillows in crisp white bed linens and give it an inviting look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx8L5zJKrXdUty2007JyBxIeuBPVyjvTQsk4tdFX6j17UH9Yekj7Abijtu3ewrZnnlI1Rqm0KbO1xWuFy5yKspE4eO63dQPHki7tVAogmMIDXQk-U91jN0G2aAnXDRj53hpLtniCGYcE/s1600/staging+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx8L5zJKrXdUty2007JyBxIeuBPVyjvTQsk4tdFX6j17UH9Yekj7Abijtu3ewrZnnlI1Rqm0KbO1xWuFy5yKspE4eO63dQPHki7tVAogmMIDXQk-U91jN0G2aAnXDRj53hpLtniCGYcE/s1600/staging+5.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This detailed photo shows the Madonna del Carmine of the church next to our house. It adds some local spirit, some positive sign - and it shows, we have a night stand and a reading lamp.</td></tr>
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<strong>7. Garden, Terrace or Balcony</strong><br />
If the flowers are in full bloom, shoot. If not, get interesting plants in the foreground or part of branches hanging into the photo. Get details from the olive tree or the garden bench. Buy a flower or plant pot from the local market to stage where there is a gab. Create depth in field (with low f-stop for a blurry background - or use a smart phone app like camera +). Get the view, get the view from inside out and from outside in. Find the best perspectives. And place garden table and chairs. Use table cloths. Stage the wine bottle and the glasses. Shoot the deck chair with a book - or a straw hat. If you provide an umbrella, open it and shoot the sun and shadow effects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsNoYrXOtVsrNygyVkSjMKkWL2YNkOoUKFLZSeHFmtqe0l539dGJjHO2zIPtj0c8ZWNHuTXKweIv5Vz8z_tK_MMOGRvgPv1niGzxyfSGScWi0V9Fv9viwrNppGTgZU_xsWW3Q4NIQI8U/s1600/staging+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsNoYrXOtVsrNygyVkSjMKkWL2YNkOoUKFLZSeHFmtqe0l539dGJjHO2zIPtj0c8ZWNHuTXKweIv5Vz8z_tK_MMOGRvgPv1niGzxyfSGScWi0V9Fv9viwrNppGTgZU_xsWW3Q4NIQI8U/s1600/staging+10.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my usual garden shots: the place is so serene and the view so awesome... that I totally forget the staging!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig11FceqGDIjLDSxZHAXN1YzIVeuUl3x2MsXhA4GrHMsuI1rIBvbVjfIdns3jCWiYjicd7FFRJUh5cXw3iuA2aEHH1sAF18zBl-O35ctcUkF6U-uSGPyURMtcHInWvLo1ZeqXBUdve5zQ/s1600/staging+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig11FceqGDIjLDSxZHAXN1YzIVeuUl3x2MsXhA4GrHMsuI1rIBvbVjfIdns3jCWiYjicd7FFRJUh5cXw3iuA2aEHH1sAF18zBl-O35ctcUkF6U-uSGPyURMtcHInWvLo1ZeqXBUdve5zQ/s1600/staging+11.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you have outdoor furniture use them for your photos where and how your guest will!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4vcUzZKDjWTgI9XnpXxTOeyk9X_YtWY_pLbqSsfMnhm4ge16B_CK2JDRv18GVxmoZhA4BOUS8Z1t-BozOd6DsjJZYtZlM39RGOIshyrO0o-mZC3vo_iFYR1YQiB_33chOSlXEXFv97o/s1600/staging+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4vcUzZKDjWTgI9XnpXxTOeyk9X_YtWY_pLbqSsfMnhm4ge16B_CK2JDRv18GVxmoZhA4BOUS8Z1t-BozOd6DsjJZYtZlM39RGOIshyrO0o-mZC3vo_iFYR1YQiB_33chOSlXEXFv97o/s1600/staging+12.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, and finally some staging, but the sun was gone ... there is always a reason for another staging session</td></tr>
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<strong><br /></strong><strong>8. Entrance area and stairways</strong><br />
Even if that area is not the most interesting and some websites limit your advertising to 24 photos, you might want to provide the information to potential renters what they expect here. You might need to provide the stairs in a whole. Place a basket or straw beach bag on the stairs. <br />
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<strong>9. Neighbourhood in front of your door</strong><br />
For vacation home renters, the neighbourhood they will be calling home for some days is also of interest. Take a photo from some detail at your door. The old letter box or bell knob with part of the street. Her again you could add a flower pot, a welcome sign, bicycles (if guests can use or rent them), or your old Vespa for adding some flair.<br />
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<strong>10. Staging with people</strong><br />
I see very seldom a person in a vacation rental advertising. But why not? Most hotels have people in their ads. If you rent to couples, chose a couple among your friends that is around the age of your target group or your most frequent age group. If you target families, let some kids play on the floor with some toys you provide. If you allow pets, stage with a dog. The people should not look into the camera to keep it neutral and not look like a personal holiday snap shot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73PHd-_OqAWqo2pIB05LQ1KxGWeE5ejwI_DgEJXxtWRPqDZuaCk4Mg7id3cQ54HDjIzWfEJcU1ExclSfUHfnkOcobAqTLDkVup7m93UDCqdAiTFUWZB39xN2g21jkruVDppT5N6Q6u0E/s1600/giardino+1+ps2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73PHd-_OqAWqo2pIB05LQ1KxGWeE5ejwI_DgEJXxtWRPqDZuaCk4Mg7id3cQ54HDjIzWfEJcU1ExclSfUHfnkOcobAqTLDkVup7m93UDCqdAiTFUWZB39xN2g21jkruVDppT5N6Q6u0E/s1600/giardino+1+ps2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First tryout: I think, a second person (a man) standing on the left side at the railing and watching the see while looking slightly to the right (into the picture) would have been perfect, since our target group are couples.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRevZyIUYHyOgmeNbfyxYH67y-pOfHLRBT9ynikX9J7G8DM8LiLfr_9qkDXapySiuFKRixCdDrPWxboOQAV8ID5UmE-52xqnzjqWfNdF80jYjxaJUaj7dUjK5AR3lX1YYLpX93_nBACE/s1600/giardino+2+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRevZyIUYHyOgmeNbfyxYH67y-pOfHLRBT9ynikX9J7G8DM8LiLfr_9qkDXapySiuFKRixCdDrPWxboOQAV8ID5UmE-52xqnzjqWfNdF80jYjxaJUaj7dUjK5AR3lX1YYLpX93_nBACE/s1600/giardino+2+BW.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">black and white makes the photo more arty, and suggesting the place has some history</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLJDGm4RmEzMLaTZIf2Slkan-4HrBDot69MUNEtbEfpxn_ixmJQTGHT1lXS1kWzt9xWiLrwmuFGax6_UdgBgUq53lm2nCilkOyN0Uw2IetENdPelMcdjF7FrnU_v6dnDBz16-rK1y470/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Fiorella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLJDGm4RmEzMLaTZIf2Slkan-4HrBDot69MUNEtbEfpxn_ixmJQTGHT1lXS1kWzt9xWiLrwmuFGax6_UdgBgUq53lm2nCilkOyN0Uw2IetENdPelMcdjF7FrnU_v6dnDBz16-rK1y470/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Fiorella.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if you have several good shots, you can combine them to a mosaic, and include the people just in one of them</td></tr>
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After my last photo shoot and while editing and choosing the right pics I already saw what I could do better next time and what I forgot to shoot! Especially after writing this post.... BTW, all the 'deck chair photos' were shot with a smartphone by a recent guest. Thank you so much! I asked them to do me the favor, as I really had forgotten to shoot the new deck chairs! (They were neatly stored inside.) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYymkYcFxdXMLiMMEUTakHhAUSc7UbYM-xAXy5XQfOezjtaYAaRk41O4NchhGREeVyStqiUeFq-I4RMNmKgcEhDMVNdXgpkPfoP97Nxf4wHilMTazzs5Y3LShFJF5mnSMQhofiC9ctBUk/s1600/deck+chair+2+ps+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYymkYcFxdXMLiMMEUTakHhAUSc7UbYM-xAXy5XQfOezjtaYAaRk41O4NchhGREeVyStqiUeFq-I4RMNmKgcEhDMVNdXgpkPfoP97Nxf4wHilMTazzs5Y3LShFJF5mnSMQhofiC9ctBUk/s1600/deck+chair+2+ps+BW.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I converted one of the photos into black and white</td></tr>
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When I saw the photos with the empty deck chairs, I suggested to place a book. And see what I got:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwvjCTrgXDqLs4qFT4hisjN88jmu_l4HJhgVZ7gyU3MWlFO9cWVF6LvELrFojZD8-bpLe0dvYNw8uAMgGuT3rWckFJAVBRB_k06qULvKI7nVSfMOome3eCaYiGAFyuONVXorvRmfT67Y/s1600/deck+chair+6+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwvjCTrgXDqLs4qFT4hisjN88jmu_l4HJhgVZ7gyU3MWlFO9cWVF6LvELrFojZD8-bpLe0dvYNw8uAMgGuT3rWckFJAVBRB_k06qULvKI7nVSfMOome3eCaYiGAFyuONVXorvRmfT67Y/s1600/deck+chair+6+ps.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">staged with a book</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYkfAvXBRMY2x2BegRGad9TWD2fLcFRA1dB7UlF02BZzFlEoXvVTZ8GfoeMpX5T3AQ8t0j6g9dCF7sLF-jnBl3OGdcBd6eHE97WCabi1tEclICfXm5JvsSRKuQZJeiLpe4BmvLZG8HRo/s1600/deck+chair+4+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYkfAvXBRMY2x2BegRGad9TWD2fLcFRA1dB7UlF02BZzFlEoXvVTZ8GfoeMpX5T3AQ8t0j6g9dCF7sLF-jnBl3OGdcBd6eHE97WCabi1tEclICfXm5JvsSRKuQZJeiLpe4BmvLZG8HRo/s1600/deck+chair+4+ps.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guest did some staging for me !</td></tr>
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- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-34632882650084331642014-08-08T18:41:00.000+07:002014-08-10T22:31:00.639+07:00Happy Anniversary to an exciting and fun first year of holiday Rental!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwQz93IZhUMmxCauY9xb9ocxd02LX8faxLqkcJIRnCR4_jeMlhhUNU8ZPrRZsv91ALNLbu4oKSBxCfG88Xa1dHig-vP3CFmFEsQ1r1d_JtW261ibzosf3bk8vBH0g9eqCwFi21DY0sNU/s1600/happy+first+anniversary+1res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwQz93IZhUMmxCauY9xb9ocxd02LX8faxLqkcJIRnCR4_jeMlhhUNU8ZPrRZsv91ALNLbu4oKSBxCfG88Xa1dHig-vP3CFmFEsQ1r1d_JtW261ibzosf3bk8vBH0g9eqCwFi21DY0sNU/s1600/happy+first+anniversary+1res.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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We are celebrating our first year of Holiday Rental adventure !<br />
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We started last year on August 15th 2013, at the peak of the peak season of the Italian summer, <em>Ferragosto</em>! Our first guests were a lovely young couple from Trani staying with us from 15th - 18th August - and now we will host again an Italian couple from Milano on <em>Ferragosto</em>!<br />
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It was a year of exciting and fun experiences! Initially, I thought we will only rent our residence while I am on site in Pizzo. But then after our first lovely guests, and their overwhelming great review, I got an inquiry from an English couple who wanted to rent the apartment for two weeks last September. Since my parents-in-law were staying in Calabria until October, and were willing to help out, we gave it a try. It worked out so well, they even went on a trip to Tropea together. <br />
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Over time, I think, I hope - we improved the service, amenities and decoration. We now have bedside tables, bedside lamps, a large mirror inside the wardrobe, a giant toaster - toasting uneven shaped bread slices ;-), a garden bench, new deck chairs, and more art work from local artists. <br />
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We had quiet some international guests from different countries to greet in our first year! In alphabetical order their home countries are America, Danmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Russia.<br />
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This is the perfect moment to say<span style="font-size: large;"> thank you to all our lovely guests</span>, who decided to spend their holiday in <em>bella</em> Calabria, who chose Pizzo above other destinations, who trusted us, stood with us, treated our home like their home! And many special thanks to those of you who also took their time to write a helpful review, connected with us on social media, and already plan to come back to Pizzo! Thank you! Grazie! Danke! Tak! спаси́бо!<br />
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I would like to further take the opportunity to thank also the team behind Palazzo Pizzo Residence, especially Angelo and Tonino! Without their support this project would not be possible.<br />
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In case you have a spare room or apartment, I only can recommend to try the Holiday Rental adventure. I promise, you will meet interesting people and even make some new friends!<br />
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When you have read until here and are planning a holiday between Amalfi and Sicily, and want to discover Calabria, and maybe stay in Pizzo, check us out on<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g669647-d4495799-Palazzo_Pizzo_Residence-Pizzo_Province_of_Vibo_Valentia_Calabria.html" target="_blank"> <strong>tripadvisor</strong></a>.<br />
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To more exciting years to come!<em> </em><br />
<em>Buon Ferragosto a tutti!</em><br />
<em>A presto,</em><br />
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Susan- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-69986289618044725892014-07-04T17:26:00.000+07:002014-07-04T17:34:46.108+07:00Summer in PizzoJune and July are the perfect summer months to stay in Pizzo. It is warm but not too hot. The Pizzitani are full of energy and there are not too many tourists around yet. In the evenings though, it can get a bit chilly in piazza. I haven't been sick in years, but caught a <i>rafreddore</i> just now. Bummer... however, the healthy air and sunshine are curing me well. And I am doing fine enough to update our facebook page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/palazzopizzo">www.facebook.com/palazzopizzo</a> with photos and news from Pizzo.<br />
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We had a lovely couple from Finland staying with us in the residence and a surprise visitor yesterday. Maria rang the bell and introduced herself. She lived in some rooms in the <i>primo piano</i> over 60 year ago! It was interesting to hear her stories and a pleasure to show her the house.<br />
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Soon, I will also post some photos here - subject "street photography" or "alley photography". I am announcing it, otherwise it might get forgotten with all the things that are happening when you are on holiday in your own house and not in a hotel ;-) Until soon... x s- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-1474456718211187852014-05-12T19:17:00.000+07:002014-06-01T22:15:50.219+07:00Special Spring Offer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4BiwfHvf3SgKP1UsenOV6DRTXMjh7V2Af9zP_c6WgmYmbHVy8cfh1o4SaEj_kU2xno12G1FKhxgS7V8foTjOs6Lg4VOUFdtmOd0fIpVrHwmp7Sbx-mwSay7cwDgrJho1wuPxC43kc0Y/s1600/850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4BiwfHvf3SgKP1UsenOV6DRTXMjh7V2Af9zP_c6WgmYmbHVy8cfh1o4SaEj_kU2xno12G1FKhxgS7V8foTjOs6Lg4VOUFdtmOd0fIpVrHwmp7Sbx-mwSay7cwDgrJho1wuPxC43kc0Y/s1600/850.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizzo in Spring (photo S. Crosetto)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Palazzo Pizzo Residence is ready to welcome spring breakers!</span></div>
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If not for yourself, maybe you have friends who plan a spring break in Italy. Palazzo Pizzo Residence is the perfect place to relax in Southern Italy. Beautifully located on the "<em>Costa degli Dei</em>", the Coast of Gods, between Amalfi and Sicily, it's only a 25 min drive from international airport Lamezia Terme (SUF). </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence,+Via+Paladini,+Pizzo,+VV,+Italy&aq=0&oq=palazzo+pizzo&sll=38.734728,16.160674&sspn=0.006704,0.013937&ie=UTF8&hq=Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence,&hnear=Via+Paladini,+Pizzo,+Vibo+Valentia,+Calabria,+Italy&t=m&cid=2454211419934366607&ll=39.512517,15.413818&spn=4.068107,7.03125&z=7&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence,+Via+Paladini,+Pizzo,+VV,+Italy&aq=0&oq=palazzo+pizzo&sll=38.734728,16.160674&sspn=0.006704,0.013937&ie=UTF8&hq=Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence,&hnear=Via+Paladini,+Pizzo,+Vibo+Valentia,+Calabria,+Italy&t=m&cid=2454211419934366607&ll=39.512517,15.413818&spn=4.068107,7.03125&z=7" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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There are many direct flights from European cities and several daily direct flights from various Italian airports to Lamezia Terme.</div>
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Other airports in the area are Reggio Calabria (1,5 h drive), Catania (Sicily, 2,5 h drive) and Naples (4 h drive).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiq7tMqZ1ooEVUMc_GYWhyphenhyphenqyN9zJzFYvyd1MaiTSxVd8KaoeGGJJbGoLAmcbEYTzXABrGshP2JWxuyCfjBkuAnFSrpRBvxVaWKh0_djOl_8z0UauYojuwg83tYpcyyFDDwJ_nCv2Mo7E/s1600/Pizzo+in+April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pizzo in April (by S. Crosetto)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiq7tMqZ1ooEVUMc_GYWhyphenhyphenqyN9zJzFYvyd1MaiTSxVd8KaoeGGJJbGoLAmcbEYTzXABrGshP2JWxuyCfjBkuAnFSrpRBvxVaWKh0_djOl_8z0UauYojuwg83tYpcyyFDDwJ_nCv2Mo7E/s1600/Pizzo+in+April.jpg" height="480" title="Pizzo in April (by S. Crosetto)" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizzo in Spring - the Beach is waiting for you!</td></tr>
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Check out Palazzo Pizzo Residence's <a href="http://www.palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">website</a> for further information, visit the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/sets/72157632993421476/" target="_blank">photo gallery</a>, read about our trip to <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2014/04/pizzo-in-april.html" target="_blank">Pizzo in April</a>, or contact us at <a href="mailto:PalazzoPizzo@gmail.com">PalazzoPizzo@gmail.com</a>. We are happy to help planning your vacation.</div>
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We love to host you!</div>
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-70253346968180893632014-05-01T21:03:00.001+07:002014-05-12T16:55:33.245+07:00About changing a blog into a website ...<br />
UPDATE 05/05/14 : <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/">www.palazzopizzo.com</a> is back and pointing ! <br />
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I have been experimenting a bit to combine my two blogs <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/">www.palazzopizzo.blogspot.com</a> and <a href="http://www.palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.com/">www.palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.com</a>. And after having diverted the pointer I couldn't set it back. Now, I am waiting for a technical helper to enter required code names into the Domain Name System .... (<em>update: it's done)</em><br />
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In the meantime, I continue searching for a solution. I need a static front page, a landing page that does not look like a blog. I want a welcome page that guides those to the blog who want to read my posts and those to our vacation rental who are planning a holiday in Southern Italy. <br />
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So I followed some intstuctions I found on the web to tweak Blogger to use a static page as homepage. (...) It all worked fine, at least on my desktop and tablet - but not on the smart phone (too many redirection), also the loading became slow. And you still have a blogroll on your welcome page... so I changed all back.<br />
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Wordpress and Squarespace are the platforms that offer a bit more than blogger when it comes to templates (themes) and pages. But should I dump my partner of seven years? Blogger never let me down! Never. If you are just blogging, there is no reason to change. Blogger is even easier to handle!<br />
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My experience with Wordpress lasted two (!) days (!). I worked two days to set up my website (with the "Stay" Theme), learning by doing, no content, just the structure, when all in a sudden I saw RED. Wordpress had kicked me out! A red banner was saying: your website is suspended due to violation of our terms and conditions!!<br />
That was it! No more access.<br />
The website wasn't even finished! <br />
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Shouldn't this be enough of a hint for me to stay with blogger?<br />
Blogger is free with unlimited space, Squarespace starts at 8$/month and Wordpress (.com) is free-ish. For the best looking templates you have to pay. For minor adjustments (blue font?) you need to pay. And you even need to pay to have your site free of advertisement as they have the right to place ads into your posts (while you would again violate their terms and conditions when having paid links). Want to point your own domain to your Wordpress.com site? You need to pay.<br />
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While editing this post, I received an apology from Wordpress for their error and any inconvenience. They somehow detected spam, and I will have to delete my cookies before opening the site.<br />
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After that I signed up for the 14 days free trial with Squarespace. They are great for stylish websites. But if you are a blogger, then you will miss what are basics at Blogger: spelling check, better statistics, x most read posts in the last x days, you also might like these posts-widget, and an archive! (BTW I use an invisible counter from <a href="http://www.statcounter.com/">www.statcounter.com</a> for more details).<br />
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Shortly after I messed with my domain name, I also got mail from GOOGLE, saying that they "detected a significant increase" in 404 (Page Not Found) errors for PalazzoPizzo.com - I am flattered - will fix it!<br />
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The only two things that would make me change platforms are :<br />
1) the need of a static internet presence increased while the the blog became secondary.<br />
2) Google who owns Blogger might decide all in a sudden to close this platform.<br />
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Let's see how my trial with Squarespaces works out... <br />
Hopefully, I can greet you soon with a new look!<br />
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Happy month of May!<br />
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A presto<br />
S.- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-76459475581995237612014-04-27T17:20:00.000+07:002014-04-27T17:22:21.261+07:00Pizzo in April<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsShKfY_BDS5MawKHZglxjxacHhwYugLt1OOH480h5G9sVQj2yEQgToyJLhcHWmYTTfbZhKerJ70S49Z_XKY_RpQ1vut_uHdi2_nvqyOArGAPoH9doQagV5FWPa6iZjUeSscis2vZFbw/s1600/883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsShKfY_BDS5MawKHZglxjxacHhwYugLt1OOH480h5G9sVQj2yEQgToyJLhcHWmYTTfbZhKerJ70S49Z_XKY_RpQ1vut_uHdi2_nvqyOArGAPoH9doQagV5FWPa6iZjUeSscis2vZFbw/s1600/883.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>"Questo mare e pieno di voci e questo cielo e pieno di visioni"</em> - Pizzo Marina</div>
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We had a wonderful time in Pizzo this April. The first days, it was rainy and cold, and when the wind blows it feels even much colder. But after a few days the sun came out and spring was back. Without wind it then feels even warmer! We enjoyed lovely 20 degrees and up. <br />
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Everyday we saw people at the beach, even locals were sunbathing, and of course the usual crazy tourists from the Northern Europe who jump fearless in the beautiful clear turquoise but ice cold sea. Our son was one of them. With lots of aaah and iiihh screams he bravely swam at Pizzo Marina and even at La Seggiola, where the water was cleaner than ever without the usual little fishing boats around.<br />
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We enjoyed relaxing days in Pizzo, cleaning and ventilating the house, eating at la Nonna's house, trying the first <em>tartufo</em> ice cream of the season, inviting friends for dinner, reading books, spending a great time with visitors from Germany, going on little excursions, opening the boating season, buying local olive oil, making new friends, and participating in the Holy Week's Easter Processions. <br />
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We also went fishing, but the kids realised that they don't want to kill any of the caught fishes. We had to liberate the poor creatures (to my content) or the children would not touch any cooked or grilled fish at dinner. :-)<br />
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rainy April days in Pizzo </div>
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harbour project is still on ice ...</div>
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Spring in Calabria with little yellow flowers and olive trees</div>
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brave kids swimming at la Seggiola and Pizzo Marina</div>
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a reading session in the warm sun - warmer than inside the house!</div>
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a morning walk to the <em>commune</em> and stunning view of Pizzo from above</div>
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discovering a new great little restaurant in piazza: Il Cappero Rosso</div>
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best pizza in town at Il Cappero Rosso (photo: "Pizza Nera")</div>
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<em>Beneditione</em> on Palm Sunday in piazza</div>
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most impressive the <em>'Affrundata</em> procession on Holy Thursday night from Dome San Giorgio to Chiesa San Sebastiano in Pizzo, centro storico</div>
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bye bye Calabria - with window seats on the left we spotted Capri and Ischia and Ostia antica near Rome. On a clear day, the vulcanos Stromboli and Etna (Sicily) can be seen as well.</div>
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During our stay in Pizzo, I posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo" target="_blank">our Facebook page</a> some more photos and videos. Check it out if you like. - One more month and we will be back in town! A presto!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsShKfY_BDS5MawKHZglxjxacHhwYugLt1OOH480h5G9sVQj2yEQgToyJLhcHWmYTTfbZhKerJ70S49Z_XKY_RpQ1vut_uHdi2_nvqyOArGAPoH9doQagV5FWPa6iZjUeSscis2vZFbw/s1600/883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-23885333308671221942014-03-26T14:34:00.001+07:002014-11-27T13:37:58.220+07:00Risotto<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">R</span>isotto</em> </strong>is an Italian rice dish cooked with stock to a creamy consistency. The stock to use depends on the risotto you cook - it can be meat-, fish- or vegetable-based. In every risotto you will need butter, onions and wine. Then you add different ingredients. For a <em><strong>risotto al porcini</strong></em>, you add porcini mushrooms and for a <em><strong>risotto al tartuffo</strong></em> you add truffle (at the end). The classic <em><strong>risotto alla Milanese</strong></em> contains saffron.<br />
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A <em>risotto</em> in Italy is a <em>primo piatto</em> (first course) followed by a main course, therefor calculate just <strong>70 - max. 90 gram rice</strong> per person if you plan to serve more food. Please note, that you will need to buy a special kind of risotto rice (like <strong>"Carnaroli")</strong>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43qHyOjuZwQIrGKMSi57SiYoTBX1Kn-1KlNp5k2X2FfZEs967p3LGdidh9rvuOGjTnF8F4QqWpFKGEgvZC_o2Fg-aX4ni0JNFpWRGloFAR2rwdhc_VvstcIaaDt83pRsd_C0YffyZky8/s1600/risotto+capture.jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photos via <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/palazzopizzo/food/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></td></tr>
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<em></em><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>risotto (<em>ricetta di base</em>)</strong></span></u><br />
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<strong>Ingredients for 4 persons:</strong><br />
<br />
300 gr rice (<em>riso</em>) Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano<br />
1 l vegetable stock (<em>brodo</em>)<br />
200 ml white wine (<em>vino bianco secco</em>)<br />
50 gr butter (<em>burro</em>)<br />
1 small onion (<em>cipolla</em>)<br />
50 gr Parmesan cheese, grated (<em>parmigiano</em>)<br />
salt (<em>sale</em>)<br />
olive oil (<em>olio d'olivo extra vergine</em>)<br />
<br />
optional: <br />
garlic, celery (<em>aglio, sedano</em>), and other ingredients for risotto varieties*<br />
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<br />
phase 1<br />
<br />
Heat the stock until boiling. <br />
In a separate pan, heat some olive oil and half of the butter at low temperature, add the onions, (garlic and celery), and glaze slowly for a couple of minutes without colouring. When onions have softened, <u>add the rice</u> (turn up the heat a little bit).<br />
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phase 2<br />
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The rice will now begin to lightly fry, so keep stirring - with a <u>wooden spoon</u> - for about one minute only, when the pan seems dry and the rice look slightly <u>translucent, <strong>add the wine</strong></u> and keep stirring until the wine is absorbed. The alcohol evaporates and leaves the rice with a tasty essence.<br />
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phase 3<br />
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Add your <u>first ladle of hot stock</u> and a <u>good pinch of salt</u>. <br />
<u><strong>Lower the heat to simmer</strong></u>, so the rice doesn't cook too quickly on the outside. Keep adding stock, stirring and almost massaging the creamy starch out of the rice, allowing each ladle of stock to be absorbed <u>before</u> adding the next. - (It is about here to <strong>add special ingredients</strong> e.g. porcini mushrooms for other varieties of risotto*!) - The whole cooking procedure will take around 15-18 minutes. Taste the rice - is it cooked? Carry on adding stock <u>until the rice is soft but "<em>al dente</em>"with a slight bite</u>. Don't forget to check the seasoning carefully. If you run out of stock before the rice is cooked, use boiling water.<br />
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phase 4<br />
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<u>Remove from the heat and add the rest of the butter and Parmesan.</u> Stir well. <br />
<u><strong>Place a lid on the pan and allow to sit for 2 minutes</strong></u>. This is the most important part of making the perfect risotto, as this is when it becomes more creamy - just like it should be. <br />
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Eat it as soon as possible, while the risotto retains its beautiful texture. Offer at the table more grated Parmesan and black ground pepper.<br />
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<u></u><br />
<u></u><br />
<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-size: small;">ounds</span> easy<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> <span style="font-size: large;">M</span>ore tips for you to make it a success :</strong></u><br />
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Although risotto is categorised as "soup" in Italy, the consistency should be not too liquid, but <strong>creamy</strong>. If you shake the pot/pan or plate, the risotto should make a "<em>onda</em>", wave.<br />
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The "<strong>Arborio"</strong> rice is very commonly used, but be careful, it can overcook easily. The <strong>"Carnaroli" </strong>seems is more robust, and its price is a bit higher. In risotto that has only fine ingredents, like "alla Milanese" or in risotto typical from the Veneto the "<strong>Vialone Nano</strong>" rice is preferred.<br />
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For making risotto you need stock, not broth. See the difference here on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_(food)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>.<br />
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Make sure the <strong>stock is salted enough</strong> to add taste to the risotto.<br />
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The stock you add should be <strong>boiling </strong>as otherwise it would stop the cooking process.<br />
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If you run out of stock before the rice is cooked, use <strong>boiling water</strong>.<br />
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Vegetable stock is great for all sorts of risotto. Instead of making your own stock, you can use an instant "<em>dado</em>", cube from the supermarket.<br />
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In general, <strong>dry white wine</strong> is used for risotto.<strong> Red</strong> <strong>wine</strong> is used in Piedmont or for risotto with <em>radicchio di Treviso</em>.<br />
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Add wine up to your taste. The alcohol evaporates anyway, so no problem for kids or water drinkers.<br />
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If you add a lot and/or heavy ingredients to the risotto, like prawns or peas, then a smaller quantity of rice per person might apply, especially when you serve it as a starter. Calculate roughly 70gr rice per person when risotto is a starter, and 100 gr per (hungry) person for a main course only.<br />
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In case you have some risotto left, there are more recipes, like <em>frittate di riso</em>, for the next day.<br />
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Only start cooking when all guest have arrived... if your risotto is <em>pronto</em> but the guest late, the rice will not be<em> al dente</em> or warm enough. Stopping the cooking process in between is also not ideal.<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>pproximate proportion of rice and liquid</u></strong> (depending on the rice quality) :<br />
<br />
<strong>RICE WINE STOCK PERSONS</strong><br />
100 gr 1/4 - 1/2 (50-100ml) 300 ml 1 p. (hungry, main course)<br />
180 gr 1/2 glass (100 ml) 550 ml 2 p. 90 gr/pers<br />
250 gr 1/2 glass 750 ml 3 p. 83 gr/pers<br />
<strong>300 gr 1/2 - 1 glass (100-200ml) 900 ml /1.0 l 4 p. 75 gr/pers</strong><br />
350 gr 1/2 - 1 glass of wine 1.0 liter 4 p. 88 gr/pers<br />
400 gr 1 glass (200 ml) 1.2 liter 5 p. 80 gr/pers<br />
600 gr 1 1/2 - 2 (300-400 ml) 2.0 liter 6 1/2 p. 90 gr (and next day)<br />
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* <u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">V</span>arieties of <span style="font-size: large;">R</span>isotto:</strong></u> <br />
Add mushrooms, dried or fresh (<em>funghi, porcini</em>), asparagus (<em>asparagi</em>), peas (<em>piselli</em>), broccoli, prawns (<em>gamberi</em>), saffron (<em>zafferano</em>, 30 gr for 300 gr rice), <em>radicchio</em> salad, or your own creation - but all <u>after</u> adding the wine (and having it evaporated) and about <u>five minutes after adding stock</u> - or even later, depending of the consistency of the ingredients. Truffle, Parmesan, parsley, for example, are added at the very end.<br />
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<br />
<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">V</span>egetable <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>tock homemade :</strong></u><br />
<ul>
<li>heat olive oil, add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes</li>
<li>add salt and water (a bit more than the quantity of stock you need), lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes</li>
<li>discard vegetables</li>
<li>veggies and herbs to use: onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, garlic, parsley, thyme, sage (<em>salvia</em>); </li>
</ul>
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If you want to read more about risotto and Italian language is okay for you, then check out this website: <a href="http://www.risotto.it/">www.risotto.it</a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Buon Apetito !</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></strong><br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-21519595805534075072013-12-29T22:36:00.000+07:002013-12-29T23:41:18.531+07:00Between the Years<div style="text-align: right;">
Bangkok, December 2013</div>
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The time between 26th and 31st December we call the time "between the years". These few days were always very special to me. It is actually when I enjoy Christmas the most, although it is basically over. The spirit is still there but without the "stress". These are relaxing days before the big countdown for a whole new year. I used to reflect the old year, month by month. There was time to read, time to write, and time to play. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk197Nl0TVj9o1tYflW__yOyCb6D7DhJWY4Y330rInIH7fI1zFenBWP_4aYM4_kXE5O9DMIXuvgsQOk77upK7MTSdmWTxvTVQLOq9uQLcEcS4fA17H5z9NrDnMP-8d5fRvZCRgsRnwwF8/s1600/Dipt+pscp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk197Nl0TVj9o1tYflW__yOyCb6D7DhJWY4Y330rInIH7fI1zFenBWP_4aYM4_kXE5O9DMIXuvgsQOk77upK7MTSdmWTxvTVQLOq9uQLcEcS4fA17H5z9NrDnMP-8d5fRvZCRgsRnwwF8/s400/Dipt+pscp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, my little family lives in Asia where shops are open 12+ hours every single day of the year. There is no real difference between workdays and holidays. Time never stands still. And there is not even much change between seasons. Although this year, we are enjoying some chilly days! The Holidays in Southeast Asia are so much nicer when temperatures drop below 25 degrees! </div>
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Before the time between the years, I cooked dinner for Christmas Eve and lunch for Christmas Day. We are having my husband's parents visiting from Italy, and friends joined on Christmas Day. It is nice to have the house decorated, to cook special dishes, to bake cookies, to built a gingerbread house, to wrap gifts, to light candles, to sip Champagne and to have the house filled with lovely people (accompanied by a fresh "winter" breeze)! </div>
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We also had scheduled an operation for our son to happen during the holidays in order to have lots of time for him to recover before school starts again in January. Due to a little flu (that he caught on the last day of school during swimming lesson - I told you it is chilly outside!) the op was re-scheduled to Boxing Day (26th). Don't worry, all went OK and he is out today. The days and evenings in hospital were quiet (most of the time) - like the days between the years should be - when time seems to stand still. </div>
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So I found myself with a book (Proust), a magazine (Elle Decor) and an ipad on the visitor's sofa. When the Internet was working, I visited all the pretty blogs on my blogroll. Some design bloggers had posted the most beautiful Christmas decoration of their homes, mantels and dining tables. But I have not seen any decorated chandelier. That's why I thought I can post something new: my Christmas ornaments up in the air (photo above). For me it is still Christmas (at least until 6th January). Some people even celebrate Christmas in January. And here in Bangkok the decoration will be out even longer.</div>
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When we came home today - like it should be between the years - I started to study the manual of my Christmas gift. I got a new camera! I was looking for a more handy camera for my purse (I cannot always carry my EOS around). But I had done little research so far. And since we went on a nice holiday in October, we said that's our Christmas gift. Therefore, I was quiet surprised when I opened a present for me, and saw, my husband had made a decision (fast as always). With this camera, he said, we can "share" lenses... Now, don't want to think about what that means. I just tried the new toy as soon as the battery was charged. - And I love it!! - It is what I need: self-explaining, easy to handle, from full auto to full manual. Light, compact and surprising quality. If I would have known that my first test shots turn out so well, I would have done better staging (photo above)! </div>
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Although the next photo (below) does not look that appealing ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBm83czYBCzeJW0ca_2eArtRaga_izrTmD09MP0LMkzhyphenhyphenqr_sgNOKRnELGdI5wwrrt4khs1-4Lh21izeW5HDzWLjYasqHDf6LhLvYgfvDWndWQArYgOOfG5uILZmNp_PUx4MlO2BQOw0/s1600/IMG_0031+ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBm83czYBCzeJW0ca_2eArtRaga_izrTmD09MP0LMkzhyphenhyphenqr_sgNOKRnELGdI5wwrrt4khs1-4Lh21izeW5HDzWLjYasqHDf6LhLvYgfvDWndWQArYgOOfG5uILZmNp_PUx4MlO2BQOw0/s400/IMG_0031+ps.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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... dinner time was up, and the first occasion to prepare a<em> risotto al tartufo! </em>Angelo had gotten us a white truffle from Piedmont (photo above) which was seducing me with it's amazing smell whenever I opened the fridge these days. (I will post the recipe later.)</div>
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We are still in-between the years. And maybe it is time for some New Year Resolutions. I have not done this in a long time. As I really enjoy "the time between the years", I should try to find some "in-between time" to embrace on other occasions. Some people do meditation, or yoga. Every night, bedtime can be a quiet time in between the days - to reflect what has been and what might come. Something that I used to do, but simply forgot. Since my son and I enjoy some quiet time at bedtime, reading and talking, already, I want to start to include reflections on the day. For him to learn, for me to remember. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> Wishing you all a peaceful time between the Years!</span></em></span></div>
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- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-79734383159338104322013-12-21T14:28:00.000+07:002013-12-21T14:33:04.601+07:00Season Greetings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4FmzIH2qukUeqrmOtZkqdZrtrMmMg8gVrVmwudXFHO68Qsu-lAaqYlV5aW966aCE4jHHiY0_5Ro5KJJJ_YAtGtmnGg1zRMI7emAdf4xOjeimPiQ4JyEPifu4rWEAK4q98qiXrUeheyY/s1600/PPR+xmas+2013+frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4FmzIH2qukUeqrmOtZkqdZrtrMmMg8gVrVmwudXFHO68Qsu-lAaqYlV5aW966aCE4jHHiY0_5Ro5KJJJ_YAtGtmnGg1zRMI7emAdf4xOjeimPiQ4JyEPifu4rWEAK4q98qiXrUeheyY/s640/PPR+xmas+2013+frost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Tanti Auguri di Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We wish you a Merry Christmas </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">all the best for </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">a healthy and happy New Year!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Happy Holidays! </span></div>
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- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-47499230586265377702013-12-17T07:31:00.000+07:002013-12-17T09:13:59.608+07:00Living in an Italian Village - Pros and one con - Writing Contest<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t61Yl8KVCxahCZ2M_hNx9zOID_f4_TJXHLoFDeSz71a6uKRmAchV-5KZbiq7xranCUPFowBLztpdkv1bqYFmOC_ll6IMiyCFz5bZz0zkI_xqB_zFgi-BIMequBEGFIPYZZy1O4HkSVY/s1600/1465103_10153638334775473_2097143361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t61Yl8KVCxahCZ2M_hNx9zOID_f4_TJXHLoFDeSz71a6uKRmAchV-5KZbiq7xranCUPFowBLztpdkv1bqYFmOC_ll6IMiyCFz5bZz0zkI_xqB_zFgi-BIMequBEGFIPYZZy1O4HkSVY/s400/1465103_10153638334775473_2097143361_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizzo in October 2013 - by B. Bauer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P</span>robably I would not have taken part in an expat writing competition, if the guys from <a href="http://www.expatsblog.com/">expatsblog.com</a> would not have pushed me a couple of times. Hey, I like writing, and it just takes a little idea and it flows...so why not?<br />
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I am afraid the same thing happened like in my early days of school, where I had good moments in essay writing, but also sometimes just missed the point when a certain subject was given. The subject given by expatsblog.com was to write a "Top list", like the "Top 10 hangout places for expats in Timbuktu", or the "Top 10 street food stalls in Bangkok"... <br />
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Neither was I keen on writing another what so ever guide on Bangkok, nor on Pizzo (condition was that you haven't published anything similar on your blog yet). And there are probably not even 10 hangout places in our Italian village, not to mention "top 10". <strong>So, my writing emerged into a different direction. More into why people choose living in an Italian village, how people discovered it, and what makes them stay. </strong><br />
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<u>2nd part of the competition is for readers to participate:</u> <br />
Please, dear readers, go over to expatblogs.com and read my article<strong> "</strong><a href="http://www.expatsblog.com/contests/716/living-in-an-italian-village-by-the-sea-pros-and-one-con"><strong>Living in an Italian Village by the Sea – Pros and one Con</strong></a><strong>"</strong> and write a comment below my article (if you like it) over at that page (not on this blog), <strong>before 20th December!</strong> But please write <strong>at least 10 words</strong> (as they won't accept just a "great!" or "love it"). And then you might have to reconfirm your email by going into your email box (and check your spam file too). --- I feel it is a bit too much... so never mind, if you have no time to do it. However, if you like to join the game, then leave your 10 words long comment (or longer). It will increase my chance to not come in last, and it will increase the chance for all expat bloggers in Italy to win a "country price" (probably a nice badge for the blogroll).<br />
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Actually, I read all entries from Italy. Interesting to see other expats' view on the country. I had some laughs, and with some I couldn't agree more. For all 171 entries <a href="http://www.expatsblog.com/contests/expat-blog-awards-2013" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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Grazie mille.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you all a festive season, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year 2014!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu0-VWRiRoD_o81bldiwSXW0wLfDBu4qPJ5TgjFJuJaMGOpFG_RW0QFL4UShFTJh2wOjSIEDC0DvjNsP5LI80MfERh7eSlRQMmkj827QXAh2_6Kuc-0ngT2YHSufSPkrXeZeGi63TWu4/s1600/1472884_543598499051072_2011635149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu0-VWRiRoD_o81bldiwSXW0wLfDBu4qPJ5TgjFJuJaMGOpFG_RW0QFL4UShFTJh2wOjSIEDC0DvjNsP5LI80MfERh7eSlRQMmkj827QXAh2_6Kuc-0ngT2YHSufSPkrXeZeGi63TWu4/s400/1472884_543598499051072_2011635149_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in Sila, December 2013 - by E. Gardiner</td></tr>
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<em>photo source:</em> our latest guests were so kind to share photos they took in and around Pizzo on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPizzo" target="_blank">facebook</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.expatsblog.com/contests/716/living-in-an-italian-village-by-the-sea-pros-and-one-con"></a><br />
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-59831753228061239512013-10-30T18:27:00.004+07:002014-12-17T10:58:26.661+07:00WHY renting out your house or vacation property? - 6 Reasons<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before asking <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2013/10/how-to-rent-out-your-house-or-vacation.html" target="_blank">HOW to rent out a holiday home</a>?, you may ask <strong>WHY renting out a holiday home?</strong> Why should I?</div>
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Maybe because you have calculated to <strong>pay the mortgage</strong> by letting your home for a certain time of the year? (Maybe a shady real estate agent even guaranteed you a certain rental income?) Actually, this is a very a good reason to let your home! Getting an <strong>extra income</strong> is probably the reason number 1 for most owners. Some successful business have even started that way (see <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/opinion/sunday/friedman-welcome-to-the-sharing-economy.html?_r=0" target="_blank">"airbed and breakfast", airbnb</a>!).</div>
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But maybe it is not the mortgage (or rent), maybe it is the<strong> annual maintenance fee, or</strong> <strong>repair and renovation cost that can be covered</strong> by renting out a holiday home.</div>
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Or maybe you simply do not want your holiday home to be empty for the rest of the year while you are away. <strong>Maybe you want the water running through the tubes and windows opened from time to time? </strong>Someone who rents your place during winter will probably heat it and humidity stays outside? Maybe you are lucky, and have good guests who are kind of looking after your property it in a certain way, and give you feed-back about things that stopped working?</div>
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Do you know that some house owners even pay people to live in their homes while they are away? These "guests" are employed as housekeeper or guards; they have to water the garden, empty the mail box, look after the property like an owner would do. They are hired to make the house look 'alive'.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIQSd0VDjTSD-WY1N5IeHIgQBMyoRqqkAkTeFGdMvwK8cO981aLnbf3y3Cn7MBEZkWYKmLwuIVGf4xWdRNsgiJD8P2ojD-iIq7OCDD10taMxSpQp7npZ5AeRiIiAZ2bBGJrquMBAt2ak/s1600/Pizzo+by+night.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIQSd0VDjTSD-WY1N5IeHIgQBMyoRqqkAkTeFGdMvwK8cO981aLnbf3y3Cn7MBEZkWYKmLwuIVGf4xWdRNsgiJD8P2ojD-iIq7OCDD10taMxSpQp7npZ5AeRiIiAZ2bBGJrquMBAt2ak/s640/Pizzo+by+night.png" height="195" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illumination at night, even in our residence!</td></tr>
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And that is my main argument to rent out our guest residence. (Not the entire <em>palazzo</em>. Not yet. Just part of it. Our residence, that has a separate entrance.) <strong>The house looks dark and lifeless, when we are away.</strong> Yes, it feels sad to see it that way, dark and empty. Even neighbours told me so. It is such a gem in the old part of town. It is such a pity that we can't be there all year round. (Not yet.) Hence I am feeling even happy to rent the <em>seminterrato</em>, our residence to people who choose to stay in an old <em>palazzo</em>, in a newly renovated apartment, carved into a rock, high above the sea... Those who contact me, have seen the pictures, have maybe visited this blog, they know what they get. It is not a modern house in a compound with hundreds of alike looking houses. It is not on the beach. It does not sleep a group of friends. - It is something unique. Guests know before arrival, that there are some stairs to walk. They know that they will have a stone ceiling and some antique furniture. The days of Internet make it easy to picture what you get before actually arriving. It helps to match the residence with the right guests! <strong>Finally the guests will liven the house up!</strong></div>
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So this is my main reason. The house will have some lights on in the evening, it will look 'alive', and happy - with happy vacationer.</div>
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And on top of that happiness, as an owner, <strong>I have truly fun to rent the apartment!</strong> It is like a mini job. I did a bit of 'staging' (with lemons next to the sink and wine glasses on the table), <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2013/09/new-photos-of-palazzo-pizzo-residence.html" target="_blank"><strong>took some nice photos</strong></a>, uploaded them to flickr, <a href="http://palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.it/" target="_blank"><strong>created a new website</strong></a>, checked out all the possible <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2013/10/how-to-rent-out-your-house-or-vacation.html" target="_blank">vacation rental agents' websites</a>. We enjoyed <strong>shopping</strong> to complete the household, and we love <strong>decorating</strong> the walls with some local art (more to come!). Occasionally I provide flowers, wine, special soap or anything that will surprise my guests. Finally I wrote a manual and a little guidebook for our guests, ... and I am blogging about the whole story. A lot of creativity is involved, which I enjoy very much.<br />
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However the best point is, we are <strong>meeting interesting people</strong> from around the world through the Internet during the booking process and later on site! Sometimes, it even seems we are making new friends while sharing the same love for the location, the Southern lifestyle and the uniquness of our home. And at the end, it is so exciting and rewarding to get lovely reviews (see our <a href="http://palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.it/p/guestbook.html" target="_blank">guestbook</a>)! <br />
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Further more, if you think about all what is involved, you are <strong>supporting the local economy</strong> by attracting guest to your home. They will shop in local stores, eat in local restaurants, drink in local bars. They will also pay (directly or indirectly) for the cleaning lady, for the airport transfer and maybe for a tourist guide. You might even <strong>provide work to locals</strong> who have not been working as housekeeper or taxi driver before.<br />
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Doesn't that all sound great and convincing?! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG1SBS1l6lR6QKLG9fHSaorxDdpDQc6Oyt0OLcALXHz2bQlvTWWqUWa3JU1ecumnJzPMcztX3Xu6IAXcxQYLvhmrFV5uX3yaAuyAuqLqFBXTzeM1DSXGbqTZHVfp9OCNDeI4JxOlTfQs/s1600/Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG1SBS1l6lR6QKLG9fHSaorxDdpDQc6Oyt0OLcALXHz2bQlvTWWqUWa3JU1ecumnJzPMcztX3Xu6IAXcxQYLvhmrFV5uX3yaAuyAuqLqFBXTzeM1DSXGbqTZHVfp9OCNDeI4JxOlTfQs/s640/Palazzo+Pizzo+Residence+collage.jpg" height="235" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">Website</a> cover photo - what you see is what you get</td></tr>
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Of course with renting out any property, you sooner or later will always come across some unpleasant issues. Maybe you will encounter an unhappy customer, an overcharging cleaning woman, unpaid fees, or broken items. But I feel in the long run, positive experiences will always outweigh - otherwise the holiday letting market would not constantly grow. </div>
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So far, we are very happy how our holiday letting (with <a href="http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/pizzo/547714" target="_blank">Holidaylettings</a>) started! It goes so smooth, that we even have briefly considering renting the whole <em>palazzo</em> on a weekly basis - some day in the future. But we would have to find a way to store private belongings. And a big <strong>decluttering</strong> would be necessary (without loosing the personal touch!). Things would need to be in certain places, <strong>to be organised, </strong>maybe labelled, <strong>and a deep cleansing would take place after each stay</strong> .... seems I just found another good reason!<br />
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<u>Summarised for me the 5 main reasons to rent out our holiday home are:</u></div>
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<strong>1) Guests liven the holiday home up!</strong></div>
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<strong>2) The letting is fun!</strong><br />
<strong>3) Meeting interesting people from around the world.</strong> </div>
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<strong>4) In the long run it covers certain costs.</strong><br />
<strong>5) You support the local economy.</strong><br />
<strong>6) Keeps the home clean and organised. </strong></div>
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Have you made any good or bad experience by letting your holiday property? Do you have another good reason why renting out your home? Please share in a comment. I would love to hear from you!<br />
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If you are interested in letting your house or holiday home you might be interested in reading my post about <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2013/10/how-to-rent-out-your-house-or-vacation.html" target="_blank">HOW to rent out your home or vacation property</a>.- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-31790772500660130452013-10-16T19:03:00.001+07:002014-12-17T10:59:34.420+07:00HOW to rent out your house or vacation property - Or should I open a B&B?How to rent out a vacation property? I asked myself a while ago and researched the web, and posted some finds earlier <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2011/04/how-to-rent-out-holiday-home.html" target="_blank">here</a> (04/2011). Now, since our residence - <em>Palazzo Pizzo Residence</em> as we still call it - is finally, finally ready to be rented out, I looked again into the <strong>vacation rental business</strong>.<br />
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Before getting organised, I got already one request<strong> </strong>for our residence from a very nice young lady from the States, earlier this year; she introduced herself <strong>via email</strong> and her partner. I would have loved to host this lovely couple, but they didn't want to stay one whole week. - Understandable, of course, when you plan a round trip through Europe. (I revised that 'policy' to a minimum stay of 3 days.). Further, it was for early June and none of us or our family could have prepared the residence for our first guests. <strong>We were just not prepared!</strong><br />
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So in June, I started to promote our residence <strong>on this blog</strong>, with a very good deal for this summer, and stated: "no minimum stay required - including breakfast" - since I was on site and could have managed myself. But I did not reach any potential vacationers. In fact, it would have been a too nice coincidence if another long time reader would have just waited for me to open the door. Too short notice. No broad exposure.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gAODCqLEwRFtn8u15WLB-0fdFVWv6WvFsxOm7k_XkGOW2nVv-wX8B7qfAGDSdXsFLghPRYjMLz7Z5DG9kN2hxnJBghLUOZdFo0yvT5tA3IDIQtibA0f7BKRmf7L1zLgKQl_Ekn4VKuI/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gAODCqLEwRFtn8u15WLB-0fdFVWv6WvFsxOm7k_XkGOW2nVv-wX8B7qfAGDSdXsFLghPRYjMLz7Z5DG9kN2hxnJBghLUOZdFo0yvT5tA3IDIQtibA0f7BKRmf7L1zLgKQl_Ekn4VKuI/s200/untitled.png" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
Then this summer in Pizzo, I met some really nice locals. I do believe I made some new friends! It happened that one of them is an expert in Hotel Marketing. We talked, and I got totally fascinated by the idea of opening my own <strong>B&B</strong>!!!<br />
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Who is not dreaming of giving up hectic corporate life and settling down in a peaceful place somewhere in the South, and making a living with a small but own B&B?! Interesting travellers would come along the way and all together we would enjoying local food and wine...<br />
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My new friend helped me to download form the regional tourism board website the application form for B&Bs and print it. He explained me all and with the help of Angelo I got all documents ready. <br />
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<strong>But then I had second thoughts!</strong> - I would have to install a sign (a beautiful sign though, see above) at my door. I would have to clean the B&B, depending on category, every or every second day... I would have to declare who was visiting and when. I would have to declare in which month we will be open and when we would be closed, and I would have to be on site to run my B&B - as the concept is to help locals to increase their family income. This is absolutely great if you live all year long in your property. So maybe one day I will have my B&B!<br />
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After all, <strong>vacation rental</strong> sounded much easier for our purpose!<br />
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A visiting friend had planned a trip through Wales (after Pizzo) and had booked some lovely, lovely B&B's. Wasn't the concept of B&B invented in England? I looked at some professional websites and got inspired. A few hours later, I had set up a new blog with just one welcome post and some pages - it's now <strong>my own <a href="http://palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">property website</a></strong>. <br />
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And now? Still same question: How would a new customer find me??<br />
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The only way is :<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>You have to sign up with one (or two) big leading vacation rental websites</strong>!</span><br />
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But which one is the right one for a small vacation rental? Here is a round-up:<br />
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<u><strong>1) </strong></u><a href="http://www.homeaway.com/" target="_blank"><strong>HomeAway - Group</strong></a><u><strong>:</strong></u><br />
HomeAway, now based in Austin, Texas, was founded in 2004. The company initially acquired several sites and consolidated them into a single vacation marketplace, launching HomeAway.com in June 2006. The group offers a mix of both international and U.S. properties. It claims to be the world's leading online marketplace for the vacation rental industry, with sites representing over 775,000 paid listings of vacation rental homes in 171 countries. The HomeAway portfolio includes the vacation rental websites HomeAway.com, VRBO.com and VacationRentals.com in the United States; HomeAway.co.uk and OwnersDirect.co.uk in the United Kingdom; HomeAway.de in Germany; Abritel.fr and Homelidays.com in France; HomeAway.es and Toprural.es in Spain; AlugueTemporada.com.br in Brazil; and HomeAway.com.au in Australia. Asia Pacific short-term rental site, travelmob.com, is also owned by HomeAway. Also US based BedandBreakfast.com belongs to the group.<br />
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Travelers can find a vacation rental for free and homeowners pay an <strong>annual fee of US$ 349</strong> (or about 254 Euro or 208 GBP) to advertise their property (with possible upgrades at extra charges for better ranking). If you choose to offer online payment a 2,5 % credit card processing fee applies. You can upload up to 24 photos of your property. Special services by HomeAway include among others possibility for owners to exchange tips with other owners; owners and travellers can buy insurances (damage protection, Europe assistance etc). Other rental websites belonging to the Group:<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.homeaway.co.uk/" target="_blank">HomeAway holiday-rentals.co.uk</a></strong> - belongs to the big mother HomeAway since 2005 - mainly focuses on UK costumers (annual fee starts at <strong>249 GBP</strong> for a "classic" listing).</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ownersdirect.co.uk</a> </strong>- bought in 2007 by HomeAway - is based in the UK and aims more to UK and Canadian customers with half of the rentals in Canada (annual fee of <strong>219 GBP</strong>; you can combine your HomeAway.co.uk listing with Ownersdirect by topping up your annual fee by 159 GBP). </li>
<li><a href="http://www.vrbo.com/" target="_blank"><strong>VRBO.com</strong></a> (<strong>Vacation Rental By Owner) </strong>- belongs to HomeAway since 2006 - claims to be the oldest and most established US rental site (annual subsricption start at<strong> 349 USD</strong>)</li>
</ul>
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<u>Update 30th October 2013</u>: HomeAway is now offering as well a <strong>free listing with a 10% commission</strong> to be paid by owners upon guest check-in. No further booking fees for guests will apply. The new "pay-per-booking" is only for certain countries. Others will stay with the annual fee. The "free listing" is only attractive for owners who rent below 5 weeks/year at a daily rate below 100 USD. If you plan a higher return, go for the annual fee!<br />
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<u><strong>2) <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals" target="_blank">Tripadvisor Vacation Rentals</a>:</strong></u><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a>, the world’s largest travel website and an operating company of Expedia acquired United Kingdom’s largest independent holiday home website, holidaylettings.co.uk in June 2010. The acquisition showed TripAdvisor’s expansion into the holiday home market, following the launch of vacation rentals on TripAdvisor in 2009, and the purchase of a majority stake in U.S. based FlipKey.com in 2008. Holidaylettings.co.uk continues to be operated as an independent site.</div>
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<strong>You can list your property with </strong><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals" target="_blank"><strong>Tripadvisor</strong></a><strong> directly, if you have more than one room</strong> to rent. In order a customer can make a booking your listing should be connected to your own property website or any another booking website like Holidaylettings, Flipkey, venere.com, Booking.com etc. If you have only one room or apartment, and still want to be listed on TripAdisor, you can sign up with one of their above mentioned agents. The advantage of being listed on Tripadvisor is that this is one of the most powerful travel website worldwide. Even if travellers don't book here, they come here to read the reviews about possible accommodation and restaurants. And maybe, someone who would not have considered booking a holiday rental before, will find you on Tripadvisor and send you an enquiry.<br />
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<strong><u>3) </u></strong><a href="http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Holidaylettings</strong></a> (HL<strong>)</strong> established in 1999 in the UK and bought by Tripadvisor in 2010 offers two different plans for owners: Plan <strong>1)</strong> <strong>annual fee of 329 GBP</strong> (or about 402 Euro, or 550 USD). This allows you to get payed instantly by your customers, and your customer pays no booking fee. You will need to make over 11,000 GBP rental revenues per year to break even (or over 4,100 GBP if you use the 5.5 % booking fee paid by customers to increase your price). If you don't think to make that much money, opt for plan<strong> 2) a </strong>'<strong>free' listing</strong> - especially when you like to fill your empty rooms for a certain period of time. Also <strong>great to start and check out how it all works</strong>! Well, it is not totally free, as mentioned before HL charges <strong>3 % handling fee</strong> - deducted from the owner's earning - and a very fair <strong>5.5 % booking fee,</strong> which is charged to the traveller on top of the rental price. So HL earns in total 8.5 % - still less than the other agents! - The money is safely hold back with HL until the guest checks in. Only 48h later the money is released (on the next working day) to the owner. Conversation between owner and guest is possible and helps to make up your mind. You can decline a request. Some emails via HL however, seem delayed (due to filter/control of content?). On the Internet you will find some complaints about slow customer service and slow response to all kind of problems. Apparently some owner/traveller are less happy since Tripadvisor has its hands on. - I cannot complain so far. The online tools to manage your property are clean and easy. Payment statistic, total earnings, communication history, page views, referring pages (visitor source) etc all very transparent and helpful. You can upload 24 photos. The guest's review is posted on both sites, Tripadvisor and HL. - However, if you want to change your payment method you need to call in the UK during office hours.<br />
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<strong><u>4) </u><a href="http://www.flipkey.com/" target="_blank">FlipKey</a></strong> established in the US since 2008 - Tripadvisor purchased a major stake in 2009. Webpage is driven by guest reviews and aiming to American market. It also offers two plans: 1) annual listing for<strong> US$299.99</strong> and 2) <strong>'free' listing</strong> where guest pay booking fee and owner pays processing and hosting fee. However, it was not clear to me how much these fees would be. Also the website looks less appealing than British HL or the American competitor airbnb.<br />
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<strong><u>5)</u></strong><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank"><strong> airbnb</strong></a><br />
stands for 'airbed and breakfast', and was an idea by two room mates in San Francisco who rented out a room (with an <strong>airbed and breakfast</strong>) in 2007 during an international conference out of financial needs. A start up was established in August 2008 and since then this fresh looking company claims to offer unique properties in more than 19,000 cities and 192 countries. Hosts can check potential renter's profile and reviews (yes, you can review your guests!) and vise verse. Conversation between the two parties are well supported. Social network connection via linkedin and facebook are provided and used for 'verification'. Being social is kind of requested - most owners feature a profile picture, a profile write up, and your friends can write testimonials. That makes Airbnb almost another social network... The <strong>property listing is 'free'</strong>, but owner pays a <strong>3% handling</strong> or payment processing. And travellers pay a <strong>booking fee between 6 - 12% (!)</strong> depending on the amount... but here ends the transparency!! - When an owner "accepts" an enquiry, then a quote is automatically submitted to the customer without any chance for the owner to check the rate or add individual cost or allow special discount. Also due dates for payments are not visible. It is like the agent would tell you "this is none of your business". - However, the website is well designed, Californian style, fresh look, many eye candy interiors, young and innovative - visually - but not technically - during my setup many times I had to redo things that were not saved well (maybe browser problems, as the website indicates, might be the source for problems). Where HL is clearly better value for money (for guests), airbnb releases the payment slightly faster (for owners), 24h after the guests have checked in. Also the amount of photos you can upload seems unlimited. Very special and useful seems the free photographer service by Airbnb, which not only gives you the chance to have really nice photos of your property but also a "verified" watermark by Airbnb shows potential visitors that your property is real. Another gadget is the "guidebook" that an owner can setup along his/her property listing. You can add restaurants and sights to a map around your property - however only as good as the amount of listings via airbnb and the right position in google map.<br />
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<strong><u>6) </u><a href="http://www.booking.com/" target="_blank">Booking.com</a></strong><br />
Booking.com established in 1996 and based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is part of Priceline.com. The company claims to be the world leader in booking accommodation online, available in more than 40 languages, and offering over 354,181 properties in 187 countries. I find this agent very commercial, putting a lot of pressure to offer lowest price and to enhance speedy booking - a pressure felt by both owner and customer - guests pay to owners directly, no booking fee for guest - owners get invoiced a <strong>15% commission fee</strong> on total booking amount (to be transferred by owner to booking.com). Although the most expensive choice for owners, probably resulting in most frequent bookings. Increasing your rental to cover your costs does not work when you offer lower rates elsewhere. Booking.com also reserves the right to automatically resell a room that one of its customers has cancelled, in order not to lose the commission. That means <strong>you lose control</strong> over who will appear at your door step. This is what a home owner wouldnt' want to happen. I feel, this agent is more suitable for a hotel business.<br />
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For Palazzo Pizzo Residence I decided that being on <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g669647-d4495799-Palazzo_Pizzo_Residence-Pizzo_Province_of_Vibo_Valentia_Calabria.html" target="_blank">Tripadvisor</a> is key. So I signed up with UK based <a href="http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/pizzo/547714" target="_blank">Holidaylettings</a> for their free listing - to try it out. And then I decided to give American based <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1738703" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> and <a href="http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3638831#summary" target="_blank">HomeAway</a> a try as well. <br />
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If you are a traveler or holiday rental owner and have experience with one of the mentioned sites, please share your experience.<br />
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Before going live with your property you should compare what other owners in your area have published, and how they price their vacation rental. A good read about <strong>How to the Rental Rate for your Holiday Home</strong> is provided by <a href="http://www.homeaway.co.uk/info/owner-resources/how-to-rent/beginners/holiday-home-rental-rates" target="_blank">HomeAway.</a><br />
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In my next post I will write about my first experiences with our listings on <a href="http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/pizzo/547714" target="_blank">Holidaylettings</a> and <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1738703" target="_blank">airbnb</a> - and of course about our experience with the first visitors and their first reviews! All very exciting!<br />
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Read also <a href="http://www.palazzopizzo.com/2013/10/why-renting-out-your-holiday-home.html" target="_blank">WHY renting out your house or vacation property.</a><br />
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Update November 2014:<br />
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Fees have been increased by rental websites without any notice. The billing is not really transparent and you only find out if you observe regularly. Here are my latest observations regarding agents’ commissions:<br />
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AIRBNB: 12% (guest) + 4% (host) = 16% total<br />
HOLIDAYLETTING: 10% (guest) + 3% (host) = 13% total<br />
HOMEAWAY: 0% guest + 12% (host) = 12% <br />
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The last two platforms offer annual plan's for hosts, but they are only interesting if you make over a certain amount of rental income per year. However they charge then still some handling fees to hosts. With Homeaway you mainly buy better ranking with their different annual plans. And their "customer service" is non-existing. While the airbnb community is developing fast and "groups" for hosts give excellent, prompt and priceless advises. Less community but a strong team, Holidayletting with Tripadvisor, is attractive for both, owners and guests.<br />
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<br />- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-45076534597866161932013-09-15T09:09:00.001+07:002014-08-03T22:20:04.364+07:00New Photos of Palazzo Pizzo Residence<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 600px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9723772240/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="Welcome to Palazzo Pizzo"><img alt="Welcome to Palazzo Pizzo" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9723772240_d08a22d64a_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/3884789532/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="Palazzo Pizzo"><img alt="Palazzo Pizzo" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3441/3884789532_94d4d9c919_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9652034547/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="bedroom"><img alt="bedroom" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9652034547_fc0784a664_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9652036777/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="bedroom"><img alt="bedroom" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/9652036777_d5e78d597c_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9653363689/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="bedroom of Palazzo Pizzo Guest Residence"><img alt="bedroom of Palazzo Pizzo Guest Residence" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/9653363689_d42cbc2322_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/14644278945/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="queen size double bed"><img alt="queen size double bed" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/14644278945_bbe91d0030_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/14664181723" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="Buona Notte!"><img alt="Buona Notte!" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14664181723_30ddd25a73_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8556096847/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="coral print bed cover"><img alt="coral print bed cover" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8556096847_c22aa7018b_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557206776/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="detail of chandelier"><img alt="detail of chandelier" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8557206776_333d5d2db2_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557206512/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="Arabian mirror"><img alt="Arabian mirror" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8557206512_d3e70f11a0_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9652029553/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="living area"><img alt="living area" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9652029553_3309feabae_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557206052/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="antique candle holder"><img alt="antique candle holder" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8557206052_b5bba39b24_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9133887197/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="living area"><img alt="living area" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9133887197_2c5d13ab61_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557207954/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="the living area"><img alt="the living area" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8557207954_b1a6ee1f05_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8556098095/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="doors with blue glas"><img alt="doors with blue glas" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8556098095_de127616c0_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557208086/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="kitchen and dining area"><img alt="kitchen and dining area" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8557208086_a98b1f3228_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8556094873/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="dining area"><img alt="dining area" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8556094873_08dce1c5f8_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655283016/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="kitchenette and dining area"><img alt="kitchenette and dining area" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/9655283016_63f4f6a74c_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655285002/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="the red kitchen"><img alt="the red kitchen" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/9655285002_0539bfe895_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655289710/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="kitchen with access to garden"><img alt="kitchen with access to garden" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9655289710_1a80fae3f1_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655287924/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="kitchen"><img alt="kitchen" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9655287924_9386559458_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8557205392/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px ; width: 75px;" title="smeg fridge in a well equiped kitchen"><img alt="smeg fridge in a well equiped kitchen" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8557205392_455162e4fb_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655281124/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="dining area and corridor "><img alt="dining area and corridor " src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/9655281124_c4089d53cb_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9655258648/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="stairways down"><img alt="stairways down" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/9655258648_f41eaafa2e.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin : 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/8556096971/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="towels for guests in bathroom"><img alt="towels for guests in bathroom" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8556096971_25184d42e4_m.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin : 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9434884387/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="private garden terrace"><img alt="private garden terrace" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/9434884387_b1baf19d0b.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin : 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/9652046413/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="relax on the terrace "><img alt="relax on the terrace " src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/9652046413_431943e3b5_s.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/14760609382/in/set-72157632993421476/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 75px;" title="the view"><img alt="the view" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3872/14760609382_c813880289.jpg" style="border-image: none; border: currentColor; height: 75px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<br />
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</div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/sets/72157632993421476/" target="_blank">Palazzo Pizzo Residence</a>, a set on Flickr (with more photos!).</div><br />
<br />
Interested in seeing the latest pics? <br />
<br />
I uploaded some new photos of our guest residence to flickr. This flickr set serves as my photo gallery for <a href="http://www.palazzopizzoresidence.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">'Palazzo Pizo Residence'</a>.<br />
<br />
The guest residence got its own blog. Did you see? But I linked the two blogs in a way that it seems almost just like one. <br />
<br />
AND we have a new logo! But that is a different story. When it's official I will post about it. <br />
<br />
First browse the new <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/sets/72157632993421476" target="_blank">photos</a>! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzie888/sets/72157632993421476/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LI0JgCZcGpZzG_o0X4zTyoLl7vrXwZoZ52Q1u_YzQVNR_I2IczRNNculC2I2ssliZ9ItQVLG2xNP-AHcvkzYbKVw1c0BmtoHhhUqjI4Qn5w13DasWHgfebo45kK0-jqq6uOO_Da6w_E/s320/IMG_7710+See+you+in+Pizzo+res.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327967732830777058.post-71651339368641659462013-09-11T19:04:00.001+07:002013-09-27T10:16:47.093+07:00Resource Links for Renovating and Decorating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWzKYy4Ky2hNaI_5ozCN1MSrJM8Lsay5I9thaRzTHfmqLnGuosFypfosoMj8ftPg3I_Z0pfP6pWhi4DqddT5F6inh0gXoPrLbEoq5J-iRPQWOG94A0ZMFOFJ3yvDN5ICFyNX5ACgEGB0/s1600/resource+links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWzKYy4Ky2hNaI_5ozCN1MSrJM8Lsay5I9thaRzTHfmqLnGuosFypfosoMj8ftPg3I_Z0pfP6pWhi4DqddT5F6inh0gXoPrLbEoq5J-iRPQWOG94A0ZMFOFJ3yvDN5ICFyNX5ACgEGB0/s200/resource+links.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
For our references I collected resource links which can be helpful and inspring when renovating and decorating, including some local sources:<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">BATHROOM</span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://axor-design.com/english/index.php"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Axor</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.bette.de/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Bette (shower trays)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.boffi.com/index.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Boffi (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.cphart.co.uk/http://"><span style="color: #0b5394;">C.P. Hart</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.calliposrl.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Callipo</strong> (Vibo Valentia, Calabria, Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.czechandspeake.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Czech & Speake</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.decor-walther.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Decor Walther</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.dornbracht.com/en/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dornbracht</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://duravit.de/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Duravit</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.fantini.it/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Fantini (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.karol.it/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Karol</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.keuco.de/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Keuco</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.kohler.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Kohler</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.pozzi-ginori.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Pozzi Ginori (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.vipp.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Vipp</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.zucchettidesign.it/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Zucchetti (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">
</span>
</ul>
You might be interested in <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/Bathroom">bathroom related posts</a> on Palazzo Pizzo<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">KITCHEN</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Kitchen designer</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.alindarcucine.it/index.php"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>ALINDAR</strong></span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> (Lamezia/Maida, Calabria, I)<strong> </strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.hotpoint-ariston.it/ha/2/products.do#/p/Cucine/pline/05/startMode/catalogo/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ariston-Hotpoint</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> (I)</span></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.boffi.it/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Boffi (I)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.bulthaupt.de/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Bulthaupt (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.poggenpohl.de/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Poggenpohl (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.scavolini.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Scavolini (I)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.smeg.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Smeg (I)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.snaidero.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Snaidero (I)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.venetacucine.com/ita/index.php"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Veneta Cucine (I)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span>
</ul>
You might also like all <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen">kitchen related posts</a> on Palazzo Pizzo<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">ITALIAN FURNITURE</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.bebitalia.it/beb/home/home_uk.asp"><span style="color: #134f5c;">B & B Italia</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.cassina.com/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Cassina</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.depadova.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">De Padova</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.giorgioarmani.com/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Gorgio Armani</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.kartell.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Kartell</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.mdfitalia.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">mdf</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.moroso.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Moroso</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.unopiu.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">unopiu</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.zanotta.it/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Zanotta</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span>
</ul>
You also might like Palazzo Pizzo's <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/Furniture">furniture</a> posts.<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">INTERNATIONAL DESIGNER FURNITURE</span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.knoll-int.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Knoll (US)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.langeproduction.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Lange Production (DK)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.montana.dk/"><span style="color: #444444;">Montana (DK)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.muellermoebel.de/"><span style="color: #444444;">Müller Möbelwerkstätten (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.richard-lampert.de/"><span style="color: #444444;">Richard Lampert (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.thonet.eu/"><span style="color: #444444;">Thonet (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.usm.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">USM (CH)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.vitra.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Vitra (CH)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://walterknoll.de/"><span style="color: #444444;">Walter Knoll (D)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #444444;">
</span>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">FOR OUTDOOR - TERRACE, GARDEN, BALCONY</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #38761d;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.fermob.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fermob</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (outdoor lounge, F)</span></li>
<span style="color: #38761d;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.gibus.it/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Gibus</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (sun protection, I) </span></li>
<span style="color: #38761d;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.ethimo.it/"><span style="color: #38761d;">Ethimo</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (I) </span></li>
<span style="color: #38761d;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.unopiu.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;">unopiu</span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (I)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #38761d;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">HOME FURNISHING BARGAINS</span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.fly.fr/FR/accueil.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Fly (F)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://shop.hm.com/de/?action=viewhome"><span style="color: #a64d79;">H&M home</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.ikea.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Ikea</span></a><span style="color: #a64d79;"> (nearest from Pizzo: Brindisi or Catania/Sicily)</span></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.maisonsdumonde.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Maison du Monde</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.semeraro.it/"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>Semeraro</strong></span></a><span style="color: #741b47;"> (</span>Due Mare Shopping Centre, Lamezia, Calabria, I)</span></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.tchibo.de/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Tchibo</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.zarahome.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">ZARA home</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">FLOORING</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.berti.net/"><span style="color: #783f04;">Berti (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.bisazza.com/"><span style="color: #783f04;">Bisazza</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.firedearth.com/"><span style="color: #783f04;">Fired Earth</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.fornacidagostino.it/"><span style="color: #783f04;">Fornaci d' Agostino (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.francescodemaio.it/"><span style="color: #783f04;">Francesco de Maio (Italy)</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.sicis.it/"><span style="color: #783f04;">SICIS</span></a></li>
<span style="color: #783f04;">
</span>
</ul>
You might be interested in all posts about <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/flooring">flooring</a> and <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/Tiles">tiles</a> on Palazzo Pizzo<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">LIGHTING</span><br />
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<ul><span style="color: #f1c232;">
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<li><a href="http://www.artemide.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Artemide</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.flos.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Flos</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.gruppodurzo.it/"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>D'Urzo</strong></span></a><span style="color: #f1c232;"> (Maeierato, Calabria, Italy)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.ingo-maurer.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Ingo Maurer</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.luceplan.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Luce Plan</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.nimbus-group.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Nimbus</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.occhio.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Occhio</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.serien.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Serien</span></a></li>
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</span>
</ul>
You might like <a href="http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/search/label/lighting">lighting related posts</a> on Palazzo Pizzo<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">ART</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.antoniolagamba.it/"><span style="color: #999999;">Antonio La Gamba</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (Vibo Valentia with studio in Pizzo)</span></li>
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EosCeramicaCalabrese?fref=ts"><span style="color: #999999;">EOS Ceramica</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (Antonio Montesanti's studio in Pizzo)</span></li>
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Francesca-Procopio-Photo/52877345949?fref=ts"><span style="color: #999999;">Francesca Procopio Photo</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (designer and photographer in Pizzo)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.liquitex.com/home.aspx"><span style="color: #999999;">Liquitex</span></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.lumas.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">Lumas</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></li>
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/loredana.remolo.1"><span style="color: #999999;">Loredana Remolo</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (artist in Pizzo)</span></li>
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LO-Studiolo-Home-Gallery/168449786653466?fref=ts"><span style="color: #999999;">Lo Studiolo Home Gallery</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (art gallery in Pizzo)</span></li>
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<li><a href="https://photolab.whitewall.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">WhiteWall</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> (photo lab)</span></li>
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</span></ul>
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<u>Please note</u>: this is my personal resource link list that I compiled during our project (I have not received any money from any company for any text link above, and there is no affiliate link in that list).<br />
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(updated September 2013)- Susan -http://www.blogger.com/profile/00041505753618457001noreply@blogger.com0