The Drafthouse and the Hobbit

by Celia Hayes

You know, there are some ideas which are so logical, simple in concept and satisfactory in execution that you wonder why it hasn't been done decades ago. I speak of the Alamo Drafthouse, and the whole notion of going to a movie, and having dinner and drinks in the theatre while watching the movie. Yes, you've always been able to get candy, drinks, popcorn and nachos and dip, and take them into the theater with you. Back in the day when we were overseas and the movie show time at the AAFES theater was the exact same time that the NCO and O-Clubs served dinner, we would openly carry bags of hamburgers and fries into the theater with us. And there may still exist a movie house in Landstuhl, Germany – the

Picture Framing on the Cheap!

 by Celia Hayes

In last week's post I mentioned the gifts that I was intending to give to three people who – because I am in business with, sporadically employed by, or just really, really fond of them – rate something a little more permanent than a jar of pickled pineapple spears and some fig jam. Of course fruitcake is permanent – but it's not something you can hang on a wall. Among the items that my daughter and I bid on when we went to an estate auction in Fredericksburg this summer was an envelope of prints. They were by two local artists, of Texas subjects, were printed on high-quality paper and rather pleasing to look at, if not particularly valuable. I had the notion to frame three of them properly and present

Christmas Goodies Neighborhood Style

by Celia Hayes

I know, I am trying as hard as I can to get into the Christmas mood – an uphill fight, since I have been sidelined most days by the Cold From Hell. This is the cold that I developed after Thanksgiving, which sends me coughing persistently as if I am about to hack up a large piece of lung. It saps about three-quarters of my energy, and an equal portion of my interest in life, the universe and everything ... including Christmas. The good thing is that I got just about all of my Christmas shopping done, thanks to the internet and a nicely-timed and generous payment for some work accomplished ... so, on to gifts intended for two good friends. At the estate auction in Fredericksburg this summer,

I VOTED, Have You?

Today is Tuesday, November 6th, 2012. It is Election Day in the United States. Please get out and vote. The lines in my precinct were not that long. Only about 15 people standing in line.

If you live in Bexar County, to find out where to vote, go to the Bexar County Voter Website. If you live in other counties in Texas you can visit the Texas Secretary of State's Voter website or visit your county website.

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has been downgraded to a severe storm that still is impacting parts of the Northeast U.S. with wind, rain, and flooding.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with all of you that experienced Hurricane Sandy's brutal force and are still experiencing the after effects of the hurricane. We hope for swift relief, speedy recovery and rebuilding efforts for all who have been impacted. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.

Nondelinquent Borrowers Soon to Be Eligible for Short Sales

Daily Real Estate News | Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have issued new rules, which will take effect Nov. 1, that will allow short sales for underwater borrowers who have never missed a mortgage payment. Previously, Fannie and Freddie allowed only home owners who had missed payments to qualify for a short sale.

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Lost Dog

by Celia Hayes

Over the years that we have lived in our San Antonio home, we've lost track of the number of all the lost dogs we have found and managed to either returned to their owners, or found them new owners. Almost always it's been a case of 'return to owner', and in one instance we kept the dog. My mother thinks we must display some kind of invisible sign which sends lost dogs scampering in our direction. She might be right about that. In any case, upon being met with a stray dog, we have worked out the most efficient series of steps for reuniting them with their person.

If the dog has a tag on the collar with a current address and telephone number of the owner – that will be about 90% of the situation sorted out right there.

 Big Time Texas Hunts

by Texas Parks and Wildlife

The hunting season is almost here and there’s a way hunters can win the chance of a lifetime all while helping wildlife conservation and public hunting programs. Texas Parks and Wildlife has the story of one lucky winner from San Antonio.

Big Time Texas Hunts offers seven premium hunt packages on some of the finest private ranches and prime wildlife management areas in the state.

All proceeds from Big Time Texas Hunts go to support wildlife conservation, habitat management, and hunting on both public and private lands. If you win, you will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. If your name is not drawn, you'll still know that your support helps the important work of wildlife conservation in Texas.

Sizzling Summer Vegetarian Supper with Tomatos from Our San Antonio Garden

by Celia Hayes

The first of the tomatoes from the garden are coming along slowly – but this week we had a good double-handful of small cherry tomatoes, in all colors; the usual red, but some lemon-yellow ones, and some of them so-called ‘black’ which were actually a kind of pale purple. Having a couple of ears of fresh corn in the refrigerator, I decided to make a summer corn and tomato relish out of them. This recipe was pulled from Cuisine at Home, issue #52, August 2005.

Whisk together ¼ cup cider vinegar and 1 TBsp sugar, until sugar is dissolved. Combine with 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of fresh corn kernels, (From two ears of corn), ½ cup thinly sliced red

Today's Mortgage Rates 6/21/12

(Supplied by Bill Rapp)

Conforming Conventional:            
 
Today’s Conventional 5/1 ARM: 2.625; 2.740% APR
Today’s Conventional Fixed 30 Year: 3.500; 3.670% APR
Today’s Conventional Fixed 15 Year: 2.875; 3.062% APR

Non-Conforming Conventional (JUMBO)
Today’s Jumbo Conventional 7/1 ARM:  3.625%; 3.718% APR
Today’s Jumbo Conventional Fixed 30 Year: 4.375; 4.472% APR
Today’s Jumbo Conventional 15 Year Fixed:  4.250%; 4.420% APR

Government:
Today’s FHA and VA 5/1 ARM: 2.750; 3.629% APR
Today’s FHA and VA Rate 30 Year Fixed:  3.750%; 4.680% APR
Today’s FHA and VA Rate 15 Year Fixed:  2.750%; 3.385% APR

USDA Rural 100% Loan (Purchase Only):
Today’s USDA Rate 30 Year Fixed:  3.750%; 4.172% APR
NICHE Loan: FHA Full 203K (Unlimited