Pinterest gets a pinteresting new look!

Pinterested has added a few new things to the close-up view of pins to help you discover things you love that you might not have known about otherwise, including:

-Pins from the same board: You can explore the entire board without leaving the page you’re on.

-Pins from the same source: Here you’ll find other things pinned from the same website.

 Source: Pinterest Blog. Read full article here. http://blog.pinterest.com/post/45669182372/our-new-look-more-ways-to-discover-what-you-love

Fannie Mae Allows Liquid Assets in Lieu of Income

BY LINDA IVANOV for Mortgage Capital Associates | Sept 18 2012, 8:30AM

 

In a move to help more borrowers qualify for refinancing, Fannie Mae has released new guidelines governing its Refi Plus program. Borrowers and lenders have expanded alternatives for documenting income. Certain liquid financial reserves will now be accepted as verified income. This alternative will apply to loans where the new payment will increase less than 20 percent. The Refi Plus program is available for Fannie Mae to Fannie Mae refinances.

Accepted documentation can come from liquid reserves such as bank accounts, money markets, stock accounts, retirement savings accounts, or certificates of deposit. These assets must be documented with at least one recent statement. The new Selling Guideline also addresses streamlined verification of qualifying rental income for investor owned property.

Read full article at MCA's Living Well blog>>

 

Not Just Another Zucchini Recipe

As summer comes to a hot and humid end, this dish is a light, refreshing and tasty addition to the menu. It features fresh zucchini and tomatoes from the garden. If you are like many home gardeners, by the end of the season you are challenged to find interesting new ways to prepare that relentless harvest of zucchini. Solution: substitute pasta with zucchini for a new twist on a traditional dish. Use a vegetable peeler to make pasta-like strips of zucchini.

This intriguing recipe was featured on a cooking show, but my friend and I only caught part of the broadcast. So, we decided to just follow our instincts, tackle the recipe, and improvise. The result: scrumptious! Best of all you can experiment with your own variations by adding your favorite seafood, meat, or other ingredients. We added a pound of fresh grilled shrimp to our dish. The result: divine!

Zucchini “Pasta” with Fresh Tomato Sauce

6 large zucchini squash

8 large tomatoes

½ red pepper thinly sliced

½ red onion thinly sliced

1 tsp. sea salt to taste

1 tsp. black pepper to taste

2 small garlic cloves minced

1 tsp. fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp. fresh chopped basil

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

½ cup of fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp. of garlic powder

Optional, Panko bread crumbs

Optional, fresh seafood or meat for the non-vegetarians

Special equipment: You will need a ricer or food mill and a large slotted vegetable peeler to start.  Once you have assembled the right equipment and your ingredients preparation is easy and quick. 

Place tomatoes in a large pot of boiling water to blanch (about 10 minutes, don’t overcook). After blanching, dip tomatoes in a coldwater bath to easily remove the skin.  After removing the tomato skins put the tomatoes through the ricer or food mill collecting the sauce into a bowl below. Toss the residue left in the ricer or mill.

In a saucepan sauté the minced garlic in olive oil.  Add thinly sliced red pepper and sauté until soft.  Add onion and sauté until transparent.  Add tomato sauce, chopped basil and parsley. Cook together on medium flame for 30 minutes, reduce flame to low, add salt and pepper to taste and cook gently for another 20 minutes. This makes a light, flavorful sauce.

Wash zucchini, dry and remove the skin using a vegetable peeler.  Once the skin is removed run the peeler the entire length of the zucchini to create strips and place strips in a bowl.  This becomes your “pasta.” Continue stripping until you reach the seeds then discard the rest of the zucchini.  Once all of the zucchini are striped, add olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder, toss to dress the zucchini “pasta.” 

Spray a saucepan with vegetable oil spray or use more olive oil; add zucchini and sauté until lightly tender. Remove zucchini and place on platter, pour tomato sauce over zucchini, dust with grated parmesan cheese, grated black pepper, optional Panko bread crumbs, and serve.

You may want to add shrimp, scallops, or your favorite white fish, cooked separately. Lighter white meats go well with this recipe. We used ground turkey in a second version. Experiment with your own ingredients for a tasty and healthy main dish or side dish. Just don’t use the last of your garden’s harvest, you will want to make this recipe again!

LinkedIn Starting to Look a Lot Like Facebook

A major redesign of LinkedIn's interface is rolling out this week. Several large companies with early access have adopted the new streamlined look. Immediate reaction ..... it looks a whole lot like Facebook Timeline! 

There are a bunch of things I like about Facebook that are being adopted by LinkedIn in this upgrade. LinkedIn has always been the clunky "wanna be" from my viewpoint. 

I never saw the value of linking to friends I already have on Facebook, or linking to people in my company Outlook address book, creating just another feed of information in my busy day. 

I never saw the reason to create a profile that is essentially my resume. If LinkedIn changed personal profile capabilities to allow broader range info, I might buy in. That said I'm getting over my reluctance.

With this new interface the experience will become more visually appealing with photos, posts and comments capabilities that we are so used to on Facebook. Company pages can be targeted to the many business users who could care less about Facebook. Bosses will encourage employees to spend time on this social media tool. LinkedIn has been wise to focus on building their user base in the business world.

I've started using LinkedIn in my business research as I seek teaming partners to bid on projects together. LinkedIn is a great and growing source of interactive communication as it settles into being the go to site for business. Promoting a better designed and interactive company page capability will certainly draw more eyeballs to company profiles. Check out the early adopter pages for Phillips, Citi, and Expedia. 

OK, I'm sold, hitting the "like" button. A major step forward from the old links to a company website that not only took you away from LinkedIn pages, but where you could rarely find a list of staff you are trying to connect with. Maybe more people will join LinkedIn and companies will have an even greater presence for collaborative teaming. Now, companies, get past just posting job openings on your profile. Promote your whole company! For more information, navigate to LinkedIn's blog article here>>

Facebook Releases Faster App for iPhones and Androids

iPhone and iPad users rejoice! Facebook rebuilt its app from the ground up to address speed issues. Gone is the old web-based code, replaced by native iOS code. Gone are some of the infrequently used features that slowed down the app, others that made it clunky. Timeline is being rolled out for iPad users. Look for Instagram integration with iOS which Facebook recently purchased. Not to be left out, Androids got a speedier new app, too.

Read Wired Magazine's review>>

 

Affinity Marketers Beware: Zeek Rewards Caught in Ponzi Scheme

Affinity marketers and investors were caught up in the latest scandal to hit the news when Zeek Rewards was shut down by the SEC this week.

(Source: CNNMoney)
Federal regulators announced fraud charges Friday against a company they said was operating a $600 million Internet Ponzi scheme "on the verge of collapse."

The Securities and Exchange Commission accused ZeekRewards.com, its parent company, Rex Venture Group, and Rex Venture head Paul Burks of luring more than 1 million investors worldwide into the scheme, which began in early 2011.

Read full article here>>

California's Beach Communities Banning Popular Fire Rings

The controversy has been raging for over a year. From Huntington Beach, to Newport Beach, to Corona del Mar here in Orange County, government meddlers are trying to take away a popular activity at the beach. 

Once the sun starts to go down, beach lovers traditionally have kept the party going gathered around a blazing fire. For years recreation departments provided safe, contained fire pits, clearly labeled "hot coals."

Then the controversy started. Huntington Beach decided to remove more than half of the fire pits claiming they cost too much money to maintain! Huh?

Corona del Mar and Newport Beach tried banning them based on pollution concerns. Huh?

I even found a local citizens group trying to save the fire pits in San Diego. http://www.savethefirepits.com

City councils have been debating the issue. Stepping into the fray here comes the California Coastal Commission. Surprise, the commission actually questioned whether there was any validity to banning fire rings based on pollution concerns.

I did a double-take when I read that article in my local newspaper. The Coastal Commission is everyone's nemesis. These "do-gooders" are notorious for interfering with every project along the coast, blocking development, blocking improvements, blocking whatever is proposed.

According to one article in the OC Register, "the Commission wants to know who uses the fire rings and when, what alternatives to removal the city considered, the history of the rings and whether the city (Newport Beach) had conducted any air quality studies about the dangers of smoke from the fires."

Well, finally one glimmer of common sense emminating from the Coastal Commission. Come on, local meddlers. Let's keep the fire rings. 

Users are reminded to be respectful of the beach and leave the area clean. Certainly it costs public works plenty to clean up after a beach party when disrespectful groups leave behind trash, drink cans and junk furniture. Don't let that be their excuse to ban the fun.

On that note, I'm getting my beach chair, blanket, and a jacket ready. Countdown, just a few days away from joining a group of friends on the beach for an evening of drumming and singing to the upcoming Blue Moon.

http://www.coronadelmartoday.com/6706/home/council-member-shelves-fire-ring-ban-for-now/

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-366353-fire-rings.html

California's Two Radically Different Cultures

There is no California. According to syndicated columnist, Victor Davis Hanson, "the state has two radically different cultures with little in common." I was amazed at the comparisons he made in this article. Hit the nail on the head in every instance. Thought provoking analysis. 

(Source: Orange County Register)

 

Driving across California is  like going from Mississippi to Massachusetts without ever crossing a state line. Consider the disconnects: California's combined income and sales taxes are among the nation's highest, but the state's deficit is still about $16 billion. 

Read full article here>>

He concludes with "the drive from Fresno to Palo Alto takes three hours, but you might as well be rocketing from Earth to the moon."

Man convicted of collecting rainwater on his own property

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My collection of government insanity stories grows larger. Check out this article from Natural News.com. Apparently it is illegal to collect the rainwater on your own property in Oregon. Wonder where else this is against the law? ~ Linda

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(Source: NaturalNews.com) If ever there were a perfect example of government inanity, this is it. Maybe you didn't know - and chances are excellent you didn't - that if you have the audacity to collect rainwater and snow runoff on your own property, for your own consumption, you can and will go to jail for it.

Just ask Eagle Point, Ore., resident Gary Harrington, who recently began serving a 30-day sentence after having been convicted of that very thing, CNSNews.com reported.

In July, Harrington was convicted of violating an obscure, arcane 1925 law because he had what state water managers described as "three illegal reservoirs" on his property. In the end, a court found him guilty of nine misdemeanors, sentenced him to 30 days in jail and levied in excess of $1,500 in fines for doing what any sane human being could never describe as criminal behavior.

According to Oregon Water Resources Department, Harrington violated state water use laws by illegally diverting water running from streams into the Big Butte River.

Read full article>>

Attracting More Customers Through Facebook

HubSpot has a handy new guide packed with tips and strategy on how to use Facebook to attract more customers. I downloaded the free copy and am taking notes as I read through its well-organized and in-depth content.

(Source: HubSpot)

The clamour to "get on Facebook" is noisy out there. For businesses reluctant to take the plunge, this guide is an excellent resource that demonstrates with the right strategy you can build and engage viewers on Facebook then convert them to paying customers.

Get your free download here>>

Access 100+ Million Wi-Fi Hotspots on Mobile Phone

Stumbled upon this interesting app today. Eager to try it out. Developer claims it will save data plan gigs. Download the WeFi app for your smart phone. Use to connect to hotspots with your mobile phone for faster internet than cellular service. Connect your laptop to your smartphone for WiFi access.

Bypass expensive hotel access charges. Connect with strongest, most secure, signal nearby. With a database of over 100 Million hotspots, the odds are in your favor that you can use this money saving app to get access.

Read more>>

Pinterest Posting Tips

Tips from Posse Social Media on how to let others pin to your pinterest boards. Pinterest is confusing enough to manage, now Posse shares a way to manage on multiple devices and posting with login for personal vs. business account.

Read full article here>>

Android Dominates Smartphone Market

(Source: Associated Press & USA Today)

Google's Android phones are steadily gaining market share in the world of smartphone competition. According to the research firm IDC, "there were four Android phones for every iPhone shipped in the second quarter. That's up from a ratio of 2.5 to 1 in the same period last year. The success of Samsung's Android phones helped Google's operating system extend its dominance in the smartphone market."

 

Read full article here>>

City to Homeless: take your crappy bicycle and get lost

Shame on the cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa which have passed strict bike-parking ordinances in a misguided attempt to rid public property of the homeless. 

With nowhere to go and nowhere to store their few belongings, the homeless often pack a bicycle with their worldly goods. Then they have the audacity to park them everywhere. Locked to a tree, locked to a fence, locked to a signpost, locked to a bus stop. Everywhere, except locked to a bike rack.

Apparently that makes people mad. Vocal complainers want the government to do something about it. In a knee-jerk reaction, city officials are wringing their hands and overreaching the bounds of common sense in an attempt to appease complainers, couching their actions in the name of "quality-of-life."

In 30 days, when the ordinances go into effect, the government will not only spend taxpayer money on  patrols, but will confiscate the offending bicycles. Why are the bicycles not parked in designated bike racks? Well, there are not enough of them.

Realizing later they should give people a chance to comply with their frivolous rule that bicycles must be parked bike racks, the cities came up with a plan to purchase and install more bike racks.

Spending yet more taxpayer money, a task force was convened to study how many parks and bus stops are being blighted by homeless-owned bicycles. The task force estimates it will cost nearly $40,000 to purchase and install more racks, and is hoping to secure grant money from a local transit authority to cover the cost. How many meals would that amount of money buy for the homeless? Plenty, but apparently that is not the priority of government officials.

Demonstrating the severity of the problem, a staff report revealed there are 30 parks within the city of Costa Mesa with a total of 38 bike parking racks. Gosh, no wonder the homeless don't use the bike racks.....they are full!

A lone councilman voiced his reservations, stating "I have a problem when solving homeless issues limits the liberty of the residents."

Shake that councilman's hand. Someone has to stand up to the absurdity.

Read full article here>>

Read update here>>

Government Insanity: Elderly Couple Forced to Remove Picket Fence

More insanity by local government, forcing an elderly couple to remove their picket fence because it is suddenly out of code height limit. Built in 2000 as a kept-promise to his lovely wife, now the beautiful fence that the husband installed is declared 4" too high! The local government wants the entire fence removed for code violation.

Caught in the crossfire of neighbors embroiled in a feud, the elderly couple has become victim of the feud, even they don't have a dog in the fight. Nuttier yet, officials are not backing down on their demand to remove the fence.

I'm throwing my support to the elderly couple! Join me in this campaign.

Read full article here>> 

Government's War on Home Gardens

My collection of government oppressive attacks on citizens is growing and growing and growing, pun intended. A Canadian couple was told to demolish the home garden in their front yard. 

Too shady in the back yard to grow vegetables, the couple moved their home garden to the front. An abundance of beautiful, healthy veggies are produced in the sunny environment . Added bonus, the man lost 75 pounds by eating healthier.

Despite asking their town's Environmental Services Inspector for permission, before they installed the garden, and given a verbal affirmative, now the government is forcing the couple to uproot all of the vegetables and install a minimum of 30% grass.
Unbelievable!

Read full article here>>

Contractor Protests Frivolous Fine for Environmental Disaster: Dumped Slurpee Lid

Dear Readers: I'm adding this nonsense action to my collection of government bureaucrats acting absurd. It burns me when I hear about bureaucrats, especially regulatory agencies, doing something so stupid, thinking no one will protest. Well, citizens are not so complacent. Rooting for the contractor who has filed a protest. This kind of nonsense makes infrastructure projects even more expensive for the taxpayer.

Gist of the story reported by the OC Watchdog, contractor completes major bridge construction project. The bridge project wins all kinds of awards, contractor utilizes construction strategies to avoid major environmental impacts, all is well until.........the Regional Water Quality Control Board slaps 290 violations and $2.9 million worth of penalties on the contractor, including a $10,000 fine for a single slurpee lid found in the water.

Fight back, contractor! Read the full article here>>

Facebook's new targeted market options for posts

If you are a marketing pro, you will love these new customer targeting tools from Facebook. Wondering if you can select multiple categories in the drop down menu. Navigating to my page now to test it out. ~~ Linda

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(Source: Mashable)

 

Facebook on Friday announced new options for brand Pages to target their posts.

While previously Page admins could only target by language and location, the company has added new options, including:

• Gender
• Interested In
• Relationship Status
• Education
• Workplace

A Facebook rep gave the following example of how a marketer might use the new option: “Say you want to target an audience for a back-to-school campaign. You can drill down to college kids 18 to 21, so your post will be seen more by that age group.” 

The new capability comes a few weeks after Twitter made it possible for marketers to send targeted tweets based on location, devices and platform. 

Read full article here>>

Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens

(Source: Mortgage Capital Associates) written by Linda Ivanov

Outdoor kitchens are exploding in popularity throughout America. Paired with outdoor living rooms, these trendy open-air living spaces are an elegant upgrade for your home. Take the fun outside!

Expand the usable area of your home by incorporating built-in features that blur the line between indoor and outdoor space. No longer just for luxury properties, outdoor kitchens are becoming a standard expectation. A well-designed and outfitted outdoor kitchen can seal the deal in a real estate transaction. It will add value to your home and be an important selling feature down the road.

An outdoor kitchen creates the perfect setting for parties or family meals. Toss aside the old-fashioned grill, picnic table and patio concept. These modern living spaces are elegant, comfortable, and practical. More than just a place to cook, today’s outdoor kitchens are fully equipped for entertaining. 

When planning your ideal open-air space there are many options. Go for the best design and quality of equipment you can afford while focusing on year-round use. Sheltered kitchens and seating areas can be used rain or shine and extend the season for enjoying nature. Even if you live in a region with relatively short summers, an outdoor kitchen let’s you enjoy the season to its fullest.

The centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen is a built-in grill. Consider where you will bring in gas, power and water lines when planning the layout. Incorporate a refrigerator, wine cooler and a sink. No need to run back and forth to your indoor kitchen. Adequate counter space for preparation and serving will add to your outdoor cooking experience. Work with your vendor to select the best options for rust-free and low maintenance equipment.

Read full article here>>

Your outdoor space can be more than a kitchen. Expand the concept by creating an outdoor living room filled with comfortable seating and accent tables. Select furniture, fabrics and rugs that will resist weather-related damage while adding decorative pizazz.

Create privacy and define the space with columns, half-walls and a fireplace. Use landscaping, fountains, or decorative items to customize your space. Plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs all around your outdoor kitchen. They are not only decorative, but your guests will love the fresh ingredients.

Just like the center island in your indoor kitchen, create one outdoors.  Tie the kitchen and living areas together with a raised table with high chairs for casual dining. Add a separate large table for traditional seating.

There are many options for your hardscape ranging from stone, brick, granite, tile, and stucco. Use stressed lumber for decorative shelving or a fireplace mantel. Bamboo and redwood are great options for weather-resistant woods.

Lighting is important for using your new space after dark. Incorporate traditional wired fixtures for basic lighting. Supplement with solar-power accent lights, candles or lamps. Your fireplace, or fire pit, will create natural lighting and a romantic atmosphere, not to mention warmth after the sun sets. You can also create warmth by adding propane-fired heaters at night, and a cooling breeze during the day with outdoor-rated ceiling fans.

Orient your new space to factor in heavy shade, overwhelming sun or windy conditions. Your goal is to spend time outdoors in your new living area, not be driven back inside by the elements. Durability and function of all items in your living space are important considerations.

Keep in mind that your local officials will require a building permit for your project, so be prepared. If you are making this a DIY project, find out what is necessary to streamline the permit and inspection process to avoid delays. Bring in the pros for electrical, plumbing and other critical utilities.

The most exciting trend in outdoor kitchen construction is the wood-fired pizza oven. Nothing compares to the taste of a pizza baked the time-honored way. 

Creative design can transform your outdoors into a comfortable and fun area for open-air entertaining. You may never want to go back to cooking inside!

~~

Design a Luxury Garage for Your Exotic Cars

(Source: Mortgage Capital Associates) written by Linda Ivanov

Insane, over-the-top, themed luxury garages are trending! You’ve been cruising around in your exotic car or heading home from a classic car show with your latest trophy.

You can’t just park your rolling work of art in a standard garage, drop the old-fashioned door and walk away. Tisk, tisk, no way! You and your special car deserve a luxury garage where it can be showcased, be the center of attention.

Whether you own one, or dozens, of these beauties get creative in designing a space that is unique. After all, half the fun is driving your car; the other half is admiring your car. Only a dream garage offers the proper showcase for your high-octane treasures.

Read full article here>>

For lots of fun photos, click here, 

or query your browser for luxury garage.

http://www.luxury4play.com/automotive/36568-worlds-most-beautiful-garages-exotics-insane-garage-picture-thread-50-pics.html