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Thirsty Thursday… 🍹
Thirsty Thursday… 🍹
Meet the Tropical Berry Bloom —
bright, refreshing, and quietly reminding me that warmer days are ahead.
Made with gin (my current favourite), pineapple juice, and homemade raspberry simple syrup… it’s light, slightly sparkling, and perfect for a cozy winter evening when you’re craving just a hint of tropical.
Honestly — this one surprised me.
Beautiful in the glass.
Even better to sip.
It would make a lovely addition to a Valentine’s dinner… or simply a slow night at home.
As always, crafted from my kitchen — meant to be enjoyed in yours.
Link to my Raspberry Syrup: https://shorturl.at/0n6vK
Cheers 🤍
Barbara
#ThirstyThursday #TropicalBerryBloom #GinCocktail #CocktailAtHome
#EntertainingAtHome #ValentinesCocktail #WinterVibes
#BarbaraScarlett #LifeInNiagara
Big congratulations to all of my peers at Century 21 Heritage House.
The past few years in real estate have tested all of us. Through shifting markets, uncertainty, and constant change, this extraordinary group continued to show up each day with professionalism, resilience, and a deep commitment to their clients.
There is a great deal to be proud of in what was accomplished together.
To my clients — thank you. I never take lightly the role I am entrusted with when guiding you through a purchase or sale. Being invited into such an important chapter of your life is a responsibility I respect greatly. Your trust, your confidence, and your willingness to place that responsibility in my hands is something I remain truly grateful for.
It is a privilege to do this work and to serve the communities of Fort Erie and the Niagara region.
#Century21 #Century21HeritageHouse #C21Canada #NiagaraRealEstate #FortErieRealEstate #Grateful #ClientTrust #RealEstateProfessional #NiagaraRegion #CommunityFocused #Honoured #RealEstateLife
Have you ever finished making something and thought… why didn’t I film that? 🍓🍸
Have you ever finished making something and thought… why didn’t I film that? 🍓🍸
I was just about to film Thirsty Thursday when the recipe called for a raspberry simple syrup.
So I made it.
Gave it a taste.
And immediately realized this part deserved its own moment.
If you’ve never made simple syrup at home, it really is that easy —
equal parts sugar and water, gently dissolved on the stovetop.
And when you want flavour?
Add fruit.
For this one:
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
½ cup raspberries
Let it simmer, be patient, let it cool, then strain.
That’s it.
What you’re left with is bright, fresh, and perfect for cocktails —
or honestly, even a splash in sparkling water.
Sometimes the simplest things end up being the best part of the recipe.
Do you make your own cocktail basics at home,
or do you usually grab them ready-made?
👇 I’d love to hear.
#thirstythursday #forterielife #forterie #forterieliving
#niagararegion #homecocktails #simplejoys
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney
#slowlivingmovement #kitchenmoments
#homemadesyrup #raspberrysyrup #realestatelifestyle
📌 Why staying listed matters more in today’s market
📌 Why staying listed matters more in today’s market
Longer market times don’t mean buyers aren’t paying attention.
They mean buyers are taking longer to decide.
Today’s buyers watch the market closely.
They track price changes, compare options, and take time to absorb information before acting.
That process can feel like inactivity — but it isn’t.
Just like people learn through podcasts and audiobooks, understanding builds over time.
Buyers are listening, evaluating, and forming decisions well before they move.
Sellers who exit the market early often remove themselves from that process.
When a listing disappears, it’s no longer part of what buyers are watching and tracking.
Staying listed keeps your home visible while decisions are forming —
not after the moment has passed.
📌 In today’s market, staying positioned is what keeps opportunity alive.
👉 Follow for clear, practical real estate insight.
#forterierealestate #niagararealestate #homesellingstrategy #staylisted #sellereducation #realestateinsight #marketpositioning #wintermarket #realestatecanada
Do you prefer real winter… or would you rather skip it altogether? ❄️
Do you prefer real winter… or would you rather skip it altogether? ❄️
I know this might make me an anomaly,
but if it’s going to be winter,
I want it to look like winter.
Fresh snow on the ground.
Quiet walks with Blue.
Snowy drives along the lake.
And cozy moments at home, just watching it fall.
I don’t love the gray slush.
I love the stillness.
The brightness.
The calm that comes when everything feels softened by snow.
Living beside the lake here in Fort Erie,
winter has its own kind of beauty —
clean, crisp, and peaceful.
For me, this is the magic of the season.
Are you someone who loves a snowy winter,
or do you count the days until spring?
👇 I’d love to hear.
#winterinforterie #forterielife #forterie #forterieliving
#niagararegion #lakeerielife #winterbeauty
#simplejoys #balancedliving #lifeinbalance
#joyinthejourney #slowlivingmovement
#everydaymoments #realestatelifestyle
A Thank You Behind the Award
Awards are often seen as individual recognition, but this one belongs to many people. It represents the trust my clients placed in me and the steady support of my team throughout one of the most challenging real estate markets we’ve seen in decades.
This market required more than experience. It demanded consistency, discipline, clear communication, and showing up every day—especially when conditions were uncertain. Every transaction involved thoughtful strategy, patience, and teamwork.
I’m deeply grateful to my clients for their confidence, and to my team for their commitment to operating at a high level when it mattered most. This award is a reminder that meaningful results are built through trust, collaboration, and hard work.
Building Better Systems to Better Serve Our Clients
This time of year, my team and I are focused on preparing for the year ahead. While we continue to manage our daily responsibilities, we’re also spending time refining how we work behind the scenes.
Right now, our focus is on efficiency and consistency. We are reviewing and updating checklists, tightening our operations manual, and refining internal processes that support each stage of a transaction. These systems help ensure that nothing is missed, timelines are respected, and communication remains clear throughout the buying and selling process.
Strong systems allow us to spend less time reacting and more time advising. By improving how we operate internally, we are better positioned to deliver reliable service, respond quickly, and guide our clients with clarity in a changing market.
Winter on the Lake: Fort Erie Living at the End of January
The end of January has arrived with heavy snowfall and extended cold, a familiar pattern for those of us living along Lake Erie and throughout Fort Erie and the Niagara Region. Lake-effect snow, shifting winds, and colder temperatures are part of winter life here, especially in waterfront and lakeside communities.
What’s notable this year is that, despite the weather, the local real estate market has shown a small but clear burst of activity. Showings are still happening with properties that are priced appropriately, buyers are still watching closely, and listings continue to attract interest but it is a price sensitive market where overpriced listings will sit. In a lakefront community like Fort Erie, winter conditions are something residents expect and adapt to—plowed roads, winterized homes, and a rhythm that doesn’t stop when the snow arrives.
Living near the lake in winter offers its own experience: quiet streets, frozen shorelines, dramatic views, and a slower pace that many homeowners value. From Crystal Beach to Ridgeway and along the Niagara waterfront, winter is simply part of the lifestyle—and so is moving through the market with it.
Foodie Friday — Dinner at @lakehousedining
Foodie Friday — Dinner at The Lakeshore 🍽️
Do you have a place you keep coming back to… no matter the season?
Alex was parking the car while I grabbed a quick clip —
we were heading in for dinner at The Lakeshore Restaurant & Grill, one of our long-time favourites here in town.
We had gift certificates from Christmas,
and this felt like the perfect night to use them.
Easy decision.
Familiar menu.
Comfortable setting.
It’s one of those places that never needs a special occasion —
just good food, consistent service,
and a relaxed night out by the water.
If you haven’t been in a while — or if you’ve never been —
it’s definitely worth checking out.
Do you have a local spot you save your gift cards for?
👇 I’d love to hear.
#foodiefriday #forterielife #forterie #forterieliving
#niagararegion #niagaraeats #supportlocal
#simplejoys #balancedliving #lifeinbalance
#joyinthejourney #datenightideas
#realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife
This Weekend: Open Houses in Fort Erie and Niagara Region
Come check out the open houses in Fort Erie and surrounding area this weekend – Saturday Jan 31st and Sunday, Feb 1st!
