Do you ever go out for dinner and come home inspired to cook? 🦞🍲

Over the Christmas weekend, we met a group of friends for dinner at @tideandvine .
What I didn’t realize until that night was that they also have a fishmonger shop next door —
full of fresh seafood and great ideas for home cooking.

While I was in there,
I couldn’t stop thinking about a seafood stew.

The next day, we enjoyed Tide and Vine —
beautifully prepared, simple, and fresh.
And two days later,
I was back in my own kitchen,
making a seafood stew inspired by that visit.

I love when a meal carries forward like that —
from restaurant,
to market,
to home.

It’s a reminder that good food doesn’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes it just starts with seeing what’s fresh.

Do you ever let a restaurant visit shape what you cook next?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion #niagaraeats
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#slowlivingmovement #foodiefriday #seafoodlovers
#localrestaurantsniagara #realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife

Two opportunities to step inside very different lifestyles — both open this weekend.

🏡 32 Sunrise Court | Ridgeway
$799,900
📅 Saturday, Jan 11 | 12–2 PM

A well-designed bungalow in one of Ridgeway’s most established neighbourhoods.
Vaulted ceilings.
Fireplace + sunroom.
A layout that feels easy and comfortable — with access to the Algonquin Club amenities just down the road.

Quiet streets.
Close to the lake.
Minutes to downtown Ridgeway.

🌾 5930 Michener Road | Sherkston / Port Colborne
$1,150,000
📅 Friday, Jan 10 | 12–2 PM

A rare country estate on 10 acres.
Historic charm with modern updates.
Barn, paddocks, and room to breathe.

This is the kind of property that doesn’t come along often — and needs to be experienced in person.

If either of these feel like your next chapter, come by this weekend.
I’d love to walk you through.

#openhouse #forterierealestate #ridgewayontario #portcolbornerealestate #niagararealestate #bungalowliving #countryestate #homesforsale #scarlettrealestategroup #barbarascarlettbroker #niagaraliving

This one’s not subtle. 
And it’s definitely not a cosmo.

With Alex and Adam driving home after a long ski trip, I figured this was the right moment for a proper martini-drinker’s cocktail.

A Negroni.
Strong.
Balanced.
And unapologetic.

Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth — that’s it.
No fluff.
No shortcuts.

I saw Stanley Tucci make one and thought…
if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for us.

It has a bite.
It packs a punch.
And it’s the kind of drink you sip slowly — especially in January.

Cheers to Thirsty Thursday, stiff drinks, and welcoming people home. 

#thirstythursday #negroni #classiccocktail #ginlovers #martinidrinkers #homecocktails #niagaraliving #realtorlife #lifestyleproject #winterevenings

✨I’m not making resolutions this year — but I am making space for a few small, intentional changes.✨

As we step into 2026, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to feel.
Not just how I want things to look — but how I want to move through my days.

In December, I did something I’m proud of:
I stayed balanced.
Amid all the events, errands, and expectations — I created space to feel grounded.

And heading into the new year, I feel strong.
Healthy. Clear.

But I also see places I want to tweak.
Not overhaul. Not start from scratch.
Just gently adjust so I can keep showing up —
with more energy, more clarity, more joy.

No pressure-filled resolutions.
Just intention.

Because at 55, still working full-time and living fully,
my focus is simple:
feel good. stay well. protect my energy.

💬 I’d love to hear from you —
Are you making any small shifts this year to feel your best?
Let’s share ideas and support each other as we ease into 2026.

#GodMoment #IntentionOverResolution #NewYearReflection #RealEstateWithHeart #FortErieRealtor #NiagaraRealEstate #FeelStrongAtAnyAge #WomenInRealEstate #GentleTweaks #EnergyMatters #RealLifeRealEstate #HealthyIn2026 #SmallChangesBigImpact #RootedLiving #PresenceOverPressure #MindfulStart

Do you ever start with dessert just to get it out of the way? 🥧

Last week, early one morning,
I decided to tackle dessert first.

This whipped peanut butter pie is one of those
easy, no-stress recipes —
simple ingredients,
nothing too precise,
and very forgiving.

Peanut butter, icing sugar,
softened cream cheese,
and Cool Whip folded in at the end.
That’s it.

If you have to make a few pie quick, here is my go to 4 ingredient recipe plus a shell.

I don’t overthink the measurements with this one.
A couple generous spoonfuls of peanut butter,
a quick mix,
into the shell — done.

There’s something satisfying about having dessert ready
before the rest of the day even starts.
One less thing to think about later.

Do you prefer quick, easy desserts,
or ones that take a little more time?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion
#homecooking #balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney
#simplejoys #slowlivingmovement #foodiefriday
#easyrecipes #dessertprep #realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife

Selling and buying at the same time can feel mentally heavy.

Not because you’re doing something wrong…
but because you’re trying to hold too many decisions at once.

Pricing.
Showings.
Feedback.
Deadlines.
All overlapping.

When nothing is finalized, every choice feels urgent.
That’s when the fog sets in.

On my walks with Blue, it’s simple.
One direction.
One step at a time.

Sellers benefit from the same structure.

Finalize the sale first.
Then turn your attention to the next chapter.

Clarity comes when the path narrows.

Now… let’s go for a walk. 🐾

#onestepatatime #sellingandbuying #realestateclarity #forterierealestate #niagararealestate #walkwithblue #lifestyleproject #homesellers #realestateguidance #calmdecisions

Do you have a dish that requires starting before the rest of the house is even awake? 🍄

If Burgundy mushrooms are on the menu,
you need to get going early.
This is not a quick recipe.

Last week, I started with several pounds of mushrooms,
cleaned and packed into a stockpot
with water, butter, red wine,
and a handful of simple seasonings.

Once everything goes in,
the pot looks impossibly full —
but over time, it slowly cooks down.

I let it simmer covered for hours,
then uncovered to reduce even further.
The alcohol cooks off,
the flavours deepen,
and what you’re left with is rich, concentrated,
and incredibly comforting.

No salt added at the start —
the bouillon does the work.
You adjust at the end, if needed.

This is one of those dishes
that rewards patience.
You don’t rush it.
You let it do its thing.

Do you enjoy recipes that take all day,
or do you prefer quick and simple?
👇 I’d love to know.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion
#homecooking #balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney
#simplejoys #slowlivingmovement #foodiefriday
#comfortfoodmoments #realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife

As this year comes to a close, I’ve realized something important.

This year, I decided to share more.
To connect with like-minded people.
To speak about what’s actually happening — not just in life, but in real estate too.

The Value Series grew from that intention.
Real conversations.
Real market conditions.
What buyers and sellers are truly navigating as we move into 2025.

In the process, this year nudged me into motion.
I moved more.
Did more.
Helped more.
Explored more.
Cooked more.
And paid closer attention to what feels meaningful.

None of it was about perfection.
It was about participation.

And next year?
It starts tonight.

With the same curiosity.
The same intention.
And a commitment to keep showing up — thoughtfully, honestly, and with purpose.

If you’re stepping into the new year wanting more clarity, balance, or direction… you’re not alone.
Here’s to what we build next.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion
#lifeinbalance #balancedliving #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#realestatelifestyle #realtorlife #communityconnection
#yearinreview #lookingahead #valuebasedliving

Last week, while visiting a client,
she handed me a magazine she’d just picked up at the grocery store.
She smiled and said,
“I feel like you’ll actually make something from this.”

She wasn’t planning to —
so she passed it along.

A few days later, I decided to try one of the recipes.
Just a small test first…
because if it works,
I’ll make another and bring it back to her.

I also took one along to a dinner party that night —
a little trial run before sharing it again.

These quiet exchanges always stay with me.
Thoughtful, simple, and so very human.

Here’s hoping it looks just as good
as it tasted when I make it again.

Have you ever been gifted something
that sparked an idea or a moment of creativity?
👇 I’d love to hear.

#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#slowlivingmovement #homecooking #foodiefriday
#everydaymoments #realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife