Archive for May, 2012

A Little Goes A Long Way

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

Giving Back to the Central Valley Community

By Lillyan Baker

The Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of The Central Valley is committed to creating a “home-away-from-home” for children. Due to a broken dishwasher and oven, RMHC of The Central Valley had their hands tied up hassling with their appliances.

Thanks to Mr. Appliance® of The Central Valley, RMHC of The Central Valley can continue to provide families the comfort of a home.

Dylan Conner, owner of Mr. Appliance of The Central Valley in Fresno, Calif. donated parts, labor and most importantly, his time to replace a broken dishwasher and repair a leaky refrigerator.

Conner says that Mr. Appliance of The Central Valley’s commitment to RMHC comes from Mr. Appliance’s code of values, where respect, integrity and customer satisfaction are the priorities.

“The first code of value is to treat others as we would like to be treated, and that value is the foundation of our Mr. Appliance partnership with RMHC,” said Conner. “Mr. Appliance of The Central Valley understands that it’s the little things that make a big difference. Though repairing an appliance can’t make a sick child well, it can make life a little easier for the families staying at RMHC .”

Mr. Appliance of The Central Valley hopes that their kind act of service will urge other business and organizations to give back to the community as well.

“The Ronald McDonald House® program provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost to families,” said Jennifer Smith, senior director of Communications and Special Programs, RMHC. “Our Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child- not where they can afford to stay or where they will get their next meal.”

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Making Memories: Happy Memorial Day!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

By Lillyan Baker

This Memorial Day, blend the past with the present by creating new memories with your family as you remember those who sacrificed for our nation’s service.  Three-day weekends are usually filled with neighbor BBQs, pool parties and family visits. Celebrate the red, white and blue with these easy to make flag cookies that the whole family will enjoy. Leave the worries at home as you create a simple, yet festive DIY cookie tray that can be left at a friend’s house, no hand washing needed. Spend Friday night or Saturday morning baking these cookies with your children and the rest of the weekend relaxing in the sun because it is time to make some memories this Memorial Day!

Celebrate the Red, White & Blue!

Flag Cookies

1 box of French vanilla cake mix

1tsp baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 c vegetable oil

½ tsp vanilla extract

½ c red sprinkles

½ c blue sprinkles

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together cake mix and baking powder. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the egg mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the sprinkles.
  3. Drop spoonfuls onto  parchment-covered cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Recipe by Cookin’ Cowgirl.

Cute & Easy Clean-up!

DIY Paper Cookie Tray

Paper plates, any color or size

Hole punch

Ribbon, craft ribbon or curling ribbon

  1. Punch holes about every inch all the way around. Then pick a spot to start and thread the ribbon up and down through each hole.
  2. Tie off in a bow and fill with flag cookie treats.

Craft by Simply Southern.

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Wash Some Green Into Your Laundry

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

By Lillyan Baker

Save some green and help the earth without ever leaving your laundry room

Wash out your family’s green grass stains and wash in even more green savings. The laundry room can be the busiest room in your house, and if your washer and dryer aren’t performing at their best, it could show up on your energy bill. It may be time to give your family’s laundry habits an energy-saving makeover.

“Busy schedules and full households can cause lots of wear and tear on laundry room appliances,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Homeowners should take special care when using their washer and dryer to make sure they keep working efficiently. The harder an appliance has to work to do its job, the more energy is wasted in the process.”

Follow these simple tips from Mr. Appliance to help your laundry room conserve energy and money.

Washer:

  • When appropriate, wash clothes in cold water. This saves the energy needed to heat the water.
  • Wash full loads. Washing machines use about the same amount of energy for all load sizes, so fill up the load to avoid wasting energy.
  • Use the high-speed spin cycle, to take moisture out of your clothes resulting in less drying time and more energy saved.
  • If you have an older top-loading washing machine, consider converting to a front-loading washer, which uses about 70 percent less water.

Dryer:

  • Keep the lint filter clean to maximize air circulation, energy efficiency and to help prevent a potential fire.
  • Dry full loads and use the moisture sensor setting. Not only does this save energy, it also protects your clothes from heat damage.
  • Keep the dryer’s outside exhaust clean to prevent dryer fires and reduce drying time, which saves energy. Keep the dryer at least four inches away from the wall to prevent kinks or tears from forming in the exhaust vent.

These tips are easy for you to do yourself, and can even help prolong the life of your appliances when combined with regular visits from your local appliance repair expert.

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Mr. Appliance Named 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs Magazine

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Proud to Support the Military

Mr. Appliance announces it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.

The appliance repair company honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a discount of 25% off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.

“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs.  “Being selected as a Military Friendly Franchise places Mr. Appliance in this elite group, and is testimony to Mr. Appliance’s world class programs and policies that support military veterans interested franchise opportunities”.

Don Dwyer, founder of The Dwyer Group, started the VetFran program at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. Through the International Franchise Association (IFA), over 400 franchisors have joined in offering financial incentives to veterans through VetFran. The Dwyer Group has awarded more than $1.3 million in financial discounts to 254 VetFran franchisees within its brands, including 17 new franchisees in 2012 to date.

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Dryer Maintenance Can Prevent Fires

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Prevent a Dryer Fire in Your Home

Household fires destroy homes and sometimes tragically take lives. Flames can roar through the house unexpectedly, but the culprit may have been lurking in an unexpected place:  the laundry room.
“Dryer fires are preventable with periodic maintenance to remove lint buildup inside the unit and the venting hose,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance.
Mr. Appliance recommends these tips to keep your dryer operating properly:

-       Only use solid metallic exhaust vents that are smooth and not spiral-wound– because vinyl, foil and spiral wound venting restrict air flow they collect more lint and are at a higher risk to catch on fire. The exhaust should only vent to the outside of the houses — never to the attic or crawlspace.

-       The vents should be as straight as possible, with all excess venting trimmed off. Twisting or crushing exhaust piping restricts the airflow

-       Don’t use screws to put your vent pipe together, because the screw shafts inside the piping collect lint and cause additional friction.

-       Keep the exhaust duct in good condition by disconnecting, cleaning and inspecting the duct on a regular basis. Or hire a licensed appliance professional to check it out for you.

-       Keep the dryer as lint-free as possible by cleaning the lint screen or filter before or after each load of clothes. Hire a licensed appliance professional to clean the interior of the dryer chassis and inspect the rollers, belt, motor and heating system every one to two years.

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Celebrate Mother’s Day

Friday, May 11th, 2012

By Lillyan Baker

Celebrate Mom with more than just a card and flowers. Give her what she really wants; breakfast in bed. The best way to enjoy breakfast in bed is with French crepes topped with her favorite fruit and whipped cream. Show Mom some love with each flour and sugar stack!

Motherly Love

French Crepes

1 c all-purpose flor
1 tsp white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3 eggs
2 c milk
2 Tbsp butter, melted

1. Sift together flour, sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth; stir in melted butter.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown on both sides and serve hot. Add fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Recipe from AllRecipes.com.

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Live, Laugh & Learn with Lillyan: Everything is Bigger in Texas

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Tomato Basil Appetizers to Enjoy While Cooking

By Lillyan Baker

Down here in Texas we do things a little different than our fellow states throughout the country. It may be a choice to live here, but once you cross that state border, the Texan lifestyle is branded within you like our USDA livestock. Yes, we love our BBQ and Great State pride, but there are also some things Texas just gives back, whether you want them or not. Mosquitos, contracting the words “you” and “all” and that crazy Texas heat. When people say, “Everything is Bigger in Texas,” they are not just talking about Dallas hairstyles, but also the record heat that hits every summer.

We have two seasons in Texas. Winter, less hot. Summer, more hot. Even with the first of summer heat in May, I knew Trey and I would melt in the after 5 p.m. sunbath that hits my back porch every evening. With two beautiful steaks chilling in the fridge and the mercury rising on the outdoor thermometer, it was an easy choice to forgo the charcoal and grilling tongs in place of A/C and a large skillet. Tonight, we decided to grill indoors!

Save some money & highlight your green thumb by growing fresh herbs you use daily. No room? Do what I did & grow fresh basil in a tin planter.

For an appetizer that will hold you over until dinner, use store bought pastry crust, sliced tomatoes and onions, fresh basil, EVOO and a dash of salt and pepper. Cook for 12-15 mins at 375 degrees. Let cool and enjoy!

Substitute sour cream for 1/4 cup of milk when mashing up your potatoes. For a little Texas spice, add a tsp of cayenne pepper.

Sizzle those steaks without the scorching summer heat. To save time and plan for more than just a plate for one, fire up more than one skillet on the stovetop.

Secret of a steakmaster? Add a Tbsp of butter along with onions and garlic to really get a nice flavor within the pan-seared steak.

Pair with a wedge-salad or vegetable side for a complete outdoor summer meal, enjoyed indoors with friends!

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Supporting RMHC

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Paul Berry & Ray Castaneda

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of San Antonio is passionate about helping families of the community who are in need. They believe that families are stronger when they are together, and work to provide a home away from home to families with hospitalized children.

When Mr. Appliance® of San Antonio, heard that they could help RMHC by repairing a cooktop, they decided to step in and provide assistance. Thanks to Mr. Appliance of San Antonio, RMHC of San Antonio can spend less time worrying about their appliances and more time with the families.

“You never know how a simple act such as replacing a cooktop can change someone’s life,” said Paul Berry, Owner of Mr. Appliance of San Antonio.

Berry makes it his goal to build relationships not only with his customers, but also with the community. “No matter what field of work you are in, you can always find a way to help the community and meet some incredible people along the way,” said Berry.

Berry believes that Mr. Appliance of San Antonio’s commitment to RMHC comes from Mr. Appliance’s code of values, where respect, integrity and customer satisfaction are the priorities.

“The first code of value is to treat others as we would like to be treated, and that value is the foundation of our Mr. Appliance partnership with RMHC,” said Berry. “Mr. Appliance of San Antonio considers it a privilege to partner with an organization like RMHC that gives so much to families in need.”

Mr. Appliance of San Antonio hopes to encourage other companies and organizations to join in warming the hearts of those in need. Any act of service can make a difference. Whether it’s fixing a refrigerator, replacing a sink or providing a meal, hearts will be touched.

“The Ronald McDonald House® program provides a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost to families,” said Jennifer Smith, senior director, RMHC. “Our Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child- not where they can afford to stay or where they will get their next meal.”

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