Anderson Island Living

Summer's Here - What's Wrong with this picture?

2010-07-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's after 8:30pm and the temperature outside is cooler than the temp inside my home. That seems wrong. You know, we just keep procrastinating about one of those Mitsubishi air conditioners. A friend of ours installed 5 of them in her huge waterfront home and absolutely loves them. We'd just need 2 of them as our home is somewhat small. Okay, it's on the priority items list. Even though we need it only for a few days each year! Well worth the money as this heat has totally put the brakes on my motivation to do anything. What do you think?

July on Anderson Island

2010-07-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Thank you Steve for the great show! We also had the famous Annual Salmon Bake. The numbers aren't in yet but it sure felt like a successful run. The silent auction brought in approximately $5500! Couldn't have done it without Sandy and all the wonderful donations she rounded up! Thank you Pam for your help as well along with everyone else who chipped in at the last minute. I really appreciate you all!

Summer is finally here! Supposed to get close to 90 this week! Yahoo! My fingers will finally thaw!

Here's a link to my facebook photo album for the Salmon Bake. If you aren't a FB friend, just send me a request and I'll accept so you can see the pictures.

Salmon Bake Pictures

Sunrise over Puget Sound

2009-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

This photograph was taken by Mark Wingerd from Anderson Island. See what we have to look at every morning?

Island In The Sound

2009-09-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

Just adding some fun

2009-09-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Great Office War from Runawaybox on Vimeo.

Broker's Open at Bixler's Home

2009-09-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Bixler's Broker's Open

September 1 we had a wonderful time at Jim & Genie Bixler's home on Anderson Island. They were kind enough to host a BBQ for real estate agents in the area that wanted to know more about the island and their home.

14 people attended the event. Tom Drohan of Destiny Harbor Tours in Gig Harbor picked everyone up via his Tour Boat in at the Steilacoom Ferry Dock. He excorted us around the North end of the island and then made our way Southward and then up into Oro Bay where Jim & Genie have their private dock. The weather wasn't bad but it didn't behave at first either so we were a bit chilled and slightly damp when we arrived. Jim, thinking ahead, had a nice warm campfire going for us when we arrived. There was also a local musician playing his guitar near the water's edge jsut setting the scene for what was to come.

We toured the property and then made our way back down to the waterfront where we were greeted with yummie burgers, drinks and Genie's fabulous Potato Salad. I don't think there was any left when we were done feasting. Everyone had a great time.

Our trip back to Steilacoom was much faster. We had to get to the terminal ahead of the ferry so we could unload and then get onto the ferry to return to the island. 4 of us rode over with the guests to see them off.

Thank you all for coming. We all had so much fun and you'll all be on the invitation list for the next one.

Entertainment This Weekend

2009-08-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Don't forget about the entertainment at the Historical Johnson Farm tonight from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. Daryl and the Diptones. For more information click on the title above.

Lovely Island Estate

2009-08-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Steffen Family Farm - Fresh Eggs

2009-08-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

Eric and I have raised our flock of over 100 chickens now and love every minute of it...Okay, not the poop but we do love watching them work their little society and manage their pecking order.

We also have 4 turkeys now. One of them got out of the pen and nested in the woods where we couldn't find her until we heard the coyote's one night. Then we found feathers and that was that for her.

On a good note, we have farm fresh eggs available. What a boost of flavor and a great source of protein. Many of our younger girls are just starting to lay and we have another batch of 25 that'll start laying in about 2 months so we feel there's plenty to go around.

The cost is just $3/doz. Just call 253-884-3804 and let me know how many you need. Either come pick them up or I can meet you or even deliver.

Remember, they're laid with love.

Eric & Cheryl

Steffen Family Farm

One of Cheryl's days on Anderson Island

2009-07-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today, July 28, 2009, started out like a typical day except for one thing; my house didn’t cool down overnight from this crazy heat wave we’re having. I slapped the alarm 2 or 3 times before deciding to get up. Eric slipped out of bed shortly after the alarm went off to go take his shower and get ready for another day of work. Breakfast was a quick fix of oats and fruit. Eric was driving on to the ferry today so I made his breakfast portable so he could eat it during the crossing. Then I fixed his lunch with typical stuff; sandwich, tortilla wrap with veggies, fruit, cookies and loads of water. It’s a challenge at times to keep him full. Amazing how much food this guy can put away and he only weighs about 170lbs…Just 5 to 10 more than I.

Since Eric drove his own vehicle to the ferry today, as soon as he left I went outside to give the gardens and plants some extra water; let the chickens and turkeys out, hosed out the ducks’ sleeping box, gave them a fresh pool of water and then took off for the coffee shop for my daily dose of caffeine!

Once I arrived at the coffee shop, I received my usual fun harassment from Bobbo. He always asks “What do you want?” in a playful way. He and Angela, Bobbo’s wife, own the coffee shop and have become icons on the island. Bobbo & Angela’s great personalities and the fun atmosphere and not to mention the great coffee keeps islanders and visitors alike coming back time after time. Then we play this game where he guesses what I want (usually totally off the chart) and then finally he’ll turn around and go in and prepare my “usual” which is a Vente rice milk mocha latte half-caff extra hot with a little shot of Irish Cream (no wonder he has to ask every day). While sitting in the drive-thru, I observe locals coming and going. One of our most colorful locals is Mr. C. As Mr. C was leaving the coffee shop, he said hello, bragged about having an AC and then jumped in his SUV and drove off while yelling “Whoo Hoo”. Next thing I know I hear this faintly familiar puttering off in the distance…..It was Mr. B on his little red scooter. Now Mr. B is very special to the islanders who know him. He’s quite the character; fun, smart, big heart and full of surprises. When you look at Mr. B one would expect him to ride up on a beefed-up Harley Davidson sporting all to doo-dads a biker would normally have. But, Mr. B has a fun little Red Scooter adorned with stickers and jewels he loves and adores (they scream of his personality). He always says “hello”, is great for an “island” hug and conversation. It was at this moment I decided to write about a day in my life on Anderson Island.

Then I was off to go feed a stray kitty that was left behind when some people moved away from the island. It hurts to see an animal lose their family and be left to fend for themselves. I’ve only seen him/her once and that was a quick glance. The kitty is very shy, possibly feral or just simply freaked out without its family. Every day for a week now I’ve left food and fresh water. I’m surprised the Raccoons haven’t eaten the food so I’m sure the kitty is eating well. The water is clean when I get there so I’m sure they aren’t bothering the kitty.

While sipping my latte, I drove home with the windows down in the car as I could feel the heat coming and I wanted to savor every moment of this fresh, cool air blowing all around me. I saw lots of people out walking, mowing and doing things during this cool opportunity before the heat hit hard. Weather forecast is for temperatures in the mid 90’s, very humid and poor air quality. YUCK!

Now that I’m back home, the doggies and kitties all want to be fed and let out to go potty and play. Believe it or not, right after Jolie ate her breakfast she went and laid down right outside the back door where the sun was strong. She’s out like a light and the sun is so strong. She’s black in color so she has to be just cooking…Yikes! Ladybug is trying to hide from Skipper…the normal daily routine.

Next I decided to follow up with Facebook only to discover my friends necking again…long-running story. Anyhow, there’s lots of stuff going on, political updates, what’s this, hey it’s hot, the kids are growing, you know…all the good stuff you rarely get to hear about but since the inception of Facebook we can get up-to-the-minute updates about our friends and family. Even upload video and pictures. Gotta love that!

Later in the day I went to get a smoothie from the coffee shop….Yum Yum. It’s now 90 outside but we have a slight breeze which makes it just a little bit more tolerable. On my way home I thought I would call my son, Paul. He’s in California helping his father who has had 2 strokes in the past month or so. He’s doing well now. Paul is still hanging out, not sure what he wants to do with his life, you know the story. Yadda yadda yadda!

All the animals are very quiet now since it’s so hot. Everyone has found a quiet, shady space to take a nap in. Jolie took a dunk in the kiddie pool, Ladybug has laid herself at my feet and Skipper is upstairs somewhere….probably trying to dig up a crumb from under the rug. Around 2:00pm or so the UPS driver shows up with a package – new business cards! I hate running out of them. I stepped out onto the deck only to discover that it was very hot on the feet and I couldn’t stand still. I must have looked as if….well, you know the danceJ

Okay, it’s 4:15pm and now it’s 96 out! I’m as low to the ground as I can get and just sweating profusely. I know, come winter I’ll be dreaming of a day like today. Today has been pretty quiet. I’ve received phone calls and e-mails regarding sales transactions and so forth, worked on my clock hours to renew my license in October and drank (drinking) a lot of water. I can’t help but wonder how Eric is doing at work. It must be so hot there in the big metal buildings. Oh, and I just called him to see where he is as he usually calls me to tell me he’s on the ferry. Well, I just discovered he’s sitting in a nice air-conditioned hair salon getting his hair cut! Smart guy! I’m so jealous.

I just got off the phone with a new client that is very interested in one of our beautiful properties listed on the island. These types of calls make my day! Can’t go into detail but I know it’ll work out perfectly. In fact, come to think of it, I got two calls like this today….pretty darn good day.

Eric just got home and gads, it’s so hot! We spent the rest of the evening trying to stay cool, water the plants, animals, etc. Late in the evening I went to get our scrap buckets from the general store deli for the chickens. The chickens will not let me forget. At about 7:30pm or so they all crowed at one end of their run nearest our driveway with expectations of the juicy scraps! Absolutely hilarious how they are such creatures of habit and they produce fabulous eggs. While at the store I was tempted to buy some soft-serve ice cream. I think it was the biggest sales item for the day. I sure hope she has lots more for the rest of the week. Yum yum!

At about 10:30pm when we were ready to turn in for the night, it was 91 degrees in the house. We had so many fans running, we just couldn’t cool off. Eric I think took two cool showers, I took one and was still sweating when I went to bed. Absolutely unbelievable and relentless heat.

The best thing about today was that I have my health, Eric, my family and friends. They all show me so much love and consideration. Thank you allJ

IT’S JULY—DO YOU WANT YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET THIS WINTER?

2009-07-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

If your house has been listed for several weeks (or months) and still hasn’t sold, you’re probably discouraged – and rightfully so. There is a lot of competition amongst sellers right now, and buyers have a larger number of homes from which to choose. Because it is a “buyer’s market” in many areas, sellers who are serious about selling are also serious about pricing and presenting their home in the best possible light.

Because of this, there is an unfortunate fact that you need to know. Chances are that when we’re putting tinsel on trees and shoveling our driveways, your home will still be listed—unless you do a price reduction now.

July, August, and September are very active months in the real estate market. Historically, in most markets, these warm-weather months are an active time in the market. If you want to take advantage of the market, it is crucial that you bring your listing up to the standards of what the market will bear.

Now is the time people buy. Kids are on summer vacation and interested buyers have the time to shop for their new home. Now is the time to do a price reduction -- to get your home sold before the summer has ended.

When everything starts to slow down after September, you don’t want your home on the market. So don’t hesitate! Many sellers who didn’t to do a price reduction last summer found their homes not selling until the following spring. Don’t let this happen to you.

Selling now is critical. Reduce your price now to sell your home today.

For more information about pricing and how it affects your listing, just give me a call at (253) 884-3804 or send an email to cheryl@cherylsteffen.com. I’ll show you how long some homes lingered on the market because they didn’t reduce their price at the right time.

Anderson Island - Article in Today's News Tribune

2009-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this wonderful article in today's News Tribune

http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/822972.html#none