Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - Novmeber 2019

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - Novmeber 2019

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley | 845-256-6158

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

T here’s no holiday quite as indulgent as Thanksgiving. If we’re talking food, there’s nothing I enjoy more than cheesecake. My wife and mother-in-law have a great recipe for cheesecake, and every time they make it, I can’t help but eat more than my fair share. ( Note from Andrea: I very rarely make this recipe, but it sounds like that’s probably a good thing! ) Granted, I’ll eat any version of cheesecake. For a quick treat, I usually opt for Kit Kat bars. When it’s time to unwind, I love to turn on Westerns. Anything with gun- slinging action and drama is exciting. Andrea isn’t as into the Westerns as I am, but she’s sweet to appease me and watch them when I want to. Together, Andrea and I recently finished watching Longmire , which is more of a modern Western that I think anyone would like. It takes place in a small Wyoming town, and this old-fashioned sheriff is policing in a modern era. The town is sparsely populated, and there’s a reservation nearby. But this sheriff’s intuition is anything but Podunk or outdated. He’s pretty smart at what he does. I also enjoy watching Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle , which is an alternative-history show that ponders what life would be like if Germany and Japan had won World War II. It’s dramatic and thought-provoking to see this version of what could have happened if the Allies had not prevailed. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend checking it out. Season 4 begins this November! Action and adventure tales are some of my favorite stories, so it’s no surprise that, when it comes time to shut off the television and pick up a book, I typically choose authors who write exciting adventures. I really FINDING COMFORT In Life’s Everyday Indulgences Celebrating everything I am grateful for with the family I love while enjoying amazing dishes is something I look forward to every fall, but lately, I have been thinking about all the indulgences I enjoy the other 364 days of the year.

"If we’re talking food, there’s nothing I enjoy more than cheesecake."

enjoy reading Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan books. There’s an Amazon show inspired by this series, and so far the main character’s portrayal in this adaption brings as much heart-racing adventure as the books do. Of course, I do sometimes deviate from my traditional action-packed media. I really enjoy finding ways that I can improve by reading self- help books. One book that I particularly enjoyed was Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. Anyone would enjoy this book, and I have recommended it to many people. It provides some interesting background on this global company that is recognized by nearly everyone. Whether it’s a good book, my latest Netflix binge, or a delicious slice of cheesecake, having these little indulgences provides some simple ways to kick back in a hectic world. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and don’t forget to indulge, even if it’s just a little bit.

–Jim Serra

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Engage Your Kids on Thanksgiving

With These Gratitude-Themed Games

Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games. PICTIONARY Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest? GUESS WHO? To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too.

using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick. These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving.

PICK-UP STICKS Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by

READING THE SIGNS

REPLACING YOUR HVAC UNIT BEFORE IT BREAKS THE BANK

In an age of modern technology, there’s something quaint and comforting about vintage. Today, record shops are enjoying a boom in sales and fashion trends from the 1960s are making a comeback.

instances, our HVAC technicians will recommend you think about replacing your system with one that will perform more reliably, save you money, and conserve energy.

But when it comes your HVAC unit, retro is not what you’re going for.

Before you start worrying about the dollars and cents, consider this: Replacing your home’s HVAC unit could save you money.

The most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your air conditioner or furnace is a major malfunction. A natural disaster, home fire, or freak accident can cause your home’s unit to need replacing, but there may also be instances when a fairly newer unit may go kaput. For example, if your

Today’s units are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Pumping less energy into your home spells savings when it comes time to pay the energy bill. In addition, new HVAC units come with the convenient cellphone app controls, increased safety features, and less time spent relying on the technician to fix the frequent problems that were plaguing your old system. Don’t spend another winter battling your furnace. While everyone on our team enjoys getting to know you and we are always ready to assist when you call on us, we also love helping you save money and want to make sure you have the safest, most efficient, most reliable system you can have for your home.

air conditioning unit’s refrigerant is leaking or your furnace's heat exchanger develops a crack and becomes unsafe, it may be wiser to replace your whole unit rather than to replace just these costly parts. It’s likely that your HVAC system will reach a point where repairs are frequent and costly. In these

Inquire about replacing your system by calling 845-256-6518 today.

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PASS THE LOBSTER? There’s something for everyone at the Thanksgiving table. Grandpa usually enjoys a hearty helping of turkey and potatoes, while the kiddos typically reach for pies and marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes. Cousins will quarrel over who has a bigger helping

Little-Known Facts About the First Thanksgiving Meal

Shellfish, Venison, and Cabbage, Oh My! Historians agree that turkeys roamed the regions where the settlers landed, but there’s no documented proof that Native Americans and Pilgrims enjoyed a feast of turkey. Instead, many believe the group ate other common birds, like geese and ducks. Historians also note that shellfish were likely on the menu, and the Wampanoag tribe is credited with bringing five deer to the feast. In addition, since this was a celebration of a successful harvest, there may have been a bounty of fresh vegetables. Party Like It’s November 1621! Today’s feasts often involve 10 hours of cooking, 30 minutes of eating, and two hours of napping afterward. It’s beautiful in its own way, but it’s nothing compared to that first feast. Historians believe the first Thanksgiving lasted for three days. Given the hardship and bloodshed both groups had endured the winter before, this kind of party just may have been warranted. We may no longer feast on lobster or eat for three days straight, but there’s still no holiday meal that quite compares to Thanksgiving. Have a great turkey day!

of stuffing or who will score the last dinner roll. Regardless of who likes what, no one goes hungry at a Thanksgiving feast. Instead of arguing over potatoes this year, impress your relatives with these little-known facts about the first Thanksgiving: No Room for Pie Sweets were all but wiped off the menu by the time November of 1621 rolled around. When the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth in the fall of 1620, they brought sugar, but it wasn’t enough to last them through the harsh winter of disease and death. By the time they were celebrating their first successful corn harvest the following year — thanks largely to the education and peace agreements they forged with local tribes — their sugar supply had long since been depleted. Instead, since pumpkins were plentiful, the settlers hollowed out pumpkins and filled them with milk, honey, and spices to form a custard. The pumpkins were then roasted to perfection.

HAVE A LAUGH!

BURNISHED POTATO NUGGETS

Inspired by Bon Appétit

There are countless ways to prepare potatoes, but not all are created equal. For irresistibly crunchy outsides and deliciously creamy insides, try this recipe. The result is sure to be the star side at your Thanksgiving table.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • Kosher salt • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 8 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 sprigs rosemary

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425°F. 2. In a large pot, pour water over potatoes to cover by 2 inches. Salt water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 3. Thoroughly drain potatoes and let stand uncovered for a few minutes to allow steam to escape and potatoes to dry slightly. Toss gently and season with salt. 4. Meanwhile, combine both oils in a large pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes. 5. Remove pan from oven and add potatoes, turning to coat thoroughly. Return to oven and cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. 6. Toss in garlic and rosemary and cook for 8–10 minutes more, or until potatoes are golden brown. 7. Drain and serve.

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Enjoying My Daily Indulgences INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

Knowing When It’s Time to Replace Your HVAC Unit

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Did You Know These Thanksgiving Facts?

Burnished Potato Nuggets

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Stay in a Real Castle

CARCASSONNE

THE REAL MAGIC KINGDOM

Every year, tourists flock to Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” and marvel at Cinderella's iconic castle. As fun as it is to see this Florida-based attraction, it would be even more magical to step back in time and visit a real medieval citadel. What if you could walk the same ramparts as Roman legionnaires and climb the same towers as French kings? If this idea gives you goosebumps, pack your bags for Carcassonne, France. A four-hour train ride from Paris, towering above the rolling vineyards of southern France, you’ll find one of the most intact, accessible castles in Europe. With sweeping, concentric walls and 53 elegant towers, the Cité de Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight. Once an impenetrable border fortress between the kingdoms of France and Aragon, the gates now stand open to anyone curious enough to walk its cobblestone streets. In fact, you can stay in the ancient city yourself. The five-star Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne occupies a former bishop’s palace and overlooks the inner ramparts of the fortress. With medieval tapestries and gorgeous woodwork in the hotel’s interior, you’ll feel like you’re living among French

royalty. Of course, if you’d prefer lodging with the commoners, plenty of quaint bed-and-breakfasts exist just across the Aude river.

With rustic cafes, fresh crepes, and bustling crowds making their way down the twisting cobblestone streets, the surface-level experience of Carcassonne would be enticing to anyone wanting to explore the French countryside. But for those who want to delve into the history of this storied castle, grand narratives await you. Just walking the walls of Carcassonne paints a picture of the past. While the outer fortifications were built by Louis IX and Phillip III, a section of the inner wall is far older. The red brick used in this part of the construction dates back to before the existence of France itself. Roman troops first fortified the hillside town around 100 BCE, giving every stone of this site a story to tell.

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing medieval life for yourself, your adventure awaits in Carcassonne.

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