While Saint Patrick’s Day is typically synonymous with parades, festive food and drinks, and large gatherings with friends and family, this year it looks like a quiet holiday at home is on the agenda. Staying in might not be what you had planned, but lucky for us, there are still plenty of ways to safely celebrate St. Paddy’s Day at home. From creative recipes and drinks to fun crafts for the whole family, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the below ideas for inspiration!

Whether you’re relaxing at home alone, celebrating with that special someone, or trying to keep the kiddos entertained, everyone needs to eat. So why not make a festive meal at home? We’ve got you covered with St. Patrick’s Day-inspired dishes that will be sure to impress your St. Paddy’s Day crew.

 

 

Bring on the Appetizers: Looking for some tasty appetizers to go with that green pint of Guinness? Check out these mouth-watering dips, bites, and sliders.

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders: This ridiculously easy app is taken to the next level with Guinness-braised cabbage.
2. Hot Reuben Dip: This cheesy spread might be better than the actual sandwich….Learn how to make it here.
3. Pretzel Dog Beer Cheese Dip: With beer cheese, and homemade pretzels, what’s not to love? Click here to make this crowd-pleasing app.
4. Arugula Pesto: The striking green shade from the pesto makes this flavorful spread a great appetizer for the occasion!
5. Irish Nachos: Think nachos but with an Irish twist…This recipe calls for a heaping pile of potato chips, slathered in beer cheese, and topped off with crunchy bacon and fresh chives.
6. Zucchini Tots: Shredded zucchini makes this dish healthy yet delicious! Try making them in an air fryer for added crunch.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Cabbage Wedges: When in doubt, add bacon. Learn how to make these bacon-wrapped cabbage wedges here.
8. Irish Pub Cheese Recipe: This creamy cheese dish is loaded with Irish cheddar and pairs well with pretzels or pita chips.
9. Saint Paddy’s Dill Dip: Serve this delicious dip with raw vegetables or crackers of your choice.

What’s For Dinner?: These Irish-inspired dishes will take your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level.

1. Guinness Burgers: These Guinness burgers with Irish cheddar and crisp bacon are a sure crowd-pleaser. Pair with Irish chips for a complete meal.
2. Colcannon: This staple dish is a mixture of shredded cabbage, creamy mashed potatoes, and garlic.
3. Irish Stew: This comfort dish features tender lamb, hearty carrots, and potatoes topped off with herb butter.
4. Soda Bread: Soda bread anyone? Learn how to make this quintessential Irish side here.
5. Irish Seafood Chowder: This hearty chowder is a delicious combination of smoked and fresh fish in a light creamy broth.
6. Corned Beef in Beer (Crockpot): Let your crockpot do the work by trying out this tasty Corned Beef in Beer recipe.
7. Boxty: Similar to latke, Irish boxty is a potato pancake that is prepared by mixing grated potatoes into mashed potatoes before frying like a patty.
8. Irish Cabbage and Bacon: There’s nothing boring about this cabbage dish, which is loaded with bacon, onions, chicken broth, and mustard seeds.
9. Irish Shephard’s Pie: This layered casserole dish combines ground beef or lamb with buttery mashed potatoes.
10. Irish Pan Haggerty Potatoes: This dish is loaded with sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, and lots of cheese. Check out the recipe here.

Mix up a Green Drink: Get the party started with these holiday-inspired beers, mixed drinks, and mocktails!

1. Green Beer: It wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without green beer. With just a couple drops of green dye, you can make your own. Get the recipe here.
2. Gaelic Grasshopper: This decadent Irish-cream-infused cocktail is both gorgeous and packed with flavor!
3. Irish Coffee: Any coffee lovers out there? Celebrate the occasion (and get your coffee fix) with this Spiked Irish Coffee.
4. Lucky Charms Shots: Try out these “magically delicious” shots with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Lucky Charms!
5. Shamrock Sour Cocktail: Whiskey sour gets a festive makeover by going green. Learn how to make this cocktail here.
6. Jameson Jello Shots: Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without jello shots! Try making these Jameson Jello Shots.
7. Fuzzy Leprechaun: This fruity cocktail is made with peach schnapps, blue Curacao, and vodka.
8. Lime Sherbert St. Patty’s Day Punch (Non-Alcoholic): This delicious lime sherbert drink packs a punch! Learn how to make it here.
9. Irish Car Bombs: End the night with a holiday favorite….the classic Irish Car Bomb!

Make a Festive Dessert: Don’t forget the dessert! Consider making one of these decadent treats to celebrate the occasion.

1. Mint Chocolate Pudding Cookies: These mint chocolate pudding cookiesare the perfect way to end your meal. Pair with mint chocolate chip ice cream for the ultimate treat.
2. Saint Patrick’s Day Chocolate Covered Oreos: Up your Oreo game with these chocolate-dipped Oreos topped with sprinkles.
3. Irish Chocolate Pots de Creme: Not only is this dessert gorgeous but it’s also “melt in your mouth” amazing… Add two tablespoons of Baileys for that Irish touch.
4. Irish Blackberry Fool: Sweet lightly stewed berries and vanilla whipped cream and yogurt come together to create this delicious dessert.
5. Pot O’ Gold Cups: These little brownies prove that you don’t have to go to the end of the rainbow to find the perfect St. Paddy’s Day dessert.
6. Lucky Charm Eclaires: This recipe swaps your standard chocolate fair for a citrus filling topped with Lucky Charms.
7. Green Velvet Pops: Forget red velvet — green velvet will be your new favorite rich (and seasonally appropriate) flavor.
8. Shamrock Shake Cupcakes: This minty cake topped with a fluffy whipped cream mousse is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe here.
9. Chocolate Guinness Cake: This silky, smooth chocolate cake has hints of Guinness and is topped with a rich cream cheese frosting…need we say more?
10. Irish Trifle: This fruit-filled treat is layered with ladyfingers, jello, jam, and fresh whipped cream.

Get Crafty: If you’re home with the kids due to school cancellations, set up a fun craft they can do on their own.

1. Leprechaun Traps: As seen on Instagram, Leprechaun traps are one of this year’s biggest holiday trends. And most of the designs can be made with materials that you can find around the house. Check out these 6 DIY Leprechaun Traps.
2. Pot of Gold Mason Jar: Create these adorable Mason Jars filled with chocolate coins and gift them to remind your loved ones that they make you feel lucky each day.
3. Paper Shamrock Wreath: All you need is some scrap paper to create this cute shamrock wreath.
4. DIY Tee: Working from home? You can still be festive and wear your green with this adorable Kiss Me I’m Irish shirt.
5. St. Patrick’s Day Pencil Toppers: Make homework a little more fun with these DIY Pencil Toppers.
6. Shamrock Coloring Printable: Coloring books are all the rage – and this shamrock printable is no exception. This activity is perfect for both kids and adults.
7. Fruit Loop Rainbow: This simple rainbow craft is a great way to keep your little ones entertained all afternoon.

As we transitioned into the new year, low mortgage rates and low inventory drove up real estate prices in markets across the country.

But exactly how much did home values increase at the start of 2021? According to Realtor.com, in February 2021 the median list price of homes in Sacramento was $399,500 – trending up 12.5% year-over-year. That means if you purchased a home for $350,000 in February 2020, by February 2021, that home would have increased in value by $43,750, bringing your home’s value to $393,750.

Demand for homes is high and inventory is low, which is driving up home prices—so if you’ve been thinking about selling, now is a great time to list and fetch top dollar for your home.

Between low interest, fierce competition, and rising home prices, 2020 was a challenge for buyers, but offered serious advantages to sellers—and it looks like that dynamic is continuing into 2021.

According to recent data from realtor.com, the number of homes for sale in the US in January 2021 dropped below 600,000—a whopping 43 percent decrease from January 2020 and the lowest number of homes for sale since realtor.com started collecting data in 2012. The median listing price was $346,000, up 15.4 percent year-over-year and the typical home sold, on average, in 76 days—10 days faster than this time last year.

So, what does this mean for you? It may be a new year, but markets across the country are still experiencing historically low inventory, which is continuing to drive up both competition and home prices—so if you’ve been thinking about selling your home, now is a great time to make a move.

As we pack away our holiday decorations and kick 2020 to the curb, local businesses are working harder than ever to keep their doors open and remain a part of our community. While businesses continue to fight against closures amidst this continuing pandemic, consider supporting some of your favorite local spots to show them that we are all in this together. This month’s newsletter serves as a guide to highlight different ways that you can safely support your favorite restaurants, breweries, salons, boutiques, and local businesses in the Sacramento area and beyond!

Local Restaurants: With the future of many restaurants still uncertain, your business means more to them now than ever. So show them some love by ordering takeout or delivery at one (or a few) of the below spots. We’ve categorized some of our favorite restaurants by cuisine type and location in case you have a hankering for a fresh sushi roll or tasty burger.

Italian Cuisine:

Business Highlight: Craving authentic Italian? Check out Il Forno Classico, located in Gold River Town Center. This spot is known for its decadent pasta dishes made from scratch, fresh seafood, and hand-tossed pizzas. Check out their online menu here.

Seritellas (Carmichael)

Cafe Italiano (Fair Oaks)

Fabians Italian Bistro & Bar (Fair Oaks)

Cafe Vinoteca (Sacramento)

Paseanos (Sacramento)

Piatti (Sacramento)

Obo’ Italian Table & Bar (Sacramento)

Pizzeria Classico (Folsom)

Visconti’s Ristorante (Folsom)

Vaiano Trattoria (Granite Bay)

Boulevard 41 (El Dorado Hills)

Papa Gianni’s Cameron Park

The Place (Roseville & Placerville)

Il Fornaio (Roseville)

Via Roma Pizzeria Con Cucina (Rocklin)

Mexican/Spanish Cuisine:

Business Highlight: Located in the Carmichael Milagro Centre, Mesa Mercado serves up a variety of fresh and authentic Mexican dishes like their marinated skirt steak and roasted pork tacos, or their chicken stuffed enchiladas. If you’re a fan of guac, don’t forget to order their homemade guacamole and chips appetizer! Check out their to-go menu here.

Carmelita’s (Fair Oaks & Roseville)

Tapa the World (Sacramento)

Zocalo (Sacramento, Roseville & Folsom)

Cantina Alley (Sacramento)

Mas Taco Bar (Sacramento & Folsom)

Centro Cocina (Sacramento)

Alaro Craft Brewery (Sacramento)

Nixtaco (Roseville)

Mezcalito (Rocklin & Folsom)

French Cuisine/Wine Bars: 

Business Highlight: The Waterboy is a neighborhood restaurant in Midtown Sacramento that features a seasonal menu, inspired primarily by the beautiful cuisines of northern Italy and southern France. Their takeout menu features winter favorites including chicken pot pie with crostata-style crust, homemade lasagna, and antipasto plates with cured meats, housemade charcuterie, olives, crostini, and more! Pick your favorite pairings here.

Revolution Wines (Sacramento)

The Rind (Sacramento)

Whired Wine (Sacramento)

Brasserie Capitale (Sacramento)

Danielle’s Creperie (Sacramento)

La Provence (Roseville)

Hawks (Roseville)

Celestin’s Restaurant (East Sacramento)

Julian’s Patisserie & Cafe (Folsom)

American/California Inspired Cuisine: 

Business Highlight: Located in East Sacramento, Canon offers a seasonal menu with the freshest local ingredients. They focus on shareable plates with favorites including their whole roast chicken, smoked beef cheeks, and fingerling potatoes. They are now offering their full menu online! Order Canon to-go here and enjoy your meal in the comforts of your own home.

Wildwood (Sacramento)

Paragary’s (Sacramento)

Bennett’s Kitchen (Roseville)

Sienna (El Dorado Hills & Roseville)

Milestone (El Dorado Hills)

Hook & Ladder (Sacramento)

Farmhaus (Granite Bay)

Asian-Inspired Cuisine:

Business Highlight: Silver Sake has served up delicious sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine in Carmichael since 2002. For starters, try their mouth-watering lava bites with deep-fried spicy tuna, cream cheese, and habanero tobiko topped with spicy sauce. Looking for something lighter? You can’t go wrong with their fresh sashimi platter and a warm bowl of miso soup. Call in or order online here.

Kru (Sacramento)

Mikunis (Sacramento, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Roseville & Elk Grove)

Miyagi Sushi (Sacramento)

Fats (Folsom & Roseville)

PF Changs (Roseville)

Taiko (Carmichael, Folsom & Natomas)

Hazumi Sushi Bar (Granite Bay)

Umi (Roseville)

Local Breweries: Any beer lovers out there? Similar to restaurants in our area, there are many local breweries that are struggling to keep their doors open. Check out a few breweries that could sure use our support and business! And prepare yourselves for some refreshing beer…

Business Highlight: Tower Brewing in East Sacramento takes pride in offering a variety of beers with 16 rotating taps! They have everything from IPAs and Lagers to Stours and Sours. Order beer for pick-up or delivery (YES they deliver) here.

River City Brewing Company (Carmichael)

Porchlight Brewing (Sacramento)

Fieldwork Brewing Company (Sacramento)

New Glory Craft Brewery (Sacramento)

Track 7 Brewing (Sacramento)

Big Sexy Brewing Company (Sacramento)

Sac City Brews (Sacramento)

Moska Brewery (Rocklin)

Out of Bounds Brewing Company (Rocklin)

Loomis Basin Brewing Company (Loomis)

The Monks Cellar (Roseville)

Red Bus Brewing Company (Folsom)

Mraz Brewing Company (El Dorado Hills)

There are plenty of other affected industries – from health and beauty to fashion and entertainment – that also need our support due to their mandated closures. Below are a few creative ways that you can help keep some of your favorite places in business.

1. Purchase Gift Cards: Purchasing gift cards is a great idea for businesses that you visit frequently. It gives businesses like salons, yoga studios, and local fashion boutiques some much-needed income to support employees and reassures them that they will still have loyal customers. If you have the means, consider purchasing gift cards like you would a chain letter. Send a $10 gift card to a local friend, and then ask them to do the same for another business. Paying it forward can make all the difference in keeping our community and economy thriving.
2. Purchase Products and Merchandise Online: Purchase your favorite shampoo and hair-styling products at your hair salon or workout gear at your local gym. You can even gift them to friends and family for special occasions or just because.
3. Post and Promote on Social Media: Social media plugs are a great way to show your support to your favorite spots and the payoff is almost instantaneous. Post generously and encourage family and friends to do the same!
4. Write a Positive Review: Have you been meaning to leave a glowing Yelp review? Now’s the time to do it! This is another great way to help direct new clients to the business and the best part is that it’s FREE.

KCRA 3 created an interactive list of Northern California small businesses ready to serve you. Click here to view! 

#SHOPLOCAL

Urban areas have long been the hottest real estate markets in the country. But the pandemic and stay-at-home orders left many people longing for more space, both indoors and out—and now that restrictions are being lifted, many of them are leaving the cities and heading to rural destinations to find the space they’re looking for.

And as interest in properties in rural areas is increasing, so are prices.

According to data outlined in a recent article on REALTOR Magazine, rural homes experienced an 11.3 percent increase in sales price year-over-year during the four weeks ending August 2—which is higher growth than in the suburbs (9.2 percent) and significantly higher than growth in urban areas (6.7 percent).

So, what does this mean for you? If you live in a rural area and have been thinking about selling your home, now is a great time to take advantage of increased demand and fetch top dollar for your home.

When it comes to your home, you want to make sure you have everything on hand you need to create a safe environment for you and your family. But what exactly do you need to make your home safe? Here are six must-haves you need to ensure your home is safe for your family and yourself:

1. Smoke and carbon monoxide detector

A smoke and carbon monoxide detector is a must to keep you and your family safe. You can either buy each detector separately or purchase a model that detects both. Either way, you need to make sure that you have a detector monitoring the air in your home for both smoke and carbon monoxide at all time.

You should have at least one smoke and carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home (so, for example, one in the basement, one in the ground floor, one upstairs, and one in the attic). Test them regularly and replace the batteries at least twice a year to ensure they’re working properly.

2. Fire extinguisher

House fires are more common than you’d imagine. In 2015, there were over 365,000 house fires in the United States. And while you hope that a fire will never happen to you, you still need to have an extinguisher on hand just in case.

Keep your fire extinguisher in or easily accessible from the kitchen; most home fires start in the kitchen, so you want to have your extinguisher close should a fire occur. If you have a multi-level home, you should also keep a fire extinguisher in your bedroom should a fire break out while you’re asleep.

3. An exit plan

When all else fails and your home becomes unsafe, you want to make sure you and your family all know how to get out of the home quickly and safely.

Develop an exit plan that allows you and your family to safely exit the home from all areas of the house in case of an emergency; you should have an exit route from all levels of the home so that no matter where you are when an emergency occurs, your family knows where and how to get out.

Meet with your family at least once a year to review the exit plan and make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

4. First aid kit

Minor accidents are inevitable in your home; your children might fall and scrape their knee, you may burn yourself while making dinner. These things happen. But to keep minor injuries from escalating, you want to make sure to have a first-aid kit on hand.

First aid kits should include:

• Bandages
• Gauze
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Pain reliever
• Alcohol Cleansing Pads
• First Aid Tape
• Ice Pack
• Gloves
• Finger Splint

Depending on your family’s needs, you might need additional items, like an Epi-Pen for allergic reactions. You can pick up a first-aid kit to suit your needs just about anywhere, including First Aid Store and Amazon.

5. Contact sheet

In case an emergency happens when you’re not home, you want to have a contact sheet full of important contacts and information so whoever is home with your family or children will know who to call and how to get in touch with them.

Include your own contact information, the contact information of friends and family that live close to your home, your family doctor, and all emergency numbers, like the police station and fire station. You’ll also want to leave insurance information in case it’s needed.

6. Disaster kit

In case of a major emergency, like an earthquake, that would cause you to hunker down in your home (or leave in a hurry), having a disaster kit on hand can be a lifesaver.

Your disaster kit should contain the following:

• At least 3 days worth of water and non-perishable food items
• Cash
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
• Copies of birth certificates, passports, insurance cards, and other important documents
• Can opener
• Disposable utensils
• Pet food (if you have an animal)
• A backup cell phone battery and/or a solar charger

In an ideal world, you won’t have to use any of these safety items. But these six must-haves are essential in keeping your family safe in case of an emergency.