Happy Thanksgiving

We hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving with the ones you love!

Preparing Your Car for the Winter

It's getting colder and we've already had two snows so far this fall. A few things to remember to check or keep in your car during the winter.

Make sure that:
1. Your tires are in good shape. Enough tread and no dry rot.
2. Your tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
3. You have windshield wiper fluid that is made for cold temperatures
4. Your windshield wiper blades are in good condition.
5. Your heat and defroster work.

In your car keep a:
1. Sleeping bag and/or emergency blankets.
2. Pair of warm socks, an extra pair of gloves, hats and snow pants.
3.Bag of sand
4. Flashing light or road flares
5. Box of granola bars or other shelf stable food
6. Heavy duty jumper cables (they work better and faster than thin ones).
7. Pair of snow boots (whether they are on your feet or in your trunk).

Keep your gas tank full. Go out there and have a good fall/winter knowing that you're prepared in case you get stuck in a snow storm.

Scheduling Items on Your Policy

Certain categories of possessions have a limited amount of coverage on your policy if you do not schedule them. For example on our policies there is a $1,500 limit on jewelry. If you would like to extend that coverage, you would need to get your jewelry appraised and bring us the appraisal. With that information we would be able to cover the loss for the amount of the appraisal as long as you have enough personal property coverage.

This allows you to have specific items fully covered in case of perils or theft. Other commonly scheduled items include: watches, precious and semi-precious stones, gems, and furs and guns.

Mom's Pot Roast Recipe

Winter is starting to creep in and we've already had one snow storm this year. Which means it's pot roast season again! I thought I would share my Mom's delicious recipe for pot roast. It's prefect for those cold days.

Ingredients
3 to 5 pound chuck roast

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 cup sherry

2 onions, cut into quarters

2 tsp basil

1 bay leaf

water or beef broth

olive oil

Directions

1) In 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat, sear roast on both sides until browned, about 1 minute per side.

2) Place the roast in a casserole dish with a cover that fits tightly, add garlic, sherry, basil and bay leaf. Add water or beef broth or a combination of the two until the roast is just covered.

3) Cover and cook at 325 degrees for about 4 hours. The roast is ready when it's fall apart tender.

Remove the roast from the dish and strain the liquid. Use as gravy or au jus sauce.