Bricks Are The Home’s Outerwear, And Yes, It’s Fashion-y

From Hanson's Online Brochure "Texas Collection"

Clay Bricks or Limestone Bricks or Cementious Limestone, which do you prefer?  Or have you ever given it much thought?  At Antares Homes we are very interested in Brick.  Bricks are used in the construction of a new home as sheathing.  Bricks are not a structural part of your home in the same way that the frame is.  Bricks prevent water seepage into the backup walls just like the roof shingles prevent water from seeping into your home from the top.  Bricks are breathable and do allow for moisture to penetrate and drain through the weep holes at the bottom of the veneer.  They also provide for some R-Factor on the exterior of your home as well.  But what most of us notice about bricks are how they look on your home!

A home with little to no brick detailing is very drab.  We try to include some architectural detailing on every home of ours even on the least expensive “A” elevations.  These details are called Row Locks, Soldiers, and Herringbone patterns.  Combined with different roof pitches and types, we allow for the creation of a very diverse look to our neighborhoods.  Who wants to live in a neighborhood where every home looks the same?  Not me either, but I have seen neighborhoods just like that!

We use three brands of Brick at Antares Homes and four types of Brick: Limestone Brick, Cementious Limestone and Clay.  Bilco Bricks are one of the options that we offer standard in most of our Neighborhoods.  They have a 110 year warranty and are made of a Limestone and Cement Mixture that is very durable.  Hanson Limestone Bricks are the other option that is standard in most of our neighborhoods.  It has a 101 year Warranty.   We also use Hanson Clay Brick and Acme Clay Brick.  Acme Bricks have a 100 Year Guarantee.  Wow!  Any item that has warranties that long is durable!  Did you know that bricks can be reused and recycled?  I watched a building being cladded with recycled brick.  Once they finished, they painted it.  Beautiful!

 

 

Pie Contest Update

My Pumpkin Pie

I am soooo glad I wasn’t a judge at this contest!  I sampled a few of the pies and then I began to feel sick from eating so many sweets.  The pies were wonderful!  Marcy and I made the only Pumpkin Pies and since Marcy and I were hosting the bake off, we weren’t eligible to win, so the winners were both in the Other Pie category. 

Does no one like Pumpkin Pie the way I do?  I guess not! 

 It was a pretty heated contest.  The clear first place winner was the Key Lime Pie and the second place tie was between the Lemon Pie and the Chocolate Pie.  Thankfully my Pop was there to break the tie with his vote for the Chocolate Pie.  Thanks everyone who entered and also to the judges!  I don’t know how they ate so much pie!

Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off

My not-so-secret ingredients!

I made my very first ever Pumpkin Pie last week.  I was very surprised at how simple it was.  I had a can of pumpkin puree from Aldi and there was a recipe on the can and I thought, well, I’ll try it.  So I did and it was pretty easy!  I had no idea that Pumpkin Pie has ground ginger in it!  Once I made the filling I thought that it didn’t smell like Pumpkin Pies I’d eaten before so I threw in a little allspice at the end.  After the first bite, I did regret the addition of the allspice, but I was inspired to see if I can improve on my next try.

Antares Homes is hosting a Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off at our Crescent Springs Ranch Model Home at 701 Jetton Court in Crowley, TX from 1-3pm on Saturday, November 20th, 2010.  Join us!  Our prize for First Place will be a Thanksgiving themed gift basket!  Don’t like Pumpkin Pie?  Our Judges have agreed to taste pies in a separate category called “Other Pies”  There will be a prize awarded in the “Other” category as well.

Here are a few recipes I found in my research for the perfect Pumpkin Pie!

Pumpkin Pie from scratch-Including crust!

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie from scratch

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream????

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Pie

Just for fun, The Pumpkin Pie Throwdown!

Rachael Ray’s Pumpkin Pie with Almond Spiced Whipped Cream-Yum-O!

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Autumn Pumpkin Pie

Weight Watcher’s Pumpkin Pie

I’ve died and gone to Heaven- Martha Stewart’s Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie!

I’m bringing Libby’s to the Bake-Off, how about you?  Which one will you bring?

Halloween Costume Contest

Win this!

Announcing the Antares Homes Halloween Costume Contest!  To participate in our Halloween Costume Contest, you must post a photo of people in Halloween costumes in front of your Antares Home on our Facebook page.  www.Facebook.com/AntaresHomes  The deadline is October 30th, 2010 at noon.  We are giving away three goody baskets for the winners who will be announced on our Facebook page on the 30th of October.  No home yet?  No Problem!  If your home is currently under construction or pre-construction, just pose in front of your unfinished home or with your Antares Homes SOLD sign!  You must either be under contract or closed on your Antares Home to participate.  If you do not have a Facebook page, you can e-mail your photos to me at [email protected] and I will post them for you!