The Entire De Young Properties Team Would Like To Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year! Enjoy Our Delicious Gift To You This Season...Our Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies! Also, read our home maintenance tips below on how to winterize your home this Winter season.

Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients
2 teaspoons baking soda

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup light molasses
1 - 11 ounce package of Butterscotch Flavored Morsels 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Combine baking soda, flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, egg and molasses until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Makes approximately 4 1/2 dozen cookies

Winterizing your home tips:

1) Furnace Inspection

• Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
• Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.

2) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
• Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

3) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

• Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Drain all garden hoses.
• Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
• If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

5) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

• Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
• Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
• Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
• Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.
• Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
• Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
• Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

6) Prepare an Emergency Kit

• Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
• Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
• Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
• Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.

Call De Young Properties for Holiday Hours and more information at 559-434-2000. Visit us on Facebook and "Like" our page, Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and scubscribe to our YouTube Channel for exclusive updates, sales promotions and community information!