Paramount Granite Blog

Be Happy—Watch Less TV!

I’ve mentioned this before, but with all the negative news these days, I just don’t watch that much TV. Frankly, it can be down-right depressing. You can be in the middle of a show, or movie, that you are enjoying, when all of a sudden, here comes that trailer from the local news channel… “More bad news for the economy at 10:00!” Yikes!

So how is it that some people just seem to be happy, no matter what the circumstances? Well according to, “What Happy People Don’t Do“, an article published in the November 19, 2008, New York Times, by Roni Caryn Rabin, “Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television a new study finds.” The study looked at what activities happy people do instead of just demographic factors like many other studies on happiness.

I don’t know about you, but I am truly looking forward to the holidays this year, socializing with family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to forget many of lifes problems.

Why not do yourself a favor this Thanksgiving and holiday season…watch less TV and enjoy the company of family, friends, and all those dear to you. You will be glad you did!

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Posted in Business, Uncategorized on November 25th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments

Recipe: Chocolate Bourban Pecan Pie

Here’s a good recipe to try for those upcoming Thanksgiving and holiday festivities. It is good choice if you are looking for something other than pumpkin pie, and is easy to make.

Chocolate Bourban Pecan Pie:

1 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons melted butter
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Kentucky Bourbon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, corn syrup, salt, bourbon, and vanilla. Mix on low speed of mixer until blended. Spread pecans and chocolate chips in bottom of the prepared pie shell. Pour filling over nuts and chocolate chips. Bake in preheated 375° oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until set.

Enjoy!

Barb

Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on November 21st, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments

Double Your Donation To The Salvation Army Today!

With our bleak looking economy this holiday season, it is time…more than ever, to think of those in need. The Salvation Army and Cub Foods stores are teaming up with their Kettle Kick-off program to help do just that. Today only, (November 20, 2008), if you drop money into any Salvation Army kettle at any Cub Foods store, Cub foods will match your donation. Cub will provide matching funds up to $10,000!

So if you are out and about today, why not stop by your local Cub Foods? Do a good deed and help those in need!

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Other ways to help:

Make a donation to the Kool 108 kettle

Posted in Uncategorized on November 20th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments

Comprehensive Study of Granite Countertops Finds No Stones that Pose Health Threat!

There’s good news for consumers regarding granite countertops!

A comprehensive scientific study (largest of its kind) regarding health threats posed from granite countertops did not find a sole granite slab to pose any health risk. The study evaluated a large number of different colors, unlike some other media reports that contained questionable scientific accuracy. There were more than 400 tests done in the study involving 114 different varieties of granite countertops, which also included stones cited in various media reports. The quantities of radon and radiation emitted by the stones all fell well below average outdoor background levels, common in the U.S.

“The study showed that you are more likely to have a fatal fall from bed than to develop a health problem related to the most common granite countertops,” said Dr. John F. McCarthy, president of Environmental Health & Engineering, the independent environmental testing firm that conducted the study.

For more information and details of the study, please check out the MIA press release.

Learn more about the MIA.

Thanks for reading!

Barb

Posted in Company, Granite, Industry News on November 18th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments

2008 COTY Awards—A Successful Event!

Last night, fellow NARI members came together at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota Campus to recognize the work of those remodelers that stand out in the field, at the 12th Annual COTY Awards. The COTY Awards recognize remodeler contractors, as well as associates in the NARI organization.

Congratulations to the following companies who won this years awards:

Residential Kitchen $60,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: Otagawa-Anschel Design-Build
Winner: Nygren Remodeling Inc.
Residential Kitchen $60,000 – $75,000—
Honorable Mention: College City Construction
Winner: House Lift Remodeler
Residential Kitchen $75,001 – $90,000—
Honorable Mention: Awad & Koonz
Winner: Streeter & Associates
Residential Kitchen Over $90,001 – $120,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: J.W. Williams Construction Design Build
Residential Kitchen Over $120,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Streeter & Associates
Residential Bath $30,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: White Crane Construction
Winner: Orfield Design & Construction, Inc.
Residential Bath $30,001 - $60,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: New Spaces
Residential Bath Over $60,000—
Honorable Mention: Streeter & Associates
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc.
Residential Interior $150,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Ispiri Design Build Remodel
Residential Interior Over $150,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc.
Residential Interior Specialty—
Honorable Mention: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders
Winner: McDonald Remodeling, Inc.
Commerical Interior, Exterior or Specialty—
Winner: Braden Construction
Residential Addition Over $200,000—
Honorable Mention: Knight Construciton Design, Inc.
Winner: Streeter & Associates, Inc.
Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration—
Honorable Mention: House Lift Remodeler
Winner: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders
Residential Exterior—
Honorable Mention: Jones Design Build
Winner: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.
Entire House $250,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: w.b. builders
Winner: South Face Construction
Entire House Over $250,001—$500,000
Honorable Mention: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.
Winner: Orfield Remodeling, Inc.
Entire House Over $500,000
Honorable Mention: COI Design
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc.
Best Newcomer Award—
Winner: McDonald Remodeling, Inc.
Universal Design—
Winner: mackmiller design +build
Associate of the Year—
Honorable Mention: Warners’ Stellian Company, Inc.
Winner: Shaw/Steward Lumber Company
Best of Show—
Winner: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.