NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER
HELLO FROM HIGHLANDS RANCH!
We hope you and your families are doing well and enjoying the change of season. As we enter this festive season, we couldn’t be more excited to share with you some of the beauty we’ve been enjoying at Highlands Ranch along with some tips to make things cozy and inviting at home, a delicious recipe, and let you know about some of the fun thing happening around town. We invite you to come visit us, take in the stunning views and watch the copious beautiful wildlife. It’s Luxury by Nature, here in this wilderness by the city.
NOVEMBER LOT OF THE MONTH - LOT 2 BLOCK 3 (6.5 ACRES)
This lot overlooks the south fork of Alkali Creek in a private valley filled with mesmerizing wildlife as you gaze to the east. Views to the south offer stunning vistas of the Bighorn, Pryor and Beartooth mountains. This is the stuff that beautiful dreams are made of!
LIST PRICE $292,500 | MLS #339275
Check out aerial video footage of this lot and others here: https://www.highlandsranch406.com/lots
Each lot is accessed via private gates and paved roads with underground electricity and high-speed internet.
COZYING UP…
SOME QUICK & EASY ORGANIZATION & DÉCOR TIPS FOR HIBERNATION SEASON
As we prepare for the upcoming colder months when we hunker down and cozy up more inside, here are some tips for making our spaces more optimized for ease and comfort.
Wash winter accessories like gloves and hats on the delicate cycle in cold water and lay them flat to dry before it’s too cold out when you’ll need them most OR send them to the cleaners. To keep things clutter-free throughout the season that requires more and bulky coats, hats and gloves, designate a coat hook per person for everyone’s winter gear to “keep the clutter contained.” And don’t forget mitten clips to keep pairs easy to find.
Delight the senses! Scent is such an important and often neglected sense and it can do so much to create a wonderful coziness that comforts and welcomes everyone into your home. And it can be as easy as warming a pot of apple cider and tossing in a small cheesecloth tied with a string and filled with a couple cinnamon sticks and some whole cloves. The inviting fragrance will fill your home and invoke lovely memories. It also doubles as the perfect drink to warm and put smiles on the faces of your family and friends anytime.
Hibernation season is also an opportunity for focusing on setting up your home to feel good. Switch your lamp lightbulbs to create softer light which makes home feel cozier and is a great way to add a warmer vibe as the days get shorter.” Consider trying warm white or soft white lights in the 2700–3000K range.
Add heavier textures in your home like sheep’s fleeces, animal skins and soft cashmere throw blankets and pillows to bring a sense of warmth into your rooms. You can easily bring back to life heavy, fuzzy, real and faux-fur pillows, throws, pelts, or rugs with a hairbrush.
If you’d like help with your décor, contact Montana Lifestyle Design for your complimentary design consultation.
www.MTLifestyleDesign.com | 503.820.8020 ph | kim@MTLifestyleDesign.com
Montana Lifestyle Design is affiliated with Highlands Ranch
FRENCH ONION SOUP
This recipe is super easy to make and will delight your family and friends.
Prep: 15 min Cook: 1 hour Servings: 8
INGREDIENTS
SOUP
8 Tbsp Salted Butter (1 stick)
8 Cups Sliced Yellow Onions (about 3 medium onions)
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
4 Thyme sprigs
2 Bay Leaves
¼ Cup Sweet Riesling (Chateau St. Michelle)
6 Cups Beef Broth (1½ Quarts)
¼ Tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper
8 Ounces Gruyére Cheese, shredded (about 2 Cups)
CROSTINI
1 Loaf Baguette French Bread
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
PREP CROSTINI
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)
Cut Baguette French bread into ¼-inch slices
Bruch bread slices on both sides lightly with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and place on large baking sheet.
Toast bread until golden, about 5 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through baking time.
Set aside to cool.
PREP SOUP
In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally until it begins to caramelize (20 to 25 minutes).
Add the garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and cook until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the Sweet Riesling and stir to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Let simmer until almost all the liquid has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the broth, bringing the mixture to a low boil, and boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the pepper, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
Position an oven rack 4 to 5 inches from the oven heating units and turn the broiler to low. (If a low setting is not available, then position the rack 6 to 8 inches from the heat.)
Discard the bay leaves from the soup and ladle the soup into eight 12-ounce ovenproof bowl or large ramakins and place them on a sheet pan.
Top each bowl with a crostini or two and cover with shredded Gruyére Cheese.
Broil until the Gruyére begins to bubble and brown, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully as the cheese can burn easily.
Serve immediately.
PRIVATE TOURS AT HIGHLANDS RANCH
We invite you to visit the Highlands Ranch and see all it has to offer. A simple inquiry could be the first step to realizing your dreams. Highlands Ranch has lots for sale AVAILABLE NOW ranging in size from 2.11 to 35.95 acres. Each lot has breathtaking views of mountains and valleys and it’s all just minutes from the city. Our private gated community has paved roads with underground electric and high speed internet service. Checkout all our stunning view lots! https://www.highlandsranch406.com/lots
We appreciate referrals of friends and family! If you know anyone looking to purchase a residential lot with acreage or you’d like to schedule a private tour, please contact us.
FUN HAPPENING IN BILLINGS
Zoo Montana Lights Nov 24-Jan 1 - Visit the magical Christmas Lighting Experience at Zoo Montana. And immerse yourself and your family in the festive spirit with over 10 million dazzling lights, enchanting large-scale displays, sleigh rides, cherished photo opportunities with Santa, cozy S'more tents, and so much more! For more info and tickets, visit https://www.holiday-nights.com/
The Nutcracker Ballet at the Alberta Bair - Nov 25 to 26 For tickets and showtimes, visit https://www.albertabairtheater.org/shows/billings-symphony-the-nutcracker-ballet/
Holiday Stroll Dec 1 @ 5-9PM - The stroll includes various downtown businesses, retail shops, and other activated downtown spaces with extended hours, holiday-centric events, specials, holiday beverages and snacks, and loads of holiday cheer. For more info, visit https://downtownbillings.com/event/first-friday-holiday-stroll-featuring-artwalk/
John Roberts y Pan Blanco Dec 29, 8-10PM @ Thirsty Street at the Garage, Billings, MT For more info, visit https://www.johnjroberts.net/new-events (Afro-funk, Salsa, Soul, Jazz, Dance, Trombone, Latin Jazz) Bring the whole family and enjoy an evening of world class music, great food and dance! This internationally acclaimed band is lauded across the globe as one of the best Latin bands and they just happen to call Billings home!
Stay tuned for some upcoming fun family events we are planning at Highlands Ranch!