This time of year is a time for reflection and gratitude for each and every person who has played a role in our lives over the past 12 months, no matter how small. Fortunately for us, there are entirely too many of you for us to do so in person. So, though it may seem impersonal, please accept this as a thank you for each and every one of you.

We could not accomplish all that we do without our wonderful Trade Partners and Vendors. We would never be able to provide the service and excellent quality work that we do without our amazing staff. And, we would have nothing to show for all of our hard work without our fantastic customers and their trust in us.

Thank you all for your part in making Burgin Construction a successful company. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday and we look forward to working with you in the new year!

With the holiday season in full swing we thought it would be nice to take this time to recognize one of our more recent additions to the Burgin Construction Family. Though he’s been a member of the family for well over a year now, he’s recently begun taking a more active interest in the company. He’s jumped into his new position with all 4 feet and seems to love his job. While we normally don’t advocate laying down on the job, it’s a process that seems to work well for him. Here is our new Production Manager, Tiger:

As you can see, he’s very much into his work. We’re pretty sure he’s working on some type of osmosis experimentation as he’s always so absorbed in his work he seems to be in a trance. And, while he’s not much of a talker, he definitely keeps everyone on their toes. Have a look at the photo below to check out Tiger hard at work on a “top secret” project we’re going to be starting after the new year. But shhhh, don’t tell anyone!

It’s time to Deck the Halls and, with the help of Audra Miller from AW Dezynes, we have some tips to make your home perfect for the holidays!

Begin The Show Outside- Pre-lit artificial garland and topiaries will set the stage for the main event waiting inside. Ornaments hung randomly from trees and other plants can add a lovely touch and a large wreath is a must for the entry door.

Set Your Color Scheme- Choose from the colors that you already have in your home to make it easier to decorate. Once you’ve picked a couple of basic colors choose from gold or silver accents to help blend the scheme throughout the home.

Start, Don’t Stop, With The Tree- While the tree may be the focal point of your home it also sets the stage. Barren walls and shelves will downplay a tree, no matter how ornate. Utilize garlands and wreaths on walls, banisters, railings and columns then add simple touches such as hanging stockings, lit villages and other nick-nacks to shelves and mantles.

Time To Set The Table- Whether your place settings will be elaborate or simple, a few small touches will add sparkle and a bit of magic to your dining table. Tie thin gold or silver ribbon into bows around wine glass stems, use matching gold or silver garland ties as napkin rings and place a single ornament in each bowl that will match your overall theme.

Take A “Bow”- No, not a bow for all the applause (though your beautiful decorating may very well deserve one). We’re talking about ribbons, and lots of them! Use coordinating ribbon to tie around chair backs, wind up columns, wrap basket handles, tie back curtains, and top off just about anything else in your home that you’d like to add a bit of holiday cheer to.

These are just a few simple ideas that can help make your holiday decorating smash hit. However, if you’re like me, and just can’t seem to find the time to get it all done you’re in luck! Audra offers holiday decorating services for both residential and commercial clients. She can help ease the stress of the holidays for you by taking care of all the designing, decorating, shopping, installation, tear-down and storage! Her team will utilize your existing decorations, enhance those with a few added touches or create a complete yuletide makeover to create your own personal winter wonderland! Contact her at 714-904-7431 for more information and see examples of her holiday decoration projects at http://www.awdezynes.com/holidaydecor.nxg.

Like most everyone else, we are looking back over the past year and thinking about what we are thankful for. And, while we are always thankful for our customers, employees and trade partners, that is more true this year than in any other. The economic issues that country and our state have faced have cost so many a great deal. Thanks to YOU, we are still here after 20 years and we want each of you to know that you are greatly appreciated!

Here are the things that some of the Burgin Construction team members are thankful for this year:

“I am thankful for my family and friends. In a year that has been filled with struggles they have all been there for me more than I could have ever expected.” ~Rhonda

“This year I am most thankful for our employees and trade partners. They have all pulled together to make our company look great and to provide our clients with the very best in service and quality.” ~Brad

“I’m thankful for my wife and our new baby boy. It’s been an eventful year and I’ve learned that family is the most important thing.” ~Eddy

“I am thankful for the many opportunities both personally and professionally that have come my way this year. I am truly blessed to have the network of friends and colleagues that I do, many of them through Burgin Construction.” ~Shannon

“I’m most thankful this year for my friends and family who are always there for me.” ~Tom

Earlier this week I was laid back and relaxed about the Thanksgiving holiday. Just my husband and I and our two girls. A nice, quiet, family Thanksgiving. I had planned out a simple menu with all the necessities and not a lot of effort required on my part. It would be a wonderful day with no hosting duties, nowhere to go and I was in complete control!

Then, my fantasy bubble burst. I ended up extending a last minute invitation to some friends of ours and their two girls. My Thanksgiving has now doubled in size and duties and, honestly, I’m a wreck! There are a hundred extra tasks on my list now for this week and a much larger menu. I have more cleaning and decorating on my to-do list and actually have to make sure everyone looks presentable at the table!

Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy, elated even, that we will have guests for the holiday. I come from a large family and Thanksgiving was always a HUGE event with more than 20 people each year. To me, it really isn’t Thanksgiving if I’m not making a huge meal, playing hostess and spending time with family and close friends. Though it puts more on my plate (literally and figuratively!), I’m very much looking forward to next Thursday.

In the interim though, I must put on the gloves and battle through the preparations and to-do’s in order to make this a perfect holiday for everyone involved. Here are some tips from Kohler and Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS – Susan Serra Associates, Inc. that can help make it easier whether you’re expecting a large or small group at your table:

Crowd Control- The crowd is at once fantastic to have around, and often, truth be told, in the way. Plan your seating strategy in advance.

Teamwork- Assistant chefs are our friends. Plan in advance what you may need help with. Be flexible. You may wish to assign tasks to a certain family member.

Plan Ahead- “Planning ahead and visualizing all of what you need and when you may need it, is a very big step toward stress-free entertaining.”

And just a few tips from me that always seem to help me maintain my sanity during holiday gatherings:

Make Lists- Lists can be your biggest asset when planning a gathering and will help you to ensure you don’t forget anything.

Allow Guests to Bring Items- Split the cooking and purchasing and it will save you time and money. Don’t require guests to bring anything (after all, you invited them!), but if they offer, jump on it!

Let the Kids Pitch In- They may not be able to help with much of the cooking  but they can definitely help in other ways. Ask them to do some of the special chores that we all try to get to when planning a gathering such as: wiping down baseboards, cleaning the fronts of cabinets and dusting. Putting them at the table with some crafts to do for decorations is a perfect way to keep them out from under your feet and get fantastic, cheap decorations for the meal! Have them create a centerpiece, place cards, and other cute items. You can get some great ideas from Disney’s Family Fun website.

For many, the upcoming Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer. Many of us plan get-togethers with family and friends for that last hurrah before really buckling down and getting into the school year and the hectic planning for the impending winter holidays.

My family is no exception to this rule and in preparing for the weekend I came across some great recipes to help me out. In the spirit of the holiday weekend I have included a few of my favorite summer recipes in this blog to make you the hero of the weekend. And on behalf of the Burgin Construction Team, we wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! Enjoy it, you’ve earned it!

Rachel Ray’s Not-Your-Mama’s Tuna Salad

Ingredients:
· 1 tub store-bought pesto sauce (1 cup), such as Contadina brand
· Juice of 1 lemon
· 2 cans tuna in water (6 ounces each)
· 4 scallions, cut with kitchen scissors or chopped
· 1 whole roasted red pepper, cut up with kitchen scissors or chopped
· A handful of grape tomatoes, halved with small paring knife
· 1 pound medium shell pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
· Salt and pepper

Directions:
Place the pesto in a bowl and mix in the lemon juice. Add the tuna to the bowl and break it up into flakes with a fork. Add the scallions, red pepper, tomatoes and pasta to the bowl, then toss the salad to evenly coat it with the sauce. Season the salad with salt and pepper, to taste.

(This is one of many “Yum-o!” recipes – it’s good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael’s nonprofit organization, go to www.yum-o.org.)

Guacamole – Submitted to AllRecipes.com by Bob Cody

Ingredients:
· 3 avocados – peeled, pitted, and mashed
· 1 lime, juiced
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 cup diced onion
· 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
· 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
· 1 teaspoon minced garlic
· 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Bobby Flay’s Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
· 6 chicken thighs
· 1 cup pineapple juice
· 1/2 cup brown sugar
· 2 tablespoons soy sauce
· 2 cloves garlic
· 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Directions:
Marinate the chicken thighs with the other ingredients for 30 minutes. Place them on the grill over medium heat. Grill thighs until juices run clear

Thyme Grilled Vegetables from Taste of Home

Ingredients:
· 16 small red potatoes (about 2 pounds), halved
· 1/2 cup chicken broth
· 1/4 cup olive oil
· 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 each large green, sweet red and yellow pepper, julienned
· 1 jar (15 ounces) pearl onions, drained

Directions:
In an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. disposable foil pan, combine the potatoes, broth, oil, thyme and salt. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 25 minutes. Stir in peppers and onions. Grill 25-30 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa by: Linda Larsen

Ingredients:
· 14 oz. prepared angel food cake
· 1 cup chopped cantaloupe or honeydew melon
· 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
· 1/2 cup blueberries
· 1 cup raspberries
· 1/2 cup blackberries
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 2 Tbsp. lime juice
· 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
· 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
· 4 cups any flavor sherbet or sorbet

Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine fruit, sugar, lime juice, mint, and cayenne pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

When ready to serve, prepare and preheat grill. Slice cake in half horizontally and place, cut side down, on grill 6″ from medium coals. Grill for 30-60 seconds or until light golden brown. Carefully turn cake and grill on second side for 30-60 seconds until light golden brown. Cut cake into 8 pieces and serve with the salsa and the sherbet.

Be sure to watch the angel food cake very carefully when grilling. Don’t leave the grill for even a second, because it will brown very quickly! Use your favorite combination of fresh fruits for the salsa.