Wayfaring Wednesday

Take It with a Grain of Salt… 

Sometimes the holidays come seasoned with a little extra — a pinch of joy, a dash of chaos, and yes… the occasional grain of salt. Thanksgiving has a way of mixing it all together.

But here’s the part worth leaning into: even imperfect moments can turn into the memories we talk about for years. A burnt pie, an overcooked turkey, a last-minute run to Shady Maple… it all becomes part of the story.

This week, may your table be full, your conversations gentle, and your home feel like the warm center of everything good. I’m grateful for every one of you — your trust, your loyalty, and the way you let me be part of your Lancaster story.

Have a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving,
Sandra Burkholder
eXp Realty | eXp Luxury

Turkey Recipe

This is my own recipe — from years of making turkey! It’s really moist!

I’ve made turkey many ways throughout the years. My favorite has always been to stuff the cavity with oranges and put an orange or apple at the entrance of the cavity for presentation. Then I put seasonings like garlic, onion, pepper, paprika, and salt on the turkey prior to cooking as a rub. The salt and oranges tenderize the turkey without making the broth taste odd when I make gravy. The oranges inside affect the turkey more than the broth, and the apple has little impact. I like to then add about 2 cups of water, depending on the bird and the size of the pan. I don’t want the bird soaking in water — just enough to steam it and coat the bottom. Leave some room for white wine if you have it. Just a couple of shots will do; too much can be overpowering in the broth.

Baste and cover with a lid or foil.

I cook it according to its size (I look it up each time) and allow enough time before dinner to let the bird rest while I make gravy. I take it out of the oven every 45 minutes to an hour to baste it — do not skip this step! When it’s almost done, I take the lid off to brown. This particular turkey in the photo had some of its skin stick to the lid, so it’s not as pretty. But if you can get some space (without losing moisture) between the lid and turkey, you’re less likely to have that happen. All in all, it’s better to have an imperfect presentation than a dry turkey.

Gratitude - What am I thankful for?

Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard things… but it has this beautiful way of shifting the weight. When we intentionally look for what’s good — a warm home, a familiar smile, a quiet moment before the day begins — our hearts make space for a little more happiness.

It’s not about having a perfect life. It’s about noticing the parts that are already blessing us.

Here’s to choosing gratitude today, even in small ways. It really does change how we feel.

Fannie Mae Just Made a Big Change — Here’s Why It Matters
Fannie Mae recently updated its lending guidelines, and it could open doors for more buyers. They’ve removed the old requirement that borrowers need a minimum 620 credit score to qualify through their automated system.

Instead of focusing on one number, lenders can now look at your full financial picture — income, payment history, debt levels, and even things like consistent rent or utility payments.

What this means for you:
More people may qualify for conventional loans than before, especially anyone with limited credit history or a lower score that doesn’t truly reflect their financial habits.

If you’ve been thinking about buying but felt held back by credit concerns, this might be the window you’ve been waiting for. Feel free to reach out — I’m happy to walk you through what this change means for your situation.

Sandra Burkholder, EXP Realty
Licensed Real Estate Agent since 2000
Serving Lancaster, Chester, Berks, and York County, PA

Connecting you to your dream home and the heart of the community with a professional yet approachable touch.

www.sandraburkholder.com | www.wayfaringlancaster.com
[email protected] | [email protected]

Not intended to solicit any properties already listed for sale with another real estate agent. If your home is already for sale, then please disregard this message.

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