In This Issue

Need Heat?

Thank You

Show Us Yours

Save Energy

Had Your HES?

That's My Tree

FOW

At Home

You Just Never Know What You're Going To Find

December

Is there a better time of the year than December?

Is it our imagination (or hope) that people seem just a tiny bit nicer to one another in December? Silent Calvin Coolidge once remarked, "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." Although we wouldn't have used 'plenteous' we don't think we could have said it better.

We hope that this holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, whatever you celebrate and however you enjoy the days, will be filled with love, peace and joy and our wishes for a healthy new year.

Need Heat with Hot Water?

Aiello's December Special

$1,500 OFF

Energy Kinetic's System 2000

America's Most Efficient Heating System

Save on energy with Aiello Home Services System 2000

Plus: Save up to 40% Off Heating Fuel Costs

Runs Whisper Silent

Runs with Propane, Oil, Natural Gas

Enjoy Nearly Endless Hot Showers

Made in Amercia

Act Now and Save $1,500!

Call Now:

860 264 1191

What's Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

We're giving someone their favorite holiday movie - Free. So...tell us your favorite. If we select your entry we will put a DVD of your film in the post - posthaste.

Here's just a sample of some of the best holiday films - ever:

It's A Wonderful Life

A Christmas Story

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Christmas Carol

Scrooged (oh that Bill Murray)

Miracle on 34th Street

Elf

Eight Crazy Nights

The Bishop's Wife

The Polar Express

Love, Actually

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

A Muppet Family Christmas

The Bells of St. Mary's

Show Us Yours

Aiello Home Servcies ugly holiday sweater contest

Once a year people reach deep into the back of their closets and bring out what can only be described as indescribable holiday sweaters. Show us yours - and we will send our winner a nice new sweater for use this winter!

Thank you.

Aiello home Services supports Ct Food Share

Cindy Nicewicz, Aiello's Food Drive Coordinator delivered donations to Myles Hubbard of St. Justin's Food Pantry. Later, Cindy delivered 100 turkeys to Food Share which distributes food to hundreds of food banks and pantries across Greater Hartford.

Aiello customers embraced our 7th annual food drive by digging deep and donating more than two tons of non-perishable food items which were used to replenish five food pantries in Hartford, Windsor, East Granby and Enfield.

The celebration of Kwanzaa instills a commitment to follow and hold fast to the ancient African ethical mandate found in the Odu Ifa to constantly bring good in the world and not let any good be lost. Your very generous donations helped us help bring good to a small section of our world. We do sincerely thank you.

Where On Earth Are We?

We'll select one winner from all correct answers and he or she will get a $25 Target Gift Card! Tell us here.

13 Ways To Save Energy This Winter

aiellohome-electrical-help

Cover all bare floors. Carpeting or rugs add to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation.
Close the flue in your fireplace and install glass doors to keep in the warm air.
Limit your use of portable heaters. They're great for "spot" heating, but running a 1,500-watt heater 24/7 can be expensive.
Get an energy-efficient heat pump and you could cut your heating costs in half.
Change the filters in your heating system regularly for optimum efficiency.
Heat your home with the sun's help. Leave window shades or blinds open during the daytime. And consider using solar heat to supplement your normal heating source.
Lower your thermostat every time you leave the house.
Insulate the first six feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater. It'll keep your comfort high and your energy bills low.
Get an insulation wrap to help your old water heater heat in more effectively.
Reduce your water heater temperature setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees - it will save you money while keeping water hot enough for showers and cleaning dishes.
Install a timer for your water heater that will turn it off when you are not at home.
Seal Those Ducts Studies show 10% to 30% of heated (or cooled) air in an average system escapes from ducts. Properly sealing ducts can save the average home up to $140 annually, according to the American Solar Energy Society. Plus, you'll have better protection against mold and dust.
Run Fans in Reverse Many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Switching to clockwise makes it warmer: warmer air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space - cutting your heating costs as much as 10%!

And the Winner is

Last month's quiz answers:

That beautiful blonde - became a redhead - it was Lucille Ball! Lorraine K recognized her. Steve P also provided one of the winning examples of taking quiz #2 - Proudest to P.

Had Your HES Yet?

Connecticut's getting its energy efficient act together and Aiello's there to help.

Aiello was recently appointed an authorized vendor for Energize Connecticut through the CL&P and UI Home Energy Solutions

program. This four hour comprehensive review of your home's energy use and efficiency is now available through Aiello

The state-regulated cost is only $75 for homes heated with natural gas or electricity or $99 for homes heated with oil. On average Aiello delivers immediate improvements -including caulking, leak repair, insulation of pipes and up to 40 new energy efficient light bulbs - valued at between $750-1,500.

Plus you will get a report that will detail ways to further improve your home's energy efficiency to save you more money in the future.

This very detailed program is currently booking 30 days in advance and you are encouraged to call to schedule your individual home energy audit assessment now for appointments in January.

Call Today For Your HES Audit:

860 264 1191

*Plus CT tax, may not be combined with any other offers, discounts or coupons.

Seemingly Easy,

Each word begins with an S and ends with an S and contains...a double S. (We tossed in a clue for each) We'll choose a winner from

all correct answers

and send a sensational $25 Gift Card.

S--SS--S " no running "

S-SS----S " smells good "

S-----SS-S " summer sun "

S----SS---S " your answer please "

S-----SS--SS " wicked clean "

S---SS------S " They wore grey "

Hey, That's My Tree!

Once again, the nation turns its eyes to...Connecticut.

Well it does for the Christmas tree that resides for six weeks in Manhattan's Rockefeller Center. This year, the tree came from the city of Shelton, CT (it's the second time in 6 years that Shelton has had the honor). The 76-foot Norway spruce will be the center point of NYC holiday celebrations. They will light it up on Wednesday Dec. 4th and will be up til Jan. 7th.

Oscar, Is That You?

Our movie maven Nick has his picks of the best December films and those to watch for possible Oscar contention. Do you agree?

If you've been able to find yourself after All is Lost, gotten over your fear of Gravity, and are still hungry after The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, make sure you check out what the totally stacked month of December has to offer at the multiplex.

David O. Russell directs the eagerly anticipated American Hustle with Christian Bale, Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with his operating system in the unconventional romance Her, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty gets the Ben Stiller treatment. The Coen Brothers are back with Inside Llewyn Davis, another idiosyncratic comedy, and Christian Bale also stars in the gritty drama Out of the Furnace.

Martin Scorsese reteams with Leo DiCaprio and his Boardwalk Empire creator Terrence Winter for the stock market black comedy The Wolf of Wall Street. There's also the latest installment of The Hobbit franchise and the extremely intense looking, true-story war drama Lone Survivor. Saving Mr. Banks aims for the heartstrings of the entire family while Will Ferrell and his team are all back for the mega-comedy Anchorman: The Legend Continues.

See you at the movies!

Bring Us a Figgy Pudding!

C'mon, it's the holidays. You've snacked on enough Oreos this year. Treat yourself to something festive. Some different. Something...sticky! Figgy Pudding for four (via Food Network) is here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chopped dried pitted dates

1/2 cup chopped dried figs

2 cups water

1 teaspoon baking soda

100 grams (3 1/2 ounces or 7 tablespoons) butter, softened

1 cup superfine sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

75 grams (2 1/2-ounces) dark chocolate, grated

Butter, for coating ramekins

Ice cream or whipped cream, for garnish

Sauce:

2 cups brown sugar

2 cups heavy cream

200 grams (7-ounces or 14 tablespoons) butter

Fresh figs, quartered, for garnish

Vanilla ice cream, optional

Whipped heavy cream, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the dates, dried figs and water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then add to a blender and puree.

Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs and beat well. Fold in the flour, the pureed date mixture and the chocolate. Put the mixture into 4 buttered, 1-cup individual ramekins, filling halfway or slightly under. Put in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Prepare the sauce by stirring the sugar, cream and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir until incorporated.

Remove the ramekins from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. May be served in the ramekin or unmolded onto a small serving plate. Cut a cross in the top of the puddings for the sauce.

Pour the sauce into the cross in the center of each pudding, then pour more sauce over the puddings and it allow to soak in slightly. Top with fresh figs or vanilla ice cream or heavily whipped cream. Serve warm.

FOW
(That's "Found on Web" )

Five surprises just for you. Click and play.

World's Biggest Snow Ball Fight - And A Feel Good Video About Those Crazy Seattleites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOhVBk9DcrY

What Were They Thinking?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwRR8wqiFG4

Some Low-Brow Art Humor

http://sploid.gizmodo.com/animating-famous-paintings-are-freaking-hilarious-1459175346/@jesusdiaz

Buckle Up For Safety

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/movies/2013/11/the-virgin-america-safety-video-reviewed.html

Adam Sandler's Celebration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd1Pyu9_rxo

Apropos of Nothing... err Christmas!

What? Me?

Many of the photos used in our newsletter have come from browsing the internet. Google helps. If they are yours and you would like us not to use them please click here and we shall remove them. Thank you.

Please like us on Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Enjoy Your December

Sincerely,

Aiello Home Services