After living in Calgary for close to 40 years, drawing up a list of things I love about the city could fill a book.

I have my own personal preferences – such as the mountains, which are near and dear to everyone, and the natural parks everywhere in sight – but I thought I would pick the brains of a few REALTORS® who have also long called the city home.

This past year has been a challenging one for Calgary's economy and real estate market, but amid all that doom and gloom, some positivity might be warranted.

There is one thing we often do by accident with houseplants in winter, and in my sister's case, it resulted in plant death when she tossed her plant out into the snow last week.

Overwatering kills houseplants.

The most exciting January event for me is not the most obvious.

The thing that thrills me each and every new year is when my old-school seed catalogues start arriving in the mail. I read them in the car as we travel or by the fire as we visit. I lay them out side by side with friends and compare listings. I highlight, circle and make notes as I go. Seeds bring the promise of flowers and food in the future, and the catalogues are the vehicle that delivers that promise.

Dear Santa,

It's me again. You know, that real estate geek who wants to know everything there is to know about the industry.

If you are a Calgary gardener looking to find a better place to grow in the city, take a closer look at properties in the southeast.

When it comes to celebrating and honouring its history, Calgary often gets a bad rap. However, one thing Calgary does well is recognize its military history and the many contributions veterans have made to our society. Several areas throughout the city have become important places where those contributions are highlighted.

For the past couple years, the Calgary condo market has been plagued by elevated inventory, but there has been some improvement in that area over the past year.

Let's look at some key stats that have defined the condo market so far this year in Calgary.

One morning, my tree fell over during a huge wind storm after a solid week of rain. There was no property damage, but my ego was shattered.

Mowing the lawn and trimming the trees are just a distant memory now. You are safely tucked into your new condo and all you have left to do is decorate!

Not so fast. If you want the benefits nature offers without the associated yard work, it is time to bulk up on houseplants for your new pad. Do it for your health, happiness and creativity, according to author Florence Williams.