Team Member Spotlight — Cherry Hjeltness

Team Member Spotlight — Cherry Hjeltness

Team Member Highlight – Cherry Hjeltness

With a strong foundation in the construction industry, Cherry joined Nino Homes as Project Coordinator in July 2024. She is stepping into the shoes of Lois Pape who recently retired after over 20 years as an integral part of the team. Cherry is proud to carry on the excellent work and example that Lois set.

In her role, Cherry works closely with each project manager as well as Mike, Tracy and Wendy in the small, close-knit office. Her scope of work entails making sure all the proper plans and documents are in place to pull permits with the respective cities, keeping close track of each stage of a project and interfacing with the onsite project manager to ensure they have everything they need. She works closely with Mike Nino to prepare contracts, and interacts with engineers, city and county officials as well as the title company to ensure the smooth delivery of homes to their new owners.

“There’s always something new and fresh going on and I love the challenge,” says Cherry. “It’s important for me to build a rapport with each member of the team and show them that they can depend on me to facilitate each step of the process. I feel very supported and thrive in the family environment that the Ninos have created.”

Attending culinary school, she had planned to work in the restaurant business, but decided that was not the right path. While her career took a turn toward the construction industry, her education had inspired a passion for baking. In addition to her role at Nino Homes, she operates Cereza Cafe, a licensed cottage baking company out of her home.

Cherry and her husband Chris live in Hollister and are the proud “dog parents” of Sophie and Gizmo.

 

 

© Nino Development Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Renderings are artist's conceptions. Actual homes may vary. Square footage listed is approximate.
Builder reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Christmas Recipes From Nino Homes

Christmas Recipes From Nino Homes

Christmas Recipes From Nino Homes

From appetizers and beverages to side dishes, main courses and desserts, here are some favorite, festive holiday recipes from members of the Nino Homes team.

BECKY DOTY’S FOOLPROOF STANDING RIB ROAST
By Tracy Nino
About 5 to 6 hours before serving time, salt and pepper the roast, weighing from 6 to 20 lbs. Place the room temperature beef into a preheated 375-degree oven in an uncovered roasting pan. Cook for 1 hour and turn off the oven. Do NOT open oven door. NO PEEKING!

Let roast sit in oven until almost ready to serve, then…
For rare roast beef, turn oven back on to 300 degrees for 45 minutes.
For medium rare roast beef, turn oven back on to 300 degrees for 55 minutes.

That’s it. As long as you don’t peek, it will be done to perfection every time!

SNOWY MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE
By Tracy Nino
Ingredients:
4 lbs. russet potatoes
1 pkg cream cheese
2 tsps. salt
1 tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/2 tsp. paprika

Wash then cook potatoes in boiling water 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and peel. Mash potatoes in large bowl. Using an electric mixer, add the cream cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper and garlic. Beat at high speed until very light and smooth. Stir in chopped chives. Spoon into lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and heated through.

EASY HOLIDAY COLESLAW
By Sofia Sandoval
Ingredients:
Package of shredded coleslaw with dressing included
3 green onions, chopped
1 Delicious apple, chopped
5 radishes, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped—keep the seeds in for added spice!
1 bunch of curly parsley, chopped
1 cup of dried cranberries

Mix it all together and serve. It’s refreshing and tasty and goes great with your holiday meal!

RUSSIAN TEACAKES
By Wendy Blackburn
Blend together:
1 cup butter
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt

With blender on low speed, add in:
2-¼ cups flour
¾ cup finely chopped pecans

Roll into balls and bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes (until firm to the touch).
Roll in powdered sugar while still warm and then again once they are cooled.

PECAN PIE
By John & Greta Billman
Received this recipe from a friend who found it in The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays and have been making it ever since. It’s delicious served with a warm beverage. Top it with whipped cream or ice cream for an even more festive dessert. 

This holiday favorite is great with your own pie crust or if you are pressed for time, pick out your favorite pie shell from the freezer section in your grocery store. Delicious no matter how you cut it. 

Ingredients:
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
⅓ cup (⅔ stick) butter, melted and slightly cooled
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 heaping cup finely chopped pecans
1 unbaked pie crust (store bought or homemade)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, butter, salt and vanilla. Whisk the mixture until it’s totally combined. Place the chopped pecans in the bottom of the pie crust pour the sticky mixture right over the top. Cover the pie in foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes more, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans. (If you think it’s browning too quickly, cover it with foil again.)

BAKED FETA EGGS
By Cherry Hjeltness
Ingredients:
½ cup sundried tomatoes
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 small red onion, diced
4 cloves minced garlic
4 ounces feta cheese (or more if you like)
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup baby spinach
4 large eggs
Optional for topping – chopped fresh basil or fresh chives

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Dice onion, bell pepper and garlic. Combine in bowl with sundried tomatoes
and seasonings. Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors marry.
If using ramekins or individual serving dishes*—divide evenly and add 1 oz.
of feta cheese in each of the 4 oven-safe dishes. Drizzle a tablespoon of
olive oil over each dish.
If using one large dish**—-Evenly spread the mixture over bottom of oven-
safe baking dish. Place the feta in the center. Drizzle the olive oil over the
feta and veggies. Place ramekins on a baking sheet before placing them in the oven, or
place the baking dish directly in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove dishes from the oven and stir to combine so the feta is evenly
mixed in with the veggies. Then add the spinach and stir in until
combined.
Create a well in the middle of each ramekin or four wells if using one
baking dish. Crack the eggs into the wells.
Place dishes back in the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Top with optional chopped fresh herbs or sliced chives.
Serve with crusty baguette, toast or pita for dipping.

Notes
*Ramekins should hold at least 10 ounces or more.
**If using one baking dish, I recommend using an 8×8 or 9×11 baking pan.

FAIRY BELL HOLIDAY PUNCH
Great Grandma loved buying the girls Christmas books. One of their favorites was Christmas Fairy Magic by Margaret McNamara. They have been bringing their Fairy Bell Punch to Christmas Eve dinner ever since. They love to make pretty ice molds with berries, orange and apples to keep chill.
Ingredients:
1 quart apple cider
1 cup cranberry Juice
2 cups ginger ale
Lemon juice
Orange & apple slices

Combine cider, cranberry juice & ginger Ale. Add fruit slices for color.

 

 

© Nino Development Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Renderings are artist's conceptions. Actual homes may vary. Square footage listed is approximate.
Builder reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Project Update

Project Update

Project Update, Nino Homes

Mills Ranch, King City
• Our Model Home and Sales Center moved a few months ago to Mills Ranch. The current address is 170 Boston Lane, King City. Drop by Saturday to Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and see Sofia, or call her at 831-902-9945 to set up a personalized tour.
• The recently completed Mills Ranch Central Community Park had its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on December 3. The soccer fields, and basketball and pickleball courts, central pavilion, playground and picnic area will be enjoyed by all.
• We are excited to have started our next phase and are currently putting in the roads and infrastructure. With this phase we will continue the beautiful Linear Park from the Arboleda side of Spreckels Road to wrap around the Mills Ranch side, creating the Mills Ranch Linear Park. It’s perfect for walking, running and biking.
• Plans are currently being coordinated with the Planning and Parks and Rec departments to develop the new Southeast Community Park. It will feature a ballpark, basketball court, and another playground and picnic area. These gorgeous parks are adding so much to the neighborhoods!

Arboleda, King City
• These beautiful, park-front homes on large lots with gorgeous views of ag land and mountains are almost sold out. Just a few left and your final chance to own one of these gems.

Almond Acres, Soledad
• There is a plan in the works for Nino Homes to return to Soledad. We are working with the City on a Tentative Map which currently features 55 homes and an inclusionary housing component of apartments. Our hope is to break ground sometime in 2025.

 

 

© Nino Development Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Renderings are artist's conceptions. Actual homes may vary. Square footage listed is approximate.
Builder reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.