Category: Food
15 Activities for Your Winter Bucket List
The temperatures are feeling more spring-like than winter-like this week and we’re not complaining! We still have over a month of winter left so we’ve put together a winter bucket list for you! How many items on this list can you already cross off and how many do you plan to cross off before spring?
1. Go ice skating
2. Build a snowman
3. Go skiing
4. Photograph the snow
5. Go sledding
6. Drink hot chocolate (with marshmallows)
7. Light a fire or sit by one with a good book
8. Have a snowball fight
9. Make a crock pot soup
10. See a movie
11. Bake cookies (from scratch)
12. Make snow angels
13. Host or attend a Super Bowl party
14. Learn to knit
15. Make mulled wine
10 Indoor Activities to Get You Through the Winter
When the temperatures get low it’s hard to get motivated to brave the cold to spend your spare time. Rather than bundling up to shop or go out to dinner or the movies, try some of these activities this winter!
1. Host a game night at home.
2. Have friends over and setup a hot chocolate bar.
3. Have a Netflix or movie marathon (complete with a cozy blanket and slippers.)
4. Read that book you haven’t had the time to pick up.
5. Host an at home wine tasting.
6. Try some of those Pinterest craft projects you’ve pinned
7. While you’re at it, try cooking some of those recipes too.
8. Have lots of photographs on your phone? Use a printing app to get them printed and arrange them in photo albums.
9. Update your playlists on iTunes and download some new music.
10. When all else fails….do some research on booking a tropical vacation!
5 Creative Gift Basket Ideas
The number of shopping days before Christmas are quickly disappearing! If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet it’s time to make a list and get things done. Still unsure what to get those special people on your list? How about a gift basket! Keep reading to find five great themed-basket ideas that will fit anyone on your list.
1. Movie Basket – A few classic DVDs, some candy, popcorn, and a blanket.
2. Wine Basket – A bottle of red, a bottle of white, some wine stoppers, glasses and a book about wine tasting.
3. Italian Food Basket – Fresh pastas, sauces, olive oils, dipping mixes can be wrapped up in a colander.
4. Relaxing Basket -Bath salts, a bathrobe, slippers, an eye mask and a CD of relaxing spa music.
5. Coffee Basket – Fresh ground coffee, mugs, biscotti or cookies, and chocolate stirring spoons.
Creativity Corner Presents….DIY Candy Cane Place Card Holders!
Watch the video below to learn a quick DIY craft for your holiday dinner table!
5 Ways to Prepare for Thanksgiving Now
Thanksgiving is officially less than 2 weeks away! If you are hosting this year you are probably in full-preparation mode already! Save yourself some time on turkey day by getting some things checked off your list now.
1. Order your turkey (if you haven’t already.) It’s risky to assume that you can go to the grocery store and pick up a turkey that’s the proper size for your dinner. Call ahead and order one now.
2. Buy all of the non-perishable items now. Don’t fight the crowds the week of Thanksgiving and spend hours in the grocery store. Shop for items like canned goods, baking supplies and beverages now.
3. Make a list of the items you’ll need to cook. Figure out how long each item will take (and at what temperature.) This will give you a great game plan for what to prepare first on Thanksgiving day.
4. Find your linens and place settings. If you store your fancier items away, pull them out of hiding now and make sure nothing is broken or damaged. Iron your cloth napkins and tablecloths early!
5. Order your centerpieces. If you are planning on having floral arrangements on your tables, go ahead and place the order now. You’ll want to be sure you can pick them up the day before your big event.
7 Ways to Recycle your Halloween Pumpkins
Halloween is behind us and that leaves us all wondering what to do with all of those pumpkins that are hanging around! If you’re not interested in keeping your pumpkins intact, try recycling them one of these ways!
1. Scoop out the seeds and roast them in the over for a delicious snack.
2. Use them as serving bowls. Cut off the tops, remove the insides and place a bowl inside for a seasonal touch to your Thanksgiving.
3. Have enough serving bowls? Cut them and clean them the same way and stick your potted plants in them instead.
4. Cook with them! Make pumpkin butter or pumpkin chutney for your seasonal events.
5. Turn them into turkeys. If they haven’t been carved, glue some feather and eyes on your pumpkins for a fun, Thanksgiving craft.
6. Fill with birdseed for an all natural bird feeder.
7. Compost your pumpkins after cutting them up (make sure there is no paint or artificial objects on them if you do this!)
5 Classic Fall Dessert Recipes
We just heard that today is National Dessert Day! In the spirit of the season (and today’s holiday) we wanted to share some delicious recipes for classic, fall desserts.
Blueberry Cobbler
Pecan Pie
5 Tips to Get Your Family Organized this Fall
September can be a hectic time of year. We are no longer jetting away on tropical vacations or relaxing on the lake. Instead, we are getting our kids back to school and preparing our home for another busy year ahead. In order to lower stress levels and keep things organized while making the seasonal transition, read these great tips!
1. Keep a calendar. Some people like to use their cell phone calendars, others like a hand-held planner. Whatever your preference, start recording dates for important meetings, football practice and piano recitals before you forget.
2. Organize your documents. Get a file cabinet and designate specific folders for important documents. Bills, medical charts, permission slips, etc. They can all find an organized place to live.
3. Meal plan. Spend some time on Sundays planning out your family meals for the week (including lunches) so you aren’t looking for quick fixes in a rush during the week.
4. Cook extra. If you are cooking a big meal, double the recipe! You can freeze your extra food and easily thaw it out for dinner on a busy week night when you have a lot on your schedule.
5. Give everyone a job at home. Chores not only teach responsibility, they can be helpful to you! Delegate the laundry sorting and dishwasher emptying to family members to take some of the load off yourself.
7 End of Summer Party Themes
We’re certainly not wishing summer away but the unofficial end of the season is quickly approaching! Celebrate the end of hot, summer days by hosting your family and friends for an end of summer party with these great ideas!
1. White party – Have all of your guests wear white to celebrate the end of summer! Labor Day is quickly approaching and a lot of our white clothes will soon get packed away.
2. Luau – Nothing says summer more than a Hawaiian-themed party! Buy some leis and drink out of coconuts outdoors.
3. Fiesta – Host an end of summer fiesta by serving frozen margaritas, chips and salsa and guacamole to your friends.
4. Beach party – Live near the ocean? Now’s the time to host your friends for an end of summer event on the sand! Setup some volleyball nets, lounge chairs and umbrellas and catch some rays before September gets here.
5. Garden party – Host your friends outdoors in your garden for fancy finger foods and fun! Fresh-cut flowers and fancier attire will make this event feel elegant and fun.
6. Sunday brunch – Soak up the sun by serving your guests a summer, Sunday brunch! Fresh fruit, mimosas and french toast will sure to be a hit.
7. Classic BBQ – Fire up the grill and serve your guests some classic BBQ foods one last time. Finish the day with s’mores and some backyard games.
6 Tips for Making S’Mores
Today is National S’More Day! Who knew? We couldn’t finish out the day without finding a way to celebrate so we’re offering up 6 tips for making the perfect s’more! Go ahead and make some tonight!
1. Use a long stick that isn’t too thick for your marshmallow. Have two thin sticks? Even better!
2. Unless you like the taste of burnt marshmallow, don’t let yours catch on fire! Toast it just long enough so it’s golden.
3. Want to bring your marshmallows to another level? Stuff them before you toast them! Small, chocolate candies like Hershey’s kisses or Rolos work great inside.
4. You already know you’re going to want another s’more after you eat your first one. Kill some time by roasting a few marshmallows at once.
5. Have your supplies ready to go. Don’t start toasting your marshmallow if your graham crackers and chocolate are nearby and ready to go!
6. Have clean-up materials nearby. S’mores are notorious for being very sticky. Make sure you have something readily available to clean your hands when you’re done enjoying!