This seems like the perfect time to talk about sports superstitions. If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve seen them, the ritualistic taps, pats, tugs and steps that the players do before batting. I love the quote that’s become so popular this year; “it’s only weird if it doesn’t work”!

Since I’m not a die-hard sports fan, I do tend to watch the little details going on on the playing field and I don’t always know what team I’m watching. I do know what sport, however. So there is a baseball player who, after every pitch, steps away from home plate and readjusts his batting gloves. The things look like they fit like second skin, I don’t imagine they shift with every swing of the bat, but he pulls the Velcro closure open, re-sticks it, claps his hands together, picks up his bat, and steps back into his stance. I don’t know his name but his ritual is fascinating and it’s something in this crazy ever-changing world you can rely on.

Now, after reading an article about sport superstitions online (http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness_top_ten_60/99_fitness_list.html) I have a better understanding as to why athletes do this. It keeps them focused and it’s all a part of the series of motions their muscles have memorized. To make a change in the sequence or, heaven forbid, leave out a step, would throw their whole balance off. So, no problem if they need to tug their cap, tap their shoes, and spit on their gloves before stepping up to bat. What I would like to know is does this carry over to their fans? Does it really matter to a game that’s being played hundreds of miles away if a fan leaves the chair he/she was sitting in when the grand slam was hit? According to the sports-watching rules in my house, the answer is a resounding YES!

So, before a game on TV begins in our house, it’s in your best interest to pick the most comfortable chair, turn on the lights you would like to be able to read by should you lose interest in the game (because you aren’t leaving the room), have snacks and a cold drink within reach, oh, and use the restroom – extra innings are a killer!

Halloween is a big holiday for some people but its even BIGGER in the town of Salem, Massachusetts! Since Salem was the scene of the witch trials of 1692, Halloween has taken on a cultural identity for the Essex County town. If you’re looking for some <a href=”http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/”>Haunted Happenings</a> in <a href=”https://www.princetonproperties.com/property/9911/MA/Salem/Princeton-Crossing-Apartments.aspx”>Salem</a> this year, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top places to visit (minus <a href=”https://www.princetonproperties.com/property/9911/MA/Salem/Princeton-Crossing-Apartments.aspx”>Princeton Crossing</a> which we would consider number 1 of course!)

1. <a href=”http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/”>The Salem Witch Museum</a> – The Salem Witch Museum presents one of the most tragic and enduring events in American history… THE WITCH HYSTERIA of 1692. Interest in what happened 300 years ago remains high and in fact keeps growing.

2. <a href=”http://www.witchdungeon.com/”>The Witch Dungeon Museum</a> – An award winning live re-enactment of a 1692 witch trial plus a guided tour through the dungeon.

3. <a href=”http://gallowshillsalem.com/”>Gallows Hill Museum & Theater </a>- Visit Salem’s most unique attraction! Discover the facts, myths and legends surrounding Gallows Hill of Salem in this spectacular interactive, witchcraft and ghosts experience.

4. <a href=”http://www.salemwaxmuseum.com/index.html”>Salem Wax Museum</a> – Salem’s #1 rated Haunted Attraction! Savor famous Maine apple buns, kettle corn, and other treats.

5. Frankenstein’s Castle – Voted Salem’s best Haunted House. Step into the dungeon and enter the notorious chambers of Dr. Frankenstein.

Cake Pops

Prep Time: 40 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Servings: 36

“With this recipe, cake balls and cake pops are a cinch By using your favorite flavor of cake mix, you will have a people-pleasing and easy party food.”
INGREDIENTS:
1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 (16 ounce) container prepared frosting
1 (3 ounce) bar chocolate flavored confectioners coating

(Food coloring could be used to make orange pumpkins.)

DIRECTIONS:

1.Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. When cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.
2.Melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3.Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. Dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2013 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/18/2013

Everyone wants their home to look chic and unique but sometimes popular home decor stores can be pricey. If you just moved into your new apartment or you’ve lived in your current home for a while and are ready to decorate, check out our list below of places you should hit before breaking the bank!
<strong>1. Consignment Shops</strong>
Consignment stores that focus on home decor items and furniture are excellent places to shop for new items for your home. You can even try bargaining with the item’s owner to get the best deal possible!

<strong>2. Online Classifieds</strong>
Need a desk for a home office or a dresser for your spare bedroom? Check eBay or Craigslist before heading to the furniture store! You can find many gently used pieces of furniture that are sometimes even FREE if you are willing to drive and pick them up!

<strong>3. TJMaxx or Homegoods</strong>
Pillows, lamps, curtains, knick knacks…..TJMaxx and Homegoods have all of these items and more at great prices. While there check the clearance shelves for seasonal items that are heavily discounted. Next year when the holidays roll around you’ll be happy you did.

<strong>4. Yard Sales</strong>
Yard Sales are a great place to peruse old treasures without the high prices of some antique shops! Next time you see one in your neighborhood stop in. You never know if you’re neighbors are selling something your home desperately needs at a great price.

<strong>5. The Dollar Store</strong>
The 99 cent store is a great place to find home furnishings like picture frames, dish towels, placemats and flower vases. The best part? You guessed it! Everything in the store is 99 cents!

When I think of fall I think about football, apple picking, Halloween, pumpkins, the cool fresh air and baking. The fall is when I do the most baking than any other time in the year. However, by the time the holidays come around I am pretty much over it. Everything that I bake now I freeze and serve when the time comes to use it. It’s nice to get a jump start on it, when you are not in a time crunch to get it done. It is always a blast to bake with friends, turn up the tunes and have some fun. I came across this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake:
Ingredients
Crust:
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs , 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 stick melted salted butter
Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
For crust:
In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
For filling:
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined. Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
After the pumpkin cheesecake has set you can drizzle caramel or hot fudge and serve with whip cream or ice cream to garnish. If your sweet tooth is anything like mine, you might want to try it all on top!

Fall is in full swing and soon we will being seeing all the amazing pumpkin carvings decorating everyone’s homes. But sadly as the season morphes into winter, the pumpkins morph into saggy, stinky, warped versions of their former selves. I stumbled across this awesome website that offers the best way to preserve that beautiful work of art you worked so long and hard on!

http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/carvedpumpkins.php

This site has provided way more information than anyone could ask for about Mr. Jack O. Lantern, including a link to purchase your very own preservation kit. Who knew?

I also came across several websites hosted by people who have taken it upon themselves, for the great good of all pumpkin carvers, to test which products and methods work best to preserve the infamous orange gaurd we love so much.

http://www.myscienceproject.org/pumpkin.html

It kind of makes me wonder who thought up these methods in the first place! I think it would be fun to line up a row of pumpkins and try these different products for myself. I’ll make it a scientific Halloween this year!

So go out there and sharpen up your carving skills! Don’t be afraid to give Jack your all, he’ll be around a lot longer this year!

Everyone hates have pesky fruit flies in their home! Watch the video below to learn how to make a homemade trap to get rid of these unwanted visitors!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn-hc-4GCSk&w=420&h=315]

Crock pot cooking

I love fall for so many reason but one of my favorite things about the season is pulling out my good old crock pot. Cooking in the crock pot is quick and easy. The best part about it is that you have a home cooked meal when you get home from work. Here are some helpful tips to using your crock pot this season, or any season.
Crock pots come in different sizes and usually have two or three setting; low –200 degrees, high – 300 degrees and warm -165 degrees. Some older crock pots may vary so you’ll want to keep an eye the first few times you use your new or used crock pot.
Fatty foods such as meat will retain heat more. If you are cooking meat it is best to trim off the fatty part or place it on top with your vegetables like carrots and potatoes, such as in a beef stew, on the bottom and sides.
Crock pots are known for simply being able to “set it and forget it”. However, if you have the time to marinate and/or brown your meats and sauté your vegetables it will add more flavor to your meal.
To assure all food is thoroughly cooked you will only want to fill your crock pot about 1/3 of the way full.
Avoid opening the crock pot while it is cooking. If you must open it at anytime make sure to add an additional 20 minutes to your cook time.
Lastly, Enjoy!
Here is one of my favorite crock pot recipes: Beef Stew
Ingredients
• 2 pounds stewing beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 or 3 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 3 medium potatoes, quartered
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 gallon sized sealable plastic bag
Directions
• Combined salt, pepper, paprika and flour into plastic bag. Add beef to bag coating all sides with mixture.
• In large skillet heat oil on medium/high and brown meat on all sides. Do not cook through.
• Place potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions at the bottom of your crock pot with beef on top.
• Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours
• For thicker gravy, remove 2 cups of broth from crock pot and combine 2 tablespoons flour in a separate. Mix together until smooth and stir into crock pot. Cook for another 20 minutes.

*Try serving over egg noodles

Although it is most often used to season food, salt has many other practical uses.
Got stains on your copper cookware? Dip lemon halves in salt and rub the stains away. You can also clean copper, bronze, brass, and pewter with a paste of salt and white vinegar.
Brighten cutting boards by rubbing with a damp cloth dipped in salt. If grease spills in your oven while cooking, sprinkle salt on it before it is baked on. Continue cooking and by clean up time, the spill will be an easily removed pile of ash.
Keep windows frost-free by wiping them with a sponge dipped in salt water.
Using salt and baking soda to unclog a drain will take care of bad odors at the same time. Pour one cup salt into drain, followed by one cup baking soda. Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain and let it work on your problem.
Neutralize bitter coffee by adding a dash of salt to your cup.
Remove rust from screwdrivers and other tools by rubbing them with a slice of raw potato dipped in salt.
Have a water ring on your wood tabletop? Mix equal parts of corn oil and salt, rub it into the ring and then polish it off with a clean cloth.
Prevent runs in pantyhose by first soaking them for thirty minutes in a solution of ½ cup of salt dissolved in one quart of water. Rinse and drip dry. The salt strengthens the nylon fibers.
Salt has been an essential preservative and flavoring since ancient times and continues to be a staple of life, useful in so many ways.

Fleas on dogs and cats! These small dark brown insects prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees and humidity levels of 75-85 percent — so for some areas of the country they are more than just a “summer” problem.

Dogs and cats often get infested with fleas through contact with other animals or contact with fleas in the environment. The strong back legs of this insect enable it to jump from host to host or from the environment onto the host. (Fleas do not have wings, so they cannot fly!) The flea’s bite can cause itching for the host but for a sensitive or flea-allergic animal, this itching can be quite severe and leads to hair-loss, inflammation and secondary skin infections. Some pets, hypersensitive to the flea’s saliva, will itch all over from the bite of even a single flea!
The flea information presented here will focus on treatment for and prevention of fleas, which, let’s face it, is just as important to the pet as it is to the pet’s caretakers!

How do you know if fleas are causing all that itching – formally known as pruritus? Generally, unlike the burrowing, microscopic Demodex or Scabies Mites, fleas can be seen scurrying along the surface of the skin. Dark copper colored and about the size of the head of a pin, fleas dislike light so looking for them within furry areas and on the pet’s belly and inner thighs will provide your best chances of spotting them.

Look for “flea dirt”, too. “Flea dirt” looks like dark specks of pepper scattered on the skin surface. If you see flea dirt, which is actually flea feces and is composed of digested blood, pick some off the pet and place on a wet paper towel. If after a few minutes the tiny specks spread out like a small blood stain, it’s definitely flea dirt and your pet has fleas!

Understanding the Flea Life Cycle
In order to understand how and why treatment options work, we must first understand the flea’s life cycle since the various modern treatment and prevention products work on different parts of this life cycle. There are several stages to its life cycle: egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa or cocoon, and adult. The length of time it takes to complete this cycle varies depending upon the environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of a nourishing host.

The flea’s host is a warm-blooded animal such as a dog or cat (or even humans!) However, the various flea stages are quite resistant to freezing temperatures. The adult female flea typically lives for several weeks on the pet. During this time period she will suck the animal’s blood two to three times and lay twenty to thirty eggs each day. She may lay several hundred eggs over her life span. These eggs fall off of the pet into the yard, bedding, carpet, and wherever else the animal spends time.

These eggs then proceed to develop where they have landed. Since they are about 1/12 the size of the adult, they can even develop in small cracks in the floor and between crevices in carpeting. The egg then hatches into larvae. These tiny worm-like larvae live among the carpet fibers, in cracks of the floor, and outside in the environment. They feed on organic matter, skin scales, and even the blood-rich adult flea feces.

The larvae grow, molt twice and then form a cocoon and pupate, waiting for the right time to hatch into an adult. These pupae are very resilient and are protected by their cocoon. They can survive quite a long time, waiting until environmental conditions and host availability are just right. Then they emerge from their cocoons when they detect heat, vibrations and exhaled carbon dioxide, all of which indicate that a host is nearby. The newly emerged adult flea can jump onto a nearby host immediately.

Under optimal conditions, the flea can complete its entire life cycle in just fourteen days. Just think of the tens of thousands of the little rascals that could result when conditions are optimal!
Knowing this life cycle allows us to understand why it has always been important to treat both the host animal and the indoor and outdoor environment in order to fully control flea numbers. Simply sprinkling some flea powder on your pet will not work; simply vacuuming the home vigorously will not work, simply placing a flea collar or using a flea topical on your pet will not work.
Prescription Medication

There are a wide variety of flea products on the market today, but the newer prescription products are finally taking the frustration out of flea control with popular and highly effective brands. In some cases it is even possible to gain control by treating only the pet. Some of these flea products do not harm the adult flea but instead prevents her eggs from hatching, thus breaking the life cycle of the flea; with no reproduction the flea population eventually dissipates as long as the pet isn’t coming in contact with new fleas continually.
In warm climates, this treatment is typically year round, but in other climates treatment should begin in early spring before the flea season starts. In addition, these type of products are not a good choice for animals that are allergic to flea saliva (have flea bite hypersensitivity) since the adult fleas are not killed and are still able to bite the animal.

Information provided by PetMD