Beat the heat!

This has undoubtedly been one of the hottest summers in Chesterfield in a long time.  According to weather reports, it doesn’t look like the heat is going anywhere anytime soon.  It might rain this weekend, but it will definitely be a scorcher.  If you can beat the rain, this will a great opportunity to take dip in the Westmont at Chesterfield swimming pool.

If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do in this hot weather is cook something in the oven.  Why add to the heat?  My tip for the day: make sure you have food available that’s microwavable.

Speaking of which, did you know that there is a wrong way and a right way to clean out a microwave oven.  Apparently you’re not supposed to use certain cleaners for the inside.  Check out this video to learn the correct way to do it…

4 Must Have Glasses for Your At Home Bar

I tended bar during college (and even after college as a second job when I was slaving away for a pittance and still needed to pay my bills) and I learned a lot.  The bar manager was a career bartender and he took his job very seriously.  He viewed a finely made cocktail as proof that we lived in a civilized society and it was something to be served to a bar patron with a smile and a wink.  He was a good guy.  He also had an incredible memory, he could remember any drink recipe after only making it one or two times.  From that job I took quite a number of skills and the respect for the “vessel” is one of them.  You must serve drinks in the correct glass.  The type of glass impacts the taste.  And taste, as we all know, is everything.  

1. Flutes: They are narrow, slender and delicate.  They look elongated tulips and this design keeps drinks bubbly. Commonly used for champagnes and champagne cocktails. 
2. Cocktail glasses: These glasses have a cone-shaped bowl and are most commonly used for martinis and margaritas. I’m not sure why they are shaped that way though.  Maybe just for the unique look.
3. Pilsners, Pints, Steins: These are the various glasses for serving beer.  Beer has become an art form and beer aficionados take their brews very seriously.
4. Stemware: Red wine and white wine are served in different types of glasses (with a slender stem), so I count them together since you should probably buy them together so they match.  Since the stem is where the glass is typically held so the heat from your hand doesn’t warm your drink, stemless wine glasses are, although very pretty, not a good idea.  The shape of the glass concentrates the flavor and aroma of the wine so red wine is served in a glass with a round, wide bowl and white wine is served in a smaller and narrower one.

Recipes by the Dozen

If you haven’t gone shopping for Mother’s Day, don’t fret.  There is still time to get something unique and special.  I’m habitually a last minute shopper.  No matter the holiday I always seem to put it off.  Well, this year I did some “web surf research” and f0und some pretty cool, unique and inexpensive ideas that I think I can pull off before Sunday.  Here’s one…

Armed with just a printer and some paper you can quickly whip up an impromptu and customized cookbook with Mom in mind. What kinds of food does she like? Is she a real kitchen maven or does she struggle to even make a PB&J?

Check out a popular recipe site where you can access print-friendly recipes categorized by skill level. Bind your pages, add a fancy cover and you’re done.

If you want to check out a few more ideas, check out the Mother’s Day Central website.

Reduce your carbon footprint!

A couple Green Tips, courtesy of the EPA…

Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Save up errands and shopping trips so you need to drive fewer times. If you commute to work, ask if you can work from home at least some days, and you’ll reduce air pollution and traffic congestion – and save money.

Protect yourself from sun overexposure!

In summer, always apply sun block SPF 15 or more to protect your skin from solar UV radiation. Just five or more sunburns can really increase your risk of developing skin cancer. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so at the times, seek shade or wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt.

Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection agency website for more Green Tips!  Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!

Final Fogelman Four (or Five)

Hey Fogelman folks…the 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament is wrapping up this weekend and if you’ve been following, you know that it has been ripe with upsets.  As for the Fogelman Bracket Challenge, it’s still too close to call.  There are numerous scenarios that can play out, each one resulting in a different winner.

Here is what we know…

• If Duke wins, Richard Call from Stewarts Ferry in Nashville, TN will be your 2010 Champion.  Way to go, Richard!  But don’t count your cookies yet…
• If West Virginia wins, then Jon Hawks will take the crown.  I’m a Big East Conference fan, so I must admit that I’m in Jon’s corner.  Jon, we’re not sure which apartment community you’re representing so if you’re reading this, make sure you drop us a note.
• If Michigan State wins the tournament, then Amanda Hill will be our official champion.  However, because she is not officially a Fogelman property resident, she is disqualified from collecting any prize.  Any prize would go to the first runner-up that is actually a resident.  Sorry, Amanda.  Maybe you should consider moving to a Fogelman community J
• And if Butler wins, well, here’s where it gets a little tricky.  Because no one gave them a fighting chance at the beginning of the tournament, there is no clear cut winner at this point.  It all depends on who they play in the Championship.  If Butler defeats West Virginia in the title game, then Janelle Crandall from Metro 67 in Memphis, TN will walk away with the prize.  If Butler defeats Duke, the title goes to Dani Soto from Hampton Woods in Shawnee, KS.

Good luck to each of the finalists!  Don’t forget to tune into CBS to watch the tournament semifinals tonight starting at 6pm, and then the Championship game on Monday, April 5 at 8pm.

Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge Leader Board: Are you on it?

The first weekend of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is in the books and the leader board for the Fogelman 2010 NCAA Bracket Challenge is set.  With 50+ bracket submissions, this is sure to be a tight race.

A few interesting statistics developed among the Fogelman residents that participated.  Among them…

• 31% of the participants picked Kansas to win it all.
• 14% picked Kentucky
• 12% picked Duke
• 7% picked Syracuse

Here is the leader board after the first two rounds of the tournament along with their pick to win the whole thing…

1. Kim Martin (Kansas), 46 pts.

2. Garrett James (Kansas), 44 pts.

2. Kate Asselin (Kansas), 44 pts.

4. Amanda Hill (Michigan State), 43 pts.

4. Heather Towe (Kansas), 43 pts.

6. Zach Hightower (N/A), 42 pts.

6. Chris Gholston (Syracuse), 42 pts.

6. Janelle Crandall (Kansas), 42 pts.

6. Dani Soto (Kansas), 42 pts.

10. Melissa Rosenthal (Kansas), 40 pts.

The tournament itself is proving to be one of the best in years, with major upsets and Cinderella stories playing out as the field battled to join the ranks of the “Sweet 16”.  Northern Iowa’s upset over Kansas in the second round will definitely shake up the Fogelman Bracket Challenge leader board in the coming weeks.

If one of your neighbors has made it on the leader board, be sure to drop them a note of congratulations on your community’s Facebook page and cheer them on.  And make sure you stay tuned to all of the drama in both the NCAA tournament and the Fogelman Bracket Challenge.  I’ll post a new update next week.

The Regional Semifinals play out today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday, March 26-27), with the Regional Finals being played on Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28.  Check your local CBS affiliate for game times.

A Great Quote

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.  ~Grace Pulpit

Add Some Life To Your Nightstand

Once in a while we get a little bored with the way our apartment looks and you want to change it around and spruce it up.  I found a DIY project that is easy, colorful, and would look great in your room.  A woman used wallpaper to refresh her nightstand.

See how she did it here.