January Crafts

Recycled CD Snowman

Project Supplies:

• discarded CD
• juice can lid - head
• chenille stems – one brown, one red
• two plastic eyes
• small piece of orange craft foam or felt
• three buttons
• white spray paint
• black permanent marker
• small piece of fabric or yarn to use as a scarf
• two small pom poms
• glue gun

Project Instructions:

•         Spray paint the CD and a juice can lid on both sides in white paint. Let dry.
•         Glue the eyes, and a small triangular piece of craft foam for the nose, to the juice can lid. Make a series of dots with black permanent pen to represent the snowman’s mouth.
•       Cut a length of red chenille stem to fit around the top of the juice can lid, extending down a little less than halfway. This is top of the ear muffs. Glue a small pom pom on each end of the chenille stem to finish the ear muffs.
•      Glue the completed snowman head on top of the CD.
•       Tie yarn, cord or a small strip of fabric around the neck as a scarf.
•       Cut a brown chenille stem in quarters. Take two pieces and twist one around the other to form a stick arm, as shown on the photo. Repeat to make the other arm. Glue the arms in place on each shoulder area.
•       Glue three buttons down the front to finish. If desired, add a loop of cord to hang.

Polar Bear Pancake

•      1 large pancake 
•      2 small pancakes for the nose and ears
•      a grape nose
•      chocolate chip eyes
•      light dusting of powered sugar!

Jack-O-Lantern Decorating Tips!

October means it’s time to carve pumpkins and decorate our front stoops with jack-o-lanterns. Whether they’re scary, silly, or simple, they can add a lot of festive autumn character to our homes. However, they can present their own set of challenges, particularly if you decide to make yours with children. Organic Authority has put together a great list of pumpkin carving tips and tricks to help you make amazing decorations safely and effectively. Happy Halloween!

1. Bigger pumpkins are easier to carve, but before you grab the largest specimen, inspect the rind.

2. A lighter color means softer flesh that’s easier to carve in detail.

3. Any bruises, cuts or soft spots can mean the pumpkin’s already started rotting — a bad sign if you want it to last more than a few days.

4. Give your pumpkin a lift. If it’s heavy, it’ll probably have thicker flesh. It should feel somewhat light, meaning it’s nice and hollow inside.

5. You’re only as good as your carving tool. A boning knife — sharp, thin and pointed — is a good choice for carving small details.

6. For cutting out the lid, you might want a larger carving knife or even a serrated knife.

7. If you’re carving with kids, don’t just hand them a deadly weapon and let them start hacking away with it. Pick up a pumpkin carving set that includes a safety knife designed for small hands. Your health insurance provider will thank you.

8. Here comes another of Halloween’s greatest moments: Reaching inside a pumpkin and pulling out a handful of gooey guts and slimy seeds. But wait! Don’t just throw that away. Rinse the seeds and toast them on a baking sheet. Sprinkled with seasonings, they’re a perfect snack.

9. Scrape the inside of the pumpkin completely to expose the light-colored flesh, which reflects more light.

10. You can use a large spoon or ice cream scoop for scraping — or if you’re feeling daring, try an electric mixer on medium-low speed.

11. If you’re going for high art, print or draw your design on paper first. Then lightly trace the design through the paper and onto the pumpkin with the tip of your knife.

12. For a more extemporaneous approach, sketch your design directly onto the pumpkin with a dry-erase or water-based marker.

13. It can be surprisingly hard to keep a candle lit inside a dank gourd. Make sure you provide enough oxygen to feed the flame by leaving the lid ajar (cut it at a steep angle to help with this) and by cutting “ears” or air holes in the sides and back of the pumpkin.

14. Avoid a pumpkin inferno by placing a tea light inside a pint glass.

15. Want to keep your Jack indoors? Sprinkle his insides with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and he’ll double as an autumn air freshener.

Celebrating July 4th, 2014

Are you hosting a 4^th of July party this year? Here are some party ideas to make sure your party is the best!

Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pulled Pork

4th of July Flag Cake

July 4^th layered drinks

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy 4^th of July!

WoodsEdge is a luxury apartment home community situated in the heart of Painted Post, NY.  Visit www.woodsedgeapthomes.com for more information.

Spend Valentine's Day at Bella Rose Bed and Breakfast in Canandaigua!

Want to treat your sweetheart to a great getaway for Valentine's Day? 
Need one night away, just the two of you?

There is a hot spot for romance, perfect for the little getaway, not too far away. At Bella Rose Bed and Breakfast located in Canandaigua NY. When staying at Bella Rose you get a scrumptious breakfast, rates that include fresh flowers, a plate of gourmet chocolates, a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant and a wine tasting for two at the New York Wine & Culinary Center. Tax included in rates!

For those who wish to double their pleasure — the “Hot Spot for Romance” package can be easily changed to a two-night getaway. Don’t hesitate to call for pricing! You can visit the website at http://www.bellarosebb.com/ or call 800-508-2134 ~ 585-393-9937. Enjoy the month of love!  

Happy Valentine’s from WoodsEdge!!