Preparing Parents for Back to School

 It’s almost time to send your children back to school! It’s not only time for your children to prepare for school but parents, it’s time for you to prepare as well.

I have been browsing the Orchard Park school’s website. Parents, did you know that they have a bullying prevention link on their website? It’s sad that bullying has become so common in schools these days but at least schools are helping to prevent it and are helping to give feedback on how to cope and bring it to light.

I recommend any parent and student alike to take time and look at all of the information on their website. Parents, they have a lot of very helpful information to help you help your children in any bullying situation.

-Darla Watson, Leasing Consultant at The Hammocks at Orchard Park

Don't Miss the Erie County Fair

 It’s August already…where did the time go this year?!  Even though it seems as though summer is winding down, there are still plenty of fun things to do this time of year. One of the area's favorites is the Erie County Fair.  If you live at The Hammocks at Orchard Park, we highly recommend making the 10 minute drive!

This year, the fair has a ton of fun things do to, but then again, they do every year! Their line up of performing artists this year is unreal. They have everybody from Ronnie Milsap to Blake Shelton. Not only do they have an amazing array of performers, they have their annual truck and tractor pull and demolition derby. The Erie County Fair never disappoints.

If you want to check out more about the fair this year, please visit their website.

Share with us on our Facebook page what your favorite part of the fair is - don't be shy!

The Perfect Summer Cookout Recipe

Summertime equals family party time. I used to struggle finding the perfect dish to take to family cookouts in the summer. I want to share one of my favorite recipes that everyone seems to enjoy over and over again!

- Darla Watson, The Hammocks at Orchard Park Leasing Consultant

Fruit Salsa:

5 Large Strawberries diced

1 Cup Watermelon diced

3 Kiwis peeled and diced

1 Red Delicious Apple diced

1 Cup Cantaloupe diced

Cinnamon Tortilla Chips:

10 (8 inch) flour tortillas

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine fruit diced small. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
2. For chips, brush tortillas with butter; cut into eight wedges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the tortillas. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-14 minutes or just until crisp.
3. Just before serving, drain salsa if desired.
4. Serve fruit salsa with cinnamon chips. 

 Enjoy!

Staying Safe in the Sun

Wondering how to choose the right sunscreen this summer?? Check out these tips from wikihow.com.

Choosing sunscreen

1. Do your own research into sunscreen. 
2. Select an appropriate sunscreen.  
3. Look for both UVA and UVB coverage. 
4. Be careful about what is in your sunscreen. 
5. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen, if you're going to be swimming or sweating a lot.
6. Choose a sunscreen format that suits you. 
7. Be especially careful with sunscreens chosen for children and people with sensitive skins. 

Applying sunscreen

1. Apply the sunscreen generously.
2. Start ahead of time.
3. Be thorough.
4. Keep your sunscreen relatively fresh.

Clothing barriers

1. Cover up. 
2. Wear the right hat. 
3. Wear sunglasses.

Staying hydrated

1. Stay hydrated. 

 

Keeping out of the sun in the hottest part of the day

1. Stay out of the sun.
2. Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours when the sun is at its strongest. 
3. Limit your total time in the sun.

Spring Snack Recipe: Flower Cupcake in a Cone

Spring has arrived! Is anyone planning on having a spring gathering? Who doesn’t love a fun spring time snack?  This is one of our favorites from Family Fun Magazine.  Be the talk of the party with this fun snack idea.  Keep in mind, it’s also great for birthdays.

Ingredients

·       1 box of cake mix, any flavor

·       Flat-bottomed ice-cream cones

·       White frosting

·       Large gumdrop disks, such as Sunkist Gourmet Fruit Gems (one 14-ounce bag can decorate 5 cupcakes)

Instructions

1.     Prepare the cake batter according to the directions on the box. Fill the narrow bottom of each ice-cream cone with the batter. Set the cones on a baking sheet and transfer them to the oven, being careful not to tip them over.

2.     Bake at 350º for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let them cool, then frost the tops.

3.   ENJOY!

 

Sprucing Up Your Apartment For Spring

Once again, spring is upon us! Our winter was so mild though, it seems as if spring was around the corner the entire season.

So, this spring, after all of your spring cleaning is done, what do you plan on doing to spruce up your apartment? New drapes? New furniture? How about adding an accent wall to your living spaces? Hands down, adding color to a room by painting an accent wall is a great idea. It refreshes your senses and it is an inexpensive way to update a room.

It’s easy to go wrong with a color. It may not compliment the room itself or it may not compliment your furniture. Always be sure to collect color swatches before you decide to buy the paint and just start painting. Then again, it is only paint and you can always paint over it.

Always keep in mind that your accent wall is going to be the first wall that is noticed when someone enters the room. Focus on what you want to accent in that particular room. In your dining room maybe it’s your table, in your bedroom maybe it’s your comforter and in your living room maybe you want that tinniest bit of dark green in your patterned couch to ‘POP’. Whatever it is you want to help accent in that room choose your wall and color wisely.

Best of luck to you on your painting adventure!

Why do You love living at Orchard Park?

Put your writing skills into action for our Facebook contest and WIN BIG! Great prizes are available if your "Why I Love Living at The Hammocks at Orchard Park" submission wins! For more information, visit us on Facebook.