Month: December 2017
December 2017 - Lakes at Creekside %
Dec 21, 2017
You’ve heard about this tradition a million different times. At the start of the New Year, millions of people hope to start the coming year with new goals and habits. But often, these resolutions become a source of anxiety. When people set goals that are out of their reach, they usually quit trying after a few months. After the New Years, these resolutions become mere memories for the majority of people.
Luckily, there is new research that shows this may not be a bad thing at all! These failures aren’t an indication that we need to try harder, they are really just showing us we need a new way. We want to propose a solution! Try making a simpler goal that could be achieved within a month!
For example, a common New Year’s resolution is to vow to exercise more! While this is a great and healthy goal, it’s not very achievable. Instead, try making a goal like: “I will go to the gym once a week for a month.” This sort of goal is much more reachable, and it will encourage you to make progress as you achieve each smaller part of the goal. I.E. doing each workout. Then at the end of the month, you can decide whether or not you’d like to try for another month!
We hope you enjoy the Holidays! From us here at Lakes at Creekside, enjoy the new year!
Dec 21, 2017
Here’s a New Years Resolution: get that game room decorated! Families spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours decorating their home, but many tend to leave the game room out of the equation! Despite this, it’s often the place where people spend most of their free time. Whether you use it to play pool and watch some television or just to play some card games, make this room a comfy place to kick back and relax in 2018.
The game room really has one ultimate purpose: to play! When designing the interior, the most important thing to think about is space. You want the room to have as many different usages as possible! Every parent knows that kiddos tend to move in and out of different interests. They may want to play ping pong one week, and legos the next!
Keep this in mind when you pick things that take up a lot of space, and BEFORE you buy that ping pong table, make sure the kids will actually use it! There are plenty of multi-use products to buy that let you make the most out of the space. For example, If you do want to buy the ping-pong table, get one that’s easy to fold up and put against the wall!
There are also a lot of games that take up no space at all! Darts are a great example. It’s a great game, and it takes up very little space. That is if you can trust your kids with sharp objects… There is always the magnetic version!
Again, the most important part about a game room is are the things that happen in it! Make the room an inviting place to be. You want your children to feel like they have a cool place to invite their friends over to hang out! If your kids are older, a mini fridge or a little snack bar can be a cool addition to the room.
Have fun when you’re decorating your new game room! It’s fun to make a few new changes at the start of a new year. We hope this guide helps you get the most out of the space you have, and here’s to all the memories to be had there in 2018!
Dec 14, 2017
Making cookies with the family is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, AND you get a sweet treat after you’ve cleaned up all the ingredients they spilled all over the kitchen! Whether or not you want the kids to help, or you’d rather have a plate for your own, its time to start a new holiday tradition with these tasty holiday cookies.
Ingredients
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
The Icing!
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
The Recipe
For the icing, combine ingredients until smooth. Add water to thin, more sugar to thicken. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add sugar and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in eggs and molasses. Gradually add the flour mixture; combine on low speed until the mixture forms into a dough. Divide dough into halves; wrap each half in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Place a dough third on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick, and with a lightly floured cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Re-form leftover dough into a ball and roll out again, until you’ve used up all of your dough. If your cookies are sort of room temp, pop them back into the fridge for 10 minutes to reset. Bake until crisp and just set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with icing
Thanks to The Kitchy Kitchen for this awesome recipe!
Dec 4, 2017
It’s Vacation time! Nobody loves the Holiday season more than us down here in Houston, Texas. This season has a special place in all of our hearts, but it can be stressful with the kids on school break. With a little research, it’s not hard to find a wealth of activities for you and your family to enjoy! The activities listed below are awesome for all ages, and are a great way to get your family out of the house and into the Holiday spirit. The links to each are listed below. Just click to get more information and tickets!
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Production
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a timeless tale that dates back to 1965. Since then it has a place in all of our hearts and is a tradition for countless families across the U.S. If you’ve never heard of it before, you’re in for a treat! This holiday classic is charming for all ages, down to the very youngest. It is being presented at the Main Street Theatre, and tickets are selling for $20. To view show times, just click here.
“The Nutcracker” Presented by The Houston Ballet
Another timeless Holiday classic, many parents are afraid to bring their children to such an intimate performance. However, the Houston Ballet actually encourages parents to step out! Saying, “The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance. You may find that your kiddos actually enjoy the performance! Exposing your children to culture and art can create a well-rounded child, and can even introduce them to a possible hobby! To find out showtimes you can follow the link here.
Iceland Festival of Lights
If you’re looking for a less formal way to wow your kids, you can’t miss this annual festival. One MILLION lights will be strung up around the Moody Gardens for your viewing pleasure. While this one is a little bit further away in Galveston, we promise it is well worth the drive. Nothing is more magical than great light decorations during the holiday season. You can get more details by simply clicking the link here.
Thanks for reading! From us here at Lakes at Creekside, we hope that you enjoy your holiday season!
