Community Blog

To me, The Academy Awards are more fun to watch than the Super Bowl. I think most ladies might say that. It’s the one event a year to see the biggest stars and best fashion. Last night, I watched in amazement at the great and, not-so great moments that highlighted the evening. It was the perfect end to a great weekend.

My favorite part was seeing Sandra Bullock’s heart-felt speech thanking her mother. I was so happy to see her win after all the years of crazy comedies. I also loved the John Hughes tribute and James Taylor’s performance during the memoriam.

Just in case you missed it last night The Winners Are…
Best Picture
The Hurt Locker

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart

Best Actress
Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side

Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress
Mo’Nique – Precious

Best Original Screenplay
The Hurt Locker

Best Adapted Screenplay
Precious

Best Animated Feature
Disney/Pixar’s Up

I’m in the mood for something sweet, so I found this recipe. I love chocolate and Oreos. This recipe is perfect! And easy too. I plan on trying it today. I’ll let you know how they come out!

Ingredients

* 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
* 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
* 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

How to Easily Dip Truffles

Place truffle ball in melted chocolate to coat; roll if necessary. Lift truffle from chocolate using 2 forks (this will allow excess chocolate to run off) before placing on wax paper.

I think we’ve all been there at least once in our lives. Whether or not you have kids, you’ve been in a position when another parent’s kid is misbehaving or is threatening to hurt someone.

The question is…should you be the one to discipline them?

It’s a touchy subject and as mom to a 21 month-old, I have mixed emotions.  I think that if someone’s gonna get hurt, you should speak-up, but other than that I think you should just a chat with their parent.

What do you think about this controversial subject? Watch this video to see what other moms have to say.

Rainbow roll anyone? For lunch today, my friends and I ate at a local Japanese restaurant and I ordered a Bento box, my go-to favorite for a lunch time treat. I even took a picture of it to share with you.

It’s a scrumptious sampling or rice, tempura, sushi, salad, dumplings and teriyaki, basically the best lunch ever. I feel so full at my desk now, but it was worth every single calorie.

Most Japanese restaurants serve Bento boxes for lunch. I found a place in Lakewood called Kobe An that serves them starting at only $10.95.

Has anyone at Ralston Park eaten there? What’s your favorite Japanese restaurant?

Decorating your apartment does not have to break the bank. A survey suggests that renters will decorate within the first three months of their move. Most renters say that their biggest decorating challenge is staying within a budget.

Each of us has our own taste for decorating. Whether you are male or female, you should decorate your apartment to your taste, after all, it is your space and you have to spend some time there.

But if you are intimidated by the idea of decorating, first try a small yet important room, like the bathroom. A great shower curtain can make a world of difference. Then you can move on to a bigger area like the living room – start small with a nice lamp. Re-covering old dining room chairs or a worn-out ottoman are easy ways to subtly change the style of a room.

Remember to start off small and work your way up when it comes to decorating. Be creative! Good Luck!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Photo credit: Flickr/ SimplySchmoopie

In an unexpected miracle Team USA beat Canada this evening by 2 goals. The USA now leads the Winter Olympics with 24 medals. The hockey game last night was amazing and fun to watch, I think it’s my favorite Olympic sport. We’d love to hear from our residents at Ralston Park. Do you love hockey, or did you stay glued to the ski events all weekend.

Vote on our poll to the right!

Last night after a tiring day in the office and an even more tiring evening with my almost 2-year-old, I relaxed on the couch with my husband and ate some King’s Cake. It was our only celebratory activity of Mardi Gras, yes, we don’t get out too much these day. But it was so yummy and well-deserved.

Yesterday for Mardi Gras, did you indulge in any sweets such as King’s Cake and paczki?

If you missed out you may want to stop at Royal Bakery on the way home. It’s an amazing shop offering freshly baked pastries and breads, plus Eastern European grocery items. I hear that the paczki (pronounced poonch-kee) may be the best in the Denver area. These Polish doughnuts are delicious and  filled with mixed fruit jam.

Royal Bakery is just down the road from Ralston Park at 9606 Ralston Road. Have any of our residents taken home any fresh baked goods from there? I’d love to hear about your favorite dessert.

We’d like to wish all the residents at Ralston Park a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hope you enjoy it with someone special and that you eat all the chocolate you want.

“Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart.” ~Author Unknown

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshi42/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Winter sport fans around the world have been waiting for today all season. The 2010 Winter Olympic Games start tonight in Vancouver with the opening ceremonies. Below is the TV schedule of all the festivities on NBC  tonight in our area. Are you planning to watch? We’d love to hear any of your thoughts on the Olympics. Enjoy the opening ceremonies!

Friday. February 12th

LIVE FROM VANCOUVER

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Late Night Home

BENICIO DEL TORO, KIM KARDASHIAN, REGGIE BUSH, SELENA GOMEZ All New

2010 Olympic Winter Games

2010 Olympic Winter Games Home PRIME TIME REPEAT (2/12, 4HR 25MIN) All New

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/ / CC BY 2.0

Not looking forward to dealing with the busy crowds in all the restaurants this weekend for Valentine’s Day? I found this video clip from the Today Show with Colin Cowie, party planner for the stars, with tips on how to celebrate at home with your love, friends or family.

He gives great tips for ideas of ways to celebrate at home in a more intimate, relaxed setting.For couples he suggests a dinner and movie night at home. You can pre-order lobster tails, shrimp and oysters and pop in a romance like Casablanca or 9 1/2 weeks. Looking for a more fun and less-romance? He suggests inviting friends over for wine, drinks and snacks. Finally, if you don’t have a sitter and will need to include the little ones in your Valentine’s Day celebration, he suggests a family brunch, complete with heart-shaped pancakes and strawberry toppings.

I thought this clip was really helpful. I plan on celebrating early with my husband. We’re headed to a Broadway play and dinner tonight, then this weekend I think I’ll make the heart-shaped pancakes with our 20-month-old.

How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?

Next Page »