Category Archives: Family Fun

Make the Most of your Kitchen Island

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Fulton Homes Daylight Model

Fulton Homes Daylight Model

Kitchen islands create a better work situation in a kitchen, particularly when you have more than one cook. For example one person can chop vegetables while another pulls seasonings from a cabinet.

Or with a sink in the island like this one in the Daylight model of the ____ community, one person can stay ahead of the dishes when preparing for a party or big family dinner.

But an island also plays a role outside of cooking. How about using it as a place for appetizers as people arrive for a party? It provides a central location to draw people together as they get to know each other – people will always follow the food. You can start moving appetizers into the family room as your guests get more comfortable and break into smaller conversational groups.

A kitchen island makes a dynamite location for a buffet. Traffic can move on all four sides, and the trip from the kitchen is just a step. This works particularly well for hot or cold food that you want to keep refreshing. Setting chairs and tables in other parts of your home will encourage people to help themselves to food and then settle elsewhere.

When it’s just a few family members, eating at the island opens up a cozy setting for two or three. It’s also a great place for breakfast when family members are short on time and have staggered departures. Just provide plates and platters of food and everyone can help themselves. Or how about a cereal bar – several types of cereal, bowls, milk and extras such as raisins and fruit?

Look at your island as the kitchen’s stage, and you can take advantage of it for all of your food performances.

Outdoor Living – Many Choices

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Courtyard DSC_0273 (2)

Fulton Homes Daylight Model

Now while we’re in the outdoor living stretch in Arizona, take a few minutes to think about how you want your yard to function. Do you enjoy having your coffee and reading the paper in comfy chairs outside in the morning? Are family dinners more fun outside? Should there be a spot for the kids to play, or is your focus entertaining and your dream a plush outdoor kitchen?

This time of year it’s tempting to buy outdoor furniture first and then arrange the space, but you may find yourself with pieces that don’t coordinate, or that don’t meet your real outdoor goals. Just a bit of planning can help you create a space that looks beautiful and really works for you.

Take a look at the table in the foreground. It seats six comfortably, and you could put three chairs on a side and make it big enough to handle eight. Planning a larger party? How about using the table as a buffet, and arranging the chairs around the yard. The raised planters have a nice wide ledge that’s perfect for perching with a plate.

The fact that the two chairs in the background are the same color as the dining set but a different material and style keeps this yard from being too matchy-matchy. With today’s amazing weather-proof fabrics, you can find cushions that can handle the outdoors in a rich selection of colors and prints. Adding cushions to the dining chairs in a stripe that picks up the rust from the easy chairs would pull everything together beautifully.

With careful thought and shopping, you can make your backyard lovely, functional and versatile enough to meet all of your outdoor plans this spring.

Cooking with your Kids Lesson Three: Cookies

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12974804_SAre you prepared for the challenge of lesson three in cooking for kids? Cookies provide a great way to get your children comfortable with measuring, mixing, and combining ingredients in the right order. However, you should probably prepare to deal with a very messy kitchen at the completion.

One approach that will help minimize the mess and confusion is a common chef approach – creating a Mise en place – which involves pre-measuring and preparing all of the ingredients. Using small bowls or cups, have your children measure every ingredient and line them up in order. In the case of cookies where the dry ingredients need to be mixed together then added to the mix of wet ingredients, you can sort the smaller containers into wet and dry sections so that it is easier to follow the directions to make the cookie dough.

For a first batch of homemade cookies, choose a simple drop cookie recipe and one that can take a beating such as oatmeal cookies. You may want to use parchment paper under the ingredients during the measuring and assembly process to limit the waste. Parchment paper also keeps cookies from sticking to a cookie sheet and makes clean-up afterwards much easier.

If you’re introducing more than one child to baking, you may want to have each child take turns with measuring and mixing. Think about making cookies that involve simple stirring rather than beating. You may want to assign the oldest to read the recipe so that everyone knows all of the steps.

You may end up finishing the baking once the first batch or two come out of the oven, but it’s worth the time and effort to watch your next generation of bakers in action.

Cooking with your Kids Lesson Two: Pizza

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14452519_SOnce your children are comfortable assembling tacos, salads or other simple meals, the next step is combining ingredients to create a finished product such as pizza.

No, you don’t want your children to imitate the boy in this photo, but they can spread the dough in a pan and put on tomato sauce and toppings.

Many stores carry fresh pizza dough ready to bake. Look for one with few or no preservatives, and possibly a whole wheat crust. Once the toppings are on, most kids won’t notice the difference.

To discourage debates on toppings, have each child select one or two favorites, and make mini-pizzas so everyone gets to make his or her own round dough foundation and top it as they each choose.

As the parent, you are in charge of quality control. Pizza dough can be spread with the fingers, but keep an eye out for unintentional holes or extremely uneven surfaces. This can make one part burn before another section is done. You may also want to monitor the level of toppings, particularly the cheese.

While you want to keep an eye on the things, this is also an opportunity to let your child make a few mistakes and learn from them. Too many toppings may create a pizza that is goopier than preferred. An uneven pizza crust may not be as tasty as expected. Don’t try to make everyone’s pizza perfect; the real goal is to encourage them to have fun and appreciate the process. They can also benefit by learning from any mistakes.

Wrap up the lesson by showing them how to tell when their pizzas are properly baked. Use the light in your oven to show them how to look for bubbling in the middle and browning of the crust on the edges. Individual pizzas provide a great second phase of your cooking lessons.

Cooking with your Kids Lesson One: Assembling Tacos

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15916341_SMany parents want their children to eat healthfully as well as learn the basics of making a meal. But it’s hard to figure out how or even when to start. In the midst of getting dinner ready, dealing with homework and other responsibilities, teaching your child to cook can go by the wayside. Here are a few suggestions to get started easily.

Choose simple foods your children already like. Do your kids like hot dogs or hamburgers? Perhaps they love Mexican or Italian foods. They’re much more likely to want to help make meals that they enjoy.

Focus on assembly rather than more complex tasks. Your six-year-old probably shouldn’t be handling a sharp knife, but he or she could work with already-chopped vegetables. Children can also stir bowls – though not hot pots – and add ingredients.

Start with one meal. Tacos provide a good choice for a meal that is easy to assemble and are often a general favorite. Put the various ingredients into smaller bowls with spoons or forks so that it is easy to select each item. You may want to use hard shells because they are easier to coordinate while filling.

In addition to various favorites, over time you might want to include some healthful additions such as the raw peppers shown here. Select several colors to make them more inviting.

You may find that initially your children will pile on the cheese and sneer at the vegies, but consider asking them to take at least one piece of everything available. Creating meals that involve some interaction before eating is a great way to introduce your children to the pleasures or preparing food, not just eating it.

Celebrate Spirit of Valentine’s Day Year Round

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23032783_SYes, Valentine’s Day is over for another year, but don’t let that stop you from letting the people you care about know how you value and appreciate them. Here are a few small ways to spread the spirit of Valentine’s Day all year long.

Little notes: In a lunchbox for your kids, in a suitcase for a traveling family member, or even snuck into a jacket pocket, send a little note of appreciation along with your loved ones.

It can be specific such as “I really appreciated you clearing the table last night without being asked. I can see that you’re growing up.” Or you could just generally say, “I’m happy to be in your life,” or simply “I love you.” If you feel shy about doing this, how about just drawing a heart?

Say it: If you’re happy to see someone who’s been gone, say so. If you’re going to miss someone, say so. If you appreciate someone taking out the garbage, say so. So many times we let those chances go by without remark, but there’s power and kindness in showing your appreciation and caring.

Do it: Maybe you know your spouse is going to be really tired after a long day at work, so you have dinner waiting along with a favorite dessert. There might be a tough test hitting today, so you make pancakes for breakfast to start your kid off feeling good. Saying you appreciate someone is wonderful, but showing it can be even better.

Give it: Does someone in your life love licorice? How about picking up a surprise box? Is red your daughter’s favorite color – would she like some hair ribbons or a red t-shirt? Does your son go through socks like crazy? How about buying 10 pair and dropping them on top of his chest of drawers? You don’t have to spend a fortune – just the fact that you’re thinking of someone can make them feel special.

If you take this approach year round – no one will be upset if you don’t go overboard on Valentine’s Day next year – although fresh flowers are always a crowd-pleaser!

 

Warm up Your Home for Winter

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5899210_SWhat a cozy scene. The soft shaggy rug, a fringed wool throw, and a linen-covered throw pillow set the picture. Add a cup that used to hold hot tea and a good book and you’re set to enjoy a chilly afternoon – wrapping up with a nap.

It’s easy to create this type of winter mood in your home. Try these additions to your normal décor.

Soft rugs: The bare wood and tile floors that are so cool and inviting in the summer feel chilly when winter comes. Adding some area rugs – preferably thick and inviting to your toes – warms up the look as well as the feel of a space.

Throws: Bring a wool or knitted throw into your living room, family room or bedroom. Displayed casually in a basket or tossed across the arm of a sofa, a throw says cozy comfort. Those with fringe and in plaids or heather tones look especially comfy. If you have a large family you may need more than one to avoid arguments on cold evenings.

24439134_SPillows: Look for knitted covers or natural textures that fit well with your throw or throws. Think of the feel and look of a pile of sweaters lying on your couch. If you sew, consider picking up a sweater or two at the local thrift shop and cutting them down into pillow covers. Knitted cables, leather or wooden buttons just add to the winter personality.

Hot drinks: Soup in a mug, hot tea or coffee, and the always inspiring hot cocoa – with marshmallows – will warm up any room. include a few cookies or cheese and crackers – read a favorite book or put an old movie on your television and make the most of the winter days!

Plan a Progressive Neighborhood Party for New Year’s Eve

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MP900309664While it’s fun to go out for New Year’s Eve, too many partiers make the roads dangerous. So consider a fun option instead – a progressive party in your neighborhood to recognize the year’s change.

Living in Arizona we actually have two time choices to celebrate the transition: we can stick with midnight or take advantage of the ball dropping in Times Square at 10 p.m. our time to wrap up the evening early. This is particularly useful if you are including children.

To plan the evening, recruit hosts that live close by. Include your street or cul-de-sac and maybe one or two other adjoining blocks. For the event itself, if you’re wrapping up at 10, you could start at 7 p.m. Plan to stay at each house about 45 minutes. The first two homes with times of 7 to 7:45 p.m. and 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. could each offer a signature appetizer and beverage. 8:30 to 9:45 might be dessert, and the 9:45 home could feature champagne and sparkling cider while everyone counts down the ball dropping.

To make the evening extra festive, add noisemakers and hats at various homes. Your group could also sing a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” as midnight approaches. Print some copies of the song’s lyrics so everyone can join in together.

After the party is over, you may find that neighbors are friendlier since they’ve had a chance to get to know each other better. It also gives new neighbors a chance to get acquainted. This could become an annual event on your block and lead to other social events in your neighborhood.

 

A Fresh Start on Organizing your Home: Keeping the Guest Bath Company Ready

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From the Fulton Homes La Quinta Model

From the Fulton Homes La Quinta Model

Every homeowner with children has a dream of a guest bath that is always ready for company. Instead this bathroom, often the most convenient for children playing outside or in the main living area, ends up a disaster.

Sinks don’t stay pristine when dirty hands get a quick wash before dinner, and it’s almost impossible to find any child under the age of 21 who replaces the toilet paper when they run out.Towels also get grimy and often end up on the floor and mirrors may have multiple handprints. And if you have boys, at best there’s a 20 percent chance that the toilet seat is down at any given moment.

What can you do to discourage a messy guest bath and keep it nice and organized, ready for actual guests? Here are a few quick tips.

Close the door: The simple act of hiding the room will encourage family members to head to another location. They may assume it’s occupied. You can also use this as a code for your family – if the guest bath door is shut, that means that you want it to stay nice for expected company.

Invest in home disposable towels. In packages designed to rest on top of a towel rack, these will keep scruffy hands away from the nicer guest towels or the dressier rectangular disposable towels that sit on your sink.

If your bath is designed with a pedestal sink which provides no storage, add a small storage bin or chest to hold extra toilet paper and a box of kitchen counter wipes. In a pinch, you can do a fast sweep of the sink with one of those wipes.

Have a lined wastebasket in your guest bath. This encourages the family to place trash in the right spot, and a liner is easy to remove when guests are coming over.

You’ll never really solve the problem as long as your kids live t home, but you’ve made your life easier. You can’t expect your guest bath to stay the way you want it constantly, but with these simple steps you may be able to create a space that is ready for company – at least most of the time.

A Fresh Start on Organizing your Home: The Laundry Room

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From the Fulton Homes La Quinta model

From the Fulton Homes La Quinta model

We use the laundry room a lot, but it is often the most thrown together and ignored room in the house. How about taking an afternoon to really turn this space into a functional and valued place in your home?

Start by thinking about what you would like to use your laundry room for besides laundry. With this Fulton Homes laundry room, you have many more cupboards than you need to store laundry supplies. Here are a few suggestions.

Store household staples. Light bulbs, paper towels, tools, sewing essentials, and office supplies all fit well in a laundry room. Assign cabinets for each category. If you want to keep things in place, you may want to label the shelves.

Store extra supplies. If you are a warehouse shopper, you may be buying dishwasher detergent and toilet paper in bulk. The laundry room provides a handy go-to place for those extras.

Store your craft supplies. If you enjoy scrapbooking, beading or other craft activities, this is a great space to devote to your craft hobbies. It’s easy to reach and yet out-of-the way when other things beckon.

Store projects for your children. These cabinets can hold various games, coloring books or other supplies you can pull out when your children complain that they’re bored. Shop sales at hobby and discount stores for little surprises you can use to entertain little ones on road trips or for sick days.

Use for gifts. If you are a year-round shopper for the holidays, these cabinets can store presents until it’s time to wrap them. It’s even a fairly safe space to hide your children’s presents since they spend very little time in this room.

Of course, you will also want to store detergent and stain-fighting sprays and anything else you use to keep your clothes looking nice. But with a bit of imagination, your laundry room can hold so much more.