Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Clean Before You Decorate

Are decorating your apartment for the Holidays? Make sure to do a thorough cleaning of your apartment before you start hanging the tinsel. Keep reading and learn more at Apartment Therapy.


Dust: Dusting surfaces with a damp cloth will make everything feel fresh and help you (literally) breath easier as the post-Thanksgiving rush begins. And who wants to hang stockings on a mantle covered with old, dead skin cells?

Floors: A good vacuum or mopping of the floors will ensure that corners behind the tree are clean and clear with no surprise dust bunnies lurking behind gifts on Christmas morning. Plus, if you're entertaining over Thanksgiving, chances are you've had lots of feet treading in and out of your house; even more reason to re-clean between holidays.

Ceilings: Swiping ceilings with a feather duster or brush head of your vacuum will clear away any cobwebs that may have gone unnoticed before the holidays. But with twinkle lights and tree toppers drawing the eye upward and lighting the ceiling, now's the time to clean overhead.

Kitchen: Your kitchen may have been working double duty preparing for Thanksgiving, so now's the time to freshen it up by cleaning the oven, counters, cabinets, floors, stovetop, and sink. Starting with a clean, blank slate will make holiday cooking and baking much more enjoyable than working on top of a mess that's already there.

Closets: Cleaning closets and purging unneeded items is the perfect thing to do now. You'll make room for any house guests you may have in the coming weeks to put their things, or simply for party guests to hang their coats in a coat closet for an evening. Plus, you'll be freeing up space in your closet for any wardrobe-related gifts you might receive over the holidays.

Windows: While spring cleaning is often the time folks hit their windows, late fall is an extremely apt time to do so, as well. Shorter days and longer nights mean less sunshine making its way inside, so clean windows will let in as much sunlight as possible during this darker time of the year. Plus, twinkle lights in a clean window are multiplied and beautified by the sparkle and shine; grimy windows can put a damper on all of those decorations really fast.

Reuse and Re-purpose Coffee Grinds

Do you know those coffee grounds that you thought you could not use? There are five ways that you can re-purpose spent coffee grounds. Keep reading this blog to learn how you can use them for cleaning, compost, and other various home solutions. You can learn more at The Kitchn.





5 Ways to Use Spent Coffee Grounds

1. Compost

The great thing about sticking to simple brew methods that use only a paper filter and coffee grounds is that both are compostable. Used coffee grounds happen to be rich in nitrogen, which makes them great for composting. (Worms love coffee almost as much as you do!) In a compost pile, aim for a ratio of one part leaves to one part fresh grass clippings to one part coffee grounds. Keep in mind that freshly brewed coffee grounds won't have the same effect on your garden; you need to be sure that they have broken down and composted first.

2. Clean dishes

Because of the rough texture of coffee grounds, they work great as an abrasive, which means you can use them to clean tough-to-wash dishes. Simply place some grounds into a cleaning rag and twist the ends with a rubber band to secure them in place. Then you have an excellent DIY coffee sponge to clean with.

3. Exfoliate

Just like coffee grounds are a good abrasive for cleaning your dishes and kitchenware, they can also serve as an exfoliant for your skin. Simply mix with equal parts olive oil and massage into your skin. The coffee grounds exfoliate, while the olive oil serves as a moisturizer.

4. Fix furniture scratches

Have a kitchen table that needs a little love? Mixed with warm water and vinegar, coffee can be rubbed into scratches to keep your furniture looking good as new.

5. Keep your refrigerator fresh

Similar to baking soda, coffee grounds can serve as a deodorizer. Simply place a bowl of grounds in your refrigerator to suck up all the bad smells.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving with their friends and family!

Veteran's Day Facts

We want to thank all of the veterans that have served our country. We can not thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made. Here are some facts about Veteran's Day that you may not know. You can learn more here.


Fun Fact #1:

Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day. The term comes from an armistice between Germany and the Allied Nations on November 11, 1918 (Also known the armistice ending on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month). World War I actually ended on June 28, 1919, during the Treaty of Versailles. The first Armistice Day was acknowledged on November 11, 1919.

Fun Fact #2:

November 11 is both a State and Federal Holiday. (And yes, we’re still open.)

Fun Fact #3:

The original idea behind the celebrations for this holiday was parades and public meetings and also a brief suspension of businesses at 11:00 AM. This is true to this day as a number of parades are held across America as well as speeches are given.

Fun Fact #4:

On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day had its named changed to Veterans Day. This was due to a change in an act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, which made the 11th of November a legal holiday, known as “Armistice Day”. The primary purpose was to honor the veterans of World War I, but in World War II, there was a great immobilization of Veterans, thus changing its name of “Armistice” to “Veterans”.

Fun Fact #5:

Disney made films for during World War II, for each branch of the United States government.

Fun Fact #6:

Approximately 90% of Disney employees worked in the making of propaganda and training videos during World War II.

Fun Fact #7:

Today, there exists about 1.6 million female veterans.

Fun Fact #8:

Between 1971 and 1977, Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday in October. It was changed back to its original date, on November 11, 1978 due to a General R. Ford’s signing of Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479).

Fun Fact #9:

Arlington National Cemetery has ceremony on Veterans Day every year to honor those who died during times of war. The ceremonies are held around the Tomb of the Unknowns and at 11:00 AM, on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb.

Fun Fact #10:

Veterans Day falls on the same day as Remembrance Day and Armistice Day in other countries.

Fun Fact #11:

There is not supposed to be an apostrophe in Veterans Day. Still some spell it Veteran’s Day or Veterans’ Day.

Fun Fact #12:

Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran came up with the idea to honor all veterans on November 11, not just the ones who died in World War I.

Fun Fact #13:

On November 11, 1921, an American soldier was buried at the national cemetery in Arlington. His identity was unknown (and his grave site is what we know as today as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). Every year on November 11, the president or a high-ranking member of the government lays a wreath on his grave.

Fun Fact #14:

In a 2009 report, there were estimated to be 21.9 million veterans.

Fun Fact #15:

The median income for veterans in 2009 was approximately $35,000 a year.

Fun Fact #16:

Many people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is primarily remembered for those died during their service to our country, particularly ones who died as a result of battle. Veterans Day is to acknowledge primarily all those served in the military, either during wartime or peacetime.

Fun Fact #17:

Some schools close on Veterans Day and some stay open. There is no legal requirement for a school to close or to stay open, as individual schools districts or states are free to establish their own policies.

Fun Fact #18:

The word veteran comes from the nomenclature of the old English language, meaning old, experienced soldier.

Fun Fact #19:

The first use of the word, veteran came to use in 1789, in the English language when referring a former member of the armed forces or an ex-serviceman. The extended meaning of the word goes back to someone who has served a longtime in any position.

Fun Fact #20:

California has more U.S. military veterans than any other state.

I hoped you enjoyed these fun facts about Veterans Day and for all those veterans out there, living or dead, we proudly support you.

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween Fun Fact: Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death. Learn more here.

Halloween Treats

Halloween is just one week away. What treats are you making this year? Here is a delicious Halloween recipe that is easy to make and perfect for any party. You can learn morehere.

Eat Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy can rack up the grocery bills. However, there are ways to eat healthy, while sticking to a budget. Sales, seasonal foods, and freezing are three ways to save money on your favorite healthy dishes. You can learn more at The Kitchn.



1. Buy fresh produce when it's in season and freeze it.

Fresh produce is always great, but the cost can add up fast. Stick with buying what's currently in season, and consider stocking up when you find a good deal.


In the summer I will buy three or four dozen ears of corn when it is two ears for a dollar (or less). You can cut it from the ear and freeze it in bags, or freeze it whole (though the former takes up less freezer space). Then you have (really great tasting) corn for cheap for several months. Same goes with other vegetables. - doilyglove
2. Look for sales and plan meals accordingly.

If your local grocery store offers a savings card be sure to sign up, and check the weekly circular to see what's on sale. Instead of shopping for groceries based on your weekly meal plan, consider planning your meals around what's on sale.


If the store you usually shop at has a weekly circular my best piece of advice is to check it every week and plan your meals around what's on sale. This has saved me so much money lately. It can also force you to get creative and maybe try some items or dishes you've never had. - kristen44




If you do not like prep I strongly recommend watching for sales on frozen vegetables. Here we sometimes get 10 for $10 sales on frozen vegetables, so I always stock up on onions, bell peppers, carrots, and peas. Makes it super easy to make something healthy. - Liz@LamentingLizzie


3. Try less expensive cuts of meat.

You can still enjoy meat, even when you're on a tight budget. Look for less expensive cuts of meat, like chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, and trydifferent cooking methods, like the slow cooker, to make tougher cuts of meat tender and juicy.


If you're a meat-eater, learn to love cheaper cuts! Bone-in, skin-on, tougher cuts of red meat, and organ meats are all dirt-cheap (and more nutritious and flavourful!) compared to, say, boneless skinless chicken breasts, even if you're buying the organic/free-range stuff. Don't be afraid of (good-quality) fat, especially if you're trying to lose weight! - the enchantress


The Crock-pot does an amazing job of taking cheap cuts of meat (pork shoulder, chuck roast, etc) and making them tender and juicy. - Sarah_L.


Look for cheaper cuts such as lamb neck fillets, pork belly and cheeks, shin of beef, whole chickens that will yield enough for leftovers, plus a carcass for soup or congee, chicken livers, gizzard, etc. Perhaps borrow a book from the library that will show you the techniques for bringing out the best from these cuts. - pearmelon
4. Embrace whole grains and beans.

Beans and whole grains, like quinoa, freekeh and brown rice are an inexpensive and tasty way to bulk up meals, and can even be a meal in themselves.


I use black beans to stretch my meat. You can spend $15 and get the ingredients to make chili which will last for one person, 10 meals. I mix (cooked) black beans with ground turkey and make turkey burgers using that. - Christy Belville


Whole grains can really bulk up a meal and make it more filling and they're generally on the cheaper side. Buy a package of wheat berries, whole wheat couscous, cook it up and freeze it in single portions to throw into salads or soups when you need them. The whole grains will also keep you full longer and may help aid in your weight loss efforts. - kristen44
5. Plan and prep meals ahead.

Whether it's veggies for the week, tomorrow's breakfast, lunches or dinners, prepping food in advance is a step in the right direction towards eating healthy. Plus, it's also a good way to make sure you're eating what's in the fridge, to minimize waste.


I spend some time every weekend planning my meals for the week. I don't mind eating leftovers so I plan on eating the same thing several times. I try to at least get my lunches prepped on Sunday so I'm starting the week off right. Then I might make something to eat on Monday night for dinner and eat that several times as well. - sweetautumn


I can cook two meals on Sunday night, package them up in portable containers and be set for lunch and dinner all week — with just one night of cooking. (This only works if you don't mind eating the same thing every day - and I've learned it's important to stick with what you like or outside temptations will be everywhere!!!) But it's great to save time and money! - PropTart


6. Broaden your culinary horizons!

Cuisines, like Mexican and Indian, rely heavily on inexpensive ingredients, like beans and rice.


If you don't like Indian or Mexican food, learn to. From my experience it's the best value to flavor ratio. In both cuisines, rice is a staple, which is cheap. Both are not meat heavy, which is also cheap. Both also allow a lot of ingredients to be used interchangeably. Less waste which equals cheap. -Baxatax


If you like Mexican food, you could do burritos filled with anything you like. Or you can do a tortilla-less version of huevos rancheros that I often make for dinner. Very filling, loads of protein and fiber. - miabica
7. Keep an organized fridge and pantry.

Leftovers are always great, but it totally defeats the purpose if they get lost in the back of the fridge. Label leftovers and keep your fridge organized to help minimize food waste.


Waste of leftovers or frozen food can be minimized by keeping an orderly fridge/freezer and by labeling. I use a strip of masking tape and a Sharpie to identify food and date on the container. Package foods in amounts you will use, such as freezing chicken pieces by twos and hamburger in patties separately wrapped. Keeping a list of items in the fridge also sounds useful but I admit I've never been able to stick with that one. -janmarie


If you freeze stuff, make sure you periodically go through your freezer and eat everything in there. Sometimes I forget this step, but my wallet and my evening hours benefit when I use up all my frozen food! -becster.henrich

8. Repurpose leftovers.

If you don't like eating the same meal over and over, consider repurposing leftovers into an entirely new and delicious meal.


Last night I made a garlicky spinach and white bean soup with leftovers from a rotisserie chicken. It made a really delicious soup that was simply lovely with toasted bread. - vintagejenta


Things that you can make into a sandwich later work well (poached chicken, meatballs, meatloaf, roast beef/pork/chicken). When whole chickens are on sale I buy two and cook them both. The first night is roast chicken and then I can make sandwiches, soup, pot pie, throw some in fried rice...you can really stretch a couple of chickens and make a lot of portable options.


Find the day when you can do some prep cooking and do a roast, then portion it out, make soup etc. to last you the rest of the week. - anotherjen


9. Go to the farmers market at the end of the day.

Depending on where you live, farmers markets may or may not save you money during regular hours. Consider visiting the market at the end of the day, when you could very likely score some great deals.


My best tip: When I was on a *really* limited budget, I would go to the public market/ farmer's market about an hour before they closed.
You can get some very good bargains on produce that way, since the sellers want to unload as much as possible before they close up for the day. (And sometimes, they'll throw in a little extra just to be nice!) - skd80
10. Shop at ethnic markets.

Consider checking out local ethnic markets. Not only are you likely to find a bargain on certain products, you'll also find some really interesting ingredients.


You can buy really varied, interesting, cheap noodles in an Asian market. I never buy rice noodles in a supermarket - they're very overpriced. That goes for just about any condiments/sauces for Asian meals. Go to an Asian grocer and stock up. The produce is usually cheaper too. One of my Asian stores has really fresh fish and meat. Just know the store and ask about it. - MaddyWho


Ethnic supermarkets (chinese, greek, lebanese, etc) are a great source for good value interesting ingredients. - AndersAu

What To Do This Weekend In Happy Valley!

What are you doing this weekend in Happy Valley?  We have some great events going on all weekend long. Keep reading for a list of great fall activities, and you can learn more by checking out Happy Valley.


Friday, October 3
First Friday

Are you ready to do some shopping? For the first Friday of the month retailers downtown will have their doors open until 9pm. Free refreshments and special deals will be offered.
JB Tree Farm Fall Frenzy

Nothing says “fall” more than romping around in the brightly-colored leaves with your family on a crisp autumn Friday. Come out to the Fall Frenzy and enjoy activities such as hayrides, hiking, pumpkin picking, or making crafts.
Hauntingdon 2014 - All of October

Starting October 1st, Huntingdon will be putting on a month-long celebration of fun events. In the past, the event has included lamplight walking tours of Huntingdon, parades, Apple Butter Festivals, historic Rockhill Trolley rides PA, public events like "Huntingdon County's Murderous Past" presentation by the Huntingdon County Historical Society, Ghosts and Goblins at Lincoln Caverns and Fall Flashlight Tours at Penn's Cave.
BCHA Gallery at the Gamble Mill

Featuring one-of-a-kind, 3-dimensional art, the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association gallery will have on display the work of Anju Jolly, Manya Goldstein, Zheka-Art, and Mary Cady Rubenstein. Sure to catch your eye are the bright mosaic wall hangings, Bubbe Meises (grandmother’s fables), and relief paintings.

Tommy Roberts at the Happy Valley Winery
Saturday, October 4
Cheesesteak-eating Contest



I hope you’re hungry! Bradley’s and OrderUp are challenging local eaters to put their tummies to the test as they try to devour a 30-ounce cheesesteak. The first group to finish will win an Xbox One.
Downtown Fall Festival

The 15th Annual Fall Festival is perfect for the whole family, with fun and games, pumpkin decorating, alpaca, a climbing wall and a fun house.
Mt. Nittany Harvest Fest

Feel like some more sophisticated fun? Stop by Mt. Nittany Winery for their annual Harvest Fest. There will be free wine tasting and tours of the winery all day long. There will be food from local vendors available for purchase such as Tait Farm Foods, Goot Essa Cheese, Rip Rap Baking, Gemelli Bread and more. There will be music during the afternoon as well, certain to be eclectic and fun.


Oktoberfest

Have a blast at Tussey Mountain with fun, food, entertainment and plenty of beer!

Central PA Health and Fitness Expo - get buff
Murder Mystery at Old Bedford Village - The only thing you know is whether you did it.
Faculty Recital
Apple Cider Demonstration Day at The Way Farm
Bike Ride with the Mayor in State College
Meet the Creek at Shaver's Creek (Big birds included)
Fall Foliage Celebration at The Swigart Museum
Sunday, October 5
Pumpkin Giveaway

Win prizes for your pumpkin carving abilities, a good time for all ages.

A Recipe for the Chilly Nights of Fall

Are you ready for some fall recipes on your dinner table?  Apple desserts are some of our favorite treats for fall.  We have found a new creative recipe that you probably have never made.  Try this recipe out this weekend and let us know how it goes.  You can learn more at The Kitchn.

These little monkey breads are designed for eating on the go a little more easily than the full-sized traditional monkey bread that needs to be picked apart piece by piece. They are baked in muffin cups, and they come out all gooey and crisp from the butter. They get a lovely lemony glaze, creamy and touched by honey.






And yet they're not too sweet. That's the beauty of using pizza dough here — it's not too rich, and not sweet at all. So you have chunks of dough, yeasty and tender, encased and baked in a buttery, cinnamon glaze, and tumbled together with chopped apples, raisins, and (if you like!) dried cranberries.

All together these are a marvelous breakfast treat — warm and sweet from the oven, and good for eating on the go, or at a leisurely breakfast with family.

And one last note: For anyone who has ever had the cobblestone at Panera Bread, that muffin-shaped monkey bread of cinnamon, raisins, and citrus glaze, these are really an attempt to get them at home. I like these much better — they have all the right flavors, but they're not so teeth-achingly sweet.

Apple Cinnamon Mini Monkey Breads
Makes 12 mini monkey breads

1 1/2 pounds prepared pizza dough OR 1 batch dough (below)
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup mixed dried fruit, such a mix of raisins, currants, and cranberries
2 small or 1 large apple, about 1/2 pound
1 lemon, zested
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
Flour, for dusting the dough

For the glaze:
1 tablespoon cream or milk
2 teaspoons honey
Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 tablespoons
3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar

Lightly mist a large piece of parchment or baking sheet with baking spray. Lay the dough out on it and pat into a roughly 2-inch-thick rectangle. Use a knife or bench scraper to cut it into 4 roughly equal pieces. Cut each of these into 12 lumps, for a total of about 48 dough lumps about the size of your thumb. Sprinkle flour over top of the dough pieces, cover with towel, and set aside while you prepare the monkey bread filling.

Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by lightly greasing the wells or lining with paper muffin cups.

To make the filling, melt the butter in a saucepan or the microwave. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and set aside to cool completely.

Roughly chop the dried fruit and place in a large bowl. Peel and core the apples, and grate them into the bowl with the dried fruit. Stir in the lemon zest as well as the brown sugar. Sprinkle the dough pieces again lightly with flour, to help keep them from sticking to each other, then toss them with the dried fruit, apples, and brown sugar. Pour the completely cooled melted butter into the bowl and stir to coat the pieces of dough.

Quickly scoop up handfuls of the dough and fruit mixture and place them in muffin cups (about 4 pieces to each cup). If there is any leftover butter in the bowl, pour this evenly over the monkey breads.
At this point the monkey breads can be covered lightly and refrigerated overnight. When ready to bake, take out of the fridge and let them rise for 1 hour before baking.

Set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.

Heat the oven to 400°F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned on top and the insides register about 190°F on an instant read thermometer.

While they are baking, make the glaze. Warm the cream and honey in the microwave or in a small saucepan until the honey is dissolved. Whisk together with the lemon juice and powdered sugar until it forms a thick, creamy glaze.

Remove the monkey breads from the oven and drizzle the glaze over the tops. Serve warm.

Celebrate Labor Day All Weekend

Make sure to stay in Happy Valley this Labor Day Weekend.  There are a bunch of great events going on that you and your friends can attend.  These are not just University events.  There are also community wide events that you can attend, when there you are not cheering on Penn State.  You can learn more at Happy Valley.





Labor Day Weekend starts a little bit early in Happy Valley. That’s because it’s important to celebrate the end of a great summer the right way. It all starts on Thursday, August 28 with the WingFest Finals at Tussey Mountain starting at 5:30 p.m.. You’ll be perched on the mountainside to help determine who has the best wing sauce in the area. There will be live music, a setting sun, plenty of wings, other good food and beer. Just be careful, things could get rather messy.


Friday night, August 29, Mount Nittany Winery will host their End of Summer Gala at 6 p.m., complete with a jazz quartet to set the mood for the evening.


Saturday, August 30 kicks off the 2014 football season bright and early, with an 8:30 a.m. ET game time for the Croke Park Classic. Watch the game in your jammies at home with a cup of coffee in hand, or head to one of the many local bars and restaurants that will be serving up plenty of early-morning specials for this unique kickoff time. Stay tuned to HappyValley.com for a list of establishments and specials.


Sunday, August 31 starts early with the Mt. Nittany Marathon. The 26.2 mile race meanders around the beautiful scenery of the mountain. Those who do well enough will qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon. Runners will enjoy the loading up on carbs, compliments of local restaurants, the night before at the Pasta Dinner. The day moves right along, so you’ll have to stay on your toes (but if you’re in the marathon you might be too tired, no need to apologize.) Crickfest 2014 is a fun, family event celebrating the Penn’s Creek Watershed at Coburn Park from 12-6 p.m. In addition to the food, silent auction, and new information, there’s a petting zoo.


Afterward, head to Bellefonte for a community pig roast from 5-8 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Faith Centre Food Bank as your admission. In addition to the delicious pork, enjoy beer from the historic Roopsberg Brewery. The night ends with the Aurigids Meteor Shower, which you can watch at Black Moshannon State Park. This small shower often produces a plethora of meteors, so come prepared to be wowed.


Labor Day on Monday, September 1 provides several great options for fun, too. Celebrate the end of summer at Lakemont Park. There will be free ride and slide passes for everyone all day. If that’s not a fantastic deal, I don’t know what is. Del Grosso’s Amusement Park is having their Labor Day and Customer Appreciation Day for $5.99 all day long. There will be plenty of fun and entertainment. At those prices, you can bring the whole family to both on the same day! In addition to the great parks, you can get a little time with nature. There is a Labor Day Float at Bald Eagle State Park that will take you out on a kayak. Experts on natural and cultural history of the area will join the group, so it will not only be fun, but informative.


Labor Day Weekend in Happy Valley has plenty for you to do between the picnics. Take the whole family out for a day, two days, or a weekend of fun and memories. There will be delicious food, and plenty of activities. Enjoy the last days of summer!

The Homecoming Schedule Is Here!

Homecoming at Penn State is one of the best times of the year.  The Homecoming schedule has been released for this September, and we have all of the information below.  You can learn more at Happy Valley.


September 20-27, 2014
Football Game: Saturday, September 27 vs. Northwestern


October in Happy Valley means trading your sunscreen for sweatshirts and seeing the green foliage of summer turn into a mosaic of colors draped over Happy Valley. It also means football, and specifically Homecoming weekend for Penn State.


This year's Homecoming weekend will be on September 26-28, with the Nittany Lions taking on Big Ten rival Northwestern on Saturday the 27th.


Homecoming is one of the toughest weekends to get a hotel in State College, so start making your plans now!
Homecoming Week Schedule of Events


Important Event Dates:
Penn State Homecoming week is September 20 - 27
East Halls Celebration - September 22
Past to Present - September 23
For The Glory Talent Show - September 23
Best of Penn State Carnival and Field Day - September 24
Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social - September 26
Homecoming 2014 Parade - September 26
Student/Alumni Tailgate Competition - September 27
Homecoming Football game against Northwestern - September 27


Visit the PSU Homecoming Site

Improve Your Iced Latte

We love a good caffeinated drink to wake up in the morning!  However, there are ways to make your normal iced latte even better! This blog will tell you how to make your own homemade iced lattes better than ever. You can learn more at The Kitchn.

Here are five things to try to make that homemade iced latte oh so worthy worthy of a warm summer afternoon.

Now of course, there are those who will tell you that putting milk and a sweetener in good coffee is practically sacrilegious. I agree.

Only 35% of Americans take their coffee black, which I think has more to do with the fact that we're used to bad coffee than it does that we love milk and sugar.

But really good coffee doesn't need to be diluted with milk and sweetener; it's good on its own; in fact, if it's made with quality beans, it's better on its own. Adding milk and sweetener is almost a must if you're drinking cafeteria style coffee that's been sitting on the warmer for too long, but when you're going for a pour over of craft roasted beans, you want the coffee all to itself.

That being said, I do have one exception: iced lattes. Because come on, an iced latte is a tasty thing, especially on warm summer days. It's sort of like if you're a wine lover. Inevitably when it's hot out, and you need a refreshing late afternoon drink, you'll take the sangria now won't you?

So, how to make the best iced latte? The standard milk and sugar route is boring and expected, you need something different.

1. Create homemade syrups

Forget sugar, make your own simple syrups. All you have to do for homemade syrups is to start with a basic simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio) and then figure out a flavor that will pair well with your iced coffee or cold brew.

→ How to make simple syrup: Straight Up: DIY Simple Syrup

Here is where you can get creative. I am intrigued by the blackberry syrup fromHow Sweet it Is, made with fresh blackberries, sugar and water. Cardamom syrup perhaps?

→ Try a recipe: Recipe: Homemade Caramel Syrup for Your Coffee
2. Pair almond milk and a dash of almond extract

You can easily make your own almond-flavored creamer by adding in a few drops of pure almond extract. Pair it with almond for an extra dose of almond flavor.
3. Use coconut milk

Coconut milk is a popular iced latte ingredient in the non-dairy crowd. It works well because of its very creamy consistency. In fact there's even a recipe for making coconut cold brew by adding in toasted coconut with the coffee grounds before adding in the cold water.
4. Use your blender

If you want the ultimate in a summer drink then you're going to want your coffee blended. It's easy to make blended coffee drinks at home, which allows you to make them cheaper and healthier than they would be at a cafe. Try this recipe for a Mint and Choco Frappucino, made with dates instead of sugar and cocoa nibs as well.
5. Spike it!

It's summer after all, and if you want to add a little booze to your iced coffee then have at it. You can make your own coffee liqueur and mix that in with your iced drink, or take a tip from the bartenders making craft coffee cocktails and experiment with flavor combinations. Amaretto perhaps?

Add Storage to Any Space

It does not matter how big your apartment is, everyone can always use a little more storage. Squeezing storage out of small spaces is something Apartment Therapy is great at teaching renters about.. Keep reading this blog, and check out Apartment Therapy to learn how to gain storage in any kind of apartment.

One of the biggest challenges of small space living is... where does all the stuff go? If you feel like you've maxed out all your storage but you still have things that need a home, this post is for you. Here are ten often-overlooked spots where you can squeeze a little extra storage out of a small space.

Above: Hang a set of wall-mounted shelves above a radiator. Spotted on VT Wonen.

The space above your door is the perfect place to mount a shelf to store books and other sundries, as spotted in the New York home of Ashlina Kaposta of The Decorista.

→ Small Space Storage Solution: Look Above the Door

What about above the bed? If you mount the shelf high enough, you won't have to worry about bumping your head when you wake up. Photo from Share Design.

→ More Space-Saving Solutions for Small Bedrooms

Use the space above your kitchen cabinets to store cookbooks, as in John's Sunlit Studio (from out 2013 Small Cool Contest).

Or try this: put baskets above the cabinets for lesser-used kitchen items, as in this home from Better Homes & Gardens.

Mount the lid of a mason jar under the bottom of your cabinets. Then use the jar to store little things that you want to be in easy reach. Spotted on House to Home.

→ More Smart Solutions for Small Kitchens

Make the most of the space in your home with a long, low console that goes under a window. Spotted on My World Apart.

→ Small Space Secrets: Swap Your Bookcases for Wall Mounted Shelving

Park a catch-all basket under a console table, as spotted in Jessica & Scott's East Coast Nest.

Another place to squeeze out a little extra storage is the back of the door to your medicine cabinet. These stick on pods are great for organizing makeup, or, if your medicine cabinet is made of metal, you can add magnets to the smaller things you use the most (lipstick, mascara, etc) and attach them to the inside of the door.

→ 10 Small Space Storage Solutions for the Bathroom

And don't forget about the inside of your cabinet doors. You can hang small hooks there for things like measuring spoons that you use often and want to be in easy reach. 'Baking Pantry in a Cabinet' DIY from Jenny Steffens.

Make a Rental a Home

Do you want your apartment to feel like home? We have some great tips that will help you transition the place you are renting to the place you call your home. These tips will help you feel comfortable and love the space you created. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

Letting Go: It's possible to focus so much on decor, design, and picking the perfect furniture to reflect your personality and interests that can turn your house into a place of stress. How about taking a quick breather and switching gears for a sec and not allowing that stress to enter your home? Trust it will all eventually come together and just let it all happen when it does. Try cherishing your home in all its different quirky stages. Your mind and wallet will thank you for it in the end.

Make It a Refuge: Do you have a place you go to in your mind that's a no-stress zone? A place that you sneak away to that just calms you down and clears your mind? For me it's when I step into a yoga studio — the outside world just seems to melt away. Now wouldn't it be incredible if that place was your home? How can you make that happen for you? Maybe try taking a few deep breaths before you open the door, or leaving all the negativity outside on the front steps. What can you do to eliminate stress and worry from your house and make it a peaceful, happy place?

Spend Time There: This seems like a no-brainer, right? But it's not all that easy. How much time do you just spend in your home enjoying it? Do you hang out there and get to know it better? Or do you run out every chance you get? The more time you actually spend in your house, the more you may grow to love it. Even if it's not your ideal space, you can start to appreciate it and make it work for you.

Share It: Do you share your home with others you love? Do you have friends over often for dinner or a movie? Or do you very rarely invite guests over because your house isn't perfect? The more happiness and laughter that enters your house, the more it is going to feel like a home.

Make Memories: This is a direct result of the previous tip. If you fill your home with people and laughter, you will be making memories all along the way. Filling your house with memories will quickly turn it from a mere dwelling into a home. You may not look back and remember this house for its amazing picture windows, or french doors, or balcony to the pool, but you will remember the birthday party where your best friend baked their first three layer cake and then the dog promptly knocked it off the table resulting in impromptu ice cream cookie sandwiches with candles stuck in them.

Keep Your Apt Cleaner for Longer

These tips can be as easy as putting stuff away as soon as use it, or we have some great DIY tips that will also help you in the never ending quest for a clean home.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.


Put it back after you use it: This is the simplest tip and the one that, if it's the only tip you take away, will render your house clean enough. It's also the one I'm most guilty of not following. I realized that the number one reason I feel grumpy about putting stuff away is that most of the time, it's not easy to put it away — the shelf it goes on is too high, the closet it goes in is too crowded, the drawer is too full. Recognize yourself? Then it's time to rethink the homes of the things you hate putting away the most. For me, it was the vacuum cleaner. Once I moved it from the coat closet (seemingly convenient but I had to move a lot of stuff to get it out) to the scary closet (a few steps further away but all I have to do is shove it inside), not only did I vacuum more often but after I did, the vacuum didn't sit out for days while I got up the "courage" to put it away.

Keep it where you use it: A sharpie in the freezer to mark those bagged leftovers, pens by where I plug in my iPhone, laundry detergent with my clothes, dishes stashed near my sink, the extra set of sheets stored underneath the mattress. The less effort I need to make to put something away (or find it), the more often it will actually get put away (see above). Even if the place you put it seems crazy (jewelry in the kitchen, vitamins by the front door) if it works for you and it gets put back, work it. It's your house.

Chuck the stuff you don't use: As Laure pointed out in her post about decluttering, some stuff, as much as you love it and think it's ridiculously beautiful and useful (the usual criteria for keeping something), is just not working for your life. As hard as it is to admit that there isn't a place in my life for that fully-equipped wicker picnic hamper, that I will never be a person who wears Mary Jane flats and that teacups are made for people who actually drink tea from teacups not mugs, getting rid of these things can have an enormous affect on your cleaning routine. Donate them to someplace that gives a receipt so I can take them off my taxes or gift them to a friend that will love and use them. I can even photograph the things that are sentimental to me or that I find particularly beautiful. Now my home has more room to house the things I actually use and I feel a lot less guilty.

Have an outbox: I started using an outbox during my first Cure and I haven't looked back. Most of us have a problem detaching from our stuff even if it's stuff we don't use or want. Of course there's the junk. That's easy to get rid of but man do I feel guilty when I'm getting rid of something I paid good money for, that was gifted to me by a good friend or that I inherited. That's where the outbox comes in. I use a bag but you can use a box, a spot in the closet or a little-used corner of a room. I put stuff here while I live without it (and subconsciously work through the anxiety of getting rid of it). After about a month or so, it's easier to make a rational decision about what to do with it.

Quality over quantity: My life got a lot simpler when I started to cut down on how much of any one thing I bought. For example, I have two sets of sheets. One for the wash, one for the bed. It feels good knowing that I have less to store and I don't feel guilty about buying stuff that's a little better quality because I know I'm definitely going to using it.

Make one thing in every room a priority item: I learned this from Flylady whose famous directive is to keep your kitchen sink clean. There's a "sink" in every room. Concentrate on keeping that one thing clean and the rest of the room will feel clean and eventually the clean will spread to the surrounding areas. For me, that means keeping the bed made, the coffee table clear, my desk free of papers and the bathroom sink wiped.

Use a landing strip: It's not only a place to put down the mail and the keys, it's also a launch pad where I put stuff that I'm planning to take with me for the next day. While this may seem to be more of an organizing tip rather than a cleaning tip, once I started using it, I found that it was much less likely that I was going to rip apart the house looking for my dry cleaning receipt. I started out my day on the right foot, came home to a calm home and I felt relaxed. Home clean home is home sweet home.

Happy Fourth of July and Trivia Answer!

We hope everyone has a great Fourth of July!  Here is the answer to our trivia question.

Answer: The Pennsylvania Evening Post

After John Dunlap of Philadelphia printed copies of the declaration for the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, printers throughout the Colonies produced their own versions. The one from the Pennsylvania Evening Post came out on July 6, 1776.

Did you get it right?

Take Away the Stress of Gift Giving

Are you stressed out with the amount of gifts you need to purchase this summer?  Graduations, weddings, showers, and the occasional birthday party can put stress on a well planned out budget. Apartment Therapy  has some great tips on how to take the stress out of gift giving.

It feels great to give gifts, though we could all do without the financial stress that comes with it. But finding great gifts does not have to be a source of anxiety if you take some time to plan and think through your gifting strategies. Here are some smart strategies for saving money on great gifts!

1. Do your research. If you have a particular gift in mind that you want to get someone, make sure you do your research and cross-reference all the stores online to make sure you are getting the best deal. Don't hesitate to use a coupon code or take advantage of sales. Getting a gift on sale does not mean you are cheap, it means you are smart!

2. Think ahead. My sister has this brilliant strategy that I am trying to adopt. She knows who she needs to give gifts to in the coming year and she keeps her eye out for special things to gift each person when she is out and about. She is able to find wonderful and meaningful things in boutique shops and thrift stores alike. These items are tasteful and personal, like a unique ring or a funny book, but don't need to cost her too much. In lieu of money, she is giving her time and mindfulness in finding the gift, which is what gift giving should be about. The recipient of the gift can truly feel the love and care that comes from such a habit.

3. Buy in bulk. When you come across a great gift idea that you know you will probably use again and again, buy some of those items in bulk! For example, if you like the idea of giving personalized his and hers coffee mugs for a housewarming gift like the one here, buy white coffee mugs in bulk so that you can use them when you need to without spending the extra cash each time. They can also be used as gifts for your kids' teachers, filled with homemade biscotti or mini muffins. Ideas like homemade lip gloss or refreshing face mists are also great things to buy in bulk for and would make fun birthday presents. And while I'm suggesting great DIY ideas...

4. Spend time, not money. Don't be shy about making your gifts! There are so many great tutorials out there for making beautiful handmade gifts; take advantage of them and try your hand at a few. As a recipient of DIY gifts, I can attest that these types of gifts are just as appreciated as store bought gifts, if not more, because they are unique, thoughtful and personal.

5. Give in groups. I am finding more and more that if you have a group of mutual friends with the giftee, it is a great idea to get one gift all together. This usually allows for a bigger gift that the person may not have received from individuals, and it can cut down on the cost for the gift givers. For birthdays, my friends and I have started to all chip in for a gift card to a place where we know the birthday girl shops. It alleviates stress, is very cost efficient, and allows the friend to buy herself that blouse or dress that she has been eyeing. This also seems to be a good idea for baby showers and weddings, where there are often big ticket items on the registries. For an easy way to figure out the money, look to an app like Venmo, where you can easily make and share payments.

6. Re-gift. I am firmly on "pro" side of the regifting debate. If you have received an item that you know you will never use but could potentially be a great gift for someone else, pass it along! I don't think re-gifting is appropriate for personal items or gifts where the giver expressed to you their personal intention for you to have the gift, but anything else is fair game.

7. Don't underestimate the value of a card. A thoughtful card goes a long way. Especially in this age of texts and emails, a personal card with a handwritten and heartfelt message is a nice surprise and can be sufficient in sending your birthday love. If you need some help in this department, look to apps like Postagram which allow you to turn your personal photos into post cards that will be delivered by mail.

8. Go virtual. Giving gifts online can be both a time and money saver. There are apps like Gyft, which allows you to manage and send gift cards to your friends. If this doesn't feel personal enough to you, giving the gift of an experience can be a great gift for close friends or for people that are hard to shop for. Giftly is a handy app that can help you with that, and they offer a huge variety of ideas that range from low to high costs. Also look to places like Groupon or Living Social, where you can find some great deals for experiences to gift. Another simple virtual gift that goes a long way is sending an iTunes album. These cost between $8 and $15 and can be great gifts if you know the person will enjoy the album you want to share.

Comfort Food Tips

Do you enjoy comfort food? Here are some great recipes from around the world. Each of these recipes is considered a "comfort food" in their country. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


TOP ROW
1 How to Make Fried Rice - China
2 Cuban Black Bean Soup - Cuba
3 Korean-Style Steamed Eggs - Korea
4 African Beef & Peanut Stew - The Congo and Ghana
5 Gluten-Free Dessert Recipe: Marking's Bibingka - The Philippines

Authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara


MIDDLE ROW
6 Vegetarian Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) - Vietnam
7 Shepherd's Pie - Ireland
8 Lamb Korma - India
9 Authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara - Italy
10 Slow-Cooked Boeuf Bourguignon - France

How to Make Baklava



BOTTOM ROW
11 Enchiladas Verdes - Mexico
12 How To Make Baklava - Greece
13 Sauerkraut, Potato & Cheese Pierogi - Poland
14 Thai Green Coconut Curry with Chicken and Zucchini - Thailand
15 Recipe: Salmon and Black Sesame Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) - Japan

Making the Arts Festival Green

The Green Crew at Penn State is turning the famous State College Arts Fest into a zero-waste event.  Every year the borough takes on an additional 75 tons in trash from the event.   They are adding recycling and compost bins in the food areas to cut down on waste this year.  For the group to be more affective in the future, it also involves vendors changing how they serve their food at the festival.  This knowledge they will gain this year will hopefully help reduce waste for years to come.  You can learn more at Statecollege.


No disrespect to the unglamorous job the Trash Crew has done over the years keeping our streets clean during Arts Fest, but I'm happy to report that a more relevant group is taking its place: the Green Crew.

The Green Crew grew out of a group that started meeting back in February with the goal of helping the festival become a zero-waste event. I've been following its progress with great interest.

Like many locals, I count Arts Fest as a highlight of my summer. My first stop typically has nothing to do with music or art. It's the food. But I've always been troubled by the waste. Somewhere there's a landfill straining from a mountain of plastic cups built on the purchases at Arts Fest. In fact, the entire borough takes in an extra 75 tons of trash during the festival.

This was equally troublesome to Brad Fey, a local musician and entrepreneur. But instead of complaining, he acted. He contacted the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority to see if his goal of a zero-waste festival was even feasible. After a positive response, he approached Carol Baney, director operations for Arts Fest and a friend from Rotary Club. "I thought Brad wanted his band to play [in Arts Fest]," she recalls of the initial conversation. "But he said, 'I'm here to talk about trash.'"

Baney was sold, and took it to the board, which set a goal to refine the initiative in time for the festival's 50th anniversary in 2016.

Fest Zero was born. The group isn't a non-profit, although that's a goal. For now, it's simply a group of volunteers from the community, local government, and university working around a common cause. The biggest changes from last year will be a recycling can at every trash receptacle and compost bins near all the food vendors. "So if you're eating chicken on a stick on a paper plate, you can just toss that right into the compost bin," Fey says. (Assuming that stick is made of wood, he adds.) And members of the Green Crew will be on hand to make sure you know where to dump your items.

The borough will audit its trash during Arts Fest so the group has a starting point to measure its impact. If all goes according to plan, in future years they'll transition to where all the trash cans are just compost cans.

For that to happen, vendors need to change. As a first step in that process, the group is compiling a database of all the materials brought by food vendors. Fey envisions Fest Zero as a partner in guiding the vendors through the potentially costly transition to compostable items. If the group becomes a non-profit and receives grants, it can even offer the vendors these materials at a discount.

While making changes with vendors is still in the future, the group has plenty it can focus on right now. It's meeting with local restaurants, encouraging them to cut back on their waste. Fey happily discovered that Dante's recently launched its own sustainability initiative. In April the restaurant group enrolled in a commercial composting program with the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.

Initiatives like these send a powerful message to others who visit our town: If they can do it do, why can't we? "People are looking at us," Baney says. "This is great opportunity to spread the word." A powerful incentive: That 75 tons of extra trash equates to about $5,000 in added costs.

As for those lemonade cups? It's complicated. The plastic cups can't go in the traditional recycling stream because they're miscellaneous plastic. And if the lemons remain in the cup, they mess up the sorting process at the county level. At a minimum, someone from the Green Crew will be nearby trying to capture the lemons for compost. And hopefully some day we'll be drinking that lemonade from a compostable cup that can be tossed — guilt-free — into the compost bin.

So while you're enjoying the Arts Fest food this year, stop by the Fest Zero Education Booth, which will be manned by student and university representatives from The Sustainability Institute. Even better, join the Green Crew by visiting Fest Zero on Facebook. They'll need a lot of volunteers to make this initiative successful.

We've nearly conquered cleaning up our streets. But our Arts Fest footprint transcends what we can see — and what's too easy to ignore.

Have You Ever Thought About a Yard Sale?

You are out of school for the summer time to have some fun.  This means that it is time for an old past time.  Yard sales will be popping up throughout your town, and we have found some great purchases that can save you money in the future.  Grab your friends and head to the yard sale to save your household money this summer.  Apartment Therapy has some great ideas for your summer vacation.

1. Rugs. Rugs are notoriously difficult to sell secondhand, which is why you will see plenty of them around at yard sale time. Head out for a few Saturdays, you are bound to find a new rug for the kids' room for under $30. I found one recently, a 5x7 foot 100% wool rug for $5! It had been passed over by others because one small corner was a little frayed - a problem easily solved by tucking it under a crib.

2. Furniture: Do you need to furnish your apartment? Yard Sales are the perfect opportunity to find a cheap piece of furniture for your new home. 

3. Old Music: Have you always wanted an old record player or old music from your childhood you forgot about?  This is the perfect place to find that old music for a decent price.

4. Entertainment:  Yard Sales can be a great source of entertainment and a fun afternoon with friends.  You never know what treasures you are going to find!

Your Guide To A Better Night's Sleep

Is your bedroom keeping you awake at night? There are five reasons that may be the cause of your lack of sleep in your own home. This blog has a list of those reasons. It also includes a list of possible solutions that could help you in your quest for a better night's sleep. You can learn more at apartment therapy.

PROBLEM #1: ALLERGIES


Is your stuffy nose keeping you from getting shut eye? Seasonal allergies are one thing, but dust mites are with us all year round. Your bed is Disneyland for those little critters, who thrive on all the dead skin cells your body provides.


Fixes: Vacuum your room with a HEPA filter and clean your bedding as often as you can— including your pillows, which you can throw in the dryer for 15 minutes to kill off any existing bugs. Instead of scented detergent, use a few drops of eucalyptus oil in your laundry. Put hypoallergenic protective covers on your mattress and pillows. And lastly, strip your mattress before you go out of town to give it time to air out. (I won’t rile up pet owners by suggesting you ban furry loved ones from the bedroom, but it’s worth thinking about.) Read more onbedroom allergies here.






PROBLEM #2: LIGHT


Your room is too bright at night. Whether it’s coming from the outside, a nightlight, the television screen, or your blinking alarm clock, any light keeps your body fooled into thinking it’s not sleeping time.


Fixes: Buy really dark curtains, or add liner, to block out street lamps. Also turn off electronic devices and remove anything else that emits brightness. (If you’re worried about getting up in time, try covering your alarm clock instead.) Lastly, swap out higher watt lightbulbs in your bedside lamp for dimmer ones; these will aid the transition as you’re winding down from the day by reading in bed at night.








PROBLEM #3: TEMPERATURE


Some nights you're too hot, and other times, it's too cold. Sleep is induced when you are at rest and your core body temperature lowers. If your heat is on too high (or too cold for that matter), your internal thermostat fluctuates which leads to restless sleep.


Fixes: Everyone is comfortable at different temps, so experiment to find the right one for you. There's no right answer but cooler is generally better - start in the 65 degree range. There are always fans and blankets to help you regulate, but know that bedding material makes a difference too; memory foam pillows and mattresses, for example, are hotter than more traditional ones. If you are still having trouble staying asleep, look into bedding and pads that keep you cooler at night.








PROBLEM #4: NOISE


There’s the 5 am garbage truck variety that’s impossible to ignore. But when it'stoo quiet, the slightest disruption can reach epic proportions and you find yourself focused on that weird hum or dripping faucet. Either way, you need a way to soundproof your sleep.


Fixes: If it’s too loud, wear earplugs as a first resort. Or, try a white noise machine or app —or even a basic fan— to drown out any noises that violate your REM cycle. If it’s really bad, get as far away from the offending noise as possible. Either move your bed to another wall to dampen neighbor noises, or, if you have the option, try swapping your current bedroom with another room entirely. Read more on bedroom noise here.








PROBLEM #5: MATTRESS


Having a healthy, comfortable, supportive mattress is critical to a good night's sleep.


Fixes: Flip your mattress with the seasons, alternating between end-over-end and side-over-side rotation. If it's time for a new one, check out Danny Seo’sgreat tips on mattress shopping. A couple of years ago, Maxwell also experimented with different mattress brands for twelve months and wrote about it in his Year in Bed series.