Blog Posts

Last Minute Gift Giving Tips from Windsong Place Apartments

Choosing the perfect gift for your loved ones year after year can get exhausting, and at this point time is running out. While you may be a gift-giving pro, it’s always a good idea to get new ideas for last minute gifts. Today the Windsong Place Apartments Blog has some ideas for how you can come up with the perfect gift whether you’re shopping at your favorite store in Williamsville, NY or you’re staying in your apartment and shopping online. Last-Minute Gift Ideas It happens every year: suddenly you need a gift for someone you either forgot or didn’t think about getting a gift for. But with a little planning and creativity, you can be prepared ahead of time. Food is always a good option, whether it’s a gift basket filled with cheeses and crackers or fruit or a mix in a jar for cookies or homemade soup, it’s a fun way to share. Passes to a rec center or museum may be just the thing for someone on your list. Lessons or classes make a great gift, too. How about fencing classes, painting lessons, or cooking lessons? So many things are available, you’ll surely be able to find something that matches your recipient’s interests. Check — and Take Advantage of — Holiday Hours Stores know that this is the busiest time of the shopping year, so thankfully for the shopper, sometimes that means hours are extended beyond usual! Just be sure to check your store’s hours either online or by phone so you don’t waste a trip. And if all that’s open is a grocery store, consider going anyway. You might be able to find a perfectly acceptable gift, like a gift card or some inexpensive jewelry or winter gear. Make a Creative Gift A gift doesn’t have to be over-the-top to be great. Make something creative or heartfelt if you can’t make it to the store. Or opt for movie passes or tickets to a concert, theater, or sporting event. So many things are available, you’ll surely be able to find something that matches your recipient’s interests. What are your best tips for shopping or getting gifts last-minute? Let us know in the comments so we can all benefit! Thanks for reading. Good luck shopping. We hope you find success and have a happy holiday season!

The Art of Letter Writing from Windsong Place Apartments

Celebrate Write a Friend Month here in Williamsville, NY this December. Today, Windsong Place Blog is sharing ideas about who to write to; plus we have some tips for how to write a meaningful letter. Not many people write letters anymore to friends and loved ones. Make time this month to change that and express your gratitude and love for that person. Find a friend that you haven’t talked to in a while and let them know you’re thinking about them. A simple text could maybe do the job, but a letter can mean so much more. You could also write a letter to someone you see often, but don’t express your gratitude to. Let them know how they’ve blessed your life and what kind of friend they are to you. How to Write a Meaningful Letter Begin with a salutation (typically what you normally call your friend, be that their full name or a nickname). After the salutation, tell your friend about what’s happening in your life. Include specific examples of things that are happening, and keep it on the light side. Follow that up with questions about what is happening with them. Draw upon the things you have in common, the last interaction you had with them, and things you are genuinely interested in knowing. End with a paragraph about what you appreciate about your friend. Again use a specific example, as specifics tend to feel better than a general “you’re awesome” — explain why you feel whatever sentiment. Be sure to include an invitation for your friend to write back. The wonderful thing about letters is that unlike a phone conversation or text, you can go back and read the letter for years to come. If you’re still feeling a little uncertain about actually sitting down to write, review this helpful guideline for writing letters then head to your favorite stationery supply place in WNY for paper, and get started! We appreciate all of the members of our apartment community! Thanks for taking the time to read our post.

Thanksgiving-Themed Games for Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is coming up this week, and chances are you already have the seating assignments and menu (including the pumpkin pie) all figured out. You may even know what you’re going to do while you’re waiting for the star of the show, the turkey, to cook. But what about after dinner when everyone is full, and there’s nothing much to do? Today the Windsong Place Apartments Blog has some Thanksgiving-themed game suggestions to share with members of our apartment community here in Williamsville, NY — the perfect activity for post-dinner family and friends time. Turkey Waddle Relay Participants in this race must hold an inflatable turkey (or balloon) between their legs, using only their legs, and race to the designated points where they pass off the balloon to their teammates. If someone drops the balloon or pops it, their team automatically loses. Record the race and watch it later for some good laughs! Thanksgiving Pictionary This classic drawing party game is modified to become the perfect Thanksgiving-themed team face-off. Players take turns attempting to draw different words associated with the holiday, while their team members must try to guess the word. For more ideas and insight on how to play the game, follow the link above to the tutorial from I Dig Pinterest. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt Remind everybody of the real reason for the season with this picture scavenger hunt where you must search for things you are grateful for and take a picture with them. Set a time limit and once everyone is back together, share your photos with each other. For a pre-made list and some suggestions follow the link to the tutorial from Let’s Get Together. Bonus Ten Thanksgiving Trivia Questions *Trivia from Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers . 1. True or False — Thanksgiving is celebrated only in the United States. False. Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving in October. 2. What was the name of the ship the pilgrims came over on, and who was the captain? The Mayflower with Captain Christopher Jones. 3. The term "cornucopia" means what? Horn of Plenty. 4. What part of the turkey is saved and snapped as a superstitious good luck custom? Wishbone. 5. What is the name of the book that Governor William Bradford wrote telling of the troubles and experiences of the pilgrims? “Of Plymouth Plantation.” 6. Why is the male turkey often referred to as "Tom Turkey?" After Thomas Jefferson, because Jefferson was opposed to the idea of a turkey as our national bird. 7. True or False — Turkeys can drown if they look up in the rain. True. 8. True or False — The following towns with "turkey" in their names are really towns in the United States: Turkey, Texas; Turkey Creek, Louisiana; Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Feather, New Mexico. There is no Turkey Feather, New Mexico. All others towns are correct. 9. True or False — The pilgrims dressed in colors, not just black and white. True. The Puritans wore black and white, but the pilgrims wore colorful clothing. 10. Of the original 102 pilgrims that came, approximately how many survived to celebrate the first Thanksgiving? Fifty. What are your plans for post Thanksgiving dinner (besides a nap or watching football)? Let us know in the comments so we can expand our options. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend.

It's Movie Time at Windsong Place Apartments

In our last post, we shared tips for Halloween pumpkin decorating, and this month we’re moving on to another holiday, Thanksgiving. Specifically, the Windsong Place Apartments Blog is sharing a list of recommendations for movies to watch this month with a Thanksgiving theme, plus we’ve got the scoop on what’s coming to theaters here in Williamsville, NY. Make plans now to enjoy a movie or two this month with family and friends. First, let’s take a look at new movies out this month. Coming Out in Williamsville Theaters in November Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald “The second installment of the "Fantastic Beasts" series set in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.” Ralph Breaks the Internet “Six years after the events of ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.” A glimpse into the newest adventures of Ralph and Vanellope comes to theaters near you starting November 21st. Robin Hood We don’t think there are enough adaptations of this classic tale. Head to a theater near your apartment to catch the latest one. Here’s what you can expect: “A war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance.” Catch Robin Hood in theaters on November 21st. A few more movies to enjoy that we suggest seeing in November: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Grinch, and Creed II. Three Thanksgiving-Themed Movies to Watch this Month A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving “Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, and with Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, he attempts to throw together a Thanksgiving dinner.” Alice’s Restaurant “A Thanksgiving classic, Alice’s Restaurant hit the big screen in 1969. This larger-than-life recreation of Arlo Guthrie's song of the same name is an entertaining romp through 1960s pop culture.” Dutch “Ed O’Neill (of ABC’s “Modern Family” and “Married with Children”) stars in this 1991 comedy about a meat-and-potatoes construction worker’s attempt to stay firmly ensconced in his girlfriend’s good graces -- by retrieving her preppy son from boarding school in time for Thanksgiving.” Do you have favorite movies to watch in November each year? Please share them in the comments so we can all check them out. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here at Windsong Place Apartments!

Get the Scoop on Pumpkin Carving from Windsong Place Apartments

Carving pumpkins for Halloween is a time-honored tradition for many members of our community here at Windsong Place Apartments, and this month we’ve got the scoop on how to create amazing pumpkins, not only by carving them but with other techniques too. Read on for how to have the best Jack o’lanterns in all Williamsville, and perhaps WNY! Tips for Carving Pumpkins Pumpkin carving is a fall tradition. Heading over to the pumpkin patch, trudging through the vines and the dirt, and then spotting the pumpkin that will sit in your home for the next couple of weeks can be a momentous event. Choose a pumpkin that is fresh, has a sturdy stem, a flat bottom, and no bruising. Once you have it home, the fun continues. Follow these tips for a successful venture. When you are cutting the lid, cut it at an angle (not straight up and down) for a better fit. After you have scooped out all of the pumpkin guts (an ice cream scoop works well for this task), rinse your pumpkin out with lemon water and then coat with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help it retain its freshness. Burn a candle in the pumpkin with the lid on; remove the lid and notch a “chimney” in the area where smoke has blackened the lid. Sprinkle a mixture some pumpkin pie spice on the inside of the lid, or spike it with whole cloves, and when you light a candle the heat will release the delicious smell of pumpkin pie! Alternatives to Carving Pumpkins Chalkboard Pumpkins Cover your pumpkin in black chalkboard paint and decorate as you please with chalkboard markers. The best part is you can erase it just like a chalkboard and create a brand new design or image! What you will need: pumpkins or gourds of any size, black chalkboard spray, a chalkboard marker, masking tape, and newspaper to protect your surface. Crayon Drip Art Pumpkin All you need to make this fun craft is a white pumpkin, 16-20 crayons in a variety of colors, tacky glue, a blowdryer, and a trash bag or surface covering. The colored melted wax gives your pumpkin a super cool look! Nail Polish Marbled Pumpkin These miniature pumpkins look out of this world with the cool marbled effect from the nail polish. Follow the tutorial from Say Yes to learn how to make them. Cross-Stitched Pumpkins Cross-stitching is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking of ways to decorate a pumpkin, but you will love the stitched look that is perfect for Halloween time. Find printable cross stitch patterns for free online. Have a great time decorating pumpkins to decorate your Windsong Place Apartment! We’re excited to see what you come up with. Happy Halloween!

Fall Flavor Round Up at Windsong Place Apartments

Autumn has found its way to Williamsville, NY, and that means it’s time to break out your favorite fall recipes. If you’re in need of something new to try, no worries, we are sharing some fall recipes (including savory pumpkin options) you can create for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at your Windsong Place Apartment kitchen. Let’s get cooking! Savory Pumpkin Recipes There are plenty of ways to create pumpkin-spice desserts floating around, so we thought we would share some ideas for the other end of the spectrum — savory recipes featuring pumpkin. Enjoy! Pumpkin Soup is not for everyone, but if you’re a fan, you will love this recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Pumpkin lends itself to the savory end of the spectrum as well as the sweet as evidenced by this Baked Parmesan Pumpkin Fries recipe. Serve it in a bowl, made of bread or otherwise, or even in a pumpkin shell, but however you serve it, pumpkin soup can really hit the spot. Try one of these recipes from “Recipe Roundup” — 10 Ways to Make Pumpkin Soup . We couldn’t help ourselves, we had to include at least one pumpkin-spice recipe in the mix — so it’s not savory, but it is delicious! Start your day right with a bowl of pumpkin pie oatmeal with this recipe from Damn Delicious. It includes oats, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, and maple syrup. Yum! Favorite Fall Flavors A filling chowder is perfect for a crisp October day, and this Corn Chowder from Chef in Training fits the bill. But don’t take our word for it. One reviewer, Jessica, wrote : “I recently won a soup cook-off at work with this recipe. Everyone was raving about it, so I gave them the recipe and your website.” Squash is plentiful in the fall, and this Butternut Squash Ramen Bowl with Rice Noodles from In Pursuit of More is a great way to create a healthy lunch in just ten minutes. You will need vegetable stock, butternut squash soup ( homemade or from the shelf), salt, soy sauce, rice noodles, medium soft tofu, scallions, toasted sesame oil, fresh pea shoots or fresh spinach, and black sesame seeds for garnish. There’s nothing that says it’s fall like the enticing aroma of an oven beef stew filling every corner of your kitchen. We love the combination of beef and root vegetables in this easy-to-prepare recipe from Taste of Home: Winter Oven Beef Stew . What are your favorite recipes that say fall has arrived in New York? Let us know in the comments; we love to try new things. Next time we will have tips for carving your Halloween Jack o’lantern, so stay tuned to the Windsong Place Apartments Blog.