Abberly Crest Blog

It is the New Year, and for the residents of our apartments in Lexington Park, MD this is the perfect time to get a fresh start. New Year’s Resolutions are the topics of conversation this time of year. But food may certainly give you a leg up in the luck department.

There are quite a few foods that are believed to be lucky and to improve the odds that next year will be a great one. What is interesting is that all over the world the foods eaten on New Year’s Eve consist of the same major categories: grapes, greens, fish, pork, legumes, and cakes.

Grapes
New Year's revelers in Spain consume twelve grapes at midnight—one grape for each stroke of the clock.

Cooked Greens
Cooked greens, including cabbage, collards, kale, and chard, are consumed at New Year's in different countries for a simple reason — their green leaves look like folded money, and are thus symbolic of economic fortune.

Legumes
Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are also symbolic of money. Their small, seed-like appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind.

In Italy, it's customary to eat cotechino con lenticchie or sausages and green lentils, just after midnight

In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called hoppin' john.

Pork
The custom of eating pork on New Year's is based on the idea that pigs symbolize progress.

Fish
Cod has been a popular feast food since the Middle Ages. The Danish eat boiled cod, in Italy, baccalà, or dried salt cod, is enjoyed from Christmas through New Year's; herring is consumed at midnight in Poland and Germany; the Swedish New Year feast is usually a smorgasbord with a variety of fish dishes such as seafood salad. In Japan, herring roe is consumed for fertility, shrimp for long life, and dried sardines for a good harvest

Cakes
Round or ring-shaped baked goods have special emphasis at New Year’s.

If you are looking for a recipe to bring to a New Year’s Eve party in Lexington Park or somewhere else in Southern Maryland this weekend, bring some food with luck! Happy New Year from Abberly Crest Apartment Homes.

If you are searching for an apartment in Lexington Park, MD and you are on the go, take advantage of mobile technology to make your apartment search more efficient and more effective. Mobile search is available literally at your fingertips.

Check your toolbox
You may currently use mobile technology for everything from checking the weather to downloading movies, but have you thought about how you can go mobile with your apartment search? GPS and mapping tools simplify your search by pinpointing apartment locations that are located in Lexington Park or in a desired area. And many apartment communities and apartment search guides have Facebook pages where you can get a quick overview of what tenants are saying and what a community has to offer.

After find a potential apartment, use mobile technology to instantly go online where you can read reviews and compare apartment communities to others nearby. Use your mobile device to jot down notes electronically and take pictures. Then you can e-mail pictures and thoughts directly to your partner, roommate or friends.

No apartment search would be complete without submitting an application, which you can also quickly do from your mobile device once you find your dream apartment. That way other renters won’t beat you to the punch!

Socialize your search
Taking advantage of mobile technology can help you locate, preview and contact apartment communities. Before you sign the contract, you may want to go mobile to get opinions on your decision. Logging in to Facebook on your smartphone gives you quick access to your friends so you can post questions about your apartment choice and get immediate feedback.

Making a move and choosing a new apartment in Lexington Park can be challenging, so maximize your mobile technology to make decisions faster and get a jump on the hottest apartments on the market.

Original article – Moving Today

It is the season of the candy cane. Use them as a tree ornament and on gifts. But there are other things you can do with candy canes too.
 
There are some terrifically simple ways to use the candy cane to sweeten some favorite treats. For example:

• Serve a candy cane as a stirring stick with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee.
• Crush a candy and sprinkle it on vanilla ice cream.
• Sprinkle them on iced Christmas cookies.
• Dip the curved end into melted chocolate and cool on a wax paper line tray for a new twist.

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/4 cups butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar, or as needed
• 1 cup finely crushed peppermint candy
• 3 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets, or line with parchment paper.
2. Beat 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar with the butter, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and egg in a mixing bowl at Medium speed until well blended and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to Low, and gradually mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy using a wooden spoon.
3. Place the white sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll a small amount of cookie dough between your hands to make 3/4 inch diameter balls. Roll in sugar. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake in preheated oven until light brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and cool on racks.
5. Meanwhile, to make the glaze, stir the remaining 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar together with the milk in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle cooled cookies with the glaze, and sprinkle immediately with the remaining crushed peppermint candy.

• 4 ounces Unsweetened Chocolate
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 5-6 ounces of chocolate squares with peppermint filling, unwrapped
• 4 small candy canes, crushed

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt until combined. Beat in the chocolate mixture. Gently stir in the flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the brownies comes out clean. Arrange the mint squares on top in one layer and return the brownies to the oven until they are just melted, about 1 minute. Evenly spread the chocolate with a spatula and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.

• 1 tablespoon superfine sugar
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 2 ounces vanilla vodka
• ½ ounce white creme de menthe
• 1 teaspoon whole milk
• 1 small candy cane (for garnish)

• In a microwave-safe cup, heat the sugar and water for 30 seconds or until the sugar dissolves.
• Spread crushed candy canes on a piece of waxed paper.
• Fill a martini glass with ice cubes, swirl it around, then tip out the ice. Fill a metal shaker with ice and add the vodka, creme de menthe, sugar mixture, and milk. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Decorate with the candy cane.

Enjoy the Holidays from Abberly Crest.

The housing market is stagnating right now and real estate brokers would have potential buyers believe that there is no better time than the present to buy a home. It is true, prices are down and mortgage rates are at all-time lows.

Unfortunately for the real estate brokers, many clients are not persuaded by that logic. Instead, in increasing numbers, they are choosing to rent instead of buy — unconvinced that the housing market has yet hit bottom. Would be buyers also understand that unless you plan to stay in your home for more than 10 years, buying a home may not be the right investment for everyone.

With apartments in Lexington Park, MD , located near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and St. Mary’s College, offering apartment amenities that can’t be found in homes, renting is a great option for many. There is also a broad mix of tenants at Abberly Crest Apartment homes: young single residents and families and empty-nesters that no longer have homeownership on their wish list.

For information on beautiful one-, two-, and three bedroom apartments in Lexington Park, MD contact Abberly Crest.

During the holiday season everyone wants to share and take photos of family and friends.  We like to capture each moment with a picture, not to mention, the photo for the annual holiday card.  Of course, the family pet has to be a part of the photo opp.  But what happens when you can’t quite get the dog to stay still long enough to take a quality picture?

It is a challenge but it is possible to come out with the perfect holiday photo.  You should definitely plan ahead.   The more organized the family is the easier it will be to control that furry family member.  Will everyone be wearing similar outfits?  Will the dog be dressed up?  These are simple things that could make a difference.

Think about the location in your apartment in Lexington Park where you’ll be taking the pictures.  You'll want to minimize the distractions as much as possible.  Some dogs may get a bit nervous and it will be harder to get your dogs attention.

Take a look at this article to find out more Tips for Including Your Pet in Family Holiday Photos.  Happy Holiday’s from Abberly Crest Apartments.