Hello followers! Where I live has been hit with some snow AGAIN. Here is a fun article I recently posted with LongIsland.com to get you into the summer time spirit. (Even though, I know I already am thinking of summer!)
Tag: articles
Go for the Gold: Host a Watching Party for the 2014 Winter Olympics!
Hosting an Olympic Watching party this week? Here’s some great ways to incorporate friendly competition and sports games into your celebration!

DIY Winter Wedding Centerpieces – Simple, Fun & Cost Efficient
Hello followers! I am going to be writing the weekly wedding articles from now on with LongIsland.com, so I will be sharing them on here as well for all of you planning your big day. 🙂
For those of you braving the cold and planning a winter wedding, we have the perfect seasonal centerpiece ideas for your big day!

Tasty Apps & Snacks for Super Bowl Sunday
Check out my latest article on LongIsland.com:
Try a new Super Bowl appetizer this year and have your guests begging for the recipe!
- 20 small red potatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
- Toppings of your choice (bacon, cheese, sour cream, chives, etc.)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place potatoes, salt and olive oil in a large bowl until potatoes are thoroughly coated.
- Bake the potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet for about 20 minutes or until soft.
- Let them cool down slightly before cutting a small slit in the top of each and scooping out a portion of the inside.
- Place toppings of your choice inside each potato and serve while still warm.
- 1 box of red velvet cake mix
- ½ cup of butter
- 8 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 tbsp. of brown sugar
- ¾ cups of mini chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp. white chocolate chips
- Assorted crackers and cookies
- Beat the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar, brown sugar and cake mix until well blended.
- Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a football shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Un-wrap the cheese football and place on a serving tray. Use the white chocolate chips to make the laces on the football and cover the rest with mini chocolate chips.
- Serve with your choice of cookies or crackers.
- 2 pounds of chicken wings, rinsed clean
- ⅔ cup hot pepper sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper for taste
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Use aluminum foil to cover an entire sheet pan. Be sure to wrap around the edges also. Then spray the pan with non-stick vegetable oil.
- Spread the wings out evenly on the pan and lightly sprinkle salt and pepper over them. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, turn the wings over and let cook for an additional 20 minutes.
- While wings are baking, prepare a saute pan at low-medium heat. Combine the butter, salt, garlic pepper, cayenne pepper, hot pepper sauce and paprika in the pan. Allow the butter to melt then whisk for about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the wings are finished cooking, remove from oven and dump into the large bowl with the chicken wing sauce.
- Make sure to coat all the chicken with the sauce and allow the wings to sit for about 5 minutes before tossing again. After second toss, serve warm and enjoy!
- 1 box of mini bell peppers
- 1 log goat cheese
- 1 bunch of fresh basil
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. of balsamic vinegar
- Cut the tops off of the mini peppers and remove the insides.
- Place them on a baking dish and sprinkle with olive oil (optional)
- Roast at 400 degrees F for about 5-10 minutes or until peppers are browned
- Remove and let cool.
- Mix the goat cheese, basil and balsamic vinegar into a bowl.
- Stuff the peppers with the mixture and enjoy!
- 20 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed & drained)
- 8 oz. softened cream cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 envelope ranch dip mix
- 1 jar bacon bits
- 4 chopped green onions
- 10 inch flour tortillas
- Combine sour cream, cream cheese and mayonnaise into a mixing bowl.
- Beat in dip mix.
- Add bacon, spinach and green onion then mix thoroughly.
- Spread the mixture onto the tortillas, leaving a ½” space around the edge.
- Roll up each tortilla tightly and wrap each in plastic wrap.
- Chill for a couple of hours, or overnight.
- Once finished chilling, cut off the ends and cut into ½” slices before serving.
Safety Measures to Take While Preparing For A Snow Storm
My latest article with LongIsland.com due to today’s snow storm on Long Island.
Long Island residents are preparing themselves for the approaching snow storm that will be arriving today. The snow is predicted to be a large amount, so we have come up with some safety tips that will help you before, during and after the storm.
As a storm sets in, it is best to be fully prepared and take precautionary measures to avoid any harmful situations. This goes for on the road, your vehicle and inside your home. The American Red Cross states that an extremely important part of being well prepared is having a clear understanding of the assorted warnings and advisories that are reported.
- A Winter Storm Outlook means that storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days.
- A Winter Weather Advisory indicates that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous; and if proper precautions are taken, conditions should not be life threatening.
- A Winter Storm Watch is an alert that storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People should make preparations and stay informed about weather conditions.
- A Winter Storm Warning indicates life-threatening, severe conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People should take immediate steps to insure safety.
Once you and your family are prepared for the storm, take a look at some of our general tips on staying safe during the snowstorm:
- Be sure you are utilizing your heat properly inside your home to avoid any frozen pipes.
- According to NFPA and USFA, if you are using a space heater, be sure to turn it off and unplug it when it’s not being used.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home, household members can become ill with carbon monoxide poisoning and can be put at a serious risk for burns.
- Let your vehicle warm up before driving and be sure to check your tire pressure and battery which can both be affected by the cold air.
- Give your pets extra protection and don’t keep them outside. If they are unable to live in your home, be sure they have proper shelter outside that will keep them warm and safe during the storm.
- Have a first-aid kit on hand along with bottled water and a supply of non-perishable food.
- Be sure to stock up on supplies including batteries, flashlights, candles, matches and blankets.
- Be sure to feed your pets a little extra during the cold winter months so they have enough fueling calories to keep themselves warm.
- Be alert while driving at all times. Keep an eye out for black ice and for other drivers. Some don’t take the same precautionary measures as others. Stay as far back as possible from the driver in front of you so you will not have a problem if they stop abruptly.
A significant part of during-the-storm safety includes shoveling. Take a look at the following shoveling safety tips offered by The National Safety Council:
- Those over 40 years old or individuals, who are rather inactive, should be exceptionally careful.
- Do not shovel without a doctor’s permission if you have a history with heart trouble.
- Do not shovel while smoking or after eating.
- Shovel slowly! Shoveling can raise your heart rate due to all the lifting, so it is best to pace yourself and stretch out before doing the task.
- Shovel only fresh snow. The freshly fallen snow is easier to shovel than the packed-down snow.
- As you shovel, push the snow rather than lift it out of your way. This will make it much easier on your back.
- Use a small shovel so you don’t strain yourself by picking up too much.
- Don’t lift with your back, use your legs. By keeping your back straight and bending and “sitting” into the movement will keep your spine upright and less stressed.
- Do not work to the point of exhaustion. Take a break if you run out of breath.
- Dress warmly and be sure to cover the places that need extra attention including your nose, ears, hands and feet.
PSEG Long Island has already thought about the snowstorm aftermath. They are as well preparing themselves for the service of Long Island residents. As PSEG awaits the storm, they are preparing for quick responses to any resulting power outages by doing the following:
- Performing system checks on critical transmission & distribution equipment. This will arrange for contractors to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
- Logistic checks will be performed ensuring the availability of fuel and other critical materials and supplies.
- Coordinating with municipal and county emergency management personnel to inform them of the preparation work, what to expect and how the utility will respond.
Important Info to Keep on Hand
- LongIsland.com Weather Center
- School Closings on Long Island
- PSEG Long Island’s Power Outage Map & Information
- Local Police Department Directory
- Local Hospital Directory
- Long Island Traffic Center
[Source: NFPA, USFA, The American Red Cross, The National Safety Council, PSEG Long Island]
Bitter Cold Safety Measures – Your Home, Vehicle & On the Road
Safely keep warm this winter by checking out some of these helpful tips!
Not only is the bitter cold painful to deal with and have us all wishing for summer, but it can be dangerous as well. Not many realize how the drastic dip in temperature can become hazardous, and is important to take seriously. Make sure to take precautionary measures when the temperature drops as low as it has today on Long Island.
There are a couple of different things to keep in mind when the winter cold sets in, and temps drop below freezing. Your home, your car and the road during your morning commute all come into play when it comes to cold weather safety, and it is important to err on the side of caution when it comes to handling cold weather conditions.
In Your Home
When the temperature drops, most people crank up the heat in their home to take away the chill. Be sure you’re using your heat properly and that your pipes are safe. It is a good idea to let your faucets drip just a little, to assure that your pipes do not freeze. If you are using a space heater, be extra cautious when deciding where to place it. Keep it a couple of feet away from things that can catch on fire such as clothing, bedding or rugs. Be sure to turn it off and unplug it when you are finished using it because according to NFPA and USFA, space heaters are the leading cause of fires during the cold winter months. Instead of the space heater, some use their stoves or ovens to keep their house warm. I would not consider this an option, especially if you have a gas stove. It can cause the people in the household to become ill with carbon monoxide poisoning and can also put those at serious risk for burns. If you still feel the winter chill when you’re inside, try lighting a fire in the fireplace to help warm up a bit.
Your Pets
Another thing to keep a close eye on in the home, is your loving pets! They also need extra protection during the winter months, just like their owners. If your pet is unable to live inside your home, be sure they have proper shelter that will keep them toasty while outside. This can include a barn, shed or a dog house that is warm enough for them to sleep in. It is a good idea to feed them more than the usual amount so they have enough fueling calories to keep themselves warm. Also make sure to refill your pets water bowl every so often since the water can freeze up from the cool air. Check out some other helpful tips given by the Suffolk County SPCA on how to care for your furry friend during the winter.
Your Car
During the winter months, most let their vehicles heat up for a good amount of time before driving them. This should be a priority when the temperature dips this low since it can make it more difficult for your car to start. Plus, your car will run more efficiently once it has been heated up. If you have an older vehicle, it is a good idea to check the battery as well just to assure that the cold has not affected it. Falling temperatures can also cause your tire pressure to go down, so be sure to double check this before taking a long commute.
On the Road
Once the temperature falls, any water on the ground quickly turns to ice. Be alert while driving and be sure to pay attention for black ice and shiny spots on the road since we recently experienced snow that was melted from rainfall. It is also a good idea to be extra safe since others on the road may not have taken the safety measures that you have. Remember, an accident can be prevented if just one person was paying enough attention.
Taking the correct precautions can prevent threatening situations from occurring so make sure you utilize these tips this winter and the cold months years ahead. Share your knowledge with your loved ones to keep them from making a chilling mistake.
Hot Chocolate Recipes That Will Keep You Warm This Winter
Check out my new seasonal article on some unique hot chocolate recipes that are perfect for this winter! Recipes include: Nutella Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Hot Chocolate & Almond Joy Hot Chocolate. Check them out to make for the holidays or for your next big special event.
http://www.longisland.com/articles/12-16-13/simple-stovetop-hot-chocolate-recipes.html
The 20 Things You Need to Let Go to be Happy [Article]
This article was a good read and has some great tips!!
http://elitedaily.com/life/20s-things-you-need-to-let-go-to-live-happy-life/
Ecstatic
So, I need to share my excitement and brag for a minute. I work for a website, LongIsland.com and I published an article less than 24 hours ago and it has over 7,000 views! I have been with this company for a little over a year but mostly add their events and do some articles here and there. I would love to just do articles but everyone needs to start somewhere, right? I’ve never had this many views on any of my articles, and the other recent ones added by co-workers still have views in the hundreds. I’m so happy to finally feel like I’m getting somewhere with what I love to do. It took me awhile and I wasn’t even able to graduate after 5 years of college due to money issues, so this is huge for me! I, for once feel fulfilled at a job which I have never felt before. I’m looking to of course get my feet wet here and hopefully move to bigger and better things but I have nothing to complain about right now and it feels amazing. Had to share my happy thoughts! Have a good day people of Word Press. 🙂