Simple Snack Ideas for Game Night at Your Lake Oswego Apartment

• Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip – Chunk a block of Velveeta cheese; add a can of chili (without beans) and a can of diced mild jalapenos. Cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours and stir every hour or so. If the dip seems too thick, you can add a little milk to thin it out. Serve with sour cream and extra sliced jalapenos on the side, and you’ll have a warm, delicious chili cheese dip perfect for eating with tortilla chips or as a filling for flour tortillas.

• Easy Flatbreads – Most bakery departments offer a wide variety of flatbread and naan bread (Flat Out is one national brand). Top with your choice of marinara, barbeque sauce, cheese, veggies and diced deli meat, and bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes for a fast, easy flatbread snack that will look impressive and take only minutes to prepare. This is a snack but feels hearty enough to serve as a meal – especially when served with some fruit (see below).

• Fruit Skewers – Grab some pre-cut fruit and grapes from the produce department and skewer them. Serve with a premade fruit dip for an easy-to-eat, mess-free fruit snack. With all the other less-than-healthy snacks, it may make you feel good to eat something with some nutrition in it to keep you going with the gaming all night long.

Game night and every other night is even better when you have the perfect place to call home. Check out our currently available apartments in Lake Oswego at Kruseway Commons and schedule a walkthrough. 

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day by hosting a dinner party for your favorite people at your home in the prestigious Kruseway Commons Apartments in Portland. Impress your guests with a Valentine-themed dinner and make it fun by serving only pink and red foods. Make it a tad more casual by keeping with a finger-food theme! Here are a few fun food ideas for your Valentine’s Day dinner party for your favorite friends in Lake Oswego.

The Perfect Valentine Themed Dinner Party Fare Menu

• Ham, Cream Cheese, and Red Pepper Jelly Canapés – These delicious canapés are the perfect bite for a casual, finger-food dinner!
• Mini-Cheesy Potato Gratin Stacks – Inspired by a recipe from Julia Child, these irresistible potato gratin stacks are great for vegetarians!
• Deviled Eggs with Ham – Spice up your ordinary deviled eggs with a distinctive, savory flavor from delicious smoked ham.
• Pomegranate Chicken – With a taste of comfort in every bite, this slow braised chicken with pomegranate molasses and chilies will delight even the pickiest guests!
• Red Velvet Cupcakes – Quite possibly the perfect hand-held Valentine’s dessert, everyone is sure to love this heavenly treat!
• Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries – So simple, yet so elegant, these cheesecake-stuffed strawberries will be the talk of the party, for sure.
• Raspberry Rosé Collins – A great adult-beverage party drink, this delicious and refreshing Valentine concoction is sure to please everyone!
• Tequila Smash – A winning combination of tequila and fresh fruit, this tempting libation might be pretty, but it has a real bite—perfect for kicking your Valentine's party up a notch!
• Homemade Valentine Candy Gifts – If you would like to give your dinner party guests a Valentine’s favor to take home with them, check out these homemade candies you can make yourself!

We have the perfect space for entertaining at Kruseway Commons Apartments in Portland. We welcome you to check out the floor plans here and take a tour of the property at your convenience. If you’re looking for a new home, Kruseway Commons Apartments in Lake Oswego is the perfect choice for quality living in Metropolitan Portland’s most prestigious suburban landscape!

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Don't let the lack of daylight keep you from having a good time this winter. Invite your friends over and turn your apartment in Lake Oswego into a place of joy!

Ideas for Throwing the Ideal Winter Party

• Keep the guest list small, so you can have a more intimate setting. Around four to six guests should be the maximum number of guests.
• Take a chapter from the Nordic lifestyle and buy lots of candles of different sizes. Candles set the mood by helping guests relax and feel at home. A roaring fireplace also provides a bit of light therapy for you and your guests.
• Have some cocktails handy for guests when they arrive.
• Prepare appetizer trays ahead of time full of cheese or charcuterie displayed artfully on wooden cutting boards.
• Make soup the day before and heat it up in a pot while you are preparing your other dishes.
• Heat sliced and buttered bread in foil, then place in insulated cooler where it will remain hot for hours.
• Roast vegetables on a tray while preparing your main dish. Find some unusual or elegant vegetables such as colored beets or carrots to add that extra bit of color.
• Offer a variety of coffee and teas between dinner and dessert. This allows guests to mingle, let their food settle, and look around.
• Find a dessert that is already made and requires just a little extra garnish or a scoop of ice cream. Pie, pavlovas, cheesecake are all examples of perfect desserts that pair well with a sprig of mint, a touch of chocolate syrup, a few berries, or some enticing ice cream.
• Make little takeaway favors for your guests. Have the favor be related to the dinner, whether it be a special syrup you poured over dessert, a cocktail rum, or a special, fresh-roasted coffee you brought back from your trip to Panama. Make sure to include a tag with the name of the ingredient and a recipe for how to use it.

If you are looking for an apartment in Lake Oswego, call our office today to see which floor plans we have available. Our apartments are great for entertaining and dining with friends.

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Champagne Bar 

People generally only drink champagne for toasts, or maybe just as a precursor to a pre-dinner dance. But champagne bars can really open people's eyes up to the beauty of the bubbles. With a little imagination and planning, you can set up a variety of brands and flavors to give guests a better idea of what they're missing. Infuse the champagne with your favorite fruits, get a few expensive bottles to compare against the mid-priced bottles, or have people vote on their favorites. Whatever you do, don't forget to clink your glasses during the fireworks!

Costume Challenge 

There are a number of moments to celebrate when it comes to our nation's history, so why not celebrate them by getting more into the spirit of it all? A costume party doesn't mean that everyone has to dress up as Betsy Ross or Uncle Sam, and no one has to wear stilts! Give people a 1776 theme, and then watch how they try to outdo one another with cool costumes. It may not be Halloween, but that doesn't mean people won't want to dress up. Give out a few fun prizes for the winner, and let everyone know to keep their choices classy and cool!

Our Lake Oswego apartments give you the opportunity to entertain guests in a place you're proud to call your own, no matter what holiday you happen to be hosting. If you're looking for a community that's as chic as you are, it's time to give Kruseway Commons a call. Our apartment homes are practically tailor-made to leave a lasting first impression on both you and your party guests. Talk to us for more information about our available floor plans today!

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Select a Variety of Cheeses

Cheeses come in a large variety of flavors and textures, so include the ones that best complement the other culinary aspects of your gathering. If you're hosting a wine tasting with a focus on Pacific Northwest white wines, for instance, keep the cheeses fairly white and light so they won't clash with the wines. If you're serving a rich red meat roast as an entrée at a dinner party, make sure your cheese board has plenty of hearty cheddar cheese. However, always keep in mind that extremely heavy, strong-smelling cheeses may overpower others if they are placed in too close proximity to them, so keep your strong cheeses confined to a separate plate.

Use a Separate Knife for Each Cheese

Always ensure that each type of cheese is provided with its own cheese knife that is kept separate from the others. Be sure to have sharp knives such as paring knives for aged, hard cheeses. If you don't have special cheese knives for soft cheeses, use butter knives. You should also label each cheese so that guests don't have to keep asking you what they are. 

Provide Accompaniments 

Even the best cheeses should be served with accompaniments such as nuts, honeys, breads, fruit, and crackers. These provide texture, flavor, and interest, so be sure to have plenty on hand. You can also have a selection of cured meats, smoked salmon, and condiments such as gourmet mustard and berry preserves—don't be afraid to be creative. You'll have plenty of local ingredients, including hazelnuts, fruit compotes, and smoked salmon to choose from. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience for more information about our community and floor plans! 

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Rustic Charm

You don’t have to pull out the fine china this year. Instead, you can use natural centerpieces and give your entire event a more laid back feel. Use an arrangement of gourds, Indian corn, small pumpkins and squash. You can also incorporate wheat, pinecones and other natural elements as well.

Copper Coated Coloring

Thanksgiving is filled with rich oranges, reds and copper colorings. Bring that copper flair to your table by covering artificial fruits, like pomegranates or oranges, with copper leaf. They are easy to create, and you can use them over and over again. You can also use them for other holidays as well. Use skewers to prop the fake fruits in Styrofoam to coat and allow them to dry. They are affordable but look expensive — a perfect way to impress the in-laws.

Vintage Touches

Flowers are definitely a go-to option when it comes to an easy centerpiece. Use flowers with lots of oranges and reds to go with traditional fall colors. Then, instead of using a vase, try using an old watering pail, wooden spools, or unique buckets to add some flair to an otherwise traditional centerpiece. Mix in dried branches and leaves as well.

Pumpkin Vase

Pumpkins can make great vases if prepared correctly. All you have to do is find a pumpkin that will hide a flower vase, cut a hole in the top large enough to fit the vase and remove the pumpkin innards. These pumpkin vases are showstoppers when paired with the right Thanksgiving-inspired flowers (think deep orange and red roses). You may also want to use a foam block with water so you can arrange the flowers just how you like them.

Many of our floor plans offer ample space for a homey Lake Oswego Thanksgiving dinner. Visit our website for more information.

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• Set the right mood. The host helps create an inviting atmosphere with his or her attitude. Do most of the meal prep and cooking beforehand so that you can sit back and relax with your guests. Have a drink before the party to loosen up. A good time is contagious and it starts with the host. Casual and more formal gatherings also benefit from a set playlist to create the ambiance that you desire. Engage your guests but don’t monopolize the conversation. Help guests find shared interests and feel at ease at the party.
• Prepare meals you know. The day of the dinner party is not the day to attempt a new recipe. Have a few recipes that are proven no-brainers to reduce the probability of a last-minute issue. Test-drive any new recipes prior to the gathering to ensure that they come out as expected and are worth the effort.
• Set an inviting table. Bring out the china and silverware for your adult guests. Unless the dinner party is an outdoor event or barbecue, guests will enjoy a nicely laid out table with crystal, china, crisp linens and a few tasteful candles. Guests experience pleasure with their eyes as well as with the taste of the meal and conversation.

Spacious Lake Oswego Apartments Offer Luxury Amenities

Kruseway Commons apartments bring residents luxury suburban living with direct access to Metropolitan Portland. Residents enjoy spacious floor plans with fireplaces, open kitchens and dramatic high ceilings. Additional amenities include a pool with year round spa, a clubhouse and fitness center. Enjoy access to all of your preferred urban activities while residing in your own private suburban oasis at Lake Oswego apartments. Contact Kruseway Commons at (844) 222-2681 for a tour.

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