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Summer is knocking on the door of our Lake Oswego, OR apartment community, and we can't wait to see the gardens growing on the balconies of our residents' spaces. If you're considering starting your own summer garden, here are some tips to ensure your veggies grow up healthy and strong.
1. Know the Rules
Before you start hanging planters from your balcony railings, check with your management office to see if there's anything you're not permitted to do. The last thing you want is to grow a beautiful garden that's against the rules.
2. Measure Your Railings
Railing planters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Make sure you measure your balcony railing before you make any purchases to ensure your planters-of-choice will properly fit where you want them to go.
3. Read the Seed Packets
Seed packets will tell you how far apart to plant each seed. They'll also give you guidance as to how deep to plant them in the soil and how patient you'll need to be before you see the first signs of sprouts. Veggies tend to take around two months or so before harvest, depending on the plant, but the excitement really begins once you see those first glimmers of life appear through the soil.
4. Plant Inside if Necessary
Some seeds should be planted indoors to start the germination process. The seed packet should tell you if this is your plant's preferred method of growth. If this is the case, plant them in cardboard egg cartons and keep them well-watered. When they're ready to be translated to a pot outside, you can plant their cardboard holders with them; they'll biodegrade as the summer goes on.
5. Do Your Research
All plants are not created equal. Some of your veggies will be super thirsty and require a lot of water, while others may drown if they get daily attention. If you're unsure, check out a few YouTube videos before you start watering. Remember, you can always add more water, but it's hard to undo an over-watering fiasco.
If you're looking for a Lake Oswego apartment that offers balconies that are perfect for summer planting, we're glad you've found Kruseway Commons! Give us a call to learn more about our community!
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Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a great place to live all year. The location is fantastic, and the summer weather here is mild compared to much of the country. Even still, some summer days can get a little toasty.
Summer is also a great time for entertaining. When you entertain, you’ll need dessert, of course! But no one wants to crank up the oven on those warm summer days. That’s why we’ve gathered these three awesome summer desserts that you can make at home, all without heating up your kitchen.
Can’t Go Wrong With No-Bakes
No-bake cookies are a perennial favorite and for good reason. They are the perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats, giving you a delicious chewy, gooey mixture of flavors. We like this recipe from the website Live Well, Bake Often. You do need to heat up the mixture on the stove, so there is a small amount of heat involved. It shouldn’t be enough to make a difference in your apartment, though.
Homemade Popsicles are Easier Than You Think
A favorite for kids and adults alike on a hot day, popsicles will be a hit at your next gathering. What’s better than store-bought pops? Homemade, of course. First, pick up a popsicle mold from Amazon (or just use shot glasses if that’s more your style). Pour in your preferred fruit juice and mix in some fruit puree, whole blueberries or diced fruit. Mix in some applesauce for a smoothie-pop consistency. Freeze and enjoy!
Hosting an adults-only gathering? Try adding your favorite booze to the process above.
No-Bake Cheesecake, Twice as Fast
You can make this no-bake cheesecake in about half the time as the real deal, and since there are no eggs in it, you’ll never have to turn on the oven. The filling is made from whipped cream, cream cheese, sour cream, and lemon juice. The crust? Just crushed graham crackers and butter.
These summer desserts are sure to please, and you don’t have to worry about your kitchen heating up from using the oven. And if you’re looking for apartments in Lake Oswego, Oregon, look no further than Kruseway Commons. Reach out today to learn about the luxurious amenities we offer.
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Summer's here, and with that comes vacations, visiting family, and kids home all summer long. How do you keep your home organized during all the chaos? Here are a few tips to help keep your home and life sane during the hot summer months.
How to Keep Your Home Organized This Summer
- Set up a family calendar. If everyone uses the same operating system of smartphone, consider Google Calendar or iCal to coordinate everyone's activities through invitations. If you have one or two people who tend to surprise everyone with last-minute plans, make sure they understand that if they don't put it on the calendar, it may not happen.
- Keep up your usual routine. Though it's very easy to let things go for a week while the kids decompress when school lets out, that's an easy way to set a bad precedent for the entire summer. Stick to your routine and make sure everyone else knows that they're expected to as well. Don't be afraid to crack down on summertime privileges if they don't keep up!
- Set up areas when packing for trips. I always thought my mother was a little crazy for keeping a basket out to collect things in for a couple of weeks before vacations, but it turns out mom knew best. Whether it's a basket or box, start gathering your things a few at a time to keep last-minute packing sane and down to a minimum.
- Plan activities in advance. If you're considering going to a music festival, put it on the above-mentioned calendar. Big game one weekend? Make sure to get tickets well in advance. Shipping the kids to grandma's house for a week? Get those plane tickets arranged now. By making plans ahead of time, you won't be scrambling at the last minute, but will simply be following along with what's already set up.
By putting these tips into practice, you can enjoy a much more relaxing, easygoing summer than you may otherwise experience. If you're trying to find the perfect Lake Oswego, OR apartments, look no further than Kruseway Commons to find the perfect amenities for your lifestyle. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to find out about availability.
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It’s almost summer, which means it’s officially outdoor entertaining season. Get ready to throw some burgers on the grill and invite over the friends and family for an evening of fun outdoors. Of course, you’ll definitely need to have a cocktail or two on hand to keep everyone refreshed. If you need a few ideas before you invite guests to a soiree at your Oswego, OR, apartments, try one of these delicious cocktails that are sure to please.
Strawberry Wine Punch
This simple punch only has three ingredients and some strawberries for a garnish. Mix it up in no time for a fruity, summery drink that guests will love.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ liter of lemon-lime soda, chilled
- 1 bottle of moscato, chilled
- 1 10-ounce can of frozen Bacardi strawberry daiquiri mix; make sure it’s thawed
- Some fresh strawberries to use for garnish
How to Make It:
Mix the daiquiri mix and wine in a large pitcher. Then add soda, mixing well. Pour over ice and garnish with the fresh strawberries.
Mint Vodka Limeade
Limeade is a summertime favorite, and while this cocktail takes a little more time, it’s so worth it. Mix it up ahead of time, and it’ll be ready to serve when it’s time to enjoy all your barbecue favorites.
What You’ll Need:
- 8 cups of cold water
- 8–16 ounces of vodka, to taste or desired strength
- 4 lemons or limes (use both for super great flavor)
- Limes and lemons for garnish, if desired
- ½ to ¾ cup of sugar or honey to sweeten, to taste
- Ice cubes
- Leaves from a medium-sized bunch of fresh mint
How to Make It:
Quarter the limes and/or lemons, placing in the blender with 2 cups of water, honey/sugar, half the mint leaves, and some ice. Blend until lemons/limes have been crushed and the mixture is whitish and foamy. Strain; then add the rest of the water. Stir in vodka to the desired strength. Serve over ice, garnishing with remaining lime slices and mint leaves.
Beach-Bum With Rum Punch
This is the adult version of fruit punch, and it’s super easy to throw it together ahead of time for your barbecue.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 can of lemonade
- 1 32-ounce bottle of orange juice
- 1 32-ounce bottle of cranberry juice
- 1 32-ounce bottle of pineapple juice
- 1 750-ml bottle of white rum
- 12 ounces of water
How to Make It:
Place the ingredients in a gallon-size pitcher or another container. Shake it up well to combine and refrigerate. Serve chilled with or without ice.
With these delightful, refreshing cocktails, your barbecue is sure to be a success. Do you have friends coming over looking for apartments in Oswego, OR? If so, have them contact our office today to find out what options are available.
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With summer here, cooking on the stove or with the oven can be too hot to handle. At the same time, eating chips straight out of the bag or getting take-out every night for dinner shouldn’t be your go-to options either!
Instead, why not stay healthy with some cool (and delicious) summer salads!
Here are 3 healthy summer salad recipes you can try:
1. The Classic Wedge
For something quick, classic, and super delicious, create a wedge salad.
You’ll need a wedge of iceberg or romaine lettuce (cut lengthwise to your desired size). Put the wedge on a plate or shallow bowl, add sliced red onions, sliced radishes, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, feta cheese, bacon crumbles, fresh chives and serve with blue cheese dressing!
2. Shaved Cucumber and Feta Delight
There’s nothing more refreshing than a cucumber in the summer!
For this Greek-inspired salad, shave a few English cucumbers into strips with a peeler, add a few halved and pitted Castelvetrano olives, some sliced green onions, and a mixture of 2 parts rice vinegar to 1 part extra virgin olive oil. Toss and top with fresh feta cheese!
3. Melon Salad
And finally, for a little “salad dessert,” consider this melon salad:
Grab a melon baller, a cantaloupe, a watermelon, and a honeydew melon. Create a mixture of melon balls with these melons, and add to a bowl (about 2 to 3 cups altogether).
Next, top with the following dressing: 1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, a few squeezes of fresh lime juice, salt, ground black pepper, a bit of crushed red pepper, and 2 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.
For some added flavor and crunch, add a few thinly sliced radishes and crumbled, cooked and cooled bacon.
For Healthy Summer Cooking, You Need the Right Kitchen
If you’re going to be making salads every day this summer (and why not!?), make sure you have the right kitchen to do so in. A spacious kitchen with functional and efficient appliances and tools can make all the difference.
At Kruseway Commons, our apartment kitchens are one of the biggest draws. Looking to relocate to the area? Call our offices today to see which Oswego, OR apartments floor plans are still available!
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The Fourth is going to be a fun event if you choose to go down the traditional grill/fireworks/beer road, but once in awhile, it's fun to switch it up a little. Red, white and blue streamers and decorations are nostalgic, but maybe you want to create a new tradition with a little flash of glamor instead. For a party with a little twist, try these fun Fourth of July ideas!
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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