Blog Posts

Gratitude

Thanksgiving is coming up, and this month the St. James Place Blog is all about gratitude. There are a lot of things to love about this time of year — it’s getting chillier, you can finally wear your favorite sweaters again, and a huge home cooked meal is on the menu — but our favorite thing about fall is the opportunity to remember all of the things we’re grateful for! In this post, we will be featuring a few of the benefits of gratitude, and we have a few suggestions to help you express and feel gratitude this month. The benefits of gratitude have been well recorded. Grateful people are happier, healthier, get a better night’s sleep, and recover from traumatic events more quickly than their less-grateful counterparts. Adding a little gratitude into your life can really benefit your life, and it can make you a happier and more cheerful person. You can read more about the benefits of gratitude here , here , and here . Now that you know a few of the benefits of gratitude, we have a few ideas to help you cultivate gratitude in your life this month. Keeping up a gratitude countdown calendar is one easy way to remember what you are grateful for. Write down one thing you are grateful for every day until Thanksgiving. By the time Thanksgiving comes along, you’ll have a whole list of things to be grateful for. Of course, you could also keep a gratitude journal year round, write a note to someone you are grateful for, or reach out to an old friend to express your gratitude, as well. Make sure that the people in your life know that you’re grateful for their friendship and support. You could even bake cookies, take a mentor out to lunch, or throw a party for the people you feel closest to. The most important thing to remember is to make sure that the people you love know how much you care for and appreciate them. We hope you’ve enjoyed our post! Let us know about any Thanksgiving events coming to Milwaukee, WI this month. Thanks for reading!

Movie Marathon

In this post, the St. James Blog is featuring four classic movies and one upcoming movie that we think you will enjoy. There’s nothing like curling up with a good movie, settling down with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and watching a movie on a chilly fall day. The leaves are changing here in Milwaukee, there’s a slight bite in the air, and we are ready to relax! We hope that you enjoy our post! The Wizard of Oz (1939) Dorothy escapes a tornado only to wake up in the magical world of Oz. She must defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz before she can find her way home to Kansas. On the way, she befriends the heartless Tin Man, the courage-less Lion, and the brainless Scarecrow. Sing along to classic songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” while you’re watching this classic film. The Shop Around the Corner (1940) Before there was You’ve Got Mail (1998) there was The Shop Around the Corner . Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak are feuding employees working at a small shop in Budapest. They can’t stand each other. When Alfred discovers that the girl he’s been writing (and falling in love with) is actually Ms. Novak, it sends his personal and professional lives into a tailspin. Singing in the Rain (1952) Don Lockwood is a silent movie star who’s thrown into talking pictures, or “talkies,” after the tremendous success of the “speaking” film The Jazz Singer (1927). He tries his hand at adapting the picture he’s been working on — The Dueling Cavalier — into a musical called The Dancing Cavalier . The only problem? His spoiled and screechy-voiced co-star Lina Lamont. Roman Holiday (1953) Ann is a crown princess who — out of courage and boredom and a need to escape her confining life — sneaks out of her country’s embassy to explore Rome for a day. She meets Joe Bradley, a newspaper reporter disguised as a salesman, and he shows her around town. What started out as a chance to get the scoop of his life turns into a starry-eyed romance. La La Land (2016) An aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) meet and fall in love in L.A. You’ll love this throwback tribute to the golden age of movie musicals. The Guardian says, “ La La Land is such a happy, sweet-natured movie – something to give you a vitamin-D boost of sunshine.” It comes out December 2, 2016. What are your favorite fall movies? Leave us a comment, and let us know. Thanks for reading!

Better Breakfast Month in Milwaukee

It’s September now, which means that it’s time to celebrate Better Breakfast Month! There’s quite a few great little restaurants around Saint James Place apartments in Milwaukee where you can grab a delicious breakfast; we’ve gathered a short list of a few of them and some reviews from Yelp to give you an idea of what you’ll find at each. Let us know in the comments which place is your favorite; or, if you have your own favorite breakfast place, share it with us! Allgauer’s in the Park “Salads and such kind of light food served. Very clean place and very kind and helpful staff. And the thing that makes this place great for [travelers] is a breakfast. [It] truly offers a wide range of selections from American taste to continental (European) up to even Scandinavian taste. All from bacon up to fresh fruits.” — Henrik E. Ally’s Bistro “Breakfast at Ally's-what a treat! Visiting from out-of-town, we decided that chain restaurants were just not for us. Luckily, we found Ally's Bistro. The Southwest Wrap is a tantalizing combination of black beans, cheeses, salsa, red onions, ham, and eggs, all bundled up in a cheddar-jalapeño wrap. The coffee selection offers a range of options in strength and flavor, and the staff is top-notch. Amazing taste, amazing service, and amazing price. If you find yourself in the area before 11 a.m., be sure to get breakfast at Ally's. You won't regret it!” — Christine E. Cafe Agora “Was in Area and counted on YELPERS reviews! Thank You! Great Experience. 10:30am... When walking in the Owner acknowledged us, even when Checking.out other customers A Good Start! Waitress - Great!, very Informative and Accommodating. Ordered Bacon Waffle with Side of Berries and Sausage. Wow! Hit the Spot! Hot and fresh! Nothing Bad Here! [Very, very friendly…] Great Experience. Go try this Place!” — Jo P.

August Holiday Recipes

You might be wondering what holidays there are to celebrate in August. Well, there’s the tastiest kinds of holidays: food holidays! August has quite a few: the 1st is Raspberry Cream Pie Day, the 3rd is Watermelon Day, the 6th is Mustard Day, and the 21st is Spumoni Day. Oh, and let’s not forget that August is National Peach Month and National Catfish Month! We’ve gathered some recipes to help you celebrate each of these holidays; maybe you can get together with your neighbors at St. James Place apartments in Milwaukee to have an August foods dinner! Or just make them throughout the month as you have the time. These recipes and their descriptions come from Allrecipes.com. Peaches: Peach Omelet "This omelet smells and tastes great. My friends beg me to fix it after I've bought a basket of peaches at the farmer's market." Watermelon: Watermelon Soup "What could be better on a hot summer day than a cool soup made with fresh watermelon and mint?" Catfish: Catfish Cakes "If you like Maryland Crab Cakes you'll love these. Plus, catfish is cheaper than crabmeat." Mustard: Mustard Chicken "Chicken breasts coated with mustard and French fried onions, then baked. So simple, so 'magnifique'! You can vary the type of mustard to get different flavors. This goes great with rice or potatoes." Raspberry Cream Pie: Chocolate Raspberry Cloud "This pie won First Place in the Pie for the New Millennium Category at the American Pie Council's 2000 National Pie Championship. Emily chose this recipe because it is quick, easy, and impressive for special occasions, just right for the busy lifestyles of the new millennium. To make this recipe even quicker, use a store bought chocolate cookie crust. When ready to serve, drizzle raspberry syrup on each plate." Spumoni: Spumoni Chocolate Chip Cookies "This is an Italian-inspired twist on an American tradition. My family loves spumoni ice cream, so I decided I'd try to alter my chocolate chip recipe to fancy them. In this creation, cherries and pistachios liven up already delicious chocolate chip cookies." Have any of your own favorite recipes that use August foods in them? With so many holidays to choose from, there’s no shortage of options. Let us know your favorites in the comments!

Swimming Pool Safety

One of the perks to enjoy while living at Saint James Place Apartments is the access to the swimming pool, hot tub, and jacuzzi. Whether you swim laps in the pool for exercise, or simply relax in the hot tub after a long day, its good to review swimming pool/hot tub safety guidelines, and that is the topic of todays blog post. Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines Never swim alone. It is common sense, if you are by yourself and get into trouble, no one is there to help you out of the pool. Swim with a buddy. As a matter of public health, not to mention common courtesy, shower before you get into the pool. Clean bodies going in mean less bacteria or other matter to contend with. Also, if you are taking a baby or toddler into the pool, please use a specially designed swim diaper, and dispose of it appropriately too. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are diving into the pool, check the depth before you plunge headfirst into the water. Dont dive into a group of swimmers. Watch out for others personal space. Be considerate. Keep all of your stuff neatly together. You dont want your pile of things to be what the kind who is running (instead of walking like he should) be what he trips over. Hot Tub Safety Guidelines Shower or bathe with soap before entering the hot tub; this will help decrease the risk of bringing harmful bacteria into the hot tub with you. During lightning/thunder storms, stay out of the hot tub. We do not need anyone to be electrocuted. Do not use glass containers in or around a hot tub. Glass shards are nearly impossible to find in a hot tub, dont risk breakage and injury. Observe time limits posted for the number of users and the amount of time to safely spend in the hot tub. Infants, and children up to the age of five should not be allowed in hot tubs; pregnant women are also cautioned against spending time in hot tubs, especially during the first trimester. Do not drink alcohol before or during, a hot tub session; save the drinks for after the soak. Enjoy using the pool and hot tub this summer at St. James! Do you have additional tips for swimming/hot tubbing safety? If so, please share in the comments. And thanks for reading todays blog post.

Summertime Fun Time

Summertime is upon us, and that means more time outdoors, lighter fare for dinner, and staying out later. In todays blog post we will be featuring some great outdoor lawn games, summer salads, and picnic fare to take to the park. So pack up the croquet set and your picnic basket, and head on out. Lawn Games Croquet Croquet can be played by two or four players. The object of the game is to hit your ball through a course of six hoops in the right sequence in each direction and finish by hitting them against the centre peg. A portable game, its perfect for taking along on a picnic. Bocce Bocce, or lawn bowling as it is sometimes called, was brought to America by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. The game dates back to 4000 B.C. Early versions of the game were believed to have been played in Egypt, Asia Minor, and Rome. Every region has different rules for the game, but these guidelines focus on rules for playing backyard bocce . Summer Salads To get you started, we like this super-easy summertime Tomato/Avocado/Cucumber Salad. 1 avocado cut into small chunks 1 cucumber peeled and cut into chunks 1 basket cherry tomatoes 1 bunch of green onions minced Mix together and let chill. Just before serving, add a garnish of chopped cilantro and 4-8 oz of a hard cheese, cubed. Another great make-ahead, versatile-ingredient salad that always gets rave reviews: Layered Green Salad from the Cutestuff Cooks blog. Antipasto Salad with Bocconcini and Green Olive Tapenade by Nancy Silverton Picnic Fare For a simple but filling picnic that you can get at the grocery store on your way to the park, grab a loaf of French bread, a package of American cheese slices, and a cluster of grapes. Instant picnic. Add your favorite beverage, and if youre wanting to splurge and go all out, get some fried chicken from the deli. However, if you want to do a full-fledged, old fashioned picnic, it will take some preparation. All of these recipes can be prepared a day ahead of time: Fried Chicken , Potato Salad , and Chocolate Cake . Add some buttered rolls and a beverage, and dinner is served. Enjoy the summer! Please feel free to share your summer adventures in the comments.