New Years Eve Plans for 2014!

Boston offers a multitude of options for New Year’s Eve, but where should you go?

Before you pick a place to go, please, remember that the MBTA and Commuter Rail is free and running until 2 a.m., so you have options to get home safely! You can take the Worcester Line back to Central, Mass.

Now, for our young professionals that may be looking for a party in downtown Boston, we have a few suggestions. If you’re looking for an “Average Joe” type party with no ticket or cover charge then check out the Mass Ave Tavern. You do not have to get dressed up as it is just a casual dress code. 

Now, if you are looking to hang out with the “Who’s who of Boston,” and want to dress to impress then we recommend Studio 57 at the Revere Hotel. Studio 57 is a bit expensive, but we can help you save some money! If you have a group of four people or more buying tickets, you can get $20 off your ticket prices on EventBrite.com. We also have a 25% promo code for you to use to save some more money. The promo code is: 57. 

If those options aren’t what you re looking for you can search more options on EventBrite.com, and you can buy tickets to almost anywhere in Boston on Event Brite’s website.

For those of you who would like to stick locally, Worcester also has several options for your New Year’s festivities.  For only $2 you and your family can go ice-skating in Worcester on the Oval at Worcester Common.

If you’re looking to go out with a bang, the Beechwood Hotel is having a Back to the Future Ball. There will be several local DJs performing, and ticket prices are $50. 

The Perfect Holiday Cookie Recipes!

Whether you have been invited to a cookie swap, deemed in charge of a plate of cookies at your neighbor's party, or are baking for your kids' teachers - it is not too early to warm up your ovens. Cookies freeze great or everyone is ready to eat them now - so get baking!

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

PEANUT BUTTER KISS BLOSSOMS

Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 white sugar (for rolling), 1 package of unwrapped heresy kisses
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In large bowl cream together butter, both sugars and peanut butter (can use stand mixer). Add egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and then add to butter mix. Refrigerate dough in bowl for 30 minutes. Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in white sugar. Place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 9-10 minutes or until cookies are just slightly brown. Remove from oven and press a Kiss into each cookies. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to cooling racks.

HOT COCOA COOKIES (Every day with Rachael Ray Magazine)

In a medium saucepan, melt together:
- 1 stick unsalted butter & 12 oz chopped semisweet chocolate (bars)
Stir frequently over medium heat until smooth. Let cool for 15 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsps baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt. Using an electric mixer, beat together:
- 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 3 eggs at room temp, 1 1/2 tsps pure vanilla extract
Beat on low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in the cooled chocolate mixture just until blended. Add the flour mixture in 2 batches, mixing on low speed until just combined. Refrigerate the dough for a least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll between your palm and form 1 inch balls, space 2 inches apart. Flatten balls slightly. Bake until the tops of the cookies crack, about 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the 7.5 oz of semisweet chocolate into 1 inch squares. Snip 8 large marshmellows in half crosswise and stick 1 square of chocolate on each of the cut sides.

Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and gently press a marshmallow, chocolate side down into each cookie. Bake until marshmallows are just softened, about 4 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes.

Grate 5 oz of semisweet chocolate over the hot cookies. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to the racks and let cool. When repeating, bake each patch on a clean sheet of parchment.

RASPBERRY ALMON LINZER COOKIES
Ingredients: 2/3 cup almonds, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned leveled), 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temp, 1 large egg, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar, 1 12-oz jar of raspberry jam
Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant (6-8 minutes), let cool. In a food processor, process the almonds and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar until the almonds are finely ground. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and reamining 1/4 cup brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the almond mixture, then the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix)

Divide the dough in half, shape into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly-floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2 to 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Using a 3/4 to 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers from half of the cookies. Reroll and cut the scraps as necessary.

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Sprinkle the confectioners' sugar on the cookies with the holes. Spread 1 tsp jam on the remaining cookies and top with the sugared cookies.

Things to Do: Winter Edition!

The temperature is going down and the idea of leaving your warm apartment or condominium is more daunting than ever.  For those of you bold enough to travel outside the confines of your luxury residence, we've compiled a list of winter activities worth leaving the house for:

Traditional Outdoor Fun

- Skiing.  Whether you are a pro-skier that doesn't have the time to travel to a more northerly destination, or if you have never even seen a pair of skis, Ward Hill, Nashoba Valley and Wachusett Mountain offer great, local options for skiers of all experience levels.  Ward Hill located just across town on Main Street, has lift ticket prices starting at $28, and Nashoba, close by in Westford has tickets beginning at $43 - these are great for those new to the sport offering ski school as well as beginner level slopes. 

Wachusett Mountain is a quick drive and a great mountain for the experts down to the beginners.  Be sure to check out their events including the Polar Express Celebration on December 22nd or their New Year’s Eve celebration.

-Ice Skating. If you, or your kids, would prefer to skate, The Worcester Common Oval is now open for the season!  This unique outdoor rink is located behind City Hall on the Common in Worcester.  It is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon - 2 p.m. and has extended hours during school vacation weeks.

 If you prefer the warmth of skating indoors, visit the Buffone Skating Arena in Worcester.  The Arena is open for public skating on Sundays, from 2-4 p.m.; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 p.m.- 2 p.m. and Saturdays 2 p.m.-4 p.m.  Skate rentals are available.

-Sledding. If you're feeling even more adventurous, go sledding or better yet, go tubing at Ward Hill or Nashoba Valley Ski Area.  Both have great Tubing Parks.  TubaSlide at Ski Ward has up to 8 lanes and 2 lifts.  Participants must be at least 6 years old and 42" tall.  Tickets start at $22 for a day of fun. 

Indoor fun

-Get fit with hot yoga or rock climbing.  Yes, you can do these two activities anytime but the cold weather makes working out and staying healthy that much harder.  Why not try something new, fun and warm instead of running outdoors every day?  Try the Central Rock Gym in Worcester or try hot yoga at Bikram Yoga Studio in Westboro.

-Museums.  A trip to the museum may be the easiest and most intellectual way to enjoy a chilly day.  We know the museums tend to be a little on the expensive side, so join the Shrewsbury Public Library to have access to discounted passes to a variety of museums in our area including the Ecotarium in Worcester, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Isabella Steward Gardner Museum and the MFA in Boston. 

-Get in the Holiday Spirit.  There are tons of local spots to wrap up your holiday shopping.  One of our favorite spots for unique finds both old and new is Crompton Collective and Birch Alley both located in Kelly Square in Worcester.  Great places to shop for unique gifts and hostess treats. 

If you are feeling holly and jolly, head over to the town Common on December 23rd at 7 p.m. for an evening of Caroling with Shrewsbury residents and neighboring towns. 

Just because its cold doesn't mean you have to bored and miserable!  There are plenty of things to do in the Shrewsbury area to keep you entertained no matter what your preferences are.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for a New Baby

Preparing your home for your first child is a daunting task, so it is best to begin as early as you can. You want to bring your newborn into the safest environment possible and with these easy tips, you can get your home ready for your new arrival.

- Choose which room will be the nursery.  Although you will find when registering that babies come with a lot of equipment, their nursery does not require much space.  Consider the space needed for a crib, changing table and a glider.  If possible, choose a room that is more than a wall away from your main living space to avoid noises and other distractions to the baby while sleeping.

- Consider the changes that need to be made to your master bedroom as well since your little bundle will likely be sharing your bedroom for the first few months.  You do not want to turn your room into a nursery, but you want to maintain a peaceful place to care for your newborn all hours of the night.  This might mean adding a small rocking chair or storage for feedings and changes.

- Shop for the big items early so that you can have your nursery designed and setup prior to the final trimester, when you will want to feel rested and prepared. There are so many crib and changing table options, be sure to research safety features – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has valuable information to help you make these decisions.  If possible, splurge on a non-toxic eco-friendly crib mattress.

- Your baby will spend so much time in his or her crib, it is a worthwhile investment. 

- It is never too early to start child proofing your home.  From outlet plugs to gates, and cabinet locks to furniture anchors, start now, because you will be much too busy once your baby is moving!

The Commons are conveniently located close to some great baby and furniture stores Carter’s and Babies R Us in Northborough, Once Again Kids and Wild Orchid Baby in Shrewsbury! Time to start shopping and start preparing!