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San Antonio Apartment Living: December 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re here to help you celebrate December. We’re highlighting an upcoming holiday, new movie releases, a board game to play with your loved ones, and more. Upcoming Holiday Highlight: National Letter Writing Day Did you know that December 7th is National Letter Writing Day? Sure, the physical writing of a letter may be an act that’s in decline, but we encourage you to make an exception this month. Before the internet and smartphones, writing letters was a major means of communication. There is no better time to get back to this tradition than this month — one well-known for a time of giving and thinking of others. Need some advice regarding this? Check out these tips for writing holiday letters . Movie Highlights: Mary Poppins Returns & Vice We’re excited to watch many movies this month, but especially Mary Poppins Returns and Vice. The following descriptions were found on IMDB.com . Mary Poppins Returns (December 19th) “Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.” Vice (December 25th) “VICE explores how a bureaucratic Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways still felt today.” Recipe Highlight: Hot Chocolate Just because we’re in San Antonio, TX doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a nice cup of winter’s favorite drink: hot chocolate. BA’s Best Hot Chocolate This drink looks incredibly tasty! These are the ingredients that you’ll need to make it: 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 3 cups whole milk, 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, 3 tablespoons demerara or granulated sugar, and lightly sweetened whipped cream. Click on the above link for further instructions. Board Game Highlight: The Resistance One of our favorite things to do this time of year is play board games with loved ones. Here’s a great game that up to 10 people can enjoy together: The Resistance . From the above link: “The Resistance is a party game of social deduction. It is designed for five to ten players, lasts about 30 minutes, and has no player elimination. The Resistance is inspired by Mafia/Werewolf, yet it is unique in its core mechanics, which increase the resources for informed decisions, intensify player interaction, and eliminate player elimination. “Players are either Resistance Operatives or Imperial Spies. For three to five rounds, they must depend on each other to carry out missions against the Empire. At the same time, they must try to deduce the other players’ identities and gain their trust. Each round begins with discussion. When ready, the Leader entrusts sets of Plans to a certain number of players (possibly including himself/herself). Everyone votes on whether or not to approve the assignment. Once an assignment passes, the chosen players secretly decide to Support or Sabotage the mission. Based on the results, the mission succeeds (Resistance win) or fails (Empire win). When a team wins three missions, they have won the game.” Something to Remember this Month... For many people, December is a month that’s packed with holiday shopping, gift giving, and time with friends and loved ones. No matter how you’re planning to celebrate during the month, may we make a few suggestions: First, make time for others. This is a given, and probably expected as you might be visiting relatives in the coming weeks. If you’re expecting visitors, take time out of your schedule to make them feel important. There’s a quote we love that goes something like this: People will take time to spend with you, friends will make time. Something to think about. Second, make time for yourself. Hey, this month can get busy and stressful. Don’t keep yourself too busy that you don’t find time for doing things that you love. We’re sure you can make some time to pick up that book you’ve been trying to read!

San Antonio Apartment Living: November 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re here to help you celebrate November. We’re highlighting a month-long celebration, an upcoming holiday other than Thanksgiving, a new movie release, and more. November Celebration Highlight: Peanut Butter Lovers Month If you love peanut butter, November may be your new favorite month. Why? It’s National Peanut Butter Lovers Month ! In honor of this celebration, we’re sharing a peanut butter inspired recipe with members of our apartment community Vegan Peanut Butter Milkshake For those looking for a healthier treat that incorporates your favorite ingredients, this recipe will have you itching for more. It’s sure to hit the spot. As the author says, “Oooooh this peanut butter milkshake is soooo good. It’s actually ridiculous how good it is. Don’t make this unless you’re ready for some serious indulgence.” We love that all it takes is vegan vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, non-dairy milk, and crushed peanuts! Upcoming Holiday Highlight: French Toast Day November 28th is French Toast Day, and what better way is there to celebrate than starting your day with a delicious and nutritious meal featuring the delectable goodness of French toast? The basic recipe of bread, eggs, a touch of milk, and perhaps a dash of vanilla can be enhanced in a variety of ways, including what type of bread to use and what to flavor it with. With that in mind, we are sharing one of our favorite French toast recipes! Banana Bread French Toast from All Recipes Transform your favorite banana bread into a rich and filling breakfast! Here’s what you will need: a loaf of banana bread, butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar for dusting. Top with sliced bananas, whipped cream, maple syrup, or any other toppings you’d like. Restaurant Highlight: Doña Tota Located seven minutes from our apartment community is Doña Tota , a haven for delicious gorditas. Take a break from the traditional fall flavors and embrace nearby Mexican cuisine. From the website: “We make authentic gorditas; by hand, for your hands — like Shredded Beef Deshebrada, Yucatan-style Chicken Pibil, and fresh Quesadilla de Panela served inside gorditas made from just corn flour and water. Hand toasted on a hot comal; never fried.” Movie Highlight: Bohemian Rhapsody We’re excited to watch the new Bohemian Rhapsody movie that came out this past weekend. Have you seen it yet? Here’s a description of the storyline as found on IMDB.com : “Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.” Board Game Highlight: Escape the Room We love to play board games. As you gather with loved ones throughout the holiday season, take some time to make new memories by playing an exciting game together. We have a suggestion: Escape The Room: Mystery at the Stargazer’s Manor . “Escape the Room games began as digital adventures and quickly turned into real-life events all around the world where players are locked in a room and must uncover clues and hidden objects to escape. ThinkFun’s version of Escape the Room allows you to bring all the excitement of these experiences into your very own home! “The Mystery: It’s 1869 and the town’s well-respected astronomer has not been seen since the untimely passing of his wife. Recently, strange things have been happening at his manor – loud and unfamiliar noises, an unpleasant smell, and smoke billowing from the observatory. It’s up to you and your guests to solve the mystery at the Stargazer’s Manor! “The Objective: Spend an evening working with your guests to solve puzzles, unlock hidden clues, and unravel the mystery of the Stargazer’s Manor. Will you and your guests be able to solve the mystery and save the astronomer before time runs out?”

San Antonio Apartment Living: October 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re here to help you celebrate October. Take the opportunity to get out and enjoy San Antonio and the best it has to offer. We have ideas for doing just that, whether you’re enjoying month-long celebrations, holidays, or you’re checking out a new movie or book. Read on to learn more about these topics in today’s blog post. October Celebrations Breast Cancer Awareness Month Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? There are many ways to bring awareness of breast cancer to the public. You can participate in a race dedicated to finding a cure, donate of your own money to the cause, or encourage your friends to get regular mammograms. Find a way you can help and raise awareness this month! National Cookie Month This month is National Cookie Month! Check out Great American Cookies , our local cookie store, for some delicious sweet treats! Get yourself some double fudge, snickerdoodle, or peanut butter supreme cookies for a decadent treat. Or pick up a cookie cake for a special occasion and share with your loved ones. If you want to stay in your apartment, use October as an excuse to make some of your own and enjoy with a nice cup of milk! Upcoming Holidays Fire Prevention Day (Oct 9th) October 9th provides us with an opportunity to remember the importance of fire safety. Make your home is a safe space by regularly making a routine check of your apartment. Throw away old wires you no longer use, keep matches and lighters out of reach of children, learn how to put out a fire in the kitchen, and report problems with alarms or any electrical issues you encounter in your home to our maintenance team. Never leave stoves or ovens unattended and always completely snuff out the flame of a candle before leaving a room. Frankenstein Friday (Oct 26th) Not only is Frankenstein’s monster featured on a postage stamp, but he also has his own day. That’s right — the last Friday of October is Frankenstein Friday. Make the most of it by watching a movie inspired by Mary Shelly’s story, which was the result of a writing challenge issued during a Swiss vacation Mary took with companions Percy Shelly (her future husband at the time), Lord Byron, and John Polidori. Celebrate! Host a Frankenstein movie marathon at your San Antonio apartment. We suggest starting with the 1931 film adaptation (the first one) which stars the legendary Boris Karloff as the iconic green-hued, bolt-nected, square headed monster. And be sure to include Mel Brooks’ comedy take, Young Frankenstein, which stars Gene Wilder as Frankenstein’s monster. (Many people confuse the character Victor Frankenstein, the scientist, with the monster. In Shelley’s original work, Frankenstein creates a monster.) Movie Suggestions Venom We suggest going to see Venom this month. It comes out in theaters on Friday, October 5th. Reporter Eddie Brock develops superpowers after becoming a host to an alien parasite. Are you excited to watch Venom ? Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween “Halloween comes to life in a comedy adventure based on R.L. Stine's 400-million-selling series of books.” Writer Rob Lieber is back with another adventure for the Goosebumps crew. Directed by Ari Sandel, this is a comedy suitable for the whole family. In theaters on October 12th. Halloween Mike Myers returns for a final encounter on October 19th in this epic sequel. “Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.” Buy your tickets today for a great weekend at the movies! Book Suggestions Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury “A carnival rolls in sometime after the midnight hour on a chill Midwestern October eve, ushering in Halloween a week before its time. A calliope's shrill siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two inquisitive boys standing precariously on the brink of adulthood will soon discover the secret of the satanic raree-show's smoke, mazes, and mirrors, as they learn all too well the heavy cost of wishes - and the stuff of nightmare.” The Outsider by Stephen King “An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.”

San Antonio Apartment Living: September 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re bringing our residents ideas for celebrating national holidays, enjoying movies coming to theaters, and making the most of the month in other ways. Read on to learn more about these topics in today’s blog post. September Celebrations National Italian Cheese Month September is National Italian Cheese Month. To celebrate, we’re making Mac & Cheese with an Italian spin! Check out this Super Simple Mac and Cheese Italian Style recipe from The Slow Roasted Italian . A note about the recipe: “[This] is a go to recipe around here. With just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes you can have this fantastic dinner on the table. It is the ultimate leftover and weeknight dinner helper.” National Honey Month Did you know that September is National Honey Month? We’re probably just as surprised as you are! To celebrate, learn more about our local beekeepers. The Honey Tree Beekeeping Service of San Antonio is a provider of locally harvested 100% raw honey that is absolutely delicious. Learn more about them by visiting their website or by clicking the link above: “We have a small orchard, and after getting a single deep body hive last spring for pollination, we discovered the true value of having a beehive just outside. We have spent hours watching our bees, busy at work collecting pollen & raising their young. Then came the bee pest, wax moths, small hive beetles & varroa mites. After extensive research… we solved our pest problem and we are excited to share the joy of having bees.” September Holidays Checkers Day — September 23rd Checkers Day is not about the classic board game. It “commemorates the famous ‘checkers’ speech made by Richard M. Nixon in 1952 after he received an adorable Cocker Spaniel as he sought election in 1952.” On this day, we celebrate dogs in politics. Whatever your party affiliation, many of us will agree that dogs can bring a smile to anyone’s day. Celebrate with us by posting on social media with the hashtag: #NationalCheckersDay or #DogsInPoliticsDay. Also, why not throw in a game of checkers or two just for fun? Also, if you like other board games, check out one of our favorite local game stores: Knight Watch Games . Confucius Day — September 29th On September 29th, take time to celebrate Confucius Day by opening a fortune cookie. Here is one of our favorite nearby places to find great Chinese food: Sichuan House is an incredible eatery with authentic Asian cuisine. With a variety of options to choose from, including Garlicky Cold Noodles (“si chuan liang mian”) and Homestyle Lo Mein (“jia chang lao mian”), your mouth will dance with flavors the moment you take a bite. Located just 4 minutes from our apartments. Movie Suggestions You can find the following titles and descriptions on IMDB.com . The Predator — September 14th “When a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.” The House with a Clock in its Walls — September 21st “A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.” Smallfoot — September 28th “A Yeti is convinced that the elusive creatures known as ‘humans’ really do exist.” Book of the Month What are you reading this month? Check out our top pick below: When the Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica “Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known. “Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined. “Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?”

San Antonio Apartment Living: August 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re bringing our residents ideas for celebrating national holidays, enjoying movies coming to theaters, and making the most of the month in other ways. Read on to learn more about these topics in today’s blog post. August Celebrations National Peach Month August is National Peach Month. To celebrate, we’re making Peach Cobbler as found on the Allrecipes website. Here’s a note from the Editor: “To use fresh peaches, you may substitute 4 cups peeled, sliced peaches for the canned peaches. To peel peaches, bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat. Carefully drop peaches into hot water; let stand for 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer peaches to an ice water bath; when peaches are cool enough to handle, skin will slip right off.” National Picnic Month We have the perfect way for you to celebrate National Picnic Month. Visit our local Jane Dubel Park ! “San Antonio parks give people an opportunity to spend time enjoying the outdoors, with fresh air, sunshine and exercise on tap for visitors. Take a walk, enjoy the scenery, and de-stress. Studies show people who spend time in parks will be sick less often, which means less time missing from school and work, as well as lower healthcare costs and better overall health. And it’s fun and refreshing. Visit a San Antonio park today! “Alcohol is prohibited; most amenities are on a first come, first serve basis. The Pavilion is available for private events with a reservation.” Jane Dubel Park is located just 7 minutes from Silver Oaks. August Holidays National Watermelon Day This annual celebration may have just passed us on Friday, August 3rd, but that’s not going to stop us from celebrating all month long. Have you ever made watermelon jerky? If you have a dehydrator, this is the perfect recipe to try it out in your apartment this month. Instructions for Watermelon Jerky : Cut watermelon and remove flesh from rind. Cut flesh into pieces as close to ¼" thickness as you can. Remove seeds if possible. Place on lined dehydrator trays and dehydrate at 135 degrees for ten forevers , or 18-24 hours, or until watermelon jerky is sufficiently dry and breaks when you bend it. Store in airtight container. National S’mores Day The Spruce Eats has a great take on the classic s’mores recipe. Instead of toasting the ingredients over an open fire, these Easy Baked S’mores are melted in the oven. “All it takes is three ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time to make these treats that would be perfect for a pajama party. But don't forget about the adults—they would be great on a passed dessert tray with an encouragement to eat them while warm.” Click the above link for more information about this recipe. Movie Suggestions The Spy Who Dumped Me “Audrey (Mila Kunis) and Morgan (Kate McKinnon), two thirty-year-old best friends in Los Angeles, are thrust unexpectedly into an international conspiracy when Audrey’s ex-boyfriend shows up at their apartment with a team of deadly assassins on his trail. Surprising even themselves, the duo jump into action, on the run throughout Europe from assassins and a suspicious-but-charming British agent, as they hatch a plan to save the world.” The Meg “After escaping an attack by what he claims was a 70-foot shark, Jonas Taylor must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible.” Book Suggestions What are you reading this month? Check out our top pick below: All the Light We Cannot See “Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. “In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.”

San Antonio Apartment Living: July 2018

Welcome to this month’s edition of San Antonio Apartment Living, brought to you by Silver Oaks, our apartments for rent in San Antonio, TX. This month we’re bringing our residents ideas for celebrating national holidays, enjoying movies coming to theaters, and making the most of the month in other ways. Read on to learn more about these topics in today’s blog post. July Celebrations National Blueberry Month July is National Blueberry Month. How do you plan on celebrating? We suggest making Lavender Blueberry Honey Ice Cream . Though an ice cream maker is required for this recipe, it’s worth the help and extra effort. But the prep and cook time is actually pretty quick. Drawing on the strong flavors of lavender essential oil, the ingredients (including heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, honey, and sugar) mix perfectly with fresh blueberries and vanilla. It’s a flavor that’s bound to impress your friends. National Ice Cream Month We have the perfect way for you to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. Visit our local ice cream shop, Dippin’ Dots today! “Taste the Fun! Dippin’ Dots is the original beaded ice cream treat - a fun twist on a classic favorite! Dippin’ Dots offers irresistibly fun ice cream, sherbet, ice and frozen yogurt products available in a variety of flavors. There is something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth at Dippin’ Dots! Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart Dippin’ Dots is a truly fun treat for everyone...” Dippin’ Dots is located just 5 minutes away inside the Ingram Park Mall. Upcoming Holidays National Fried Chicken Day Visit Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to celebrate National Fried Chicken Day this month! “Founded in 1972, Popeyes® owes its beginnings to entrepreneur and culinary innovator, Al Copeland. With one small restaurant and a big idea, Copeland introduced the New Orleans–style fried chicken that has now made the brand famous throughout the world. Popeyes culinary heritage is built upon the rich Cajun and Creole flavor profiles that are unmistakably Louisiana. We continuously draw upon and celebrate this heritage to inspire new, authentic menu creations the world craves. This unique and flavorful food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world’s largest chicken quick service restaurants, with over 2,700 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.” The nearest Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is about 9 minutes from Silver Oaks. Happy National Fried Chicken Day! National Cheesecake Day In Celebration of this month’s National Cheesecake Day, you’re invited to make this Strawberry Cheesecake Easy Ice Cream from Something Swanky. This recipe uses easy pre-made ingredients to make some seriously mind-blowing ice cream. The base is pretty standard — in fact, you could use it to make any number of flavors. For this recipe, you use store-bought strawberry filling and cream cheese to make the “cake” part of the mixture and Golden Oreo® cookies to make the crust. Mix it all together and freeze overnight for a treat as fresh, light, and breezy as a summer’s night. Movie Suggestions Mission: Impossible - Fallout “Ethan Hunt and his IMF team find themselves in a race against time after a mission goes wrong.” Ant-Man and the Wasp “Scott Lang is grappling with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. Approached by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym, Lang must once again don the Ant-Man suit and fight alongside the Wasp. The urgent mission soon leads to secret revelations from the past as the dynamic duo finds itself in an epic battle against a powerful new enemy.” Which movie are you excited to watch more? Buy your tickets today for a great weekend. Book Suggestions What are you reading this month? Check out our top pick below: Stargirl “Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don’t stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. After 15 years of homeschooling, Stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the Mica student body. “But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and Stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Somewhere in the midst of Stargirl’s arrival and rise and fall, normal Leo Borlock has tumbled into love with her. “In a celebration of nonconformity, Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love.”