Try these recipes we have collected for you for a party that will surely be remembered!

Main course-

For an easy and delicious burger, try this recipe! Combine ground beef, a packet of dry ranch dressing, and shredded cheese. Mix ingredients and form into patties.  Cook on the grill, flipping until meat is cooked to the desired temperature.

Side Dish-

Corn on the cob- Nothing says “let’s kick off summer’ like corn on the cob. Peel off the husks on the corn. Slather with butter and season with sea salt and pepper. Wrap up in aluminum foil. Add a little water in with the aluminum foil when wrapping. Grill and turn until kernels are cooked.

Dessert-

This patriotic meal is sure to be a hit.  In a parfait cup, layer blueberries, cool whip, and cut up strawberries. Repeat order until the parfait cup is full and add a dollop of cool whip on the top.

If you are looking for decorating ideas, try hanging American flags around, or red, white, and blue stars. Centerpieces on the table can be a bouquet or red, white, and blue flowers.  American themed table clothes can be found at many craft stores.

Whatever is on the menu, let us not forget why we celebrate this holiday – Thanks to all of the military, past and present, who fight for our country. Happy Memorial Day!

We found these cleaning tips on Pinterest and wanted to share.

Cleaning a Shower head

Simply put 1/3 cup baking soda, and 1 cup white vinegar in a zip lock bag. Wrap the baggie around the shower head and keep it in place with a twist tie or rubber band, letting it soak for 2-3 hours or overnight. Wipe it off when you carefully remove it. Looks as good as new!

Removing scuff marks

Try using WD-40 on a scrub brush. Seems odd, but works wonders.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

If your toaster, fridge, or even granite counter top need a wash, use 1 Tbsp. Cream of Tarter with a few drops of water. Rub it onto the appliance with a sponge brush and wipe it clean with a damp paper towel. The results will amaze you!

Dirty Pans

If you have cookie sheets or muffins tins that you’ve considered throwing away due to their appearance, don’t be wasteful! Instead, use tea tree oil to scrub it right off.

Electronics

If you have coffee filters lying around, use one to wipe dust off electronics such as TVs and stereos.

For more cleaning tips you might not have thought of, check out the full article.

Happy cleaning!

Don’t let money keep you away from your dream home. Follow these tips to start saving today.

Set a budget. It’s hard to know how much you’re spending, and on what, if you don’t track it. You might be surprised to find you are spending a certain amount on food or entertainment. Find areas in which you can cut back.

Unplug. When you aren’t in a room, turn off the light. Keep the TV or radio off when it’s not being utilized.  Even unplugging items not used daily can conserve energy. Use cold water when you can and limit the time spent in the shower.

Limit Food. We’ve all gone to grocery hungry, bought too much food, and then had to throw it out. Try planning your meals for the week. Stick to your list at the store. Use items that will go bad before canned food.  Try out generic brands versus the bigger brand names to save even more.

Cut back. If you really want to save money for a home, consider cutting back on luxury or disposable income items. If you get your nails done every week, try going ever other. Try placing the money you would have spent into a savings jar.

Save before you spend. Sometimes, saving money can be easier said than done. When you get paid, automatically set aside a certain amount of money into your savings. This will allow for you save before you spend.

If you find yourself struggling to save, remind yourself what you are doing this for : your dream home! Picture yourself in your home and remind yourself of all the reasons you want to save for a home. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself, “is this purchase more important than saving for my home?”  Before long, you will be ready to make the move.

If you are beach-goer, don’t miss the Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Contest. Held on May 4 near the Pavilion, this event is free and open for anyone to compete in. Read more about it.

Foodies will love the 3^rd Annual Food and Wine on the Pine event which features more than 30 wines, independent restaurant owners, and craft beers. Come eat, drink, and be merry!

Fishermen and women can participate in the 82^nd Sarasota Sports Fishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament held May 12-June 17. The $100 entry fee will benefit The Suncoast Charities for Children. Cast a line and join in the fun!

If you are beer enthusiast don’t miss the Venice Brew Bash featuring great bands and well, beer! For only $30 dollars, you will have unlimited beer tasting, but you must be over the age of 21. This will be held from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. on May 25.

Don’t forget about Memorial Day! May 26 from 6p.m.- 9p.m. a Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Parade will take place at Lakewood Ranch. Come for the music, food, drinks, parade, and fun! And certainly come to honor our troops.

There’s so much to do and so little time. Make the most of your May by attending these events and more.

Stop and create something special this year that will provide outdoor entertainment to you and your guests – a backyard fire pit!

Your backyard retreat is just a few steps away and you won’t need much to get started:

• Concrete wall stones
• Sand
• Shovel
• Tamper

Before building anything in your backyard, you should always check with building codes. This will ensure you follow the rules and regulations.

Pick a spot to build your fire pit that is far away from your house, low-hanging trees, or other structures.  When you start digging, be careful to not hit any lines.

Once you determine how big you want your pit, lay down your concrete wall stones in a circle.  Typically, fire pits are anywhere from 36 to 44 inches in diameter.

When you have your frame, dig a foot deep hole in the circle and pour sand in.

Lay your stones around the perimeter and continue doing so until they are at least 12 inches above the ground.

Take the time to enjoy friends and family sitting beside your cozy new fire pit!  Whether you are cooking s’mores, enjoying lemonade, or telling ghost stories, fun times are ready to begin near your backyard fire pit.

Did you know that this month hosts National Pecan Pie Day? We couldn’t think of a better excuse to be in the kitchen, cooking, (and then of course, eating) pecan pie!

Here is a recipe from FoodNetwork to make a Pecan pie.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• ½ cold butter (1 stick) diced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Flour, for rolling the dough

Filling

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ¾ cu light corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• 2 cups chopped toasted pecans
• 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

Make the dough by hand: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles yellow cornmeal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter. (If the flour/butter mixture gets warm, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before proceeding.) Add the egg and stir the dough together with a fork or by hand in the bowl. If the dough is dry, sprinkle up to a tablespoon more of cold water over the mixture.

Alternatively, make the dough in a food processor. With the machine fitted with the metal blade, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles yellow cornmeal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter, about 10 times. Add the egg and pulse 1 to 2 times; don’t let the dough form into a ball in the machine. (If the dough is very dry add up to a tablespoon more of cold water.) Remove the bowl from the machine, remove the blade, and bring the dough together by hand.

Form the dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough with a rolling pin into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges, leaving about an extra inch hanging over the edge. Tuck the overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with the rim. Flute the edge as desired. Freeze the pie shell for 30 minutes.

Set separate racks in the center and lower third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Put a piece of parchment paper or foil over the pie shell and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake on a baking sheet on the center rack until the dough is set, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and lift sides of the parchment paper to remove the beans. Continue baking until the pie shell is lightly golden brown, about 10 more minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

While the crust is baking make the filling: In medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and stirring constantly, continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the nuts, bourbon, and the vanilla. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. (If the crust has cooled, return it to the oven for 5 minutes to warm through.) Whisk the beaten eggs into the filling until smooth. Put the pie shell on a sheet pan and pour the filling into the hot crust.

Bake on the lower oven rack until the edges are set but the center is still slightly loose, about 40 to 45 minutes. (If the edges get very dark, cover them with aluminum foil half way during baking.) Cool on a rack. Serve slightly warm or room temperature

Do you have a delicious recipe for Pecan Pie you want to share?

We’ve put together a list of tips to keep in mind when looking for a new home.

 Price Shop

Just as you would if buying a new car, you should compare prices in the area. Websites such as Trulia or Zillow can give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay. Once you determine what your budget is, you can narrow in on options.

Set Your Budget

In order to set your budget, you might consider speaking with a mortgage company. Or, using a mortgage calculator, you can determine what your payments would be if you put a certain amount down.  Fannie Mae recommends buyers not spend more than 28% of their income on housing costs.

Consider Additional Costs

Once you have an idea of your budget,  do your homework and determine what additional taxes, insurance, and other expenses are necessary. Be sure to include this in your costs so you don’t go over budget.

Distinguish Your Wants From Your Needs

We all want a big house with a large kitchen, walk-in closets, granite countertops, a huge pool in the backyard, and plenty of space. Determining what features and amenities you need from your next home and community is important. Otherwise, you might end up paying too much for features you didn’t necessarily need.

Clean Up Your Credit Score

Even if you are in the very early stages of looking for homes, start building your credit score now. Run a free report to find out what your score is and how you can begin to improve it.

Home is where your story begins. Follow these tips to find your dream home.

Neal Communities is fortunate to be located in the beautiful gulf community Sarasota, with white sandy beaches and pristine blue waters nearby.

If your family is looking for something to do this month, check out some of these events happening near you!

April 5-14:  15^th Annual Sarasota Film Festival. If you are hoping for a celebrity spotting, you can look forward to this event. Actress Mariel Hemingway, director Peter Bogdanovich, actor Griffin Dunne and more will be in attendance. For more information, visit this website for details. 

April 6: If you are an avid runner or just someone who enjoys helping the greater good, there will be a Run/Walk for the Turtles. This race takes place on Siesta Key Public Beach by the Mote Marina. Registration begins at 6:30 am. All fees benefit the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.  More details can be found here.

April 12-14: If you are a fan of good food and music, the Rhythm and Ribfest is the place for you. Located at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, live music, fun, and food will be bountiful.  Visit the website for more information.

April 13-21: The Sarasota Open USTA Championship Tournament brings the top tennis players from around the world to Sarasota . For ticket and more information visit the website.

April 29: 10^th Annual Ride the Beaches event will take place on Sharky’s by the Pier. Riders can select to bike 65 or 35 mile and will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Contact Sharky’s for more information.

All these events and more can be also be found on The Escape to Sarasota website. Which event will you and your family be attending this month?

Aside from time with family, food is arguably one of the best things about any holiday.  For those celebrating Easter, deviled eggs, hams, vegetables, and even cupcakes will fill the dinner table.

If you’re looking for a cute dessert to bring to a party or just your family table, we found this adorable cupcake recipe from Taste of Home. If you want to see other cupcake ideas, they had plenty for you to choose from!

Easter Bunny Cupcakes

*Easter Bunny Cupcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Originally published as Easter Bunny Cupcakes in Taste of Home’s Cupcake of the Week Newsletter , p4/6/09

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 cans vanilla frosting (16 ounces each)
• Green paste food coloring
• Cupcakes and miniature cupcakes of your choice
• Candy-coated sunflower kernels
• Assorted chewing gum sticks
• Jumbo heart sprinkles
• Canned Chocolate frosting
• Miniature marshmallows
• Corn syrup
• White nonpareils

Directions

• Tint desired amount of frosting green. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert #4 round pastry tip. Fill bag with green frosting; pipe grass onto desired amount of cupcakes. Sprinkle with sunflower kernels.
• For bunny faces, pipe white frosting over tops of cupcakes using a #4 round pastry tip. Using clean kitchen scissors or a small sharp knife, cut gum into ear shapes of various sizes. Attach smaller centers onto the larger pieces with a small amount of frosting.
• Pinch base end of each ear, forming a curved shape. Press into tops of cupcakes. Place a heart sprinkle on each cupcake for nose. Using a #2 round pastry tip, pipe eyes, whiskers and a mouth on each face with chocolate frosting.
• For bunnies, pipe white frosting over remaining cupcakes. Place a miniature cupcake onto a larger cupcake; secure with a toothpick. For a bunny tail, dip a marshmallow in corn syrup; roll in nonpareils. Place on cupcake. Repeat as desired. Yield: Varied.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!

Spring is in the air, which means like it or not, spring-cleaning is here too.

Every spring, we clean, organize, and realize how much stuff we accumulate over the course of the year! Keep organized by using some of the tools below.

Baskets

Shelving and small baskets can be used in every room of the house to help keep things tidy. In your bathroom, use hanging baskets to store towels, toilet paper, make up, or  other products  as these image below from ourfithouse.com. If you hang shelves, you can also store items or use the extra space for decorating by adding a picture frame or candle.

Bins

Plastic bins can be used to store large and small items, depending on the size of the bin you purchase. Organize your medicine by its’ uses, store hardware, sewing materials, office supplies,  crafts, hair supplies, and more in an organized fashion. Larger bins can be used to stash clothing items such as swimsuits, flip flops, hats, scarves, and more.

Racks/Tiers

It seems that kitchen cabinets fill up so fast with clutter! Get creative to stay organized! Using small towel racks on the inside of doors is a great way to store pots and pans lids. Using a small rack is a great way to store cutting boards. And do you have a huge selections of spices and cooking supplies but limited space? Use tiered shelving to stack spices.

Bookshelves

Bookshelves are great ways to store lost of things without a space  appearing cluttered. They can be used in kids rooms as storage space as well. Try adding baskets into the different shelves and labeling them with toys, crafts, clothes, or whatever it is you are looking to store.  You can place decorative items on the top of the shelving unit too!

These were some great ideas we found on Pinterest, but there are hundreds of more for you to discover! Visit Pinterest and see what fun ideas you come up with. Happy Spring Cleaning!