Set Up

A folding table can be moved and stored easily and is easy to dress up with a nice tablecloth. Position items strategically, so people don't have to return for forgotten items. For example, place extra napkins, cutlery, and salt and pepper shakers on both ends of the table and set up a couple of bread baskets. Keeping decorations to a minimum saves space for essential items, so consider wall hangings and cute napkins that add color and flair.

If you have a Keurig machine, set up a coffee station away from the main buffet area. You can include canned and bottled beverages to minimize cleanup or ask everyone to reuse their glasses. Ideally, you could set this up in the kitchen since there are bound to be some spills.

What to Serve

• Fruits and raw vegetables are easy to prepare and eat, making them perfect buffet food. Place unsliced peaches or apples in a bowl for a colorful, no-fuss dish. You can buy veggie trays that come in a ready-to-serve container for another instant offering.
• Bread is a buffet staple. Precut flavorful loaves from the bakery or serve hot croissants with butter, jam, and other yummy spreads. For board game parties or movie nights, lay out the fixings for sandwiches that guests can construct quickly before getting back to the fun. If it's a sports gathering, hang up team pennants and paraphernalia to set the mood.
• Salads hold up well on buffets, and you can include different versions such as Caesar's and tossed greens. 
• Baked ziti, lasagna, and other baked pasta plates are big hits and hold up well if there are leftovers.
• Serving chilled or smoked meats take off some of the pressure of trying to keep food hot.
• Cooked carrots, green beans, baskets of baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus are easy to keep warm in a chafing dish or with a can of Sterno to supply the heat.
• Consider a dessert bar where your family and friends can frost and decorate their own cupcakes. Add some pies and a cake for finicky guests who aren't interested in designing their own sweets.

Buffets are convenient for guests and help you maximize space in our apartments in Flagstaff. If you'd like to learn about our open floor plans, give us a call today!

The post Setting Up a Buffet for Easy Apartment Entertaining appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

Plenty of dads put in a lot of work to help us along. That’s why Father’s Day is a special event. These are some Father’s Day brunch recipes we hope our Woodlands Village community members in Flagstaff, Arizona, find useful.

NOLA-Styled Poached Eggs

Featuring creamy collard greens and artichokes, few things add flare to the simplicity of a poached egg like a New Orleans chef. Bring a little bit of Bourbon Street to your father with this delight. First, gather these ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup finely sliced onion
• 6 cups thinly sliced collard greens
• 3 tablespoons white wine
• 3/4-cup of heavy cream
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• 6 artichoke bottoms (canned are okay)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
• 6 extra-large eggs

On the Side: Consider English muffin, toast or a biscuit to compliment the poached eggs.

How to Prepare

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Now, melt the butter in a skillet on medium and sauté onions for 7 minutes. Blend in the collard greens and white wine, stirring for 8 minutes or until tender. Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream. Simmer for 3 minutes and season to taste with salt and pepper.

In a large mixing bowl, blend artichokes with oil and lemon juice. Then place on a baking sheet and brown in the oven. Expect it to take 7-9 minutes.

In a medium pot, boil water and then let simmer. Poach eggs in about 3 inches of water. Whites should be firm while the yolks are still a tad runny. Use a ladle or large spoon to remove.

Separate the artichokes into 6 portions, plate and cover with collard greens and eggs. Dab with cayenne pepper and serve warm.

Easy All-In Frittata

For this Father’s Day special, you won’t need to be a pro-level chef to pull off a win. Gather these ingredients:

• 6 extra-large eggs
• 2 finely diced cloves of garlic
• 1 large tomato
• ½-cup of baby spinach
• 6 ounces of Mexican blend cheese
• 2 ripe avocados
• Black pepper
• Whole Milk
• 1 stick butter

On the Side: Consider toast, English muffin or biscuit.

How to Prepare

Whisk the 6 eggs, adding a touch of milk to create consistency. Slice the tomato into thin slices and then quarter them. Place a large skillet on medium heat and melt enough butter to thinly coat the bottom. Pour in egg mix, sprinkle garlic evenly, then spread tomatoes and baby spinach over that. Season with black pepper to taste.

Cover the skillet and let sit for 3 minutes. Now sprinkle cheese over the entire frittata and re-cover. Reduce heat to low. When eggs are no longer runny, remove from heat. Peel and slice avocado for a side. Cut Frittata into 4-6 portions and serve warm. Happy Father’s Day!

We hope our Woodlands Village community members find these Father’s Day brunch ideas helpful. If you or a friend would like more information about our Flagstaff apartments, call us today.

The post Father’s Day Brunch Recipes appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

When you’re living life in the fast lane and you don’t have time to sit down and eat a full continental breakfast with orange juice, oatmeal, sausage and over-easy eggs every morning, don’t fear! We’ve got four easy on-the-go breakfast ideas that will suit you just fine!

1. Power Balls

These little bundles of energy will keep you going all morning long. Simply mix together the following in a large bowl and form into balls on wax paper. When firm, put them into a sealable container, and have at ‘em whenever you’re on the go in the morning!

Here’s the recipe:

– 1 cup old-fashioned oats

– 1/2 cup ground flax seeds

– 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

– 1/4 cup honey

– 1/3 cup natural peanut butter

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2. Fruit (in Its Own Container!)

Here’s an easy one: Just grab a piece of fruit that has its own “container.” That would be oranges, bananas, and apples most of all. These can easily be thrown into your work bag and eaten on-the-go. Healthy and delicious.

3. Trail Mix

Trail mix is easy to carry (because it’s so small!), nutritious, simple to make and delicious. Mix some up at home using your own dark chocolate chips, almonds, cashews, raisins, and dried fruit. Alternatively, buy a premade package at the store. They’re just as good.

4. Egg and Bacon English Muffin

Lastly, make your own breakfast sandwich using a toasted whole wheat English muffin, a sliced hard boiled egg (that you made the night before), a slice of cheese, and some microwavable bacon. This one’s slightly more time intensive, but it’s still an easy and nutritious option.

Having a great kitchen in your apartment can make all the difference when it comes to how often you cook and thusly, how nutritious your diet is. Are you looking for a place with a better kitchen in Flagstaff, Arizona? Contact us today to see which of our Flagstaff Apartments are still available.

The post 4 Easy On-the-Go Breakfast Ideas appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

When autumn brings its cooler air and gentle beauty to Woodlands Village, our beautiful Flagstaff apartments, the whole community gets in the rearranging and decorating mood. 

Here are a handful of ideas to inspire your seasonal whimsy!

1. Add Glitter for a Dreamy Dining Table

That metallic spray paint you used once and put on a shelf? Find it! Spray apples and pine cones, bottles and yard-sale candlesticks, and you've got a delightfully festive centerpiece.

2. Adorn the Side Tables With Beautiful Edibles

Decorate a side table with an eclectic assortment of gourds and squashes, and fill bowls with nuts and a nutcracker. This can double as an edible arrangement if you've selected a variety of nuts, gourds and pumpkins for Thanksgiving pies or traditional roasted chestnuts. 

3. Make a Cheery Holiday Waste Basket

Save a large box and simply cover it with gift wrap. It'll look wintry and fun, and will work like a charm when you need a container for ready gifts.

Bonus: It'll be there after the parties to toss more gift wrap into!

4. Bring a Little Evergreen into Your Space

Pieces of evergreen set a traditional tone. Sprigs and vines and pine cones can dress up shelves. They can turn bottles and bowls into decorative vessels, too! Plus, evergreen arrangements make your space smell sweetly woody and fresh.  

5. Try Tinted Light Bulbs for a Warm and Cozy Mood

Lighting is important when we're missing our long, bright Arizona days! A mix of lighting, in a variety of hues, can make your space feel exotic. Try shedding a different light on your interior this season.

Celebrate the Season at Woodlands Village Apartment Homes in Flagstaff

We hope your autumn brings gentleness, joy, and celebrations. Don't hesitate to invite your guests to contact us if they are looking for a new home in the company of friends!

The post 5 Dreamy Decor Tips to Inspire Your Space appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.