2021 Newsletter - October
Ripley Housing Authority - October 2021
Hello Autumn!
Your Community Team
Justin Jones
Executive Director
Joyce Edwards
Finance Director
Jeffrey Conrad
Facilities Director
Bronca Caldwell
Leasing Coordinator
Kimberly Taylor
Executive Assistant
Aylissa Taylor
Administrative Assistant
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Contact Directory
Main Office
731.635.1901
Office Fax
731.635.1948
Emergency Contact
731.413.5665
Pump Up Recipes With Leftover Pumpkin
A can of pumpkin puree is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin A and iron, and there are loads of ways to cook with this nutritional ingredient that will have you savoring the flavors of fall. Since many recipes for pumpkin desserts and baked goods often don't use up an entire can, you can enjoy what's leftover by adding a scoop of the squash to chili, mashed potatoes, or hummus. Mix a dollop of pumpkin with plain or vanilla Greek yogurt, add some to a protein shake or smoothie, or make your own pumpkin spice latte. Canned pumpkin is also used in many recipes for homemade dog or cat treats.
Find Peace of Mind Through Paper Folding
Like many arts and crafts, origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, can be a form of self-care, helping you relax and relieve stress. The step-by-step instructions to create a bird, boat, flower, or other shape require you to focus on one fold at a time, encouraging mindfulness and distracting your brain from outside worries. The satisfying feeling When you see your finished form can also give you a mood boost. During World Origami Days, Oct. 24 through Nov. 11 each year, many organizations offer classes and special events to teach this traditional art form. Check out OrigamiUSA.org for resources, including printable diagrams, or search the internet for video tutorials to help you get started.
Tips To Prevent Spiders
With their many eyes and legs, spiders can spook anyone. Lots of spiders are harmless and even beneficial, but they're best left outdoors. Here's how to make your home less attractive to these arachnids:
- Dust and vacuum regularly, making sure to sweep away cobwebs. If a spider's web keeps getting torn down, it won't want to come back.
- Reduce clutter. Spiders find piles of clothing, stacks of papers, and cardboard boxes cozy spots to hide. They prefer messy places to tidy ones.
- Keep food and garbage sealed. Open trash cans and food containers can attract insects that spiders like to eat. Eliminate their food source by using a lidded kitchen trash can and by storing food properly.
Stuck on Stickers
When you were a kid, did you get exerted about a fresh sheet of stickers? Maybe your favorite teacher put stickers on your graded papers, giving you a smile. That pure, childlike wonder is one reason Why stickers are more popular than ever... with adults! Slapped on a water bottle, laptop, or journal, stickers showcase your personality and interests and can spark conversations with others. Retail brands like them because they're an easy marketing tool, and customers are fans of their affordability and versatility. Plus, they're a simple yet thoughtful gift to give to a friend or co worker for a quick pick-me-up.
#SquashGoals: Pumpkin Projects for Fall
The ultimate fall decoration, pumpkins look festive on their own. But there are tons of ways to dress them up to suit your style!
Carving pumpkins is a classic October activity, and specialized tools, stencils, and templates make it easier than ever to create an impressive design. You can go
for a traditional spooky or silly face or cut out an animal silhouette. Another method is carving patterns and shapes into the pumpkin's orange outer shell only, leaving a textured design behind.
The combination of pumpkins and paint opens up a world of creativity. Simply painting pumpkins in a solid color can transform their look. Black, white, and metallic gold or silver create subtle sophistication, while bright pink, purple and green can have either a spooky or retro feel.
A fun project is drip painting pumpkins. Pour small amounts of craft paint at the base of the pumpkin's stem, then tilt the pumpkin to let the paint drip down the sides of it. Similarly, place broken crayon pieces at the top of a pumpkin, then use a hairdryer on a low setting to melt the wax so it runs over the pumpkin's surface.
If you're a fan of the tie-dyed look, you can give a pumpkin a marbled makeover with some nail polish. In a bowl large enough to fit your pumpkin, add warm water and pour in a few different colors of nail polish. Use a toothpick to swirl the colors around, then dip the pumpkin in the bowl and twist until it's covered with the mixture.
Chalkboard paint can turn a pumpkin into a message board so you can write seasonal greetings on it.
Tweens and teens may get a kick out of emoji pumpkins-paint them yellow, then use black and red paint to recreate favorite smiley expressions. Or treat pumpkins to some self-care by painting a "mud mask" on a pumpkin, giving it fake eyelashes, then wrapping the top of it in a towel.
There's a lot you can do with glue and craft supplies. Attach artificial flowers and succulents around the stem
of a pumpkin, or decoupage leaves to cover the outside. Create polka dots by gluing on fuzzy pompoms or tissue paper circles. Ribbon, yarn, and decorative tape can be wrapped around pumpkins to create stripes or a checked pattern. For an edgy look, glue on spikes or studs. Or attach fake plastic spiders to give your guests a friendly fright!
Trivia: A Real Pizza Work
- Naples, Italy, is home to what classic pizza featuring fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil?
- According to profits, what is the most popular pizza chain in the U.S.?
- Bananas are a favorite pizza topping in what Scandinavian country?
- What 1988 rom-com is set in a pizza parlor in a Connecticut harbor town?
- Pizza is the favorite food of what group of cartoon superheroes?
Think you know the answers?
Email your answers with "Trivia: A Real Pizza Work" in the subject line for your chance to win cool stuff! The deadline for entry is October 31, 2021. Five winners will be selected by November 15, 2021, and notified by email.
(Last month's "Oh, Honey!" answers: 1. 2 million; 2. BuzzBee; 3. Hexagon; 4. True; 5. New Zealand)
Recipe: Baked Frito Pie
Elevate a concession stand favorite with this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) of chili
- 1 bag (12.5 ounces) of Fritos corn chips
- 2 cans (10 ounces each) of diced tomatoes with chilis
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. On the stove, heat chili in a saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
In a baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bag of chips in a single layer. Spoon half of the chili over the chips, followed by 1 can of the diced tomatoes.
Add a second layer of chips, then evenly sprinkle on half of the shredded cheese. Top with the remaining chili.
Create a third layer with the last portion of chips, the second can of tomatoes, and the rest of the cheese.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.