Saturday, January 24, 2026
Home Blog Page 4608

Pop the cork at home this New Year’s Eve

0

(Family Features) If you’ve thought staying home to celebrate New Year’s Eve sounded like a great idea, you’re not alone.

 

According to a recent survey commissioned by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, this year, 61 percent of Americans who plan on celebrating New Year’s Eve plan on celebrating at home. To help make your night the most memorable celebration ever, here are some great ways to ring in 2015 from the comfort of your own home.

 

Girls just want to have fun

Ladies leave your man at home – tonight it’s all about you. Instead of waiting for a drink in that crowded party full of strangers, have a girls’ night in at your place. Of women surveyed, 67 percent said they would skip a New Year’s Eve party for a girls’ night in. So, pop open some bubbly and celebrate 2014 with your closest girlfriends. For more inspiration on what to serve, visit www.barefootwine.com.

 

Sing in the New Year

What’s the best part of celebrating at home? You can dance like no one’s watching. Make your New Year’s bash a dance party. Create a playlist with all of your favorite songs from 2014 and dance the night away.

 

Get your party poppin’

Pop some bubbly, pop some popcorn and pop in a movie. Waiting until midnight leaves plenty of time to throw on a good movie before the clock strikes. Continue celebrating the best of 2014 by watching this year’s biggest blockbuster movies. Need a little inspiration for what to watch? Try something starring Kate Upton or Bradley Cooper. According to the survey, when asked which celebrity women most want to have as their New Year’s kiss, Bradley tops the list, while the guys would go for Kate. If you want to serve your guests a signature drink while they enjoy the movie, try the Barefoot Bubbly New Year’s Rock.

 

Game on

Looking for a fun game to play? Have everyone write down a pop culture event or relevant celebrity from 2014 on a sticky note (for example, Pharrell’s crazy hat, Taylor Swift, Ellen’s award show selfie, the 2014 Sochi Olympics, George Clooney getting married), and give it to the person to your left without revealing what is written, and stick it to their forehead. The person will ask yes or no questions and attempt to guess what is written on the note.

 

With a few friends, yummy cocktails and fun games, you’ll have a memorable New Year’s celebration.

 

 

Pink In the New Year

 

1/2       ounce apricot brandy

1/2       ounce lemon juice

1/2       ounce simple syrup

3          ounces Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato

Mint sprig or lemon twist garnish

 

Place apricot brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato. Garnish with mint sprig or lemon twist.

 

Source: Barefoot Cellars

Agronomy students and faculty take honors at Weed Science Society meeting

0

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University students and faculty took several honors at the North Central Weed Science Society annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota in early December.

Andrew Dillon from Hope, Kansas and a master’s student in agronomy, received the first place award in the graduate student oral presentation competition at the NCWSS meeting.

In addition, Katrina Sudbeck, senior in agronomy from Seneca, Kansas, was recognized with the Hyatt Scholarship Award for having the high score in the undergraduate division of the NCWSS summer student weed content.

Anita Dille, professor of agronomy, was installed as the new President-Elect of NCWSS. Dille and Curtis Thompson, professor of agronomy, serve on the NCWSS board of directors.

K-State agronomy faculty and graduate students presented 15 papers and posters at the meeting.

Extended whitetail anterless-only season begins January 1st

0

Unfilled deer tags may be used to take antlerless whitetails with legal equipment

PRATT ­– The New Year may be ringing in, but there’s still time for hunters to use any unfilled permits from the 2014 deer season. Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, hunters make take antlerless white-tailed deer using any legal equipment. Deer Management Unit (DMU) restrictions listed on the permits are still in effect, and season length varies, depending on the DMU. While hunters must have a permit that allows the harvest of an antlered deer before purchasing antlerless-only permits during the regular seasons, whitetail antlerless permits can be purchased over the counter by anyone during the extended season.

Hunters may purchase up to five whitetail antlerless-only permits; however, unit and public land restrictions may apply. See your2014 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, or visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting/Big Game Information/Deer”, for details.

2015 Extended Firearm Season dates, by DMU, are as follows:

Units 6, 9, 10, 17: Jan 1-4

Units 1-5, 7, 8, 11-14, and 16: Jan. 1-11

Units 10A, 15, and 19: Jan. 1-18

There is also an Extended Whitetail Antlerless-only Archery Season in DMU 19 Jan. 19-31, 2015.

Give some culinary cheer

0
Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Must-have holiday gifts for foodies

 

(Family Features) From amateurs just sharpening their culinary skills to gourmet gurus with a refined taste for beverage and cuisine, you likely know a few people who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Use this guide of kitchen must-haves to bring cheer to everyone on your holiday shopping list.

 

The Perfect Pair

Culinary creations are endless when you have the right tools. Simplify the cooking experience with the Fry Pan Duo from Swiss Diamond, a cookware company ranked No. 1 by Consumer Reports. Made exclusively in Switzerland with a safe, family-friendly nonstick coating, the set contains two of the company’s best-selling items. Plus, you’ll save 22 percent when purchased together. Other sizes are available, starting at $29.95. Find your nearest Swiss Diamond retailer or buy online at www.swissdiamond.us.

 

Festive Finds for the Holiday Hostess

Celebrate the season with gifts for the great hostesses in your life. Elegantly adorned with holly leaves, bright red berries, raised details and a green rim, the Pfaltzgraff Winterberry collection is perfect for gift giving and entertaining. From a beautiful platter embellished with the season’s many joys to a festive teapot ready to bring warmth to any holiday table, the collection has something for everyone on your list. Visit www.macys.com for more details.

 

Brew and Be Merry

The Nespresso by KitchenAid combines the performance and design expertise of two iconic brands to deliver an exceptional cup of coffee. With a sturdy die-cast metal design and heat-up time that’s less than 30 seconds, it uses premium Nespresso Grand Cru coffee capsules to quickly brew various cup sizes. Available in Candy Apple Red, Empire Red, Onyx Black and Sugar Pearl Silver with a suggested retail price of $399.99. Visit KitchenAidCraftCoffee.com for more details.

 

Creative Wine Gifts

Get inspired with wine-themed gift ideas that pair delicious wines, recipes and fun accessories. Fancy dessert plates and Mirassou Pinot Noir go great with Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding. Wrap up recipes for Sunset Sliders and Sweet Potato Fries with Mirassou Sunset Red and a grilling set. Mirassou Chardonnay and decorative bakeware pair well with Macaroni & Cheese with Applewood Bacon. Mirassou Moscato and a grill pan complement Pork Chops with Apricot and Sage Butter. For these recipes and more, visit www.mirassou.com.

 

Source: Family Features

First day hikes fun and healthy way to start new year

0

Kansas state park trails can be utilized year-round

PRATT – Slip on some thick socks, throw on a sweatshirt, and lace up those hiking boots because Kansas state park trails are open Jan. 1 for First Day Hikes. Hiking is not only a fun way to increase your cardiovascular health, but it’s also an effective calorie-burner. For those who tend to indulge during the holiday season, consider blazing a Kansas state park trail Jan. 1 to burn off those sweets and start the New Year off on the right foot. While all state parks and trails are open, special First Day Hike events will be conducted at the following locations:

  • Clinton State Park, 12 p.m.: Meet at the park office to hike along the North Shore Trails. Hikers must be at least 8 years of age, and pets must be leashed. For more information, call (785) 842-8562.
  • Elk City State Park, 1 p.m.: Meet at the Day Use Parking Area to hike along the South Squaw Trail and take wildlife pictures. No pets. For more information, call (620) 331-6295.
  • Green Property, Pratt, 1 p.m.: Meet at the Green Property trailhead to hike Green Recreational Trail. For more information, call (620) 672-5911.
  • Hillsdale State Park, 10 a.m.: Meet at the park office to hike along the Hidden Springs Nature Trail. For more information, call (913) 783-4507.
  • Perry State Park, 9 a.m.; Meet at the biking/hiking trails on Kimberly Drive, off West Lake Road, to hike Skyline Trail. For more information, call (785) 246-3449.
  • Pomona State Park, 1 p.m.: Meet at the Southwind Shelter house to hike Buck-Brush Trail. Refreshments will be served after the event. For more information, call (785) 828-4933.
  • Tuttle Creek State Park, 10:30 a.m.: Meet at the Tuttle Creek State Park office for short hikes and guided bird watching on Cottonwood Trail. No pets. For more information, call (785) 539-7941.

Want to participate, but don’t see an event near you? Contact your local state park office, or visit ksoutdoors.com, for information on trails you can blaze Jan. 1, and all throughout the year.

Park entrance fees may apply. Visit ksoutdoors.com and click “State Parks/Park Fees” for details.