DIY Thanksgiving Table Decorations

 

It’s almost that time of the year again, when cooking is made ten times more stressful than usual! Whenever Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s easy to focus so much on the food that you forget the aesthetic of the dining area. Since dinner this year will be more limited when it comes to guests, you can still make the day special with a picture perfect table. Here is our DIY guide for you:

Napkin Rings

There’s no better way to make your plates look fancy than with some nice, decorative napkin rings. You can make your own with fall themed material at your local craft store, or buy some custom made ones online. Either way, it’s a great upgrade to just placing your napkins to the right of your plate and calling it a day.

Tiny Fall Decorations

Make your own pumpkins and autumn themed table decorations and fill the gaps of your table to make the most of your holiday treats. Not only will they be picture perfect, but it’s a great way to remind everyone that we have the little things to be thankful for. Head over to your local craft store to start putting together some tiny trinkets.

Make Your Food Pretty

From beautiful cheese boards to mouth watering desserts, if you put a little extra care into how your dishes look this year they can make your table look amazing. Yes, we’re saying the food itself counts as a decoration. Go with fall designs or neat arrangements and your guests will feel like they are sitting at a professional Thanksgiving table. Don’t forget to add your own flare and personality to each bite.


Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

How To Make Your Home Feel Warmer When Temperatures Drop

 

Sometimes turning up the heat in your home isn’t enough to combat those extremely cold nights in winter. With the new season coming along soon, it might take a few extra steps to keep you and the family warm this year. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some great tips to make your home feel warmer in lieu of temperatures dropping.

Blankets o’Plenty

There’s truly no such thing as too many blankets. They can be used in every room and to keep you nice and warm on those extra chilly days. A home without any extra blankets is a home not ready for winter! Personalize them to every room and change the sizes depending on who plans on using them.

Lighting Ambiance

Sometimes just simply lighting up the fireplace or adding a few candles throughout is enough to add some extra warmth to your home. On extra cold nights, you can cuddle up next to the fireplace and enjoy the heat as it comes through. There’s nothing quite like sitting by the fire on a cool autumn or winter night.

Warm Foods

If it’s extra cold outside, might as well warm up your stomach inside. It’s the season of soups and warm drinks, so make sure you are cooking up a few yummy warm foods when you’re in need of extra heat. Even just using your stove can add that extra bit of warmth to your home, too. Tea, hot chocolate, or your favorite soup flavor will all do. Whip something up, grab a blanket, and sit by the fireplace. Make enough to share with the whole family as well!


Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Where To Celebrate The Last Month Of Autumn On Long Island

 

Now that October is over and November has arrived, many people may have doubts that there’s much to do around Long Island for the rest of autumn. There’s still plenty to do, however, not relating to December holidays! If you’re not ready to let go of fall just yet, we have some of the best recommendations for Long Islanders for this last month of autumn.

Winery Visits

Depending on the place, a lot of wineries are actually still open during the beginning of this month. Some great spots out east will provide you with full tastings and new wines to try along with the upcoming holidays. Make sure you call ahead of time and make a reservation, as there are probably limited seatings and tasting opportunities. However, many of these spots are safe for visitors! 

Last Minute Apple Fill

Not only are wineries an option during this month, but also hard cider and other apple fun products. There are many spots that have hard cider tastings as well as treats such as donuts and pies. Either way, it’s a nice way to spend your day out east and enjoy the cool weather.

Museum Visits

There’s a lot of history on Long Island, many that we can experience through the immersion of the museums throughout! Make sure to call ahead of time and check availability, but you can never go wrong with a visit to some famous locations for a day. Our history dates back so far, there will be plenty to choose from for you and the kids to enjoy.



Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Top 5 Most Clever Halloween Treats

 

Sometimes half the fun in Halloween can be the special treats you make for the occasion! From healthy-fun options to baking some yummy goodies, there are plenty of recipes for families to recreate this year. We have some easy to make treats that will surely be a hit in your house:

Mummy Pretzels

These savory and sweet treats are easy to make and fun to eat! The ingredients you need are:

• A package of large pretzel rods
• White chocolate melts
• Candy eyes

Melt your white chocolate according to the package and spread out your pretzel sticks evenly on wax paper or a cooking sheet. Using a utensil, create lines using the chocolate all along the pretzel stick until it looks like it’s a mummy all wrapped up. Add the candy eyes near the top and enjoy!

Dirt Pudding

Sounds gross, but trust us when we say this is such a classic and fun chocolate treat! You’ll need:

• Chocolate pudding
• Gummy worms 
• Sandwich cookies

Separate your chocolate pudding into clear cups and fill them about halfway up. Add some gummy worms in the middle of your pudding as you're filling the cup. Then, using a plastic bag, crush up your oreos until they are smooth and have a dirt-like consistency. Add this to the top of your pudding cup and place more gummy worms on top-- and tada!

Ghost Brownies

This easy to bake snack will be all your family can talk about this weekend! You’ll need to get:

• Brownie mix (or ingredients to make your own homemade brownies)
• Marshmallows
• White chocolate melts
• Black icing

Bake up your brownies and let them cool for a few minutes before adding the rest of your ingredients. Then, on top of each brownie, place a marshmallow. Melt your chocolate melts according to the package instructions and pour this over the marshmallows. Wait for it to dry and then use your black icing to add two eyes and a mouth to your ghost and you’re all done!


Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

A Guide To Carving Pumpkins

 

Nothing screams Halloween like good ol’ fashion pumpkin carving! Anyone new to this spooktacular arts and crafts project will need a thorough step-by-step guide. Sometimes even professional pumpkin carvers need a refresh after a year off. So, if you’re planning on setting up some cute Halloween decorations this year, we have your full guide to carving pumpkins.

Step 1: Get your pumpkin

Picking out the perfect pumpkin for carving means you should keep an eye out for ones with more rounded, smooth surfaces. It will make it easier for you to neatly pull off your design ideas! 

Step 2: Invest in pumpkin carving kit

If you want to make things quicker and more precise, those pumpkin carving kits will work perfectly. They come with tools for the job, such as scoopers and carving tools. You won’t regret it!

Step 3: Pick your design

Are you looking to make a spooky scary type of pumpkin? Or are you leaning more towards something cute and simple? Either way, you should plan out your design ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute, and then mess up your carving because you weren’t prepared! 

Step 4: Print out your design

What some people do instead of free-handing their picture is they print it out and place it on the pumpkin to help guide them while they carve. The picture will tell you where to cut and how many details you will need. 

Step 5: Stay safe and have fun!

Remember to be careful while using any carving tools, and to never let children carve pumpkins without a parent present. If someone needs help, lend them a hand! And if someone is too young to handle the tools, painting your pumpkins is always a great idea! It’s a fun project for any family or friends to participate in to celebrate Halloween. Add your candle inside, decorate your home, and take pride in your creation!


We can’t wait to see your pumpkin designs!



Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Home Maintenance Issues That Can Be Solved Easily

 

As a homeowner, it might seem like there is always something to fix. However, not every issue requires professional help. Save money and time by solving the problems yourself. But, also remember which ones can’t actually be done by you. Here are some of the most common home maintenance issues that can easily be solved by homeowners:

Flickering Lights

When you notice a lightbulb in your home seems to be flickering or dimming, all you need to do is replace it with a new one. We added this to our list because if the issue continues after replacing the bulb, that’s how you know there may be something wrong with the internal system. In this case, a professional electrician will take care of everything. But, other than that, it’s as simple as a lightbulb change!

Cold Spots

If you notice cold spots around your home, it might be a good idea to start sealing up vulnerable areas around the house. This includes areas around windows and doors. With temperatures dropping, having cool air sneak into your home can be concerning and raise energy bills. A simple sealant will do the trick.

Gutter Flooding

With the changing of seasons comes a lot of leaves falling off the trees. If you notice during a rainstorm that the water isn’t being drained properly, your gutters are probably clogged up by leaves and debris. A simple cleaning will do the trick-- an easy chore for homeowners to take on. Just hop on that ladder with the proper equipment and get your gutters cleared.


Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

DIY Halloween Decorations

 

Halloween is coming up, which means it’s time to start decorating for the occasion! But for those who are feeling a little creative this month, there are plenty of spooky DIY crafts to be done. For both indoor and outdoor, here are some of our favorite DIY Halloween decorations to consider:

Pumpkin Carving

This one is a given. Perhaps one of the most well known DIY home decorations, all you have to do is get some nicely shaped pumpkins and a carving kit and go to work. The beauty of this craft is that the pumpkins can be placed both inside and outside. People usually opt for outside, where then you can stick a light inside and create the perfect ghouly atmosphere for your porch.

Bubbling Cauldron

Create a magical feeling by DIYing your own bubbling cauldron. It just takes some dry ice and water to make the magic happen. Remember to always use gloves while using dry ice and never let it touch your skin. Be sure to wear safety goggles as well, and keep it a fair distance from younger kids until it’s all done and created!

Spider Wreath

Truly one of the spookiest decorations of them all has to be the ones with creepy crawlers. DIY the perfect decor for your front door by making your very own spider wreath. It just takes some string and tiny spider pieces, and you’re in business. Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own. 

Spooky Hand Soap

Spice up that boring hand soap you have around the house with home Halloween themed additions. It’s as easy as adding little fake spiders and eye balls to the container, making hand washing even more freakishly-fun! The kids will get a kick out of it and you can always re-use the pieces in new bottles of soap.


Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com