Oktober!

Many adults are very keen on Oktoberfest celebrations around the state, as well as the country and the world. But how many of these “Oktoberfestians” are interested and actually know where the lederhosen, beer mugs, and celebration stem from? Well I am about to tell you!

Traditionally, Oktoberfest is a 2 week long celebration, starting the 3rd week in September and ending the 1st Sunday in October.

The first Oktoberfest was a celebration for the Crown Prince Ludwig,  (later to become King Ludwig I,) and his marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810 (historychannel.com).  The people of Munich were all invited to attend the ceremony and festivities. The people enjoyed this and the 1 day festival eventually turned into an annual celebration.

According to ofest.com, beer stands were not introduced until 1818, and grew rapidly from then on, making it one of the most popular and celebrated holidays around the world.  “The Oktoberfest celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2010, only Wars and cholera epidemics have briefly interrupted the yearly beer celebration.”

Mavi wants to know… Where is your favorite Oktoberfest?

Flavors of Autumn

Since fall has officially arrived why not get into the spirit by cooking up some fantastic flavors of the season! I have noticed that the cooking channels on TV and many of the magazines at the store check out lines are filled with delicious squash and pumpkin soups and apple and fig cobblers, and hearty meats spiced to perfection. I want to share 3 of my favorite recipes that I found that remind me of this beautiful, vibrant time of year!

The first recipe is a squash soup served in a hollowed out pumpkin flavored with thyme, sage, and delicious, slightly sugared butternut squash.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/squash-soup-in-pumpkin-bowls-recipe/index.html

My favorite apple cobbler makes for a delicious coffee time snack or warming dessert. This bowl of joy brings out all the scents and tastes that remind me of fall using brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon.

http://blog.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2010/09/18/the-veggie-table-apple-cobbler-oatmeal/

Finally, this hearty brisket is the perfect dish to curl up with on a chilly autumn night. The rosemary will fill your home with a refreshing smell!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/horseradish-crusted-brisket-with-carrots-recipe/index.html

If you have any favorite autumn dishes or any favorite recipes, share them with Mavi Unlimited! We would love to try them!

Tips for Renters

Moving can be stressful enough without any unwanted surprises that come up after you have signed your lease. The main way to avoid situations like that is to ask as many questions as you can think of. If you are looking to rent from an apartment complex as the current tenants what they like/don’t like about the complex and why. Even try “googling” the location.

Some helpful things you can do as a renter are:

1. Create a list of previous properties you have rented with the landlords information, rental payment information, and dates of when you resided at the property.

2. Make a list of what is most important to you to have in your living space to what is the least important.

3. Read the lease!! Make sure you understand the entire lease and ask questions if you do not.

4. The middle of the month is generally a good time to start hunting for places to live since leases are generally up at the end of the month.

5. Don’t stress yourself out and wait until the last minute to start looking for a place to live. Find something a few months ahead of time!

Share your tips and pointers about moving with Mavi Unlimited! We would love to hear from you!

Fall into Hiking!

The leaves are starting to change gold, yellow, red, and orange, so fall is officially around the corner! Fall is one of the best times to get out and go hiking (in my opinion)! The weather is a comfortable temperature and the vibrant leaves make for a beautiful scenery everywhere you look.

After searching the internet for hiking trails in Colorado, the top 5 I recommend for fall hikes are:

1. Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO

2.  Glacier Gorge – Rocky Mountain National Park – actually anywhere RMNP. There are many different trails depending on what you are looking for.

3. Maroon Bells, Aspen CO

4. Blue Lake – Indian Peaks Wilderness, Nederland, CO

5. Canyon Loop Trail, Boulder, CO

Make sure you get out and enjoy the weather and everything fall has to offer before winter! Share you hiking adventures with Mavi Unlimited!

Moving…

In my opinion, the worst part of finding a fab new place is the MOVING that goes along with it! I have found that when the time comes to pack your belongings up, it is a great opportunity to do some deep cleaning!

First, look at what you have. Make piles for what you use sometimes, rarely, or never. I have gotten to the point where I only keep the things that I use all the time! But this is solely because I hate moving so much and will do anything to pack/unpack, lift, and carry as little as possible.

This method of packing/moving is also an easy way to reduce clutter in your home and reduce the number of not so willing people you have asked to help you move, making the situation a little more tolerable for everyone involved.

Mavi Unlimited would love to hear your tips for making moving easier!