Must-Try Cookie Recipe




This holiday season, instead of making the same old sugar cookies, try something out-of-the-box like Terra’s Kitchen’s White Chocolate Ginger Cookie recipe. Combining the unusual, yet delicious flavor of ginger with the sweetness of the white chocolate chips, these cookies are sure to be an instant classic with friends and families.

WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGER COOKIES 
(chewy cookies with a ginger kick)
makes 2 dozen big/over indulged cookies
makes 4 dozen smaller/less decadent cookies
INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, can substitute vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (we suggest using a microplane)
  • 11 ounces white chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350ยบ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, salt and baking soda.
  2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully combined. Add in the vanilla paste and ginger, mixing until just combined. Gradually add in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time. Add the white chocolate chips.
  3. Drop by the heaping tablespoon full onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly golden (12-15 minutes), cookies will appear still slightly soft in the middle, but will set up firmly as they cool.  (Note: For smaller less decadent cookies use a teaspoon measure and bake for 8-10 minutes). Using a spatula, remove cookies from the parchment to cool. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

Teaser - Disney’s THE BFG


Steven Spielberg unveils first teaser for Disney’s THE BFG! The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

The BFG hits theaters on July 1, 2016.



Cruise with Santa



Before Santa Claus returns to the North Pole for his busiest time of the year, he’ll be enjoying a vacation at the Lake Las Vegas residential, golf and resort destination. Children are invited to join him on a special Santa Cruise as he sails around the community’s 320-acre lake on Saturdays until Christmas. While on the La Contessa Yacht, children can make a holiday craft, and photos with Santa will be available for purchase.  

The Santa Cruise will set sail from the Lake Las Vegas Marina at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. Additionally there will be a 1 p.m. cruise on Dec. 12 and 19. The cruise will last an hour, and costs $12 per child, age 12 and younger, and $18 per adult. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Proceeds from the cruises will benefit several children’s charities.

The Lake Las Vegas Marina is located at 10 Costa Di Lago in Henderson. To book the Santa Cruise, visit www.lakelasvegasevents.com.


HGTV CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS WITH ‘SANTA HQ’ AT 10 MACERICH MALLS



**Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Content provided by sponsor, sadly we do not have an event in our area, but sounds like a ton of fun and highly encourage you to stop by if in your area! 

HGTV’s interactive “Santa HQ” holiday activation will continue to revolutionize the traditional SantaClaus experience when it returns to 10 top Macerich malls, connecting the brand with millions of targeted consumers in key markets.  

For seven weeks, from Thursday, Nov. 5, through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, Santa HQ spreads holiday cheer to guests of all ages with a 21st century immersive journey that features state-of-the-art digital technology. In addition to the classic photo with Santa Claus, mall guests can take an Elfie selfie to star in their own holiday video, use Elf-Ray Vision to explore Santa’s Observatory, and test out the Naughty or Nice O’Meter.

At select locations, fans can get autographs and take photos with HGTV and DIY Network stars, including Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri (America’s Most Desperate Kitchens) and Alison Victoria (Kitchen Crashers). 

“Santa HQ was a tremendous success for HGTV last year so we are expanding the event this year to make it even more magical for kids and their families,” said Shannon Driver, senior vice president, marketing and creative services. “Holiday celebrations go hand-in-hand with home, so this is the perfect time to engage with our fans in a meaningful way.”

The unique attraction offers a powerful HGTV brand experience at each of the high-performing, market-dominant Macerich properties that host SantaHQ. “Our beautiful, amenity-rich retail properties are magnets for families during the holidays, providing an unrivaled marketing platform for brands to connect with ready-to-shop consumers in top markets,” said Ken Volk, chief marketing officer, Macerich. “Santa HQ is an excellent example of a well-executed strategic partnership that enables brands like HGTV to come to life at our malls to engage their target audiences.”

While visiting Santa HQ, guests can customize their individual experience by using augmented reality to view Santa’s Workshop and Observatory in a magical way. Visitors can download the Elf-Ray Vision app or use a provided tablet to discover the enchanting world of Santa HQ in stunning 2D and 3D digital scenes. Shoppers can continue their adventure with a custom photo opportunity, a visit with Santa inside his modernized sleigh and an opportunity to enter for the chance to win $10,000 in HGTV’s Spreading Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes. Reservations to visit the experience can be made in advance at santa-hq.com/reservations. HGTV knows the holidays are a special time for the network’s audience, so fans are encouraged to share their Santa HQ experience on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #loveHGTV for the chance to appear on HGTV.com/santahq.

The Santa HQ experience will be featured at 10 Macerich properties as follows:  

Arizona:
Chandler Fashion Center, Chandler, opens Nov. 7
Scottsdale Fashion Center, Scottsdale, opens Nov. 14 

California:
Vintage Faire, Modesto, opens Nov. 5
Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, opens Nov. 7
Lakewood Center, Lakewood, Calif., opens Nov. 7

Colorado:
Flatiron Crossing, Broomfield, opens Nov. 7

Connecticut:
Danbury Fair, Danbury, opens Nov. 6

New Jersey:
Deptford Mall, Deptford Township, opens Nov. 5

Oregon:
Washington Square, Portland, opens Nov. 7

Washington D.C. area:
Tysons Corner Center in Virginia opens Nov. 14

Sneak Peek: ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS



Alice and the Mad Hatter are two of my favorite Disney Characters! See Alice return to the whimsical world of Underland  and travel back in time to save the Mad Hatter in the new ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS teaser trailer!   ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS  reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Tis the Season for Giving Back and for Star Wars!


Holiday shopping, a new Star Wars movie, and CROSS Pens, oh my! As you know the holidays are right around the corner and this year CROSS fine writing instrument has the perfect gift for your loved ones with a multitude of new collections this season.

First CROSS has partnered with Disney and launched a Star Wars collection in anticipation of the new movie Force Awakens. The CROSS Pens’ Star Wars series features classic characters and is sure to make the perfect gift for any devout family fan!

In addition, and true to the holiday spirit, CROSS teamed up with Fonderie 47 to create the Peerless Fonderie 47 Limited-Edition Fountain Pen. Each Peerless Fonderie 47 Limited-Edition Fountain Pen purchased will fund the destruction of ten AK 47’s in war zone Africa.

CROSS has something for everyone in the family- from the little tots to to your philanthropic loved ones! Visit cross.com to view their collections and remember that every great idea starts with putting pen to paper! #MakeYours

Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas Spearheads ‘Coats in the Cabana’ Drive During December



Baby it's cold outside!  If you live in Vegas, then you know this winter has been a cold one! Can you imagine having to live outside in it? I challenge all of you to take ten minutes and go through your closets, you'll be amazed what you find and aren't using any longer.  Remember, there are many out there that can use it instead of it sitting there taking up closet space!  Wet‘n’Wild Las Vegas is spearheading a ‘Coats in the Cabana’ Drive, a charity effort designed to collect new or gently used, clean coats for men, women and children that will be donated to the Salvation Army, the Shade Tree Shelter and Child Haven during the winter months.  Community members who donate to the drive will receive a $10 coupon toward a 2016 Wet‘n’Wild Season Pass for each coat donated. Among businesses serving as drop-off locations are: Simmons Group, Grand Canyon Development Partners, SurgiSpa, Fisher & Phillips LLP, and the Jolley Urga Woodbury Little law firm.  “Wet‘n’Wild may be a summer park, but we are members of this community year round,” said Takuya Ohki, general manager of Wet‘n’Wild Las Vegas. “We are always happy to help those in need and give them access to something everyone should have when the weather turns cold - coats. We are also grateful to the participating local businesses for their giving spirits and willingness to assist in this effort.”

The locations to drop off coats and receive the season pass vouchers are list above.  Once collected, the coats will be brought to a cabana at Wet‘n’Wild Las Vegas, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, and representatives from the charities will pick them up to distribute to those in need. Coat donations will be accepted through December 11, 2015.
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