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Pumpkin Cocktail Recipes

As autumn arrives, thoughts turn to … pumpkins.  So it's no surprise, then, that Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka has been so well received. This amber-hued expression of Crop Organic Vodka captures the seasonal delight of plump roasted pumpkin and baking spices.

Wherever you are in the country, autumn is the time for Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka. In Boston, where the days quickly turn crisp at summer's end, Top of the Hub's head bartender, Arley Howard, caters to his fellow New Englanders' longstanding taste for ginger with his Pumpkin Ginger Cooler. He notes how well this seasonal vodka pairs with most fall-style dishes.

In sunny Florida, Nick Nistico, Corporate Beverage Program Development Specialist for Florida's Premier Beverage Company, appreciates the combination of Crop's exquisitely spiced vodka and inherently spicy rye to create a seasonal twist on a julep. And since relaxing by the pool in Florida is still an option in the fall, he particularly enjoys refreshing drinks, such as the beer-topped Pumpkin Cocktail with its double dose of pumpkin, and the lemony Pumpkin Collins. Nistico also recommends adding Crop Pumpkin Vodka to a pina colada for a taste of autumn.

As with all of Crop's fresh expressions--Artisanal, Cucumber, Tomato, and Meyer Lemon--Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka is produced to strict USDA organic standards. It starts with the purely finest ingredients available and is distilled from 100 percent American grain, kept free of GMOs, artificial fertilizers and synthetic pesticides.

The following seasonal recipes were created by Arley Howard of Top of the Hub and Nick Nistico of Premier Beverage Company.

Crop Organic Pumpkin Ginger Cooler  (Arley Howard, Top of the Hub)  
1 tablespoon brown sugar  
1 lemon slice  
Nutmeg  
2 parts Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka  
1 part ginger liqueur  
1 part sour mix  
Ginger ale  
In a highball glass, muddle brown sugar with lemon and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Add ice, Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka, ginger liqueur, and sour mix. Shake contents and then top with ginger ale.

Plymouth Rock Julep  (Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company)  
2 parts Rye whiskey  
1 part Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka  
1/2 part cinnamon syrup  
5 dashes Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters  
Swizzle all ingredients with ice and then top with crushed ice.  Garnish with a candy-corn pumpkin and grated cinnamon.

Pumpkin Cocktail  (Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company)  
1 part Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka  
5 dashes bitters  
Top with pumpkin ale.

Pumpkin Collins  (Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company)  
2 parts Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Vodka  
1 part fresh lemon juice  
1/2 part simple syrup   
Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel dusted with cinnamon.

Tailgating Punch

Now that football season is in full swing, it's time to load up the tailgates and get the pregame festivities started with Platinum 7X Vodka.

The ultra-smooth American made vodka is distilled seven times from high-quality Midwest grain, and delivers a super-premium experience without a super-premium price, making it a tailgating favorite.

Platinum 7X, conveniently sold in a lightweight and stylish plastic blue bottle, will ensure all celebrations remain "uncrashable" this football season, and allows consumers more flexibility and portability while enjoying the game with good friends. Never let a broken bottle ruin game day again.

"The uncrashable Platinum 7X packaging is ideal for making the most of a favorite sporting event," said Tracey Clapp, marketing director, vodka. "The smooth taste and convenient packaging combine for a memorable experience every time."

Careful attention throughout the distillation process insures the highest quality for every bottle of Platinum 7X, resulting in a clean, refreshing, ultra-smooth experience that's essential for every successful tailgate.

Winning teams should be celebrated with award-winning vodka like Platinum 7X. The award-winning 80-proof vodka received two consecutive gold medals in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the vodka category. Additionally, The Beverage Testing Institute has rated it "Best Buy" and "Highly Recommended" for the bold impression the vodka delivers at an attractive price.

Perfect for sipping chilled or for mixing in cocktails, the smooth crisp taste of Platinum 7X will make every game memorable, no matter the final score. Make Platinum 7X Vodka a part of every pre-game ritual.

Try this delicious recipe, as featured on Parade.com, to get the party started:

Overtime Punch

750 ml of Platinum 7X Vodka
2 12-ounce bottles of pale beer/lager
1 12-ounce can of frozen lime juice concentrate
750 ml club soda
250 ml ginger ale
Ice (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and serve.

Now this is just cool! Inflatable, color changing solar lighting!

MPOWERD, Inc. today announced that people can now add cordless, colorful illumination to just about any occasion with its much-anticipated color-changing Luci Aura inflatable solar lantern. Designed to make any indoor or outdoor event special Luci Aura ($24.99) has seven luminous hues plus classic white and can cycle through multiple colors (like a modern lava lamp) or settle on one favorite shade.

"We've been expanding our family of Luci solar lighting to meet fast-growing demand – for everything from home decor and emergency preparedness to camping and fishing," said John Salzinger, MPOWERD Co-founder and Executive Vice President. "Our new multi-colored, multi-use and multi-faceted Luci Aura is perfect for patio and pool parties, dorm rooms, mood lighting, festivals, holiday decoration and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The fun wow-factor of this lantern translates throughout the global market."

Luci Aura first wowed crowds earlier this year at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) where MPOWERD also received a ShowShoppers Envisioneering Innovation & Design Award. The building demand for MPOWERD's unique lantern has many predicting that Luci Aura will be this year's holiday "It" gift. The official MTV VMA Awards recently reinforced this prediction by providing Luci Aura as an exclusive celebrity gift at its ceremony in late August 2014.

Consumers wanting to be among the first to get their hands on Luci Aura can pre-order the solar lanterns atwww.mpowerd.com/order. Orders are expected to be shipped to customers early October 2014. The colorful new lantern will also debut in selected retailers across the US before the holiday season.

All products in the Luci line of inflatable and stylish solar lanterns charge under natural or incandescent light, hold a charge while stored and provide up to 12 hours of light on a full charge. MPOWERD encourages consumers to help provide Luci lanterns to the world's 3 billion people living in energy poverty without reliable access to grid electricity through its Give Luci program:www.mpowerd.com/give.

MPOWERD Inc. develops and manufactures game-changing micro-solar energy products for use by people living and playing on and off the grid. A Certified B Corp, MPOWERD is committed to transforming people's lives and protecting the planet by making its products and solutions available and accessible the world over. www.mpowerd.com

Sixth Annual "National Clean Out Your Garage Day" Slated for Saturday, Sept. 6

New Survey Underscores Need for Safe, Effective and Versatile Storage Options

AURORA, Ill. -- From tools and stools to trunks and junk, it seems that the garage is home to just about everything these days – except the car. In fact, for the vast majority of Americans (nine out of 10*), the garage is much more likely to be serving double-duty as a workshop, tool shed or recreational area, according to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.* This multi-purpose situation often results in a hodgepodge of disorganized items ranging from gardening tools, old furniture and sports equipment to bikes, half-empty paint cans, and even moldy magazines. In sum, enough stuff to trip over, ding your auto, and fall from the rafters.

Making matters worse is that 70 percent of Americans use the garage to store potentially dangerous equipment such as saws and power tools, while nearly 60 percent store flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, propane and kerosene, as well as other dangerous chemicals, including pesticides and other lawn care products in their garage space.* Considering that only 27 percent of Americans report* feeling confident that their garage is "very organized," many garages aren't just cluttered and inconvenient – they're also a potential safety threat.

To help educate Americans about the importance of garage safety and organization, The Lehigh Group, maker of Crawford®-branded garage and home workshop organization products, declared "National Clean Out Your Garage Day." This annual observance, now in its sixth year, will be recognized across the country on Saturday, Sept. 6.

"We established 'National Clean Out Your Garage Day' to occur on the first weekend after Labor Day, a time when much of America moves from summer to fall, and items such as bikes, outdoor toys, sports and camping gear, lawnmowers and garden tools are put away for the season," said Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for The Lehigh Group. "This is a great time to take stock of the safety of your garage, and to de-clutter and re-organize as needed to make this space safer and more functional."

According to the survey, the garage is the most disorganized area or room of the home by a wide margin, and 42 percent of Americans admit to either having never cleaned their garage or to only cleaning it once a year or less. However, the task need not be overwhelming or expensive. In fact, the addition of just a few shelves and other organization products can easily add functionality, safety, and peace of mind.

The experts at Lehigh offer these basic guidelines:

Sort the MessSeparate items into categories such as auto supplies, lawn and garden tools, holiday decorations, and sports equipment. Then, pitch, donate or sell items you don't use. Before organizing and storing, take a multipurpose push broom to sweep the garage floor, or wash down the floor with a water hose.

Zone It OutAfter deciding what stays, separate the garage into zones for storing each category of items, and then identify the most appropriate storage method.

Go VerticalOne great storage strategy is to use the vertical plane to keep the floor free of clutter. Garages provide ample wall and ceiling space that can easily be used for vertical storage through use of hanging shelves, pegboards, storing rails and overhead systems. For example, Crawford® brand has specially designed wall hooks that will hold a leaf blower and its power cord in place, and secure other equipment like wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels. Additionally available are the Crawford® 5' Adjustable Storage System and theCrawford® 3' Sliding Grip Clamp Organizer, both built for strength designed to easily hold more than 25 pounds of equipment. Flexible mesh storage products that hang on the wall are particularly suited to accommodate awkward items, from pet toys and work gloves to tennis balls.

Be an Organized SportEstablish a solid game plan to organize the typical plethora of sports gear as well as the family's fleet of bikes. Crawford® brand offers a wide range of products to help, such as grip clamps for bats, and complete sports organization systems to accommodate hockey sticks, balls, helmets and more. For bicycles, cost-effective screw-in hooks and flip-up bike hangers, along with pulleys, are ideal ways to keep bikes off the ground and out of the way while they're not in use.

Securely Store Hazardous ItemsPlace toxic materials such as paint, paint thinner, weed and bug killers, fertilizer and gasoline in high cabinets or lockable tool chests to keep out of the reach of children. Use well-supported shelves to store cleaning solutions and vehicle fluids. Be sure to secure tools and wrap up extension cords via tool hangers. 

"One final critical tip: Always remember to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding weight limits when using wall hooks, rails and shelving," said Hanson.

Celebrate Grandparents Day on Sept. 7

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 1970, Marian McQuade initiated a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation, declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation's grandparents.

7.1 millionThe number of grandparents whose grandchildren under 18 years old were living with them in 2012.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10050
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10050

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.7 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2012. Of these caregivers, 1.7 million were grandmothers and 
1.0 million were grandfathers.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10056
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10056

603,118The number of grandparents responsible for grandchildren under age 18 and whose income was below the poverty level in the past 12 months, compared with the 2.1 million grandparent caregivers whose income was at or above the poverty level. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10059
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10059

$46,081Median income for families with grandparent householders responsible for grandchildren under age 18. Among these families, where a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median income was $35,296.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10010
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10010

1.9 millionThe number of married (including separated) grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10057 
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10057

1.6 millionThe number of grandparents in the labor force responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. Among them, 359,791 were 60 years or older. 
Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10058
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10058

674,936The number of grandparents who had a disability and were responsible for their grandchildren. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10052
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10052

1.9 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren who were living in owner-occupied housing, compared with 850,871 that were living in renter-occupied housing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012, American Community Survey, Table B10061
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10061

495,946The number of foreign-born grandparents responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. This contrasts with 2.2 million native-born grandparent caregivers. 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10053
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10053

2.1 millionThe number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren who speak only English. Another 252,775 speak another language, but speak English "very well"; 398,387 speak another language and speak English less than "very well."
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10054
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10054

Grandchildren

5.6 millionThe number of children under age 18 living with a grandparent householder in 2012. Nearly half, 
48 percent or 2.7 million, were under age 6.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B10001
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B10001

10% Percentage of children in the U.S. living with a grandparent in 2013, totaling 7.1 million. 
Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2013, Table C4
https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013C.html

2.8 million The number of children living with both grandmother and grandfather in 2013.
Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2013, Table C4
https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2013C.html

Three Home Improvement Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend

LOS ANGELES -- Three-day weekends are a perfect time to revisit the home improvement checklist. Many homeowners agree – more than one in five undertake some sort of home improvement project on the Labor Day weekend.

It's a great time to trade in a TV remote for a paintbrush, and try one of these easy DIY home improvement projects this Labor Dayweekend. Dunn-Edwards Paints has dozens of how-to paint videos to help them tackle a DIY project like a pro.

1. Paint your front door Easy 1/2-day project Pick a vibrant shade and have the boldest door on the block in less than a day. Switching up colors can reenergize an entryway, making walking into a home a whole new experience. Since the door isn't competing with interior decor elements, there's no need to switch up furniture, lighting or accent pieces to complete this project. Watch this video on how to paint a front door from Dunn-Edwards.

2. Paint an accent wall Easy 1/2-day project Labor Day marks the end of summer, so switch it up for fall and redress a room with a new accent wall. An accent wall is an easy way to perk up a space, adding personality to a room next to monotone walls. Plus, shifting colors can inspire a whole new list of home decor ideas! Here's a video introduction to choosing wall paint colors from Dunn-Edwards.

3. Paint a wood gate Easy 1/2-day project The sun's out, there's a fresh batch of lemonade and guests are streaming in through the backyard gate for an outdoor Labor Dayparty. Don't tarnish summer memories with a shabby wood gate – freshen up with a new coat of paint. Depending on how worn the gate is, the wood can be painted, dry and ready for the weekend within a few hours. Watch this video tutorial on painting a wood gate from Dunn-Edwards.

A helpful tip: purchase all paint and supplies before Labor Day week to avoid long lines and get an early start on projects at the beginning of the three-day weekend

Keep Back-to-School Dirt and Germs Away

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.,  -- Starting a new school year means clothes shopping, parent-teacher conferences and kids coming home with sicknesses. Schools, in particular drinking fountains, door handles, cafeteria tables and chairs, and restrooms are ideal environments for germs to live and grow.

In an infographic illustrated by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), on How Dirty is Your Child's School? nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold and 38 million are lost because of influenza.

According to the ISSA, the top five bacteria hotspots children are exposed to at school include:

     1.     Water fountain spigot: 2,700,000 bacteria per inch
     2.     Cafeteria tray: 33,800 bacteria per inch
     3.     Cold water faucet: 32,000 bacteria per inch
     4.     Cafeteria plate: 15,800 bacteria per inch
     5.     Computer keyboard: 3,300 bacteria per inch

"When you have a lot of kids interacting in close environments, illnesses can spread quickly," said Diane Emo, vice president of marketing for Coverall North America, Inc. "Students, parents and teaching staff can take simple steps to provide a united front against the spread of infection."

The ISSA reported that 43.5 percent of school districts don't deliver guidance for infectious disease prevention and cleanliness is usually measured by appearance. Cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces anywhere from a few seconds to 48 hours. Some bacteria can live on surfaces for months, so keep those statistics in mind next time you think that the kitchen counter looks clean enough.

The first step to keeping your child in the classroom and off the couch is teaching them proper hand hygiene. Germs are transmitted by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. It's no surprise to hear that children under the age of two put objects in their mouth 81 times an hour and children ages two to five put items in their mouth 42 times per hour.

"Children should learn to wash their hands with plenty of soap, warm water and paper towel or hand dryer. They should be able to sing 'Happy Birthday' or the 'ABCs' twice to remove germs," added Emo.

Teachers and parents can also model good cleaning and hygiene habits to reduce the spread of germs at school; children look to adults as role models and copy their actions. Disinfectant wipes are an affordable tool to use on germ hot spots. Remember that when children go home they will continue to touch anything and everything, only adding to the germ cycle.

Teachers are also thrown into the mix of catching illnesses in the classroom. Teacher absences costs schools more than $25 billion annually and substitute teachers cost the U.S. $4 billion annually. Teachers can also practice good hygiene habits to protect themselves.

July Data Shows the Healthiest End to Spring Home Buying Season in Three Years

SAN JOSE, -- For the first time in three years, July data shows the price appreciation and inventory increases established during peak buying season (from April to July) continue their upward trend, untouched by external economic factors, according to the realtor.com® July National Housing Trend Report released today. Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE) operates realtor.com®. 

"In July 2012 and 2013, we saw external economic factors overwhelm the healthy gains established in the housing market during the spring home buying season," said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®, the leader in providing consumers with the most accurate U.S. residential listings online*.  "This year, we're ending the traditional season with high buyer and seller confidence demonstrated by price appreciation, increases in inventory and quick home sales."

July National Housing Indicators for 2012 - 2014

Year	Total Listings	Y/Y	M/M	Median List Price	Y/Y	M/M	Median Age of Inventory	Y/Y	M/M
Jul-14	1,979,475	2.3%	4.5%	$214,900	7.5%	-0.1%	82 days	-3.5%	7.9%
Jul-13	1,935,623	-6.4%	1.3%	$199,900	5.3%	0.0%	85 days	-16.7%	6.3%
Jul-12	2,067,430	-14.1%	-0.8%	$189,900	0.0%	0.0%	102 days	-1.0%	7.4%

Realtor.com® July 2014 national housing data reveals home owners are more optimistic about selling than in previous years. This month, the number of homes on the market increased 2.3 percent compared with last year and increased 4.5 percent over June. One factor fueling this uptick in inventory is a strong 7.5 percent increase in median list prices year-over-year. Despite higher prices and more homes on the market, buyers are snatching up properties faster than last year. Median age of inventory for July 2014 is 82 days, three days faster than 2013.  

"This is the first time, since the beginning of the recovery, that we expect to see positive momentum throughout the second half of the year," Smoke projected.  "While seasonal patterns are emerging in July month-to-month comparisons, all other metrics point to fundamental market health and a build-up of momentum."

While July growth may seem modest, it is in stark contrast to the housing indicators experienced over the last two years. In April 2013, mortgage interest rates began to increase significantly, making potential mortgage payments more expensive for home buyers. By July 2013, this slow but steady tightening of home buyer budgets dampened demand. As a result, month-over-month increases in inventory lessened and properties spent more time on market.

Additionally, in July 2012 concerns of broad debt defaults and economic weakness in Europe influenced big decreases in the stock market. Overall economic uncertainty contributed to weak consumer confidence, which influenced potential home buyers to remain on the sidelines while low prices made owners reluctant to list.  As a result, July 2012 median list prices remained flat both month-over-month and year-over-year. Inventory remained at very low levels and homes spent 102 days on the market.

Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit 2014 Low Point

NEW YORK,-- Mortgage rates moved lower for a second consecutive week, hitting a 14-month low. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 4.24 percent, and has an average of 0.28 discount and origination points according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate moved a touch lower to 3.37 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rate sank to 4.29 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also lower, with the 5-year ARM slipping to 3.28 percent and the 7-year ARM stepping down to 3.49 percent, both three-month lows.      

Muted inflation readings and ongoing tensions in hotspots around the globe helped fuel demand for bonds, pushing mortgage rates lower. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds. Any time there is reason for nervousness among investors, their movement into the perceived safe haven of bonds is good news for mortgage rates. Low inflation has also been a boon for bond demand as inflation erodes the fixed payments bond holders receive.  

As 2013 came to a close, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 4.69 percent. At that time, a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,036.07. Mortgage rates have moved lower thus far in 2014, and with the average rate now 4.24 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $979.25, a savings of nearly $57 per month for anyone that waited.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 4.24% -- down from 4.27% last week (avg. points: 0.28)

15-year fixed: 3.37% -- down from 3.39% last week (avg. points: 0.17)

5/1 ARM: 3.28% -- down from 3.324% last week (avg. points: 0.15)