Cookout and party season is about to kick off. That includes baby showers, bridal showers, graduation parties, and summer barbecues! Here are a few simple party hosting tips from Craig Ranch for all of your cookouts, parties, and barbecues at your new home near Frisco, TX. Share your best party hosting and entertaining tips with us on Facebook!

1. Make a list. Keep yourself organized by making a party prep list. Check off to-do items as you complete them. Include cleaning, cooking, shopping, decorating and other prep chores on your list. This will help you stick to your schedule and keep the chaos to a minimum on party day.

2. Cook ahead at your new home near Frisco, TX. Cook any party foods ahead of time so all you have to do is reheat just before the party starts. Pre-cooking and prepping ahead of time will save you time, hassle, and sanity.

3. Buy in bulk. Buy paper products and snacks for your party ahead of time. Look for deals and save money by buying in bulk. Who doesn’t love a few extra pretzels, cookies, peanuts or festive napkins at a fun party?

4. Serve buffet style at your new home near Frisco, TX. Instead of stressing over a formal sit-down gathering, try letting guests serve themselves buffet style. Snacks, light appetizers and desserts are all great buffet foods. This will allow guests to mingle and nibble at the same time. A great party is all about good conversation and simple eats.

5. Decorate your new home near Frisco, TX. Every great party needs a few festive touches around your new home or outdoor gathering space. Don’t go overboard, but create a fun, vibe with seasonal or themed party flare and fun lighting.

Highland Homes has gone to great lengths to become one of the most successful McKinney home builders by offering brand new home designs in our master planned community in Frisco ISD. As a company built on a solid foundation of core values and principles, Highland Homes is dedicated to putting the home buyer’s wants and needs first and foremost. Highland Homes was even named the 2012 People’s Choice Builder of the Year in Dallas/Fort Worth for best overall ratings by their homeowners!

With homes ranging from the $370s to the $400s, Highland Homes offers a range of sizes and styles in The Villas at Craig Ranch. Offering 13 base plans and 7 option plans, there truly is a floor plan to meet any home buyer’s needs. Features including stone elevation, media rooms, outdoor living areas and spacious living areas are just a few of the added touches that set each Highland Homes design apart from the rest.

Highland Homes understands the importance of high energy efficiency. New home buyers will find that Highland offers huge savings on monthly utility bills-especially over pre-owned homes that are five to 20 years old. Highland Homes incorporates a wide variety of construction technology, high performance materials, appliances, and HVAC systems into every home to provide families with energy saving, eco-friendly living.

Adding to the wonderful features already provided, all Highland Homes designs in The Villas of Craig Ranch have access to amenities within Craig Ranch including multiple parks, hike and bike trails and a 1/2 mile rubberized track as well as a calendar of community events throughout the year. Each new home also comes with an initiation fee waiver for membership at the TPC Craig Ranch Golf Course, a PGA course designed by Tom Weiskopf, and a two year, free membership at the Cooper Fitness Center and Spa.

The Craig Ranch community as a whole truly is what completes the luxury living that Highland Homes strives to create for each of their home buyers. See for yourself everything that our McKinney master planned community has to offer our residents!

When it comes to home building, you can rest assured that Highland Homes will provide you with the best service, product and buying experience imaginable. They remain committed to their mission statement through and through: “deliver homes we are proud of.”

For more information about Highland Homes, or to schedule a tour of the Highland Homes model in Craig Ranch, contact our Highland Homes representative today!

Location:

5817 River Highlands Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070

Hours:

Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Contact:

Tim Stephenson, Sales Counselor
(972) 369-0220
craigranch@hhomesltd.com

Tell us, what features are top priority for you in a home?

Here at Craig Ranch, community living is at the heart of our vision. As a McKinney master planned community, it is our goal to bring residents together in exciting, interactive ways though community events and gatherings.

To add to the spring event season, the first Craig Ranch garage sale of 2012 is coming up on Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to clean out closets, go through belongs and make room for new things! Nothing says spring cleaning like getting ready for a garage sale.

After the event is complete, there will be a Goodwill truck available for donations in the Craig Ranch North business parking lot to take anything that did not sell off your hands.

Remember, garage sale permits are required in Craig Ranch. If you would like help obtaining your permit, the Craig Ranch Community Association will be accepting garage sale registration forms through 3 p.m. on May 4. All forms will be submitted to the city and permits will be emailed to residents after that date.

If you would like to obtain your own permit, you may do so at any time by emailing garagesale@mckinneytexas.org.

To add a little more fun to the Craig Ranch garage sale, there is an optional resident contest! Craig Ranch will be partnering with Shannen Kelly of Practically Perfect Organization host a Before and After photo contest. To enter, simply take photos of your home before and after your garage sale/ spring cleaning.

Entries for the photo contest will be accepted from May 15 – May 27 and will be posted to the Craig Ranch Community Association Facebook page. Once pictures are posted, residents will be allowed to comment on photos, but organizing guru Shannen Kelly will be the ultimate decision maker! After she has chosen which Craig Ranch resident has the best before and after photos, the winner will be awarded three hours of professional home or office organization from Practically Perfect Organizing.

Contest Rules:

• Must email photos (2 photos total, one before and one after) to hbates@ccmcnet.com between May 15 and May 27
• Photos must be current and be of your house
• Please include the following information: name, address, phone number
• Please include information about the area you cleaned such as how long it took you, etc.

If you have any questions about the Craig Ranch community garage sale or the garage sale contest, please email Holly Bates at hbates@ccmcnet.com.

Remember Craig Ranch residents, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. On your mark…get set…START CLEANING!

Bring the colors of spring to your new home in Craig Ranch! Get inspired by beautiful spring flowers and bold, rich hues.  Popular colors this season include bright, bold palettes that really make a statement. Try dark peacock blues, apricot, tangerine orange, fuchsia, and vibrant green for your new home. Warm yellows and rich, dark browns are also making a comeback this season. Here are 5 apps to help you decorate for spring and add a splash of color to your new home. Share your favorite spring colors or decorating ideas with us on Facebook.

1. Martha Stewart Living – Nobody knows how to decorate for the spring season like Martha. Browse issues of the magazine for decorating, cooking, and other projects for your new home in Frisco, TX. This app is free with a subscription to the magazine and comes with a free one-month trial.

2. Houzz Interior Design Ideas – This app offers more than 150,000 idea books and more than 70,000 pictures to help you find the perfect spring look for your new home. This app is free and available for both iPads and iPhones.

3. HGTV to Go – Bring all your favorite HGTV ideas to your iPad. Watch your favorite shows or how-to videos and browse tons of photos and articles for spring decorating and more. Get inspired at your new home in Frisco, TX with this app.

4. Color Snap by Sherwin Williams – This free app will help you find the perfect spring color palette for your new home. Color Snap will find the perfect hue for your new space based on any photo image you capture with the app. Browse colors and options at your nearest store or upload your color palettes to your social media networks.

5. Elle Décor – If you love Elle Magazine, the Elle Décor app for Apple users will inspire you to decorate your new home in Frisco, TX for every season. Browse classy photos from the magazine, tips and tricks for your own home, and more. This app is $1.99 with a monthly subscription.

The sun is warm, the grass is green, and Spring is in the air. Blue skies and warm weather mean it’s time to start bringing a bit of color back to your outdoor living space. Here are 5 apps from Craig Ranch for getting into the gardening spirit this Spring at your new home in Frisco, TX. Share your favorite garden apps with us on Facebook.

1. Herb s+ - This app for Apple users tells you everything you need to know about growing an herb garden. With pictures, tips, recipes, and health tips, you can find great information for herb gardening. This app is $3.

2. Landscapers Companion – This app for Android and Apple users contains information on more than 22,000 plants with more than 15,000 pictures. This resource guide for gardeners tells you important info about sun, water, plant size, etc. for each of your garden plants. Search for everything you can think of for the garden at your new home in Frisco, TX. This app is $5 for Android users and $6 for Apple users.

3. My Garden Lite – This free app for Android users is great for remembering to water your plants. This app will create a database of all of your plants and their information. This app accounts for location and environmental elements when reminding you to water. Take a picture and view helpful plant tips too.

4. Garden Snob – This free app for Android and Apple users keeps you up to date on everything green and growing. Browse tips, tricks, ideas, and more for the garden of any size at your new home in Frisco, TX.

5. Grow Buddy – This app for Android users comes with a free version and a pro version. With Grow Buddy you can take photos and track information about your plants including pH levels, feeding schedules, supplies, watering times, etc. You can even track changes to your plants and follow support for weeding and other gardening tips.

One of the best features of Craig Ranch is its ideal location within the D/FW Metroplex. With a variety of shopping, dining, employment, and entertainment options, there is always something to do.

Spring is officially here and there are a number of exciting events going on around Craig Ranch this month. Before you start planning your April social calendar, take a look at this list of events we’ve put together for you!

April Events:

WHAT: Strikes Against Cancer Annual Baseball Tournament

WHEN: 4/4 – 4/6, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHERE: Triple Creek Academy, The Ballfields at Craig Ranch, The City of McKinney Fields; Mouzon, Gabe Nesbitt Community Fields (5 Plex and 3 Community), and Towne Lake

WHAT: The Future of North Texas Landscape and Irrigation

WHEN: 4/4, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 3220 Craig Drive McKinney, Texas 75070

ADDITIONAL INFO: FREE LUNCH AND LEARN! Come learn about the North Texas municipal Water District and the surrounding cities implementation of them.

WHAT: Easter Egg-Stravaganza

WHEN: 4/7, 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Al Ruschaupt Soccer Complex, 1986 Park View Ave., McKinney, Texas

ADDITIONAL INFO: Enjoy a morning of family fun with games, arts and crafts, entertainment and prizes.

WHAT: Texas Trash-Off

WHEN: 4/14, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: McKinney (City-wide)

ADDITIONAL INFO: Teams will start at 8:30 a.m. when participants arrive for check in.  Teams are assigned specific areas of the city and are sent out at about 9 a.m. to pick up litter for two hours. City Environmental Services staff members accompany each team and transport full trash bags. At 11 a.m., teams and staff will head back to Old Settler’s Park for a final count of full bags and a lunch, which begins at 11:30 a.m.

WHAT: KiteFest 2012

WHEN: 4/14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: Van Tuyl Plaza, McKinney, Texas

ADDITIONAL INFO: Don’t miss out on the chance for some fun in the sun! Free kites will be given to the first 80 kids that come. There will also have a bounce house in tow!

WHAT: Celebrate Nature

WHEN: 4/14, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place McKinney, TX 75069

ADDITIONAL INFO: The day will be packed with special activities for the whole family including live concerts, interactive animal presentations, a Blackland Prairie Raptor Show, guided trail tours, canoe demonstrations, “green” vendors, nature-inspired and hand-crafted items made by artisans, and more.

WHAT: Arts in Bloom 2012

WHEN: 4/14, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Historic Downtown McKinney – 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, Texas  

ADDITIONAL INFO: This all day event is a perfect opportunity to experience the magic of McKinney historic shopping district during the spring season with art, music, food and much, much more.

WHAT: McKinney Community Round-Up

WHEN: 4/14, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Old Settler’s Recreation Center 1201 E. Louisiana St., McKinney, Texas

ADDITIONAL INFO: Celebration of National Community Development Week featuring food, fun, live music, community workshops, and the “I Remember” Project.

WHAT: Historic Wood Window Repair Educational Workshop

WHEN: 4/21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Chapel @ Chestnut Square Historic Village 315 S. Chestnut Street McKinney, Texas 75069

ADDITIONAL INFO: This half-day workshop is designed to provide historic building owners and construction professionals with a working knowledge on how to evaluate the condition of historic wood windows and how to best go about repairing or replacing them.

We can’t wait to hear which events you attend! We’d love for you to share your stories and pictures with us on Facebook.

Spring has officially sprung at Craig Ranch! Now that winter has passed, you need to prep your home for the new, warm weather. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help guide you through the process.

Here are a few tips to help get your home spring-ready:

Exterior maintenance – If any part of your home took a beating during the winter, now is the time to fix it up! Be sure to survey the exterior of your home, scanning for damaged areas, especially seals around windows and doors. It’s also a good idea to check your roof and to remove blockages in your gutters, often caused by leaves or other debris. Remember, any major changes to the exterior of your home must be pre-approved by Craig Ranch Community Association. Completed applications can be submitted online at www.craigranchliving.com, faxed, emailed or dropped off at the CRCA office.

Landscaping – Give your landscape a little love after the long winter months. One of the best parts of spring is beautiful, bright colored flowers. Before you plant your fresh landscape, check out this list of seasonal spring flowers. Once you spruce up your flowerbeds and give your grass a good cut, your yard will be ready for the new season!

Interior fix-ups – Don’t let the idea of spring cleaning scare you! Once it’s done, you’ll love the fresh, clean feel of your home. Take the time to clean out closets and de-clutter your home. It’s also a good idea to clean your ceiling fans, windows and fireplace, too. Don’t forget to have your air-conditioner serviced before the extreme summer temperatures arrive. If you’re in the mood to redecorate, consider adding a few bright accents to your home to liven the decor for Spring. After you’ve finished interior maintenance, you can bask in the new look and refreshing feel of your spring-ready home.

Take this opportunity to transform your home into a spring masterpiece. With a renovated exterior, a bright landscape and a clean interior, your Craig Ranch home will look and feel like new!

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter at @Craig_Ranch to get more spring tips and to stay in the know about community information, news and events.

With spring officially on its way on March 20, it’s time to think about adding a little luxury to your outdoor living space.  Here are 5 tips from Craig Ranch for expanding luxury outside at your custom home in McKinney, TX. Share your favorite outdoor living space ideas with us on Facebook.

1. Create an outdoor kitchen. Patios and decks are more than just grilling spaces now. Add counters for prep work, a grill station, or a stone oven for baking pizzas and bread. Don’t forget to add enough space for entertaining and an outdoor bar for serving all of those guests at your custom home in McKinney, TX. Wine and dine in style at your new home. Everyone loves a great barbecue and grilling at a luxury outdoor kitchen.
2. Create the perfect mood lighting in your outdoor space with an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Cozy up to your fire pit or fireplace on cool Texas evenings for great conversation or smores with the kids. Create that comfy campfire vibe for entertaining without all the hassles of actual camping.
3. To add the perfect amount of shade and style at your custom home in McKinney, TX build a pergola. White washed pergolas or wooden artisan pergolas give your outdoor living space a sense of Italian luxury. You can also add a touch of garden green or color with flowers and vines that wind around the top and columns of your pergola.
4. Create a chic outdoor living space with stylish outdoor furniture. From outdoor rugs to waterproof sectionals and every accessory imaginable, there’s plenty of chic outdoor furniture available for your custom home.
5. Add a water feature to your custom home in McKinney, TX. Fountains add tranquility to your luxury living space. Not only are fountains beautiful and serene, they also center your outdoor space and your mind during summer entertaining.

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for leprechauns, green beer, and shamrock inspired festivities near your new home in McKinney, TX. Here is a short list of parades, pubs, and parties from Craig Ranch. Share your favorite St. Patrick’s Day activities with us on Facebook.

Parade and “Paddy Dash” – Take the whole family to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Frisco Square on March 19. Don’t forget to wear your green for festivities that include a silent auction, bounce house, face painting, food, music and more. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Boys and Girls Club of Collin County, C.A.K.E., Frisco Cares, Frisco Family Services Center, and Mane Gait. s ilent auction, bounce houses, face painting, and much more!

St. Patrick’s Day Murder Mystery Party Bash – Download the game and host your own party at your new home in McKinney TX. The game works best for kids 13 years old or older. Enjoy your favorite Irish food and drink while you try to uncover the murder mystery during the role-playing game.

St. Patrick’s Day Party – The City of Allen is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Party for teens aged 12 to 18 years old. Wear your best green outfit or accessories and prepare for fun, games, scavenger hunts, food, and more at this event.

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party – This adults only party at Ringo’s Pub in Plano, TX will celebrate the Luck of the Irish with Irish band Emerald City on March 17.

Local Irish Pubs – Can’t find the nearest Irish Pub near your new home in McKinney, TX. Browse this site and find the best place to celebrate Irish food and ale. If all else fails, don your best green shirt and order a pint of Guinness and your favorite bar. The Colony is a personal McKinney favorite.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dallas – March 17^th is the 30^th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dallas. This year Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavs, has stepped up and is hosting the parade. Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses are performing with Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights this year.

Spring break is just around the corner in McKinney, Texas and there are so many fun things to do and see in and around the Craig Ranch community. No matter what you and your family are in the mood for over spring break, there truly is something for everyone.

Here’s a list of 10 fun spring break ideas:

St. Patrick’s Day event: The 3rd Annual St. Patty’s Craft Day for Craig Ranch residents will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. There will be fun holiday crafts, plenty of snacks, and a movie, too. Be sure to RSVP!

Picnic at a Craig Ranch Park: The Craig Ranch parks are one of the many fun, family amenities in the community. Spring break is the perfect time to plan a picnic, gather with friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful scenery at one of the parks.

Family bike ride on the Craig Ranch Fitness Trails: A bike ride on the Fitness Trails is the perfect way to soak up the sun, let the spring breeze blow through your hair, and get a little exercise, too. Don’t forget to practice bike safety!

Camp out in the backyard: With no need to wake up early for school, sleep under the stars in the backyard of your Craig Ranch home. Set up a tent, tell ghost stories, and make shadow puppets with a flash light…what an adventure!

Organize a craft day with friends: If there is one thing you can always count on kids loving, it’s crafts! Organize a day for your kids and a few of their close friends to do spring craft projects. The possibilities truly are endless when the right supplies are involved.

Go on a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt around Craig Ranch: Create a scavenger hunt around the Craig Ranch community. Come up with clues that lead to various amenities, base your clues on street names, or take pictures around the community and have your family hunt for the location.

Decorate your Craig Ranch home for Spring: With the spring season in full swing, transition your home from winter to spring. Get the whole family involved and make a day of it. Come up with spring DIY projects for the home, decorate with bright colors, or plant spring flowers!

Set-up a lemonade stand: Every little kid should have a lemonade stand at some point! Lemonade or refreshing iced tea would be a perfect treat for Craig Ranch residents on a warm, spring day.

Host a backyard BBQ: Allow your kids to invite over a few friends or gather the entire family for a day of fun in the sun with a backyard BBQ! It’s the perfect excuse to try new recipes and create a fun menu, play outdoor games, and catch up with friends and relatives.

Have a movie day: Spring break is a nice time to take a break from it all and soak up a little rest and relaxation. Spend a lazy day with the family curled up watching movies and munching on popcorn. If that doesn’t sound relaxing, we don’t know what does! Check out this list of the top family-friendly movies from 2011.

This spring break make the most of family time, the beautiful weather, and everything that the Craig Ranch community has to offer. The fun opportunities really are endless!

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