Enjoy a Relaxed Meal at the Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub

Named after a little green park in Ireland where locals grazed their geese, The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub boasts a menu of traditional Irish fare flavors, as well as fresh, modern dishes. This restaurant is a favorite among locals, who say the traditional dishes simply can't be beat.

Try the crispy, ale-battered cod filets served with seasoned fries and a unique apple-based coleslaw, or dig into a rich serving of shepherd’s pie filled with braised sirloin, leeks, carrots, peas, and onions, all topped with a layer of creamy cheddar whipped potatoes. If you'd prefer something lighter, try the wasabi-and pistachio-encrusted ahi tuna steak served with grilled vegetables, or opt for the restaurant's signature grilled chicken salad with a unique mix of spring greens, berries, dates, tangy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and house-made cornbread croutons. Whatever you order, you can be confident it will be served quickly and with a smile.

The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 466-1502
www.thegoosesacre.com/modules/wfchannel
www.yelp.com/biz/the-gooses-acre-bistro-and-irish-pub-the-woodlands

Stylish Footwear Ships Free of Charge on These Three Websites

Ordering shoes online offers you a much wider selection and more convenience than shopping in stores, but the shipping fees can make it very expensive. Once you add up the cost of the shoes, taxes, and shipping and handling fees, those new shoes often end up costing you much more than they would in the store. Here are three popular online stores that offer the shoes without the shipping costs.

Zappos
Zappos is widely known for its vast selection of name brand shoes at affordable prices, but many shoppers don’t realize that the site doesn’t charge for shipping. Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes from brands like Nike, Steve Madden, and Sperry all ship entirely free of charge—and arrive at your doorstep within five business days. Better still, if that new pair of sneakers doesn't fit, a free return shipping label is provided.

Piperlime
Piperlime is a stylish sister site of Gap, and it offers designer women’s shoes with the same fashionable feel. There are a wide variety of trendy styles like wedge booties, wide leather sandals, and ballet flats, as well as clothing and handbags to go with them. Best of all, Piperlime also offers free shipping and returns on any order.

Shoebuy
This site operates similar to a discount warehouse, but it also offers the convenience of shopping from your computer. Shoebuy carries brands like UGG, Frye, and Clarks, and the site offers free shipping, free return shipping, and no sales tax on any purchase.

Develop Strength and Flexibility at Express Hot Yoga

While Express Hot Yoga offers a few traditional 90-minute bikram-style yoga workouts, this studio stays true to its name by specializing in condensed, 50-minute classes. Regulars at this The Woodlands business say the studio itself is airy, clean, and beautifully maintained, which allows you to focus entirely on the poses—and be aware that you'll need to focus in order to get through a full 26-pose workout in just 50 minutes!

If you've never done hot yoga before, you'll likely find that the 50-minute classes are a great introduction to the bikram method. The studio recommends you arrive prepared to sweat, with a hand towel and plenty of water to drink.

Express Hot Yoga
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 363-2989
www.bytw.com
www.yelp.com/biz/express-hot-yoga-the-woodlands

Salata: Salads and Wraps in The Woodlands

Salata is a restaurant where you can build yourself a wrap or salad from a flavorful array of super-fresh ingredients. The salad option features several lettuce choices, plus fresh veggies, fruits, nuts and cheeses. Add on one of their signature dressings and some bread, and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal. Chicken or seafood can also be added in flavors like Spicy Chipotle, Herb Marinated, or Pesto.

Wraps have the same ingredient options and come with chips. Yummy soups include Broccoli, Tomato Basil and Tortilla. Got gluten allergies? No problem, they can create a tasty sans-gluten meal. You can also take home a bottle of their salad dressings that include Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch, Ginger Lime, and Chipotle Ranch.

Salata is open every day in The Woodlands.

Salata
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-0775
http://www.salata.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salata-the-woodlands-2

Rudy’s Bar B Q: Classic Barbecue in Spring, Texas

Rudy’s Bar B Q is a popular Spring spot for enjoying tasty barbecue. The space presents a down-home setting with an old fashioned gas station theme that recounts the fact that the original in this chain of restaurants began at a Texas gas station.

Sidle up to the counter, place your order and sit down at one of their wooden picnic-style tables. Meat is sold by the half-pound. Choose from Brisket, Turkey Breast, Spicy Chop, Half Chicken, Turkey, Pork Loin, Pork Spare Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Regular Sausage and Jalapeno Sausage. They slice your meat right at the counter and pile it onto white butcher paper. Choose from Spicy or Regular Sauce. Add on some tasty sides like Creamed Corn, Potato Salad, Spicy Beans, Coleslaw, and New Potatoes.

Rudy's is open every day in Spring, Texas

Rudy's Bar B Q
20806 Interstate 45
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 288-0916
http://www.rudysbbq.com/page/home
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-bar-b-q-spring-2

These Halloween Party Games Are a Ghoulish Good Time

Whether you’re the class parent or you’re planning a party at home, there are tons of fun Halloween-themed party games that your little ones will love. These activities are lively and just a bit spooky, which make them the perfect games to play before trick-or-treating.

Mummy Wrap [fun.familyeducation.com]
This one is a classic, but it only gets more fun every time you play it. Start by dividing guests into two teams, and then choose one “mummy” on each team. Give each of the other teammates a roll of toilet paper, and then see which team can wrap their mummy from head to toe first.

Pop Goes the Pumpkin [marthastewart.com]
Attach an oversized foam board to an empty wall, then attach orange balloons in the shape of a large pumpkin to the board. Next, allow kids to pop the balloons with dull pins (or darts for older kids) to uncover candy and small treats hidden inside.

Silent Movie [momswhothink.com]
Even if your kids are too young to appreciate classic horror films, they’ll love creating their own in this fun game. Collect silly movie props like costumes, makeup, and strange household items, then divide the kids into two teams and give them a set amount of time to each create their own silent films. After the time is up, hold a “screening” of both performances.

Pundt Park: Outdoor Fun and Activities for the Whole Family

Located off of Spring Creek Drive and part of the Spring Creek Greenway, the sprawling 380-acre spread of Pundt Park is the perfect venue for your outdoor activities of choice. Saddle up to traverse the park's many equestrian trails, or lace up your hiking boots and hit the 10-mile trail linking Pundt Park to the Stahl Preserve and the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Centre. If you prefer to kick back on a lazy summer day, pack up a basket and post up along the picnic loop with 10 tables, two covered pavilions, and convenient restrooms nearby.

Pundt Park’s two lakes are ideal for fishing with white bass and crappie ready for catching in winter and year round catfish, but guests should keep in mind that swimming, boating, canoeing, and kayaking are prohibited.

Pundt Park is open 8 a.m. to dusk to year-round.

Pundt Park
4129 Spring Creek Drive
Spring, Texas 77373
(281) 353-4196
www.hcp4.net/parks/pundt/index.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/pundt-park-spring

Sunny Side of the Street: Breakfast and Lunch in Spring, Texas

Looking for a flavorful spot to stop in for breakfast and lunch? Head to Sunny Side of the Street for some tasty food served in a cheerful setting.

Stop by in the a.m. to get your day started with an Old Fashioned Waffle served with whipped cinnamon butter, Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, Biscuit & Gravy, or a Three Egg Omelet. Fans of their Blueberry Custard Baked French Toast say it’s a party in your mouth. Apple Cheddar Flapjacks are also a fave. The lunch menu features a Sunny Side Salad with mixed organic greens, spiced walnuts, dried cranberries, crispy goat cheese, wildflower honey & white balsamic vinaigrette. Other options include a Chicken Waffle Sandwich with fried chicken sandwiched between two waffles, and a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich with basil pesto.

Sunny Side of the Street is open every day in Spring, Texas.

Sunny Side of the Street
4915 FM 2920 Road
Spring, TX 77388
(281) 355-8888
www.sunnysidetexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sunny-side-of-the-street-spring-2

Perfect Blend: A Bakery and Cafe in Spring, Texas

The Perfect Blend is a sweet melding of bakery and café, with friendly service and a relaxing ambiance. Go there to sample some yummy pastries like Almond & Chocolate Croissants, Napoleons, French Macarons, Brownies, Lemon Bars, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Cupcakes and Cake Balls. Fresh breads are also found in their bakery case.

Stop by in the a.m. for breakfast fare that includes Quiche or Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches with sausage, eggs, cheese, bacon & ham. Lunch offers up some hearty sandwiches served on their homemade breads. Choose from Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, Roast Beef, Ham & Gouda, Bacon Grilled Cheese, and Turkey & Pepper Jack. Wraps and soup are also offered.

Perfect Blend is open Monday through Saturday in Spring, Texas. Visit its website to find out more!

Perfect Blend
329 Sawdust Road
Spring, TX 77380
(281) 203-5115
http://www.perfectblendbakerycafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/perfect-blend-bakery-cafe-spring

Sample These Acorn Squash Recipes This Fall

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash with a unique dark green rind, longitudinal ridges and a yellowish-orange inside that tastes sweet and mild. This squash is so versatile that even the most novice home chef can easily prepare it in a variety of different ways. Here are just three ways to try your hand at serving acorn squash this fall.

Baked Acorn Squash [allrecipes.com]
To really get a good idea of how acorn squash tastes, you should first prepare it all by itself. This simple recipe involves baking a halved acorn squash with just a bit of butter and brown sugar to create a healthy side dish or even a unique dessert.

Acorn Squash Soup with Kale [marthastewart.com]
With a hearty texture and autumnal flavors, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings. Pureeing the acorn squash is one of the best ways to prepare it for use in a soup, while adding crispy bacon and finely chopped kale adds a darker, smokier flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the squash.

Spinach and Acorn Squash Ravioli [myrecipes.com]
Acorn squash makes a wonderful filling for pasta, and in this creative recipe it’s blended with creamy ricotta cheese and chopped spinach for added flavor. Plus, using wonton wrappers instead of the usual pasta dough saves on calories, and it’s much easier than rolling out that dough by hand.

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