Flex Your Creative Muscles at Potteryland Studio

Take a trip to Potteryland Studio to unleash your inner Picasso. The process is easy: Simply choose a pottery piece from the expansive inventory, selecting between plates, picture frames, mugs, bowls, pitchers, or teapots. Then you get to design, decorate, and paint your pottery under the tutelage of one of the studio's fun, knowledgeable staff members! Everything you need to make your masterpiece is provided, including paint, brushes, and aprons. You can even paint on canvas, if you wish!

Leave your piece to be glazed and fired, and a few days later, stop back to pick it up. When you’re done, take your creation home with you. Bring a gaggle of friends to the studio and make it a party!

Potteryland Studio is open Mondays through Fridays.

Potteryland Studio
25166 Grogans Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-7965
potteryland-studio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/potteryland-studio-the-woodlands

The Counter: Build Your Own Burgers

The concept at The Counter is unique. When you walk into this eatery, you're handed a clipboard with an extensive list of ingredients that allow you to build your own gourmet burger. There are more than 300,000 different combinations, so you could have a unique burger every time you go.

Star by choosing what kind of patty you'd like, with choices including beef, chicken, turkey, or a veggie burger. There are 12 cheeses to select from, about 20 sauces, and a variety of premium toppings, such as sundried tomatoes, avocado, applewood smoked bacon, or chili. Regulars point out that The Counter offers gluten-free buns. If the choices seem overwhelming, you can always order from the regular menu, which is filled with sandwiches, salads, and side dishes.

The Counter
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 231-2147
thecounterburger.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Think Beyond the Salsa With These Cilantro-Centric Recipes

When you think of salsa, you likely think of the zesty flavor added by cilantro. Cilantro is also a great addition to many other dishes, however, even those outside of Mexican cuisine. These three recipes will have you rethinking the way you view cilantro in the most delicious ways possible!

Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cilantro
Instead of the usual Southwestern cuisines, try cilantro in an Asian-cuisine-inspired dish for a change. This noodle salad requires no cooking at all to create a fresh, interesting meal with a traditional Vietnamese sauce. Top it with cucumber and cilantro for a bit of added flavor.

Miso-Maple Sweet Potato Tacos with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce
There are so many delicious flavors in this taco dish, your taste buds will hardly know where to begin. Tender sweet potatoes covered in a miso and maple syrup glaze take the place of the usual taco meat, and avocado, cilantro, and toasted pepitas make a tasty garnish. The cilantro comes in at the end, when it’s blended with coconut to create a uniquely flavorful sauce for topping.

Zesty Quinoa Salad
If you want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste, you’ll absolutely love this quinoa salad. Fresh vegetables and black beans make it bright and nutritious, while cilantro and black pepper add major flavor.

The Happy Peddler: Distinctive Finds in Spring, Texas

Looking for those rare, one of a kind items you won’t find at a regular furniture store? Head to the Happy Peddler in the heart of Old Towne to find unique items for your home or office. The quaint little shop features a great selection of vintage and antique furniture, house wares and décor to outfit your Avana Woodridge apartment.

Dining room tables and chairs are a feature of the store, so chances are, you’ll find just the right one, no matter what size your eating space. You’ll also find beds, bookshelves, armoires, dressers, side tables, sideboards, buffet tables, quilts, linens, rugs, mirrors, chandeliers and lamps. Dishes, glassware and flatware are also on the list of items to discover here.

The Happy Peddler is open Wednesday through Saturday.

The Happy Peddler
126 Midway Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 528-6655
http://www.thehappypeddler.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-happy-peddler-spring

Crescent Moon Wine Bar: Good Wine and Good Food in Spring, Texas

Wine is meant to be enjoyed at a place like the Crescent Moon Wine Bar, a popular hot spot near Avana Woodridge. From the outside, this may look like an unassuming spot, but Crescent Moon's pleasant interior creates the perfect setting for sharing good wine and good food.

Come in, seat yourself, and check out Crescent Moon's extensive wine list. Over 300 different wines to be exact, and many can be had by the glass. Visit for lunch or dinner and try a selection of cheeses, tasty salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Don’t miss Social Hour Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and compliment your drink with some tapas, bruschetta, sliders, or pizza. You can also stick around to see great live music almost every night.

Crescent Moon Wine Bar
440 Rayford Road
Spring, TX 77386
(281) 364-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crescent-moon-wine-bar-spring

Kona Grill: Enjoy A Varied Menu in The Woodlands

Kona Grill serves some stellar modern American cuisine along with an expansive menu of sushi. Indoor and outdoor seating and a bright ambiance add to the appeal of this popular local restaurant.

Happy Hour is a great time to visit to enjoy spectacular specials on food and drinks! Order a cocktail, beer or glass of wine and a sumptuous starter like Chicken Satay or Ahi Wonton Crisps. Flatbreads and salads are on Kona Grill's menu, along with a flavorful list of sandwiches. Offerings include a Turkey Burger, an Avocado Chicken Club, and a Big Kahuna Cheeseburger with applewood bacon. Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon with pork fried rice, Pan-Asian Noodles with beef tenderloin, and Miso Sake Sea Bass with ratatouille are among the entrees avilable here.

If you'd like to try it for yourself, Kona Grill is open every day in The Woodlands, Texas.

Kona Grill
3 Waterway Square
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 466-4061
www.konagrill.com/restaurants/the-woodlands-tx.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/kona-grill-the-woodlands-the-woodlands

Public Domain/Public Domain

Learn about the Economy with These Economics Podcasts

You don't have to go back to school to get a degree in economics to understand more about how our economy works. These three podcasts offer interesting insights on business, the economy, and the world of finance:

Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast
Bloomberg Surveillance has its finger on the pulse of the national economy. Podcast hosts Tom Keene and Michael McKee discuss topics like financial repression, the job market in various fields, spending patterns, and the patterns within the ever-changing stock market.

Marketplace
American Public Media’s Marketplace is a podcast devoted to the latest business news within the United States and around the world. It focuses on the global economy and events that impact the financial markets, and it aims to provide timely, accessible coverage of both economics and personal finance. Marketplace is a great podcast if you prefer to hear about interesting, true stories rather than just the numbers.

Planet Money
Distributed by NPR, Planet Money is a twice-weekly podcast that explains the economy to people who might have no prior knowledge of how it works. It’s fun and enjoyable, and it covers topics like how popular iPhone apps affect the national economy.

Public Domain/Openclipart.org

Let Your Kids Play at the Woodlands Children’s Museum

When you need to occupy young children on a hot or rainy afternoon, head to the Woodlands Children's Museum. Although a bit of a misnomer, this indoor play area is full of fun for youngsters. There are Lego stations, arts and crafts activities, and dress-up and make-believe areas, all with the goal of encouraging children to play, explore, and imagine.

Staff is hand to help direct the kids, allowing parents a bit of a breather. Admission is affordable at $5 for children and adults. If your child enjoys the museum, consider signing up for dance classes and art lessons. Check the online brochure for details.

Woodlands Children’s Museum
4775 Panther Creek Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 465-0955
www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-woodlands-childrens-museum-the-woodlands

Public Domain/Freeimagescollection

Forest Cafe and Bakery: Tasty Treats in The Woodlands

Forest Café and Bakery opened eight years ago and the family-run business has steadily built a faithful clientele. In addition to bakery cases layered with delectable pastries, they serve up a flavorful menu of breakfast and lunch items.

Stop by this eatery in The Woodlands, Texas in the a.m. to get your day started with hearty fare like Country Fried Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, a Breakfast Quesadilla, or a Breakfast Burrito. Stop in at lunchtime to curb your hunger with a tasty selection of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Options include a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich, a Garlic Mushroom Burger with Swiss cheese, a Fried Buffalo Chicken Salad, and a Veggie Quesadilla. Save room for a yummy dessert like a Triple Fudge Brownie, or a Vanilla Butter Cream Cupcake.

Forest Cafe and Bakery
3091 College Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 271-4518
www.forestcafeandbakery.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/forest-cafe-and-bakery-the-woodlands-2

Uni Sushi: A Chic Sushi Spot in The Woodlands

Uni Sushi features a flavorful selection of sophisticated fare in an upscale Art Deco setting with chandeliers and onyx columns. If sushi's your thing, settle in at the sushi bar and order one of their specialty rolls like the Angry Dragon with yellowtail, jalapenos, cilantro, habanero, tobiko & ponzu sauce.

If you prefer something warm, a bowl of Miso Soup is always a nice choice. Rock Shrimp Tempura, Lobster & Shrimp Rolls, and Gyoza Dumplings are on the appetizer menu, and Uni Sushi's entrees include dishes like Wild Mushroom Chicken, Asian Pesto Tuna, Rib Eye Beef Rolls, Firecracker Chicken and Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops, all served with steamed rice and your choice of vegetable tempura or Asian vegetable sauté!

Uni Sushi is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands.

Uni Sushi
9595 Six Pines
The Woodlands, TX 77380
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/directory/taste/dining-restaurantes/uni-sushi/
www.yelp.com/biz/uni-sushi-the-woodlands

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