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Soak Up Some Sunshine at Austin’s Lady Bird Lake

March 22, 2016 by

Lady Bird Lake is an outdoor recreational area named for former First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, who spent the latter years of her life supporting efforts to beautify the lake.

When you need to unwind after a long day, you can choose from four local agencies to rent a kayak, canoe, paddle boat, or board. There are hiking and running trails galore. In fact, the 10.1-mile trail and 1-mile boardwalk are the longest in the city! Lady Bird Lake also offer recreational fishing and also hosts a statue of respected musician Steve Ray Vaughn. Of course, you can simply arrive to soak up some sunshine and reconnect with nature.

Note that swimming in the lake is prohibited!

Lady Bird Lake
South Lakeshore Boulevard at Town Lake Circle
Austin, TX 78741
(512) 974-6700
www.austintexas.gov/page/lady-bird-lake

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Refinish a Well-Loved Wooden Cutting Board With These 4 Tips

March 18, 2016 by

Is your wooden cutting board looking a bit worse for the wear? With all of the slicing and dicing that goes on on your cutting boards, it’s no surprise that they need a bit of refurbishment every now and then. Use these simple tips for breathing new life into an old cutting board.

  1. First, disinfect your cutting board (especially ones that you use to cut meat) by diluting one teaspoon of bleach in two quarts of water. Dip a scrub brush in the solution and scrub the cutting board in small circles, and then wipe the surface with a damp paper towel and buff dry with a cotton cloth.
  2. Next, buff out any deep cuts using a very fine grade sandpaper. You may even want to choose two types of sandpaper so that you can buff out the cuts with one, and then smooth the surface with the other. Don’t leave behind any scratches, as these can collect bacteria.
  3. Condition your cutting board with mineral oil on a soft cloth. Don’t use vegetable or olive oils, as these can turn rancid with exposure. Buff the oil into the board using a thin rag, and make a note to retreat the board at least 3 or 4 times a year as needed.
  4. Once your cutting board is clean, keep it fresh after each use by cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it all over.

How to Clean a Cutting Board: 7 Effective Treatments [Reader’s Digest]
How to Restore and Maintain a Wood Cutting Board or Butcher Block [HGTV]
How To Clean, Deodorize and Condition Wood Cutting Boards Naturally [Apartment Therapy]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2016 by

May your day be touched with a little bit of the luck of the Irish!

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With:

Don’t Miss the Sunday Brunch at Jack Allen’s Kitchen

March 15, 2016 by

Decorated with seasonal ornaments and colorful cookware, Jack Allen’s feels just like Grandma’s kitchen. This Austin eatery made its debut back in 2009 and has since been infusing Southern fare classics with locally sourced Texas ingredients.

The restaurant's unique offerings change each week according to what local farmers provide, but regulars would likely recommend you visit during the restaurant’s Sunday Brunch. With Texas-sized portions of everything from banana bread to biscuits and gravy and even gluten-free options, the brunch menu leaves no craving unsated! Among the must-haves on the menu are the dessert buffet's strudel muffins and the free pimento-cheese appetizer.

Jack Allen’s Kitchen serves up its Southwestern-style comfort food seven days a week. Be sure to arrive between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the crowd-favorite Sunday brunch!

Jack Allen’s Kitchen
3600 North Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 351-9399
jackallenskitchen.com

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

What Are Your Favorite Spring Recipes? Here Are a Few to Try This Season!

March 11, 2016 by

As the days get longer and springtime (finally!) rolls around, you likely start to crave lighter meals made with bright, fresh ingredients. Retire your usual favorite spring recipes in favor of something new and exciting with these delicious dishes from around the web.

Grilled Artichokes [oprah.com]
Create a tasty side dish for chicken, steak, or fish with Oprah’s recipe for flavorful grilled artichokes. Grilling these layered veggies on a stovetop grill gives them a bit of a blackened taste, and the homemade dipping sauce that goes with them adds even more flavor.

Sautéed Fiddlehead Ferns [localfoods.about.com]
Fiddlehead ferns come into season during the spring, which makes this dish very fresh and delicious. This recipe also takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook, so it makes quite a quick last-minute side dish on busy weeknights.

Risotto With Prosciutto and Peas [realsimple.com]
If you’re looking for something heartier and more filling, this rich, creamy risotto recipe is the perfect choice come spring. Thin prosciutto adds a salty taste, while the sweet spring peas make it perfect for warmer weather. Cook the risotto in white wine and chicken broth to add a deep, complex flavor throughout, then serve it with your favorite grilled meats or as an entree with a fresh salad.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

March 9, 2016 by

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends April 30th, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With: ,

Crown Donut: A Friendly Donut Place in Austin

March 8, 2016 by

If donuts put you in a good mood stop by Crown Donut in Austin, Texas where donuts are served with a smile. Loyal customers find the donuts to be light and tasty. They have a wide variety of yeast and cake donuts, as well as donut holes and kolaches.

If you are in the mood for sweet treat, get a cinnamon sugar cake donut. Looking for savory? Try the highly recommended jalapeno kolache. Although there is a drive through, many customers prefer going into the store for the friendly service. Crown Donut might just be one of the best spots for a sweet breakfast near Marquis at Barton Trails.

Crown Donut
325 Ranch Road 620 S

Austin, TX 78734
(512) 230-4247
www.crowndonut.blogspot.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crown-donut-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Safety First! Essentials for Your Home First Aid Kit

March 4, 2016 by

Safety is a major concern in just about every household across the country, but you might not know exactly what to keep on hand to prevent against illness and injury. From minor cuts to major bumps and bruises, these first aid kit essentials will keep you (and your family) safe against all kinds of ailments.

  • Assorted bandages. Be sure to choose a box with a variety of shapes and sizes for all kinds of cuts.
  • Gauze bandages. To wrap arms and legs in case of a larger cut or burn.
  • Adhesive cloth tape. To securely fasten gauze bandages and wraps.
  • Instant cold pack. For soothing bruises and reducing swelling.
  • Aspirin. To reduce headaches and ease pain from minor injuries.
  • Oral thermometer. All households should have an adult thermometer, but families should also keep a children’s model on hand.
  • Non-latex gloves. For safely cleaning and dressing wounds.
  • Antihistamine. Brands like Benadryl help to reduce allergic reactions, such as bee stings.
  • Antibacterial creams. For disinfecting cuts, burns, and scrapes.
  • Antiseptic wipe packets. To quickly clean cuts and burns as soon as they happen.
  • Tweezers. To remove splinters and other small debris.
  • Rubbing alcohol. To sterilize your tools.
  • Sharp scissors. For cutting bandages, gauze, and other supplies.

First-Aid Kit Essentials [Parents]
First Aid Essentials [Healthy Essentials]
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit [American Red Cross]
First Aid Essentials [Real Simple]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Online Retailers Sell Hip Kids’ Furniture That’s More Stylish Than Most

March 1, 2016 by

If the idea of a kids’ bedroom that’s cluttered with toys isn’t exactly what you have in mind, you may be wishing for kid-friendly furniture that’s a bit more functional. These stylish online stores specialize in children’s furniture and decor that’s more minimal than most, but it’s still cute enough to appeal to your favorite little ones.

The Land of Nod
With mid-century modern designs and soft, neutral colors, all of the furniture at The Land of Nod is just as appealing to caregivers as it is to the kids. Here you’ll find well-made wooden cribs and bedframes, bedding in whimsical patterns, and smart storage solutions with an eclectic edge.

IKEA
Everyone’s favorite Swedish home goods store is an equally great resource for fun, quirky children’s furniture. If you’re looking to furnish your little ones’ rooms on a budget, this is the place to go for complete furniture sets and even colorful rugs that double as board games.

Hip Kids
With a name like Hip Kids, it’s apparent that this online retailer sells children’s furnishings that are truly stylish. Shop wooden play kitchens, kid-sized teepees, and smart storage solutions that they’ll actually want to put their toys inside.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Ready to Say Goodbye to the Gallery Wall? These New Wall Decor Ideas Will Spruce Up Your Space

February 26, 2016 by

While the mix-and-matched gallery wall was the biggest wall art trend of the past few years, you may be a bit tired of this eclectic style. If you’re looking for a new (but equally easy) way to spruce up your walls at Marquis at Barton Trails, get some inspiration from these exciting ideas.

  1. Hang a tree trunk slice. Visit your local craft store or even a lumberyard and purchase a few large tree trunk slices. Sand them down and stain them, or hang them as-is for a truly rustic look.
  2. Create cool frames using Washi tape. If you’re tired of the hefty price tags (and the holes) that come with traditional frames, try creating one-dimensional frames out of colorful Washi tape. Create designs that are sleek, ornate, traditional or even a little wacky in all of the shapes and sizes that you desire.
  3. Hang a vintage map. If you have a large wall space that you just don’t know how to cover, try using a large vintage map. These are fairly easy to come by online or at your local thrift store or on sites like Etsy.
  4. Display antique ceramics. Collect an assortment of antique plates and baskets from antique stores or family members and display them using hanging plate racks.
  5. Frame your records. If you’re a music fan, frame your favorite records using square frames designed especially for that purpose.

10 Impressive DIY Wall Art Projects from Our House Tours [Apartment Therapy]
Washi Tape Wall Art Ideas [Apartment Therapy]
50 Beautiful DIY Wall Art Ideas For Your Home [Decoist]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
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