Hummingbird Tea Room and Bakery is a delightful spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle and bask in a serene setting with a cup of tea and a homemade scone. Tea is available either in bulk by the pound, or to drink there by the cup or pot.

Their myriad teas includes Organic Earl Grey, Bombay Chai, Organic Lopsang Souchong, White Lotus, Marrakesh Mint, Orchid Oolong, and Chamomile Citrus. They also have organic brewed coffee and espresso drinks. In addition to yummy Scones, Cookies and Muffins, they have breakfast offerings like Omelets, Stuffed Croissants, Waffles and Sausage Rolls. The lunch menu features a Turkberry Sandwich with roasted turkey, Swiss cheese & cranberry sauce, and a Brie Baguette with brie cheese, tomato, fig preserves, tomato, cucumber & basil.

Hummingbird Tea Room and Bakery is open Monday through Saturday.

Hummingbird Tea Room and Bakery
30420 FM 2978
Spring, TX 77382
(281) 419-8362
www.hummingbirdtearoom.com/wp
www.yelp.com/biz/hummingbird-tea-room-and-bakery-spring

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/naama

The Riva Row Boat House is one of The Woodlands’ most popular community amenities. Located within walking distance of both Market Street and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, this beautiful, rustic boat house offers residents a way to rent kayaks and experience a unique view of the Woodlands Waterway.

Both single or tandem kayaks are available, and they cost just $15 to $20 for the first hour. Guests are able to determine their own route down the waterway, and if you choose to row all the way to the end of the route you’ll find a beautiful lake right next to North Shore Park. Whether you go solo, with a date, or even bring your dog along for the ride, the Riva Row Boat House offers the perfect outdoor activity for a hot Texas day.

The Riva Row Boat House is open year round, though its hours are different throughout the year. Check the informative website for more information about kayak rental times and rates.

Riva Row Boat House
2101 Riva Row
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 210-3965
www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?nid=360
www.yelp.com/biz/riva-row-boat-house-the-woodlands

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/L'eau Bleue

Making your own pasta sauce may seem like something reserved for only the most skilled chefs, but you’d be surprised to know how simple it really is. Forgoing the store-bought sauces in favor of making your own is also beneficial to your health, as it eliminates the added sugars and preservatives that are often found in jarred pasta sauces. If you want to try your hand at preparing a zesty, flavorful sauce at home, here are three fail-proof recipes.

World’s Best Pasta Sauce!
This traditional pasta sauce is a versatile option that you can use for years to come. It includes the staple ingredients like tomato paste and a variety of Italian meats, plus flavorful spices ranging from dried basil to fennel seed. Once the ingredients are blended together, everything gets cooked slowly in a large Dutch oven.

Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce
If your own grandmother wasn’t much of a sauce maker, feel free to adopt this tasty recipe as your own. It uses simple ground beef, tomatoes, and Italian spices to give it a hearty texture that tastes straight out of the old country.

Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
If you want to create a sauce that tastes like gourmet without the gourmet cooking skills, this recipe is the one to use. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse shares his unique recipe that includes unexpected ingredients like hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, and an impressive amount of garlic.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Angelo DeSantis