We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!
Dig Into Local History at the San Antonio Fire Museum
February 9, 2016 by
Formerly known as Fire Station #1, the San Antonio Fire Museum served as San Antonio's working Central Fire Headquarters for more than seven decades. When some local firefighters decided to open a museum paying homage to the men and women who came before them, however, they made over the fire department for their purposes. In May of 2013, the firefighter founders debuted the museum to the people of San Antonio.
You can still explore it today. In the years since it opened, the San Antonio Fire Museum has acquired even more vintage fire trucks than it originally housed, each painstakingly restored by the volunteer staff. The museum also plays host to various exhibits that chronicle the rise of the local fire department. Explore the antique documents and photos to learn a little more about the history of San Antonio's firefighting heroes.
San Antonio Fire Museum
801 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 390-7236
www.sanantoniofiremuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-fire-museum-san-antonio
No Green Thumb? No Problem! Grow These Houseplants at Retreat at Cross Mountain!
February 2, 2016 by
Even if you haven’t had the best luck with plants in the past, that’s no reason to give up on having a greenery-filled home. While certain houseplants are very finicky and seem to die as soon as you glance in their direction, others are hearty, resilient and made for people whose thumbs aren't exactly green. Here are just a few.
- Succulents. The desert native succulent plant is beloved by many for its very sparse watering schedule. Because it only needs watering once a month or so, this trendy houseplant is perfect for forgetful owners.
- Aloe plants. The unique looking aloe plant is another one that doesn’t need much watering (or even much sunlight). Simply give it a bit of water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Cast-iron plant. There’s a reason this great plant has a name that’s tough as nails: the cast-iron plant can tolerate everything from low light to changes in the atmosphere like a champ.
- Snake plant. The high-reaching snake plant (sometimes called mother-in-law’s tongue) not only offers a stylish, impactful look, it can also survive in low light and with sporadic waterings.
- Jade plant. This gorgeous plant will live for years without much care at all, eventually growing into a small tree with a large enough pot.
Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes & Gardens]
Press Coffee: Get Jazzed About Your Morning Java
January 26, 2016 by
If you’re looking for a way to make mornings more exciting, pay a visit to the city’s popular Press Coffee. True to its name, Press Coffee offers French presses filled with premium beans that make enough coffee for a few cups. If you prefer something more elaborate, you’ll also find a small menu of handcrafted lattes, loose leaf teas, and beverages made with milk alternatives for vegan or dairy-free guests. There is a well-curated selection of foods for breakfast and lunch, including avocado toast and fresh baked muffins, but for the most part coffee is the name of the game here.
Coffee fanatics love this cozy cafe for its tall, stark white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows. and minimal decor that is right on trend. There are a few wooden cafe tables throughout the dining area, and the skilled baristas are often found concentrating hard on creating the perfect cappuccinos behind the professional espresso bar.
Press Coffee
606 W French Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 602-6590
www.yelp.com/biz/press-coffee-san-antonio
You Can’t Go Wrong With a Late Lunch at Picnikins Patio Cafe
January 19, 2016 by
On the next breezy afternoon, grab a group of friends and head out to the patio at Picnikins Patio Cafe. This upscale eatery is just as stylish as it is laid back, with an artistic, modern dining room decorated in shades of turquoise with interesting ceiling fixtures and artwork throughout. There is a spacious outdoor seating area ideal for lunch al fresco, and the items on the European-inspired menu are practically designed to eat outside.
Juicy burgers are served on homemade buns, the signature poblano soup is always a spicy favorite, and the very hearty salads are filling ways to eat healthy for lunch or dinner. Picnikins Patio Cafe also offers entree specials, like mushroom meatloaf, flavorful curries, and salmon Piccata. There is a selection of wine and beer to pair with your meal, as well as an ever-changing list of decadent desserts that will really round out your meal at this beloved area favorite.
Picnikins Patio Cafe
6901 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 616-0954
www.picnikinspatiocafe.com
Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant: A Local Favorite That Everyone’s Taco-ing About
January 12, 2016 by
Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant is a great choice for tacos in San Antonio, offering a true taste of Mexican fare favorites mixed with American cuisine classics. Whether you’re looking for a platter of zesty tacos, a burrito stuffed full of rice and beans, or even a traditional Mexican breakfast, you’ll find it at Los Barrios.
In the morning, the menu features flavorful dishes like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, while the lunch and dinner menus switch over to fajita plates and combination platters that will leave you feeling full for hours. Los Barrios offers large portions for low prices, and there are even juicy cheeseburgers and fries for those with less adventurous palates.
The restaurant is always clean and well decorated inside, and it is located in a convenient location that makes it perfect for a casual and family-friendly dinner out in San Antonio.
Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant
4223 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 732-6017
www.facebook.com/losbarrios1
How to Use Borax Around the Home
January 5, 2016 by
If you haven’t yet experimented with the wonders of borax, you’re missing out on a versatile household cleaner that could help to consolidate many of your chores. This unique, all-natural substance consists of sodium borate, and it makes a powerful cleanser, drain cleaner, and much more. Here are a few ways to use it.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of borax with two cups of hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner for around the house.
- Clear a blocked drain by mixing 1/2 cup of borax with two cups of boiling water. Pour the solution down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes before running water to flush it away.
- Get stains out of your sink by making a paste of one cup of borax and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Scrub the paste into the stain with a sponge and rinse with hot water.
- Clean carpets naturally by using 1/2 cup of borax per gallon of water in the steam cleaner.
- Clean pots, pans, and porcelain cookware by sprinkling borax on their surfaces and rubbing with a slightly damp cloth.
Borax Changed My Life! [Stacy Makes Cents]
30 Little-Known Uses for Household Borax [One Good Thing]
Borax and 25 Ways to Use It [Apartment Therapy]
McAllister Park: A Mountain Biker’s Paradise in San Antonio
December 29, 2015 by
If you’re an avid mountain biker or just someone who enjoys the occasional hike, McAllister Park is a must-see green space in the San Antonio area. This beautifully scenic public park is filled with miles of paved trails, dirt trails, and everything in between, creating a great day of fun outdoors in the saddle of your trusty bike. While you ride, you’ll often encoutner shy white tail deer, rabbits, native birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats along the wooded trails.
There are large, grassy fields where you can have a picnic or even play a game of Frisbee, and if you’re looking for a more serious place to play, McAllister Park also contains baseball fields and soccer fields perfect for a pick-up game. The entire park is also dog friendly, so you’ll even find people walking their four-legged friends along the trails or in the small dog park in the park’s center.
McAllister Park
13102 Jones Maltsberger Road
San Antonio, TX 78247
www.sanantonio.gov
Wrigleyville Grill: A Little Taste of the Windy City Near Retreat at Cross Mountain
December 22, 2015 by
Chicago’s food scene is well known for its plump, ballpark hot dogs topped with mustard, relish, and pickles and its famous deep dish pizzas, and in the San Antonio area, you’ll find a true taste of Chicago at Wrigleyville Grill. This Chicago-themed eatery features memorabilia from the Windy City hanging all over its walls, including Bears flags and Cubs jerseys, and its long, narrow dining area contains a spacious counter where you can dine on hot dogs while watching the latest sporting events on TV.
In addition to its pizza and hot dogs, Wrigleyville Grill offers gyros topped with lamb sliced fresh in front of you, cheese fries smothered in melted goodness, and Italian beef just like you’ll find in Chicago. There is even a great selection of Chicago craft beers that any local will love!
Wrigleyville Grill is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Wrigleyville Grill
602 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 369-9833
www.wrigleyvillegrill.com
Happy Winter!
December 15, 2015 by
As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?
Equal Housing Opportunity