We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!
Unplug and Unwind at Bee Cave Central Park
February 11, 2016 by
One of Bee Cave's top attractions doesn’t cost a dime. If you’re on a budget or simply looking to reconnect with nature, Bee Cave Central Park is a scenic public park that offers a number of activities for people of all ages. This 50-acre park contains a hiking and biking trail that connects to other trails throughout Bee Cave, making it easy to access from anywhere in the city.
There are two pavilions available for picnics or outdoor birthday parties, and the well-maintained playground creates a safe area for children to climb, swing and run around the park. The park even contains a unique interpretive area with tube drums and vibration pipes. You’ll often see people playing pickup sports at the park’s multipurpose basketball court and soccer meadow, and there is even a more laid-back hillside for those who simply want to lounge in the grass on a warm afternoon.
Bee Cave Central Park
13676 Bee Cave Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
www.beecavetexas.com/visitors/parks-recreation-353#central
www.yelp.com/biz/bee-cave-central-park-bee-cave
Zilker Botanical Garden: 26 Acres of Natural Beauty in Austin
February 4, 2016 by
If you’re looking for a relaxing (or even romantic!) way to spend an afternoon near Sendera Barton Creek, consider visiting the Zilker Botanical Garden. This beautiful area attraction is filled with flowers and plants from as close as the Austin area to as far away as Japan, offering a unique glimpse into the plant life from all corners of the world.
Here, you can take a stroll through themed gardens, including a rose garden, a wonderfully scented herb garden, and even the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which recreates the habitat in which the dinosaurs once lived! There are waterfalls and small streams scattered throughout the park’s 26 acres, as well as a large Koi pond filled with colorful fish.
Zilker Botanical Gardens is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Zilker Botanical Gardens
2220 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 477-8672
www.zilkergarden.org
www.yelp.com/biz/zilker-botanical-gardens-austin
Turf N’ Surf Po-Boy: Don’t Miss the Mahi Mahi
January 28, 2016 by
It'd be accurate to call Ralph Gilmore a jack of all trades. He's worked beneath the hoods of ailing cars; he's constructed and sold customized bikes; he's designed modern living spaces. But he took on an entirely new type of venture in the early 2000s when he debuted Turf N' Surf Po-Boy, a food trailer that eventually spawned a more permanent kitchen (and sidewalk order window) on Lavaca Street.
You can choose to have your food one of three ways: as a po'boy, tacos, or a salad, Then just pick your fixings. The mahi mahi is a popular option, whether or not you go for a po'boy or taco. But you can also go for blackened ribeye with horseradish cream buffalo chicken with bleu cheese, or grilled veggies (known as The Hipster). You can also opt for a basket of fried shrimp, catfish, oysters, or even crawfish. On the side, order one of the popular costars from the menu: the cilantro fries or the jalapeno hush puppies.
Turf N' Surf Po-Boy
407 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 276-2763
www.lavacastreet.com/turf-n-surf
www.yelp.com/biz/turf-n-surf-po-boy-austin
How to Help Your Child Learn to Ride a Bicycle
January 21, 2016 by
If your child is bored with training wheels and wants to learn to ride an adult bike, you likely have a number of concerns. However, as long as you keep safety and comfort in mind, teaching your kid to ride a bicycle can be a quick, painless process. Follow these helpful tips to best instruct your child how to push off, pedal, and cruise on his or her new "big kid" bike.
- Safety first. Before you do anything else, get your child properly fitted for the right bicycle helmet. Even if he or she already has a helmet, it’s very important to have one that fits properly and provides the adequate amount of protection for learning to ride a bike. You can do this at just about any bicycle supply shop or sporting goods store.
- Scout locations. When it comes to riding a bike for the first time, location is key. You want to find a flat, paved street or parking lot with no traffic or a low, gently sloping, grassy hill, depending on your child’s preference. Show him or her both areas and see which feels more comfortable.
- Prepare the bike. You can’t just remove your child’s training wheels and expect him or her to speed away. Take off the training wheels and then begin by removing the pedals and lower the seat. Begin by showing your child how to balance, brake, and turn on the bike with no pedals, and then put the pedals back on. This is the final stage, so get the camera ready!
How To: Ride a Bike [Real Simple]
How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike [REI]
How to Lean to Ride a Bike in 15 Minutes [Better Homes & Gardens]
Teaching a Kid (and Adult) to Ride a Bicycle [iBike]
Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike [Disney Family]
Laugh Out Loud at ColdTowne Theater
January 14, 2016 by
No matter what type of entertainment you typically enjoy, anyone who likes to laugh can appreciate the productions at ColdTowne Theater. Before 2006, Austin didn't have much of a comedy scene—certainly nothing like the countless improv clubs of Chicago. But that was the year that New Orleans transplants brought their brand of comedy to Austin in the form of ColdTowne Theater, which hosts everything from stand-up shows to improv.
You can take improv classes at ColdTowne Theater if you're interested in getting up on the main stage yourself, but you're also welcome to kick back and laugh from the comfort of a seat out in the audience. ColdTowne Theater holds a few signature events on a regular basis, like the improvised game show known as GameTowne (every last Thursday of the month) and an interactive storytime for kids, "What's the Story, Steve?" (every Saturday at 10 a.m.). However, the theater also boasts an ever-changing itinerary of performances that have only one thing in common: good comedy.
ColdTowne Theater
4803 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 814-8696
www.coldtownetheater.com
www.yelp.com/biz/coldtowne-theater-austin
Sip the Fantasy Sweet Latte at Beware Coffee
January 7, 2016 by
A trailer parked in the lot beside Spider House. That's all that makes up Beware Coffee. Don't let its size—or parking spot—fool you, though. It may look like a coffee shanty on wheels, but Beware Coffee has earned five-star reviews almost across the board thanks to its exceptional java.
Owners Natasha and Braxton can be credited with much of the praise lavished on the coffee trailer. They're described as the "kindest, most accommodating people of all time" by one Yelp reviewer. And whether or not you agree with that statement, no one can argue that the pair crafts a mean cup of coffee. They use the AeroPress to quickly make each piping-hot mug of java as soon as you order it, and customers can taste the difference that this brewing technique makes. Locals also love the specialty drinks Natasha and Braxton create, especially the Fantasy Sweet latte with honey and coconut oil.
Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
www.facebook.com/BewareCoffee
www.yelp.com/biz/beware-coffee-austin
The Emerald Restaurant: Taste the Luck of the Irish
December 23, 2015 by
The Emerald Restaurant is a beautiful and cozy eatery tucked away in a scenic part of West Austin that locals truly adore. Approach the cottage-style restaurant and you’ll be amazed at its quaint beauty and lush, green lawn, which creates a stunning backdrop for the many private parties, weddings, and graduation dinners that are held here.
The Emerald Restaurant serves an imaginative menu of Irish-inspired dishes, and everything is made entirely from scratch using tried-and-true family restaurants straight from Ireland. Roasts and meats are carved tableside on silver platters, while onion soups are served flambéed and Tipperary sweetbreads come wrapped in Irish bacon. Each artistic dish is hearty and a bit dramatic, and there are even complete two-person dinners perfect for special occasions.
No true Irish meal would be complete without an accompanying beverage, and The Emerald also boasts a long list of libations to choose from.
The Emerald Restaurant
13614 Highway 71 West
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 963-4272
www.theemeraldrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2
How to Get the Most Storage Space Out of Your Refrigerator
December 17, 2015 by
Organizing your fridge doesn’t just keep things in their right place, it also lengthens the lifespan of the foods inside. Here are a few smart ways to get the most storage space out of your refrigerator.
- Start by going through your entire refrigerator and throwing away anything that is past its expiration date. Wipe out the shelves and drawers and prepare to put things back inside.
- Consider your storage and see where you can add more. If there is a particularly large shelf, purchase additional shelving or bins from your local home goods store.
- Organize food items by size, leaving the larger items in the back and the smaller ones in the front so that you can easily see everything at first glance.
- Place the vegetables in the designated vegetable drawer, as this is often a so-called “crisper” that is designed especially to keep delicate vegetables fresh.
- Only store condiments on the door, as this is the warmest part of the refrigerator and can cause other items to spoil.
- Store raw foods, such as meats, on the bottom shelf so that they don’t contaminate other items.
Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
How to Store Food in the Refrigerator [Real Simple]
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?
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