Are you a coaster junkie?
My family is, minus me.

So, we decided to check out the greatest amusement park in the galaxy, virtually speaking.... Spacepark 360!

The show takes you to nine rides on different planets in our solar system.  Music accompanies you as the movie screen turns, spins and drops you into different alien topographies.  Avoiding space boulders is just part of the fun!  The best part for a scaredy cat like me is that you can just close your eyes or look away when the room is spinning a little too much!

I don't want to give away the rides, but Saturn was our favorite.  A roller coaster suspended by balloons over a lake of methane, it's pretty cool.  Not even I realized how much we were actually LEARNING until the show was over!  To me, that's the best kind of fun!

We watched the show at University of Texas at Arlington's planetarium, which is the only place in Texas currently showing the film.   Although it's been showing for a couple of years now, I was surprised that the theatre was almost completely filled.  The huge overhead screen and great sound system make it a wonderful venue.

Planetariums in Texas

Texas is home to many planetariums, and most of them offer movies to the public.  Most of the time, the are space related or educational movies, but often they will run family movies, especially during the summer and holidays.  Here's a list of Planetariums in Texas, you may be surprised how many are near you.

Angelo State University (San Angelo) Enjoy a different movie each Thursday evening.

Burke Baker Planetarium (Houston) Housed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the planetarium offers daily shows.  NASA used the planetariums domed, starred skies to train astronauts to recognize the stars.

Center for the Arts and Sciences (Clute) Weekly shows for the public, check website for dates.  Also home to the Brazosport Astronomy Club.

Don Harrington Discovery Center (Amarillo) The Space Theatre offers daily shows Tue. - Fri.

Gene Roddenberry Planetarium (El Paso) Named after the Star Trek creator and native El Pasoan, the Planetarium occasionally offers movies to the public.

Hudnall Planetarium (Tyler) This planetarium, located at Tyler Junior College, offers shows and special events.

John Parker Planetarium (Gainesville)  Part of the North Central Texas College Campus, the planetarium offers public showings.

Mayborn Planetarium (Killeen)  Daily public shows as well as special events and scouting events.

Moody Planetarium (Lubbock) Daily shows for the public Wed - Sun.

Morgan Jones Planetarium  (Abilene)  Owned by the Abilene ISD, it offers movies to the public.  Visit their site for a list of upcoming shows.

Museum of the Southwest (Midland) The Mirian Blakemore Planetarium is open Tue. - Sat. for shows.

Navarro Cook Center Planetarium (Corsicana)  Enjoy public showings on the weekend, including The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket and The Cowboy Astronomer.

Robert Wollman Planetarium (Corpus Christi) The planetarium, located at Richard King High School and offers shows to the public on Tuesday evenings.

Scobee Planetarium and Challenger Center (San Antonio)  This state of the art planetarium and learning center is scheduled to re-open Fall 2013 on the San Antonio College Campus.

SHSU Planetarium (Huntsville)  The Sam Houston State University Planetarium offers shows to the public.

Stephen F. Austin Planetarium (Nacogdoches) Enjoy a movie each Friday night at 7pm.

Tarleton State University Planetarium (Stephenville)  Open to the public for special events during the year.

University of Texas at Arlington Planetarium (Arlington)  Enjoy star shows, Spacepark 360 and movies.  Open to the public.

How to welcome a house wren

I took my five year old to Home Depot's monthly Kid's Workshop.  It's held the first Saturday morning of each month, and my little guy (and my big ones) always look forward to it! 

The had a small bird house kit, which was easy for my little guy to put together with just a little help.  He then painted the house, his shoes, and my hands that were holding it upright for him.   It's a good thing I'm use to my hands (clothes, hair) being covered in paint!

As soon as we got home, he was eager to hang it.  However, I slowed him down, and together we did some research online to determine what kind of bird would like to live in the house, and what kind of bird we want to attract.  As a good landlord, we don't want just any type of bird moving in, but one that will live in harmony with the other birds that frequent our yard.  We determined that a little house wren would make the ideal tenant! 

Would you like to welcome a House Wren to your yard? 


Bird houses make terrific family projects, and are a great way to raise your child's interest in nature.  Letting them build their own birdhouse allows them to take responsibility for it, and increases their concern for your future neighbor.  If you love woodworking, their are lots of plans online, but I really suggest a birdhouse kit.  The precut wood makes building a breeze, and they are less expensive than a trip to the hardware store!  You can find them at Walmart, or Amazon has several to choose from. 

Once you have built and painted your house, choose a location about 5-8 feet off the ground.  House wrens prefer their home surrounded by shrubs or bushes, so a small tree would ideal.  Attach the house to the tree, instead of a pole.  They are social little birds, so it's a great idea to put several houses nearby, creating a little bird neighborhood! 

The little wrens are insectivores, and will pay you back by eating insects from your yard.  It's also a great idea to include a water source nearby for them, such as a bird bath, according to Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center in Cedar Hill, who I seeked out for more advice. 

Once spring arrives, check the house for signs of renters moving in.  The wren will make their nest out of grasses and other bedding they find.  The little birds will hop around the branches of the tree, and treat you with lively little songs. 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Some of my favorite things to do in Texas during the chilly month of January

Happy 2013!

Why not make a resolution to see more of our wonderful state? 

Here's a list of some of my favorite things to do in Texas during the chilly month of January! 

 

 
1.  Visit Liberty Hall Theatre in Tyler, built in the 1930's then restored and reopened in 2011.  Watch a classic movie, after dinner in the historic downtown square.  Try Jakes for a elegant dining experience, and don't miss their rooftop lounge, The Chaveta.  Or enjoy Don Juan on the Square for a more family friendly option, after a day exploring the Caldwell Zoo or Tyler State Park. 

2. Take a tour of the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.  On January 8th, enjoy one of their monthly sessions of Sensational Substainable Seafood Cooking Class from 7-9pm.  HEB Plus chef, Gordon Taylor will instruct you how to select and prepare fresh, sustainable seafood.  You'll get to sample the dishes and have fun, too!  Reservations are required.  $20/'person. 

3.  Grab your binoculars and head out to Emory for the 18th annual Eagle Fest!  Enjoy live bird shows and take either a bus or boat tour on Lake Fork for a chance to see some of these magnificent Winter Texans in the Eagle Capitol of Texas! 

4.  Trout are a cold water fish species and don't handle our Texas heat very well, but each winter Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks community lakes and ponds with these aquatic fighters!  Take the kids to one of the stocked pond locations, or take a fly fishing class.  TPW offers a beginner's fly fishing class on January 12th at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, and a Fly Tying Class at SeaCenter Texas in Lake Jackson on January 26th.  Also, classes are available in Houston at the Texas Fly Fishing School and The Country Flyfisher Shop in Fredericksburg.  Once you have had the classes, visit Rick Wilson at FBG Outfitters to schedule a guided fishing trip!

5.  Go Spelunkering!  Texas caves provide a wonderful getaway because they stay a constant temprature, even on the coldest day!  Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, Cascade Caverns in Boerne, Cave Without a Name in Boerne, Caverns of Sonora in Sonora, Innerspace Caverns in Georgetown, Longhorn Caverns in Burnet and Wonderworld Park in San Marcos!  Be sure and check the calendar of events at each location, some offer exciting tours such as lantern, paranormal and wild cave tours!  Others host concerts and other venues! 

6.  Snow Geese migrate from the Canadian tundra to spend the winter in our warmer Texas marshes and waters.  Visit Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in North Central Texas, or Anuhuac National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Texas to see thousands of these beautiful birds, often from the comfort of your car! 

 
7.  Bundle up and enjoy the Quandrantid Meteor Shower on January 3rd from midnight to dawn.  Unlike other meteor showers, which may be viewed for a day or two before and after they peak, the Quandrantid has a very short, although productive window.  Enjoy the relaxed sleep schedule offered by Winter Break, and take the kids out away from the city lights for an evening of wishing on shooting stars! 

8.  Take the family to visit the El Paso Zoo for a Behind the Scenes Super Deluxe Elephant Experience.  Enjoy a private tour of the elephant facililty, then help the zookeepers give one of the Asian elephants a bath.  Participants will be allowed to help with some of the scrubbing, and rinsing her off with a hose!  You can then touch the elephant as you help the keepers feed her breakfast! 

9.  Have you ever had a Honeybell?  These amazing oranges are crosses between juicy Tangerines & delicious Ruby Red Grapefruit. Easy-to peel and bursting with a sweet flavor, they ripen in January in the Rio Grand Valley, and are available only for a short time!  Visit the RGV Farmer's Market in McAllen and Weslaco, or order online from KY Farms! 

10.  Don't miss the 57th annual Houston Boat Show!  Running January 4-13th, see thousands of boats and boating gear.  The kids will love Fish-O-Rama, as well as bubble balls, bumper boats and on Sat. and Sundays a boat building workshop for kids.     

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Texas Space Museum Exhibits

Here's a list of our favorite Texas museums which are either dedciated to, or offer exhibits with insights into the space industry.

My little 5 year old decided he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, after receiving this Imaginext Space Shuttle from his uncle!  I can't help buy smile at his exclamation, astronauts, NASA and space exploration have been a huge part of the Texas image since 1965. 






1.  Texas Air & Space Museum, Amarillo
NASA gifted one of it's four retiring space shuttle training aircrafts to the Texas Air & Space Museum in Amarillo.  Amarillo was the hometown of Rick Husband, commander of the final mission of the Columbia, who died on February 1, 2003 when the shuttle broke apart during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. 

2. Space Center Houston
Located next door to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Space Center Houston offers two floors of activities and exhibits for guest with lots of interactive, hands on learning!  I love the Starship Gallery and Nasa Tram Tour, which takes you on a tour of Johnson Space Center and mission control.  My kids can't wait to visit the new Angry Birds Space, which just opened 12/28/2012!    Each Friday you can meet an Astronaut, or purchase tickets for their new "Lunch with an Astronaut", when you get to sit down and enjoy a meal and stories from a real astronaut! 

 

3. Patricia Huffman Smith Museum, Hemphill
This small museum is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Columbia disaster, and to the local citizens who aided in the recovery, including the Texas Forest Service employee and the helicopter pilot who died during the search attempt. 

4. The Perot Museum, Dallas
Inside the new Perot Museum, Dallas' newest shining star, is the Expanding Universe Hall.  Explore the solar system, and learn about the incredible tools scientist use to study the cosmos!

Easy Bake Bash

One day each Winter Break, little girls and Easy Bake ovens descend on our house, for my daughter's annual Easy Bake Bash! 

We set up tables and run extention cords as they mix, taste and cook some interesting little cakes, cookies and other concoctions.  The girls who have ovens bring theirs, or they bring some of the little refill packages.  It's not exclusive to Easy Bake, and some of the girls bring the knock offs you can find at the toy stores, it's all welcome and in the spirit of encouraging cooking! 

My daughter started these get togethers when she was about 7, a year after she received her oven from her grandmother.  Now that she is eleven, and knows her way around our kitchen, she also makes cookies in my oven and the girls enjoy decorating them, too. 

As she gets older, I can see her outgrowing the oven in the near future, but she still invites younger girls to come to her bash, and I have hopes that the tradition will continue.  My five year old son thinks the oven is great, and since he loves to cook, he will probably be inviting his friends over next year, too.  Hasbro has definitely seen that baking is not just for little girls, and recently announced plans for a gender neutral oven out next year, following a thirteen year old girl's petition to the company.   

The little refills are expensive, but what I love about them for younger children is that they don't require a raw egg.  However, homemade Easy Bake oven recipes can be made using either store bought cake mixes and water, or you can make your own for children on a sugar, dairy, egg or gluten restricted diet. 

 My Mommy Tips:

• Have a project ready for the kids while things are cooking, such as sugar cookies to decorate.  The candy necklace kits they can string together are fun, too! 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

10 ways to be nice to others

In the wake of the awful incidents in Conneticut last Friday, I think that many of us are doing some reevaluating of our lives and our priorities. 

And we are hugging our children more.

I know that when I take my kids to school, I will look at their teachers in a different way.  Not just because of the heartache I know we all share, but because I realize that they are not just their teachers anymore, they are their protectors. 

These heroes, these victims of Sandy Hook brought us as a nation closer together, we all cried together. 

I ask myself, how can we honor them?  What can we do to make their lives matter?  How can their senseless death change the world for the better? 

How do we make the world better?  One act at a time. 

We all think, "Well, if I had more money, I would do more."  But the truth is that the NICEST things you can do for someone cost nothing.  Here's my list of ten things you can do this season (or anytime) to be nice to someone, and in return, make yourself feel better, too. 

1.  Give up that much sought after, up close and near the door parking space to the car behind you. 

2.  Go ahead and hold the door for the people behind you, even if it means you have to wait behind them in line. 

3.  Say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" or "Good Tuesday" to someone. 

4.  If you are walking and see some trash, pick it up.  But don't scold the person in front of you for dropping it. 

5.  Put out a bowl of clean water for the birds.  They get thirsty, too.

6.  On your way into the grocery store, take in a loose shopping cart someone forgot to put in the corral. 

7.  Practice patience and restraint.  Don't post your complaints on facebook, but your blessings and best wishes instead.  

8.  Wave at your neighbor.  Offer to pick up their newspaper, mail etc. if they are going to be out of town. 

9.  Offer to babysit for someone so they can finish their shopping, or just get a break.   

10.  Stop by to visit with someone on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day that might otherwise be alone.  Take them a plate from your dinner, or better yet, invite them to join you. 

 

 With each and every simple gesture, we will mend and we will be stronger. 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

I was thrilled to find some chestnuts at our local grocery store today.  I bought a pound and brought them home, humming all the way....."chestnuts roasting on an open fire". 



My favorite way to roast chestnuts is on a camp fire, like we use to roast Chinquapins when we could find them growing wild in East Texas during the fall.  It's getting harder to find them now.  Another favorite is just laying them on the hearth in front of a big, roaring fire on a cool evening. 

Since we weren't going camping, I planned to get out our little charcoal grill, and roast them on it. 
Unfortunantly, my "open fire" was cancelled due to our recent burn ban. 

Luckily, chestnuts can easily be cooked in the oven, too! 

Oven Roasted Chestnuts

Items Needed:

1 lb. chestnuts
pairing knife

Step One: 
Fill a bowl with water and place all your chestnuts in the bowl.  Remove any that are floating, as they are probably moldy.  Good nuts should sink.   

Step Two:
Take each nut and score an X across the round side of the nut.  This will allow steam to escape as they cook. 

Step Three:

Place X side up on a cookie sheet and put in the oven at 300 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until the shell begins to peel away and the meat turns golden. 

Step Four:
Remove and as soon as they are cool enough to touch, peel off the shell and thin coating underneath. 
Enjoy!


Chestnut and Chinquapin trees are native to Southeast United States, and can be grown in most parts of Texas.  They make a terrific tree, providing food for your family and local wildlife.  I haven't been able to find a Texas grower, but when I do, I will update this post.  In the meantime, there are plenty of other growers that ship to Texas.  Check out http://www.tytyga.com/Nut-Trees-s/1826.htm