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!

Mainstay Farm, Cleburne

"What do you mean, I'm annoying?"  I reply to my daughter as we are walking into Mainstay Farm, a Christmas tree farm in Cleburne, for a day of hay climbing, fresh air and sunshine.  A beautiful combination on a December day in Texas. 

"Because", she begins as she collapses next to me after a half hour of bouncing with her brothers on the sunken air trampoline, "you make us do so many chores before we get to go GO anywhere.  It's not fair!"   

Ahhhh..... the chore complaint.  We have had it many times.  As she is only 11, I'm sure there will be many more encores of it to come over the years. 

But Mainstay Farm seems the perfect place to revisit this conversation.

As we bump along on the tractor pulled trailer, exasperated, she defends herself.  "I've asked my friends. They don't have to do ANYWHERE near as many chores as me.  It's like I'm...... Cinderella." 

"Cinderella!"  I retort, pulling out my credit card to pay for the items she is holding in her hands from their cute little gift shop, the Haymarket.  "Don't you think you are being a little ....... dramatic?" 

"If your friends have fewer chores, then it's because they probably don't have as many pets, since caring for them is the majority of your chores"  I know I have made a point here.  Who else has 4 dogs, a cat, a bird and a turtle?  Her silence tells me I am winning. 

"Responsibilities are important", I explain.  Probably not helping myself out of the "annoying" category.  "They keep you on the right track.  They help you from getting lost." 

Walking along the rows of planted Christmas trees, I continue, "Responsibilities help you to grow up tall and straight, strong from bad people and things that would misdirect you." 

"It's important to have fun, but you have to earn it, too.  Take this treehouse for example, it's alot of fun, but someone had to work hard to pay for it, build it and maintain it. 

A good work ethic helps you to stay focused on what is important.  Not to let little things fill up your life, getting in the way of what you really care about.  Responsibilities keep you .... humble." And with hearing that word, either because she understands or she has a flashback of when we sat together reading Charlotte's Web when she was younger, she smiles at me, a sincere, knowing smile. 

Confident that in one lovely, golden afternoon I have set her on her way to fullfilling a life of mature decisions and positive consequences. I take her hand and we walk together toward the setting sun, to gather up the boys and head home, resplendent in her new outlook on life. 

When another mother comes walking up to me, holding my five year old by the hand.  "Is this your little boy?" she demands.  "He's gathered up all the little rubber ducks from the duck races, and ran off and hid them.  No body has been able to play, he won't tell us where they are, and we didn't know who was watching him!  You should be more R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-L-E!" 

Mainstay Farms is located in Cleburne, and a perfect destination for birthday parties, family reunions, field trips and their annual Family Pumpkin Days and Christmas trees. 

My Mommy Tips:

• Wear comfortable, closed toed shoes - there are alotta places to walk!
• Try the old fashioned Boylan's Birch Beer (kinda like root beer) at The Fillin' Station, Mainstay Farm's snack stand, which also offers yummy apple chips and funnel cake! 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Bad photos and Bethlehem Revisited in Waxahachie

The reason I like WORDS so much is that I take such BAD pictures. 

 

During the day, with plenty of sunshine, coming from just the right angle,

I can manage a few good shots. 

 

But at night, with bad lighting and moving subjects........ oh my!!!

Such was the case at Bethlehem Revisited in Waxahachie! 

I had all three strikes against me! 

Which is really a shame, because it's such a beautiful religious reenactment. 

From the beginning, while waiting in a field with the shepherds and their sheep.....

 

to watching as Joseph walks by, leading a donkey on which his wife, Mary, sits. 

 

It's beautiful!

 

 But my pictures aren't!  

 

I wish I could blame it all on my camera, but I can't.
For example... 

 After watching Joseph pay the tax collector...

and the tax collector asked the young boy standing next to me his occupation....

A little startled, he answered, "I mow the grass."

And the tax collector replies, "You mean you're a GOAT?"!

 

And I laughed out loud, right as I was clicking!    

Somehow my picture turns green! 

Green?  Like an alien....

 

And Joseph and Mary may have to lay their new baby down in a manger,

but from my pictures, they could be at Motel 6. 
 

Even the beautiful camels that came in with the 3 Wise Men,

appear in my pictures more appropriate in one of the Twilight movies! 

Just look at that eye!

  

The community of Waxahachie has done an amazing job of rebuilding a permanent, miniature town of Bethlehem, creating a wonderful living history event!   

And the local volunteers excellently portray the lives of the bakers, basket weavers, blacksmith...

and whatever this guy is suppose to do! 

The actors have alot of fun with it, too! 

With each picture, they ask in a frightful voice if I have captured a star in my little box.

And they really enjoy manipulating the language barrier,

as my daughter found out when the Roman guards apprehended her for being disrespectful. 

Of course, her mug shot is the only picture that came out..... 

Bethlehem Revisited runs November 30th, Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 7-9, from 6-9pm. 

The cost is FREE but donations are requested. 

It's really a magical experience, and a wonderful family outing. 

For more information visit their website;

http://waxahachiechamber.com/calendar/bethlehem.php

 

The camels are provided by Texas Camel Corp, which can be seen at many historical reenactments across the state.  Check out their calendar for more appearances during the year. 

 

Waxahachie is a beautiful town, filled with antique stores and beautiful gingerbread homes. 

Visit their website for more holiday events,

including the annual Candlelight Tour of Homes and the outdoor synthetic ice skating rink. 

 

We began the evening with a yummy dinner at Tuscan Slice in Waxahachie. 

The kids really enjoyed getting to make their own pizzas, 

and I enjoyed the kids being busy so I could eat!  

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

While I try to find a photography class....

Michelle

 

 

Black Friday at Buc-ees

I'm not sure why anyone would want to go to the mall,
superstore or toy store on Black Friday. 

Why would you wait, much less camp, for a store to open? 

Because you can buy everything you need at Buc-ees. 

And they are all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

The Texas owned stores, which has 20 locations across the state,
and a giant beaver for a mascot,

are a MUST stop on all of our road trips! 

 I love their root beer, sweetened with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup! 

They also have a deli, fudge counter and everything else you could ever need for road snacking! 

 

 

Our favorite are the Beaver Nuggets. 

Sweet little somethings. 

Not really sure what they are, but they sure get eaten quickly. 

 

 

My kids love their teeshirt selection. 

Because when isn't a beaver a fashion statement?

Yep, even beaver underwear.....

And they have a great selection of Texas Home Decor. 

Not everything at Buc-ees has a beaver on it. 

They also have a great toy selection, filled with fun stuff. 

But I wasn't able to get any pictures.

My arms were too full to hold my camera

And I was already getting some pretty strange looks

after the 10 minutes I spent taking pictures of
the fountain drinks and Beaver Nuggets.   

 

I have to also mention their amazing restrooms

although I didn't get pictures of them, either.  

Because can you imagine the looks I would have gotten,

taking pictures in there? 

 

For more information on Buc-ees, or to find a location near you,

visit their website;

http://www.bucees.com/

 

All opinions are my own, and I did not receive any compensation for this post,

except by my husband.

Although he doesn't know it.

And what he doesn't know won't hurt him. 

Because we bought alot of Beaver Nuggets. 

 

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

 

Our Thanksgiving Adventure

 

 

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!  

 

 

 Before we went to my inlaws for turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and pecan pie,
we spent Thanksgiving morning at the Dallas Zoo. 
 
We wandered around, watching monkeys swinging on bars, birds flying between branches and snakes sticking their tongues out at us. 

Lots of snakes and lots of tongues. 

And all the time I'm thinking how blessed we are. 

Blessed to be together. 

Blessed with our health and happiness.

Blessed to be a Texan, and live in America,  
and to know not ever to take that for granted.

Blessed to live in a world that sees a significance in having zoos. 

and appreciates snakes that stick out their tongues. 

 Blessed that I don't eat my food while it's still alive.

And Blessed with wonderful friends like you.  
That travel along with us on our sometimes crazy adventures,
and sometimes just to the zoo.

Blessed. Blessed. Blessed. 

 

 Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

Prayer Mountain, Dallas

How can you not love a place named "Prayer Mountain"? 

Especially with a view like this!!
Located in Dallas, (That's right, Dallas, didn't you know there was a mountain in Dallas?) on Mountain Creek Parkway at Eagle Ford.   

We just stumbled on it by accident. 

Well, not really accident.  We found it because I'm.... well, let's just say I'm curious.  While driving along, I saw a road heading up a hill, with open gates for a church at the top of the hill.  And I just had to have a look! 

And what an amazing look you get at the top! 

Okay, this is a crummy picture, but it's the best of the crummy pictures I took.  Blame the photographer and not the photo.  Trust me when I tell you that the view is amazing!  They say it's the highest point in Dallas County.   

Winding through the cedar and juniper trees are trails for mountain biking and hiking on the over 100 acres of the mountain.  Some are easy, some medium, and a few are much more treacherous and difficult.  We are anxious to return one afternoon for the Sunset Trail, along the west side of the mountain! 

D.O.R.B.A. (Dallas Off Road Biking Association) maintains the trails, and some of the "additions" are kinda crazy!  Look for it on their website as Big Cedar. 

The trails are open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk.  Parking is near the electrical lines behind the church, which oversees the care of the mountain.  Access to the mountain is free, but if you visit, consider making a donation for work on the trails.  If you are riding, you must have a signed waiver.

After spending a morning exploring the trails, we had a picnic lunch at some picnic tables near the trailhead.  There is a fire pit, grill and even restrooms.  Camping is allowed with permission.

 It's a wonderful place for kids to go exploring, finding caterpillars, snail shells and all things .......kids! 

Although Joe Pool Lake is just a few minutes away, there is also a small, stocked lake for catch and release only fishing.   I love this picture, and the little butterfly I captured fluttering away on the top, left hand side. 

Mountain Creek Church

The property is owned by Mountain Creek Church, a non-denominational Christian Church.  They have services on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.  It's a scenic location for weddings in their chapel or outside in their gazebo, near the overlook.  Visitors of all faiths are invited to enjoy their beautiful prayer grounds, also.

Texas History Trivia

If the name of the road, Eagle Ford, sounds familiar, it's because no matter where you live in Texas you have probably heard the term Eagle Ford Shale.  Probably the news.  Probably in a discussion about oil.  You might think that they named the road from this 90 million year old sedimentary rock formation, but you would be wrong.  The shale was first sighted in this West Dallas neighborhood of Eagle Ford, along the Cedar Hill escarpment.  Want to understand Texas Geology more?  I found this informative rendering on Wikipedia.

For a similar, interactive 3D example, visit the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in Fort Worth.

 

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle