How to Make a Car Out of a Cardboard Box

Whether it’s a Jurassic park viewing party or a drive in movie in the backyard, these cute little cardboard jeeps are perfect to keep the littles entertained.Here’s how to make a few for your next party.

How to Make a Car Out of a Cardboard Box

• Pencil
• Box Knife / Exacto Knife
• Paint
• Foam brushes
• Black Paint Pen
• Gold Paint Pen
• Paper plates

1. Start with a 20x20x15 cardboard box. Using something circular (I used a roll of ducktape, trace two circles in the top left and top right sides of the box. Make sure the circles are about 2 inches away from the edges.
2. Next, draw a straight line from one circle to the other with a one inch gap from the end of the line to where each circle is. Then, continue your line around the top edge of the circle (staying about 1 inch parallel from the circle) and then continuing the straight line on the other side.
3. After this, you’re going to draw the grill of the jeep. You’ll draw 5 (one inch wide) lines about 6 inches straight down the middle of the box. There will also be two lines of the same width about half as long.
4. The bumper is next. Draw a 1 inch thick line almost all the way across the box (under the grill) and the little rectangular supporting brackets as well. It’s okay of this part isn’t perfect, you’re going to paint over it anyway.
5. Cut out the top edge of the car, along with the other box flaps on that side.
6. Next, choose your main acrylic paint color, and paint everywhere on the box (all sides) except for where the circles are.
7. Now, using a white acrylic paint, paint inside the circles.
8. Next, using a black paint marker, draw the outline of the white circles – creating a clean line between the white and your base color.
9. Then, use a gold or silver metallic paint pen and draw 2 curved lines (one longer and one shorter) inside the white area. This is what gives the headlights some character and makes them look like they’ve got some depth.
10. Using a 1 inch wide foam roller, you’re going to paint in your grill now. Each grill lines should be about 1 inch wide, so it’s just a simple downward stroke with the foam brush to make it a nice looking line. Paint in the bumper as well.
11. Next up, time for the tail lights. Using some of that cardboard you trimmed off earlier, cut a rectanglular piece about 2 inches by 4 inches in size. Cut the tips of each point so they’re more rounded instead of having a hard edge on them.
12. These rectangular pieces are going to help you make your taillights. On the opposite side of the box car from the headlights and grill is the back of your car. Line your headlight template (the 2x4 piece of cardboard) a few inches from the bottom and each side and trace the outline using your black paint marker.
13. If the car isn’t red, you’ll need to also paint your tail lights red at this point as well.
14. Next, you’ll be making the spare tire for the back. This is a great step for kiddos because they can’t mess it up. Just give them a foam brush, black acrylic paint, and tell them to paint all over the front of that plate. Using ducktape, glue, or whatever you have on hand, attach the spare tire to the back of the jeep.

If you wanted to do even more, you could add a personalized license plate on the back, doors, etc. Make it your own!

And that’s it! The kids at our party had an absolute blast and loved having their own little cars!

Items Needed:

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What is There to Do at the Texas Renaissance Festival?

Hear ye, hear ye! The Texas Renaissance Festival is in town and if you’re looking for a medieval good time, now is your chance. Every weekend in in October through the Friday after Thanksgiving, you can drive into the woods and enter the stone gates into a world of court jesters, royal banquets, and dueling knights. It is such a great experience and if you’ve never been to the Renaissance Festival before, here’s a little glimpse into what you’ll see while you’re there.

Food

Important stuff first – the food. Of course, the first thing you might think of is turkey legs or funnel cakes, but the Texas Renaissance Festival boasts a whole lot more than that! Whatever you’re in the mood for – be it Chinese food, Greek, a sweet treat, you will find it there. You can also find a plethora of drink options. There’s beer, wine, and soda – and even a mead tasting or two!

Games & Activities

Let’s talk games! There are fun things for all ages! There’s a playground, pirate ship, giant swings, pony rides, darts, a carousel, and even a giant rocking horse! Some of our favorites were archery and the kids’ jousting, so be sure to check those out!

Shopping

Texas Ren Fest has some of the coolest shops to grab a few wares at! Whether you just want a little momento from your visit or you’re in the market for a full knights of the round table costume, the shopping here is unmatched. I also love that they have scheduled shows where you can watch the local artisans make everything from brooms to glass blowing – all right in front of you

Performances and Shows

The shows at the renaissance festival are really the crown jewels of the whole event. These actors are everywhere – from up in the trees acting like Peter Pan to down on the streets juggling knives. And then there’s the scheduled performances too. In the many outdoor theaters around the grounds, you can see birds of prey take flight, watch a jousting match, hear the cracks of a fire whip, or catch a full steel combat match between knights. If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, there’s also many bands that play throughout the day, so no matter your excitement level, there’s something for you to see.I hope you’re able to make it out to the Texas Renaissance Festival this year and see some of the things I showed you here in person. It’s such a fun experience for the whole family!If you enjoyed this video, be sure to like the video and subscribe to my Youtube Channel so you can get more family fun inspiration!

Homemade Southern Style Biscuits & Gravy in Just 30 Minutes

My husband’s favorite breakfast dish is Biscuits and Sausage Gravy.But since I’m not a morning person, he thought I would never make them for him. Well I showed him!This past week, I made southern biscuits and gravy for dinner! The made from scratch biscuits are so light and fluffy and soaked up all of that delicious maple sausage gravy.I know you’re tempted to buy the premade biscuits at the store, but I promise you that this recipe is SO much better than those!

Southern Style Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuit Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter very cold (cut into cubes)
• ¾ cup milk (or buttermilk)

Gravy Ingredients

• 1 12 ounce package maple flavored sausage
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk (or buttermilk)
• salt and pepper to taste

Biscuits Instructions

1. For best results, chill your butter in the freezer for 10-20 minutes before beginning this recipe. It's ideal that the butter is very cold for light, flaky, buttery biscuits.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a cookie sheet with nonstick parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a food processor, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Pulse 3 or 4 times to combine.
4. Add butter to food processor. Pulse 6-8 times or until the mixture is resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Add milk to the food processor and pulse 6-8 times or until the mixture starts coming away from the sides of the bowl.
6. Transfer your biscuit dough to a well-floured surface and use your hands to gently work the dough together. If the dough is too sticky, add flour until it is manageable.
7. Once the dough is cohesive, fold in half over itself and use your hands to gently flatten layers together. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and fold in half again, repeating this step 5-6 times but taking care to not overwork the dough.
8. Use your hands (do not use a rolling pin) to flatten the dough to 1" thick and lightly dust a 2 ¾" round biscuit cutter with flour.
9. Making close cuts, press the biscuit cutter straight down into the dough and drop the biscuit onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat until you have gotten as many biscuits as possible and place less than ½" apart on baking sheet.
10. Once you have gotten as many biscuits as possible out of the dough, gently re-work the dough to get out another biscuit or two until you have at least 6 biscuits.
11. Bake on 425 degrees for 12 minutes or until tops are beginning to just turn lightly golden brown.
12. If desired, brush with melted salted butter immediately after removing from oven. Serve warm and enjoy.

Gravy Directions

1. Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan. Stir in the butter until melted. Add flour, and stir until smooth. Reduce heat to medium, and cook until light brown. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in cooked sausage. Reduce heat, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. If gravy becomes too thick, stir in a little more milk.

Breakfast

American

biscuits, biscuits and gravy

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Enchanted Rock | Fredericksburg Texas Hill Country Hiking

20 minutes North of Fredericksburg, Texas, you’ll find the 425 foot tall pink granite batholith known as Enchanted Rock. People drive from neighboring metropolitan cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas in hopes to climb this over 30 degree slope up.

The Enchanted Rock Summit Trail is only 1.3 miles up and back and you don’t really understand how steep it is until you’re already invested in your climb and find yourself suddenly out of breath.Worried about falling off? You might think about it once or twice along the climb, but in reality, only two people have ever died while in the park. And, since Enchanted Rock is made of granite, it produces a good amount of friction in order to help you stay put.If going straight up isn’t your thing, you can also walk over 11 miles of hiking trails around the base of the Texas icon.This over 1600 acre park provides a great display of the wide array of Texas landscapes – from rocky terrain and cacti to beautifully tall trees and grassy areas. Camping is available in the park as well as day passes for $8 per person. But this popular park is a busy one, so make sure to reserve your pass well in advance of your trip so you don’t get rejected when you arrive. You’ll also want to make sure to check weather reports before you leave home too. Because of it’s steep slope, the park closes all trails when there’s bad weather – the last thing you’d want to do is be caught on a big slippery wet rock and try to get down safely.I’ve heard of Enchanted Rock for years and I’m so glad I finally got a chance to hike around it and up it. Overall, the whole thing took about 3 hours to walk around, up, and down. But that view from the top – that’s what makes it all worth it. I highly recommend you go hike Enchanted Rock soon!

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Two Step on Down to Bankersmith, TexasTexas Hill Country Luxury at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, TXWhat to Do in Georgetown, Texas Love Texas travel? Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel to see my weekly videos!

Two Step on Down to Bankersmith, Texas

Texas Hill Country towns are known for a lot of things, but mostly they’re known as the perfect places for weekend getaway destinations.There’s Fredericksburg, Gruene, Wimberly, New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake to name a few, but I bet you’ve never heard of Bankersmith, Texas. Bankersmith sits halfway between Fredericksburg and Comfort, and if you’re looking for a rustic getaway with everything at your fingertips, well then this is it.

This town boasts a population of zero, which makes sense considering the whole town is only a few acres in size. Founded in 1912, no one has actually lived in this Gillespie County town since the 1960s. This once railroad town is now home to a dance hall, campsites, working farm, restaurant, and even has a couple Air BnBs.My friend Alley and I got to check this cool spot out this past week and we had an absolute blast!Bankersmith is minutes from downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. It’s a one stop spot for grabbing a bite to eat, taking a hay ride, petting farm animals, watching a match at the Fredericksburg Polo Club, and maybe even enjoying a game of cornhole or two.So leave your heels at home and put on your boots…let’s head to Bankersmith, Texas y’all!

Saloon

This rustic restaurant is perfect for those few precious weeks of perfect weather we get every year. You can grab a drink and order your food at the bar and then meet your group at a picnic table. The overhead twinkle lights and goats braying from their retired tour bus abode make for a fun afternoon of spending time with friends.One thing I really enjoyed about this location is that it’s definitely a local favorite. In fact, at any point during the day, you can find at least one (but probably more) musicians playing on the back porch. Guitars, singers, harmonicas – it’s all welcome here!

Dance Hall

On one side of the property, you’ll find the dance hall. This corrugated metal building holds up to 300 people and is the perfect place to dance the night away. They also hold events each month, so be sure to go check out one of their most popular events – the Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Working Farm

On most weekends, you can schedule to take a hayride down the road to the farm! While there, you’ll see the usual goats and donkeys, but also a few things you didn’t expect – like geese, camels, zebras, and buffalo! The longhorn cattle are close enough to touch them, but I wouldn’t recommend it because those horns have a mind of their own! The tractor-pulled hayride is about an hour and a half in length and you get to feed the animals right out of your hands as well.Back at the property, you can also check out the chickens, goats, pot belly pig, turkey, and guinea. The farm tour is great for all ages.

Lodging

Want to stay close to the action? Bankersmith has four 1 bedroom rooms and two 2 bedrooms suites available. In keeping with the rustic theme, they’re complete with wood plank walls, a galvanized metal shower, kitchen area, and comfy living room couches. The only downside? There’s a famous rooster outside that has no concept of time and likes to crow whenever he feels like it – not just at dawn.

Upcoming Events

This fun Texas small town has a ton of events coming up in the next few months, so take advantage of the nicer weather and go check out Oktoberfest, the Taco Festival, Fall farm bash, the Grape Stomp, the Hot Air Balloon Festival, Christmas Market, and so much more! If you’d like to see more Texas travel tips, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel!

Korean Ground Beef Egg Roll Bowls

This recipe started off as Korean ground beef egg rolls, but then I realized my wonton wrappers were expired. So a Korean ground beef eggroll bowl it is!

Korean Ground Beef Egg Roll Bowls

• 2 pound lean ground beef
• 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup lite soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp Sriracha (use less if you don't like spice!)
• 10 oz bag of coleslaw veggie mix

1. Heat a large pan over medium high heat. Brown the meat with sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
2. Drain 75% of the fat, add brown sugar, soy sauce, and Sriracha. Cook until the liquid has reabsorbed and the meat is shiny but not soupy.

3. Add the coleslaw veggies to your pan. Heat through until they just wilt.

If making into eggrolls:

In sets of 4 lay out your egg roll wrappers. Add two tablespoons of beef. Wet the sides with water using your finger. Fold the sides in and wet the folded in sides. Roll closed like a burrito and set aside until you finish all 24. Freeze on a cookie sheet or tray without them touching each other. From frozen, fry for 3-4 minutes in 350 degree oil. Drain on drying rack to prevent sogginess or the egg rolls sitting in oil.

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Salisbury steakOne Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken PastaOne Pan Chicken Spaghetti If you’d like to see more recipes like this, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel!

Creamy Double Garlic Chicken

I really dislike grocery shopping.You would think with as many recipes as I make that I’d be used to it by now, but no. I’m totally a fan for the curbside option – unless I need produce. Somehow, I always end up going home with the ugliest or smallest bell peppers and onions you’ve ever seen that way!So instead of going to the grocery store this week, I opted to see what I could make using the items I already had in my pantry and fridge.This creamy garlic chicken is a winner, y’all. I mean, when a recipe calls for both garlic cloves and garlic powder, you know it’s going to have some serious flavor going on!Ready to get cooking? Let’s do it!

Creamy Double Garlic Chicken

• 4-5 chicken cutlets (or 2 chicken breasts cut in half length-wise)
• 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter divided
• 1 whole head garlic cloves (peeled)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Parsley chopped (optional)

1. Combine the panko bread crumbs and a pinch of salt and coat the chicken cutlets on both sides.
2. Add the olive oil and 1 tbsp of the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, sauté the chicken for 4-5 minutes/side or until it's nice and golden. Take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside.
3. Reduce the heat to medium (or even med-low if using cast iron), and add the rest of the butter to the pan. Let it melt and then add the garlic cloves. Cook them for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until they're lightly browned on the outside.
4. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and garlic salt to the pan. Let it bubble for around 4 minutes or until the liquid is noticeably reduced.
5. Stir in the cream let it cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the sauce is reduced. Serve with freshly chopped parsley if you wish.

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PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES | Easy Fall Dessert

More There is nothing I love more about fall than pumpkin. Pumpkin flavored everything! Except, I’ve never actually had a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I should probably get on that. Oh well. Moving on… I seem to find a reason to make these soft and yummy pumpkin cookies every year. A like them because they’re light and airy and they don’t feel like you’re eating something that’s going to weigh you down. And with the scrumptious flavor of pumpkin pie in it, you really can’t go wrong. This is definitely my go-to pumpkin dessert recipe.

PUMPKIN WHOOPIE PIES | Easy Fall Dessert

For the Whoopie Pies:

• 3 cups 375 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 2 14.5 oz cans pumpkin puree, canned pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Maple-Cream Cheese Filling:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 4 ounces unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, the dark brown sugar, and the oil together. Add the pumpkin puree and whisk to combine thoroughly. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined.
3. Next, add in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
4. Put the pumpkin mixture into a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and make half dollar size swirls one inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, making sure that the cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cookie comes out clean. The cookies should be firm when touched. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack.
6. To make the filling, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth with no visible lumps, about 3 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth and combined, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, then add the maple syrup and vanilla and beat until smooth.
7. To assemble the whoopie pies: Turn half of the cooled cookies upside down. Pipe or spoon the filling (about a tablespoon) onto that half. Place another cookie, flat side down, on top of the filling. Press down slightly so that the filling spread to the edges of the cookie. Repeat until all the cookies are used. Put the whoopie pies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm before serving.

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One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken

This one pan creamy tomato chicken recipe is so easy and flavorful, it’ll have you wondering why you didn’t start making this recipe for dinner sooner!If you’re looking for a chicken recipe idea, this is it. And let me tell you…I thought I would never find a way to eat kale that made it taste good. It turns out that if you cover it in heavy cream, it tastes great!Try this recipe tonight and let me know what you think!

One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken

• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1.5 lbs Chicken breast (4 medium, boneless, skinless)
• 1 tsp Salt (divided)
• ½ tsp Pepper
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 3 Cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 14 oz can Crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (divided)
• 4 cups Kale (ribs removed, torn into small pieces, packed)
• 1/4 cup Basil leaves (thinly sliced)

1. Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
3. Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add tomato paste, garlic, and fennel seeds and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer, allow to cook for 3 minutes.
6. Stir in heavy cream, ¼ cup parmesan cheese and kale, stirring until kale is just wilted, about 3 minutes.
7. Season with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and add chicken back into the skillet. Allow to cook for 5 more minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken breasts reaches 165°F with an instant read thermometer.
8. Serve topped with fresh basil and remaining cheese.

Main Course

American, Italian

chicken, heavy cream, tomato

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Easy Chicken EmpanadasOne Pan Everything Bagel Chicken & PotatoesOne Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta If you’d like to see more tasty chicken recipes like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Portland Maine in a Weekend | What to Do and Where to Eat

When that summer heat rises, we Texans head North!

When you want to stay in the US and find some place cooler, you head to the northern most contiguous state – Maine. And why not start with the seaside town of Maine, Portland?

Portland is a beautiful city right on the coast of the Atlantic ocean. My friend Ashley and I had so much fun exploring the city! We stayed in the Old Port area, so restaurants, shopping, and excursions were all within walking distance! We had a great weekend exploring the city and I’m here to show you that you CAN see and do all the things in just two days.

A couple things you’ll want to keep in mind. Most places close early, so have a game plan in mind before you start down the road towards a destination. And you’ll also see that we rarely got several courses at one restaurant. I really recommend trying different things at different restaurants and enjoying the walk and the sights along the way. Each place has their own specialty, so don’t feel like you’re tied down to eating at just one place.Are you ready for it? Here we go…

Day 1

Farmer’s Market. Hiking. Lighthouses. Lobstering.

Portland Farmer’s Market

If you’re visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday, you must stroll through the Portland Farmer’s Markets. I love living like a local for a day at farmers markets because it allows you to see and taste the local favorites. From home grown berries and homemade pies to freshly picked flowers and farm fresh eggs, this is THE place to visit. I ended up getting some fresh honeycomb and raspberries. The flavors are so robust and delicious!

Back Cove Trail

After we got our snacks, we headed to Back Cove Trail for a little hiking. This 3.5 mile loop is one of the oldest and most popular trails in Portland and provides great views of the skyline.

Tomaso’s Canteen (Lunch)

When a restaurant has something called the "bomb" on the menu, you know you're in for some good food! If you happen to be in the area, I recommend heading to Tomaso's and getting the fried pickles, chicken bomb, and the buffalo chicken mac n cheez.

Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park

This beautiful lighthouse holds the title for the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Ever notice the lighthouse on Red Lobster’s logo? Yep. This is that same exact one. I could have stayed there for hours listening to the waves crash into the shore. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk down to the water along the jagged rocks and let the surf wash over your bare feet. I have to warn you – that water is little chilly! If you’re visiting earlier in the day, the lightkeeper’s home has been turned into a museum and you can tour the building to learn more about the history of the Portland Head Light.

Lucky Catch Cruises (Lobstering)

When you’re this close to the water, it would be a shame not to go out on it! And we didn’t just go out on it – we went lobstering! I cannot recommend Lucky Catch Cruises enough! We had the best time! I’ve always wanted to see how lobster were harvested and this blew my expectations out of the water (ba dum ching). Not only did we set traps with bait, but we also reeled in our own catches, saw different World War I forts, and learned about the sustainability the Maine fisherman adhere to.With every lobster caught in Maine, the lobster is measured and checked for gender and eggs. One thing I thought was interesting was that not all female lobster reproduce. So if a fisherman catches a female lobster with eggs (little black dots) on her belly, the fisherman marks her tail and put her back in the ocean. This ensures that future fisherman won’t keep her and the lobster population will still be able to grow. Also, female lobster can reproduce until death, and since lobster can live to be up to 100 years old, that’s a lot of lobster babies she could produce.

Portland Lobster Co (Dinner)

Once we hauled in our catch, we walked our lobster next door to Portland Lobster Company. There, they steamed the lobster and we were able to eat what we caught. You can’t get much closer to sea to table than that!

Gross Confection Bar (Dessert)

Forget everything you know about desserts because this place is going to take all of the ingredients of a nostalgic favorite and reconstruct it into something completely different and utterly amazing.

LUNA (Cocktails)

This brand new cocktail bar on the rooftop of the Canopy by Hilton just opened about 3 weeks ago. This swanky, upscale bar features gorgeous fews of the harbor and specialty cocktails that are simply divine! If you’re a fan of tequila and a little heat, I recommend getting the Dioscuri.

Day 2

Shopping. Mansion Tour. Sailing.

Rigby Yard (Brunch)

Another big day of sightseeing means you’re going to need some sustenance to start your day off right. We loved having brunch at Rigby Yard. The breakfast charcuterie was the perfect way to mix and match the local ingredients.

Shopping

My friend Ashley loves to shop, so shop we must! The whole Old Port area has tons of shopping options to choose from and everything you could ever want! From housewares and kitchen gadgets to souvenirs and lobster hats, you can find it all. Start on Fore street. It’s got some great shops and cute items.Then you’ll want to head over to Sea Bags Maine. I love this company’s mission! Instead of sailors throwing out old worn out sails, they can bring them to Sea Bags where the company makes the sails into bags and purses of all shapes and sizes. The vintage bags feature the number and symbol panels from the sails while the other bags have printed symbols on them (and are a bit cheaper than the vintage). They’re just so unique!

Anthony’s Italian Kitchen (Lunch)

If you’re tired of seafood already, do yourself a favor and head into Anthony’s. This family-run Italian restaurant features all the favorites with a red sauce that’s to die for! They have pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, but you really can’t beat their lasagna! If you’re there on a Saturday night, they also have an all you can eat buffet and a dinner show.

Victoria Mansion

If you’re a lover of Downton Abbey and the early 1900s, then this is the place for you. Built in 1860, this beautiful home was one of the first in Maine to have indoor sewer and plumbing, hot and cold water, and a 25 foot skylight. The man who had it built, Ruggles Morse, was a self-made man only completing 2^nd grade schooling and prospering through his own hard work. While I couldn’t video inside the home, I did want to show you a few photos I took inside. In every room, there are paintings of the owner, nods to his power and position, and even a full dinnerware set that was made just for him and his family that has their family name etched into the silverware. If you’d like to check out this beautiful home, make sure to make a reservation and get your tickets online before you visit because they sell out.

Portland Schooner Company

I have always wanted to go on a sailboat. This was my chance. When in Maine, right? We boarded the Timberwind and sailed out of the harbor. Once away from the dock, the passengers were able to volunteer to help hoist the sails, and let me tell you – they were heavy! I still know nothing about sailing or the commands they called out or the difference between port and starboard, but I totally enjoyed myself. Once out on the water, we floated along enjoying the breeze and watching the seals play in the water (we saw 3 that day which apparently was not common). The boat wasn’t packed and everyone was able to move around the ship freely. We also were able to bring snacks and drinks on board, so you could easily make a romantic date or family picnic on the water out of it. This cruise also requires reservations be made in advance.

Taco Escobarr (Dinner)

First of all, this Texas girl knows her Mexican food. So I was admittedly skeptical about a Mexican food joint so far away from the border. But let me say, I was pleasantly surprised! The infused tequila cocktails were refreshing (I recommend the pineapple one) and packed with flavor and the mix and match enchiladas were so freaking good. I got them filled with Bisteck (slow braised beef) and green verde sauce on top. It was amazing! The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the queso. It tasted like that cheese in can that sporting events buy in bulk and squeeze over some nachos. The service, the food, and the drinks were all great and definitely exceeded my expectations!

Captain Sam’s Ice Cream (Dessert)

I’ve never had bourbon in icecream, but I feel like I should have it more often now. We saw Captain Sam’s the day before and the line was out the door and down the street, so we decided not to stop in until later. I’m so glad we were able to come back because it was delicious! They had about 15 different flavors to choose from and I tried the Kentucky Derby (bourbon, molasses, pecans, chocolate chips). It was SO good. I wish I could take that stuff back to Texas with me.

Via Vecchia (Cocktails)

First of all, I’m in love with the look of this restaurant. It’s got a 1920’s flair about it and it perfectly sets the stage for some amazing cocktails. The bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable as well, so it you don’t see something you like on the menu, they can craft something to your specific tastes.I have definitely fallen in love with the East coast this summer! From my trip to Boston last month to this trip to Maine, I have been blessed to have seen some beautiful sights and east some amazing foods. If you liked this Portland itinerary, be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel so you can get more vacation tips for your next trip.

Explore Historic Boston in a Weekend

Yes, it can be done. You can see the historic Boston in a weekend.My first tip? Maximize your time. If you’re going to one area of town, make sure you do all the things you want to do and see all on the same day. That way, you’re not crisscrossing all over the city.Here’s a sample itinerary based on my friend and I’s recent trip. We walked a lot of it and then other times we took an Uber. Don’t try to stress yourself out on trip. Know your limitations and relax in the back of a cab when you need to.

Day 1

This day, our flight got in right around 3pm, so we were able to get to our AirBnB and check in by 4pm. Once we checked in and got settled, we were ready to hit the ground running. Our AirBnB was in between the financial district and the theater district, so it was perfectly in the middle of all the things we wanted to do while visiting Boston.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Tea overboard! Become a revolutionist for a day and throw boxes of tea overboard in Boston Harbor while the tea party reenactors in period costume act out the historical event in detail.

Beacon Hill

If you’re interested in seeing the beautiful brownstone homes that Boston has to offer, you’ll want to visit the Beacon Hill area. This area is absolutely beautiful, but Charles street was our favorite. You can also take a trolley tour where the guide will tell you all about the historic homes and the famous people who lived there.

Acorn Street

This real cobblestone street from the 1700s gives you a glimpse into what the actual streets looked like for the colonists. While it’s a private street and can’t be walked/drove down, you can take a picture from the cross streets.

Cheers Bar

This underground bar was the inspiration for the 90’s sitcom, Cheers. You can grab a beer or just check out their memorabilia in this super touristy nod to the show.

Dinner at 75 Chestnut

This restaurant is definitely a favorite for locals. It offers outdoor seating, great cocktails, and absolutely delicious food. The staff was all super nice as well. If you go, make sure to get the Pineapple Elderflower Cosmo. Yum!

Day 2

Today is out first full day in Boston, so we plan on being gone all day. The name of the game today is history and food. Here we go!

Breakfast at Café Bonjour

When the number one breakfast place in Boston is three doors down from your AirBnB, you go. This place was delicious! I loved the French theme of the restaurant as well as the décor. The food was amazing. I had the Steak Tips and Eggs and it was SO good! I love anything with caramelized onions on it and this meal was delicious! It also came with homefries and you know this Texas girl loved that!

Freedom Trail

This was one of our favorite activities of the whole trip. Why? The Freedom trail is a 2.5 mile literal red brick trail you follow through the city in order to see a bunch of the most important historical buildings Boston has to offer from the era of the American Revolution.You’ll begin your journey at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center located at 139 Tremont Street and conclude at the USS Constitution in Charlestown. Along the way, you will see places like:

• Boston Common
• Massachusetts State House
• Park Street Church
• Granary Burying Ground
• King's Chapel
• King's Chapel Burying Ground
• Benjamin Franklin Statue & Boston Latin School
• Old Corner Bookstore
• Old South Meeting House
• Old State House
• Site of Boston Massacre
• Faneuil Hall
• Paul Revere House
• Old North Church
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground
• Bunker Hill Monument
• USS Constitution

We loved this tour! We also found this brochure to be super helpful in just giving us a brief synopsis of what we were looking at and why it was important. While we were on the trail, we made a few stops. We took our time, enjoyed a few restaurants’ specialty items, and meandered through town.

Quincy Market

This farmer’s market of sorts features food, live entertainment, and souvenirs. This place is super touristy, so be wary of that, but it was a great place to grab a cup of lobster bisque and a few souvenirs.

Skinny House

This famous narrow house is located at 44 Hull Street (right across the street from Copp’s Hill Burying Ground). This four story home boasts the “Most Narrow House in Boston” at only 10 feet wide. It’s sort of hard to wrap your mind around the fact that someone could live there. While there are differing stories on how this house came to be, this home is called the “Spite House” because both stories have it being built out of spite.One story is that two brothers inherited land from their deceased father. While one brother was away serving in the military, the other built a large home, leaving only a shred of property that he felt certain was too tiny to build on. When the soldier returned, he found his inheritance depleted and built the narrow house to spite his brother by blocking the sunlight and ruining his view.The other story is that two neighbors were quarreling and one built the narrow house so that it shut off the air and light from the home. No matter which story you believe, it’s still quite a sight to see.

The North End

I instantly fell in love with the North End, or “Little Italy” as it’s referred to. It’s a vibrant area filled with shops and restaurants – most of which stating how their red sauce, oysters, etc. are the best. While visiting this area, we found the best. Here’s where I recommend going.

Lobster Rolls at Pauli’s

For about $26, you can get a hot and buttered lobster roll and chips at Pauli’s. This place has been featured on the Food Network, has had tons of stars visit, and lots of success. But one bite into that hot lobster roll and you’ll know why. The buttered and grilled bun was the perfect vehicle for that mountain of lobster they put on top. Yes, $26 is pricey for a sandwich, but you definitely get your money’s worth. It was delicious and my mouth is watering for one as I sit here typing this up.

Cannoli’s at Mike’s Pastry

At just $5 each, you can grab one of their famous cannolis and man, are they good! Don’t forget your dollar bills though, because this place is cash only.

Dinner at La Famiglia Giorgio’s

We heard this place had the best “sauce” in town, so we decided to give it a try. Y’all, this place was amazing! I tried a classic – Chicken Parm – and it was SO good! The sauce wasn’t acidic at all (you know, that canned tomato taste) and the portion size was huge! I had two meals off of what they served me. They also gave us bread with an olive oil dipping sauce and served it with parmigiano Reggiano on top. I’ve never had it that way with cheese on it before, but now I won’t be able to have any without it. So good!

Day 3

For the last full day in Boston, the name of the game is to see the non-American Revolution historical places, pop culture references, and get a few souvenirs.

Breakfast at Café 26

Another delicious breakfast place we tried was Café 26. This breakfast and brunch place has a little bit of everything. Omelettes, English muffins, crepes, etc. they’ve got it all. I tried the Western Omelette with home fries and it was delicious. I always love starting off the day with a protein packed breakfast and we certainly needed it so we wouldn’t get hungry during all of our adventures!

Boston Pubic Garden

This beautiful garden has been around since the 1800s and is just gorgeous! You can walk around the grounds, take a ride on the swan boats, or have a picnic. It’s such a beautiful place to unwind.

Harvard Tour

We didn’t go to Harvard. We know nothing about Harvard except that’s an Ivy League school and super hard to get into. And yet, I think it’s a must see if you’re visiting Boston. The campus is absolutely gorgeous. You can walk onto campus without being a part of the tour, but I highly recommend taking the Hahvahd tour we did. It was inexpensive and an actual Harvard student led the tour. He talked about the history of the buildings, the faculty, the stories of how certain traditions came to be, and even a few tall tales. It was great!

Milk Bar

After walking around Harvard, we needed a little pick-me-up, so we stopped in Harvard Square at Milkbar, I’ve made their famous Birthday Cake before (with all 54824 ingredients) and it was amazing, but I’ve always wanted to try their Milk Bar Pie! I got my chance. It was SO yummy! It reminds me of a buttermilk pie (which I love), so I think I might be trying to make that at home next!

Lunch at Wahlburgers

Yes, we had dessert before lunch, it’s vacation, okay? After the Wahlburgers tv show came out, my friend insisted we go there to eat. It was such a neat place! There were movie and concert posters from the Wahlburger brothers’ accomplishments, Red Sox paraphernalia, and delicious food! We recommend trying the fried pickles and Jenn’s Chicken. I had Jenn’s chicken on a salad (and it was so flavorful), but I bet the sandwich version is just as good. My friend said the chocolate shake was good too. I imagine it would be a really fun place to watch a baseball game at since it’s so close to Fenway.

Fenway Tour

As a baseball lover, seeing Fenway was definitely on the list. Tours start every hour (when there’s no home game), and leave from the souvenir shop across the street. You can schedule a tour in advance or in store when you’re there. On the tour, you’ll see the inside of the stadium (including the Green Monster), hear the history of it, and maybe even a few tall tales too.

Where to Stay in Boston

We stayed at a place in between the Financial District and the Boston Common and it was perfect. If you need a place to stay, use the search bar below to find a place in your price range and area of town that you prefer!Booking.comIf you’d like to see more weekend trip itinerary ideas, subscribe to my YouTube channel!

A Weekend in Waco, TX | What to Do and Where to Eat

I love college towns.

They're always so vibrant, adventurous, and they ALWAYS have good food options. So let's say you're visiting Waco, Texas and you only have a weekend so explore. Here's a few things that we've found that are MUST SEE things to do and place to eat at while in Waco, Tx.

Things to Do

What started out as a college town has grown into a thriving small town with big city amenities. Check out all there is to do in Waco, Texas on your next family road trip!

Homestead Craft Village

This really neat place for kids is a free admission farm that features make your own craft activities for kids, hay rides, gardens, and you can even have a meal at the Café Homestead. It’s a great way to spend a few hours outside and learning how early settlers might have lived.

Magnolia Market

If you’re a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines or their show, Fixer Upper, chances are you’ve heard of the Magnolia Silos. The Silos feature food and home décor all in one cute location. The Silos, Seed + Supply, Press, and Bake Shop take up several city blocks and provide a great space for families to shop, eat, spend some time outdoors, and design their dream home. It’s really a great place to spend a couple hours. Our new favorite additions include the Katy Ballpark and the Old Church. They add such a sweet, hometown element to the Silos District and we all found something different that we loved about the space.

Mammoth National Monument

This cool national park is open 9-5, and admission adults $5, kids $3. What you’ll see while there are Columbia Mammoths! Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths.

Visit the Bears

On the edge of the campus of Baylor University, you can walk up to the bear den – aka where the famous Baylor Bears live on campus. Depending on the weather, you might be able to see them and you might not. But I always have to check and see just to be sure.

Where to Eat

You know this girl’s gotta eat well while on vacation, so here’s a few spots you’ll want to take your family to eat at while you’re in Waco, Texas.

Southern Roots Brewing

This was our favorite place to eat while in Waco, hands down. Even during the summer when the students are out of school, they’re busy on most nights – especially weekends when they have life music playing inside. The pizza and wings are out of this world! That’s what I love about college towns – there’s always so much delicious food available! They also have board games available, so you can come and drink a few beers and make a night of it! 

Magnolia Table

Every time I visit Waco, thi is a must if you want to eat all of those delicious Joanna Gaines recipes she has in her recipe books. They serve breakfast and lunch and are open to walk-ins, but reservations open up online one month prior to the booking date, so if you want a guaranteed table without a wait, you’ll want to stay up until midnight and book that reservation for your day and time of choice. They have some delicious country-style classics and the food and décor are both phenomenal.On a normal day, there is at least an hour wait to get a table at Magnolia Table. But here’s how you’re going to skip that line. Reservations open exactly 30 days before booking a specific date. So if you know you’re going to want to go on a certain day, go on their website at 11:59pm 31 days before your trip and patiently wait that one minute and then POUNCE ON IT. Yep. You will pick your exact time and you can’t reserve a table for over 6 people, so have a game plan beforehand. There are only a certain number of reservations allowed each day, so once they’re gone, they’re gone. 

Places to Stay

Waco has a ton of different types of housing options for you to stay in while visiting! Use the map below to see what's available duringt the dates you're looking at visiting!Booking.comIf you’d like to see more family friendly vacations like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

One Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

One pan chicken dinner recipes are the best!Do you ever get burnt out on the same old chicken meals? I know I do.This past week, I found myself looking to get something new added to the regular dinner rotation. So after we had the usuals of the week – spaghetti, tacos, etc., I made this chicken recipe.It’s a game changer, y’all!This easy chicken recipe is definitely being added to the regular dinner schedule!

One Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

For the chicken

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

For the sauce

• 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
• ½ onion (diced)
• 1 to mato (diced)
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)

1. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
3. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
4. Remove the chicken from pan.
5. Add the garlic and onion, stirring until onions are translucent. Stir in the tomatoes and spinach until the spinach is wilted.
6. Add the heavy cream, salt, and pepper and bring it to a boil.
7. Add the Parmesan cheese and parsley, stirring until the sauce has thickened slightly.
8. Place the chicken back in the pan, spooning the sauce on top of the chicken.
9. Serve with pasta and enjoy!

dinner, Main Course

American, French, Italian

chicken, one pan meal, pasta

More One Pan Chicken Meals You'll Love

One Pan Chicken SpaghettiOne Pan Rosemary & Orange ChickenOne Pan Balsamic Chicken & Peach SkilletIf you’d like to see more family friendly vacations like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Fayetteville, Arkansas Weekend Trip | Family Travel Tips

“The mountains are calling and I must go.”I’ve always loved being in the mountains. So driving and hiking around in Fayetteville, Arkansas was *literally* a breath of fresh air for me. Arkansas is known as “The Natural State” and if you visit, you’ll see why. Everywhere you look, there’s mountains and hills, rivers, and gorgeous landscapes for as far as the eye can see.We recently got back from a weekend trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas and I couldn’t wait to show you all of the wonderful things there are to do here. No matter your activity level, interest, or amount of time you have to spend on vacation, you’ll find it here.

Things to Do

There’s more to Fayetteville than just the mountains! Check out all the fun things your family can do while visiting!

Pig Trail Scenic Byway

If you’re looking for winding scenic drive, you’ll want to take the 19 mile Pig Trail Scenic Byway through the Ozark Mountains. Named after it’s curly, pig-tail appearance, this foliage-filled road is popular most seasons of the year, but primarily fall when it’s vibrant with colors.  In order to get on the trail, you’ll take Arkansas State Highway 23 near Interstate 40 through to it’s intersection with Arkansas 16. It starts and ends in Fayetteville, so you’re bound to see parts of it while you’re there.

Lokomotion Family Fun Park

If indoor activities for the family are the name of your game, then Lokomotion is where you should go. They’ve got laser tag, mini golf, go karts, bumper boats, and a video arcade.

Devil’s Den State Park

The “Natural State” has loads to offer when it comes to outdoor sights. If you want to get a feel for the land, head out to Devil’s Den State Park. This park has hiking trails through the wooded areas that you’re just going to love. And the drive through the switchbacks entering the park are all part of the fun!

112 Drive In Theater

Thursdays through Sunday evenings, head on over to the 112 Drive In movie theater. For just $10 per car, you can drive your car on in and park it to watch a movie on the big screen from the comfort of your own space. A concession stand is available and you can also bring your own snacks as well.

Air & Military Museum

If you have an aviation fanatic or military buff in your family, you need to check this place out. They have countless fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters, and even an “air tractor”. My military loving child loved this stop! He got to sit inside a ferret tank and several airplanes and was in pure Heaven.

Lake Fayetteville

If you enjoy fishing, this is the place to do it! At the lake, you’ll find Crappie, Bass, Blue Gill, Red Ear, Catfish, Goggle-eye, and Carp. However, if you’re looking for something more adventurous, it’s an idle-only lake, so water sports are a no go.

Fayetteville Square

In the center of town is Fayetteville Square. There, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and and meet a few locals. There’s a weekly farmer’s market you can shop for regional goods as well as several spots for photo ops, like the world peace fountain and several murals on town square.

Gator Golf Course

This mini golf course features 2 18-hole mini golf courses in the hills of the Ozarks. Ranging from easy puts to more difficultly timed shots are fun for the whole family and is sure to bring out your competitive side.

Razorbacks Greenway

The Razorbacks Greenway is a 36 mile paved path route that runs from Fayetteville to Springdale. It’s great for biking or walking and provides a great scenic way to get around. You can rent electric bikes and have fun riding down the greenway in style!

Canoeing, Kayaking, and Water Rafting

There are 5 different rivers that easily accessible from the Fayetteville area. The most breath-taking is the Buffalo river. For a more adventurous ride, start towards the north end of the river. If you’re looking for a more relaxing trek, start at the midpoint of the river.

Prairie Grove Aquatic Park

There’s no better way to beat the heat than to hit the pool! Prairie Grove Aquatic Park has a walk-in entry pool with two water slides that’s a fun and affordable option for your family visiting in the summer months. The day we visited the park, it was over 100 degrees outside. The pools and water slides were perfect to cool off in and have a few hours of fun. It's a great spot for kids of all ages - in fact, my five year old was able to go on the ride above and touch bottom once she got to the 3 foot deep water at the bottom. There's also tables and plenty of places in the shade for us non-sun people as well.

Flying Q Farms

Ages 5 and up can hit the trail on their trusty steed for a trail ride. Trail rides are during weekdays only and are a fun way to get to see the beautiful landscape from a different perspective. The farm also offers summer camps and private horseback riding lessons, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Arkadia Retrocade

This super cool arcade has over 160 machines. From classic arcade games and foosball, to super nintendo and many more. And at just $5 per visit, this place is a steal because you can play every game in the place for as long as they're open.

Where to Eat

The best way to experience a new place has got to be checking out the local eateries. Here’s a few of our favorites!

Hugo’s

This is the place to go to in Fayetteville for burgers! The entrance is downstairs in the basement, but the flavors are anything but lower level! My favorite was the sirloin steak sandwich. It has a lime aioli on it which really makes it!

Hammontree’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese

This place is a grilled cheese sandwich connoisseur’s dream! The fun Dr. Seuss-esque logo of a ham sitting on top of a tree is exactly the whimsical kind of food you’re going to get here – and it’s just as delicious! I loved the white buffalo sandwich with tomato basil soup and my husband really enjoyed the Cheebacca with crawfish bisque. This place has a fun vibe, is in a great area, and afterwards you can go to the food truck park and get some ice cream for dessert.

Burton’s Creamery

You say ‘ice cream’, I say, ‘I’m in!’ At Shulertown Food Truck Park, you’ll find half a dozen food trucks with all different kinds of food, but one your mouth will start watering at is definitely the ice cream truck. Burton’s keeps it simple – vanilla or chocolate – but they’ll put it in a cone, between two cookies, add some toppings, or make it however you like! I got vanilla ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies and they rolled the edges in cinnamon toast crunch. Yum! My husband also had the double chocolate chip cookie sandwich with the vanilla ice cream in the middle.

Wood Stone Craft Pizza + Bar

There’s two locations for this pizza place and we just happened to be closer to the one by the mall when we went. The garlic bread sticks were cheesy and delicious and are a must! I also ordered a wedge salad to start so I could start the meal on a semi-healthy note and this giant salad came out with a steak knife in it. It was delicious and ended up being my meal and I took the pizza home. Ha! The macaroni and cheese was made with cavatappi noodles and was super cheesy and delicious! I also ordered the THISS pizza and it was really flavorful! The service was great, the food was good, and we were seated almost immediately when we walked in. Overall, it was a great experience and we’d love to go back!

Catfish Hole

If you’re looking for grandma’s southern fried cookin’, this is the place! The service is super fast – all of the waiters work all of the tables it seems like, because everyone was helping us if they saw our tea glasses getting low or asking if we needed more hushpuppies. They serve everything family style, so make sure to order plenty of fried catfish, because everyone will eat more than you think they will. I also tried the blackened catfish, but as someone who loves her cajun food, I would just call it ‘grilled’ and not so much blackened because there wasn’t any spice to it at all. The kids loved the atmosphere of the restaurant too – the stained glass windows all depicted funny “catfish” images and they loved looking at each one.

Places to Stay

Whether you're an AirBnB lover or prefer a hotel that comes with complimentary breakfast, Fayetteville has something to meet your needs! Use the search box below to see what's available for your travel dates!Booking.comIf you’d like to see more family friendly vacations like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

How to Make The Ultimate BLT Sandwich Recipe

How does one improve upon a classic sandwich like the BLT?The classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich is an icon in the sandwich world. Hole in the wall diners and upscale restaurants all feature their own version of this famous sandwich, but none that I’ve tried come even remotely close to this ultimate BLT sandwich recipe.

This tasty bacon sandwich is easy to make and has one shining star – the Amazon sauce. Instead of regular old mayo, the ultimate BLT sandwich has this amazing delicious jalapeno cilantro sauce on it.The jalapeno cilantro sauce is only as spicy as you want, but it has a ton of flavor and packs a punch that pairs perfectly with the salty bacon.You’re going to love it!

The Ultimate BLT Sandwich Recipe

Amazon Sauce Ingredients

• 3 jalapeños
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 5 medium cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Sandwich Ingredients

• 2 slices Texas toast
• 3-6 slices bacon
• 1 leaf Lettuce
• 1 slice tomato
• 2 tablespoons butter

Making the Sauce

1. For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños, then roughly chop them. For a spicier sauce, leave the seeds and ribs in, and simply chop the jalapeños. You should have about 1 cup of chopped jalapeños.
2. Place the jalapeños into a blender along with all the remaining ingredients (I even include the cilantro stems), and blend on high for at least 30 seconds, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. You can store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Putting the Sandwich Together

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet with raised sides, cover the bottom with foil and place your bacon in one even layer on top. Place another sheet of foil loosely on top of the bacon (this will keep it from splattering grease all over the oven). Let bake for 25-30 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
2. Heat a griddle or skillet to medium high heat (350 degrees). Once it’s hot, put the tablespoon of butter on the griddle and use a spatula to spread it out. Once it’s melted, place the slices of Texas toast on top of the buttered area. After it becomes golden brown (about 3 minutes), flip the bread and toast the other side.
3. Spread a generous amount of the Amazon Sauce over one piece of toast. On top of it, lay the slice of tomato, and then the lettuce. Place the slices of bacon on top of the lettuce and then the other piece of toast on top.

Appetizer, lunch, Main Course, Snack

American

bacon, BLT, finger sandwich, lettuce, sun dried tomato

Utensils Needed

More Lunches You’ll Love

Italian Tuna Stuffed TomatoesEasy & Colorful Pasta SaladFig & Feta FlatbreadIf you’d like to see more recipes like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

A Weekend Itinerary for Hot Springs, Arkansas

There’s something in the water…Or at least that’s what people thought when they used to make the cross country journey to the healing powers of the natural springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas.Since that time, Hot Springs has ‘sprung up’ with so much more than just water. From hiking to horses races, there’s a little something for everyone in your family. Check it out!

Things to Do

Hot Springs, Arkansas has not shortage of things to do! In fact, there’s so much there, you might need more than just a weekend to fit it all in. Here’s a few things to choose from:

Hot Springs National Park

Of course, the number one thing to do in Hot Springs is going to be it’s namesake – Hot Springs National Park. It’s free to visit the park, so price-wise this place is perfect. This beautiful park is right in the middle of the city – in fact, on one side of the street you’ve got businesses and buildings and the other is national forest area. But once you get deeper into the park, you’ll find 26 miles of hiking trails and 8 historic bathhouses. On Bathhouse Row, you’ll see eight historic buildings that were constructed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, along with the Grand Promenade.So what exactly are the bathhouses you ask? Before modern medicine was around, health seekers came to Hot Springs to “take to the waters”. In sitting in the spring-fed baths, the waters were thought to cure a plethora of ailments. While most of the bathhouses are no longer in use, two of them are open to the public. The Fordyce Bathhouse, one of the more luxurious spas, now serves as a museum to the Golden Age of Bathing (and it has free entry) and you can still take a dip at the Buckstuff Bathhouse or Quapaw Baths & Spa – but make sure you have a reservation and kids are not allowed inside the working bathhouses.While in the park, you’ll want to take a sip at one of the 6 public water fountains. These drinking facilities are real, spring fed, water – so you can experience the “healing powers” for yourself.

Running of the Tubs

If you’re into the quirky and slightly silly, then you have to check out the Running of the Tubs! This is one day of the year where the community has fun paying homage to their water-loving city by strapping some wheels on the bottom of their bathtubs, decorating them to the nines, and racing through town. It’s such a fun event and like nothing you’ve ever seen before!

AdventureWorks Hot Springs

Looking for a little adventure? This zipline course provides all the thrills and excitement you’re looking for on a vacation. Packages range from $35-80 per person.

Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo

If you’re an animal lover, this place is a must see place in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo has been there for over 100 years, so you know they treat their animals well and are doing a great job teaching the community about these dragon-looking creatures. While at the farm, you can hold a baby alligator, learn more about these powerful animals, and pet a few more cuddlier animals in the petting zoo. If you go, make sure to go on a Saturday or Sunday at noon so you can watch the alligator feeding. Those powerful jaws are a sight to see in person! Tickets are $7 for kids and $9 for adults, but they also have a 50 cent coupon on their website. And, of course, don’t bring your pets unless you want them to become alligator food!

Oaklawn Racing & Gaming

Since 1904, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has been one of the premier Thoroughbred racetracks in the country ­– home of the $1 million Arkansas Derby and so much more. The season ended the end of April, so we weren’t able to catch any races, but it’s such a beautiful arena! There’s also a large hotel and casino on property that has regularly scheduled live entertainment.

Mid America Science Museum

Who says science museums are boring? This indoor/outdoor museum was so neat! For only $8.80 per person, you can see exhibits like the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, Light Bridge, Dinosaurs, Rowland Emett Collection (Rowland Emett was a constructor of whimsical kinetic sculpture and creator who made pieces like those in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), rope trampoline thing, dino trek, and the world’s largest tesla coil. Plan to spend a couple hours looking at all of the exhibits.

Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail

Do you have baseball coursing through your viens? If you’re a baseball fanatic, you’ll want to make note of this one. You can stand in the very spot where Babe Ruth hit his record-breaking home run – the first to fly more than 500 feet! Just download the app and you’re on your way to a self-guided tour of the city’s baseball history! Check out more info on that here.

Garvan Woodland Gardens

This beautiful wooded wonderland is a place you just have to see! Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on the shores of beautiful Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas.The site for Garvan Woodland Gardens was purchased in the 1920's after a timber clear-cut in about 1915. Mrs. Garvan loved this beautiful place so much that she never allowed it to be cut again. In 1956, as a self-taught gardener, she began to develop it as a garden and possible future residence. She was intimately familiar with the land and laid out each path, marking every tree to be removed. Verna also personally chose each new plant and selected its location. Over the next forty years, Mrs. Garvan planted thousands of specimens which now form an impressive collection.There are hundreds of rare shrubs and trees, some more than 40 years old, including camellias, magnolias and more than 160 different types of azaleas. In the center of the original plantings is the Garvan Pavilion, designed by nationally acclaimed architects E. Fay Jones (winner of the American Institute of Architects' prestigious Gold Medal and former Dean of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture) and his partner Maurice Jennings. Japanese maples and tree peonies serve as an introduction to the Japanese inspired Garden of the Pine Wind, just as Mrs. Garvan always intended. Rock gardens, a conifer border, and a growing number of bulbs and perennials complete the collection, providing interest throughout the year. It was Mrs. Garvan's wish that the Gardens be used to educate and serve the people of Arkansas, providing them the joy and repose it had offered her. She noted the devastation of the environment that had taken place in her lifetime and wished to preserve a remnant of the twentieth century's natural grandeur for generations to come.Also on property, you can see the Anthony Chapel. This gorgeous glass and native wood beam chapel is the perfect spot for a fairytale wedding! It features a 57 foot ceiling tat seems to just reach right into the trees! We were able to stop in and see it and it just surreal! This is a must see for sure! While you can’t go inside right now (thanks, Covid!), visitors are still able to see it from the outside and take it all in.For just $15 per adult and $5 per kid or dog, you can see take in all this gorgeous garden has to offer. Don’t forget to check out the 4 story tree house (our kids loved it) – and if you’re a flower buff, there’s a bloom calendar on their website.

Ron Coleman Crystal Mining

The Ouachita Mountains surrounding Hot Springs produce some of the world’s finest quartz crystals including mammoth-size specimens that have made their way to museums, galleries and private collections all around the world. Various mines in nearby Jessieville and Mount Ida offer visitors the opportunity to dig for their own treasures and keep whatever they find. There’s also a zipline there for a the more adventurous ones in your group.

Magic Springs & Crystal Falls

Looking for a little heart-pounding adventure? Then you’ll want to head over to Magic Springs! This theme park/water park combo opens at the end of may and provides tons of fun all summer long. There’s concerts on Saturday nights and they also have “Cooler Sundays” where you can bring your own drinks and snacks into the park (just no alcohol or glass containers please). They have kid rides, family rides, and thrill rides, plus all the water park fun you could need to help you cool off this summer.

Maxwell Blade Magic Show

Ready to be amazed? The Maxwell Blade Theater of Magic is just the place! This family-friendly show features Maxwell Blade – a magician and illusionist that you just have to see to believe. Shows are just under 2 hours and feature large scale illusions, close up magic, comedy, and live music. Tickets are available online  for just $20-39 each.

Where to Eat

When I'm checking out a new town, I've just got to try a few of the local restaurants. Here's a few restaurants in Hot Springs we loved.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

Get your fill of the geothermal waters that gave Hot Springs its name and its fame at any of the jug fountains in Hot Springs National Park. At Superior Bathhouse Brewery you can drink beer brewed with the park’s water. Housed in a historic bathhouse, it is the first brewery headquartered in a national park and is believed to be the only brewery using thermal spring water as its main ingredient. The water flows through Superior’s pipes at about 140 degrees, saving both time and energy in the brewing process.

Deluca's

Would you believe you can find Brooklyn style pizza in the Northwest part of Arkansas? Yeah, I didn’t either. But here we are! Food & Wine said they had the best pizza in the state, and we agreed that it was pretty dang good. We ordered the Big Mike (sausage and pepperoni) and it was delicious! These 18” pizzas are big enough to feed the entire family for just $29 each! Pro tip: make a reservation. They only make so much dough per day, so when they sell out, they sell out. When you make your reservation, you’ll actually reserve a number of pizzas. So that way, they know they have enough saved for you. We loved it and the location was super convenient to go walk off all that pizza at Bathhouse Row afterwards.

Taco Mama

Away from the touristy spots, you’ll find a local Mexican food eatery. We had no wait and the food was good. I recommend getting the chicken enchiladas or the chicken and rice dish. Portions are a little on the small side from what we’re used to in Texas Tex-Mex joints, but the food had some great flavor.

The Pancake Shop

Just go get in line. Seriously. Do it now because there’s going to be a wait. But when you’re voted as one of the 50 Best Breakfasts in 50 States by the Food Network, you know you’re going to have something delicious waiting for you on the other side of that wait. You’re going to need to order pancakes, something with ham (I got an omelet), and the hot chocolate. Just trust me on this one. They make the hot chocolate with hot milk fresh for each order and it was delicious. Everything we got was super tasty!

Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcakes

We stumbled upon this cupcake shop across from Bathhouse Row and we're so glad we did! Their cupcakes were flavorful and moist - just how they should be!

Places to Stay

Where should I stay in Hot Springs Arkansas?

Cloud 9 RV

The thing with RV parks is that you never really know what you’re going to get. So we were pleasantly surprised when we pulled off the main road and drove through the huge arch over the road that read ‘Cloud 9 - Open’ in neon lights. Up a twisty-turvy driveway, was a beautiful Hot Springs RV park full with trees, campers, and friendly faces. We felt safe letting the kids play outside and we loved exploring around the grounds. I would definitely stay here again the next time we’re in the area.

Need a few hotel ideas?

Enter your possible travel dates below to find a place perfect for your family!Booking.comIf you’d like to see more family friendly vacations like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel! 

S'more Cones

Hello, my name is Stacy and I’m a chocaholic.

This is not something I’m proud of necessarily, but hey, it’s who I am! I love any form of chocolate I can get – except for that disgusting stuff they try to pull off as real chocolate – “white chocolate”. Yuck.So naturally, any recipe that has chocolate in it is okay in my book. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, tarts, cannolis, and even cocoa powder used as a seasoning for steak – I’ll try it all. But the best way to use chocolate?S’mores.

S’mores have a bit of nostalgia attached to them, don’t they? You can probably remember the first time you had one, or maybe a camping trip where you set many a marshmallow ablaze over an open campfire. But while simple in nature, there are many different ways to enjoy a s'more.The one I’m going to show you today is a less mess version of that roasted marshmallow classic. In this recipe for s’mores cones, waffle cones are stuffed full with chocolate pieces and marshmallows, wrapped in aluminum foil, and put in a heat source.Now, I say “heat source” because these have been known to have been made in an oven, on a grill, and even over a campfire with a stick protruding out of them. Think of them as the fancier cousin of the traditional s’more.In theses s’more cones, you get all the delicious flavors of a traditional cone – but in a neat, compact package. They’re perfect for backyard barbecues, family movie nights, while camping under the stars, or when you just need a sweet treat on a weekday evening.What I also like about this recipe is that you can use any different type of chocolate that you have – Hershey bars, Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, snickers, etc. You can even add peanut butter to the inside of the cone to make it even heartier of a dessert.Ready to try them for yourself? Let’s get to it!

S’mores Cone Recipe

In this recipe for s’mores cones, waffle cones are stuffed full with chocolate pieces and marshmallows, wrapped in aluminum foil, and put in a heat source.

• Waffle cones
• Mini marshmallows
• Your favorite type of chocolate

1. Fill the waffle cone with mini marshmallows and chocolate pieces.
2. Wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Place on a grill and cover for 2 minutes, flip at the 1 minute mark.
4. Remove with tongs and let cool.
5. Unwrap foil and remove cone.

If making on a campfire, wrap the end of a s'mores stick in with the cone with foil. Rotate in the fire for a couple minutes.

If making in an oven, turn your oven onto 400 degrees and place the foil-wrapped cones on a baking sheet. Allow to cook for 1 minute and then flip the cones to the other side and cook for another minute.

Dessert, Snack

American

camping, chocolate, christmas dessert, marshmallow, smore, smores

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Candied Bacon Deviled EggsColorful Pasta SaladFresh Dewberry Cobbler If you’d like to see more family fun ideas like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Easy Chimichurri Recipe

What’s that green stuff?The first time I went to Fogo de Chao (a Brazilian steakhouse), the waiter put down a small bowl of green sauce in front of me. It looked like a cross between pico de gallo and salsa (can you tell I’m from Texas) but I didn’t know what to do with it.

I soon found out that in Argentinian cooking, they would put this green sauce – called chimichurri – on their meats. Chimichurri can be used as a marinade, basted while on the grill, or served alongside any kind of grilled meat. I prefer to use chimichurri on steak, but it works well on chicken as well.Packed with parsley and garlic, this is one addictive sauce! It has an amazing flavor that adds a little zing to any meat.Here’s an easy chimichurri recipe for you to make it at home.

Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Packed with parsley and garlic, this is one addictive sauce! It has an amazing flavor that adds a little zing to any meat.

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped or minced)
• 1-2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 level teaspoon coarse salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavors into the oil before using. Ideally, let it sit for more than 2 hours, if time allows.
2. Chimichurri can be prepared earlier than needed, and refrigerated for 24 hours, if needed.
3. Use to baste meats (chicken or steaks) while grilling or barbecuing. You can use it as a marinade or to baste our meats with chimichurri. Also, add a couple of tablespoons over your steak to serve.

sauce

Argentinian

chimichurri, marinade, sauce

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Grilled Corn with Spicy ButterGrilled PineappleThe Best Burger Recipe If you’d like to see more recipes like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!

Gringo's Tex Mex Copycat Amazon Sauce

Move over, chips and queso!So there’s this Tex-Mex restaurant near where we live called Gringo’s. My family has been going there for *literally* decades. Now they have multiple stores all across Texas, but I still remember eating at that first little restaurant of theirs.The food is out of this world good. Their fajita chicken is just as flavorful as their beef fajita and they always have the greatest quality. You always know what you’re going to get and I like that in a restaurant.One menu item I have ordered a lot in the past is called an Amazon Wrap. It’s a spinach tortilla loaded with fajita chicken, lettuce, tomato, and Amazon sauce.Now, this is no ordinary sauce!

This green sauce is everything you want in a Tex-Mex offering – loads of flavor with a taste you just can’t quite put your finger on why it is that you love it so much.Jalapeno and cilantro are the stars of this show. And what I love most about this Gringo’s copycat Amazon sauce is that you can make it as spicy or as mild as you like – just by including the seeds and ribs or not.Ready to make some for yourself? It couldn’t be easier! No heat required – just throw everything in the blender and enjoy!Let’s get started…

Gringo’s Copycat Amazon Sauce Recipe

• 3 jalapeños
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro (2oz)
• 5 medium cloves garlic (1.5 tbsp)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1. For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños, then roughly chop them. For a spicier sauce, leave the seeds and ribs in, and simply chop the jalapeños. You should have about 1 cup of chopped jalapeños.
2. Place the jalapeños into a blender along with all the remaining ingredients (I even include the cilantro stems), and blend on high for at least 30 seconds, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Enjoy!

Appetizer

Mexican

green sauce, Mexican food, Tex Mex

Utensils Needed

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JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Weekend warrior? Looking for a weekend getaway? How about just a little rest and relaxation for a few days?The JW Marriott San Antonio has something for every type of vacation – couples getaways, family retreats, and solo expeditions. You’re going to love this place!

Accommodations

The rooms here are spectacular. They have everything from rooms with 2 double beds to private suites. They have rooms with balconies and some that walk out to direct access to the pool. Check out their availability here.

Amenities

Indoor lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will all love the activities this resort has to offer!

Water Activities

Whether you’re looking for high adventure or just lounging by the pool, the JW Marriott in San Antonio has it all! First, there’s the River Bluff Experience that features a lazy river and pool. Then there’s the children’s play area and if you’re looking for a place a little more quiet, there’s an adults only overlook infinity pool as well.

Spa

Ready for a little relaxation? There’s no better place to luxuriate than the Lantana spa. Get any treatment you like – such as a pedicure, facial, and massage. If you’re trying to stay in shape, they also have a full gym complete with Peleton bikes and fitness classes available. They also have tennis and basketball courts available.

Golf

If you’re an avid golfer, this golf course (or should I say courses since there’s two) is stunning. It’s won numerous awards and is only open to JW Marriott guests and members. If you need a little help with your backswing, private lessons are available as well.

Nature Trails

You know I love getting outside any chance I can, so we had to hit the trails. Right outside of the hotel are 3 different trails – none longer than a mile, so it was a great way to start the day with a leisurely stroll and little exercise.

Activities for Kids

Since it rained the one full day we had at the resort, I thought for sure the kids we saw around the resort would be bored out of their minds – but they weren’t! Not only does the resort have an arcade, but they also have family friendly activities planned for every day of the week. There was an animal exhibition, slime making, birdhouse painting, inner tube decorating, and s'mores made by the fire. So many fun things to do!

Restaurants

With several restaurants on property, you can find whatever you’re in the mood to eat – from a simple cup of coffee to a perfectly cooked steak.

Cibolo Moon

This casual dining restaurant  features Tex-Mex favorites and a tequila bar. They even have 3 private dining spaces – all named after different kinds of tequila – Anejo, Reposado, and Blanco. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.

Rivertop Grill

If you’re out by the water activities, no need to come inside! This poolside bar and grill features sandwiches, hamburgers, chips and salsa, and cold margaritas.

Starbucks

If you need your morning jolt of coffee, there’s a Starbucks located conveniently on property.

High Velocity

If you like the energy of sports bars, High Velocity will be just your speed. They have a great food selection, craft cocktails, and a vibrant 120 foot long HD video wall. Here, you'll find your traditional bar food - burgers, wings, loaded fries, etc.

Crooked Branch

This whiskey bar is a great place to have nightcap and wind down from the day’s festivities. It's in the middle of the downstairs common area, so it's a nice spot to grab a drink, sit by the fireplace, and unwind.

18 Oaks

Did somebody say steak? This upscale steakhouse was the perfect birthday dinner spot for us. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love this fine dining experience overlooking the golf course’s 18^th hole. Be sure to make a reservation before you arrive on property!Curious to find out more about the property? Enter your possible vacation dates in the search bar below to get started!Booking.comIf you’d like to see more travel tips like this, subscribe to my Youtube Channel!