Reba's Place | Atoka, Oklahoma Celebrity Restaurant

Welcome to Atoka, Oklahoma – home of Reba’s Place!

Where to Stay

While Atoka is a relatively small town, they do have a few options available for accommodations. Check out the map below to see what's available when you plan to visit.Booking.com

The Experience

This restaurant opened in January of 2023 and fans and foodies have been flocking to it ever since. Reba turned a historic Masonic Temple into a tourist destination and made sure to keep the gorgeous wood bar and original feel of the space. She hand selected every cup and light fixture you see in the 3 story restaurant. There’s live entertainment daily, but they don’t take reservations, so be prepared for a wait for dinner.

The Food

Speaking of food, this place has some delicious Southern classics like chicken fried steak, cherry coke hamburgers, and fried green tomatoes. Their cocktail selection is amazing too! They even have a bloody mary bar if that’s your thing.

The Memorabilia

Another neat aspect of the restaurant is the memorabilia. Here, you’ll be able to see iconic dresses and platinum records and the items are from Reba’s private collection – so the items will be changing out ever so often.

The Gift Shop

Before you leave (or while you’re waiting for your table), be sure to head to the third floor and check out the gift shop. There, you’ll find mugs, t-shirts, jewelry, and bath products. There’s even a library and some couches to enjoy while you’re there. If you'd like to see more travel tips like this, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel! 

The Chifley Hotel | Houston Galleria Area Boutique Hotel

The Chifley Hotel is a brand new 284 suite boutique hotel right in the heart of the Galleria area of Houston, Texas. They invited me for their grand opening celebration and to stay the evening and enjoy some of the amenities they’ll be providing their guests. Here's a little of what you can expect to experience at this fabulous hotel.

The name Chifley is inspired by the “schiffli” weaving process, which utilizes hundreds of needles to carefully stitch patterns into lace, reflecting the diverse culture and community in Houston.

Rouse

The Chifley Hotel is unique in that not only is it boasting an iconic hotel, but a restaurant destination as well, with it’s restaurant, Rouse.Rouse Craft Cooking is home to Chef Ricardo Planas. Chef Planas graduated from the French Culinary school and went on to work at prestigious restaurants such as Tavern on the Green in New York City and Watergate in Washington DC.His style is pays homage to our city’s Asian, Mexican, and Texas barbecue culinary traditions and his food is incredible! Rouse, a name that embodies the establishment’s desire to awaken and stir diners with flavors and flair, will seat 76 in their main dining area and 50 at their bar.

Unique Packages

This is no cookie cutter hotel! In fact, you can customize your stay many different ways – like with a pet package where your pet can stay in style or the wellness package that includes an exercise class. I loved the yoga class I took!

Ready to Book Your Stay?

Go here to reserve your Chifley Hotel stay today!

Martha Gene | Houston's Own Hat Bar

In Old Town Spring, just north of Houston Texas, you’ll find the cutest little boutique – Martha Gene. This little shop is right off the main street and has all you could ever want in modern western wear, boho classics, and feminine fabulousness.This adorable boutique is named after the owner’s grandparents – Martha and Gene. And you can see photos of them behind the register. But the main attraction we went for was the hat bar.You’ll need to make a reservation online before you go to hold your spot. It’s $20 and that covers the cost of the hat stylist helping you put your hat together.When we arrived, we met Brittany – the fabulous hat artist that was to help us design our hats. She showed us all of the hats to choose from and accessories and options that were available to us. First up, picking a hat. They have hats ranging in price from $30 to over $100, so you can pick the color and price point that best suits your needs. You can also bring your own hat with you if you have one you already own or picked out somewhere else.

Next up, the accessories. Armed with a little basket, you’re able to look over all of the ribbons, bands, feathers, and pins to create a style that’s uniquely yours. They even have some interesting options like wine corks, matchboxes, and playing cards – it was really fun playing with different ideas! Brittany was so amazing at helping us pick out items that went together and make decisions on what looked best. I’m super indecisive, so hearing her opinion on what went together best helped a lot. After all, she’s the pro at this.Not only can you attach items to the hat, but you can also burn it as well through distressing, branding, and Brittany can even freehand designs on your hat.In total, each hat we designed came out to about $80. But that price depends on the brand of hat you get and the amount of accessories you put on it.We had such a great time at Martha Gene and I highly recommend you go there to get a fully customized hat for yourself!Booking.comIf you enjoyed this post, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel to see more fun local ideas like this!

Santa Fe Jeep Tours

If you’re looking for something off the beaten path in Santa Fe, you’ll want to check out Santa Fe Jeep Tours.

Starting off, our tour guide Andrew picked us up from our AirBnB and we jumped in his Jeep Wrangler, setting off for the Bureau of Land Management or (BLM) land.There’s a couple different options for tours, like Devil’s Throne, Ski Basin Tour, Ranger Tower, Cow Creek and the Elk Mountain tour. Each tour offers something different to see, so when you call to book your reservation, be sure to tell the guide exactly what you’re looking for. Chances are, they have something perfect for your group. All of these tours are different time lengths as well. The durations range from 3 to 8 hours, so think about how long you’ll want to be out there as well. Since we were taking the tour after driving in from out of town, we chose the 3 hour Diablo Canyon Sunset Tour. There’s also the Bonanza Creek Movie Studio Tour which sounded like a fun tour as well, It takes you through film locations like Silverado, Manhattan, Breaking Bad, Young Guns, and Valley of Violence.We had a blast! The kids absolutely got a kick of bumping along down the dirt roads and crawling over the rocks. At one point the Jeep’s front wheel was up on an incline and all of us were leaning towards the other side. The kids giggles and laughter was contagious, because soon we were all laughing!Now, I will tell you – we spent more on this excursion than we typically do. In fact, we had quite the sticker shock when looking at the prices before we booked it. BUT I’m so glad we decided to splurge on it. This tour was perfect for every age group. Us adults got a kick out of it and the kids have already told us that they can’t wait to go again.

After spending some time by the Rio Grande River, we got to see Diablo Canyon. It was absolutely gorgeous. And we weren’t the only one – check out that person repelling the cliff! Um, no thanks.As a photographer, I appreciated that Andrew took us to all of his favorite places at sunset (some along the Rio Grande, and some high atop a hill) so I could get some great shots.This was such a fun tour and well worth the money. Booking.comIf you'd like to see more travel tips like this, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel!

5 Things You Should Know About Before Attending Your First Pinners Conference

The Pinners Conference is a two-day long crafting, cooking, and organizing extravaganza! Basically, if it’s something you’d “pin” on Pinterest, then they’ll have something closely related to it there. There’s classes and shopping all day long both days and you are in for a real treat when you go.Before I get into what you need to know, I just wanted to say that I loved that this conference was not featuring a ton of big businesses. Yes, it had major businesses like Home Depot as sponsors, but for the most part, almost all of the presenters were small business owners who just love what they do. That passion shines through in the things they make and in the excitement during class time.

Now let’s get into it. Here’s what you need to know if this is your first time at a Pinner’s Conference.

1. Get your accommodations as early as possible.

We decided to go to the conference about a month before, so even then we had a difficult time finding anything close that wasn’t crazy expensive. We ended up finding a hotel about 20 minutes away that had free breakfast though, so I call that a win! I’m a sucker for free breakfast.Map out the location of the conference and see what’s nearby. The conference-sponsored hotels aren’t necessarily always the best, so do a little research on your own to see what works for you.Booking.com

2. Make a plan

The conference itself is two very full days long. You can choose one day or both and there really is no right answer – just whichever works best for you. If I was to pick one day only, I’d choose Friday. It was so much less packed in the expo area and the classes were easier to get into.However, if you’re looking for deals at the expo, the booths tended to have major sales on Saturday since they wanted to get rid of their product and not take it back home with them.You’ll also want to plan ahead for your classes. The classes are about an hour long and they are back-to-back throughout the day. You can register for as many classes as you like. This reserves your seat in the class. It’s free to register for the classes. The cost comes when it’s time to buy the material kit for each class.If you know you want to do certain classes, I would prepay for those material kits (but you also have the option to purchase them right before the class starts). We registered for one class and didn’t end up getting to take it because they ran out of materials.Also, the system will allow you to register for classes the week of the event but will NOT let you pre-purchase the material kits. If you want to make sure to get a kit the day of the class, get to the entrance line for that class about 15 minutes before it starts.

3. Be prepared for creativity overload

I love a good craft project. I love trying new things. So when I saw glass etching and chalk painting and macrame (all activities I have never done before), I was like “I need all of these!”. But in reality, I did not.In fact, we found that less is more at this conference. You don’t want sign up for too many classes. We found that 3 classes each day was our max. Any more than that and we were just going through the motions and not enjoying the process.Also, I feel the need to tell you to take your time. There is no rush. There is a lot to see. In fact, we spread the expo into two days. We did our 3 classes and saw one half of the expo booths on day one and then the other half on day two. It made it so much more manageable and we actually stopped and looked at things instead of just speeding past it all just for the sake of seeing it.Take your time. Relax. Stop and do a make and take.

4. Have a Budget In Mind

It is so easy to want to do and buy all the things. Trust me. If you’re a creative person like I am and want to try your hand at everything, it can be very tempting to sign up for more classes than I need and want to do tons of make and takes (I’ll explain more about those later).So before you leave home, decide what classes you want to do. Those classes range from free (like the organizing one I took) to I think the most expensive I saw was $35. Have that budget set for classes and decide what you’re comfortable with spending.Then decide on what you are okay with spending at the expo. The expo is basically a collection of food booths selling things like sauces, mixes, macarons, cookies, fudge, etc. And equally mixed in is home décor, clothing, hair products, and other boutiques. There are so many cute things and neat products that will be calling your name. I recommend bringing cash if you want to stay on budget.You can also look for the deals. I loved the “make and takes” these were tables set up the entire length of the expo center that had a different mini project at each table. These mini projects were things like make your own leather earrings, painted signs, terrariums, embroidery, etc. You work at your own pace and with little help from anyone, but the projects were all $5 or $10, so they were super cost effective.Most of them were mini versions of the hour long classes, so if you couldn’t get into a class, you could still try the project on a smaller scale.

5. Bring a Friend!

Could have I went by myself and enjoyed it? Absolutely. I saw many women doing that and having a great time crafting and getting to know other like-minded people. But having my best friend go with me was a huge plus. Everything is better when you get to share it with someone else who loves to get crafty as much as you do.And you don’t have to do all of the same classes! We did a few classes together and then some apart and it was neat because we were able to show each other out projects and talk about what we learned when we got back together.Overall, if you’re going to the Pinner’s Conference, you’re going to have an amazing time! They do an incredible job of setting everything up and it is very well organized. If you’re into crafting, this is the conference for you!

More Craft Projects You'll Love

How to Score Craft Store DealsDIY Embroidered Christmas Holiday Gift TagsMake Your Own Bath Bombs If you enjoyed this, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel!

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon, aka the "Grand Canyon of Texas" is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. It's got stunning overlooks, great hiking trails, and even a Texas-sized theatrical performance in the summer months. Ready to see all the Palo Duro Canyon travel tips? Let's get into it.

Where To Stay

Whether you prefer an AirBnB, Hotel, or RV Park, Amarillo has a little something for everyone. The most important thing you can do when looking for accommodations is to figure out a good, centralized location for all of the activities you have planned.That way, you can maximize the time you have in activities and spend less time in the car. Realistically though, Amarillo is pretty easy to get across. It’s not a huge city, so you can cross the city in about 30 minutes.Booking.com

Palo Duro Adventure Park

Ready to fly? How about zipping across a canyon on a steel cable? This series of ziplines goes across Palo Duro Canyon and lets you get an unforgettable view! Afraid of heights? There’s also the “chicken truck” where you can ride along with you friends or family members and provide moral support and still be part pf the action without actually riding. Ziplines cost $30 and kids can ride tandem with adults for just $10 each.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This was a place that my dad has been wanting to visit for the longest time and I’m so glad we finally did it together! Palo Duro is absolutely beautiful! It’s called the “Grand Canyon of Texas” because it definitely has a similar feel to it. If you’re planning to visit, be sure to make your reservation up to 30 days ahead of time – even if it’s just for a day pass.This place is kind of amazing. You pass miles and miles or flat farmland only to end up in what is a beautiful canyon, just ready to be explored. There’s one main road that loops through the park, so if you’re looking to just drive through and see it, I recommend doing that with one stop – the Visitor center overlook. It really gives you that wow factor you’re looking from the top of the canyon looking in.If you’re looking to hike, ride horses, etc., there’s plenty of trail options for that too – with all different lengths ranging from .4 miles and beyond.The RV spots look awesome too, if you’re into that – which we are – so we’ll definitely be back with the RV sometime in the future and already have our campsite picked out.

Texas Outdoor Musical

A musical about Texas with Palo Duro canyon as the backdrop? Okay! This was such a unique experience! It’s $40 for adults and $30 each for kids, so while it’s not cheap, it’s definitely a unique experience that’s worth the splurge. Bring your own water with you; it can get pretty hot out there before the sun goes down! If you enjoyed this overview of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel to see more Texas travel tips!

A Family Friendly Guide to Pecos National Historic Park

Just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico in Pecos, you’ll find Pecos National Historic Park. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson established Pecos National Monument over the same area, and control was turned over the Park Service. In 1990 the main unit of the park was expanded to more than 6,000 acres (24 km 2), including a large area of ranchland and archaeologically sensitive landscapes.We really enjoyed this park! We started off in the visitor’s center looking at all of the artifacts that have been found there over time. We then headed out the back door onto the ancestral sites trail. It was the perfect short hike for us and our kids to stretch our legs, see some really neat historical structures, and get a glimpse of what life might have been like in the 1600s.

Spanish Mission

The main unit of the park also protects the remains of Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos, a Spanish mission near the pueblo built in the early 17th century. A 1.25-mile (2 km) self-guiding trail begins at the nearby visitor center and winds through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and the mission church.

Forked Lightning Ranch

Another part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch, a cattle ranch established in the 1920s by Tex Austin, a famous producer of rodeos. It was headquartered at the Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail that had also served as a Union forces encampment before the Battle of Glorieta Pass. It was only a cattle ranch for a time before Austin converted it into a dude ranch which he promoted to Easterners.The main ranch was designed by John Gaw Meem in the Pueblo Revival style of architecture. Austin's heavily mortgaged endeavor failed, closing in 1933. In 1936 the ranch again became a working cattle ranch, and in 1941 it was purchased by Buddy Fogelson, a Texas oilman who married actress Greer Garson. After her husband died, Garson sold her share of the park in 1991 to a conservation group, which donated it to the Park Service.

Things to do Indoors

Stop by the visitor center to talk with rangers and check out the museum exhibits with text in English and Spanish, a bookstore with gift shop, and a 12-minute introductory film. Don’t forget to bring your National Park passport to get your stamp as well!

Things to do Outdoors

If you are interested in enjoying the outdoors, they have that too! You can have a picnic in the park (two picnic areas, one next to the visitor center and the other near the mission church), go hiking, take a ranger-guided tour, and fishing on the Pecos River (with a special permit).

Hiking Trails

There are three trails that are open in the park at this time (2022).

Ancestral Sites Trail

Hike along the 1.25 mile Ancestral Sites Trail and discover the remains of the Pecos Pueblo and 1717 Spanish mission church. Allow for at least an hour for the main loop trail walk. Trail Guides are available at the visitor center, but I don’t think you’d need it. There’s signs with information so you know what you’re looking at at most points of interest.The trail starts right behind the visitor center. It gives you a glimpse into the past as you pass by the ancestral sites of the Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. You will also enjoy beautiful vistas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Glorieta Mesa as you venture around the trail. Trail guides are available to borrow or for purchase at the visitor center.

Battlefield Trail

For a tougher and longer hike, venture on over to the 2.3 mile Civil War Battlefield Trail and explore the history of the Battle of Glorieta Pass; check in at the Visitor Center and rangers will provide you with a gate code for access to the trail. The trailhead is a 7.5 mile drive from the visitor center and is behind a locked gate. Please visit the visitor center to acquire the gate code to access the trail.Winding through a forested area, this trail gives you a detailed look into the Civil War in New Mexico. As you walk around the trail, you will see wayside signs about the battle. Additional trail markers are along the trail that correspond with a trail guide. Trail guides are available for purchase at the visitor center.

South Pasture Trail

A third trail option is the South Pasture Trail. It is open seven days a week, and you can ask a ranger at the visitor center for more information. This old ranching road-turned-trail starts out at Fishing Beat 3 and winds its way through pasture lands.As you hike along the trail, you'll pass through a grove of cottonwoods along the Pecos River. The trail then loops back through pasture lands before ending at Fishing Beat 3. This trail has expansive views of the Pecos River, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and Glorieta Mesa.Important Notices: Pets of any kind are not allowed on this trail. This trail is open seven days a week. Please inquire at the visitor center for more information. Last entry onto this trail is at 1:00 pm, as the trail closes at 3:00 each day.

Summer Hours

From Memorial Day (late May) until Labor Day (early September), the park is open every day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Please note that the Visitor Center is only open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Winter Hours

From Labor Day (early September) until Memorial Day (late May), the park is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Please note that the Visitor Center is only open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Fees

Entry to the park is free.This park really is a hidden gem. They’re got some great hiking options and plenty to see.Booking.comIf you’d like to see more travel tips like this, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel!

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers visitors spectacular scenic vistas, hundreds of miles of hiking trails and roads for exploring, the mighty Rio Grande River for float trips and some of the darkest night skies in the lower 48.

About the Park

Big Bend was established as a national park in June of 1935, preserving the largest tracts of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. The park is comprised of 1,252 square miles of land, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island.Big Bend National Park is America's fifteenth largest national park, boasting 801,163 acres of protected land, making it the largest protected portion of the Chihuahuan desert in the United States.

Hiking

Big Bend is a hiker's paradise containing the largest expanse of roadless public lands in Texas. More than 150 miles of trails offer opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. Elevations range from 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to 7,832 feet on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. There are 78 different hiking trails in the park.

When to Visit Big Bend National Park

From October-April, you can usually find a pleasant weather window in the park. Weather in the winter can be variable though, and for that reason the best time to visit Big Bend National Park is October, November, March, or April. The spring brings optimal weather to the park as well as wildflowers. If you’re looking for the night skies, the best time of year to stargaze in Big Bend National Park is October to April. There are no visible lights indicating a house or even a town. You can see the Milky Way in its full glory and more than 2,000 stars on a clear night.

Reservations

Reservations are not needed to enter Big Bend National Park, but normal entrance fees will be collected at all park entrance stations.

Important Tip

Remember, Big Bend is hours away from any neighboring town, so be sure to have a full tank of gas and plenty of snacks and water with you. You do not want to be caught out here without it.

Where to Stay

You can always camp inside the park (with a reservation) or make the long drive from a neighboring town like we did. We stayed in Fort Stockton and drove quite a ways, but we wanted a nicer place to stay since we were driving home to Houston the next day. Check the map below to find a place that matches your style and budget.Booking.com

How to See Chicago in a Weekend

Looking for a fun way to spend a weekend in Chicago? I’ve got the perfect Chicago weekend itinerary here.My best friend Amanda and I take a yearly “bestie” trip. We’ve done road trips to places both near and far and the last few years we’ve gotten into walkable cities (i.e. cities you can visit without needing a rental car). Last year we saw everything Boston had to offer and this year we explored Chicago.Since we only had a 3 day weekend, we crammed everything we could think of into our trip. So if you’re looking to explore Chicago and you’re only working with a few days, this is going to be the perfect guide for you!

Day 1

Hyatt Regency

This is one amazing hotel. Its location is perfectly situated a couple blocks from the Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park (where “the bean” is). It’s got tons of amenities too! There are restaurants, a larger than most gym, and plenty of places to sit and work, talk, or people watch with a gorgeous view of the skyline.

The Dearborn

Not far from our hotel, we found this delicious restaurant. We had a reservation for lunch, and it’s a good thing we had it too because it was really busy when we arrived. We got a great table near the open windows and it was a perfect, breezy day for dining al fresco. The décor here is absolutely stunning. It feels so high end and would be a great spot for a business lunch or date night. My friend and I both ordered the Dearborn Burger, and I got mine with added bacon and caramelized onions. It was delicious! We loved this place and would eagerly go back!

Millennium Park

Seeing the Millennium Cloud (aka “the bean”) is one of those must-see things while in Chicago. It takes all of 5 minutes to see it and it’s a great place to get that signature picture for Chicago.

Buckingham Fountain

If this fountain looks familiar, that’s because it’s been featured in a lot of things like the tv show Married With Children, Crime Story, Amazing Race, Shameless, The Great Food Truck Race, and movie National Lampoon’s Vacation. This Grant Park fountain was dedicated in 1927 and is one of the largest fountains in the world.

Maggie Daley Park

If you’re looking to relax a bit, walk around Maggie Daley Park. There’s gorgeous lush green spaces to sit and relax, as well as a bunch of fun things to do for the kids like rollerblading at the ribbon, climbing the rock wall, play on the playground, mini golf, and grab some Ice cream.

Lakefront Trail

If you’re looking for great views of the city and Lake Michigan, then this is the place to be. This 18.5 mile paved path is used for walking, running, skateboarding, and cycling along the western shore of Lake Michigan. It’s nice a nice area to take stroll, enjoy a picnic, or just watch the boats go by.

Giordano’s

When we asked most people for their recommendations on the best deep dish pizza in Chicago, 9 out of 10 of them recommended this place – Giordano’s. First of all, expect a wait for your table, Also, it takes 45 minutes for a deep dish to be made and 30 minutes for a regular, so be prepared to hang out a bit before your food actually arrives. If you’re in a hurry, I recommend making an order ahead of time and just going to pick it up. We had the personal deep dish pizza (6” diameter) and the chopped salad. Both were out of this world delicious. 

Day 2

Wildberry Cafe

If you’re a fan of breakfast food, then you need to get up a little earlier, roll out of bed, and head to Wildberry Café. This place was referred to us by a couple people, so we decided to try it out. We didn’t have a reservation, but we got to the restaurant around 8am and only had to wait for a few minutes. But let me tell you, that place got full, fast. So if you’re planning on trying it out, go as early as possible. They have all the classics here like omelettes, biscuits and gravy, and eggs any way you want it. But they also have some amazing looking pancakes and French toast that they’re most known for. This is the kind of place you can go back several times and find all sorts of things on the menu that will make your mouth water.

Navy Pier

The views from the Navy Pier are just stunning. We walked from our hotel out onto the pier and I have to tell you, it’s a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. The pier is a 3,300 foot long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago. Built in 1916, this area has seen a ton of growth over the last century and is a great place to spend a few hours or whole day. There’s rides and attractions, cafes, shops, cruise tours, and even a children’s museum. You can even spot a lighthouse not too far off shore.

Architecture River Cruise

If you love history, architecture, or just sightseeing in general, you’re going to want to take this river boat cruise tour. We boarded the boat for the mid afternoon cruise and got a seat near the back. The boat was probably about half full, so we didn’t feel cramped or too close to others. There’s a full bar on the boat, as well as restrooms if you need it. Our tour guide Becky was the best! Her sarcastic humor was right on point with us and we enjoyed every minute of this tour.We learned that the skyscraper was actually founded in Chicago. And had the great fire of Chicago never happened, the city would look vastly different than it does currently. There were lots of interesting facts, historical points, and things to see. I would say this is a ”must” when visiting Chicago.

Magnificent Mile

If you’re a shop-a-holic, then this is the street for you. Luxury stores, big brand names, and little boutiques is the name of the game for the Magnificent Mile. You’d also really like walking along this road if you’re window shopper, because there’s a lot to see!

360 Chicago

Up on the 94^th floor of the Hancock building, you’ll find the absolute best views of the city. It overlooks the Lakefront Trail, Harbor, and Lake Michigan on one side and then the city’s skyscrapers on the other. This was well worth the money to go 1000 feet above the street level. There’s also something at the observation deck called TILT. This is a unique way of seeing just how high up you are by standing on a platform that gradually tilts forward until you’re staring all the way down the side of the building. The people doing it seemed to be having fun, but the long line to do it wasn’t worth it for me.Plus, that view from the top really couldn’t be beat. It’s gorgeous! You will want to check the weather before you go though - if it's cloudy, you most likely won’t be able to see anything below you. One last tip – if you don’t feel like going where the crowds are (or you’re looking for a cheaper option), head to the 95th floor instead. There, you’ll find The Signature Lounge - a cocktail bar that has the best views of the city – just make sure you bring money to cover the two drink minimum.

Portillo’s

Every single person we told we were going to Chicago told us we just had to eat at Portillo’s. So when a restaurant comes with that high of praise, we listened. We got there around 2pm or so and the line was almost out the door. This place is always busy, so going at off peak times really isn’t a thing. Once we got inside, we figured out that it would be faster to order online and pickup at the counter. So that’s what we did. We went and got a table, ordered our food online and it was ready within 10 minutes.I highly recommend this tactic because that counter service line was not moving very quickly. Portillo’s is known for their Chicago hot dogs and their Italian beef w/ sweet peppers sandwich. I didn’t try the hot dog, but that Italian Beef sandwich was out of this world delicious. And whatever is in that sauce they put on it is heavenly. I’d easily go back here again (and try the chocolate cake shake next time).

Wrigley Field

Since my bestie Amanda is a huge baseball fan, of course we had to see the iconic stadium since we were here. It’s not really close to anything else touristy, so you’ll need to take a short Uber ride over to it and back. Normally, you can take stadium tours, however Lady Gaga was putting on a concert the day that we were here, so they didn’t have any tours running that day. But it was still really great to see the real deal and walk around it.

Remington’s

There’s a lot of great restaurants over by “the bean”. One in particular is Remington’s. We made a reservation beforehand (which we figured out is a must anywhere in Chicago). Together, we had the lobster deviled eggs, crab cake, and steak salad. Everything was delicious! Our waiter was very friendly and attentive and we got to sit in a table next to the open windows and listen as the street performers played down the street a bit.

Day 3

Big Bus Tour

I’ve only done one other bus tour in my life and that was almost 20 years ago in NYC. But if I can recommend anything to do in Chicago, it’s this. Basically, with the bus tour you’re driven around to landmarks in the city and have certain stops the bus makes along the way. While you ride, you listen via headphones to the history of the places around you and it makes for a really great drive! Once you arrive at a bus stop, you can either choose to jump off and look around there or stay on and ride to the next destination. Buses will come every 30 minutes to the stops, so whenever you’re done exploring that area, you can just jump on the next one that shows up. We got to see places like:

• Willis tower
• Chicago Picasso
• Solider Field - Chicago bears’ stadium
• Adler planetarium
• Shed aquarium
• Field museum

Pro tip: use the bus tour as transportation to get anywhere you need to in the city.

Union Station

Before we went on the Big Bus Tour, we knew we had a couple stops we wanted to get off the bus at. The first was Union Station near Willis Tower. This beautiful Amtrak station is home to a major train hub. You can board a train to locations both near and far and the Great Hall inside is just stunning! It was built in 1925 and altogether the train station takes up about 10 city blocks. The Great Hall has a 219 foot long barrel-vaulted skylight that soars 115 feet above the floor. While it is a working train station, its beauty has captured the attention of those in Hollywood, as Union Station has been used in movies like My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Untouchables.

Doc B’s

Another Big Bus Tour stop brought us to a restaurant near the Magnificent Mile – Doc B’s. We didn’t have a reservation, but we were able to be seated at one of their last open tables for lunch. We had the guacamole with sweet potato chips, chicken sandwich, and the knife and fork cobb salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. Our waitress was super friendly and we were able to get in and out pretty quickly so that out tourist adventures could commence.

White Sox Game (at Guaranteed Rate Field)

When your home team (the Astros) are in town, you go see them wipe the floor with the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The stadium itself is great! It’s got plenty of seating and lots of different food options (even a couple restaurants for those that are gluten intolerant).

The Gage

Over by the bean yet again for dinner. This time, we’re at The Gage. We made reservations and were seated right away once we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to sit outside on the patio and it was so nice to relax with the breeze gently blowing. This restaurant had some really delicious food! We ordered the colossal prawn cocktail, 10 oz Filet, and the buffalo cauliflower. The shrimp cocktail was delicious and had 4 massive prawns on it. The filet was delicious and I originally ordered green beans but they were out, so I opted for the cauliflower. I wasn’t really a fan of it. All in all, we had a great meal here.

Art on the Mart

Looking for something free to do in Chicago? I highly recommend walking down the Riverwalk and seeing all sights from down by the river. If you are close to the Merchandise Mart in the evening, you’ll want to grab a seat across from the Mart for their nightly show called, Art on the Mart. This 4 billion square foot building originally housed some of the biggest names in retail and now puts on a lights and sounds show every evening after dark (which is 9pm in the summer). The show is about 30 minutes long and repeats itself once just in case you missed the earlier show. It was really cool and definitely a must see.

More Family Friendly Weekend Trips

Santa FeGulf ShoresRogersClarksville

What to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico in a Weekend

Ready for a family vacation in the Land of Enchantment (aka Santa Fe, New Mexico)? Here’s what you can do in a weekend in Santa Fe.

Where to Stay

Whether you prefer an AirBnB, Hotel, or RV Park, Santa Fe has a little something for everyone. The most important thing you can do when looking for accommodations is to figure out a good centralized location for all of the activities you have planned. That way, you can maximize the time you have in activities and spend less time in the car.Booking.com

Day 1

Lunch - The Pantry

This was our first stop arriving into Santa Fe and it didn't disappoint! Let me just say that I am forever a fan of Sopapillas coming with every meal from here on out. Yum! We also had the Steak enchiladas, Chicken fried steak, Taco salad with chicken, and Kids French toast. Everything was delicious!

Santa Fe Jeep Tours - Diablo Canyon Sunset Tour

We booked our tour as a last minute idea and we’re so glad we did! Andrew was such a great tour guide! He picked us up from our AirBnB and drove up through the the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) over hills, rocks, and all sorts of things. We had a blast! He even dealt well with our kids’ personalities. As a photographer, I appreciated that he took to all of his favorite places at sunset (some along the Rio Grande, and some high atop a hill) so I could get some great shots. This was such a fun tour and well worth the money.

Dinner - Lolaburger

After the jeep tour ending at 9pm, we needed a place that we could get some good food that was still open and kid appropriate. Our jeep guide recommended that we get a burger at Lolaburger. They had some great chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, and milkshakes!

Day 2

Santa Fe Farmer’s Market

If you love getting local veggies, fruits, flowers, meats, eggs, and snacks - then you’ve got to check out this farmer’s market. It’s open on Saturday mornings from 8am to 1pm in the Railyard Area. There were over 20 different booths selling all sorts of things and it was amazing to walk through the market and see what everyone had to offer. I love being able to talk to the people who grew the food themselves! Something different that we noticed about this Farmer's Market than others we have been to in the past is that they don't allow animals - so leave your fur babies at home.

Breakfast - Clafoutis

We found the place where the locals eat while on vacation on Santa Fe and this is it. And let me tell you, they know where to eat! We had a 20 minute wait, so it wasn't bad. The restaurant itself is adorable. Very cute decor and a great wait staff. We ordered the Eggs Benedict with ham, Nutella crepe, French toast, and Green Chile bacon quiche. Everything was delicious! We also ordered some pastries at the counter to take with us for later.

Santa Fe Rafting Co

We reserved our rafting trip ahead of time online and we’re so glad we did because they were busy, busy! We chose to do the Half Day Rio Grande Racecourse. It has class 1, 2, and 3 rapids in it and is a little over 6 miles long. The whole thing took about 3 hours for rafting plus two hours for travel to the drop off spot.The whole process was super simple. I liked that we got to know the guys a little bit on our bus ride to the drop off point by the river.Zack was the BEST raft guide! We had never been rafting before and we brought our two kids with us. Zack made us feel so at ease and was super patient with us and the kids and the learning curve of learning the different commands.The time flew by and it was the best combo of rapids and relaxing bits. We even saw an otter! So cute!

San Miguel Mission

This beautiful church is the oldest church in the United States and right next door, you’ll find the oldest house in the United States. It’s really amazing to see how they’re both standing tall after hundreds of years have passed.

Day 3

Hike & Explore Pecos National Park

Ancestral Sites trail: The trail starts right behind the visitor center. It gives you a glimpse into the past as you pass by the ancestral sites of the Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. You will also enjoy beautiful vistas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Glorieta Mesa as you venture around the trail. 1.25 miles loop, easy trail.We visited during the wildfires, so only the Ancestral Sites Trail was open. But that turned out to be perfect! It was warm out, so the quick 1.5 mile round trip trail was perfect. We loved reading all of the information and seeing the historical sites. Very cool! I highly recommend it! And if you're bringing a stroller or wheelchair, this is a great path for you as well!

Explore the Plaza

With the Loretto Chapel as the center point for the the Plaza, you can't miss it. This beautiful square has many shops, cafes, and local artisans for you to find the perfect keepsake to remember your travels with.

Lunch - Palacio Cafe

If you need a place to eat in the plaza (especially on Sundays when other restaurants are closed), this is a good option. Their service is a bit slow, but if you’re not in a hurry, you’ll get some good food after your wait. We had the Enchilada plate (chicken), Steak tacos, Chicken salad, and Tamales. Everything was great and we even had some Mexican Cokes with it too.

Blue Mesa Alpaca Farm

Mr. Bob was the perfect host for our tour. He told us all about how he obtained the alpacas, what they ate, how they’re cared for, and all sorts of other interesting facts. We also found out they really love to eat the grass just outside of the pens that the kiddos were picking and feeding to them. Great stop to see some animals! Be sure to make an appointment online before just showing up because yours are limited. The tour is free, so make sure to purchase something in his shop to support this local small business!

Dinner - Tomasita’s

We decided to go here after hearing how good it was from a local. We had a 30 minute wait for our table, but there was plenty of seating and you could get a drink at the bar while we waited. Once seated, we saw a mariachi band (who was really good by the way) moving around the restaurant playing different songs. Our waiter was really friendly and fixed an order when it was incorrect without any issue. We had the Green Chile queso fries, Chicken flautas, Quesadilla, Steak combination, Sopapillas, and skinny margarita. Everything was really tasty!

Ethyl the Whale

This was our last stop of the trip and while it was just a big art installation off the back parking lot of Santa Fe Community College, it was a really cool way to end our trip with the sun setting and reflecting against the plastic tiles of the whale.Ethyl is an 82-foot life-sized sculpture of a blue whale is made of hand-recycled plastic trash to bring awareness to the ever-growing urgency of the negative impact plastics have on our environment.

More Things to Do and See in Santa Fe

Overlook Park (Best views)

Las Cieneguillia Petroglyph Hike

Santa Fe School of Cooking

Sky Railway

Schwebach Farm (Pick your own veggies late July - Nov)

More Family Friendly Vacation Ideas

Clarksville, TennesseeGulf Shores, AlabamaFayetteville, ArkansasAmarillo, Texas

What to Do in Amarillo, Texas in a Weekend

We just got back from Amarillo, Texas and we had such a great time! Whether you’re looking for adventure, nightlife, or something a little more low key, Amarillo has it. Since we, like most people, don’t have a lot of time to spend while on vacations, we thought we’d show you our itinerary for how we get the most out of weekend trips.This weekend trip included driving the 9 hours from Houston on Friday and spending both weekend days exploring the city. As always, make your trip your own! This is just what worked for us.

Where to Stay

Whether you prefer an AirBnB, Hotel, or RV Park, Amarillo has a little something for everyone. The most important thing you can do when looking for accommodations is to figure out a good centralized location for all of the activities you have planned.That way, you can maximize the time you have in activities and spend less time in the car. Realistically though, Amarillo is pretty easy to get across. It’s not a huge city, so you can cross the city in about 30 minutes.Booking.com

Day 1

Day 1 for us included driving in from Houston, so we kept it pretty low key. We arrived in town around 4pm, so we were mostly looking to see/do something quick, eat, and head to bed.

Cadillac Ranch (free)

Bring your spray paint and come check out these iconic Cadillacs buried nose-first into the ground in a field right off of I-10. This completely random art installation is a fun, interactive stop that will allow you to make your mark (literally) on you family road trip! It was created in 1974 by artists Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm and has become a mecca for graffiti artists over the years. Pro tip: bring spray paint with you. Because of the popularity of this activity, local stores have a hard time keeping it in stock.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

If you like steak, over the top western wear, and kids meals being served in a cowboy hat, you'll love this place. The food is great, the service is great, and the wait times are minimal. Also, if you're staying at the RV park, there's a free shuttle to bring you to the restaurant and back.The most exciting part of the Big Texan is the 72 oz steak challenge. On a stage in the center of the room, you'll get to watch the contestants try to eat a 72 ounce steak, 3 sides, and a salad - all in under an hour. We watched two guys try and fail, but it was fun to cheer them on from our tables.

Day 2

Day 2 was a day for adventure at Palo Duro Canyon! We hiked, we went ziplining, and we saw a show!

Breakfast - Ye Olde Pancake Station

If you love down home cooking breakfast kind of places like we do, this is your place. We were originally going to go to Brent’s Cafe, but they were closed, and we happily stumbled upon this place.The place was packed. Don’t judge the parking lot fullness by your wait time. The parking lot was full when we went and we only had 5 minute wait before we got our table. The waitress was so friendly. Everything came out delicious, hot, and with a smile.We enjoyed the hot chocolate, western omelet, chocolate chip pancakes, and biscuits and gravy. We’d stop here again in a heartbeat.

Palo Duro Adventure Park

Ready to fly? How about zipping across a canyon on a steel cable? This series of ziplines goes across Palo Duro Canyon and lets you get an unforgettable view! Afraid of heights? There’s also the “chicken truck” where you can ride along with you friends or family members and provide moral support and still be part pf the action without actually riding. Ziplines cost $30 and kids can ride tandem with adults for just $10 each.

Lunch – Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner

If you’re looking for something delicious to eat near Palo Duro Canyon, this is a great place to go to. They have classic Southern favorites like chicken fried steak and beef tips and they serve it with a smile. Our waiter was so kind and helpful. Our group enjoyed all the things - especially the chicken fried chicken, chicken fried steak, and beef tips. The chili cheese fries and chips and queso were great as well. We’d definitely go back here.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This was a place that my dad has been wanting to visit for the longest time and I’m so glad we finally did it together! Palo Duro is absolutely beautiful! It’s called the “Grand Canyon of Texas” because it definitely has a similar feel to it. If you’re planning to visit, be sure to make your reservation up to 30 days ahead of time – even if it’s just for a day pass.This place is kind of amazing. You pass miles and miles or flat farmland only to end up in what is a beautiful canyon, just ready to be explored. There’s one main road that loops through the park, so if you’re looking to just drive through and see it, I recommend doing that with one stop – the Visitor center overlook. It really gives you that wow factor you’re looking from the top of the canyon looking in.If you’re looking to hike, ride horses, etc., there’s plenty of trail options for that too – with all different lengths ranging from .4 miles and beyond.The RV spots look awesome too, if you’re into that – which we are – so we’ll definitely be back with the RV sometime in the future and already have our campsite picked out.

Dinner - Canyon Ranch Steaks & Sports

We decided to stop into Canyon to eat in between hiking and the Texas musical at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This place had good reviews, so we thought we’d give it a try.We’re so glad we did! The wait staff was all super friendly and we were seated right away. We ended up getting the Foreman Philly, Chicken fried steak, hamburger, Quesadilla, and Ribeye special. Everything was delicious. We’d definitely eat here again if we’re back in the area.

Texas Outdoor Musical

A musical about Texas with Palo Duro canyon as the backdrop? Okay! This was such a unique experience! It’s $40 for adults and $30 each for kids, so while it’s not cheap, it’s definitely a unique experience that’s worth the splurge. Bring your own water with you; it can get pretty hot out there before the sun goes down!

Day 3

On day 3, we did a lot of sightseeing.

Floating Mesa (free)

Northwest of Amarillo on Tascosa Road, you’ll find what appears to be a mesa hovering above the earth. This optical illusion created by Stanley Marsh is really just a wide, white stripe painted around the mesa, causing it to appear as if it’s floating. It’s really pretty neat to see in person and let the kids think there’s some sort of magic afoot.

Route 66 Historic District

It used to be that if you wanted to travel from the East coast to the West coast, you had to travel route 66. From Chicago to Santa Monica, this road has been well traveled. Now, the historic Route 66 has been replaced by interstate highways, but the small towns still highlight the road-trippers through nostalgic cafes, shops, antiques, and more. Now this area in Amarillo has a great night life - there's plenty of bars and music venues to spend a few evening hours.

Bill’s Backyard Classics

If you love antique cars, muscle cars, and everything in between, you'll love Bill's. Here, you'll find two huge warehouses full of cars, trucks, jeeps, and vans from all different eras and in all different styles.

Ozymandias of the Plains (free)

The same man who commissioned Cadillac Ranch also commissioned these leg statues South of Amarillo. Another random stop? Yes. But let your creativity fly in coming up with a funny photo op here!

Creek House Honey Farm

Buzz buzz! This bee and honey farm is a great place to take a bee tour and learn about how these little winged insects help pollinate the area and produce some delicious honey. Tours are 1.5 hours in length and it’s $35 for adults and $20 for kids. They also have a great little boutique will also sorts of things made our of honey and beeswax, as well as a winery to sample their wines and have a light lunch/snack.

RV Museum

Jack Sisemore’s RV Museum is home to a collection of 15 vintage trailers, campers, and mobile homes from the 1930s to the 1970s, including the bus from the Robin Williams film RV.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

On over 4.4 acres in West Texas, you'll find beautiful blooms, gardens, and installations that'll leave you in awe. If you love flowers and the beautiful outdoors, you'll love this one.

Dinner – 575 Degree Pizza

This small pizza joint is serving up some seriously delicious pizza! Down the street from Cadillac Ranch, you’ll find this pizza place at the end of a shopping center. Though it’s not a large place, it’s packing a big punch when I comes to the food they provide. The service was excellent. While there, we got cheese breadsticks, Bender Pizza, and a build your own pizza. They also had live music which was a nice way to unwind after a long drive into town.

More Fun Things to Do & Eat in Amarillo

Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West

Texas Air & Space Museum

Tascosa Drive In

American Quarterhorse Museum

Brent’s Café

Coyote Bluff Café

Six Car Pub & Brewery

When planning a trip to Amarillo, here's a couple things to know:

*Make a reservation. Everywhere you plan to go, just book it. Our zipline adventure was booked ahead of time and had we not had the reservation, we wouldn't have gotten to do it because they were booked. It wasn’t crazy busy when we were there, but had it been, we wouldn’t have been able to get in without one.*Visit earlier in the summer if you’re looking for below 90° weather. The first day we were there, it’s was 68° and perfect and the next it was 88° and definitely not the same experience.*Bring lots of water. It’s dry and you can get dehydrated really quickly.

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Corpus Christi, TexasDripping Springs, TexasPlano, Texas  

Blackened Catfish with Sweet Corn Relish | Supporting Texas Farmers

If you're looking for a an easy, flavorful, summer meal idea, this blackened catfish with sweetened corn relish is just what you've been looking for. It's got a savory crust of spices on the catfish and is served with a slightly sweet and tangy corn relish. Look further in the post for the recipe.In the past year, I’ve worked with farmers, ranchers, vineyard owners and all sorts of people who directly work the land and animals to produce something for the public to consume. My favorite part of these adventures has been getting to know the people behind the food. A month ago, I went to a cattle farm and got to hear the rancher talk about his passion for his animals, his employees, and serving quality beef to the public. It’s in these moments that it really hits home how important it is to know where your food comes from.

This week I had the amazing opportunity to visit a few farms in Wharton, Texas, with Water Grows, a partnership of Texas Corn Producers and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas. Myself and a host of other journalism types got to hear the farmers themselves talk about their passion for feeding people and the challenges they face. The Water Grows initiative enables agriculturists and those outside of agriculture to allow farmers and consumers to share their stories, connect, and learn how Texas farmers are growing more crops with less water so that we can save this precious resource for the future without sacrificing jobs and economic growth.We started off the trip by boarding a charter bus passing field after field while watching a video introducing us to the host organizations.At our first stop, we met Daniel Berglund on his corn and rice farm. Among the corn stalks and rice fields, he spoke about how he conserves water by gradual sloping in the fields, so that no water is wasted, and his crops can stay adequately watered. While there, we were able to sample a delicious hors d’oeuvre of dirty rice with corn aioli prepared by Chef Brandon Silva.Our next stop brought us to Homegrown Seafood. This seafood supplier grows catfish, red fish, shrimp, and striped bass. As we watched the catfish get harvested from the ponds, we learned that in just 9 months' time, catfish can grow up to 4 pounds in size (which is the size at which they harvest them). Also, in just one pond, they have around 60-70,000 catfish; and they have more ponds than I could count.Of course, on a hot summer Texas day, we had to have a little "Ranch Vodka Soda" to cool off a bit.Our last stop was at United Ag Cooperative. This working cotton gin and grain elevator gave us an inside look at how cotton plants are processed from picking to baling and just how much manpower it takes to pull it all off. It was so neat to learn how important the cotton industry is to our everyday way of life - beyond just textiles. This stop also had another delicious snack of smoked red potato salad prepared by Chef Brandon Silva.The day finished off with a 3-course meal prepared with the local ingredients by Chef Brandon Silva. The meal was held under a white tent with beautifully set tables on Daniel Berglund's front lawn of him home site. Chef Silva has decades of experience at some of Houston’s finest establishments, including Degust, Uchi, Holley’s, and has performed on multiple stages in Europe. This renowned chef even made appearances on Food Network’s show Chopped!For this meal, all the ingredients from the catfish to the beer and wine served were locally sourced from the region. There was Texas Succession beer from Braman Winery and Brewery, vegetables from Gundermann Acres, catfish from Homegrown Seafood, and a selection of wines from Lavaca Bluffs Vineyard and Winery.While I enjoyed every part of the activities that day, the best part of this experience for me was sitting down to have dinner with the farmers and their families that evening. Farming is very much a whole family affair. It takes everyone working together for the crops to be successful. And it takes neighbors working with neighbors for them all to be successful.On this culinary tour, we were able to experience and better understand the sustainable farming practices and the technology farmers are using to conserve and protect our valuable natural resources, especially water. There's something really special about knowing where your food comes from. Getting to see the actual rice fields growing and watching the guys bring in the heavy nets full of fish really puts into perspective how much passion goes into being a farmer.Want to support local and make a delicious meal for dinner tonight? How about this tasty blackened Texas catfish with sweet corn relish?Here's the recipe:

Blackened Catfish with Sweet Corn Relish

Corn Relish Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped seeded cucumbers
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1 large green pepper (chopped)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons celery seed
• 1-1/2 teaspoons mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Blackened Catfish Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 4 ounce catfish fillets
• 1 stick unsalted butter

Corn Relish

1. In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes or until thickened. Store in the refrigerator.

Blackened Catfish

1. In a shallow bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, oregano, and thyme until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Press the catfish fillets into the spice mixture to thoroughly coat.
   

3. Place a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Put half of the butter into the skillet; set remaining butter aside.

4. When the butter in the skillet is smoking hot, lay the catfish fillets into the skillet. Cook until the spices are burned onto the fillets and the catfish is opaque and flaky inside, about 3 minutes per side. Pour remaining butter over the catfish.

Put it All Together

1. Top the catfish with the corn relish. Use as much or as little as you like!

fish, Main Course, seafood

American

blackened catfish, catfish, corn, Texas farm

More Texas Style Recipes You’ll Love

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan PieGringo’s Tex Mex Copycat Amazon SauceDewberry BBQ SauceMexican Street Corn Pasta Salad If you’d like to see more recipes like this, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!

Lemon Upside Down Cake

One of my favorite cakes is the pineapple upside down cake. Oh man.It's got a delicious fluffy cake layer with that caramelized sugar and pineapple on the bottom, so that when you flip it over, all that goodness sits right on top, making such a beautiful and delicious summer dessert.Well, after Wonderfully Seedless Lemons sent me some of their seedless lemons to try, I knew I needed to make the next best thing - Seedless Lemon Upside Down Cake. If you can't find seedless lemons, you can always remove the seeds yourself.This is sure to be a new lemon dessert for your summer dessert table during these warm months.

Lemon Upside Down Cake

Upside-down layer:

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• ½ cup (plus 2 tablespoons sugar)
• 2 large unwaxed lemons (ends trimmed, then halved, seeded, and sliced ⅛ inch thick)

Cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup sugar

1. Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Remove the pan from the heat and add ½ cup of the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is glossy and thickened a little. Pour the melted butter and sugar into the prepared cake pan and smooth into an even layer to cover the bottom. Place the cake pan in the freezer until the butter and sugar layer freezes; leave the pan in the freezer until you are ready to transfer the batter to the pan.
3. In a small bowl, gently toss the lemon slices with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Leave the lemon slices in the sugar to macerate for 10 minutes.
4. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Set aside. Combine the eggs with the olive oil in another large bowl and beat vigorously with a whisk until well combined. Add the yogurt and sugar. Make a well in the flour mixture and add the wet mixture in three additions, folding in each addition until no dry bits of flour remain. Set aside.
5. Fan the lemon slices out to cover the melted butter and sugar in the cake pan, overlapping the slices by as much as 1⁄8 inch. Pour the cake batter directly on top of the lemon slices.
6. Bake for about 1 hour, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and carefully remove the parchment-paper lining. Allow the cake to cool for 1 hour more before serving

More Dessert Recipes You'll Love:

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan PieStrawberry TrifleSweet, Sweet Summertime Blueberry Cookies If you'd like to see more recipes like this, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel!

Things to Do and See in Livingston, Texas

If you find yourself traveling down 146 in East Texas, you’re going to go right through Polk County - home of Livingston, Texas. This classic, small Texas town was once a stop for weary travelers going up and down Highway 59 (I-69) and once the highway moved, travelers forgot all about this little town.Well, the people of Livingston want to tell you to put them back on the map! Downtown Livingston is growing by leaps and bounds through the efforts of many local small business owners and entrepreneurs. So make Livingston, Texas a destination this summer! Here’s a little of what you can find there.

Petalz By Annie

About a month ago, I was on my way home from visiting my in-laws and I saw the prettiest floral mural on the side of a building in Livingston, Texas. It was gorgeous and I knew at that point I needed to go in there and see what they offered. I’m so glad I did. After researching online a bit, I found that the place with the pretty mural was called Petalz by Annie. It is a an adorable boutique that has a florist component, a cute little shop for home goods, and a tea and coffee bar. From the moment you step inside the store, it feels like home. Everything is beautifully designed, it smells great, and there’s even really comfortable seating just waiting for you to have a seat and spend a few hours chatting with friends.While I was there, I got to talk with Annie, the owner of Petalz by Annie, and she couldn’t have been nicer. We got to talk about how the store came to be and what her hopes were for the patrons who came in. Another interesting thing is that she is passionate about revitalizing Livingston and bringing some life back into the town - especially in the historic downtown area. And she’s doing just that. She’s even bought the movie theater next door and is going to revamp it into its former glory.The great thing is that other companies are following suit. There’s a business that just moved in across the street from her and then there’s also the Ruby Cattle Company Market which is close by as well. Annie and the other ladies there are some of the most genuine women you’ll ever meet. So go order a coffee and tell them I sent you.

Ruby Cattle Company

Walking into the Ruby Cattle Company Market you will get a sense of Texas pride. On one wall there are meats from the cattle from the Ruby Cattle Company ranch and on the other wall there are all sorts of soaps, honey, T-shirts, barbecue rubs; all sorts of things anything you can think of that are all Texas made and grown. The market has a great selection of cuts of beef and they even have some prepared foods like shepherds pie (yum!),  lasagna, and sides so if you were looking for a one stop shop for that dinner table tonight, this is the place to go. While I was there I also got to head outside of town to their farm.The farm is about 20 minutes east of Livingston and it is situated on 1200 acres next to the Native American reservation. It’s a beautiful piece of land with somewhere between 600 to 800 heads of cattle. I had the opportunity to go and meet with Joe, the fourth generation cattle rancher, and he was such a joy to talk to. You could see the passion and the love that he had for working his land, taking care of his cattle, providing for his employees, and for putting a good piece of meat on the table for not just himself but for the public in general.They have specialty tours twice a year at the farm where you can see the farm in action, eat some barbecue sandwiches, drink a Texas beer, and listen to a live band play. You need to be on one of these tours - you won’t regret it!

Lake Livingston State Park

Whatever your outdoor pleasure - whether it be camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, boating, or water skiing - Lake Livingston State Park has it all available for you. Be sure to reserve your dates ahead of time for both day passes and overnight camping!

C & M Blueberry Farm

Starting Memorial Day weekend each year, head on over to the blueberry farm! This pick your own farm has acres of blueberry bushes just ready for you to grab right off the bushes.

Livingston Trade Days

Trade Days is held in Pedigo Park, which is conveniently located just 2/10 mile off the Highway 59 corridor, in the center of Livingston, Texas, one hour north of Houston Intercontinental Airport and one hour south of Lufkin. Livingston Trade Days is set up in Livingston's scenic Pedigo Park. Shoppers peruse through two covered pavilions and open-air lots that are host to a wide variety of food, arts and crafts, collectible and antique vendors.This great environment welcomes families, day-trippers and outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy a few hours at the park. Their goal is to bring a treasure or two home. Courtesy rest areas are located throughout the grounds for shoppers' convenience. There is no admission or parking charge. With hundreds of vendors and an eclectic selection of wares, there's something for everyone! 

Tempe Creek Vineyard and Farms

Down a dirt road by a creek, you’ll find pastures with longhorns and donkeys, a vineyard, and a wine tasting room. Tempe Creek Vineyard is owned by Jennifer Cook and Michael Santana, Houston natives who wanted to escape the city life for a more quiet, wholesome place to unwind. For just $12.50, you can sample all of their available wines and feed the livestock grazing in the nearby field. You can also check out their website for weekend events, concerts, and activities hosted at the vineyard.

Double Creek Farm

If you find yourself in the Livingston area in the fall, be sure to head to Double Creek Farm. They have a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm that you and your kids will love. They’re only open Friday-Sundays, so be sure to stop by the farm for some fall/winter fun! As you can see, Livingston, Texas has a lot to offer people of all different backgrounds and interests! Be sure to check it out this summer for your next Texas road trip!If you’d like to see more travel tips like this, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!

What is Travel Hacking and How to Take {Almost} Free Vacations

So, I have this friend Jessica that loves to travel. And not just that - but she is always going places. But how on earth can someone afford to take as many trips as she does? Travel hacking.In this interview, I sat down and talked to Jessica from Our Long Life to talk all about how she's able to take luxurious vacations and trips all over the world and not spend a fortune doing it. (All photos provided by Jessica from her travels)

Where did your love of travel come from?

Part of me thinks certain people are really drawn to traveling.  I am definitely drawn to spending more on experiences rather than things.  When I was little, my Mom would take me to Disney World every year, and even as a kid I enjoyed going around the world at Epcot to see all the different countries.  Then, once I got to college I had a lot of friends that had traveled internationally, and I felt pressure to have my own international experiences and I traveled a lot on my summer breaks from college.

How would you describe what you do?

In the last 15 years, I have traveled to over 18 different countries, and now that I have a family my 4 year old has taken over 50 flights.  We really love traveling, but in the past two years I have really learned a ton about using rewards points and miles, which has been a total game changer for me.  Essentially, you sign-up for a travel rewards credit card, and spend on your typical spending to earn a lot of rewards from the sign-up bonus, then you transfer those to a travel partner like Southwest Airlines or Hyatt Hotels and have free flights and hotels for trips.   Learning a lot about this hobby has saved me so much money and allowed me to stay at hotels we could never afford otherwise.

What was your first trip using points/some sort of deal?

I took a couple small trips, but I love to talk about my first big points and miles trip to Maui, Hawaii in April 2021. We booked every flight and hotel on points and miles. We ended up saving over $6,500 on that trip paying for every flight and hotel with points and miles for our family of 3.  Hawaii was on my bucket list, but I had heard from everyone how expensive it was, so I knew I had to wait for a special occasion where we had like $5,000 saved to spend on a vacation which is more than we've ever spent on a vacation!

What's been your favorite trip so far that you've taken?

After our trip to Hawaii in April 2021 on points, we took another trip to Hawaii on points in December 2021, 8 months later, where we saved almost $10,000 again paying for all flights and hotels with credit card points.   In just the two years I've been doing this, we've traveled to Miami, Disney World, San Antonio, Austin, San Diego, Washington DC all on points.  Something really cool is that I used what I learned to earn extra perks too, like hotel status with Hyatt allowing us to also have free breakfast, free valet parking, free room upgrades, gifts in the room, club access, etc. We also visited exclusive airport lounges on our trips that gave us free food (and alcohol for those drinking) and nice spaces to hang out. Honestly, it's a whole new world I never knew about.

What's the most amount of money that you've saved on a vacation through travel deals?

On our last trip to Hawaii, we saved almost $10,000 we stayed in Hawaii for 8 nights and paid for all flights and hotels on rewards points.  Each hotel was over $3,500 for 4 nights at each place. We had free valet parking, breakfast, no taxes or resort fees, club level access for free snacks and alcohol. The list goes on and on.  That left our biggest expenses to be food, tipping, rental car, and some family excursions.

What's your favorite travel tip to tell people?

I was raised to be scared of credit cards, because they are made to profit off of people who can't pay a bill off on time and in full. If you are at a place in your life where you can pay off these high interest cards on time and in full every month, then you can be the one benefiting off of these banks. If you can pay off your monthly credit card balances, you can save so much money on travel using credit card points. One of the biggest tips is to make sure to transfer the points to the travel partners. The points go a lot further that way and are easier to cancel and get returned to you.  Another tip is if you are married, do not add your spouse as an authorized user on the card.  You can add the card to their apple pay or google pay to put all expenses on that card, but after you achieve the bonus, you can refer your spouse to apply for the card, and you earn points for the referral and your spouse earns a sign-up bonus too.

How can someone get started in traveling like this?

One of the best cards to start with is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. If you are approved for the card, you have to spend $4,000 in 3 months to receive the sign up bonus. I like to time signing-up for cards when I know we have bigger expenses coming up, like paying car insurance, home insurance, Christmas presents, etc. We don't use the card as an excuse to buy something we weren't planning to buy already.  The bonus is currently 60,000 points but has been as high as 100,000 in the past.  On our trip to Hawaii, we stayed 8 nights for 200,000 points at hotels that were well over $600 per night.

How long does it take to accumulate enough points/rewards to travel this way?

Most cards have a three month spend bonus, so it usually takes 3-4 months to earn a sign-up bonus.  This would give you enough points to save a significant amount.  It depend on the trip you want to take and how much your family spends too. Earning enough for a week long trip to Hawaii could take a little longer. Business cards have allowed me to earn even more points as well.

Does point accumulation negatively impact your credit?

Point accumulation has not affected my credit score.  It can actually help your score because sometimes it increases how much credit you have.  When you first apply for a card, you can see a slight dip in your score, but it quickly returns or goes higher.  Paying off your card on time and in full is also important for helping your credit score. When you have several cards, it is also good to put your payments on auto-pay.  My score is currently 775 and my husband's is 800, but while I do monitor it, I don't worry about it.  We don't have any plans to take out any major loans and we try to pay things off when we can.  If I was planning to buy a house, I might study it a little more for the 6 months before.  But our scores are still considered "excellent".

What's one thing to avoid when starting this process?

Make sure to sign-up for the hotel and flight rewards programs when you are traveling even if you are not using points, such as Southwest, United, Jet Blue, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, etc.  Make sure to transfer points to travel partners and not use the points for cash back or gift cards if you would like to travel.  You can save so much more using these points towards travel.  One of the big recommendations is to set up auto-pay on your card so you never miss a payment. Another great tip is if you are married, don't put your spouse on your card as an authorized user. You can refer them to sign up for their own card so you receive referral points and your spouse receives their own bonus. You can  always add the card to your spouse's Google or apple pay.

What's your dream location that you'd like to travel to?

I would love to go to Greece, New Zealand, the Virgin Islands.

Where can people find more information about you?

https://www.ourlonglife.com/blog/https://www.instagram.com/ourlonglifeblog/

Special Offers

• If this information is helpful and you want to sign up for a card, check out this blog post where Jessica mentions different cards she has and why she likes each one.
• If you're interested in Southwest Airlines' card offer that includes a companion pass for one year, visit this blog post for more information.

 If you'd like to see more travel tips like this, SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube channel!

How to Decorate Open Shelving in Your Home

I am always in awe when I walk into someone's home and see that their bookshelves aren't messy or crammed with books like mine are. Instead, they've got books, a few trinkets, and other odds and ends all strategically placed and they're absolutely gorgeous. I do not have those skills.So since my own shelves need a little help, I decided to enlist my friend Lauren in helping us all learn about how to making those open shelves in our homes beautiful and functional.Watch the video below about how we pulled it off or skip down below to see her tips for styling your own shelves.

What are your 5 top five shelving styling tips?

1. Shop your current collection - let's learn to display the pieces we have in our homes whether they are vintage or even souvenirs.
2. Color vs neutral - decide what your style is and stick with 3 colors within that genre. There is nothing wrong with a two tone neutral base and pop of color. Or two vibrant colors and a neutral to connect the two.
3. Texture and layers add visual interest so add in different elements to make it entertaining.
4. Bring in life - plants or flowers are a must when creating in a space.
5. Spacing - Don't clutter one shelf or countertop. Style a bit and take a step back to look at the bigger picture, then repeat until it FEELS right.

Where do people usually go wrong with styling bar carts, shelves, etc?

Clutter, clutter, clutter. Did I forget to mention clutter? Typically we want to showcase everything but everything doesn't go together. My suggestion is to appease your visual want of change, exchange out certain pieces for the season. Moving into spring/summer...opt for glass or white serve/dishware. Fall/winter? Think about mixed metals and woods. Each piece of your collection will have it's moment to shine in due time.I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to Lauren from Toast From the Host for showing us how to decorate open shelving in our homes. If you'd like to see more home tips like this, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!

Rotisserie Chicken Poblano Soup

I’m going to tell you right now, when I made this for the first time for my husband, his response was, “this needs to be something we have every week.”I guess that means it’s good, right?When I set out to make chicken chili, it somehow tuned into this chicken soup and I’m so glad it did. It’s got a ton of flavor, protein and heartiness that’s perfect for the winter months.

Rotisserie Chicken Poblano Soup

• 2 14.5-ounce cans white beans
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 medium jalapeno pepper (minced)
• 2 medium poblano peppers (chopped)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 limes (juiced, plus lime wedges, for serving)
• 1 rotisserie chicken (skin removed and meat shredded)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

1. Drain and rinse the canned white beans. In a medium bowl, mash half of the beans with a potato masher until chunky. Reserve the beans until needed.
2. Add the canola oil to a large Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, onions, and garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt, and pepper, to taste. Add the cumin, coriander, and chili powder and continue to saute for 1 more minute to toast the spices. Stir in the chicken stock, and lime juice and bring to a simmer. Add the beans and continue to simmer for 20 more minutes.
3. After 20 minutes of simmering, taste for seasoning, and adjust if necessary. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and cilantro and simmer until heated through, about 5 more minutes. Serve the chili in individual bowls topped with a dollop of sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and lime wedges.

Main Course, Soup

American, Mexican

chicken soup, chili, poblano, rotisserie chicken

More Rotisserie Chicken Recipes You'll Want To Try

One Pan Chicken SpaghettiCreamy Chicken and RiceSlow Cooker Chicken Noodle SoupLike what you see? Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!

Cracker Barrel Biscuits Copycat Recipe

Would you like biscuits or cornbread?If you’re at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, the answer is yes and yes. Although my eyes and tastebuds always tend to favor the cracker barrel biscuits.They’re slightly salty with a pillowy soft interior just waiting to be slathered in butter.If you’re a fan of these southern style biscuits, you’re going to want to try this Cracker Barrel Biscuits Copycat Recipe.

Cracker Barrel Biscuits Copycat Recipe

• Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 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)

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.

bread, Breakfast

American

biscuits

More Bread Recipes You'll Want to Try

Moist Banana BreadThe Best Sweet Cornbread RecipeWarm Bread Pudding with a Brown Sugar Rum Sauce If you liked this video, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel!

Uses for Leftover Candy Canes | Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

As a blogger, I’m always trying to challenge myself.I make new goals each year, try out new recipes, and broaden my reach as much as possible. That’s why today I’m taking part in a blogger Christmas cookie swap!If you’re not sure what this is – it’s where a bunch of foodie bloggers create tasty Christmas cookie recipes and readers can hop from one blog to the next – getting a whole bunch of new recipes added to their holiday gathering arsenal.If you’re here from Sam Weaver’s blog, welcome! If you’re just starting out on this cookie journey, welcome to you as well. After you watch the recipe video or read the recipe, be sure to scroll down and check out With Love From Catt’s recipe after mine.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Leftover candy canes are crushed and placed atop chocolatey peppermint cookies that are perfect for the holiday season.

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened // 1 stick equals 1/2 cup)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 tsp natural peppermint extract
• 1 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (or whole-wheat pastry)
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 candy cane (finely crushed)
• 1/3 cup dark (bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together for about 1-2 minutes. Add egg, peppermint extract and beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as you go to ensure even mixing.
3. Add flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder to a sifter and sift gradually over the wet ingredients mixing as you go. Mix until well combined.
4. Add chocolate chips and stir in with a mixing spoon and then chill in the freezer for 10 minutes while the oven finishes heating.
5. Form the dough into small balls (heaping 1 Tbsp) and place 1.5 inches apart on an un-greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Press the tops down and then top with a few more chocolate chips (to indicate what’s inside).
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes – the edges should start to dry but the tops will still be slightly soft looking. Let set on the cookie sheet for a few minutes more but sprinkle crushed candy cane on immediately.
7. Transfer to a cooling rack to rest until completely cooled. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh for up to a few days or freeze for several weeks.

Dessert

American

candy cane, chocolate, Christmas, cookies

More Cookie Recipes You'll Love

Cast Iron Skillet Chocolate Chunk CookieLemon & Raspberry Swirl CookiesSweet Tea Iced Shortbread Cookies If you enjoyed this cookie recipe, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel to see more!Next up on the cookie swap is Catt at WithLoveFromCatt.com. Her Raspberry Filled Linzer cookies look so yummy and I can't wait to try them myself! Go check out her recipe here.

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How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

Do you have any family Christmas traditions?

One of our favorite family activities is driving around to see Christmas lights each year. Sometimes we stay close by and others, we’ll drive quite a ways. But the outcome is always the same – we create lasting moments with our family that we will always remember.

Now, Christmas light viewing isn’t complete without having a cup of warm hot chocolate in your hands. Before we leave the house, I’ll make my super easy homemade hot chocolate recipe. This stuff is delicious, y’all.No, it’s not as easy as just opening up a packet and adding some hot water, but it is so creamy and delicious that you’ll never want to go back to the packets if you can help it.So whether it’s an evening of driving around in the car or a day spent opening up presents, this recipe is one the kids and kids at heart in your family will love. And make sure to include a few toppings for each person to make it their own.

What Toppings Go Well With Hot Cocoa?

The amount of toppings are endless when it comes to what you can put on your hot coca. Some of my favorite toppings include: marshmallows, toffee bits, coarse sea salt, mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermints, candy canes, soft peppermint sticks, whoppers, Lindt truffles, pirouette cookies, whipped cream, dark chocolate syrup, and caramel sauce.

Homemade Hot Cocoa

• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup hot water
• 20 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• 10 cups whole milk (or 2%)
• 2 ½ cups half and half
• 1 12 ounces can evaporated milk (not fat-free)
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Stove Top Instructions

1. Add the water and cocoa powder to a large stock pot and whisk until mixed.

2. To the cocoa mixture, add the chopped chocolate, milk, half and half, evaporated milk, and salt.

3. Heat over medium heat until the chocolate is melted, stirring periodically.

Slow Cooker Instructions

1. Start by adding the cocoa powder to a bowl, pour in the hot water, and whisk until mixed.

2. Add the cocoa mixture along with the chopped chocolate, milk, half and half, evaporated milk, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. If you're serving this with a hot chocolate bar and toppings, consider leaving out the sugar to avoid the hot chocolate being too sweet. If you're serving the hot chocolate solo, add in the sugar.

3. Cook the hot chocolate on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Low for 6 hours is what I prefer. Make sure to stir the hot chocolate every hour to keep the chocolate from settling to the bottom.
4. Keep on the warm setting if you're serving it hot chocolate bar style with toppings on the side. Leftover hot chocolate can be refrigerated for up to one week and warmed in the microwave before serving.

beverage, Drinks

American

hot chocolate, hot cocoa

More Christmas Recipes You'll Love

Candy Cane Christmas Cake RollMeringue TreesHot Chocolate Monkey Bread With Marshmallows

Thank With Google

If you’ve been a reader for a while, then you’ve noticed something new here at the bottom of each blog post. I’ve gotten the awesome opportunity of being a part of an experiment pilot feature called Thank with Google. I’m excited to be one of Google’s paid early testers and get to tell you more about this new project from Google. What is Thank with Google? Thank with Google is a way for my fans/readers to support me and show their appreciation for certain posts through the purchase of a virtual sticker. It’s a fun and interactive way for my fans to connect with me and show me appreciation for my work. And I love the personal notes that can be included with the paid stickers as well. You can find the new Thank with Google feature floating at the bottom of the page here or on the sidebar (if you’re using a desktop). Please feel free to test it out and let me know what you think!