McKinney Mommas: September 2011 Google+

Friday, September 30, 2011

Fall Fun for the Kiddos - Calloway's Nursery Fall Harvest

I've been looking for somewhere local to take my 7 month old to take some photos with pumpkins and "PRETEND" it's FALL even though it's 90 degrees outside here in Texas!

Photo by: nuchylee
 
Instead of making the trek all the way to Celina for some pumpkin farms, we're going to check out the Fall Harvest at Calloway's Nursery tomorrow.

It's specifically geared towards KIDS, with FREE fun all day (see flyer here)from 9:00am-7:00pm including pumpkin carving (each kid gets a FREE pumpkin to decorate), potting station, bounce house, popcorn and a mad science show!

Photo by: Tina Phillips


I'm sure I'll find a pumpkin somewhere for her to take a photo with, right?!  Come join us!


WHERE:  All Calloway's Nursery locations - Click HERE to find the location closest to you
  • McKinney Location: 4050 W. Eldorado Pkwy. McKinney, TX

WHEN: Saturday, October 1st from 9:00am - 7:00pm
  • Mad Science Show : 3:30 - 4:30 (McKinney location)
  • Free Fall Gardening Clinic (for adults) 10:15 a.m

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Knit your way to Wellness


Okay, before we start our OCTOBER "Why shop GLOBAL when you can shop LOCAL"...........

Have you ever heard of meditative knitting?


I hadn't either, before today!


It's something about the rhythmic movement back and forth, the focus and precision it takes to move your hands in such a way, that many actually use it as a medium for meditating.

People who spin their own yarn also reap the benefits of the calming, relaxing effect of meditation.

So, if you're looking for a new hobby that also has health benefits, take up a spinning class (NO not the kind at the gym) the kind with a spindle or wooden wheel, people!


While you're at it, check out the beautiful hand spun art yarn at Weird and Twisted on Etsy.

I have never seen such amazing and unique yarn for your projects, I love the Pumpkin Art Yarn with ribbons, pumpkin charms and beads. Gorgeous! Perfect timing for fall weaving!



Weird and Twisted, is a small business from GERMANY! Specializing in fancy schmancy Art Yarn...........like THIS:




Their creations are born out of soft wool, silk and alpaca fibers with beautiful glass pearls, shiny cut glass crystals, semi precious stones and other quality supplies.

Check them out here:

* Weird and Twisted @ BLOGSPOT  (http://weirdandtwisted.blogspot.com/)
* Weird and Twisted @ FACEBOOK (https://www.facebook.com/weirdandtwisted)
*Weird and Twisted @ TWITTER  ( https://twitter.com/WeirdAndTwisted)

Monday, September 26, 2011

Why shop global when you can shop LOCAL!

The entire month of October 2011, McKinney Mommas is celebrating LOCAL Texas Small Business Owners.

Photo by KFleming


Specifically we will be highlighting Etsy Shops, owned and operated by Texas residents.

Why? Well, shopping local, means you travel less and shipping is from a shorter distance, meaning reduced pollution, congestion and carbon being released into the atmosphere.



There will be Etsy shops reviewed and highlighted, as well as GIVEAWAYS for our readers!

Keep your eyes peeled, and FOLLOW us on Google Friend Connect or our RSS feed to get updates on when the GIVEAWAYS and reviews will occur in October and how to enter!

Photo by: Stuart Miles



Let's all SHOP LOCAL during the month of OCTOBER!

* * * If you are a small business owner or etsy shop operator and are interested in being part of our October "Why Shop Global When You Can Shop LOCAL" event" contact us by clicking the envelope symbol on the right toolbar. * * *

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Kick start your day with Chai Spiced Oatmeal by Better Oats

 I found this Organic RAW Pure & Simple Mulitgrain Hot Cereal with Flax, on sale at my local Tom Thumb. On sale for 50% off, so I couldn't pass it up as the regular price was $1.59 for 5 pouches.

For instant oatmeal (2 minutes in the microwave) this selection is terrific! I choose the Chai Spiced flavor, and it's ALL NATURAL. No artificial flavors or ingredients.


The warm, earthy, spiced (think holiday mulled cider) flavors were the perfect balance between savory and sweet and the crunch of flax seeds topped off the experience perfectly.

I fed a few bites to my 7 month old, and she LOVED it. She kept leaning forward for more bites of momma's cereal. I feel good about letting her in on this nutritious and all natural breakfast of mine!

So, next time you're in the store, check out Better Oats, Organic RAW selection of hot cereals and you won't be disappointed!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

FREE Italian Ice at Rita's in Allen



A new Rita's Italian Ice is opening in Allen at Twin creeks village, this Saturday, September 24th!

Now, I've never had an italian ice from Rita's but the chance to get FREE Italian Ice for a YEAR, count me in!

 Apparently, the first 100 guests in line will receive FREE ice for an entire year, and if you visit the store between 12:00 noon and 10:00pm you can get a FREE regular size cup in the flavor of their choice.


Make it an event for the whole family, since there will be free balloon art and face painting, entertainment for children, and music for all patrons!

WHERE:
  • Twin Creeks Village Shopping Center - 816 W. McDermott Drive Suite #316 Allen, TX 7501
WHEN:
  • September 24, 2011 - Doors open at 12:00noon - 10:00pm close
If you go, report back with your experience!

On the schedule for this weekend? GREEK FESTIVAL Sept. 23-25


Opa!

Ever since my college days, when I frequented the Greek Corner Cafe in San Diego, I've been hooked! Bold flavors, recipes passed down from generation to generation, and that Tzatziki sauce...don't get me started.

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is hosting it's 55th Annual Greek Food Festival in Dallas.

I'm already dreaming of sampling the Spanakopita (spinach in filo), Gyros, freshly sliced off an upright rotisserie and topped with Tzatziki and Dolmas (herbed rice & beef rolled in a grape leaf)




Friday, September 23rd from 4-6pm kicks off the festival where you can learn a traditional Greek dance, get a souvenir koozie and possibly win some great prizes in the raffle.

Bring the kiddos with you because there will be a Children's Area with sand art & crafts, caricature artists, face painting, and more!

Did I forget to mention there will be cooking demonstrations at the Greek Festival, so you can learn how to cook this delicious cuisine at home? Yum.

  • WHERE: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75240
  • WHEN: Friday, September 23, 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • HOW MUCH: Adult (Ages 13 and up) - $6.00 Children (Ages 12 and under) - FREE


For more information, call the festival hotline at (972) 233-4880

Monday, September 19, 2011

Plano Balloon Festival - High on Nothing but Disappointment!


Well ladies and gentlemen,

Let me be the first to apologize for giving you any “HIGH HOPES” with my post about the Plano Balloon Festival. Now I'm crossing my fingers that some of you had a good time?!? Because all it was was a bunch of HOT AIR for me....and I wish I could say literally......but I didn't even see one balloon.


I planned to go on Saturday with my hubby and 7 month old, but a nap ran late, husband's jog went 20 minutes over and by the time we were in the car it was only a few minutes until the 6pm Balloon Launch. We wouldn't have made the drive from McKinney in time, so we decided to go on Sunday instead.

Upon arriving to the general vicinity on Sunday, we were surprised to find only $5 and $10 parking, and both of them seemed quite far from the event. It was disappointing to see all the empty college parking lots blocked off, which were much closer to the event. The empty spaces, seemed to be laughing at us, quite the cruel joke. It was hot, so we found an apartment complex that had open parking about the same distance away.



Can I mention there were no sidewalks to push our stroller? We had to get creative on the grassy areas.

After what seemed a mile or more in the sweltering heat, we made it to the admission tent, $10 for two adults, even though there was only a few hours left in the festival. Oh, well. Now, another great long walk to the actual area where the balloons were supposed to be kept.

Hmm, no balloons. As we waiting for the 5:30pm parachute exhibition, we strolled around the vendor area. Seemed to be the same booths over and over, just duplicated in different rows. Annoying. No shade, except for one little covered picnic table with water misters which we huddled under with our infant. 


Hubby ran to get us a lemonade to share – ching ching – FIVE DOLLARS please. I'm really not a whiner, but this lemonade tasted like crystal light with a dollop of sunscreen in it. Hard to drink, really.

We never saw any parachutes, or planes over head, and right about when the balloon launch was scheduled, an announcement came over the P.A.saying the event was cancelled due to impending weather. Hmm, looks like blue skies – same as when we got here. And yet, you let us hang out, spend money on crappy lemonade and only tell us the event was CANCELLED when it was “TIME TO LAUNCH”.


We were wondering why we didn't see any balloons on the field getting prepped to go. Not one the entire time. Needless to say, this Plano Balloon Festival was a waste of my time.

Guess who was missing in action as we walked back to our cars? The volunteers who we paid our $10 admission to less than an hour prior. Coincidence? I think not. I would have asked for a refund.





Overall Rating: SAD FACE x10

Thursday, September 15, 2011

A bit of Dallas History - Munger Place Tour - September 24, 2011

Don't have plans next Saturday?  Check out the tour of (6) Old East Dallas homes at the Munger Place Historic Home Tour 2011

http://www.mungerplace.com/

This neighborhood in Old East Dallas was established in 1905, and these homes have stayed true to their original design. Now, I used to work just a few blocks away from the Munger Historic District, in Old East Dallas, where I'd often drive past and marvel at these awesome historic homes. I'd love a chance to check out the interior.

http://www.mungerplace.com/


There will be a Kids Area, Vendor Street Party (i.e. free stuff) and an Entertainment Stage!

http://www.mungerplace.com/



The Munger Place Church will be giving tours of the newly renovated church from 10 am - 3 pm.

WHERE:
WHEN:
  • Saturday, September 24th, from 10:00am - 6:00pm
HOW MUCH:
  • $12 Adults in advance or $15 at the door - Children 12 and under are FREE

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Who says wine isn't fun for everyone? Grapevine GRAPEFEST!

Photo courtesy of: CraveDFW

Grapevine GrapeFest is this weekend! I know some of you may think that a wine - related festival isn't for kiddos, but this one is totally family friendly!

The Grape Stomp sounds like a blast for ALL ages to experience and there is a KIDS ZONE presented by Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.

WHERE: Historic Downtown Grapevine - Directions and MAPS HERE
WHEN: Admission is free on Thursday all day and Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Thursday, September 15 - 10:00am - 10:30pm, FREE ADMISSION  
  • Friday, September 16 - 10:00am - 5:00pm, FREE ADMISSION 
  • Friday, September 16 - 5:00pm - 11:30pm
  • Saturday, September 17 - 10:00am - 11:30pm
  • Sunday, September 18 - 11:00am - 6:00pm 
HOW MUCH: $8 General Admission for Adults, Weekend Pass Pin: $18
$5 - Children (6-12), Children under 6: FREE

FREE movie passes - Dallas Studio Movie Grill

Hey Ladies,

I have (2) FREE passes to a SPECIAL SCREENING of "I don't know how SHE does it" - for Thursday, September 15th at 7:30pm


WHERE: Studio Movie Grill - Dallas @ Royal Lane
WHEN: Thursday, September 15th at 7:30pm
HOW: COMMENT below with your email address and I'll shoot the passes over to ya!

First one to HOLLER at me gets the passes!

Friday, September 9, 2011

What's the most healthy breakfast you can eat?


It's Oatmeal, ya'll!


So break out that funny looking Quaker dude and serve yourself up a healthy portion this morning!

One of the best things about his healthy way to kickstart your day, is that it's cheap and easily customizable with your own favorite toppings of dried fruit, nuts, bananas or maple syrup.

Oatmeal is a low-glycemic-index foods, which means that it is a slow burning energy, so you'll have longer lasting "UMPH" because of it.

Check out some quick and easy recipes from Eating Well for inspiration!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

High in the Sky - Plano Balloon Festival


Now, I've never actually been to a Hot Air Balloon Festival but it looks like an awesome event for the whole family!



Where: Plano - Oak Point Park - 2801 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
When: September 16 (4-10pm), 17 (6am-10pm), 18(6am-7pm)
How Much: General Admission is $5 and FREE for kids under 36 inches

There will be concerts, a huge kids play area "Fun Zone", exhibits and of course food!

I'm THERE!