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You Forgot that Person’s Name!

There’s something about residing in a small town like The Woodlands that almost guarantees you’ll run into familiar faces almost every time you leave your house to go to the grocery store, the library, the mall, movies, etc...  And no matter how hard we try, some of us have a tough time remembering people’s names.  Sure, there are certain “tricks” that can help you get better at this, but even still there’s a chance a name will escape you from time to time. When this happens, here’s how to handle it:

Scenario 1: Walking down the H-E-B aisle, and it’s impossible to avoid eye contact

You can say: Hi, our boys are in the same Cub Scout troop.  Do you remember me? My name is Leah.

By taking the lead and being proactive, you reduce the tension, and she's likely to respond with her name. Make sure to pay attention, and use her name in the conversation. By doing so, you are more likely to remember it in the future.

"Heart & Seoul" exhibit at Children's Museum of Houston

We're studying South Korea in our homeschool this month, and the best part of our adventure has been a trip to the Children’s Museum of Houston. Their interactive “Heart & Seoul” exhibit is a highly engaging highlight of Seoul, the capital city. Earlier this year, my 6-year-old took a kuk sool won class (Korean martial arts), and at the museum exhibit we learned that taekwondo is a Korean martial art as well. Overall, the exhibit was outstanding! We were able to practice martial arts moves with video instruction, watch and dance to Korean hip hop videos (my 4-year-old's favorite part, by far), learn about kite flying (a popular pastime in S. Korea), enter a Korean home (take off your shoes first!), visit a Korean cafe and examine some of the food dishes, visit a S. Korean classroom setting, visit a modern S. Korean high rise apartment, and much more.

The exhibit occupied a large area and there was so much to do and learn! Playing the janggu and buk (traditional Korean drums) and locating S. Korean on an interactive electronic map were other highlights we enjoyed. We were also able to read a S. Korean fairy tale about croaking frogs, and we learned that the number “4” is unlucky in S. Korea (as such, many buildings won’t have a “4th’ floor. The floor after floor 3 is floor 5).

 
Heart and Seoul: Growing up in S. Korea will be an exhibit at the Children's Museum of Houston through May 10, 2015.  I highly recommend checking out this fun, educational exhibit while it's in town!

 

What to do When a Child is Diagnosed with Special Needs

altParents often struggle with what to do when they learn their child has received a special needs diagnosis.  Kim Bellini, director of The Woodlands LearningRx, said that parents often fall into a trap of not doing anything. Its not that parents are uncaring, she said. Its just they dont know what to do.

To help parents improve the quality of life for their children with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities, Bellini has created the following list that can help:

Schlotzsky's Hard-Carved Ribeye Steak Menu

Attention steak lovers! Schlotzsky’s has new menu items featuring Hand-Carved Ribeye Steak, but it’s only around for a limited time. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to sample all 5 new items, so I visited the Bakery-Cafe, ordered one of each, and called it “dinner” for my family of 6.

 

Everyone’s favorite entrée was the Hand-Carved Ribeye Steak Flatbread that was loaded with great flavor – steak, green onions,  roasted peppers, roasted tomatoes, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, blue cheese crumbles, mayo, and topped with an Andouille cream sauce. I’m not a fan of blue cheese, but I forgot to ask them to omit it from my order. No regrets. The blue cheese went along so well with the other flavors that I’m glad we left it on. The flatbread was also very visually appealing, something I would cut into pieces and lay out on a wooden cutting board as an appetizer for my Girl's Night In guests.

 

My other favorite, the Chophouse Steak Salad, was just as impressive as the flatbread. The sweet (not tart) cranberries gave the salad a bold, fun flavor without overdoing it. I was given my choice of hot or cold steak (I choose hot), and I enjoyed every bite. The fried onions dress up this not-too-complicated salad and really make it a star.

Other hand-carved ribeye steak menu items include:tar. Even more, the garlic bread served with the salad is some of the best garlic bread I’ve had this year – soft, so buttery, and a perfect amount of garlic.

Steak ‘n Bacon Bacon SmokeCheezy Sandwich: Tender hand-carved ribeye steak, sliced bacon, roasted red peppers and smoked cheddar cheese topped with Southwest chipotle majoy served oven-baked on a Fresh-from-Scratch sourdough bun.

-  This sandwich was moist (not dry!) and flavorful; the generous portion of  steak was tender, and the peppers were sautéed to perfection.

Steak, Guacamole and Red Peppers Sandwich: Tender hand-carved ribeye steak, Pepper Jack cheese, roasted vegetables, guacamole and chipotle pesto served oven-baked on a Fresh-from-Scratch jalapeno-cheese bun.

-        - This flavorful sandwich seemed a bit toned down, and I didn’t taste as much guacamole as I was hoping to. The jalepeno bun adds a nice kick.

Chophouse Steak Wrap: 

-          -  I didn’t sample this one, but the ingredients are the same as the delicious salad, but they’re wrapped in a healthy grain tortilla with your choice of dressing.

Schlotzsky’s Hand-Carved Ribeye Steak menu is available through December 28, so hurry in to try it!

Idina Menzel "Holiday Wishes" album

I participated in the Idina Menzel Holiday Wishes album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

I’m always excited to hear new Christmas albums that include my favorite classics, and this year I’m excited to report that, Idina Menzel’s Holiday Wishes will be the main album played at my family’s holiday Open House gathering. Like most people, I like hearing the Christmas songs I’ve grown up signing, but hearing it sung by different artists always livens things up, so I try to pick a new artists each year. While I can’t say I’m over the moon about Menzel’s album, it’s one of the best new ones I’ve heard this season. In all fairness, I have 4 daughters and I’ve heard Menzel’s song “Let It Go” as Elsa on the Frozen movie soundtrack no fewer than once (or 10 times) every day for the past year. In fact, my ONLY experience listening to Menzel is via the Frozen movie / soundtrack. Although most of the songs on Holiday Wishes is a far cry from her passionate rendition of Let It Go,  there are some really good tracks on the new album that I’ve enjoyed hearing over and over.

Jerry Built Burgers

Jerry Built is a locally-owned restaurant with locations in The Woodlands and Houston that serves organic ingredients and sources sustainable, seasonal items from local and regional farmers to provide only the freshest ingredients.  Don't you just love places that supports local farmers and businesses?

Last week the boys and I were treated to a tasting of some of Jerry Built's seasonal items and they did not disappoint!  Their menu is overflowing with wonderful burger options like the Truffle Mushroom and Swiss and the Houston which have both been taste-tested and approved by my family on previous occasions, but this time around I decided to go a different route and try their seasonal salad, the Autumn Harvest.  It was delicious and covered in pumpkin seeds, pears, goat cheese and their housemade local honey vinaigrette.  Two words:  Yu um!

The boys really had a treat -  their kids menu offers a hamburger, chicken strips and all-beef hot dog, but if you ask nicely theyll hook you up with some to-die-for mac and cheese that is picky-child approved!  Please remind your kids to save room for the milkshakes made with seasonal-flavored Blue Bell ice cream as well! 

 
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Yes, the food is delicious, but what you may not know is how kid-friendly is. While you wait for your food to arrive at your table, you and the kiddos can display your artistic talents on the floor-to-ceiling chalkboard wall or try out the nifty contraption near the kitchen and see what you think its for.  I'll tell you this, my boys did it over and over which is rare for them!  You can also watch your food being prepared right before your eyes in their open-concept kitchen. 
 
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On a side note, when you're there you must also try their fried pickles and blueberry lemonade with those great little ice pellets you cant just find anywhere.  Really, it's the small details that make a restaurant a great place to visit and Jerry Built has them in abundance! 

Locations:  THE WOODLANDS: 1335 Lake Woodlands Drive and WEST UNIVERSITY:  3501 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston.  Visit them at:  www.jerrybuiltburgers.com or www.facebook.com/JerryBuiltBurgers where you can find all their seasonal specials, giveaways and contests as well as all the ways they serve our community. 

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