Smart home buyers know their best shot at finding a new home in a community perfect for them is soliciting the help of a Realtor. And Realtors know their best chance of helping their clients find their perfect home is to take them to a community like Amira.
Which is exactly what Realtors did again and again last year.
There were plenty of Realtors who sold multiple homes in Amira during 2021, but three rose to the top:
Why did these three and 205 other Realtors who sold in the community last year think Amira would suit their clients? A convenient Tomball location as well as functional and beautiful floor plans by Perry Homes and Beazer Homes. But what makes Amira really stand out is its “staycay every day” promise. The Resort at Amirahas a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse surrounding a large pool complex with areas for adults and children that rivals anything you might find an upscale resort. Covered patios overlook the pool and are a good place to watch the big game. Residents can keep fit at the yoga studio, fitness room or trails connecting neighborhoods and amenities. Children have their choice of playgrounds and dogs can romp at Derby Dog Park.
We want to thank all the Realtors who visited and sold in Amira last year. We hope to see you again soon in 2022.
Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day you can celebrate your love, affection and appreciation for that special person. Tomball is a great place to enjoy concerts, picnics, romantic dinners and more with your sweetheart all year round. Where should you go? Amira couples have a few ideas.
Take in a Show
If you love music as much as you love your partner, Main Street Crossing is the place to be. Ticket prices vary based on musical acts offered. Musical acts for February include Mickey Gilley, dueling pianos, a Johnny Cash tribute band, a Beatles tribute band and more.
Lone Star College Performing Arts Center
The LSC-Tomball Drama Department puts on fall, spring and summer plays in this 450-seat venue. Plus, the LSC-Tomball Music Department offers a range of music performances from jazz to orchestral works. Special guest artists drop by all of the time. Check their website to see what’s coming up!
Shop Together
Remember holding hands as you shopped? You still can. The market takes place every Saturday — rain or shine — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Browse the results of 70+ vendors’ labors. All products are grown or handcrafted within 150 miles of Tomball, so you know you are showing local businesses some love.
Unique Date Nights
Skip the traditional dinner and a movie and do something unique! Three Dimensional Visions professional glassblowers can teach both of you to craft beautiful blown glass creations — no experience necessary.
Will you meet Granny’s Ghost in Granny’s Corner? She is said to hug those she deems in need of one. That’s just one of the ghost stories you can hear (and see?) when you take this one-hour tour of haunted Tomball.
Learn more about the art of brewing craft beer at Paradigm Brewing Company. Their brewmaster conducts guided tours of the brewery and provides insights into the science and techniques behind brewing.
Take a Hike (and a Picnic)
Kleb Woods Nature Preserve Center
Once a family farm and now a great place to hike, Kleb Woods boasts nature trails, a picnic area, nature center and the aforementioned historic farm.
Take your fur babies out to play at this 6-acre, off-leash dog park featuring separate small and large dog sections, walking trails, sitting benches and concrete wash stations for rinsing and bathing your dog.
Beer, Wine and Mead
Why go wine tasting when you can visit a meadery? Located in Old Tomball, the tasting room features a rotating selection of honey wines crafted from the fruits of local bees. Meads are available on draft and bottled to enjoy at home.
Brewed in-house from the finest ingredients, Fire Ant features pilsners, ales, stouts and bocks. Stop by for a tasting then stay for appetizers, burgers and desserts served up by Chef Jay Stone.
Texas wines in a rustic setting — what could be more romantic? Pair imported and local vintages with charcuterie boards and weekly events like karaoke nights.
Romantic Meals
Sweet and smokey just like your relationship. Tejas Chocolate serves up a great selection of chocolate and truffles from raw cocoa bean and smoked USDA Prime Grade briskets in the oldest building in Tomball.
This local favorite has everything you need for a romantic brunch or dinner. Constructed from the ground up, Craft Grill features 100-year-old windows separating the dining area from the tap room. Southern cuisine can be enjoyed indoors or on the dog-friendly patio.
Each new year features a new set of health and wellness trends. Everything from new superfoods to ways to get your mental house in order is dissected and disseminated. Which ones will actually help you in the New Year? We’ve broken it down for you.
Redefining Wellness
In the past, “healthy” has been synonymous with physical health. The new year will see a broadening of that definition to include mental health, immune health, emotional health and intellectual wellness. Balance will be an increasingly important word with people working to create healthy minds as well as healthy bodies.
Immune Health
According to Mindbody, a technology company that assists small business health and wellness providers, people will be more focused on the health of their immune systems. These services include light therapy, IV vitamin drips, detox programs, infrared saunas, salt therapies and B12 shots. Gyms and spas may will be offering holistic services that claim to better support your immune system.
Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health will go beyond taking personal days. Employers in particular will be looking for ways to help their employees. These may include better mental health benefits, access to onsite therapists, passes to wellness centers, no Zoom days and additional time off. Virtual therapist visits will be easier to access. The stigma against men seeking wellness services will be reduced.
Intellectual Health
Mindbody also predicts that intellectual health will be a trend. To do this, you simply have to engage in creative activities that encourage you to learn new skills and concepts. Expect to see people of all ages taking arts classes, doing online puzzles, and downloading brain gym apps.
Start Walking
Walking is an easy way to stay fit, decrease stress and refresh your mind. Amira residents enjoy walking our trails. Last year Vogue promoted the “silly little walk,” which is basically walking with no real purpose other than to be outdoors. Got an Apple Watch Fitness+ subscription? Then you can take an inspiring walk with the Time to Walk audio experience. Instead of music you take a virtual walk with influential people like Dolly Parton or Draymond Green. Of course, you can always just get out and put one foot in front of the other.
Speaking of Fitness Tech
Fitness technology will continue to evolve taking us from merely keeping track of steps to keeping track of key wellness indicators. Fitbits, Apple watches and Oura rings will take note of our body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate variability and sleep quality and signal us if something doesn’t seem right.
Reducetarianism
Not ready to embrace a vegetarian diet? No sweat. You can simply reduce the amount of animal products you consume. Reducetarianism reduces your risk of heart disease, and certain types of cancers as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Reducetarianism is different from flexitarianism because the focus is on mindfulness and gradually replacing meat, dairy and eggs with other options.
Sleep Hygiene
We all know we need to get enough sleep. We even have trackers that tell us how much sleep we aren’t getting. 2022 will be the year we focus on better bedtime behavior. Reducing screen time, creating a more relaxing sleep environment, crafting a bedroom that encourages sleep and avoiding the foods that keep us up at night will all take center stage.
Mindful Drinking
Move over “Dry January,” people are about to have a year-round love affair with non-alcoholic drinks. Mindful drinking doesn’t involve cutting alcohol out of our diets, it simply means being aware of why we drink and how much. To help us, there will be an increase in the number of zero-proof spirits, wines and beers.
Move to Amira
Want to live in a place dedicated to helping you live and play better? Make the move to Amira. Pools, parks, trails and lifestyle events keep you active while our beautiful homes make cooking healthy meals easy and fun. Laughter is the best medicine, and our events bring neighbors together for fun and a strong sense of community. Visit us today.
Comfort, quality and craftsmanship characterize Beazer Homes’ new model in Amira.
The recently opened model at 19203 Hillside Pasture Lane showcases the Maxwell floor plan, one of five designs in the builder’s Premier Collection. It offers three bedrooms, two baths and an exceptional lifestyle.
Curb appeal is the first thing you notice as you approach the home. The upgraded French Country elevation is a revelation in brick and stone with country shutters and peaked gables. The covered porch promises multiple opportunities to relax with a cup of coffee or glass of lemonade while you watch the world go by.
An elegant tray ceiling crowns the entry that leads past two, cozy bedrooms linked by a jack-and-jill bath. The laundry room and mudroom are positioned opposite so it’s easy for kids to drop off dirty boots or clothes.
The heart of the home is a spectacular gourmet kitchen. The family chef is sure to feel pampered by an island with counter seating, stunning painted cabinets, miles of countertops, a walk-in pantry and tiled backsplash. Beams create the illusion of separation between the kitchen and family room while allowing plenty of light to flood the area. A casual dining area is sure to be the site of many a spaghetti dinner. If you prefer al fresco dining, there is a covered patio.
The lush primary suite offers enough room in the bedroom for a comfy reading nook. The primary bath features an oversized shower and a garden tub. Dual sinks mean you can both get ready for work at the same time. The suite also boasts an oversized walk-in closet.
Designs in the Premier Collection are priced from the $300,000s and include spacious kitchens, great rooms and covered backyard patios. Some plans offer home offices and entertainment lofts. Take a tour of the new Beazer model today and prepare to fall in love.
Last year, most of us stayed in for New Year’s with no idea how to celebrate at home. We made it up as we went, stumbling through the holiday in pajamas while eating hoppin’ john straight out of the slow cooker. In years past, many parents opted for a babysitter while hitting the town, dressed in glitz and watching the blazing fireworks with a glass of champagne. In 2020, it seemed fitting to settle for red plastic cups of decent Prosecco after the kids fell asleep.
This year, the kids are a little older. And it may still be the best option to stay in — a decision made easier if you’re staying in your brand-new home in Amira. So why not celebrate in your beautiful new home in style? There are many creative ways to throw a swinging celebration at home with the kids. Imagine getting all dressed up, having a sumptuous dinner, making merry with fancy drinks (non-alcoholic for the kids), and watching fireworks (on TV). Plus, it’s easier on the wallet than a night out!
Some holidays, like New Year’s Eve, are more geared toward adults than kids. If you’re opting to stay home this year, and you’re not sure how to celebrate the New Year with the kiddos, you’re in luck. We have some great suggestions that the kids will love.
Make a Mocktail
This mocktail punch is an oldie but a goodie: Fun Punch. Simply pour two large cans of pineapple juice, two tubes of frozen OJ, and a 2 liter of lemon-lime soda pop or ginger ale into a punch bowl. Then, scoop out 6-7 giant ice cream scoops of orange sherbet and add it to the mix. Yes, it’s a lot of sugar — especially after the kids have just had their fill of holiday cookies — but they will love it.
It’s a common tradition to ring in the New Year with a champagne toast. Not exactly a kid-friendly activity. But it can be. Around this time of year, you can find sparkling juice made from apples, cider, or grape juice in grocery stores everywhere. That way, the kids can have a toast with you while getting some great vitamins from fruit juice.
Slow cooker hot cocoa is also a great way to celebrate. At the end of December, even though we’re in a warmer climate, the cool dark evenings call for something warm. You can make several versions of this, and they’re all amazing. Start with 3-4 cups of any kind of milk and one bar of baking chocolate. If you don’t have baking chocolate, you can use a cup of chocolate chips. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon of vanilla paste. Then, add two scoops of hot cocoa mix and your marshmallows. Save some marshmallows for the garnish, too! You can also make this peppermint-flavored by adding two leftover candy canes or 4-5 drops of peppermint extract.
Countdown to Bedtime
As kids, we have fuzzy memories of staying up far too late, nodding off, and waiting for Dick Clark to drop the ball. With today’s technology, we don’t have to keep the kids up until midnight to participate in the countdown.
Instead of counting down to the New Year, count down to bedtime instead. There are several apps and online videos on spaces like YouTube that will mock a midnight countdown so little ones can be part of the celebration. Sound the noisemakers and toss the confetti at 8 p.m. if you’d like. The best pet of the bedtime countdown: that little bit of adults-only time to relax after the kids crash.
Make a Family New Year’s Resolution
What a great way to unite as a family, making a New Year’s resolution together. Maybe you want to travel more. Maybe you’d like to go hiking or be more active together. Maybe you resolve to volunteer or visit grandma more. Whatever it may be, setting goals as a family is a great way to bond.
Start a New Tradition
Thankful jar:
If you have an old mason jar lying around or another special jar, jug, box, or container, you can create your thankful jar. Snip up small pieces of paper and tape a colorful pen or marker to the jar with string. Then your kids can feel inspired to jot down the things they are thankful for throughout the year. On New Year’s Eve, you can create a tradition of reading aloud all the things you were thankful for throughout the year. Then empty the jar and repeat.
Best things that happened this year collage:
It might also be fun to create a family collage. You can use poster board or canvas to really make it special. The kids can cut out photos, pictures from magazines, or draw their own pictures to express their favorite memories from the past year.
Saving the loose change jar:
This one is a family favorite. Save all your loose change from the year then dump it out and count it on New Year’s Eve. Then decide as a family what to do with the money. Put it toward your next vacation, use it to go out to dinner, or use it for a day at the museum. The kids will have lots of fun learning to save.
Video diary:
Another fun idea is creating a video diary from the year. Go through your phones and put together all the videos from the past year. Then you can watch them all together in your favorite pajamas. It’s simple, and it really helps to reflect on the precious memories from the previous year.
Happy 2022
However you choose to celebrate this year, we wish you a very happy, fulfilling, spirited, healthy and adventurous New Year!