It’s “pumpkin spice and everything nice” season. It’s also festival season because who doesn’t want to get out of the house and have a good time? Amira residents are lucky to live in Tomball, near some fabulous festivities. Which ones will we be at? Check them out!
Times vary, Fri.-Sun., Oct. 8-10
$15 adults, free for ages 12 and under.
$30 weekend pass
Kevin Fowler, Casey Donahew, Josh Ward, Kolby Cooper, Cody Hibbard and Wayne Toups will take the stage at Conroe’s annual celebration of Cajun crustaceans. The festival also features delicious food, arts and crafts vendors, a carnival, community and educational exhibits, local dance teams and entertainers, a KidZone and the Catfish Pageant.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Oct. 16
Free
Music from the mountains will ring through the old railroad Depot in Tomball when the annual bluegrass festival gets underway. Local and regional acts will perform on the main stage while amateur pickers play during the Shade Tree Jam at Granny’s Korner. There’ll be food, vendors, a kids’ zone and more.
The Woodlands Wildflower Festival
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 6
Free
One of the longest running festivals in The Woodlands is back. During the event thousands of wildflower seed packets will be distributed free to the community. In addition, there will be family-friendly activities such as the bluebonnet-planting ceremony, wildflower crafts, bounce houses, face painting, DJ, food trucks and more.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 13
Free
Train lovers can’t wait for this annual national model railroad event featuring
detailed model railroad displays in three scales, including the tiny Z-Scale, Lionel O-Scale and a 1,200-square-foot G-Gauge layout. Talk with costumed volunteers about the golden age of railroading and listen to old-style tunes from performers.
Can’t make it to your favorite tropical resort this year? Bring the resort to your backyard with tropical plants.
Houston’s warm, humid climate is perfect for many species of tropical plants that thrive in summer heat. They add a splash of color to any garden and look beautiful on patios or around pools. Add soft lighting, hang a hammock and add a water feature to create the ultimate resort-themed backyard.
Here are tips for using tropical plants.
Consider Containers
As opposed to true tropical destinations, Houston is hot and humid in the summer but not so much in the winter. Cold temperatures will kill any tropical plants in your garden. The solution is to keep them in containers. Just give the roots plenty of room to spread out. Enjoy them on the patio in the summer. Bring them inside for the winter.
Full Sun, Lots of Water
Tropical plants are sun-loving, so make sure you place them where the sun constantly shines. They also love water. Keep them hydrated with drip irrigation or put your pots under misters. They will reward you with lush leaves and large, colorful blossoms.
Feed Them Well
Tropical plants are used to a special diet so make sure they are fertilized. Some gardening centers offer special soil or fertilizer for certain tropical plants such as hibiscus. Otherwise, find a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Go Big on Color
When it comes to creating a tropical-themed backyard, you can never have too much color. Think deep reds, neon pinks and bright orange. Use plants with large, green, variegated leaves such as palms, bamboo and banana trees as backdrops.
What to Plant
Some tropical plants grow better in Houston than others. Following is a list of easy to grow plants that will thrive in Houston. You can find a more extensive discussion here.
Alimanda
One of the many tropical plants in the ginger family, this species has red or orange flowers and can be grown in partial shade, making it an excellent patio plant.
‘Alphonse Karr’ Bamboo
A clumping bamboo that tolerates cold weather making it a great year-round backdrop for any plant in your garden. It also grows well in containers.
Bird of Paradise
Nothing says tropical like the Bird of Paradise. Named for their beautiful crane-like orange, blue and white flowers, these plants look delicate but thrive in the Houston heat.
Chinese Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants tend to grow well in Houston and are very colorful. Chinese Hibiscus is very hardy and comes in a variety of colors. They are sure to remind you of your last Hawaiian vacation.
Elephant Ear
Elephant ear plants can grow up to 6 feet tall. Their soft, lush leaves scream tropical. They grow well with ginger plants such as Alimanda and look fantastic planted around ponds and other water features.
Mandevilla
Native to Central and South America, Mandevilla can be grown as a climbing plant or a shrub. The flowers are a showy pink. Mandevilla is a great container plant that does not need full sunlight to thrive.
Grilled food, cocktails, music and lawn games — summer is the perfect time to throw a backyard shindig. While you could go with an old-fashioned barbecue, why not take your guests on a tropical vacation and throw a tiki party or luau instead? With just a little planning and our tips, your paradise patio party will be welcoming guests in no time.
Start with Decorations
Just because you don’t have a beach or ocean nearby doesn’t mean you can’t set the mood with tropical decorations. Choose pinks, blues, greens and yellows. If you are planning to set up a bar or tables, wrap them in raffia skirts. Don’t have a tiki bar? This stand-up bar from Oriental Trading Company screams island time. Put tropical flowers on the table, add some tiki torches if you’re planning for the party to last into the night and don’t forget masks, pineapples and carboard surfboards. If kids are coming, fill kiddie pools with water and sand. Want to make sure your guests have a souvenir? Set up a photo booth. It can be as simple as an arrangement of tropical plants or as elaborate as this Shindigz Table Top Tikki Hut.
Get Guests in the Spirit
Ask guests to wear Hawaiian shirts or their favorite vacation clothes. If you have a pool, make sure they bring swimsuits. Greet them with leis. Provide some grass skirts for kids (or adventurous adults) for impromptu hula lessons. Create a tropical music playlist for them to enjoy while chowing down.
Add Cocktails
A fruity, frosty cocktail with a cute umbrella is just what your tropical party needs. Stir up some Bahama Mamas or lay in a supply of rum for Jungle Birds and Blue Hawaiians. Mojitos will transport your guests to Cuba. Got a blender and an outlet? These Banana Daiquiris will take everyone to the Caribbean. Make sure to have mocktails on hand for young guests or designated drivers. Hit the dollar store for tropical-themed glassware.
Fire Up the Grill
As tempting as it might be to dig a hole in your backyard to roast a whole pig, it’s probably easier to fire up your grill. Grilled meat and seafood are a staple of tropical islands everywhere. Try this tropical sea bass with salsa for an elegant meal. Throw some shrimp on the barbie. Serving a crowd? Fish tacos or kebobs are easy to lay out on a buffet table. If you are set on pork, why not try Grilled Pork with Macadamia Rice? And don’t forget about fruit. Grilled pineapple is a must for a tropical party, but you can grill almost anything, including bananas. Here are some great tips for cooking fruit to perfection. Desserts can be as simple as popsicles or as complex as this Caribbean Coconut Rum Cake.
Turn Your Yard into an Event Lawn
Is it really a party without games? Some of the most popular are simply classic games on steroids — think giant checkers, tic tac toe, Jenga or Connect Four. Test your aim with cornhole, ladder toss or horseshoes. If you really want to immerse guests in your theme, turn regular games into tropical ones. Hide coconuts around the yard for a tropical scavenger hunt. Try out this Tiki Toss Hook and Ring Game. Hula hoops and giant beach balls turn your backyard into a resort. For more fun, buy this hot coals aisle runner and use chalk to set up an island-themed hopscotch game.
Check Out Amira’s Backyards
The perfect party starts with the perfect backyard. Stop by Amira and check out the patios on our model homes for ideas. In addition to extending your patio, you can add built-in grills, outlets for speakers and outdoor fireplaces.
No matter which vacation resort you choose, there will surely be a spa. Surrounded by luxury and pampered by staff, you can just feel the stress melt away. Replicate that feeling everyday by turning your bath into an “ahhh-inspiring” resort-style spa. All it takes are a few simple changes. Need more inspiration? Check out the gorgeous baths in our Amira model homes.
Take Stock of Your Bath
You don’t need a large bath to create a luxurious retreat, but you should take stock of what you have to work with. This will keep you from making costly renovations you might not need. Think about what you love most about your favorite spa and figure out how you can add those things to your bath.
Build On That Foundation
It’s easy to create the ultimate spa if you are building from the ground up. Today’s builders such as Perry Homes and Beazer Homes already provide spa-like amenities such as large soaking tubs, oversized showers and beautiful plumbing fixtures. At the design center, you can personalize your bath even more by choosing calming paint colors, marble and stone countertops, oversized showers with rainfall or multiple showerheads.
Get Organized
One of the simplest things you can do to relieve anxiety when you enter your bath is to declutter. Throw away expired products. Ask yourself if you really need five different body lotions. Scrub down your cabinets and drawers. Add storage containers and put everything you don’t need on a daily basis out of site.
Get Creative with Storage
Spas create the feel of luxury with pretty trays and containers. You can do the same. Find stylish containers for your hand soap, lotions and other toiletries. Place them on silver or ceramic trays. Cotton balls and swabs can go in glass containers on wooden or glass floating shelves.
Bring in Natural Elements
Most spas decorate with wood and stone and so can you. Natural elements add warmth and texture, so your bath seems less sterile and more relaxing. A simple cedar or bamboo bathmat adds a touch of luxury. Surround candles with pebbles or shells. If you have a green thumb, plants add to the tranquility of your retreat. Choose ones that thrive in low light and high humidity such as bamboo, Boston Fern, Chinese Evergreen and orchids. Display them on windowsills and counters or hang them from the ceiling.
Ambiance is Everything
Once you’ve redecorated, it’s time to recreate the relaxing ambiance of a spa. Essential oils in a diffuser will keep your bath smelling like your favorite spa all day but even the addition of soaps, candles and shampoos in your favorite scents will promote relaxation. Proper lighting is important. Use a dimmer switch or low-wattage light bulbs. Candles will add the right ambiance. Don’t forget music. Create a playlist of your favorite tunes on Spotify to play while you pamper. Don’t forget fluffy towels and robes.
Create Signature Spa Products
Spas usually have their own line of spa products. You can purchase them for home use, or you can create your own. Body scrubs are easy to make using ingredients from your pantry. Think you can’t replicate facials at home? Think again. Allure magazine offers step-by-step instructions. Make your own facial products using avocado, oatmeal, egg whites and honey. Make your own bath salts or bath bombs using your favorite essential oils. Whatever you make, be sure to keep them in pretty glass containers so everyone can enjoy looking at them.
Whether you like them shaken, stirred or blended, nothing says vacation like lounging around with an icy, fancy cocktail. Fancy drinks don’t have to be limited to adults.
Mocktails are kid-friendly, non-alcoholic drinks that go beyond simple smoothies and lemonade. They are also a great substitute if pool rules say no alcohol allowed.
Looking to up your mocktail game? Here are tips for making non-alcoholic drinks everyone will love, plus three Amira-themed drinks you can try at home. (We also tell you how to make the mocktail a cocktail for an adult drink).
Ditch the Mixes
As tempting as it maybe to just pull out the mixers, leave them on the shelf. Mixers like margarita bases usually have a lot of sugar and preservatives. They can feel heavy and sweet rather than light and refreshing. Stock ginger beers, club sodas, real fruit and herbs instead.
Buy Bar Equipment
If you think you’ll be making a lot of mocktails, invest in simple bar equipment. Using a shaker will impress the kids and make you feel like a true mixologist. A muddler is used to — you guessed it — muddle fruits and herbs into your liquid ingredients to intensify the flavor.
Balance is Everything
Approach creating mocktails the way bartenders approach making cocktails. Balance sweet, sour and bitter flavors. If you don’t, your mocktail will probably taste too sweet and too much like a kid drink. Try adding sour juices like cranberry or grapefruit to balance out sweet sodas. Shrubs and switchels (sour non-alcoholic sodas) are also fantastic adds.
Go Seasonal
If you like hitting farmers markets, stock up on seasonal fruits and herbs. These add color and vibrancy to your mocktails rivaling any tropical resort cocktail. Muddled herbs are particularly refreshing and add an adult flavor you’ll love. We suggest mint and basil for the summer months.
Get Out the Fancy Glasses
Part of what makes cocktails fun are the glasses. If you are serving mocktails at home, get out your favorite highballs, coupes and martini glasses. If you are taking them to the pool, hit the dollar store where you will discover any number of fancy plastic glasses.
Garnish, Garnish, Garnish
Garnishes make your mocktails special. Dip your glass in colored sugar, add a slice of lime or orange, make a bouquet of herbs. For kids, add colorful straws and parasols — anything that makes you think of a resort-style drink.
Amira Drinks You’ll Love
Now that you know how to make them, try these mocktail recipes created by former New York bartender and mixologist Erin Chong. Our residents enjoy mixing up the non-alcoholic versions for a day at The Resort at Amira.
Recipes
Peach Derby Slush
4 cups frozen peaches
3 cups coconut water
1/2 cup simple syrup
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fresh mint
Pour ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. Add more liquid if necessary. Pour into glasses and garnish with a mint sprig. To make this drink a cocktail, add 2 ounces of light rum per glass. Serves 4.
Stirrup Trouble Punch
4 cups limeade
1 1/2 cups grapefruit juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional)
Club soda
Pour juices, simple syrup, and thyme into mixing glass, add ice, stir, serve in glasses over ice. Top with club soda, garnish with a lime wedge, or thyme sprig. To make this drink a cocktail, add 1 1/2 ounces of blanco or reposado tequila per glass. Serves 4.
Spur of The Moment
2 ounces pineapple coconut juice
2 ounces coconut water
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Ginger ale (optional)
Pour juices and simple syrup in a shaker, add ice, shake, and strain into a glass with ice. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a lime wedge. To make this drink a cocktail, add 2 ounces of vodka. Serves 1.