Community Blog

This Saturday, July 31st, the Coppell Farmers Market over in Coppell, TX will be hosting their second event of the summer, Sizzlin at the Market. Not only will they have lots of fresh, locally grown produce for you to enjoy, but the will also have about 40 artisan vendors there as well.

The Coppell Farmers Market focuses on seasonal and local produce and products. There are a wide range of products available for purchase. Their mission statement:

To form a relationship with local growers/producers in order to provide fresh, seasonal produce and agricultural products for our community while fostering a sense of place in Old Town Coppell.

The market opens at 8:00am and remains open until “sellout.” However, getting their early ensures you’ll get better selection. This week will be even more fun with the artist booths set up as well.

It’s a little bit of a drive to Coppell from Autumn Chase, but without traffic it would probably only take about 20 minutes. This market is definitely worth the drive!

I finally went and checked out Despicable Me this weekend. My roommate was dying to go see this movie, so we headed over to the Cinemark theater in Plano. We wanted to catch a matinee as to avoid the evening crowds and the only remaining matinee we could catch that day was in 3D.

Let me start off by telling you that I loved this film. It was sweet and funny and all in all well worth the price of admission. The characters are great the jokes are funny and the animation is very well done. This is easily my favorite moment in the movie:

However, I must admit that I don’t think it’s worth going to see in 3D. I don’t think that 3D added anything to Despicable Me. It sure didn’t add an extra $4 of enjoyment to my experience (3D ticked are way too expensive as far as I’m concerned)!

All in all, I really enjoyed Despicable Me, I give it 4 stars! Have any other Autumn Chase-ers seen Despicable Me? What did you think, would you recommend it?

I fly about once a year on average. I’m no where near a frequent flyer, but I know my way around an airport. That said, I have learned a few traveling tricks form my more well traveled friends.

One of the best frequent flyer tricks I’ve learned is to stick a pair of socks in your carry on, if you’re wearing sandals. It saves you from traipsing barefoot across the less-then-sanitary floors of the airport and they take up very little space.

Also, if your flying with just a carry on bag, remember to separate out all of your liquids into a quart sized plastic bag. Keep that liquid filled baggie at the top of your bag so you can pull them out easily and quickly when you’re in the security line.

Those simple tips make getting through the security line so much simpler. Plus it will make you look like a veteran traveler, even is you’re not. Do you have any useful traveling tips?

I love to cook. I would definitely consider myself an armature foodie. Taking a cooking class or two has been on my to do list for sometime now. I just haven’t really gotten around to it. However, I recently found out that the Central Market in Plano has cooking classes. They cover all kind of ingredients and style. Classes are offered in the evening from Wednesday through Saturday. They even have children’s cooking classes!

The adult classes span a number of topics. They have sushi classes, bread making, French cuisine, even pizza! I personally really want to go take a sushi class. I think it would be a blast as I am seriously addicted to sushi.

The kids cooking classes is part of a summer cooking series. The classes are separated by age range. This week it’s focusing on peanuts and peanut butter. Kind of makes me wish I was still a kid! It is a great way to teach your kid about food and cooking with out getting your own kitchen messy.

The kids classes are all $40 a session or $280 for an 8 week series. Although, it’s probably a little late to do the 8 week series as most school’s start back in August. The adult classes are a bit pricier ranging from $45 all the way up to $75.

This would make a fun date if you and your partner both are interested in cooking. It would also be a fun girl’s night out! Have you ever taken a cooking class?

The 24th Annual Taste of Dallas kicks off today at 4:00 pm! This is easily one of my very favorite local events and something I look forward to all year. While I know Fair Park is a bit of a haul from our happy home here at Autumn Chase, it is entirely worth it! Parking is pretty easy to find and is about $10, which isn’t too bad.

This three day festival is rain or shine, which is a good thing since the weather is looking more like rain. Although on the bright side that means the temperature should be lower than the seasonal average. Just don’t forget a poncho or umbrella!

This wonderful event showcases the amazing food of Dallas. Not only will there be a wide selection of foods to sample from around town, but there will be a vast array of entertainment and shopping opportunities as well. There will be live music every day on the Gilley’s Music Stage. An artist corner so you can enjoy some artistic venture from up-and-coming Dallas artist. There will be a wonderful kids area hosted by Radio Disney.

Admission to this fabulous event is just $5 a day, kids under 12 are free. The event is on Friday from 4:00pm -12:00am, Saturday from 11:00am – 12:00am, and Sunday form 12:00 – 6:00pm.

Have you gone to Taste of Dallas before?

There is something about summertime that just makes me want to pick up a book. It is probably something ingrained in me since childhood and the day’s of summer reading programs at my local library. Growing up, the local library had a reading club and you got prizes for reading. The more you read the better the prizes got. Then later in life you have summer reading lists for school.

Now I just love to read and feel like summer is meant for lounging around with a book in hand. I adore spending my Saturday’s and Sunday’s out by the Autumn Chase pool with a book in hand. Honestly, I tend to gravitate towards lighter reading in the summer. I look for books that fit with the sunny days and hot temperatures. I like books that let me escape reality and enjoy someone else’s life for a while!

Here are five of my favorite summer reads:

1. Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews – the story is set in the steamy southern city of Savannah and is all about second chances, growth, and self discovery. A captivating story that will keep you glued to the pages until the last page!
   

   Why not open a book?

2. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell – the unique and funny tale of one woman’s adventure with cooking and “growing up.” This is really a funny and mouthwatering book. It will definitely make you want to hit the kitchen!
3. Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner – a story about self acceptance, growth and finding out who you really are. It is a wonderful read and the lead lady is easy to identify with. Weiner wrote a follow up book: Certain Girls.
4. Asking for Trouble by Elizabeth Young – a story about a little white lie and the snowball effect it has on a young woman’s life. It is a delightful and funny book. A quick read that will help you escape from the stress of everyday life.
5. The Little Lady Agency by Hester Brown – a bright young Londoner starts her own, rather unique, business as she fights to find her way in a modern world. This is a warm tale that will draw you in and transport you “across the pond.”

Do you like to read? Do you have a favorite summer book?

I love watching the Fourth of July fireworks! Lying on a blanket and watching them explode over head always takes me back to childhood. Fireworks are one of my favorite summer traditions. I know I already have plans for the long weekend including time by the Autumn Chase pool, cooking out with friends, and catching some fireworks.

If you are still looking for ways to celebrate Independence Day this weekend check out these great events:

Kaboom Town 2010 will take place on Saturday, July 3rd, at the Addison Circle Park. There will be live music, a flyover, and a variety of other entertainment before the fireworks, starting at 5:00 pm. The fireworks will start at 9:35 with a free screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day off following. This is a free event.

The Annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Grapevine Lake is Sunday, July 4th, at 9:30 pm. There will be a number of lakeside viewing pointes for the fireworks on Sunday.

Red White & Lewisville fireworks show will be on Sunday, July 4th, starting at 9:30 pm. Some of the best viewing will be at the south side of  Vista Ridge Mall in the parking lot.

Farmers Branch is holding its annual Independence Day festivities this Saturday, July 3rd. Admission is free and gates open at 6:30 pm. Concessions will be available for purchase and music will start at 8:00 pm. The evening will end with a fireworks display.

Will you go to more then one fireworks show over the weekend?

Just a reminder, fireworks are not permitted in the Dallas area.

I am simply not one of those people who enjoy running or spending time at the gym. I honestly only make it to the gym about once a month. Which is not even close to how often I mean to visit the gym, or how often I’m ‘suppose to’ exercise. So I have been trying to come up with way’s to really motivate myself to hit the gym, regularly. I finally did!

My motivation, I’m just sure will work, is the promise of a spa day getaway. Yep, my best friend and I have agreed to put aside a dollar for every mile towards a spa day. Not only will it get us to meet at the Autumn Chase fitness center three days a week, but it will encourage us to build up our mileage.

Now, assuming we can push ourselves to really hit the gym regularly and up our mileage we should be headed to the spa in a few months. Since this isn’t a regular indulgence, it’s a pretty strong motivator!

Guys, what would be your motivator? Do you just like going to the gym?

Are you looking for a fun and free way to spend your Saturday evening? How about taking in a historical film? This Saturday, June 26th, the A. W. Perry Homestead Museum will be screening the 1929 film, Redskin.

This unique film will be projected outdoors and will begin at dusk (they list 8:30pm-ish as the starting time). Blankets and lawn chairs are suggested for your viewing enjoyment.

While it will be a bit warm outside, bring along some cold ice tea or lemonade to keep you cool. Plus, the heat will subside as the sun goes down.

For more information you can visit the City of Carrollton’s website.

Summer has arrived and the heat is sending many of us to the lovely Autumn Chase pool. Lounging by the pool and enjoying the water is a great way to spend a summer day. Soaking in the pool definitely helps you stay cool during the hot Texas summer!

However, time by the pool raises some concerns for those of us with kids. What can we do to keep them safe, poolside?

Here are a few pool-related safety tips to help keep your children safe:

• Don’t leave young children unattended, even for a moment.
• Look into swimming lessons for children age 4 and older. Classes can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Use safety flotation devices for young children at all times.
• Talk to older children and teens about water safety and drowning risks.

Being safe in and around the water is extremely important. Are you comfortable with your children being around the water? Have you already discussed water safety with your children?

Yahoo Shine has a great article about water safety, for more information and tips.

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