Squeeze in a Few More Weeks of Summer Fun in Houston

Summer is almost over, but there are still a few more weeks to have a little fun. In fact, there’s still a lot to do in Houston in August. Here are just a few events and things to do.

Visit Moody Gardens. There’s always something to do at the beautiful gardens. Currently, there’s a special exhibit running through September called “Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America Through Galveston Island.”

For museum lovers, how about visiting the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston or the Houston Museum of Natural Science? Both feature some very interesting permanent and visiting exhibits, and admission is fairly cheap. There are even some exhibits that children will find interesting.

Of course, for a day outdoors with the kids, nothing beats the Houston Zoo. There are many different animals featured at the zoo, but through September, the zoo is hosting some very unusual creatures…Dinosaurs! Kids will love meeting the ten animatronic dinosaurs featured in the exhibit up close and personal.

After you visit the past at the zoo, you can blast off to the future at the Space Center Houston. Family members of all ages will enjoy the usual space center activities, but science fiction fans will find the center especially amazing right now. That’s because they are currently hosting a special Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibit that features blaster training, battle droid adventures, and much more.

Finally, the Back to School Bash at the Children’s Museum of Houston takes place the last week of August (the 22nd through the 28th). There are many different activities kids can engage in, including creating a clothing line out of recycled materials and more.

No matter what you choose to do, make the most out of these last few weeks of summer. If nothing else, at least head outdoors and take a walk around the local park or even your neighborhood. Enjoy the sunshine!

Roses Are Perfect For…

There’s a reason roses are known as one of the most popular flowers around. They seem to be the perfect flower for many different situations. Here are just a few of the things that roses are perfect for:

Roses are perfect for…romance! Nothing says “I love you” like the rose, especially the red rose. If you want to show your significant other you care, you can’t go wrong with roses.

Roses are perfect for…anniversaries! Again, reminding your spouse how much you love them is easily done with roses.

Roses are perfect for…Valentine’s Day! Men often find themselves looking for a great Valentine’s Day gift, and roses are certainly traditional. Of course, pairing the flowers with candy or a cute stuffed toy makes the gift even more special.

Roses are perfect for…saying you’re sorry. When you need to apologize and truly show you mean it, go for a bouquet of a dozen red roses.

Finally, roses are perfect for…anything! There really isn’t an occasion when roses aren’t appropriate. From a single red rose on a first date to a dozen on her birthday, roses are always welcome.

Green and Flowering Indoor Plant Care

Do you love growing plants and flowers but just don’t have the space outdoors? Or maybe you want to bring some of these gorgeous plants indoors to help liven up your home. Either way, growing indoor plants isn’t too difficult if you follow some basic guidelines. Of course, these tips may not apply to all plants and flowers—some have very special needs.

Be careful that you don’t water your plants with treated water. City water contains chemicals such as fluoride that are helpful to us but harmful to plants. While treated water may not necessarily kill an indoor flower, it’s not going to help it, either. To make certain your plants are getting the best water for them, use bottled water or leave water in an open container for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to evaporate.

While it’s important to keep your plants and flowers watered, it’s also important to keep from over watering them. In fact, over watering is the cause of many houseplant deaths. If the soil is still moist, don’t add any more water. Some people get into the habit of always watering their plants on the same day whether they really need it or not, and this can easily lead to the plants getting more water than necessary.

The temperature is also important. If it gets too hot or too cold, your plants will start to look a little worse for the wear. If you plan on being gone for several days and are going to turn the heat or air off, you may want to take your indoor plants to a neighbor’s or family member’s for safe keeping.

Finally, don’t forget about light. If your plants and flowers aren’t in a place where they can get good light, they won’t do well. If you believe this is the case, slowly move your plant to a better location. If you change the light dramatically, your plant may actually get sunburn. This can be just as bad as not getting enough light.

Celebrating Your Anniversary in Houston

Celebrating your anniversary in Houston this year? Here are some great ideas for spending your special day in this city, no matter if it’s your first or your fiftieth.

There are some great restaurants to visit. If you love Italian, Dolce Vita is a must. It has a nice, relaxed atmosphere, great wine and cocktails, and some amazing food. If you love pizza, this is the place for you. Note, however, that they don’t take reservations, so get there early. Another great Italian place is Sorrento’s.

For Mexican, El Tiempo is a good choice. They have amazing food and, like Dolce Vita, is casual. El Tiempo’s atmosphere is quite lighthearted, so if you’re looking for something a bit fancier, it may not be exactly right for you. Hugos is also a very good restaurant for Mexican.

If you’re thinking of spending the night somewhere other than your own home (or a hotel), check out Robin’s Nest Bed and Breakfast. It’s located in the Montrose Museum District and is within walking distance of many museums, art galleries, and restaurants. The food served at Robin’s Nest is all organic, and much of it is actually grown right there.

If you don’t like museums and art galleries, you can always visit Bayou Bend, a huge garden full of beautiful flowers. The roses, azaleas, wisteria blossoms, and blue pansies are particularly well-known. Be sure to visit the butterfly garden and see the statues of the Greek goddesses while you’re there.

These are just a few great ideas for celebrating your anniversary in Houston. Of course, there are many other great places and things to do in the city, so take your time and plan out your anniversary events well in advance.