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Celebrate Your Favorite Disney Princess

January 6, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

What Disney princess does your child love most? More importantly, which Disney Princess is your favorite? Celebrate your princess with Madame Alexander’s new Disney Princess Collection.

Thanks to Madame Alexander for continuing to keep little girls dreaming big with this sponsored post.

When I was growing up Snow White was my princess du jour. At least until 1991 when Disney unveiled a new kind of princess.

She wasn’t just beautiful, but had brains and a pretty keen sense of humor. Her name was Belle and at 11 (that was how old I was), I thought she was pretty freaking amazing.

Through the years, I’ve loved some Disney Princesses and now with my own little princess, she has, too. I’m sure part of the reason she has every dress of every princess is that deep down I wanted to wear all those princess gowns, too…If I could just that genie out of the bottle (God bless Robin Williams), I’d rock that Jasmine get up too and believe me there would be a freaking parade as I hit a high note that Mariah Carey can’t even reach (well…)

[Dream sequence over and skip forward to 2017.] Beauty and the Beast hasn’t lost any popularity as exhibited by my little princess that loves her Belle dress she received last Christmas or any of the millions of fans that are counting down until March when the animated favorite comes alive in a new rendition of the timeless tale (go ahead, you should totally watch the trailer.)

So with a lot of negative things happening in the world and unfortunately many of them pointed at little girls, a heroine like Belle is exactly what I want my daughter to look to as a positive image. Belle is the whole package in my eyes and sees passed what’s on the outside of people (and what other people think), but to the goodness that is found in all people. And she prides herself on being independent and walking to the beat of her own drum.

Can’t complain about that.

And any movie that has Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts, I’m just as excited to be in line to watch this one, too.

Until the movie debuts and well after the classic runs its time at the local movie theatre, another classic continues to bring the spirit of the princess alive. A new collection of Madame Alexander Disney Princesses was just launched featuring Belle, Ariel and Cinderella.

'For every girl who dreams big, there’s a princess to show her it’s possible.' Click To Tweet

Celebrate Disney Princesses with the new collection of 18-inch dolls featuring luxurious design elements that every princess lover will cherish. With three of the Disney Princesses to launch, your princess (designed for ages 3 and up) will love any of these to play or collect for many years to come.

Madame Alexander Disney Princess Collectible Doll is priced at $ 89.95 and available on their website for a limited time.

Best Damn Chicken and Waffles Casserole

December 22, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Chicken and waffles gets even better when it goes casserole! And with one sweet ingredient, you’ll be saying THIS IS the best damn chicken and waffles casserole.

I remember the first time I heard about chicken and waffles I was like…what? That doesn’t sounds good? Why is everyone freaking out about chicken and waffles?

…Then I had it.

Then I understood.

There’s something about the sweetness, the crunch, and the little bit of spice, sandwiched together into one perfect bite.

Yep, I like it…

But to time the fresh golden fluffy waffles at the same time as hot fried chicken is a little difficult and way more time consuming than I’m willing to put forward (or at least have time to!)

So in true #mamachallenge form, it was time to look to the world of semi-homemade and put it all together into one dish for a bigger dish of happiness.

Frozen waffles to the rescue!

Cooking everything together into Chicken and Waffles Casserole not only makes it easier on making, but also serving! And since you can make this in advance, this casserole is ideal for big breakfast/brunch moment like Christmas or when you really want to make an impression.

However, the impression really gets better when the chicken hits the tastebuds. One of our favorite chicken spots is hands down Chick-Fil-A. If you’ve had it, you know – it’s that good. There’s something about CFA and any drive by the eatery with lines of folks parked double-laned around the joint will verify – their chicken is THAT good. While I don’t know what makes it take like what dreams are made of, inspired by the sweetness of their chicken, we added powdered sugar to our breading, along with a little spice to cinch the deal on this chicken and waffles casserole.

Oh man, it’s THAT GOOD.

Best Damn Chicken and Waffles Casserole

2016-12-22 07:36:17

The best of both worlds come together for the Best Damn Chicken and Waffles.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

3231g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 6795

Calories from Fat 2122

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 237g

364%

Saturated Fat 76g

382%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 68g

Monounsaturated Fat 70g

Cholesterol 3388mg

1129%

Sodium 7799mg

325%

Total Carbohydrates 515g

172%

Dietary Fiber 17g

66%

Sugars 68g

Protein 611g

Vitamin A

132%

Vitamin C

Calcium

376%

Iron

295%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
9 large eggs
2 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/4 powdered sugar
8 frozen waffles, cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups milk
Serve with maple syrup

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with the cooking spray.
Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, chilli powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Beat 3 eggs in a shallow bowl.
Place the panko breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl.
Toss the chicken in the flour to coat, then dip into the egg, and then place in the panko, turning to coat. Place onto the prepared baking sheets and repeat with the rest of the chicken.
Spray the chicken with the cooking spray then bake, turning the chicken over halfway through, for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside.
Grease an 8×13 inch baking dish.
Add half of the cubed waffles in a single layer.
Top with half of the chicken and 1/2 of the cheese then layer the remaining waffles and chicken and cheese.
Whisk together 6 eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the chicken and waffles.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or refrigerate overnight and bake the next day.

Notes

If you really want crispy chicken quick, you can opt to deep fry the chicken instead of baking!

By Autumn Reo, mamachallenge.com

Adapted from Frugal Mom Eh

beta

calories

6795

fat

237g

protein

611g

carbs

515g

Adapted from Frugal Mom Eh

mamachallenge | Dallas Mom Blogger | Parenting Blog https://www.mamachallenge.com/

Holiday Help: What to do with the Kids During Holiday Break

December 17, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Now that the kids are out of school…what to do, what to do… Here are ideas on what to do with the kids to make the holidays special without all the work.

Go Elsa with Ice Skating

You can sign up for skating school at the Galleria Dallas Ice Rink for a three-day workshop on the ice around the tallest indoor Christmas tree. For only $42 – your child can have three days of skate lessons, skate rentals, free skating – December 19-21 and December 26-28.
Visit Panther Island ICE in Fort Worth for skating fun now – Jan. 16!
Gaylord Texan Lone Star Christmas also is featuring an ice skating rink outside as part of their ICE! Activities this year, so you can make a day of it in Grapevine.

Let’s Lego with Sci Tech Discovery Center

If you have a LEGO lover (ages 3-12), they’ll love seeing and learning about castles made with LEGOs and be able to make their own at the Castle Builder Exhibit at Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco.
They are also offering Winter Holiday Wonderland Camps and Maker Space Camps for opportunities for learning about winter activities. Choose 1 day or all 5 days. Grades 1st – 3rd and 4th – 6th. $75/day member $85 non/member.
Check out MindStretchingFun.org for all the details.

Celebrate German-Style with Lebkuchen and Lace

Arlington goes big and the holidays are no exception! Head over to the 6th Annual Texas Christkindl Market now until Dec. 23.
Saturday, December 17 the event hosts Vocal Majority singing at 4 PM. Next week you can bring the kids for extended Peppermint Park hours and slide down the Arctic Blast Tubing Run while getting your holiday shopping complete.

Reign them in with Reindeer

These are my favorite because they are also great gifts for the kids to give to grandma or grandpa or friends. Love this tutorial from Everyday Best.

Fun with Frosty: Snowman Crafts

Crafts don’t have to be complicated to be fun! Get in the spirit with these beautiful snowman crafts from Julie Measures.
With a trip to the Dollar Store or Michaels, you can create making fun crafts while spending time together.

Visit mamachallenge.com for links to these recipes, ideas, giveaways and more!

Follow us on Facebook @mamachallenge, Twitter @mamachallenge, Pinterest @mamachallenge, and Instagram @autumnreo.

Last Minute Holiday Shopping with Grapevine Mills

December 16, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Feel like an elf trying to get the holidays together before they’re over? With the help of Grapevine Mills you CAN mark off your last minute holiday shopping list – all in one place!

Thanks to Grapevine Mills for this special collaboration to bring you the lowdown on how it needs to go down this holiday season!

I love Christmas, so I thought I’d never be working to the nth hour to get it done.

Unfortunately, all the other stuff around this time of year made time to shop impossible! But with extended shopping hours (10 am – 10 pm), you can find a way to fit it all in, down to even pictures with Santa until Christmas Eve!

Reserve Your Spot with Santa

New this year to Grapevine Mills, you’ll find a whole new Santa’s World of Wishes in Center Court. With beautiful new decorations, Santa loves his new home away from the North Pole and you will too. However, what I love is the opportunity to skip the line to make the most of your few shopping days ’til Christmas with a new Santa by Appointment so you can reserve your spot! And as a part of a teachable moment, if you’re in the giving spirit (and we should all be), you can donate to Save the Children while you’re there and help other children in need!

Photo Credit: The Mills

Looking for a little more time with the big guy with your little guys? There are spots still available for Breakfast with Santa at Rainforest Cafe! Reservations for December 17, 18 & even December 23 can still be made – and include:

Greet by Cha!Cha!
Breakfast Buffet
Fun Activities
Visit from Santa
Photo opportunity with Cha!Cha! and Santa
Raffles
Arts & Crafts

And then there was Shopping!

With more than 180 stores and 1.6 million sq. ft., you have plenty of options for whomever is on your list! I actually remember when Grapevine Mills open and how exciting it was with all the cool entertainment, outlet retail and restaurants! Recently, the center underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to continue to make it a cool destination for the whole family in the middle of DFW! So if you haven’t been here, you definitely need to check out big changes as well as the small details that have revitalized the look of the center as well as the comfort to its guests!

Photo Credit: The Mills

Just a few of my favorites here:

Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH
H&M
GameStop
Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop
Coach Factory
LOFT Factory Store
Disney Outlet
Jack and Jill
Abercrombie & Fitch
Helzberg Diamond Outlet
Ross Dress for Less
The Children’s Place Outlet
Oakley Vault

And those are just the highlights! I mean you really can find what you need and at the price point you need it for everyone on your list (hubs totally loves his Bass Pro Shop!) Get the full list of stores here and especially the deals you can only find at Grapevine Mills!

Still looking for ideas? Then join us December 16 at 3 pm for a special FACEBOOK LIVE! with Grapevine Mills! We’ll be sharing some of our favorite holiday finds and tips to how to get ready for the holidays! And you’ll be able to win $50 Simon Gift Card just for joining in. Visit Facebook.com/mamachallenge at 3 pm CST whereever you are – on your desktop, phone or tablet. Just consider us your holiday helpers!

Looking for Holiday Fun

you bring the crew or are looking to ways to spend time together without driving all over DFW, then Grapevine Mills is your place. With AMC Grapevine Mills 30 with Dine-In Theatres, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium and Rainforest Cafe you have it all! And if you still need to get in your ice skating, holiday lights, and more, then just only a few miles away, you’ll find the Gaylord Texan Lonestar Christmas and the rest of the Christmas Capital of the World!

Photo credit: SEA LIFE Aquarium

Now aren’t you ready to hit the ‘Mills for the holidays?

Holiday Hot Picks Gift Ideas 2016

December 7, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 22 Comments

Still working on starting finishing your holiday gift list? We’ve made it a #joyworthgiving with these Holiday Hot Picks Gift Ideas for Everyone at JCPenney.

MamaChallenge.com is thrilled to partner with JCPenney for this fun holiday collaboration. This post includes affiliate links.

Bucket list #9…CHECK!

I’ve dreamed for a long, long time to have my “Oprah moment” by sharing with the world my “favorite things,” then flooding folks with presents and announcing “you get a card, you get a car, and you get a car!”

While I wasn’t giving away automobiles this weekend, I did, along with Rebekah of A Blissful Nest (beautiful home design/style blog), give away presents and unveil our Hot Holiday Picks at a special party inside JCPenney at Stonebriar Centre. We had your gift list covered for everyone from your spouse, kids, girlfriends, white elephant gift exchange, and of course, a few for you to stuff in your own stocking, too!

One of picks to make the holidays sweeter was this fun “All the Jingle Ladies” top I sported from the JCPenney Ugly Christmas Sweater collection. Bling, bells and an added scarf make this one of my favorite holiday hot picks FOR ME!

Together we revealed each of our favorite gift recommendations for finding amazing gifts at JCPenney at any price point! Paired with some of the great incentives and promotions offers both online and instore like Customer Appreciation Days and JCPenney Bonus Cash, JCPenney is making the holidays a #JoyWorthGiving!

For many of us, busy schedules and the added holiday stress, have really taken the joy out of the season of giving, making it really hard to find “that special thing to show you care.” JCPenney has made it much easier to be able to get just the right thing with “Gifts Under $15, $20, $50 and more” price points so you can stay in budget, while making your gift count and organizing things just for her, him or anyone. And for me, that’s exactly what the holidays are supposed to be – joyful and giving!

So finally, here are my Holiday Hot Picks – all under $25! And many of these ideas could be used for anyone (since I’d love any of these things under the tree with my name on it!)

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For the Teacher / Hostess Gift

There’s nothing like a soft, blanket to wrap yourself in with a good book and a cup of cocoa during the holidays to make the world seem perfect! This Velvet Plush Throw from JCPenney Home™ (available in prints and solids) is the perfect gift for a teacher, a hostess, gift, your aunt, your girlfriend – actually everyone will love this. And your wallet will love it even more at this price (I’ve spotted this from $9.99 – $11.99!)

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For the Tweens / Teens

I want this and so does my husband, so to say it’s for the Tweens/Teens just gives us an excuse! Everyone will want in on the action to upgrade that smartphone to a virtual reality! With several models available instore and online starting at just $14.99, this gift idea has been flying off the racks. But you can still get your hands on the Merge 360 Vr Headset as your tween/teen gets jetted to a far away dimension – from the comfort of your living room! (I gave this away to one of our lucky guests at our Stonebriar Holiday Hot Picks Party!)

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For the Music Lover or Traveler

Do you have loved one that loves music or travels? Keep them connected without all the wires. These Wireless Headphones with microphone will make listening to music or watching movies on the plane way easier, more personalized (with pink, blue and black options) and much more comfortable. And with such an affordable price, you can get a pair for everyone!

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For the Techie

For under $30 and plug-and-play magic, your giftee can get caught up on all their favorite shows and find some new favorite movies with the ROKU Express Streaming Media Player 3700. It doesn’t get much easier to be access 350,000+ paid or free movies and TV episodes with no installation! This is a great gift idea for someone on a budget, who doesn’t want to mess with a cable bill, like a college student or a first-time apartment owner!

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: White Elephant Exchange

No one should be without a Slow Cooker. One of my #mamachallenge must-haves to get food on the table with little to no work, the slow cooker is always a favorite for anyone who basically likes to eat! And for those that really love to cook, they will always appreciate a slow cooker to make some great dishes! There are several options for different size slow cookers at JCPenney, but this deal for the Cooks Slow Cooker at ~~$12.99~~ now $9.99 make it too good to pass up!

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For Him

My hubs likes to keep it easy and light, so it doesn’t get much better than this Dockers Leather Magnetic Money Clip Front Pocket Wallet. Equipped with both a clip for cash and a few places to slide his ID, credit cards, and a few business cards, this is a staple item that any man of any age will appreciate! And with a nice presentation and a nice price of $11.99, you can’t go wrong!

HOLIDAY HOT PICK: For Her / For You

From his wallet to yours, any woman with a smartphone will LOVE this! A huge hot list item apparently on everyone’s list (I’ve seen it sell out and restock a few times), the Liz Claiborne® Phone Charging Wallet comes with a built-in charging bank and in several colors and styles. You’ll (or the lucky lady who gets this gift) be able to charge your phone, keep your lipgloss and other essentials handy, all while looking accessorized on-the-run!

…And I couldn’t resist sharing this incredible find that is a huge #mamachallenge find: Elf on the Shelf Helper!

Forget trying to be creative and come up with fun new settings for your Elf on the Shelf. The ones you find online might give you a chuckle, but who has time to put together all that!?! The pressure is gone with The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elves at Play Book – full of 10 props and 100+ how-tos to make it a cinch to keep the spirit of Christmas alive with just a few minutes to spare!

Running late on holiday time? No problem! You can run in store to catch many of these gifts or click online at JCP.com and with affordble 2-day shipping and even a 1-day express option, you can get your gifts all under in the tree or in the mail with time to spare!

And that’s just another way JCPenney is making the holidays a #JoyWorthGiving!

Christmas at the Anatole

December 3, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

There’s tons to do in Dallas and Fort Worth during the holidays. One of our mamachallenge favorites is indoor fun for everyone at the Christmas at the Hilton Anatole. Thanks to the Anatole for the opportunity to experience this holiday spectacular!

Our family enjoys our staycations at the Hilton Anatole and when we went we loved Sparkle! at the Anatole. This year we are excited to visit Geppetto’s Marionette Theater featuring Winter Wonderland again. The hotel lights up with lots of fun and with other fun at activities for their Christmas at the Anatole!

Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) is a big way to make Christmas magic. This special morning includes a big delicious breakfast buffet, storytelling with Santa Claus, fun on the Santa slides, gingerbread cookie decorating in the Gingerbread House, parking and a super scavenger hung with face painting, hot cocoa station and more. Breakfast with Santa is open to both hotel guests and the public, but seating is limited for purchasing the tickets without a hotel package.

Starting at $189, the Breakfast with Santa Package includes:

Guest room
Breakfast With Santa for up to two adults & two kids at 9 AM
Self-parking
Christmas At The Anatole Weekend Activities
- Holiday movie night at 7:30pm on day of arrival with kids popcorn bar
- Gift bag per child given at breakfast with Santa
- Breakfast With Santa Experience (Activities Include: breakfast with Santa, holiday scavenger hunt, face painting, Gingerbread Bakeshop cookie-making, stories at Rudolph’s Reindeer Barn, Snapshack photo opps, letters to Santa and more!)

*Photos with Santa are available from 11am – 1pm. Photo packages start from $25 and can be paid for directly to the photographer.

*Late checkout at 2 p.m. is included.

After you filled your belly and Santa has checked your list (twice), pair your morning with an afternoon adventure to Geppetto’s Marionette Theater featuring a Winter Wonderland. More than 60 hand-carved marionettes will take you on a magical experience as you meet the Winter Wizard, North Pole dancing elves and other toys from Santa’s workshop. My 4 year old and 7 year old love the theatre and I love seeing their faces light it when “it begins to snow.” Get your tickets for the show times in advance here.

Crazy kids loved Winter Wonderland at Geppeto’s Workshop in the Hilton Anatole! Their favorite part included Elsa, Ice Ice Baby and of course when it snowed! Just part of the fun at the #ChristmasattheAnatole weekend! Win yours now at MAMACHALLENGE.com! #Christmas #mamachallenge #Dallas #win

A photo posted by MamaChallenge.com | Autumn Reo (@autumnreo) on Nov 28, 2015 at 2:23pm PST

There are only a few more weeks left for Christmas at the Anatole activities, so make sure you buy your tickets today!

What Kind of Christmas Are You? {Quiz}

December 10, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

I love Christmas decorations.

I mean REALLY love them. I actually have a room that I store them and love the moment I can put them up and coordinate my wrapping paper for Christmas.

So are you the type who starts putting up their decorations as soon as the turkey leftovers are put in the refrigerator or do you become Martha Stewart and meticulously place each item around your house over the course of a week?

No matter what kind of Christmas are you, At Home has all the supplies, from Christmas trees to stockings to nutcrackers, you need to transform your home into the holiday scene of your choice. Plus, they have a fun quiz on their website that will help you narrow down your personal holiday decor style. This quiz will reveal if you choose a traditional Christmas style, Vintage Christmas, Regal Christmas, Nautical Christmas, a Peppermint Jazz-themed Christmas or if you should turn your home into a Winter Wonderland.

TAKE THE QUIZ

To start, we have to take a virtual tour of your home. First stop – your dining room. Table setting is everything! It will be the centerpiece of your home as family and friends gather around to share in holiday feast that you, no doubt, have slaved over for hours. It will be the focal point of pictures as the ham, prime rib or lamb is sliced. Glasses and glasses of wine will be consumed at this table followed by countless slices of pie. This is where the magic happens. So, let your table start your holiday decor theme. You can wrap the table in gold, gold or more gold or keep it traditional with light touches of red, white and green. Whatever you choose, your table setting will set the tone for your whole house. And who knows, it may even go viral if you post it on Pinterest.

Next, we’ll venture into the family room/den/whatever you call the main area where your family hangs out. After ornaments, stockings are probably my favorite part of Christmas decorations. They represent my family – new additions, life transitions and everything in between. Stocking are special pieces of fabric that hang from the mantle and remind us what’s really important during the holidays seasons.

The most important thing to remember when determining what kind of decor you choose is all the visitors you will have during the holidays. And no, I don’t mean your dear Aunt Sally who smears on the lipstick before slobbering your cheek. No, I’m talking about that jolly guy with rosy cheeks and a cloud-like beard. Will you leave him milk & cookies on a festive red-and-white plate or maybe you’ll DIY the setting and wrap it in burlap or place in a white and gold sparkly cup.

Finally, let’s go outside, what object will greet your guests this holiday season? I don’t want any ghosts of Christmas pasts or Krampuses entering my home, so I will always find something festive that will put my visitors in the best mood as soon as they get to the porch. You can keep it simple and place a nice wreath on the door or make it colorful and fun with a festive elf or singing Santa – just add a little touch of holiday cheer.

Now walk a little bit further and turn around. What do you see? That’s right, your house! Because at the end of the day, it’s not just a house, but your home. It’s your personal piece of property where memories are made year round. So it really doesn’t matter if you pay an interior designer to decorate your home or if a Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree provides the perfect bit of holiday cheer.

At home is where holidays are made.

Gaylord Texan Lone Star Christmas

December 6, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

There’s tons to do in Dallas – Fort Worth during the holidays. One of our mamachallenge favorites is indoor fun for everyone at the Gaylord Texan Lone Star Christmas. While only a few miles away from home, it feels like we’ve traveled to a winter wonderland.

We already had breakfast with Santa and experienced some of the magical activities the America’s Dream City has to offer. Now we’re going to hop in our cars and drive a little farther west to Grapevine, home of the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center for a Lone Star Christmas.

You and your family will marvel at displays that include:

2 million holiday lights decorating the resort’s indoor atriums
2 million pounds of hand-carved ice for ICE! featuring “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”
2 million pounds of real Texas snow for a two-story tall, 12-lane snow tubing hill
6,000-square- foot outdoor ice skating rink
54-foot- tall Christmas tree adorning the center atrium
Magical miniature train sets throughout the property
25-foot-tall Nutcrackers overlooking joyful families
2,300 decorated wreaths, 5,600 feet of garland
15,000 festive ornaments…

“And a patridge in a pear tree!”

A Lone Star Christmas has activities that will put every member of the family into the holiday spirit – from the little ones who still leave out cookies for Santa to your hashtag-talking, slightly know-it-all teenager who would rather be at home than at a family outing. . You can enjoy visits with Santa, Snow tube and drink milk & cookies with Mrs. Claus, participate in The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt or walk through the ICE! that features an all new theme this year – Christmas Around the World!

We don’t get a lot of snow here in North Texas, but the folks at the Gaylord have made sure that we still are able to enjoy a Winter Wonderland with real snow! Twelve lanes of tubing fun are available, and you can slide down by yourself or with a friend. There are a few restrictions for the tubing, so make sure you visit the website for all of rules, requirements and hours of operations.

If you haven’t gone through the ICE! exhibit, than my friend, you are in for a treat. They start assembling the middle of October when 40 ice artisans travel all the way from China to Grapevine to start carving away at 2 million pounds of ice into magical holiday scenes, brilliant characters, and “On the Blocks” ice bar (21 & up), five ice slides and take the visitors on a journey of through holiday’s favorite cartoon, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!”

Plus, as you travel the world through the 14,000-square-foot that is kept at chilly 9 degrees, you get to wear these warm parkas that maybe one of the best parts of the whole trip. There’s no way you can put on these coats and not instantly feel all warm, fuzzy and “Christmasy.” No other way.

If you’re traveling from out of town, the Gaylord Texan offers several overnight options that will make your it is encouraged to make a full experience and stay at the Gaylord Texan. There are several overnight options that will be cost effective for your visit. Another good thing to note is that there are several combo packages available if you want to do both the ICE! and the snow tubing. The Gaylord Texan is making it super easy to have a Texas-size Christmas!

Check out our SNEAK PEEK of the ICE! 2016 at the Gaylord Texan

Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas

November 10, 2016 – January 1, 2017

1501 Gaylord Trail

Grapevine, Texas 76051

Website

It’s a German Christmas at the Texas Christkindl Market

December 4, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 13 Comments

There’s tons to do in Dallas and Fort Worth during the holidays. One of our mamachallenge favorites is outdoor fun for everyone at the Texas Christkindl Market. (Maybe it’s because it’s close to my house, maybe it’s because I’m helping to promote it professionally, or maybe because it’s just awesome. Either way, you should go and here’s why.

I’m a gal that loves to travel. But with kids in tow and Christmas craziness happening, it’s hard to think there’s time for that. But I found the way to Germany and all you need to do is head to the ballpark (Globe Life Park that is.)

All of these fun events and activities are in my backyard, but if you don’t live in Texas, then you probably only associate Arlington with America’s Team the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Did you know it’s home to some of the most magical holiday experiences, too?

You can ooh and ahh at all the floats in the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade and the historical Interlochen Lights or you can enjoy the thrills of Six Flags Over Texas – Holiday in the Park. One of my favorites has to be strolling through Texas Christkindl Market, and this year, they have expanded it making it even more friendly for the little ones.

Texas Christkindl Market, the largest open-air market in the Southwest, is not your typical holiday fair. It’s inspired by German tradition and features holiday gifts, decorations, and of course, German food. More than 50 vendors are found up and down the market with great giftables like jewelry, ornaments and little German trinkets like cuckoo clocks. Plus, it is the only place in the Southwest where you can find handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.

This is heaven for shoppers or just people who like to collect festive holiday items, but if shopping isn’t your cup of tea or maybe you have some kiddos with you, Texas Christkindl added a Kinder Market is that will be a hit with the kids (and the kids at heart.) Storytelling, pony rides, the North Pole, Texas Marionette show by Geppetto’s Theatre and a Snow Playground are some of the activities you will find in the Kinder Market.

One of my sweetest parts of the event is the Gingerbread Haus Decorating Workshop presented by The Cakery. The whole family can sit down to make (and eat) their house and then put in the storage case for easy take home. And of course no trip to the Texas Christkindl Market would be complete without a visit to St. Nick to tell him what’s on the want list. Some of these activities do cost and are only offered at certain times, so make sure you check the event calendar for all of the details.

After all of the carousel rides and snow fights, you’ll probably work up quite an appetite for some authentic German cuisine – roasting nuts, brats, potato pancakes, funnel cakes and gluhwein / spiced wine (my personal favorite.) And you can enjoy all of this yummy food in the comfort of the Warming Hut presented by the Arlington Highlands or while listening to one of the acts musical acts that are scheduled throughout the market. Just be careful – we don’t need anyone roasting in a warming hut.

Arlington 2011 Christkindl Market Day Two photographed Saturday, December 2, 2011. Photography by Bruce E. Maxwell.

The best part about all of this – admission and parking are FREE! Located next to Globe Life Park, The Texas Christkindl Market is open daily until December 23. For more information on vendors, activities and a full schedule of entertainment, click here.

Joy to the Meal: Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Cups

November 25, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 30 Comments

Take your favorite parts of Thanksgiving and give it a little twist for easier portions and better presentation with these delicious Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Cups.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hillshire Brands Company. All opinions are entirely my own. #joy2themeal

Growing up having a large extended family had its advantages – especially during the holidays.

Not just because I had four grandmas or double the amount of presents…but because I got to sit down for the holiday meal not just one time, but sometimes up to three or four times a season, per holiday.

Yep, pecan pie is still good after three rounds…

Having this special opportunity wasn’t just about the food of course, but the experience of indulging in several different traditions with those family members and of course, all the unique ways they enjoyed their family dishes.

Everyone had their own twist on a dish, especially dressing…or stuffing. Whatever you call it, each family had a unique take on if it – from a dense casserole hinted with sage, to more of a smooth creamy blend of cornbread, garlic and sausage.

Best of all, they were all good even though each one had its own flavor profile and “secret ingredient.”

Unfortunately those traveling meals from one relatives table to another have changed as I’ve grown up and now have a family of my own…I guess you can say I can finally say I’ve moved to the adult table.

But the smells of onion, sage and sausage stuffing baking early in the oven as a child still exist in my mind, my belly and of course, still in my heart.

So paying homage to those family stuffing recipes and adding my own little legacy, I created my own recipe for Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing Cups.

Since our family table is no longer the size of a football team, a huge dish of stuffing isn’t really necessary. So instead I’ve made the stuffing in a muffin pan for easing serving sizes PLUS this way there’s more golden crust in each bite. Best of all, I’ve paired Jimmy Dean® Sausage with cranberries and apples, for a savory-sweet combination that might make your grandma a little upset when you ask for seconds.

This recipe also seems to be so much easier than the recipe I remember helping at the table to prepare growing up. With a few basic ingredients and the combination of the smoky pork with the sweetness of the apples and the tang of the cranberries is exactly what Thanksgiving tastes like to me – all in one perfectly sized bite.

After a quick trip to Walmart for fresh produce and stop by the refrigerated section for Jimmy Dean Sausage, I was toasting up the bits of bread, English muffins and whatever bread I had been holding on to in the freezer in no time.

It was the smell of the Jimmy Dean Sausage that quickly had my kids running to see what mama was up to and of course, a few minutes later they too were in the kitchen helping me to put together our family stuffing.

In just 30 minutes, the aroma of sausage, apples and garlic filled my nose and took me back instantly to my childhood memories. But more importantly it helped me realize that now being a mom, it’s my turn to continue those traditions with my kids and make a few of our own.

So this year, make your holidays go from good to great!

Sausage & Cranberry Stuffing Cups

2015-11-25 15:53:25

A delicious perfectly portion of stuffing with the savory flavor of sausage and sweet tang of cranberry and apples!

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

1317g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 3009

Calories from Fat 1982

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 222g

341%

Saturated Fat 69g

346%

Trans Fat 2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 29g

Monounsaturated Fat 107g

Cholesterol 1132mg

377%

Sodium 3980mg

166%

Total Carbohydrates 150g

50%

Dietary Fiber 15g

59%

Sugars 70g

Protein 108g