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Although the temperatures in Austin don’t feel like Autumn, the season officially begins on September 24th. Soon we will be embracing the cooler temperatures and seeing the trees turn their vibrant colors that signify that fall is here.
To ease you into the Autumn season, our family at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin are sharing some of their best ideas to prepare for the changing of the season.
Go Back to School, Really!
As the kids settle into their own school schedule, perhaps it’s time to expand your own horizons. Want to perfect your culinary skills? Learn how to watercolor? Discover Tai Chi or a new language? TheGreatCourses.com is without question, one of the finest resources to help you cross off that ‘some-day-I’d-like-to” … self-improvement idea.
Here are a few more that may inspire you to rejuvenate your mind and explore something new.
Essential Secrets of Spices – The Everyday Gourmet
Decorate Like a Designer
Scientific Secrets for a Powerful Mind
Write About Anything
Throw a Tail Gate Party
Whether it’s in a parking lot at a local high school, a professional arena or the lawn by our pool, fall is “tail-gate season’ and a great reason to get the neighbors together. All it takes is a little preparation and before you know it, you will be cheering on your favorite team with friends and family alike. The easiest way to ease into your first tailgate gathering is to make it a potluck. This keeps it simple and ensures your guests will have their favorite foods to nosh.
Visit a Local Farmer’s Market
If you have yet to discover the many Farmers Markets in Austin, now is an ideal time to do so. It's safe to say that the arrival of fall brings the best cooking and baking possibilities back into your kitchen. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to the colors of beets, eggplants, and sweet potatoes to accent a fall meal, the culinary choices are almost endless this time of the year.
For a good list of Farmer’s Markets in Austin, visit the story at HelloLanding.com.
Pick Out A Pumpkin
Within a short drive from our apartments to rent in Austin, Texas, there are plenty of opportunities to start the fall season off right – picking out that perfect pumpkin, pears, apples and then some. To get you in the spirit of the season, here is a list of our favorite farms and orchards in Austin.
PEAS Community Farm and Urban Orchard
Boggy Creek Farm
Sweet Eats Adventure Farm
Austin Orchards
Love Creek Orchards
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Our last blog gave you our insight into the best places to pick a pumpkin in Austin. And today, here are some new ideas that were hand-picked by our staff at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin, who love this season as much as you do!
Take a Haunted Tour of Austin
If you have never done this, put it on your calendar now. The folks at ATX offer the only haunted tour in Austin and the only tour you may ever take … in a private hearse! Really! For those who have lived in and around the city for many years, you know that paranormal activity prevails year-round, and especially during the Halloween season. You need to make a reservation, and these tours sell out, so don’t wait.
During the excursion you will be escorted by their professional guides (fully dressed in creepy costume) to some of the area’s most haunted homes and establishments, including the Littlefield House, Clay Pit, the Tavern, and others.
Murder, Mystery and Misadventure!
Make your reservation today for this must-do Halloween haunt on October 29. Dress comfy and deck out if you want to for a creepy crawly tour through one of Austin’s most haunted cemeteries. The tour starts at 10:00 am and leaves on the half-hour until 2:30 pm. You will be introduced to some of its ‘finest residents’, which include a victim of a saloon shooting, a mourning mother who had to bury her kids, two ambushes (keep your eyes open!) and other colorful characters that make this tour one not to miss!
Austin Ghost Tours
Presented by the couple that wrote “History and Hauntings in Austin” and other spooky stories, these tours are true to their tales. The team at Austin Ghost Tours has been personally involved in investigating Austin’s famous haunted history for over a quarter century. Based on “firsthand experiences,” the (published) tour guides will take you into a world of paranormal activity like you have never experienced before.
As their website notes: Reserve your spot and bring an open mind as guests have captured photographic evidence or reported interactions, whispers, and COLD SPOTS!
Take the Kids to Boo at the Zoo!
On Friday and Saturday nights, kids of all ages can take a spooky train ride, be entertained by goofy puppets and hang around in the haunted mansion, too. Wear your costumes (no masks, please) and stroll through the illuminated trails and décor. Bring flashlights to see all the critters at night at our famously friendly Austin Zoo.
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Earlier this month we unraveled the story about the Easter Bunny and Easter Baskets. Now that you have an understanding of some of the holiday’s most favorite traditions (especially for kids), we are diving into the delicious options to complete your celebration from sunup to sundown.
If you are thinking about a festive Easter Brunch that is easy to prepare and easy to please, take a look at the recipes that are some of the favorites throughout our apartment community in Austin, Texas.
Be sure to read through the entire blog, as we have a special treat for kids at the end of this story.
There are so many traditions within our extended family that is was a bit challenging to select our favorites to share with you today. However, we promise each dish to be as delicious as the next!
Favorite Easter Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
Traditional Hot Cross Buns
Eggs Florentine with Hollandaise Sauce
Roasted Mushroom and Bacon Dutch Baby
Perfect Quiche Lorraine
Easter Jokes for Kids to Share with Family & Friends
Within our blogs throughout the year, we like to find ideas to keep the kids away from screen time and into the family festivities. Here’s the beginning a full list of family-friendly jokes for kids young and old! For more, click on this link provided by The Pioneer Woman – one of our best resources for food, fun, and so much more!
• What happens when you crack a bad joke at school on Easter?
You get egg-spelled!
• What does one Easter bunny say to another if they want to flirt?
You're ear-resistable.
• Why should you never show Easter eggs a scary movie?
They're all a little chicken!
• Who would lose in a fight: peeps or chocolate bunnies?
Peeps, because they're way too soft.
• Which college did the Easter bunny have at the top of his list?
• John Hop-kins University, their track team is great at the long jump!
And our favorite …
• What happens if you fall in love on Easter?
You live hoppily ever after.
Cheers to all during this very blessed season.
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Many of our holidays have traditional characters or icons are symbolic of our celebrations throughout the year. From Cupid at Valentine’s Day, four-leaf clover during St. Patrick’s Day, pumpkins in October, and St. Nick, these colorful elements have become iconic to some of the most celebrated holidays around the world.
So what’s up with a bunny and a basket that are so iconic to Easter which is just around the corner?
There are almost endless references throughout the world wide web that tell the tale of the furry friend that brings joy to all during this time of the year.
We selected some insight from an article in TIME magazine that seemed to provide a succinct story that we will share with you now.
They note that the connection of the bunny to Easter started back in time and evolved during pagan celebrations that occurred during the beginning of spring. During this time of the year, throughout the world, spring is symbolic of ‘renewal of life.’ Mirroring this vision was, and continues to be, the observation of Christ’s resurrection that also occurs during the vernal equinox. Included in many of the stories that we researched was another connection of Eostre, ‘The Goddess of Dawn and Fertility.”
It is also noted that the credit for tying these concepts and occurrences together goes to Missionaries who were said to merge the pagan traditions with Christian holidays. Apparently this made the celebrations of Eostre and the resurrection an easier story to tell … and be accepted worldwide.
Fast forwarding the whole concept of the Easter Bunny, postings note that it was the German’s who brought the bunny into the picture. The historic rabbit, named “Oschter Haws’ or ‘Easter Hare, gets the credit.
As the story is told, Oschter Haws laid a nest of colorful eggs that were then presented to well-behaved children. Much like Christmas Eve when children leave cookies and milk for Santa, back in the early 1660s, children would leave carrots in bunny nests. Today, Easter Baskets are reminiscent of days gone by when children would make nests for Oschter’s eggs. Throughout time, the “eggs” have transformed into more than something for a meal for all. Chocolate bunnies, candies, and little gifts now fill children’s baskets on this day of celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
So there you have it! Watch for our next blog for delicious recipes to prepare for your
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It’s hard to believe that another year is quickly coming to a close. Before the ball drops in New York City, our family at our apartments to rent in Austin, Texas, are sharing some of our favorite ways to celebrate the season’s many traditions. We encourage you to find the time to enjoy some ‘holy jolly’ happenings within your apartment at Le Montreaux.
Trim Your Christmas Tree
With more and more families spending time at home, there’s no doubt most will be diving into the holiday spirit earlier than ever before. This tradition of decorating a tree is a longstanding custom in our home, which started way back in Middle Ages! Within the history books, they tell us that the concept of decorating trees is believed to have started in Germany and reached popularity in America around the early 10th century.
Get A Pickle
Speaking of traditions from Germany, here is an interesting tidbit about “Christmas Pickles.” Although we do not have a green pickle ornament, millions of families across the globe hide one of these funny-looking things on their tree as a game for their kids. The first one to find it usually gets a special gift. So how did this start? History notes that the former Woolworths retail store started the idea when they got a surplus of these odd items to put on a tree from Germany … back in the late 1800s.
Make a Calendar for Advent
It looks like this tradition started in Germany as well. Credit apparently goes to Gerhard Lard who was a publisher and decided to create a way for children to prepare for the birth of Jesus. As time went on, the 12-day calendar, which included a door that opened to a verse from the Bible, took on many new forms. Today, the Advent calendars may include a piece of chocolate, a toy, or verse to share with family and friends.
Make, Bake, and Decorate!
Here’s an interesting piece of history. The concept of Christmas cookies actually started way back in ancient times and is a part of Norse mythology. As the story goes, the cookie concept began when children would leave cookies and milk out for Santa. During the Depression, when families were close at home, the concept of baking and decorating cookies took off and grew into one of most popular things to do during the holiday season. We encourage you and your family to bake a batch for all those first responders who stopped their lives for all of us this past year.
Don’t forget the Christmas Cards!
Leave technology for business matters and send good old-fashioned cards out to your friends and family this year. The worldwide tradition dates back to 1843 and is still very much alive today. Credit for the first card concept goes to a company called the Hall Brothers who lived in Kansas City. Today, “Hallmark” and thousands of other printing companies produce the 1.6 billion cards that are purchased today.
At our apartments for rent in Austin, TX, we love to hand-make our cards and send them to people who made a difference in our lives. Maybe you will too?
No matter how you choose to celebrate, we thank you for being part of our community and wish you a healthy and memorable holiday to come!
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