family friendly – Ebby Halliday Realtors Blog

December 4, 2018

Celebrating the Season in DFW

Celebrate the holiday season in North Texas at one of these family-friendly holiday events. Happy holidays!

Christmas in the Square at Frisco Square – Until Dec. 31
Take a walk through the Frisco Square and enjoy the largest choreographed holiday lights and music show in North Texas. The light show runs daily from 6 to 10 p.m. and there’s an outdoor ice rink where you can skate until your heart is content.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens’ The 12 Days of Christmas – Until Dec. 31
Celebrate the holidays like never before at the Dallas Arboretum’s extraordinary Christmas display. From 6 to 9 p.m. on select evenings, the Arboretum lights up with 12 elaborate Victorian-style gazebos inspired by the beloved Christmas carol. Each display is 25-feet tall and filled with beautifully detailed characters and animals.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops Concerts – Dec. 7 to 16
Complete your holiday bucket list at the DSO’s annual Christmas pops concerts featuring the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Head to the Meyerson Symphony Center to enjoy live renditions of your favorite holiday tunes.

Dallas Zoo Lights – Until Jan. 1
This Dallas Zoo spectacular has quickly become a must-see this season. After the animals head in for the evening, the zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with over 1 million twinkling lights illuminating ZooNorth throughout the holiday season. Discover realistic silk-covered lanterns in the shape of your favorite animals. You’ll also enjoy entertainment by local performers, crafts and tasty winter treats, including s’mores, hot chocolate and gourmet donuts.

Holiday Carriage Rides – Until Dec. 30
Take a tour of Highland Park and Plano’s Deerfield neighborhood with a festive carriage ride. Whether it’s date night or fun for the whole family, a leisurely ride to look at Christmas lights is a lovely holiday tradition. Different carriages are available to accommodate your party size and budget.

Holidays at the Heard – Dec. 14 and 15
Enjoy the beauty of the holiday season in nature at McKinney’s Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., enjoy lights and holiday décor along a half-mile nature trail, or stop for a photo with Father Christmas and Mother Nature. Grab a holiday treat and enjoy live entertainment at this family-friendly holiday event.

Mannheim Steamroller Concert – Dec. 28
Mark your calendars for a few days after Christmas when the widely celebrated new-age music group Mannheim Steamroller takes the stage at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Tickets start at $49, and you won’t want to miss the one-night opportunity to hear your favorite modern renditions of classic Christmas tunes.

Panther Island Ice Skating – Until Jan. 14
Take a trip to Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink, Panther Island, to join in some “cool” holiday excitement. The rink operates seven days a week, including all holidays, and a $12 ticket includes skate rental and tax.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park – Until Dec. 30
Experience the magic of the holidays at Six Flags Over Texas during this year’s Holiday in the Park. Enjoy fun for the whole family with rides, story time with Mrs. Claus, live entertainment and visits with Santa.

Texas Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker – Select dates in December
Take part in a beloved holiday tradition and enjoy a live performance of Texas Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker. This age-old ballet will delight you with a story of Clara and a dreamland filled with heroic battles and sweet treats. Performances take place Dec. 7 to 24 at Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall.

December 5, 2017

A Guide to Celebrating the Season

Celebrate the holiday season in North Texas at one of these family-friendly holiday events. Happy holidays!

Christmas in the Square at Frisco Square – Until December 31
Take a walk through the Frisco Square and enjoy the largest choreographed holiday lights and music show in North Texas. The light show runs daily from 6 to 10 p.m., and snow flurries occur every 15 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s even an outdoor ice skating rink where you can skate until your heart is content.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens’ The 12 Days of Christmas – Until January 7
Celebrate the holidays like never before at the Dallas Arboretum’s extraordinary Christmas display. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on select evenings, the Dallas Arboretum lights up with 12 elaborate Victorian-style gazebos inspired by the beloved Christmas carol. Each display is 25-feet tall and filled with beautifully detailed characters and animals.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops Concerts – Until December 17
Complete your holiday bucket list at the DSO’s annual Christmas pops concerts featuring the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Head to the Meyerson Symphony Center to enjoy live renditions of your favorite holiday tunes.

Dallas Zoo Lights – Until January 2
This new event at the Dallas Zoo has quickly become a must-see this season. After the animals head in for the evening, the zoo is illuminated with nearly 1 million twinkling lights wrapping trees, hanging overhead or woven through decorations. Enjoy a stroll on a path covering 25 acres throughout the zoo and get a glimpse at various lighted vignettes along the way. You’ll also enjoy entertainment by local performers, crafts and tasty winter treats including s’mores, hot chocolate and gourmet donuts.

Holiday Carriage Rides – Until December 31
Take a tour of the Deerfield and Highland Park neighborhoods with a festive carriage ride. Whether it’s date night or fun for the whole family, a leisurely stroll to look at Christmas lights is a lovely holiday tradition. Different carriages are available, so check out the Northstar Carriage website to see which one is best for your party or budget.

Holidays at the Heard – December 15 & 16
Enjoy the beauty of the holiday season in nature at McKinney’s Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., enjoy lights and holiday décor along a half-mile nature trail, or stop for a photo with Father Christmas and Mother Nature. Grab a holiday treat and enjoy live entertainment at this family-friendly holiday event.

Manheim Steamroller Concert – December 28
Mark your calendars for a few days after Christmas when the widely celebrated new-age music group Manheim Steamroller takes the stage at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving. Tickets start at $39.95, but you won’t want to miss the one-night opportunity to hear your favorite modern renditions of classic Christmas tunes.

Panther Island Ice Skating – Until January 15
Take a trip to Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink, Panther Island, to join in on some “cool” holiday excitement. The rink operates seven days a week including all holidays, and a $12 ticket includes skate rental and tax. Click here for hours and available discounts.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park – Until January 7
Experience the magic of the holidays at Six Flags Over Texas during this year’s Holiday in the Park. Enjoy fun for the whole family with rides, story time with Mrs. Claus, live entertainment and visits with Santa.

Texas Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker – Select dates in December
Take part in a beloved holiday tradition and enjoy a live performance of Texas Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker. This age-old ballet will delight you with a story of Clara and a dreamland filled with heroic battles and sweet treats. Performances take place Dec. 20-23 at Fort Worth’s beautiful Bass Performance Hall.

May 17, 2017

Taste the South with Central Market

Summer is around the corner, and we’re looking forward to backyard cookouts and bright, flavorful cuisine.

This season, Central Market is celebrating the South with its “Taste the South” event from May 17 to 30.

In stores, you’ll find a curated selection of artisan products from the Southern United States — from Carolina Blue Crab to Carolina Gold Rice Pudding.

In addition, the Chef’s Case will be transformed into a Southern showcase featuring Brunswick Stew, Hoppin’ John with Carolina Gold Rice, collard greens, Southern ham, pickled okra, boiled peanuts and Frogmore Stew just to name a few.

The event will also bring an incredible lineup of James Beard Award-winning chefs to the Central Market Cooking School. You can find a schedule of classes here.

To get in the spirit, we’re sharing with you a couple of Southern recipes that are perfect for your next summer potluck.

Sassy Slaw

Ingredients:
*1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
*2 tablespoons sugar
*1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
*1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
*1/4 teaspoon celery seed
*2 tablespoons canola oil
*1/4 large green cabbage (about 1 lb) cored and finely shredded (about 3 cups)
*1/4 large red cabbage (about 1 lb) cored and finely shredded (about 3 cups)
*1 large carrot grated
*1 green onion trimmed and chopped
*1/2 jalapeño cored, seeded, and chopped
*2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
*Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard, mustard powder, and celery seed. Heat over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool slightly. Add the oil and whisk to combine.

2. In a large bowl, combine the green and red cabbage, carrot, green onion, jalapeño, and parsley and toss to combine. Pour over the reserved slightly cooled dressing. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until chilled, about 15 minutes. Toss, taste and adjust for seasoning again, then serve immediately.

Pickled Okra

Ingredients:
*1 9-piece canning kit, including canner, jar lifter, and canning rack
*7 1-pint canning jars
*2 1/2 pounds fresh okra
*7 small green chile peppers
*7 cloves garlic
*2 tablespoons dill seed (plus 1 teaspoon)
*4 cups white vinegar
*1/2 cup salt
*1/4 cup sugar

Instructions:
1. Bring canner half-full with water to a boil; simmer. Meanwhile, place jars in a large stockpot with water to cover; bring to a boil, and simmer. Place bands and lids in a large saucepan with water to cover; bring to a boil, and simmer. Remove hot jars, 1 at a time, using jar lifter.

2. Pack okra into hot jars, filling to 1⁄2 inch from top. Place 1 pepper, 1 garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon dill seeds in each jar. Bring vinegar, salt, sugar, and 4 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour over okra, filling to 1⁄2 inch from top.

3. Wipe jar rims; cover at once with metal lids, and screw on bands (snug but not too tight). Place jars in canning rack, and place in simmering water in canner. Add additional boiling water as needed to cover by 1 to 2 inches.

4. Bring water to a rolling boil; boil 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool jars in canner 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a cutting board; cool 12 to 24 hours. Test seals of jars by pressing center of each lid. If lids do not pop, jars are properly sealed. Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature up to 1 year.

Recipes courtesy of Central Market.

April 15, 2015

Family-Friendly Fun in DFW

Want to get out this spring but can’t find anything fun that’s family-friendly? We’ve scoured our resources to create a list of activities that are exciting for every age, no matter where you live in DFW.

Don’t let the season pass you by without taking advantage of these area attractions!

Aquariums and Zoos:

–Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, Dallas

–The Dallas Zoo, Dallas

–Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth

–Frank Buck Zoo, Gainsville

–Sealife Aquarium, Grapevine

Bowling:

–Alley Cats, Arlington

–Cowtown Bowling Palace, Fort Worth

–Bowl & Barrel, Dallas

–Plano Super Bowl, Plano