In The Woods

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: September 24, 2012
Tags: cynthia woods michell pavilion

There is never a shortage of fun, free events in The Woodlands. From Dragon Boat races to Houston Symphony performances, mark your calendar for these upcoming events.

This weekend, head over to Northshore Park for the YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge. These forty-foot long boats weigh more than 1,800 pounds and are powered by 18 paddlers. Catch the action this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – noon and again from 2 – 6 p.m.

The free Live at Night concert series continues Saturday from 6 – 8 p.m. at Waterway Square with classic rock music from Legacy. Picnics, chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome.

Car enthusiasts won't want to miss Cars & Coffee for a Cause at Market Street on Sunday, October 7 when the Houston Ferrari Club joins in the fun!

The Houston Symphony presents Hocus Pocus Pops at the Pavilion Friday, October 12. The House of Blues Hospitality Tent will host Radio Disney’s Graveyard Smash Dance Party, featuring the Radio Disney Boo Crew from 6 - 7:15 p.m. for “fangtastic” dancing, “spooktacular” prizes and plenty of tricks and treats! Enjoy FREE Mezzanine & Lawn seating. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Candy Cornucopia

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: September 21, 2012
Tags: candy corn, crafts, fall, halloween, recipes

Tomorrow marks the first official day of Fall, but you probably didn't need a reminder. Shops have been stocked with Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat candy for weeks. But no single confection screams Halloween like Candy Corn. Even Nabisco has come out with a limited edition Candy Corn Oreo! Try these Candy Corn recipes and crafts to get into the holiday spirit.

Candy Corn Dessert

Whip up this simple and easy pudding dessert.  Just use food coloring to change vanilla pudding into a fun, candy corn parfait and top with piped Cool Whip.

Candy Corn Cordials

Infuse your favorite vodka with 1/2 cup of candy corn the night before.  Shake up your candy corn vodka, some orange liqueur, lemon juice and an egg white in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with candy corn.  Bottoms up!

(Photo: Food Network)

Candy Corn Nails

Candy Corn Decorations

Did you know?

• The National Confectioners Association estimates that 20 million pounds (just over 9000 metric tons) of candy corn are sold annually.
• Candy Corn was invented by George Renninger and produced by the Wunderlee Candy Company in the 1880's.
• October 30 is officially Candy Corn Day.
• Jelly Belly makes a Candy Corn flavored jelly bean.

Southern Hospitality

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: September 07, 2012
Tags: awards, best of, meetings south

Well, we hate to brag but ... we're going to do it anyway! We're pretty excited to tell you that we were named a "Best of the South" facility by Meetings Focus Magazine. Oh, and we are the only Houston property on the list.

Here's our official press release.

The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center has been named a 2012 “Best of the South” meeting facility by readers of Meetings Focus South Magazine. The resort is the only Houston property recognized among six Texas hotels named on the Best of the South list.

Selected by meeting planners, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center earned Best of South recognition by providing quality meeting space; guestrooms; outstanding guest service and amenities; food and beverage offerings; helpfulness of staff and overall value.

“There are plenty of fantastic meeting facilities in Texas and to be the only Houston property to make the list speaks volumes about the overall meeting experience groups will find here,” said Kent Johnson, general manager for the 440-room property.

Meetings Focus South magazine, a monthly trade magazine for meeting professionals, announced the Best of the South winners in its September issue.

Our employees all shared in this success so thanks for letting us toot our own horn!

Tackle Football Tailgating

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: September 06, 2012
Tags: football, sports, tailgating

Ah, tailgating.  Who knew hosting a party out of the back of your SUV could be so much fun! Grab your friends, some game day snacks and cold drinks for a pre-game party like no other.  Sprinkle in some of these awesome accessories, and you'll be the ultimate sports fan.

FanCanHand

No more high fives.  You’ll be fist bumping your bro with this giant hand beverage holder.  Available in 19 color combos, the Fan Can Hand is made for your left hand.  Why?  So you can leave your right hand free to enjoy your favorite tailgate snacks, of course!  

Frost Boss

Requiring only AA batteries and some ice, this bad boy chills beer and coke cans to 38 degrees in just two minutes.  It’s portable, light and a must for tailgating.

Brewsees Sunglasses

Honey, have you seen the beer opener?  Ladies, you’ll never have to hear these words again as long as your man is sporting a pair of Brewsees.  These hip looking shades, in a fashionable wrap around style and polarized lenses, have an opener at the end of each arm.  Bonus! Each pair is shipped in a custom beer bottle coozie.

Amazing Flying Coozie

Forgot to bring a football to toss around at your tailgate?  No problem as long as you have the Amazing Flying Coozie on hand.  Support your team with an officially licensed foam insulated coozie that looks like a football and throws like a football too!  Bonus: the Amazing Flying Coozie is proudly made in the U.S.A.

Best of Times Portable Bar

Complete with four stools, sturdy shelving, a side table, drop-in cooler and UV-protected umbrella, this steel frame bar is ideal for taking your tailgate to the next level.  Dress up your bar to suit the occasion from college to pro-football tailgating. Bonus: it is big enough to fit four people comfortably but also designed to fit inside one parking spot for tailgating.

Slider Meal A Home Run!

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: September 04, 2012
Tags: chef john brazie, recipes

Preparing a three-course meal might seem like a daunting task, but Chef Brazie's recipe for a Home Grown Caprese Slider starter, Spicy Grilled Texas Shrimp on Jalapeño Focaccia with Avocado Citrus Slaw entrée and Fredericksburg Peaches & Cream Slider for dessert is sure to be a home run. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow directions, you can whip up this three-course meal in no time!

Courtesy of Executive Chef John Brazie: The Woodlands Resort

Home Grown Caprese Slider

1 loaf French Bread

1 lb Home Grown Tomatoes – sliced 1⁄4” to 1⁄2” thick

2 each 4 oz. Fresh Mozzarella Balls – drained

2 oz. Fresh Basil Leaves, Whole

1 each Lemon – zest from

Coarse Sea Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

Premium Olive Oil

Directions: 1. Grill or griddle bread, tomato & cheese. 2. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Add touch of lemon zest. Drizzle with olive oil and assemble with a whole basil leaf.

Spicy Grilled Texas Shrimp on Jalapeño Focaccia with Avocado Citrus Slaw

12 each Large Texas White Shrimp – Peeled, Deveined, Butterflied

1 Tbs Premium Olive Oil

1 tsp Fish Sauce (Three Crabs Brand is great)

1 tsp Red Chili Sambal

1⁄2 tsp Garlic – Chopped Fine

1⁄2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 loaf Jalapeño Focaccia

1 Avocado, firm but ripe

Directions 1. Toss all ingredients with raw Shrimp. Allow to marinate at least 15 minutes. 2. Cut Jalapeño Foccaccia into small triangles to fit shrimp. 3. Slice avocado to fit bread.

Citrus Slaw

1 cup Cabbage – finely shredded

1⁄4 cup Radish – minced

1 oz. Mayonnaise

1⁄2 Lime – Juice of

1⁄2 Orange – Juice of

1 tsp Jalapeno – minced

1 Tbs Cilantro – chopped

1 tsp Sugar

1⁄2 tsp Kosher Salt

Directions 1. Combine all Ingredients. Keep chilled. To Prepare Dish 1. Grill or sear shrimp, open and flat. 2. Toast focaccia. 3. Add shrimp, spoonful of slaw, top with avocado wedge, a squeeze of lime and a drizzle of premium olive oil.

Fredericksburg Peaches and Cream Slider

2 fresh Peaches – peeled and sliced

1⁄2 cup Blueberry Jam

2 dozen Sugar Cookies

Filling Ingredients

1 cup Cream Cheese

1⁄2 cup Sugar

1⁄4 tsp Cinnamon

1/8 tsp Ginger

Dash of Fresh Nutmeg

Directions for Filling 1. Mix ingredients together well.  (How easy is that!)

Directions for assembly 1. Grill Fruit Slices. 2. Spread cream cheese mixture on the bottom of cookie. Add a dab of blueberry jam. Add grilled peaches and make a sandwich.

Bon Appetit!

Fashion’s Night Out

Posted in: Great Gatherings
Date: August 27, 2012
Tags: fashions night out, shopping

Fashion retailers have plenty of tricks up their Brooks Brothers’ sleeve to draw crowds and boost their bottom line. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Tax-Free Weekend. Another can’t-miss retailing event is Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, September 6 when The Woodlands Mall and Market Street will celebrate with special activities and perks for shoppers.

From 6 – 10 p.m. at The Woodlands Mall, take advantage of special discounts, a fashion show, prizes, hors d’oeuvres, trunk shows and a DJ spinning hits. The fun takes place in Center Court – Lower level. Seating is limited so arrive early.

At Market Street, guests will preview the latest fall styles at in-store fashion shows every half hour and scheduled activities at each retail location including makeup application and hair styling demonstrations, fashion tips from the pros and other interactive activities. Fashion’s Night Out will also offer shopping incentives, fashionable cocktails and delectable bites from Market Street restaurants including Jasper’s, CRÚ, Tommy Bahama Café and 1252 Tapas Bar. The event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Guest Services at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (281) 419-4774. Swag bags will be provided while supplies last.