All Aboard on the Polar Express

The Texas State Railroad is known for their super fun events.....and with the holidays upon us, it's time for a little magic.

All Aboard! The Polar Express™comes to life at the Texas State Railroad.

Inspired by the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, come experience the magic of The Polar Express™. Read along with the story as the train makes a roundtrip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. And, for those who believe, a special gift for each child. Everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas!

Advanced tickets on sale now!

Tickets:

Friday, Sunday, & Weekdays

• Coach $19 child (ages 2-11), $34 adults

• Climate Controlled $21 child (ages 2-11), $38 adults

Saturday Tickets

• Coach $23 child (ages 2-11), $38 adults

• Climate Controlled $25 child (ages 2-11), $42 adults

First Class Seating in Private Car 1511

Climate Controlled - Limited Seating

Enjoy The Polar Express™ Train Ride on our First Class private car. You will experience first class service at your table by Chefs, enjoy a variety of cookies served on silver trays, drink delicious hot chocolate with whip cream and chocolate sprinkles in our collectable Polar Express™ mugs as well as an additional choice of coffee, tea, or sparkling cider. Enjoy a First Class experience on board The Polar Express this Christmas! Table seating for 2 and 4 individuals.

Tickets:

$39 child (ages 2-11), $58 adults

November 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, & 29

December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27

Times: 5:10pm, 6:45pm, & 8:15pm

**Be sure and check back here for an event with the Lone Ranger in 2010!

It's worth it to visit this site and check out all they have planned for 2010. Even a New Year's Eve Dinner!

A Hope and A Future

There are tons of people doing hard things every day all around us.

Doing things that we might not have the skill set or the grace to tackle. Changing lives one heart at a time.

That is what Mercy Street Ministry does.

I have been reading HoodMamaMel's blog for quite some time and I am slain by her stories of how God works through them. Even more moved by the incredible obedience and faithfulness of she and her husband, Trey.

I'll well aware there are a gazillion things that pull at your time and resources, but if you feel so led, they are in need of a financial shot in the arm.

Would you pray about partnering with them? They are asking for monthly support but I'm quite sure they wouldn't turn down a one time gift as well.

Thanks!

Rooms To Go...Literally

I have had a massive bee in my bonnet.

You see, we are having our carpets cleaned in T minus 4 days and major surgery has to be done for him to be able to actually get to some areas of my carpet.

Don't judge.

So, I began cleaning out every square inch of my house on Monday and I'm not sure my back will every be the same again because I also rearranged my kiddos rooms....

You know where this is going.

So, I have a deal for you!

You've heard of bed in a bag....and a little bit more.



Do you have a little guy who is about to embarque on the wonderous journey of having his very own big guy room?

I'm your gal. Check this out.


I have a custom full/queen duvet comforter, 1 bed skirt, 2 European pillows, 3 accent pillows, 2 sets of full size sheets and a padded mattress cover for $75.



Can you hardly stand how cute these pillows are? The small one is a propeller with leather and fleece trim...like a bomber jacket. The large star pillow has the same leather and fleece trim.

It's true!


The front of the duvet is a black and khaki check and the back is black and khaki ticking. AND the duvet has authentic military buttons as detail.






Both sets of full sheets have authentic ribbon trim purchased at a company that makes military medals and such.

If you are having an 'ick' moment about buying someone else's sheets...I assure you...we are VERY clean people. If you have been reading this blog long, you know I err on the side of OCD. I'm just sayin'....





And the bedskirt is the same fabric as the European pillows with fabric insets the same as the front of the duvet.

Bottom line...these are priced to move.

Entire Bedding Set $75

Interested? Email me at intheknownorthwest@gmail.com

Have a friend who might be? Pass this along!

I also have a gently used Fuzion Scooter for $35 and a huge set of Rokenbok for $40.....ok...stop the madness! I'm done.


**disclaimer....don't worry, I'm not turning my blog into an electronic yard sale. I just wanted these darn cute items to go to a good home and thought I could spread the word to lots of mommies this way!

**I also had several pieces of furniture but they have since sold.

Lessons Learned On A Rainy Day

Fun Laurie showed up today and carved a pumpkin with W.

Let me clarify...W was stoked about the 'idea' of carving....but ended up driving his remote control car 'round and 'round the garage while I stuck my hands in the webby nastiness and carefully carved all the important features which Mr. Weston has so exquisitely drawn ahead of time with a Sharpie.

Anyone who has carved knows it's dern challenging to cut exactly where those lines are drawn and then sometimes you end up with a pumpkin who looks like she slept with her makeup on or was the first unfortunate one to fall asleep at a slumber party.

Enter rubbing alcohol.

Lesson #1- Rubbing alcohol takes off Sharpie marker.

Magic!

And now our pumpkin is nice and clean.



Lesson #2 learned today....if you add a smidge of lemon juice to the mashed bananas before you add them to the batter of banana bread, the finished loaf will be a beautiful golden brown.

Love me some banana bread!

Have a great week! And remember....the time change is a comin' on Sunday.

Christmas in a Cup

Do you think it's possible to learn to be a tea drinker?

What?

It's true. If you have known me for very long, you know I'm neither a coffee nor a tea drinker.

Why is this so important, you ask?

I think the root of it is lies with a desire for fellowship.

I'm a relational gal, right down to my flip-flops, and a cup of something warm means the opportunity to share in someone's life is there for the taking.

Coffee became a dealbreaker as I had to add so much sugar and cream, the coffee was no longer even warm and I'd be spinning like a top for the remainder of the day if I continued to drink it like that.

Then my FIL introduced me to Teavana's Sweet Amore tea and I realized he just might be onto something.

That man is Mr. Tea....he even drinks the hardcore Chinese green tea that truly tastes like aquarium water. Shhh..don't tell him I said that.

So, imagine my delight when there was a holiday tea sighting yesterday at Wal-mart.

Yes ladies, there are good things to be found at your neighborhood version of Stuff Mart...if you can get past all the other things that make you want to bang your head against the handle of your shopping cart. Like the time I got behind a lady that had no less than 5 grocery store ads in her cart and proceeded to pricematch her entire shopping cart.....oh, help me.

Celestial Seasonings's Holiday Tea Line has made it's debute! The choices include Candy Cane Lane, Gingerbread Spice, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, Nutcracker Spice and Sugar Plum Spice.

You KNOW this marketer's dream threw some of those boxes in her cart immediately! This was the same girl that decided to enjoy a delightful cup of peppermint hot chocolate a few weeks ago at the first glimpse of below 70 degree temps..and said girl ended up with a burnt tongue and feeling as if she was having a hot flash.

Good times.

BUT it was some kickin' hot chocolate. Again, I found this wonderful treasure at Wal-Mart. It is a seasonal item and has crushed peppermint pieces in the hot chocolate mix. You are missing a blessing if you pass that endcap and don't throw a few packets in your shopping cart.

I'm open to suggestions. Do you have a favorite tea? Do share, please!

Winkflash Photobook reminder

****update- they extended this offer until next Tuesday 10/27/09


Don't forget Wednesday is the last day to create a 100-page Winkflash photo book for just $19.99!

I uploaded my pics...now I just have to create the book.

How much caffeine do you think I'll need over the next 3 nights to accomplish that creative task?

I might just become a coffee drinker yet....

If Winkflash doesn't float your boat or you don't have the time to create a book in the next 3 days, Snapfish has a code for you to save 35% off cards, photobooks and calendars. The code is good through November 2nd.

Use coupon code FALL2009

She's Movin' On

I'm a Tea Room gal.

Love the food, love the iced tea, and especially love the company while I'm there.

I love them so much, I created an entire post, just about Rabbit Food and Fruity Tea awhile back.

So, I'm sitting at Flag Football practice the other night when a good friend texts me that my favorite Tea Room of all time, Idyl Hours, is vacant.

Sign down... empty....deserted.

I couldn't dial my phone fast enough. Texting wasn't going to do! I needed details. Stat!

After going through all the possible scenarios we could think of, we went to the world wide web to solve our mystery.

The answer was right there, front page, on her website.

Stella decided to write that book she's been wanting to write and focus on catering and delivery instead of running the Tea Room day in and day out.

Although my Thursdays will never be the same without her Tequila Lime Chicken Crepes, I'm so excited for her and her new season of life.

Thanks, Stella, for providing such a fun place for us gals to regain some sanity and enjoy some amazing food over the years. There is no one quite like you...and I mean that in the best way.