Christmas Time In Texas

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Christmas Food
A regular appearance on Christmas Eve in Texas is a plate of tamales. This dish is enjoyed year-round but makes for a delicious addition to a Christmas feast. The tradition of tamales is believed to have first originated from ancient Mesoamerican civilizations and was picked up by Europeans. As Mesoamerica became more Christianized, the tradition developed further into the celebration of Christmas, according to Texas Monthly. Being that Texas was originally a part of Mexico, the state has naturally developed a beautiful mesh of Tex-Mex traditions.
Green beans, cornbread, dressing, sweet and mashed potatoes, roast or even fried turkey, cranberry sauce and rolls are additional staples of a Texan Christmas dinner. Barbecue is another favorite entrée present year-round, but especially on Christmas Day. The big meal is often followed up with a pumpkin pie or pecan pie for dessert.
Christmas Decorations
Texan pride runs deep and is often reflected in the Christmas decorations. Trees are often bigger and adorned with Texas-themed ornaments such as carvings of the state, the Texas flag, cowboy boots, and favorite Texas sports teams.
Christmas lights are also bigger in Texas, with some neighborhoods offering thousands of dollars for the best or biggest decorated home along with TV shows such as The Great Christmas Light Fight.
You’ll often find Santa wearing a cowboy hat instead of a stocking cap and boots with spurs instead of thick tread being pulled by longhorns instead of reindeer. Wreaths may be made of barbed wire and your stocking hung up with care may be a cowboy boot.
Luminaries are another popular tradition folks may see this time a year, which Texas adopted from its Spanish roots.
Christmas Attire
Texans will typically have two kinds of boots, one for work and then a fancy pair only worn for special occasions, and Christmas definitely makes the list for special occasions. Paired with the boots will usually be a dark-colored felt cowboy hat, shiny belt buckles, and bolos — (leather straps worn around the neck under a collar with decorative metal tips secured by an ornamental clasp or slide).
Texas-sized Celebrations
Everything is said to be bigger and better in Texas and that includes Christmas festivities across the state. Below we have listed a few of the events around Texas that folks have been preparing for all year.
. Electric Light Parade-Amarillo, Texas
. Christmas Lights at the Amarillo
Botanical Gardens -Amarillo, Texas
  • Concho Christmas Celebration – San Angelo, TX
  • Trail of Lights – Austin, TX
  • Zoo Lights – Houston, TX
  • Hidalgo Festival of Lights – Hidalgo, TX
  • Christmas in the Gardens – Amarillo, TX
  • Wonderland of Lights – Marshall, TX
  • El Paso WinterFest – El Paso, TX
  • Santa’s Wonderland – College Station, TX
  • Dickens On The Strand – Galveston, TX
  • The Polar Express Train Ride – Palestine, TX
  • 13th Annual Christmas Tree Forest exhibit and competition – Corpus Christi, TX
  • Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating and Trade Days Holiday Encore – Fredericksburg, TX
  • Lights of West Christmas Light Park – West, TX
  • Tomball German Fest Christmas Market – Tomball, TX
  • Christmas Gruene Market Days & Christkindlmarkt – New Braunfels, TX
  • The Christmas Capital of Texas – Grapevine, TX

 

Thanksgiving-Its Meaning and All There is to Know

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  Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.  It is sometimes called American Thanksgiving (outside the United States) to distinguish it from the Canadian holiday of the same name and related celebrations in other regions. It originated as a day of thanksgiving and harvest festival, with the theme of the holiday revolving around giving thanks and the centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations remaining a Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner traditionally consists of foods and dishes indigenous to the Americas, namely turkey, potatoes (usually mashed or sweet), squash, corn (maize), green beans, cranberries (typically in sauce form), and pumpkin pie. Other Thanksgiving customs include charitable organizations offering Thanksgiving dinner for the poor, attending religious services, and watching television events such as Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and NFL football games. Thanksgiving is regarded as the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season, with the day following it, Black Friday, being the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States.

 

 

  Different Ideas to Have Fun at Thanksgiving

  • Hold a pie eating contest or design a charcuterie tray for some fun food options.
  • Make a fall floral arrangement or a cornucopia for some festive decorations.
  • Organize a pumpkin hunt or push pumpkins for some outdoor activities.
  • Play a guessing game or go stargazing for some indoor entertainment.
  • Write a gratitude list.

 

Its Fall Ya’ll! How About Some Decorating Tips

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1. Pile on the cozy throw blankets

There’s a throw blanket for every season! Add one or more throws to the living room couch or your favorite armchair. Not sure how to style a throw blanket?
When the temperature dips, look for materials like faux fur and chunky knits, plaid patterns, and warm, rich colors. When in doubt? Lean into texture.

2. Change up your toss pillows

Nothing is cozier than snuggling into a pile of pillows on the couch. We have a very well-loved leather sofa and I love changing up the pillows to get different looks.
Same as the throw blankets, you’ll want to keep the season in mind. Use warmer colors and cozier fabrics for fall and winter. Pack away the light, bright, and breezy until spring.
And more is more! At least in our house. We’re a family of pillow hogs

3. Candles, candles, and more candles

The flicker of candlelight is almost instantly soothing. Whether you go scented or unscented is a choose your own adventure thing.
My hands-down favorite for any time of year is this gorgeous mix of citrus and sparkling sugar, but I also enjoy Macintosh apple, red currant, and anything smoky or leafy smelling. How about you? Are you team scent or unscented?
Regardless, add candles anywhere and everywhere for a cozy feel in your home.

4. Add home decor pieces that make you smile

Whether that’s family photos or a beautiful vase your best friend gifted you, choose your decorative accent thoughtfully. Sure, we all have filler, but it should be a supporting cast to the really special pieces.

5. Decorate your mantle

Or if you don’t have a mantle, decorate your shelves.
Skip the light, bright, and airy until summer. In the fall, aim for a fuller, more textured feel with layers of artwork, dried florals, candles (love those candles!), and found objects with a bit of wear to them.
And if you want to add in some pumpkins, I won’t be mad at you.

6. Add or change your curtains

A well-dressed window makes your home feel considered and cozy. Think about what fabrics make you feel good and go with those. Options include anything from rich velvet curtains in deeper shades of your favorite accent colors to moody florals to floaty sheers.
The key is to focus on the qualities that you find cozy and feel-good.

7. Decorate with plants

Adding plants will instantly make your home feel cozier. Just that lovely splash of life — even if you go faux — will give a warm feeling of welcome. For fall, try olive, eucalyptus, or maple branches. Or forage some from your own yard! It can make for a truly stunning look.

8. Accessorize with books and board games

Putting out reading materials and games to play will remind everyone to settle in and slow down. Decorating with things you use physically will encourage more analog interaction and fewer electronics.

9. Layer in accent rugs

And added layer of warmth under your feet will put that cozy feel through the roof. A few sheepskins or vintage scatter rugs go a long way.

10. Swap your bedding

Put away the gauzy white duvet and layer on those flannel sheets and oversized throws. Add a few accent pillows to make your bed look extra cozy and inviting.

11. Add a new welcome mat

A cheerful welcome mat in a classic plaid or with a cheeky fall saying is the perfect way to great guests who swing by for some hot cider.

12. Speaking of pumpkins, add some outside

There’s nothing cozier or more fall-like than coming home to a riot of pumpkins and cheerful mums on your front porch. Add them to the curb too if you’re feeling extra festive! Dried cornstalks will also give that autumnal vibe and carry you through to Thanksgiving.
If you don’t want to drop a billion dollars on a porch full of pumpkins, consider buying just one gorgeous statement pumpkin for your dining table or entryway.

Winterization 2023, Are You Ready?

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Preventative maintenance is the key to ensuring you and your family’s comfort throughout the winter. We are offering heating system tune-ups for the Amarillo area. Our certified technicians will examine your system to clean out dust and dirt, inspect critical elements of your system and find any loose or worn-out parts for you. Many manufacturers even require these annual tune-ups as a part of your warranty. Adam’s Air Winterization™ is your best bet toward protecting your investment.

Adam’s Air Winterization™ means that your heating system will run better and last longer. Preventive maintenance is the key to protecting the investment of your HVAC system. The temperatures in the Amarillo area can be extreme and brutal and there is no reason that you should wait for your system to break down leaving you and your family exposed to the elements. Regular inspections before the weather gets rough can make all the difference saving you from furnace repairs under the most extreme conditions.

Polk Street Cruise 2023

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The Polk Street Cruise of 2023 is in the books.  Every 1st weekend in August brings hot rodders and car fans together to celebrate the vintage cars and trucks and later day hot rods and trucks and motorcycles.  The Amarillo Corvette Club buts this together every year.  And as always it was a fun family time had by all.