Austin Holiday Bucket List

So, you’re staying in town this holiday season? Great! We are too. Honestly, in the past year, I think I’ve taken more flights than ever before. Last year at this time, I was in India for work. So, I’m really looking forward to a cozy (read: lazy) Christmas in our new home.  My parents are going to join us in Austin for Christmas, and I’m really looking forward to having them here.

However, we can’t sit in the house for a whole week. So, I decided to curate a list of things to do while they are here, and maybe they’ll be helpful for you nd your family & friends too.   

• Trail of Lights

  • Now until December 23rd, Zilker Park transforms into a sea of magical Christmas lights. If you prefer less crowds, I’d suggest going through the week. There are still a few days left that offer FREE general admission. 

• Mozart’s

  • Now until January 5, 2020 - Mozart’s Coffee Roasters puts on a spectacular light show - with over 1 million lights. Admission is free and the show runs daily from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. We’ve never done this one, so it’s at the top of our list this year. 

• Miracle Bar

  • Miracle bars pop up all over the country this time of year, and if you’re looking for something festive - this is it! Desiring cocktails that are decked in holiday cheer? Try the Snowball Old Fashioned or Run Run Rudolph! Located at The Eleanor (The Roosevelt Room) downtown. Last year we visited a Miracle bar in our hometown over the holidays, and it was a great place to hang out with friends.

• Blue Genie Art Bazaar

  • Are you still holiday shopping? I have barely started. But, this is a great place to buy gifts made by local and regional artists! It is open now through December 24th! And, I have my eye on it for stocking stuffers with an Austin twist!

• A Christmas Carol @ Zach Theatre

  • There’s just something about seeing a show at the theatre that says HOLIDAYS to me. Even though it was never an annual tradition in our household, those are some of my favorite memories I look back on. There are still seats available for many of the showings of the classic performance — A Christmas Carol.

• Flower Vault Holiday Installations 

  • Maybe you haven’t taken any family photos this year? Well, you’re in luck because Austin has the perfect Instagram (and holiday card) worthy backdrops to take photos. The installations change from time to time, but right now there are tons of great holiday backdrops. Located at The Domain - open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Ticket information is on their website.

• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

  • Ok, so this isn’t covered in garland and lights. But, I thought this would be a fun way to get out of the house and explore. Located just south of Austin in New Braunfels, the ranch is 450-acres of protected environment for all sorts of animals. You drive through in your own vehicle and come nose-to-nose with many of them. I’m really looking forward to this - have you done it?

I snagged this last idea from my friend, Dana, and it’s something you can do no matter your location. It starts with making Christmas cookies, hot cocoa in to-go mugs and then driving around your own neighborhood
to look at all the beautiful lights.

I’m interested to know if you have any Austin holiday traditions, especially if they are ones I didn’t mention here. Let me know in the comments, and feel free to pin the graphic below to keep handy!

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Better Brewing at Home

If you know me, you know my day doesn’t start without coffee. And, I’m usually 3 cups in by noon. It’s who I am. Sure, I hit the Starbucks drive-thru like the rest of America for convenience on occasion. But, I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob. If I want GOOOOD coffee, I make it myself.

My dream is to have a fancy espresso maker in the new house, but for now my tried and true method for brewing my caffeine is with a French press. But, before we get to that.

You have to start with great coffee. You won’t find Folgers in my cup. No shade, but there is much better coffee in the world. Explore. Find what you like. And, ALWAYS buy whole bean coffee.

This is the first tip in brewing better coffee. Makes sense right? Start with the best ingredients.

Some of my favorite coffee beans are:

• Peace Coffee - Guatemalan Dark Roast

• Sweetwater Organic Coffee Co. - Midnight Oil French Roast

If you’re buying whole bean, you need a grinder. I’m in the market for a new one and I have my eye on the oxo Conical Burr Grinder. When considering coffee grinders, you want to opt for a burr grinder over a blade grinder. You have more control over the grind size with a burr grinder which makes a big difference in the overall taste.

I am a huge lover of the French press, and it’s important that you use a coarse grind.

Here’s the run down on how I make my best cup:

1. Grind your beans fresh. The amount of ground coffee you need is dependent on how many cups you’re making. Generally, the collection cup has measuring marks, and I go just a smidge over 4 cups.

2. Fill your kettle with filtered water, and set to boil. (Remember coffee is just coffee beans and water, so you want the best ingredients possible!)

3. Pour your grounds into the bottom of the French press.

4. Once the water kettle boils, wait about 30 seconds after the kettle is off to “wet the grounds”. It’s really important not to pour it right in - you don’t want to burn the grounds.

   • I like to gently wet the ground with just a splash of water to “wake them up”. This is actually called “blooming”. I stir them around with a wooden kebab stick.

5. After one minute, I proceed with pouring over the remainder of the water to fill the French press.

   • Once the rest of the water is added, you shouldn’t be able to “see through” the coffee. I like my coffee really dark, but you can play this by your tastebuds.

6. Use the wooden stick to thoroughly mix the grounds.

7. Top the French press and begin the brewing process for 4 minutes.

8. Press down the plunger, and proceed to fill your cup!

To be great at anything takes practice, and I’m still perfecting my methods. But, please let me know if this post taught you something new. My cold brew method is still in the very beginning stages - you think it’d be easier! But, I will say this makes a pretty delicious cup of hot coffee. Personally, I usually just drink mine black. But, if I do add anything - I love oat milk.