July 1st, 2009
Texas Monthly Praises Carol's
Texas Monthly magazine was created in 1972 by Michael R. Levy, a young man from Dallas who was “convinced that my state was ready for a really first class magazine that will appeal directly to the sophisticated, cosmopolitan folks that Texans have become.” (Texas Monthly, Feb. 1973). Since then, the magazine has grown and developed with the times, and can today be found online at www.texasmonthly.com. According to Texas Archival Resources Online, “the magazine began to define how Texas was emerging as a contemporary urban state while still clinging to its rural mythic past.”
It is no surprise that Texas Monthly discovered fine dining in Cat Spring Texas. According to the magazine, if “hunger strikes while you’re traveling between Austin and Houston, detour a short distance and check out Carol Davis’ little oasis in a building that looks like a lodge. Here chef Doug Atkinson, who once cooked for Ruggles’ restaurants in Houston, is turning out dishes that far exceed the road-food norm. Lunch runs to sandwiches, burgers, and salads like grilled salmon with balsamic vinaigrette. Dinners include excellent bison fillet with port wine sauce and a fine, juicy pork chop with homemade apple butter.”
Proof enough that Carol’s is worth a detour while out and about in the Texas countryside. Consider extending your meal with a stay at Carol’s romantic guest ranch.
Tags: Cat Spring Restaurant, fine dining in Cat Spring Texas, romantic guest ranch, Texas Monthly
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June 28th, 2009
Since 2003, there has been fine dining in Cat Spring, Texas thanks to Carol Davis. In 2004, The Sealy News noted that Carol’s is one of the “premier dining spots west of Houston.”
Tags: fine dining in Cat Spring Texas, Fine Dining Outside Houston, The Sealy News
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June 17th, 2009
Soar over Texas
This summer, invite your love on a romantic getaway in Texas. Reserve a private cabin surrounded by live oaks on a spacious ranch just an hour outside of Houston. Wake your sweetie early in the morning, and surprise him or her with a romantic hot air balloon ride. If arrangements are made in advance, Texas Air Adventures will bring the balloon to our guest ranch near Houston. These are private flights for just the two of you; they are a perfect place to propose, if that is on your mind, or simply to say “I love you” to the person who has stood by you year after year.
Soar over the countryside for about an hour, at dawn. Watch the world awaken as you silently glide above. You may bring your camera, of course, but the folks at Texas Air Adventures will also take photos and give you a CD of your flight; that way, if you would rather simply experience the beauty of the ride together, you will still have images to help you remember it. After the ride, share champagne next to the balloon.
Father’s Day is coming up. Why not surprise the father of your children with a ride he will never forget? Or perhaps you know your own father has always dreamed of soaring silently over the Texas Hill Country; make it happen this year.
Tags: Father's Day, Guest Ranch near Houston, romantic getaway in Texas, Texas Air Adventures
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June 10th, 2009
Blisswood is the perfect place for Houston horseback riding, since we are just an hour from the big city. Bring your own horse to the ranch, or use one of our South American gaited Paso Finos. We have over 600 idyllic acres and miles of trails on which you can lose yourself – although we won’t let you get lost. All rides are guided, and our guides will lead you through mature oak forests, across creeks and through meadows. Perhaps you’ll stop for a spell near a pond, to rest and relax. Lessons are also available, in the ring.
Ride at our Guest Ranch Near Houston
Why not gather a group of horseback riding girlfriends together for Cowgirl Camp at our Guest Ranch near Houston. Contact us to schedule one specially for your group of gals, or to learn about our next scheduled Cowgirl Camp. From the wine and cheese reception, to a workshop with Horse Whisperer Janice Terra, to a post trail ride Houston massage, this weekend is guaranteed to be refreshing and fun.
Our Guest Ranch near Houston is also a perfect place for children 13 or older to ride, as our horses are gentle and the area is quiet. Blisswood is an ideal location for a family ranch vacation for folks who live in and around Houston. Younger children will be delighted by the various animals we have on the ranch, from our young kangaroo to our new baby calf.
Hope to see you soon with a horse at Blisswood.
Tags: family ranch vacation, Guest Ranch near Houston, Horseback Riding Near Houston, Houston horseback riding, trail ride Houston
Posted in Retreat Center, equestrian | No Comments »
June 4th, 2009
Wedding season is in full swing, and we hope you will consider Blisswood for your romantic Texas getaways. Less than an hour’s drive from Houston, we at Blisswood are prepared to host every aspect of your wedding, from the bachelor party and rehearsal dinner to the ceremony and reception. Delicious meals can be catered on site or enjoyed at Carol’s Restaurant, fine dining near Houston. Members of the wedding party or guests are welcome to stay at our ten guest houses; this makes for fewer headaches and fewer worries during the big event.
Romantic Getaways Near Houston
One of our favorite places for weddings is the Blisswood Oasis. Nestled in the rolling prairies of Texas Hill Country, the Oasis is a romantic retreat reminiscent of a tropical paradise. A wonderful wrought-iron greenhouse known as the Conservatory houses an intimate pool surrounded by lush, tropical flowers. A waterfall fills the space with the sound of cascading water. Perhaps you will choose to have your ceremony in the nearby Orchid House, surrounded by the ethereal beauty and heady fragrance of these remarkable flowers. It is an ideal place for weddings in Texas, and for romantic getaways in Texas after the ceremony.
Tags: romantic getaways in Texas, Romantic Getaways Near Houston, romantic Texas getaways, Texas Hill Country, weddings in Texas, Weddings Outside Houston
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May 28th, 2009
Horse Whispering at our Texas guest ranch
Once again, we at Blisswood are thrilled to host licensed horse whisperer Janice Terra on May 31, 2009. “Wise Women and Medicine Ponies” will be from 10am until 4pm. This is a great opportunity for horseback riding Houston. The Lady Horse Whisperer will begin with a lecture and will follow with a ground session. After a tasty lunch at Carol’s at Cat Spring, participants will do mounted work, and at the end of the day there will be time for discussion and questions.
Horse whispering is important in a broader context than riding. Janice Terra has said, “When I work with people I say that the horses help people return themselves to themselves.” She goes on to explain that in order for a child who weighs 50 pounds to control a horse weighing 1200 pounds, “neither force nor ‘doormat-itis’ will work…. The horse forces one to walk that thin line of controlling without being controlling. A person will learn to operate from his or her own place of power.”(Quotes from Janice Terra’s website, www.TheLadyHorseWhisperer.com.)
It’s a fascinating way to approach riding and horse whispering. This is just a taste of what will be explored at our tranquil 650-acre ranch getaway near Houston. Plan to spend May 31 connecting with a horse and reconnecting with yourself.
Prior riding experience not necessary. Bring your own horse (Coggins necessary).
Horses are available for $29. After this weekend, you will be ready to return to Blisswood for a trail ride Houston.
Tags: Carols at Cat Spring, Janice Terra, ranch getaway near Houston, Texas guest ranch, The Lady Horse Whisperer
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May 13th, 2009
Carol's joins LocalCatering.com
There is exciting news here at Blisswood. Carol’s Restaurant has joined LocalCatering.com. This is an organization that goes out of its way to help you not have to go out of your way. If you are hosting a Texas wedding in the greater Cat Spring area, simply go on line to LocalCatering.com and plan to have Carol’s Restaurant cater your wedding in Texas.
LocalCatering.com was created to help individuals plan the important events in their lives with fewer headaches. Avoid spending hours on the phone asking different people the same questions, or feeling overwhelmed while surfing the net. LocalCatering.com brings together customers and merchants, making it easier to find both a wedding cake and the perfect venue for a wedding. Now that Carol’s at Cat Spring has joined, it is easier to find to create hassle-free Texas weddings in Cat Spring.
Tags: Carol's Restaurant, Carols at Cat Spring, Local Catering.com, Texas wedding, wedding in Texas
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May 7th, 2009
It’s May, and that’s a good time for you and your sweetie to stop everything else and simply appreciate one another. Drive just over an hour from Houston to Blisswood and you will be in another world, where you can have a romantic Texas getaway. Book your reservation prior to May 31 and take advantage of our Earthday Back to the Country Special Package: you’ll receive a bottle of organic wine, a recyclable tote filled with “Save Your World” products (1 product=1 acre of rainforest saved for one year!), a CFL light bulb, organic lip balm, organic cotton cap, biodegradable water bottle. You will also receive a FREE year’s subscription to Organic Gardening. Finally, you will receive a $50 rebate on your lodging if you arrive in a hybrid vehicle. Be sure to mention this offer when making your reservations to qualify, and you will have a green getaway as well as a romantic getaway in Texas.
Texas romantic getaways
There are miles of peaceful trails and country roads to explore on your bicycle. Rent a rowboat and spend a morning lazing on the water. Blisswood is the perfect place to come for your romantic getaways in Texas, especially if you and your sweetie enjoy being active in the outdoors.
Blisswood has lots of wide open space for you to explore on foot, as well. Or go for something even more romantic: a horseback ride. Roam through nearly 650 acres of meadows and oak forests, across creeks, and past soothing ponds. See Blisswood Activities for more details about our guided rides.
What could be a better way to woo your sweetheart than a romantic ride in a hot air balloon? Plan your trip through Texas Air Adventures, and spend an afternoon gliding over the scenic landscape of South Central Texas. Then have a delicious candlelit dinner at Carol’s at Cat Springs restaurant.
At Blisswood Bed and Breakfast, even sitting on your porch is relaxing and romantic. So take a break from the daily grind and have a romantic few days here. You may even decide this is the place for your upcoming Texas wedding; if so, don’t hesitate to speak with us about arrangements. We enjoy hosting weddings in Texas.
Tags: Blisswood Bed and Breakfast, Carols at Cat Spring, romantic getaways in Texas, romantic Texas getaway, Texas Air Adventures, Texas romantic getaways, Texas wedding, weddings in Texas
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May 6th, 2009
The photojournalism workshop at Blisswood with Skeeter Hagler was a terrific success. Everyone had fun, learned a lot, and took fabulous photographs. One participant, Jenny, wrote, “I had an incredible weekend with you guys at Blisswood. I learned SO much and really enjoyed meeting everybody. What fun!!! Thank you SO much.” Her enthusiasm was shared by everyone, including Carol and Skeeter.
We hope Skeeter and his team will consider returning to Blisswood for another terrific Texas weekend getaway.
Below are some photographs taken by Jenny during the workshop.
Tags: Blisswood, photojournalism, Texas Weekend Getaway
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April 21st, 2009
We here at Blisswood love our natural setting, and realize that everything we do has an impact on the earth. Whether we are feeding the animals in the morning or taking in the sunset in the evening, we are immersed in nature. With this in mind, we are offering an Earth Day Back to the Country Package: it’s like going back to Grandma’s House, when times were simpler and the days were longer. Stay in one of our antique “recycled” houses and upon arrival you will receive a bottle of organic wine, a recyclable tote filled with “Save Your World” products (1 product=1 acre of rainforest saved for one year!), a CFL light bulb, organic lip balm, organic cotton cap, biodegradable water bottle. In addition you will receive a FREE year’s subscription to Organic Gardening, and if you arrive in a hybrid vehicle, you will receive a $50 rebate on your lodging! Come dine at Carol’s at Cat Spring restaurant and bring this announcement for a free glass of organic wine with your dinner. Call in your reservation by May 31st to receive this valuable offer upon your arrival in our peaceful, relaxing country setting. You might want to add a massage using organic products. See our organic vineyard and visit the local organic vegetable farm (Animal Farm) just down the road from BlissWood. Mention this offer when making your reservations to qualify.
It is spring, and folks are fleeing the city to come to our Texas Bed and Breakfast in the peaceful, relaxing countryside. There is a lot of life right now on the ranch during this period of birth and rebirth. Our morning feeding tours are great hits for our guests, where you can see animals up close and personal at feeding time. Plan on participating when you come out to the ranch to celebrate the earth.
Ah...spring
Of course, spring is a time for romance, and the perfect time for weddings in Texas. If you or your friends have been considering Houston Texas weddings, come out to Blisswood and learn how enchanting a more rural wedding can be.
Spring is also a good time to honor our wonderful past guests. Come to our romantic Texas getaway to see the flowers and the trees and the birds and the bees; if your two to three-night stay takes place Sunday night through Thursday night from April 15th-May 15th, you will received a discount of 50% for the second through third night. It’s our way of saying thank you for including Blisswood in your traditions.
Tags: Blisswood, Carols at Cat Spring, Earth Day, morning feeding tours, past guests special, Texas Bed and Breakfast
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