Jill Coody Smits

The Gourdgeous Glass Pumpkin Patch Festival Breaks the Mold for the Fall Season

September 14, 2022

Pumpkin spice cocktails, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin-scented candles, multi-hued decorative pumpkins—everywhere you look, there’s pumpkin something.

Sensing a Need in Uncertain Times, Indie Bookstore Owners Set Up Shop Around Texas

August 19, 2021

5 Small-Town Grocery Stores to Shop During Your Next Road Trip

July 26, 2021

These markets carry everything you might need for a successful stay, whether it’s in a lakeside cabin in East Texas or a rustic teepee in West Texas.

11 Wineries to Visit in Fredericksburg Now

May 27, 2021

With nearly a dozen wineries inside its city limits, Fredericksburg offers plenty of locales for imbibing during a weekend getaway.

All You Need to Know to Do the Round Top Antiques Show Right

March 24, 2021

Try These Four Restaurants During the Round Top Antiques Show

March 16, 2021

Of course, the tens of thousands of treasure-hunting shoppers tramping their way from field to field are bound to get hungry from their efforts. Rest assured, there are plenty of options for good eating, from elaborately outfitted sit-down dinners to humble ham salad.

What It’s Like to Open a Restaurant in Texas During a Pandemic

February 6, 2021

Despite the daunting landscape, however, indefatigable chef-entrepreneurs across the state are also opening restaurants, hiring back eager-to-work staff, and serving delicious food.

Luby’s Long Goodbye

September 11, 2020

If you grew up in Texas, you’ve probably eaten at Luby’s. And if you’ve eaten at Luby’s, your feelings about the restaurant may run surprisingly deep. While it’s been decades since I stepped inside one, my nostalgia for square fish, church clothes, and green Jell-O has been in overdrive since hearing the 73-year old Houston-based cafeteria chain is closing multiple locations and heading toward liquidation.

Forage for Rare and Pricey Chanterelle Mushrooms in East Texas

August 27, 2020

Try These 5 Texas Rosés This Summer

May 13, 2020

From frosé to brosé to “rosé all day,” pink wine has moved from fad to favorite among summertime libations. It’s only right—given the light, refreshing wine pairs perfectly with Texas  heat—that our state’s vintners are producing rosés that any oenophile would be proud to pour.

Lone Star Launches Its First-Ever Seasonal Beer

April 24, 2020

“It’s not ideal to launch Rio Jade in a global pandemic,” says Emily Hoyle, Lone Star’s brand manager. “But if we can bring something positive to Texans and give them something to look forward to, then our day is made.”

Small-Town Dispatches: Tyler, an Empty Town in Bloom, Looks Ahead to Better Days

April 9, 2020

In the East Texas town of Tyler, spring is usually a hopping time. Flowers bloom spectacularly throughout the historic district. The annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail lures thousands of visitors who come to experience the area’s beautiful gardens, elegant homes, local eateries, and quaint brick streets.