Like many towns in Texas, the community of Victoria was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. With houses demolished and no electricity or water, fortunately there was one shining beacon that offered solace, hope, and a warm gourmet meal.

Julie Hibbs founded her professional organizing company, Squared Away, in Houston back in 1999. “Helping her clients reduce their stress, increase their productivity, and better manage their time and energy” is her mission, explained Leigh Jackson, a long-time Squared Away employee. Learn how this Houston company was able to help after the devastating Hurricane Harvey.

In a state as big as Texas it is really not surprising that there are some mighty peculiar town names among the thousands of communities that make up this state! What is surprising however, are the mundane reasons for many of the odd-sounding choices. Of course there are also some very strange reasons for some very strange names!

What do Muleshoe, Salty, Bobo, Noodle, and Lazbuddie have in common? They are all peculiar names of towns around the state! The reasons for the unusual appellations are sometimes simple, sometimes obscure, but usually explainable. Each town was once a thriving community that picked their name to reflect monumental qualities for which they were once known! Here are explanations for the unusual names of ten towns that you might have come across in your travels.

If you have ever taken a road trip through Texas, you are sure to have noticed that some towns that have very peculiar names. Many honor people, perhaps founders, sweethearts, or heroes. Other town names seem to describe the surrounding terrain or perhaps a whimsical landmark.

What is in a name? As The Bard once wrote, “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet!” Well perhaps, but what about a town named Hogeye, Raisin, or Loco?

If you have ever driven through some of the back roads in Texas, you know that there are also many inexplicably strange town names. Why would anyone name a town Frognot, Bug Tussle, or Oatmeal? What about Ding Dong, Dime Box, or Hoot and Holler? Ah, as Shakespeare once wrote, “therein hangs a tale!”

The next time you find yourself visiting a Texan Oktoberfest or Wurstfest, keep your ears open. You might be able to hear a snippet of a language that may not be here much longer.

Stuck on what to get your Valentine this year? How about some delectable desserts that are not only tasty, but definitely Instagram worthy – no filters necessary!

If you are lucky this Valentine’s Day, cupid might find your perfect match. However, when you are looking for bread that brings love at first bite, no luck is needed to guarantee La Panadería will help you find the perfect batch!

As spring awakens Texas with blooming bluebonnets and warm, sunny days, there is no better time to head outdoors to a Texas State Park. More than 90 sites cover landscapes of canyons, beaches, sand hills, lakes, and rivers. Whether you are planning a quick outing to hit the trails or check out historic sites, or a camping vacation full of swimming, fishing, and s’mores, you will want to start by downloading the TX State Parks Official Guide, a free app that helps you find the perfect spot for your outdoor adventures.

Working in the music industry, many would find it easy to get caught up in the glamorous charm of fame, favor, and fascination. In pursuit of that neon dream, some would even risk it all in exchange for a small taste of stardom. However, in eyes of Texas country music artist Aaron Watson, the life that glittered hardly seemed made of gold.

Having lived in their Austin neighborhood for 20 years, Frank and Tara West jumped at the opportunity to build their custom home in a new development within the same area. A realtor by trade, Tara knew exactly how she wanted to have her four bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom, 4,100-square-foot home laid out and what would make it function in the best possible way.

For many people, the idea of an elopement means sacrificing the beauty and elegance of a traditional ceremony in favor of a quick, impersonal exchange of vows without a second thought given to planning the event. Perhaps this was true in the past, but soaring wedding costs and busy schedules created the need for a fiscally responsible alternative that features all of the intimacy and romance of a traditional wedding with a more streamlined and affordable planning process. A plethora of truly unique options for elopements that combine Texas values of family and tradition with the simplicity of the modern age have risen in the Lone Star State within recent years.