Chicz - A magazine for FUN Women - May/June 2019

a Magazine for FUN women!

May/June 2019

TM

Grilled pizza &

WINE What’s in your TOOLBOX?

It’s time for financial

SPRING CLEANING

Alomere Health is an equal opportunity employer.

Alomere means career opportunities.

We’re proud to highlight the following employment opportunities at our hospital and clinics.

• Patient Access Representative • Patient Care Assistant • Patient Flow Coordinator (LPN or CMA) • Registered Nurse • Surgical Technologist

Here for Life

If you are interested please apply online by clicking the “Employment Opportunities” link at www.AlomereHealth.com and join a world-class care team today.

Questions? Give us a call at 320.762.6080.

Alomere Health • Alexandria Clinic • Osakis Clinic • Heartland Orthopedic Specialists

It’s time to get outside!

Inside this issue May/June 2019

Aaaah, spring!

After a unusually hard winter, spring’s arrival is greatly appreciated The Jeff Beach Diet 4 here in Minnesota and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Real Chicz of weather.

Spring also inspires us to fire up our grills and our favorite dieter Douglas County 24 guru, Jeff Beach, gives us a great recipe for grilled stuffed pork loin Puzzles and horoscopes 28 and Al Edenloff lets you know how to go about pairing grilled pizza and wine.

Food and drink Don’t forget to check Pair your grilled pork with out our other recipes, roasted brussels sprouts • 5 including breakfast Tea time: loose leaf vs. sandwiches and baked tea bags• 6 oatmeal, and find GRILLED BISHOP REGINALD HEBER out the differences Recommended brew PIZZA AND WINE between loose leaf tea times for tea • 6 and tea bags in Lowell Anderson’s series Tea Time.

Andy’s choice: Always be ready Celeste Edenloff again brings you Real Chicz of Douglas to celebrate • 7 County, featuring a woman who’s been nurse for 35 and Try these delicious breakfast sandwiches • 8 loves it!

Baked oatmeal with fruit • 8 We have articles to help you deal with staying connected to your kids as a working parent and some planning tips Technology for creating a well-blended stepfamily. Eric Morken conPhoto tips: Understanding white balance• 20 tinues to bring his views on life in A Guyz Perspective as he talks about finding time for yourself.

Family We have articles on kitchen renovation blunders and The Balancing Act: Stay connected to your kids • 12 adding a sun room to your home, and some nifty tips Planning: the key to a harmonious stepfamily • 12 on how to remove the odors from your front-loading A Guyz Perspective: Finding time for yourself • 13 washing machine. Betty Ravnik talks about bringing a clean Scandinavian design into your home.

Whad to moms really want for Mother’s Day • 22 Head outdoors with some suggestions for 2019 A day dedicated to Dad • 23 annuals and plants to grow in your shade garden, The changing face of fatherhood • 23 then read about spring cleaning your finances with advice from Andrew Holte of Edward Jones.

Home LOVELY And, last, but certainly not least, check out the Kitchen renovation blunders • 14 LILACS Between the Wines Book Club’s review of BelongBenefits of adding a solarium to your home • 15 ing by Michelle Obama.

Doing your own home repairs • 16 This issue of Chicz is chock full of wonderful What’s in your toolbox? • 16 reading as wel head into the spring and summer Smelly front-loading washer? • 17 season, so dig in and enjoy!

“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.”

5

19

Lori Mork, Chicz editor

To advertise in Chicz

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call 320.763.3133 Jody Hanson, Publisher Lori Mork, Editor/Designer Chicz is a publication of Echo Press, 225 7th Ave. East Alexandria, MN 56308 ©2012 Echo Press Send your feedback to:

chiczmag@gmail.com

14

Plenty new with annuals for 2019 • 18 Beauty in the shade • 18 Top mulch varieties for your garden• 27

Finance

Time for some financial spring cleaning • 9

Entertainment

Between the Wines book club review • 10 Popular reads for May • 11

Your writers

Chicz contributing writers • 30 May/June 2019 Chicz 3

butterflies

For the grill, think

By Jeff Beach t’s grilling season, so of course my mind turns to butterflies.

No, not the friendly flitting pollinators. I would never eat those, unless there was money on the line.

I am talking about slicing open a nice juicy pork loin butterfly-style and stuffing it for the grill.

I start with a boneless pork loin that usually weighs about 8 pounds. I will cut in half and freeze half for later.

To butterfly the pork loin, slice the meat the entire length of the roast, about an inch short of cutting all the way through.

I

I usually butterfly the pork loin into thirds, meaning I make the initial cut about a third of the way up from the bottom, fold it open like a book, then slice the thicker portion in half again so it opens in thirds, like an informational brochure on how to create a butterfly garden, except the pork loin is a whole lot more appetizing.

Some folks butterfly in fourths, making the first slice halfway through the roast and then slicing each half again.

Some people also pound the pork loin thinner, but for me the porker has already been through enough as it is, except for the cooking part.

Anyway, once folded open you can season or stuff with whatever your heart or stomach desires.

Here’s how I did the first pork loin of the summer: APPLESAUCE AND ONION STUFFED PORK LOIN INGREDIENTS: 1 4-pound boneless pork loin, sliced open butterfly-style Apple cider vinegar (I didn’t really measure) 2 tsp. garlic salt (or to taste, which means guess)

Pair your grilled pork with roasted

DIRECTIONS: After slicing open the pork loin, place in a shallow baking dish. Splash with apple cider vinegar then sprinkle

For your stuffing, use your imagination, or let Google or whatever you have in your kitchen be your guide. But please, no butterflies.

JEFF BEACH

diet

Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’.

brussels sprouts

I used to despise brussels sprouts, but once I tried these little green balls roasted in the oven, I was hooked! They are a great choice to pair with Jeff’s butterflied pork loin.

INGREDIENTS: 24 ounces brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and cut in half 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. fresh black pepper 3 Tbsp. olive oil

4 Chicz May/June 2019

2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped, but save a couple slices to add on top at the end ½ cup applesauce (this I actually did measure) A dash or two of cinnamon Butcher’s twine (optional)

with about 1 tsp. garlic salt.

Mince garlic and chop onion and combine with applesauce and cinnamon, then slather the mixture on the pork loin.

Roll or fold the pork loin back up, splash again with apple cider vinegar and sprinkle with garlic salt. If, desired, tie with butcher’s twine in three or four spots.

Let the pork loin marinate and then get the grill going, not too hot, trying to keep it to about 300 or 350 degrees.

Cook until done. I figure 1520 minutes per pound, turning every 15 or 20 minutes. In the last 15 to 20 minutes, take reserved slices of onion, separate into rings and top the pork loin.

The

By Lori Mork

INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Slice brussels sprouts in half; place in large bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat.

Spread sprouts on baking sheet and roast in oven for 15 minutes. Stir and roaste for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

OPTIONS: Before serving, sprinkle with grated or shredded parmesan cheese.

Perfect summer combo:

Grilled pizza and wine

By Al Edenloff

Tired of grilling the same food – burgers, hot dogs, brats and steaks?

Why not give pizza a try? And pair your fare with a glass of wine that will elevate your grilled dinner to the next level.

The possibilities for pizza toppings are as limitless as your imagination. Wine makes a great accompaniment because you can find an array of choices that will go with certain toppings or sauces.

The secret to grilling up a crispy, smoky pizza is to not load it up with tons of ingredients. It will just turn your masterpiece into a soggy mess. Stick to a maximum of four or five toppings and use them sparingly. You’ll also want to pre-cook some of the ingredients, such as onions, mushrooms or bell peppers, because there won’t be enough time on the grill to cook them all the way through. Also, soak up as much moisture from the ingredients as you can – pat down olives, for instance, with paper towels.

Another trick: Have all your ingredients chopped, dried and ready to go so you can throw them quickly on the pizza after you’ve cooked the crust a bit.

For the crust, you can find tons of recipes on the internet. Don’t shy away from the thinner crust recipes – just check the crust every couple of minutes because it can burn easily under the high heat of the grill.

A pizza stone works slick on the grill.

For thinner crusts, you don’t even need to preheat the stone. Just roll out your dough, transfer it to the stone, put it on your pre-heated 450-degree grill, let it cook for a few minutes, flip it over, and then lay down your sauce, toppings and cheese. Cook until the crust is brown on the edges and the cheese is bubbling.

If you’re more of a traditionalist when it comes to pizza, try these red sauce classics: Pepperoni with Sangiovese or Cabernet Franc.

Cheese with Grenache or Syrah.

Hawaiian (pineapple with Canadian bacon) with Zinfandel or Riesling.

Margherita with Rose or Garnacha.

If you’re in an adventurous mood, try this sweet and savory “Blackberry Date Night Pizza.” For the sauce, mix ricotta cheese with a thick, spicy jam, such as Bronco Bob’s Raspberry Chipotle Sauce.

Spread the cheese mixture thin and top with whole blackberries, arugula, freshly torn basil leaves and toasted pine nuts.

The great part about these kind of pizzas is that you can easily find a wine that will match with something on the pizza.

Pinot Noir or Sangiovese is a good choice for the ricotta cheese; Cabernet Franc pairs well with blackberries; Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc works with arugula; Merlot or Pinot Grigio will bring out the basil; and Chardonnay is a good match for pine nuts. Just go with whatever wine you like best and give it a swirl.

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May/June 2019 Chicz 5

Longjing, also known as dragonwell, is a loose-leaf green tea from China. It is shown here steeping in a special cup called a gaiwan. (Wikipedia/Difference Engine)

Loose leaf vs. tea bags

For most people, making tea is easy: you just heat some water, plop in a tea bag, and possibly remove the bag when your drink is strong enough.

However, if you really want to enjoy the wide variety of flavors in tea, you’ll eventually want to try loose-leaf tea.

Loose-leaf tea is any tea that does not come in a tea bag. It is sometimes called whole leaf tea because it may contain whole, unbroken tea leaves. However,

Loose-leaf teas vary widely in their appearance.

This loose-leaf tea is a blend of several black teas.

(Wikipedia/Selena N.B.H.)

there are also loose-leaf teas that consist of broken leaves and even some that are ground to a powder or pressed into “cakes.” What they all have in common is that they are higher quality teas that you buy in bulk.

In contrast, tea in bags is often just tea leaf dust or finely broken tea leaves. The result is that more tannins are released, which can produce a more bitter tasting tea. In addition, finely broken tea leaves may lose more of the oils that give tea its taste. So, while there’s nothing wrong with using tea bags, just be aware that you’re trading convenience for better tasting tea.

In a way, it could be compared to drinking instant coffee, rather than fresh ground coffee.

There are a couple of downsides to loose-leaf tea that keep many people from trying it. The first is that it can be hard to find. Most stores are stocked with boxes and boxes of tea in bags, but you’ll be lucky to ever find any loose-leaf. There are, however, many places where you can order loose leaf tea online. And if you travel to most larger cities, you should be

Recommended brew times for tea Tea Type Black Tea Chai Tea Green Tea Herbal Tea Red Tea Oolong Tea White Tea Cold Brewed Iced Tea

Brew Time 4 minutes 5 minutes 2 minutes 4 minutes 4 minutes 3 minutes 1 minute 5 minutes

For milder tea flavour, shorten brew time.

For stronger tea flavour, increase brewing time.

6 Chicz May/June 2019

By Lowell Anderson

Tea Time Third in a series

Exploring the world of tea able to find a store that sells high-quality teas.

Be aware that when shopping for looseleaf tea, the prices may seem high at first.

However, if you calculate how many cups you can brew, the cost is often very reasonable, especially since some tea leaves can be steeped multiple times.

The other downside is that you may need some special supplies, such as a tea kettle for heating water and something to separate the leaves from the water, such as a tea basket or strainer. The idea is to have room for the leaves to expand and still be surrounded by water while steeping. You will also need some relatively airtight containers or tins to store the tea.

For the best tasting tea, you’ll want to avoid microwaving and use good quality water.

Give loose-leaf tea a try. It’s a little harder to find and prepare, but once you try it, you probably won’t want to go back to “instant” tea ever again.

ANDY’S CHOICE:

Always be ready to While it is easy (and often refreshing) to settle for a cold beer, with a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you can create and enjoy many super fun adult beverage options.

Depending on your favorite flavors, you may need to have on hand a few of the following on hand: lime salt, pickles, an assortment of olives, agave nectar, juices, seltzer water or club soda are among the interesting and relatively easy cocktail ingredients. Next of course would be your favorite liquors such as bourbon, vodka, tequila, rum or gin. Ice, do not forget the ice.

If you are not comfortable with agave nectar use a simple syrup.

SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE In a saucepan, mix ½ cup water and ½-cup sugar.

Bring to a boil until the sugar

celebrate!

is dissolved and the syrup becomes thick enough to coat a spoon, then remove from the heat and let cool.

Once cool, pour syrup into a bottle, it helps if the bottle has a spout for easy pouring.

Keep refrigerated for up to one month.

Make a plethora of groovy refreshing drinks with this easy mix-and-match recipe.

SPRING/SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPE Combine 1-2oz liquor, 1/2oz agave nectar or simple syrup, 4-6oz mixer and a garnish.

Adjust to your own taste preference.

Garnishes – use them, they just make the drink more complete!

Pineapple, mint, cilantro, basil, rosemary, tarragon, blueberries, orange slices…..

Here are some cocktail ideas to get you started:

By Andy Mellgren

SUMMER SPLASH – Tequila, lime juice, agave nectar or simple syrup, muddled cilantro and an orange slice or cilantro sprig for garnish MINT MOJITO – Rum (light/silver), lime juice, seltzer water or club soda, agave nectar or simple syrup, muddled mint and mint sprig for garnish BACKYARD BLUEBERRY COOLER – Vodka, lemon juice, agave nectar or simple syrup and blueberries on a toothpick with tarragon leaves as garnish

UPSIDE DOWN GREYHOUND – Vodka, grapefruit juice, agave nectar or simple syrup and sprig of rosemary for garnish BOURBON SWIZZLE – Bourbon, lemon juice, agave nectar or simple syrup, 2-3 mint sprigs GIN RICKEY – Gin, lime juice, agave nectar or simple syrup, club soda While there are many variations and ideas, get going already! There are a lot of cocktails to enjoy between now and Labor Day Weekend!

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May/June 2019 Chicz 7

Try these delicious

R

By Lori Mork

ecently, I was in charge of the meal for a breakfast meeting and wanted to find something other than egg bake, which doesn’t top my list of favorites. I still wanted something hearty and filling for the men and women who would be there, so I headed for my favorite website to find something that would fit the bill. Once again, Pinterest didn’t fail me! I found this recipe for a tailgate breakfast sandwich; something that I could make at home, transport to the meeting, and remain hot and tasty. I did tweak it a bit to suit my taste by replacing some of the English muffins with bagels. I wrapped each sandwich halfway with parchment paper, then placed them in a preheated electric roaster on low to keep them warm.

If you’re looking for a hot breakfast on the go, these sandwiches can also be frozen and reheated.

breakfast sandwiches BREAKFAST SANDWICHES INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. bacon (I used pre-cooked bacon that needed just a few seconds in the microwave) 12 eggs 3/4 cup milk Salt and pepper to taste 1 (20oz) package refrigerated hashbrowns 12 slices cheddar cheese 12 bagels or English muffins

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the bacon in either the oven, in a frying pan, or microwave.

In a skillet, add some grease from the bacon or some cooking oil and heat on medium.

Add hashbrowns and press into an even layer. Cook 6-7 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut into sections and turn over to cook for 3-4 more minutes until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Spray a 9x13 cake pan with non-stick spray

and add eggs. Bake until set (12-15 minutes) but not overcooked. You can stir them occasionally if you wish to make sure they are cooked evenly. I didn’t and they came out fine.

Eggs will continue to cook after they are removed from the oven. Cut into 12 even squares.

Assemble your sandwiches by layering eggs, cheese, hashbrowns and bacon on bagels or muffins.

Wrap sandwiches halfway up in parchment paper so the bottom is covered and the top

Baked oatmeal with fruit

I

first tried baked oatmeal at a bed and breakfast several years ago. While I’m not a fan of oatmeal, this version of cut oats was delicious. This is not the original recipe that was served to us, but is just as tasty. You can replace the frozen fruit with fresh or with dried. The leftovers also reheat easily. There are many versions of baked oatmeal, such as apple-cinnamon or pecan pie flavored. A quick internet search will help you find the perfect flavor.

BAKED OATMEAL INGREDIENTS: 2 cups quick-cook oats (see notes on quick-cook vs. rolled) 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp salt ⅓ cup packed brown sugar 2 cups nonfat milk 2 eggs ½ tbsp vanilla extract 3 tbsps honey 1½ tbsp melted butter 2 cups frozen mixed berries ¼ cup pecans, separated INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

8 Chicz May/June 2019

open to keep the sandwiches from getting soggy.

Place sandwiches in a container or roaster with the open side up. Cover lightly with foil or the lid of the roaster.

If you wont’ be using the sandwiches right away, refrigerate them and keep them cold, then reheat. If you are transporting them to serve immediately, keep them warm.

To reheat, place covered trays in the oven, electric roaster or on the grill. Cook until heated through.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar. Set aside.

In a seperate bowl whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla, honey, and butter.

Layer half the berries in a 2 quart baking dish and top evenly with the dry oat mixture. Pour on the wet mixture, then add the rest of the berries on top along with the roughly chopped pecans.

Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the oats have absorbed the liquid. Serve hot or cold!

NOTES: If using non-quick cook oats, increase your baking time to 35-40 minutes.

Time for some Financial

By Andrew Holte Spring is here – which means it’s time for some spring cleaning. This year, in addition to tidying up your surroundings, you may also want to clean up your financial environment – and some of the same moves may apply.

•Get rid of clutter. When you go through your closets, attic, basement or other areas, you may find many items you no longer need. You might be able to sell some of these things or find other ways of disposing of them. And as you review your portfolio, you might also encounter “clutter” in the form of investments that may be redundant to others you own. If so, you might consider selling these investments and using the proceeds to purchase new ones, which may help you broaden your portfolio.

Spring Cleaning

•Protect yourself from hazards. As you go about your spring cleaning, you may well encounter hazardous substances, such as cleaning agents, paints, batteries, pesticides and so on, which you don’t need anymore and which may pose potential health risks. You can reduce the possible danger from these materials by recycling or disposing of them in an environmentally safe way. Your overall financial situation has hazards, too, in the form of illness or injury preventing you from working, or, in your later years, the need for some type of long-term care, such as an extended stay in a nursing home. To protect yourself, you may need appropriate insurance, including disability and long-term care.

•Find new uses for existing possessions. When you are sprucing up your home, you may rediscover uses for things you already have. Who

knows – perhaps that treadmill that’s been gathering dust in your garage could actually be employed again as part of your rededicated exercise regimen. And you might be able to get more mileage out of some of your existing investments, too.

Suppose, for instance, that some of your stocks are paying you dividends, which you take as cash. If you don’t really need this income to support your lifestyle, you might consider reinvesting the dividends so that you can own more shares of the dividend-paying stocks.

Over the long run, increased share ownership is a key to helping build your portfolio.

•Establish new habits.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be just about physical activities – it can also involve a new set of habits on your part. For example, instead of placing your unread

magazines in an ever-expanding pile, try to read and recycle them quickly. You can also develop some positive habits as an investor, such as “paying yourself first” by regularly putting some money in an investment account each month, even before paying all your bills. You can also avoid some bad habits, such as overreacting to market downturns by selling investments to “cut your losses,” even though those same investments may still have strong growth potential and may still be suitable for your needs.

Doing some financial spring cleaning today can help improve your prospects for achieving your important goals tomorrow.

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We’re the Helpful Hardware Folks May/June 2019 Chicz 9

Becoming by Michelle Obama

“BECOMING”

Rated 7.6

Reviewed by the “Between the Wines” Book Club

her time in the White House is her strength of character. For some, this was inspirational. For others, it was intimidating or something to be scorned.

Obama’s 448-page memoir, Becoming, showcases her life from childhood through her time as First Lady. It includes three sections: Becoming Me is about growing up in South Side Chicago, Becoming Us is about meeting Barack and becoming a mother, and Becoming More tells of her time as First Lady. Her strength is dominant throughout, from her determination as a child to be the best, to her time in the White House when she wasn’t comfortable conforming to the traditional expectations of a First Lady.

What appealed to members of our club was that Obama shared stories and feelings that were relatable to women juggling career ambitions with

Book Club review marriage and parenting who set high, often unrealistic expectations for themselves. We were also impressed by how she has continuously lived under the belief: Be yourself with no apologies. She tells of times where her judgement may have been off with something she said, did, or how she presented herself, but she shares these in a matter-of-fact manner, never apologizing for them.

It may be her air of “this is who I am, like it or don’t” that wins readers over to being fans if they weren’t already, or adds fuel to the fire for those who don’t approve of her style, which has been described as “abrasive.” Obama occasionally shares a softer side, like when

admitting the pain caused by other people’s words. “I was getting worn out, not physically, but emotionally. The punches hurt, even if I understood that they had little to do with who I really was as a person,” she wrote of the criticisms she experienced as First Lady Obama was very detailed in her writing, which painted a very clear picture of her life, but also got a bit lengthy. Several members of our club shared they were intrigued with the first half of the book, but started losing interest near the end due.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the personal life of America’s first African-American First Lady, we definitely recommend the book!

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ichelle Obama was the first African-American woman to serve as First Lady of the U.S. But what will stand out for many of

Between the

Looking for more?

Check out these popular reads for May from Goodreads 1. Again, but Better

by Christine Riccio 3.90 avg. rating 2. The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient, #2)

by Helen Hoang 4.15 avg. rating

6. Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1)

by Jay Kristoff 4.37 avg rating 7. Finale (Caraval, #3)

by Stephanie Garber 4.37 avg. rating

3. The Blue Bistro

by Elin Hilderbrand 4.01 avg. rating

8. Red, White & Royal Blue

by Casey McQuiston 4.57 avg. rating

4. The Unhoneymooners

by Christina Lauren 4.21 avg. rating

9. We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya, #1)

by Hafsah Faizal 4.32 avg. rating

5. Little Fires Everywhere

by Celeste Ng 4.12 avg. rating

10. Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson, #11)

by Patricia Briggs 4.47 avg. rating

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May/June 2019 Chicz 11

The BALANCING Act

By Cheryl Graham

How to stay connected with your kids as a working parent Throughout my second pregnancy, I was wrought with anxiety. How could I possibly have room in my heart & life for another child? The idea of compromising my relationship with my then two-yearold devastated me. A similar fear gripped me as I prepared to return to the career world after a 3-year sabbatical as a stayat-home mom. I cherished the closeness I felt with my 3 sidekicks and dreaded the idea that I would drift away from them once I started my 8 to 5. Thankfully, just as I learned years ago when my second daughter was born, relationships will change but don’t have to suffer. Here are 5 ways I’ve learned to stay connected to my kids as a working parent:

1

Read Together. From the time my kids were young, the bedtime story has been one of my favorite parts of the day. My kids are now old enough to read independently, but I still make time to read at least one chapter of a book

with them every evening. We bond over the story and sneak in some cuddle time.

2

Write a Note. I may not be there after school any longer to hear about how the math test went or console them when there are friendship tragedies, but I’ve found that slipping a note with an encouraging message or affirmation into a school book or lunch box lets them know that I still care & helps me to still feel involved.

3

Start a Tradition. I’ve accepted that I can’t attend every field trip or be on the sidelines for the gym dodgeball tourney while balancing a career. Instead, I’ve chosen one event to pour my heart into. For our family, it’s birthday cakes. I will never open a bakery, but I can tier a cake and roll out fondant when the need arises. I let my kids design their own cake; we plan together, bake together, and I devote myself to making their vision a reality.

PLANNING: the key to a harmonious stepfamily

If you want to build a successful stepfamily founded on mutual respect and good intentions, it’s important to plan. Even when two people are madly in love, it’s crucial to avoid getting too comfortable too quickly. Moving in together in the early stages of a relationship isn’t always the best idea for new couples, but more importantly, it can be quite detrimental to any kids tied up in the equation.

12 Chicz May/June 2019

Enjoyable activities.

Before thinking about forming a blended family, it’s a good idea to plan a few enjoyable activities during which the children can become familiar with one another. Pick a relaxed setting (an indoor amusement park, a movie theatre or a kid-friendly restaurant) where all parties involved can get used to the situation at their own pace. This will do wonders to facilitate the transition.

Common rules. It’s important to talk to your new partner and plan ahead for situations that could prove difficult. Topics to discuss in advance include: allowances for the children, bedtimes, screen time and curfews. Your goal is to have a fair set of rules that’s the same for all the kids.

Last but not least, take time to let your children voice any concerns they might have and answer all their questions honestly.

4

Listen. This one seems self-explanatory, but its harder than it sounds. After working all day and needing to hit the ground running with tasks at home, it’s easy to multi-task too much and tune out who-did-what-to-whom at recess. The problem is, if you stop listening they’ll eventually stop talking. With that in mind, I try to make a point to ask questions and show them I’m interested in what they have to say.

5

Play “I love you more than . . .” How this game was born in our family is lost to legend, but it can be played anywhere and is a great way to tap into creativity and share feelings. One person starts with “I love you more than (all of the spring flowers)” and the next person responds with their own “I love you more than . . .” Repeat as long as small attention spans allow.

a guyz perspective

yourself

Finding time for

By Eric Morken

It’s easy in life to come up with excuses as to why we can’t do something.

I write that from experience. I’m too busy, too tired, especially after getting home at the end of the day knowing that it will be at least 8 p.m. before everyone has eaten and the kids are in bed. Trying to exercise and stay in shape is something that is always on my mind, but it’s so easy to put it off, to say I just don’t have time today.

For years, my wife, Mali, fell into that same category. She wanted to exercise regularly, but two children means that isn’t easy. Eating habits can also fall off when we’re rushed.

For the last handful of years, I have made it a point to run quite frequently during the summer, and I would often find myself encouraging Mali to do the same.

She went through stretches where she

committed to this, but nothing too long term. That’s changed dramatically over the past year. Now she is the one setting the example for our family on how to live healthy.

It started with a subscription to an online program that offers hundreds of workouts. Mali and I used this throughout the winter to stay active, but Mali has gone much further with it than I have.

It’s made for a complete lifestyle shift.

Mali could always sleep as long as I or the kids would let her. Today, she wakes up at 5 a.m. each day to work out. Never one to cook, she has taken over a lot of our meal planning to make sure we’re eating healthier as a family. This was after years where lunch for her could mean nothing more than a chocolate chip cookie when she was busy.

Mali is stronger now physically, but more importantly, she is as happy with herself as I have ever seen her.

I have always had my passions in the outdoors that I have made a priority. Having those passions, whatever they are for you, is instrumental to consistent happiness.

It has been exciting to see Mali take more time for herself as a busy mother and nurse and find something new she is passionate about. She has thrown out excuses as to why she can’t. In the process, she’s set an example for our daughters and me on how much we can do.

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May/June 2019 Chicz 13

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SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN

By Betty Ravnik

The Norwegian celebration Syttende Mai, which is recognized on May 17, brings my attention to the colors and the interiors of Scandinavian countries.

From the colorful exteriors and the decorative painted items of Norway to the white washed interiors of Sweden we have much to learn from their approach to design and decoration. Did you know the top ranking happiest countries in the world for 2018 were Finland, Norway and Denmark? I wonder if their houses have something to do with that.

Norway is the land of primary colors.

Traditional colors of red, yellow, blue and of course white are often used for exteriors. Seldom does one see brown, tan and gray which are popular Midwestern colors. How is it with Minnesota’s strong Scandinavian heritage did we not inherit

their love of color. (However, there are those great farm sites with the traditional white houses and red barns!)

Another Norwegian tradition is rosemaling, a form of folk painting, dating back to the 18c. It is spontaneous fluid strokes of colorful paint in flowers, leaves and scrolls. Cabinets painted yellow with red and blue accents or red cabinets with white and blue detailing are common.

Colorful objects lift the spirit and contrast nicely with wood or white walls. Recently Ravnik & Co. helped a client design the kitchen in their beautiful log home. The client wanted to add some Scandinavian color to her “brown” home. Yellow cabinets paired with a blue island provided the perfect punch of color and happiness.

Scandinavian countries have winters and darkness like we have. Because of days with little light the interiors are usually lighter to reflect as much light as

Kitchen renovation blunders to avoid

Thinking about renovating your kitchen? If so, keep in mind that this is a major project. Since your kitchen is probably the most used room in the house, you want the end result to be both beautiful and functional. Here are some mistakes to avoid when upgrading your kitchen.

Ignoring the layout. Keep your kitchen functional by considering the work triangle (the distance between the sink, refrigerator and cooktop) when designing your kitchen.

14 Chicz May/June 2019

Forgetting about organization. A pullout pantry or extra rack in the cabinet can help you keep your kitchen tidy and sorted. Invest in practical storage options that make your life easier Making last minute changes. Before the renovation starts, be sure about the choices you’ve made. Changing your mind once the work has begun can be expensive.

possible. Light or white wood floors and white from floor to walls is common. We have all seen the super monochrome Scandinavian interiors gracing the fronts of magazines but I challenge you to step past the all-white interiors and brighten your home with flower inspired colors.

So how do you start to add color into your home? Imagine how a brightly, botanical themed wallpaper can transform your powder room. Try adding a colorful rug and pillows which can lift your spirits in the living room. Hang lively happy art in any room which will make you smile as you enter.

Bottom line Scandinavian interiors are simple and cheerful. On any budget you can achieve a beautiful interior with vibrant pops of color. Scandinavians love nature and what better way to add color this spring then fill vases of beautiful colorful flowers!

Benefits of adding a

SOLARIUM to your home

A solarium or sunroom is an indoor space that has an abundance of natural light.

This is thanks to the structure having oversized windows or walls entirely made of glass. If you’re thinking about getting one, here are some of the benefits you stand to enjoy.

Extra living space. A solarium can increase your home’s usable space. Many people use theirs as either a breakfast nook, home office or exercise room.

Natural light. A solarium allows sunlight into your home. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light can help you sleep better at night, increase your productivity and improve your mood.

All-season gardening. Do you miss your herb garden in the winter months, or have you struggled to protect your veggie patch from pests? With a solarium you can have a healthy and vibrant garden all year long.

Solariums and sunrooms are great places to relax and enjoy life. If you have a porch or patio you don’t use much, consider converting it.

May/June 2019 Chicz 15

Doing your own

Home repairs If you are a home owner, being able to handle basic home maintenance is a must.

The majority of repairs around the house usually call for a few common tools and some basic skills.

Here are some of the most important jobs you should be able to handle on your own: PLUMBING From flushing problems to leaky faucets, plumbing problems are nearly a given.

Online help is easy can help you with your do-it-yourself repairs, such as replacing a toilet’s float to taking apart a sink’s p-trap, or replacing the o-ring on a dripping faucet.

You can even find step-bystep instructions on how to replace an old faucet with a new one.

You can find anything from basic to complex plumbing help online, by visiting the local library for do-it-yourself books, or by checking to see if you can find a class on basic home repair.

MECHANICAL REPAIRS AND POWER TOOLS Learning how to use simple power tools is an invaluable skill and will come in handy if you need to repair or maintain mechanical devices such as lawn mowers, air conditioners, washers, dryers and garbage disposals. Be familiar with the tools necessary as well as how to use them safely.

BASIC ELECTRICAL Whether it’s changing out a light fixture or a broken outlet, being able to do basic electrical work can be an important

What’s in your

By Lori Mork I was fortunate to grow up with a father who he taught me many of the skills I still use today. In fact, my dad bought me my first set of tools – in pink! After getting married, inheriting a father-in-law with the same mindset, I learned enough to tackle just about any home improvement or repair task necessary.

These days I can boast of a pretty impressive tool collection – both manual and power – and could probably supply screwdrivers to an entire neighborhood with a few left over. You don’t need as many tools as I have, but before you begin any home repair or improvement project, here is a list of the mainstays that should be in your toolbox:

16 Chicz May/June 2019

CLAW HAMMER. This is probably the most important tool in your toolbox. The most common hammer and comes in 8 or 16-oz. sizes. Make sure you pick the weight your most comfortable with. The heavier the hammer, the more power your swing has, but it also means that it will be harder to control the more tired your arm becomes.

SCREWDRIVER SET. You don’t need a large selection but you should have different sizes of both Phillips and flathhead screwdrivers.

UTILITY KNIFE. This is used for trimming, as well as opening boxes, packages or cutting through tape or cord.

It’s important to get one with a retractable blade for safety.

MEASURING TAPE. A retractable metal locking mea-

safety factor in preventing a fire hazard.

Make sure to locate a reliable do-it-yourself guide when it comes to the basics, and don’t forget to turn off the main breaker panel before starting any project.

BASIC CARPENTRY Basic carpentry skills will aid you all throughout your home, from patching holes in the walls to replacing a doorknob or sealing windows and doors against drafts.

With just a few tools and

some supplies, you can build a shelf if you need one or even replace cabinetry. You can also repair decks, chairs and tables.

Don’t be afraid to put some time in researching steps to complete a project. Check out the internet – there are dozens of do-it-yourself websites with step-by-step instructions – or even ask someone you know for advice. Just make sure you are confident of the steps you need to follow to have a safe and successful project.

TOOLBOX? suring tape is an invaluable tool to have. Select one that is at least 25 to 50 feet long.

COMBINATION PLIERS. This is a multi-purpose pliers, combining gripping jaws with wire cutters. You can use it for just about everything, including tightening bolts, removing screws and cutting wire.

VISE GRIPS. These will hold something in place while you work with the other end. It locks tight around just about anything.

NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS. These have a narrow head and are useful in electrical work and in small spaces.

SAW. Depending on the size your project, you can use a manual handsaw or a electric circular saw. I also have a hacksaw for cutting metal.

CRESCENT WRENCH. Actually called an adjustable wrench, a crescent wrench is the trademark name of a wrench with a moveable jaw.

Use this to remove nuts and bolts if you don’t have an actual fixed set of wrenches.

LEVEL. If you want to make sure your shelf or picture is hanging level, you need to have this in your toolbox.

TAPE AND HARDWARE. Duct tape, electrical tape, plumber’s tape, as well as multiple sizes of screws and nails should round out your collection.

POWER DRILL (Optional).

This won’t fit in your toolbox, but it is one of the most valuable tools I own. It can save wear-and-tear on your arm when hanging brackets for window blinds!

Smelly front-loading washer?

Get it clean and disinfected!

Front-loading washing machines have a tendency to build up detergent and dirt residue in the rubber gasket that lines the door to prevent leaks, and after a while, it can begin to emit a very unpleasant odor. Because of the design, you need to be vigilant about keeping that gasket clean to prevent mold and mildew.

Here are a few steps you can take to keep those odors at bay: Wipe down the entire rubber gasket with a cloth dipped in a half-and-half mixture of bleach and warm water, making sure to clean under the gasket as well. If you still have mold, soak a cloth in the

bleach mixture, push it into the gasket and let it soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, scrub gently with an old toothbrush to remomve any remaining residue. Rinse and wipe down with a clean, dry cloth.

Follow up the cleaning by runninig the machine through a complete cycle at the hottest setting adding two cups of vinegar. Since instructions recommend never running a machine empty, add a couple of towels or rags to the load.

Remove the detergent dispenser and clean it with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Wipe down the inside of the washing machine in the area where the dispenser fits. Don’t forget to clean the

door, especially at the bottom where the water stands.

Keep your machine clean and smelling fresh by wiping down the rubber gaskets after each load of laundry, as well as checking for any small clothing items that can be hidden and begin to smell.

Leaving the door ajar between loads of laundry will also help keep mold and mildew growth down by allowing air to circulate and dry out the machine.

Giving your machine a good cleaning once a month will help remove any soap residue that could cause odors.

NOTES: Avoid using too much detergent in your laundry. Adding more than recommended can lead to residue build-up and decrease the machine’s cleaning efficiency.

Remove wet clothes promptly. Leaving clothes in the machine can add to the potential for your machine to build up odors.

May/June 2019 Chicz 17

annuals for 2019

Plenty new with

By Ross Evavold

Begonias aren’t everyone’s taste, but they do have a few things going for them that make them very attractive to those inclined to plant flowers this time of year.

“Begonias really don’t need a lot of care,” Carrie Larson told an auditorium full of gardeners at the 24th annual “Let’s Get Growing” workshop April CARRIE LARSON 6 in AlexHorticulturist andria. The best way to kill them, she said, is to give them too much attention.

Not only do begonias not need much water, but they also don’t appeal to deer. Other deer-resistant plants are coleus and lantana.

Larson, who has worked in horticulture for more than a

quarter-century, offered these snapshots of new annuals for 2019: Begonia Portofino Champagne and Sunrise: “These are amazing.”

Begonia Funky Orange and Funky Pink: Excellent for hanging baskets, they produce large flowers and many flowers. “They’re single and double; that’s why they’re funky.”

Rex Begonia Strawberry Sherbert: “I have one in my office that hasn’t had water for two months. They’re very tough, and they don’t get diseases.”

Ageratum Bumble: “The only reason flowers exist is to reproduce.” However, this one is sterile, and Larson has never had to clean it, or Begonia Upright White and Fire.

Bidens: Need water every day. Blazing Glory (orange and red) is very popular; Cupcake Strawberry is new this year.

Calibrachoa: Around 25

Beauty in the

new varieties are introduced each year. “My No. 1 on my top 10 list is Holy Smokes. I could look at that all day and just be happy.”

Coleus: Larson highly recommends the new “Main Street” series. Most popular in the Midwest, they do not need a lot of water.

Cyperus King: “Don’t you love him? He got 7 feet tall.

He has a son (Prince Tut) that only gets 4 feet high.”

Dahlia Hypnotica Icarus: “It will bloom and grow for you all summer. That’s not true of all dahlias. You have to be a little careful with them. They don’t like to be too wet.”

Geranium Calliope: “The dark red is so intense.” Vari-

shade Looking for a way to add some pizzazz to that shady spot in your yard? Here are a few floral options that grow well in the Midwest:

18 Chicz May/June 2019

HOSTAS: Found in a variety of shades of green from chartreuse to green-blue, hostas also come in white and cream and make a wonderful addition to your shade garden.

Lasting from spring to fall, hostas sprout blooms on tall stems in colors of lavender to white during mid-summer. This plant loves moist, well-drained soil.

HELLEBORES: Also known as Christmas Rose, this plant likes moist, welldrained soil in areas of light to full shade. Hellebores have dark green leaves that have bloom ranging from cream, white, pink, maroon, rose and green and bloom in early spring.

eties with “large” in the name describes the size of the leafs, not the flowers.

Helianthus Infinity: “They’re called Infinity because they continue to bloom. Buy these in the late summer. They’re fantastic.”

Lantana: They come in nine colors, and “have pokers that poke bunnies in the nose.

Deer don’t like them either.”

Petchoa Supercal: “They are probably my favorite plant.

I love to grow them because they’re very vigorous.”

Petunia Supertunia Blue Skies: “What I like about it is in the evening, it glows.”

Salvias: “If you like hummingbirds, this is the plant for you.”

BLEEDING HEART: With stems dripping with little hearts and ferny foliage, this is a perennial that likes moist, well-drained soil in the shade. It also prefers a spot with little to no wind.

PEONY: A beautiful double bloom and a wonderful fragrance makes the peony perfect for any garden, needing six hours of sun, but afternoon shade. Flowers come in an abundance of colors such as white, yellow, pink and red, and the plants can live up to 75-100 years.

ASTILBE: a low-maintenance perennial that likes moist, rich and well-drained soil. Astilbe’s fern-like foliage is topped with feathery stalks in pink, red or white in midspring.

LilacsB LOVELY

W

ho doesn’t love lilacs? With gorgeous blooms and a wonderful enticing frangrance, lilacs are an early sign of summer, blooming from early to late May.

Lilacs are very easy to grow and can serve as hedges or shrubs, with the large variety growing 5 to 15 feet tall. They are good for cut flower bouquets and are a good way to attract butterflies to your yard.

The fragrant blossoms come in severale colors – blue, lavender, pink, red, purple, yellow and white – with the most common variety, Syringa vulgaris, growing a beautiful purple flowers.

In Minnesota, it’s best to plant lilacs where they will get 6 to 8 hours of full sun a day. Lilacs also need welldrained soil and prefer Minnesota’s slightly alkaline soil. Space individual plants 5 or more feet apart. They don’t need much fertilizer and will do fine with a layer of compost in the spring or just a light scattering of 10-10-10 fertilizer.

It’s important to prune your lilacs to keep them healthy and blooming, so make sure to deadhead old blooms as often as you can. Buds set on old wood, so don’t prune your lilacs until right after they bloom in early summer.

Don’t forget to remove dead, misshapen or diseased branches. Lilacs improve from serious pruning, but not more than one-third of the bush.

May/June 2019 Chicz 19

COMMITTED TO

Family & Community FOR THE PAST 89 YEARS

UNDERSTANDING

white balance

P

hotography can be tricky. You may have taken care to get the right exposure, focus and composition, but your subject sometimes still turns out looking the wrong color.

Why does this happen? Basically, it’s because different types of light are different colors. We don’t usually notice these differences when we’re not taking pictures because our eyes and brains compensate for the colors and make them look normal to us.

But the camera is more objective in how it sees things. It records things as they actually are, not as how your brain thinks they should look.

The setting that controls color casts in a camera is called white balance. By adjusting the white balance, you are basically telling the camera that something that is white should appear white in the photograph in a certain type of light.

The actual colors of different types of light can vary quite

20 Chicz May/June 2019

By Lowell Anderson

PHOTO

TIPS

a bit, from red and yellow, to green or blue.

Normal light is usually considered to be either light from a flash or light outside on a sunny day. However, as you move toward sunset or sunrise, light tends to be more red colored. Light from a campfire, candle or the old-style household light bulb also tends to be more reddish colored. Light on overcast days or in shade tends to be more bluish colored, while fluorescent lights tend to be more green or yellow.

Complicating all this is that light bulbs are available in a variety of different colors, such as incandescent or fluorescent lights that are daylight colored.

Light at sunrise or sunset tends to be more red or yellow colored, which can result in a warm, pleasing appearance.

However, if you were doing a portrait at this time, the person’s skin might end up looking too red.

What that means is you may not really know how to set your camera’s white balance setting until you take a photo and see how it turns out.

The auto setting can be a good starting point. Just be aware that if the colors don’t look right, you may need to do some adjusting. Typically there are white balance settings for auto, sunny, cloudy, shade, flash, tungsten bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. The appropriate setting may give better results than the auto setting - or it may not - you just have to experiment. Some

cameras also allow you to fine tune a specific setting by bumping it slightly toward the correct color.

Often you will encounter a situation where there are two or more different colors of light, such as indoor lighting with light also coming in a window. In this situation, all you can do is decide which is the most important and set the white balance for that. Of course, If there are people in the photo, getting the correct skin color always takes priority.

Many scenes can have more than one color of light. Here the relatively neutral sunlit area is in contrast to the bluer light color in the shade.

May/June 2019 Chicz 21

What do moms really want for Mother’s

A

re you having trouble finding the perfect Mother’s Day present? If so, then perhaps you should consider that what your mom really wants is time – both to share with her loved ones and to enjoy by herself. Here are a few ways to give it to her.

Plan a day of activities.

Plan a full day of activities for the family so Mom can sit back and enjoy spending time with her loved ones, without the hassle of having to manage itineraries, make reservations or organize any of the other details.

Do the spring cleaning.

Deep clean the kitchen, organize the closet or wash all the windows. You can even hire a cleaning company to do the job; you’ll score the brownie points without having to lift a finger.

Sort the family photos.

Many families have countless digital photographs on their computers that could stand to be organized. Others have piles of printed pictures that need to be sorted. Give Mom a reason to smile by tidying up the photos and presenting them to her in an album. Be sure to spend some time reminiscing with her as she flips through it.

Offer her a day off . If she’s got young kids, hire a babysitter for the day. This will give her a much needed break and the chance to do whatever she wants. If you really want to spoil her, send her to a spa to get pampered.

Mom doesn’t really need things for Mother’s Day. What she really wants is a shorter to-do list, a bit of down time and to enjoy the company of her family.

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Morning. Breakfast in bed is the perfect way to kick off Father’s Day. Older kids can help prepare and serve the meal, and little ones can decorate the serving tray or table.

Excellent service is mandatory on such an important day, so everyone will need to be on their best behavior.

Afternoon. If he loves his car almost as much as he loves his kids, treat him to a

car wash at home. Once the car is looking shiny and new, take a ride to the activity of Dad’s choice. The whole family is sure to enjoy whatever he picks, whether it’s minigolf, the ice cream shop or the park.

Night. End the day with a movie marathon at home. Let Dad decide what you watch and nosh on. If he loves Mexican food, make nachos. If he appreciates the classic movie snacks, you can’t go wrong with buttery popcorn. And don’t forget to pick up his favorite candy so he can satisfy his sweet tooth.

The changing face of fatherhood The days of men “babysitting” their own children are a thing of the past. Today’s fathers are more nurturing and more likely to contribute to child care and housework than ever before.

As recently as the 1970s, it was rare for a man to be present when his child was born.

Now it’s uncommon for a dad to not be in the delivery room when his child comes into the world.

Today’s fathers spend more time caring for their kids. One

study found that fathers from 11 wealthy western countries spent about an hour a day on child care activities in 2012, but that dads in 1965 spent an average of just 16 minutes a day actively parenting.

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Thirty-five years as a Blanshan likes caring for others and scrubs are a bonus

By Celeste Edenloff

By the time Kaiya Blanshan was in sixth grade, she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. She came from a large family and loved caring for people.

She loved taking care of kids, people and animals.

A 1982 Alexandria graduate, Blanshan grew up in Holmes City. Immediately after high school, she went to St. Luke’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1985 as a registered nurse. For nearly 35 years, she has been doing something she said, “I love, love, love.”

“Back when I graduated, there was not a lot of jobs for women,” she said. “Nursing was one of them and I was fortunate enough to know that’s what I wanted to do.”

Blanshan started her career in Rock Springs, Wyoming, as a nurse on a surgical floor of a hospital. From there, she worked in a progressive neuroscience 24 Chicz May/June 2019

N andRSE loving it unit at a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah where they implanted electrodes in patients’ brains to help keep them from having seizures.

“That was tons of fun,” she said. “I seriously love nursing. Love, love, love it!”

Blanshan also worked on the medical floor of the hospital in Alexandria for awhile after moving back to the area for a short period of time. She then moved to Coon Rapids, where she worked in the cardiac step-down unit in a hospital.

She’s also worked with dialysis patients and patients needing chemo.

“I’ve had a very good life,” she said, adding that being a registered nurse has afforded her so many more options than if she would have become a licensed practical nurse.

“I love LPNs, but there are limits to what you can do,” she said. “As an RN, you can work in cardiac rehab, be a nurse practitioner, midwife, work in dermaesthetics.

There are so many more opportunities for an RN, a plethora of opportunities. You can even be an instructor at a college.”

For the last 20 or so years, Blanshan has worked as an emergency room nurse at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

“Nursing is truly one of the best professions,” she said. “And the scrubs, what a bonus! I don’t have to buy clothes for my job.”

As a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, Blanshan thrives in the ER and said that the Alexandria emergency room, which is a Level 3 trauma center, is one of the busiest in the state.

“I love the ER because of the critical thinking skills I get to use and all the technology,” she said. “I love my staff.

We are like family in the ER. I would give the shirt off my back for them.”

When Blanshan first started out as a nurse, she said the physicians were considered more superior and that everyone just did whatever the doctor said. The doctor was 100 percent in control and the nurses or other staff didn’t get a chance to do any free thinking.

“That has changed dramatically over the years,” she said.

“Nurses now have so much training and technical skills

that we work more as a team with the physicians and take on a more team approach.”

Over the past 30-plus years, there have been plenty of changes in the health industry, she said, adding that technology has played a large part.

There are so many more machines nowadays, she said.

And with that, there is the portability aspect. For instance, there are portable X-ray machines, along with scanners

that can be used to check on a patient’s heart or brain.

She also said that today, most items used in an ER come prepackaged and are disposable, which means there’s no more worrying about making sure an instrument has been cleaned and sanitized properly.

BLANSHAN

Continues on 18

May/June 2019 Chicz 25

BLANSHAN from page 17 “There have been a lot of good, really impressive advancements,” she said.

Looking back at her career, Blanshan said it used to be a big deal when a 90-year-old came in but that now, it’s normal and she can have three 90-yearolds in a 12-hour period.

For anyone – both women and men – who may not know

what they want to do after high school, Blanshan said to think about a nursing career. She said there is job stability, it’s culturally diverse, it has a good retirement plan, and because of all the continuing education, it helps to keep your mind sharp.

“I learn something new almost everyday,” she said. “It’s humbling.

Nurses now have so much training and technical skills that we work more as a team with the physicians and take on a more team approach.

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Top mulch varieties for your Gardeners use mulch to keep weeds away and to preserve moisture in the soil.

Though wood and bark mulch are the most popular, there are many other options available.

Here are some types of mulch that are worth con­sidering for your garden.

•Pine straw slowly acidifies soil, making it ideal for gardens with flowers that thrive in such conditions like hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons and daffodils.

•Fallen leaves are a costfree and organic mulch option.

It allows water to get through, prevents weeds from pushing up and improves soil health by eventually turning into compost.

•Rock mulch is a more permanent option given that rocks don’t blow away or decompose. Rock mulch works well for lowmaintenance gardens with mostly shrubs and trees.

garden

•Cocoa mulch is the most eye-pleasing — and aromatic — option. Made of rich brown cocoa hulls, this type of mulch retains moisture well, repels garden pests and has a chocolaty smell. However, co­coa mulch may not be the best option if you have pets: ingesting it makes dogs and cats sick.

•Wood and bark mulch is the most common type of mulch used for a reason.

It’s inexpensive, it gives your garden a pleasing and natural look and it’s easy to lay down.

This is just a small selection of the types of mulch you can use in your garden.

For instance, there’s also landscape fabric, mush­ room compost, lava rock and seaweed. Simply choose the one that best suits your garden, budget and style.

REPEAT AFTER ME

Remember Mother’s Day May 12th!

www.scandinaviangifts.com or 320-763-6363 604 Broadway Street Alexandria, MN 56308

May/June 2019 Chicz 27

CROSSWORD

TOIL IN THE SOIL WORD SEARCH

CLUES ACROSS 1. Half-conscious states 8. Strange 13. Deep regret 14. Rogue 15. Took without permission 19. An alternative 20. Performer __-Lo 21. Partner to flowed 22. Best day of the week (abbr.)

23. Body part 24. Famed river 25. Lake __, one of the Great 26. Make free from bacteria 30. People native to Canada 31. Japanese seaport 32. Least clothed 33. Horse of small breed 34. Italian doctor and poet 35. Moving away from land 38. One who parks cars 39. Some are front and some are back 40. Views 44. Ancient Greek shield (alt. sp.)

45. Spanish seaport 46. New England college (abbr.)

47. The woman 48. Belgian province 49. Danish krone 50. Excessive dose (abbr.)

51. In great shape 55. 7th month of Islamic calendar 57. Shaped 58. Icelandic poems 59. Swollen area within tissue

SUDOKU

ANNUAL BARE ROOT BIENNIAL BUD BULB CANE CHITTING CLOCHE COMPOST CORDON CORM CROWN 28 Chicz May/June 2019

CULTIVAR DEADHEAD DECIDUOUS ERICACEOUS EVERBEARING FERTILE FRAME GERMINATION GRAFTED HARDY HERBACEOUS HYBRID

MULCH ORGANIC PERENNIAL POLLINATION PROPAGATE REPRODUCING ROOTSTOCK RUNNER SOW TUBER UNION YIELD

CLUES DOWN 1. Small amounts 2. Duplicate 3. Current unit 4. Neither 5. Chromium(II) oxide 6. Second sight 7. The absence of mental stress or anxiety 8. Supplemented with difficulty 9. Not the beginning 10. Dorm employee 11. Hard, white substances 12. Scariest 16. Spanish island 17. Having sufficient skill 18. Where golfers start 22. No charge 25. Print errors 27. Where rafters ply their trade 28. Paintings of holy figures 29. CNN host Lisa 30. Gives whippings 32. Type of tie 34. Unbroken view 35. Blemish 36. National capital 37. ‘Captain Marvel’ actress Larson 38. Tenth pair of cranial nerves 40. Arizona native peoples 41. Confuse 42. Body parts 43. Plays a fast guitar 45. Tub 48. Pen parts 51. Supervises flying 52. Cars come with one 53. Some are fake 54. Calendar month 56. American whiskey (abbr.)

HOROSCOPES for May ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You may feel as though you are not measuring up in other people’s eyes this week. Thankfully, this is a misperception on your part. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 You have a strong network of friends and family who are willing to pitch in whenever you need them. Keep this in mind and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Letting go is the approach to take in the days ahead.

Retire a plan that isn’t working and come up with a new way to reach your goals A fresh perspective will benefit you.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Something you have not experienced before arises in the days ahead. Try not to jump to conclusions or overreact. Take a step back and assess the situation calmly.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Focus on all of the happy memories you have shared with those closest to you. This is a great way to make sure you don’t take anyone for granted.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Stay open to suggestions and welcome others’ unique perspectives. This is an effective way to stay ahead of the curve and better yourself.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Open a dialogue with someone close to you. Doing so will reveal that much is in store for your future.

Tame your excitement and remember to be patient.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Find a way to unwind this week. If that means taking a day off from work or just sleeping in on the weekend, then do so without feeling guilty.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Don’t sell yourself shor. You have many great attributes, and when you put your mind to things, you can accomplish anything. Set some specific goals.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Some new opportunities are coming your way. Even though your first inclination is to pass them by, embrace the chance to try something new.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Although you can’t narrow down the source of your apprehension, if you keep investigating you can get to the root of the issue. Once you get there, you will handle it.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You’re heading for a crossroads, and some decisions will have to be made. Look to Gemini for some guidance.

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contributing writers

Eric Morken

Lori Mork

Andy Mellgren

Al Edenloff

Celeste Edenloff

Eric Morken of Alexandria is a husband, father, sports editor and outdoor enthusiast.

Lori Mork of Lowry is a mother, grandmother and dabbler in all things food, photography and decor related.

Andy Mellgren is the Director of Operations for Plaza and Downtown Liquor.

Al Edenloff of Alexandria and his wife, Celeste, were married in the heart of California wine country and enjoy sipping wine on their weekend date nights.

Betty Ravnik

Jeff Beach has spent a lifetime on the The Jeff Beach Diet and is still kickin’.

Jeff Beach

The Between the Wines Book Club was founded in 2003 by a group of Alexandria area women who enjoy reading, friendship and wine.

Between the Wines

Andrew Holte

Ross Evavold

Celeste is a reporter for the Alexandria Echo Press (1999-2011, 2016-now) and lived in the Alexandria area since 1997, reporting on the community she calls home.

She enjoys running and has participated in more than 200 races with her husband, Al.

a Magazine for FUN women!

30 Chicz May/June 2019

Betty Ravnik of Alexandria is the owner of Ravnik & Co, (a gift, furniture and home dĂŠcor store) previous interior design instructor and avid gardener.

Lowell Anderson is a photographer at the Echo Press newspaper.

Lowell Anderson

Andrew Holte is a financial advisor for Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

Ross Evavold is the editor of the Echo Press newspaper.

Sherrie Martinson is the Paint and Finishing Expert at Hilltop Lumber in Alexandria.

Sherrie has more than 20 years of experience working with homeowners and professionals.

Sherry Martinson

Cheryl Graham is an avid reader, remodeler, and DIY fanatic; she resides in Glenwood with her husband & daughters.

Cheryl Graham

clicz!

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May/June 2019 Chicz 31

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