March 2018 Ellis County Living Magazine

ELLIS COUNTY

magazine

The Ultimate in Outdoor Living

Pools • Spas • Cabanas • Cottages • Lazy Rivers • Outdoor Kitchens

Lazy River Pool Company

The Unique One-of-a-Kind Pool Builder We customize a pool to fit your home, your style & your budget We build a quality pool with unique designs and craftsmanship qualities.

From a Lazy River Pool to elegant backyard garden pools, No two pools are alike.

214.883.2779 • WWW.LAZYRIVERPOOLS.COM Architectural Designs (Copyright 2018) Engineering Construction

Check out our complete line of quality Kubota products.

501 North I-35 E. Waxahachie, TX

972-938-1770

www.centralkubota.com Open Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday 8-2

Long-Term Care & Asset Protection Planning wise and compassionate counsel

Hale Law Firm was showcased in Newsweek Magazine as a Leader in Elder Law 2012.

If you or someone you love is at risk of spending their life savings to pay for the ever-growing cost of long-term care, we invite you to call today for your FREE initial consultation. Explore the opportunities our long-term care and protection planning can provide.

John D. Hale

417 West Main Waxahachie, TX 75165 972.351-0000

Baylor University BBA, Texas Tech J.D.

www.TheHaleLawFirm.com

Baylor University BBA, Texas Tech J.D.

Jacob A. Hale

,

Inc.

Building Pools for a lifetime

844-9-SPLASH

CONTENTS MARCH-APRIL 2018 |

volume 14

|

issue 2

LIFE & STYLE

22 BEAUTY: SPRING CELEBRATION BEAUTY

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Often we focus on covering up our flaws instead of looking at our daily routines to see if we are addressing them instead.

24 TRAVEL: WHO PUT TEXAS ON THE MAP New exhibit in Washington, Texas makes for a great family outing this Spring Break.

26-32 OUT OF THE COOKIE CUTTER Courtney Warren completely transforms a home to create a fun and functional living space.

34 RECIPES: SPRING LIBATIONS & CELEBRATIONS Here are three upcoming national holidays and cocktail recipes to help you celebrate.

36-38 SPRING BREAK: FUN FOR ALL AGES Fun activities for all ages to participate in this Spring Break.

HOME

52-54 FRESH RENOVATIONS Diane Johnson Collard takes on a livingroom renovation.

56-57 MARCH/APRIL GARDENING Ellis County Master Gardeners on getting your garden ready for Spring.

MEDICAL

48 FEATURE: MASTER GARDENERS 2018

40 ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS EXPO 42 EXPO WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS 44 THE CHILDRENS WORKSHOP’S AT THE EXPO 46 MASTER GARDENER’S PROJECTS 48 GROWING AND USING CULINARY HERBS IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS 50 LANDSCAPING IN ELLIS COUNTY FOR THOSE NEW TO THE AREA

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52 FASHION

14-20 BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SPRING

Spring is in the air! Freshen up that winter wardrobe with some of these fun finds that add a splash of color (bold or pastel) & unique accessories to your closet.

58 6 SAFETY STEPS BEFORE YOU MOVE INTO A HOME WITH A POOL Learn steps to making your pool safe from a Safety Advocate.

60 THE LONG VIEW Dr. Valerie Gorman’s explination on keeping Breast Cancer in remission.

62 OVERUSING THE SPRING IN YOUR STEP Baylor Scott & White explain overuse injuries.

64 Cindy Burch, Big Apple Bite

18TH ANNUAL

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

WAXAHACHIE DAILY LIGHT, WALMART, HEB

MAGAZINE

AMERIGRAFIX, BOYCE FEED, CNB, GERDAU, HOLCIM, LIVING EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, RENEWAL BY ANDERSON, ROLAND’S NURSERY, TEXAS TREE FARM, TEX-SCAPE GREENERY, WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CENTER

972.825.5175 | WWW.ECMGA .COM

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Spring HERE’S TO A BEAUTIFUL SEASON! -Cindy Camp, Publisher & the Living Staff

This issue of ECLM is all about color. Our fashion section, starting on page 14, has bright looks and cool tones to help you #shoplocal in Ellis County.

For the home, we worked with Courtney Warren to show her latest before and after reveal of a small cottage in Waxahachie.

The blue and white interiors are refreshingly bold.

Every year when the ECLM team is planning the March/ April issue, we get to work with the amazing volunteers that manage the Ellis County Master Gardeners Association. Not only do the ECMGA contribute their monthly advice to you in every issue of the magazine, but they host a family-friendly expo every March. This year it falls on March 24th! You can purchase tools and items from local groceries, children can participate in workshops and the list of speakers this year will inspire you to work in the garden.

Happy Spring,

- Meagan

PUBLISHER CINDY CAMP publisher@living-magazine.com

ADVERTISING CHRIS BENNETT chris@living-magazine.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEAGAN CAMP editor@living-magazine.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR LINDSEY KEENEY lindsey@living-magazine.com

ART DIRECTOR CARLY PECHAL creative@living-magazine.com

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

We are proud members of the Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian and Red Oak Chambers of Commerce.

No portion of Ellis County Living Magazine shall be reprinted in any other publication without permission.

The views expressed herein should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician.

MAGAZINE

STAFF PHOTO BY REBECCA CHESNEY COVER PHOTO BY THIBAUT

Guarantee you’ll receive Ellis County Living Magazine by subscribing today!

Go to www.living-magazine.com and click on “subscriptions.”

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2018

Follow us on Instagram: @ECLivingMagazine facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving

A special thanks to all of our contributing writers.

Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink.

Copyright 2018, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved.

For advertising information, please contact Ellis County Living Magazine at 972.935.0938 or info@living-magazine.com.

When in e... i h c a h a x a W check out these fun stores, services and activities!

High cotton exchange

Freshen up your home with spring inspired decor this season! Located on the Historic Square of Downtown Waxahachie, we offer a mix of antiques, home decor, unique items and wedding decor rental.

209 S. College St. WAXAHACHIE 469.261.4772 Find us on Facebook & Instagram

lashed out beauty and lash bar

We offer eyelash extensions, brow & lash tinting, microblading tattoo, full body waxing, spray tanning, full facials, chemical peels, perm, lash lifting, permanent cosmetics and more.

Schedule your appointment or stop by today!

507 N. Hwy. 77 Suite 914 | WAXAHACHIE 972.937.5274 Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Mosaic madness

Tap into your creative side this spring and make your own mosaic masterpiece. Fun for all ages and walk-ins welcome. Private party times are available. The possibilities are endless with mosaics!

211 S. College St. | WAXAHACHIE 972.937.5797 www.MosaicMadness.net | Find us on Facebook & Instagram

the mix

Discover the “magical inverted umbrella� this spring! This umbrella and rainboot set are sure to keep you dry and stylish! At The Mix, we have you covered with beautiful threads and trendy accessories.

107 W. Franklin St. | WAXAHACHIE 972.938.2403 | Find us on Facebook & Instagram

The studio

Treat yourself or your loved one to this turquoise squash blossom necklace this spring! We have a large selection of Native American jewelry that just arrived, 20-50% OFF! 3671 N. Hwy. 77 | WAXAHACHIE 972.617.7740 www.TheStudioTX.com Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Farmhouse

From vintage treasures to farmhouse finds, we have a unique and large selection of home and garden goods to choose from at Farmhouse.

Home - Garden - Antiques - Art. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5.

308A S. College St. | WAXAHACHIE 972.938.9090 | Find us on Facebook & Instagram @farmhouse308

JANUARY 11; 5 PM-8 PM 2nd Thursday Ladies Night Out Downtown Waxahachie Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with Participating Merchants MARCH 2 1st Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Hosted by Waxahachie Rotary Club Ellis County Sportsmans Club For more information: http://www.waxahachierotary.org/ event/rotary-club-sporting-clayevent/

MARCH 3 Sweethearts & Orphans Car Show Downtown Waxahachie

MARCH 3; 6 PM An Evening with Mark Lowry Hagee Communications Center at SAGU For more information: www.sagu.edu/events/2018-0303-mark-lowry

MARCH 8; 5 PM-8 PM 2nd Thursday Ladies Night Out Downtown Waxahachie Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with Participating Merchants

MARCH 10 BOGO 2nd Saturday Downtown Waxahachie Participating Downtown Merchants

MARCH 10; 9 AM-1 PM Junk in the Trunk Downtown Waxahachie A community resale event

MARCH 16-18 Vintage Market Days Ellis County Expo Center SEE PAGE 31 FOR DETAILS

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MARCH 17-18 Waxahachie Gun & Knife Show Waxahachie Civic Center

MARCH 23; NOON Brown Bag & History at Ellis County Museum Ellis County Museum For more information: 972-937-0681

MARCH 23-24 FRIDAY; 7 PM & SATURDAY; 3 PM Waxahachie Old Fashioned Singing Chautauqua Auditorium For more information: www.WaxaOFS.com

MARCH 24 Spring Lawn & Garden Expo Waxahachie Civic Center, 2000 Civic Center Lane, Waxahachie Over 100 exhibits, speakers, demonstrations For more information: 972-825-5175 or www.ecmga.com SEE PAGE 9 FOR DETIALS

MARCH 24; 7 PM Waxahachie Symphony Association – Classical Masters: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra SAGU Hagee Communication Center Performance Hall, 1200 Sycamore www.waxahachiesymphony.org

MARCH 23-31 Ellis County Fair Presented by Ellis County Youth Expo Ellis County Expo Center For more information: 972-937-2390 or www.waxahachiechamber.com SEE PAGE 37 FOR DETIALS

Midlothian MARCH 3; 10AM Mayor’s Winter Walk Mockingbird Nature Park

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MARCH 17; 9AM Wildflower Nature Walk Mockingbird Nature Park MARCH 24; 10AM Community Easter Egg Hunt Sports Complex Bring your Easter Basket!

MARCH 24; 10 AM-3 PM Midlothian Marketplace Midlothian Conference Center 1 Community Circle Dr. Midlothian, TX 76065 The Midlothian Marketplace event benefits everyone in Midlothian and the surrounding communities by offering one stop shopping opportunities for personal and business needs. Local businesses showcase their products and services including Taste of Midlothian which is always a hit with free samples from our great restaurants and caterers. There are also hand-on workshops to entertain the kids and food trucks in the parking lot for lunch.

General Admission: $5 Adults Kids under 12 and Seniors free

coming up next month...

MARCH Waxahachie

follow us on instagram we are loading up on fun giveaways for the upcoming few months @ECLIVINGMAGAZINE

A LOT IS HAPPENING IN ELLIS COUNTY

APRIL Waxahachie

JANUARY 11; 5 PM-8 PM 2nd Thursday Ladies Night Out Downtown Waxahachie Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with Participating Merchants APRIL 7-8, APRIL 14-15, APRIL 21-22, APRIL 28-29, MAY 5-6, MAY 12-13, MAY 19-20, MAY 26-28 Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2511 FM 66, Exit 399A on I-35E Festival set back in time of King Henry VIII with arts, crafts, vendors, food and entertainment.

For more information: 972-938-3247 or www.srfestival.com

APRIL 12; 5 PM-8 PM 2nd Thursday Ladies Night Out Downtown Waxahachie Every Month in Downtown Waxahachie with Participating Merchants

APRIL 13; 6 PM 8th Annual Share the Love Gala Benefiting CASA of Ellis County www.casasofelliscounty.org

APRIL 14 IFBB/NPC City Limits Championships Waxahachie Civic Center

APRIL 14 BOGO 2nd Saturday Downtown Waxahachie Participating Downtown Merchants

APRIL 14; 7 PM Waxahachie Symphony Association – When Swing Was King: SAGU Jazz Band with WHS Jazz Band SAGU Hagee Communication Center Performance Hall, 1200 Sycamore www.waxahachiesymphony.org

APRIL 19-22 Crossroads of Texas Film & Music Festival Downtown Waxahachie The Crossroads of Texas Film Festival is a tribute festival that not only celebrates Waxahachiemade films, but also salutes films made in Texas or by Texans. Come join us for four days of fun, films, food, music and more!

For tickets and more information: www.crossroadsoftxff.com

APRIL 19-22 W3 – Wonderful Women in Waxahachie Girl Camper & Sisters on the Fly Rally Getzendaner Park For more information: www.waxahachiecvb.com or www.girlcamper.com

APRIL 21; 10 AM-5 PM Downtown Sidewalk Sale Participating Downtown Merchants

APRIL 27; NOON Brown Bag & History at Ellis County Museum Ellis County Museum For more information: 972-937-0681

APRIL 28; 8 AM-1 PM Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market 2018 Season Grand Opening 410 S. Rogers Every Saturday from April 28-October 27, 2018

Ennis

SEE PAGE 35 FOR DETAILS OF WHATS GOING ON IN ENNIS

APRIL 7 Farmers Market Opening Day 101 N. Dallas Every Saturday from 8am-1pm APRIL 11-15th Main Street Midway (Downtown Carnival)

Historic Downtown Ennis For more information; check out www.visitennis.org

APRIL 21; 9AM-11PM MISDEF Rowdy Runners 5K Run Kimmel Park

APRIL 20-22 Bluebonnet Trail Festival Historic Downtown Ennis For more information and bluebonnet status, visit www.visitennis.org

APRIL 27; 8AM-10PM Moth Night Mockingbird Nature Park APRIL 28; 8AM-1PM Kids Fishing Derby Community Park Pond

APRIL 20-22 Wine Wander Historic Downtown Ennis Wine Wander

Midlothian

APRIL 14; 8AM-12PM Citywide Clean Up Day Public Works Building Volunteers are needed for our Citywide CleanUp Day, stop by our welcome station at Heritage Park to register, pick up supplies, and get designated cleanup location from 8am-12pm. Join us for a fun morning of volunteer opportunities onsite and offsite, food, music, prizes and fun for the family. This is a free educational community event celebrating Earth Month as we take pride in our town.

Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

Gloves, trash bags & recycle bags will be provided.

To volunteer for this event please contact us at keepmidlothianbeautiful@gmail. com www.KeepMidlothianBeautiful.org APRIL 14; 9AM Wildflower Nature Walk Mockingbird Nature Park APRIL 14; 10AM-2PM ACS Bark For Life MISD Stadium

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FASHION

Top, The Mix, $170 Pants, The Mix, $148

Dress, The Mix, $188 Earrings, The Mix, $18

Brighten Up your Spring SPRING IS IN THE AIR! FRESHEN UP THAT WINTER WARDROBE WITH SOME OF THESE FUN FINDS THAT ADD A SPLASH OF COLOR (BOLD OR PASTEL) & UNIQUE ACCESSORIES TO YOUR CLOSET.

WRITTEN AND STYLED BY CARLY PECHAL PHOTOS BY HANNAH HAYS

Top, Three Bears, $36 Pants, Three Bears, $36 Earrings, Three Bears, $8 Bracelet, Three Bears, $10 Hat, Three Bears, $42

Top, Three Bears, $32 Pants, Three Bears, $42 Braclets, Three Bears, $12 ea.

COLORFUL Search for those perfet pieces to hold that pop of color that plays up the drama of your outfit. Bold or Subtle, find shades of colors that bring out the best of the Spring around you and define the untimate outting outfit.

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FASHION

Shirt, The Briarpatch, $36.95 Pants, The Briarpatch, $65 Earrings, The Briarpatch, $5.95

“With the two models I wanted to add a fun pop of color on their lower lash line to help inhance their beautiful eye color. I used Merle Norman Cosmetics Soft Touch Eye Pencil in the colors Ocean Blue and Peacock, which is a creamy eyeliner pencil that is also water resistant and then blended our Eye Shadows that matched the liner onto the lower lash line for a smooth blended eye. I kept the cheeks

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soft by using our Cheek Color in Mauve Magic and for the lips Tender Kiss in our Lip Pencil Plus to compliment the blush but not take away from the eyes. You can still wear this look at work, school and even out with friends. This spring season don’t hold back on color for make-up, have fun with it and express yourself.”

-Sarah Kinney-Kennedy

Dress, The Briarpatch, $51.95 Bracelet, Brighton, The Briarpatch, $82

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FASHION

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Dress, Multitudes, $42 Necklace, Multitudes, $16

ACCESSORIES

The perfect accessory can make an outfit. Whether it’s a subtle texture or a bold final touch, find an accessory that speaks to your style. We are loving the metallics and bold pop of color these final touches added to each of our outfits, and all reasons we love our local boutiques!

Dress, Multitudes, $42 Earrings, Multitudes, $25

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FASHION

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SPRING

MAKEUP ARTIST:

Shirt, The Briarpatch, $52.95 Pants, The Briarpatch, $79 Bracelet, Brighton, The Briarpatch, $82 Sunglasses, Brighton, The Briarpatch, $120

HAIR STYLIST:

Sarah Kinney-Kennedy Merle Norman Cosmetics 972.937.9696

Julie Stroope Salon Narcisse 972.938.9044

MODELS: Kyndall Russelburg Melody Holmes

Shirt, The Briarpatch, $27.95 Pants, The Briarpatch, $65 Earrings, The Briarpatch, $6.95 Sunglasses, Brighton, The Briarpatch, $115

the style A BIG THANK YOU TO THE PARTICIPATING BOUTIQUES: THE BRIARPATCH THE MIX MULTITUDES THREE BEARS behind the scenes

the shoot PHOTOGRAPHER:

Hannah Hays www.hannahhaysphotography.com

LOCATION: The Schmidt Haus Waxahachie, TX

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BEAUTY

BY MEAGAN CAMP Spring Break, Easter, Prom, the list goes on of how many photos we will get tagged in and videos we will take during these times of celebration and fun. Often we focus on covering up our flaws instead of looking at our daily routines to see if we are addressing them instead.

Did you or someone you know get married in the last year and want to be featured in the Wedding issue? Email Meagan at editor@Living-Magazine.com with photos and details of your wedding and we’ll consider it for the issue.

This issue will guide you to the latest trends in dresses, paper, flowers, entertainment and organization for your wedding. If you are getting married in Ellis County, you’ll find all of your inspiration for a beautiful celebration.

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TRAVEL

STORY AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAR OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM

The Star of the Republic Museum’s new exhibit “So Others Could Follow: Four Centuries of Maps that Define Texas” will open on Saturday, March 3, 2018, with 20 maps spanning three centuries from the most famous cartographers in the world. The museum is located at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site at 23400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880.

Maps in this exhibit will focus on the ever-changing shape of Texas in the years from the early 1500s through the late 1800s, encompassing the years before it was the Republic of Texas up to the days after it won statehood in the United States and through the Civil War. Within that time, Texas claimed more than half of New Mexico, the Oklahoma panhandle, the lower left-hand corner of Kansas, large sections of Colorado and even a small part of Wyoming.

It is only five years after Texas joined the US that it accepted the boundaries it has today as part of the Compromise of 1850.

“The distinctive shape of Texas is a well-known symbol to millions of people around the world—a

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shape that was fabricated over hundreds of years by explorers and cartographers,” says Houston McGaugh, Director of Star of the Republic Museum.

“With each passing year, another river was mapped or another road begun. Fortunately, the Star of the Republic Museum’s collection reflects those changes in its four centuries of maps assembled for this exhibit.”

McGaugh has served as the museum’s director for 30 years.

Exhibit highlights include maps that first mention Tejas (1721); are executed in decorative German style with a cartouche of warships, and gold being unloaded as American Indians look on (1750); Daniel Lizars’ map of Mexico and Central America, prior to Mexico’s push for independence (1833); identify where the empresario grants were located (1835); The map exhibit—that’s opening coincides with Washington on the Brazos’ two-day “Texas Independence Day Celebration” March 3 and 4, 2018—will continue until February 15, 2019.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Tickets for the museum (and all its exhibits including the new

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map exhibit) are $5 for adults: $3 for children 7 or older; $15 for families of 2 adults and up to 5 children; and children age 6 and under are free.

Star of the Republic Museum: This is the only museum in the state created by the Texas Legislature for the exclusive purpose of interpreting the republic period of Texas history and its cultural materials. Along with 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, the museum features a children’s Pioneer Playground, which simulates an early Texas frontier homestead to allow participants to immerse themselves in the role of pioneers through role-playing, interactive experiences and a variety of learning styles.

The museum opened in 1970 and has held the highest honor a museum can receive: accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)— one of the first museums in the state and nation to be so designated.

The museum is administered by Blinn College as a cultural and educational institution to collect and preserve the material culture of the Texas Republic (1836-1846) and early Texas.

HOME FEATURE

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WRITTEN AND STYLED BY COURTNEY WARREN PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA CARPENTER

It was the meeting that almost didn’t happen.

The relationship started with a call from Nena, the matriarch of the family.

After booking an appointment with me to redesign her house, Nena’s “mom kindness” got the best of her and she gave her consultation to her daughter Callie. Nena explained that Callie needed a lot of help in her home, and when I arrived, I could see what she meant! Callie’s starter home was decorated with exercise equipment, sparse furniture, and her bedroom mattress on the floor. Callie had a fantastic job and just didn’t spend much time at home. With some love, attention and great design, we took this cookie cutter home to a custom look, and you can do the same. Here’s how we accomplished our task.

PERSONALITY Part of what makes a home seem custom is adding the homeowner’s personality throughout. No one wants their space to look just like their neighbors! For Callie, we accomplished this with initials all along the back wall. Adding “C” in every shape and size took me shopping all over Texas!

Another great way to add personality is with a fantastic photo gallery wall. Callie’s family is tight knit, so we collected photos of her grandparents, vintage and current, and finished them in gold frames of every shape and size.

before

ADDING SHELVING The biggest change came when we removed one side of the kitchen cabinets and added open shelving. The exposed pipe and wood shelving elevated the kitchen from basic to custom! This home had no backsplash, so adding a snazzy star tile also customized the kitchen and gave Callie a lot of visual bang for her buck.

LIGHTING You don’t have to settle for builder grade lighting! Even smaller homes can look grand when the lighting is right. We replaced all the drab flush mount lights with interesting and fun pendants and chandeliers.

Even the new fan kits have way more personality than the ones that came with the house. This small change can make a huge impact!

“This home had no backsplash, so adding a snazzy star tile also customized the kitchen and gave Callie a lot of visual bang for her buck.”

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USING PAINT Callie is an adventurous soul, so I knew she would embrace pattern and color. Since she loves farmhouse style, I took the plunge and painted her home office with the big bold pattern in black and white. Sweet yellow details, like a large handpainted art print, round mirrors, and a cherry yellow rug warm up the space.

“The guest room furniture was passed down as a family heirloom, so because these were sentimental antiques, we simply updated the decor around them. Its okay to keep and use old furnishings— just freshen them up with current details. We did this with colorful bedding, bold patterns and great lighting.”

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HOME FEATURE

The bedroom was Callie’s favorite in the reveal. It is not hard to understand why when you look at that before photo (right).

She was sleeping on a mattress on the floor! She may have felt like she was still in the dorm in college, but Callie deserved a grown up bedroom, and that is what I gave her! A beautiful chandelier, fluffy blankets, and a plush rug underfoot— this space was transformed into a peaceful retreat.

Callie has always been active and has a whole bedroom dedicated to working out.

I was so impressed with her regimen! Since working out is HARD, I wanted to add some entertainment to the space. I covered the wall with chalkboard paint and gave her a place to write some inspirational messages to keep up the good work. (My four year old started her out by drawing a car like Lightening McQueen- which is totally okay, because it is just chalk! It comes off Shew!!!). I know Callie and her friends will have fun with this new addition. And if it makes working out a bit more bearable, well…my work has been accomplished.

“Callie almost couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the transformation of the house.

(Wanna see it? The video of the reveal is at CourtneyWarren. com) It is truly amazing what paint, shelving and lighting can do! What small upgrade can take your space from cookie cutter to custom? ”

I’m an interior designer who specializes in decorating, renovation & home staging. I am passionate in helping stuck people love their home. I love my home, which was just chosen to be featured in DIY magazine and Better Homes & Gardens special publication, “Best of Flea Market Style.” I live in my 3rd renovated historic home in Waxahachie with our 2 boys & my husband, who is a local pastor.

I would rather be wearing flip flops than heels. Follow my daily projects on Instagram at @courtneywarrenhome or see my work at courtneywarren.com.

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RECIPES

Spring Libations & Celebrations PHOTOS AND RECIPES COURTESY OF WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

Our obsession with celebrating momentous occasions such as “National Frozen Food Day” (March 23rd in case you need to add it to your calendar), have given hope to those always looking for a new way to celebrate their favorite libations. Here are three upcoming national holidays and cocktail recipes to help you celebrate.

International Whisk(e)y Day March 27 Cameron’s Kick perfectly embodies this world whisk(e)y spirit represented by the two worlds of whisk(e)y, one spelled with an ‘e’ and one without. Nationally, the day’s events support Parkinson’s Disease research.

CAMERON’S KICK »» »» »» »» »» »»

1 part Glenfiddich 14 Year Old 1 part Tullamore D.E.W. 1/2 part Lemon juice 1/2 part Orgeat Syrup (almond-flavored syrup) Lemon snap garnish Combine ingredients, shake and serve.

Toast’s leather pint glass cuff Upgrade your drink sleeve to Toast’s leather pint glass cuffs that are hand-crafted from beautiful real leather and come wrapped around a premium quality 16 oz. pint glass. The high-quality cuffs come in 10 vibrant colors ranging from Moscow Mule to Cosmo and can be customized with a design or saying of your choice.

Shop for Toast Pint Cuffs at www.toastmade.com.

St. Patrick’s Day - March 17 Ditch your green beer this St. Patrick’s Day and try the Irish Maiden cocktail made with the world’s second largest Irish whiskey brand, Tullamore D.E.W. A triple distilled blend of three types of Irish whiskeys results in a taste that is three times smoother. www.tullamoredew.com

IRISH MAIDEN »» »» »» »» »» »»

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2 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey 1/2 part St-Germain 3/4 part Fresh lemon juice 3/4 part Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water) 2.25in slices Cucumber In a shaker, muddle the cucumber slices. Add remaining ingredients and fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and fine-strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with cucumber slices.

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SPRING BREAK

From books to activties - find your perfect place this spring break

BY MEAGAN CAMP

ROMANTICS & ROYAL WATCHERS ROYALS

BY RACHEL HAWKINS

Equal parts Mia Thermopolis and Bridget Jones, Daisy Winters is an offbeat Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother, Seb, and his crew of “Royal Wreckers” kick up scandal wherever they go, taking Daisy along for the ride.

The crown—and the intriguing Miles—might be trying to make Daisy into a lady…but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO SQUARESAPCE

BY SARAH MARTIN

A week off from school may scream beaches to some, or it may inspire a week of digital creativity. Squarespace.com is a stylish design and webhosting platform that is as easy as posting to Instagram - if you want it that way. The site is also highly customizable and can give you a space to not only be creative, but start charitable campaigns, sell your wares or help build a solid online business. Corporations and small businesses use Squarespace everyday.

Houston-based Sarah Martin has written the playbook for making the most from this visual platform. If you are looking for a new line in your skills bank, pick up this book

MID-GRADE READING BRINGING ME BACK

BY BETH VRABEL

YOUNG ADVENTURERS THE RAIN KING

BY JASON EDWARDS

Detailed in Jason’s Imagination: The Rain King, author Jason Edwards offers readers of any age a wonderfully inspiring story that praises the incredible influence of imagination. In a delightful tale of overcoming adversity, we follow young Jason through a thunderstorm. Celebrating the passion of creativity, the impact of imagination, and the strength of a young hero—The Rain King touches on the unlimited adventures one can go on when they utilize their imagination.

Available in English and Spanish versions with a coordinating coloring book, the Jason’s Imagination series is a timeless read that opens children’s minds and will leave them waiting for Jason’s next adventure.

Noah is not having a good year. His mom is in prison, he’s living with his mom’s boyfriend—who he’s sure is just waiting until his mother’s six-month sentence is up to kick him out—and he’s officially hated by everyone at his middle school, including his former best friend. It’s Noah’s fault that the entire football program got shut down after last year.

One day, Noah notices a young bear at the edge of the woods with her head stuck in a bucket. A bucket that was almost certainly left outside as part of a school fundraiser to bring back the football team. As days go by, the bear is still stuck—she’s wasting away and clearly getting weaker, even as she runs from anyone who tries to help. And she’s always alone.

Everyone else has written the bear off as a lost cause—just like they have with Noah. He makes it his mission to help her. But rescuing the bear means tackling his past—and present—head-on. Could saving the bear ultimately save Noah, too?

Vrabel’s treatment of difficult themes such as poverty, parental alcoholism, and poverty is unusually strong, both appropriate and relatable for young readers, and Bringing Me Back is an important contribution to the midgrade canon.

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SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK FAMILY NIGHT PIQS VIRTUAL TOUCH PROJECTOR

Projectors have come a long way in the past few years and we think that the PIQS Projector will make your movie nights epic.

Lightweight, portable and Wi-Fi connected, this projector has built-in apps like Netflix and the browser Firefox to bring you any kind of entertainment. You can also use Apple Airplay to watch videos from your Apple devices. The auto-focus is instantaneous and the picture clarity is fantastic, even when streaming to the screen’s max size of 100 feet.

The PIQS projector’s battery lasts for three hours and is controlled by a small remote. Other accessories include, two types of stands and a carrying case. The projector comes in several finishes and is lightweight enough to carry with you to play dates or use outdoors. Learn more about PIQS at www.piqs-store.com or purchase on www.amazon.com for $549.00.

THE PEROT MUSEUM

Staying in town during Spring Break? The Perot Museum has staycationers covered with daily allabout-space activities and extended hours. Skip the line and reserve tickets online at perotmuseum.org.

At select times during Spring Break, March 10-18, visitors can enjoy daily space-themed demonstrations, experiments and story times involving solar systems, sundials, space mission patches, bottle rockets and floating solar bags, to name a few.

Plus, little ones ages 5 and under can enjoy constellation exploration crafts in the Moody Family Children’s Museum daily until 3 p.m. Check the website for detailed schedules. Activities are free to members and included with general admission for non-members.

HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

SPRING BREAK HOURS. During Spring Break (March 10-17), the Museum will stay open daily with extended hours until 7 p.m. and member-only hours 9-10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10-11 a.m. on Sunday. The Museum will resume normal hours on Sunday, March 18.

THE LITTLE YEARS - BY LUCY DARLING

Darling moments don’t stop after the baby’s first year, which is why Lucy Darling created The Little Years Toddler Book! Starting with baby’s first birthday and ending before their sixth birthday - these busy years fly by and Lucy Darling doesn’t want you to forget them! Catering to mom’s every need, this memory book makes it easy to document all the moments mom will forever cherish. With a design for girls and a design for boys, each year features a unique creative theme to encapsulate the year. Want a simple and beautiful way to document all the darling moments of your little one?

Explore the exceptional details of each toddler book:

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The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas. For parking information and other details, visit perotmuseum.org.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN EACH YEAR? 1 Birthday Page 1 “Favorite Things” Page 1 “Interview with you” Page 1 “Drawing of My Family” Page 5 Photo Pages 2 Holiday Pages 3 Quotes Pages 6 Blank Pages

The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For parking information and other details, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.

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FEATURE

MARCH 24 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CENTER

“Solving the Mystery of Tomatoes and Peppers” PRESENTED BY VAL NOLEN

VAL NOLEN’S TALK: “Solving the Mystery of Tomatoes and Peppers”

EXPO WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS | 1 p.m.

OVER 100 EXHIBIT BOOTHS CHILDREN & ADULT WORKSHOPS GUEST SPEAKER • PLANT SALES ASK THE EXPERTS • DOOR PRIZES HEALTHY FOOD CONCESSIONS

EXPO TICKET INFO

Complimentary tickets are available from Expo sponsors beginning March 1st.

Tickets are $5 at the door & Children under 12 are free!

GOLD SPONSORS Living Magazine | Earth Tones | KBEC | The Greenery BRONZE SPONSORS Waxahachie Daily Light | Walmart | HEB GREENSPONSORS Amerigrafix | Boyce Feed | CNB | Gerdau | Holcim | Living Earth Technologies | Renewal By Anderson | Roland’s Nursery | Texas Tree Farm | Tex-Scape Greenery | Waxahachie Civic Center

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Teacher, Consultant, Horticulturalist, Garden Writer, and Grower Owner and operator of ‘Motherherbs’, an educational organic nursery located in Cedar Hill Texas This is a show stopping fun class! Full of everything you want to know to be a prize winning tomato-pepper grower. This information is for the 'Green' and for the 'Fully Ripe' gardener so come with a note book and any questions you may have.

We'll cover all the issues....Why did the blooms fall off?...I had a beautiful plant with no fruit; what's the deal?...What's an indeterminate?...Can I grow them in a pot?...How do I control the bugs?....Come down and join me and we'll learn all the answers....I've been trialing, testing and growing for 20 years in North Texas and will introduce you to the best tomato and pepper varieties for our region. Some you may already know, others I'm sure you've never heard of and will never find in the general market place, but I will have them with me and available for sale.

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FEATURE

The Ellis County Master Gardeners will share their expertise with you at Expo this year in the form of Mini Workshops 1:00 - 2:30 WORKSHOPS

ROSES AND COMPANION PLANTING, MATTIE THOMPSON How to take care of your roses. Care pruning, varieties OLLAS, JANE SLONE Ollas for irrigation purposes are partially buried in the garden bed where they slowly-release water into the bed. Ollas aid in water conservation while introducing moisture directly into the ground.

SHADE AND SUN CONTAINER GARDENING, MICKI ROARK Containers are the most versatile method of gardening available! We can create miniature landscapes using shrubs, perennials, annuals or edibles throughout the year. This workshop will provide principles and techniques in creating containers to be used in indoor and outdoor spaces. We will plant a container of sunloving plants and a container of shade-loving plants, using step by step instructions with readily available materials.

SEED SAVING, MONICA NYENHUIS Seed saving refers to the practice of saving various types of reproductive material and seeds from plants such as flowers, herbs, grains, vegetables, and tubers for future use. The information presented should help you start your own seed saving.

2:30 - 4:00 WORKSHOPS

HERBS AND EDIBLE FLOWERS, ARLENE HAMILTON Did you know many of the common flowers in your garden are edible? The trick is knowing those that are and those that are not. Sweet flowers such as roses, violets and lavender can be incorporated into desserts and drinks. Savory flowers such as dill, chives, nasturtium and rocket add interest to dips, soups and salads. Flowers can be delicious and add a special treat not just to the palette but to the eye as well.

LANDSCAPES OF TOMORROW - BACK TO BASICS, SCOTTY RIGSBY “Landscapes of tomorrow are not that different than what we have grown up with. They just need to be tweaked a little bit based on the concerns of the 21st century of water conservation, global warming, increasing populations and what we can do to help sustain our portion of the planet. There are some basic things we used to do that we will revisit.”

IRRIGATION, YOU CAN DO IT, JAMES DERSTLER AND ALLAN PAXTON Information will be provided for the basics of designing an efficient irrigation system and provide you the knowledge to install a system yourself or the tools to ask the smart questions of a contractor. Instructions will be provided to help you maintain an existing system, to perform simple test procedures to determine if any adjustments or replacements are required to keep your from pouring your money down the drain.

PRESERVING THE BOUNTY, TOMATOES AND PEPPERS, SUSAN CLARK What a joy it is to harvest your own vegetables, but sometimes the bounty is overwhelming! What to do?

Visit this class to learn creative ideas for preserving and prolonging your delicious harvest. Recipes, samples, and demonstrations will all be a part of this helpful workshop.

For those attending the workshops there will be an opportunity to register for a free rain barrel.

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ORGANIC GARDENING, CAROLYN ROSS Starting a successful garden begins with great soil.

Everyone will learn about the available products to help you have that success as a part of the conversation. Lighting and placement around the house is another way to determined success. Talking about plants that are good for your soil type and gardening zone is essential part of the conversation.

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FEATURE

BY J. R. MCMAHAN PHOTOS BY PAM DANIEL & SUSAN KNAPP

The Children’s Workshop Room has become a favorite area at the annual Ellis County Master Gardener Lawn & Garden Expo. Children and adults all enjoy the educational exhibits, hands-on activities and lively atmosphere. Our opportunity to move to a larger room has been such a success that we will again be set up in the light filled Crape Myrtle Room of the Waxahachie Civic Center.

Master Gardener volunteers are available to assist children with activities and answer parent questions about gardening with children. Indian Trail Master Naturalists are always a big part of the Children’s Workshop Room, and working closely with the Master Gardeners, provide fun learning activities all day.

Representatives from the Junior Master Gardener program will be on hand to talk with teachers and parents of homeschool students.

The Children’s Workshop Room exhibitors have included Texas Honeybee Guild, with their live honeybee demonstration hive. Learn about the important role bees play in our food production from Master Gardeners that are home beekeepers in Waxahachie.

Texas Discovery Gardens will return with unusual critters and information about their education and outreach. Cedar Hill’s own Backyard Wildlife Resource Center will be back for a second year giving visitors a chance to learn about wildlife found around their own homes. Fascinating insect collections from local residents have also been on display.

Parents and children are welcome to bring their insect questions.

TEXAS TREE FARMS OF WAXAHACHIE WILL BE DONATING CRAPE MYRTLE PLANTS TO EACH CHILD VISITING.

The Children’s Workshop Room is always a buzz of activity with educational opportunities children can participate in, including take home crafts, tomato plants and more! Plan to visit the Children’s Workshop Room for a fun time for children of all ages!

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FEATURE

BY JANE SLONE

ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PARTNER WITH WAXAHACHIE HIGH SCHOOL HORTICULTURE STUDENTS – GROWING THE GREENS The Ellis County Master Gardeners (ECMG) have had a long-time relationship with the Horticulture Department at Waxahachie High School.

In exchange for teaching a variety of garden related classes to the students the master gardeners shared space in a large greenhouse located on the north side of the campus. Over the years the master gardeners used that space to grow the plants that were sold at the annual Lawn and Garden Expo.

In 2016 that relationship blossomed into an amazing new partnership that reached into the Culinary Arts Department and out into the community of Waxahachie. As the Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market developed a plan with the WHS Culinary Department to present a Farm to

Table Dinner on the Square to benefit the culinary department, the ECMGs reached out to the horticulture staff and propose growing the greens to be served at the dinner. In 2016 and 2017 the students and master gardeners grew all the greens served to one hundred guests at the outdoor dinner held in early November.

The students planted seeds, watered, fed and nurtured the plants daily for about six weeks then harvested the greens and delivered them to the culinary department on the other side of the campus. Students were invited to attend the dinner and share their experiences with the diners. Some proceeds from the dinner are used to provide scholarships to WHS culinary students while the ECMG continue to offer horticulture scholarship to students throughout Ellis County.

IS THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM FOR ME? Do you want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants?

Are you eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with people?

Do you have enough time to attend training and complete volunteer service hour requirements?

Do you have special interests that could benefit the community or an interest in developing one? (i.e. bird or butterfly knowledge, native gardens, wildflowers, etc.)

Do you have a sincere interest in nature or gardening?

Join us!

CONNECT WITH ECMGA TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE 701 SOUTH I-35E IN WAXAHACHIE 46

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TO SCHEDULE A SPEAKER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TO OBTAIN HORTICULTURAL INFORMATION, CALL THE MASTER GARDENER HELP DESK.

972-825-5175

E-MAIL: ELLIS.TX@TAMU.EDU WEB: WWW.ECMGA.COM

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FEATURE

STORY & PHOTOS BY ARLENE HAMILTON, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER

Herbs are wonderful plants that add flavor to almost any dish. Growing your own will contribute to the joy of gardening and cooking while controlling the quality and nutrition value of the foods you serve. A few basics for growing herbs are good garden soil, not overly rich but not poor, a minimum of 5 – 6 hours of sun per day, preferably morning sun and adequate water. Most herbs are drought tolerant but may require supplemental watering to get established and during dry times.

An important requirement is good drainage.

Harvesting a few sprigs for a salad or to toss in the stew pot should be done when you are ready to prepare the dish. If you plan to harvest a large quantity for future use the best time to gather is in the morning after the dew has dried. When harvesting leaves cut the stem then remove the leaves. You can cut as much as one half to three-quarters of the current year’s growth. Frequent harvesting is preferred (about every 30 – 60 days) rather than severe pruning.

Drying herbs on a screen in a wellventilated room out of direct sunlight works well for small quantities. To air-dry, tie bunches tightly with string or rubber bands, hang in a dark, well ventilated area for about two weeks, or until crispy dry. Remove stems, place herbs in dark glass bottles or containers and store in a cool dry place.

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FOLLOWING ARE SEVERAL POPULAR CULINARY HERBS THAT GROW AND THRIVE IN THIS AREA, ARE ATTRACTIVE IN THE LANDSCAPE AND ENHANCE THE FLAVOR OF FOOD IN THE KITCHEN. BASIL (Ocimum Basilicum) an annual growing 12” – 36” has a sweet clove flavor and fragrance.

Wonderful with tomatoes, both fresh and cooked, a must in pesto, sprinkle on pasta, fish, chicken and salads. Cook only briefly or cut and add at end of cooking. Basil will thrive in the heat of a Texas summer in addition to adding color to the landscape. Sweet Basil is the favored variety but Cinnamon, Thai, Opal, Genovese, Purple Ruffles, and many others will add texture and color to the garden as well as interest to food. Basil is a heat loving plant so plant after the soil is above 65 degrees.

CHIVES, onion (Allium schoenoprasum) a perennial that grows in small clumps with hollow green leaves with a delicate onion flavor. Add chopped leaves to soups and salads; use in cottage cheese, cream cheese, omelets and baked potatoes. Pretty purple flowers add zing to green salads. Plant in early spring in full sun or part shade. Chives are a companion plant for roses and tomatoes as a deterrent to black spot and mildew. There is also a garlic flavored variety.

MEXICAN MINT MARIGOLD (Tagetes lucita) is a tender perennial, Texas native and a wonderful substitute for French tarragon which does not like the southern climate. The flavor is sweet and somewhat like anise. Sow seed after danger of frost has passed. Its yellow flower adds color to the fall landscape and is one of the last herbs to flower in the fall garden.

OREGANO (Origanum spp.) is a hardy perennial and can spread to a three-foot shrub.

Oregano has a sharp aromatic flavor. Known as the pizza herb, it is found in most Mexican, Greek and Italian dishes. It adds a warm spice flavor to tomato sauces. Plant will stay green during mild Texas winters. Use fresh or dried and allow herb to slow cook in the pot.

Mexican oregano Lippia graveolens, is a member of the verbena family and is the preferred oregano in Mexican cooking. Both varieties flourish in North Texas.

PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum and p. neapolitanum) is a biennial. Considered a breath freshener, parsley contains significant amounts of vitamins A, B and C. Add to salads, egg dishes, cream sauces, gravies, stews and soups. Seeds are slow to germinate so it is best to start from container plants. Plant will remain green through mild winters but is best treated as an annual. The curly (crispum) makes an attractive border around the garden. The flat leafed (Italian) parsley has a more pronounced flavor and is preferred by professional chefs.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a tender perennial in north Texas. Prostrate or creeping stays smaller than the large upright variety. Rosemary’s pungent pine flavor is especially good with foods high in fat such as lamb and pork. Add to rice and potatoes, also good in breads and stuffing. Rosemary thrives in the Texas heat. Plant in full sun and give it plenty of room as it will become a very large evergreen bush. Rosemary is being used more and more in the home landscape as a hedge. The prostrate or creeping variety will trail down a wall or garden edge. Both have pretty blue to pink flowers beginning in late summer through winter.

SAGE (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial that spreads to a 3-foot shrub. This culinary salvia has a strong musky flavor that helps balance rich foods. Combine with thyme, marjoram or savory in pork, poultry and fatty fish. A pinch of sage improves the flavor of soups, tomato dishes, cream sauces and gravies. It is a traditional seasoning for Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Sage has a gray-green colored leaf but also comes in purple, golden and variegated colors.

THYME (Thymus spp.) is a perennial that comes in creeping to small shrub size. Thyme is generally combined with other herbs and added to soups, salads, stuffing, sausage, clam chowder, bouquet garni, pork or lamb. It can flavor vinegar, marinades and oils. Lemon varieties are used in jelly and desserts.

It is one of the fines herbes of French cuisine. Grow from seeds or seedlings.

Plant around walkways as the oils release a pleasant scent when walked on. Thyme reportedly benefits eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes when planted near them. In addition, gardeners recommend plantings of thyme to repel cabbageworms and whiteflies.

To learn more about growing herbs in our area visit the Ellis County Master Gardeners’ Horticulture Learning Garden in Getzendaner Park where we have a test garden of edibles including herbs, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. It is always open to the public and a great place to see varieties recommended for our area.

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FEATURE

Welcome to Ellis county. We are so pleased you are here and interested in gardening! You are in what is known as the Blackland Prairie where we have predominately black clay soil high in alkaline. There are also many areas of limestone and caliche rock limiting the depth of soil. This can make for a strong foundation to your home, but may hinder many plants from surviveng after planting. Soil amendments are the key and for the most part, necessary if you want to have successful flower or vegetable gardens. North Texas, in general can experience wild temperature swings from a low of 10 degrees in the winter with snow and ice to a high of 105 degrees in the summer with no rain for weeks on end! Our average rainfall is about 36” and it can arrive in buckets are not at all. It is actually very windy in Ellis county as well, significantly contributing to the evaporation rate.

BY SCOTTY RIGSBY, TCLP (TEXAS CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL) & ECMG PHOTOS BY BLAKE NICHOLSON SO, HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL GARDENING… First and foremost, amend your soil and raise your beds with organic matter.

Organic matter is soil or bedding mixes that have been improved with nutrients naturally by composting or adding material that also lowers the PH to a more acidic level. Most plants (and that’s around 90%) do better with a lower, acidic PH than we have here naturally. Raised beds promote proper and necessary drainage as the black clay soil does not drain well at all when wet and saturated.

You can certainly go it alone, especially if you have some knowledge of plants and their requirements and mature sizes. If you don’t, your money would be well spent to hire a professional (local) landscaper and/or designer to at least consult with you before you spent any money on product. Things like climate matter, and exposure to sun or shade is a must to understand for your plants. Mature sizes matter because you don’t want to plant something that will be ultimately too large next to your house. Sun and shade matter because most plants love morning sun and afternoon shade making eastern exposure the best location. You want to choose plants that are proven to work here in north Texas and specifically Ellis county. If you don’t feel comfortable with making the right choices, hire a professional to guide you or design for you a successful, sustainable and permanent landscape plan.

They can usually install it for you in just a few days as well, and you will be able to enjoy a beautifully landscaped yard with minimal maintenance for years to come! Landscape improvements are a wise investment adding 100% - 200% to the value of your home.

SILVERADO LAWN & LANDSCAPING has been providing these services and more to Ellis county residents for 13 years.

Contact us at (972) 775-LAWN (5296)

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HOME & GARDEN

Fresh Renovations

STORY BY DIANE JOHNSON COLLARD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DIANE JOHNSON INTERIORS

A typical room addition in the 60’s was sure to be finished out with sheets of pre-finished paneling and ceiling tiles. It was fast, inexpensive and stylish for the time.

However, the years are often not kind to these quick fix rooms. The paneling starts to buckle and roll on the walls. The ceiling tiles turn yellow and often break loose, as they are merely stapled together.

Yes, It was a way for “do it yourselfers” in the 60’s to gain space quickly, but the quality was lacking. For the last thirty plus years remodelers have been tearing these rooms down to the bare bones and starting over.

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Recently, I had the opportunity to do this very thing. In remodeling a mid-century ranch home, I had a very large 60’s add-on family room with ragged ceiling tiles, warped sheet paneled walls and indoor-outdoor carpet. It was not pretty!

The brick exterior wall had been left intact, so that was a nice feature to the otherwise bland room. A fireplace had been added, also, when the room was built, so that was the only other redeeming feature to this mammoth space.

The original house was built on pier and beam. The addition, however, was built on a slab, which created a step down into the room. There was an awkward small landing that separated the dining room from the drop off into the family room addition.

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For whatever reason, a very long narrow window had been added to one wall. It made the room look like a garage. It is my thought that the original homeowner wanted privacy on that side of the house, but desired the light the window offered. It did accomplish that, but it was truly ugly.

The very first thing I wanted to do in that room was to tear out that window. So, I did. The wall was filled in, and a lovely French door replaced the window. We

added a small deck in the side yard as a little bonus resting space. What a difference that made. The transformation had begun!

The ceiling was huge in this 25 by 28-foot room. It was not tall, but overwhelmingly big. After studying the situation I decided that it needed to be broken up into smaller sections, but how.

I wanted beams to add some separated detail, but that wasn’t enough.

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HOME & GARDEN

out with the old windows, in with the new doors

Sheetrock and texture just seemed too severe for that space. It needed texture. I decided to cover the ceiling with beadboard panels. After purchasing 30 sheets of beadboard, I started second guessing myself. Painted beadboard was going to be stark and overwhelming, too.

That is when I got the bright idea to do a hand washed finish instead.

About 12 sheets into the process I was regretting that idea, but I pushed on to the finish line. It was worth the pain! The beadboard ceiling set between the stained beams transformed that massive boring ceiling into a warm, inviting, well-balanced area.

All of the paneled walls were replaced with new Sheetrock. We had a lot of narrow scraps of beadboard left over from the ceiling, so I decided to use them as wainscot around the room. It was installed horizontally, as the scrap paneling went that direction. When it was completed, we loved the look. Finding a good use for all of the leftover materials made me happy, too.

Before

The old square recessed lights were removed, and cans were installed. The old ceiling fans were replaced with industrial look twin fans. The size of the room just lent itself to something different. So, two 6-foot twin fans were installed.

The carpet was hauled out, and ceramic plank floors were brought in. The landing was done in a slate mosaic tile, which created an interesting transition from hardwood in an adjoining room to the plank ceramic.

With these changes, I was able to create a warm, cozy family living space that will last for decades. It will never go out of style, and it will never feel uninviting. I was able to make this massive, bland space feel like home.

Now all I need is a family and lots of furniture to fill it. Some lucky folks will share a lot of memories in this revived midcentury home.

During

Until next time

HAVE A BRIGHT AND BLESSED SPRING!

DIANE JOHNSON COLLARD Diane has been decorating Ellis County for more than 30 years.

Contact Diane Johnson Interiors at 972.935.8899 or djohnsoninteriors@hotmail.com

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HOME & GARDEN

BY MELINDA KOCIAN {ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSSOCIATION}

PLANTING

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Plant these annuals early in the month for spring color: petunias, larkspurs, foxgloves and stocks. Other annuals such as marigolds, celosia and wax begonias may be planted late in the month.

Plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants from 4-inch pots after March 15th.

Plants should be hardened off (gradually exposed to outside conditions) before putting in the ground.

Plant warm-season vegetables – beans, corn, squash, melons and cucumbers starting mid-month.

Plant herbs in raised beds with soil amended with organic matter. Harden off plants before planting.

Plant perennial flowers in amended welldrained soil. Know each plant’s prime blooming season, height, width and color to ensure season-long color. Mulch new plantings.

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING

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Trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers can be fed with high-nitrogen fertilizer or compost. For patio pots and container gardens, apply a diluted, water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer once a week.

Remove old growth from Bermudagrass lawns by lowering mower one or two notches, allowing the grass to spread faster and choke out weeds. Bag the clippings for composting or as mulch.

Prune spring-flowering shrubs and vines such as flowering quince, azaleas, forsythia, bridal wreath (Spiraea), Lady Banksia rose and Carolina jessamine immediately after they finish blooming.

GARDEN WATCH

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If frost or freeze is predicted, cover tender vegetables and annuals with frost cloth. It can make a 6 to 8-degree difference.

Beware of close-out sales on bare-root trees as survival rate is low when planted this late in the season. Spend a little more on container-grown plants.

Control black spot, powdery mildew and thrips on roses with an appropriate fungicide or systemic insecticide. Use a stream of water or insecticidal soap on aphids.

Apply pre-emergent herbicide on lawns to control broadleaf and grassy weeds if needed. A “weed and feed” fertilizer is not recommended because it is too early to fertilize lawns.

Ellis County Master Gardeners’ Lawn and Garden Expo MARCH 24TH, 2018

CONSERVATION-WISE »» »»

Install drip irrigation in your vegetable garden for increased production and water efficiency.

Consider shade-loving plants where turfgrasses won’t grow. Ornamental trees, shrubs, ferns, ornamental grasses and groundcovers are good solutions. Check the plant tag for light requirements before purchasing.

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The Waxahachie Civic Center will be home to the 18th annual Ellis County Master Gardeners’ Lawn and Garden Expo on Saturday, March 24th. Exhibitors will pack the center with outdoor-living necessities, plants, machinery, yard art and landscape project materials. Adults can attend sessions on gardening topics, or “Ask The Experts” about specific gardening challenges. The Children’s Workshop will have numerous interactive displays and take-home projects.

And don’t forget the Master Gardener Plant Sale with a variety of plants suited for North Central Texas landscapes. A big “Thank You” to Expo sponsors for making this event possible.

PLANTING

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Plant warm-season annual flowers. For sun (6+hours per day): angelonias, copper plants, firebush, lantana, moss rose, purslane, pentas, ornamental sweet potatoes and zinnias. For shade (less than 4 hours per day): begonias, coleus, impatiens and perilla. Select short, compact plants.

Plant okra and southern peas (blackeyed peas, etc). Squash, cucumbers and melons can still be planted.

Many herbs can also be planted from transplants (dill, parsley, fennel, mint, oregano and thyme).

Now is the best time to plant Bermudagrass and St. Augustine grass sod. Grade and smooth area prior to installing sod to ensure good soil contact.

Keep moist until roots are established.

Seeded varieties of Bermudagrass may be sown starting mid-month. Keep soil moist until seed germinate and grass has established a good root system.

Select caladium tubers now, while ample stocks are available, for May planting.

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING

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Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to established lawns. Use product containing at least half of its nitrogen in slow-release form.

Mow common Bermudagrass at 1½ inches and St. Augustine grass at 2½ inches. Frequent mowing with sharp blades will keep an established lawn thick and healthy; but avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf surface each time.

Fertilize roses every 4 to 6 weeks from now to September. Start with a balanced fertilizer, then apply ammonium sulfate or other high-nitrogen fertilizer as new growth appears, following a flowering cycle.

GARDEN WATCH

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12th Annual Ellis County Master Gardeners' 2018 Gardening Calendar PICK ONE UP TODAY!

»»

Check new plant growth for aphids. A few can be tolerated but large numbers should be controlled. Washing them off with a strong spray of water may be all that is necessary for control.

Eliminate fire ants in your landscape by broadcasting labeled bait while temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees. If fire ants are still present after using bait, treat the individual mounds with appropriate insecticide. Contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Ellis County at 972-825-5175 for more information.

Look for rose rosette disease. New growth on diseased roses exhibit elongated/enlarged canes, reddish leaves and stems, and excessive thorns. Remove and destroy infected plants and roots immediately. There is no proven control for this fatal disease.

Soil purchased for use in beds, low areas and containers should be examined closely. Nutsedge and other weeds are often brought into the yard through contaminated soil sources.

Watch newspapers and other media for information regarding wildflower trails, garden tours and plant sales.

CONSERVATION-WISE »» »»

Installing a new lawn? If so, consider seeding a native grass mixture. It will require less mowing, fertilizer and most importantly, less water.

Design your vegetable garden in blocks, not rows, to shade roots and reduce evaporation. Group plants with similar water needs to maximize supplemental irrigation.

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LIFE SAVER POOL FENCE

MEDICAL

BY ERIC LUPTON, SAFETY ADVOCATE AND LIFE SAVER POOL FENCE PRESIDENT

This year, at least two children drowned days after their family moved into a new home. The parents had not yet installed a fence and other safety precautions, and the toddlers found their way outside without their parents knowing. That’s why I urge parents to install layers of protection to prevent accidental drownings and read these important POOL SAFETY GUIDE TIPS:

1.INSTALL HIGH DOOR/WINDOW LOCKS Before you move in to a home with a swimming pool, install locks on doors and windows that are high and out of the reach of young children.

Put them on every door and window that leads to the pool area. Some drownings happen because a parent didn't know their toddler had figured out the door knob or lock and the simply walked out on their own. Don’t forget sliding glass doors that small children can slide open.

2. ADD DOOR AND WINDOW ALARMS Home buyers who have never owned a pool may not realize children are drawn to water, even when it is cold outside. Families can selfinstall simple contact alarms for doors and windows that lead to the pool, or contract with a security company. In every case, it’s important

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2018

to keep the alarms activated. If an older child disables the alarm, a younger sibling could easily slip outside without anyone knowing.

Also consider installing an alarm on any gates that lead to the pool. Adults can use a bypass switch that will keep kids out when there is no one around to supervise.

3. EVALUATE DOGGY DOORS If you have toddlers in the home, any pet doors that grant access a pool or spa should also be permanently sealed off. Toddlers are known to mimic their pets and may follow them right out the doggy door and into the pool area. That puts both the child and the pet at risk of falling in the water. Instead, move the doggy door to an area that is secure with no access to the pool or spa.

4. INSTALL A POOL SAFETY FENCE Perhaps one of the most reassuring steps is installing a pool fence. Fences should be at least 4' tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Mesh pool safety fences, like Life Saver Pool Fence, have proven to be an effective layer of protection with a transparent and aesthetically pleasing look that is easy to remove and reinstall by the homeowner. Make sure the fence surrounds the pool, so there are no doors or windows leading directly from the home into the pool area.

4. PURCHASE A POOL ALARM There are several types of alarms that will provide another layer of protection against

drowning. Surface pool alarms will trigger an alarm inside the home when the water’s surface is broken. However, a small child could quietly walk down the pool steps and slip under water without making a big splash or setting off the alarm, so they cannot be used alone.

Subsurface pool alarms detect disturbances beneath the surface. They cost more but are less prone to false triggers than floating alarms and more reliable than surface alarms.

5. CONSIDER CHILD IMMERSION ALARMS When you first move into a home, consider fitting your child with a wearable immersion alarm, like the Safety Turtle, which triggers an alarm inside the house if the sensor gets wet. This is especially important in a new home when you are unfamiliar with the area.

It resembles a watch and can protect against all water hazards including a neighbor’s pool, ponds, and rivers.

6. CHECK DRAIN COVERS Avoid tragedy by drain entrapment and make sure there are no broken or damaged drain covers in your pool or spa. The suction from a drain can pull in jewelry, hair, and bathing suits, which may cause drowning if the wearer of these items cannot break free. Ensure your pool or spa drain covers are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act and keep your family safe from harm.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2018

59

MEDICAL

KEEPING BREAST CANCER IN REMISSION FOR LIFE

BY VALERIE GORMAN, MD, BREAST SURGEON AT TEXAS SURGICAL SPECIALISTS

After I treat women for breast cancer, they mark off the months until they hit the magic number— five years. They’ve seen headlines and reports that tout five years as the cancer remission milestone.

But the truth about breast cancer returning is more complicated than that.

It’s

true

that

reaching

five

years without another cancer diagnosis

can

mean

survival

rates improve. But like everything else with cancer, every person is different. of

About 80

women

percent

diagnosed

with

breast cancer have what we call estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. That means the hormone estrogen

feeds

growth.

For

the these

cancer’s women,

medications that block estrogen can help keep their cancer from recurring.

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER WITH MEDICATION

Tamoxifen is one of the drugs that’s prescribed most often to keep breast cancer from coming back. It works by blocking hormone receptors, so cancer can’t use estrogen for fuel. But it can cause side effects like hot flashes, vaginal dryness or discharge, and mood swings. It’s also linked with less common but more serious side effects—uterine cancer, blood clots, and stroke.

Drugs like anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole can also help prevent breast cancer recurrence. They stop estrogen production, but they’re generally used only for post-menopausal women. These drugs have fewer side effects than tamoxifen, but they sometimes cause muscle and joint pain. If so, changing to a different medication might alleviate symptoms. They can also cause bone thinning, so some women need to take bone-strengthening drugs along with them. (Sometimes the medications palbociclib and ribociclib are used in combination with these drugs, for women with advanced breast cancer.)

“But like everything else

with cancer, every person is

”

different.

IS BREAST CANCER EVER CURED?

The accepted practice has been to prescribe these estrogen-blocking drugs for five years.

But a study published in November in the New England Journal of Medicine found that breast cancer can continue to recur even 15 or 20 years after the initial diagnosis.

The study evaluated almost 63,000 women with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer who took estrogen-blocking medication for five years and remained cancer free. The researchers found that after they stopped taking medication, women faced a 10 to 41 percent chance of their cancer recurring. Risks were lowest for women with early stage cancer that hadn’t reached the lymph nodes, and highest for women with more advanced cancer that had reached up to nine lymph nodes.

When my patients hit the five-year mark, we talk about whether they should keep taking estrogen-blocking medication to reduce their risk. Because of the side effects, some women really want to stop taking them. But others like the security of knowing their medication is helping to keep cancer from recurring.

Together we consider all of their risk factors and preferences, so they can make the best decision for their future.

Valerie Gorman, MD, FACS | 469.800.9830 | Breast Surgeon at Texas Surgical Specialists

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2018

61

MEDICAL

BY BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - WAXAHACHIE

Even the casual sports fan at some point has probably seen a slow-motion replay of an athlete going down to an injury. In those cases, the genesis of the injury is usually obvious and sometimes even wince worthy. However, athletes, weekend warriors and skilled craftsmen alike may also find themselves on the sidelines in less dramatic fashion due to another type of damage: overuse injuries.

“In medical terms, an overuse injury may occur when the break down rate of a muscle, ligament, tendon or bone is greater than the recovery rate,” explains Josh McSpadden, DO, an orthopedic specialist on the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie medical staff.

Put simply, an overuse injury occurs due to repeatedly stressing a bone, joint or muscle without giving it enough rest. There are a variety of common overuse injuries, including shin splints, tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, stress fracture and a variety of shoulder issues among others.

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health.

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DIFFERENT AGES, DIFFERENT RISKS Dr. McSpadden has treated overuse injuries in people of all ages. He says the reasons for these types of injuries, though, are often different for kids and adults.

“Kids get overuse injuries when they don’t take any time off from their sport,” he explains.

Unlike past generations where children played a variety of sports throughout the year each using predominantly different muscle groups, kids today often begin specializing in a single sport much sooner and are in leagues nearly year around.

“I’ll see a case of bicep or rotator cuff tendinitis in a volleyball player and ask when the last time they took anytime off, and they can’t remember,” says Dr. McSpadden.

Meanwhile, adults may get an overuse injury by trying to do too much too soon when beginning a new workout routine or activity. Often, the motivation for adults hitting the gym or running trail is to lose weight. But Dr. McSpadden reminds his patients that while getting active is great, changing their diet is far more important than working out regularly.

“Weight loss is about 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise,” he says.

He also recommends that people who already exercise regularly take a week off every few months to give their body time to more fully recover.

PREVENT, DETECT, REACT In addition to getting enough rest, there are other steps people can take to prevent overuse injuries: »» Warm-up and cool down before and after exercise »» Always use proper equipment and shoes that fit right »» Vary exercises – avoid constantly using the same muscle group »» Ice areas of inflammation The telltale sign of an overuse injury is inflammation, which may include aching, swelling, redness, pain when touched, and movement pain or discomfort.

“If you think you may have an overuse injury, start with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. You may need to take it consistently for a week or two during a flare up,” advises Dr. McSpadden. And of course, rest the injury. If the pain hasn’t gone away after a significant amount of rest, it’s probably time to see a doctor.

For adults reacclimating to exercise, he recommends following the 10 Percent Rule.

Whether it’s sports, working out or physical labor, to help prevent and recover from an overuse – or any other type of injury – Dr. McSpadden has one simple golden rule:

“Don’t increase your activity by more than 10 percent a week in terms of either distance or weight.”

“Listening to your body is the biggest thing you can do,” he says. “I tell people 10 times a day, if it hurts don’t do it.”

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2018

63

LAFIN FIN LA

My husband and I have traveled many places around the world with my in-laws, from scuba diving the Turks and Caicos Islands to shopping for antique carpets in Istanbul and yet my mother-in-law has lived 75 years without ever visiting New York City. To celebrate her birthday, I thought it was high time I take her to the Big Apple.

We flew in on a Sunday afternoon to avoid the heavy weekday traffic and settled into our room at the Park Lane Hotel. I wanted her to experience the luxuries of MIDTOWN MANHATTAN without breaking the bank. Once the grand Hemsley Hotel, Park Lane is beginning to show its age, but the rooms are large, and I was able to book us on the 25th floor overlooking Central Park at half the price of The Plaza next door.

My favorite book growing up was Eloise at The Plaza. I figured if we can’t afford to stay there, we can at least walk over for breakfast; which is exactly what we did the next morning.

The hotel’s elegant Palm Court is always a buzz with famous faces. As we got seated for breakfast some hip-hop mogul came in with his entourage and as we were leaving a convoy of black SUV’s pulled up ahead of President Obama, who was arriving for a political fundraiser. Since my last visit to The Plaza, there is now the most adorable all pink Eloise boutique as well as an underground oasis of gourmet counter-style dining options called the Todd English Food Hall.

We spent our first full day fantasy shopping 5TH

AVENUE. We had fun trying on rings at Tiffany & Co worth a quarter of a million dollars and drooling over the new Gucci spring handbags before grabbing lunch at Bergdorf Goodman.

We enjoyed a makeover at Bloomingdales and then walked to the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, peeked inside Radio City Music Hall and lit a candle in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I’d say it was a good first day showing off the city.

On our way to dinner, we stopped for cocktails at the new Baccarat Hotel. Tucked away at the end of their Grand Salon is a 1920’s Paris style lounge with a black and white checkered floor and a barrel vaulted ceiling with three Baccarat crystal chandeliers that took our breath away.

The largest chandelier, worth an estimated $1 million, features rare red crystals that match the color of the walls and hangs over a 60-foot long bar. From there we went to the famous Polo Bar Restaurant, with its posh hunting lodge décor and equestrian motifs. The Ralph Lauren owned establishment is quintessentially New York and was packed with beautiful people, including actress Joan Collins that evening.

We were escorted downstairs in an elevator and seated at a cozy corner booth with buckskin leather banquettes where we dined on a wonderful rib-eye steak from the Lauren’s Colorado cattle ranch.

The next day started with a cab ride to SOHO for a late breakfast at Balthazar, my favorite French brasserie outside of Paris. We both enjoyed a Bloody Mary and delicious Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon while mapping

out the day. We spent time shopping the small boutiques, loaded up on greeting cards at Papyrus and checked out the gourmet items at Dean & Deluca before making our way over to the FLATIRON DISTRICT to peruse all six floors of ABC Carpet and Home. I’m always inspired by their innovative interior design, rugs and furnishings.

Across the street is Fishs Eddy, another favorite store full of whimsical dishes, kitchenware and gifts. A friend had told me about a lovely little bakery called Once Upon A Tart, so we stopped in for cappuccino and shared a delicious chocolate and pear tart. Dinner that night was at Freemans, a quaint American style tavern that literally sits at the end of an alley on the lower east side in the Bowery.

Our last day came too soon with so much of the Big Apple left to bite into and just not enough time. I thought to myself, “We didn’t walk the High Line, eat a pastrami sandwich at Katz, tour the Statue of Liberty or climb the Empire State Building. We didn’t visit the 911 Memorial or even take in a couple of museums.”

I did, however, take her to see Beautiful; The Carole King Musical. I think walking through Times Square and seeing a hit show on Broadway was actually her favorite part of the trip. After breakfast at the famous Sarabeth’s, we took our last morning stroll through CENTRAL PARK before heading to the airport, knowing we had many reasons to return.

Cindy Burch and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Doves Nest in historic downtown Waxahachie. Cindy is also a freelance writer, caterer and consultant. Her award-winning cookbook, “The Doves Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From A Historic Texas Town,” is in its fifth printing.

Cindy Burch

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