March 2013 Ellis County Living Magazine

Everyt hing Spring LM I Ellis County Living Magazine

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Living

Shopping Music Home Travel Law Health Medical

March-April March-April2011/living-magazine.com 2013/living-magazine.com

Your GATEWAY to HOMETOWN service and expertise

www.TheSchmidtGrp.com When you are looking for hometown service backed by expert, local professionals, turn to The Schmidt Group at Gateway Mortgage. Their Waxahachie office has over 90 years’ experience in the mortgage industry and best of all, they live and work right here in ELLIS COUNTY. The Schmidt Group promises you: • A community first approach • Local underwriting and reliable closings • Service for a lifetime So whether you are purchasing a new home, considering refinancing or even seeking access to your home’s equity, they have the right solution to meet nearly any mortgage need.

Your Local Mortgage Team JEFF SCHMIDT - 817.681.7897 Regional Manager, RMLO 91368

TOM KER - 972.365.7022 Senior Loan Officer, RMLO 356892

NICK HESTER - 469.855.9262 Senior Loan Officer, RMLO 338108

TERRY WOOTEN - 214.949.9285 Senior Loan Officer, RMLO 224831

Office: 972.937.2200 | 100 Executive Court #3 | Waxahachie, TX 75165

Gateway Mortgage Group, LLC NMLS 7233

Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-7PM

OUTDOOR FURNITURE • ORGANICS • ROCK • CABANAS

Introducing COMPLETE Lawn Maintenance The Metroplex’s most trusted greenery now offers full-service lawn maintenance!

We use the highest quality equipment and grass treatments to keep thick, healthy lawns for our customers.

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With over 3,000 projects successfully installed in the area, our staff has the knowledge, experience and price to make your project a success.

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INFO ON OUR COMPLETE LAWN MAINTENANCE!

LES HILL A master stylist and colorist, Les is a leader in the

industry with 30+ years of experience working with hair. Les has an uncanny ability to assess a client and determine the most flattering cut and style for both their features and personality. Les is constantly upgrading his repertoire by continuing education with global masters.

DESI MUNOZ Trained by Aveda, Desi has created looks for individuals for six years. Highly educated in the art of color application and cutting hair, she excels at achieving a completed look of beauty by design. Desi has worked with Les off and on for six years and joined him most recently in 2010.

Located on the square in downtown Waxahachie, Salon Friends is owned by Les Hill and Glen Land. Enjoy our open, spacious salon while you pamper yourself with the finest hair and massage services at Salon Friends.

SHARON LEACH Sharon has been practicing massage therapy in Ellis County for the past eight years. Professionally trained, Sharon takes a holistic approach in her treatments. She specializes in, but is not limited to, Swedish massage, aromatherapy, myofascia release and pre-natal massage. Her healing touch speaks for itself.

CHARLOTTE MCGRAW Charlotte began her career at

Shelton’s Salon and Spa in Bedford, Texas. After 16 years of working and training with top designers from around the world, she moved to Waxahachie. She began working with Les in 2010 and continues to use her artistic ability and passion to create a look designed for each individual.

BEVERLY FRANKLIN With 28 years’ experience working with hair, Beverly has been Aveda-trained for six years. She is constantly inspired through education in her field. Beverly has a passion for creativity in color and hair design. She enjoys giving 100 percent to each client and possesses a true love for the industry.

PRODUCTS Salon Friends is a Moroccanoil flagship store, with the largest selection of Moroccanoil products in the area. We invite you to experience our customized services crafted with the finest hair and body products from Moroccanoil, as well as color and styling products from Davines.

HOURS OF OPERATION: TUES-FRI 10AM-6PM SATURDAY 9AM-3PM

For a full list of services and pricing, visit our website!

972.937.HAIR (4247) 106 WEST MAIN ST. IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE

SALONFRIENDS.COM • INFO@SALONFRIENDS.COM

BRITTNEY HARPER

Brittney was “created to create,” and for the last eight years that passion has shown through in her cutting, styling and coloring techniques. She specializes in bridal and prom styles and has been used multiple times for high fashion runway shows and professional photo shoots. Her goal is to never cease growth as a person and a stylist.

STEPHANIE JONES Stephanie is a haircut specialist with more than 10 years’ experience. She was trained by and worked with Aveda for seven years. Her passion is creating haircuts customized to reflect your individual style.

CHARLOTTE LOMAX Charlotte has been assisting Les for 18 years. She goes above and beyond to make clients feel relaxed and cared for. She is Les’ right-hand assistant. Her smile lights up the salon and clients can’t help but feel their spirits uplifted.

Her nurturing touch is an invaluable part of the “friends” at Salon Friends.

JACLYN NESS Jaclyn completed the requirements for a cos-

metology license in 2004. For the next few years, she continued her education and honed her skills at Worx, an Aveda Salon in Cedar Hill, where she first met and worked with Les. Since then, Jaclyn has worked locally, pursuing her passion of creating great looks through her haircutting skills. We’re happy she joined our team this fall!

LYNDSAY CANNON Lyndsay is one of our new stylists. She was born and raised in Waxahachie. After receiving her cosmetology license, Lyndsay spent the next 11 years working in Waxahachie and recently brought her talents to Salon Friends.

Lyndsay loves expressing her creativity through hairstyling.

MELISA RODRIGUEZ Melisa has a passion for hair that began in her childhood. She followed her dreams and eventually graduated from the Aveda institute of Dallas. She now calls Salon Friends her home. Melisa uses her skills as a cosmetologist, along with client input, to realize her vision for your perfect look.

QUALITY Installation, Repair, and Maintenance for your ROOF.

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

ROOFING SERVICES:

• Roof inspections, replacement, repair and maintenance • Skylight repair and installation • Gutter and downspout repair/replacement • Exterior siding, fascia and soffit • Ventilation: Ridge-vent, electric and solar power vents, wind turbines, box and soffit vents • Deck/Fence additions, repair and maintenance

O: (214)564-5046 F: (817)860-2931 INFO@DUNCANROOFINGCONCEPTS.COM

W W W.DUNCANROOFINGCONCEPTS . C O M

MARCH IS TRUCK MONTH

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, WE HAVE OVERSTOCKED BOTH RAM AND FORD TRUCKS FOR THIS EVENT.

$14,991

$28,664

2012 Ford Focus

$25,993

2012 Ford F-150

$35,865

2009 Ford F-150

2010 Ford Super Duty F-250 SRW

$14,993 2006 Infiniti G35

$21,403 2011 Ford Taurus

$18,991 2012 Ford Mustang Convertible

$20,068 2008 Ford F-150

$24,982 2012 GMC Sierra 1500

$11,809 2004 Cadillac SRX

All photos are for illustration purpose only. Low APR for well qualified buyers with approved credit. Any offer is not good with any other offer, from dealer stock only while supplies last, WAC. All ad prices based on approved credit, rebates based on applicable military, business trade-in, and conquest programs. Sale Ends 4-30-13. See dealer for details.

Quick Lane N NOW OPES! Y A D SUN

866-939-7013 I-35 and HWY 287 in Waxahachie

www.waxahachieautoplex.com

No Strings Attach ed:

$20 Oil Change Including tax and fee s, conventional oil on ly, synthetics extra. Not valid with other coupon, offer or previous purchase. Offer expir es 4/30/13.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 72

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THe lanD oF encHanTmenT: SanTa Fe WiTH cinDY BURcH

2013

64 16

cHecK oUT THe laTeST in local FaSHion!

FASHION Spring Fashion 16 Fresh Face 20 Botox or the Box? 22

LIFE & STYLE Books to explore 24 Recipes From the garden 26 Simply Sangria 28 History: ghost Signs 30 a mother’s Tale: Precious moments 32 Travel: alaska at last 34 nonprofit: Soul’s Harbor 38

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living-magazine.com // maRcH-aPRil 2013

a liTTle giRl’S Big JoURneY

MARCH APRIL HOME & GARDEN Preloved 40 Tips from master gardeners 42 The Farm girls: attracting Birds 44 Foods & Flavors of the mediterranean 46 Firewise landscaping 48 march/april Plants 50 Soft & Serene: Spring colors for Your Home 54 Time for an insurance checkup? 56

MEDICAL The Second Time around 58 outlive Yourself 62 Pretty Penny 64 Save a life - Yours! 66 zombie to zen 68 The a Word 70

*

CINDY BURCH:

land of enchantment 72

Lawn & Garden Expo 3/16/2013 Ellis County Master Gardener Association

MARCH 16TH 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CENTER Over 100 Exhibit Booths • Children’s Workshops • Keynote Speakers Ask The Experts • Door Prizes • Plant Sales • 4-H Food Concessions

GUEST SPEAKERS: ROSA FINSLEY

“Landscaping with Native Plants”

ARLENE HAMILTON & SUSAN CLARK

RANDY JOHNSON

“Food and Flavors of the Mediterranean” “The Hidden World Beneath Our Feet: A Primer on Soil Biology”

GOLD SPONSORS:

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

MAGAZINE

SILVER SPONSORS:

FREE Advanced Tickets

Available From Our Sponsors

Admission at the door $5 972-584-1811

BRONZE SPONSORS:

(Children under 12 free)

H-E-B • Waxahachie Civic Center • Vintage Bank GREEN SPONSORS: Renewal by Andersen • Holcim (Texas) LP • Universal Portable Buildings • CNB of Texas • AmeriGrafix Tex-Scapes Greenery • Roland’s Nursery & Landscape • EarthTones Greenery • Ennis Garden Club

972.825.5175 I

WWW.ECMGA.COM

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

MAGAZINE

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER CINDY CAMP EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR JENNIFER KEMP EDITOR KATHRYN KEMP ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR LINDSEY KEENEY ADVERTISING PAMELA MCCRORY BRITTANY HUSTED CFO SUSAN KOSORIS 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 2012, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved.

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

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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! www.facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving twitter.com/ECLiving

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

CINDY has been a force in Ellis County for more than 20 years. An optimistic and generous leader, she has supported many local organizations throughout her time living in Waxahachie, and was the perfect candidate to start Ellis County Living Magazine. Send her your thoughts at publisher@living-magazine.com.

JENNIFER is the creative director for Ellis County Living Magazine. She is a perfectionist who works around the clock to make sure the magazine maintains its high design standard. While ad design and page design are two very different worlds, her charming and positive nature keeps the two sides of magazine production working well together. Send questions or comments to jennifer@living-magazine.com.

KATHRYN is the editor of Ellis County Living Magazine and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. A curious nature drives her to always be asking questions and learning about the world around her. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, going out with her friends and playing games. Contact Kathryn at kathryn@living-magazine.com.

LINDSEY is the associate creative director for Living Magazine. She grew up in Ennis and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in telecommunication media studies.

She enjoys spending time with friends and family, shopping and traveling, especially to her favorite destination: Las Vegas.

Contact Lindsey at lindsey@living-magazine.com PAMELA is our advertising representative for Waxahachie and Red Oak. She has an extensive background in sales and advertising and runs a promotional advertising business. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, entertaining and traveling. Contact her at pamela@eclmedia.com.

BRITTANY is the advertising representative for Midlothian and Ennis. After graduating from Waxahachie High School, she earned a degree in business administration from Texas State University. She loves meeting new people and faces any challenge with a great attitude. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, traveling and taking pictures. Contact her at brittany@living-magazine.com.

SUSAN is the chief financial officer of Ellis County Living Magazine. A University of Texas business school graduate, Susan has 25 years of experience in business management, marketing and accounting. She has three sons and enjoys volunteering, cooking, reading and traveling. Contact her at accounting@eclmedia.com.

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

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2013

STAFF PHOTOS TAKEN BY MARIE Q PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITOR’S NOTE This issue marks my oneyear anniversary at the magazine, and my how time has flown! I’ve been having such a great time meeting amazing people, learning lots of new things and producing a magazine that I am so proud of!

I hope you’ve been enjoying my work as well.

For our Everything Spring issue, we’re bringing you plenty of gardening tips, medical advice and travel ideas, as well as some amazing stories of local families and organizations that are really making a difference in their community and the world. I’m also excited about this issue’s history article on ghost signs in Waxahachie – looking at old pictures just never gets old…

Next, we have the Health & Wellness issue. If you have any ideas, comments or questions, email me at kathryn@living-magazine. com.

What’s on the minds of Living Magazine staff? “ Made my first Lobster Roll last week. Easy to do: Steam lobster tails (3 tails for approx. 1 lb of meat) in Old Bay Seasoning. The grocery store will be glad to do this step.

Dice the lobster meat then mix with a tiny spoonful of mayonnaise to coat. Here is the trick: butter the inside of a hot dog bun and toast in a skillet. Remove and add the lobster mixture to the bun. Bon Appetite!” – Publisher Cindy Camp “I love to can! My garlic dill pickles and peppers are just getting ripe after canning in late summer. I wonder what we’ll make this season!”

– Advertising Rep Pamela McCrory “My new obsession is vintage jewelry: buying, collecting, reparing, selling. Everytime I find a great new piece it feels a little like Christmas and having any excuse to do some extra shopping is always nice. ” – Executive Creative Director Jennifer Kemp

dutourdumonde / Shutterstock

.com

“I am into Downton Abbey!

Even though the third season was sad, I am already looking forward to next season.”

– CFO Susan Kosoris

“Weekend brunch. There are so many delicious restaurants in Dallas and trying a new place each weekend has become a ritual.” – Advertising Rep Brittany Husted “I love Zumba because it doesn’t feel like I’m working out, but I know I’m burning tons of calories! It’s a great full-body workout.”

– Associate Creative Director Lindsey Keeney

What’s on my mind lately?

My cats. Bug and Baby Kitty are brother and sister and have been brightening my days since November.

They love to eat, wrestle and snuggle, and are by my side keeping me safe every single time I step foot in the bathroom. I often catch Bug bathing his baby sister and Baby Kitty chasing her own tail. I can’t get enough of them. And I can’t go without mentioning the other cats I love: Belle, Fatty and Skinny.

My favorite spring trend?

Floral prints. But actually that’s my favorite trend for every season. It never goes out of style in my world, which is good considering it makes up about 95 percent of my closet.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2013

13

{ aRoUnD ToWn { A lot is happening in Ellis County...

LIFESTYLE BUSINESS, HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO

EASTER AT THE RANCH FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Waxahachie civic center Featuring a Taste of Waxahachie, health screening, door prizes, kids’ activities and a whole lot of shopping!

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Paws for Reflection Ranch, midlothian easter bunny, easter egg hunt, ranch animals and family games and activities. it’s free to attend, but donations are welcomed.

MIDLOTHIAN CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

62ND ANNUAL ENNIS BLUEBONNET TRAILS

5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 midlothian conference center contact carissa@midlothianchamber.org for more.

Forty miles of mapped trails, free maps and tour guides, sponsored by the ennis garden club.

SaTURDaY, maRcH 2

SaTURDaY, maRcH 23

THURSDaY, maRcH 7

aPRil 1-30

SIMS LIBRARY GRAND RE-OPENING

SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL aPRil 6 To maY 27 SaTURDaYS & SUnDaYS

SaTURDaY, maRcH 9 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ribbon cutting at 10 Sims library in Waxahachie celebrate the library’s renovations with tours, refreshments, story time, scavenger hunt, games and more!

ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENER LAWN & GARDEN EXPO SaTURDaY, maRcH 16

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Waxahachie civic center check out pages 42-52 for more info, and don’t forget living magazine will be giving away tickets leading up to the event!

“EXPERIENCE MIDLOTHIAN” COMMUNITY EXPO & A TASTE OF MIDLOTHIAN SaTURDaY, maRcH 23

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. midlothian conference center contact megan@midlothianchamber.org for more.

& laBoR DaY 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

2511 F.m. 66, Waxahachie Step into another world with jousts, comedians, singing wenches, maypole, sword fighting, great food and so much more!

NAVARRO BRILLIANCE ICE SCHOLARSHIP DINNER SaTURDaY, aPRil 13

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. midlothian conference center Featuring a sit-down gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment by the Dallas String Quartet, Brilliance raises money to provide scholarships to ellis county Students.

See their ad on page 53 for information on purchasing tickets.

ANTIQUE ALLEY aPRil 19-21

a 37-mile stretch through maypearl, cleburne, itasca and grandview via

Hwy 81 to Fm 916 to Fm 4 Hundreds of vendors will be spread throughout the downtown areas, streets in town and even private homes in between, selling antiques, art, collectibles, homemade baked goods and much more. make sure you’re hungry, because the show promises plenty of festival-style foods like frito pies, hot dogs, sausage on a stick and funnel cakes, to name a few. visit www. antiquealleytexas.com for more.

2ND ANNUAL ELLIS COUNTY MUSICFEST SaTURDaY, aPRil 20

10 a.m. to midnight ellis county expo in Waxahachie With live music, an art gallery/silent auction, sculptors, dancers, actors and even karate demonstrations, this event is aimed at encouraging young people to become leaders through the arts.

ENNIS BLUEBONNET TRAILS FESTIVAL aPRil 20 & 21

Paying tribute to the Texas state flower with bluebonnet art, crafts, souvenirs, food, free maps and live music, sponsored by the ennis garden club. contact ennis convention & visitors Bureau at 972.878.4748 with questions.

MIDLOTHIAN SPRING FLING & 125TH ANNIVERSARY SaTURDaY, aPRil 27 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Heritage Park, midlothian arts & crafts show, anniversary celebration and street dance.

For updates and chances to win free stuff, be sure to “like” us on Facebook and visit our blog at www.living-magazine.com.

Do you have an event you want everyone to know about?

Send an e-mail to: EDITOR@LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM

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living-magazine.com // maRcH-aPRil 2013

Downtown SHOPPING

TWEED RUN BICYCLE RIDE SATURDAY, MARCH 2 3 p.m.

Getzendaner Park Wear your tweed jacket, hat and argyle socks for this family friendly bike ride starting at Getzendaner Park, then down the Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail to Lions Park and back. Approximately 8 miles.

FREE admission. For more information, call Daniel Smith at 214-532-5795 or vespaman76@gmail.com.

A DOG DAY’S NIGHT SATURDAY, MARCH 16 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Parade your dog around the Ellis County Courthouse, then enjoy contests, music, Paw Spa, Barkery, Paw Readings, the Lights of Waxahachie and much more during this fundraiser for the dog park.

SINCE 1850

FARMERS MARKET SEASON streets of the historic Ellis OPENS County Courthouse Square

A-Transportation Limousine Serv Buffalo Creek Cowgirls

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 410 S. Rogers, Waxahachie Open Saturdays through December 21, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

with a kick-off party on Friday evening. For more information, visit www.waxahachielionsclub.org.

Catfish Plantation

JUNK IN THE TRUNK

WAXAHACHIE CINCO DE MAYO

Citizens National Bank of Texas

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Waxahachie’s Junk in the Trunk is a community-wide resale event. Businesses and residents sell their treasures around the courthouse square.

MAY 3-4 The fiesta kicks off on Friday night in downtown Waxahachie on Franklin Street with the Plato Loco Street Dance featuring live entertainment from Baraja de Oro from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. FesWAXAHACHIE LIONS CLUB tivities continue on Saturday MINI GRAND PRIX from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. with a APRIL 19-20 concert by Los Desperadoz This exciting event hosted from San Antonio Texas. by the Waxahachie Lions Hosted by E.C.H.O. (Ellis Club features miniature County Hispanic OrganizaNASCAR-styled go-karts tion). For more information, racing for fun and community email waxahachiecincodebragging rights around the mayo@hotmail.com.

Check It Out Cherics Antiques



WAXAHACHIE

Members of the Waxahachie Downtown Merchants Association:

College Street Restaurant & Pub Crafty Scrapper Dan’s Maintenance Service Ellis County Living Magazine Ellis County Museum FRESH at Villa Flora Gingerbread Antique Mall Glenn’s Warehouse Carpet Gran’s Antiques Happy’s Furnshings Inc KBEC Radio Martha Nell’s Clothes Tree Maxwell Jewelry Mosaic Madness

OLD TOWN VILLAGE ANTIQUES & UNIQUES

Napa Auto Parts/Pool Supplies Old Town Villiage Antiques

Old, new and artistically created, you will find something beautiful in every aisle at Old Town Village. Come search for antiques, collectibles, shabby chic decor, vintage finds, books, jewelry, repurposed treasures and much more!

307 S. Rogers St. Waxahachie 972.938.9515

CHECK IT OUT

OldTownVillageAntiques.com

CheckItOutFabrics.net

Pearman Oil & LP Gas Inc Plain Jane & Co.

BEFORE AFTER

All of your DIY supplies are here. New fabric in stock to update your furniture.

212 S. Rogers St. Waxahachie 972.938.2403

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THE FUN THINGS GOING ON IN DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE, VISIT...

W W W. D OW N TOW N WA X A H AC H I E .CO M

Plato Loco Café & Cantina Salon Friends The Boyce Feed & Grain Corp The Dove’s Nest Restaurant Tina Bohlman Gallery Tire Town

FREGEarage

Parking

n d Jefferso Jackson an f o er rn at the co

FASHION { SHOPPING }

SPRING FEVER

SHIRT, Plain Jane $48.99 MISS ME SHORTS, Briarpatch $79 PURSE, Chic Boutique $99 NECKLACE, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $27.99 LILY & LAURA BRACELETS, Briarpatch $14.95 TOPSHOP POLISH, Rumours & Lies

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2013

DRESS, Plain Jane $58.99 VEST, Briarpatch $36.95 PURSE, The Dove’s Nest $45 NECKLACE, Chic Boutique $15.95 BRACELETS, The Dove’s Nest $20 ESSIE POLISH, Maximillian Strasse Her

SHIRT, Turquoise Haven $42 PANTS, Chic Boutique $29.95 PURSE, Chic Boutique $99 NECKLACE, The Dove’s Nest $12.95 BRACELETS, Turquoise Haven $12 SONIA KASHUK POLISH, Fever Pitch

*Items labeled Stella & Dot contributed by Living Magazine contributing writer Lindsay Markert. Find more at www.stelladot.com/lindsayjmarkert

SHIRT, Chic Boutique $34.95 MISS ME JEANS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $99 BRIGHTON PURSE, Briarpatch $280 EARRINGS, Stella & Dot $24 NECKLACE, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $35.99 MAYBELLINE COLOR SHOW NAIL LAQUER, Sapphire Siren

SHIRT, Chic Boutique $44.50 MISS ME SHORTS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $89 BRIGHTON PURSE, Briarpatch $200 BRACELET, Stella & Dot $39 EARRINGS, Chic Boutique $9.95 ESTEE LAUDER POLISH, Ballerina Pink

DRESS, Chic Boutique $39.50 BRIGHTON PURSE, Briarpatch $280 NECKLACE, Plain Jane $14.99 BRACELET, Stella & Dot $19 EARRINGS, Chic Boutique $9.95 ESSIE POLISH, Hip-Anema

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2013

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Black and white...

FASHION { SHOPPING }

SPRING TRENDS Lace it up and stripes!

tock.com Photos: Nata Sha / Shutters

SHIRT, Betty’s Boutique $12; WHITE DRESS, Chic Boutique $53.95; MAUVE DRESS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $60.99; SHOES, The Dove’s Nest

SLEEVELESS TOP, Turquoise Haven $32; BLACK & WHITE TOP, Chic Boutique $42.95

Sheer Genius 18

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // MARCH-APRIL 2013

BRACELETS, The Dove’s Nest $18.95-$20; LEGGINGS, Chic Boutique $21.95; DRESS, Plain Jane $38.99; SKIRT, Chic Boutique $32.95; PURSE, Turquoise Haven $28

living-magazine.com // MARCH-APRIL 2013

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FASHION { BeaUTY }

Fresh Face BY amBeR THomPSon

There’s an evolution taking place in the beauty industry; a marriage of nutrition and skin care that has people looking for anti-aging remedies on the farm. We want fresh options with ingredients we recognize. it’s exciting to be part of this movement in esthetics, and i hope you’ll take a few of these tips to heart and try the mini facial recipe below.

You deserve to take some time to freshen up and pamper yourself this spring!

Farm to table theory

local produce is most beneficial for skin’s vitality because our bodies are accustomed to the climate in which the foods grow. For example, foods native to tropical climates such as citrus are natural coolants and provide sun defense. gaining nourishment from foods within our region allows our bodies to work in harmony with our environment. eating local produce is also the best way to get fresh food chock full of all the essential vitamins and minerals we need for antioxidant protection and hydration, and to increase cellular turnover in the skin. The fresher the food, the more nutrient- and vitamin-dense it is. Foods begin to lose vitamins and nutrients once they are harvested, so it is crucial to get food as close to the source as possible. Farmers’ co-ops provide access to local farmers.

Want to jump on the bandwagon? Bountiful Baskets meets in Waxahachie on Saturday mornings. check out their website for ordering details: www.bountifulbaskets.org.

7

Fresh Skin Musts

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

20

Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.

Steam your skin over a pot of water once a month.

Treat yourself to facials, at least seasonally.

Pick a moisturizer that soaks into the skin without leaving a film.

Opt for mineral makeup, which allows the skin to breath.

Wear less makeup.

Never, ever go to bed with makeup on!

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Give yourself a facial a seasonal facial with fresh ingredients can help the skin adjust to weather changes.

Honey Rhubarb Facial ingredients: 2 tablespoons rhubarb stalk, chopped 2 tablespoons local honey 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil Blend rhubarb in a blender until smooth. mix honey and grapeseed oil into the rhubarb puree. apply the mixture to cleansed skin including the face, neck and décolleté for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask and finish with your regular moisturizer.

Add an eye treatment

Steep 2 chamomile tea bags and reserve the tea. Squeeze liquid from the tea bags and use to cover eyes while masking. The chamomile will soften the skin around the eyes, hydrate and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Use the remaining tea to rinse the honey rhubarb mask. it will tone the complexion and leave a radiant glow.

Why it works

• Rhubarb is rich in vitamin K, which has been shown to help minimize scarring, heal bruising and treat rosacea.

• vitamin c, also found in rhubarb, can stimulate collagen production and prevent free radical damage.

• Honey contains propolis, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory beneficial for acne or compromised skin.

• grapeseed oil provides even more antioxidant protection and hydrates the skin beautifully.

amBeR is a licensed

esthetician and makeup artist with more than 10 years’ experience in the beauty industry. She provides services for ellis county brides and manages The Spa at equinox in north Dallas. contact her at amber@ amberthompsonmakeup. com.

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FASHION { BeaUTY }

BOTOX OR “THE BOX”?

a woman’s makeup is only as pretty as the skin underneath. it’s Botox or “The Box”! Finding a good skin care routine will provide a foundation for beautiful makeup.

Here are some tips and tricks i have learned along the way.

BY JAMI MONTES

FOUNDATION:

» eye primer: This will prevent eye shadow creasing and fading, and will intensify the color of mineral eye color.

» Foundation Brush: gives a professional look to your makeup and doesn’t harbor bacteria. Use the brush in a downward motion. This will lay down any little hairs on your face.

My favorite eye color look is the Classic Look:

» For best results, apply a liquid foundation with a light mineral powder on top. This will give a more professional airbrush-like finish.

Lip Locks 22

EYES:

» Best to use a foundation primer to act as a filler for pores and lines and to increase the staying power of your makeup during the day.

1. Using an eye definer brush, apply the lightest shade all over the eye area.

2. Using an eye crease brush, apply the darkest shade to the crease of your eye.

3. Using an eye definer brush, apply the medium color shade to your eyelid.

CHEEKS:

» Bronzer: Using your cheek brush in the motion of a number 3, start at your temple, pulling underneath your cheekbone and swinging it back under your jawline. This will help contour and provide a balanced, healthy glow without the “makeup line” sometimes caused by a mismatched foundation.

Favorite Bronzer: mary Kay’s Desert Sun

Don’t forget to finish your look off with a good lipstick. my favorite is the new Mary Kay True Dimensions Firecracker Red.

» Blush: Use your cheek brush in the motion of a letter J, starting at the apple of your cheek and swinging up to your temple. » Highlighter: Use your cheek brush in the shape of the letter c starting at your temple then swinging around under your eye. Favorite Highlighter: if you’re wanting that Kardashian look, use the mary Kay Pink Stardust Highlighter.

“A man is more drawn to a woman’s lips than any other facial feature, according to research by Manchester University. If she applies lipstick, look out! A dash of pink lipstick holds his attention 6.7seconds; red has him fixated 7.3 seconds.“ -Mary Kay Applause Magazine, February 2013

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LIPS:

JAMI MONTES is a local

independent sales director for mary Kay. contact her at jamimontes@marykay.com.

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LIFE & STYLE

{

BOOKS Books to Explore

{ BOOKS }

Looking for a great idea for your summer vacation? Love dreaming up the perfect adventure?

These books will inspire and show you ways to vacation you may not have thought about before, offering ideas for every interest and travelling style. BY KATHRYN KEMP

DRIVES OF A LIFETIME

500 OF THE WORLD’S MOST SPECTACULAR TRIPS

By Keith Bellows, National Geographic

A masterpiece of a book, this one should be kept on your coffee table to be looked at often. It’s broken down into eight sections: Over Hills & Mountains,

By Sea & Shore, Rivers, Valleys and Canyons, The Road Less Traveled, Village Byways, Urban Excursions, Driving Through History and Gourmet Road Trips.

Complete with pictures, suggested excursions, highlights, maps, planning tips and much more, this book offers unique vacation ideas based on what drives you (pun intended), with trips suggested all over the world as well as plenty right here in the U.S. and Canada.

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THE WORLD ATLAS OF BEER THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BEERS OF THE WORLD

By Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont

“This coffee table book starts with the history of beer and sections devoted to major beer-producing countries and regions, covering beers from over 35 countries with tasting notes for over 500 international beers. It includes maps and color photographs, taking beer lovers on a comprehensive, fact-filled tour that got me excited about visiting many unexplored beer regions. It covers beer and beer styles from a global perspective, with information about regional variations, brewing methods, ordering etiquette and which beer goes in what style of glass. If you don’t know much about brews, this is a really a good way to learn. The book finishes with information on beer festivals.”

– David Pope, beer enthusiast

FIFTY PLACES TO DIVE BEFORE YOU DIE

By Chris Santella

Since my dad loves to scuba dive, I brought him this book to get his “expert” opinion. As I read through each location, arranged in alphabetical order with a few pages about each, it seemed like every time he stopped to ask a question, the book answered it. The “If You Go” section at the end of each location’s write-up tells you everything from the best time to go to which dive shops to visit, and everything else you need to know to make the trip, including some pictures. The author also penned books for the top 50 places to golf, bike and fly fish before you die, among others.

{

ULTIMATE BASEBALL ROAD TRIP A FAN’S GUIDE TO MAJOR LEAGUE STADIUMS

By Josh Pahigian and Kevin O’Connell

This guide provides history, trivia, pictures, ballpark features and traditions, food items, nearby attractions and so much more for 30 of America’s favorite ballparks.

All of the insider information you could ever need to plan the baseball-themed trip of a lifetime is compiled in one fun and easy-to-read book.

“The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip is a great tool for any baseball enthusiast. If you are planning on visiting some of the great ballparks in the U.S. or if you’re simply interested in knowing more about the many facilities, the Ultimate Baseball Road Trip is a must read.”

– Jeremy Walker, Head Baseball Coach at Maypearl High School

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LIFE & STYLE

Recipes from the

Garden

a few of your favorite dishes, minus the meat, brought to you from some local foodies. Harvest, heat and enjoy!

Simple Veggie Enchiladas Start to Finish: 45 minutes Serves 6 1 cup organic black beans 6 whole wheat tortillas 1/2 onion, diced 1 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped 1 red bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced 12 ounces enchilada sauce 1 small can diced black olives low-fat shredded cheese

Heat oven to 375 F. in a large skillet, warm a few tablespoons of cooking oil. Sauté onions and garlic for 1-2 minutes. add broccoli and bell pepper and cook for another 5-10 minutes until soft. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with a light dusting of cooking spray on the bottom and a generous layer of enchilada sauce. Spoon veggie mixture onto a tortilla and top with cheese. Roll up and place in baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. cover enchiladas completely with enchilada sauce. Top with some diced olives and more cheese, if desired. cover and bake for about 30 minutes, or until heated through. Top with salsa and enjoy! Recipe submitted by ericka allen.

Quinoa with Moroccan Winter Squash and Carrot Stew Start to Finish: 1 hour Serves 4-6 2 tablespoons grape seed oil 1 cup onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Pinch of saffron 1 cup water one 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 3 cups 1-inch cubes peeled butternut squash (from 1 1/2 pound squash) 2 cups 3/4-inch cubes peeled carrots

in large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. add onion; sauté until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. add garlic; stir 1 minute. mix in paprika and next 8 ingredients. add water, tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring to boil. add squash and carrots. cover and simmer over medium-low heat until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (can be prepared 1 day ahead. cover and chill.)

QUinoa

All The Way Veggie Pizzas Start to Finish: 50 minutes (10 minutes prep) Serves 4 large portabella mushroom caps (one cap makes one pizza) 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon basil

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped 1 cup of your favorite marinara sauce 1/2 cup light mozzarella cheese 2 spicy black bean patties

Heat oven to 350 F. Remove stem of mushroom cap, turn over and season with garlic salt, oregano and basil. Stuff with fresh spinach. add a couple spoonfuls of your favorite marinara sauce. Top with light mozzarella cheese. add broken up pieces of spicy black bean patties. Bake for 40 minutes and enjoy.

Recipe submitted by austin Key.

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1 cup quinoa 1 tablespoon butter (i use coconut oil) 1 tablespoon first cold pressed organic olive oil 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup peeled carrot, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 2 cups water 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided (may substitute thyme) 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint, divided

Rinse quinoa; drain. melt butter with oil in large saucepan over medium heat. add onion and carrot. cover; cook until vegetables begin to brown, stirring often, about 10 minutes. add garlic, salt and turmeric; sauté 1 minute. add quinoa; stir 1 minute. add water. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low. cover; simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.

Re-warm stew. Stir in half of cilantro and half of mint. Spoon quinoa onto platter, forming well in center. Spoon stew into well. Sprinkle remaining herbs over. Recipe submitted by Betsy engelbrechtsen.

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LIFE & STYLE { DRINKS } VINO meets the VINE in these mouthwatering recipes for the popular Spanish punch. From garden to goblet, something with this much fruit can’t be bad!

Simply Sangria

BY KATHRYN KEMP

Authentic Pink Sangria FROM GLORIA FERRER WINERY Ingredients » 1 (750 ml) bottle Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, chilled » 3/4 cup strawberries, sliced » 3/4 cup ripe peaches or nectarines, diced » 1 cup sparkling water » 1/2 cup powdered or “superfine” white sugar » 1/4 cup grenadine » Fresh lemon juice to taste Directions In a pitcher, mix fruit with sugar and grenadine and let stand five minutes.

Add wine and lemon juice and stir well.

Top with sparkling water. Chill until ready to serve. Serve over cracked ice and top each glass with a scoop of reserved marinated fruit. Serves 8.

Sparkling White Peach Sangria FROM MAUREEN PETROSKY, COCKTAIL COLUMNIST FOR THE POPULAR BLOG THEKITCHN.COM Ingredients » 2 to 3 white peaches, sliced (2 if they are large, 3 if they are small) » 3/4 cup peach brandy » 1 bottle moscato, such as Seven Daughters Moscato, chilled » 1 liter white peach seltzer water, such as Seagram’s Sparkling White Peach Seltzer, chilled Directions In a pitcher, place 3/4 of the sliced peaches (saving some for garnish) and brandy and lightly muddle.

Add the Moscato and seltzer water. Stir with wooden spoon to mix. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top with a couple of fresh peach slices. Serves 4 to 6.

Sweet Red Strawberry Sangria

Royal Red Sangria

FROM COOKBOOK WRITER AND CHEF CANDICE KUMAI FOR WOODBRIDGE BY ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY

FROM BODEGAS FRANCO ESPANOLAS WINERY

Ingredients » 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced » 1 Fuji apple, thinly sliced » 1/2 cup whole fresh basil, stems attached » 1-2 tablespoons elderflower cordial, to taste » 3 cups Woodbridge Sweet Red wine, chilled » Raspberry seltzer water, to finish and to taste » Lemon sugar for rimming glasses Directions In a large pitcher, combine strawberries, apple, basil, elderflower cordial and Woodbridge Sweet Red wine. Refrigerate the mixture for 10-15 minutes. Add seltzer water; give it a gentle mix with a wooden spoon just before serving. Top with fresh basil to garnish and some lemon sugar to rim the glass.

Serve in Mason jars or wine glasses. For a fun touch, use short or stemless wine glasses with paper straws.

Add an ice cube or two if desired.

Ingredients » 2 bottles of Bodegas Franco Españolas Royal Red Rioja » 2 cups orange juice » 3 ounces Triple Sec » 4 ounces brandy » 1/4 cup sugar » 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg » 3 cinnamon sticks » 2 oranges, sliced » 1 lemon, sliced » 1 lime, sliced » 3 green apples, thinly sliced Directions Combine the Triple Sec, brandy, Franco Españolas Royal Red wine and sugar and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add orange juice, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and sliced fruit. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve over ice.

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GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS GHOST SIGNS HISTORY

BY KenT BReWeR anD meliSSa cHaPman

in case you are wondering, a “ghost sign” does not refer to paranormal activity in an old building. We’ll leave that topic for the ghost chasers out there. a ghost sign is a painted advertisement on a building, most prominent prior to 1930 (sometimes dating back to the late 1800s) before other means of advertising became more popular. You might be surprised to know that in downtown Waxahachie, there are still “ghost signs” that have survived long after the goods and services they advertise have disappeared.

after decades, they still manage to survive thanks to good oldfashioned lead paint. The signs were painted by skilled craftsmen known as signwriters, or “walldogs.” considered by many to be works of art, they still play an important role as part of our commercial, craft and advertising history. Sadly, the old adverts are vanishing as buildings are torn down, walls are painted over, or the paint work is simply fading away due to weathering and the passage of time.

So the question comes to mind: are these faded (and mostly obsolete) signs worthy of preservation? Should anyone care if they fade away or get painted over? in the downtown historic overlay, it has been determined (by the city of Waxahachie Heritage Preservation commission) that they are indeed an important contributor to the historic fabric of our city and add appeal and value to their buildings. in fact, the recently adopted Downtown Waxahachie Design guidelines clarify the issue by stating: “Historic painted wall signs, or ‘ghost signs,’ should be left exposed whenever pos-

WAXAHACHIE GARAGE: Photo c. 1920. The Waxahachie garage & Repair co. was located at 408 S. Rogers St., across the street then from the U.S. Post office, and today from Waxahachie city Hall. owner J.B. Pwohie was an early Ford dealer and ran his garage out of this location during the 1920s.

sible, and should not be restored to the point that they no longer provide evidence of a building’s age and original function.” in a nutshell, this means painting over them should be avoided whenever possible. equally important, enhancing them should never be an option. Better to leave them faded, even if illegible, than to try and make them look as if they were just painted last week. Think of them like a vintage piece of furniture with a fine patina that has aged over the years. To refinish or remove the patina is the unpardonable sin of antiques; no longer does the piece tell its age. Similarly, ghost signs are the visible time capsules of our community and each of them tells a story worthy of preserving.

in an effort to help the community adhere to the design guidelines, there is a project underway to photograph, inventory and research the history of each sign within the downtown overlay. it is essential to educate the public about the importance of these signs, because once they are gone there is no bringing them back.

CURLIN DRUG OPENING: The curlin Drug Store opened c. 1910. located at the corner of north college and main Street, it was advertised as the “finest drug store south of St. louis.” The store was owned and operated by lemuel “lem” calvert curlin.

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Take a walk downtown and see what signs of old you can find.

Your stroll down memory lane will bring you back to the days of the Waxahachie garage, Blankenbeckler insurance and curlin Drugs. Some signs you may have to look hard to spot. as they fade into history, now you see them, but maybe soon you won’t.

Happy ghost sign hunting.

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LIFE & STYLE

a moTHeR’S Tale

Precious Moments

BY linDSaY maRKeRT

When i was a little girl, i remember life seemed so long. The years passed slowly and exciting things like christmas and summer could never come fast enough. age was always a big thing too...upcoming birthdays had a countdown and banner ages like 10, 13, 16 and 18 were longed for. as i grew up, time sped up a bit, but still an age like 30 was incomprehensible.....40 was surely considered old age.

Then, sometime in my early 20s, i realized that i was wrong - 30 wasn’t that far off, and 40 didn’t mean my life was over. in fact, those ages were to be looked forward to as accomplishments and milestones. now i Seize THe DaY, can appreciate what aging THen leT iT go. signifies...a life lived. Perspective is certainly gained -maRTY RUBin with age and experience. i distinctly remember wishing, wanting, needing life to hurry up in my younger years. i was desperate for a fast forward button to get to the good stuff: high school, college, marriage and a family. once you have children, it feels like you are put on time’s roller coaster and it just gets faster year after year. now, as a wife and mother (happily) in her 30s, i would burn that fast forward button but i would pay good money for a pause button. Funny how that works, huh? i am constantly working on balance; trying

to enjoy the here and now without being sad about the past and fearful of how fast time is going.

being in the moment, but it is doable. Both are worth it in their own way.

With such a focus on the passage of time, memory keeping is always at the forefront of my mind. not only making the memories with my family, but preserving them.

There are so many ways to preserve your memories. Pictures in basic store-bought albums are always an easy, quick option. my favorite place to print pictures is persnicketyprints.com. The quality is awesome, along with the customer service and turnaround time. Photo books from places like shutterfly. com or picaboo.com are a bit more involved, but very worth it and they make great gifts. if you are on instagram, there are many sites offering printing for your instagram photos. i have used postalpix.com in the past and will try a site called printstagr.am soon. i recently made my own photo book with my instagram prints...it was super quick and easy.

Project life is a scrapbooking system that i use for more detailed memory preserving.

You can find the products at beckyhiggins. com/products. Project life is a great, easy way to preserve memories, and it is very customizable. The main thing to remember about preserving your moments and memories is to get started and make it a habit.

Here are a few things i have learned...

BE IN THE MOMENT. There are some moments that should just be enjoyed. no rushing off to find the camera or change the lighting so you can capture what’s going on in a fairy-tale-perfect light. Some moments need to be soaked in, inked into your permanent memory bank. admittedly, this is something i have to make a conscious effort to do, but when i do i never regret it. i learned this lesson from my husband. The jury is still out on whether or not he told me this because he was tired of fetching the camera for me, but regardless it is a good lesson on stepping back, putting your camera down and enjoying the moment.

PHOTOGRAPH THE MOMENT.

PREs ERVE THE MOMENT.

This is an easy one. Take pictures. lots of them. i have always taken a lot of pictures, but once we began having children, the picture taking increased significantly. i have never, ever, regretted having too many pictures. obviously, there has to be some balance between taking lots and lots of pictures and

lindsay, a Waxahachie native, is a mother of four and writes her articles during morning nap time. visit her blog at www.themommarazziblog.blogspot.com/ to read more about her family.

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LIFE & STYLE

{ TRAVEL }

Alaska at Last

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When my family of six decided to take an Alaskan cruise a few summers ago we knew it would be amazing, but we never could have imagined what we were in for.

Before the trip was even over, it had made its way to the top of our list of best family vacations ever.

Our next trek took us around Cape Spencer into Glacier Bay National Park, where park rangers boarded the ship offering information about the glaciers and wildlife – this was our first glimpse of the majestic humpback whales “breaching” (leaping out of the water).

Arriving in Anchorage late in the evening, we would have expected it to be dark, but as we headed to find some snacks at 10 p.m., we were shocked by how bright it was outside. We were especially amused when we passed a nightclub with disco lights shining out the windows and a line of people in their best going-out attire. Something about exceptionally short dresses and sixinch heels in broad daylight didn’t seem right. We knew we were in for lots of new experiences. The next day, we boarded the Diamond Princess and set sail on a 7-night southbound Alaskan cruise.

The first official stop was in Skagway, where we enjoyed a tour from Madame Ophelia Johnson Walking Tours. We strolled through the little town, speckled with tiny “bed houses,” and learned about its rich history in prostitution during the gold rush. We also learned how to sashay across the street to demand the right kind of attention from a man. My dad mastered it. After lunch at the Red Onion Saloon (and a tour of the retired brothel upstairs, of course), we hitched a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad Train for a closeup look at the breathtaking Alaskan scenery.

We started things off sailing through Prince William Sound to Yakutat Bay and Hubbard Glacier, where we watched some glacial calving – the term for when pieces of a glacier break off. The booming sound it produced made you feel like you were standing in the middle of a thunderstorm.

I spent my birthday in Juneau, and what a way to spend it. We set off on a boat to watch humpback whales breaching and creating “nets” of bubbles to catch a bite to eat for the day. We also saw sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles before cruising to Mendenhall Glacier.

living-magazine.com // MARCH-APRIL 2013

BY KATHRYN KEMP

The last stop was Ketchikan, where we hopped on a bus headed for Saxman Native Village, a park filled with ancient totem poles. On the way, we happened upon a bald eagle feeding her three-week-old hatchlings. Following suit with the unique nature of every aspect of our trip, we then headed to another brothel, where we saw some very unusual antiques, then to an Alaskan lumberjack show to cheer on the jacks as they climbed tall trees, balanced on rolling logs, threw axes and sawed some wood, among other things.

We sailed through Queen Charlotte Sound and Queen Charlotte Strait on the way to our final destination, Vancouver, where we were glad to have scheduled a couple of days to explore the city before heading back to Dallas.

Whether it was the awe-inspiring glaciers, all of the wildlife, the brothels or the fact that it never gets fully dark outside, this trip was one my family will never forget. With beautiful scenery and rich history by day, a glass of wine on the balcony overlooking all the majesty nature has to offer in the evening, and delicious dinner and the flashing lights of a casino by night, what’s not to love?

alaska cruising

TIPS:

Get a room with a balcony – at least one for the group.

An Alaskan cruise presents numerous opportunities to take in the scenery, and a private balcony is a great way to do it.

If you enjoy a good glass of wine, check ahead to see if your cruise line allows you to bring your own aboard.

When travelling in a big group, walky talkies are a must.

Also handy at allinclusive resorts.

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Local Shopping

LIFE & STYLE

maRKeTPlace TURQUOISE HAvEN new Store Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm.

Retail and wholesale.

120 n Hwy 77, Ste F Waxahachie 972.937.0337 www.turquoisehaven.com

THE STUDIO

enjoy your outdoor garden with this Florida cypress furniture. alWaYS 20% oFF - eveRYDaY. 3671 n. Hwy 77, Waxahachie • 972.617.7740

PUDDIN’S CAFE

Stop by in april to check out our Bluebonnet Trail specials!

114 West Brown Street, ennis 972.878.0046

SALON ENvY

Spring Special - 20% oFF a facial and highlight combo with ashley, mindy or Jessica.

303 S. elm, Waxahachie 972.937.4142 www.salonenvyspa.com

BETTY’S BOUTIQUE

Put away the boots and get ready for spring with our flip flops!

(BRing in THiS aD & Receive 20% oFF all FliP FloPS) 102 n. 8th Street, midlothian 972.217.5395

ANNIE’S GARDEN

For all your wedding and floral needs! anna Sanders 903-879-2633 annasanders71@gmail.com

IMPRESSIONS SALON ETC.

KUTIE PATOOTIE COUTURE

custom designer clothing for the little girl in all of us. custom couture clothing by carrie carter. www.kutiepatootiecouture.com facebook/kutiepatootiecouture.com

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“Be curly! Perfect your curls... forget about frizz.” enjoy $5 off any service with this ad. gift certificates available! an aveda Salon Thank you to all of our loyal customers - we appreciate you.

202 n. i-35 Service Rd., #B Red oak • 972.617.6300 www.impressionssalonetc.net

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LIFE & STYLE { nonPRoFiT }

Soul’s Harbor offering men a place to rest their souls for nearly 60 years.

By kaTHRyn kemP When Jake Stembridge set out to create a “harbor” for lost souls in 1956, he probably never imagined his idea would still be saving lives 57 years later.

His brainchild, Soul’s Harbor, is a men’s shelter in Dallas offering homeless men a place to overcome alcoholism and drug addiction through a six-month recovery program and a positive environment.

“Jake was the passion. He would get calls at 2 in the morning that someone was in jail and he’d go get them. nothing has changed in 50 years. it is amazing that it was just this one guy’s idea and here it is today serving 60 men,” Brent Burmaster, executive director of Soul’s Harbor, said. once they have finished the recovery program, residents may choose to transition back into society with the help of Soul’s Harbor, find a job “on the outside” while continuing to live at the shelter and begin paying rent, or continue with their job assignment with the organization, whether it be helping out around the shelter or working at one of the Harbor’s four thrift stores.

The thrift stores, located in Waxahachie, ennis, Ferris and Seagoville, fund the recovery program and feed and house the residents. They are all fully managed and run by formerly homeless residents of Soul’s Harbor.

The idea was born when Stembridge, a construction foreman who rarely drank, found himself searching for friends after nights of binge drinking, often ending up at shelters where men would receive a meal, rest and a prayer, then be kicked out, alone once more. With the thought that a sort of “soul’s harbor” should exist, where a man could literally rest his soul, Stembridge set out to make a difference.

With limited funds, Stembridge approached a man he’d worked for years earlier, Ralph Whittle, about financing his idea. He did, and together the two found and purchased some land in Dallas with a small cottage to house six men. eventually, mr. Whittle said he could not afford to pay the bills forever and the shelter needed to find a way to fund itself. luckily, there were a couple of carpenters living there at the time who began refurbishing furniture and selling it.

“God loves Soul’s Harbor,” - Patrick Campbell, homeless from 13 to 18, when he arrived at Soul’s Harbor. Now 21, he begins college this Spring.

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With that, the Soul’s Harbor thrift stores were born. a little over 50 years later, enter Burmaster. a recent retiree from iBm, Burmaster was ready to move back to Texas from Raleigh, nc, and happened upon what he calls the best job he’s ever had. after three years, he continues to love his work and the residents of the shelter, carrying on the legacy of the man who built it. life at the shelter is busy and rarely allows for much free time, but the residents wouldn’t have it any other way. From the moment they arrive, their days are filled, beginning at 6:30 a.m. and ending when the lights go out at 10 p.m., with jobs, meals and recovery meetings in between. once interviewed and deemed ready to make a change, a resident is put on a 30day probationary period during which he must attend meetings seven nights a week and cannot leave the premise or use his cell phone. at the end, he must watch a video, read a book on sober living, take a self-center examination and pass a test over the book and video. after that, he will receive a job assignment, whether it be at a thrift store or at the shelter, and continue on with the six-month program. aside from working, residents must attend mandatory meetings in the evening.

There is always something to fill your time with, whether it be talking to the therapist who donates her time two days a week, attending the “owner of the Brain” seminar led by caterer eddie Deen, participating in a jogging challenge, taking classes on effective communication

Russell Abrego, the Waxahachie store manager, began drinking again after his first stint at the shelter, and Burmaster was there to bring him back when Abrego eventually landed in the hospital.

This time around, he said the spiritual aspect he’s embraced has been the difference. He’s also reconnected with his family and was recently pleased to spend a day with his brother and brother’s children. “I deem that the perfect day.”

skills, working out in the gym, attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or even participating in a pool tournament.

Burmaster also hosts “Belly Button” birthdays every month to honor those celebrating birthdays, as well as “Plug in the Jug” birthdays, recognizing sobriety anniversaries. The latter, he says, also gives perspective and encouragement to the newer residents.

“They come up and tell their story and say, ‘I was living in dumpsters, trashcans, porta potties, storage units,’ whatever it was, ‘and I came to Soul’s Harbor and now I’m sober.’

And so it’s a testimonial,” Burmaster said, adding that in January 18 of the 53 residents celebrated a year or more of sobriety.

When a resident decides it’s time to move on, he is encouraged to live at an Oxford House for nine months before getting an apartment. This type of home, which Burmaster calls “a mini Soul’s Harbor,” houses anywhere from five to nine men and conducts regular drug tests to keep them accountable. Resisdents must also get a Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. If a man chooses to

“Brent hasn’t enabled me at any point in my recovery. He leads by example and he is a role model,” resident of one year, Jayrice Brown, said. “It’s a perfect balance between work and recovery and provides a good routine when it’s time to move on.”

Reginald “Reggie” Finch, once an allAmerican high school football player with a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, found himself living in porta potties and eating out of dumpsters because of his addiction. Now, he serves as assistant director/intake coordinator and the director’s “right-hand man.”

“He is our fearless leader” Finch said of Burmaster. “His influence and passion for recovery has touched many men here.”

follow this plan, only then will Soul’s Harbor furnish his apartment after the nine months.

One resident, Patrick Campbell, 21, has been homeless since the age of 13, first with his mother, then on his own from 15 until he arrived at Soul’s Harbor at age 18.

At that time, his highest level of education was sixth grade, so after he finished his sixmonth program, he began working toward earning his GED. Lucky for him, the shelter is full of residents, ranging in age from 18 to 75, from many walks of life with many different talents.

“We had a guy who had a chemistry degree from the University of Texas in Austin. When Patrick was going for his GED, if he had a question that was science or math related, we’d say go to the science guy,” Burmaster said.

Campbell eventually earned his GED, got a full-time job and will head to college this spring, with two years of sobriety under his belt.

Resident Eugene Stein once worked as a Fuller Brush salesman and now spends his time securing estate brokers and donations

“I love my new sober life. I really feel deep down inside my heart that Soul’s Harbor saved my life.” – Salvatore Caudo, resident, four and a half years.

Scott Swearingen, a resident at the Harbor for one and a half years, has tried many recovery programs, but said he has never been sober this long. Because of the program, he said he is now able to fix his one regret in life by going to college.

from hotels to be sold in the stores. He has received donations from Anatole hotels and the Lumen in Dallas, but perhaps his most impressive snag was from the Hilton Gardens in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Realizing it could be a very lucrative venture, with 60 mattresses and bedroom furniture up for grabs, Burmaster made the decision to send four residents to New Orleans for the night to retrieve the goods, sending with them two of his personal credit cards.

“That was a neat thing to do. I mean, the first time we did it I was nervous, but then after that it was like, ‘ok I can trust these guys,’ and really that’s the thing. With their lives, the trust is gone.” Brent said.

That open heart and mind does not go unnoticed, and Brent receives messages weekly from former residents, thanking him for his generosity and for giving them a chance.

“To me, that’s what this whole job is about.

It’s seeing kids like Patrick, a young kid who has changed his entire life. That’s why I do it,” Burmaster said. “We’re the last house on the block for these guys. We’re it. It’s really a story of hope.”

“This place lets me be me but to work on all areas of my life – spiritual, emotional, etc.” – Roland Scott, resident for six months.

Rick Dalton, in his seventh year at Soul’s Harbor, said running the kitchen at the shelter makes him feel beneficial. “Soul’s Harbor gives men their dignity back. We work, eat and are allowed to be free to come and go if we stay clean. This is a wonderful place to be.”

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HOME & GARDEN

PRE LOVED By kaTHRyn kemP

aside from restoring the lives of men, Soul’s Harbor helps people breath new life into old furniture and antiques. over the last four years, the organization has partnered with 15 estate brokers who donate items leftover after an estate sale to

be sold in their thrift stores. many people visit the stores regularly to find great furniture, decorations and antiques. With some creative thinking and a little elbow grease, people are turning discarded items into one-of-a-kind treasures.

marla garrison, a regular at the thrift store in Waxahachie, said she has decorated her home with finds from Soul’s Harbor for about 300 dollars. if her vision is missing something, resident Jerry Hariman helps her out. He fashioned a tabletop when she wanted to make a side table for her bathtub using the base of an old bubblegum machine.

garrison put this centerpiece together for around 23 dollars, collecting pieces over time.

She bought this mirror and painted details on it for her guest bathroom. gypsy Parlour Salon in Waxahachie is decorated with treasures and finds from thrift stores and garage sales, creating a unique, vintage feel. The owners found this record player at Soul’s Harbor – and it works!

“anytime i see a chair with lines, i snatch it! look beyond a worn seat cushion. new fabric, a staple gun, fresh coat of color and the antiquing touch you can have a whole new chair in less than one hour.” - mandy Johnson

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EDITOR’S NOTE: While my roommate insists i am a “hoarder,” i call myself a collector. one of my favorite collections: really old books. at the Waxahachie store, i found a stack and took one home that was printed in 1891!

it’s a good idea to be there when a truck arrives if you want first pick!

TRUCK DROP-OFF DAYS: WAXAHACHIE: Thursday & Saturday ENNIS: Tuesday & Friday FERRIS: Wednesday SEAGOVILL: monday

TREASURE HUNTING FOR DUMMIES

Tips from mandy Johnson, owner of Texas Pearls & co. and regular at Soul’s Harbor, where she finds many preloved items to restore with her husband and her business partner, Julie.

1. Don’t let the looks of a junk store scare you. many treasures are found in the dingiest places.

2. check the bones of a piece. make sure legs are not wobbly and all parts are intact. Unless you are pretty handy, you might want to pass on a piece that needs a lot of work.

3. Remember that paint is the cheapest way to change a piece of junk, so look beyond what the eye sees.

4. if you see something you have to have, buy it right then. chances are it will not be there later.

5. go through your home and make a want & need list. it’s easy to get lost finding everything you didn’t know you needed.

6. Shop with a friend and make a day of it! visit texaspearls.com to learn more.

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HOME & GARDEN

13Th Annual Ellis County Master Gardener’s

Lawn & Garden Expo

Saturday, March 16 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m | Waxahachie Civic Center » Over 100 Exhibit Booths » Adult and Children’s Workshop » Keynote Speakers » Ask the Experts

» » » »

Door Prizes Plant Sales 4-H Food Concessions Visit ecmga.com for more information about the Expo.

In this section:

tips from the Master Gardeners themselves 44. Marilyn & Donelle Simmons, “The Farm Girls,” show you how to have birds flocking to your garden.

46. Giving a preview of their presentation at the Expo, Susan Clark

and Arlene Hamilton mix it up with some Mediterranean herbs.

48. Making Smokey proud, Lee Dann discusses landscaping to protect your home from wildfires.

50. Melinda Kocian’s tips for gardening in March & April.

CHILDREN’S

Workshop Room Honeybees and bears make for a sticky situation, but in the case of the Ellis County Master Gardeners Annual Lawn and Garden Expo, honeybees and bears make a great combination! Bring your family in to see a live honeybee observation hive by the North Texas Honeybee Guild.

Information on home hives will be available and volunteers will be on hand to answer your bee questions.

Smokey Bear will be discussing wildfire prevention from the Forest Service and posing for pictures.

Do you know what a pizza garden is?

Come play in the dirt and learn how you and your family can plant a pizza garden at home with just a few simple plants. Homemade pizza is a wonderful family activity and younger children can enjoy assembling their own pizza puzzle in the Children’s Workshop Room. We will have some interesting nature exhibits to view and a professionally mounted insect collection you won’t want to miss.

As always, we will have surprises for the children to take home, so come early before Smokey Bear eats all the honey!

MASTER GARDENERS

GREENHOUSE

BY MONICA NYENHUIS Early in the fall, we start deciding what exactly we’re going to grow and what the feedback from the previous year’s attendees was. Many questions arise and lively discussions abound - What grows best in Ellis County? How will it grow in the greenhouse? Can we grow it from seed? Will it be big enough by March? Can we get enough cuttings for plants before a freeze hits? What are some unique plants we don’t see in the local stores and nurseries? Is there enough room in the greenhouse? The list goes on and on, but in the end, compromises are made and we begin the task of raising more “babies” to sell to our community in March. Here’s a small preview of what’s in the greenhouse this year: BIG MAMA TURK’S CAP: a wonderful perennial that thrives in shade or sun, it has flowers that really look like a Turk’s cap, and does well here in Ellis County!

GREGG’S BLUE MIST: a haven for butterflies, this perennial is beautiful all summer long in the worst Texas heat, and if you plant it out a window you can watch the butterflies constantly hovering around it.

It’s a wonderful thing to watch and gives food for the butterflies.

MEXICAN BUSH SAGE: another drought-tolerant perennial that thrives here and blooms a wonderful purple shoot of flowers in late summer.

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HOME & GARDEN

The ‘Farm Girls’ on

Attracting Birds BY maRilYn & Donelle SimmonS

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organic gardening offers many benefits to us, and the benefits are not limited to just chemical-free food security. We continue to be surprised by an occasional tree frog, or the toad that patiently waits for bugs at our front door, or all the lizards and butterflies. However, at the Farmgirls gardens, the bird habitat probably provides the most entertainment.

and food. We provide black sunflower seed, striped sunflower seed, peanuts, millet, grains, fruit and occasional treats of mealworms and suet. our feeding stations include platform feeders, tubular feeders, sock feeders and protected feeders in wire cages for the smaller birds. We feed year-round to encourage the fledglings to stay on our property.

our landscapes and gardens were specifically designed to attract birds, butterflies and wildlife. The Farmgirls strategically planted a variety of plants that specifically attract birds, such as possum haw holly and pride of Houston yaupon for berry-eating birds, and Salvia greggii red, flame acanthus and red Turk’s cap for the hummingbirds, while adding dense shrubs such as elaeagnus and Burford holly to provide nesting opportunities. vines are very attractive to birds and are included in our design. other elements that were included in the planning stages were birdbaths and water features to attract our feathered friends.

our backyard is alive with a wide variety of birds. Whether they are permanent residents or the occasional migrant, we enjoy the sights and sounds they provide for us. We have frequent visitors of many pairs of red cardinals, downy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, blue jays, juncos, gold finches, sparrows, house finches, black-capped chickadees, tufted titmouse, ruby-crowned kinglets, robins and brown thrashers. our most entertaining birds are the carolina wren, cedar waxwings and bluebirds. The most colorful visitors have been the Baltimore oriole, painted bunting and indigo bunting.

We feed the birds year-round at a feeding station, which includes a variety of feeders

We love to identify the birds that approach our feeders. Digital photography affords

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us the opportunity to skillfully identify markings on the birds, along with additional technology available such as the phone app iBird Pro, an interactive reference for north america birds. This tool provides you with pictures, range, facts and the identifying birdcall. We also rely on birding friends like Keith crabtree. check out this local nature photographer's website, ripplesoftime. com. The postings include many pictures of local birds.

We want to encourage you not just to work with nature by providing a pesticide free environment but also, take time to enjoy the benefits and beauty that mother nature so freely gives.

MARIlYN & DONEllE sIMMONs are the “Farm girls” behind garden inspirations, a garden education business in ellis county aiming to teach people about growing their own food. The mother-daughter duo is also involved in various other projects in the area. learn more at gardeninspirationstx.com.

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HOME & GARDEN

basil

parsley rosemary

savory

Foods and Flavors of

thyme. chives

the Mediterranean Presented by Master Gardeners Susan Clark and Arlene Hamilton

The Herb Ladies will be back at the Master Gardener Expo, bringing you more exciting ideas, tips and recipes on using herbs in the kitchen. This year, they will feature the herbs of the Mediterranean, those wonderful flavors that originated around the rocky, alkaline areas of southern Europe. These are the same herbs that are perfectly suited to the soils and climate of North Texas.

Master Gardeners Susan Clark and Arlene Hamilton will pair a blend of herbs with delicious vegetables that also love the Texas heat. Their goal is to get you out into the garden, grow some herbs and vegetables, harvest them and create easy, tasty dishes.

The focus is on fast, fun and healthy!

For the beginner or the more experienced, herbs are the perfect introduction to gardening. Once your bed is prepared, they require very little special care. With a bit of water and lots of sunshine, most herbs will reward you with lush, quick growth and an abundance of green foliage.

Herbs that began on the shores of the Mediterranean quickly spread northward through Europe and Great Britain. They crossed the sea to America with the first settlers, made their way westward and flourished where the climate allowed.

Mediterranean herbs that love North Texas include bay, basil, chives, lavender, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory

and thyme. These are the culinary herbs Susan and Arlene will be featuring.

Herbs can be grown in large formal settings, trimmed and contoured to form knot gardens, grown with roses in rambling cottage gardens, interspersed down long rows with vegetables, or planted in a pot on the patio.

Although they add beauty to the landscape, the full appreciation of herbs comes when you carry a handful into the kitchen and begin to create. Add them to baked goods - lemon thyme in scones, chopped rosemary in bread dough or sage and cheddar cheese in your biscuit mix. Blend some savory, rosemary and marjoram into creamy goat cheese and serve with crackers.

A few sprigs of herbs added to a bottle of wine vinegar will enhance a salad. Chopping basil and parsley leaves in a blender with some olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese makes a delicious topping for pasta. Add a bay leaf to warm milk and let it steep 20 minutes before making custard or rice pudding. Lay a few sprigs of fresh herbs on the grill before adding meat.

steps for roasting tomatoes with vegetables and herbs to create a fabulous roasted tomato sauce. She will show you how to combine the sauce with a variety of herbs and other vegetables to prepare delicious bruschettas. In addition to preparing, Susan will discuss variations on the sauce, such as making a marinara, and other dehydration and roasting preparations using garlic, oregano, basil and other herbs.

Arlene will be mixing up a variety of herbal blends for your sampling. She will discuss fresh versus dried, when to use either, harvesting and preserving. You will learn how to make Herbes de Provence,bouquet garni, and fine herbs blend. Learn what MOTTS means in Herbes de Provence.

Make your own bouquet garni. Sample some blends in butter or cheese spread and combined with other ingredients on crostini.

Using more vegetables that love Texas, you may sample eggplant caponata or squash and zucchini antipasto.

Come join Susan and Arlene at noon in the Crape Myrtle Room for a journey through the Foods and Flavors of the Mediterranean.

Susan will discuss heirloom tomatoes and the benefits of home-grown as opposed to store-purchased. Do you have any idea how long it took that cellophane-wrapped, cardboard-flavored tomato to reach your local grocery store? She will walk through the

Cheese to Please

Put 2 cups of olive oil, 1 garlic clove, 1 sprig each thyme and rosemary, 1 bay leaf, 1 red chili pepper, 8 peppercorns and 2 whole allspice in a large jar with a lid. Cube several verities of hard cheese and add to mixture. Keep sealed. Bring to room temperature and serve with crackers or crostini.

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HOME & GARDEN

lee Dann, maSTeR gaRDeneR SPecialiST

FIREWISE

lanDScaPing The horrific losses in Texas in recent years have been shocking reminderss of how vulnerable we are to wildfire. many of our communities are developed adjacent to natural wildland (the Wildland Urban interface or WUi), exposing us to the possibility, or even the probability, of nearby wildfires. The largest concentrations of highrisk WUi areas in Texas can be found in counties along the i-35 corridor from Dallas to San antonio and along the i-10 corridor from San antonio to Houston.

We can coexist with the wildland, but we need to understand that fires are natural, necessary, and beneficial occurrences in nature. We in the WUi can take proactive measures to decrease the chances of our structures becoming fuel for those fires.

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock.com

While attending a master gardener Firewise Specialist workshop in georgetown last year, i learned from the Texas Fire Service that by practicing Firewise landscaping, we could increase the chances of our homes surviving a wildfire. individual property owners can practice Firewise landscaping, and entire communities can join together to create Firewise communities.

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The first step is to concentrate on the area within a 30’ circle around your home. Just a few of the things you can do are: » maintain a fuel break in the 5’ area immediately surrounding your home.

Keep this area free of debris and dead leaves. vegetation should be lowgrowing, well-spaced and not in direct contact with the structure. mulch used in this area should be gravel or some other non-flammable material. choose plants with a low flammability rating. » Remove leaves and debris from the roof and rain gutters, where they could be ignited by burning embers. » gravel walkways, driveways, sidewalks and well-maintained lawns can provide firebreaks, so use them whenever possible. » Remove the vines growing up trees – they can act as wicks, sending ground fires up the trees and causing the crowns to ignite and spread from tree to tree and to the roofs of buildings. crown fires are much more difficult to fight. » clear the ground around your outbuildings. even a few feet clear of weeds and debris can provide a firebreak. » When purchasing lawn furniture or decking material, consider using nonflammable materials. enclose the area under your deck to block burning embers from entering under your home. » Do not store firewood, gas cans or gaspowered equipment close to the house. » Keep trees pruned to 6-10’ above the ground and don’t allow broken branches or dead leaves to accumulate. obviously, some of us live in WUi communities where our personal property is extremely close to our neighbor’s property.

That’s a good reason for our community to unite and create zones around the entire

neighborhood as well as practice Firewise landscaping at our own homes. and don’t forget the basics. Be sure your address is visible day and night from all directions and there is adequate clearance for fire engines to enter your property. if you live in a WUi, you may never be faced with the need, but talk to your family and decide in advance what you would need to do in the event of a nearby fire. make a list of prescriptions you would need if you had to evacuate, places to take your pets and important phone numbers. if you are ever ordered to evacuate, this is not a request.

You must leave so firefighters and law enforcement can do what they do best.

There are no guarantees that a home will be fireproof, but if you take action to be Firewise, you can greatly increase the chances that your home will withstand a wildfire.

For more information on Firewise landscaping, Firewise communities, preparing your property for the wildfire season and everything Firewise, go to firewise.org. a list of plants and their flammability rating, along with articles, brochures and a link to the Firewise website are available on the ellis county master gardener association website, ecmga. com, under the "Resources" tab. if you would like to talk to a Firewise landscaping specialist, please call the Texas agrilife extension office in Waxahachie: (972) 825-5175.

Smokey Bear will be making appearances throughout the day during the master gardeners expo. come meet Smokey Bear and learn more about how “only YoU can prevent wildfires.” Free tickets to the expo are available at participating sponsors.

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HOME & GARDEN

» Gardening

MARCH 2013

BY melinDa Kocian, elliS coUnTY maSTeR gaRDeneRS

PlanTing

FeRTilizing anD PRUning

gaRDen WaTcH

» Plant annual flowers and herbs in late march. » Plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplants from pots after march 15. They should be hardened off (gradually exposed to outside temperatures) before you put them in the ground. cover if a freeze or frost is predicted. » Sow seeds of warm-season vegetables such as beans, corn, squash, melons and cucumbers mid- to late-march. » Plant herbs in raised beds with soil that has been amended with organic matter. » vines, including hyacinth bean, cyprus vine, black-eyed Susan vine, potato vine and others, can be grown from seeds to climb a trellis or arbor.

» Prune spring-flowering shrubs and vines such as quince, azaleas, forsythia, bridal wreath (Spiraea), ‘lady Banks’ rose, carolina jessamine and coral honeysuckle after they finish blooming. » Remove dead top growth (Bermuda grass only) by lowering mower blade one or two notches.

Bag clippings for use in the compost pile. » apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to pecans, and again in april and may. » Begin fertilizing roses with a balanced fertilizer. » all trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers can be fed with highnitrogen fertilizer or compost.

» as needed, control black spot, powdery mildew and thrips on roses with an appropriate fungicide or systemic insecticide. Use a stream of water or an insecticidal soap on aphids. » When a pesticide is needed, always use the least toxic one first. » if needed, apply a preemergent on lawns to prevent spring and summer broadleaf and grassy weeds. a weedand-feed fertilizer is not recommended because it is too early to fertilize lawns.

8TH ANNUAl EllIs C OUNTY

MASTER GARDENERS LAWN AND GARDEN EXPO • • • • • • • •

Over 100 Exhibit Booths Adult and Children’s Workshop k eynote s peakers Ask the Experts Door Prizes Plant s ales 4-H Food Concessions Go to our website: www.ecmga.com for more information about the 13th Annual l awn and Garden Expo.



The eXPo is one of ellis county’s premier events, with over 100 exhibitor booths and approximately 4,000 attendees. This show is unique within the metroplex because of the lawn and garden focus, educational opportunities and emphasis on fun for the whole family! The master gardeners grow thousands of plants at the Waxahachie High School greenhouse. Starting from seed, seedlings and propagated plants,

THEN

elliS coUnTY maSTeR gaRDeneRS’ PlanT Sale, 2001

NOW

elliS coUnTY maSTeR gaRDeneRS’ PlanT Sale, 2012

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

they produce native and adapted plants that grow well in ellis county.

From these plants, they also create beautiful hanging baskets to take home. This is an extremely popular section of the expo. if there are favorite plants you are looking for, you might consider coming early!

For information on being an exhibitor or sponsor for the 2014 expo, contact James Kocian at expo.ecmga@gmail.com.

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hOME & GArDEn

aPrIL 2013

» Gardening

PlanTing » Plant St. augustine and hybrid Bermuda sod. St. augustine can take some shade, but Bermuda needs full sun. make good ground contact (use a roller) and keep sod moist until new roots are established. common Bermuda can be started from seed, but it is best to hydro-mulch. in either case, keep the area moist for several weeks. » Plant warm-season annuals from transplants. For sunny areas, consider zinnias, firebush, pentas, petunias, blue daze, moss rose, purslane, butterfly weed, lantana, sweet potato vine and Dahlberg daisy. For shade, consider begonias, Persian shield, coleus, impatiens, ferns and hostas. Wait until may to plant caladiums. » Sow okra from seed. » Herbs such as dill, parsley, fennel, mint, oregano, thyme, basil and mexican mint marigolds can also be planted from transplants. » Wait until may to plant the hotweather tropicals such as hibiscus, esperanza and plumbago.

FeRTilizing anD PRUning » apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to lawns. This is usually after the third mowing when the entire lawn is green. Follow up with additional fertilizer in June (optional) and again in September. St. augustine and Bermuda grass need one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet two to three times a year. » mow Bermuda grass frequently at 1.5 inches to keep thick and healthy, and mow St. augustine at 2.5 inches. Raise the mowing height one notch later in the summer to reduce evaporation and to make the grass more drought tolerant. » Use a mulching mower and leave grass clippings on the ground. They will provide a source of nitrogen to feed the lawn. » Six weeks after flowering, thin peaches to one fruit every 6 to 12 inches.

gaRDen WaTcH » closely inspect plants for insects.

Treat only if you see the insect. many insects are beneficial, such as ladybugs, garden spiders, praying mantis and assassin bugs. identify the pest. if it is one that must be controlled, use an appropriate insecticide for that insect. The insecticide must make contact with the insect or be used while it is feeding on foliage. » For fire ants, use the “Texas two-step method.” First, apply fire ant bait to the area using a hand spreader.

Use fresh bait from unopened containers. if fire ant colonies are still active after using the bait, treat the individual mounds with an appropriate insecticide. There are organic and chemical types available. Beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms) that can be purchased at many nurseries are also effective. make sure you get the type that kills fire ants. if only a few mounds are present, avoid treating the entire lawn with an insecticide. it can kill earthworms and insects that are not harmful.

EARTH-KIND® RAINFALL HARVESTING

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

• efficient water use is increasingly important throughout Texas. With the growing population and limited supply of both groundwater and surface water, homeowners must use water wisely.

• Rainwater harvesting is an innovative earth-Kind approach to this important environmental issue.

• Harvesting rainwater for home landscape use reduces your water bill and as well as your demand on municipal water supplies and makes efficient use of valuable natural resource. it also reduces flooding, erosion and the contamination of surface water with sediments, fertilizers and pesticides in rainfall run-off.

• To learn more about earth-Kind Rainfall Harvesting, click on the “Resources” tab at www.ecmga.com, then click “earth-Kind Publications.” living-magazine.com // maRcH-aPRil 2013

TIPS: How Does it Work? Rainwater harvesting systems with storage capacity include catchments, conveyance systems (connecting catchments to storage containers), storage and distribution systems (directing water where it is needed).

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hOME & GArDEn { inTeRioR DeSign }

SPRing inTo SPRing THiS YeaR WiTH a ReFReSHing neW looK.

Soft & Serene

BY Diane JoHnSon collaRD

The Tuscan style with a warm color pallet has been all the rage in interior design for several years. even now, after a decade of popularity, this elegant european style is still very much in demand. i think it will be awhile before we see the rich look of Tuscany go by the wayside. golden tones with rusty brown accents are truly appealing to most of us who enjoy an invitingly warm home, so don’t despair. Your home is still in style and desirable for some time to come. on the horizon, however, i am seeing the ocean beaches and cool breezes flowing into the design scene just in time for spring. it is a perfect time to introduce the newest flowerlike color choices being made available in all home fashions. over the last year, i have been hearing more and more requests for a serene, restful room with calming colors. The heaviness of the Tuscan style is beginning to feel just a bit too weighty for the peaceful, romantic mood of the bedroom. it is amazing to me how many clients describe the style they desire as tropical or a “room that feels like a spa.” over and over, i hear the same thing. as soon as i hear the word spa, i know that they are looking for soft hues of blues and greens. aqua and sea mist colors are quickly coming to the front and center in bedroom design.

Dusty latte browns are a perfect accent for these misty hues and will add just a touch of warmth to otherwise cool tones.

Whether these warm tones are included

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by using copper or bronze accessories or as a backdrop for the softer tones, a tranquil room is the ultimate outcome. a splatter of coral or soft rusty red adds a dash of color for a little drama. neutrals like beige and linen white make the room feel soft and clean. mix all of these colors together and your room is both warm and refreshingly cool.

Keeping the base colors soft and neutral is always a good idea. color can come from accessories like toss pillows, candles, pictures and lamps. if you tire of those colors, just change out the accessories.

Pastels are making a comeback, too.

These soft shades are mostly used in bedrooms and bathrooms at this point, however they are definitely on their way to being the most desired color choice for secondary areas.

Soft light red tones, blues and purples are all strong accent colors this year. once again, neutral backgrounds allow these pastels to shine brightly with a spark of color that is different and fresh. adding these colors to your current color scheme could work to transform your room as well. Rich blues and purples look amazing with golden tan tones of the Tuscan pallet. it has been some time since i have seen yellow and orange in the major color pallet. They are both being used in bedding and linens from all major manufacturers. it is refreshing to see these clear, crisp colors find a spot once again on the color wheel.

varied shades of white, cream and beige used together in an array of textured patterns and weaves are being shown in every major magazine. Whether it is shabby chic or ultra modern decor, these neutrals are tops on the design scene.

Don’t be afraid of whites looking washed out. color is just a pillow away. if your bedroom is currently done in a heavy Tuscan look that is feeling just a bit too dark, try changing your coverlet and shams to a soft cream tone with a textured weave. Throw a few new pillows on the bed to add different colors and textures.

Find hidden colors in existing artwork that you are not currently using. There is always blue in the sky and teal tones in the water. Flowers and greenery in landscape scenes offer a vast variety of color choices. These colors will not only create a fresh new look in the room, but your art will feel new, too. it is not necessary to change everything in your bedroom to create a different mood. lightening up your heavy Tuscan look for spring will make your room feel larger and fresher without losing the old-world charm of Tuscany.

Until next time, happy decorating.

DIAnE JOhnSOn COLLArD Diane has been decorating ellis county for more than 20 years. contact Diane Johnson interiors at 972.935.8899 or djohnsoninteriors@hotmail.com.

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hOME & GArDEn

Time for an Insurance Checkup SUBmiTTeD BY STeve BoUlTon

When was the last time you reviewed your insurance coverage? Just as getting an annual medical checkup is a sensible way to maintain your health, reviewing your insurance policies annually can provide peace of mind and may save you money. as you review your policies, here are some questions to keep in mind:

out of replacement costs in case of theft or damage.

How can i lower my premiums? if your premiums are too high, consider raising your deductible. a higher deductible could lower your premiums, but will also make you more responsible for a greater portion of each covered loss.

Homeowners Insurance

Auto Insurance Q

V

Does my coverage keep up with current rebuilding costs? if your home sustains serious damage due to a fire or severe storm, does your policy cover rebuilding costs? if not, you might want to consider increasing your coverage.

Does my recent home renovation affect my coverage? if you have added square footage to your home recently, its value may have changed. check with your insurance agent about increasing your coverage.

Does my policy cover new purchases? if you bought a new appliance or computer over the last year, make sure your policy covers replacement costs due to a fire or theft.

When was the last time i had my luxury items appraised? if you have expensive items such as jewelry, furs, coins, artwork and antiques that have not been appraised recently, you might want to consider doing so. Having up-to-date insurance can help take some of the sting

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my teen recently got a driver’s license.

How does that affect my auto insurance? if your teen is now driving, let your agent know and be prepared for your family auto insurance premiums to rise. if your teen stays on your insurance, it is still cheaper than purchasing a separate policy. But keep in mind that insurers may offer discounts to high school and college students who maintain a B average and complete a driver-safety program.

Students who complete a graduated Driver licensing (gDl) program may get a lower rate. can joining a carpool help lower my rates? By driving less, you can lower your auto premiums because you are putting fewer miles on your vehicle per year.

Does my car’s value affect my insurance? if you have a much older vehicle, look up its value online to see if carrying collision and comprehensive coverage is still cost-effective. if the car’s book value is low, it might not make sense to

maintain comprehensive and collision coverage.

What else can i do to lower my rates? if you increase your deductible, you can substantially reduce your monthly premiums.

Life Insurance

C

We’ve just had a baby. Should i increase my life insurance coverage? Purchasing more life insurance can help cover the costs of your child growing up if something unexpected should happen to you.

Does my recent marriage affect my life insurance? if you have recently gotten married, you might want to increase your life insurance coverage or change the beneficiaries on your policy. Having more life insurance could make your family’s future even more secure.

How does my new job/layoff affect my coverage? if you recently got a better paying job and are planning to expand your lifestyle (a new home, a bigger car, etc.), getting more life insurance might be a good idea. if your life insurance policy was tied to your old job, you might want to consider starting a new policy that suits your current needs.

C

STEVE BouLToN is a State Farm insurance agent in Waxahachie. contact him at (972) 937-5474.

VQ

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MEDICAL

THE SECOND

TIME AROUND

Dear Dr. Donaldson,

After being divorced for the last six years, I am thinking of remarrying, but I am nervous. I really got hurt by my exhusband and know I have put up a little bit of a wall to protect myself. I worry about how this will all work with my two sons and his children from his first marriage. How do we make this work? My friend is in a second marriage and they have argued about money and things I didn’t even think about, such as life insurance beneficiaries. I have been on my own for six years and have been feeling independent. I like my life. How do I make sense of all this?

?

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It can be pretty scary to trust again after being hurt by someone you loved. It is easy to carry baggage when a relationship ends. We all have expectations about others based on the relationships we have experienced in the past. Having said that, your boyfriend is not your husband. Just because your husband behaved in a certain way doesn’t mean your current boyfriend will engage in the same behaviors.

fore deciding to marry again. The first is to explore what went wrong in your first marriage. What could have been done differently? What needs were not met in that relationship? What role did you play in the collapse of your first marriage?

Second, get clear about what you want.

Figure out what is important to you. How does entering into a new marriage complement your wants and needs?

Still, you are wise to take your time before marrying again. It is a common mistake for people to rush into a new relationship when they feel lonely. You have been single for six years, so it doesn’t sound as if you rushed into anything. This has given you time to focus more on yourself, to think about what you want and need.

You are feeling independent and it can be hard to give up the independence you have created.

Third, consider the relationship itself.

A good strong relationship has three components: companionship, emotional and physical intimacy, and commitment.

When considering companionship, think about the things you and your partner enjoy doing together. It is great to have individual interests that you do not share, but it is important that you have at least some activities you enjoy together.

There are four important steps to take be-

In regard to intimacy, emotional intimacy is present when you feel safe with each

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MEDICAL other, when you can allow yourself to be vulnerable with the other. Physical intimacy can be difficult to achieve if you have put up walls and don’t trust your partner outside the bedroom. The final component is commitment, with both parties invested in staying together and making things work even through the rough times. Does your relationship have all three aspects? Relationships can work without all three, but the best, most satisfying marriages contain all three.

Finally, after you have asked these questions of yourself, you need to talk with your partner about expectations. explore your expectations regarding the children, finances, in-laws, spiritual/religious issues, work ethics, friends, vacations and household chores. We all have expectations about what makes a good marriage, but we can’t assume our partner has the same ideas. So many things influence our beliefs: our parents’ marriage, our culture, religion, the media, our friends and so on. if the children are still at home, what are expectations for things such as discipline, curfews, allowance and rules? if the children are grown, what are expectations regarding visits, how much to spend on presents and time spent with grandchildren? i could write a book on things that can go wrong when couples disagree on issues related to their children.

?

What about parents? Do you agree on how much time to spend with in-laws? Who will take care of an ailing parent? Do you agree on whether or not a parent will live with you should the need arise?

How about finances? What is your financial style and what is his? is one of you a spender while the other is a saver? Does one of you put your head in the sand about financial issues? are you going to keep your finances separate or share a joint account?

How will you divide the bills? Who will pay the bills? How much money is it okay to

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spend without consulting with your partner? Who will be the beneficiary on life insurance and retirement plans? Do you agree on estate planning and what to leave to the children? it is not romantic to talk about pre-nups, but most financial advisors recommend them for second marriages.

What are your views on retirement? Does one want to retire at 65 and the other want to continue working? Does one of you want to travel the world and the other wants to stay home near the children and grandchildren? if you travel, who will make the travel arrangements? Do you travel well together? if religion is important to you, is it important to your partner? if so, which synagogue, church or temple will you attend? Do you agree on your level of involvement?

What about exercise? Does one of you work out every day while the other one is a couch potato? Does one of you eat healthy and the other prefers fast food?

What about household chores? What will be the division of responsibilities? in regard to physical intimacy, are you fairly compatible in terms of desired frequency and expressions of love?

How do you each handle the inevitable changes that occur in life? How will the other respond if one of you develops a chronic health condition; when your children have difficulties; if one of you loses your job? can your partner be flexible?

These things can be difficult to talk about, but better to explore these topics now than to ignore them and have to address them during your marriage when they reach a crisis point. Don’t assume that you each want the same things in a relationship. By

sharing expectations beforehand and discovering differences, you can determine whether or not compromise can be achieved. Thinking about these things now will save you a lot of heartache later. if you find these topics difficult to address on your own, pre-marital counseling can be helpful. When i work with couples preparing to marry for the second time, we look at what didn’t work in prior relationships and how to avoid those pitfalls in the current marriage. We consider each partner’s love language. We explore both partners expectations and work out a plan for both parties to get their needs met. communication is also addressed. overall, it goes without saying that there is no perfect relationship, but the good must far outweigh the bad for a relationship to be successful. While second marriages can have their own set of difficulties, with awareness, couples have the opportunity to create the kind of relationship that honors each partner. if you choose to remarry, may you and your partner share a deep abiding love.

DR. DonalDSon is a clinical psychologist practicing in Waxahachie.

She can be contacted at donaldsonpsyd@aol.com or by visiting donaldsonwellnesscenter.com.

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MEDICAL

{ NONPROFIT }

OUTLIVE

Yourself

BY KATHRYN KEMP

In the United States, more than 117,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a life-saving organ, and a new name is added every ten minutes. Each day, 18 people will die waiting. A single donor can save up to eight lives.

When Todd and Tara Storch of Coppell, Texas set off with their three children for a family vacation in Vail, Colo., in 2010, they knew very little about organ donation and never imagined how that was about to change. But when their 13-year-old daughter, Taylor, tragically lost her life in a skiing accident, life took on a whole new meaning.

As they watched their daughter slip away from them, they were approached by a representative with an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) who had a lifechanging question.

“We had never discussed being an organ donor in our family, ever,” Tara said. ”When they came in, they said, ‘You know, she would be a beautiful candidate for organ donation. Would you consider it?’ Todd was standing right there by Taylor and I was sitting down and could hardly breath and Todd looked at me and said, “Yes. That’s exactly what she’d want.’”

From there, a whirlwind of questions,

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information and preparation ensued as the young girl was readied to save lives, even after hers was cut short.

When the couple returned home to Texas from Colorado, Todd began researching organ donation, the couple’s “lifeline,” Tara said. What he found disturbed him: only 2 percent of the state of Texas was registered, just two out of 100 people, putting Texas at number 48 of the 50 states.

From there, Tara said God took hold of her husband and instilled in him a new purpose – to help make a change. Todd also kept remembering something his grandfather often said: “It’s not what happens to you

National median waiting time based on organ from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network: HEART: 113 days LUNG: 141 days LIVER: 361 days KIDNEY: 1,219 days

(that’s six years and hours of dialysis each week.)

PANCREAS: 260 days INTESTINE: 590 days

that matters, it’s how you react to it that does.”

“Todd and I very prayerfully decided if we didn’t try to make a difference with this and find the good out of it, then we would be disobedient,” Tara said. “And so that’s where it really kind of all started - with a Google search.”

The couple began taking action and working to change the conversation about organ donation to raise awareness and registration numbers through their nonprofit organization, Taylor’s Gift Foundation. Aside from increasing registrations, they also act as a lifeline for families dealing with organ donation, whether on the donor or recipient end.

So why aren’t people donating? One reason, Todd said, is because people are not educated on the topic and likely have not discussed it prior to a tragedy.

He hopes that eventually the topic will be something people discuss openly and prepare for.

“When you’re in that situation, the last thing you want to do is make some kind of big decision that you don’t know anything about.” Todd said. “So the easy thing is to just say, ‘no I don’t want to think about it.’”

Another concern people often have is that medical professionals won’t work hard enough to save a possible donor’s life. The Storch family saw firsthand how hard doctors worked to save their daughter, but ultimately it was not possible and she was declared brain dead. Plus, while donor registration status is checked immediately on all deceased patients by an OPO, any patient, registered or not, could potentially become a donor should the next of kin give the okay.

Older people may think they are too old to be donors, but as Carlton Blackburn illustrates in a story from LifeGift, an OPO in Houston, it’s never too late.

When he passed away a few days before his 93rd birthday, Carlton’s liver was donated to a 69-year-old woman suffering from end-stage liver disease who is doing well today. Some are also concerned that being a donor rules out an open-casket funeral, but this too is a myth, Todd said.

As the couple discussed which of Taylor’s organs were viable for transplant and what they were willing to donate, Tara said she was hesitant at first about agreeing to donate Taylor’s corneas, as Taylor’s crystal-blue eyes were one of the teenager’s favorite features.

“I didn’t realize they don’t touch her eye, just the clear layer,” Tara said.

“That’s something people will say: ‘I don’t want them taking my eyes.’ Well it’s not the eyeball they’re taking.”

Aside from her corneas, Taylor was able to donate her liver, kidneys, pancreas and heart, which Tara said she would hear beating again one day. A few months later, she did, when an OPO gained consent from both parties and put Tara in contact with the 39-year-old recipient, Patricia Winters, a heart-breaking and also therapeutic experience. It’s gifts like the one given to Winters that Tara hopes to continue giving by changing people’s perception.

“Organ donation is not about death, it’s about life. It’s showing people that you can outlive yourself. You have such a beautiful gift within. A life-giving gift.

We’re hoping that people won’t say, ‘Why would I be an organ donor?’

We’re hoping they say, ‘Why not?’”

In the two years since the Storch family set out on their mission, registrations in Texas have risen from 2 to 18 percent, adding over 2.5 million donors to the list. While Texas still ranks 40 of the 50 states, the lines of communication appear to be opening.

TAYLOR’S GIFT

A COURAGEOUS STORY OF GIVING LIFE AND RENEWING HOPE Revell Books

By Todd and Tara Storch with Jennifer Schuchmann As they continue to honor the legacy of their daughter Taylor, Todd and Tara Storch will share their story with the world this April, national Donate Life Month, with the release of their memoir, Taylor’s Gift: A Courageous Story of Giving Life and Renewing Hope.

Taking you from the first moments of the accident that claimed their daughter’s life, through the grief that nearly destroyed them, to the hope they eventually found in the stories of the lives saved by Taylor’s gifts, the couple holds nothing back. While the reader may very well need an entire box of tissues to get through it, the story that seemed it would be purely heartbreaking is actually a heartwarming story of hope and faith. It’s encouraging to see how a family faced with such tragedy decided to fight through rather than give up, instead turning utter despair into positive change.

 

Taylor’s Gift Foundation

Founded in 2010 by Todd and Tara Storch of Coppell, Texas, Taylor’s Gift foundation aims to educate people about organ donation and help those touched by organ donation with a mission to “Regift Life, Renew Health and Restore Famlies.” The couple has made appearances on numerous television shows including Good Morning America, Today and The Ellen Degeneres Show, and appeared in People magazine in January 2013.

For more information on organ donation, or to register, visit taylorsgift.org or donatelifetexas.org. Even if you think you are registered, Todd and Tara encourage everyone to log on and be sure. You can also learn more about organ donatoin at organdonor.gov or optn.transplant.hrsa.gov.

“The reason Tara and I felt we had to write this book was that there were just so many beautiful things happening to us during the worst part of our life that we could ever imagine. We had to share those with people to show that there is hope. No matter what tragedy you’re facing, there is hope and you can get through it. We’re living examples of it. That faith that we have, sometimes that was the only thing we had. We hope that it will inspire people no matter what tragedy they’re going through.”

– TODD STORCH

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||| MEDICAL

Pretty Penny

“I have always said that Penny is wellbalanced - a perfect mixture of sweet and sassy. I think the sassy is helping her through this.”

– Leslie Jurkash

MP

BY KATHRYN KE

December 21, 2012, marked a happy day for many families: the day before schools let out for winter break. But for Leslie and Tony Jurkash, both teachers at Northside Elementary in Waxahachie, it was the day their world was turned upside down; the day they found out their 5-year-old daughter, Penny, had leukemia.

According to the American Cancer Society, leukemia is the most common cancer found in children and teens. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the type Penny has, accounts for about 75 percent of those cases, and her doctors say it is the most treatable of childhood cancers.

When Penny first began running a fever, she was diagnosed with strep throat and started on medication.

After a few days, nothing had changed, so Tony took his daughter back to see her doctor, who decided to test her blood.

“You could tell she didn’t feel good because of the fever, but we really thought it was the flu,” Leslie said.

“She was complaining that her legs hurt and she would cringe because she said it hurt when we picked her up. Looking back, those were signs.”

A few hours after leaving the doctor’s office, Tony got a call urging him to get his daughter to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Leslie was getting ready to dismiss her Kindergarten class for the day when her husband called and she rushed to join her family.

At the hospital, original blood work found no leukemia, but low blood counts were cause for concern. A bone marrow biopsy the next morning confirmed the couple’s fears. Because leukemia is produced in bone marrow, doctors projected a cure rate of 90-95 percent, as it did not appear to have travelled to her blood (though it would drop to 85 percent when traces were still found in her bone marrow late in January). Penny immediately began chemotherapy treatment and goes back every Thursday, with both of her parents by her side each time.

Now, on top of the weekly visits, Penny will be admitted to the hospital every other week for highdose chemotherapy, administered via drip over a 24-hour period, then will stay one or two days more to be monitored. Weekly visits will last for at least six months, then begins the “maintenance” phase, which will last for about two years and will require monthly trips to

Children’s.

In such a trying time, Leslie said the outpouring of support from friends, family and the community helps her to cope.

“It’s a very humbling experience to have people that we don’t even know doing stuff for us and for her,” Leslie said. “It’s been amazing and overwhelming.”

Whether it be through fundraisers, gifts for Penny and her brother, Joel, 7, monetary donations or even a kind word or helping hand, it seems everyone wants to help.

“I think on days I’m having a bad day, Facebook is like my therapy,” Leslie said, referring to the “Team Penny” page - with over 2,300 followers - set up to provide updates on her daughter’s journey. “I get on there and I read how many people are praying for us and supporting us and loving us and it helps.”

Want to help?

Medical costs are high and bills come in almost daily. An account has been set up at Wells Fargo in Penny Jurkash’s name, number 2758261388. You can also “like” Penny’s Facebook page at Facebook/teampennyj to keep up with her progress.

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||| WIPE OUT KIDS’ CANCER

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WOKC is a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. Each year, they select 15-20 children undergoing cancer treatment at Children’s in Dallas to act as Ambassadors for the rest of the hospital’s pediatric cancer patients. Ambassadors and their families also receive much-needed support and attend special events hosted by the organization. This year, Penny will join that group. Visit wokc.org to learn more.

Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle where the objective is to fill the 9x9 grid. Do you have to use arithmetic? No! Nothing has to add up to anything else.

Instead, you solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Each column, each row and each of the nine 3x3 boxes should contain the digits from 1 to 9, only one time each (that is, exclusively).

Find the answers at www.living-magazine.com and click on the Sudoku link.

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MEDICAL

Save a Life -Yours!

(Get Screened for Colon Cancer)

BY Dr. Yomi Fayiga No one expects to be diagnosed with colon cancer, but colon cancer can affect anyone - men and women alike - and your risk increases as you age. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. This year, 150,000 new cases will be diagnosed and more than 50,000 people are expected to die from the disease.

One of the myths about colon cancer is that screening is only necessary for individuals who have symptoms. However, the reality is that early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms. Approximately 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in individuals with no known risk factors for the disease, other than being 50 or older. Therefore, screening is crucial to early detection.

.com

s_bukley/Shutterstock

In 2002, Katie Couric put colon cancer screening on the map. That was when millions of people watched as she televised her own colonoscopy on the TODAY Show.

Couric saved many lives by showing viewers how the procedure worked and that it was easy and painless.

People often imagine the worst. They talk themselves out of having their colonoscopies. Couric took some of the fear away by taking the mystery out of the test.

The benefits of early detection and treatment are dramatic. The possibility of curing patients after symptoms develop is

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only 50 percent, but if colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage, before symptoms develop, the opportunity to cure it is 80 percent or better.

Most colon cancers start as noncancerous growths called polyps.

If these polyps are found while they are still noncancerous, they can be removed and the cancer may be prevented. Major surgery can usually be avoided as well.

Waxahachie resident Jeff Chambers is living proof that screening and early detection of colon cancer saves lives.

Chambers was diagnosed with colon cancer in his mid-30s. At the time, he’d been having abdominal pain, but wasn’t experiencing any of the typical symptoms of colon cancer, such as bleeding or a change in bowl habits.

He was shocked when his doctor found a stage two cancerous tumor the size of a ping-pong ball during a colonoscopy.

Chambers learned the hard way that colon cancer can hit anyone. Now, over 20 years later, he is doing fine. Regular colon screenings have become part of his life.

“I just had my routine checkup,” Chambers said. “Sure the prep work is a bit of a challenge, but it’s a lot less trouble than chemo or having your colon resected.

The peace of mind screening gives you is well worth it. Go in, find the polyps, remove them and be done with it.”

“I’ve watched both daughters graduate high school, graduate college and

Get Screened.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

For more information on colorectal cancer and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, visit the ASCRS website at www.fascrs.org.

get married. If I hadn’t gone and gotten screened, I wouldn’t have seen any of it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors for colorectal cancer include: being over the age of 50; history of polyps; history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease; family history of colorectal cancer and being of African-American or Hispanic descent.

Controllable factors like diet, exercise, weight, smoking and alcohol use also factor into the risk.

The latest statistics from the National Cancer Institute showed a 3 percent decrease in death rate from colon and rectal cancer over the last 10 years. We are slowly winning the war against colon and rectal cancer, and routine screening is one of the main reasons why.

Dr. Yomi Fayiga is a Waxahachie physician who is board certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is board chairman of the Surgery Center of Waxahachie, and on staff at Baylor Medical Center, Waxahachie, Baylor Regional Medical Center, Plano, and Baylor Medical Center, McKinney.

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ZZ Z Z

MEDICAL

Zombie to Zen Why catching some ‘Zs’ may not leave you feeling refreshed, and how you can fix it.

BY maRgaReT SmiTH if your bed partner says you stop breathing while you are asleep, you need to listen to them. Snoring is a sign that your breathing is not normal. Breathing, whether awake or asleep, is intended to be a quiet, effortless process. So why isn’t it? Because something is altering the normal smooth, quiet, flow of air. obstructions to airflow can occur in the nose, the back of the throat, the trachea or combinations of all three. in children, the usual culprit is enlarged tonsils. Typically, children with sleep-disordered breathing do not sleep quietly, nor do they lay still. The bed is generally a mess when they get up because they move when they can’t breathe. Your doctor can help you evaluate your child’s airway. in the adult, the primary reason for obstructive sleep apnea is being overweight, but that is not the only reason, just the usual.

Sometimes the reason for sleep apnea may be an overbite - the lower jaw is so short that it takes up the space needed for moving air. in this kind of patient, there are options for how to manage it whether it is a mouthpiece that holds the jaw in proper alignment, surgery or continuous positive airway pressure therapy (cPaP).

The severe sleep apnea patient demonstrates not only loss of airflow but also significant oxygen desaturations. The breathing is not resupplying the required oxygen. Untreated, the stress this places on the entire body can have devastating consequences.

When weight is added gradually, the patient forgets what it is like to feel normal and accepts this as part of the normal aging process as well as the byproduct of being overweight. i put my first patient in cPaP in 1988. The choices for masks were very few, but the patient’s response to feeling normal again and not having to live life exhausted changed all of our lives. Since then, as the industry has responded to the growing needs of the sleep apnea patient, more comfortable choices have become available. after seeing your physician or sleep physician, you will be introduced to the various ways of treating obstructive sleep apnea. in today’s highly technological market, you may be diagnosed in a sleep lab or have a study in your home. in some cases, you may go directly into cPaP without ever spending the night in a sleep lab. The choice is yours.

First, do the obvious and try to keep your weight normal. calculate your body mass index (Bmi) and believe what it says (yes, there’s an app for that). if your bed partner tells you that you stop breathing, don’t ignore them. it’s not something you want to regret later.

There is a simple test that can be done at home wearing a recording oximeter while you sleep. it’s an excellent screening device that determines if your oxygen is staying normal while sleeping or if it drops repeatedly due to sleep apnea, and can tell you if you need to move forward for further sleep testing. This test only addresses obstructive sleep apnea, but if you have snoring, nonrestorative sleep, make multiple trips to the bathroom at night, have difficulty staying awake while driving, are falling asleep every time you get comfortable, and someone is telling you your breathing is not normal, maybe it’s time to listen to what they are telling you.

margarET SmITH owns Sleep Diagnostics of north Texas, inc. in Waxahachie, a sleep clinic accredited by the american academy of Sleep medicine.

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MEDICAL

The A Word ( AUTISM (

BY PaTTi YoUngBlooD

The year was 1978 when i first heard the word autism. even after an educator defined autism, i still did not understand. now, 35 years later, i still struggle with explaining the term when i speak of my 8-year-old grandson. even the Diagnostic and Statistical manual (DSm), the guide physicians use to make the diagnosis, cannot pin down its own definition – it is presently being revised, with new guidelines expected in 2013.

What does an autistic child look like?

What does an autistic child act like? These are the questions many people have. in our family, he looks like a handsome little man with a head full of dark hair and striking dark brown eyes. and at first glance, no one would suspect anything, but a look into those eyes and the first sign is there; he appears disconnected from the world around him. Then, if you are with him any length of time, you realize his verbal skills are low (at one time nonexistent), he

makes repetitive movements and he appears to be quite happy in his “own little world.” There is not one defining look or behavior that all autistic children have, and while one child may be only mildly affected, another child will exhibit more severe problems.

Parents begin to look for developmental markers from the day an infant is born, and with many autistic children, these markers are met on schedule, only to regress during toddler years. Then there are the babies who have telltale signs at an early age. often, these babies do not coo and babble, and their eye contact is limited, if any at all. So where do parents turn when they first suspect developmental delays? a child’s pediatrician is the very first place to start. and if at first you do not succeed, try and try again. Hopefully, this professional will guide you to proper sources for testing so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Both private and public sources are available for testing, and both have been utilized with my grandson. Sometimes the two agree, and sometimes they don’t. once the diagnosis is made, what next? if the child is under the age of 3, he is entitled to services through early childhood intervention, and if older than 3, a parent must decide whether to pursue therapies either through their school district’s special education department or privately. our grandson received services from early childhood intervention, but he has also received private therapies and continues to receive such. His therapies include: applied behavior analysis (aBa), speech, occupational, equine, and at one

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time physical. at this time, he is a public school student and will be until the time it is deemed it does not meet his needs. every child is so unique, and autistic children are no exception, so what is best for one may not necessarily be best for another.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Visit autismspeaks.org to learn more about autism.

Check out mental Health mental retardation of Tarrant County’s website at mhmrtc. org/ECI to learn more about their Early Childhood Intervention services, currently serving approximately 300 children in Ellis County. Contact them at 972.938.2954 or visit the Waxahachie office at 106 S. Jackson St., #1.

So what does an autistic child look like?

He looks like a child with potential, and that, to me, should dictate every choice made for the child, because all we want is what every family wants: a child who has reached his full potential and is happy and healthy. all the rest really matters not.

PaTTI g. YouNgBLooD is a WHS graduate, retired high school english teacher and grandmother to two precious grandsons. She dedicates this article to amanda and Will.

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Cindy Burch

Land

of

Enchantment

Is there a place in the world where you feel you are home when you arrive, even though you’ve never lived there? Santa Fe is that place for me.

Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is the country’s secondoldest city. It’s a land all its own, with thousands of luminaries that line stucco walls at Christmastime while the smell of piñon smoke from kiva fireplaces fills the air. Referring to itself as “The City Different”, Santa Fe’s eclectic style is rich in culture and characterized by its thriving art community and Pueblo Revival architecture.

through each one. Some of the prices are shocking, but it’s fun to look. Take a break toward the end of the road and enjoy a glass of wine and tapas at El Farol. Next door is Geronimo’s, my favorite Santa Fe restaurant for an upscale dinner.

Close by is the impressive Museum of International Folk Art, which exhibits around 130,000 works from over 100 countries. Make your way back toward Old Santa Fe Trail and enjoy a drink at Pink Adobe’s Dragon Room Bar while you decide on casual dinner plans at La Boca, The Shed or Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen.

Santa Fe is also the epicenter of spice. “Red or green?” is the official state question, referring to the type of chile you want served over enchiladas, or pretty much any New Mexican dish.

Answering “Christmas” will get you both. My favorite place to order the colorful sauces is Café Pasqual’s, a must for a quintessential Santa Fe breakfast. Don’t let the wait deter you; it’s worth every minute. Order a cup of their Mexican hot chocolate on a snowy day and enjoy the mountain sun as it beams in on the restaurant’s window boxes, always filled with blooming red geraniums. After breakfast, walk to the Loretto Chapel two blocks east of the plaza on Old Santa Fe Trail. This Gothic Revival is famous for its spiral staircase with two 360-degree turns and no visible means of support.

Another big draw in the summer is Santa Fe’s spectacular open-air opera theatre, attracting famous performers from around the world. A variety of other festivals also take place in July and August, including the Indian Market that draws visitors to the historical plaza where more than 1,000 Native American artists feature their work. If you miss the festival, you can still shop for authentic Native American jewelry and crafts every day of the year where various pueblos and tribes set up in front of the Palace of the Governors, on the plaza’s north side.

Summer is traditionally the high season, when the arts scene explodes with gallery openings along Canyon Road. I can spend hours strolling

As for where to stay, booking a luxury vacation rental through Casas de Santa Fe is the only way we go. Owner Todd Davis offers top-notch accommodations, from one-bedroom condos to multi-compound estates. Most of their properties are traditional adobe structures filled with kiva fireplaces, four-poster beds, plush linens, antiques and original artwork. All are beauti-

fully, if not professionally, decorated and fully equipped with all the amenities. The price of renting an authentic casita is usually the same, if not better, than a nice hotel, especially if you are sharing it with family or friends. (casasdesantafe. com) No Santa Fe trip would be complete without venturing up toward the ski resort to Ten Thousand Waves, the world-renowned Japanese spa.

After making your way through the lantern-lined path of piñon and cedar trees, you enter a serene retreat with trickling waterfalls and koi-filled ponds. Between treatments, you can book a private teak hot tub for just $31 for an hour, or enjoy their sauna and steam rooms at no charge. The Waves, as it’s called, offers lodging as well as spa services. (tenthousandwaves.com) For years, flying to Albuquerque and driving an hour to Santa Fe was the only option by plane, but American Eagle now offers direct flights to Santa Fe Municipal Airport. I promise you there is so much to do in this cool, dry land of enchantment that it will be hard for you to leave. I guess it’s true; home is where the heart is. For me, leaving “The City Different” is like saying goodbye to an old friend, but we’ll pick back up where we left off on the next visit.

Cindy Burch

Cindy Burch and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Dove’s 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.

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