November 2012 Ellis County Living Magaziner

The Holiday Issue LM I Ellis LM County I EllisLiving County Magazine Living Magazine

Shopping Music Home Travel Law Health Medical

March-April November-December May-June 2011/living-magazine.com 2012/living-magazine.com 2012/living-magazine.com

TaBle oF conTenTS TABLE OF CONTENTS

36

FloRence in The Fall

2012

22 12

checK ouT The laTeST in local FaShion

faShion Fa la la la Fashion 12 Wear This now: Black Friday Tips 16 Ruby Red lips 18

Life & StyLe holiday cheers! 20 Read you like a Book 22 Down-home holiday cookin’ 24 volunteering: it’s a good Thing 26 can it 28 Bethlehem Revisited 32 lima Beans & Big Dreams 34 Fall Florentine 36 Following in Their Footsteps 40

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living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

ReaD you liKe a BooK

NOVember December home & garden elf on the Shelf 42 happy Pinning! 46 Do it yourself 50 november/December Plants 52

medicaL healthy aging 54 Blood, Sweat & Tears 56 Prostate cancer Screening 60 What alzheimer’s means to me 62 D is for Deficiency? 64 is it asthma? 66 hvar from home 68

It’s A Briarpatch Christmas

boutique

home décor

gifts, cards & ornaments

Briarpatch

The Briarpatch #1

BOUTIQUE

404 W. Main St, Waxahachie

972-937-7717

The Briarpatch #2

HOME DECOR

405 Water St, Waxahachie

972-937-1441

The Briarpatch #3

HALLMARK

507 N Hwy 77, Ste 406, Waxahachie

972-923-1884 JULY-AUGUST 2011

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM

13

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

MAGAZINE

volume 8 iSSue 6 PUBLISHER cinDy camP ART DIRECTOR JenniFeR KemP EDITOR KaThRyn KemP ADVERTISING Pamela mccRoRy BRiTTany huSTeD chRiS mccRuDy CFO SuSan KoSoRiS INTERNS linDSey Keeney maRc KemP izamaR loReDo 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.

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 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 art 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. She earned a degree in journalism from the university of Texas at austin and has a curious nature that 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 her with questions, comments or ideas at kathryn@living-magazine.com.

Pamela is the 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.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! www.facebook.com/elliscountyliving twitter.com/ecliving

BRiTTany is the advertising representative for midlothian and ennis. after graduating from Waxahachie, she earned a degree in business administration from Texas State university. She faces any challenge with a great attitude and enjoys meeting new people, traveling and spending time with family and friends. contact her at brittany@living-magazine.com.

guarantee you’ll receive ellis county living magazine by subscribing today!

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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happy holidays From living magazine! may your Days be merry and Bright.

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Santa and drawings forat door prizes! or contact Becky Wilson 214-636-1020.

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors

Proceeds from these events go directly back into the Ellis County community and we are asking for your support help events make them a huge success!

Proceeds from to these go directly back into

{ aRounD ToWn { a lot is happening in ellis county...

eDiToR’S noTe it never ceases to surprise me when each year the holiday season seems to arrive more quickly than the year before. here at the magazine, it truly does arrive early - as soon as the September issue hits the mail.

Since then, we’ve been busy getting the holiday issue ready...and it’s been such fun! We’ve got some great articles about Bethlehem Revisited, fabulous gift ideas, delicious holiday recipes and so much more. i thoroughly enjoyed each and every project and i hope you will too. as Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of the things we are thankful for, and i feel like i have so many this year. of course i am thankful for wonderful family who feel like friends and awesome friends who feel like family. i am thankful for my health and happiness. i am thankful for my kitty cat. But this year, i am especially thankful for a job i can’t get enough of, coworkers i adore and a great community full of readers who make it all worthwhile.

Thank you! now we’re switching gears to the home of the year issue. if you have any ideas, questions, comments or concerns, email me at kathryn@ living-magazine.com.

a night of country muSic

SaTuRDay, novemBeR 3 9 a.m.

FRiDay, novemBeR 16

First united methodist church, Waxahachie Stop by for a silent and live auction featuring an array of unique items, live music by the Todd Brothers, homemade casseroles, baked goodies and crafts for sale!

baggy bottom boyS in concert ThuRSDay, novemBeR 8 6:30 p.m.

cowboy church of ennis northbound service road of i-45 at exit 244/Fm1182

Free admission; the more the merrier!

veteranS’ DaY WeekenD NOVember 9 & 10 Downtown Waxahachie

Honor vets and their past and continuing sacrifices in a 1940s/WWII atmosphere and two full days of military vehicles and static displays! See rare equipment, uniforms and weapons at the American and German historical camps and enjoy a few mugs at the Pub for Friday night “Oktoberfest.” On Saturday, be sure and head to the civic center at 10 a.m. for the countywide Veterans Appreciation ceremony, honoring vets both past and present. At noon, see the troops fed at the “chow line” and stroll the “black market” vendor area along rogers Street. You can also watch a re-enactment battle at the train depot from 3-4 p.m., a USO variety show at the Texas Theater and some 40s music swing dancing at 10 p.m.

For more information, contact Tammy or Wayne Strickland at tamway0416@sbcglobal.net, 972-938-2062.

happy holidays!

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Lord’S acre SaLe

living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

6:30-9:30 p.m. midlothian conference center hear original music from singer/ songwriter and Texas Troubadour Jon christopher Davis. Followed by lone Star attitude. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. call 972-775-7125 for more info.

firStLook thrifty boutiQue annuaL hoLiday oPen houSe and faShion ShoW SaTuRDay, novemBeR 17

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

210 W. Brown St. | ennis Drawings for door prizes and raffle. enjoy christmas treats and be the first to shop the christmas collection. all proceeds support Firstlook Pregnancy medical clinic.

100th annuaL briStoL cemetery aSSociation thankSgiving dinner ThuRSDay, novemBeR 22

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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 that you want everyone to know about?

Send an e-mail to: eDITOr@LIVING-mAGAZINe.cOm

Waxahachie Junior Service League Christmas Market & Gift Show December 1, 2012 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Waxahachie Civic Center

Come to this yearly event featuring unique gifts, clothes, jewelry, antique lamps, baby gifts, gourmet food and mixes, home decor and Christmas decorations. You can also get pictures with Santa, fabulous food, door prizes and other entertainment! Admission is $5, kids are free. Complimentary raffle ticket included! For more information, please call 972-8256077 or visit www.waxahachiejsl.org.

Bristol Schoolhouse 100 Church St. Lunch starts at 11 and bingo begins at noon.

Proceeds benefit the Bristol Cemetery.

Waxahachie Junior Service League Christmas Market & Gift Show Preview Party November 30, 2012

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Waxahachie Civic Center The Waxahachie Junior Service League Christmas Market will kick off with a special Preview Party.

Please join us to shop and be the first to preview all the goodies the Christmas Market vendors will have available for purchase. $25 admission price includes food, beverages,

entertainment, silent auction and admission to Christmas Market on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Christmas in Red Oak Saturday, December 8 Pearson Park | Red Oak

Municipal Center 200 Lakeview Parkway A fun event for the whole family that includes a parade, pictures with Santa, entertainment, vendors and much more!

Red Oak Public Library hosts Mosaic Madness Christmas Craft event Thursday, December 20

5 p.m.

200 Lakeview Parkway Sign up at the Library and pay for your Mosaic at the door. Fun Christmas crafts for the whole family to design!

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

9

Christmas in Waxahachie Pictures With Santa

Friday, November 23, 7:30 pm – 9 pm Saturday, November 24, Saturday, December 1 & 8 – Noon - 5 pm at Boyce Feed & Grain, 441 South College

Community Tree Lighting

Friday, November 23 Downtown Square Citizens National Bank Train Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides and other children’s activities – 6-9 pm Tree Lighting, entertainment and Santa arrival – 7 pm EXTENDED HOLIDAY SHOPPING HOURS DOWNTOWN FRIDAY, NOV. 23 ONLY

Merry Christmas Market

Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market, 410 S. Rogers Saturday, November 24, Saturday, December 1, 8 & 15 – 10 am – 3 pm

Christmas Market Gift Show

Preview Party – Friday, November 30 – 6 pm – 9 pm Saturday, December 1 – 10 am - 5 pm Waxahachie Civic Center Sponsored by Junior Service League

Hey! It’s Christmas!

Fun musical revue of your Christmas favorites!

Texas Theater, 110 W. Main November 30 – December 1 & 7 – 8 – 7 pm For ticket information, call 972-937-0073.

Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 1 – 10 am Downtown Waxahachie

Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” Classic Holiday Family Movie Saturday, December 1 – 7 pm Chautauqua Auditorium in Getzendaner Park

Trade Days of Waxahachie Saturday & Sunday, December 8 – 9 Ellis County Expo Center www.tradedaysofwaxahachietexas.com

Arena of Lights

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Saturday, December 15 – 6 pm – 9 pm Hayrides Begin at Boyce Feed & Grain $1 per person or free with donation of a canned good.

Presented by the Waxahachie Rodeo Complex living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

2012 candLeLight home tour novemBeR 23, 24 & 25 DecemBeR 1 & 2 • DecemBeR 8 & 9

get into the holiday spirit by strolling the glimmering streets of Waxahachie. nine unique homes, spanning from the victorian era to the 21st century, will don their holiday finery for three weekends. each dazzling weekend will showcase three decked-out properties.

We welcome you and your family to visit downtown for christmas in Waxahachie around the picturesque ellis county courthouse. Plan early for a heartwarming weekend filled with wonderful touring, dining and shopping. Sponsored and supported by the Waxahachie Downtown merchants association. Purchase tickets at the Waxahachie chamber of commerce building, the ellis county museum or select downtown merchant locations.

Junk in the trunk

SaTuRDay, novemBeR 24 8 a.m. To 2 P.m. historic Downtown Waxahachie Square Waxahachie’s Junk in the Trunk is a community-wide resale event. Businesses and residents come and sell your treasures around the courthouse square!

Bethlehem revisited

NOVember 30 - December 2 December 7 - 9

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Step back in time, over 2000 years ago, and walk the streets of ancient bethlehem as mary and Joseph did on the night of christ’s birth. On your journey to the site of the Nativity, you will meet innkeepers, merchants, craftsmen, tradesmen, clergy, and many other citizens as they portray daily life in the city of bethlehem, complete with sheep, camels and donkeys. You can also visit Herod’s court and watch the nightly parade of the three kings bringing their treasures to bethlehem’s newest citizen.

402 n. college Street (behind central Presbyterian church)

972.937.2924

WWW.cPcWax.org

free admission, donations Welcomed bethlehem revisited is funded by donations. your generous support makes this production possible each year.

members of the Waxahachie Downtown merchants association:

eZ gLide Synthetic outdoor ice Skating rink enjoy the magic of skating on e-z glide as used by the pros. located at the corner of South Rogers & madison, across from city hall. Rental skates available, please bring your own socks. november 23: 12-10 p.m. november 24: 12-10 p.m. november 25: 1-6 p.m. november 30: 7-10 p.m.

December 1: 12-10 p.m.

December 2: 1-6 p.m.

December 7: 7-10 p.m.

December 8: 12-10 p.m.

December 9: 1-6 p.m.

December 14: 7-10 p.m.

December 15: 12-10 p.m.

December 16: 1-6 p.m.

A-Transportation Limousine Serv buffalo creek cowgirls catfish Plantation

Since 1850

check It Out cherics Antiques citizens National bank of Texas



enchanted PineS

college Street restaurant & Pub

cheRic’S anTiQueS Waxahachie’s newest antique mall is home for 26 vendors and two floors of fabulous antique finds. cheric’s has the largest collection of victorian castor bottle sets in Texas and specializes in victorian, Depression and mid-century treasures.

Whether you are shopping for a gift for a friend or a piece of fine antique furniture for yourself, you will find a wide selection at affordable prices at cheric’s.

107 n. Rogers, Downtown Waxahachie

972-923-2280 www.chericsAntiques.com

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

olD ToWn village anTiQueS & uniQueS 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 OldTownVillageAntiques.com

martha Nell’s clothes Tree maxwell Jewelry mosaic madness Napa Auto Parts/Pool Supplies Old Town Villiage Antiques Pearman Oil & LP Gas Inc Plain Jane & co.

Plato Loco café & cantina Salon Friends The boyce Feed & Grain corp

checK iT ouT Decorating for the holidays is something michele hampton can do for you! as the creative force behind check it out, she and her staff can design, transform and decorate your home from top to bottom.

212 S. Rogers St. | Waxahachie

972.938.2403 checkItOutFabrics.net

The Dove’s Nest restaurant Tina bohlman Gallery Tire Town

FREE

Parking Garage

at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson

W W W. D o W n To W n Wa X a h a c h i e .c o m

FASHION

Fa la la la...

COAT, Chic Boutique $89.95 SHIRT, Briarpatch $35 JEANS, Merle Norman $79.95 SHOES, Plain Jane $20 BRIGHTON BRACELET, Briarpatch $66 EARRINGS, Plain Jane $14.99

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SWEATER, Chic Boutique $56.95 MISS ME JEANS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $99 PURSE, Plain Jane $68.99 EARRINGS, Chic Boutique $13.95 BRACELET, Plain Jane $14.99 BOOTS, Turquoise Haven $42

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

JUMPER, The Dove’s Nest $54 COAT, Chic Boutique $36.95 HEELS, Chic Boutique $36.95 PURSE, Chic Boutique $23.95 BANGLES, The Dove’s Nest $14.95 EARRINGS, Plain Jane $8.99

FASHION

JACKET, Plain Jane $228.99 JEANS, Briarpatch $96 SHIRT, Chic Boutique $24.95 SHOES, Plain Jane $28.99 BRIGHTON EARRINGS, Briarpatch $68 BRACELET, Plain Jane $14

SHIRT, Chic Boutique $69.95 MISS ME JEANS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $99 PURSE, The Dove’s Nest $49.95 SHOES, Chic Boutique $22.95 NECKLACE, Turquoise Haven $58 HAT, Plain Jane $18.99

SWEATER, Chic Boutique $45.95 MISS ME JEANS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $99 COAT, Chic Boutique $92.95 NECKLACE, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $26.99 RING, The Dove’s Nest $14.95 SHOES, Chic Boutique $25.95

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

13

FASHION

Dressed TO

Dazzle

DRESS, Plain Jane $48.99 • PURSE, Plain Jane $68 CORRAL BOOTS, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $89 NECKLACE, Briarpatch $23 • EARRINGS, Plain Jane $12 BRACELETS, The Dove’s Nest

COAT, Plain Jane $148.99 • DRESS, Briarpatch $54 BRIGHTON BRACELET, Briarpatch $48 • PURSE, Chic Boutique $34.95 BRIGHTON EARRINGS, Briarpatch $48 • SHOES, Plain Jane $24.99

14

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

DRESS, Briarpatch $49.95 • JACKET, Chic Boutique $49.95 NECKLACE, The Dove’s Nest $26.95 • EARRINGS, Chic Boutique $10.95 BRACELETS, The Dove’s Nest • SHOES, Chic Boutique $27.95

DRESS, Chic Boutique $54.95 • PURSE, The Dove’s Nest $48.95 SCARF, The Dove’s Nest $16.95 • CORRAL BOOTS, Briarpatch $218 NECKLACE, Buffalo Creek Cowgirls $28.99 • BRACELET, Merle Norman $50

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

15

faShion { BeauTy }

RuBy reD

TIPS & TrIcKS

By amBeR ThomPSon

Studies show that red lipstick can help you feel more secure and even lift your spirits. anyone can wear the color of passion and power as long as you know what shade and texture fits the occasion. at the chaPeL chanel Rouge hydrabase crème in Fire; it’s the color i wore to say my “i do’s” seven years ago and still looks classic today. intervieW Red will help you feel confident. Pick true red lipstick (not too orange, not too purple) for a professional look.

Lunch date matte lipsticks have staying power. Drink with a straw for longestlasting lipstick.

chiceSt of aLL nothing says, “i have style,” like a fiery red orange. Pair it with denim and a sweater or cocktail attire. you can’t go wrong.

feeLing feStive For holiday parties, choose a deep red that shimmers. use a lip brush for precise application. age defying Fill the lips in with a nude lip liner, then apply a sheer red with pink undertones to soften the face and make you look younger.

ruShed leave the rest of your face naked and draw attention to your lips with a raspberry stain. When you run into someone at the grocery store or gym, they’ll notice your lips instead of your dark circles.

TO PreP LIPS FOr LIPSTIcK » You’ll need a smooth surface, so use a mixture of brown sugar and coconut to gently exfoliate lips. This combo is my winter go-to not only for lips, but all skin. » Next, fill lips in with a nude lip liner rather than red. You won’t be left with a red ring when the lipstick fades. » Use a lip brush to apply the color with precision. blot once and apply a second coat of red. Paper towels work better than tissue for blotting because they are lint free. » Gloss is optional and may lessen the staying power of the lipstick. If you choose to wear gloss, pick a clear and apply in the center of the pout. » Finally, be sure to check for lipstick on your teeth. Put your lips around your index finger and pull your finger away from your mouth. excess lipstick will end up on your finger and not your teeth!

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

revlon colorburst

lip Butter

16

maybelline Superstay

10hr Stain gloss

maybelline Superstay

14hr lipstick

living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

Sonia kashuk Satin

luxe lipcolor With Spf 16

estee Lauder Pure color high gloss

amber@amberthompsonmakeup.com.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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faShion We’ve all heard, and many have experienced, the horror stories of shopping on Black Friday. But is there a better way?

Why not give your trusty friend the internet a try this year instead of facing the clamoring masses?

{ SHOPPING }

Make Your

BLACK FRIDAY A Little Lighter

1 2 3

make sure you’re getting the lowest price. if you see an ad for an in-store-only super-deal doorbuster you want, search price comparison engines like Pricegrabber to make sure that the alleged deal is, in fact, the lowest available price.

Shop from the bottom up. When shopping online, hit view all and then shop from the bottom up of the sale page. everyone else will be shopping top down so things sell out more quickly at the top of the page. make a list of who you need to buy gifts for on an organizing site like RememberThemilk.com and check off when you score something for each one. This will help you focus, which is necessary when speed is of the essence.

4 5 6

use a fast browser. We find google chrome to be the fastest at loading the page. use an autofill tool for your credit card and shipping address. you can set up tools like RoboForm to remember your passwords to your favorite sites and also fill in shipping addresses to various places.

Watch out for shipping charges.

Sometimes the deal loses its allure if the shipping charges are as much as the product, so make sure you know how much it’s going to be before you complete the checkout. you can save on shipping charges by using an unlimited free shipping service like ShopRunner.com, where you pay a flat fee for unlimited free two-day shipping on over a million products.

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make sure the items are in stock or guaranteed for holiday delivery; if not, you might be handing out ious on December 25. We’ve had this happen personally, where a week after we made the purchase we were sent an email saying it was out of stock.

We had to scramble for an alternative gift.

8 9

Know the return policy—some of the sale items may be final sale.

10

get free shipping. go to FreeShipping.org for a list of retailers offering free shipping. Keep in mind that some stores offer online purchase with instore pickup. Search their policies or call customer service to find out. grab a promotional code. To find promotional codes, go to Retailmenot.com or google the name of the shopping site with the words coupon code or promotion code.

Wear thiS noW from,michelle madhok, founder of ShefinDS meDia and publisher of shefinds.com, Wear this now is a full guide offering tips on what to wear and how to shop for everY occasion.

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living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

Find This Article

and More Helpful Tips Here!

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

19

LIFE & STYLE { DRINKS }



It’s holiday time again, meaning time for family, friends and fun times.

Here are a couple of wine selections for you to share at your next gathering as you reminisce about old memories and make new ones. Just make sure you don’t drink so much that you start to forget!

SPLURGE

SWEET PEACH AND MOSCATO PRESERVES

BY CANDICE KUMAI

HOUSE -

These choices would be great to have around for those extra special events or to give as a last-minute gift.

The best of get-togethers aren’t always planned in advance, so having an inexpensive (but yummy!) bottle on hand is always a good plan.





-8 Ripe peaches, sliced 1/2 inch thick -3 Cups sugar -2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice -Rind of 1 lemon, peeled into large pieces using vegetable peeler -1 cup of 2011 Woodbridge

by Robert Mondavi Moscato -1 and a half 3oz packages liquid sure gel pectin -1 Tablespoon mint, sliced into thin ribbons -6-7 Sterile half-pint mason jars with lids

INSTRUCTIONS NIMBUS ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2008 Casablanca Valley, Chile $20

RAVENSWOOD PICKBERRY RED WINE $49.99

FAMIGLIA PASQUA PASSIMENTO VENETO $14.99

TESTED BY

TESTED BY

David Pope

TESTED BY

Deep ruby color, whiffs of red berries and cinnamon you can taste throughout.

Great wine to enjoy now or let age a few years. Serve with hearty meats or by the single glass.

Fruity, dense cherry cola notes...not sweet but with a hint of razors edge off being dry.

It’s a food-friendly wine and will drink upwards depending on the meal it’s served with... so might make a good hostess gift if you know what the menu will be.

Certainly would work well with pork tenderloin, smoked ham and even a smoked turkey with cornbread stuffi ng.

Also good with a pasta Bolognese or meat sauce.

Jeff & Susan Kosoris This medium-dry light bodied wine is a very pleasant and fl avorful accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Fruity and spicy, it would make a nice sipping wine and pair well with a variety of cheeses, happy hour fare, pasta, fi sh and fowl.

Suitable for anytime or a special occasion, this fl avorful pinot offers a nice balance with a clean, smooth fi nish; it would be a nice crowd-pleasing wine to have on hand.

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

Cindy Burch

GLORIA FERRER VA DE VI $22 TESTED BY

Kathryn Kemp A great choice of bubbly to keep around for those moments worth celebrating this holiday season. You can taste the pear, apple and other fruits and it’s just sweet enough. Would be yummy with cheese and pre-dinner snacks or fruity desserts. Wine notes also mention spicy cuisines like Indian or Thai food.

1. In a medium stockpot, combine peaches, sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind and Moscato, bringing to a boil.

2. Stirring gently, reduce to a slow simmer over medium heat. Cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Some foam may appear at the top of the pot; using a spider or a slotted spoon skim off the foam and discard. Remove lemon rind with a fork.

4. Add mint and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

5. Remove from the heat and add the liquid pectin stirring constantly. Return to a full rolling boil and cook for 1 minute. Quickly and very carefully ladle the preserves into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 in head space at the top.

6. Place the lids on top of the jam jars. See page 28 for fi nal steps on sealing.

WOODBRIDGE BY ROBERT MONDAVIhas partnered with Stiletto Chef Candice Kumai to craft a recipe for Sweet Peach and Moscato Preserves using the 2011 Woodbridge Moscato, a fruit-forward wine with a hint of sweetness and a light fi zzy sensation. For more on preserving tips, see page 28!

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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LIFE & STYLE { BOOKS }

Read You Like a Book

BY KATHRYN KEMP

Finding the perfect gift for that certain someone can often prove to be quite the challenge. Here are some ideas that cover many different interests so that you can find something for everyone...maybe even yourself!

Proof of Heaven Eben Alexander, M.D.

For The Suspense Seeker Low Pressure Sandra Brown

With 60 New York Times bestsellers under her belt, Texas native Sandra Brown recently released her newest romantic murder mystery – a great gift for your favorite thrill-seeker.

For the Bookworm

For the Giver the son Louis Lowry

For the Poet

The long-awaited conclusion to The Giver may finally answer those lingering questions.

A Thousand Mornings Mary Oliver

For the Cook The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook Deb Perelman

For the Hobbit Lover the hobbit 75th anniversary edition J.R.R. Tolkien

The classic’s 75th anniversary edition is a great addition to the bookshelf. Just in time for the movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, out this December!

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The Books They Gave Me: True Stories of Life, Love, and Lit Jen Adams

From the celebrated food blogger, this cookbook is filled with over 100 original recipes for the everyday cook. Give it to your favorite at-home chef and offer to help with the sampling.

For the Stocking

The newest collection from this Pulitzer Prize winner will delight the guests at your holiday dinner.

Know an avid reader who is always looking for their next good book? This one, filled with the stories surrounding the stories, is full of ideas.

For the History Buff Ike’s Bluff: President Eisenhower’s Secret Battle to Save the World Evan Thomas

Whatever your feelings toward the 34th President of the United States, this historical account of the early years of nuclear weapons, and the importance of the president’s poker face, is sure to please.

Pocket Posh logic books The Puzzle Society

For the Harry Potter Enthusiast

Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

The Casual Vacancy J.K. Rowling

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The first novel for adults from the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series will excite the grownup Gryffindor (or Slytherin) in your life.

When I first received a copy of Proof of Heaven to review, I meant to just flip through a few pages then save it to really read when I had more time. That proved difficult as I became more and more engrossed in the astounding story of neurosurgeon Eben Alexander’s near-death experience (NDE) – and the transformation that unraveled upon his return from the afterlife. A man of science, Alexander believed NDEs to be simply products of a brain under stress and had a hard time reconciling faith with science.

But when he fell into a coma and the part of his brain controlling thought and emotion, the human element, shut down completely, something else took over and carried him on a journey that would change the way he viewed life – and medicine – entirely. With almost no chance of recovery, Alexander awoke from his seven-day coma and eventually got back to his normal everyday life, but his new understandings had changed him forever. This easy-to-read account of his experience and the research he’s done since (even taking into account many theories challenging the spiritual element) is worth checking out.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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2.

Life & StyLe

2.

{ ReciPeS }

3.

4.

1.

DoWn-home

Holiday Cookin’ FRom The FiRST uniTeD meThoDiST BuilDeRS claSS cooKBooK

For most of us, the holiday season means time spent with loved ones, cozy moments curled up by the fireplace, gatherings with friends and so much more. it also tends to include a whole lot of delicious home cooking at every turn.

To help you get ready, here are a few recipes from the new cookbook, “let the Son Shine in,” presented by the Builders class of First united methodist church of Waxahachie.

Corn 1. Pudding

Meat 2. Loaf

- 1 can (16 oz.) whole kernel corn - 1 can (16 oz.) creamed corn - 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix - 2 eggs, beaten - 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted - 1 carton (8 oz.) sour cream

- 1 package dry onion soup mix - 3/4 cup milk - 1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed - 2 eggs - 1/4 cup ketchup - 1 tablespoon mustard - 2 pounds ground beef

heat oven to 350. in a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well blended.

Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 1 & 1/2 hours.

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heat oven to 375.

Dissolve onion soup mix in the milk. let it set for 5 minutes. crush one sleeve saltine crackers.

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Stir into the soup mix. add eggs, ketchup and mustard to soup/crackers and mix well. add ground beef and mix well. Form into a loaf and place in greased loaf pan. Spread extra ketchup over top of meatloaf and bake for 45-60 minutes.

Cheese 3. Bread - 1/2 cup milk - 1 egg, beaten - 1 & 1/2 cup biscuit mix - 2 tablespoons chopped celery - 1 tablespoon minced onion - 1 cup cheese, shredded & divided - 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted heat oven to 350. Spray a 9” round pan with non-stick cooking spray. in a bowl, combine milk and egg. add biscuit mix, parsley, onion and 1/2 cup cheese. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese on batter, pour melted butter over top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Mississippi

Mud 4. Cake

- 2 sticks butter - 1/2 cup cocoa - 2 cups sugar - 4 eggs, beaten - 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - pinch of salt - 1 & 1/2 cups pecans, chopped - 1/2 cup coconut flakes - 1 teaspoon vanilla - miniature marshmallows melt butter and cocoa together; remove from heat and stir in sugar and beaten eggs. mix well. add flour, salt, chopped nuts, coconut

flakes and vanilla; mix well. Spoon batter into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan and bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.

Sprinkle marshmallows on top of warm cake. cover with chocolate frosting (see below).

Chocolate Frosting: - 1 box powdered sugar - 1/2 cup whole milk - 1/3 cup cocoa - 1/2 stick butter combine sugar, milk, cocoa and softened butter. mix until smooth and spread on hot cake.

Purchase

leT The Son Shine in

a cookbook presented by the Builders class of First united methodist church of Waxahachie. call the church office at 972.937.4400.

Books are $20.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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Volunteering: { NON-PROFIT }

Æ ÆÆ Æ

BY CASEY BALLARD

LIFE & STYLE

It’s a GOOD Thing Life is busy. Work is hard. Keeping up with our kids and their activities is nearly impossible.

So who in the world has time to volunteer?

Now more than ever, families are relying on two incomes just to get by. And although, according to the American Psychological Association, stress levels in Americans seem to be balancing out, they still remain higher than what most experts would consider to be healthy.

For a culture that appears to be seeking more natural remedies for health concerns, there is good news. A 2007 study conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that lending one’s time and talents resulted in significant health benefits in individuals. While older adults and those who volunteer more than 100 hours annually stand to reap the greatest rewards, everyone has the opportunity to benefit. The report, which combined a number of studies across the country, suggests that the sense of personal accomplishment associated with giving back leads to better physical and mental health.

Lower depression rates, greater longevity and fewer reports of heart disease were among the side effects listed for individuals 65 and older and/or those who gave, on average, two hours per week of their time to a charitable cause.

ÆÆÆÆ 26

So perhaps spending our lunch hour delivering meals to elderly residents or mentoring an atrisk youth at a local elementary school once a week would be worth our time after all. Or maybe taking in collections at a thrift store one Saturday morning would uplift our spirits for the weekend. Who knows, maybe becoming a disaster relief volunteer for the American Red Cross and providing supplies and comfort to a family who has just loss their home in a house fire would remind us that we still have the ability to affect someone’s life for the better.

Those all sound like great ideas, but where does one even begin seeking out the right volunteer opportunity? Enter the United Way of West Ellis County (UWWEC). New this year, the UWWEC has launched an online volunteer resource site called Get Connected.

This database is open to all nonprofits in Ellis County and provides an outlet for listing any and all volunteer and in-kind needs they may have. As an individual looking for ways to get involved, you can also visit the site and search for volunteer opportunities by interest, time commitment, or just by browsing all of the agencies that currently have available opportunities.

resource for all of Ellis County,” says UWWEC Chairman Clint Almand. “Any individual or group searching for a volunteer opportunity can find one just by using the database. This will be especially useful for church and student groups in the area.”

The site is also directly linked to popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter; so should an individual choose to sign up to volunteer, they can immediately post on their status feed and encourage others to get involved.

The site has the capacity to keep a calendar of events, too. Participating nonprofits can list their auctions, 5Ks, banquets and other fundraisers, and the site will compile all events in calendar format so individuals can see what events are taking place and when.

Getting connected to your community is not as difficult as you might have imagined. And in a world where we hardly get to visit with one another at the dinner table anymore, volunteering as a family might be a great way to bond and bless someone else’s day at the same time.

“We believe this is going to be a very useful

START NOW

Signing up is free and easy.

Just visit www.westelliscountyuw.org and click on the Volunteer tab. For more information, contact Casey Ballard at caseyballard@westelliscountyuw.org or 972-723-9280.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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LIFE & STYLE

Can It { IN THE KITCHEN }

Because fruits & veggies need love too.

BY MARILYN & DONELLE SIMMONS, “THE FARM GIRLS”

Homemade holiday jams and jellies straight from the kitchen are beautiful gifts to give. Simply capturing the crisp flavors of the bountiful fall harvest and preserving them in a jar can bring joy to your friends and family. Magically add a zest of flavor to apples and pears to make wonderful butters and add pomegranate juice to blueberries to make a rich and beautiful jelly. Don’t forget to kick up a little Texas cuisine with jalapeno jelly.

It really is easy. To start your gifting, you will need a basic canner (a large pot made especially for canning), a jar lifter and a canning rack. There are nine-piece and 12-piece canning kits with all of the canning equipment you need available for purchase at most retailers that offer cooking equipment.

First, sterilize your jars. Using tongs, place mason jars in a large pan, half-full of boiling

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water, and simmer for 10 minutes. Also, sterilize new twopiece canning lids. Using the magnet wand from the canning kit, safely lift lids from the hot water.

Second, prepare the recipe.

Make sure to use a standard recipe when preserving. Remove hot jars and lids and fill them according to your recipe.

Third, seal and process. Always use a clean damp cloth and wipe the rim of a filled jar before sealing. Lay flat on the jar, seal with the screw band ring and tighten tight. Using the jar lifter from the canning kit, gently place the hot jar onto the rack in the hot water of the canner.

Fill canner with jars, leaving space between. If needed, add hot water to cover the jars by 1”-2”, then place lid on canner.

Bring water to a rolling boil and process for 10 minutes or the time instructed by your recipe.

Turn off heat and let stand for

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

five minutes. Carefully remove canner lid and use a jar lifter to move jars to a flat surface, then let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Listen for pings and pops - sounds of the jars sealing. After 24 hours, check for a seal: press the middle of the lid - if it does not pop, the jars are sealed. Store in a cool place, such as a pantry, for up to one year (unless the recipe says otherwise). Refrigerate after opening. Consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture, county extension offices or canning equipment companies for more guidelines.

The Farm Girls from Garden Inspirations jar up many jams and jellies. We use recipes from the packages of Certo®, a pectin used in jams and jellies, along with other collected recipes. One of our favorite cookbooks is Ball’s Complete Book of Home Preserving. We hope you will consider preserving your harvest.

RECIPE: Easy

Jalapeno Jelly from Ball’s Complete Book of Home Preserving »» 12 ounces of jalapeno peppers, stemmed, deveined and seeded »» 2 cups cider vinegar, divided »» 6 cups granulated sugar »» 2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid pectin »» Green food coloring (optional)

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.

living-magazine.com // novemBeR-DecemBeR 2012

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LIFE & STYLE { IN THE KITCHEN } RECIPE:

Pear Honey Recipe from The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook by Paula Deen 8 cups chopped pears One 20-ounce can crushed pineapple 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice 10 cups granulated sugar 2 packs or 1 package liquid pectin (Certo) Puree pears in blender or Cuisinart for a few minutes.

Pour pear puree into extra large stock pan. Add one 20-ounce can crushed pineapple with syrup and stir. Add 10 cups granulated sugar and stir. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add pectin and bring back to boil for 1 minute. Fill sterilized jars with pear honey, leaving 1/2“-inch headspace. Seal with sterilized two-ring lids and tighten to hand tight. Follow third step from page 28.

I spent some time at Blooming Grove Farm in my mission to assist with natural and organic farming methods. During a day spent piled in a Gator for a bumpy tour of the heavily treed farm, I saw a Brahman cow and her calf grazing in a nearby pasture, a winding trail beside a peaceful pond, and toured a quaint cabin at the back of the property.

As I bumped along the dirt road, my eyes feasted on an acre of garlic and I gazed at all the wild plum thickets. Wild dewberries grew along the wooden fence post while native pecans trees towered in the tree line. My investigation led to a wild beehive in a hollowed tree and I caught myself wondering if honey was oozing inside, but we did not get close enough to see. A short distance beyond the beehive stood a tall American persimmon tree loaded with orange fruit.

At the end of the farm tour we pulled up to an outdoor shed, where my brain processed all of the canning recipes as I hovered over a freezer full of dewberries and wild grapes and was graced with a lovely treat of wild plum jelly. As I was preparing to leave after a glorious day, I was handed

a basket of golden freshpicked pears and was asked to make something wonderful with them. I thanked the lovely family, loaded my pears, and headed home.

My name is Marilyn Simmons and I am a farm girl. Many gardening seasons, my family and I canned and preserved the harvest. At this point in my life I, like most people, had put the cannery items in the attic, but I had to do something.

I called a chef that I know to ask what to do with pears and she immediately said to make pear honey. I had never heard of pear honey. After some research on the Internet, I chose a step-by-step recipe with color photos. I told myself, “I can do this. “ I pulled out my big dusty blue enamel food-processing pan and gathered the ingredients.

I dug out my Ball® canning jars, replacing the lids and rings with brand new ones. Little did the farmers know they had set me on a new course in my mission, I thought, smiling.

The pears were golden and ripe. I cut away the peelings one pear at a time, squeezing fresh lemon juice on each to prevent browning. As I peeled the skins away, I reminisced.

When I lived on the farm, can-

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 www.gardeninspirations-tx.com.

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living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

ning and preserving my own food was a way of life.

By the time I cooked down the pear honey, ladled it into the jars and placed the jars into a hot water bath, it was past midnight. I was tired. I waited for the water to boil and set the timer for 10 minutes. The timer went off and I lifted the jars from the boiling water.

As I gently placed them on a soft towel, I heard the pop and ping; I had my seal! I stood back and gazed at the beautiful amber pear honey. I had a sense of satisfaction. It was hard work, but it felt good.

My daughter, Donelle, and I have a garden education business called Garden Inspirations. We teach people to vegetable garden and grow their own food, promote local and fresh foods, and teach our clients to eat in-season vegetables and fruits. Our business took a new direction that day.

We would not just teach clients to grow vegetables, but encourage them to preserve the harvest.

Baskets and baskets of golden pears have filled my sink since that day. It is hard to describe pear honey; it is sweet, a little tangy and the texture is like honey!

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LIFE & STYLE

Bethlehem Revisited

in 1996, when a group of members from central Presbyterian church in Waxahachie set off for Burnet, Texas to attend a production depicting the city of Bethlehem, all were unaware of the impact their adventure would have on their community – and themselves.

Before long, big plans were underway for a similar production in Waxahachie, and research on scripts, props and costumes began.

“We wanted people to feel that they were truly stepping back in time and for them to be moved by this experience,” chairperson of Bethlehem Revisited, Hilda chapman, said.

Since the first production in 1997, the cast has grown from about 75 people to about 200, with another 200 assisting behind the scenes. expansions have occurred, improvements have been made and attendance has soared – up from 1,000-5,000 the first year to 25,000-30,000 today.

John Hamilton of Waxahachie joined the team in 2001 to help out with construction and maintenance. He said his behind-the-scenes role gives him a chance to

really talk to visitors about their experience. “many times someone has come up to me crying, saying they had to tell someone what a strong impact the event has had on them,” Hamilton said.

“Those i meet range from someone who expected great things and found them to those who just expected a commercial show – but also found the great experience.”

These days, Hamilton acts as the official photographer and mans the “Supper Quilt” – a large tapestry depicting the last Supper that hangs in the sanctuary on production weekends. additions like this one have come to make Bethlehem Revisited a holiday tradition for thousands of visitors from far and wide, and chapman is glad to share it.

“it is truly gratifying to see the dedication and conviction of those involved in this endeavor and a CALL TO wholesome alternative ACTION to the hustle and bus“That place needs new tle of christmas and blood. not just to show shopping. Hopefully, up and play a role, we in some small way, we need people to do the are touching the lives of behind-the-scenes work. both the believers and The whole place could non-believers.” be rebuilt in a couple of weeks if they had new people.” – Steve Burwell

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A Centurion, a King & a Wise Man CHUCK SMITH Bethlehem citizen since 2001

Played a Roman centurion from 2000 to 2005, King Herod in 2008 and a wise man from 2009 to present.

Magic Moments Ralph Hewitt and i created a scene near the manger that would help us move crowds along in order to accommodate more patrons. While the scene is probably historically inaccurate, it involves a couple of centurions mocking the baby Jesus as a “King of hay.” once, a little girl approached me and tugged at my shield. She stated emphatically, “some day Jesus will be your King!” a young boy with his father witnessed the Wise men leaving their gifts and was moved to ask his father a question. after gaining permission from his dad, he came through the gate at the manger and placed a matchbox car with the gold, Frankincense and myrrh.

SMITH and his, “most favorite thing,” about the production – THE CAMELS.

something here next year when i’m not so busy.” With that, i felt a hand upon my shoulder and a request that a blacksmith is needed for tomorrow night! little did i know that it was the director whom heard my thoughts!

A Lepton for Your Thoughts ----------------------

A Wise Man JASON WILLETT Bethlehem citizen from 1997 to 1999

i was a wise man along with Don Foster and Dr. mark morgan.

Magic Moments The first Friday was slow. We would make our way through Bethlehem and down to the manger. There were maybe just 10 or 15 people there each time. However, i very much remember the next night. We did our first scene with Herod and walked to the city. We went to the inn, and things seemed pretty much like the last night. We turned the corner around the inn to head toward the manger. We looked around to see literally hundreds of people waiting for us to arrive. They parted quietly as we passed through with our gifts and camels. as we knelt down, you could feel the energy, hope and goodwill of the large crowd descend around us.

-----------------------------

The Blacksmith STEVE BURWELL Bethlehem citizen since 1997

i came to see the pageant the first night with my children and said to my daughter, “maybe i can do

Since i am the last thing out of the pageant, i wanted to reinforce the message of why we were there for the children. i came up with a coin. The widow’s mite (lepton) was a perfect entry - both visual and scriptural because of the widow who gave all she had (2 mites) in the temple (mark 12:41-44). First the children have to convince me a King is born and they should thus tell others about this wonderful news.

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The Grape Stomper MELISSA BALLARD Bethlehem citizen in 1997

The year Bethlehem began, len Sullivan approached me about being the grape stomper.

Cold Feet as it turned out, it was like 40 degrees that weekend and drizzling rain. When i say 40, it was a cold 40. mr. Sullivan and the original committee wanted this to be a very authentic experience depicted in the Bible. So no shoes, no socks, cold water and cold grapes for two nights. i remember a couple of times when tears were welling up in my eyes and i did not stop because of the wonderful leadership and i did not want to disappoint anyone.

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Anna, the Dyer and Spinner of Cloth ARLENE HAMILTON Bethlehem citizen since 2000

Since all of the dyes used i’ve made from plants, flowers, vegetables and insects, the visitors are fascinated with the process and ask lots of questions. i can always keep the children’s attention when i explain that the beautiful red dye is made from a “bug” called a cochineal.

Magic Moments There is a magic about the village at night with the fires, the market, and of course “the story.” one of my favorite memories was when a small girl came up to me crying. She had just received a coin from the blacksmith and wanted to know where the centurion had taken the poor widow so she could give him her coin to free the woman.

What does Bethlehem Revisited mean to you? a sense of love and community with the citizens. a special joy was when my two young grandsons from colorado, after having visited, wanted to come back several times and participate.

Warm Hands

Article Written by

i vividly remember Hilda & Steve chapman coming out towards the end of the night and taking us to the basement of the Presbyterian church, where they heated water and rubbed our feet to thaw them out. it reminds me of the image i would have of Jesus and his people.

former Bethlehem resident and weaver’s apprentice

KATHRYN KEMP

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LIFE & STYLE

A Mother’s tale

BY LINDSAY MARKERT

Lima Beans

& Big Dreams For many women, it starts well before the baby is bigger than a lima bean. The daydreams and plans. First it’s the nursery and stroller, the cute outfits, and future play dates with other new mommy friends where babies are snuggled and declared best friends for life like their Mommas.

Then, as the belly and the baby grow, preparations take place. Teeny tiny Onesies® are washed and put away. Cribs are assembled. Birthing classes and baby showers fill the calendar. Halloween costumes are planned and holiday events with a new special guest start to seem real. The big day is discussed often with equal parts joy and fear. Excitement, along with nervousness, abounds.

This new little person that you haven’t even met starts to integrate into every single part of your life, your thoughts, your plans for the future.

It’s all so exciting...and so scary.

Because this “lima bean” evolves into a baby. A baby who will quickly - so very quickly - grow into a child. A curious child who will be navigating the world alone in a matter of years that seem to go by at

lightening speed. And it’s our job to prepare them for that journey. A daunting task at the very least.

Parenting is a tough gig. We know so much about being parents UNTIL we actually become parents. Parenthood is pretty humbling because it brings out so many vulnerabilities that previously lay dormant - along with new ones. There are opportunities at every turn to influence and direct the paths of these little people that look up to us so much. Decisions, big and small, are made daily that will affect their lives now and in the future. And then there is having your heart walk around outside your body...that takes a bit of getting used to!

There are many, many different ways to parent, meaning children are prepared for their journey into the real world in vastly different ways. And that’s ok. It would be a pretty boring world if we were all raised in the exact same way. With that being said, I think parents as a whole tend to focus on certain core things that are important to them; things they want to see in their children as well as themselves.

That is how they learn, right? By watching our every move. Talk about pressure!

I ask myself often, “What do I want for them?” which reminds me to ask what I can improve about my own behavior.

To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while.

-Josh Billings

I want them to be honest, loving and kind.

I want them to be selfless and giving.

I want them to share and to speak well.

I want them to pray and chase after God their entire lives.

I want them to have a passion for something of their own choosing.

I want them to not always do the popular thing, but the right thing.

I want them to always try their best, but understand that winning isn’t everything.

I want them to see their parents in love and happy, but also fighting and resolving it...because that is real life.

I want them to have wonderful memories of their childhood and to continue our family traditions with their own families.

But mostly, I want them to feel loved. Always. Without a doubt and in every situation.

So, on the days that I don’t model the behavior I want them to exhibit, I remind myself that I am doing the best I can. My daily goal is to do all I can to make sure they feel that love, no matter what else the day brings.

If we are doing our very best to lead them down the right path and to make the right choices, we have succeeded. Sometimes it will be the behavior we exhibited that sticks with them; sometimes it will be the words of wisdom that we fumble through that will make an impact.

It may start with giddy daydreams of bassinets and baby booties, but it becomes so much more. As mothers and parents, we are tasked with a big job to nurture, protect and guide our lima beans. From birth to preschool, until the day that collegebound car backs down the driveway, we have a lot of days to influence.

Here’s hoping those days don’t go by in a flash.

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 }

Fall Florentine

BY MATT LEWIS

My wife, Cassie, and I had the wonderful opportunity to live and work in Florence, Italy for several years. One of the nice things about living in Florence is that you usually have four distinct seasons. Winter is cold and rainy and the summer is very hot and humid. We came to dread the summers because it felt like we were living in a sauna. You could start your day with a shower and then step out onto the street and within fifteen minutes the sticky heat would completely undo your attempt to be clean.

Even worse, we didn’t have air conditioning in our apartment, so we just opened up all of the windows and prayed that a breeze would blow through (and wouldn’t bring a stray pigeon in with it). Just after we brought our newborn daughter, Willa, home from the hospital, the temperature reached 92 degrees in our apartment. I remember sitting on the couch wearing only athletic shorts, watching her lay in her diaper and feeling like we were about to melt into

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our couch like butter on toast.

The winter wasn’t much better. You might not know this, but Florence gets cold. It’s not below freezing all the time, but the weather seems to pick a temperature between freezing and forty degrees and not budge. In Italy, the heating situation is a little different. There is no central heating because they use the superior Roman method of warming your apartment with the cunning use of hot water pipes. You see, when you heat up the aforementioned pipes by turning on your hot water radiator, you build a warm air barrier between your loved ones and the invading winter cold.

It works so well that your apartment warms to a balmy yet comfortable 55-60 degrees all winter long. We basically lived in an ice cave. I would go outside and take Willa on a walk just to warm up.

L’ autunno e’ bello a Firenze.

Fall is beautiful in Florence. Difficult as the weather could be during the win-

ter or summer, my absolute favorite time of year in Florence was the fall.

When the oppressive heat of summer fades and you begin to feel cool breezes pour through the streets and across the bridges over the river. People begin to wear scarves because they are comfortable, but also because it is part of their fashion (and quickly became part of ours).

Cassie and I would take walks during the evening, when the fading sunlight mingled with the crisp fall air and the city seemed to glow with a soft light.

You felt invigorated and ready to experience and explore Florence with all its culture and beauty. This seemed to be the time of year to fully enjoy and appreciate the things in life that make it worth living.

Come a prendere un cafe (How to get coffee).

This is exactly how I developed an addiction to coffee. In Italian culture, it seems people are always going to or from a coffee break. I would get up in the morning and walk a few steps

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JEREMY R. SMITH SR. SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

LIFE & STYLE { TRAVEL }

IPICS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

MATT LEWIS

MATT LEWIS

down the cobblestone street toward the Ponte Vecchio (the famous “Old Bridge” in Florence), find my way into Cafe Le Torre, step up to the bar, say hello to Alessio the barista and order a macchiato. I found that in Florence, you were always within a thirty-second walk of finding a cafe or a tabaccheria that sold coffee.

Coffee is a bit different there than here in the United States. If you go to Starbucks and order a Macchiato, you’ll end up with a Big Gulp®-sized cup with steamed milk and espresso shots. In Italy, the three most common coffee drinks that you find at every coffee bar or cafe are an espresso (cafe normale), café macchiato and a cappuccino. Each are basically a shot of espresso in a small cup or shot glass with no milk added for the espresso, just a spot of steamed milk for the macchiato, which means “marked” in Italian, and a little bit more steamed milk with a lot of foam for the cappuccino. I didn’t even drink coffee until we arrived in Italy and quickly noticed that all of my friends were going to get a

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coffee about four to five times a day. Being invited to go along, I kept drinking these little shots until I was a coffee addict. It was even nicer to sip a coffee during the fall when the weather was a little chillier. It became an everyday occurrence to meet with a friend and find your way to a coffee bar to enjoy an espresso and chat about life and culture.

L’olio e il vino (olive oil and wine).

To begin experiencing Italian culture, you must learn to appreciate and love the things in life that make it wonderful. For Italians, this most definitely includes good food and wine. I always looked forward to fall because locals began to serve my favorite Florentine meal, ribollita - a thick bread and vegetable soup/stew that is a delicious fall and winter dish. It is a great feeling when you sit down at a table in a restaurant or at a friend’s house and begin eating this hearty bread stew, so rich and flavorful, as it grows chillier outside.

The fall season is when the new wine and

oil is harvested and there are festivals around the countryside for everyone to sample the new products. You can go on a walk through the city and try the new olive oil poured over fresh bread or the local red wine that has just been pressed.

It is a wonderful experience to taste and enjoy olive oil and wine that local farmers and producers labor all year long to put on your table.

Florence during the fall is a wonderful, magical time. All the “little” things in life like drinking espresso with friends, sampling the new chianti wine, eating fresh, hot bread with new olive oil, breaking out sweaters and scarves to wear, and taking long walks through the city at dusk seemed a little more enjoyable in the fall.

Florence’s beauty, never quite lost during the summer but masked with tourism and summer heat, begins to reveal itself once again. It calls and invites you to walk along the river Arno, down to the Piazza Duomo and throughout the city center. This fall, I will miss Florence.

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LIFE & STYLE

Following in Their

Footsteps

A Thanksgiving Tradition that Keeps on Giving

BY KATHRYN KEMP

For the 100th year, Bristol residents will gather this Thanksgiving to share a meal, play some bingo, reminisce and give thanks – not only for what is, but for what once was.

Cemetery board member Greg Davis helps out in the kitchen every year, a role his parents and grandparents (both maternal and paternal) once held. His children help out too.

Started by a group of local ladies to raise some money for the upkeep of the Bristol Cemetery, the gathering became an annual event in 1912. Responsibilities have been passed down through the generations, as people honor parents and grandparents by carrying on a tradition and continuing to raise money to keep up the cemetery where many of them have been laid to rest.

“I just see it as not only my duty, but an honor to follow in my grandparents’ footsteps and be a part of it. My only hope is that younger generations come on and feel the same need to keep it going,” Davis said.

Myrtle Sparkman, 81, began attending with her parents from birth and eventually grew into her role as one of many community members who cook and donate food every year.

In the beginning, she said, the women of the community would serve the dishes, donated by volunteers, but that has changed and both men and women now share the responsibility. Bristol

Michele Andrews, also a member of the board (and Myrtle Sparkman’s granddaughter), remembers attending the event since she was a young girl, when her grandfather was board president.

When he passed away, Andrews joined the board and assumed his role of selling raffle tickets on Thanksgiving day.

“I’m following in his footsteps,” Andrews said. “It’s just what we do. It’s part of the Bristol heritage.”

And a rich heritage it is. Tommy Mohundro, the current president of the board,

has been present at the event each of his 75 years and remembers attending school at the old schoolhouse where the event is held before it became the community center. He said the building, built in the 1930, reserves much of its own heritage – with the original wooden lockers and Dearborn heater. Every November, about 200 people can be expected to crowd those old hallways.

While some things have changed (anyone you talk to will mention the beautiful handmade quilts that used to be raffled off each year), the event and its attendees have remained true to their roots. Whether they still live in Bristol or have moved away, the children and grandchildren of original attendees return each Thanksgiving to see old friends and remember loved ones.

“It’s really more like a homecoming reunion for the community,” Davis said. “To me that’s the most special thing about it; it’s family and friends of the community getting back together every year.”

The lunchroom of the Bristol schoolhouse the year it opened: 1940. Each year, residents gather here to share lunch and make memories.

Photo submitted

by Susie Toal.

q

Greg Davis (pictured here with cousin Pam Davidson) and his family help out in the kitchen every year - a role is parents and grandparents once held.

q

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Photos submitted by Michele Andrews, Photos by Lezley, Susie Toal and Greg Davis.

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LIFE & STYLE

The Elf

Shelf

on the

Written and developed by a mother and her two daughters, this book/doll/Christmas tradition has taken the world by storm. When you purchase your Elf on the Shelf®, you’ll receive an elf doll and a book explaining how your new elvish roommate will be watching the children during the day, then hurrying to the North Pole by night to report naughty or nice behavior to Santa Claus. In the morning, children can awaken to fi nd their elf hiding or caught up in something silly. Here are a few things we’ve seen from the elves…maybe you’ll fi nd yours in some similar situations!

1. Still laying in the pile of fl our

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

What should I do if my elf is touched by mistake?

Christmas magic is very fragile, and if a scout elf is touched it may lose its magic. If your elf has been touched, please sprinkle a little cinnamon beside him or her before you go to bed; cinnamon is like vitamins for elves, and it helps them get back to the North Pole. Once they arrive, the North Pole E.R. doctors will check them out.

What does my elf tell Santa?

Your Elf reports to Santa when you’ve been naughty and nice. If you do your chores, he tells Santa how good of a helper you are. When you don’t share your toys with your little sister, he lets Santa know too! He’s always watching over you.

Why does my elf go to the North Pole every night?

Your elf goes to the North Pole each and every night during the holiday season so he won’t forget a single detail from the day to tell Santa. This helps Santa and your elf keep an up-to-date daily record of when you’re good and bad.

Smith,

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a long trail left behind from rolling around the house.

11. Laying on the couch next to the remote and a bowl of popcorn.

12. Turning the milk red or green.

13. Going fi shing in the toilet.

14. Roasting marshmallows over a candle.

15. Baking some elf-sized goodies - like cheerio “donuts” with sprinkles or tiny pancakes... whatever you can think of!

16. Playing with mom’s makeup and giving makeovers to the dolls.

17. Lounging by a water-fi lled sink with some Barbies in their bathing suits.

18. Packing a lunch with some very nonsensical items – luckily you already had one packed!

19. Making a domino rally.

20. Building a snowman in the freezer.

from www.elfontheshelf.com Visit the site for more.

anette Photos by Je C , LLC CCA and B

where an elf-sized snow angel has been created or a message is written.

2. Relaxing in the dollhouse or cruising around in Barbie’s Jeep.

3. Caught sticky-handed drinking the syrup from the bottle with a straw.

4. Playing Scrabble with the stuffed animals and spelling silly words.

5. Writing a letter to the tooth fairy (his girlfriend?) about some great behavior he’s witnessed.

6. Online shopping – which your children discover when a package arrives addressed to the elf.

7. Making a dance video using the family’s photos on www. elfyourself.com.

8. Hanging the kids’ underwear on the Christmas tree.

9. Hiding out in the miniature fort he spent all night building.

10. Wrapped up in toilet paper with

Answers to Some Important Elf Questions

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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HOME & GARDEN Follow Us

at pinterest.com/eclivingmag

Happy Pinning!

BY KATHRYN KEMP

With the holidays come lots of family, friends and fun, along with excitement (and often stress) over finding great gifts for loved ones, festive decorations for your home, and fun activities for your kids while they’re on break. Enter Pinterest, the social media site/virtual bulletin board that not only offers users a place to “pin” their favorite ideas and products, but compiles millions of users’ posts in an easy-to-view way. Looking for some holiday craft ideas? There’s a good chance your BFF has a board set up just for that. Find a great

Repinned 5 hours ago from etsy.com/shop/AudrasDetails

idea for a wedding? Make your own board and pin it for others to see. They may even “re-pin” it!

Here at the magazine, we are always seeing great finds and ideas, whether they be online, in a local boutique, sent from a reader or out of our own brilliant minds. So, we’ve decided to jump on board and join the world of Pinterest. Here are a few of our favorite pins and re-pins from our page and other Ellis County users we follow.

Pinned 2 days ago from Brighton.com

Repinned 6 weeks ago from freshpaintartist.com

Repinned 6 weeks ago from elfontheshelfideas.com

Pinned 1 hour ago from boycefeed.com

Repinned 9 weeks ago from couponclippingcook.com

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HOME & GARDEN Follow Us

at pinterest.com/eclivingmag

Pinned just now from labouchee.net

Repinned 8 days ago from inspiredwhims.com

Repinned 4 days ago from volerewines.com

Repinned 3 days ago from howdoesshe.com

Pinned 5 minutes ago from bravelets.com

Pinned just now from thedovesnestrestaurant.com

Repinned 3 days ago from pbfingers.com

Pinned by Ellis County Living Magazine

Pinned by Ellis County Living Magazine

Pinned by Ellis County Living Magazine

Pinned by Ellis County Living Magazine

DIY Holiday Wreath

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HOME & GARDEN

do it { INTERIOR DESIGN }

Clips of Diane taken from episodes of Good Morning Texas, each featuring a different do-it-yourself project in the cottage. The 12 episodes followed the restoration from beginning to end.

q

Yourself by diane johnson collard

A few years ago, I purchased a condemned house to be restored.

I have to confess it was one of my biggest challenges. When we started the project, it looked rather hopeless; the front porch was caved in, the plumbing was gone, the floors had holes in them and the plank walls were covered in cheesecloth and ragged old paper. The house was used as a rental and no repairs had been made for at least fifty years.

Although most people thought I had lost my mind, I could see the beauty in the bones of this little Victorian cottage.

I could see the potential for opening up the boxed rooms that had once housed boarders, and breathing life back into the aged house.

I was excited about the opportunity for expansion in the huge attic, too.

Although the floors and roof had to be reinforced to hold the weight of new walls, we were able to create two bedrooms, a sitting area and a bathroom out of the unused space.

The staircase for the upper level was installed in the kitchen. It made a wonderful backdrop for the glazed beadboard cabinets and wood countertops. There is something about a staircase in a kitchen that just seems homespun and inviting. It was a perfect solution for providing access to the second floor from a central location.

parts as possible to restore it. Anything that could be put back together was saved. I searched salvage yards and flea markets to find doors and rickrack trim, but some casings had to be created to look like the originals.

The hardwood floors were destroyed by water damage and many years of abuse, so we replaced them with 4-inch planks of plywood. The wood stained beautifully into a warm brown with an abundance of movement and grain. It looked old and original, but fresh and rich.

The entire remodeling process took about nine months. During this time, filming was being done on a regular basis by Good Morning Texas for spots on their morning show. The spots followed the work in progress from beginning to end, each featuring a doit-yourself project that I was actually doing in the interior of the cottage.

Watching something so dark and ugly evolve into a perfect picture of restored

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.

history is a thrill that I cannot explain. It is like bringing life back to something that was dead. For another hundred years, this little piece of history can bring joy not only to those who live there, but to those who drive by and admire a dollhouse built long, long ago.

Email me if you are interested in having a DVD of the twelve episodes of Good Morning Texas featuring this home ($10).

Until next time, happy decorating.

The Cottage

Many original features were not salvageable in this little house, so we used as many antique replacement

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Before

After

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51

HOME & GARDEN

[ GARDENING ]

BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

Photo submitted by Mox Moxley

Evolving out of the formal gardens of Europe, the English gardens were less expensive and easier to maintain. These gardens were some of the first to employ principles of sustainability with the idea that nature should look natural. Native and adaptive plants make recreating the thirsty English cottage gardens a reality for Ellis County gardeners. Creating a tranquil, natural English Garden starts with design and preparation. Visit local nurseries, study magazine articles and consult the Master Gardener’s website: www.ECMGA.com for information on creating your garden. A blend of plant heights and varieties, hardscape, water and other natural features can create that special secret garden just for you.

NOVEMBER 2012 PLANTING

some cool-season annuals.

If they are a problem, pick • This is the ideal time to plant them off by hand and move trees and shrubs. They will them to another location. A use less water to establish spray containing Bt (Bacillis before spring and summer thuringiensis) can be used, weather arrives. Consider the but it kills all caterpillars. size of the plant - especially • Check potted plants growing trees - at maturity. Allow outside for insects and, plenty of distance from if needed, spray before property lines and structures. bringing them indoors.

• Dig a hole two to four times • Look for scale on cast-iron the diameter and one inch and other plants. Use a shallower than the root ball. horticultural oil to control.

Make sure the root ball and the hole are thoroughly wet ODDS AND ENDS before planting. Backfill with • Apply two to three inches the existing soil only and of mulch around perennial water well. flowers and newly planted trees, shrubs and vines.

FERTILIZING AND It protects against winter PRUNING freeze damage, conserves • Feed and water vegetables moisture and moderates soil now. temperatures.

• Feed winter annuals growing a mower with a bag to • Use both in the ground and in remove leaves from the lawn containers with a waterfor the compost pile. soluble plant food.

• Perform maintenance on • Remove the tops of all power equipment. Run herbaceous perennials after gasoline-powered engines they have died. until they are dry. mower blades and • Sharpen GARDEN WATCH any other tools as needed.

• Caterpillars like to feast on

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DECEMBER 2012 PLANTING

GARDEN WATCH

• Plant pre-chilled tulip and hyacinth bulbs promptly after removing them from the refrigerator.

• Plant berry-producing trees and shrubs to attract birds to your landscape and for winter color.

Some good choices are possumhaw holly, yaupon holly, Carolina buckthorn, rusty blackhaw viburnum and American beautyberry. Select plants from the nursery with the berries on them to know what you are buying.

• Plant fruit and pecan trees.

• Protect tender vegetation from the cold with a lightweight freeze cloth, available at most nurseries and garden centers.

• Continue to water lawns and newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials if rainfall is insufficient.

• Remove hoses from faucets to avoid freeze damage inside your house.

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING • Do not top crape myrtles or remove the central leader of any shade tree.

• Cut back dead foliage of asparagus and add some compost.

• Apply a root stimulator such as liquid seaweed or a mild solution of watersoluble fertilizer to newly planted trees and shrubs.

ODDS AND ENDS • It is a good time to determine what plants did well in your landscape and needed less maintenance.

Choose among an array of draught-tolerant, sustainable plants and those with Earth-Kind and Texas Superstar designations.

• Use plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies to your landscape. They are some of our best pollinators.

• Plan to keep a garden journal next year.

Hanging Gardens The ancient Babylonians had some of the first known gardens, with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Container gardens can be used for herbs, vegetables or simply ornamental plants. A container garden can be soothing with the planting of a single color or complementing colors that jump out demanding attention. Container gardens in Ellis County offer the advantages of limiting water usage by reducing the area that requires water, and for people with disabilities, container gardens raise the soil level and are easier on the back and knees. Container gardens also offer an alternative to mining through the caliche. The soil of a container is far easier to control than a patch of earth!

Master Gardener Photo Contest Entries

English Gardens

Residential Service Providers

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MEDICAL

Healthy AGING

Dear Dr. Donaldson,

My daughter and her family have moved several hours away. When they were here I was busy with the grandchildren and felt needed. My husband died several years ago. I have no one to take care of and now I am feeling old and useless. I have even thought about going back to work, but I worry no one will hire me because I am 63.

As women, we often define ourselves by the roles and relationships in our lives daughter, wife, mother or grandmother.

Before jumping into another role, it is a good idea to take an inventory of your life.

Some things to consider: What are your strengths? What do you enjoy doing?

What excites you? Find your voice and express yourself. What changes do you want to make in your life that are a reflection of who you are now?

Attitude is everything as we age. How do you feel about the physical changes going on in your body? Our bodies inevitably change as we age, but we age in a more healthy fashion if we accept our bodies and are thankful for everything that works. Our bodies are amazing. When I take my morning shower, I say to myself, “I am thankful for a strong heart, legs that carry me, arms that hug, ears that hear and eyes that see.” I feel great when I appreciate all of my body.

Are you physically active? If not, get moving. Your body will thank you for it and you will feel better, emotionally and physically.

Choose an exercise you enjoy and you will be more likely to stick with it. I don’t know where you live, but in Waxahachie we are

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lucky enough to have both a fabulous senior center and a YMCA. There are wonderful, friendly people at both places. You can dance, play racquetball, shoot hoops, work out on the machines; there are activities for various interests. The senior center even has chair exercise classes.

Is there any emotional work to be done?

Are there any unresolved hurts or anger that need to be addressed before you can move on with your life? If so, you can journal about it or share your feelings with a friend or therapist.

Although you are missing your grandchildren and the busyness of having them in your life, now that you aren’t scheduling your life around them you can create a routine that works for you. Try to make one that reduces stress, yet provides you with emotional and intellectual stimulation. Maybe you want to take up a new hobby. Maybe you want to travel. What do you want to do in this second half of life?

Now is a good time to simplify your life. Consider your values and priorities and create a life that reflects them. What possessions do you want to keep and which will free you up if you discard them or give them away?

What relationships do you value? Spend more time with those people and less time with people that deplete your energy.

Are you interested in volunteering? There are many opportunities to help out in the community. What activities have you mastered? What knowledge do you have that you can share with others?

Change can be scary, but it is also a fabulous opportunity to create a life that will serve you well; a life to celebrate. Every day is a blessing. Good luck.

Dr. Donaldson is a clinical psychologist practicing in Waxahachie.

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

Over 50?

Call Dr. Donaldson’s office for information about joining her upcoming 50 Plus and Fabulous Cruise to the Caribbean.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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B MEDICAL

BY REBECCA BOUSQUET

Blood, Sweat and Tears A Family’s Journey with Diabetes

In life, most people have their “thing.”

The thing with which they struggle.

The thing that sometimes makes them sad. The thing that may even drive them to work a little harder.

The thing that they ultimately realize is just another “thing.” My thing is diabetes.

When I was eight years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Many, at the age of eight, would think their life was over after receiving such a diagnosis. I’m not sure why, but I never really did.

Maybe it was because I knew that my parents would take great care of me. Or possibly I was just completely oblivious to the seriousness of my illness. Regardless, with quite a few lifestyle changes and a whole lot of training, I simply went on with my life.

} Rebecca

at eight years old, the year she was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

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Now I am not going to say having diabetes is a cakewalk, pardon the pun. It most definitely is not. In fact, it actually gets harder as you get older.

But, as many who are familiar with diabetes would say, if you have to have a chronic illness, diabetes is not such a bad one to have. Don’t get me wrong; I definitely have my “pity party” days. Sometimes I just want to forget about the hundreds of things I am forced to constantly think about.

But I can’t and that is just part of life.

My two younger brothers, James and Drew, also have diabetes. Since Type 1 diabetes is not considered as familial as Type 2, it is strange that three out of six siblings developed it. There was no family history of either Type 1 or Type 2 at the time. So naturally, each diagnosis was a huge

} James

was the first of the siblings to be diagnosed at just one year old.

shock to our family. When Drew was the third child to be diagnosed, it was disheartening to have to go through the whole process of acceptance and adjustment to the lifestyle again, especially with our baby brother. But I can truthfully say that my brothers and I couldn’t ask for a better family to help us through it. As a family, we are able to share responsibility, keep each other accountable and sometimes even make jokes. Having parents that are health care professionals doesn’t hurt either.

I actually got very lucky when I was first diagnosed. My younger brother, James, already had it, so my parents were more alert in looking for the signs. They started to realize what was going on when I had to use the restroom more than usual, was always thirsty and lost some weight.

My parents checked my blood sugar level and it was over 500. The normal level for a non-diabetic is about 80, so you can see why my parents decided to take me to the hospital.

Lucky for me, they caught it very early and I didn’t even have to stay in the hospital overnight. James was

} Drew,

the youngest of the six siblings, was diagnosed in 2010 at the age of eight. This year, he was happy to get an insulin pump, which will make managing his diabetes much easier.

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MEDICAL

Dr. and Mrs. John Bousquet and their six children on a family vacation in 2012.

The three youngest siblings have been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and the whole family pitches in to take care of one another.

only a year old when diagnosed, so he was very sick and was in the hospital for about five days. We were also quick to notice Drew’s symptoms and check his levels. When we figured out he too had diabetes, my parents quickly got him on an insulin regimen and were able to avoid the hospital completely.

So in some ways it got easier. But in a lot of ways, it got much harder.

We often wonder what could have caused the three youngest children to get diabetes, but there is no way to know. Most research is going not into what causes diabetes, but how to manage and even cure it. Extensive research has led to the ability to make synthetic insulin that closely mimics the insulin the body makes.

With more intense monitoring, it has greatly improved the management of diabetes. Also, the advancements in glucose monitors and insulin pumps have greatly improved the quality of life for Type 1 diabetics. I can personally say that having an insulin pump has improved my health immensely and made diabetes so much easier to manage.

A major recent advancement is the

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continuous glucose monitoring system. A catheter inserts under your skin like with an insulin pump, but it checks your glucose levels at frequent intervals and can even tell your pump how much insulin to give you. Scientists are also working very hard on a cure and looking into using your own stem cells to make insulin. This would be a much better alternative to a pancreatic transplant, and scientists think they are getting close. My mom always says, “I truly believe you will see a cure in your lifetime; we just have to be patient.”

Type 2 is somewhat “reversible.” With Type 2, your body still makes insulin but it becomes resistant to the effects of it. Because people with Type 2 are generally overweight, they cannot fully absorb all of the insulin their body is producing. It can be managed by taking oral medication, eating well, losing weight and in severe cases, with insulin. While Type 2 is more common, and becoming very prevalent, it is also frequently preventable.

B

Most diabetics would probably agree that you get asked a lot of questions, some of them very interesting. They might sound like: “You can’t eat any sugar, right?” or, “Why are you wearing your cell phone/beeper clipped onto your pants?” (It is my insulin pump.) But the most commonly asked question is, “What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2?”

They are almost completely different diseases. Type 1 is when your body attacks itself where it makes insulin, in your pancreas, and stops making it entirely. It can only be managed with insulin injections, and of course a proper diet.

I wouldn’t choose to have diabetes, and I am sure my brothers and other diabetics wouldn’t either. I can say, though, that it has taught me a lot.

Since I have to pay attention to what I eat, how I feel and how much insulin I take all the time, I have developed a certain amount of discipline I wouldn’t otherwise have. I could give a long list of things I have learned, but the most important is that I am blessed.

I am blessed to live in a day that has the proper medication and devices necessary to keep my brothers and I alive. So my recommendation to a reader would be: even if you get knocked down once or twice, just count your blessings. I know I am counting mine.

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MEDICAL

An Update on

Prostate Cancer

Screening

By Andrew Sambell, M.D. Do you remember the controversy several years ago regarding mammograms and breast cancer detection?

Well, there is a similar controversy with the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and prostate cancer detection, used widely since the early 1990s.

In May 2012, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a statement advising against the use of the PSA test in prostate cancer screening. Many urologists, myself included, were very surprised. The task force was asked by the American Urological Association (AUA) to reconsider their decision. At this time they have not reconsidered.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men, and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. In 2011, approximately 240,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S. and it was responsible for approximately 28,000 deaths. So you have a perspective, breast cancer was diagnosed in 288,000 Americans in 2011. It claimed the lives of 39,500 patients (female and male). In regard to prostate cancer, one in six men are at risk of being diagnosed in their lifetime. Fortunately, your chance of dying from prostate cancer is only one in 36. This is because a significant percentage of prostate cancer is low- to moderate-grade. The highgrade form of the cancer can spread to your bones, cause significant pain and result in death. African-Americans have twice the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Also, if you have a brother or father with

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prostate cancer, your risk of being diagnosed doubles.

The PSA test involves sampling your blood for the PSA protein molecule, produced by both benign and cancerous cells, so some false positive readings are possible. Some rare prostate cancers don’t produce the PSA protein at all. Just like the mammogram, it is far from a perfect screening test for cancer.

Most physicians combine the blood test with a digital rectal exam and urinalysis, which can help prevent the false positives caused by prostate infection and very big prostates. If caught early, prostate cancer can be successfully treated in the vast majority of cases. There can be side effects with all treatments, so not all prostate cancer is treated when diagnosed. A program of active surveillance is started and treatment is recommended only if the cancer becomes aggressive.

The USPSTF is a government-sponsored task force, formed in 1984, whose 15-20 members attempt to place a value on screening tests. Over the years, they have released guidelines on many diseases and have a very informative website. The committee is chaired by a pediatrician and there are currently no urologists or urologic oncologists on the task force. The task force felt the PSA test provided very little benefit and could cause significant harm.

The American Urologic Association and The American Cancer Society believe the PSA test, when used appropriately, provides clinicians with valuable

information to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. In 1990 (pre-PSA testing), the incidence of newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer was 67 per 100,000. In 2005, it had dropped to 23 per 100,000.

One trial (Goteburg) showed a substantial 44 percent relative risk reduction in prostate cancer mortality in men 50-64 years of age after a median of 14 years. It is unclear to the AUA why these study findings were discounted.

Remember, we are talking about the validity of a screening test to detect cancer. It is understood not all prostate cancers require treatment, and a separate conversation would take place about that.

We recognize the PSA test is not perfect and physicians may be ordering too many in older men. In some situations, a PSA test could be ordered every other year. In an era when medical costs are rising too fast, critical evaluation is needed on the appropriateness of all medical tests. However, the AUA feels this blanket statement against PSA testing in high-risk populations is inappropriate and irresponsible.

Please talk to your doctor about your situation. Finally, please do the obvious: stop smoking and reduce fat intake to reduce body fat. There is no argument these lifestyle changes reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Dr. Andrew Sambell is a board-certified urologist in Waxahachie and a member of the American Urological Association. He practices with Urology Associates of North Texas.

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MEDICAL

What Alzheimer’s Means to Me This November, we recognize both National Alzheimer’s Awareness and National Family Caregivers Months, two things that often go hand in hand.

Here is one insider’s story of the struggles faced not only by those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but by the family members who care for them.

By Judy Christopher Taylor, owner of Cornerstone Home Health Many years ago, my parents watched as I graduated from nursing school. My daddy was always my biggest fan and supporter. He had suffered through many sugar pills in little bottles and shots with play syringes from the nurses kits I received at Christmas and birthdays. I was lucky; I always knew what I wanted to be.

I was going to be a nurse and take care of my daddy.

My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just after he retired from his lifelong profession as a construction superintendent. He had an accident at work moving a forklift and, as with many people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the disease was brought to light by a traumatic injury. All of the years that my parents lived and worked to give my siblings and I a good life and education, they had also been saving for their retirement. Little did they know that their retirement would consist of my mother caring for the man she loved and watching him slip more and more each day into a world that only he knew.

I studied everything I could find

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about Alzheimer’s disease. I attended support groups, as my mother would not leave my dad to attend. I could not believe that there was nothing I could do as a nurse but support my mother.

Sure, I could help attend to his day-to-day needs - and there were many. Everything from searching the streets of Waxahachie for him when he first started wandering, to listening to my mother cry when my dad insisted to her she must go find his wife.

I put him in my car, drove him around the block, and brought him back home to “his wife.”

put him somewhere for strangers to care for him?”

My mother suffered a mild stroke while she was caring for my father. We all discussed with our doctor the possible need to consider 24-hour care due to the toll it was taking on our mother.

Being the nurse, I was left to approach our mother with this possible solution to her stress, even if it was only temporary. Mother looked at me very seriously and said, “Your daddy never once complained about any meal I ever fixed for him. He never complained about any money I spent or anything I wore. How could I

Alzheimer’s disease is defined as a progressive degenerative disease of the brain that causes impairment of memory and dementia manifested by confusion with a deterioration of judgment.

But the real definition is known by the people who care for these patients and their loved ones.

These caregivers are the ones who know what this disease is really about. They know the real definition.

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My dad died, after 10 years of living with Alzheimer’s, in the wee hours of the morning on a very cold January day. He passed away in the house he built with his own two hands, with his wife and his children gathered under this roof he built. For as difficult as all these days, months and years were, we were blessed with wonderful caregivers, nurses, a physician who cared for our mother as much as he did our dad, and dear friends who never failed us.

In Loving Memory of A.C. and Frances Christopher.

Alzheimer’s Family Education Workshops November 10 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

211 W. Pleasant Run Rd., Suite 103 Lancaster 1. Learn about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

2. Discover how “Capture Life’s Journey” can help you and others provide the best care for your loved one.

3. Learn more about the challenging behaviors that may be displayed by those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and discover techniques to help handle these behaviors.

4. Learn about the benefits of staying active for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

Call 972-227-8900 to register.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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MEDICAL

D is for Deficiency?

BY KATHRYN KEMP

As we enter the winter months and spend more and more time indoors, it’s important to take care of our bodies by giving them the necessary nutrients to stay healthy and happy throughout the holidays. One you may need to pay more attention to as you get less time in the sun is vitamin D.

Why do I need it?

Vitamin D is important to our bodies for numerous reasons. It helps with calcium absorption, thereby keeping our bones strong and staving off conditions like rickets and osteoporosis. It helps the immune system fight pesky invaders. It helps muscles move and nerves carry messages. Some studies also link adequate vitamin D levels to lowered risk of depression and heart disease, among other things.

A recently published study from the University of Copenhagen links low levels to increased risk of heart attack and early death. Researchers measured vitamin D levels in 10,170 Danish men and women from 1981-1983, then followed the subjects via nationwide public registries through to the present. They found that participants with the lowest levels had a 40% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, a 64% higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, an 81% higher risk of fatal ischemic heart disease or MI and a 57% higher risk of early death. While the study does not prove a causal relationship (it could simply indicate vitamin D deficiency as a symptom of poor overall health), making sure your vitamin D levels are up to par couldn’t hurt.

So what is considered adequate?

According to the National Institutes of Health, for most adults 70 and younger, 600 IU a day is good, with 800 IU suggested after that. Regarding blood levels, “levels below 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) are too low for bone or overall health, and levels above 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL) are probably too high. Levels of 50 nmol/L or above (20 ng/mL or above) are sufficient for most people.”

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Where can I get vitamin D?

U.S. milk is fortified with 400 IU per quart, so a cup will give you around 100 IU. Fish and eggs are also great ways to get your fill, with salmon containing 447 IU per 3 ounce serving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Of course good ole sunshine helps you reach your vitamin D goals, but most people do not get enough sun exposure to get a healthy dose and may try to avoid UV rays to avoid skin cancer. Instead, many choose to get their necessary helping of vitamin D through diet and supplements.

While specific symptoms are few, bone pain and muscle weakness are present in some patients. Dr. Yolanda Brady of Ellis County Diagnostic Clinic in Waxahachie said if left untreated, vitamin D deficiency could increase morbidity as you age and make you more susceptible to fractures and osteoporosis.

Vitamin D levels can be detected through simple blood work, so talk to your doctor about your options.

Editor’s Note:

D

When I was feeling unexplainably tired and run down in early 2012, a blood test showed low levels of Vitamin D. My doctor, Dr. Yolanda Brady, recommended I start taking a daily supplement containing 1,000 IU, and in a few weeks I was feeling back to normal. While I can’t state for a fact the vitamin D alone cured my symptoms, it seems to have made a big impact on my overall health!

Call us today and talk to a friendly staff member concerning any of your prescription or health care needs.

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Accepting most insurance plans, including Express Scripts.

We also welcome your CVS/Caremark prescription cards.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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MEDICAL

Is It Asthma

Catch Your Breath And Find Out The Reason For Your Wheezing SUBMITTED BY BAYLOR MEDICAL CENTER

When you think of a wheezing, can’t-catch-yourbreath asthma attack like you see in the movies, the disease seems clear cut. But many people with mild to moderate asthma may go undiagnosed for years.

“Asthma can vary in severity from a nagging cough to life-threatening shortness of breath,” said Frank Brancaccio, M.D., a pulmonologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. “Sometimes

66

kids get it but grow out of it, and adults can develop it as well. It’s one of those diseases that waxes and wanes.”

Asthma tends to run in families. A child who has one parent with the disease has a 25 percent chance of developing it. If both parents have asthma, the child’s odds jump to 50 percent.

If you notice a persistent cough, a sensation of tightness in the chest, wheezing or what seems like a respiratory infection that doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor to see if it might be asthma. He or she can likely diagnose the disease based on your symptoms, and might want to test your lung function to determine how badly your airflow is impaired. It’s important to have your symptoms checked out, since untreated asthma can turn into chronic obstructive asthma, which may be irreversible.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

After the Diagnosis

If your doctor determines that you have asthma, there are a few things you can do to help keep it well controlled: • Peak flow meters give you a way to monitor your asthma at home.

• Avoiding triggers can help you control symptoms.

Common allergens, exercise, weather changes, heavy odors or perfumes might trigger asthma symptoms.

• Maintenance medications can help you manage your asthma so it doesn’t interfere with your life.

“The idea with asthma is that there shouldn’t be any limitations on activities or lifestyle,” Dr. Brancaccio said.

Breathe Easier For a referral to a pulmonologist on the medical staff at Baylor Waxahachie, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or visit FindDrRight.com

Tips for a Healthy Winter:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Cover your mouth (with your arm, not your hands!) when you cough or sneeze.

• Limit exposure to infected people.

• Eat well, get enough sleep and exercise.

• Talk to your doctor about getting the influenza vaccine.

• If you’re 65 or older, talk to your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine.

living-magazine.com // NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

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Cindy Burch

Hvar from home A few years ago, some friends sent me an article they had torn out of a magazine with a note suggesting we sail the Croatian coast.

The only thing I knew of Croatia was the civil war in which it gained independence from Yugoslavia back in the 1990s. Having pictured it a desolate landscape full of bombed out buildings, I had no idea Croatia had become a hot European destination. With a mix of high bluffs, hidden coves, vineyards, olive groves and pine trees, the Dalmatian coast has some of the finest scenery in the world.

Arriving in Split, a main port on the Dalmatian coast, we boarded a 90-foot sailing vessel with friends and family. After a short briefing from our captain, we set sail for Brac, a beautiful island renowned for its white marble quarries used to build palaces - as well as the White House. As we approached the little town of Pucisca, the magnificent stone buildings created a monochromatic backdrop with a bell tower that seemed to reach to the sky. As if on cue, the bells rang out just as we set foot on shore. We climbed an ancient stone staircase just off the town center and found a family-run restaurant with a charming rooftop terrace where they prepared fresh grilled calamari on an open fire.

We awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee and a table filled with fresh pastries and fruits. Our chef made eggs to order while the captain pulled anchor and headed for the island of Hvar, known for its fields of scented lavender. The sailing in this part of the world rivals any other, with hundreds of ports and countless natural inlets scattered across a thousand islands. We relaxed in the sun and enjoyed the warm Adriatic breeze as

we approached the town of Stari Grad, filled with cobblestone streets, quaint shops and beautiful chapels.

Throughout the week, our chef prepared meals that would compete with any top restaurant, using local ingredients and fresh fish.

The food is similar to Italian, but has hints of Hungarian (paprika-laced goulash) and Turkish (kebab-style meat skewers). A typical lunch on the boat consisted of black squid ink risotto with cuttlefish, followed by seared red snapper on a bed of arugula with fresh pomegranate seeds and an apple tart with a rich vanilla sauce for dessert. The wines of Croatia are just as impressive as the cuisine and are exceptionally affordable. Life on the boat with friends and family was such fun.

Our third day took us further into the Adriatic, toward the island of Vis. Closed as a military base until 1989, Vis has churches dating from the 12th century, forts constructed by the British and graves overlooking the seas on which they defeated Napoleon. There are now wonderful restaurants and sidewalk cafes where you can sip espresso in the shade of bougainvillea while watching beautiful yachts come and go from the island. In the evening, the sound of jazz and clinking wine glasses drifts down from rooftop bars. The bakeries and wine and cheese shops were packed with delicacies, prompting our own cocktail party on the boat while we enjoyed the scent of orange and over-ripe figs wafting down from the mountain orchards.

As the week drew to a close, we sailed back to Hvar, this time on the west side of the island, known as Hvar Town. Set below a me-

dieval castle, the town lies alongside one of Europe’s most romantic piazzas, surrounded by the continent’s oldest municipal theatre and a Benedictine convent in which nuns still fashion fine white lace from agave threads.

Hvar’s waterfront is covered with lavender, which is sold in satchels by sidewalk vendors.

The harbor is humming with European beauties on mega yachts, and celebrities such as Beyoncé, Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa are said to frequent the island. We strolled down the winding cobblestone alleys and ultimately found ourselves toasting our last night just as we did the first, on a rooftop terrace eating grilled calamari and wishing our trip would never end.

“a mosaic of language, architecture, food and spectacular scenery.”

Needless to say, our week exploring the Dalmatian coastline was a memorable one. The country has taken all the richest ingredients from a succession of invaders - Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Slavs, Austrians, Ottomans and French - and blended them into a mosaic of language, architecture, food and spectacular scenery. The Italians have crowned it their new Amalfi and the English have discovered that the Adriatic is as beautiful as the South of France, without the high price tag.

As for Americans, most haven’t heard about Croatia yet, but they soon will.

Cindy Burch

Cindy Burch and her husband Andrew own and operate The Dove’s Nest Restaurant and Gifts in historic downtown Waxahachie. Cindy’s cookbook, “The Dove’s Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From a Historic Texas Town,” has sold more than 20,000 copies.

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