Your House, Your Space, Your Home

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

In 2020, we learned to accommodate our changing lives in new ways. Somehow, packed closets became offices, formal dining rooms became classrooms, and lonely front porches reverted to their original purpose, serving as informal gateways to neighborly connection. A good friend of mine—in her 70’s!—jumped right in. Mandated to close her small retail shop for a few months, she transformed her small Victorian house into a pop-up showroom. Customers who had frequented her much-loved store arrived masked and by appointment to drink tea while they perused a curated sampling of her collection. Talk about rethinking things and making what you have work for you!

Necessity, the proverbial mother of invention, helped us to loosen up in 2020, to get creative, and to rethink how we use the space we define as home. But it didn’t stop there. Along the way, a very cool thing happened: we came to understand that “home” can be something we define and make work for the unique needs, pursuits, and interests of our own life—just as my friend did. This “lightbulb-on” notion goes way beyond color schemes and decorating style. Even the shelter magazines became more realistic and got on board by offering guidance and inspiration for reimagining, and then transforming, our homes into more livable, workable spaces. Thankfully, the pandemic will become a thing of the past, while the lessons we learned along the way will stand the test of time. Making your house, your space, your home is one of them. Here are four practical and workable ways to get started:

Give yourself permission to think differently about the uniquely personal space that you call home. The pandemic may have been the catalyst for using your space differently, but the truth is, that our lives are always evolving. Children grow out of nurseries, old hobbies and interests are replaced by new ones, and the aging process itself requires us to rethink our space. The opportunity right now is to envision, revisit, and repurpose with intention. Share your intention with everyone in your household and make them partners in this home-affirming process.

ENVISION – Start typing or grab a pen and paper and make a list of the spaces—not necessarily “rooms”—you long for. This isn’t the time to hold back. Getting things down in black and white is the first step toward manifesting what you want. Maybe you’re craving a dedicated place for an office, your plants, working out, crafts, teen activities, or a library. Whatever is on your list, don’t assume you can’t have it. With some rethinking, you may find one or more ways to make it happen.

REVISIT – With your list in hand, go room by room, imagining how each space might be used differently to allow for what matters to you and how you live now. For example, that “spare” bedroom that’s relegated to hodge-podge storage is prime real estate waiting to be purposefully claimed, so what can it be? My formal living room—where no formal living has ever existed—is now my evening reading room. It is stacked with favorite books and magazines, warm lighting, and seasonal candles. Thinking in terms of what matters now, formality has been supplanted by serenity. Leaving no space without a purpose, a large empty corner is sectioned off by a decorative wall screen, camouflaging the clunky vacuum cleaner and other mundane but necessary things.

REPURPOSE – Once you have settled on how you want to revise or repurpose a space, focus on removing those things that no longer fit to make room for those that do. You will become more confident as you declutter with your new vision in mind. Take it one step at a time, as you embrace how your home is evolving right along with you.

A Year to Reflect on and Remember

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Stress! Worry! Uncertainty! 2020 was a year to remember! In pondering all the challenges of change that have occurred over the year, we can reflect on, and learn much from, the experience!

CONNECTION WITH LOVED ONES

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone— we find it with another.”

~ Thomas Merton

Even before the pandemic, loved ones tried to stay close to elder members of the family. The transition brought forth a need for technology. Phone calls were not enough; video conferencing eased hearts as grandparents, parents, and children could look into each other’s eyes and verify health. The unusual circumstances required a conversation to understand medical needs. Is there one person in the family who has vital information such as the name of doctors, medications, and medical history? In moments of a health emergency, it’s good to have a plan in place so that everyone can remain calm.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles that we know nothing about!”

~ Author Unknown During 2020, the words, “I worry about you,” were said more than once. A time of isolation led to a conversation about mental health. We can look at the statistics to discover that the largest age group impacted is teenagers. Forty-six percent is a significant number. The struggles in living with anxiety, panic disorders, depression, PTSD, and OCD require not just resources, but in some cases, medication and treatment. Begin by openly talking about the condition and learning how you can offer support!

INVEST MORE IN FRIENDSHIPS

“True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.”

~ David Tyson Gentry The answer to our mental health and wellbeing lies in social interaction and human contact, whether it’s through working, recreation, or entertainment venues. This year, families invested in board games, video games for four and six people, and cards. In the transition of returning to meetings and small gatherings, friends finally put their phones down and started talking and laughing again! Don’t stop the momentum! Keep your devices in your purses and start living in the moment with people who add to your life!

OPENING YOUR HOME TO ADOPTIONS

“Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”

~ Karen Davinson when we feel lonely and isolated, the one opportunity to create companionship is in allowing a four-legged friend into our home! For dog, cat, rabbit, or bird lovers, the ability to care for another helps our own health and stress levels! Many shelters transitioned from housing animals in their kennels to foster homes. You, too, can become a nurturing influence to an animal who needs love, care, and attention until he or she finds a forever home!

FOOD STORAGE AND ESSENTIALS ITEMS

“Always start out with a larger pot than what you think you need.”

~ Julia Child Toilet paper? Soft Soap? As shelves emptied for long periods, it renewed a promise to change shopping habits. The days of buying fresh, or only when close to running out, are over. Because of the limitations in buying essential meats, paper goods, and other products, we need to start stocking up. If you’re finished with a roll of toilet paper, start buying two; therefore, you always have extra. The same applies to canned and freezer goods. Start researching how to make disinfectant wipes, and transition to baking soda, distilled vinegar, and lemon juice for cleaning purposes. In addition to always having a supply, you’ll also save money! Through every experience, we can rethink our priorities and make changes that influence our health, well-being, and social connections. Despite the worry, there are countless blessings and a desire to be better prepared!

Super Bowl and AARF?

BY ZACH BRAVINDER / PHOTOS BY CAROL MAURIN PHOTOGRAPHY

What makes up a perfect Super Bowl Party? You need good food, good friends, a nice TV to watch the game and, of course, you need puppies. For the past two years, we have been putting together a Super Bowl party that consists of great friends and super-cute foster puppies from The Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem (AARF). AARF is a nonprofit, no-kill, foster-based animal rescue that finds homes for more than 900 cats and dogs each year.

AARF believes in foster-based care of animals which provides socialization and nurturing that animals in shelters don’t have access to. This approach allows AARF to help animals with special needs, pregnant or nursing moms, and newborn kittens and puppies that would face health risks in a traditional shelter. When you get a cat or dog from AARF, you know you are getting an animal that has been evaluated in someone’s home with family and other pet interaction. You are also getting an animal that has received all necessary veterinary care and that the cost for spay/neuter surgery has been covered by AARF.

Our family has been privileged to foster more than 100 puppies in the last three years. The Puppy Bowl was a way to bring excitement to our friends and family during the last two super bowls. We partnered with another foster family and gathered 6-8 dogs in our puppy stadium (aka dining room with green turf field). It has been a great way for the puppies to get some more cuddle time from a new group of friends and help spread the word about AARF and the needs of the many abandoned dogs and cats in Winston-Salem.

Fostering has impacted my life in a positive way by bringing joy every day when walking in the room and seeing cute puppies with wagging tails and puppy kisses. The greatest fulfillment comes from delivering puppies to their forever homes and knowing that they will become part of a new, loving family. We pour our love onto the puppies for a few weeks and get them ready to give love back to their new family. It is hard to say goodbye, but knowing they have a new permanent family, and we can get another batch of new puppies to start the process all over again, makes it all worth it!

This year’s Super Bowl may look different than in years past, but in my house, it will be full of puppies, as always!

Due to Covid-19, the AARF office is closed until further notice; however, the work continues. There are still many wonderful dogs and cats to choose from which can be found on the website (aarfws.org).

Applications can be found and filled out online. AARF also welcomes monetary donations, as well as donations of greatly needed supplies to care for the animals they rescue.

The HouseWitch:

Four Lessons to Redirect Contentment

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Have you ever closed your eyes and wished a magical being would come to clean your home, while promoting energy, creativity, and a place of refuge? Some would gladly welcome these brownies, fairies, or witches! As we open our eyes, the inevitable happens. We alone must carry the challenge of enhancing the beauty of our hearth and home! The “house witch” is the modern-day woman or icon, a being of empowerment and skill. Her magic instills beauty, peace, and nourishment for all who dwell within.

THE HEARTH

Living your life is a spiritual act. The routine of day-to-day activities ends, to begin anew. We often go to the one place that provides spiritual comfort. Throughout the ages, it has been the hearth. The place at the center of our living space. Children stood near to receive warmth, and women gathered to stir pots, while men enjoyed warmed loaves of bread. Today, the comforting glow of the fireplace brightens the darkness and brings everyone to the present moment—aware, and together.

LESSON 1: It’s easy to think about the million and one things that pull you in four directions. Start practicing the spiritual principles of “Hearthcraft” by channeling your positive energy to a peaceful place. Say a prayer and focus on your positive intentions. Even the simple tasks can nurture your soul.

THE KITCHEN

In German and Scandinavian traditions, a homemade witch astride a broom is hung in kitchens as a charm of luck and protection. The doll’s body is often comprised of dried apples, the remaining season’s cornstalks, and is draped with a cloth. The kitchen, once a location of eating and washing, food preservation and candle making, spinning and weaving, and childcare, soon changed in size and purpose; yet, this wellcherished talisman remained to ward off misfortunes, such as cooking disasters. Every action, from combining ingredients to stirring, creates a form of magic. We take for granted that our daily effort has the power to nurture every member of the house.

LESSON 2: If the kitchen equates to high levels of stress, redirect your energy through tools, utensils, and small appliances. Through frequent use, you can begin to think how each tool impacts your spiritual mind. A knife represents focus and precision, while a can opener removes barriers. Use the application of handheld mixers to redirect your energy to intentional steadiness!

LESSON 3: Food plays a significant role in our lives. We use expressions, such as “made with love,” or, “cooked with heart and soul.” Meal preparation exists with spiritual awareness and can be performed in a relaxed, focused manner.

• Think about the act of washing your hands as cleansing undesired energy.

• Always sit down to eat to honor the food and the people seated around the table.

• Light a candle, if possible, to redirect the minds of everyone gathered.

ITEMS OF PROTECTION

Is fortune connected to a physical object or a color? Perhaps you carry a four-leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot, wear amethyst or a lucky pair of red socks. You can use natural items, from trees and plants to stones and bells, for the same purpose. Did you know an oak tree planted in your yard defends against physical harm, while a Birch tree symbolizes protection for children? Knowing the representation may incite a feeling of blessing.

• Start researching the stones and gems you wear frequently.

• Do you have symbols of luck in your home, such as elephants, horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, rainbows, or lucky bamboo?

• You may have wind chimes on your porch, not realizing they guard against intruders and negative energy!

Lesson 4: Purification of a home is a sacred technique. It’s more than just cleaning or removing dust. Some cultures use sage to combine smoke with spirituality. Burning incense or a candle brings forth a blessing. Cinnamon links to productivity, while lavender encourages peace. Through every action, despite the word “cleaning,” you are purifying, cleansing, and ridding the home of negative energy!

5 Health Benefits of Pickles

BY DENISE HEIDEL

Pickles are one of those things—you either love them or you hate them. And yet, no matter what your opinion may be, they will inexplicably show up beside every sandwich you ever order. Actually, there is a reason for that…. It started in a Jewish deli in New York as a palate cleanser (the acidity supposedly helps you enjoy the taste of your sandwich). It’s tradition!

But whether you take your pickle or leave it, one cannot deny the health benefits of pickles. Consider the following:

1They ease muscle cramps. Like crazy fast. Local drummer Wayne Heidel, whom the writer of this article is probably married to, knows this to be true. In fact, he carries a water bottle filled with pickle juice to every show he plays. If he gets a leg cramp while playing drums, drinking pickle juice effectively relieves the cramp within moments. You can purchase pickle juice by the gallon on Amazon.

2Pickles aid with digestion. They are full of probiotics—at least real pickles are. We can start getting really snobby really fast when it comes to pickles. Look for fermented pickles versus pickles made with vinegar, if you want to get the biggest probiotic bang for your gut (see what I did there??). We generally think of yogurt for probiotic health, but don’t discount pickles, either! 3 Pickles can fight against disease. Who knew? The lowly, often undervalued pickle packs the nutritional punch to fight back against heart disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory diseases, and more! That’s thanks to the high amounts of beta-carotene (an antioxidant) that converts to Vitamin A in the body. Lower your chances of disease with a simple deli staple.

4Bring on the Vitamin K! An average pickle spear has 15% of the daily recommendation of Vitamin K. This vitamin aids in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and it helps regulate blood calcium levels. All that from a little pickle spear! Score!

5Rehydrate with pickles. That’s right—a tough workout means you sweat. And to rehydrate, you might want to snack on a few pickles with your water. They will help replenish your electrolytes and give an extra oomph to your hydration.

It’s important to note that not all pickles are created equal. Check the label. Locally sourced pickles made through fermentation will be the healthiest option, short of making them yourself. The health benefits listed above are based on traditional dill pickles. They are a great low-calorie snack and don’t have any fat.

That humble little pickle that seems so random actually serves a great purpose. A really, really delicious one, in fact.

Your Ultimate Host on the Coast

There is a lot to love about the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront – from the quarter-mile stretch of serene Atlantic shoreline and six swimming pools, to the 18-hole miniature golf course, waterfront dining, and plenty of green space to spread out and soak in the sun. The 27-acre resort is located at the southern end of Ocean Boulevard, which provides a quieter escape to the otherwise bustling beaches of the Grand Strand. As an added bonus, each guest room features an oversized private balcony, ideal for capturing each morning’s ocean sunrise.

Visitors looking for direct access to sunshine will appreciate the many warm-weather recreational options. From beach strolling and body surfing, to pool time and simply sunning, DoubleTree Myrtle Beach features private beach access, VIP pool cabanas, lazy rivers and more. Resort guests also enjoy playing privileges on no fewer than 27 concierge golf courses. For those who choose to venture off property, DoubleTree Myrtle Beach is adjacent to Myrtle Beach State Park, a popular, 312-acre park that includes a nature center inhabited with marine animals, as well as a backyard wildlife habitat featuring a captivating butterfly garden and birdhouses. Guests may also enjoy walking or fishing from the newly opened Springmaid Pier. An iconic structure along South Carolina’s coastline, the pier features ample amenities, such as benches, fish cleaning/washing stations, restrooms and more.

After working up an appetite, guests can feed the fun with five on-property dining options featuring diverse menus influenced by the rich culinary heritage of the South Atlantic states. Ocean Blue Restaurant offers all-day dining, just off the lobby of the main building, while the Southern Tide Bar & Grille at the foot of the Springmaid Pier serves casual lunch and dinner options.

With so many people staying at home during the current health crisis, many pets have gotten used to having us around and have become a part of the family vacation. Good news! DoubleTree Myrtle Beach is pet-friendly and offers a dog-friendly, discounted package, as well as a special dog treat or toy at check-in, in addition to unlimited use of the resort’s all-new dog park and other fun-filled local activities for a “pawsitive” visit to Myrtle Beach.

For more information about DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront or to make a reservation, call 800-770-6895 or visit MyrtleBeachResort.DoubleTreeByHilton.com.