Huntsville, AL March 2024

JEANNE ALLEN

YOUR REALTOR FOR LIFE

Let me help guide you through the buying or selling process. I am a life-long resident of Huntsville and love this city. I have been a realtor for 23 years. I am very passionate about developing lasting relationships with clients. I truly care about them and their families. I strive to make your experience in moving to, within or from Huntsville as quick and stress free as possible.

Jeanne Allen, Owner and Broker Associate

3508 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville

(256) 337-7615

www.findinghuntsvillehomes.com

When our community thrives, we all prosper.

Prosperity is about so much more than money. It’s about living well in a community that is healthy and stable. At Morgan Stanley, we feel fortunate to live in a place that is supported by so many worthy service organizations. Their good deeds make everyone ’ s life richer.

Left to right: Alex Pols, Pennie Keene, Mark Mantooth

GET BACK TO WHAT YOU LOVE

When it comes to visiting the people or places you love, don’t let back or neck pain get in the way.

A Community Nestled in Nature

Imagine living in a community where the outdoors are at your doorstep. Where the sounds of nature surround you as you walk over 10 miles of walking & biking trails. Where you feel tucked away, yet can be at your favorite local restaurants and shops in mere minutes. All of this is possible in Hays Farm. Build your dream home in one of two neighborhoods offering various lot sizes and price points. Contact us today to secure your home and rediscover the nature around you.

There's no place like home

Ten years ago life lead us to our hometown of Huntsville. We moved into a house in a cul-de-sac in Jones Valley. That house became my refuge, my salvation, my therapy. We loved on that rancher style home and its garden with a renovation and an addition. That house nurtured us and sustained us. It helped raise our daughter. That house became our comfort and our joy and home to our most treasured memories - family meals, birthday parties, my dad learning to walk again in the cul de sac, tree climbing in the Magnolia, camping in the treehouse, building forts, playing horses, snail races, art projects, the first lost tooth, the first bike ride, all the first days of school, slime making, putting on plays, water balloon fights, playing ball in the backyard, morning coffee on the patio, bubble baths, scavenger hunts, ghost stories, Halloween, dinner parties with friends, the wrens that nested on our patio every year, the Monarch butterflies, the box turtle that lived in our backyard, the 7 years spent digging in the dirt to cultivate a garden of roses, hydrangeas, peonies, lilies, dahlias and all sorts of cut flowers and vegetables. When we sold that house I kept asking, "How does one say goodbye to something that has given so much?" The one thing buyers kept telling us when we began showing our home is, “I can tell this home has been loved.” And after all isn't that what matters most? As life changes and people move, if through each phase we focus on the love we've shared and give thanks to our home for the memories and life it nurtured, maybe the love we leave behind lives in its walls. As you read this Homes issue, think about what home means to you.

In this issue An Artist's Sanctuary takes us inside the downtown condo of Carole Foret. Wilhouse Designs immerses us in mid-century modern. We interview Alabama artist Stephanie Timmons who paints lush rooms of homes. Author Kari Kampakis shares a beautiful home story in The Home That Built Me and impeccable designer Beverly Farrington gives us her must haves for a spring home.

There's no place like home.

Long. Live. Print

AMY BAILEY, PUBLISHER

Susan

city scene

1: Jessica Aguirre-Cantrell, Amy Bailey at the Ashley Gilbreath book signing 2: Ben Lovett, Mayor Tommy Battle, Ryan Murphy at The Orion annual update with the mayor 3: Huntsvillians enjoying icepocalpyse 2024 4: Ashley Gilbreath book signing 5: Rachel Matheny, Designer Ashley Gilbreath, Amy Schnorrenberg, Meagan Rhodes 6: The Orion’s Ryan Murphy, Olivia Christian, Alex Craig winning best venue in Huntsville 7: The Jones children enjoying icepocalypse 2024

8: Melissa Gimenez, Whitney Heaps at Holy Spirit’s BASH 9: Jamie Wilson, Marie Schneider, Tavion Fleming, Elizabeth Robertson, Melissa Gimenez, Erin Kahanic Holy Spirit’s BASH 10: Marie Schneider, Beatriz Garcia, Lacy Nelson at Holy Spirit’s BASH

ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE DAVIS

AN ARTIST’S SANCTUARY

Painter Carole Foret takes us inside her downtown condo

As you walk into artist Carole Foret’s downtown condo you are immersed in moody hues, vibrant artwork, and a mix of gorgeous antiques and mid-century furniture. And if you’re lucky she will have jazz playing throughout. From the moment you step in, you feel the love that has been poured into her home of over 10 years. It is eclectic, artistic in every sense, and uniquely hers.

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Carole’s parents loved furniture and decorating. Originally from Athens, her parents lived in 13 houses over their lifetime. Her father recently passed in 2023 and Carole inherited a lot of his pieces. “When my dad died in June, we had to divvy up his art and antiques. So my condo is a mix of antiques and modern.”

As we stroll through her condo she shows me pieces she inherited from her dad as well as paintings from her aunt, another artist. Carole comes by her talent naturally.

“I was nervous living in a condo with limited storage and no garage, ‘Where is all this going to go?’ But it all has worked and

some of the pieces like that painting on top of the armoire even have things hiding behind them!” She continues with a slight laugh, “Thank goodness I’ve never been an over buyer.”

Amongst the antiques are gorgeous mid-century pieces. “The Barcelona chairs are among my favorites pieces of furniture. I had always wanted this style chair and a few years ago I got them, so they are special to me.”

Foret’s mother passed in 2012 and she points to her mother’s Chippendale style desk as another favorite piece. “The table in the corner was my mother’s desk and I just always loved it. My

“My degree is actually in interior design. My twin and I both wanted to major in art, but my dad would not let us, so I chose interior design. And then as soon as I got the degree, I ditched it and started painting.”

favorite chair by the piano that I sit and read in all the time, I actually got from my brother and his wife, I love that French style. I just like throwing it all together.”

“All of us took piano including my brothers, and I was the one who stuck with it the longest, so I guess that’s how I ended up with the piano.” Carole has three other siblings, a twin sister and two older brothers. “We are all very close.”

“My degree is actually in interior design. My twin and I both wanted to major in art, but my dad would not let us, so I chose interior design. And then as soon as I got the degree, I ditched it and started painting.”

“I was nervous living in a condo with limited storage and no garage, ‘Where is all this going to go?’ But it all has worked and some of the pieces like that painting on top of the armoire even have things hiding behind them!” She continues with a slight laugh, “Thank goodness I’ve never been an over buyer.”

Carole has recently painted a botanical inspired mural above her bed. Her master bedroom is covered in soothing tones of creams, browns, and greens. A statue sits on a table at the end of the bed, creating a striking design moment. A mix of artwork hangs above the tufted headboard. Just like every other room in Carole’s condo, the moment you walk in, you just feel calm and cozy. As if this home has wrapped you in a warm blanket.

A recent project Carole took on was adding the fireplace in her living room. Through a mantel ordered off Amazon and some paint, she created a captivating focal point that is now her favorite spot in her home.

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Her studio is also in her condo. A large Elton John painting hangs on one side with a high back white sofa and various artwork on the other side. Two large easels and art supplies take center stage in the studio. Painting is the way Carole expresses herself. “Life gives so much inspiration through experience. Navigating the various experiences of my 56 years through paint has been cathartic at times and sheer joy most of the time.” Carole paints

faces, figures, architecture, animals, landscapes, and even still life. Her style is unique, fairly loose, yet always striking.

To create a home that is a work of art may seem an easier task for an artist, but it is something we should all strive for - to embrace our uniqueness and create rooms that exude personality and love. So that everyone who enters our threshold feels that warmth.

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Painting Houses

ARTIST STEPHANIE TIMMONS BRINGS ROOMS TO LIFE THROUGH ART

What has inspired you to paint rooms? I love the idea of a frame tale- a story within a story- So an interior study seems to check that box; It’s a room within the room in which it hangs- if that makes sense...And I love that the two, sometimes completely different, rooms can coexist - It also is a way to bring the decor of a different aesthetic into one’s own space- You may not live in a Baroque Chateau, but you can indulge some of that decadence in microcosm- just by looking at the painting.

What do you love most about painting? I hope that I never reach a point in my life where I’m finished learning about the world, about others, about myself. I find that I am constantly learning through every painting I do. Specifically, I am learning patience because every painting goes through an “ugly stage” when you want to throw a fit and give up the whole thing. But pushing through and finally reaching that end, where everything seems to come into focus, is such a wonderful feeling. I am constantly reminded that there is so much more than meets the eye to any and everything. I can stare at the clouds or at a photograph and think I’ve noticed every tiny detail, but then when I look back at it a while later, through rested eyes or a different mindset, I see things I missed. There is always more to notice and that is true of everything.

What have you found most inspires you about interiors? Kind of going back to what I was  saying before - there is always more than meets the eye and you can tell so much about someone by the space they occupy. I love imagining living in the space, occupying it, lounging in it, and then thinking about who does live there.

What is your favorite room to paint? In my other life I teach Literature and Art History. So it stands to reason, that my favorite rooms are usually either studies or sitting rooms, featuring either shelves loaded with books or art on the walls.

Who has inspired you as an artist? I was fortunate to attend Randolph School, where my art teacher, Polytime Costes, actively encouraged me to pursue art as a career. Her recognition and belief in my abilities as an artist were so validating. Even though it took me years to believe it myself as an artist- she definitely planted that seed and did her best to water it while she was with me. I actually recently reached out to her and thanked her for her efforts! My sister, Natalie, who started Southside Purveyor, where I post most of my art, has been an inspiration as well. She made me realize that the only thing between wanting to be something and being that thing (in my case an artist), is simply the act of doing it- and that really there is no reason not to. And of course my mom, Christianne Brackett, who is one of the most creative thinkers and independent personalities I have ever known. Not only did she expose me often to art of all sorts from an early age on, she also allowed me to be whomever I felt I needed to be.

What you love about Southern homes?

I love a traditional Southern home in the middle of summer, even when it’s blazing hot. I love the large front porches made for swings, the tall windows for allowing breezes to mitigate the heat, and the smell of jasmine that floats along those breezes. And I absolutely adore the azaleas and hydrangeas that surround Southern homes in the summer.

What do you think is unique about the Southern home? At least in my experience, that you can pop by unannounced. I love that they are simultaneously highly decorative and slightly formal, but always casual and relaxed. They also perfectly straddle that picket fence dividing traditional and contemporary style.

“I am constantly reminded that there is so much more than meets the eye to any and everything. There is always more to notice and that is true of everything.”

“I love a traditional Southern home in the middle of summer, even when it’s blazing hot. I love the large front porches made for swings, the tall windows for allowing breezes to mitigate the heat, and

the smell of jasmine that floats along those breezes.”

What details do you love when you see them in rooms? I love interesting patterns, textures and colors in the fabric, I love rich, substantial colors on walls and lighting that is compelling, I love a beautiful window with a wonderful view, and  I adore a fabulous rug - they are works of art in their own right. I love homes that are filled with personality not necessarily because of the cost of the items in them, but because they are filled with undeniable character- It excites me to see someone’s willingness to take a risk because they adore this color, or that piece.

What you love most about the South?  I love that there are some consistencies across the board that let me know I’m home : the sound of cicadas and the glow of lightnin’ bugs in the summer, red earth, pollen (nature’s pixie dust!)- I know many think it’s a nuisance- but it is the golden herald of Spring- and Spring in the South-- I meancome on! It doesn’t get much better! I absolutely adore a good southern accent, my dad’s was the BEST-  and delicious food! I love the folkloric nature of the South and the cultural variety that informs everything we do.

Your favorite things about your home? It’s open, but doesn’t feel vacuous. I love my wood burning fireplace- LOVE it!- tons of storage, and lots of walls to hang art!

What does home mean to you? Refuge- safety, peace, and love.

ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY

DOESYOU R GARDEN GR

H O

O W

“If you want to witness God’s beauty, it all begins in the dirt.”

If you want to witness God’s beauty, it all begins in the dirt. We often speak of gardening as a ‘hobby’, but gardening isn’t simply a hobby, it is part of the human experience and defines our relationship to this earth. When you have planted a garden, tended a garden, weeded a garden, reaped a garden, and then saved seeds to plant again next year, you understand that gardening is more than a hobby – it is creation, love, and resurrection right before our eyes.

If I could only express adequately how digging up fingerling potatoes with my

daughter is like finding a treasure in the ground, and just when you think you have dug up all your potatoes – you find more! Or the sheer amazement in my daughter’s eyes when she pulls up a dragon carrot from the dirt. Or the delight in my heart when I see her picking vegetables from the garden and sharing with her friends. Or the effect that Green Zebra heirloom tomatoes have had on our meals and our taste buds. Or how interesting and essential it is to watch a honey bee or butterfly flit from bloom to bloom.

“Planting in succession is another way to maximize growing space.”

“So where do I begin?” Is the question most readers and friends ask me. My advice is to start small – you can even start with container gardens on your patio with herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. Another way to start small is with a raised bed. You can find raised beds at your local garden store, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or online. They typical come in 4×4 and if you want your beds larger you can buy more and configure them how you like. For instance we have 8×8, 4×8, and 4×4 beds. These beds mainly come in cedar which will last longer.

Once you have figured out how much space you would like your bed to take up, you can begin to clear the space of any grass by laying down cardboard, newspaper, or other paper material. Fixating your paper material to the ground and letting it sit for a week will help ensure grass or weeds from getting in your beds.

When it is time to set up the sides of your raised beds, it is also time to add your soil. Remember your soil is one of the most important factors in growing a great garden. Opting for bags of garden soil at Home Depot may work for you, but here is the soil recipe I recommend for a hearty garden: 1 part compost, 1 part peat moss, 1 part manure, and 1/4 vermiculite. Figure out your square footage so you can calculate how much to buy of each organic material. Organic matter improves the fertility and provides a

continuous source of nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need to grow.

MAKE EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE

The location of your garden (the amount of sunlight it receives, proximity to a water source, and protection from frost and wind) is important. Yet just as crucial for growing vegetables is making the most of your garden space. Raised beds are a good choice for beginners because they make the garden more manageable.

THINK SQUARE FEET NOT ROWS

Single rows of crops, while they might be efficient on farms that use large machines for planting, cultivating, and harvesting, are often not the best way to go in the backyard vegetable garden. In a homesized garden, the fewer rows you have, the fewer paths between rows you will need, and the more square footage you will have available for growing crops.

MAKE A MAP

Lay out your square foot map – you should do this on paper first, and then many people use wood dividers to map out the actual garden, while others draw in the dirt the square feet. How much you plant in each square foot depends on the vegetable. For instance you can plant 16 carrots or radishes in one square foot, while you can plant only 1 tomato in a square foot.

GROW UP, NOT OUT

Next to square foot planting, trellising represents the most efficient way to use space in the garden. People who have tiny gardens will want to grow as many crops as possible on vertical supports, and gardeners who have a lot of space will still need to lend physical support to some of their vegetables, such as climbing varieties of peas and pole beans. Other vegetables that are commonly trellised include vining crops, such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Even potatoes work well because you can keep the vines more organized until its time to dig the potatoes up.

SUCCESSION PLANTING

Planting in succession is another way to maximize growing space in the garden. All too often gardeners will prepare their seedbeds and plant or transplant all their crops on only one or two days in the spring, usually after the last frost date for their location. Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to plant throughout the course of the whole growing season? The benefit of succession planting is that for crops like radishes, you can plant and harvest 3 or 4 times in a year.

You can stagger plantings to ensure a steady, but more manageable supply of fresh vegetables. In the South our growing season can last well into November. Also, know your crops – vegetables like carrots are actually sweeter in the winter months.

KEEP A GARDEN DIARY

Just as drawing a garden plan each year helps you remember where things were growing, taking notes can help you avoid making the same mistakes again, or ensure that your good results can be reproduced in future years. For instance, write down all the names of the different vegetables you plant, and compare them from year to year, so you can measure which ones do well. You may find that your soil just isn’t right for cucumbers but great for radishes. With these tips, and with spring in the air, it is time to start digging.

THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME

ARTICLE BY KARI KAMPAKIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAMPAKIS FAMILY

It was a crazy thing to do — especially considering what happened that morning — but I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.

The urge to go back was strong, and it came from out of the blue. Since I had two daughters with me saying, “Let’s do it, Mom!” I gained courage. I felt like it might be healing.

It was Feb. 6, 2020, and at 6:45 that morning, my mom passed away. It had been a highly emotional week as my dad, siblings, Mom’s caregiver and I kept vigil around her bed after hospice said we were down to a matter of days. Around lunchtime, as my daughters and I started our drive from Tuscaloosa back to Birmingham, we got off the interstate exit that led to my childhood home.

For years I’d toyed with the idea of revisiting this place. It’d been a happy home, filled with love, laughter, late-night antics, big family chaos and countless friends over the course of 30 years. My parents moved after I graduated, and because I loved their new home, I rarely thought about the old one.

But as time marched on, and my mom’s health issues intensified, a nostalgia grew inside me that I couldn’t shake. I felt my childhood tugging me back, making me miss and long for the past.

I missed my mom being vibrant and healthy. I missed my memories with her when I was a carefree, silly teenager. I missed the 10,000 formative moments that shaped me in this house. I missed the days when life was simple, and my heart didn’t know the sadness of what we mourn in our 40s as we face the reality that we are the adults, the ones shouldering tremendous responsibility, getting stretched too thin, raising kids, launching teenagers, adjusting to a changing or empty nest and saying goodbye to the generation that raised us. It’s a lot of upheaval and uncertainty, and on hard days, it can feel overwhelming.

Looking back, I think I longed to go home because I didn’t have closure. I couldn’t let goof this chapter in my past. And after years of listening to the Miranda Lambert song “The House that Built Me,” I’d grown attached to the idea of walking through my childhood home one more time.

I told my daughters that if somebody was outside, I’d ask if we could go in. I felt disappointed when we pulled up and saw no one, but about a minute later, the owner stuck her head out the front door and asked if she could help me.

“Hi!” I replied from my car. “I grew up in this house, and I was showing it to my daughters.”

“Are you a Kubiszyn?” she replied.

“I am.”

“Would you like to come in?”

My heart jumped at the invitation. “Yes, do you mind?”

“Not at all. I’m still in my house robe, but you’re welcome to walk through.”

The owner’s name is Emma, and she immediately made me feel comfortable. As we walked into the foyer, old memories rushed back, and I cried. I told Emma what happened that morning. She hugged me with the warmth of a mother’s love. I wasn’t surprised to learn that she was a pastor’s wife.

Emma walked through the house with us, listening as I told my daughters stories from the past.

That’s where we put the Christmas tree … I got ready for school in this bathroom … I wrote in this closet for hours one night after a close friend died in a car wreck … we threw our dirty clothes down these basement stairs like a laundry shoot, and Mom would cry when they piled up … there was a refrigerator here that we hid on top of during hide-and-seek.

Surprisingly, this trip down memory lane made me laugh. I remembered how there was never a

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dull moment growing up. I felt grateful and satisfied, as if a missing piece to my life puzzle had been put into place.

After the tour, Emma invited us to sit down. She shared the home’s history and a detail I had forgotten: My mom fell in love with this house after spending the night with the original owner, a friend of hers. When it came up for sale years later, she and my dad bought it.

Emma said that my Mom had tears in her eyes as she handed her the house keys. She told Emma, “I prayed for years for this house to sell, and now I know that it didn’t sell because it was waiting for you. This is your house.”

My mother then hugged Emma in the foyer — right where Emma hugged me when I walked in.

After closing, my mother told Emma how her children might want a final walk-through. Emma said that would be fine, but years passed, and they lost touch. I can’t help but think that opened the door for my Feb. 6 visit. When Emma invited me in, it felt natural, almost like she was expecting me.

After the hardest morning of my life, I felt peace. God orchestrated this, He knew what my heart needed, and I felt my mom’s spirit in this very familiar place. Her fingerprints had truly touched every aspect of my life.

Even my childhood home — the place that shaped me, my siblings and our friends — was chosen by my mom. She fell in love with it, and then she turned it into a place of warmth and magic. Our home was

not fancy or big … but it had heart. It had a quality that money can’t buy, one that comes from the love, joy and laughter of family.

Emma and I exchanged numbers before I left. I told her my siblings and dad might be interested in returning; would that be okay? She was gracious and allowed us to all walk through the day before Mom’s funeral. Our crew included 15 grandkids, and what a gift for them to see the home that built their parents.

I’ll always feel nostalgic just thinking about my childhood home. It wasn’t perfect — but it was happy. My parents set the stage for that. They gave us roots and wings. While the roots make us ache for our childhood, the wings propel us forward. It’s now our turn to give to our children the same. Like my mom, I hope to leave fingerprints that endure, fingerprints that live in the hearts of my children and keep my spirit alive long after I am gone.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, author, speaker and blogger. Her new book for moms, “Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy And Connection With Your Teenage Daughter,” is now available on Amazon, Audible and everywhere books are sold. Kari’s two books for teen & tween girls — “Liked” and “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know” — have been used widely across the country for small group studies. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at  karikampakis.com or find her on the Girl Mom Podcast.

ARTICLE BY AMY BAILEY

Wilhouse In Your

AWARD-WINNING

An attraction to beautiful, functional spaces has been a force for Andrea Wilson as long as she can remember and can be seen in this latest award-winning, mid-century project working with builder Sam Bryan.

“I found my first inspiration admiring my grandmother’s perfectly styled home. She worked hard on a shoestring budget to introduce pieces that brought her so much joy. Those memories of her home push me to curate spaces for my clients that balance wise splurges with meaningful accents that don’t always have to break the bank.”

Her father launched her love of the technical side of design by teaching Andrea how to read a drafting scale, “Just like that I was obsessed with doodling house plans and constructing Lego subdivisions. I followed my growing passion right to the University of North Alabama where I earned my Interior Design Degree.”

CONTINUED >

Early in Andrea’s design career, an inspirational trip to Munich & Italy added depth to her aesthetic. “I fell in love with the juxtaposition of ornate architecture and clean, fresh living spaces. Perhaps my favorite souvenir from the trip though was the proposal from my husband, Alan!” Today, the adventure into parenthood has further defined her design philosophy. With two young children, Andrea says, “I’m a self-professed master of glitter and dirt, and I recognize the value of incorporating smart finishes and materials that work for your littlest (or furriest) family members. I work to bring the storage solutions and furniture that will add simplicity and comfort to the way your family lives and entertains.”

Andrea’s family fell in love with 7 acres of pure wooded serenity in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama and have documented their homestead journey over @OXR_Farmhouse, sharing every step of the build from custom cabinet plans, to interior furnishings, to the new additions.

The term “wheelhouse” is defined as a field in which a person excels; one’s strongest interest or ability. Andrea married this expertise and passion for design with her married name Wilson to create Wilhouse Designs.

DOWNTOWN

ARTICLE BY BRUCE MARTIN

HAPPY MARRIAGE; HAPPY LIFE

Here’s what I’ve learned from 40 years of marriage. When my wife and I are doing well, I’m generally happy with the rest of my life. Even when life is hard. I shared with a friend the other

critically important to say thank you for something every single day. Even better, express appreciation multiple times throughout the day, for even trivial things.

“GRATITUDE THAT’S NOT VERBALIZED IS EXPERIENCED BY OUR SPOUSE AS INGRATITUDE.”

day, “When Marlina and I are getting along, it’s like everything is right with the world. But when we’re not, I have a hard time enjoying anything.” Now why is that? Because my spouse is the primary relationship in my life, the person I spend the most time with. So when we’re happy, life is happy.

With that in mind, here’s three things happy couples do every day.

EXPRESS APPRECIATION

One of the primary ways a person feels happy is to be appreciated. To have another person say “Thanks. I appreciate you. You’re a valuable part of my life.” However, the temptation is to take for granted the people closest to us. But think about this. Gratitude that’s not verbalized is experienced by our spouse as ingratitude. Most times, we do appreciate them, but we fail to verbalize it. As a result, our spouse feels unappreciated, overlooked, even unloved. So it’s

In our home, one of my jobs is to make coffee every morning. But not just brewing coffee. I mean grinding whole beans, measuring the coffee and water just right, heating the half and half, frothing it, then carefully pouring perfectly brewed coffee into the mug. It’s quite a process. And every morning, Marlina always looks at me and says “Thank you for making coffee!”  And guess what I feel? Happy. Appreciated. When Marlina cleans the kitchen (which we both hate) I’m quick to say, “Thanks for cleaning the kitchen. I know that’s no fun.” And what does she feel? Happy. Appreciated. It seems like such a small thing, but it’s relationally huge. So take time to express appreciation to your spouse every day.

DISAGREE WITH A SMILE

Yes, happily married couples disagree about things every day. Whether it’s simple things like which restaurant to eat at, or bigger things like finances,

CONTINUED >

happily married couples have disagreements all the time. The reality is, conflict is inevitable in any relationship. And it can lead to either intimacy or isolation. It’s how we handle conflict that matters.

When we express our disagreements with a smile, we maintain an all-important positive emotional con-

with us. We don’t automatically assume we need to fix. Instead we (wait for it…)

LISTEN.

We create a safe place for them to tell us what they’re feeling, without judging them…or ourselves. We say things that invite dialogue like, “What are you feeling right now?” And when they share, say

“THE REALITY IS, CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE IN ANY RELATIONSHIP.”

nection. A smile says “I like you. I care about you. I may disagree with you on this, but it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.” A smile frees your spouse to share their point of view without feeling judged or criticized. This leads to greater intimacy in the relationship. On the other hand, when we frown, or worse yet, use angry words and looks, our spouse feels rejected and unsafe. Understandably they’re defensive or withdraw all together, creating isolation. So smile. Feel free to disagree, without being disagreeable.

GIVE EACH OTHER PERMISSION TO NOT BE OKAY

Happily married couples give their spouse room to have a bad day. Or week. A healthy spouse is able to say, “It’s okay for you not to be okay.” We don’t take it personally when our spouse is upset about something, even if they’re upset

things like “Tell me more.” Don’t rush to resolve it. And if our spouse doesn’t feel like talking, that’s okay too. Simply practice presence. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

Whatever they share, it’s always healthy to say, “I’m so sorry.” It doesn’t mean it’s our fault. It’s empathizing with our spouse and communicating, “I hear you. I see that you’re hurting.” Happy couples recognize that their spouse is not always gonna be happy… and that’s okay.

So practice these three habits every day and enjoy a happier life.

Bruce is an international keynote speaker and a leading expert on hope and how to find greater meaning in life. He’s the award-winning author of Desperate For Hope and Founder of Invest Your Life, a counseling and coaching ministry. You can reach him at www.brucewmartin.com .

Dr. Christopher Parker and his team at Whitesburg Pediatric Dentistry work to create a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles!

Welcoming children 12 months old through the teen years, and offering care for individuals with special needs.

Dr. Christopher Parker

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 7am - 4pm

256-808-8163 — www.masondixonbakery.com

415-E Church St NW Suite 5 Huntsville AL 35801

V @masondixonhsv

Designer Farrington’s Favorites Beverly 5

1.  CORALS AND REDS

I’ve been drawn to using various tones of red lately for its vibrancy.

2. GINGER JARS

Brown and maroon Legends of Asia flower ginger jars from our showroom.

3. LUXURY ROBES

I recently invested in a Cairo robe by Matouk and it has completely elevated my morning routine.

4. ANTIQUE SUNBURST MIRRORS

French Antique Sunburst mirrors are timeless, versatile, and whimsical.

5. TULIPIERES

Our Tulipieres from Abigails have become a staple for my tablescapes.

Get Organized WITH LIFE SIMPLIFIED

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

BuyLocal

LOCAL BUILDERS WHO LIVE IN THE HOMES THEY BUILD.

LOCAL BUILDERS WHO LIVE IN THE HOMES THEY BUILD.

Jim Wright and Caleb McWhorter have played pivotal roles in the area’s growth for decades and are known for doing the right thing. They, the staff, and salespeople at WrEn Homes are so proud of the quality and beauty of the homes they build, that nearly all live in a WrEn home. Let us show you how the area’s most seasoned home builders in the industry can create the perfect home for you and your family. wrenhomes.net • 256-970-0988

Jim Wright, CEO Building locally for 25 years

Caleb McWhorter, President Building locally for 15 years

MARCH

events

MARCH 2ND

Huntsville Museum Of Art

GALA Cocktail Party and Silent Auction

Huntsville Museum Of Art | 7:00 PM

One of the best parties in Huntsville. Meet the featured artist as they mingle with guests and enjoy live entertainment and a silent auction of fine art and trips. Tickets:  https:// hsvmuseum.org/events/gala/

MARCH 16TH

2024 Huntsville-Madison

County St. Patrick's Day Parade

Downtown | 11:00 AM

47th Annual Ellen McAnelly Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade, also known as the 2024 Huntsville/Madison County St. Patrick's Day Parade, will be held in downtown Huntsville.

MARCH 30TH

Easter at The Creek

1124 Slaughter Road | 3:00 PM

4th Annual Easter at the Creek! Indian Creek is humbled to provide a free, family-fun space in celebration of Easter. Save the date.