November 2017
Sugar Land – Community At Your Fingertips
Parent Life
Raising Thankful Children
Health Report Four Ways To Boost Bedtime
S HO P S M AL L
Contents
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Shop Small
Shop Local for the Holidays
Travel Guide
Thanksgiving Travel Tips
11 13
Health Report
Four WaysTo Boost Bedtime
The Lifestyle Love Yourself First
The List | info@siennalist.com | www.thelist.city | 281-201-5998
November 18th 7:30am- 10am Sugar Land Memorial Park Bel Inizio’s Kids Fall Festival – 15958 City Walk Sugar Land TX, 77478 Carnival games, inflatables, prizes and more. November 26th from 1:pm- 5:00pm Sugar Land Town Square Photos with Santa – 16190 City Walk Sugar Land ,TX 77479 Enjoy a free holiday photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus December 2nd from 10am-1pm HMNS at Sugar Land Cookies with Santa – 13016 Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Enjoy Holiday crafts and traditional cookies and milk with Santa Claus December 7 5pm-8pm Sugar Land Town Square Christmas Tree Lighting – 15958 City Walk Sugar Land,TX 77479 Gather with friends and family around the spectacular 40 foot Christmas Tree. th
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Parent Life
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Raising Thankful Children By Lindsay Asawa
In this age of electronics and instant gratification, parents are finding it harder and harder to raise thankful children. We want our kids to have every opportunity in life. We work hard to provide for them. We sign them up for piano lessons, soccer practice, gymnastics, martial arts, and any other activity we can fit in their tight schedules. We watch their little faces light up when they open birthday presents and walk through the entrances of museums and festivals. While nothing compares to bringing them joy and excitement, there is a risk to all of this fun. Aside from the obvious cost involved, children can quickly begin to take these privileges for granted. We have to create a balance between giving children what they desire and ensuring that they appreciate what they have been given. Here are a few ways to strike this important balance:
Everything in Moderation Children can certainly have too much of a good thing. When they are given something easily and often, it can be difficult to help them understand why it is a privilege. Ice cream after dinner every night can lead to complaints of “Ice cream is boring! I don’t want ice cream!” at a birthday party. When
used in moderation, treats, activities, and gifts become more special and exciting.
Earning and Rewarding Working hard for something makes the end result that much sweeter. When children understand that they are expected to earn privileges through good behavior, good grades, or hard work, they put those privileges on a pedestal. Earning the rewards increases their value and makes them worth more than they otherwise would have been. Children also gain a sense of accomplishment for reaching their goal. Not only do they learn to set a goal and work hard to achieve it, but they also learn to appreciate the reward at the end.
Daily Gratitude It is easy to take little things for granted. Without some guidance, children are often not aware of the multitude of things to be thankful for every day. Start a tradition of acknowledging a few of these things at dinner time or bedtime. Using a journal, drawings, or just conversation, help your children remember some of the things they are grateful for that day. It might be a kind gesture from a friend, favorite meal for lunch, or
chance to be line leader. Thank you notes can also be a great way to show kindness to others while practicing gratitude at the same time.
Teach Respect Using respectful words and behavior can lead to feelings of respect and gratitude. The phrase “fake it till you make it” can apply to our feelings and behavior. If we behave in a certain manner (whether we want to or not), the feelings will typically follow over time. Teaching children to always say “please” and “thank you” will engender feelings of gratitude. Rather than allowing them to say “I don’t like spaghetti!” teach them to say “Thank you for cooking this dinner.” Point out every time someone does something nice for your child and coach them to say “thank you.” This will help them recognize and appreciate the kindness of others.
Broaden Their Perspective Children have a very limited perception of the world. They have no understanding of their fortune compared to others less fortunate – unless we teach them. It can be helpful to have age-appropriate conversations with your children about challenges that others are facing. Discuss the November 2017
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Continued ~ privileges your children have that others may not have. Look at pictures together online, read books, watch movies, and visit places where they can see diversity in life situations first-hand. The more awareness they gain about their own good fortune, the more grateful they will begin to feel.
Pay It Forward
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One of the best ways to create a sense of gratitude in children is to teach them to give back to others. If they spend too much time on the receiving end, they will never develop an understanding of the kindness involved in giving. Start with small opportunities at home for your children to give back to family members. Encourage them to make hand-made gifts and artwork for others. Teach them about “random acts of kindness” and point these out any time you notice them. Outside the home, start a tradition of volunteering with your children once a week. Rotate toys before each birthday by allowing your child to hand select those they want to donate. During the holidays, sponsor a family and involve your children in the process of finding appropriate gifts and creating a handwritten letter. All of these activities provide opportunities to discuss the importance of kindness, the joy of giving, and appreciation for what life has given them. Lindsay Asawa, Ph.D., PLLC is a licensed clinical psychologist with the Center for Couples & Families in Sugar Land and Pearland. She provides psychological and educational evaluations for children and teens, individual and family therapy, consultation, parenting workshops, and business and school presentations. Dr. Asawa can be reached at (832) 8445576 or drlindsayasawa@gmail.com.
Silver Screen
November 17th
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Justice League
Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes– Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash – it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
November 22nd The Man Who Invented Christmas Using real-life inspiration and a vivid imagination, author Charles Dickens brings Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in “A Christmas Carol,” forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.
November 22nd
Meaghan Barsamian CoFounder - CEO - Editor Allen Barsamian CoFounder - Account Manager Stacy Vickers Graphic Designer Alisa Murray Columnist Jason Luthor Columnist Rosanna Vidal Columnist
On The Cover
Chappauiddick Ted Kennedy’s life and political career become derailed in the aftermath of a fatal car accident in 1969 that claims the life of a young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne.
November 24th Coco Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Hector (Gael García Bernal), the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
The Provazek Family of Logan’s Roofing Courtesy of
Gabby M. Photography www.gabbymalcuit.com November 2017
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Before the carving knife even touches the turkey, we are already thinking about Christmas shopping. Christmas lights are already twinkling, and we are focused on checking everyone off of our holiday shopping lists. As a magazine that focuses on community, we have teamed up with local small businesses to take some of the burden, thinking of the perfect gift, off of your shoulders. Think outside of the box this holiday season. Give the gift of a fun night out, a relaxing massage, free time, or just maybe you want to give your family the gift of quality time. With this guide meet the people behind the business, learn about their passion, and make sure you shop small, not just on that one Saturday, but for all of your shopping season.
Give the gift of health this holiday season! Licensed massage therapist Annemarie Rivera of Delphinia Massage offers sports massage, deep tissue, prenatal, reflexology and more. Enjoy a massage in the comfort of your own home or at her office which
Your Fairytale Vacation In July 2010, Dana, and Mike Hammerman started Your Fairytale Vacation. We’ve been traveling to different Disney destinations since 1995, including Walt Disney World®, Disneyland®, Aulani (a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii), and Disney Cruise Line®. Friends and co-workers were constantly asking us to help plan their Disney vacations because of our passion and expertise, so we decided to open a travel agency that specializes in the planning of Disney Destinations to share our love and
Simply Clean & Green, Inc. Hello! My name is Heidi Green and I am the proud owner of Simply Clean & Green, Inc., a residential housekeeping service here in Fort Bend County. We are a Green housekeeping company and I am passionate about keeping our customers homes clean and healthy without using harsh chemicals. You see, I believe simple is better and using non-toxic cleaning agentsin your home will not only keep your home healthy, it will provide a safe environment for you, your family and
Take a board, a brush, and create something amazing at Board & Brush Sugar Land! Local residents and co-owners Dione Pargoud and Lana Currie both share a passion for DIY and are excited to share the B&b experience with others! “We want to share the pride that comes with creating a unique and personal décor piece fitting for display in the home!” At Board & Brush we will take you through the steps to turn a pile of raw wood into a beautiful home décor piece! From distressing to sanding, staining to painting, we provide all the power
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is located at 2922 Michael Wayne Rd, Rosharon, TX 77583, a mile away from Sienna Plantation.Body maintenance is important to help with range of motion, anxietyand stress, and muscle aches. Treat your friends, family or yourself with the gift of a massage! Contact Annemarie at 281-761-8916 about events, for an appointment or gift certificates. passion for Disney and everything that Disney has to offer. As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, Your Fairytale Vacation takes pride in aligning ourselves directly with Disney and planning the best vacations for our clients. All our agents are like-minded around their passion and knowledge of Disney Vacations. They use their own Disney vacation experiences and expertise, to help their clients cut through the complexity of planning the perfect Disney vacation. When booking a Disney vacation “Planning Ahead” is key. There are some excellent new offers in the market for Disney Vacations between January 1st and April 14th, but they must be booked soon. Contact us today for more details. www.yourfairytalevacation.com your pets. I started this business because I was feeling the harmful effects of cleaning agents with toxic chemicals. My goal is to not only help keep our customers homes clean but to educate them on the dangers of using commercial chemicals and show them how their home can be germ free and clean without the side effects of harsh chemicals. The holiday season is upon us. We offer gift certificates and packages to suit every budget and household. I can help you put together a gift basket that will include a few samples of the awesome products we use along with a gift certificate for the type of cleaning that best suits your needs.
tools and materials needed to create your one-of-a kind DIY masterpiece! These 2-3 hour workshops are perfect for girl’s night out, parties, date night, or just an excuse to get out of the house! When supporting small businesses this holiday season, consider us! Our signs make perfect gifts, our workshop gift cards are awesome “experience” gifts, and we are the perfect venue for your holiday gatherings! Join us for a memorable night out! Check out our website at boardandbrush.com/sugarland where you can register for classes or purchase gift certificates for your friends & family. Enter BBTHELIST10 to receive $10 of your workshop! November 2017
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INJURIES DON’T HAPPEN ON A SCHEDULE Specialized orthopedic care for unexpected injuries
At the Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic at Sugar Land, we’re expanding our services and hours to better serve the needs of Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. When you need immediate orthopedic care, count on our knowledgeable doctors and staff to quickly evaluate and treat your injury.
The clinic provides treatment for: • Acute orthopedic injuries • Concussions • Fractures and broken bones
NOW OPEN
Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • No appointment required • Office visit pricing • Major insurance plans accepted
• Injured tendons • Sports injuries • Minor dislocations • Sprains and strains • Painful or swollen joints • Torn ligaments
Chronic conditions, spine injuries, motor vehicle accidents and worker’s compensation injuries are not treated at the injury clinic. Please call 281.201.0396 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate physician for those conditions.
16811 Southwest Fwy., Suite 200 Sugar Land, TX 77479 | 281.609.7547 houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics-sl
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To Advertise, Please Call 281-201-5998
sugarlandinteriordesign.com sugarlandinteriordesign@yahoo.com
The Guide
Tis the Season to Decorate
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t’s the time of year when every household gets to participate in the creativity that we designers get to do every day, and that’s to create a beautiful, warm, and inviting space. Your home should represent your personality yet stimulate and inspire your imagination. Christmas is the perfect time to go out on a limb and decorate in a way that you wouldn’t normally do year-round. For example, I tend to be a minimalist. I like clean lines and muted colors, but at Christmas, I love bold patterns and lots of glitter! Designers approach everything with a strategy, and decorating for Christmas is no different. My strategy focuses on three areas of your house - the tree, mantle and dining room table. I like to put most of my energy towards the tree! It’s usually the focal point of all Christmas décor. If you’re using a fake tree, fill it up starting at the top. I use lots of ribbon, oversized ornaments, beads, berries, flowers, acorns, extra greenery, or any other
By Laura Timmons
large items. After creating most of the fullness on top, I start to taper off once I get to the middle and then leave the bottom mostly empty. For a real tree, sometimes the branches aren’t strong enough to handle much weight. For people, whose style is much more minimal, a real tree is your best friend! Put up some monochromatic ornaments, lights, and you’re done! You can pull in some color or fullness underneath with wrapping paper on presents. The mantle is another place I love to decorate. A fireplace is usually the centerpiece of a room and doesn’t take much effort or décor to complete. Make sure you layer the décor with alternating height and dimension. Don’t be afraid to mix gold and silver, or different shades of one color. The last place I like to spend time decorating is the dining room. Rather than use the traditional red and green, think outside the box. Jewel-tone blues with shimmering silvers and sparkling golds make for a beautiful
table. Or you can create a winter wonderland with lots of white and warm wood tones. Plaid, polka dots, and stripes make perfect accents as plates and napkins. This is where I put the least amount of money. Try and find some greenery outside to use as décor, and use your everyday white china with bolder accents. It doesn’t have to take a lot of money or a design professional to create pinterest-worthy Christmas décor. The magic of Christmas lies in the feeling you get when you walk in your home when it’s all decorated, and when you can enjoy the space you have created while eating, opening presents, and enjoying time with friends and family. Merry Christmas, from my family to yours! Laura Timmons is the founder of Sugar Land Interior Design. Decorating on a budget is her specialty. She believes your home should be a reflection of you, and breaking the bank doesn’t have to be a part of the equation. Her passion has always been making a space feel comfortable and inviting. Even with small kids, and even with a budget, it’s possible to make your space exactly what you imagined! sugarlandinteriordesign.com
November 2017
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Travel Guide
Thanksgiving Travel Tips By Jason Luthor
T
he holidays should be a time when we relax and enjoy the season with family. Unfortunately, traveling can be a stressful time if you’re not ready completely prepared. Whether you’re leaving by airplane, taking a bus, or going in your car, you can make your journey a little more enjoyable by following a few basic tips. Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do is have a thorough plan written up that includes details of when you intend to be arriving and what you plan to do. Regardless of whether you’re traveling by road or airplane, make sure to avoid traveling on the busiest days of the year. Wednesday tends to be a particularly busy traveling day during the week of Thanksgiving. If you’re on the road, take off in advance when possible to avoid long traffic lines on the street. You can help plan your trip by signing up with websites or getting phone apps that can help you find gas stations and alternative routes during your trip.
Meanwhile, if you’re leaving by airplane, make sure you’ve gotten your tickets well in advance, when ticket prices tend to be lower. You can even give yourself an extra advantage by signing up with travel websites, which can notify you whenever there are ticket sales that are happening. One big tip to follow when flying back home is to avoid travelling on the day right after Thanksgiving, which is the second busiest travel day of the year. When it comes to luggage, don’t try to pack your whole wardrobe for your trip. This can make it difficult when traveling by car and eat up extra space in your vehicle. If you’re leaving by airplane, you’ll have to pay extra money for additional bags that you bring along. If you absolutely need to bring a lot of luggage, you might want to think about shipping your belongings early. You can ship things like gifts ahead of time to help lighten your load during your journey.
VAirplane travelers will want to start monitoring the weather three days ahead of their flight. As the holidays approach, snow, wind, and rain can create poor visibility issues and lead to delays. These are the most common reasons why flights are delayed. With the help of your carrier’s website, you can stay informed about your flight’s status. If something does happen that causes a delay, the sooner you know, the better. This will help you plan alternative ways of getting to your destination. Finally, in this modern era of travel, you’ll always want to have your phone handy. Keep important numbers, like your airline’s reservation number, stored for emergencies. You may be able to rebook using your carrier’s mobile app when necessary. Meanwhile, if you’re on the road, you can use traffic apps to spot congestion ahead of time. This will make it all the easier to let your relatives know ahead of time if you’ll be arriving late.
NwaNyieze amajoh, m.D, FaCoG
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r. Nwanyieze Amajoh is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She attended University of Miami for undergraduate, received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2000 and completed her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wright State University Boonshoft school of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio in 2005 on a full medical scholarship. Dr Amajoh completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas, Houston Memorial Hermann Hospital. Dr. Amajoh is one of the esteemed owners of Southwest Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates, LLP with offices in Houston and Sugar Land and has practiced medicine there since August 2009. Dr. Amajoh received “compassionate doctor award” from patient online reviews. In 2013 Dr. Amajoh was presented with the top 50 black Healthcare, Medical and Wellness award. Dr Amajoh has special interests in high risk obstetrics, general gynecology, minimally invasive surgery including Da Vinci robot, infertility, routine health maintenance as well as in office procedures. Dr. Amajoh has a special interest in helping new moms with breastfeeding. She enjoys establishing a continuum of care with her patients and building lifelong relationships. When she is not in the office, she enjoys traveling, trying new delicacies, dancing and reading novels. Dr. Amajoh enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and two stepchildren. She is an active member of her church, and enjoys volunteering for international medical missions and providing obstetric and gynecological care to the underserved.
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Health Report Four Ways to Boost Bedtime
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ew things feel as good as a restful night’s sleep. The restorative power of sleep can help you feel refreshed and ready for the day. But, if you find yourself groggy and crabby in the morning, you may not be getting enough sleep. If you’re often having issues with sleep, it’s time to make a change. “Getting the right amount of sleep is important for everyone,” said Raziuddin Ahmed, M.D., a boardcertified sleep medicine specialist with Houston Methodist Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists. “Sleep helps your brain remember information and better allows you to pay attention during the day.” What’s considered a good amount of sleep? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults, 8.5 hours or more for teens and 10 hours or more for children. Getting less sleep than you need could lead to an increase in blood pressure and stress hormones, lower glucose tolerance and weight gain. To improve your odds of getting a better night’s rest, try these tips:
By Kaelyn Bujnoch
• Be consistent. Make it a habit to go to sleep and arise at the same time every day — even on the weekends. • Keep a sleep-friendly bedroom. Keep your bedroom dark, free of distracting noise and at a comfortable temperature. • Unplug early. Shut down screens (TVs, laptops, cellphones, etc.) an hour or more before bedtime.
Houston Methodist Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.242.2444 today. For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland, or go to our Facebook page at fb.com/ methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.
• Get exercise. Regular exercise often can help you sleep better and reduce your stress level. For some people, poor sleep may be caused by an untreated sleep disorder, such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. If you wake up frequently at night, snore loudly, wake up exhausted or nod off during the day, you may have a sleep disorder. “Sleep disorders can make you feel like you’re never going to get a good night’s sleep again. That’s simply not true,” Ahmed said. “With treatment, many patients can get back to better sleep and improve their quality of life.” To schedule an appointment with Raziuddin Ahmed, M.D., at
Raziuddin Ahmed, M.D. November 2017
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The Lifestyle
S
Love Yourself First
By Alisa Murray
o recently I was visiting with some friends and the conversation turned to how much do you love yourself? Most of us do not love ourselves like we should. The amount of time we spend in our negative thought patterns really does effect our relationship with others and most importantly ourselves. Our thoughts are in so many ways who we become. When we are not loving towards ourselves we find ourselves not only critical of others but ourselves and that creates a circle of self deplete. When we accept ourselves others’s opinions disappear. What does loving yourself look like though? Love is subjective and takes many forms. There’s passionate love that we have for our spouse, familial love that we have for our mothers and daddy’s and siblings, love for our friends and love that takes many forms such as playful, and unconditional. But ask yourself this question…How much do you love yourself? You might be surprised by your answer. We are always in a give and take with ourselves as to how we rate our self worth and that directly relates to our happiness…spilling into our relationships eventually because let’s face it, you can no truly love others until you love oneself. Much study has been done on levels of happiness and how we as humans give of ourselves mire fully when we have a healthy loving relationship with ourselves. There’s a few things that you can do that will help you in the path to becoming more accepting of you, where you are right now in your life’s path and will in turn guide you towards having deeper more meaningful relationships with those that you love. Always remember that you are the Queen or King of your castle. If you find something that makes you feel special…and it sure does not have to be expensive, treat yourself everyday to it! It could be that every afternoon you make a cup of tea and
just watch the birds in your backyard. It could also mean saving for a trio once a year to a place you have always wanted to go. Pick the city and plan the trip over several months like going on an expedition! All these will have a positive effect on your self worth because you are taking time to love yourself and value YOU!
you in the moment and does not allow for you to miss special moments. Moments of your children’s laughter, the birds singing or your own pure joys. You can remind yourself daily that you are worthy and your desires are valid and should be priority to living your life. That my friends is how you love all the way around!
Knowing how vital our internal feelings about ourselves spills into how we feel about or loved ones is key to living a healthy life. Give yourself permission to take a break and become a little self absorbed because the end results means you are there better for your family, children and friends. Even your life’s work will benefit if you are the best you can be! Mindfulness, which I have written about for years; places
Take Care of YOU!
BY ALISA MURRAY
WWW.ALISAMURRAY.COM
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PORTRAIT ARTIST & AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST.
November 2017
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The List
1.
Top 10 Things to do in November with Auntie A
Spend time going through your attic and make give away boxes to take to GoodWill. Many of us got flooded from the ground inward but others got roof’s torn up from tornados and rain. Now that it’s a little cooler it’s a good time to go through all that’s in the attic and give away stuff you don’t need. 2. Go to Amazon and order the Milkweed, Alfafa and Wild Clover seeds and sow them into the areas around your fall garden and into your flowerbeds. These will attract butterflies, and bees and guarantee you feed the good bugs so that you are doing your part to help aid our declining bee population.
Moody Gardens. Both are super easy and very delicious! If you’re feeling extra generous order another meal and have it delivered to another family as well!
9. Begin your starter for homemade bread now so that you will be all set to bake loaves and cinnamon breads to give to your neighbors for the holidays in the next few weeks!
4. Make a Fall Simmer Pot and let the smells of Autumn fill your home and senses! (see below)
6. Gather cereal boxes and canned goods and deliver to St. Catherine of Sienna for distribution to families in need. Remember there are children in our community that will not get proper nutrition during the break and you can help make sure no child in our community goes hungry.
5. This last quarter of the year has been difficult with Harvey. I suggest not cooking this year and instead making reservations for Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings from La Madeline or
7. Make reservations for flights and vacate spot for the holidays should you be going away. Now is the time to get great deals on last minute cruises and trips with your family!
3. What’s on my nightside table…A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George Martin.
8. Book your family photos. At my studio all clients receive their digital files so they can make multiple prints for giving and create a unique custom holiday card to send to their families. call me and schedule 713-598-2207
10. As always take a little time for yourself and with your children! This month why don’t you ask them to write 5 books they think everyone should read? Each one in the family can grab one of the suggested books and read it and plan to discuss over hot chocolate on Christmas Day after all the unwrapping has been done and it’s time to just enjoy each other’s company.
BY ALISA MURRAY
WWW.ALISAMURRAY.COM
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PORTRAIT ARTIST & AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST.
AUNTIE A’S AUTUMN SIMMER POTS You’ll need: 6 sticks of cinnamon 4 apples cut into wedges 3 large oranges sliced
pot of water and a dash of nutmeg!
Combine all on your stove and allow to simmer… your whole home will be filled with the smells of fall harvest!
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November 2017
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ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
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