SouthWood Living Magazine Feb 2024

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To learn more about becoming a SouthWood Advisor, contact Laura Kalinoski at laura@SouthWoodlivingmag.com or Matt Oestreich at matt@SouthWoodlivingmag.com

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The story of how one woman changed how we see the universe...

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Benefits of Exercise in Colder Weather vs Warmer Weather

by Janet Swanson

The month of January sure kept us on our toes with the crazy winds, temperature changes and storms that passed through. I hope your home and yard were able to escape damage. If your yard is like mine and full of pine trees, those storms left more pine cones throughout the yard than I have ever seen. We all had branches, broken sticks and cleanup to tackle in one way or another. As I began the cleanup process, the temperature changes had me working in both warm and cold weather. As I was bundled up working, I wondered what, if any, health or calorie burning benefits there were to working in the cold versus warmer temperatures. Surprisingly, there is a difference. Working out in colder temperatures can improve endurance, cardiovascular function, and as with any exercise, it can boost mood and mental health. In addition, you burn more calories as your metabolism speeds up in order to maintain your body temperature.

Now before you grab that jacket and head out the door to burn those extra calories in

the frosty cold weather, you need to have moisture wicking clothing, wear layers, protect your head, hands and feet, remember your sunscreen, your phone, and keep hydrated. If you plan on running, walking or cycling, be sure you are in a safe environment with clear and safe surfaces to navigate. Above all, do not overdo it. Be conscious of your physical limits, especially if you are just beginning any exercise routine, and check with your physician before starting.

If you are like me and would prefer to stay inside and let it warm up some before going outside, that’s ok too. Working on getting that yard picked up or gardening in general is also very beneficial regardless of the temperature outside. In addition, it provides an instant gratification like painting. It feels so good to see that immediate change within our yard as our work progresses.

Getting out in your yard for just 30-45 minutes in our normal temperatures can burn up to 300 calories. If you think that is enlightening, in one hour working outside, look at the

calories you can burn just completing normal gardening tasks. You can burn 300 calories digging soil, 200-400 calories weeding, 350-450 calories bagging leaves and/or straw, 270-332 calories planting, 240314 calories raking, 300-400 push mowing, and 400-600 calories performing heavy yard work such as landscaping, hauling dirt and moving rocks. In addition, working in the yard is one of the best ways to improve flexibility, mobility and strength, while lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and providing cardiovascular benefits as well. When you consider all the bending, stretching, moving up and down, pushing and pulling you do in the yard, you will realize what a truly beneficial full body workout you are giving yourself.

The important thing is we just want to get ourselves up and moving, however we can, whenever we can.

2/2 First Grade Musical Performance

2/7 Interim Reports

3/6 Third Grade Musical Performance

3/7 Fourth Grade Musical Performance

3/8 End of 3rd Nine Weeks

3/11-18 Spring Break

3/19 Students Return

3/27 Report Cards

2/3 Open House

2/10 SJPII Sweetheart 5K Run/Walk

2/13 College Admissions 101

2/16 Expo Day/ No School for Students

2/19 President's Day/ No School

2/26 Chatauqua

3/8 End of 3rd Nine Weeks

3/11-18 Spring Break

3/19 Students Return

3/27 Report Cards

2/6 Senior Cap & Gown Pictures

2/7-10 Student Astronaut Challenge Competition

2/10 Stemnola

2/12-16 Random Acts of Kindness Week Spring Book Fair

2/12 6th-12th Math Tutoring

2/12 Orchestra Pre-MPA Concert

2/15 4th Grade Trip to San Luis

2/16 Early Release Day 11:45am

2/19-23 Junior Class Trip to Washington DC

2/20 Second Grade Challenger Field Trip

2/21 Third Grade Trip to Challenger

2/21-22 HTHT: The Real McCoy

2/23 EDEP Parade of the Future/ Festival

2/26-3/1 College & Career Awareness Week

2/29 Career Fair

3/4 6th-12th Grade Math Tutoring

3/6 SAT Testing

3/7 Kindergarten Field Trip to Urban Air Performing & Visual Arts Gala

Ten Minute V-Day Treats

1 bag of Hershey's hugs

1 bag of Valentine M & M's

1 bag of mini pretzel twists

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Arrange the pretzel twists on the baking sheet.

4. Open up the Hershey's hugs and place one on each pretzel.

5. Put the pan in the oven for 6-6.5 minutes allowing the chocolate the partially melt.

6. Remove from the oven and put an M & M on each point of the hug and carefully push down.

7. Allow to cool and let the chocolate harden back up. (I like to pop the pan in the freezer for 5 minutes.)

8. Enjoy!

3/19

by Katie Reeves | ktcreative

Peaceful Living in SouthWood

An Interview with the Houff Family

Meet Larry and Janice Houff who built their home on Dickinson Drive in the Mission Lake area of SouthWood 18 years ago and have lived there ever since!

Larry attended the University of Central Florida where he received his B.A. in Accounting followed by a Master’s Degree in Accounting at University of South Florida in Tampa. Larry taught Accounting at St. Leo University for a few years and then was a partner in various CPA firms in St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach and Tallahassee for 43 years, specializing in taxation, business valuation and litigation support services.

Janice attended University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University and then Palm Beach Atlantic University for a B.A. in Human Resource Management. Janice started her career In the title Insurance business, then worked as a Certified Legal Assistant with major law firms doing commercial real estate transactional work. She then ran a division within First American Title Insurance company providing Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange transactional services to real estate investors. Lastly, she worked with Bass Sox & Mercer, a Tallahassee law firm that provided buy/sell transactional legal services for automobile dealerships around the country.

"Shortly after we retired in mid-2019, we joined with our daughter, Janna Gray, to purchase Tallahassee Lighting & Decor. We jumped in with both feet to revamp this business into a beautiful local showroom specializing in home lighting and fans, lamps, wall art, mirrors and other home decor. And, as of 2 months

ago, we carry two outstanding lines of upholstered furniture for our customers to shop! We were judged and chosen to be the Lighting Showroom of the Year by Furniture, Lighting and Decor magazine, a national trade publication," they tell us.

Janice and Larry are both heavily involved with St. John Paul II Chapel and Catholic High School. Janice volunteers her time as the bookkeeper for the Chapel and also serves on the Leadership Committee. Larry chairs the Finance Committee for the Chapel. Larry also serves on the School Advisory Committee for JPII Catholic High School. SJPII is a local Southwood treasure. The high school is one of only two Catholic high schools in the panhandle of Florida. The Chapel is a new, rapidly growing Catholic parish with hundreds of families in our area. JPII Catholic H.S. and Chapel are both growing

rapidly and expanding to serve more SouthWood and local residents.

They are both avid FSU football and basketball fans. And they also find themselves cheering for Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. But their favorite sport to watch is any one where their grandson Chase has played!

"Our daughter, Janna Gray, is our pride and joy! She runs our family business, Tallahassee Lighting & Decor, on a daily basis and has a wonderful husband, Brad. Her son, Chase, is our only grandchild. He's a senior at Maclay School looking forward to entering college next year."

When we ask how they moved to the neighborhood, they tell us, " We were accustomed to living in large planned residential

before we moved to Tallahassee in 1996. As soon as we learned about the SouthWood development, we knew we wanted to make the community our home. We always get the feeling that we are safely home as soon as we turn from Capital Circle S.E. into SouthWood. It seems like Janice and I have travelled over every square inch of SouthWood by car, golf cart and foot. We have enjoyed many community events over the years- from Winterfest to July 4 Celebrations to Bingo, art lessons, wine and cheese outings, golfing events, 5K races, progressive dinners and HOA meetings. We've met so many wonderful people who make this community a safe, clean, wonderful place to call home."

" Southwood is a wonderful place to live with awesome, friendly people. It is no doubt

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the most cohesive neighborhood in Tallahassee and a great deal of thanks goes to all of us, our HOA and the CDD for keeping it that way. We are all very fortunate to live here and share this very special, historical plantation property with each other."

They enjoy traveling to the Maggie Valley/Waynesville NC area to visit with friends during the summer, escaping the heat in Tallahassee. They have also traveled Europe by land, river and sea visiting France, Italy, Croatia, Switzerland, England, Ireland and Scotland, And they are planning an expedition cruise around the Great Lakes for this summer!

The Houffs have a second home on Ochlockonee Bay just south of Tallahassee. They love to stay there with their family and enjoy boating, fishing and eating lots of fresh seafood.

"We thank God every day for our faith, our family, our freedom and our country! Our family motto is 'Make each day better than yesterday- work hard, love your family and help others who are less fortunate."

We’re in your neighborhood, Tallahassee. Call and mention “SouthWood” to claim this exclusive offer with purchase of a new home security system.

Smart Home Solutions that Enhance Security

Devices that allow you to stay connected to your home from virtually anywhere are all the rage. If you’re looking to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions into your home for added convenience, security and peace of mind, you’ll need smart tech with the right features.

The experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors and door systems, share these seven smart home solutions.

Garage Door

Leave behind that nagging feeling that you forgot to shut the garage door when you’re a block away from home. Smart garage door openers that connect to an app on your phone mean you can always check on the status of your door to ensure it’s closed when it should be. It provides the added benefit of keeping track of who’s coming or going while allowing you to remotely open the door for friends, family, neighbors and others who may need access when you’re away.

Front Door

Take your front door to the next level with a high-performance model incorporated with top tech like the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Door, the first residential front door to fully connect to your home’s electrical system and wireless internet network. Homeowners can create a customized welcome-home experience with the door’s motionactivated LED welcome lights and a smart lock that recognizes your arrival and automatically unlocks. Whether at home or away, homeowners can use the door’s smartphone app to program the lighting, confirm if the door is open

or closed with a door state sensor or monitor the entryway with a builtin video doorbell.

Plus, the integrated connection to the home’s power means there’s no need to charge or replace device batteries, providing peace of mind that you’re always connected and protected. Available at The Home Depot, homeowners can select from a range of designs, colors and glass styles all made with the Masonite Performance Door System. The system is designed to protect your home from the elements and provide superior weather resistance, energy efficiency and comfort with premium fiberglass construction, a rot-resistant frame and a 4-Point Performance Seal so there’s no need to sacrifice style for enhanced performance.

Mirror

Hectic mornings may never completely be a thing of the past, but you can smooth out the start to your day with a smart mirror that displays important information like weather, news updates and your schedule. Many interactive displays allow you to check notifications and play music for a sleek, stylish addition to the bathroom that helps you stay on track and on time.

Refrigerator

Smart refrigerators are often inherently newer models, meaning they’re typically more energy efficient to save money on electric bills. With built-in features like cameras and sensors that aid in keeping track of grocery lists, they can help reduce food waste by reminding you to consume perishables before they spoil. Some models even include an interactive display that lets you watch recipe

videos so you can test your skills with a virtual assistant.

Oven

Wi-Fi connectivity is the key feature of smart ovens, improving the cooking experience with increased control. By using an app on your smartphone, you can remotely preheat the oven and set timers. You can even cook like a pro with models that allow you to import recipes for automatic temperature control.

Dishwasher

Similar to smart appliances like refrigerators and ovens, smart dishwashers bring added convenience to your day along with improved function and efficiency. Connection to Wi-Fi and remote accessibility via smartphone app allow you to start wash cycles and check cycle status while away, receive notifications when detergent is low and more.

Washer and Dryer

If laundry feels like a chore, you can make it less of a hassle with smart washers and dryers that connect to your home Wi-Fi network. These smart appliances allow you to remotely start and stop washing and drying cycles from your smartphone and can send notifications when cycles are finished. Built-in diagnostics send alerts to your phone when there’s a malfunction or it’s time for required maintenance. Plus, they can help you maximize energy efficiency by automatically starting a cycle during off-peak hours.

Nesting Boxes Are Important for Birds in Spring

It might surprise you to know that wild birds in our area are already looking for suitable nesting spots for the upcoming nesting season. With fewer hollow trees in cities and suburban yards, man-made nesting boxes help increase cavitydwelling wild bird populations.

In Florida, using a birdhouse is an excellent way to attract some of the state’s native species such as bluebirds, owls, woodpeckers, chickadees and wrens. Many species of birds use birdhouses as a nesting site and can benefit from additional housing opportunities. The presence of birds in an area can increase pollination by helping spread seeds, pollen, and other plant materials throughout the landscape. Additionally, certain bird

species may help reduce pests such as insects or rodents.

While the specific types of birdhouses may vary depending on what type of birds are living in an area, they all serve a similar purpose: providing wild birds with a safe environment for nesting and raising young. Additionally here are some key points to remember about nesting boxes:

1) Have ventilation holes to prevent excess heat build-up

2) Easily cleaned

3) Easily mounted or hung

4) Durable to withstand many seasons of use

5) Drainage holes in the bottom of the house

6) Ensure that the area is close to food and water sources as they will

be essential for the birds’ survival.

Many people place nesting boxes in their backyards, hoping to house some of the many birds that would normally be looking for a hollow tree cavity. From the late 1800s to the 1960s, Eastern Bluebird populations declined almost 90% because of competition for nesting space. However, since 1966, populations have increased steadily each year due to nesting boxes.

It is entertaining and educational to watch birds as they go through the many stages of their lives, including choosing a nest site, making the nest, laying eggs, feeding their hatchlings, and then watching the fledglings as they venture out on their own.

FamilyFriendly Fun to Beat the Winter Blahs

Cool winter days may have you tempted to burrow under a blanket and wait out the weather, but there are plenty of entertaining and affordable ways to enjoy quality family time together despite chilly temperatures.

Kids who are cooped up indoors during the winter often get restless, but you can make the most of that boredom by gathering everyone and discovering new ways to create memories together.

Get Your Game On

Forget about screen play and instead show the younger generation how much fun it can be to take on family rivals with classic board games or work in teams to complete age-appropriate puzzles. These activities allow everyone to participate and practice skills like problem solving while having fun.

Make a Meal Together

You likely know it’s a good idea to gather the family around the table for a meal, but there’s no need to wait until the food is done. Not only does cooking together give you something fun to do as a family, but it also helps kids develop important life skills and healthy habits, exposes them to new food options and allows them to practice reading and math when they follow recipes.

Get everyone in on the prep work with kid-friendly foods such as these flavorful frozen waffles that can be used as the base for simple and delicious recipes. A fun, easy way to enjoy a favorite cereal in waffle form, PEBBLES Waffles are available in beloved Fruity and Cocoa flavors. Start the day by making breakfast a family affair or mix things up and prepare a breakfast menu for dinner. Try one of these easy recipes for a sure way to put a smile on your loved ones’ faces.

Explore What Surrounds You

Resist the temptation to huddle indoors and instead explore how your community transforms with the seasons. Look for the best sledding hills or check out seasonal attractions like ice rinks and festivals. Even taking a family drive to see the holiday lights or marvel at the way snow transforms your surroundings gives you a way to break out of the house and enjoy some entertaining fun.

Encourage Artistic Expression

Once kids are bundled up properly, there’s little that tops good old-fashioned snow days. Snow angels, snow forts and snowmen are just the beginning. Inviting kids to create and design lets their imaginations run wild and, with a little luck, they’ll run off some of that pent-up energy, too. If you’re stuck inside, encourage creativity through arts and crafts, or make mealtimes a chance for children to explore their

artistic sides by allowing them to customize toppings on favorites such as waffles.

Give Back to Others

It’s never too early to learn the intrinsic good of giving back, and cold winter months are an ideal time to instill a giving mindset. As a family, you could volunteer time at a local food bank or work together to assemble care kits with warm blankets and socks for the homeless. You could write letters to soldiers or make seasonal greeting cards for seniors at a local nursing home. Big or small, they’re gestures that make a lasting impression on young minds.

Find more family-friendly ideas for a winter to remember at postpebblescereal.com.

Fruity Smiley Face Waffle

2 Fruity PEBBLES Waffles

1 container whipped cream

1 cup Fruity PEBBLES cereal blueberries (optional)

rainbow sprinkles (optional) maple syrup (optional)

Heat waffles until golden brown and place on plate. Use whipped cream to make smiley face eyes, nose and mouth.

Place cereal on top of whipped cream to make eyes, nose and mouth colorful. Add blueberries, rainbow sprinkles and syrup, if desired.

Cocoa Smiley Face Waffle

2 Cocoa PEBBLES waffles

1 cup Cocoa PEBBLES cereal

1 container whipped cream chocolate chips (optional) chocolate sprinkles (optional) strawberries (optional) chocolate syrup (optional)

Heat waffles until golden brown and place on plate. Use whipped cream to make smiley face eyes, nose and mouth.

Place cereal on top of whipped cream to make eyes, nose and mouth colorful. Add chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles, strawberries and chocolate syrup, if desired.

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate

A leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com. #16902

Source: Post Ceral