Michiana House and Home - September 2023

PO Box 188 • 206 South Main St. Milford, IN 46542 800.733.4111/Fax 800.886.3796

Editorial ext. 2311 & Advertising ext. 2362 www.michianahouseandhome.com

PUBLISHER

Ron Baumgartner rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

PUBLICATION MANAGER

Bill Hays bhays@the-papers.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Deb Patterson dpatterson@the-papers.com

EDITOR

Lauren Zeugner lzeugner@the-papers.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Karen Johnson kjohnson@the-papers.com

BUSINESS MANAGER

Annette Weaver aweaver@the-papers.com

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Steve Meadows smeadows@the-papers.com

FEATURE WRITERS

BethAnne Brink-Cox, Dani Messick, Julie Young

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kimberly Zellers

MARKETING ASSISTANTS

Darlene Eichelberger darlene@the-papers.com

Taelynne Ousley tousley@the-papers.com

DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION

Jerry Long jlong@the-papers.com

Michiana House and Home (MHH) is a newsmagazine with emphasis on home decor, design and remodeling. MHH does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does MHH or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication. MHH reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space.

Michiana House and Home has not independently tested any services or products advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. MHH makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products.

No reproduction of Michiana House and Home is allowed without express written permission.

Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $47.00 for one year; and $79.00 for two years. Mail the order form, along with your check to Michiana House and Home, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt.

Copyright © Michiana House and Home

All rights reserved, 2023

As I was editing this month’s edition of Michiana House and Home, I had to wonder where the heck the summer went? When I was growing up (yep, I’m dating myself and I know it) we didn’t go back to school until the day after Labor Day.

In fact, I think college was the first time I went back to school in Mid-August. And this summer has literally flown by.

So while the kiddos and their parents are getting back into the swing of school, sports and other after school activities, be sure to find some time to check out this month’s issue. It’s packed with lots of fun stuff.

Writer Julie Young wrote about the upcoming Homes on Parade hosted by the Builders Association of North Central Indiana. This parade

of homes offers a great opportunity to be inspired with ideas for home decorating, renovating a kitchen, bathroom or outdoor space or to check out potential contractors if you’re planning a home renovation project.

With fall coming, people will be putting out bird feeders. Julie wrote a timely piece about the types of feeders and seed to use to bring those featured friends to your yard.

And with the start of school and the change of season, now is an excellent time to do a general household purge and get rid of the stuff you don’t wear, use or need anymore. BethAnne Brink-Cox wrote a great piece about how to go about it without becoming so overwhelmed you either don’t start or just give up after you’ve emptied all the closets and drawers.

Recently we’ve been focused on walls, with articles about trends in wallpaper and paint. This month, BethAnne tackled wall decor. She said she had a blast writing it. See what area experts are saying is hot when it comes to decorating your walls. And for recipes this month, I pulled from my cookbook collection Tom and

Joyce Rose’s “Cooking Together Revisited.” I first interviewed the Roses years ago when they did a Chinese cookbook. After Joyce passed away, Tom did another cookbook featuring all sorts of recipes he and Joyce would make. He’s also written a food based mystery and he and his children have a youtube channel called “cooking together generations.”

For this month, I picked out a great dip to enjoy while watching the game on TV and a roasted pork loin recipe that sounded heavenly... as well as super easy to make.

So enjoy the last dog days of summer with this month’s issue. Soon enough we’ll be pulling out the boots and thinking about bonfires and raking leaves.

Until next month—

Lauren Zeugner, Editor Email: Lzeugner@ the-papers.com Lauren

Choosing the right feeder for your feathered friends

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

Do you want to operate a five-star restaurant that is open 24/7 and attracts a wide array of interesting clientele? Install a bird feeder on your property! Not only will a bird feeder help you experience nature and see an assortment of wildlife, but you will also help

parent birds feed their young and encourage the propagation of healthy species. Best of all, if your cuisine is pleasing to the palette, the birds will spread the word “tweeting” far and wide about their fine dining experience making your yard the place to be!

chirpforbirds.com

According to Krista Daniels, interpretive naturalist with the Elkhart County Parks Department, there are a lot of popular feeders to choose from and where you live may help you determine the one that is best for your property.

“If you live in a very wooded area without a lot of open space, then you might want to choose a suet feeder that can be hung on the side of a tree and attract a lot of woodpeckers, jays, sparrows and wrens,” she said. “If you have a lot of open spaces and lots of flowers, then you can use a number of popular feeder styles to attract finches, robins and cardinals all year long.”

A tray (aka platform) feeder is one that is open on all sides and a screened bottom upon which birdseed is placed. Tray feeders offer no protection against the rain or snow, and they are also the feeder of choice for squirrels, chipmunks and mice due to its easy access.

A hopper, (aka house) feeder is one that has a top to it and can be filled with seeds that are accessed at the bottom by a wide array of bird types. These feeders can hold seed for several days and can be mounted on a pole or suspended from a tree.

Tube feeders allow birds to access food through a screen while keeping the seed clean and dry.

Nyjer feeders (aka thistle feeders) have smaller openings and are a great choice if you hope to attract finches, pine siskins and redpolls.

Other feeders include window feeders that are mounted to a kitchen window by way of a suction cup or nectar-based feeders that are a particular favorite of hummingbirds. “There are so many types of feeders to choose from,” Daniels said.

THE FOOD

Your feeding frenzy will only be as good as the quality of food you offer so make sure you buy quality birdseed that will bring the flocks to your home. Daniels suggests starting with black oil sunflower seeds to attract a wide range of birds and avoid inexpensive seed that is too good to be true and often full of milo which goes to waste. There are expensive no waste bird seeds available as well as specialized seed that is geared for a specific type of bird, but no matter what you choose, it is important to maintain it well.

“You have to make sure you keep it clean and prevent it from becoming moldy,” Daniels said. “Poorly kept feeders are a host site for bacteria which can threaten the lives of birds in our area.” n

I’m Learning!

By Susie Klepinger Michiana Master Gardener

My original idea for this article was to recall the summer growing season and discover what I had done wrong. Instead of dwelling on the negative, I have decided to concentrate on positive actions I took to rectify my past gardening blunders. The list could be quite long, but since each season is filled with numerous learning experiences, I will mention only a few.

The use of invasive plants was one of the most important gardening subjects discussed this season. Through the years, I have planted many varieties because I liked the look, but failed to research their future growth habits. I have since become the “Queen of Invasive Plants,” a title I would rather not own! My list of mistakes would include Trumpet Vine and Bittersweet as fence covers, Spiderwort as a perennial, Burning Bush and Barberry as shrubs, and Houttuynia (Chameleon Plant), Petasites (Butter Burr), Plumbago, small sedum and mint as ground covers.

These are the ones I have personally fought but many others exist. Some began as 4 inch cuttings, but have spread vigorously invading the surrounding lawn and other flower and vegetable beds. I have seen them jump from their home base and establish runners many yards away. I attempted to stop the advance with a small brush of plant killer, but this ended up returning the solution to the mother plant which I didn’t want to kill entirely.

This year’s approach was more moderate and somewhat successful. Each week I allowed time to take a small knife and cut out the marauding plants that escaped my barriers. They proliferated more during the early spring. If an outgrowth area could be removed easily, I simply dug that portion out. One must keep a vigilant eye! This, for me, has been the more rational approach. The ultimate BEST method for eliminating the problem is never to plant these or any other invasive species in the first place. They are known for their aggressive behavior and the ability to smother our native plants.

Lesson: Little becomes big quickly.

I also had to adjust to a natural phenomenon this year. We lost a large maple tree in our front yard so what was planted last year as a shade garden suddenly became a sun garden. Many plants began to burn and had to be moved or replaced. After the shock wore off, I looked on the situation as an opportunity to try a different look and experiment with new species. Lesson: Be flexible.

We hear so often of the “Right plant in the right place.” This summer I took that advice to heart by learning the needs of each plant before I bought. The tags are pretty reliable, and the Internet is full of useful information. Lesson: Don’t hesitate to move a plant if it is not doing well. The problem could be too much or not enough sun, an area that is too damp or dry, or an insect-disease attack. Lesson: Research before planting.

We all know deadheading spent flowers will be rewarded with more buds formed. Removing weeds is also necessary, and I pull out every suspicious leaf. Last year in my need to clean up my fall gardens, I unwittingly removed some self-seeding possibilities (Snapdragons and petunias). This year, I’m being more careful, slowing deadheading now to allow seed production for next spring. Lesson: Cleanliness is next to Godliness ... sometimes.

These are a few of the lessons I have learned from past mistakes. I’m sure there are many more to experience, but the joy of gardening makes it all worthwhile. n

decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it just needs a

PLAN

So where to begin? A recent AARP article said the average American home contains 300,000 items! How many of those might be ‘ just in case’ in an emergency? While it’s true that certain boxes and jars are great for storage and projects, if they’re just sitting empty for long periods of time, maybe they’re not as useful as you thought they’d be.

A common source of clutter is paper, all sorts of paper - magazines, newspapers, bills and photographs. Start by eliminating duplicates, and if the photographs are blurry or if you don’t recognize anyone in them, well, it’s okay to toss those. Put the papers and magazines into recycling, and shred the old bills. There’s a guideline for that, too; one year for anything tax or warranty related. One year for paychecks and pay stubs, or until you’ve received your W-2 statement for that tax year. The only thing you need to save longer is investment records; keep those for seven years after you’ve closed the account or sold the securities.

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer

Decluttering — What to toss, what to donate, where to donate, how to go about declut tering, so its not overwhelming. Doesn’t that sound simple? Or does it seem monumentally overwhelming? Surely there’s a happy medium between the ‘spark joy’ movement — would YOU be willing to have no more than 10 books in your house? — or the need to call the hoarders cleanup crew.

Did you save old letters and greeting cards? Read through them one more time, see if you might like to make a scrapbook for the ones who sent those. Maybe you have historic papers or record books; check with your local museum or historical society.

Do you have a lot of clothes you never wear? If they are in good condition and not outdated as to style, check with shelters and other places that provide help to those who need it. Some schools accept basic things like sweats, shirts and coats for students. And you can check with theatre groups and high school drama departments if you have vintage clothing and special items they could use in a costume shop; some shows are set in particular time periods and wardrobes for those aren’t easily available everywhere.

Check out your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Do you need a dozen scrapers and spatulas?

How many cookie cutters do you actually use, or do you grab your favorite again and again? Has your lifestyle changed so that your cooking needs are very different now? If you no longer do home canning and preserving, get rid of the pressure canner and all those jars.

Check your linen closets. Do you have bedding for beds you no longer have? If there’s no twin bed anywhere in the house, donate those twin sized sheets. Animal shelters can use sheets, blankets and towels; bundle up everything you don’t want or use and pass it on to those who can.

Build a Little Free Library for extra books you don’t want. Take old board games and puzzles to daycare centers and preschools. If you don’t listen to LPs and CDs anymore, those can go, too.

You can have a giant yard sale, and at the end, donate whatever’s left, because once you’ve made the decision you can live without something, let it go, instead of bringing it back into your home. And then sit down, take a deep breath, and look at your newly cleared space, at the rooms that look bigger and brighter and airier. It’s a win-win all the way around. n

How to set up the

ULTIMATE WORKSTATION for kids at home

(StatePoint) Want to help guarantee your child’s academic success? While you can’t control what goes on in the classroom, you can facilitate their study time at home by setting up an A+ workstation. Here’s how:

1. Choose a location: Select a location that’s well-lit, preferably with some natural light, and away from noise and distractions. Whether it’s your child’s bedroom or a corner of the dining area, the area should be large enough for all their supplies and tech to stay organized.

2. Use color wisely: Research has shown that certain colors have the power to boost productivity and creativity or promote a sense of calm. Decorating the space with care could potentially help your student weather crunch periods with ease. You may also opt to color code binders, dividers and other supplies by coursework so that your child can quickly identify the items they need.

3. Update tech: Equip the workstation with the latest technol-

statepoint.net

ogy and educational tools. For easy essay composition, your child’s suite of devices should include a tablet or laptop and a printer. To get your student prepped for math and science classes, be sure to supply them with a graphing calculator featuring the latest capabilities. The fx9750GIII, for example, is not only stylishly available in trending colors, it’s capable of programming in CASIO Basic and MicroPython. Python files are easily stored and transferred via USB to a computer. With graph

and statistical functions, exam compatibility mode and a suite educational resources, your student will be well prepared to take on all their STEM coursework and test prep.

4. Prevent clutter: Clutter can pile up all too easily, making it difficult to find notes and assignments. Keep the mess to a minimum with the addition of a few organizational tools. Hang a corkboard to post reminders and to-do lists. Add wall shelving or a sorting tray to keep papers

filed by subject area or due date, and use small baskets or cups to collect erasers, paper clips and other small supplies. Finally, be sure the workstation has its own waste bin, so that items that are no longer needed can be efficiently tossed or recycled.

5. Consider ergonomics: Eliminate distractions by making sure the workstation is ergonomic-friendly and comfy. If your child sits at a desk, ensure their computer monitor is at eye level and that their feet touch the floor. Adjustable laptop tables can transform a makeshift work area on the couch or bed into a comfortable workstation.

By setting up a dedicated homework area designed for productivity, you can help your student make the grade. n

The parade marches on BANCI’s

Homes on Parade is Sept. 22-24

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

For those looking to see the latest trends in new home construction and renovation, the 36th Annual Builders Association of North Central Indiana’s Homes on Parade is not to be missed. From Sept. 22-24, guests can tour a smattering of properties that showcase the talent and skill of local builders in communities including Syracuse, Plymouth, Etna Green, Warsaw and Winona Lake.

“We have been in the show for close to 20 years and it is a great event for those who are thinking of building or doing different projects to see what’s on the market and what’s out there,” said Wendell Miller, founder of Renewal Homes. “(The Homes on Parade show) is a great way to get inspired for your next project.”

A Sample of What’s in Store

Renewal’s Homes on Parade project is a 6,133 square foot open floor plan that highlights the scenic views of a stunning lakefront property. The home features a spacious front and back porch as well as a bonus living area above the garage. An open great room is accented with a cathedral ceiling and large windows designed to maximize the natural light while bringing the outdoors in.

“We are all about personalizing every home that we build,” Miller said. “Everyone has unique tastes and it’s our goal to incorporate that into the home of your dreams.”

Although they had a remodel in the Parade last year, JayH Construction is going all out for 2023 with a one level ranch home perfect for those who like to avoid stairs or simply want to age in place. The home features a main level master suite as well as a three-car garage with an extra bay, a finished basement (along with two bedrooms, family room and a full bath)

and an exterior cabana situated alongside an in-ground pool. Aaron Miller, owner, said JayH is excited to have a home in this year’s Parade and he is eager for the public to see it.

“After so many years of working hard, we feel that we have become a legitimate builder in the area,” he said with a laugh. “We have a great set of subcontractors and an in-house team that can do just about anything!”

Known for its use of unique details, Bridgeport Homes, LLC offers a modern house with urban appeal. Featuring fieldstone with special window designs giving each one a standout look, the exterior of the home is moody and inviting while the interior boasts lots of character everywhere you look. According to Julie Reimer, multiple finishes have been used throughout the home offering plenty of flavor as well as special features that couple functionality with aesthetics.

“A lot of love has gone into this home,” she said.

MAKE PLANS TO VISIT

Sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank, Kosciusko

Connect by REMC, and Fouce Landscaping, the 2023 BANCI Homes on Parade will be held on 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22; from noon - 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.; and noon - 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. Tickets are $5 Tickets can be purchased at each Parade home, Martin’s Super Markets locations in Warsaw and Plymouth. (One ticket allows entry into all seven homes.) Veterans, Active-Duty Military and children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, visit www.buildnci.com. n

10828

Nutmeg Meadows Drive Plymouth, IN 46563

Etna Green, IN 46524

31 & 33 Cherry Street Warsaw, IN 46582

14 Trailside Drive Winona Lake, IN 46590

2870 E. Lake Tahoe Trail Warsaw, IN 46582

11628 N. Ogden Point Road Syracuse, IN 46567

8213 Rosella Street Syracuse, IN 46567

Milestone Construction, Inc.

Coplen Construction, Inc.

Synergy Partnerships

Bridgeport Homes LLC

Renewal Homes

R.W. Kidd Construction

JayH Construction

COPLEN CONSTRUCTION 8213 Rosella St., Syracuse

7 Take SR 13 north to E. Pickwick Dr. (at Dairy Queen). Turn right and follow the road as it turns into N. Eastshore Dr. At the stop sign turn right onto E. Cornelius Rd. At the next stop sign turn right onto N. Warner Rd. and then curve left onto E. Eli Lilly Rd. Follow until you come to the next stop sign and turn right onto Seth Ward Rd. which then curves left and turns into N. Ogden Point Rd. Take N. Ogden Point Rd. to the last curve, enter the road that states DEAD-END. Go straight on Rosella St. The home is at the end of the road. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS. PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK.

MILESTONE CONSTRUCTION

N. Ogden Point Rd., Syracuse

11628

6 Take SR 13 north to E. Pickwick Dr. (at Dairy Queen). Turn right and follow the road as it turns into N. Eastshore Dr. At the stop sign turn right onto E. Cornelius Rd. At the next stop sign turn right onto N. Warner Rd. and then curve left onto E. Eli Lilly Rd. Follow until you come to the next stop sign and turn right onto Seth Ward Rd. which then curves left and turns into N. Ogden Point Rd. Follow the signs and the house will be on the left.

BRIDGEPORT

SEPT. 1-31 (SELECTED DATES) | SOUTH BEND

FARMERS MARKET

Indoor market featuring home-grown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry, more.

7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Free admission

1105 Northside Blvd. (574) 282-1259 southbendfarmersmarket.com

SEPT. 15 | MIDDLEBURY

FEATHERED & FURRY

FRIENDS

Wildlife Educational Exhibit of Northwest Indiana; Foxwood Raptors and Wildlife Rehab Center; Birding activity with Elkhart County

SWCD

Build a Wren House

Ron’s River Dogs

Riverbend Park

Middlebury

4-6 p.m.

www.middleburythenandnow.org

SEPT. 22-24 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Builders Association of North Central Indiana HOMES ON PARADE

4-8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22

Noon-8 p.m, Saturday, Sept. 23

Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24

MULTI-EVENT VENUES

GOSHEN THEATER | GOSHEN

• Sept. 1-15, Latin Dance Class, 3-4 p.m. ages 5-13 years;

4-5:30 p.m. ages 14-18; 5:30-7 p.m. ages 19 to 100.

$15 for drop-in classes

• Sept. 2-Oct. 7, Adult Group Voice Class with Rebecca Dengler Kaufman 10-11 a.m. Saturdays.

$10 per class or $50 for six weeks.

• Sept. 7, Theatre’s Edge presents “Ordinary Days” 7-10 p.m.

Tickets: $10 student/senior; $15 adult

• Sept. 11-Dec. 15, Goshen Theater Education Department: Fall Studios (Registrations Open Now) Theatre classes for children ages 7-18.

Cost: $150-$250

• Sept. 15, Free Movie: Encanto, 7 p.m.

216 S. Main St. (574) 312-3701

goshentheater.com

POTAWATOMI ZOO | SOUTH BEND

• Sept. 13 Calendar Contest Winners Announced on zoo’s social media sites.

• Sept. 18, 9:30-10 a.m. Tiny Bookworms Story Series

Geared for children 0-2 and a caregiver.

Cost $5, Zoo member receive 10% off. www.potawatomizoo.org/edzoocation/bookworms

• Sept. 30, 3-7 p.m. Brew at the Zoo

General Admission: $50

Designated driver admission: $25

Vip Admission; $75

Vip Designated Driver:$40

Rock at the Brew After Party with Blammo from 7-9 p.m. Drinks and food available for purchase. Free with any Brew ticket.

500 S. Greenlawn Ave. (574) 235-9800

potawatomizoo.org

LERNER THEATER | ELKHART

• Sept. 8-10 and 15-17, Always ...

Patsy Cline

Show times are 7:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Tickets are $14-$27

• Sept. 10, 4 p.m. Elkhart County

Symphony — Cinema in the Gardens

Tickets are $14-$27

• Sept. 14, 7 p.m. Zorro — Kimball

Organ Silent Movie with organist Clark Wilson

Tickets are $10-$12.50

• Sept. 16, 8 p.m., 1964 — The Tribute, Beatles tribute band

Tickets are $39.50 to $59.50

• Sept. 28, 6 p.m. Lerner on the Lawn — 90’s Fool House Free

• Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Tickets are $25-$95

410 S. Main St. (574) 293-4469

www.thelerner.com

MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SOUTH BEND

• Sept. 12, 6 p.m. Bluey’s Big Day

• Sept. 22, 7 p.m. Shane Gillis Live

• Sept. 23, 8 p.m. NLE Choppa with Eroc History Makerz & MLB Phatzz

• Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. Silk Road + Strauss with Joseph Gramley, percussion

211 N. Michigan St. (574) 235-9190 morriscenter.org n

Featuring KraftMaid Breslin Cabinetry in Dove White and Maple Cannon Grey

Make a statement with wall décor

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer

Autumn is just beginning, but in the back of your mind is the thought that before much longer you’ll be inside. A lot. Staring at the walls! So they’d better be as attractive as possible, right? What is falling out of favor, and what is coming in when it’s about home decor for your walls?

Tracy Magyar is a much valued team player at C. Kramer Interiors, and she had some helpful, experienced opinions on what to be thinking about. “Overloading walls with décor is not what is in favor right now. It is much more minimal, with the pieces making more of a statement. Architectural details, like entire paneled walls and wainscoting are still in, but we are doing minimal. Wallpaper can become the artwork in the room.” According to their

website, C.Kramer Interiors has a design boutique with a mixture of custom upholstery, case goods, artwork and accessories. They also have a full-service design studio with an extensive fabric and trim library, catalog resources, wall covering books, flooring and window treatment resources. It’s a sure bet you can find whatever it is you had in mind for your walls!

When asked about timelines, Magyar said, “Some pieces are

readily available, but there are other pieces that can take weeks to get, especially if you are customizing something like artwork as to size and framing.” She added, “We do have clients that ask for our help in selecting wall décor and artwork. Accessorizing and artwork is what shows one’s personality, so sometimes this takes longer than finding the right piece of furniture.” So keep that in mind if you’re on a deadline to fix up a room before the holidays begin!

It’s often said that everything old is new again, and Magyar affirmed that. “There is a wide range of styles in wall décor. Most of it are things we have seen before, but changed just enough to give it a current look. Artwork for example, if the client loves the piece, but the frame does not work anymore, we

can either change the framing altogether or simply change the finish of the frame.”

Are these influenced by wall coverings, as in not good on wallpaper or prints, but fine on painted surfaces? Or is it a mix? Magyar knows, “Items can be hung on wallpapered walls, even muraled walls, but keep it minimal. Patterns such as florals and geometrics are fine to add some type of art, but it needs to make sense and compliment the style and pattern of the wallpaper. One adds art for the eye to move around the room, giving the eye a place to rest. If one adds too much, it will feel overwhelming.

And there you have it. If you’re thinking it’s time for a change, you know where to go for it and who to ask for! n

Roasted Pork Loin with Mushroom Gravy

INGREDIENTS:

From Cooking

Together Revisited

Created

1 pound pork tenderloin salt and pepper

by

Tom and Joyce Rose

Copyright 2020

Published by Rose and Rose Associated

Directions:

2 T cooking oil divided

1 Large onion thinly sliced

8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, quartered 8 oz. brown gravy mix, 1 package

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Season the pork evenly with salt and pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat Cook tenderloin until browned, 2-3 minutes on each side

Remove tenderloin and place on baking sheet.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake tenderloins until they reach an internal temperture of 160- about 10 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and heat over medium-high. Add onions and mushrooms and cook. Stir constantly until vegetables are tender, 4-5 minutes.

Combine the gravy mix with water in a small bowl per package directions. Add gravy to onion mixture in the pan and cook. Stir constantly until the gravy has thickened, about 2 minutes.

Slice the pork, place on a serving platter. Drizzle with a small amount of the gravy mixture. Garnish with fresh rosemary. Serve with gravy on the side.

Avocado Jalapeno Dip

From Cooking Together Revisited

Created by Tom and Joyce Rose

Copyright 2020

Published by Rose and Rose

Associated

INGREDIENTS:

4 Avocados- mashed

12 oz. Cream Cheese softened

2 T - fresh lemon juice

1/2 onion chopped

3 Jalapeno peppers seeded and chopped

1/2 red bell pepper chopped

3 T fresh cilantro chopped

1/4 tsp. cumin

Directions:

In a food processor blend Avocados, cream cheese and lemon juice. Add onion, jalapenos, bell pepper, cilantro and cumin. Pulse to desired consistency, chunky to smooth. n

Did You Know?

Interesting Facts about

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Writer

Sept. 10, 1752 doesn’t exist. Neither does Sept. 4 or Sept. 12, in British history, at least. It’s known as the English calendar riots of 1752, and it’s a lost 11 days in British history, when the country finally changed over from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Named after the Catholic Pope Gregory who introduced it, it’s no wonder the Protestant nation of England wasn’t too keen to join the ranks despite the majority of its neighbors using it for almost 150 years at that point.

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?

Following the calendar of Julius Caesar, by 1752, the slight miscal culation in the Julian system made for 11 minutes too many every year since its implementation in 46 B.C., and it made Easter entirely too late in the year - 11 days later than the rest of Europe, in fact.

So in Sept. 1752, Parliament rectified the problem. They simply skipped 11 days, kind of. On Sept. 2, the country was under the Julian calendar, but on Sept. 3, they switched to the Gregorian calendar, and the day became Sept. 14, 1752.

September is a month of memorials. Sept. 11, 2001, a date infamously immortalized as 9/11 or Patriot Day, marks the commemoration of the day when members of the Islamic terrorist organization al-Qaeda hijacked planes coordinating attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon. More than 3,000 people lost their lives during the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil and catapulting the country into the Global War on Terrorism.

Rumor has it in the days preceding the change, there was civil unrest and rioters in the streets demanding, “Give us our 11 days!” People believed their lives would be shortened, but moreover, they didn’t much appreciate holy days being moved in favor of a Catholic calendar.

Most historians now believe the riots themselves never actually happened. What did happen was William Hogarth’s painting entitled “An Election Entertainment,” based on “The World,” a satirical jour nal by Lord Chesterfield, who introduced the calendar bill initially.

The calendar was among the top political issues of the 1754 election. When Hogarth produced the painting in 1755 based on Election Night 1754, it was a satirical representation of the Whigs inside a tavern with Tory party members protesting outside, with a banner saying, “Give us our 11 days.”

THE MOST BIRTHDAYS

There are also a whole ton of birthday celebrations to be had in September. It’s not the most common birth month - that title actually belongs to August before it, but somehow, September holds nine of the 10 most common birthdays in the calendar, according to USA Today.

The most common birthday is Sept. 9, followed by Sept. 19 and Sept. 12. Famous Sept. 9 birthdays include Adam Sandler, Michael Bublé, Hunter Hayes, Colonel Sanders, Hugh Grant, Napoléon Bonaparte, Jack Trudeau, Otis Redding, Leo Tolstoy, Afrojack … the list goes on and on. n

But it’s not the only date worth remembering in September. There’s Labor Day on Sept. 4, an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers; Constitution Day on Sept. 17, celebrating the the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens; Native American Day on Sept. 22 honoring those indigenous peoples who were American before the rest of us, and let’s not forget Grandparent’s Day on Sept. 10.

As summer turns to fall, the autumn equinox formally brings the transition, on Sept. 22, marking the transition in the year.

Also on Sept. 22, 1862, then President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, marking the end of slavery in the United States.

and now you know!

photos: shutterstock.com