M c G o u g h & C o ... W h e r e M o n ta na G e t s E n g ag e d www.McGoughandCo.com
131 Central Avenue Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-9199 800-862-9199
contents
406
outdoor Woman 16. Ginjer Yachechak
406
love
22. Brad and Kasey- Wedding 28. Shawn & Nia- Love Story
30. Troy & Britlee- love story 32. Watching Love Happen
food & flavor 38. The Art of Tablescaping 42. 3 Cooks & A Book 44. Huckleberry Mousse 46. Holiday Wine Picks
home 50. An Architect 88. DIY - Shine
health
54. Your Teeth - An Ounce of Prevention 66. Skincare Answers - Melasma 68. Fitness - Body and Soul 72. Answers About Robotic Surgery
74. Cervical Cancer Facts
wellness 76. Dust Off Your Dreams
family
56. Where Mountain & Home Meet - Being Intentional 60. Games = Learning
Fashion 62. Holiday time in the 406
art
82. Diego Figueiredo at the Bigfork Center 84. A Gift of Music 86. A Musical Carnival
w o m a n
406
publisher
Cindy Gerrity
cindy@montanasky.net
business manager Daley McDaniel
daley@montanasky.net
executive editor
Cover Girls
Kristen Hamilton
montanakristen@hotmail.com
director & design Sara Joy Pinnell
sara@mrsandmrpublishing.com
director of photography Molly Claridge
mclaridge@bresnan.net
photographers Cassie Vlahou
Cassie’s striking looks come from her primarily Greek and Irish heritage. She loves her job with Dr. Pete Nelson… giving kids of the Flathead healthy smiles! She’s passionate about fly-fishing, science and anything active. She also plays the drums for fun. Cassie was born and raised in Wheaton, IL, although she absolutely loves Montana. As a child, she frequently visited her grandparents' ranch, Laughing Water Ranch, until moving to Kalispell during high school. photo by: Molly Claridge (www.bestillphotographymt.com) hair and makeup by: M e l a n i e H o b u s
Scott Wilson- Scott Wilson Photography Daniel Seymour- Sharpe Eye Photography Carrie Ann - Carrie Ann Photography Amber L. Siderius - Amber L. Siderius Photography Kiralee Jones - Oh Snap! Photography Kelly Kirksey- Kelly Kirksey Photography Rachel Spray- Jeremiah & Rachel Photography
Published by Skirts Publishing six times a year 6477 Hwy 93 S Suite 138, Whitefish, MT 59937 info@406woman.com Copyright©2013 Skirts Publishing
View current and past issues of 406 Woman at w w w . 4 0 6 W o m a n . c o m
Cassandra
Cassandra Sunell may only be
29
years old but with a lot of
energy and passion, she excels in everything she attempts.
She
is the entrepreneurial spirit who is the force behind
TEDxWhitefish to the valley in January. Read Jill Seigmund in our 406 Woman Business section. photo by: Scott Wilson Photography (scottwilson-photography.com)
bringing
her inspiring story by
Want to know about great events, open houses, and more? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/406 Woman 406 Woman is distributed in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Missoula, Whitefish and every point in between. Check out www.406woman.com for our full distribution list. Have a great story idea or know someone that we should feature? Email us with your comments & suggestions. Interested in increasing your business and partnering with 406 Woman? Check out www.406woman.com.
Erin Blair
Licensed esthetician and owner of Skin Therapy Studio
Delia Buckmaster
Certified in pilates and an active health coach, owner of Exhale Pilates Studio
Leslie Budewitz
Lawyer and national best selling writer of 'The Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries'
Inge Cahill
Interior designer and consultant, owner of Home Matters LLC
Cris Marie Campbell
Master certified Martha Beck coach and consultant, co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Susan B Clarke
Faculty at The Haven Institute for 20 years and co-owner of Thrive! Inc.
Brian D’Ambrosio
Accomplished writer and newly published author of 'Reservation Champ'
Courtney Ferda
Owner and blogger of www.114-west.com providing expert fashion advice
It’s winter in Montana…Are you an
outside or an inside person and what do you do to keep warm?
B r i an D’Ambr o sio
contributors
406
''
Our Talented
Contributor’s Corner
''
During the winter months, I tend to hibernate, honestly. I'd have to say that I'm more of an inside person, the winter months slow me down quite a bit - metabolically and physically. Aware of winter's effects, it's a good time for me to reunite with family members in other states, socialize more often with friends, travel, and catch up on my writing projects. Springtime is reviving. I already look forward to it.
Melanie Hobus
Gwenda C Jonas, MD
Board certified OB/GYN with Kalispell OB/GYN
Gretchen Knuffke
Motherhood and parenting expert, owner of Maternal Instincts
Marti Kurth
Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music
Cara Lard
Owner of Goldfinch Events & Design and Mum’s Flowers
Jill Seigmund
Entrepreneurship Coordinator at FVCC; Accomplished writer and editor
Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas
Accompished artist specializing in Patina techniques
John Miller, DDS
Specializing in general dentistry, Dr Miller provides expert advice
Kelly O’Brien, Esq.
Business law specialist with Measure Law Office, P.C.
Kristen Pulsifer
Writer, editor and owner of Whitefish Study Center
C r i sMar ie C amp be l l
Cosmetologist specializing in airbrush makeup and bridal parties
This is where I want to pretend to be my friend Traci Stolte who has already hiked up Whitefish Mountain three times this week. BRRR, I am not her. In fact, some people may wonder why I live in this great outdoor state. My biggest outdoor activity is my daily walk with my dog, but my favorite winter pastime is to sit by my wood stove, with a cup of tea and read. If I really want to be wild, I go play trivia at the WF Golf Course!
Maria Phelps
Specializing in business relationships and owner of Find It For You, LLC.
Jessica Rogers
Karen Sanderson
Wine expert and owner of Brix Bottleshop in Kalispell
Rabbi Allen Secher
Rabbi for 50 years, an Emmy award-winning television producer, and a family man
Miriam Singer
Talented writer and songstress, promoting music as Singer & Simpson Productions
Rachel Spray
Wedding and lifestyle photographer, together with her husband Jeremiah
Dan Vogel
Business manager and committed community activist
For full bios for our contributors, please visit www.406woman.com. 12
Ke l l y O’B r ien
Communications & marketing professional at MT West Economic Development
I am absolutely an outside person. I love any excuse to get outside even in the cold weather. My favorite way to keep warm is though exercise whether it be skiing, running or even a brisk walk, I rarely come back cold.
editorsnote
If I make a mistake, you can pretty much bet that I’ll own up to it right away. Has it always been that way? Heck no but as I get older, I’ve realized that its best to admit a mistake, accept the consequences, and move on. It certainly has made my life easier and hopefully a trait that I’m passing on to my kids (and they learn it much earlier in life than I did). Why do I bring this up? Well there were a few things I missed in the last issue during our final edits and more than anything it was a little embarrassing. The headings “Flathead” on our new Contributors Corner layout and “Fourth” on our Ladies Night Out spread were spelled wrong. Also, in rearranging the layout of Karen Sanderson’s great story on Wine Secrets, we disrupted the flow of the story by placing the sidebars in the wrong spots – sorry Karen! Did any of this cause any major damage to anyone – of course not! But, I apologize for missing them. What will we do in the future – check even more carefully to avoid errors. Will they happen again? Of course – but we’ll continue to do our best to bring you the best stories, photos, and layout with every issue! From all of us at 406 Woman Magazine, we wish you a joyous and wonderful holiday season and best wishes for 2014! “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” Helen Keller
Kristen Editor
What did I learn after reading this issue?
{
That pretty much anything is possible for Cassandra Sunell when she’s given a challenge. At 29, she’s an inspirational entrepreneur and the driving force behind the upcoming TEDxWhitefish. Jill Seigmund tells Cassandra’s story on page 6 of the Business Section. That custom refinishing projects such as the coffee table that Elizabeth Michelsen-Jonas tackles on page 88 can be done (even if you aren’t artistically inclined) as long as you follow her step-by-step instructions. The results – simply beautiful! Susan B Clarke gives some compelling reasons to include Rest & Plan in our workday. If it works for elite athletes and world leaders, it might work for me. I’m going to give it a try. See page 16 in our Business Section for details.
outdoor woman}
Ginjer Yachechak
heart for sailing By Gretchen Knuffke
By Gretchen Knuffke
Above image: Sailing deliveries between Hawaii and California. Image on right: Skiing in Whitefish last spring.
Ginjer Yachechak is a native of the Flathead Valley, who grew up sailing on the waters of Flathead Lake. She spent her summers on sailboats at the North Flathead Yacht Club in Somers with her sister, Kaci. She attended Flathead High School and worked at Sportsman Ski Haus through her teenage years. After graduation, Ginjer headed to the University of Montana where she majored in psychology and any break from school she would make her way back home work at Sportsman and feed her passion for sailing and for summer in the Flathead. Ginjer left Montana the winter after graduating from college and followed her heart for sailing down to Baja, Mexico where she got a job working at a sail loft in a little town north of Puerto Vallarta. There she became an apprentice and learned the art of sail and parasail making and spent the rest of her time on the ocean learning to sail in open water. For four years, she perfected her craft from October to May and would return to Kalispell each summer where she sated her love for Montana and for Flathead Lake. While working in Mexico, she built many friendships with people in the
16
racing world, in particular Peter Sauer, also a Flathead native, and owner of Sail Montana and Big Sky Yacht Delivery. Based on the skills she had perfected in Mexico, she was invited to be part of the ocean racing team in the j/24 class. After the very first race down the coast of California, she was hooked on the open water. The thrill of beating the winds and mastering the currents of the ocean was a challenge and thrill that she hadn't experienced on the lake.
Sailing is Ginjer's life and when not racing she does yacht delivery in order to keep logging her time on the ocean. There are many times when a boat is out and the crew doesn’t have time to bring it back or boat has been raced out from Californian to Hawaii and needs to be brought back. When this happens, they pay a crew to sail it back for them. Ginjer loves this kind of open water sailing because she gains experience as a sailor and, most importantly, logs time in order to earn her captain’s license. She has done boat delivery for 3 years now and has enjoyed the time with the crew, the beauty of the ocean and has also participated in important ocean study. The Japanese Tsunami of 2011 left its mark upon the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese government has estimated that 5 million tons of debris was washed into the ocean and that
30% of it remains afloat today with the other 70% sinking immediately. Most does not make landfall, but is instead, caught in debris fields posing a significant danger to boats and wildlife, as well as changing the condition of the ocean. The University of Hawaii has ongoing studies on the state of the sea and Ginjer’s crew is charged with making a report on what they see on each trek across that region of the Pacific Ocean.
In 2010 and 2011, the ocean was healthy, vibrant and full of life. The abundance of fish was astounding. Ginjer and the rest of the crew caught so many fish between Hawaii and California that they had to stop fishing. However, In 2013 the whole ocean environment had changed. They caught one fish on their two week voyage, they reported low levels of wildlife, including sea birds, and there was significantly more trash in the water. They maneuvered around tires, crates, nets, floats and even telephone poles. They saw double the debris they had seen the previous year. In addition, they noted that the wind directions and currents had changed and that the weather was much different than the previous two years along the same route. “We hear about the changes coming due to global warming, but to actually witness the change in my lifetime was very surreal and sad.” Her passion for the ocean is constant and she will continue her work delivering boats as well as racing them, and always finding her way back home for the things she loves to do here. Recently, she took up mountain biking competitively and won her class at the 24 Hours of Flathead Race held at Herron Park. She also continues to sail at the North Flathead Yacht Club and participates in twice weekly races on her boat the JBear. Her all women racing team includes her sister, Kaci Yachechak and her mom, Patti Pennington. Ginjer doesn’t stay still for long so you will have to be quick to catch up with her. This winter will find her skiing in the backcountry and snowshoeing in Glacier and at the Sportsman where she enters her 9th year as an employee. While she is finding fun and adventure in the snow this winter you can bet she will be of dreaming of summer and sailing away on a warm ocean wind.
17
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w h i t e f i s h p l a s t i c s u r g e r y. c o m
Call now for same day appointments. 406-862-6808. Ask about our payment plans. Conveniently located by Montana Coffee Traders off Hwy 93.
D r. Sarah N a r gi
whitefish plastic surgery & med spa board certified
406 love}Wedding
22
406 love}Montana
girl meets michigan Boy
Brad and Kasey
Photographed by Carrie Ann Photography carrieann-photography.net
How they met:
It's the classic ranch-girl-from-Montanameets-Michigan-boy tale...
Brad and Kasey met in the fall of 2008, when she moved to Michigan for medical school. Brad was a second year medical student at Michigan State University, and they met through mutual friends. They became good friends, spending time together golfing, playing basketball, going to Michigan State sporting events, and attending chili cook-offs. But it wasn't until one year later, on August 28, 2009, when they had their first date! Even though Brad and Kasey met in East Lansing, the town they where they truly fell in love is beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Kasey was assigned to do her 3rd and 4th year medical school rotations there, and luckily Brad was able to schedule most of his fourth year rotations there as well. They were able to be together and balance their education with fun activities such a wine tasting, beachhopping, snowshoeing, and exploring northern Michigan. In true Brad-and-Kasey spirit, they took their first "vacation" together over Christmas 2009 to an under-served hospital in Malawi, Africa. It was there that the tradition of their "vacations" together was born: sleeping under mosquito nets and not having running water or electricity! Since that time, they have traveled to Thailand, where they slept on bamboo mats in the jungle without electricity or running water, and most recently to Ecuador where they slept in a mountain hut at 15,000 feet without, you guessed it, electricity or running water! They loved every minute of it! In 2011, Dr. Bradley Kasavana graduated from medical school and was accepted to an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Luckily, Kasey was able to schedule many of her fourth year rotations in Grand Rapids as well, but they did
 23
406 love}
Wedding
have to tough it through a few months of long distance... as well the first of two stressful residencies! Still, their relationship grew stronger than ever and they enjoyed exploring another Michigan city.
About the Magical Day Venue Bar W Guest Ranch thebarw.com
Theme Rustic Elegance Colors: Cranberry, mix of wildflowers, burlap Planner A Big Sky Event abigskyevent.com Videography Coastline Studios out of Grand Rapids MI coastline-studios.com Florist Beargrass Floral beargrassgardens.com Catering/Cake Johns Angels Catering johnsangelscatering.com
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DJ B&T sound Productions btsoundproductions.com
Band The O'Connells
Makeup Emily Myers EmJCosmetics.com Hair Reecia's Salon in Whitefish Dress Renee Austin Boutique Michigan Designer: Watters Bridesmaid Dresses Ann Taylor Tuxes Joseph A Bank Rentals Celebrate Rentals String Quartet Sam Taylor Photography Carrie Ann Photography carrieann-photography.net
Kasey decided to apply to residency in the specialty of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics and, in March of 2012, matched to Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids! It was so exciting and such a relief to know that they would be in the same city for their residencies! Kasey (now known as Dr. Vargo) graduated from medical school in May 2012 and started her first of four years in July 2012. That summer, the couple bought a house together and brought home a black lab puppy from a breeder in Traverse City, whom they named "Cheyenne" after one of their favorite songs. They are now out-numbered by animals in their home, with Cheyenne and 2 cats, Seabass and Trout, running the show. They couple is now facing their biggest challenge yet: 2 residencies! Despite seeing each other less, they continue to love each other more and more everyday. And then, late in the fall of 2012, Brad and Kasey spent a week together on vacation in Traverse City, and that's when Brad popped the question, and she said YES!
Together, Brad and Kasey have been to two Final Four tournaments, camped on Lake Michigan and in Glacier National Park, swam in Lake Malawi, climbed a 19,000 foot mountain, fished in the Gulf of Mexico, rode an elephant in Thailand, supported each other through medical school,
and found each other's true partner in life. They have a relationship built on friendship, respect, and true love. And now they start their greatest adventure yet... MARRIAGE!
Their engagement
Brad and Kasey scheduled a weeklong trip to northern Michigan in October 2012. They planned to spend the week relaxing, shopping, and enjoying all that Traverse City has to offer. Little did Kasey know that Brad had big plans in the works! On October 10th, 2012 they played tennis at the Grand Traverse Resort (one of their favorite past-times), had brunch, then went shopping downtown. Brad made up a lie that they had a coupon to go wine tasting at Chateau Grand Traverse, which gave them an excuse to go wine tasting on Old Mission peninsula. After visiting a few vineyards, the couple found themselves with extra time to spare before the next wine tasting (how convenient!) so they decided to visit the Old Mission lighthouse. The weather was cloudy, rainy, with a driving wind, and it had just finished hailing. Perfect weather for a romantic stroll!
After they got to the lighthouse, Brad asked Kasey to walk out to the water, which was about 200 yards off shore. About halfway out to the water, Brad dropped to one knee, pulled a jewelry box out of his pocket, and asked Kasey to marry him. She said YES, and the rest is history!
406 love}Wedding
28
406 love}Wedding
Shawn & Nia Photographed by Amber L. Siderius Photography Who are you? Nia, from Minneapolis, MN Shawn, from Edmonds, WA
How did you meet? We were acquaintances in high school and rekindled our relationship at a softball tournament a few years ago.
The proposal? Our proposal was something out of a storybook. Shawn set me up for a "Prom" photo shoot with my mom and her business, Mimi's Bridal. Turns out, there was no photo shoot. Instead, a limousine escorted us to a very nice dinner. On the scenic route, Shawn got down on one knee as I was looking out the window. After our dinner, he had purchased a brand new vehicle and had it parked out front of the restaurant with "Always and Forever" on the windshield. I wept tears of joy! He put in a lot of work to keep it all a secret, and even more time and effort to make sure it was one of the greatest nights of my life.
What is love? We think love is something you create together. It's songs that remind you of each other, smiles for no reason, and memories you make together doing silly things. Love is kept alive by constantly reminding each other why you're together whether it's taking spontaneous adventures, or just telling your significant other you're happy that you're with them. And, that you love them. It's a warm and fuzzy feeling that everyone deserves to give and receive. What do you love most about each other? We love the fact that both of us are always up for anything. We take a lot of mini adventures to places we've never been. Spending time together and doing new things keeps our relationship strong.
Fun Facts -We bought our first house together this year -Shawn hates mushrooms -Nia is afraid of the dark -Shawn loves tinkering and fixing things -Nia has an obsession with all things wedding related -We have 3 dogs and 1 cat -We both love wakeboarding
Honeymoon plans: We plan on going somewhere hot and tropical in the near future! Somewhere that a swimming suit is appropriate all day long is a must!
Wedding details: We chose a country chic theme - it was so much fun to create and it was easily attainable financially! We both wore cowboy boots - being comfortable all day and night was such a great feeling! We also had a mechanical bull for our guests. They are still raving about it!
29
406 love}
Story
Troy & Britlee Photos by: Oh Snap! Photography www.ohsnapphotographymt.com
{
{
Love is always being able to express yourself to one another, and accepting each other for who you are.
Who are you? Britlee- I was born in California and moved to Montana with my family after my dad received an honorable discharge from the Marine's. I graduated from Glacier High in 2010 and then pursued a career in the beauty industry as a licensed Esthetician. I recently received a certification to become an Oncology Esthetician, the first in the Valley. I have my own space in Whitefish where I specialize in airbrush makeup, spray tans & facials customized for people undergoing cancer treatments. I have a love and passion for anything beauty related.
down on one knee with another box in hand. He handed it to me and asked me to marry him.
What is love? Britlee- Love is always being able to express yourself to one another, and accepting each other for who you are. Troy- Love is always being there for one another. Love is trust and compassion for each other.
What do you love most about each other? Britlee- I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. I love that he can always Troy- I was born and raised in Kalispell. I gradu- make me smile, that he is always there for me ated from Glacier High in 2009. I have a passion when I need a shoulder to lean on. I love how he for racing that started when my parents bought has a positive outlook on life. I love that he's alme my first four-wheeler when I was 2 years ways up for a new adventure. old. I have since traveled throughout Montana, Washington, California and Arizona competing Troy- I love that she is always happy. I love that in many different quad crosses. In the off-season she's always leaving me little notes around the house to surprise me with different things. I love I enjoy snowcatting and fishing. that I can always be myself around her. I love that she has a huge heart and would do anything for How did you meet? anybody. We had a class together during high school. After months had passed we discovered we had some When did you know you were in love? of the same friends. We started hanging out the summer before Britlee started her senior year. I Britlee- After we had met. finally asked her out at fall and the rest has been Troy- After we met. history. Fun Facts: We both love to snowboard. The proposal? We were celebrating Christmas Eve with Troy’s Honeymoon plans: family. We had dinner and decided that we would open some gifts. Troy handed me what We are planning a trip to Hawaii. looked like a watch box. After opening it and finding nothing inside we were all confused. He Wedding Details hadn't told anyone that he was going pop the We are getting married August 9th, 2014 in Lowquestion, so of course family members starting er Valley on the river. Our wedding colors are joking around saying oh no they forgot to put the purple and gray. We are looking forward to sharwatch inside! I then turned around to find Troy ing the day with our closest friends and family. 30
406 love}Rabbi Allen Secher
Watching Love Happen As told by Rabbi Allen and written by Ina Albert
Q: How can I be totally present for the big wedding moment, not distracted by worry over details? A: First, make a list of all the things you think could go wrong that worry you. Then delegate responsibility for them to members of your bridal party.
Second, find a quiet place for time alone before the ceremony and spend a few moments just before the wedding taking deep breaths, closing your eyes, and taking your mind to a beautiful spot on a beach or in the mountains. Notice everything about it in detail: the colors, the smell, the touch, the sounds of the place.
Third, focus on your heart space and concentrate on its rhythm. Tell your heart to slow down, just slow down, slow down. Feel the rhythm change.
Fourth, when you are relaxed, come back into the room with your family and friends, tell them how grateful you are to them for their support and ask them to help you enjoy your wedding by staying peaceful, calm and joyful.
Dear Reader, Life cycle events are exciting and wonderful, but they are also filled with emotion. Even the most ideal situations have moments of tears, joy, anger and frustration. Everyone has their dream of what their wedding should look like, and they usually don’t look the same to everyone. I want to help you through these challenging times. So send me your confidential questions. I will protect your privacy and not identify you by name. Meanwhile, Readers, I look forward to hearing from you and to helping you and your family make the wedding everything you dreamed it should be. Best thoughts and blessings, Rabbi Allen Secher Sech1818@gmail.com 406 863-2333 32
Fifth, take the arm of the person walking you down the aisle, and when it is your time, enter the room slowly opening your senses to feel the sounds of the music, the smell of the flowers and the figure of your groom standing before you.
Finally, the trick is to focus on BEING in the moment. Close your mind and open your senses. Practicing this state of consciousness several times before the wedding will be very helpful. Above all, ENJOY!
A Mystical, Magical Wedding Story The Twilight Zone
Location, location, location is never so critical as when you are choosing the spot for a wedding. My years of clerical experience performing all kinds of weddings have taught me that the where is a major factor in the planning process. Locations can vary from the Ritz to Aunt Sarah's living room, from a sailboat out at sea to a pig farm in Minnesota, from a sandy beach at sunset in Acapulco to a hospital maternity ward. Certainly one of the most romantic locations in which I ever per-
formed a wedding was on an island in the midst of a multi-level waterfall in the Colorado Rockies.
But no location will ever be as bizarre as The Twilight Zone. During my interview with the couple prior to the wedding, they made it clear they wanted to be married on their own land in the hills above Los Angeles a few miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. It seemed like a wonderful idea to me, full of meaning for the bride and groom, a way of sanctifying the ground chosen for their home, and of integrating the spirit of the ceremony with their future lives by creating their sacred space.
But the day of the wedding dawned with a wicked January rainstorm. It was a bone chilling pelting rain that made the outlook for the rest of the day thoroughly uninviting. Sure that the bride and groom would want to find another venue for the ceremony, I called, but…. "We're still going for it. After all, the location is too important to us." So dressed in old clothes, black rain boots and a yellow slicker I set out on the highway in my beat up Mercury Cougar.
Midway to the destination the rain stopped, but was replaced by a gauzy blanket of fog that offered zero visibility. Driving with my head out of the window, I followed the white divider lines on the narrow, curved road through the Santa Monica Mountain passes. The odometer directions were intricate: two miles westbound, then three miles northbound, then turn left at the intersection and up the dirt road. I stopped often to check my mileage to make sure I was still on target. Finally, I stumbled across the designated spot and parked my car. Unable to see more than ten feet in front of me, I walked closely behind the rear end of another guest for more than a mile up a muddy path lined with rain soaked trees, hoping all the while that he, whose backside was now thoroughly familiar to me, knew where he was going. As we got closer, I heard the strains of distant music over the squishy sound of our boots slogging through the mud. When we arrived at a clearing we confronted the shadowy form of a fiddler clothed in a bedraggled top hat and tails strolling around
the circumference of the area where the ceremony was to take place.
Problem: When I asked all present including the bride and groom, the attendants, the parents and guests whether the fiddler was part of the wedding party, nobody knew who him or where he came from.
In the general vicinity of the fiddler, a garland bedecked dancer dressed in a diaphanous white robe pranced outside the circle of guests. The rhythm of her movements was entirely different than the tune the fiddler played, yet she danced, swaying back and forth in the fog, her flimsy wet gown clinging to her delicate frame. Here too, nobody knew her or where she came from.
The wedding couple, Tom and Marie, found their way to the center of the gathering in front of a large boulder signaling the start of the ceremony. Neither of them showed the least concern about the weather, the fog or with the uninvited mysterious performers. I announced the beginning of the ceremony to the fifty or so wedding guests huddled in a semi-circle in the eerie mist. Though I couldn't see all of them, I could sense their presence and feel my voice echo through the ghostly vapor. While the fiddler kept fiddling and the dancer kept dancing, I stood in front of the boulder facing the group, my yarmulke and prayer shawl now in place.
As I opened my mouth to begin the ceremony, a streak of light above us illuminated the entire scene. I looked up, and to my amazement, the thick bank of fog had begun to part and a vertical tunnel, no more than fifteen feet wide, opened to a perfect blue sky directly over our heads. The bank continued to roll westward like a key twisting off the lid of a sardine can. The view revealed an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean a few miles directly ahead of us. We witnessed a miracle as powerful as the parting of the Red Sea.
Unaffected by the sudden daylight, the fiddler kept fiddling and the dancer kept dancing.
In this magnificent setting—blue sky and ocean view—the wedding went off without a hitch. The father of the bride, a college professor, had prepared the greater portion of the ceremony. His words were touching, sentimental and meaningful—a moving personal experience for everyone present.
“Marie and Tom are not only marrying each other, they are marrying themselves to the land on which we stand. This is their commitment, their home, their future, their place in the sun.”
But the sun didn’t last long. The ceremony drew to a close, and after no more than thirty seconds, the heavenly corridor vanished. Moses stayed his hand and we were once again totally engulfed. Zero visibility! The sturdy support of the rock behind convinced me that I was still earthbound and not carried away into Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. And still the fiddler fiddled and the dancer danced.
food}tablescaping
Written, Photographed, and Styled by: Cara Lard of Goldfinch Events & Design and Rachel Spray of Jeremiah and Rachel Photography
Temperatures are dropping, snowflakes are beginning to fall in Montana, and the holidays are upon us. With that often comes the usual excitement and stress of decorating for large family gatherings, giving just the right present, and in all the chaos still remembering to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. May these few tips help inspire you towards a simple, stress-free holiday season. When decorating your table, fresh cut boughs such as cedar, Douglas fir, and white pine provide fragrance and texture while an abundance of white pillar candles add warmth
and coziness. Keep your centerpiece low to promote conversation and your color palate simple, in classic whites and greens with a hint of gold sparkle or pop of red to avoid looking over-decorated and tacky. Cedar trimmings make great napkin accents and snowflake sugar cookies add a touch of edible décor to everyone’s plate. In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, make time for those you love by having an annual snowball war in the yard, hosting a monopoly marathon, caroling through your neighborhood, ice-skating on a local pond, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or embarking on a snowshoeing expedition. Instead of the stereotypical turkey dinner, make new traditions like hosting a tree-cutting party for family and friends with hot chocolate, homemade treats, and a tree hunt. These timeless customs will be carried down by generations to come, building life-long memories with those you love.
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food}tablescaping
4. Gifting Budget – Create a budget in the fall outlining who you’ll be giving gifts to and approximately how much you’d like to spend on each individual. For instance, you will probably buy the most expensive gift for your spouse or significant other, then your children, the rest of your family, then friends etc. Stick to your budget so you don’t end up with a huge credit card bill in January. 5. Homemade Gifts – The holidays can become a very expensive time of year especially when you have long lists of people you need to buy for. Everyone loves the time and effort spent on homemade gifts. Even something as simple as canned goods with cute labeling or a box of cookies with a pretty bow will show the recipient you care about them this holiday season. They know you’ve spent hard work and time making it specifically with them in mind.
Gift Giving & Getting Guidelines 1. Give a gift they actually want/need – Ask the recipient’s closest relatives and friends what they might need. Maybe they’ve been dropping hints? Or check their pinterest boards or facebook account for more ideas. 2. Shop local – Many local stores allow “wish lists” so stop in and ask if the person you’re buying for has a list of their own. Shopping local also supports the economy in your town AND you can save on shipping!
3. Unexpected Gifts – Have you ever been given a gift from someone you weren’t expecting or been invited to a holiday party at the last minute? Keep a few generic gifts on hand like a nice candle set or a bottle of wine with easy wrapping options like gift bags for those unexpected moments. 40
C redits :
Styling: Cara Lard of Goldfinch Events & Design, and Rachel Spray of Jeremiah and Rachel Photography Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography Wardrobe Styling: Courtney Ferda of 114 West Models: The Ray Family
food}
Cook Books
Three Cooks & A Book
by Jennifer, Sally & Peggy at Rising Sun Bistro photo by Scott Wilson Photography
Whitewater Cooks by Shelley Adams
ingredients and bright natural flavors. The recipe we chose can be made ahead, and while it is cooking you can visit with your family and friends. Serve with rice and a salad from the salads and greens chapter. This cookbook is based on recipes Bon Appétit and Happy Holidays. from the Fresh Tracks Café in the Whitewater Winter Resort in British Chicken Marbella Serves 6-8 Columbia. As we sit and look at this month’s cookbook selection, we imagine we have just had the most incredible day of skiing and we are now going to have an even more incredible meal!
The chapters range from soups and bowls, salads and greens, savories, salsas, chutneys and sauces and sweet things. The recipes are not complicated and can be made ahead, so they’re ready after a day on the slopes. What better way, in the holiday season, than to share your heart and soul with family and friends, enjoying a meal that you have lovingly made with honest 42
5lbs. chicken pieces, legs and thighs are best
6 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp. dried oregano 2 tsp. salt
2tsp. pepper
¼ c. red wine vinegar ¼ c. olive oil
½ c. pitted prunes, chopped
½ c. dried figs, chopped in quarters ¼ c. Spanish green olives, pitted and whole
¼ c. capers with a bit of juice 3 bay leaves
½ c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. parsley, chopped Combine all ingredients, except parsley and marinate chicken pieces overnight, turning occasionally. This overnight marinating is essential to the moistness and flavor of the dish. Arrange chicken pieces in a large shallow baking pan and pour marinade over. Bake in 350 degrees oven for 50 minutes, basting frequently with the pan juices. When done it should be a nice deep golden brown color. Sprinkle with parsley.
Editor’s Note: Our authors own and operate the Rising Sun Bistro in downtown Kalispell. Stop by and try some delicious creations. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday Brunch 9am-3pm. Rising Sun Bistro 25 Second Avenue West, Kalispell 406-890-2600 www.risingsunbistro.com
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taste
HU-HUCKLE, BU-BUCKLE, HUCKLEBERRY MOUSSE By Leslie Budewitz, Author/Lawyer
The most popular woman in Paris is probably the young woman who carries the giant wooden bowl of chocolate mousse among the tables at Chez Janou, a delightful corner bistro in the 4th Arrondissement. With dark chocolate skin and a smile as bright as the lights on the Eiffel Tower, she dispenses huge spoonfuls of thick, rich mousse. If the look on a diner’s face says “more,” she happily obliges.
When we returned from our first trip to Paris, I searched on line for Chez Janou’s chocolate mousse recipe. Alas, all I found were raves, with notes that Janou and her staff repeatedly refused to divulge it—and a hint that it resembled Julia Child’s classic recipe. Voila! ‘Tis the same, or darned close. To me, it evokes the taste of the perfect evening in Paris with my hunny. It’s a tad complicated, though, so I was delighted to discover a simpler recipe—on the wrapper of the French bars of Nestle cooking chocolate! So what’s the taste of the perfect evening in Montana? Well, to Erin Murphy, the protagonist of my series, The Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, set in Jewel Bay, Montana, it’s Huckleberry Chocolate Mousse.
If Montana had an official fruit, it would be the huckleberry, a wild mountain relative of the blueberry. Yes, other states claim them, too. But ours are the Real Thing. I know, because the last time I went picking, in the mountains above town known as the Jewel Basin, I was happily filling my little bucket with deep purple jewels when the sounds of leaves and fruit being torn from branches told me a bear had the same idea. And if a bear wants something, you know it’s good—and you let her have it!
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The Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries are set in a small town in NW Montana where good food reigns supreme. Erin Murphy runs a specialty regional foods market, known as the Merc, and right next door are Le Panier, the bakery, and Chez Max, a bistro, run by Max and Wendy Fontaine. Wendy’s a local girl, but Max hails from
Provence. His bistro bears a resemblance to Chez Janou, and to Bistrot á Vins in Arles. But it’s got a flavor all its own—call it Montana, with a French accent. HUCKLEBERRY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEZ JEWEL BAY
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons huckleberry syrup
3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature pinch of sat
1-/12 teaspoons sugar
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, in the microwave, or in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the huckleberry syrup. Transfer to a bowl large enough for all the ingredients. Whisk the egg yolks into the chocolate, one at a time.
Beat the egg whites with the salt until they start to form peaks. (A stand mixer is perfect, if you have one.) Continue to beat and gradually add the sugar. Beat until the whites are shiny and hold medium-firm peaks. Using a rubber spatula, spoon about a quarter of the whites into the chocolate and fold until almost smooth. (This lightens the chocolate and makes it easier to blend in the rest.) Spoon the rest of the whites into the chocolate and fold in carefully. Don’t overwork the mixture— you want to leave the bubbles in the mousse for lightness, and streaks are fine. Spoon mousse into individual serving dishes and chill, covered. Garnish with whipped cream, mint, and huckleberries, if you’d like— and if you’re lucky enough to snare a few from the bear. Or if you’re feeling like la jeune fille Chez Janou, leave it in the bowl and serve your guests tableside.
"It takes a village to catch a killer."
Leslie Budewitz writes The Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, set in Jewel Bay, Montana. The first book, Death al Dente (Berkley Prime Crime) appeared in August 2013 and quickly became a national best-seller. The lighthearted mysteries feature Erin Murphy, proprietor of The Merc, a market specializing in regional foods, located in her family's century-old former grocery. Erin's passion for pasta, retail, and huckleberry chocolates lead to an unexpected talent for solving murder.
Also a lawyer, Leslie's reference book for writers, Books, Crooks & Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure, won the 2011 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction. She lives in Bigfork with her husband, Don Beans, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their Burmese cat, Ruff. Visit her at www.LeslieBudewitz.com
food} wine food} wine
Happy Holidays, 406 friends! By Karen Sanderson
Guess who is celebrating their one-year Anniversary this December? We are! They say the first year is the hardest and I must agree. Blood, sweat, tears? Yes. Sleep deprivation and swearing? Mucho. Would I do it all again? Undoubtedly, yes. What started out as a big room with a tiny selection of beer and wine has blossomed into a somewhat crowded room full of amazing craft beers, unique wines, and specialty foods. And just how did we survive the first year? Thanks to YOU, our readers, our local regular customers, and visiting tourists, we were able to prosper and grow in 2013. Thank you! Owning a small business in a small town is a daunting task, and nothing makes us smile more than to hear you say, “I love giving my business to the little guys.” Or even better, coming to us with something you found online or in a catalog and asking, “Can you get this for me?” That extra effort is what keeps us motivated. To pay it forward, we also take care in choosing our products. We at Brix strive to make sure the majority of our items come from family owned and operated businesses with good reputations and a dedication to quality over quantity. When you know that someone has put their handcrafted heart and soul into their product, it just makes it taste that much better.
HOLIDAY WINE PICKS
With that said, here are our top HOLIDAY WINE PICKS for your holiday revelry and merriment. These delicious wines are made by some of our favorite family run properties. Warm Soup & Stew Wines
Nothing says hearty winter meal like a big pot of chili or beef stew. Channel your inner pioneer woman and pair that big dish with a big wine. Add a crackling fire, candles, and chocolate for dessert, and Jack Frost will most certainly be on his way. Splurge: Inama Bradissimo Rosso, IT, $32 & Robert Foley Griffin Red, CA, $36 Midway: Chateau Segries Cotes du Rhone, FR, $14 & Siduri’s Four Mile Creek NOCO Red, FR, $15 Steal: Gil Family Laya Monastrell Grenache Blend, SP, $10 & Penya Languedoc Red, FR, $9 46
Après Ski Wines
Whether it’s a party in a bottle or a cozy up by the fire kind of night, these wines are perfect choices to get you celebrating your black diamond day on the slopes: Splurge: Grgich Chardonnay, CA $40, & Pepper Bridge Cabernet, WA $59 Midway:Chateau Recougne Bordeaux Red, FR $17, & Zuccardi Malbec, AR, $13 Steal: Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet Blend, AU $7, & Vandori Pinot Grigio, IT $6
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wine
Wines for Christmas Dinner
New Year’s Eve Bubbly
Splurge: Honig Cabernet, CA, $38 & Bergstrom Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, OR, $52
Splurge: Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé, FR, $96 & Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc, FR, $54
Midway: Domaine Font Sarade Vacqueras, $25 & Cougar Crest Viognier, $18
Midway: Argyle Sparkling Brut, OR, $23, & Ruggeri Prosecco, IT, $21
Steal: Rudi Wiest Mosel Riesling, $9 & Ryan Harms’s Underwood Pinot Noir, OR, $11
Steal: Charles de Fere Blanc de Blanc, FR, $9 & Codorniu Cava, SP $9
When it comes to ham and turkey, choosing the right wines may depend on how many wine drinkers you have at your table, and what they like. In our family, we take this opportunity to break out a little bit of everything and enjoy them all.
If ever there was a year to celebrate, it’s this one. There is a renewed sense of optimism in the air lately, and it seems that things are looking up. Need another reason? Well, are you breathing? Then great, you have something to celebrate! Cheers to a prosperous 2014.
Sparkling Speaking of sparkling, here’s a cheat sheet to make your champagne buying a breeze: Types of Champagne, from Champagne, France: Prestige Cuveé (a proprietary blended sparkler, made with pinot noir and chardonnay grapes) Blanc de noirs (“white from black”, made with pinot noir grapes) Blancs de blancs (“white from white”, made with chardonnay grapes) Rosé Champagne (the pink, and most prestigious… like the Alexander McQueen of sparkling)
Then there’s the sweetness scale: • Extra Brut: very, very dry • Brut: dry • Extra Dry: dry with a tiny hint of sweetness • Sec: a little sweeter • Demi-sec: pretty sweet • Doux: sweet like candy “I only drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not in a hurry and drink it when I am, otherwise I never touch the stuff unless I am thirsty. ” - Lily Bollinger We hope this bit of information makes your holiday wine shopping a breeze. We encourage you to shop small this holiday season, and if you already are, thank you for keeping it in the community! Cheers, and best wishes for a safe and prosperous new year. Karen Sanderson, Brix Bottleshop 47
home}
Architect
A n A rchitect – By Chad Phillips
An Architect is a person dedicating his time, skill and experience to furthering the dreams of his client. He knows that time is well and cherishing when his client’s desires are woven into the drawings that are about to become a reality. Experience brings a set of drawings and modeling that is error free for the builder and sub contractors. This ability enables the construction to be on time and on budget. This is reassuring for it reminds us that precision is possible. Precision is also giving something to someone that cares for them. To be heard to the point that your Architect knows exactly your dream in budget, time and quality is a relationship that is honoring.
Many men and women strive for advancing their talents to be skillful. An architect is highly educated and can bring great skill in knowing the best way to handle every aspect of design and construction. As a result of having heightened skills an Architect can save his client above and beyond his fee if they had chosen to go to a lesser skilled professional. 50
There are many aspects of design beyond a floor plan and elevation. It is advantageous to use an Architect to further your dreams of a comprehensive well done project. Many areas of construction and design are to be addressed and if addressed comprehensively result in an award winning project every time. To enjoy seeing a project where every decision was discussed and detailed takes a passionate team leader. Selecting an Architect / team leader is done by the level of care you imagine you need. To wait to discuss functions of your home or building will invariably invite you to think unwell of your designer. No one likes surprises especially when they discover those surprises cost money, time and anxiety. Architects are trained to listen and detail every function of the building/home so they are more apt to inform you of what is required to live in comfort and joy for many years to come. Joyously,
Chad Phillips
Architect/ Planner
health}
your teeth
An Ounce of Prevention by Dr. John F. Miller DDS
“I’ll start over on Monday.” “I’ll do better...starting Monday.” If this sounds familiar to you, we have something in common. We have 52 mini-resolution Mondays every year. So by the time the week has gone to hell, typically early Wednesday afternoon, we’ve only to wait a few days and we are presented with a fresh new Monday in which to dust ourselves off and try again. My usual suspects include: 1) Giving up Diet Coke. 2) Preserving my SuperHero status amongst my offspring. 3) Eating more OMG It’s Spicy. 4) Achieving Super-Hero status with my wife. Respectively…Difficult, Easy for now, Delicious, and Unlikely. A few short weeks from now we have the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to our more meaningful New Year’s Resolutions. I hope that this article inspires you to include improving and/ or maintaining optimal oral health amongst your New Year’s goals. I have readers who maintain their oral health on a daily basis and keep regular care visits at their dental office; at which they’re told, “You’re teeth and gums look great! It was nice seeing you today and I look forward to your next visit 54
in 6 months.” For these readers, resolve to keep doing what you’re doing. There are others in the audience, however, that know that there are necessary improvements in their daily routine that need to be made with respect to their mouths. You know who you are and the time is now. My line of work is filled with sad should-of, could-of, and would-of.
Ole Benny Franklin couldn’t have said it better when he stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This strikes at the heart of Dentistry in the 21st century. Tooth Decay and Gum Disease represent failure to both the dentist and the patient. With my competitive nature I do not enjoy failure, so prevention of oral pathology is my success story and it saves my patient’s from pain, from embarrassment, from spending additional money on restorative dentistry, and it saves them time. I’ll spare you the brushing, flossing, and rinsing (the Holy Trinity of preventative dentistry) discussion and focus the remainder of this article on
a contemporary and successful substance that comes to us in the form of a naturally occurring sugar alcohol. If you have not heard of it as of yet, let me introduce you to the newest member in the preventative dentistry family: (CHOH)3(CH2OH)2 aka: XYLITOL.
What is it?
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar commonly found and extracted from Birch trees. It has been utilized therapeutically in the treatment of diabetes for years and has more recently seen use as an anti-cavity (noncariogenic) agent.
How Does it Work?
Xylitol functions to prevent cavities in 3 stages of cavity development. First, Xylitol inhibits bacterial plaque accumulation on the surface of the teeth. Second, Xylitol prevents the growth and multiplication of decay-causing bacteria. The chemical structure of Xylitol prevents it from being used as a food source for bacteria, which inhibits growth and destructive acid production. Third, Xylitol aids in the repair of damaged tooth structure. In the interest of space and trees please
read more @ http://www.xylitol.org/ dental-benefits-of-xylitol.
How Do I Get it?
Before adding Xylitol to your oral health arsenal, consult with your Dentist and determine your risk for developing dental cavities. I place patients in one of three categories: Low-Risk, Moderate Risk, and High Risk. The products I recommend are determined by someone’s risk for developing dental decay. If you are determined to be at Moderate to High risk, Xylitol products are indicated and should be available at your Dental office. The most common methods for getting Xylitol are through chewing gum, lozenges, hard candies, and rinses. I offer CariFree products and invite you to learn more @ http://carifree.com/patient/home.html. Don’t want to wait until you see your dentist? Great! I applaud your enthusiasm. Xylitol is available to the consumer in most sugar-free chewing gums. However, only Ice Breakers Ice Cubes have a sufficient amount to be effective at 1.1 grams per cube. Chewing 2 cubes for five minutes after each meal will provide you with the recommended 6-10 grams daily. In addition,
health}
your teeth
chewing sugarless gum will increase the production of saliva by 10 times your normal rate. This can be especially helpful after sugary meals to reverse drops in your oral pH and to keep bacteria in check.
For New Mother’s:
If you read my articles regularly you probably have learned that I place a lot of responsibility on Mother’s, especially New Mother’s. You have been put in a position a tremendous importance, the raising of our future generation. I want you to think of your child’s teeth as your teeth. That means my wife is responsible for exactly 90 teeth every morning and afternoon. I assume responsibility at night and let me tell you, those 90 teeth get a scrub down. Infants are not born with cavity causing bacteria in their mouths. They have to get from someone else, and that typically is Mom. One of the really cool benefits of chewing Xylitol gum is that it reduces the risk of transmission of cavity making bacteria from Moms to their children (yes smarts and good looks aren’t the only things kids get from their moms). Children of mothers who chewed Xylitol gum as directed starting 3-6 months after childbirth and continued until their children had all their baby teeth at the age of 2 had a dramatically lower risk for cavities. The direct cause of this was a significantly lower amount of destructive cavity causing bacteria found in the child’s dental plaque. Why, because the use of Xylitol containing chewing gum by their mothers significantly decreased the level of these bacteria in Mom’s mouth as well. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. Read more @ http://www.freysmiles.com/blog/ view/xylitol-gum-a-guide-for-new-moms-everyone-else. Prevention is the answer my friends. It’s much easier and cheaper to change the oil occasionally than to replace the engine. Let’s brighten the future with bright healthy smiles. See you next year!
406 family} Where mountain and home meet!
Being Intentional In the 21st century, most of us are not “just” homemakers anymore. Most of us, juggle part or full time jobs, volunteering, as well as trying to maintain our homes, playing chauffer to our children, parenting and being a wife, sister, daughter and friend. It is a constant struggle to find a balance. Many of the moms I talk to tell me that they are too busy. Their time is eaten up with obligations, work, driving and also with facebook, pinterest and other time wasting activities. Most moms would love to create a cozy home and organize their lives, but they are simply too busy.
Technology was supposed to free our time and make things easier for us and while in some ways it has, can you imagine not having Google now? And don’t you wish it had been invented when you were in college! But, it has also made our lives very busy. We are constantly at the beck and call of work and struggle to find time for friends, while meeting the needs of family. We might have 500 friends on facebook but have not had lunch with a friend in a year. We are overwhelmed with communication, but are communicating less with the people who really matter to us. Life has become a barrage of input from acquaintances and businesses and very little interaction with real people. This constant input is the reason we feel so frantically busy. Our phones notify us constantly of someone needing something, even if it is just a “like” on a picture. This winter, my goal is to stop doing and responding to the things that don’t matter and to create an atmosphere of peace and calm inside my home.
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What would it look like if you could stop doing all the things that take away your energy? And how would you do that?
Prioritize A few weeks ago I was trying to figure out a way to add two more hours of productivity to my day. I needed to give up sleep, exercise or spending time with my family in order to accomplish everything on my plate. After a couple of days of thinking about it and making lists, I realized that instead of doing more, I really need to BE more. I need to slow down and be present in the everyday moments of my life and not try to find ways to cram in more activities that don’t add value to my life or add more unnecessary stress.
Take a piece of paper and write down all of your responsibilities, all of the things you spend time doing and all the things you just want to do. Then, put a number next to them based on their importance to you.
I. The things you have to do.
Work, childcare, housework. But also include the things that really matter to you, such as exercise and special things with family.
II. Next are things you really like to doing but are not priorities. Things that make your life better. Book clubs, bible studies, moms groups. These are the things you want to have time to do. III.These are the things that you don’t have to do, but would if you had time. Hobbies, volunteering, learning new things.
IV. These are the things you are doing that
add stress to your life. These things you do not have to do. They take up valuable time that you could be using on I and II. This could be spending time on facebook or pinterest or attending events you don’t enjoy. An IV activity should never take precedence over an I or an II.
Now build your schedule with the things from the I and II group. After you have those in place, add III if you have time in your schedule. Throw out everything that has an IV. These are time wasting and not soul feeding. The hard part is throwing them out, but you have to recognize that time doing a IV activity is taking time away from doing a I activity. For instance, if I place a high priority on keeping my house clean, but I spend the time I could be cleaning to pinning pictures of clean houses, then I just wasted my time and now I am unhappy because I didn’t do something that I valued instead. We are all busy but if we prioritize our time correctly, maybe we will stop doing the things that suck energy from us and start doing the things that give us energy and life. Knock out some of those boring IV activities and replace them this holiday season with some fun family activities instead. Have a soup night and play board games and read aloud with your kids. Now, that is a good, soul feeding, kind of busy.
Gretchen Knuffke
Photo by Marianne Wiest Photography
Snow on the ground creates such a quiet, peaceful environment outside. I love the muffled sound of winter when we can sit inside by the fire. The holidays can be a hectic time for most of us, however I think we all wish we could just slow down and be present in our own lives. We need a way to stop being busy and instead be productive. Creating a peaceful home in a hectic world starts with taking stock of all the things you are committed to doing and eliminating the things that distract and stress you.
lives in Kalispell and is the mother of 10 children ranging in age from 1 to 19 years old. She is the owner of Maternal Instincts, a parent education company and writes on motherhood, parenting and homemaking. She also has a Bachelor's degree in Education and is a Love and Logic facilitator. When she is not doing laundry and driving kids around the Flathead, she loves a long run, a good glass of
wine, and a great book. Her passion in life is to make parenting easier and to help mothers find joy while raising kids, keeping homes and working. She is a motivational speaker and a blogger. You can find her at www.gretchenknuffke.com.
games, books & activities Best Board Games Settlers of Catan - Sequence- Scattergories - Ticket to Ride Cranium - Rummikub - Carcassonne
Best Read Alouds The Hobbit - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Thief Lord - The Wolves of Willoughby ChaseCharlotte’s Web - Harry Potter - Where the Red Fern Grows Fun Winter Activities Snowshoeing in Glacier Park - Sledding on the hills at Kidsports - Ice Skating at Woodland Park or Stumptown Ice DenDogsleds at Dog Sled Adventures or Big Mountain
Winter Recipes
“Oh, God above, if heaven has a taste it must be an egg with butter and salt, and after the egg is there anything in the world lovlier than fresh warm bread and a mug of sweet golden tea?” ---Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes Winter calls for a little comfort food and nothing says comfort like homemade noodles. Make a batch of your favorite leftover turkey soup and add these thick, delicious egg noodles. Just like grandma made! Sit by the fire and read a good book aloud to your kids. Stop doing and just BE.
Homemade Egg Noodles 6 eggs - 3 cups of flour- Add a couple TBSP of milk if too dry
Make a well in the center of your flour and add the eggs. Slowly mix together with your hands. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until dough becomes smooth and pliable. You have got to work it with your hands. Don’t be afraid! Add flour to the board as necessary. Then, let the dough rest a while. Roll out onto a floured surface and slice them with a pizza cutter or a sharp knife. Let them dry several hours. I like mine thick in soup, but you can also roll and slice them thin and serve with your favorite Bolognese sauce. When your soup is all ready, put your noodles in and cook them just a few minutes. They cook up quickly. Your family will love you for this!
Winter Family Fun
The Torchlight Parade: Santa leads a torchlight parade
down the slopes followed by a gift giveaway for children at Ed and Mully’s Restaurant. December 24th at 6:00 pm. www.skiwhitefish.com Rail Jam and Fireworks: Rail Jam competition beginning at 5:00 pm with torchlight and fireworks immediately following. December 31st 5:00 www.skiwhitefish.com Winter Signs Snowshoe Walks: Glacier National Park is hosting Winter Signs Snowshoe Walks every Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. beginning Saturday, January 12, Winter Trails Day. The program is free and snowshoes rentals are available for a nominal fee at Apgar Visitor Center. 406-888-7939
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family} games
As the holidays approach, I am bombarded with catalogues. My mailbox spills over with clothing catalogues, kids’ toy catalogues, home décor catalogues, how to better dress your pet for Christmas catalogues….it’s truly endless. And, as much as I fight it, I do get caught up in all of the pretty pictures and festive gift ideas. I sit down in my cozy chair, and leaf through them, folding back pages of things that I actually never buy. I find myself rushing to pick something out, especially for my children, because everything is sold out by the first week of November. Then, every year, the one thing my child really wants, is gone. It’s all too much. So, I started thinking about fun games, and since both of my children love playing on the iPad, I thought….App Store! What great games could I pick out for them or guide them towards purchasing with an iTunes gift card? These will never be sold out. Then I deflate a bit when I think about some of the mindless games out there. I remember that morning, just a few days ago, when my five year old wanted to put makeup on before school, and I wonder, ‘Where is this coming from’? That evening, it all becomes clear when I see her playing one of the many make up, fingernail salon apps that I have been persuaded into downloading. So, what games could be more thought provoking, or academic? I did a bit of research and discovered how many wonderful apps are out there that are geared towards math and reading. Now, don’t get me wrong, I knew these games were out there, but it is amazing to see how much more advanced some of these games have become. And when I say advanced, I really mean creative. They are truly fun to play because the math and/or reading is either masked behind the game, or done creatively enough that kids actually enjoy it. For example, I rejoiced the other day, when my older daughter came home from school and professed that the math game from our iPad helped her participate in class when learning a new math concept. She was so proud of herself when she raised her hand, and could answer the teachers questions about something new! Anything
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Games = Learning By Kristen Pulsifer, Whitefish Study Center
that instills confidence in the classroom and with learning in general is a hit.
Some of the games that have been recommended are math games such as DragonBox Algebra 5+. This game teaches “all sorts of complex algebra concepts without making children feel as if they are learning mathematics. The app is like a game, and it starts at an abstract level: The player has to match small cartoon icons with their matching “dark” alternatives, eventually arranging the pieces on the playing board so that only the magical “box” of the game’s title is left on the board” (New York Times, November, 2013). As the levels are completed, each cartoon turns into a number or mathematical symbol while keeping the same game rules and sound effects.
Another wonderful app, geared towards reading and letter recognition is “Letters with Winnie the Pooh”. This app is geared towards ages 4-6, and if your child likes Winnie the Pooh, they will truly love this app. There are several different games within this single app. They range through everything from letter tracing, to voice recordings of words that Pooh teaches them to read. Then there are a few ‘just for fun games’. Also, all of the Bob Books apps are wonderful. My five year old was reading the short, simple stories, on her own, within 30 minutes of playing with app. For her, It was much more effective than going through the actual books. Do some of your own research and find some of the more educational apps that are out there for children of any age. One of the reasons these educational apps are so effective, is because many children tend to work with them independently and become inspired by figuring out these academic challenges on their own. Of course all of these games should have some parental monitoring at first, to make sure they are appropriate for your children and also to avoid frustration with skills that may be too challenging for your child; but, once the game is started, let them go and enjoy the sense of accomplishment they may feel when achieving an understanding of challenging skills, on their own.
fashion}
Courtney Ferda
114 west °
Holiday time in the 406 By Courtney Ferda - www.114-west.com Photos by jeremiahandrachel.com Every year I look forward to the holidays. I love spending time with family, eating yummy food and my tradition of picking out a new “holiday dress”. I wanted to share a few styles, colors, and prints that I love this holiday season. It was a blast taking pictures with Jeremiah and Rachel Photography this month. I was so excited to have Jennie and Aliva join us and I loved being able to spend time with these beautiful women. Their outfits are perfect for a “Montana” Christmas and I love the pairing of the jacket with Alivia’s dress. Jennie also writes a blog about being a pastor’s wife in Montana. Check it out at www.mrslusko.com. I hope this inspires you to go out and find a new dress and “fancy up” for
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Christmas. Don’t be afraid to go for an awesome print or detailed pattern this season. I recommend staying way from the typical “green, red and gold” options and choosing something like this teal dress below. I chose a couple of these dresses because of the unique length. When looking for your own, be on the lookout for something a little different. Something that hits at the knee or floor length is so beautiful this time of year! A huge thank you Harlow for supplying the pretty dresses. If you are looking for something special for Christmas, check out the awesome selection that Becky has in downtown Whitefish at 505 Railway Street. Wishing you a blessed Holiday season.
xoxo Court
Allie, Alivia, Jennie& Court
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health}
Answers
By Erin Blair, Licensed Esthetician + Certified Health Coach
s k i n ca r e answers
Q: A:
Is there anything I can do about the dark patches that showed up on my face after taking birth control pills? I stopped taking the pill a few years ago, but the spots are really stubborn. It actually looks like my face is stained on both cheeks, and across my forehead. I used a cream that’s supposed to lighten my skin, and that worked great at first, but a few months later the dark spots came back worse than ever. Then I did some research and found out that the product contained hydroquinone, which could be unsafe. So now I don’t know what to do!
What you have is called melasma. It’s a hormonally-induced form of hyperpigmentation, and can show up after taking hormonal supplements such as birth control, and also with pregnancy. For some, the pigment subsides naturally. However, as you’re learning first hand, it can be a pretty tough nut to crack. I’ve had good results treating the condition using an ‘inside-out’ approach. Hydroquinone is ill advised
Let’s take a moment to explore why your pigment got better, then worse. Perhaps we can save another reader from making this common mistake. Hydroquinone, which is available over the counter in 2% strength, and 4% with a prescription, is currently considered the ‘gold standard’ in skin lightening. Hydroquinone works by damaging the cells that make pigment. The problem is that when the cells repair themselves from this damage, they grow back with a vengeance. So the bleaching effect is not permanent, and the end result is what I call ‘rebound darkening’, which is often worse than the original problem.
ever, you pretty much have to use it forever to avoid seeing a relapse. Another reason I don’t like to fully suppress pigment (melanin), is that it leaves the skin without the natural sun protection the melanin affords. Finally, OTC use of hydroquinone is banned in Europe and Asia, which speaks to its’ lack of safety. There is talk that it will eventually be banned in the US as well, but until that day, many unassuming people are damaging their skin with it. Melasma is not a lost cause
Whether or not you’ve gone the hydroquinone route, there is hope. The treatment for melasma takes diligence and patience, but it can really pay off.
First, the hormonal imbalance that began the process has to be corrected, so talk to your doctor about non-hormonal birth control options. Second, I recommend a supplement that supports the liver and immune system. This is taken both internally and applied topically. Then the focus turns to building up the immune function of the skin Also, while I don’t advocate believing everything you read online, I and repairing the damaged cells, through topically applied nutrients. have to agree that hydroquinone has several strikes against it in the A gentle, plant-based pigment balancing formula is used for spot safety department. The primary concern is liver toxicity, and for this treating. Finally, it is imperative that a broad spectrum, zinc or titareason it’s recommended to use only on a short term basis. How- nium sunscreen with a minimum rating of SPF 30 be worn every day, 66
This approach rebuilds healthy skin, rather than tearing it down. The goal becomes to support the skin in healing itself, rather than inflicting further damage. This leads to the best results I've seen for melasma, including complete remission.
cloudy or not. One educator I’ve trained with actually recommends that her clients observe this practice when working indoors all day, because fluorescent lighting can affect damage to the skin as well. This approach rebuilds healthy skin, rather than tearing it down. The goal becomes to support the skin in healing itself, rather than inflicting further damage. This leads to the best results I’ve seen for melasma, including complete remission.
Q:
Do you recommend the spinning electronic cleansing brushes that I see everywhere now? A: That depends. I don’t recommend any type of scrubbing whatsoever on skin where inflammation is present. Examples of when this is especially true are raised, tender, or red acne lesions; rosacea; dermatitis or rash; or visible blood vessels. Furthermore, people with darker ethnic skin tones should be aware that scrubbing can incite dark spots. In cases such as these, brushes, scrub products, microdermabrasion, and even scrubbing with a washcloth should be avoided.
Some brushes can be good…in moderation
I don’t advocate the use of spinning brushes in general, and certainly not for those listed above under ANY circumstance. However, if you have skin that is congested with non-inflamed bumps or numerous blackheads, then very gentle cleansing with a sonic brush such as Clarisonic® can be helpful. This tool actually does not spin or vibrate. The bristle movement is created by sonic waves instead.
Still, this type of cleansing should be used judiciously. Pressure should not be applied; the brush should do the work.
Erin Blair, LE CHC, is a Licensed Esthetician and Certified Health Coach. A Whitefish resident for 17 years, Erin owns Skin Therapy Studio. She takes a ‘whole body’ approach to the treatment of difficult skin concerns, with a focus on acne management. For more information, visit SkinTherapyStudio.com. Please submit questions for this column to skintherapystudio@gmail.com.
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fitness
Body and Soul
Take Care of Yourself this Holiday Season
By Delia Buckmaster Photos by SharpEye Photography
Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.-Janis Joplin Welcome to the holiday season – Gift giving, parties, activities. A time for love and cheer... and stress. One of the main holiday pitfalls is compromising your exercise routine such as going to your favorite fitness class or taking some turns on the mountain. Many people who workout don't realize there is more to fitness than well-toned muscles. There's no shortage of exercise regimes that just promote the perfection of the body, or the idea of fitness as a part of a weight loss plan. You’re gaining much more from your weekly fitness classes than just a great physique. You are feeding your mind, body, and soul. Your Mind is Your Strongest Muscle The common perception is that exercise is just about the body, and if you want to exercise your mind, you read a book or do a crossword puzzle. Mind-body fitness involves working out the mind in a different way. Here, the mind is everything from thoughts to emotions, encompassing the entire human spirit. Those who have achieved mindbody fitness, will not only improve their physical health, but also will have enhanced their outlook on life and feel a greater sense of satisfaction with 68
life. Enjoy the following benefits when maintaining a health exercise routine…
5. Alleviate anxiety. The warm and fuzzy chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down. Moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety sensitivity.
1. Reduce stress. One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat can help manage physical and mental stress. So go ahead and get sweaty—working out 6. Become a Smarty Pants. Various studcan reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to ies on mice and men have shown that cardiovascular deal with existing mental tension. Win-win! exercise can create new brain cells (aka neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance. Stud2. Exercise Endorphins. Leaving your ies suggest that a tough workout increases levels of house on a cold winter day can be tough, but it’s a brain-derived protein (known as BDNF) in the worth the effort! Exercise releases endorphins, body, believed to help with decision making, higher which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. thinking, and learning. Smarty pants, indeed. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed. In some 7. Sharpen memory. Getting sweaty increascases, exercise can be just as effective as antidepres- es production of cells in hippocampus responsible sant pills in treating depression. Just 30 minutes a for memory and learning. For this reason, research few times a week can instantly boost overall mood. has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness. But exercise-based brainpower 3. Improve self-confidence. On a very isn’t just for kids. A study showed that running basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem sprints improved vocabulary retention among and improve positive self-image. Regardless of healthy adults. weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person's perception of his or her attractive- 8. Control Addiction The brain releases ness, that is, self-worth. That is Self Love. dopamine, the “reward chemical” in response to any form of pleasure, be that exercise, sex, drugs, 4. Enjoy the great outdoors. Exercis- alcohol, or food. Unfortunately, some people being in the great outdoors can increase self-esteem come addicted to dopamine and dependent on the even more. Why not go outside when a little fresh substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol air and sunshine (and exercise) can work wonders (and more rarely, food and sex). On the bright side, exercise can help in addiction recovery. Short exerfor self-confidence and happiness?
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fitness
Recipe of the Month: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro
cise sessions can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short term). 9. Increase relaxation. For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep. 10. Productivity. Feeling uninspired? The solution might be a workout away. Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers. While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms. 11. Inspire others. Join a group and a motivate each other. Pin it to inspiration or good old-fashioned competition, nobody wants to let the other person down. In fact, being part of a team is so powerful that it can actually raise athletes’ tolerances for pain. Even fitness beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat session, so find a workout buddy, small group class and get moving!
Food Focus: Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are on everyone’s mind this season. They seem to go hand in hand with the holidays, and fortunately, eating these and other sweet vegetables needn’t be limited to this time of year. Cravings for sweets can be greatly reduced by adding sweet vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, beets, squash, turnips and rutabagas to your daily diet. Sweet potatoes elevate blood sugar gently rather than with the jolt delivered by simple refined carbohydrates, so there’s no energy crash after you eat them. Much higher in nutrients than white potatoes and especially rich in vitamin A, sweet potatoes offer a creamy consistency that is satisfying and soothing. They are healing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and help to remove toxins from the body. They can increase the quantity of milk in lactating women and can lessen cramps and premenstrual symptoms. If you don’t have any sweet potatoes in your kitchen, go out and buy some (organic and local if possible) and make the recipe on the right.
Reference: pilates.com mayoclinic.com about.com stress.com webmd.com exercise.com
®Integrative Nutrition This recipe is an eye-opener for those who find sweet potatoes cloyingly sweet or those who are tired of eating them smothered in marshmallows and brown sugar. Japanese sweet potatoes, with their pale flesh and delicate flavor, are a treat if you can find them. Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Yield: 4 servings Ingredients: 4 sweet potatoes 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro 2-3 limes butter or olive oil, salt (optional) Directions: 1. Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them whole, in their skins, at 375 degrees until tender, about 40 minutes. 2. Wash and chop cilantro leaves. 3. When sweet potatoes are done, slit open the skin and place on serving plate. Season with salt and dots of butter or a sprinkle of oil, if you like, then squeeze fresh lime juice all over, and shower with cilantro leaves.
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health}
Answers
health care answers By Gwenda C. Jonas, MD Kalispell OB-GYN Photo by Karen Weyer
Q:
A:
I need a hysterectomy. Should I ask my Doctor about robotic surgery?
To answer this question, let’s first review what exactly is entailed in your surgery, the methods by which it could be done and talk about the benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery. We will then cover how Robotic-assisted surgery allows some women to have Minimally Invasive Surgery who otherwise might not have been good candidates. Hopefully, this will help you to decide if this is an approach you should consider with your surgeon. Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus with or without cervix, tubes and ovaries. It is most often recommended for pain, heavy bleeding, or precancerous or cancerous lesions. This has traditionally been done through a large incision in the abdomen, through the vagina, or through the vagina with the help of laparoscope (a telescope placed through the belly button). Minimally Invasive Surgery refers to techniques of surgery that are specifically done through very small incisions so as to result in less scarring, less pain and a quicker recovery. This has until now included Vaginal Hysterectomy or Laparoscopic-Assisted Hysterectomy. Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy is the newest approach to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. It refers to using a computer to assist the surgeon in performing the hysterectomy.
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Robotic-assistance is a revolutionary surgical technology designed to help surgeons perform many different minimally invasive surgeries more easily. It allows 3-D, magnified visualization of the surgical field and allows the
surgeon to feel as though they are inside the body looking at the anatomy from a new perspective. The instruments are extremely small and, unlike previous rigid, straight surgical instruments, they work like a surgeon’s own wrist – bending in multiple directions at the tip. Because most of the movement occurs at the end of the instruments, there is very little trauma to the abdominal wall at the incision sites. The robotic technology also smoothes the surgeon’s movements by removing human tremor. The “robot” is a computer assistant to the surgeon; it cannot operate by itself. The surgeon uses it to offer her or his patients minimally invasive surgery in a greater number of situations. In the past, women who had a very large uterus, a great deal of scarring, severe endometriosis or cancer might not be candidates for a vaginal or laparoscopic approach to their surgery. Robotic surgery allows them the same options as women without these issues. In addition, it is used in many women when one or more of these issues is suspected and might result in the need to “convert” a vaginal or laparoscopic surgery to and open surgery in the middle of the case. Why is this important? A great deal of the pain of surgery arises from the incision on the outside of the body. The incision size for a traditional or open hysterectomy is approximately 6 inches, and may be 12 or more inches in cases of cancer. In laparoscopic or robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy this is generally decreased to several much smaller incisions that total less than 2 inches, the largest being
generally just shy of ½ inch. This translates to much smaller scars and less pain. In addition, minimally invasive surgical techniques allow less tissue trauma surrounding the surgical site because instruments are smaller and more precise. This results in less pain, blood loss, and theoretically, less scarring inside the body. The robotic approach also allows the surgeon to see better in the deep areas of the abdomen and pelvis than was possible with traditional open surgery. In all cases, seeing better is well… better. Since, it was first introduced for gynecologic surgeries in 2005, the use of Robotic assistance has grown drastically. Some studies show that nearly 40% of all hysterectomies done in the US are now done with robotic assistance. At the same time, the number of open hysterectomies has dropped correspondingly from 60% to 30%. This means that many more women are benefiting from Minimally Invasive Surgery. This all sounds great. So is there a down side? Inside the field of medicine there are controversies surrounding this new technology. As you might imagine, a “Robot” is expensive. The instruments that are utilized with the robot are also expensive, although in many cases, the cost is similar to those used in simple laparoscopic surgery. At a time when Physicians are trying to cut costs in every way possible, any potential added expense is frowned upon. The present studies comparing roboticassisted surgery to laparoscopic surgery have
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not shown huge improvements in things like blood loss or time in the hospital. But to be fair, both of those things were very low in laparoscopic surgery already. As we have more experience with roboticassisted surgeries, surgeons are becoming more efficient, often bringing the cost of these surgeries on par with more standard approaches. We should remember that women who would have had a large, open incision and now can have minimally invasive surgery do benefit greatly from less medication, shorter hospital stay and a more rapid return to work. This is an overall economic benefit to the patient. However, it is fair to ask your surgeon, insurance company or hospital if you can expect a larger bill if you have robotic surgery. Initially, I was skeptical of robotic-assisted gynecology. Once I began performing robotic-assisted surgeries I became convinced of the advantages. My personal experience as a surgeon is that the majority of my patients use significantly less pain medication afterwards, and feel great
sooner than those who have other methods of hysterectomy. During surgery, I can visualize anatomy much better (including extremely small blood vessels), and perform surgical tasks with much greater precision and dexterity. I believe I am a better surgeon with this technology. The addition of robotic-assistance has allowed many of my patients to enjoy amazingly rapid return to their usual activities.
But while Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery offers advantages in gynecologic surgery, it is not necessary or appropriate for all cases. It is not needed for simple intra-abdominal surgeries like tubal ligations or vaginal surgeries for removal of precancerous cervical tissue for instance. If your surgeon is planning a vaginal or laparoscopic approach already, it may not be of benefit. However, if it has been recommended either that you have a large open incision for your surgery, or if you have been warned that there is a high likelihood that plans may be changed while you are asleep to include a large open incision, it is appropriate to ask if robotic assistance
Questions & Answers
is available. If the answer is no, and you are concerned, consider asking for a second opinion. As a surgeon, I always want my patients to feel comfortable with the decisions surrounding surgery. If a second opinion helps my patient feel good about her decision, I am very supportive of her seeking that opinion. But remember, even in Robotic-assisted surgeries, there may be times, although rare, when an open incision is the safest approach for the patient. Having a surgeon who is experienced with all approaches is wise. Your relationship with your surgeon is very important. You should feel comfortable asking questions. You should also feel comfortable that all of your options for treatment, the reasons you need surgery, and all surgical approaches have been thoroughly discussed. If you would like to research these topics in more depth, you may do so at: MISforWomen.com or daVinciSurgery. com. I hope this has been helpful information as you prepare for surgery and I wish you a speedy and easy recovery.
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Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer Provided By: Flathead City-County Health Department
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and it is designed to help raise awareness for women to protect themselves against HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer.
Facts about Cervical Cancer:
· Each day in the US, 30 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. · Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). · Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to cervical cancer screening. · Unlike other cancers, cervical cancer is not considered to be passed down through family genes. · Half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old. · Many women with cervical cancer were probably exposed to cancercausing HPV types in their teens or 20s. · Having regular Pap tests is one of the best ways to help protect against cervical cancer in the future. A Pap test doesn’t diagnose HPV, but it can look for abnormal cells (caused by HPV) in the lining of the cervix before the cells become pre-cancers or cancer. Hall HPV types that affect the genital area can cause abnormal Pap tests. To determine if an abnormal Pap test is caused by HPV, an HPV test can be ordered by a medical provider.
Facts about HPV Vaccination:
· HPV is a widespread virus that can infect most males and females in their lifetime. For most, HPV clears
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on its own, but for others who don’t clear certain types of the virus, HPV could cause significant consequences: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females. Other types could cause genital warts in both males and females and there’s no way to predict who will or won’t’ clear the virus. · HPV affects both females and males and can be transmitted with any kind of genital contact with someone who has PHV – intercourse isn’t necessary. · Many people who have HPV don’t even know it, because the virus often has no signs or symptoms. · For many people HPV is transmitted during their first 2 to 3 years of sexual contact. Males can’t get screened for HPV, so there’s no way to know if a male has the virus or is passing it on. · HPV vaccines are given as a series of three shots over 6 months to protect against HPV infection and the health problems that HPV infection can cause. · Two vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) protect against cervical cancers in women. One vaccine (Gardasil) also protects against genital warts and cancers of the anus, vagina and vulva. Both vaccines are available for females. Only Gardasil is available for males. · HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before being sexually active with another person. That's why HPV vaccination is recommended for preteen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years. In addition to girls and boys aged 11 or 12 years, HPV vaccines are also recommended for teen boys and girls who did not get the vaccine when they were younger, teen girls and young women through age 26, as well as teen boys and young men through age 21.
The Montana Cancer Screening Program offers free cervical cancer screenings for income and age eligible women. For more information contact the Flathead City-County Health Department at 7518162. The Health Department also offers HPV vaccinations; contact 751-8110 for information or to see if you should receive the vaccine.
wellness}
Dreams
It’s the New Year! Dust Off Your Dreams!
Written by CrisMarie Campbell
During our coaching session, Cassie, a struggling life coach herself, lamented, “I hate that I keep doing other peoples’ programs for my work. I get certified in this, endorsed in that. Hell, I am over 50! I am a smart, intelligent woman with something to offer. I want to do my own work, have my own voice!” Something inside of Cassie was bursting to come out, yet she didn’t know how to move it forward. Many of us get stuck here, give up on our dreams and resign ourselves to our status quo. Yes, we all have made choices that may limit us, but I think we tend to box ourselves in unnecessarily.
Eugene Gendlin, the author of the book, Focusing, says that we are all Living Forward Organisms, meaning we can’t help but want the next right step, a bit like a plant that naturally turns towards the sun. However, because bad things happen to good people, we often bury our wants under layers of disappointment, hurt, and failed attempts. We keep our wants at an arm’s distance, dulling them through addictions, focusing on others or even developing health issues such as depression.
Wake Up Your Wanting
As we head to the New Year, I want to encourage you to wake up your wanting and dust off those dreams! You might be surprised. It is never too late, really. I hate to admit it, but growing up my dream was to be Ginger on the TV show Gilligan’s Island. I wanted to be the sexy Hollywood movie star (of course, not stranded on a dessert island, mind you).
Instead, my dad said, “Go be an engineer. You’ll get a good job.” So I did. It wasn’t until my mid thirties that I let myself even take an acting class. It wasn’t until my early 40’s that actually tried out for a role in a theater production. After one show I was hooked. Since then, I have been in five different productions. No, I am certainly no Ginger, but I have played a sexy female cop!
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So how do you wake up your wanting and bring it front and center to create more of what you want in your life?
How To Dust Off Your Dreams
1.AREA: Identify one area where you want something different in your life. This could be an area that you are extremely unhappy with or perhaps you just want something more. Trouble deciding? Listen to your heart. 2. WHY: Ask yourself, “Why is this area so important to me?” FYI, your desire is not silly, frivolous or stupid. There is a good reason this matters to you so much. It may be related to an abandoned dream or a core value (creativity, emotional intimacy, personal expression, etc.) that has been dormant. This question helps you get to the essence or nugget of what is driving you. It’s the juice or internal motivation that connects you to that living forward energy. Use your body as a compass. Notice what you feel and where you feel it in your body. This can be done journaling over a series of days or in conversation with a friend or coach. 3.OUTCOME: Describe your Ideal Scene. This means that if it could be just the way you envision, what would it look, feel, and sound like? Who would be around you? What would you be doing? How would you feel in your body? One of my favorite ways to do this is to jump into the future (three or six months or a year), and write a script of your ideal scene, as if it were happening in the present moment. Try it and see how you feel in your body. Be aware that if your ideal scene is too unrealistic, something in you will resist. So see if you can make it expansive, fun, but also believable.
4.STEPS: What are the natural, easiest next baby steps to move you forward on this path? This is where people can get overwhelmed. I did not decide to quit my job and move to Hollywood, although I have friends who have tried that. I just showed up for an audition: easy-peasy. Bonus: Notice what you are already doing in this direction.
Cassie’s Dusted Off Dream WHAT: Cassie she realized she wanted to focus on her writing.
WHY: When I asked her why this was so important to her she responded, “Writing is a way for me to coalesce my life experiences, learning and what I have to offer to others in a way that people understand and connect to me. It is a way to put my voice out there in order to attract possible clients.” I asked what she felt in her body, she stopped, looked up and said, “I feel located inside of me,” her hands were around her belly. “I feel solid and good!”
OUTCOME: Here is a snippet of her ideal scene: I am just publishing my new book and heading out on my book tour. I have great support from my publisher, my friends and even my mentors, who have written quotes for the jacket cover. My mentors are promoting my book through their networks. I have even gotten some coaching clients. I feel so blessed!
STEPS: When I asked her what steps she could take and what she was already doing she replied, “I am already writing my blog and articles. What feels good for me now is reviving my writing group so that we can support each other. Plus, there is a writing workshop I want to sign up for.” In our last session, Cassie let me know that while it wasn’t all easy, she felt engaged and alive! I can’t wait until that book comes out!
Going To The Sun Gallery invites you to come in and experience the hand crafted custom made jewelry pieces by Rochelle. These are unique one of a kind items in 14K yellow and white gold as well as fine sterling silver. Set with blue, yellow, white and cognac diamonds as well as an array of precious and semi precious stones. Rochelle has been designing and making jewelry for over 25 years. her pieces are hand cast and original.
Going To The Sun Gallery is proud to present two new members to the work force Brandie Glauber, Rochelle's daughter will be designing jewelry and Angel Dominguez as our new sales representative. Angel Dominguez knows that “it’s all about our customers”. Client satisfaction, value, and integrity are important characteristics she wants every client to experience while visiting. Prior to working at the GTTS gallery, Angel was an executive account manager for hi-tech sales for over 20 years in both Northern and Southern California. Originally from the Midwest, she is enjoying the outdoors, beauty and solitude that Whitefish offers. She delights in meeting new people and hearing their stories. Come on in so we can get to know you better!
Angel
Brandie
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music
An Unforgettable Show of Extraordinary Music Brazilian Guitarist Diego Figueiredo to Perform at the Bigfork Center February 15, 2014 The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) along with the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation are thrilled to announce that Brazilian Guitarist Diego Figueiredo is scheduled to play at The Bigfork Center on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 4:00pm. Figueiredo is considered one of the most talented guitarists in the world. He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. Deemed as the Brazilian guitar wizard, he performs an unforgettable show according to critics. His amazing concerts unite technique and emotion in a fusion of Brazilian music and jazz. Local jazz musicians, “Donny & Kleist” featuring Don Caverly on upright bass and Erica von Kleist on saxophone and flute will join Figueiredo for a portion of his performance.
to his childhood and over the past 20 years has Performing Arts is the premier venue for mugrown in popularity throughout the plains and sical theater, stage productions, dance, music, and educational programming in Northwest in Montana. Montana. The BCPAF’s mission is to sponsor, Mary Jo Naive, Vice President of the BCPA support and nurture the performing arts and to Board and Organizing Chairperson for the Con- maintain a venue where quality performances are cert, said “We’re excited about bringing a show of presented. Visit www.bigforkcenter.org or call this caliber to the area. Diego (Figueiredo) is a 406-837-4885 for more information and special world class musician and we know the audience event information. will appreciate his talents.” The non-profit Crown of the Continent Guitar Tickets are available at www.bigforkcenter.org. Foundation’s mission is to establish the Flathead Valley as an internationally recognized center for Prices are $27 for adults and $15 for students. guitar study, performance and composition. The With the earlier performance time, concertgoers Foundation will be celebrating its 5th anniverwill be encouraged to take advantage of special sary Workshop and Festival in August, 2014. In Before & After packages that will offer discounts addition to their annual event, the Foundation at restaurants, retail stores, and lodging by show- supports free music education activities in Flating their tickets. The specials will be displayed at head Valley schools featuring nationally and internationally recognized artists. www.bigforkcenter.org.
Singer/songwriter, Chuck Suchy is the opening act for Figueiredo. Suchy is one of the foremost musical voices of the American Great Plains. Located in the heart of Bigfork Village on the He has a love for making music that goes back shores of Flathead Lake, Bigfork Center for the 82
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music
A Gift of Music By Miriam Singer
Music is a gift. You don’t have to play, sing or write it to enjoy it. Just listen, and what you hear becomes part of your life. In my life, one experience sums up the profound impact a song can have. One day after I sang at a nursing home, an elderly woman approached me and said, referring to the song Stardust that I sang in the program, “I’ll never forget that song. I’m ninety-one now, but when I was nineteen years old dancing with my boyfriend he told me, ‘Whenever you hear this song, you’ll think of me!’ And I always think of him. I ended up marrying somebody else. But when I hear Stardust, I remember my boyfriend.” It was seventy-two years since that dance, but she never forgot. How lucky we are to have music to mark and shape our lives, and give us something to remember and treasure. For Singer & Simpson Productions 2013 has taken the shape of bringing more quality memorable music to Flathead Valley. We started off New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with the beautiful jazz piano of Billy Wallace who played the new almost hundred-year-old Chickering at McGarry’s Roadhouse. We’re so grateful to Adriene Brown who needed a home for her grandmother’s upright grand and gifted it to McGarry’s. Thank you Adriene. And thank you to McGarry’s for taking care of that grand old (new) piano.
Chuck Florence and Don Caverly joined us again for Valentine’s Day at the Boat Club with Billy Wallace on piano. And Billy played at McGarry’s Roadhouse the next two nights. We sure are glad they got that piano.
In March, two time Grammy Award winner Diane Schuur put on an amazing show at The Whitefish Performing Arts Center with Bill Anschell (piano), Chuck Kistler (bass) and D’Vonne Lewis (drums) from Seattle, and John Nastos (tenor sax) from Portland, Oregon. The quartet played at The Bigfork In February, we were part of the Kalispell Downtown Inn the night before, and Diane sat in and sang a Association’s third annual Chocolat Affaire few. Diane had new arrangements written by Alan celebrating Valentine’s Day and downtown businesses Broadbent. Broadbent was the first artist to play the with chocolate. Our band, The Cocoanuts, played Steinway concert grand at the Whitefish Performing music for the dance at the Red Lion. Jazz pianist Arts Center in March 2012. We’d acquired it in Karin Kajita came from Seattle, Chuck Florence February 2012 with generous contributions from came from Missoula to play his tenor saxophone, members of our community. Don Caverly played bass and Neil Batterson drums. And I was the songbird for our dance band. Check Speaking of the Steinway, classical pianist Alon us out again next year for the fourth annual Chocolat Goldstein gracefully flew over its keys performing concertos by Beethoven and Mendelssohn during Affaire on February 7th, 2014! 84
Glacier Symphony’s Amadeus Festival in August 2012. Alon said our Whitefish piano is “Among the finest I’ve played in this country.” When we asked the brilliant French pianist and composer Michel Legrand what he thought of the Steinway, his face lit up, his hand went to his heart and he gave the piano a big thumbs up. Mr. Legrand was here to perform in concert with his lovely wife Catherine Michel on harp at the Performing Arts Center in September 2012. In December 2012, Mike Eldred gave a wonderful Christmas concert. His pianist, Jeff Steinberg called the Steinway “an absolute treasure” and said we are very fortunate to have such an excellent instrument. In May Brazilian virtuoso guitarist Diego Figueiredo delighted us. Figueiredo’s agent who told us that Diego had a couple of nights free contacted John Simpson. John contacted David Feffer of Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation, and the next thing we knew we were involved in a fundraiser for Crown of the Continent and the Steinway Fund at a private home in Bigfork and in Whitefish. It was two intimate evenings with a beautiful soul.
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In June the talented and versatile pianist Doug Montgomery played the Steinway concert grand at The Whitefish Performing Arts Center and was marvelously entertaining. Mike Eldred sang with Doug and we got to hear his gorgeous tenor voice. And Cynthia Dario delighted with opera favorites. In July, Dena DeRose came from Graz, Austria to play piano and sing. BruMar Estate in Bigfork opened up their lovely event facility, which is home to many happy weddings for a night of music and fine dining. Once again, the Steinway Piano Gallery of Spokane provided a fine instrument. It was a beautiful summer evening of wonderful music at the temporary jazz club in Bigfork. The following night Dena put on a concert at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. John Pizzarelli was here in September traveling with Monty Alexander as the pianist with his quartet. It was a rare pairing of two great entertainers. Pizzarelli was warm and funny and clearly loved working with Monty. He told us that his regular pianist was on his honeymoon, so he decided to call the best jazz pianist in the world. They were inspired and put on two fabulous shows at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. John told us stories about his dad Bucky Pizzarelli who clearly taught him more than a thing or two about the guitar. He told us that growing up, you had to move a guitar out of the way to sit down on the couch. In October, Pearl Django performed at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, and they didn’t need a piano. In fact they don’t have a drummer either. Bass and two guitars take care of their rhythm and accordion and fiddle fills in the rest with infectious joy. The mission of this hot club gypsy jazz quintet is to incorporate the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with American swing music. They did with much creativity and fun. The warm and enchanting Judy Carmichael is a master of stride piano. The Judy Carmichael Trio was here in November in concert at The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts and on stage in the dining room at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course Restaurant. Once again, the Steinway Piano Gallery of Spokane delivered a Steinway to both venues. So, the restaurant had a piano on stage in the dining room, which Judy played to our delight while we enjoyed our delicious dinners. She was accompanied by Harry Allen on tenor saxophone and Chris Flory on guitar. Thank you to Don “K” Subaru and to Subaru of America for their support in bringing music to Flathead Valley. And thank you to the Steinway Piano Gallery of Spokane for all those pianos. If you’d like to donate to the Steinway Fund and help pay for the wonderful piano at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, please make your check out to: WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT/ WPAC Steinway Fund. Mailing address: WPAC STEINWAY FUND/P.O. Box 4772/Whitefish, MT 59937 85
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a musical carnival By Marti Ebbert Kurth Art by Jennifer Li
January brings a musical carnival to life at concert halls in Whitefish & Kalispell
A concert that is sure to delight everyone, from children to grandparents, is on Glacier Symphony’s musical agenda for winter when they bring the zoological fantasy Carnival of the Animals to the concert halls in Whitefish and Kalispell on January 18 and 19. Written in 1886 by French romantic composer, Camille Saint-Saëns, the humorous suite brings a veritable circus parade of animals to life through the skillful use of the instruments of the orchestra. “The piece is written in 14 very short movements each depicting an animal or animal scene,” explains John Zoltek, music director of the GSC. Majestic royal lions roar, soaring swans dance and various bird songs fill the air. Elephants thunder and kangaroos hop, donkeys bray even fish in the aquarium and fossils in the ground come to life in this magical composition. “Interestingly, Saint-Saens did not want the piece to be published during his lifetime or be performed until after his death because he considered it to be too light and frivolous for an accomplished composer,” explains Zoltek. But early on he did allow one movement -The Swan- featuring a lovely cello solo, to be used for a ballet featuring Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. In 1905 she premiered The Dying Swan and became famous through some 4,000 performances of it. A couple of months after Saint-Saëns death in 1922, Carnival was performed in its entirety and quickly became one of his most popular works. Later performances featured verses written by poets, including the humorist Ogden Nash who was inspired by the music to write a whole poem about it. Over the years the music of Carnival has become a backdrop for children’s story books, ballet interpretations even a wildly silly Walt Disney cartoon featuring Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny starring as pianists with the orchestra. (See the end of the article for fun YouTube links to share with your children). 86
The Glacier Symphony’s performance will feature a narrator telling the story about the animated characters who will be projected above the stage and accompanied by the orchestra. Majestic royal lions will roar, soaring swans will dance and various bird songs fill the air. Elephants thunder and kangaroos hop, donkeys bray even fish in the aquarium and fossils in the ground will star in this magical composition. But the musical fun doesn’t stop there as the concert continues with another classical favorite, The Fantastic Toyshop by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi. Maestro Zoltek says the piece is based on piano pieces by another 19th century composer, Rossini and tells an imaginary story about two Can-Can dancer dolls that are for sale in a toyshop. “After they and other dolls perform wonderful dances, an American customer buys the boy doll and a Russian family buys the girl doll. They leave, arranging to pick up the dolls the next day. After nightfall all the dolls magically come to life and the Can-Can dolls decide leave rather than be separated. The customers return the next
day and blame the shopkeeper, so the dolls attack the customers and the story continues…” Zoltek explains. This piece has also become a popular ballet and is a staple of dance companies worldwide. YouTube offers some excellent videos of dance interpretations on The Fantastic Toy Shop as well as symphonic performances. http://youtu.be/zHl8UezZ3dM Maestro Zoltek has filled out the family friendly concert with two more popular dance pieces; “Polonaise” from Tchaikovsky’s wonderful ballet Swan Lake and the finale from The Firebird, by Stravinsky. The concerts will be held on Saturday, January 18, 7:30 pm at Whitefish Performing Arts Center, and Sunday, January 19, 3:00 pm at Flathead High Performance Hall in Kalispell. A special ticket price of $10 for youth through grade 12 is being offered for this concert. Tickets can be purchased on the GSC website; www.gscmusic.org or by calling 407-7000 or at the box office located at 69 N. Main St. Kalispell.
S Music has shown to have powerful influence on youngsters developing brains Not only does GSC’s January concert offer great fun music from master composers it also provides an opportunity for children to experience the powerful positive influence of music on their developing brains. Alan Satterlee, executive director of the GSC says that is why the music organization puts such an emphasis on reaching out to youth and why it offers free tickets to children through grade 12 for its six masterworks concerts this season. “Study after study has documented the importance of music education and it’s relation to academic advancement. In reading and language arts, there is a correlation with auditory perception and memory. In mathematics, the focus on repeated patterns and ratios is enhanced by the study of music. It’s important for our educational system to recognize these links between the arts and sciences and how a well rounded and balanced approach to education is important and can result in overall improved academic success of the student population.” Dr. Kyle Pruett, a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and a practicing musician reiterates this link between music awareness and brain development. “The development of language over time tends to enhance parts of the brain that help process music,” writes Pruett in a PBS website parenting blog about the benefits of music education (see sidebar link "http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/musicarts/the-benefits-of-music-education/" www.pbs.org/ parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-musiceducation/). “Language competence is at the root of social competence. Musical experience strengthens the capacity to be verbally competent.” He says further that the many intrinsic benefits to music education include being disciplined, learning a skill, being part of the music world, managing performance. “Being part of something you can be proud of, and even struggling with a less than perfect teacher,” he says. Echoing that research in the article is Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair of the Early Childhood Music Department at the Peabody Preparatory of The Johns Hopkins University. “There is a massive benefit from being musical that we don’t understand, but it’s individual. Music is for music’s sake. The benefit of music education for me is about being musical. It gives you have a better understanding of yourself. The horizons are higher when you are involved in music,” he adds. “Your understanding of art and the world, and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced.” Dr. Pruett sums up, saying “We have some pretty good data that music instruction does reliably improve spatial-temporal skills in children over time,” explains Pruett, who helped found the Performing Arts Medicine Association. These skills come into play in solving multi-step problems one would encounter in architecture, engineering, math, art, gaming, and especially working with computers.”
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enjoying the Glacier Symphony with your child Who is that guy standing on the podium? Maestro and/or Conductor: person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir. Glacier Symphony and Chorale’s maestro is John Zoltek. He also conducts all the orchestra concerts and combined concerts featuring the orchestra and the Glacier Chorale such as Messiah. Maestro Zoltek is also the Music Director of GSC, which means that he decides what music will be played on the programs for each concert. Concertmaster känsrtmastr noun ( fem. concertmistress) the leading first-violin player in some orchestras. Glacier Symphony has a concertmistress, who is Sally Jerde. She always stands to tune the orchestra before every performance.Tuning the orchestra: The principle oboe player plays the note A. All the instruments adjust their sound to that note to make sure no one is flat or sharp (too low or too high) and the sound is even.
Is it time to clap yet? Most artists appreciate applause at any time during a performance. During the 19th and 20th Century it was customary for audiences to applaud at the end of every section of a given piece. Modern audiences however, tend to wait until the end of an entire work to clap. Why? Holding applause between movements is considered to be respectful to the performers concentration and mindful of musical continuity. At the end of the piece the conductor will put his arms down and turn to face the audience and will shake the hand of the concertmistress or soloist. For family concerts clapping is expected to be more spontaneous and joyful and the concert is much more informal. Please ask your children to respect that other people of all ages are trying to hear the music. If your child becomes restless and noisy please feel free to leave the auditorium. NOTE: The Whitefish Performance Hall has a cry room upstairs. It is fully enclosed and sound proof, has great views and speakers for you and your child to continue watching the concert.
Fun links to share with your children
http://youtu.be/vUsZ-M09SMw http://youtu.be/vUsZ-M09SMw (Bugs Bunny) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvPjtolajZk&featur e=share&list=RDvUsZ-M09SMw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvPjtolajZk&featur e=share&list=RDvUsZ-M09SMw (dancing Flamingos) 87
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Shine By Patina Inc.
When the holiday season approaches I stiffen at the thought of an over merchandised glut of synthetic and lifeless products stuffed into store window displays and flashing on our sidebars. Ug. What I crave, what my heart sings for; is the real; the hand wrought, the painstakingly and lovingly prepared treasures. A 'gift' with integrity, with heart and soul woven into it-from the giver...not a store. We were raised to make most all of the presents we gave, essentially, we were 'presenting' a part of ourselves. So I am suggesting this...take the time this year, and pull something out of yourself to give. Whether it be an existing piece of furniture of a friend or family member that could use
Step 1 This finish is based on a table that had a stain finish previously, so wood is what we're starting with. (You can do this finish over a previously painted surface, I would recommend you sand it thoroughly, wipe with alcohol, and apply a fresh base coat.) Prepare the surface by washing it with TSP, and sanding with 150-grit sandpaper, following the grain. Wipe off thoroughly with Denatured Alcohol.
2. Since I am using the natural mahogany finish as a feature in the final result, I am going right over this surface. Using Metal Leaf Adhesive in a spray can, lightly spray the first surface you will be attacking. An even and light coat—you do not need an excessive amount of glue-just a 'haze'. Let dry for 5 minutes or so. It won't actually "dry" - just 'cure', so don't worry, you have plenty of working time here. I started with the shelves under the table. Make sure you hold a paper guard against the surfaces you do not want the glue on, like the underneath of the table. Next, open your package of silver leafing. MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE DRY AND NOT STICKY. If they have glue on them, use Denatured Alcohol to clean off. Open the book to the first leaf of silver and swoop it up with your fingers, holding delicately. (Very thin, easy to tear! Don't worry if you do, it'll be fine, and you'll get 88
better with each sheet!) Place the leaf on the glued surface, gently smoothing with your dry and clean fingertips. Place the next sheet overlapping the first slightly about 3/8", and continue covering your surface, carefully smoothing each sheet down. When you reach a corner, you can use a very soft artist brush, or even a makeup brush to gentle pounce silver into the corners. It will be messy-there will be flecks of silver everywhere! And remember, the intention of this project is a 'distressed' silver leaf, so gaps and worn spots are desirable and welcome traits to appear in your surface. Use spare flakes to 'fill in' corners and gaps. If you encounter a spot where you haven't applied enough glue, DO NOT USE THE SPRAY GLUE, it will get all over your silver and this is not good. Use the liquid adhesive, and apply with a soft artist brush or soft paintbrush. It is water based, just rinse out brush when done. The liquid adhesive takes a little longer to dry-just wait until it is clear. After you complete an area, move on to the next one. I like to spray out only what I will be applying right away, that way the glued area does not attract dirt, or get filled with lint from me leaning on it! MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SPRAY OVER SILVER LEAF ALREADY APPLIED, I use a piece of brown Kraft paper, (you can buy rolls of this at the paint store-they use it to cover floors) folding it, holding it, covering my silver carefully as I spray another area. If you don't think you can do this, spray entire piece and plan on getting the silver on as expeditiously as possible. When ap-
a new face; or a wonderful vintage find; it's a perfect opportunity to apply your finishing skills and transform it into something truly giftable. This project is based on a wonderful vintage coffee table that I found at a thrift store. It sat in my garage for a year, as I reveled in my good fortune and contemplated the fabulous and edgy finish I was going to put on it. And then, some dear friends got married, and this coffee table-I knew, was theirs. These were young, fresh, progressive, gifted people who -'shine'; so I came up with this distressed silver leafed finish with a special surprise of some important words wrapping around the edges.
plying silver leaf to a large surface, it is important to compose the pattern you wish to apply it in. Since my table is round, I opted to apply the silver leaves in a circular patter on the top. The way the leaves are applied will show up even with overlapping. You can apply a whole second layer of leafing over the first if you wish to have a more homogenous and solid outcome. I wanted a vintage, 'distressed' lookso I welcomed the natural ‘skewing’ (thin spots, missed spots), filling in here and there. Congratulations! Phew! That may have been a squirrelly process for you, but doesn't that shine look good?! You'll want to take a VERY SOFT COTTON rag, no texture, no seamsand GENTLY burnish (rub) the surface to remove the excess silver. Fill in any 'holidays' (holes, missed spots), and use your soft brush to fill in cracks and corners. Now—make sure you VACUUM UP all the silver flakes floating around.
3. Now it is time to apply the pattern. I used an ambient line pattern based on a 1960's motif. I made a 'template' out of that brown Kraft paper, the same size as the surface the design was going on. Draw the design (or project) on the paper. Next, lay the paper on the surface. I did not tape it on, as the tape may pull off the silver you just painstakingly applied. Just lay it down, cen-
ter it, and hold gently with one hand as you trace over your lines. I suggest a simple pattern, as it will have a lot of impact and it will be easier to transfer successfully. Using a pen or pencildraw over your lines with a smooth steady pressure. The silver leaf is very 'impressionable', and will take on the line you press in the paper. Once you have the whole pattern on, lift off your template-you will see lines in a slightly darker tone on the surface of the silver leaf. Now, we are going to 'release' the silver in the area of your design. My design was wavy stripes. Take a small artist brush and dip in paint thinner, dab off excess. Lightly paint on thinner within the lines of your design. This will dissolve glue, and your leafing will remove easily. Next, I used a rag wrapped around my fingertips, and just wiped down my line, being extra careful along edges, as material can 'tear'. I used my fingernail pressed down along the edge. Next, I took a Q-tip dipped in a little paint thinner to "clean up" any excess silver. This exposes my lovely wood beneath. On to the next section, repeating all these steps until you have removed all you wish to. Let dry, and then take a water dampened very soft rag (no seams, no texture) and wipe the paint thinner residue off the area. I also used a small scraping tool (not too sharp, or you will scratch the wood) to 'clean and sharpen' my edges a little. Remember: we are going for a 'distressed' finish, so some knicks and tears on the edges of your line are desirable.
Steps 1-2-3- 4-5
4. Words! There was a fabulous place for words on the coffee table I did: a 2" edge all around. Perhaps you will find a similar table, or, be creative! Words can go on a stool seat, dresser drawers, or the legs of a table too! The same process is applied to create the words. I printed them out the proper size, and then sprayed the back of the paper very lightly with the same adhesive spray as we used for the silver. Allow drying for a few minutes, then you can easily place them on the area you wantand move them around until they are just right. Once set, trace over the letters like we did with pattern.
Remove the paper. Next, you'll want to use a fine artists paintbrush to trace over letters with paint thinner. Dip brush and REMOVE EXCESS, you do not want thinner running down or oozing out over edges of letters too much. After brushing on, let sit a minute or two-then using a scraping tool (I used a dental tool, but a butter knife or something like that will do) lightly scrape the letter revealing the wood underneath. It should be fairly easy, but you may need to put a little elbow grease to it. After you have your letter revealed, use a Q-tip dipped in paint thinner to rub over your scraping, releasing the silver further. Basically, this will 'widen' and 'soften' your letter, making it look as if it were 'burned in'. Use the scraping tool to fine tune, and move on to your next letter. Remember, rough edges are desirable,
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promoting an antiquated 'distressed' result. When all your letters are done and dry, wipe gently with a damp cloth. Make sure you have smoothed out and dusted off all remaining flakes of silver. Allow to dry thoroughly in a warm area, overnight should do it.
5. It is time to seal your project. I have been using oil based Wipe On Poly by Minwax to seal and finish metal leafing projects. Shake thoroughly and pour some into a container. Use a soft absorbent cotton rag, cut into small (about 8" square) manageable pieces. Fold into a smaller pad and dip into material, dabbing off excess. Wipe over surface using even, over-
lapping strokes. Coat surface entirely, wiping in the direction of the grain. Let dry in a warm place, it will take overnight. Using a 0000 Steel Wool Pad, buff surface gently; wipe off with a damp cloth to remove all dust—and re-apply. Three to Four coats are desirable, I like about 6. It dries faster as the layers build. And there you have it!! Olden silver with an edgy modern pattern...enjoy, or better yet-give it away; and do it again....
You can reach Patina by email: patinamontana@gmail.com You can also follow Patina on facebook or pinterest.  89