REMODEL REFRESH RESTORE www.living-magazine.com
Celebrating 10 years in Ellis County! Terry Wooten 214.949.9285 MORTGAGE CENTER MANAGER NMLS 224831 Terry.Wooten@GatewayLoan.com
Tom Ker 972.365.7022 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 356892 Tom.Ker@GatewayLoan.com
Lance Wallace 903.571.9869 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1146461 Lance.Wallace@GatewayLoan.com
Matt Authier 903.654.0145 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1527367 Matt.Authier@GatewayLoan.com
Adrian Sanchez 469.628.3868 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 643358 Adrian.Sanchez@GatewayLoan.com
Matt Helms 903.641.9838 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1696114 Matt.Helms@GatewayLoan.com
Danny Gildea 972.921.5569 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1903297 Danny.Gildea@GatewayLoan.com
Jeff Schmidt 817.681.7897 REGIONAL VP – NORTH TX NMLS 91368 Jeff.Schmidt@GatewayLoan.com
Office: 972.937.2200 1332 W. Hwy 287 Bypass, Suite-1 | Waxahachie, TX 75165 www.gatewayloan.com/waxahachie-tx
Gateway Mortgage Group, A division of Gateway First Bank, NMLS 7233
Marlene Norcross 512-431-4413
Janie Hendrix 817-271-0720
The keys to buying or selling your home?
We’ve got them! Estefanie Gutierrez 214-886-6583
Amelia Valdez 469-658-5506
Karen Emery 817-917-5035
Give us a call today!
Ennis Main Office 101 NW Main St Ennis, TX 75119
Red Oak Office 100 Plaza Dr, Suite 500 Red Oak, TX 75154
Waxahachie Office 311 Ferris Ave Waxahachie, TX 75165
Corsicana Office 108 S Beaton St Corsicana, TX 75110
Professional Values • Real Estate Solutions Your City Real Estate citytxrealestate.com • 972-878-2222
Enter the Home Buying Process Prepared!
We pride ourselves on providing you with the perfect loan for your situation, good rates and personal service!
Call Us: (469) 325-3570 NICK HESTER Sr. Loan Originator
ALLISON MORROW Loan Originator
DEANN YEILDING Sr. Loan Originator
130 Chieftain Drive Ste 103 Waxahachie, TX 75165
Cell 469-855-9262 NMLS #338108
Cell 325-201-7476 NMLS #1713496
Cell 325-665-5427 NMLS #192182
#1 Village Drive, Ste 354 Abilene, TX 79606
Nick@midtexmortgage.com
Allison@midtexmortgage.com
Deann@midtexmortgage.com
“ Contents April - May 2021 |
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volume 17
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REMODEL REFRESH RESTORE It is with a true breath of fresh air that I say “Hello Springtime.” With this season comes lots of growth - the seeds we sow, the areas we change in our homes, and the wellness within that we nourish. I hope you find so much joy in each of these articles and it brings about positive activities & fun changes that can easily be made. Best wishing + lots of sunshine!
- Cindy
issue 2
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18
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LIFE + STYLE FASHION • 12 Trends We Know & Love
HOME + GARDEN LIVING RIGHT DESIGNS • 24 To Invest or Not to Invest
BAKING • 14 rePurpose
DUCKWORTH INTERIORS • 26 Steampunk Lakehouse Remodel
COOKING • 18 Rethinking Your Prep to Refresh Your Family Menu
JINA ARMSTRONG • 32 Porch Done Pretty + Perfect
FOOD REVIEW • 20 Dinner with Danny - Zagala’s DAY TRIPPING • 22 Waxahachie + Ennis Events
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APRIL/MAY TIPS • 36 Planting/Growing Guide for the Season
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MEDICAL DR. GORMAN • 38 My mammograms says I have dense breasts. What does that mean, and what should I do? LA FIN CINDY BURCH • 40 Wailea Wonders
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ECLM Contributors 2
6
5
7 4 1
8 3
Mica Daleiden (1) is a wife, girl mom, and owner of Casus Clothing and Casus Digital. I love the “art” in everything; life, clothing, shoes, web design, photography, the list goes on. Midlothian native, Tarleton grad, and explorer of all things. Angel Schiffer (2) is the owner and creator of Bittersweet Bakery in Waxahachie, Texas. An Ellis County native and 3rd generation business owner, she lives Bittersweet. Most days you can find her in her shop sporting pink crocs and wearing baking ingredients as an accessory. She is a hands on business owner who puts her touches and artistry into every delicacy that comes out of the oven. When she’s not at the shop she enjoys spending time with her family & handsome young Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Leo.
Lacey Rodgers (5) is an award winning designer and a person who has a true passion for Interior Design. She attended The Art Institute of Dallas where she earned her BFA in Interior Design. She has over 10 years of industry experience and knowledge. Living Right Designs was established 5 years ago and is based in Waxahachie, Texas. Kate Duckworth (6) is an interior designer based in Ennis, TX. With over a decade of design experience ranging from high-end residential design to restaurants & bars, she finds joy in creating spaces her clients love. Follow her at www.duckworthinteriors.com or @duckworthinteriors.
Phillip Morgan (3) is a local home cook and pit master. He serves as the Director of Fine Arts for the Waxahachie ISD and remains a student of all things academic and culinary. He enjoys a focus in smoked meats, barbecue, prime steaks and chops, alongside uniquely swanky side dishes and desserts. He and his wife Angela reside in Waxahachie with their daughter, Stella.
Jina Armstrong (7) Jina is a lifetime resident of Ennis, TX. She loves to find the light and beauty in the ordinary things. With many years as an experienced photographer, she has been able to document things of beauty, and showcase them to her community. She and her husband, Andy, have spent several seasons evolving and growing their vegetable and flower garden, and love to share their tips, tricks, and harvest with all. You can follow their journey through gardening & photography @jinaarmstrong & @jinaarmstrongphotography
Dinner with Danny (4) Longtime Waxahachie resident Danny Knight is a small business owner & member of the Waxahachie Police Department. To make suggestions on where he should dine next for a review, message him through the Dinner with Danny Facebook page or email dinnerwithdannywax@gmail.com.
Cindy Burch (8) and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Doves Nest in historic downtown Waxahachie. Cindy is also a freelance writer, caterer and consultant. Her awardwinning cookbook, “The Doves Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From A Historic Texas Town,” is in its fifth printing.
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YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR ELLIS COUNTY LIFESTYLE, HOME AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2005
Cindy Camp | Publisher | Publisher@living-magazine.com is wife, mom & boss who brings to fruition all types of endeavors (she is a true Queen). A fierce, natural leader who enjoys all sides of business while also loves relaxing by the pool, taking a trip or simply having her fur-baby by her side. Lindsey Keeney | Creative Director | Lindsey@living-magazine.com is an Aggie who was lucky enough to move back to her hometown and start her dream job here at ECLM which she has been an amazing asset to for 8 years! With a big love for family, concerts, traveling & the outdoors it’s easy to see where her creativity comes from. Carly Pechal | Art Director | Carly@living-magazine.com is a wife, mom & designer who loves all forms of art and creating. Spending time with her familiy, tending to her plants + garden, & will gladly accept any invitation to the beach, she finds so much joy in lifes simple blessings.
Living
ELLIS COUNTY
MAGAZINE
Cover photo by Jina Armstrong Photography Staff photos by Grant Duckworth Photography A special thanks to all of our contributing writers. For advertising information, please contact Ellis County Living Magazine at 972.935.0938 or info@living-magazine.com.
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Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink.
We are proud members of the Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian and Red Oak Chambers of Commerce.
Copyright 2021, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved. No portion of Ellis County Living Magazine shall be reprinted in any other publication without permission. The views expressed herein should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician.
Follow us on Instagram: @EllisCountyLiving facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving
Discover Downtown WAXAHACHIE Gingerbread Antiques Hunt no more! Visit Gingerbread Antiques often so you don’t miss out on fabulous finds like this 1800’s English Hunt Cabinet. A stunner that will be the centerpiece of any room! 972.937.0968 | 310 S. College St. | Waxahachie
facebook.com/GingerbreadAntiquesTX
Farmhouse
The Mosaic Hideaway
We carry Campo de Fiori aged terra-cotta! Once planted, simply watering your plant will turn the dormant moss into a lush, green surface on your pot!
Find your inner artist and create something beautiful! We can’t wait to see you at our new mosaic and stained glass studio - offering classes, projects-to-go, private parties, custom glasswork, and more! Book a class or studio time online.
Come browse our wide variety of home and garden decor, antiques, handmade jewelry, yarn and more! Monday – Saturday, 10-5. Home – Garden – Antiques – Art 972.938.9090 | 308 S. College St. | Waxahachie
farmhouse308.com
972.937.5797 | 1507 W. Main St. | Waxahachie
themosaichideaway.com
Trends We Know &
Love
STORY BY MICA DALEIDEN PHOTOS BY BAILEE STERLING PHOTOGRAPHY
They tell us side parts and skinny jeans are out, so what does that leave us with? I’ve rocked skinny jeans and a side part since high school and I’m not sure I’m prepared for a change. Good news, trends in 2021 are trends we already know…its nice getting older right? Most of these trends are a mix of 80s and 90s staples. It’s time to pull out the simple black or white tees, oversized blazers and my personal favorite, “Return to Tiffany’s” jewelry. You read that right, bust open your jewelry box! Chains are all the rage when it comes to jewelry in 2021. You can rock a simple dainty chain or go bold and upcycle that Tiffany’s necklace you’ve been secretly dying to wear again for years.
As for clothing, casual and simple are it. No need to overthink an outfit, minus the jeans (I’ll still be in skinnies), add a simple tucked in tee, I suggest folding the sleeves to resemble shoulder pads or a puff sleeve and voilà. Another trend that is hanging around are Doc Martens style boots, I wish I still had my originals. If you want to feel super nostalgic throw on a bucket hat, they are coming back! I can’t promise you’ll catch me out and about in one though.
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What trend are you pulling from the memory bank or the back of your closet? Make sure you tag us in your outfits, we love to see them! LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // APRIL/MAY 2021
rePURPOSE STORY & PHOTOS BY ANGEL SCHIFFER
When I see our younger Bittersweet girls walk in wearing Dr. Martens and vintage Britney Spears T-shirt’s it makes me question how quickly trends come and go and how it relates to the cake world (and it makes me think I should’ve kept my old docs). What trends are here to stay? Which ones are out the door? When I first began making cakes the chevron pattern was all the rage, all of the little lines had to match up perfectly and y’all... I know I can speak for the entire baking community when I say please never ever bring that trend back! While having a dated birthday cake isn’t the biggest deal in the world, because as a 90s baby I know I rocked that iconic Barbie cake for more than a few birthdays and I’m not ashamed, having a dated wedding cake can make more than a few of us cringe. A word I use often during wedding cake consultations is “timeless”. Will you look back in 20 years and still absolutely love your cake? One of the biggest debates in the cake community trend-wise is whether or not the naked cake style is here to stay (and for the record, I’m in the here-to-stay boat). I’m not talking about the rustic one covered in burlap that was at every wedding in 2012, but I will forever stan what we call the “semi-naked” design with tall tiers, extremely sharp lines, and little hints of cake peeking through. Add florals? Swoon.
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CALL US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 972-298-8515 WILLIAM A. BROWN, D.D.S. F.A.G.D. General Dentistry 226 N. Cedar Ridge Rd. Duncanville, TX 75116 williamabrowndds@gmail.com
www.WilliamABrownDDS.com
While fresh florals on cakes have been gaining popularity, it hasn’t always been the go-to choice. In years past in place of fresh blooms, we would see incredibly delicate and painstakingly handcrafted sugar flowers made from gumpaste. These florals take days to make and are often quite expensive. Here’s the thing: they never go bad! Like ever. One of my all-time favorite wedding cakes we’ve ever created put that to the test. The cake itself was smooth white with clean lines timeless and on the top edge we left it “broken” à la royal wedding style and painted it with edible gold, but that’s not where the magic was. The magic started with the meticulously cared-for gumpaste flowers that were originally used on the bride’s parent’s wedding cake in 1992. At the time of her wedding these flowers were 28 years old! The best part? They were saved again after we used them and will be on the bride’s sister’s wedding cake when she gets married. Didn’t use gumpaste flowers or you simply don’t want the expense or to worry about how to store them after? Don’t stress. Save your cake topper! I love when a vintage cake topper is provided from the parents’ wedding, because like it or not our decorations will soon be considered vintage , or even a borrowed cake stand from a family member. It’s those little touches that make the cake table extra special and sentimental.
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Rethinking Your Prep to Refresh your Family Menu
STORY & PHOTOS BY PHILLIP MORGAN
“Honey, what do you want to eat?” That could be one of the most dangerous questions to plague mankind in the past century. Even in 2021, the decision on what we want to eat – or what we have time to eat – is probably one of the most frequently cited questions in families. In the Morgan household, we cook quite a bit, which allows us the advantage of creativity in the kitchen. Creativity, however, is a double edged sword when creating meals that both parents and kiddos enjoy. My five year-old really loves steak, which is a huge plus for my wife and I, especially when she will dig into a medium rare, prime New York strip (no crust, just the pink please – yes, she’s five). My stove gets plenty of action during the workweek, but I often shift to my pellet smoker for utility in preparing base proteins. For example, most of my dishes are stovetop with significant prep – but I lean on the smoker to bulk-cook chicken for multiple dishes across those days to make sure our after-work time in cooking is quick and easy to mix-and-match meals. When the daughter is not down for chicken teriyaki, which is also a household favorite, I already have steak cooked and prepped for a quick cast-iron-reheat and voila, new meal for the tiny while Mom and Dad enjoy our teriyaki and blistered broccolini. Rethinking the options can and often does help us reconsider agreeable options for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We compromise in our planning and ensure that we include at least something for each of us. When I roll out that homemade teriyaki, I ensure that my daughter gets a personal serving of white rice – or “fancy noodles” (chicken Ramen – I know. I can feel you judging me); Or, when ramping up my efforts for some Beef Wellington, I work in some standard filet for my wife and ensure that our little has green beans with her steak. Yeah, it’s weird – but it works for us – and the rethinking of our weekly menu serves up some unique and satisfying dishes for us all.
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From standard Texas fare to diverse cultural dishes, revamping your menu to accommodate for everyone can help improve your household and your hangry tendencies!BEFORE Eat up – you know we will.
FINGERS TO THE BONE BBQ DINE IN WED-SUN
CATERING IS OUR SPECIALTY
505 WYATT ST. • WAXAHACHIE (469) 399-1203
WE ARE A SMALL FAMILY RAN BUSINESS. WE PUT OUR HEART INTO OUR COOKING! WE’RE VERY FRIENDLY AND LOVE TO SMILE AND SEE OTHERS HAPPY FROM EATING OUR FOOD!
HOME O TRUTH F THE POTATO !
Danny
DINNER WITH
REVIEW & PHOTOS BY DANNY KNIGHT
Chances are you have heard or seen someone talk about Zagala’s on Facebook. I know I saw a few different friends post about it. We finally made the trip to Palmer to give it a try. Zagala’s is located right in the heart of downtown Palmer in a historic building, you simply cannot miss it. Don’t let the plain looking exterior of the old red brick building fool you, the food inside is fresh and worth the visit. We went on a Tuesday night and the dining room wasn’t very busy but they were doing a lot of Take Out business. We started off with a couple of appetizers. First was the Zagala’s Special Garlic Toast with Provolone. The cheese was piled on thick and it had a great garlic butter flavor. It came with marinara to dip it in and I was very happy with the dish. Next was the shrimp scampi. The scampi was baked in a butter sauce with bread crumbs and served with toast. Excellent combination of butter and shrimp with the bread crumbs and toast. I will definitely order that again. For my meal I ordered the chicken parmigiana, a regular for me. I think all Italian restaurants can be judged by the bread and chicken parmigiana. They did not disappoint on the chicken parmigiana. The chicken breast was thick and the batter was definitely made in house and fresh. The pasta and sauce had a good, fresh, homemade taste to them as well. My wife opted for the chicken spinach alfredo pizza. An oval shaped flat bread pizza with a good flavor. The small pizza is more than enough for you person but probably not enough to share between two. We ate with some friends who also enjoyed their meals. The wife also chose a pizza and had nothing but good things to say. The husband ordered the pasta combo plate consisting of ravioli, lasagna and spaghetti. He went on and on about the lasagna so I had to try it. It was pretty tasty. If you’re looking for a new place to try, I recommend Zagala’s in Palmer and we will be adding it into our rotation as well.
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ZAGALA’S PIZZA & PASTA (972) 535-6767 110 W JEFFERSON ST PALMER, TX
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g n i p p i r T Day Check out fun things to do in Ennis & Waxahachie as a day trip experience or activity! ennis welcomes you to two of it’s biggest events Ennis Bluebonnet Trails: April 1-30 Presented by the Ennis Garden Club, Celebrating 69 Years of Ennis Bluebonnet Trails with over 40 miles of mapped driving Bluebonnet Trails. Trails: April 1-30 Festival: April 16-18, 2021 Find all event information at www.bluebonnettrail.org The National Polka Festival: May 28-30 Come help celebrate 54 years of Czech heritage and traditions Friday through Sunday, May 28-30, 2021. Held every year on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Polka Festival offers an abundance of activities to be enjoyed by the entire family in a small town atmosphere. The festival kicks off with an opening dance on Friday featuring polka music and the King and Queen Dance Contest, where participants and non-participants are encouraged to wear traditional Czech kroj (costumes). On Saturday morning, decorated floats, bands and colorful costumes kick off the downtown festivities with a giant parade that twists through historic downtown Ennis. Then experience our traditions, religious customs, dancing, taste, sights, sounds, and “a little bit of the Czech Lands” on Saturday and Sunday at our three spacious air-conditioned halls (KJT, Sokol, and SPJST) and in downtown Ennis. Enjoy a weekend of polka dancing with 15 live polka bands including Grammy Award winning Brave Combo and a Saturday night Country Concert. Find all event information at www.nationalpolkafestival.com
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Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2021 After the most challenging year in its 40-year history, Scarborough Renaissance Festival® sponsored by T-Mobile is coming back, better than ever in 2021 to finally celebrate its 40th Anniversary! What started out in a pasture on FM 66 in Waxahachie with some jousting, a handful of unique performers and artisans has evolved into one of the most popular events in North Texas drawing visitors from all over the D/FW Metroplex and beyond! Scarborough is a major part of the Waxahachie and Ellis County communities employing thousands of residents over the years, contributing to many local organizations, and supporting the county’s youth with its annual scholarship program.
It is also become one of the largest and most highly respected Renaissance festivals in the country. The 40th Anniversary celebrations will begin April 10th and run eight consecutive weeks every Saturday & Sunday through Memorial Day Monday, May 31st. At this outside event, you will step back into the days of the 16th Century in this 35acre re-creation of an English village filled with 25+ stages of non-stop entertainment you just won’t see anywhere else, artisan demonstrations, knights jousting for honor, Birds of Prey exhibitions, shoppes galore, wine & beer tastings, mermaids and so much more.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival® is committed to conducting a fun and safe festival for everyone, so things will look a little different this year with new protocols and guidelines in place for the 2021 season including a facemask requirement and temperature checks for visitors and participants alike. You can find all the details on the Festival’s website: www.SRFestival.com
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to invest t o n or to invest STORY & PHOTOS BY LIVING RIGHT DESIGNS There are several considerations to take into account when someone is debating on whether to remodel or refresh their entire home or one room. Remodeling is a far more involved project than a refresh. A remodel involves changing the footprint and moving walls of a home to better serve your family’s needs and function. A refresh of a home may include painting, new counter tops, new flooring, updating cabinet hardware and fixtures, etc.
“Budget will be one of the biggest determiners of whether one chooses to remodel or refresh.” Homeowners who are going through a full remodel often want all the bells and whistles. Whatever motivated your decision, you will need to commit to the remodel/refresh process and all it entails. Remodeling is a big decision that includes tearing walls down to the studs then making changes and any repairs to the structure of the house. This will change the character of the home through expansions, additions or possible addition of more square footage. Remodeling is normally a ground up change. It can be time consuming and costly depending on the changes that are being made. When someone makes structural changes that renovating requires, there may be a need for several types of permits and permissions from the city agencies or even ones Home Owner’s Association. By remodeling your home this can greatly increase its overall value of your home.
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This is a good way to try to recoup equity in your home. The results of a remodel are usually more dramatic and can make the entire home feel like a new property. A designer and contractor will involve owners in every aspect of the renovation process, from design and planning to final touches like color and aesthetics. Remodeling can be expensive and the cost can easily run into the thousands. A home improvement loan may be needed which will eat into the home’s equity. A Refresh will give a home or a room a “new look”, without knocking down walls. This is sometimes done prior to putting a home on the market or just because it was time for a “new house feel”. There are no special permits needed for a refresh, which makes it a smoother process when dealing with contractors. Since refreshing usually costs less, and because it involves repairing and updating a home’s basic features, homeowners will often see a better ROI on refresh projects than they will on remodeling projects when they sell their house.
“Refreshing will allow you to retain certain feathers such as built-ins or other permanent fixtures in a home. It is also a good alternative for those that prefer DIY projects. A main benefit is the price. A Refresh will cost thousands less than a Remodel and can produce almost the same results in the end.”
Here is a final thought to consider when you are deciding if a Remodel or a Refresh is best.
“A remodel can take months to complete if you are renovating areas such as the kitchen or bedroom. Remodeling can drastically impact the way you live for a long period of time so you may need to stay in a hotel or with friends/ family, and the costs can mount up quickly. As for a Refresh, it can be done quickly and can significantly change the look of an area at a minimal cost.” Deciding whether to Refresh or Remodel your property can be a big decision. You will want to take into account your budget, time and your final goals for the property.
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Steampunk Lake House
Remodel STORY BY KATE DUCKWORTH PHOTOS BY GRANT DUCKWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Our clients purchased this 4 bedroom, 3-1/2 bath waterfront home on Lake Conroe in Conroe, TX. The home was a gem when it was built in 1997, but it needed a little polish and shine. Our clients have three kids and love to entertain. They are a laid-back and fun family, so the interior needed to be welcoming, durable, and kid-friendly. They gave free design reign over the entire home with one request: they wanted it to be “steampunk.” This is a design style inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. The clients love this quirky look and wanted it incorporated into their decor. The design dilemma was to merge the two very different styles: steampunk and lake house. This was a challenge I was excited to take on! As you peruse the photos, I think you’ll see the ways we incorporated the steampunk elements by way of lighting, plumbing fixtures and accessories. We found many vintage and upcycled items, such as a motorcycle-gas-tank-turned-art, a bowler hat, bicycle seats and taxidermy. These items were then juxtaposed by all of the lake elements: casual linens, natural and raw elements, and an array of blues. You’ll notice the foyer previously had 20-foot ceilings with an upstairs landing that overlooked the front door. We decided to close it in. This achieved several things: it added square footage to the house (increasing its value), added another room upstairs, and created more of a sound barrier between floors. You’ll also notice, we were able to repurpose the coat closet into a downstairs powder room. The stairway was modernized with iron railing and wood treads and risers. An industrial light was added, along with updated flooring throughout the home.
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In the family room, we removed the fireplace and pushed the exterior wall out to the end of the existing covered porch. This created an oversized living space that allowed for two separate seating areas. Expansive glass sliding doors were also added in the family room and dining room to maximize the lake view. In the kitchen, the original pantry was replaced with an oversized refrigerator and freezer. A larger walk-in pantry was created by repurposing space from the new kitchen layout. A butler’s pantry was added, utilizing even more of the unused space under the staircase. We removed the kitchen window and relocated the sink to the island in order to help bring more attention to the hood and range.
We utilized the space under the staircase for an adorable “Harry Potter Room.” Any chance I get, I love to carve out fun nooks and crannies for kids spaces.
In the master suite, we added windows and a sliding door, allowing for more natural light and lakefront views. The dual flooring materials broke up the space and made it feel smaller, so we replaced them with the same flooring used throughout the first floor. The bed was moved to a different wall, where we added a blue and metallic wallpaper.
In the all-black-and-white master bathroom, we changed the orientation of the water closet and removed the jacuzzi tub, replacing it with a large shower. I mentioned how fun these clients are, and you’ll see their sense of humor showing through in the candid message
“get naked“
in the tile design! A freestanding tub was added on the back wall, creating an inviting space to unwind and relax.
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The upstairs has a game room with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. By extending the back wall of the game room to match the newly-captured family room space below, we were able to add a stage to compliment the large sitting area.
with an orange stool. The turquoise made an appearance in her Jenny Lind bed and drapery. The leopard print rug and white fur bedding added...
a touch of whimsy.
In the oldest son’s room, we went with an orange, navy and One of the upstairs bedrooms grey color pallet. Texture was was converted into a added with a “wave” patterned comfortable, inviting guest suite wallpaper. Orange lockers that doubles as a home office. were used as night stands and The Jack and Jill bath received provided additional storage. His en suite bath also received a complete makeover. a complete facelift. We brought In the daughter’s bedroom, we the navy into his bathroom, as built the color pallet of the room well, with the navy tile and vanity. around the fine art piece above And, remember the room we her bed: turquoise, orange, and gained by closing in the foyer? pink. A vanity area was added This petite, adorable nursery is the result.
the before’s
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Porch
done pretty + Perfect STORY & PHOTOS BY JINA ARMSTRONG
The minute March 1st comes, me and my sister hit the garden stores for something that is Alive fresh and colorful. I was excited about this issue because I love to redo and freshen up my front door space when Spring shows up. After all, this is the first thing your friends see when they come to visit, and it’s a great way to add instant curb appeal. I hope these ideas will get you thinking outside of the box when it comes to redecorating your front porch for spring and summer. The great thing about decorating a porch is, whether you have a small porch, big porch, side porch, or just a walkway to your home, you have a perfect area to add some personality to your space. What I enjoy most about sprucing up my porch is using things other living plants. I have probably pushed the “button” when it comes to what items I might use to decorate with, but if it brings you happiness and brightens up your home, then go for it!
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things to consider: • Focal point (wow factor) • Different heights, Texture, And maybe some living things. • You can also have some standards that stay year-round, like chairs and tables, but use different colors to add appeal for the season.
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Back to me pushing the button, AA, my husband, and I love to take a trip to Round top-Warrenton during antiques week. This is where a lot of my “out of the box” things come from. Sometimes we go with a particular item in mind, but most of the time, we come across something cool and different that we never knew we needed! That is where the wheelbarrow, ladder, and washing machine came from. I am drawn to rust and old, galvanized things. I feel like they really make a pot of geraniums stand out. It’s just a really good backdrop to show off your pretty seasonal plants. You probably have something back behind your house or your mom and dad’s place that would make the perfect planter. Keep your eyes open and think outside what the normal planter might be. It’s fun and gives you a mission. Who doesn’t like to hunt for the perfect treasure, or in this case, the perfect planter! Whatever your style might be, one thing to remember is not to overthink it. It’s just a porch; you can change it over and over again. Your friends and family that come to visit or the people that drive or walk past by your home will get a pretty little surprise! The most important thing is to have fun and use things you have around the house. These little redos do not have to cost a lot of money. You can have a beautiful porch on any budget. Just get out there and get busy! I would love to see what all pretty places y’all come up with! Send me your pics and I’ll share them so others can be inspired too!
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BEFORE
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Ellis County Master GardenErs
Monthly Tips
BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION
tips for PLANTING
APRIL
• Plant warm-season annual flowers. For sun (6+hours per day): angelonias, copper plants, firebush, lantana, moss rose, purslane, pentas, ornamental sweet potatoes and zinnias. For shade (less than 4 hours per day): begonias, coleus, impatiens and perilla. Select short, compact plants. • Plant okra and southern peas (black-eyed peas, etc). Squash, cucumbers and melons can still be planted. • Many herbs can also be planted from transplants (dill, parsley, fennel, mint, oregano and thyme). • Now is the best time to plant Bermudagrass and St. Augustine grass sod. Grade and smooth area prior to installing sod to ensure good soil contact. Keep moist until roots are established. • Seeded varieties of Bermudagrass may be sown starting mid-month. Keep soil moist until seed germinate and grass has established a good root system. • Select caladium tubers now, while ample stocks are available, for May planting.
FERTILIZING AND PRUNING
tips for PLANTING
MAY
• Plant heat-loving annuals including copper plant, firebush, gomphrena, lantana, pentas, purple fountaingrass and ornamental sweet potato in sunny areas. • In shady spots, plant caladiums, begonias, coleus, impatiens (mildew-resistant types). • Seeds of celosia, cosmos, marigold, morning glory, portulaca and zinnia can be sown directly in the beds. Keep seeded area moist until seeds germinate. • Achimenes, cannas, dahlias and other summer flowering bulbs can be planted now. • Establish new lawns before summer heat sets in. Sow seeded varieties of Bermudagrass early in the month; or sod Bermuda or St. Augustine grass. Water daily for first few weeks to develop a good root system.
• FERTILIZING AND PRUNING
• Feed fruit trees, perennials, annuals, ground covers and vines with a lawn fertilizer (3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio). • Fertilize tomatoes and most other vegetables every other week for productive and vigorous plants. • Manually thin the fruit on peaches, pears, plums and apples to 5-6 inches apart early in the month. • Prune spring-flowering shrubs and vines soon after flowering. Keep the natural shape of the plant in mind as you prune, and avoid excessive cutting except where necessary to control size. Deadhead roses and other reblooming plants. • Allow foliage of daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs to mature and yellow before removing.
• Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to established lawns. Use product containing at least half of its nitrogen in slow-release form. • Mow common Bermudagrass at 1 1/2inches and St. Augustine grass at 2 1/2 inches. Frequent mowing with sharp blades will keep an established lawn thick and healthy; but avoid removing more than one-third of the leaf surface each time. • Fertilize roses every 4 to 6 weeks from now to September. Start with a balanced fertilizer, then apply ammonium sulfate or other high-nitrogen fertilizer as new growth appears, following GARDEN WATCH • Allow bluebonnets and other reseeding, annual wildflowers a flowering cycle. to die and the seeds to dry before mowing the stubble. Delay • mowing until end of growing season if other wildflowers are GARDEN WATCH growing in the area. • Check new plant growth for aphids. A few can be tolerated but • Check tomatoes for signs of early blight (yellow blotches on large numbers should be controlled. Washing them off with a lower leaves). Apply a labeled fungicide if needed. Keep soil strong spray of water may be all that is necessary for control. adequately moist to prevent blossom-end rot (browned tissue • Look for rose rosette disease. New growth on diseased roses on bloom end of fruit). exhibit elongated/enlarged canes, reddish leaves and stems, • Look for squash bugs in early morning. Destroy eggs found and excessive thorns. Remove and destroy infected plants on underside of leaves by hand. Vegetable pests can often be and roots immediately. There is no proven control for this fatal controlled by mechanical, biological or organic means rather disease. than by synthetic pesticides. • Soil purchased for use in beds, low areas and containers should • Watch for bagworms on junipers and other narrow-leafed be examined closely. Nutsedge and other weeds are often evergreens. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or general brought into the yard through contaminated soil sources. insecticide at first sign of larvae feeding. Remember that once the • Watch newspapers and other media for information regarding bag has formed, your only option is to manually pull them off. wildflower trails, garden tours and plant sales.
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• Make initial application of Image® or SedgeHammer® to control BEFORE nutsedge in established warm-season lawns.
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My mammograms says I have dense breasts. What does that mean, and what should I do? It’s common for women to have dense breasts. It can also be confusing. Here are answers to the questions women often ask. After a mammogram, some women find out they have dense breasts. They come to me with questions about what that means, how it affects their risk for breast cancer, and what they should do differently. Here’s how I answer the questions I hear most often. What does it mean to have dense breasts? It’s common for women to have dense breasts. Your breasts are made of fatty tissue, which is not dense, and supportive tissue, milk glands, and milk ducts, which is. The parts of your breast made up of dense tissue show up as white on a mammogram, so it can be harder to spot signs of breast cancer in those areas.
How do I know if I have dense breasts? The radiologist who reviews your mammogram assigns a grade to your breast density based on how much of your breast tissue is dense. You might see something on your mammogram report called Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). There are four levels of breast density: • A is almost all fatty tissue, found in about 10 percent of women • B is more nondense than dense, found in about 40 percent of women • C is more dense than nondense, found in about 40 percent of women • D is almost all dense, found in about 10 percent of women If you fall into the C or D categories, your mammogram report may indicate that you have dense breasts. If it doesn’t say, ask your doctor. As you can see, about half of all women have dense breasts. You’re more likely to have dense breasts if you are younger, have less body fat, and/or take hormone therapy for menopause. How does my breast density affect my risk for breast cancer? Since it’s harder to spot breast cancer on dense breasts, you have a higher chance of cancer not being detected on a mammogram. Separately from that, women with dense breasts also have a higher risk of breast cancer.
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What should I do differently if I have dense breasts? You should talk to your doctor about your other risk factors for breast cancer and work together to come up with a breast cancer screening schedule that works for you. For my patients with dense breasts but no additional risk for breast cancer, I recommend an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. Depending on other risk factors for breast cancer, I might also recommend: • A breast MRI, which uses magnetic forces to image your breast • A 3D mammogram, which combines images of your breast taken from different angles • Breast ultrasound, which uses sound waves to investigate areas of your breast that might be concerning • Molecular breast imaging, which uses a radioactive tracer to look for cancerous areas
BY VALERIE GORMAN, MD, BREAST SURGEON AT BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE TEXAS SURGICAL SPECIALISTS – WAXAHACHIE
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WaileaWonders STORY BY CINDY BURCH PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOTEL WAILEA
You might think a getaway to Hawaii seems impossible right now, but flights have never been so cheap, as long as you can maneuver through the State of Hawaii’s Safe Travels application and make sure you arrive with a negative COVID test. If you are up for an adventure or just some relaxation in the sun, Maui never disappoints.
As an old whaling port, downtown Lahaina is a National Historic Landmark and still retains a great deal of its past due to its rich history. Back in the day I loved traveling to Maui with my parents every year, but it was incredibly remote 45 years ago. There were no direct flights and aside from whale watching, the most happening thing on Lahaina’s Front Street was an ice cream shop. The northwest coast of Maui is now lined with massive ocean front resorts and walking Lahaina’s Front Street today is more like strolling Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras with scores of shops, restaurants, art galleries and a whole lot more tourists. However, if you are looking for a more remote adults only getaway, the south end of the island in Wailea is perfect. Sitting high on a hill and woven among mango orchards, splashing waterfalls and koi is the magnificent hideaway aptly named Hotel Wailea. Once a private club for Japanese investors this newly renovated resort was rated the second best hotel in Hawaii by Condé Nast Traveler readers only two months after it opened. Designed exclusively for adults, Hotel Wailea is the first and only Relais & Châteaux property in the state of Hawaii. Although is doesn’t sit right on the beach, the resort is just up the hill with spectacular views. On my last visit we were greeted with fresh orchid leis and a Hawaiian cocktail as we checked into the gorgeous open air lobby. Each of the 72 suites has a separate living area with wide-plank white oak floors, travertine bathrooms, coral fossil accent walls and giant lanais (terrace) with rattan scoop chairs that overlook the Pacific. The kitchenettes have Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer drawers, a Nespresso machine and everything you need to feel right at home, including an enormous bath with a soaking tub and a walk in rainfall shower. It’s like having your own little beach house with all the top amenities.
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You don’t even need a car as the hotel offers sleek touchless Tesla Model X’s to drive you anywhere in Wailea.
Our mornings were spent sipping Kona coffee on the lanai and sun bathing at the swanky hotel pool with private cabanas and full bar service. On the days we opted for the surf, the Tesla took us down the hill to the beach, where an attendant had an umbrella, chaise and Turkish towels waiting for us. The hotel will even prepare a picnic basket for you to take to the beach. One afternoon we walked from the beach to the Four Seasons Hotel, next door, and treated ourselves to a hot stone Lomi Pohaku massage in an ocean side thatched hale (hut) before dining on sushi at Monkeypod, a popular Wailea watering hole and eatery. The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea features two different alfresco seating vistas, the Lanai, overlooking three Hawaiian Islands, or the Garden, where intimate tables are strategically placed amongst lush foliage of the hotel’s
garden underneath twinkling lights. Executive Chef, Jonathan De Paz, does an excellent job and brings to the island an esteemed background having worked at French Laundry, Eleven Madison Park and Restaurant Daniel. We also enjoyed an incredible breakfast at Ka’ana Kitchen, a beautiful restaurant at the nearby Andaz Resort, where their chef features all farm fresh Maui foods clustered in elaborate buffets. Situated at the base of a dormant volcano and framed between the unspoiled hillsides of Haleakala and the peaceful Pacific Ocean, Wailea feels more like the old Hawaii I remember visiting as a kid; just all grownup and sophisticated. Getting away to soak up some good sun, drink a few Mai Tai’s and watch the surfers at Launiupoko makes for a perfect few days in paradise.
Cindy Burch
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