August September 2020 Ellis County Living Magazine

New Logo, Same Exceptional Service

Terry Wooten 214.949.9285 LOAN ORIGINATOR 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

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

Contact one of the these City Real Estate Agents today to discuss your next move!

Amelia Valdez 469-658-5506

Shirley Martinez 972-742-5762

Becky Herrera 469-693-5227

Karen Emery 817-917-5035

Jessica Correa 469-556-0024

Marlene Norcross 512-431-4413

We keep current info of all transactions of your city, and use leading edge technology to provide clients with current and accurate property information. We provide free Market Analysis of your home.

Janie Hendrix 817-271-0720

Ennis Main Office Red Oak Office Waxahachie Office Corsicana Office 101 NW Main St 100 Plaza Dr, Suite 500 311 Ferris Ave 108 S Beaton St Ennis, TX 75119 Red Oak, TX 75154 Waxahachie, TX 75165 Corsicana, TX 75110

Professional Values • Real Estate Solutions • Your City Real Estate citytxrealestate.com • 972-878-2222

ASK US ABOUT OUR

$99 WHITENING SPECIAL

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

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Contents AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 |

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volume 16

|

HIDDEN GEMS IN ELLIS COUNTY; In this issue we are focusing on what’s around us, what our amazing town has to offer and creates this a Gem of a County. We are beyond honored to be able to be a part of sharing what we get to experience each and every day. Thank you Ellis County; residents, business owners, admirers and promoters - you rock!

issue 4

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16 LIFE + STYLE REVIEW • 10 A Day’s Roadtrip is also a Top-Down Convertible must be on Anyone’s “Favorite Car” List

HOME + GARDEN COURTNEY WARREN • 26 Ellis County’s New Hotspot

TRAVEL • 12 Micro Weddings

ORGANIZED BY DI • 34 Hidden Storage Spaces in Your Home - Empty Walls

RECIPES • 16 A Hidden Connection BEAUTY • 18 To Learn Your Skin is to Love it!

REVIVAL LIVING • 30 There’s No Place Like Home

”

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MEDICAL DR. GORMAN • 40 A Better Way to Mark Breast Tumors

LA FIN CINDY BURCH • 44 Sailing Through Croatia

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER TIPS • 38 Planting/Growing Guide for the Season

FASHION • 22 Wild Wild New West

FROM OUR READERS; “With 3 stories of antiques, quirky finds and tons of treasures, Old Town Village is our favorite downtown shop! Old Town Village was there when my now fiancé and I would stroll the booths while we were dating.

When we bought our first historic home in Waxahachie, just a short walk from old downtown we found ourselves at Old Town on a weekly basis furnishing our home! Now we are preparing for our wedding and visit old town for decor! Old Town Village is apart of our story!”

MICHELLE MUNOZ

“Multitudes is my go to boutique in Waxahachie. If you are needing something last minute, or just want something cute and affordable, this is your place.

Great quality clothes plus a super cute atmosphere.

The variety is endless, with new items coming in every Friday at 12:30 pm. They consistently help out their customers by providing deals throughout the week and there is always fast shipping. The employees are so nice and very helpful and genuinely want you to have a good shopping experience. Overall, I would rate Multitudes a 10/10!”

KERRI KIRKPATRICK

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“College Street Pub is a gem because their hospitality is 2nd to none & they serve great & unique flavors that you can’t find anywhere else.

My family & I never leave disappointed!!”

MONICA SALAZAR

“Hidden Waters Wedding and Events Venue is absolutely stunning to say the least! From the moment you enter the property through the beautiful large iron gates you feel transported to Eden. The property is incredibly landscaped from end to end with beautiful massive trees, ponds, fountains, archways, mature greenery and blooming flowers.

The outside structure of the building is a gorgeous Tuscan design with brick, stone and arched windows. The inside has a great manly grooms suite, a large elegant bride’s suite, an incredible catering kitchen, a magnificent huge banquet area full of large window and a massive stone wood burning fireplace. The staff team is so professional and sees to it that every detail is taken care of. It’s not just a gem it’s a royal gem!”

JEORGIA HOPGOOD

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YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR ELLIS COUNTY LIFESTYLE, HOME AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2005

PUBLISHER CINDY CAMP publisher@living-magazine.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR LINDSEY KEENEY lindsey@living-magazine.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAVIS M. SMITH travis@living-magazine.com

ART DIRECTOR CARLY PECHAL carly@living-magazine.com

BRAND & MARKETING SPECIALIST KELSEY POYNOR kelsey@living-magazine.com

Living

ELLIS COUNTY

MAGAZINE

Cover photo by Adriana Herrera, Instagram @foodforthabooty

Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink.

Staff photos by Rebecca Chesney Photo & Film

Copyright 2020, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved.

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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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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.

We are proud members of the Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian and Red Oak Chambers of Commerce.

Follow us on Instagram: @EllisCountyLiving facebook.com/EllisCountyLiving pinterest.com/ECLivingmag twitter.com/ECLiving

You are cordially invited to our next Shopper Social — a new type of shopping experience with all the trimmings of a party. This event is held on the second and fourth Thursday evening of each month and is limited to 15 attendees plus one guest. Reservations for two are $5 and may be made by phone or in person, on a first-come, first-serve basis. A waiting list will be available when dates become full. It is sure to be a fun and unique way to have a friends’ night out, or even a holiday party. Unity Thrift provides a large, clean and safe space, refreshments, activities, and loads of great buys. Our special event shoppers get first access to all of the new, designer, and seasonal inventory, as well as several chances to win prizes and coupons. Shoppers of Unity Thrift always find high-end brands such as David Yurman®, Tory Burch®, Brighton®, Coach®, Kate Spade New York®, Chanel®, Ray-Ban®, Fossil®, Nike®, Adidas® and more. Best of all? Proceeds support two vital non-profits, Waxahachie Care and Hope Clinic. New store hours: Wed-Sat, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

214.463.5050 | 109 N. ELM ST. | WAXAHACHIE www.unitythrift.org

A larger than life, thirty “something” year old establishment that once existed as a solitary storefront in the tiny town of Forreston, now occupies a large portion of the third level of the only three-story antique mall in historic downtown Waxahachie. Bon Ton Vintage, now located inside Old Town Village Antiques, still showcases an extensive selection of vintage men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and accessories from the early to late 1900s.

Bon Ton Vintage carries a sizable collection of theatrical costuming, wedding, and special occasion attire. New for this season is a vintage seamstress and millinery corner, as well as books and collectibles.

972.333.1653 | 307 S. ROGERS ST. | WAXAHACHIE www.bontonvintage.com

Check out our outfit of the week!

LIVE AND LOCAL AUCTION SERVICES INVOLVING STORAGE, ESTATE, AND CONSIGNMENT SALES Coy Sevier (Auctioneer #TX/16638) is licensed and Bonded through the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulations. More than a decade of selling experience locally. Committed to promoting and preserving the ageold industry of calling and selling.

Auctions are planned to resume soon, so check out our website for calendar updates and ensure you don’t miss your chance to place a bid at the next storage center or estate auction or live at the auction house!

Waxahachie Auction - Where everything we touch turns to “SOLD”!

972.693.0572 | 109 N. ELM ST. | WAXAHACHIE www.waxauction.com

A top-down convertible must be on anyone’s “Favorite Car” list Which cars make it on your ‘favorites’ list?

When a group of friends get together, men or women, the talk can easily drift into discussing vehicles, especially favorite memories of favorite cars. Fast cars, sports cars, severe off-roading vehicles, trucks, and of course, convertibles. All of us can recount a story of our own convertible, past or present, or of one belonging to a boyfriend, girlfriend, close friend, or maybe even a favorite uncle or aunt. I have great memories of the fun my best friend and I had with his brand-new yellow Corvette convertible back in the 60’s.

For me, two other convertibles stand out.

It was a light yellow with a black cloth top. “It” was a 1968 Mustang. It had black leather seats, twin stereo speakers in the rear area, and a real glass insert in the back folddown instead of a piece of plastic. In the summertime, it really was too hot to drive it around with the top down during the brutal sunshine. However, late in the evening, that top would come down regularly, especially if I would be out on a several-hour trip between Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston, It served me well, but as the family grew, the need for a more practical vehicle reared its ugly head. My beloved yellow Mustang was traded in for a huge Ford station wagon. I’ve cried quite often since.

My second favorite convertible was a Mazda Miata convertible, furnished for a week-long

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test-drive about twenty years ago. It captured my heart almost as much as the Mustang, But with just a week’s get-acquainted period, the attachment was short-lived. Last year, Mazda furnished a new MX-5 Miata Grand Touring in a Snowflake White Pearl color. It was wonderful. However, these are just two examples and readers probably have several wonderful examples and memories of their own convertible stories.

Favorite vehicles can even include trucks, SUV’s, or Heavens-to-Betsy, a four-door sedan. Earlier this year, Cadillac furnished a small, luxury, crossover SUV for a test-drive.

It was a 2020 Cadillac XT5 Sport, which has become Cadillac’s most popular model in just a few short years. The ‘sport’ trim replaces the Platinum level as the top-of-theline. That XT5 is luxury in every sense of the word, including a spacious cabin, extremely comfortable seats, and plenty of cargo space.

How can you have several favorite vehicles without a Cadillac being one of them?

For four-door sedans, my favorite would be the 2020 Lexus IS350 F-Sport. My testdrive model color was called Ultrasonic Blue Mica and is certainly was eye-catching. The entire cabin is very upscale and offers highend materials. The Lexus IS350 F-Sport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that furnishes 311 horsepower. That probably

BY ALAN GELL, AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST won’t get you in trouble with local gendarmes, but there is enough ‘sport’ in the driving that lets you know it could hold onto almost any roadway without any problem if you really ‘put-the-pedal-to-the-metal.’

That Lexus IS350 F-Sport can be outfitted with a k-zillion additions, as is true with most vehicles today. Add-on’s that appeal to many buyers include the Black Line package, a powered rear sunshade, an enlarged display screen, and much more. Lexus vehicles are always a class-act and the IS350 F-Sport Black Line Edition wears that mantle proudly.

It offers an exhilarating drive, luxurious interior, sporty handling and looks, with comfort, safety, and wonderful reliability.

Favorites? It is difficult to narrow down the fantastic array of vehicles that many of us have driven. The 68 Mustang is somewhat like a ‘first-love’ which will always be remembered. Sedans, SUV’s, pickup trucks and any convertible will all continue to clamor for my attention. Possibly the next ‘favorite’ list of mine will be entirely different.

In the meantime, I’ll just be cruising down the road with my memories and dreams.

micro WEDDINGS

STORY & POTOS BY REBECCA CHESNEY, OWNER OF STEM & LIGHT

Intimate wedding celebrations were beginning to trend prior to Covid-19. With recent restrictions, however, more and more brides are considering a micro wedding in lieu of postponing their big day.

The happy couple is ready to tie the knot and the unknown time frame of when things will return back to normal is making micro weddings a popular choice.

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So what is a micro wedding? It’s a smaller scale celebration and often includes no more than 30 guests. The timeline is shorter and more casual. The guest list typically consists of immediate family and tight knit friends. It lends itself to a more personal experience for everyone involved. Couples don’t have to sacrifice the chance to celebrate during these uncertain times. And with the smaller headcount, couples can stretch the budget farther to include perfecting those wedding details or putting more towards the honeymoon!

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

Stem & Light has had the wonderful opportunity of hosting micro wedding celebrations since re-opening in May. Because our venue is smaller in comparison to typical larger venues, our space feels cozy and appropriate to host these beautiful occasions. The feedback we have received from brides has been overwhelmingly positive. Not just about our space, but about the micro wedding experience itself.

As we continue to host micro weddings, we are learning how to make the experience even better for our couples.

We are offering packages including florals, photography, videography, and even linens. All in a package deal to offer our brides convenience and peace of mind in securing high quality services.

We believe micro weddings will only increase in popularity in the coming months. And it isn’t a trend that needs to fade out once the health crisis is over. We think brides will appreciate the intimate and memorable gathering a micro wedding produces at a budget friendly price.

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“Working at stem & light is always a great experience! You can’t beat having a studio that offers great lighting, modern props, and indoor + outdoor use, this close to home. My clients and I love using the venue!”

-CRYSTA MILLER

A Hidden connection STORY BY LUCY BRADDOCK PHOTOS BY ADRIANA HERRERA & LUCY BRADDOCK

Do you know where your beef comes from? If you have ever taken a drive out of Ennis, heading southeast on Hwy 85 to Cedar Creek Lake, you have passed Rosewood Ranches. Located 13 miles outside of the city limits sits an oasis of Texas Wetlands, almost 2000 head of wagyu cattle and a family tradition of working the land. In the Spring we are also blessed with fields of bluebonnets and other Texas wildflowers.

Locally grown and Farm to Table products are widely popular and increasing as people educate themselves more on what they are eating. Small town businesses and mom & pop markets are making a comeback thanks to this new trend.

Home Grown Market opened in March 2018 with a true connection between Rancher and Chef.

Home Grown Market is owned and operated

by Chef Lucy Braddock who sources all of her beef from Rosewood Ranch. When you buy from her you will know exactly where your beef came from. Kenneth Braddock, Lucy’s father, has been the ranch manager for Rosewood since October 1985.

The spacious ranch expands over more than 10,000 acres. The fields raise thousands of cattle each year. Rosewood Ranches belonged to the late Carolyn Rose Hunt Family and has been in the Hunt/Sands family since 1858. About 7 years ago her grandson, Storm Sands, Kenneth and many other contributors set out to bring the Texas Raised Wagyu outside of family, who have had the pleasure of enjoying this great beef for almost 30 years.

Today Home Grown Market is one of 3 proprietary locations offering Rosewood Texas Raised Wagyu Beef. The Meat Shop on Lovers Lane in Dallas is co owned by Storm & Lowell Sands, Carolyn Hunt’s grandsons, and other partners. This Dallas location is operated by Chef Keith Browning.

Another 3rd location in Bartonville, co-owned by Rosewood Corporate Chef Michael Scott, are the primary locations offering Rosewood Texas Raised Wagyu Beef in a retail setting. All three are owned and operated under separate parties, however like true farm to table/mom and pop markets we all enjoy working together to properly represent Rosewood Beef.

I was fortunate to become a part of the program from the beginning. Not only to be an assistant to who has now become the Corporate Chef for Rosewood Beef but to be a part of the legacy created and growth the Ennis ranch has had. I had the great pleasure to be born and raised at the ranch. Growing up there was amazing, and the only other thing better is watching my son grow up on the ranch 30 years later.

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Checking cows growing up was always so much fun. Now looking back, I am amazed at the diligence of the cattle rancher. Getting up 3 or more times in a 12-hour evening to check cattle. On average at least 1600 mother cows are being watched over.

Most of the year they are accompanied by their calf so the number is sometimes doubled. The tradition continues with my son, nieces and nephew. To be raised in the country on such a beautiful ranch, is truly indescribable. When you have a chance take a drive out to the country and watch the sun set and you will get some idea of why that is.

“I love that Chef Lucy has brought a butcher and meat shop BACK to Ennis! Her frozen meals are my favorite and I love getting to customize my charcuterie boards!

It’s also neat to shop at Well Labeled while I wait for my for my meal to be freshly made or my waygu to be cut!”

-ANNIE LEMMOND

LUCY BRADDOCK Owner & Chef at Home Grown Market Chef Lucy Braddock was born and raised in Ennis Texas. She graduated from Blinn with an Associates in Science. She received her chef certification and a degree in Applied Science from the Art Institute of Dallas Culinary Arts in 2008. Since graduating, she has worked as a cook in Kitchens that include Dallas Country Club, Oak Restaurant, Two Sisters Catering, as a private residential chef and most recently as the purchasing manager for Northwood Club. Lucy recently relocated to Ennis with her son and is the chef and owner of Home Grown Market, a butcher shop located in downtown Ennis.

(469)881-1818 www.homegrownmarketennis.com FB @homegrownmarketennistexas IG @homegrownmarketennis

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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TO LEARN YOUR

Skin IS TO LOVE IT! STORY BY ERICA SVEHLAK PHOTO S BY ERICA SVEHLAK & TRUE REFLECTION SKIN PROFESSIONALS

True Reflection – Skin Professionals is truly remarkable. Let me start off by saying, I have not had a facial since 2014 when I was in cosmetology school and learning the basics to pass the state board test, so, I was a bit nervous going in for my first “real” facial. But upon entering True Reflection – Skin Professionals, I knew I was in good hands. Nicole, the owner, met me at the door and immediately offered me water and a mimosa as I filled out some paperwork about my skin type, skin care routine and allergies. That alone gave off a very professional vibe to me, especially since that is occasionally missing at spa-type places.

When we got into the room to start the facial, Nicole asked me a series of further questions about my skin and was willing to address any concerns I had – Another small, but reassuring detail. After our conversation, she reviewed my paperwork and suggested the type of facial that would best fit my needs, as well as answered any questions or concerns I had about the process.

For some background, I have fairly average skin with occasional localized breakouts and dryness. I also suffer from some particularly pesky dark circles under my eyes.

Because of this, my main concerns were rejuvenating my skin to have a more natural glow (hopefully cutting down on the amount of makeup I need to wear!) as well as wanting to do something about those dark circles. Nicole took into account those objectives as well as the qualities of my skin, and suggested we do the ChicBD HydroInfusion facial – one that was particularly well-suited to hydrating the multiple layers of skin on my face.

Before we got started with the full facial, however, Nicole began a procees called “dermaplaning” on my face.

Dermaplaning is essentially just the process of removing all of the dead skin and peach fuzz across the face in order to ensure that the services and products used later in the facial can really penetrate deeply into the skin, guaranteeing that the client receives the full benefits of the treatments.

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From there, she went on to complete the rest of the facial which included the hydroinfusion, CBDinfused products and a peel. I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant about the CBD products – but after Nicole explained their organic nature, health benefits and reassured me of their safety, I felt completely confident in her suggestions. We ended the facial by using a High Frequency laser emitter across my face – a process that helps prevent those all-too-common post-facial breakouts.

The entire service was wonderful from beginning to end. Nicole made sure to address my every concern, and even gave me some advice on products to use and tools and techniques to apply to my beauty routine going forward. After telling her that I wasn’t completely satisfied with my current cleanser, she even suggested a new CBD-infused one that I have completely fallen in love with.

Throughout the process Nicole was beyond willing to educate and consult with me, while also not coming off as condescending or paternalistic – another quality that can be hard to find at some spas. The best way that I can describe the day is that I entered True Reflections feeling self-conscious about leaving the house without makeup on and left with a huge smile across my face and so much confidence in my skin.

BEFORE

AFTER

3 DAYS POSST

“I left the building absolutely glowing – both physically and mentally! My skin has never been so supple and smooth. It was so soft, in fact, that I repeatedly asked my husband to feel my face. He was both confused and concerned by this request.”

-ERICA SVEHLAK

ERICA SVEHLAK Lifestyle Blogger/Grad Student Erica Svehlak grew up in Ennis, Tx where she met her husband, Taylor. They lived a short time in New York, followed by DC before making their way back to Ennis.

Erica and her husband, along with their cat, Thomas O’Malley, and dog, Penny, live on a farm on the outskirts of Ennis complete with horses, goats, sheep, potbelly pigs and chickens. Erica is a Texas Christian University alum and current Texas Tech graduate student. Her love for writing, social media, fashion, fitness, organizing, helping people and more led to the creation of her blog. www.ericanotmissamerica.wordpress.com Instagram: @ericasvehlak

FRAÎCHEUR ICE GLOBES feel like heaven on earth on a hot Texas day. Use them to massage your face while providing a wide variety of benefits.

Some of these include: enhancing circulation, reducing acne scarring, sinus and headache relief, reduce puffiness and brighten your complexion.

FRAÎCHEUR ICE GLOBES www.faceiceglobes.com

HYDRATING BODY WASH COCONUT www.koparibeauty.com

Self-care has become more important than ever in 2020. Take a look at these lovely products we curated to give you some ideas to make your quarantine a little bit more luxurious and relaxing!

HARDCORE HAPPY HAIR & BODY MIST - VANILLA COCONUT www.pacificabeauty.com

BY LINDSEY KEENEY

THE VOLO HERO QUICK DRY TOWEL www.volobeauty.com LIQUID LANOLIN LIP WATER & FACE BASE LANOLIN + VITAMIN E DAY CREAM www.lanolips.com

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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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wild wild new west

Earlier this year, we lost one of the memorable actors from my very earliest television watching days. Watching Robert Conrad’s portrayal of the inventive character Jim West, “James Bond on a horse”, in The Wild Wild West was intriguing. What does this have to do with fashion? My impressionable creative mind was collecting elements of design. For me it wasn’t so much the storylines (and definitely not the violence) but rather the costuming of western characters coupled with the meticulously tricked out sets that drew me to the screen. Remember that hummable theme song?

West’s matador-ish clothing style that seemed to almost be sprayed on, his pencil rolled black felt telescope crown hat, those dive in blue eyes (had to mention), and the spy gadgets? Even the stylized and clever opening freeze frame cartoon-like drawings made a lasting impact as I developed my own art skills and sketching style. There’s a long list of similar shows that started my love affair with all things western. If this reference is before your time, have fun reflecting on what may have influenced your own personal style!

After years of incorporating boots, jeans, turquoise, fringe, and hats into my wardrobe, I sort of stumbled into living out a dream. I spent almost a dozen wonderful and action-packed years as a western store owner in The Cowboy Capital of the World...

Bandera, Texas. “Gunslinger” provided me with the opportunity to supply fabulous western wear to not only locals, but to worldwide travelers who had chosen Bandera as a vaca destination for some of the same reasons it appealed to me. Over 100 countries were represented in sentiments and well wishes written in our shop guest book. Bandera is known for its sprawling ranches, laid back lifestyle, rodeos, many parades, community spirit, and the authentic town folk…a cast of colorful characters.

This small cowboy town with a big personality is nestled at the edge of the Texas hill country.

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For years I enjoyed the creative outlet of being able to co-design some of the merchandise for Gunslinger. This fall, I’m seeing hints of western in mainstream fashion, so I’m pulling out some old fav pieces from that season of life, discovering some new trends, and starting to design a few accessories for a fresh “New West” collection. In doing so, I’m paying a bit of attention to the screen again.

As one example, I’m taking visual notes about what I’ll term “Yellowstone style” (reluctantly admitting that to y’all and I do find myself covering my eyes and ears...and good grief/thank goodness for fast forward). Cattleman shaped hats with dresses and boots at the office. Beth’s blue hooded blanket patterned coat that fans are buzzing about. Monica’s jean jacket with the thunderbird detail.

Chunky turquoise cuffs. Bolos. Snap front shirts. Long prairie dresses. Vintage plaid. Feathers and beadwork.

You don’t have to be “western” to add a few touches.

Sometimes combining complete opposite styles makes a better, more playful and exciting fashion statement.

Wardrobe editing for fall in a fiscally responsible mindset, I’m digging into my closet and jewelry box to utilize pieces I already have and love…like my absolute hands down favorite First Phase concho belt. It boasts years of wear and I like the patina, so I expose only a teasing glint of the silver with a polishing cloth. Other favorites include statement size turquoise rings, affordable long strands of beads in shades of aqua and agave, gold mixed with turquoise, stamped silver earrings, Love Token’s pearl and espresso deerskin lariat, a Richard Schmidt+Bonedust collaboration...a bold “see it from the curb” inlaid turquoise graphic thunderbird cuff. The matching pendant is centered on strips of two well-loved bandanas.

Thrift store finds include a bleached then dip dyed cargo jacket, a couple more scarves…one is an abstract floral in a brilliant shade of turquoise. Found a pair of silver cuff links with faceted cactus green stones for my French cuffed shirts and a child’s sterling belt turned hat band, with the added spunk of a dramatic feather. I’m falling for cheetah again. I adorned a Paris purchase from a few years ago…a spotted felt chapeau…with a large needlepoint concho pin.

Chelsea Collette Collection’s lariat with a mini oval concho on buttery soft leather doubles as the hatband.

I’ve often described my style as “tough & tender”, a visual and functional dichotomy of mixing clothing, textures, and accessories. A fall staple that is a tough and an almost indestructible timeless piece that gets better with age, is the beloved denim jacket. The classic indigo version celebrates 140 years as it first arrived on the scene at Levi Strauss in 1880. Most of us already have at least one...or two...or three versions of the denim jacket. It’s easy to accumulate several in various shapes and shades and they’re just hard to give away. They affectionately and individually become indispensable, trusted, tried and “true blue” wardrobe besties. They can be toughened, urbanized or tenderized with various accessories, morphing into a plethora of diverse fashion personality statements.

Although I like that oversized, borrowed from a boyfriend look, one of my favorite darker wash denim jacket silhouettes that I tend to grab the most has the slightest hourglass curve (with a teeny amount of stretch) which tenderly flips it from ranch or trucker cool to feminine flair. I’m filling the yoke with a collection of sterling and turquoise pins. I’m loving shades of green this season, so the other retro scarf is a graphic mix of lemon, lime, kiwi and avocado. A modern gold chained lariat with giant blistered pearls tumbles down in contrast to the dark denim.

A sturdy double stitched jean jacket or shirt paired with a hat seems to tauntingly whisper “restless...adventure... back roads” etc. Cogs start turning. Images of “fun” immediately intertwine with the rich spirit of Americana and the freedom of wide open spaces. I’m remembering why I like to keep a bag packed. Flashback to Susan Sarandon’s beat up “traded for sterling & turquoise” Resistol hat with the “ripped off denim sleeves turned skinny bandana” in Thelma & Louise.

This wanderlust is wanting to head west to Santa Fe soon to meet up with old friends and meet new ones! A handful of years back, I initially met Dallas jewelry designer Dian Malouf at her trunk show on the plaza. Not only has she designed about 10,000 pieces of iconic jewelry, but she is a talented storyteller of south Texas ranch history and rumors. She gifted me with a copy of her beautiful coffee table book, Seldom Heard…a collection of fun, factual, and colorful short stories which visually unfold in black and white. I always enjoy a good story! Also full of hat shapes and ranch imagery, I’ll combine these references with hundreds more as I continue to scout ideas from both the mythical and historical wild west for my New West design adventure. Looking forward to sharing “part two” of this story.

Happy trails and blessings, Melissa

MELISSA MCBRIDE OWNER & DESIGNER AT WILD GRACE Believer.

Encourager.

Artist.

Writer.

Designer.

Wanderlust.

Photo journalist.

Dime store cowgirl.

Owner of Wild Grace.

Forever grateful for His truths and wild grace!

Wild Grace Instagram & Facebook @shopwildgrace

shopwildgrace.com 972.205.9819

ELlis county’s NEW H O T S P O T Barnyard Barbecue Restaurant Transformation STORY & PHOTOS BY COURTNEY WARREN My mission, should I choose to accept it, was to take one past-itsprime, picnic patterned-adorned barn of a barbecue restaurant and transform it into the welcoming gathering destination in Ellis County.

Mission conclusion? My design vision has brought new life to the interior of Bluebonnet Barbecue, a newlyopened eatery on Highway 287 in Waxahachie.

My design firm, Courtney Warren Home, had worked previously with the restaurant’s new owners Collin and Katie Harwell on two of their homes. We quickly established a trusting professional relationship, which proved to be beneficial as we conquered out biggest mountain yet- a large commercial restaurant renovation in the midst of a Covid quarantine.

When Katie first heard the old Pit Stop BBQ restaurant down the highway was for sale, she immediately told Collin, knowing he was a talented

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grill master with a treasure trove of amazing family recipes. They decided yes, it was a viable business venture, but yikes! The run-down barn feel of the restaurant interior was a total turn-off. They couldn’t phone me fast enough to ask for help creating a unique atmosphere for their new Ellis County dining spot.

“We knew what we wanted the overall space to feel like and the image we wanted it to portray, but we weren’t quite sure how to get from point A to point B, Katie says. That is why we brought in Courtney Warren Home.

Courtney and her team handled the details and made sure each tiny decision matched the overall feel we wanted for the restaurant.”

I was very excited to take on this commercial project! The minute I walked in this space, I could envision what I wanted it to be. Katie and Collin’s trusting faith in my design ideas made it easy to bring all the elements together to create the fresh upgrade the space needed.

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Following design brainstorming and product vetting, my team and I got to work on the clean modern farmhouse look the Harwells imagined.

To kick off this unique space, the entry called for an immediate wow factor upon arrival--a wall of custom “bluebonnet” color subway tile featuring the restaurant logo.

I further set the rustic mood with concrete floors, exposed brick and an industrial garage door leading to the party room. Vintage-style ceiling tile and herringbone reclaimed wood carry the repurposed vibe throughout the spaces.

Ever proud of our past, we pulled in other flashbacks to a long forgotten era-reproductions of vintage Ellis County maps and survey notes of the land, as well as photos of the farmland the restaurant now occupies.

The Harwell’s grateful nod to those who came before also includes photo displays of the farmers who formerly owned the land.

Has anyone spotted those in the restaurant?

Message me and tell me where for a special treat!

In addition, the Harwell’s customers are reminded of the land’s history when they see the plant wall and mossy garden boxes in the Bluebonnet. Other heritage notes include a butcher block meat carving station with views into the kitchen, a gallery wall of vintage breadboards, and of course--an enormous Texas flag.

I knew I wanted to create for Bluebonnet BBQ’s patrons an appealing interior that would invite diners to sit and enjoy great conversation with loved ones. While smart and stylish, nothing I chose for the design looks too fancy or precious. There’s lots of galvanized metal (lighting, chairs, condiment trays) and painted, stained, and distressed wood finishes— totally what eating BBQ in Texas should be!

Even newly-made merchandise shelving was crafted by my builder to look like old apothecary cabinets. These attributes of yesteryear carry over into the restrooms, as well, where wall mounted schoolhouse cast iron sinks provide a generous washup space with old-school style.

Take it from me, there’s nothing country, antiquated, or ho-hum about these interiors.

My team and I loved brainstorming new ways to create a lively energy that’s fresh and up-todate with our mix of crisp white subway tiles and matte black metal, natural woods, greenery, and bright pops of blue.

We are so proud of how the amazing the Bluebonnet interior turned out. I can truly say it showcases my team’s design experience and expertise. I am looking forward to more missions, both residential and commercial— especially if like this one, they include taste tests of the amazing BBQ and chocolate cake!

Because if Ellis County needs more of anything, chocolate cake has my vote!!

Everyone knows a restaurant’s ambience is a big part of the total dining experience. Besides good eats, I wanted to ensure Bluebonnet BBQ atmosphere would be memorable enough to return for. It is warm, inviting, current and fresh,—and the final result exactly matches the Harwell’s inspiration. That’s the highest compliment a designer can receive!

“Courtney and her team handled the details and made sure each tiny decision matched the overall feel we wanted for the restaurant. What started out as a dark, unwelcoming, outdoor feel has been turned into a bright and clean space full of southern charm and hospitality-exactly the mood we were wanting our customers to have when walking through our doors!”

-KATE HARWELL

Courtney Warren, Dallas-based interior designer, is in high demand for her ability to move clients’ home designs “From Stuck to Stylish”. Her big laugh, quick wit and joyful personality assure her clients that design can be FUN! Courtney’s projects are often featured in national magazines including Better Homes and Gardens Do It Yourself, Kids Rooms, Best of Flea Market Style, Cottages and Bungalows, and American Farmhouse Style, where she has earned distinctive nicknames such as “flea market queen” and “fast-footed bargain hunter”.

Courtney was chosen for TLC’s series Four Houses and is a frequent design consultant and commentator on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program. She is a pastor’s wife and busy mom of two boys who loves to share favorite quotes (the ones that make her snort-laugh) and current design projects on Instagram @courtneywarrenhome.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE STORY & PHOTOS BY REVIVAL LIVING INTERIORS

“It is my privilege to introduce you to my friend, neighbor, and business partner Emily Myers.

Emily loves her hometown and I am super excited that she gets to share her story of the house she grew up in and how her childhood shaped who she is today! Thank you Harold and Debbie Barnard and Waxahachie for what you instilled in Emily.

She is the hardest working, most creative, hilarious business partner any girl could ask for!”

- Stacie Caffey

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Howdy! I am a proud native of Ellis County and will always consider Waxahachie my hometown. My childhood was spent playing with my dolls and hiding/seeking in the nooks and crannies of a beautiful historic home on University Avenue. I observed as my parents transformed and cared for that old house and brought life to it. They would drag my brother Erik and I to antique store after antique store hunting for treasures. As a young girl, seeing and not yet appreciating what was transpiring, I swore I would never live in an old house or own a single antique. But God has a wonderful sense of humor!

For the past six years, my husband, two teenage daughters, and I have been living in a house built in 1935 in Historic Downtown Bryan. In many ways it reminds me of that cherished home on University Avenue... that old house smell, those old house creaks and groans, and of course, the effort and love you must put into it.

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Waxahachie helped me develop an appreciation for historic charm. I adored growing up in an older home. I remember my mom spending painstaking hours hand-stenciling the walls and exquisitely decorating our house to be toured for several Gingerbread Trails. My dad made the gardens and grounds a true showplace.

Our property was even chosen to be featured in a Mountain Dew commercial! My home stood in sharp contrast to the houses of my friends who lived in sprawling subdivisions, but secretly I always loved my home being different. It was so fun to hear the history of those who had lived in the house before us.

Even now as an adult when I visit Waxahachie, I make time to drive down University Avenue to catch a glimpse of that house, pointing it out to my daughters and reminiscing about our many happy years within those walls.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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Now, fast forward to 30 years later and a two hour car ride south… After building a custom home and living in it for several years, my husband and I felt the pull to buy and renovate an old house, just like my parents had done a few decades before. In the spring of 2014, we purchased our own historic home in beautiful downtown Bryan, the town in which we have made our home for the past 17 years following graduation from Texas A&M University. I have thoroughly enjoyed imparting life and incorporating elements which pay homage to the era in which it was built while adding functionality and conveniences needed for a family in the 2020’s. My style is very eclectic, and I love uniting the old and the new - I have even woven in a few pieces from my parents that were part of my childhood home! The irony of that statement made by my antique-averse younger self is not lost on me.

Mine is truly a full-circle story - one that continues to unfold with each year that passes. It’s a real life testimony to how God works... that tug to buy an old house for my family which took me back to my roots was an integral part of the beginning of Revival Living Interiors. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, moving into our new/old house sparked a wonderful friendship with a sweet family across the street. That friendship evolved into the discovery of our mutual love for design and creating beautiful spaces. Stacie and I began by collaborating on a few small decorating projects, which led to discussing and then forming our business, which has grown exponentially into what it is today!

Waxahachie and Ellis County have expanded and changed so much over the years, but there will always be a call to honor the past and an appreciation of the history held within its boundaries. The stately historic homes which stand proudly on its tree-lined streets perpetually share the legacies of the families who have both raised babies and mourned the passing of loved ones within; a collective tapestry of lovely, richly-colored lives. The town of Waxahachie will always shine brightly in my memories as a hidden gem, reflecting an idyllic childhood filled with character, charm, love and happiness!

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CURRENT HOME

CHILDHOOD HOME

EMILY MYERS AND STACIE CAFFEY Revival Living Interiors in Bryan, Texas began when two friends shared a love for interior design and thought just maybe other people would like their style. We pray that, through this business, we may help others live their best story, with their home as they’re starting point, resting place, and the setting for what is most important.

Thanks for letting us share a little bit of our world with you. We hope you can see your favorite spaces with a fresh eye and a little inspiration. Here’s to a February filled with balance - in life and in design! We’ve got many design ideas we can’t wait to share with you. www.revivallivinginteriors.com

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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HIDDEN STORAGE SPACES IN YOUR HOME

EMPTY WALLS STORY & PHOTOS BY DIANNA GLENN, OWNER + DESIGNER OF ORGANIZED BY DI

Are you desperately trying to find more storage space in your home?

Do not overlook your laundry room! Most laundry rooms come with space for a washer and dryer and a small countertop all on one side of the room. The other side of the room is normally just a bare wall. After Joe and I moved into our home I tried several different systems to use on this blank wall. I put up small shelves and a row of hooks. They did not hold much and I just kept thinking to myself if only I could use this entire wall!

I am an IKEA junkie and had recently renovated our dining room into a “library”. I was installing the black IKEA Billy bookcase system in it. And one day it hit me…put bookshelves in the laundry room.

Crazy right? So I measured and BEFORE

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headed to IKEA. I decided to do white bookshelves for the laundry room.

Here is the deal with the Billy bookcases. They are extremely versatile and shallow. At only 11 inches deep they work so well in a tighter space like a laundry room.

They also come in a variety of widths and heights with adjustable shelves for a completely customizable system. However, the thing I love the most about the Billy bookcases is the height extender. Most homes today have taller ceilings. And in a laundry room you want to use every inch you can including the full height of the wall. After adding the extender I had more storage than I could have every hoped for. I left some shelves open and added doors to others.

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One of the biggest pitfalls with organizing or adding organization systems is that we don’t go through our things first…you do not want to add more storage to store more stuff you aren’t using. Be selective about what goes on your new pretty shelves. If you aren’t using it now don’t waste your new shelf space to store it! AND, its ok to have empty shelf space. Empty space is ok. Repeat. Empty space is ok.

I use our bookshelves to store our paper towels, my Young Living supplies, our beach towels, sunscreen, and other swimming necessities, lunch boxes, winter hats and gloves, our cleaning products, and our medicine. Lastly, the price for a completely customizable organization system like this is unbelievable. If custom cabinetry is not in your budget I highly recommend checking out the IKEA Billy bookcase.

The laundry room is not the only hidden space in your home. Where could you add shelves on empty walls to maximize storage and organization space? It could be under stairs, in a closet, even in a bathroom. Think outside of the box and use those empty walls… floor to ceiling!

“Dianna Glenn was an absolute joy to work with.

Her communication and detailed project process was top notch.

My pantry is completely transformed and her work has inspired me to continue simplifying and organizing spaces throughout my home.”

-Ashley Colunga

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DIANNA GLENN OWNER OF ORGANIZED BY DI Dianna Glenn was born and raised in Ennis TX, attended St. John Catholic School and graduated with a degree in Business Management from Texas A&M. She is married to Joe Glenn.

They are raising four kids in their white farmhouse with a horse, cats, dogs, new chickens, and soon to be goats. She enjoys being home and doing projects on their homestead. Recently Dianna incorporated Young Living into the organized mission with a passion for clean organized house and a nontoxic environment.

Follow our organized mission @organizedbydi and follow our family farm journey @diannaglenn.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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Ellis County Master GardenErs

Monthly Tips

BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION

tips for PLANTING

AUGUST

• Plant these fall vegetables early in the month: beans, cucumbers and squash. Follow up late in the month with transplants of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Acclimate transplants to full sun before planting. Water immediately after planting.

• Plant bluebonnet and other spring wildflowers starting this month. Select a sunny, well-drained area with minimal vegetation. If planting into existing vegetation, mow area as short as possible; then lightly disturb with a disk or rake. Drag seeded area to ensure good seed-soil contact.

• Plant fall-flowering bulbs such as spider lily, naked lady lily, rain lily, oxblood lily and fall crocus. Place in the ground twice as deep as the diameter of the bulb.

• Dig and divide daffodils, daylilies, iris, liriope, oxalis, and other spring-flowering perennials.

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING • Caladiums require plenty of water if they are to remain lush and active until fall. Fertilize with 21-0-0 at the rate of 1/3 to 1/2 pound per 100 square feet of bed area and water thoroughly.

• Plants with yellowed leaves and dark green veins may be suffering from iron deficiency. Apply an iron/sulfur product.

• Prune bush roses by removing dead canes and weak, spindly growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes to about 30 inches.

Then apply a complete fertilizer and water in for beautiful fall blooms.

• Pinch flowers from coleus, basil, mint, caladiums and other plants where flower buds and flowers stop production of new foliage.

GARDEN WATCH • By now you know the real winners and losers in your landscape.

Replace the “losers” with a Texas Superstar®. These plants have been tested and proven to be outstanding performers under our growing conditions. Visit www.TexasSuperstar.com for a list of these amazing stars.

• Control fire ants in your lawn with mound treatments, as opposed to baits, since ants are foraging less now. Organic insecticides such as pyrethrins and spinosad can be sprinkled on or drenched into the mound.

• Continue to follow the “Homeowners Fruit and Nut Spray Schedule” to protect pecan trees against pecan weevils and hickory shuckworms, and to control peach tree borers on peach and plum trees.

• Order spring-flowering bulbs for planting in November and December. Remember 'biggest is best' in regard to bulb size.

Be aware of "bargain" bulbs as they may be small or of inferior quality.

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tips for PLANTING

SEPTEMBER

• Plant these fall vegetables now: beets, carrots, “greens” (mustard, collard, turnip), kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach.

• Lawn establishment using warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, zoysia and buffalograss should be completed early in the month.

• Overseed established Bermudagrass lawns with perennial ryegrass this month, if desired.

• Plant these fall-blooming annuals from bedding plants before buds have opened: marigolds, petunias, asters, pinks, snapdragons and mums. Wait until cooler weather to plant pansies, violas and ornamental cabbages and kale.

• Complete sowing bluebonnets to ensure spring flowers. For season-long color, purchase a wildflower mix that contains annuals and perennials, as well as cool-season and warmseason plants such as bluebonnets, black-eyed Susan, Indian blanket, Indian paintbrush, Mexican hat, plains coreopsis, purple coneflower and evening primrose. Sow seeds in areas that are free of grasses and lightly tilled. Lightly rake area to get good seed-soil contact before watering.

FERTILIZING AND PRUNING • Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer (4-1-2 ratio) on lawns and shrubs to prepare plants for fall and winter. Container plants will benefit from using high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizers.

• Tidy up summer perennials by removing dead and faded flower stems and seed stalks. Continue through fall.

• Root-prune trees and shrubs to be transplanted this winter.

Cutting the roots around the plant with a spade will stimulate new root growth in what will become the soil ball when plant is moved.

GARDEN WATCH • Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to lawns early in the month to control winter weeds. Depending on the type of weed targeted, it may be necessary to apply two products – one for grassy weeds (annual bluegrass, ryegrass, etc.) and another for broadleafed weeds (chickweed, clover, dandelions, henbit, etc.).

• Make final application of Image® or SedgeHammer® before mid-month to control nutsedge in warm-season lawns.

• Remove webworms from pecan trees. Cut off the ends of branches as soon as the webs appear. Tear open large webs to expose worms for the birds. Spraying is not practical.

• Spray roses suffering from black spot and powdery mildew with labeled fungicide.

• Prepare beds for spring-flowering bulbs. Add organic matter to improve water drainage.

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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A BETTER WAY TO MARK

BREAST TUMORS MANY TUMORS ARE TINY, AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THEIR EXACT LOCATION. HERE’S HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP.

BY VALERIE GORMAN, MD, BREAST SURGEON AT TEXAS SURGICAL SPECIALISTS

We’ve come a long way in detecting breast cancer.

Women know about the benefits of regular screening mammograms, and the imaging technology we use today is more advanced. These developments mean that we’re often catching breast cancer at earlier stages. In fact, with 50 percent of breast cancer tumors, we can’t feel the lump at all at the time of diagnosis.

Plus, many women with breast cancer now are having chemotherapy before surgery to help reduce the size of their tumors.

Catching cancer earlier, and shrinking tumors before surgery, both bring solid benefits for patients. But these smaller tumors are harder to locate. So, radiologists and surgeons need a way to mark these tumors so they can be treated and removed.

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Tagging tumors with miniature markers

An improvement over older methods

I use the radiofrequency wireless localization system to tag breast tumors in my patients. With this system, I implant a small radiofrequency tag to mark the tumor site. The tag is implanted through a needle, and guided by either ultrasound or x-ray, just like any other marker. It has a unique ID number, and a sheath that makes sure it stays in the right position.

There are other ways to mark tumors locations. Implanted wires have been used for years. They are effective, but they need to be placed right before surgery.

I can implant the tag any time before surgery, so women can come in and have the tag implanted, go home and carry on with their lives, and come back on the day of their operation.

Once the tag has been implanted, there are two different ways to locate it. There’s a handheld reader that can find it. A radiologist can use the reader to confirm that the tag is in the correct position. And as a surgeon, I can use the handheld to plan the best procedure to remove the tumor.

And radioactive seeds can mark the spots. They work well, too, but handling radioactive materials is complicated.

The radiofrequency system makes it easier to tag the tumor ahead of time, without worrying about scheduling a wire insertion for the day of surgery or dealing with radioactive materials. It can make the breast cancer treatment process a little bit less stressful for my patients.

During surgery, I have another way to locate the tag. A surgical probe that’s about the size of a pencil can detect it. With the probe, I can hear an audio tone as I get closer to the tumor and I can see how far the probe is from the tag, in millimeters. And after I remove the tumor, I can confirm that the tag was removed along with it.

VALERIE GORMAN, MD, FACS 469.800.9830 Breast Surgeon at Texas Surgical Specialists

LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

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Discover Downtown WAXAHACHIE

Gingerbread Antiques

Farmhouse

Serve up the coolest cocktails in town out of this 1890’s Chicago Greenland ice box. It makes the perfect liquor cabinet!

Gingerbread Antiques...making homes beautiful since 1995!

Annie Sloan created Chalk Paint® 30 years ago and it’s still the most versatile no-prep, quick-drying decorative paint! We have everything you need for your Chalk Paint® projects and all your home décor ideas!

Monday – Saturday, 10-5. Home – Garden – Antiques – Art

972.937.0968 | 310 S. College St. | Waxahachie

facebook.com/GingerbreadAntiquesTX

Texas Garlic Festival Order online or find locally in Old Town Village Antiques in downtown Waxahachie! Distributor of the ORIGINAL garlic seasoning, salsa, jerky, infused oils from Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World. Made in the USA. 307 S. Rogers St. | Waxahachie

txgarlicfest.com

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972.938.9090 | 308 S. College St. | Waxahachie

farmhouse308.com

sailing through

CROATIA

If you are feeling brave and adventurous, there are finally some European travel options opening up this summer. Although the Department of State still advises US citizens to not travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19, Croatia has opened its borders to include American tourists.

Hearing this news reminded me of a wonderful trip a few years ago when we chartered a 90’ wooden gulet and sailed the Adriatic with friends and family. A gulet is a traditional wooden boat designed for comfortable cruising from bay to bay. Most of these vessels are found in Turkey, Greece and Croatia and are usually chartered with a captain, crew and chef. We have enjoyed some of our best vacations traveling this way.

After arriving in Split, a main port along the Dalmatian Coast, we had a short briefing from our captain and set sail for Brac, a beautiful island renowned for its white marble quarries used to build palaces - as well as The White House. As we approached the little town of Pucisca, the magnificent stone buildings created a monochromatic backdrop with a bell tower that seemed to reach to the sky. As if on cue, the bells rang out just as we set foot on shore.

We wandered up an ancient stone staircase just off the town center and found a family owned restaurant preparing fresh grilled calamari over an open fire on their rooftop terrace. It was the perfect beginning to an incredible adventure.

We awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee and a table filled with fresh pastries and fruits out on the deck. Our chef made eggs to order while the captain pulled anchor and headed for the island of Hvar, known for its fields of scented lavender. The sailing in this part of the world rivals any other with hundreds of ports and countless natural inlets scattered across a thousand islands.

We relaxed in the sun and enjoyed the warm Adriatic breeze as we approached the town of Stari Grad, filled with cobblestone streets, quaint

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shops and beautiful chapels. Throughout the week, our chef prepared delicious meals using local ingredients and fresh fish. A typical lunch on the boat consisted of black squid ink risotto with cuttlefish, followed by seared red snapper on a bed of arugula with fresh pomegranate seeds and an apple tart with a rich vanilla sauce for dessert. The wines of Croatia are just as impressive as the cuisine and are exceptionally affordable.

As we made our way further out into the Adriatic we arrived at the island of Vis. Closed as a military base until 1989, Vis has churches dating from the 12th century, forts constructed by the British and graves overlooking the seas on which they defeated Napoleon. There are now wonderful restaurants and sidewalk cafes where you can sip espresso in the shade of bougainvillea while watching beautiful yachts come and go from the island. In the evening, the sound of jazz and clinking wine glasses drifts down from rooftop bars. The bakeries and wine and cheese shops were packed with delicacies, prompting our own cocktail party on the boat while we enjoyed the scent of orange and over-ripe figs wafting down from the mountain orchards.

After several days cruising the islands, we made our way back to Hvar, this time on the west side of the island. Set below a medieval castle, Hvar Town lies alongside one of Europe’s most romantic piazzas, surrounded by the continent’s oldest municipal theatre and a Benedictine convent in which nuns still fashion fine white lace from agave threads. Hvar’s waterfront is covered with lavender and the harbor is packed with European beauties on mega yachts. We strolled down the winding cobblestone alleys and ultimately found ourselves toasting our last night just as we did the first, on a rooftop terrace eating grilled calamari and wishing our trip would never end.

“Family owned for over two decades, The Dove’s Nest has been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember.

Consistently excellent food and service, you’ll never be disappointed, and the shop at the front has amazing home goods that are timeless!

Beautiful memories with friends and family are made here!”

-SARAH KENNEDY

Needless to say, our week exploring the Dalmatian coastline was a memorable one. The country has taken all the richest ingredients from a succession of invaders - Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Slavs, Austrians, Ottomans and French - and blended them into a mosaic of language, architecture, food and spectacular scenery. The Italians have crowned it their new Amalfi and the English have discovered that the Adriatic is as beautiful as the South of France, without the high price tag. As for Americans, Croatia is welcoming us back with open arms and not even requiring a mask. It just might be enough to make us forget 2020.

Cindy Burch and her husband, Andrew, own and operate The Doves Nest in historic downtown Waxahachie.

Cindy is also a freelance writer, caterer and consultant. Her award-winning cookbook, “The Doves Nest Restaurant: New American Recipes From A Historic Texas Town,” is in its fifth printing.

Cindy Burch