Nesting Issue
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
Adrian Sanchez 469.628.3868 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 643358 Adrian.Sanchez@GatewayLoan.com
Matt Authier 903.654.0145 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1527367 Matt.Authier@GatewayLoan.com
Danny Gildea 972.921.5569 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1903297 Danny.Gildea@GatewayLoan.com
Matt Helms 903.641.9838 LOAN ORIGINATOR NMLS 1696114 Matt.Helms@GatewayLoan.com
Lance Wallace 903.571.9869 MORTGAGE SALES MANAGER NMLS 1146461 Lance.Wallace@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, Suites 1 & 4 | Waxahachie, TX 75165 www.gatewayloan.com/waxahachie-tx
Gateway Mortgage, a division of Gateway First Bank. NMLS 7233.
ASK US ABOUT OUR
$99 WHITENING SPECIAL
CALL US FOR A 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
“
NESTING... This term can mean a variety of ideas but to us, we think of enjoying where you are at. With this season we tend to focus on our home and decor as well as the season itself, Fall. Find inspiration in food + drinks, the perfect accessories and your own living space. With cooler temps (come on we know you’re out there somewhere) brings lots of joy that we find comfort in and we hope you are able to embrace in each of them. Enjoy where you are at right now.
Contents October- November 2021 |
10
volume 17
- Cindy
|
issue 5
12
LIFE + STYLE FOOD REVIEW • 10 Ruston Cattle Co FALL FOODS • 12 Closeness in Coffee FASHION • 16 Fabulous Fall Bags
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HOME + GARDEN WALKER DESIGN & CO • 20 Designing a New Home & Where to Start DUCKWORTH INTERIORS • 28 Falling In Love With Your Home JINA ARMSTRONG • 34 Say the Word Cozy OCT/NOV TIPS • 40 Planting/Growing Guide for the Season
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MEDICAL DR. ISKANDAR, DR. KELLY, AND DR. ROYE • 42 Thinking About Weight-Loss Surgery? Here’s What you Need to Know LA FIN CINDY BURCH • 44 Been to Bentonville?
”
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ECLM Contributors 4
2
6 3 1
Mallory Walker (1) Walker Design & Co is an interior design firm catering to the needs of DFW home builders. Our goal is to create memorable spaces for homeowners that ultimately return to the community to purchase. We research the market demographics of each community to tailor our design to appeal to potential homeowners in the area. Working with all budgets, we provide furniture selections for each room as well as hang art work and provide window treatments custom for each space. Meagan Kamerbeek (2) Meagan Kamerbeek is the owner of Klutch Handbags. Her designs can be found in Ellis County exclusively at The Dove’s Nest or online at www. klutchhandbags.com Victoria Berry + Courtney Carpenter (3) Courtney and I, Victoria, created Vita Coffee House with community in mind. Our mission is to create an exceptional coffee experience where people feel at home without being too far away from home. Coffee doesn’t have to be just coffee; we are here to create a closeness in our community that will last for generations. Vita Coffee House is a space for friends, new and old, to enjoy handcrafted, wholesome coffee while feeling right at home.
5 Kate Duckworth (4) is the President and Principal Designer of Duckworth Interiors, a full-service interior design firm located in Ennis, TX. With over a decade of design experience in highend residential, new construction selections, model homes and remodels, she finds joy in creating spaces her clients love. Kate specializes in designing interiors that look magazine-worthy and feel like home. Follow her at www.duckworthinteriors.com or @duckworthinteriors. Jina Armstrong (5) 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 Cindy Burch (6) 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
Ellis County Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by ECL Media, Inc.© using only environmentally-friendly ink.
Staff photos by Grant Duckworth Photography
Copyright 2021, ECL Media, Inc.© All rights reserved.
A special thanks to all of our contributing writers.
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MAGAZINE
Cover Photo By Vita Coffee House www.vitacoffeehouse.com IG @vitacoffeehouse
LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
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 For advertising information, please contact Ellis County Living Magazine at 972.935.0938 or info@living-magazine.com.
Let us assist you in making your dream house a reality... call us today! Mid-Tex Mortgage is the perfect place to start the building process... low rates and great customer 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
DINING OUT IN
Ellis Co. REVIEW BY ECLM
Ruston Cattle Company is a unique place to eat at in that it’s a steakhouse, bar and dancehall all-in-one. Whether headed there in the evening with friends to enjoy the live music on the weekends or to have a nice meal on the picnic tables with the family, the atmosphere is just right.
Having dined at Ruston many times, there has been different meals ordered and waitresses met, all having been top notch. When you enter, you will be greeted by the hostess who will take you to your picnic table style seating. Although the menu isn’t super diverse, you get great options, many being “smoked.” Everyone in our office would highly recommend starting off with the smoked salsa, queso & chips. The secret to these being so scrumptious is that the ingredients are indeed smoked giving it a unique flavor. Feel free to order a drink from the bar, they have pretty much anything you would like to order including Sugar Ridge Wine which is locally bottled. For a meal, oh boy, where do we start? From the special to the bone-in-porkchop, if you are craving a nice cut a meat, prepared perfectly, you can’t go wrong with these choices. If you would like to dive into a brisket baked potato or a salad they are also wonderful. The potato has all the fixings you need to make it your not so average baked potato. Each piece of meat is prepared by being smoked and has flavor that will have you wanting to come back and order it again or try something new - we highly recommend ordering different things at the table and having a little bit of each. From celebrations, lunches, to nights out, enjoy a bit of the Stockyards right here in Ennis. The owners have created the perfect place to feel at home but to appreciate the services and have you leave with a very, very happy tummy!
RUSTON CATTLE CO (972) 875-8514 3701 N I-45 HWY ENNIS, TX
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CLOSENESS IN
Coffee
STORY & PHOTOS BY VICTORIA BERRY & COURTNEY CARPENTER, OWNERS OF VITA COFFEE HOUSE
Fall at Vita means pumpkin spice, wholesome coffee, & cozy conversations. As coffee folk, we take the Fall Season VERY seriously. From our Smashing Pumpkins (pumpkin pie inspired) Latte to our Sweet Potato Danish, we try to bring all the goodness of the season into delectable and wholesome treats. If seasonal spices aren’t your go-to order, don’t worry, our baristas are trained to whip up something to your personal liking. We know ordering coffee can be so overwhelming and down right intimidating sometimes. We try to take the fear out of ordering coffee and not knowing where to begin. Vita is bringing the joy back into trying something new at a coffee shop and maybe even learning something new along the way too.
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HERE’S A FEW KEY POINTERS FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU COME UP TO OUR COUNTER TO ORDER: »» Be honest - don’t be afraid to tell us what you like and don’t like; it won’t hurt our feelings, we want to serve you something you’ll love! »» Sweet or Strong - Decide if you’re in the mood for something on the sweeter side or something with a stronger coffee flavor. This helps us decide what kind of drink you’d like, example: a cappuccino has more coffee flavor and less milk (an espresso based drink with 4 oz of milk) versus a latte which has much more milk than coffee flavor (an espresso based drink with 10-14oz of milk). »» Don’t be afraid to ask questions - a cappa-mocha-whata??? All the different names of coffee can be confusing and different depending on what coffee shop you’re at so don’t be afraid to ask “what’s what”. »» Know your milk preference - if you have allergens, on a diet, or simply don’t like milk, be sure to let our baristas know when you order! »» Hot or Iced - depending on the weather or your personal preference, we can fix pretty much any drink either way! »» And our final tip is to bring a friend! Coffee is always better enjoyed when you have someone to share it with. Even if you wander in our shop by yourself, you’re sure to be welcomed with a kind face and you may even leave with a new friend. Being able to see friendships bloom in the lives of our customers and staff, as well as our own lives, has been such a privilege. There is a real closeness in coffee that truly brings people together.
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diamond sponsors
Living
ELLIS COUNTY
platinum sponsors
MAGAZINE
gold sponsors
ATMOS ENERGY, BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER WAXAHACHIE, CALDWELL BANKER MCCLAIN-LEWIS TEAM, CARLISLE, DUNCAN PLUMBING, LINEBARGER ATTORNEYS AT LAW, GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES & MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY, PREVENTABLE RELIABLE MAINTENANCE, QT, WAXAHACHIE FAMILY DENTISTRY
Fabulous fall bags Perhaps your Fall begins with the kickoff of football, or maybe your true Fall is signaled by the unpacking of sweaters and boots with the shift in temperature. No matter how you begin your Autumnal rituals, one thing is certain, it’s not just the changing of the sun’s ray or the breeze that picks up just a bit that indicate the start of my favorite time of year. September brings us New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week, among the sprinkling of galas and award shows. For these events and many reasons more, I adore (and shamelessly await) the arrival of this time of year. Since childhood, when I would help my grandma perfectly press the linens for, and ceremonially set the Thanksgiving table, I crave the cooler temps and the proverbial ‘changing of the guard’ that it brings. I am a devout lover of richly colored mums, pumpkins of any varietal and baking all the things.
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STORY BY MEAGAN KAMERBEEK, OWNER OF KLUTCH PHOTOS COURTESY OF KLUTCH HANDBAGS
I began my fashion career haphazardly and fully admit that, while I go total fan girl when Vogue releases their seasonal must-haves, motherhood often causes me to slack in the carefully curated couture department. Although I can most often be seen in my standard- issue mom attire, I still get asked “what’s on trend this season?” It’s a hazard of the resident “bag lady” gig. I am lovingly referred to as “Frugal Fran” when it comes to fashion and I come by the moniker honestly. The entire reason I began my accessory brand hinged on my twenty-something year old self being unable to afford 5th Avenue’s finest while flitting about with Manhattan’s elite. Klutch was born of necessity and I vowed to never have a bag retail for over $100.
Looks for Less: Elevated Style on a level-headed budget How does “Fran” shop? I peruse the style magazines, tune into fashion week and hound my apparel colleagues for insight at market and then I do the unthinkable…I take the trends and find a similar look for less. Oh, and they’re out there. Whether you are coveting the latest biker jacket by Alexander McQueen or Prada’s patterned bodysuit, there is an option to suit every body style and budget if you know where to look.
Buy Timeless There are certain must-have pieces that will never go out of style and on which one should never skimp: A feminine blouse, a classic trouser or a statement belt can put the punctuation mark on a less-than-luxe ensemble and elevate your look for runway-ready wear on a sideline dime. Speaking of sidelines, let’s talk sideline style in this year of return to stadiums. Cue the band! With concerts, college football and festivals on the rise we all need the stadium staple at hand; a classic, clear bag. We launched our ‘K’lear collection in 2017 and, now more than ever, anxiously await the end of Summer to bring you the most important skin next to the pig at the start of football season. Our vegan leather, stamped snakeskin mixed with highgrade, recycled vinyl creates a durable, fashion-forward way to stylishly tote your cell phone, lipstick and ‘K’ard Wallet with zero space for shame. Add a bit of flare with our custom, ‘K’ross-body straps for an affordable way to give nod to the prints and patterns of present trend. Available in an array of both team colors and classic neutrals, our stadium-approved styles are sure to step up your sideline style.
Shop Local 2020 gave way to a literal heyday for online, big-box retailers (none of whom scratched and clawed their way back into 2021 like Klutch and so many other brands). If you can, if you’re comfortable, storm those brick-andmortar stores and feel your heart warm when the shop owners hear their doorbells chime. This is the year to get back in stores and shop. Safely, of course. Do your research, choose your must-have staples, but invest your dollars where it counts. Help a small business owner pay for a kid to play soccer, a mortgage to be paid off in advance or a dreamer to simply continue to do what they love which is to provide you with high-quality pieces at a fraction of high-fashion prices. Elevated style on a level-headed budget is what’s on trend for Fall and the foreseeable future according to “Fran.”
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“Find Klutch Handbags locally in Ellis County at the Doves Nest in Downtown Waxahachie”
Discover Downtown WAXAHACHIE
The Mosaic Hideaway Make your own mosaics at our creative glass art studio. Create in-studio or pick up a kit to work on at home. Fun for all ages and skill levels! We also offer stained glass classes, private parties, handmade glassworks, and more. Book studio time and classes online at www.themosaichideaway.com.
Gingerbread Antiques Make magic in your kitchen with a 1940’s Magic Chef Stove! Fabulous new vintage, antique and primitive finds to feather your nest arriving daily. Come on in and see what’s new. Open 7 days a week. 972.937.0968 | 310 S. College St. | Waxahachie
facebook.com/GingerbreadAntiquesTX
Call/Text: 972.937.5797 | 1507 W. Main St. | Waxahachie IG and FB @mosaichideaway
themosaichideaway.com
DESIGNING
a New Home & Where to Start With more families working and learning from home, the way we live has changed and I see so many families building new homes to fit their families’ changing needs. Four years ago, I turned my passion of interior design into my business. I’m a self-taught designer with a business degree and a background in the mortgage industry. My journey into this industry began when my husband started his career in the housing industry. We found ourselves touring these gorgeous homes and I was determined to bring that same look to my home! Today, I’m honored to have the privilege of sharing this gorgeous home which I had the opportunity to help design!
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BY MALLORY WALKER WITH WALKER DESIGN & CO
So, what do I mean by inspiration photos? Anything you want your home to look like! Just that easy! Pinterest and Instagram are a great place to start. Model homes are a great option too! My idea is to start with the end in mind. It’s so important to know the look you want to achieve so you can communicate this with your team. Paint the picture so everyone shares the same vision. When I start a project with a client, this is where we start the process! WHAT’S TRENDING? Transitional style, with clean lines. Less is most definitely more! Dream Home Makeover with Studio McGee is one of my favorites!
“If you’re in the process of building a new home, the design process can easily feel overwhelming! When I start a new project, I like to begin the process with inspiration photos and from there I work through the floorplan and create a color scheme.”
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Think through your floorplan and then rethink it! What I mean is functionality is just as important as making your space look pretty! I’ve seen several changes to floorplans recently such as designated study spaces for those in school as well as home gyms. Once I think though the larger spaces on the floorplan, I like to go into more detail with the kitchen and bath cabinetry and plan my trim detail. There are so many great organizing solutions that can be built right into cabinets with a little planning!
WHAT’S TRENDING? I think pantries have received some much-needed love recently and walkthrough pantries are one of my favorite new trends!
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Paint…and why is it so complicated? I like to start with deciding if were selecting a warm or cool color palette. Usually not a good idea to mix the two in my opinion! This home actually features Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige throughout, which I would consider a warm color but we cut the paint to keep the look light and bright! Cool grays typically with have a blue or purple undertone. Paint samples are always a good idea in my book! There are so many variables that can cause a paint selection to look different in your home compared to a photo; lighting plays a big role in this! WHAT’S TRENDING? It’s called griege. It’s a mix of gray and beige which creates a soft and welcoming feel. As well as, bold colors on kitchen cabinetry, think greens and blues.
“Its always a team effort so a big thank you to this sweet family for allowing me to serve them along their building experience as well as Gentry Custom Homes.” 26
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FALLING
In Love With Your Home STORY BY KATE DUCKWORTH PHOTOS BY GRANT DUCKWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s that time of year… time to pull out your fall decorations, your boots, and your cozy sweaters. Decorating for autumn doesn’t have to be a costly production. No need to reinvent the wheel…some dried florals, a few bags of pumpkins and seasonal throw pillows can go a long way to making your home feel like fall. My friend, Kari Saenz allowed me to pop in to her beautiful Ennis home to demonstrate how easy it is to transition your current decor into fall decor with these few items. Here are some fall styling tips that will make the perfect landscape for you and your family to enjoy all of your favorite autumn activities.
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“It’s good to keep in mind the Rule of Three. Creating a “trio” of items in varying heights and textures is pleasing to the eye.” For example, in this first grouping, we have an end table with a vase, dried florals, a mercury candle holder and a small pumpkin. On the sofa, we’ve brought in three pillows: a large orange pillow with tassels, a medium blue plaid pillow, and a small black and white pillow. Add a tray to your ottoman or coffee table and top it with a seasonal grouping. Have a plaid blanket accessible for chilly nights and a fall feel. Here, we used some books with vases with seasonal dried botanicals and a pumpkin.
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For the fireplace, we layered a seasonal wreath on top of the existing art. We also added fall colored candles, a basket with cozy blankets and seasonal filler to a glass lantern.
“See how easy it can be to add a few seasonal items to your existing ones in order to elevate your decor? This subtle approach is a tasteful take on stylish seasonal decorating.” 32
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y z co
say the word STORY & PHOTOS BY JINA ARMSTRONG
Say the word cozy and the first place I want to be is on my Screened In Porch! The Screened Porch was kinda a second thought decision when we built our house, but is now one of my very, favorite spots. It is a nice size, just the right to host a small group for coffee or enjoy an afternoon nap.
“As soon as the temps drop (even a little) you will find us there after a long day. Most mornings that is where I do my Bible study and have my coffee.” I love to change to decor to match the season. Of course, in the Fall when we add our pumpkins we grew (we got lucky) and it’s such a welcomed sight. We have bird feeders close by so it’s kinda like being right there with them in nature.
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It has been a really fun spot for my grand babies too! It feels like we are outside, but don’t have to worry about mosquitoes bothering them. I would say Fall is my favorite season to spend time in this area of our house, or is it outside of the house - maybe that’s the beauty of it. We can enjoy the cooler temps and watch and the leaves begin to change colors and fall. We were able to find an outdoor sectional to fit our spot. It came standard with blue cushions, but after a lot of searching I was able to find ivory slip covers. They make a great backdrop for all the fun Fall pillows and our many throws!
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We added some string lights that really cozy up the area on fall evenings. If you have an area that you could turn into a screened porch.. I would highly recommend it. I catch myself wishing my whole back porch was screened in. The porch is off of our Master Bedroom, which makes it so nice to leave the door open to the porch when it is cool outside or raining. I’m thankful we made that decision. The problem now is trying not to enjoy it when I should be working!
“I hope all of you have a wonderful Fall and Holiday Season. If the world has taught us anything, it’s taught us to enjoy our family and friends, and to slow down and take in all God has given us.” 38
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Ellis County Master GardenErs
Monthly Tips
BY MELINDA KOCIAN, ELLIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION
tips for PLANTING
OCTOBER
tips for PLANTING
NOVEMBER
• Plant cool-season annuals such as pinks, snapdragons and • Now through February is the perfect time to plant containerornamental cabbages and kale early in the month. Wait until grown trees and shrubs. Dig a hole two times the diameter temperatures have cooled to plant pansies and violas. and one inch shallower than the root ball. Make sure the root • Complete planting these fall vegetables early in the month: ball and the hole are thoroughly wet before planting. Backfill radishes, spinach and turnips. with existing soil and water well. • Last chance to sow wildflowers in order to have blooms next • Use the “Custom Tree Selector” at http://texastreeplanting. spring. Always purchase “fresh” seed. tamu.edu for help in selecting the right tree for the right • Purchase spring-flowering bulbs while selection is good. Chill location. Also, see “Native and Adapted Plants for North tulip and Dutch hyacinth at 45°F for 60 days prior to planting. Texas” at https://wateruniversity.tamu.edu/about/publications. Daffodil and grape hyacinth require no special handling • Plant pansies and violas now. Bluebonnets can still be planted but should be stored in a cool location until planting (soil from transplants. temperature below 55° F). Recommended daffodil varieties • Daffodils and grape hyacinth may be planted once soil include Ice Follies, Fortune, Carlton, Cheerfulness and Tahiti. temperature drops below 55° F. Plant 2-3 times as deep as • Fall is a great time to set out perennial herbs, including thyme, the bulb is tall. oregano, rosemary, parsley, lemon balm, pineapple sage and Mexican mint marigold. Work a few inches of compost into soil FERTILIZING AND PRUNING • Feed winter annuals growing in the ground and in outdoor prior to planting and mulch the plants after planting. containers with a high-nitrogen, water-soluble plant food FERTILIZING AND PRUNING every two to three weeks. Also, feed and water cool-season • Remove annuals that have completed their life cycle. Leave vegetables that you are growing now. seed pods to self-seed next year (cleome, cosmos, four • Remove the tops of herbaceous perennials after they have o’clock). died. Add 2-3 inches of mulch to the beds to reduce winter • Continue to feed tropical plants in containers and hanging weed growth. baskets with a water-soluble fertilizer. Cut back or repot • Trim patio plants and hanging baskets before moving indoors overgrown houseplants and fertilize with same fertilizer. for the winter. Locate them near bright windows. • Spring and summer-flowering shrubs and vines (including • Refrain from pruning freeze-damaged woody plants at this climbing roses, wisteria, etc.) should not be pruned at this time time. This pruning is best done in late winter. • because they have already established their buds for next year’s bloom. Prune these plants immediately after they stop blooming GARDEN WATCH • It’s time to winterize! Disconnect hoses from faucets and drain next year. all hose-end sprinklers. Drain fuel from gasoline-powered • GARDEN WATCH engines and run the carburetor dry. Greenhouse owners • Watch for brown-patch fungus on St. Augustine lawns. Water should check the heating and ventilation systems to ensure only in the mornings and apply turf fungicide at first sign of proper operation. fungus. • Check outdoor potted plants for insects (mealybugs, • Watch for cutworms and looper caterpillars on young leafy whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, roaches, ants) before moving vegetables. Products containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) are inside for the winter. Apply a labeled insecticide if needed. safe to control these pests. Control aphids with a strong spray • When planning new landscapes, select trees, shrubs and of water or insecticidal soap. perennials that are winter hardy in your area. According to the • Attention, Christmas cactus owners! To initiate flower buds, give USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map, Ellis County is located in the plants bright light each day followed by 12-14 hours of total Zone 8 (average lowest annual temperature is 10° F to 20° darkness at night, for 30 days starting mid-month. And keep F). Therefore, it is best to choose plants listed for Zone 8, or night temperatures under 65° F. the one or two zones to the north (Zone 6 or 7).
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Thinking About Weight-Loss Surgery? Here’s What You Should Know Experts answer your questions about downtime, recovery, and getting back to your activities BY DR. MAZEN ISKANDAR, DR. TIMOTHY KELLY, AND DR. WATSON ROYE, WEIGHT-LOSS SURGEONS AT TEXAS SURGICAL SPECIALISTS
If you’re carrying a lot of extra body weight, you might be interested in weight-loss surgery. And there are good reasons to consider it— losing excess body weight can bring many health benefits and make it easier to do the things you want to do. But you may be concerned about the recovery process, how long you’ll be out of work, and when you can return to your normal activities.
How long will I be in the hospital?
The first thing you should know is that several different types of surgery can help treat your weight loss. At Texas Surgical Specialists, we offer the Roux-en-Y, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch procedures as well as revisional surgery for weight regain. The procedures use different surgical techniques to help you lose weight, and your doctor can help you decide which is best. These procedures are usually performed with minimally invasive techniques, which means your surgeon operates by placing tiny tools and cameras through small incisions. That makes for a faster recovery. Most people only stay in the hospital for one to three days.
How long will I be out of work?
You’re probably concerned about missing work when you’re recovering from weight-loss surgery. “Most people return to work in one to two weeks,” said Mazen Iskandar, MD, weight-loss surgeon. Your energy levels will be low in the early weeks after surgery, so you might want to work half days or every other day for the first week or so. Your surgeon can recommend a healthy plan for returning to work. “People who have physically demanding jobs might worry they could get hernias from lifting, but that’s generally not a problem,” said weight-loss surgeon Timothy Kelly, MD.
What can I eat?
You’ll probably start with a liquid diet in the first few weeks and then add in soft foods. “You’ll eat tiny amounts of food at first,” said weightloss surgeon Watson Roye, MD. You’ll need to make sure you drink enough water so you don’t get dehydrated. Gradually, you’ll add in smaller servings of many of the foods you enjoyed in the past.
When can I exercise?
You’ll be able to start exercising right away after weight-loss surgery. Your health care team will encourage you to take short walks when you’re still in the hospital. You’ll want to take it slow for the first month or so, especially if you lift weights or participate in sports. If you swim, you’ll need to stay out of the water until your incisions heal.
When will I start to lose weight?
Your weight-loss progress depends on how much weight you need to lose and the type of surgery you have. Many people lose 10 percent of their excess weight in the first two months. Your weight loss should continue for 12 to 18 months after your surgery. Results are not guaranteed and may vary per individual due to underlying medical conditions and/or other factors. Physician is an employee of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2021 Baylor Scott & White Health.
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LIVING-MAGAZINE.COM // OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
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Been To Bentonville?
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
STORY BY CINDY BURCH I’ve had Bentonville, Arkansas on my radar for several years and finally had the pleasure of experiencing its charm last month when I joined my mother in-law and two girlfriends for a quick weekend getaway. After a short flight to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, we were in Bentonville’s historic downtown within minutes. Just two decades ago this sleepy town in the foothills of the Ozarks was primarily known as the corporate headquarters for Walmart - that was until 2011 when Walmart’s heiress, Alice Walton, unveiled the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It was the biggest art museum opening America had seen in 40 years, launching Bentonville into the cultural spotlight overnight.
restaurants. However, as we drove around the downtown area you can’t help but notice construction everywhere. It’s hard to miss the impressive, gated communities guarding huge homes on both sides of Bentonville’s two-lane farm roads, making it the fastest growing city in the state with three Fortune 500 companies now calling this charming place their home— Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt. The area is also a big attraction for mountain bike enthusiasts with over 300 miles of dirt trails.
As we arrived at Crystal Bridges you can’t help but be awed by the spectacular structure architect Moshe Safdie designed. Set among 120 acres of forest is a series of gently curving pavilions nestled around two spring-fed ponds. The grounds are as impressive as the art itself with numerous hiking trails and outside art installations like the colorful Chihuly glass floating in the water. Once inside we enjoyed seeing the permanent collection of American art masterworks such as John Singer Sargent, Norman Rockwell, James Turrell, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Andy Warhol. We also walked the short trail into the forest to see the reconstructed Frank Lloyd Wright BachmanWilson House that was relocated from the flood-prone Millstone River area in New Jersey. With the finest collection that money can buy and free to the public, Crystal Bridges has pulled in more than 1 million visitors and has an exceptional interactive children’s museum next door called the Amazeum.
Anchored on the town square is Sam Walton’s Five and Dime he opened in 1951. The original store is now a small museum with his iconic1979 red and white pickup truck sitting out front. As we strolled through downtown, we noticed children playing at a large splash pad which I was told converts into an ice rink during the winter months. Next door sits the new 21c Museum Hotel with its own collection of contemporary art on display throughout the property. The restaurant on site is called The Hive where James Beard Award finalist Matthew McClure prepares what he calls HighSouth cuisine. Around the corner you can find a hip Onyx Coffee Lab as well as cool cocktails and salads at the Pressroom. In addition, 8th Street Market is a trendy new downtown food hub with numerous eateries and shops. Popular options for dinner can be found at The Preachers Son, set in the former First Christian church downtown. Chef Matt Copper, son of a Methodist preacher, partners with the area’s farmers, creameries, and orchards to bring in the highest quality ingredients. Chez Panisse alum and Arkansas native Luke Wetzel is the chef and co-owner at Oven & Tap, a great place for pizza baked in their wood-fired ovens.
At first glance Bentonville feels a bit like Waxahachie with its pretty town square, colorful historic homes and numerous boutiques and
With Walmart’s new 350-acre campus under construction and a cool communal work space across from City Hall, the new shape Bentonville
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is taking might look foreign to its long-time residents, but it’s becoming extremely eye catching to the urban Millennials it’s designed to attract. For now, it remains a nice blend of historic small town and a trend setting collection of 21st century corporate culture that is certainly worth experiencing. Cindy Burch
PHOTO BY VINEYARD PERSPECTIVE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
