Winter 2023 2024 Ellis County Living Magazine

2024 DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE

Barbie BLOWOUT!

“DARE TO DREAM”

FEBRUARY 1ST, 2024 6PM-9PM

WAXAHACHIE CIVIC CENTER FOOD - FUN - DANCING

TICKETS: $20 PER PERSON | FOR MORE INFO: 469-309-4040

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE CIVIC CENTER DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND WILL GO ON SALE JANUARY 2ND. CASH OR CHECK ONLY. TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Terry Wooten

214.949.9285

MORTGAGE CENTER MANAGER

NMLS 224831

Terry.Wooten@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

Lance Wallace 903.571.9869

LOAN ORIGINATOR

NMLS 1146461

Lance.Wallace@GatewayLoan.com

AboutOurCover....

A tranquil capture at dusk, Casa del Rey at La Palmilla Resort in Nemo, Texas, is illuminated with light and love! Meticulously tiled steps lead up to the grand pictureperfect white chapel. Celebrate life’s biggest moments, or simply enjoy it as I did...to sit awhile, reflect in solitude, and seek peace and purpose for the new year! Stories about this beautiful new boutique hotel and the chapel on pages 28 and 46.

CONTENTS

WINTER 2023-2024 | volumE 19 | IssuE 6

14

14 BEAUTY

Relaxed Confidence

16 LOCAL EATS La Ti Dough

20 FERN IN THE WILD

Here’s to Fern in the Wild

24 MEAT THERAPY

Seasonal. Southern. Supper is Served.

28 TRAVEL

La Palmilla

34 LIVING RIGHT DESIGNS

The Glass House on Main

40 ELIZABETH DRYDEN

Texas Tough With a Southern Charm

46 CODY GLASS

Faceted for Purpose

The Art of Dalle de Verre

50 MEDICAL 102 Years Young!

52 CINDY BURCH

Holiday Travel Tips

Peace & Purpose...

In 2015, I attended an event with Christian author Margaret Feinberg as the guest speaker. One of her key points was a new concept to me...praying for a word or phrase to focus on each year. I quickly chose “love”...such a beautiful word, so why not? Ironically, “love” didn’t seem to work out too well for me that year. There was something missing and more to this process. I hadn’t earnestly prayed and asked God for a word...as in His pick. What did I need to focus on? Not just a cute, fluffy word. It’s not an audible word, yet I “hear” it and then I am very much aware of it all year. It’s amazing how my word starts to jump out at me! For me personally, this became about growth. For 2016, I prayed and felt I was given “Be Still.” I focused on “listening” to Him, to be quietly discerning, and to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting. “Wait” was put on my heart for 2017 when I was wanting to push ahead, but learned to rest in His timing. I started to see how this works. Open to being chiseled, I am collecting “tools” that I now treasure in my life tool belt. “Trust and Obey” was for 2018. I put my trust in Him and worked on “me.” I reluctantly heard “Joy” for 2019 during a season when it was difficult to find it...but yay...I did! With 2020 came “Dwell”... and at the first of the year I couldn’t figure that one out, but pandemic closings kept me home...dwelling with God! I welcomed “Bloom” for 2021, a lighter word after the previous weightier ones, so I embraced it and bloomed! “Intentional” in 2022 taught me to live “fully present and in the moment.” In 2023, it was “Peace.” Ahhhh. A reminder in making decisions, relating to others, and my local and global prayer. Striving to not lose my own sense of peace has been such a gift! This upcoming year? For 2024, my word is “Purpose,” a meaningful vision requiring action! I am so excited to see how this unfolds! There are so many creative and positive ways to begin a new year. I’d love to hear about yours!

Peace & Purpose,

-Melissa

Melissa McBride | Publisher & Curator | Editor@living-magazine.com

Lindsey Keeney | Creative Director | Lindsey@living-magazine.com

Mary Crook | Art Director | Mary@living-magazine.com

COVER PHOTO BY: MELISSA MCBRIDE LA PALMILLA TEXAS

Relaxed Confidence

The art of kintsugi is making repairs to broken items with gold and is a metaphor for how the act of mending is inherently valuable. This is a concept that those at Soyokaze Massage + Skin Care have taken to heart.

Today, Soyokaze Massage + Skin Care boasts a fresh new aesthetic, complete with a team of over two dozen top-notch massage therapists, skin care professionals, and guest ambassadors, thirteen session rooms including three couples rooms, a spacious lobby and tranquil relaxation room, with plans for a salt room and saunas, as well as a Colorado location, on the way. They have soft lighting and immersive sound systems, and every inch has been thoughtfully put together. But it wasn’t always this beautiful. “It definitely used to be a starkly different vibe,” Krystal Hughes, the new executive spa director, explains as we sit down to a cup of freshly brewed coffee. She holds her bright pink mug speckled with golden hearts tentatively as she tries to find the right words to explain a thirteen-year journey in just a matter of sentences. “We spent a lot of time and effort to make it this high-end oasis,” she starts. “I remember spending some pretty late nights ripping out carpet and trim myself in the early days of our renovation in 2020.” She and her husband put in several months of sweat equity to remodel the existing session spaces after she took over management in October 2020. A crew came in to complete the larger picture renovation of expanding into the rest of the building, adding six more session rooms, relocating the lobby, and adding a relaxation room by mid-2021. “If I could have done the entire renovation myself,” she laughs, “I would have! I was so single-minded and driven at that time to make it happen, to create movement in a previously stagnated environment, to really ‘clean house’ if you will. Contrary to popular belief, though, I am only capable of so much.” She looks at her husband lovingly and reaches for his hand. It’s apparent that the last three years have forged their bond to be stronger than ever. “The entire process was totally worth it to end up with this space that our guests seem to really love,” she says with a hint of dew in her eyes. “It truly never gets old when they come in and say, ‘Oh wow! This is nice!’ It really strikes something deep in my heart to know that others can see what we were working so hard to reach. I’m so proud of everything we’ve all accomplished, not just on the outside, but from within as well.”

STORY & PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KRYSTAL HUGHES

Soyokaze Massage + Skin Care is proud to finally be 100% woman owned, operated, and empowered as of this year. “It was a long, long journey,” Renee Cook, the owner, says.

“Every step along the way is something that I will cherish, though, because even when it was hard and felt endless, it led us to where we are today.”

She has an air of subtle, relaxed confidence about her, lounging in her suede chair and gazing off into the distance, seemingly lost in quiet contemplation. “You can see the light in our team members’ eyes, they’re just so happy to be here with us. That didn’t just happen overnight,” she continues. “There was a time before this shift where our culture as a company was not soft and embracing and encouraging and loving. It’s still so wild to me that having the right people in charge can make such an impactful difference.” She shakes her head slightly, as if waking from a dream. “And that’s why you see such a big shift in our environment as a whole. When you show up for your team, really show them that you’re there to support them and love on them, they brighten up the room. They can feel when they’re genuinely allowed toflourish as themselves. And that’s how you take excellent care of your guests – you put together an excellent team, and you support them to the best of your abilities so that they can then support your guests to the best of their abilities. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.” The light in Renee’s eyes as she gushes about her team is infectious. Maybe I should be a massage therapist...

We talk for a long time, sharing laughs and anecdotes, and I get the sense that there’s so much more to this story than there’s time to fully share. Even with the short version, though, it’s apparent to see that Soyokaze Massage + Skin Care is not the company they started out as in 2010. They have put in the work to create something truly unique, not just for their guests, but for their team members as well. (You’ll never hear them be called “staff,” I’ve learned.They believe that everything they do is “we”-oriented.) The team members I spoke to along the way echoed the same mentality – that they love their jobs, that they love who they work with, that they love their guests, and everything in between.

In an age of competition and hyper-individualization, it was comforting in a way that I can’t quite explain to see this large group of women, a wide and varied range of backgrounds and phases of life, come together in this space. They are laughing about nothing over a plate of banana pudding that someone brought in with the sole purpose of sharing with this collection of people they’ve grown to love so fiercely. I can understand those dewy eyes Krystal had earlier. This is the “within” she was talking about; and I, for one, am glad to have witnessed the transformation.

FIND YOUR PEACE @SOYOKAZESPA

LA TI DOUGH

STORY BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ OF LA TI DOUGH & CO

PHOTOS BY JASON & LAURIE PHOTOGRAPHY

CATERING & ENTERTAINING HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE!

I remember as a child, around the age of 12 or 13, trying to start a business with a friend of mine. We would make homemade cookies and sell them to the neighbors. We’d spend hours each day planning on how we would make this business work. As the years passed, I never let go of that dream!

MY HUSBAND & I HAVE OWNED & OPERATED SEVERAL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT OUR MARRIAGE.

We’ve had three successful floral shops and eventually sold our first catering business. Catering is the profession that keeps calling me back and seems to stick with me. I felt I was always running myself crazy with the floral shops and had put the catering dream aside. My family was always what was most important to me, and it’s ironic how my dreams resurfaced and came back into my life through my son when he was about 15. Our first catering business was born about 17 years ago.

OUR CHURCH WAS GOING ON A MISSION TRIP TO AFRICA,

and my son had a real desire to pursue going on this trip and sharing God’s word with those less fortunate. The trip cost was $3,700 just to get him there. When he asked me if there was any possible way that he could go, I responded with “How in the world would we raise that kind of money?!”

GOD ALREADY KNEW HOW THIS WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED & HAD A PLAN USING MY PASSION.

We sold cookies. Yes... that’s right...we sold cookies! A sugar cookie that people still ask us for because they are so delicious! From selling those, we were then asked to cater one event after another. The catering business dream had finally begun. As previously mentioned, that business was eventually sold, and now the dream has once again been reignited with a new name!

LA TI DOUGH IS ALL ABOUT FLAVORSOME FOOD THAT IS ARTFULLY PREPARED.

Presentations are not only dramatic and pleasing to the eye, but more importantly pleasing to the palate. Our creative and high-quality catering has earned the trust of our former clients and we have already added many new ones...from private parties to events for large corporations and fundraisers.

WHETHER YOU ARE PLANNING AN AFTERNOON TEA, BRIDAL OR BABY SHOWER, HOME PARTY OR A LARGE SPECIAL EVENT LIKE A WEDDING OR CORPORATE GATHERING, LA TI DOUGH IS SECOND TO NONE.

I offer my personal commitment in providing excellent professional service and delectable food and extraordinary desserts!

LATIDOUGHANDCO.COM

@LATIDOUGHANDCO

Here’s to... Fern in theWild

the E X P E R I E N C E

Fern In the Wild is an experience like no other in Ellis County. Fern in the Wild is a cozy, but a surprisingly modern, socially conscious restaurant and eclectic shop full of rare delights.

Savor

Delight in a menu full of locally sourced ingredients and be wowed by showstoppers like Osso Bucco and Rosewood Ranch Wagyu Steak Sandwich. Don’t miss the grilled cheese and Ferns Fizz for when you bring the littles with you!

Sip

Enjoy craft cocktails, wine and beer or experiment with the signature biscotti latte or shookth.

Shop

Explore a curated array of home décor, unique gifts, women’s clothing, children’s clothing, toys and more. All sourced by the owner who emphasizes ethical trade. If you love the home décor, ask about in-home design services.

Socialize

If the alley lanterns are on the upstairs speakeasy (21 and up), The Green Room, is open. Step into a 70s swanky vibe with rock-and-roll flare and test your skills at trivia night. Insider tip: order the famous dirty bird for an Instagram worthy drink.

The Beginning:

Owner Morgan Ruffin, local Ennis native, is the light behind Fern in the Wild’s thoughtful and unique execution. When asked “Why Ennis?” Morgan responds with “I was born and raised in Ennis, and it means a lot to me. I have had this dream for my entire life, and I knew I wanted it to come to fruition in Ennis where my heart is.” Morgan and her mom Becky got their start in the restaurant business with Puddin’s, a local, well received restaurant in downtown Ennis. They would spend their time together building their own unique brand of southern hospitality and sharing their joy of cooking and food. When the landmark space that was formerly The Wildflower Café came available, the dream that would become Fern in The Wild took root.

The Passion:

The goal with Fern in The Wild was always to bring an elevated sense of dining and shopping together that felt part California crunchy, part rock & roll. This comes from Morgan’s love of organic, local, and seasonal farming mixed with her love of photography and art. As the curator of all things Fern in The Wild, Morgan loves knowing the story behind where the food she serves comes from and how the products she sells are made. She realizes how important it is to know the eco-impact of what she buys and sells.

You might say Fern in The Wild is like nothing you ever imagined you would find in downtown Ennis, TX, and that would perfectly sum up what Morgan set out to create. A place that pushes culinary boundaries in a southern hospitality way. A shop full of treasures and inspiration.

Experience Fern in the Wild and The Green Room in historic downtown Ennis at 211 W. Knox St.

Here’stoFernintheWild.

OUR SOULS’ OFFERING TO HELP MAKE DOWNTOWN ENNIS AS MAGICAL AS IT IS MEANT TO BE.

seasonal. southern. supper is served.

BEST dang CHILI RECIPE:

Grocery List:

2Ibs 80/20 ground beef

1 lb. Sage Breakfast Sausage.

4 tbsp @meatchurch Texas Chill Seasoning

2 white onions (diced)

2 bell peppers (diced)

2 garlic cloves minced

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

2 cans fire roasted tomatoes

2 cans hatch green chilis

1 can tomato paste

1 can chipotle’s in adobo sauce

Directions:

Start with sautéing down your onion, bell peppers, and garlic in Lodge Cast Iron Dutch oven in the melted butter over medium high heat with your Traeger Grill.

Throw in sausage and ground beef. Mix with onions, bell peppers, & garlic until ground proteins reach 165° internal temp.

Next, add in your tomato paste, sauce, chilis and seasoning. Place in @traegergrills running 275°. Stir the chili batch every 30 minutes. Smoke for an additional 3 hours.

Pull, drop chili into that Artic Zone Titan Tumbler, add in some Low & Slow Snacks hickory smoked corn chips, top with your favorite toppings, and

3 tbsp butter

STORY & PHOTOS BY JASON WILSON, MEAT THERAPY

BRULEE:

2 tbsp TX Straight Bourbon

1/2 cup Grade A maple syrup

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup milk

4 egg yolks

2 tbsp granulated sugar

2 tbsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

Combine milk and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a separate bowl, combine bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla, and egg yolks. Whisk until it becomes a creamy mixture.

Start spooning in hot milk and cream mixture into the bowl with egg yolk mixture while continuously whisking. Pour mixture into molds and place on a baking sheet with 1 inch high sides. Pour hot water into the baking sheet until it reaches halfway up the molds. Place the pan into the oven until centers have set. Pull and let cool. Wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Once properly cooled, sprinkle sugar on top of the mixture in molds. Torch or broil until sugar caramelizes. Add your favorite fruit topping and enjoy!

TX cider:

2 parts TX Whiskey

3 parts apple cider

Garnish with sliced apple and cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients for a single or batched serve. Can be served cold or hot.

La Palmilla texas

STORY

Perfect Peace in Nemo, Texas

Arriving at La Palmilla Texas and seeing it in the evening for the first time was magical. The fiery orange glow of the setting sun was melting into the horizon. I spotted the Nemo sign and rounded the sharp left curve onto FM200 from 67. Crossing the bridge over the Brazos, I caught a glimpse on the left of what looked like a movie set village through the trees. Once over the river there are only a few scattered lights in the dark, wide-open terrain, but in the valley nestled by the river and in the center of the darkness, the softly lit white village seemed to sparkle. I felt suddenly transported by the Spanish colonial architecture, red-tiled roofs, and a mission-style chapel and a bell tower outlined with white lights. Stepping outside of the car, I honored a moment of complete solitude and fresh night air. A hymn from the bell tower chapel broke the silence. I felt welcomed by a calming sense of peace.

Accommodations

New in 2023, La Palmilla is a must-visit! The luxurious casitas and villas have a contactless check-in and combine a boutique hotel and vacation home experience. There are eleven one-bedroom villas and seven three-bedroom casitas with luscious linens, spacious rooms, bathrooms, closets...and reliable Wifi. For event planning purposes, there are 31 bedrooms with 49 award-winning Helix mattress beds and pillows. The quality of construction and craftsmanship is so impressive. I fell in love with the overall design from the gorgeous finishes to the color palette which includes rich shades of terracotta, persimmon, navy, powder blue, and white. The sleek kitchen and bath wall tile in the darkest midnight blue paired with the warmth of the hexagon Saltillo is such a crisp look against the white walls. The furnishings are high quality with an artistic array of modern and primitive pieces, handwoven baskets, plants, framed dried botanicals, throws, pillows, and rugs.

Casa del Rey

Always unlocked, warm and inviting, Casa del Rey is the crown jewel of the property as it sits majestically four feet higher than the rest of the structures. There is an amazing trio of visionary partners of faith behind the development of La Palmilla. They envisioned colorful stained glass windows which would artistically convey the verses in Revelation 4 describing God's throne room...the majesty of Jesus! Cody Stromberg of Beyond Stained Glass in nearby Granbury was the talented artist chosen to accomplish this incredible task. Moved by the magnitude of this project, I felt deeply compelled to photograph the artist's hands. Read Cody's story on page 46 for the details of designing and working with the dalle de verre glass. Additionally, he beautifully handcrafted the 30 nine foot pews. Branded inside the wooden frame of every door of the chapel is the connected E and J brand. Considered one of the oldest registered cattle brands in Texas, it stands for Espiritu de Jesus, or the Spirit of Jesus. His presence is felt here...that calming, perfect peace. Hourly church bells chime from the smaller chapel bell tower and the ambiance is enhanced by music in the air from outdoor speakers. The chapel and bell tower seem to softly change in a painterly fashion as they reflect the light and colors of the sky during the day and illumination of the moon and stars at night.

Cantina Palmilla Cantina Palmilla provides indoor and outdoor venue space complete with a bar and restaurant-style kitchen, and is fully furnished with equipales tables and seating handmade in Jalisco. Although it is not a full-service restaurant, breakfast (and their signature Toro Bravo coffee) is offered at the cantina from 8-10am. The cantina has two indoor fireplaces, four colorful dalle de verre glass windows and a large patio with a fireplace. This attractive facility is designed for around 200 guests. At the cantina, you can easily shop La Palmilla merchandise, pay through your phone, and take home a reminder of your relaxing stay.

The Pool & Fitness Center

The elongated pool with hot tub is in the center of the village and was elegantly designed to be a social lap pool with plenty of conversational ledge space. There is a convenient outdoor kitchen, table seating and umbrellas. With the surrounding open land, poolside views include magnificent sunrises and sunsets! Don't want to miss a workout? Conveniently located in Villa 6, you will find a clean, modern fitness center and the resort's ice machine.

Gardens, Walkways & The Brazos River

Conversing with Renea Karl, the resort's knowledgeable on-site horticulturist was pure joy! There is a sparkle in her eyes and a contagious enthusiasm in her voice as she shares her love for keeping the gardens healthy and maintained. The chosen garden plants focus mainly on Texas natives that can withstand the summer heat. Featured plants are various types of native palms and several species of agaves and yuccas. La Palmilla's logo is an artistic rendering of a yucca rigida, or blue yucca. The picturesque sidewalk trail around the perimeter is a quarter of a mile, so four laps equals a mile of fitness coupled with the enjoyment of the lush gardens, the architecture, the surrounding open landscape, and the tree-lined banks of the 800 feet of Brazos River frontage. Pack your hiking shoes, kayak, canoe, tubes or fishing equipment.

Dining & Local Attractions

With no on-site restaurant at La Palmilla, you will want to plan ahead for meals. Neighboring Glen Rose is the county seat and minutes away, so there is shopping and dining around the elegant courthouse on the square. Along with small town charm comes varying hours of business operation. Check online for business hours ahead of time. Some recommendations: Whisky Woods, Rough Creek Lodge, Mama Mia Mexican Cuisine (they deliver to the property), Loco Coyote, Riverhouse Grill, Grounded Coffee Shop (salad bar), and Oma Leen's in Hico (just under thirty minutes.) If you are staying in a casita... entertain the idea of having some fun cooking in the well-appointed kitchen. Local attractions include Squaw Valley Golf Course, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and Glen Rose CrossFit. If you are wanting to see and do more, Granbury is only about 20 minutes away and has a thriving square surrounding the majestic Hood County Courthouse.

The Partners, the Backstory & The Vision

Mitchell and Kimmie Ellis, John and Anna Pastusek, and Daryl and Andrea Stafford are the three visionary couples behind La Palmilla. This partnership started as acquaintances which launched into deep friendships. Now they all consider each other "family." Mitchell, one of the partners, gave me a guided tour and filled me in on the backstory. With his last name being Ellis, it was fun to hear about his family roots in Ellis County. Throughout the generations, the Ellis family owned acreage around Maypearl as cotton and pig farmers. Mitchell lived in both Maypearl and Midlothian as a child before moving to Glen Rose. He eventually became a Fort Worth policeman but hit a low point where he felt he lost purpose in life. He met Kimmie on a "ride along." He had prayed for a wife! He will be the first to admit that some struggles began right after their honeymoon.They became intentional about winning at marriage and attended conferences. They wanted to share what they had learned. Believing that marriage is important and cultivating a strong relationship starts with spending uninterrupted time together, they built their home and a successful vacation rental to include visionary retreats and marriage ministry. Enter John and Anna. John also had a solid business and warehouse where he built a gym and allowed local police officers to work out. Mitchell started working out there and they became great friends. John had always wanted to own a hotel and Mitchell had the hospitality experience. A detailed business plan was mapped out. Another friend, Daryl, was in banking and provided financial expertise. He and his wife, Andrea, decided to also be partners. With funding and a plan in place, it became abundantly clear to go forward on developing the sixty acres of farmland off S FM200 into what is now La Palmilla Texas Resort & Gardens--a fabulous boutique hotel resort, special event venue, business conference location, a peaceful respite for vision retreats...and of course... marriage ministry.

I asked Mitchell if he had focused on a word in 2023. He grinned with determination. "Yes. Excellence." It certainly shows in everything at La Palmilla Texas. LaPalmillaTX.com

Blessings , -Melissa

WANDER

THE GLASS HOUSE

ON MAIN

STORY BY ANGELA GLASS

PHOTOS BY EMERY DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY

After living in Dallas for nearly a decade, my husband, Bobby Glass and I decided to move back to be closer to our family. Since he is in development and has several subdivisions in production, we were looking into building a new home...but God had other plans for us. Bobby was driving home to Dallas one afternoon and saw a "Coming Soon" sign in the front yard of 808 W Main. He rushed in to tell me the good news! I say good news because after we had been married for two years, we were looking for a home and I wanted to live in one of the Gingerbread houses. I am the 4th generation in Ellis County and grew up in Waxahachie, so I've always loved the older homes and their history. We couldn't find one that was the perfect fit for us. Bobby asked me what type of home I had in mind. I told him I had always loved that house on Main Street with the brick fence. He drove straight to the house, rang the doorbell, gave them his card, and asked them to call us if they were ever interested in selling. We never received a call and ended up building a home at Waxahachie Lake.

Fast forward 31 years. After seeing that sign in the yard, we finally got the opportunity to own that Main Street home. We bought the house in July 2021 and immediately started working with an architect. We were so excited about the renovation process. We wanted to add a large porch to the back and reconfigure some of the rooms while keeping the historical status intact. My husband decided that we should contract out the renovation process ourselves since he knows a lot of subcontractors in the building industry.

A few months after starting the renovations, I ran into friends who had hired Lacey Rogers of Living Right Designs as a designer. I met with her and instantly liked her. After our first meeting, my husband asked how long I had known her, and I said we had just met that day. I knew we were in sync on what I wanted to accomplish through all of the finishing touches. She helped me enormously when picking out tile, countertops, lighting, paint, etc. Her guidance on my kitchen and the design she created for my range hood is remarkable. She knew my goal was to keep it simple and not to overwhelm the unique historical architecture, but to add little modern flourishes to keep it fresh. She was a tremendous help and gave me confidence when making wallpaper and lighting choices.

Now that we are finished and settled, I never want to leave. Our home is so comfortable and we have already had many gatherings in the first three months of living here. One morning, we were sitting on the front porch having coffee, and we looked at each other thinking the same thing - we did it!

After 33 years... we finally had the home we fell in love with all those years ago!

TEXAS TOUGH with a soft southern charm...

PROVIDED BY: ELIZABETH DRYDEN

STORY, ART & PHOTOS

Q:Your artwork is so colorful and unique! What inspires your work as an artist?

A:I believe that God is the ultimate Creator. When I go outside for a walk and see all the wonder and the endless variety of details in everything around me it is nothing less than mindblowing! Take trees for example. There are so many different species, each with a different shaped leaf, color, and bark textures that are all in existence for our usage and enjoyment. He could have made them all the same, but instead He chose an endless palette of colors to create the limitless variations in nature around us. I am inspired by His handiwork and creativity and want to showcase His love for us through creation.

Q:It seems like you’ve had a few different bodies of work that were very different from each other over the years. Can you explain these and how they have evolved?

A:

In grade school I started creating art to escape from things around me and go into my own world creating what I wanted to. As I got older it became a form of therapy for me, taking built up frustrations and pain and moving it onto the canvas instead of keeping it bottled up inside. I realized other people could connect with what I was feeling through my art, and it became a form of communication without using words. My “Orchid Series” consisted of female figures with orchid heads, each piece having one main color with a black background. They were mixed media and signified women as strong and tough, yet also beautiful and soft. I enjoyed exploring paradoxes in life and the balance they create when juxtaposed together. Alexander McQueen’s fashion work at the time fascinated me, and how he portrayed this concept through clothing. As I matured and grew as a person, I also realized that I could express the other side of life with my art. Celebrating my Texas surroundings and being thankful for their beauty and what they represented, without having to be edgy and dark. I didn’t necessarily need to complicate that with more than it was, which was simplifying the message and creating work based on color and shape. Being a 6th generation Texan and a descendent of Buffalo Bill Cody, I came back to my roots and fell into the Western Art genre after a life changing trip to Marfa, TX in 2015 and have been going down this road ever since. I like the people, the subjects, and the grit that it takes to be from this area. Texas tough, paired with a soft southern charm.

Q:Speaking of Texas, art, and fashion, your work has been used lately beyond the two-dimensional kind!

Can you tell us about creating work for two iconic Texas companies -- Dixon Boot Company and Double D Ranch?

A: Designing for Dixon Boots was so much fun and definitely a different way of thinking outside the box than a painting was for me! Instead of coming up with a composition for a one angle, flat surface, I had to make sure the idea worked all the way around the boot in a three-dimensional format. It was so fun picking out the stitching patterns, toe of the boot, and the process of how they work with the leather. They are super comfortable, and I have enjoyed wearing them to my different festivals and art shows throughout the year. Dixon is a long-time custom boot company in Texas since the late 1800s and recently came out with a commercial line of boots. They asked me to design a “Yellow Rose” short boot as one of their first pair in the current women’s collection. It has been so fun to see people wearing them out places and even on some big country music groups like The Castellows! I am currently working on some projects with Double D Ranch, located in Yoakum, Texas as well. I am super excited about this venture and can’t wait to see what we create together! I am in love with the quality of their clothing and the story of the company created by this amazing family and talented sisters. It is an honor to work with them on some upcoming collections.

Q:Your family has some deep-rooted ties here in Ellis County, Texas. Tell us about them!

A:Part of why I am drawn to the Western art genre is my great-grandfather’s (on my dad’s side) family farm is located in Rockett, TX. They settled there in 1887 on 320 acres. Some of the best memories I can remember were spent on that farm running around the hay barn, exploring the limestone creek bed, and riding horses in the wide open spaces. I always wanted to leave the big city lights of Dallas and make that area the home it always felt like it was on the weekends when we would go visit. The old farmhouse is amazing, and just as you would picture it, with a white picket fence, built in an old Victorian style, a beautiful stained glass window on the front door, a wrap around screened-in porch, and a hammock tied to a big old pecan tree out front. There was a banana pepper garden, chickens, a mean rooster, and a dog that was half coyote named Red. Several well-known movies and tv shows were filmed out there too, such as “Places in the Heart” from the 80s. It is my favorite little part of Texas. Ironically at the same time era as my great-grandfather living there, just a few miles down the road in Waxahachie, was my great-grandmother on my mom’s side, one of twelve kids who grew up in the home that is now the Porch Pour in Midlothian. Their grandkids (my parents) would meet generations later at Texas Tech University and the rest is history!

Q:Tell us about your exciting upcoming art shows! Where can our readers find your work?

A:

My work is currently represented by Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery in Boerne, TX and Western Gallery located in Austin, TX. I have upcoming shows in 2024 at the Art of the Cowgirl Show in January in Queen Creek, AZ, the Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery Spring Show and Sale in March, and a solo show at the Sibley Nature Preserve and Museum in Midland, TX in April. I try to stay active on Instagram by posting new paintings and content, and I have a website that always seems to be a work in progress. Looking forward to the upcoming year ahead, creating new work, and hope to see you out there!

PHOTOS BY JASON & LAURIE PHOTOGRAPHY

FACETED FOR PURPOSE

The Art of Dalle de Verre

STORY BY CODY STROMBERG PHOTOS BY MELISSA MCBRIDE

Dalle de verre is the French term for "slab of glass." The dalle de verre windows are the dazzling focal points of Casa del Rey (the King's house) chapel at the new boutique hotel and event venue, La Palmilla Texas, located in Nemo. The process is tedious but rewarding! Each slab of glass is over an inch thick and must be carefully cut into shapes on a water saw using a diamond blade. After the basic shape is cut, the chunks of glass are placed on an anvil. The backside of the glass is then faceted or chipped away with a carbide chisel so that when sunlight hits the glass, the light is faceted and broken up. This gives each piece an intense color and the faceting glistens with a jewel-like appearance. The glass is then knapped, similar to the way one would knap an arrowhead from obsidian.This shapes each piece with a more organic look, and then the design is all laid out like a mosaic on a glass mold bed with lighting underneath and cast into a matrix of supporting material. The frames were installed first and then each mosaic slab was set in place. I was taken aback by the intensity and beauty of the glass when the full sun would strike the windows at sunrise and sunset. I had also hidden some prisms into the mosaic work, so that at different times of day, prisms of color are cast on the ceiling or walls. I made cross-country trips to Kokomo, Indiana to purchase the glass from America's oldest glass factory, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, where every piece is hand-poured one at a time.

One of the three visionaries and owners of La Palmilla Texas, John Pastusek, had made very detailed drawings for me to follow.The whole idea for the classic rustic Spanish Colonial architecture style chapel with the intense colors of dalle de verre was to artistically express bible verses in Revelation 4 that refer to the throne room of God. From the angles of the "glory rays" coming down, to the shape of the throne room, to the beautiful quatrefoil Alpha and Omega windows at the entrance, John wanted "the glory" to be rays of color streaming down at an angle with "crowns on the ground" at the bottom of each window. This represents every earthly ruler bowing before Jesus one day.I loved fulfilling this project at the resort's chapel. John was very patient and kind about everything and set the bar quite high, while I did everything possible to make the vision a reality. Besides the intricate dalle de verre windows, thirty matching decorative church pews were needed for the chapel, so I offered to design and carve them all from sawmill cedar...keeping them as close to the rustico style as much as possible.

Feeling inadequate to properly depict the Lord 's throne, I decided to place a beautiful "rose window"...a circular window of colorful glass high above the elevated area of the chapel. I used red glass in a cross shape to represent Jesus in the center of the circle, surrounded by green agave patterns as "rays" to mimic the outdoor landscaping and the Spanish style of the architecture. I made a carved bronzecolored frame for the rose window depicting the 24 elders around the throne, who cry out “Holy, holy, holy." I used a laser to mark out where the rays of glory needed to fall in line on all the side windows, and built the frames to match the angles of those streams. There are six arched windows on each side of the chapel. Next to the chapel, the resort has a common area and event center appropriately called Cantina Palmilla.This venue also has two dalle de verre windows on each side of one of the fireplaces. Free flowing glass landscapes of agaves and mesas at sunset and dusk fill the four windows and cast light and color throughout the room. From the drawings to painted models to all of the installations...the entire La Palmilla Texas project took a little over a year.

How did I get into this line of craftsmanship? Well, my dad was an old cowboy that told us we could do anything, so I guess we did. I'm the youngest of seven talented brothers who build all sorts of things. My brothers would build mansions, columns, fireplaces, huge fountains, and hotels. They built the Atlantis casino in the Bahamas and projects all over the world. I have one brother in particular, Lyndon, who has proven to be a really smart businessman. Years ago, I was repairing a barbed wire fence when my neighbor asked me if I could make something for their church. He had a sample of some sort of fake stained glass. I went to my business savvy brother and I showed him their example. He thought we could do better and so we learned about glass and became artisans. Fast forward ten years and there are now windows we have made or repaired all over the world. I started my own business of restoration work and stained glass. I call it BeyondStainedGlass.com because I use real glass materials and synthetic materials to make hybrid glass windows as well as traditional leaded glass; and, most recently, dalle de verre.

I had just finished restoring all the artworks in The Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells, which is quite a drive, when the Casa Del Rey opportunity arrived. Before that I was helping my older brother, Jon, build the Winstar Casino which was another far drive. This project was close and a blessing as we had moved to Granbury to be near my wife's parents, Jeff and Sherry Copenhaver. All the time that I was busy on this project, my father-inlaw, a world champion calf roper, was battling a few types of cancer. His father, Deb Copenhaver, was a world champion bronc rider, and he and his dad were quite a pair. They had a lot to do with the NFR moving to Vegas, but really Jeff was the driving force in creating the cowboy churches you see everywhere. He had a "never say quit" attitude like his dad. He started having church in the bull riding arena at Billy Bob's way back in the 1980's. He preached the Gospel all over the world. Well, Deb had passed away at 96 years old, and then Jeff got cancer and was fighting it well, throwing everything he had at it. My wife, Shandy, stayed busy cooking three meals a day for them and for us, and with our four children...Bjorn, Dixie, Heidi, and Chloe...she had her hands full.

The Casa Del Rey project allowed me to work between Nemo and Granbury and still be readily available for family. I would be in my shop at 3am cutting slabs of glass, and Jeff would call and say, “Cody can you please help me?” and I would be able to quickly get to him. Jeff passed away while I was making the large throne room rose window and I like to think he's up there throwing his crown down before the throne, also. I researched what "the 24 elders around the throne" means, and one description indicates that they represent all the people that have ever preached the Gospel on the earth. Very fitting as I look up at the rose window. I am personally reminded of Jeff along with those carved elders in their robes, face down, with their crowns cast down before them saying, “Holy holy, holy is the Lamb." Who knows, some of those crowns could be golden cowboy hats! (I suppose you could have a crown in the shape of a Resistol!) Anyway, I know he loved to share the Gospel to everyone who would listen, He loved to encourage people, and generously gifted his paperback, "God Wants You to Win,'' to many. My hope is that all those who visit the chapel will feel as much joy as I felt learning the process and making the dalle de verre windows and the wooden pews. When you see the sun shine through broken glass arranged in a beautiful design, it's only a church building. When you see the Son of God shine through broken and shattered lives that have been rearranged into an intricate design by Him...that's "the church."

I like to think that God uses our broken pieces, shattered and fragmented, and then chisels us; placing us in a divine design with facets and a purpose...to shine brightly to help others and give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne. ~Cody

@BEYONDSTAINEDGLASS

102

BY GULIA JACKSON, WAXAHACHIE SUN CORRESPONDENT

YEARS YOUNG!

Monday, Sept. 18, was a special day at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie as team members and volunteers held a surprise birthday celebration for one of their favorite people, Orise Kopnak, who turned 102 on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Kopnak has been volunteering at Baylor for 10 years, accumulating 2,600 volunteer hours during that time as an auxiliary member. She works on Monday and Friday on the second floor by the waiting area of the surgical wing.The large group of well-wishers sang “Happy Birthday” as they climbed the stairs from the lobby waiting area to where Kopnak was working. “Oh, my God, where did they all come from?” exclaimed Kopnak, who was caught by surprise.Kopnak was recognized as the oldest volunteer serving in the Baylor system, with Waxahachie Baylor President Will Turner saying, “I am truly honored to celebrate your birthday,” as he made a presentation to her. During the celebration, a representative from Congressman Jake Ellzey’s office presented Kopnak with a certificate and read a letter from Ellzey to Kopnak since he was unable to attend due to Congress being in session. Waxahachie Mayor David Hill also praised Kopnak and read a proclamation declaring that Monday as Orise Kopnak Day in the city. The love and admiration expressed for Kopnak were obvious at the celebration. “Orise is sharp as a tack and she keeps us on our toes,” Turner shared with the Sun, with chief nursing officer, Elizabeth Ortiz, adding, “Orise is amazing. She is a pillar in our volunteer group.” Waundrea Payne, volunteer services manager, said the hospital has 125 active volunteers. “They are an integral part of our hospital, and It is a privilege to have someone that age to work with us who does such a very good job,” she said. “I have worked with Orise since I started volunteering,” fellow volunteer Nancy Ross said. “Orise does a very good job. She can be stern (when needed), and everything has to be done to her satisfaction, and she will stick with it until it is.”

Kopnak shared with the Sun that she had served as a Women’s Army Corps member for a year. Reflecting on her time in the corps, she said she and her husband served as entertainers for the soldiers. Highlights from then included Tony Bennett singing to her when they were at a nightclub in Buffalo, New York, and standing on the same stage as Perry Como. The couple lived in Florida, Iowa, Michigan, and North Carolina before moving to Waxahachie. She and her late husband, John, were married for 47 years before he passed away. Asked what she attributes her longevity to, Orise said she never drank or smoked.

Holiday

Most people think it is only the fearless and the brave who travel by plane over the holidays, while the rest of us stay home snuggled in a chair by the fire drinking pumpkin spiced lattes. Truth be told, I really don’t mind traveling during the holidays if you know how to plan it right. Whether you are heading to Grandma’s for Christmas Eve or spending New Years Eve in Paris, here are a few guidelines:

1. Embrace the Choice

You have made the decision to travel during the busiest time of the entire year. Embrace it, knowing somewhere along the way problems and chaos may pursue. Accept it, despite this knowledge. It will put you in a much better position to handle any lines and delays. If you go into it prepared, you might actually have a great time.

2. Avoid Peak Travel Days

Try to never fly the day before a major holiday. We have often celebrated with friends and family on Christmas Eve and then left Christmas Day to enjoy a much needed vacation after a crazy catering season. One year we took an easy afternoon flight to San Francisco on Christmas Day and the airports were virtually empty. We treated ourselves to a wonderful holiday dinner for two at the Ritz Carlton before driving the next day to meet friends in Napa Valley. Leaving on the day most people want to already be somewhere makes for a much less stressful travel day.

3. Early or Late Flights are Best

I hate early morning flights, but if you are willing to gut up and book the pre dawn flight, you can almost always save on your ticket price and have a better airport experience with less flight delays. Most late night flights are less pricey as well.

4. Consider Holiday Packages

The competitiveness of the holiday

TRAVEL TIPS

STORY BY CINDY BURCH

season means you might find some great deals on hotel and flight packages. There are many good options on sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and Travelocity that offer incentives if you purchase a package that includes airfare, hotel and car rental. Sometimes it’s cheaper to book a package even if you don’t take advantage of everything it comes with.

5. Check for Alternate Airports

If you are flying somewhere that has multiple airports within an hour of your destination you can often find a better deal if you are willing to drive a bit further upon arrival. We love to go to Santa Fe at Christmastime, but flying directly into Santa Fe on American Eagle usually costs more than flying into Albuquerque and driving an hour.

6. Fly Direct

I always try to book a direct flight, even if the ticket price is a bit more. You can’t afford to miss a connecting flight during the holidays. With so many people traveling during this time it could be several days before you can reach your destination if you miss that flight.

7. Consider Travel Insurance

If your ticket is non refundable it’s just not worth taking the chance that something could happen to cause you to miss your flight, lose your luggage or have an accident. I just automatically buy travel insurance to cover at least the amount of money I have already invested. I like to use TravelGuard.com

8. Pack Light and Try to Avoid Checking Luggage

When I was younger, I always packed so much stuff I never ended up needing. I remember arriving at a hotel in New York only to have the doorman look at my luggage and ask: “You don’t trust your neighbors so you brought everything you own?” I have since learned to pack so light that I can get through 10 days in Europe with just a carry-on suitcase and a duffle bag serving as my purse.

9. Check-In Online

Check-in has never been so easy. Downloading the airline app you are flying and having your boarding pass on your phone is one less item you have to worry with. You can avoid the long lines by using GateGuru.com which gives you approximate times you'll spend in security lines. If you travel internationally the best way to avoid lines is to enroll in Global Entry, which automatically gets you TSA PreCheck. There are many credit cards that will waive the $100 Global Entry fee if you open an account.

10. Reserve Airport Parking

Reserve airport parking ahead of time online. Or better yet, catch an Uber to the airport or find a friend to drive you.

11. Use Your Membership Reward Points

Cash in those reward points for flights, accommodation, or upgrades. Do your research well in advance and book as soon as you can. It is the holiday season so many people may be trying the same strategy.

12. Be Prepared

Make certain you show up for your flight extra early when traveling over the holidays. Make sure your phone is charged and has all relevant phone numbers, itineraries and apps installed. The Tripit App Pro version automatically imports all bookings and itineraries from your email into the app and updates you with any flight changes, delays and gate information. Even though I keep all of my information on my phone I also print off a hard copy of my itinerary, travel insurance, reservation numbers and anything else I may need if my phone is lost or stolen. I also keep a photo copy of my passport with me in case the actual passport gets lost or stolen.

Whatever your holiday plans entail, enjoy the adventure, safe travels and Merry Christmas to all!