November 2023 - Fort Bend Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings

NOVEMBER 2023

Covering Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford & Meadows Place

Christmas Home Tour Fort Bend’s

The Key to Surviving

Festive Holiday Thanksgiving Favorites Auto Review FORD MAVERICK

Expertise Matters When You Need

BACK AND NECK CARE

Specialists Serving Fort Bend County and Surrounding Areas

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HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING 3

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If you suffer from back and neck pain, you have options when it comes to treatment. At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, we offer comprehensive spine care ranging from nonsurgical and minimally invasive options to highly complex spine surgery. Whether you are experiencing everyday discomfort or severe pain from a significant condition or injury, our spine specialists provide advanced, personalized care — so you can get back to your active life.

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• Personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs

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• A dedicated care navigator who will connect you with the appropriate doctor for your condition • Expedited appointments • Advanced, state-of-the-art technology

To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.205.4662.

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• A multidisciplinary team of board-certified doctors and specialists

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Jingle Tree features a showcase of beautifully decorated trees and décor, up for bid in a week-long, online silent auction.

Proceeds support the Museum’s daily operations, expand access to underserved communities and support innovative sensory-friendly programming.

NOVEMBER 10

NOVEMBER 13 & 14

NOVEMBER 16

TREE LIGHTING

VIP EXPERIENCE

FESTIVE FINALE

10:00AM

11:00AM-5:00PM

6:00PM-9:00PM

SCAN FOR TICKETS AND INFO

CONTRIBUTORS

{Feature} 12 A FULL MENU OF HOLIDAY FLAVOR

NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 10

{COVER STORY}

Patti Parish-Kaminski Publisher Page 6

Just in time for the holidays, a festive meal filled with flavor and flare.

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{Medical Focus}

Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. thedrunkencyclist.com Page 10

16 HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL

Welcomes Christopher Sy, M.D.

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HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL

Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 14

Welcomes Courtney Chang, M.D.

{Business Briefs} 5

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FUTURE OF FULSHEAR

Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Page 15 & 17

Mayor Aaron Groff

6 FORT BEND’S FESTIVE HOLIDAY FAVORITES There’s no place better to spend the holidays than in Fort Bend! The season kicks off with two annual festive favorites – Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land’s Jingle Tree and The George Ranch’s Great Pumpkin Round Up – that are sure to get you in the spirit.

From dinosaurs to Christmas trees to pumpkins galore, get out and about this month and kick off the holidays with Fort Bend fun!

{Columns} 10 THE DRUNKEN CYCLIST

The Key to Surviving Thanksgiving

NOVEMBER 2023

14 AUTO REVIEW

Covering Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford & Meadows Place

2024 Ford Maverick

15 THE SWEET LIFE GARDENER Lemon Grass 17 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE Having Some Fun at Wisteria

Christmas Home Tour Fort Bend’s

{Newsworthy} 9

CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND 2023 Christmas Home Tour

{In Every Issue} 4 EXCLAMATION POINTS!

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The Key to

Surviving Festive Holiday Thanksgiving Favorites Auto Review

FORD MAVERICK

ON THE COVER: Fort Bend’s Festive Holiday Favorites Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography

EXCLAMATION POINTS! Publisher, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI

The Attitude of Gratitude Gratitude turns what we have into enough. I have no idea who originally penned these simple yet powerful words, but I certainly appreciate them, especially this time of year. We have so much to be thankful for in Fort Bend. We live in a strong, diverse, community-minded society with so much opportunity. I, for one, am extremely appreciative of all that our community has to offer.

This time of year affords so many opportunities to both enjoy the weather along with supporting our beloved community organizations. The George Ranch’s Great Pumpkin Round Up is in full swing every Saturday this month, and ticket sales support the Ranch’s mission of education. The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land kicks off the holiday season with their tenth annual Jingle Tree. I understand this year, the museum is kicking off the season Grateful and blessed – Tim and with a dino-size roar – all in support of Patti Kaminski at “Red and Blue accessible science education for all. And, United: A Tribute to Sugar Land’s of course, halls are being decked all over First Responders.”

Fort Bend for the annual Child Advocates of Fort Bend Christmas Home Tour supporting children in need. Read about all of these amazing holiday events in this issue.

As you are planning your own holiday event this month, should you need a little help selecting the right wine for your Thanksgiving feast, Jeff gives some suggestions in “The Key to Surviving Thanksgiving” on page 10. With such a smorgasbord of flavors on your turkey table, purchasing the perfect wine can be a bit confusing and overwhelming.

What’s not confusing to us at absolutely! focus media is the gratitude we have for you – our readers, advertisers and subscribers. We thank you for your trust in us, and we wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Stay focused,

Vol. 20 No. 8 September 2023 281.728.1204 WWW.FORTBENDFOCUS.COM absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406

PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Garrett Gena Horak GRAPHIC DESIGN Pamela Printing Company WEB DESIGNER JOBpage Graphics S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Meagan Tape CONTRIBUTORS Patti Parish-Kaminski Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. Steve Kursar Alisa Murray A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S / E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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absolutely! Brazos eZine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright © 2022 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely! Brazos eZine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely! Brazos eZine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

BUSINESS BRIEF

Future of Fulshear with Mayor Aaron Groff

Where Children Learn and Grow

Aaron Groff, Mayor of Fulshear, Texas.

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Relations Division will host Mayor Aaron Groff for the Future of Fulshear. This event will take place at Safari Texas Ranch, located at 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77407, on Thursday, December 14th from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The Title Sponsor for this event is Cross Creek Ranch | Cross Creek West.

Join us for an update on one of the fastest-growing cities in the Greater Houston region. Fulshear is determined to utilize strategies to ensure quality of life and a desire for bigger-city conveniences while retaining a small-town atmosphere. They are focused on ensuring quality of life, fostering a vibrant business environment, expanding broadband and improving transportation. Sponsors for this event include Costello, Inc. (A Pape-Dawson Engineers Company), GFL Environmental, Kimley-Horn, and US Global Fuels.

Sponsorship opportunities and registration are now open to Fort Bend Chamber members. Presenting Sponsor: $2,000, includes seating for ten with priority placement at event, company logo on all marketing materials and social platforms for event, recognition during event. Underwriting Sponsor: $1,000, includes seating for eight with priority placement at event, company name on all marketing materials and social platforms for event, recognition during event.

Corporate Table: $700, includes seating for eight at event.

Individual Member Reservation: $40, includes individual reservation at event. Details of upcoming events can be found at www.FortBendChamber.com or contact Rebekah Beltran at 281-566-2158 or rebekah@fortbendcc.org.

Monday thru Friday 6:30 am to 6 pm

Infants Toddlers 3 & 4 yr. old Private, Full Day Pre-K Programs K–5th After-School Programs for Pick-Up (From Williams, Thomas, Carter & Phelan Elementary)

Now Registering

$75 OFF

Registration Fee

With this ad. Must be registered by December 31, 2023.

Supply fee and security deposit not included in special.

814 FM 2977 281-239-2110 Richmond www.gbkidsacademy.com twkaminski@sbcglobal.net 77469 NOVEMBER 2023 l

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Fort Bend’s

Festive Holiday Favorites The Great Pumpkin Round Up at The George Ranch Saturdays in November Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography

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here’s no place better to spend the holidays than in Fort Bend! The season kicks off with two annual festive favorites that are sure to get you in the spirit. From dinosaurs to Christmas trees to pumpkins galore, get out and about this month and kick off the holidays with Fort Bend fun!

COVER STORY

By Patti Parish-Kaminski

Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land’s Jingle Tree Celebrates 10th Anniversary with a Roar Decking the halls has been a tradition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land (HMNS at Sugar Land) for the past ten years, and this year, the annual Jingle Tree event is dino-size!

Presented by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and celebrating ten years of the week-long event November 10th thru 16th, Co-Chairs and long-time museum supporters Stacy Borgfeldt, Pam Gray and the Jingle Tree committee have planned some fun and fabulous surprises for this year’s event. “For the tenth anniversary, our focus is to celebrate big, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” shared Co-Chair Stacy Borgfeldt. “In the spirit of the museum’s mascot – T-Rex – this year’s Jingle Tree will be dino-mite!”

Jingle Tree will feature what the event has become known for: beautifullyadorned trees and holiday décor that has been sponsored and decorated by local designers, museum supporters and artistic visionaries all available to win during an online auction. Guests stroll through the display of trees, which this year includes a Barbie tree, “Shell-ebrations” featuring hand-painted sea shells and a Jimmy Buffet tribute tree. But there’s a big surprise – one might say a dino-size surprise – coming this year.

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NOVEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Last year’s Jingle Tree featured “TreeRex,” a tree designed by Susie and Doug Goff that was a Tyrannosaurus rex sporting brightly colored lights and a Santa hat.

The tree was a roaring success at last year’s event, and was purchased by Patti and Tim Kaminski. But even though “Tree-Rex” sold in support of the museum, she lives there today for everyone to enjoy.

“Tree-Rex” was such a great combination of fossil history and the celebration of the holiday that it was only natural for us to gift her to the museum as her permanent home for everyone to enjoy for years to come, especially children,” said Tim Kaminski.

The tenth anniversary Jingle Tree will feature plush “Tree-Rexs” available for sale, and “Tree-Rex” will be on display throughout the week-long event perfect for holiday photos. Best of all, designer Susie Goff has a dino-amic surprise in store for this year. In typical T-Rex fashion, “Tree-Rex” has laid two eggs that are scheduled to hatch just in time for Jingle Tree’s tree lighting. The “TwinRexs” will be available for bidding during the online auction for this year’s event.

“Jingle Tree helps keep the HMNS at Sugar Land accessible to the entire community,” said Co-Chair Pam Gray. “Their sensory-friendly programming and science education have been able to grow as a result of the funds raised at Jingle Tree, and with the tenth anniversary this year, our goal is to help the museum create even more opportunities for our entire community.”

The HMNS at Sugar Land Jingle Tree committee is ready for the tenth anniversary celebration. Back row: Kelley Sweet Jensen, Michelle Cano, Sherri Scott-Cook, Sierra Ridley, Lijin Zeng, Linda Webb, Sharon Dimicelli and Lindsay Rolph.

Seated: Judi Dai, Pam Gray, Stacy Borgfeldt, Kavita Self and Dominique McCormick.

Photo Credit: Kelley Sweet Photography Jingle Tree’s schedule of events includes: • Tree Lighting Friday, November 10th | 10 am Watch the trees come to light and begin bidding or buy your favorite now!

• VIP Experience Days Monday, November 13th – Tuesday, November 14th | 11 am – 5 pm Small-group tree viewing with light bites and beverages - a perfect time to spend with friends.

• Festive Finale Thursday, November 16th| 6 – 9 pm A festive party filled with cheer! Don’t miss the live auction with exclusive museum experiences, and final bidding on the designer trees and décor.

Dr. Niraj Patel and Dr. Deanna McDonald, Sugar Land OB/GYN, predict “Tree-Rex’s” twins will hatch just in time for the tenth anniversary of Jingle Tree. Susie Goff, proud grandmother of the Twin-Rexes, is ready for their debut.

For sponsorship opportunities, to purchase tickets, and for more information, visit sugarland.hmns.org/jingle-tree or email jingletree@ hmns.org.

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Wrangle Up Family Fun for The George Ranch’s Great Pumpkin Round Up Each Saturday in November, the George Ranch’s popular fall-themed event, The Great Pumpkin Round Up, is the perfect setting for holiday photos and Fall fun. Presented by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, this year’s event is bigger and better than ever!

For the third year, The George Ranch has showcased a fantastic Fall feature created by local designer Lucas Chavez.

Chavez has spent months working with pumpkin producers in West Texas to design an autumn display exclusively for the Ranch that includes a hay wagon, training carriage, giant sugar cane vat and, of course, pumpkins galore! The design features more than twenty types of gourds, pumpkins and squash along with mums and fall plants.

The Great Pumpkin Round Up moved locations this year to the circle drive in front of the 120-year-old George Ranch House. Situated along the white picket fence and up the front walk to the main door, it offers multiple backgrounds for the perfect selfie or family photo.

A great place for families and visitors of all ages to spend a Fall-themed Saturday of fun taking photos, picnicking and touring the historic sites at The George Ranch, a day at The Great Pumpkin Round Up is something everyone can enjoy.

“The Great Pumpkin Round Up is such a treat for our visitors,” said George Ranch Site Director Adrienne Barker. “It is a great way to spend a Saturday getting into the holiday spirit, and it’s perfect for all ages to enjoy.”

The Great Pumpkin Round Up is included with the purchase of a regular admission ticket to The George Ranch where visitors explore what life was like in Texas decades ago. Ticket proceeds also support the primary mission of student education

Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography through weekday field trip visits. The Great Pumpkin Round Up runs each Saturday through November 25th, 2023.

To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit www.georgeranch. org/programs-events/pumpkin-round-up/.

Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography

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Child Advocates of Fort Bend Announces 2023 Christmas Home Tour Dates This event began 32 years ago as a fundraiser to keep Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s (CAFB) doors open.

A group of volunteers opened their homes, decorated for Christmas, baked cookies and charged admission. The tour was a success and has since become a Fort Bend County holiday tradition.

“We have lots of fun things in store for our guests,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend Events Specialist Tarina Sheridan. “We offer unique sponsorship opportunities, and new this year, we will be featuring beautiful sparkly butterfly ornaments for purchase. You can expect live entertainment by local musicians, homemade refreshments and back by popular demand, our festive holiday t-shirts, unique to CAFB. Tickets are $35 and go on sale November 1st. Tickets, ornaments and t-shirts can be purchased on our website at www.cafb.org.”

The Christmas Home Tour welcomes more than 1,800 guests over the two days in some of Fort Bend’s most beautiful neighborhoods, including homes in Imperial, Sweetwater and Sienna! They will all be beautifully decorated for Christmas ranging in styles that will compete for your personal favorite.

More than 700 volunteers will help as hosts in the homes, serve as entertainers or by baking delicious cookies. This is a spirited community event, but most importantly, it is a fundraiser which supports programs and services that benefit the children served by Child Advocates of Fort Bend. In 2022, the agency served 3,833 children and families. Support of this event is essential to helping abused and neglected children in our community.

Sponsorships of $425 to $10,000 are now available. Please consider joining as a sponsor. It is a delightful event for a worthy cause. To become a sponsor or for more information, please contact Tarina at TSheridan@cafb.org.

NEWSWORTHY

Jim McClellan, representing Presenting Sponsor Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, and Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford are excited to announce the 32nd annual Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s Christmas Home Tour to be held on Friday, December 8th and Saturday, December 9th.

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the drunken cyclist

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D.

www.thedrunkencyclist.com

The Key to Surviving

Thanksgiving A

s almost all of you realize, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and that presents a host of different emotions. For many (most?) it represents what it is “supposed” to be: a day of thanks punctuated by a fabulous meal.

For others, it is certainly a day that delivers angst, at best, and at worst, downright dread.

Dread since Thanksgiving for many is a poorly thought-out holiday. It is unlike any other holiday since it is on a Thursday every year, which for everyone fortunate enough not to work in retail, it means it is an automatic four-day weekend.

Every year.

Sure, depending on when they fall, other holidays can turn into four-day weekends, but Thanksgiving has it every single year. Now, if you are one of the really lucky few to actually enjoy spending time with your family, Thanksgiving might actually be seen as too short. But for an ever-growing segment of the population, Thanksgiving represents four days of anxiety, stress, even hell.

There are many reasons to abhor Thanksgiving: congested roads, price-gouging by airlines, exceedingly dry turkey, the Detroit Lions, I could go on, but I won’t. But for some wine geeks, it has always been wine.

Yes, you read that right, some wine nerds actually dislike Thanksgiving because of wine.

Objectively speaking, Thanksgiving should be the Super Bowl of sorts for wine geeks; there are so many flavors on the table that it requires several different wines – a wine pairing task that gets wine dorks all excited.

Ah, but if it were only that simple.

10 NOVEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

A “Normal” Pour One of the, if not the, largest goals for the wine geek is to share a wine with someone who will appreciate the wine. They do not have to be a fellow wine geek; they do not even have to know the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. But the geek hopes that they will at least recognize that the wine is good.

But for every relative that might appreciate his or her wine, the wine geek has two or three that are usually clueless when it comes to fermented grape juice. And let’s face it: It’s usually a brother-in-law.

They all know that the wine geek is going to bring “something good” to Thanksgiving, and they apparently think, “Well, if it’s ‘good,’ I need to have a sheet-ton of it!”

No, they have no idea why it’s “good,” but they figure they better fill their glass with the stuff before it’s all gone.

The “Brother-in-Law” Pour This precise scenario played out for me more than once with my family, each time when I had returned home with perfectly aged Burgundies, both red and white. I watched in horror as a brother-in-law (who has since been divorced from my sister, thankfully), filled his wine glass as if he were pouring a beer, took one sip, then left the glass, never revisiting the wine again.

I sat there befuddled and calculated that there was about $83.29 of wine just sitting there, waiting to be poured down the drain. At that moment, I realized it was my fault that the tragedy had unfolded thusly. I was trying to impress people with beautiful wines, and they could not care any less. Thus, like most wine geeks out there, I realized that Thanksgiving is not about the wine. At all. So, get over it.

Don’t get me wrong, wine geeks are still expected to bring wine, but no matter what they bring, their relatives will simply assume it’s “good.”

My advice? Don’t be a moron: Bring some inexpensive wines since most of it will end up going down the drain. Still, it should be palatable since you are going to have to drink it, too. The hiding the good bottle for yourself while serving up plonk to the rest does not work – trust me.

A few inexpensive, but good, wine suggestions for turkey day: Sparkling Gruet Brut and Brut Rosé ($15): Both are great. Grab the Rosé if you can find it since pink is more festive.

Whites Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio ($8): Light and crisp, always a fav.

Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay ($15): Creamy and delicious, short of oaky and buttery.

Reds Cecchi Chianti Classico ($15): Always stellar and underpriced.

Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais Nouveau: A good, fruity, fun wine that is meant to be consumed at Thanksgiving!

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

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FEATURE

A Full Menu of

Festive Holiday Flavor

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ooking up a successful holiday gathering calls for everyone’s favorite recipes. From the centerpiece main dish to fresh salads and appetizers, roasted sides and baked sweets, you can take seasonal get-togethers up a notch by mixing traditional classics with newfound favorites.

Consider this full-fledged menu of flavor to give guests a memorable holiday experience from beginning to end and find more festive recipe ideas at Culinary.net.

Fresh Flavors for Holiday Festivities With the festive season arriving, bring together family and friends for a delicious feast you can feel good about serving. One standout recipe is this Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad that pairs fresh, leafy kale with roasted sweet potatoes and tender Cornish game hens for a truly elegant meal.

Elevate your cooking during the holidays with inspiration from Fresh Express and its more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy and convenient ready-to-eat salads like the Sweet Kale Chopped Kit. It’s a perfect blend of a nutrient-dense salad mix of leafy kale, green cabbage, shredded broccoli and Brussels sprouts, as well as crunchy pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, topped with a tasty poppyseed dressing.

Visit FreshExpress.com to discover more fresh, easy and healthy recipes for the holiday season.

12 NOVEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 10 minutes Servings: 4 1 2 4 1/2 2 1 1 1/2 1/4 2 2 1

package (6 ounces) stovetop stuffing cups chopped apples, divided Cornish game hens (20 ounces each) cup butter teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided teaspoon paprika teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon black pepper large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes tablespoons olive oil package (10.9 ounces) Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Kit

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Heat oven to 350 F.

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Prepare stuffing according to package directions. Add 1 cup apples and fluff stuffing with fork; cool 15 minutes.

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Remove anything inside hens, rinse cavity with cold water and pat dry.

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In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Remove from heat.

10. Place greens from salad kit in large bowl. Add remaining apples and sweet potatoes; mix well. Toss with salad dressing. Add toppings; toss to combine.

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Fill cavity of each hen with apple stuffing.

11. Serve Cornish game hens with sweet potato kale salad.

A Festive, Everyday Side Dish While the busy holiday season can be loads of fun, you still need to get dinner on the table between parties.

When you find yourself in a pinch this holiday season, squeezed for time and searching for a quick solution for dinner, turn to an easy side dish that can appease everyone. Potatoes are a nearly unanimous favorite.

Make putting dinner on the table a breeze with a solution like little potatoes from The Little Potato Company, which can help bring holiday happiness to mealtime.

Ready in as little as 5 minutes, they come pre-washed and require no peeling or cutting, making them the perfect time-saving solution for the holiday season.

Ideal for this Perfect Roasted Little Potatoes recipe, these little potatoes are a tasty, fresh whole food that you can feel good about serving. Ready in half an hour with minimal prep and a few simple ingredients, it’s a perfect side dish for any occasion.

Visit littlepotatoes.com for more information and holiday inspiration.

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Place hens in 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Tie legs together and tuck wings under. Baste with butter mixture.

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Bake 50-60 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 165 F and stuffing temperature reads 165 F. Baste with butter mixture every 15-20 minutes.

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In bowl, toss sweet potatoes with remaining Italian seasoning and olive oil. Arrange in single layer on sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt, to taste.

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Bake with hens 25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and cool. Tent hens with foil and let rest 10 minutes.

Perfect Roasted Little Potatoes Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 1 ½ pounds The Little Potato Company Little Potatoes 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1.

Preheat oven to 400 F.

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In large bowl, toss little potatoes with oil, salt and pepper until coated.

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Spread potatoes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender.

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Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Tip: For extra holiday flavor, add paprika, garlic and fresh herbs.

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absolutely AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

2024 FORD MAVERICK

The 2024 Ford Maverick is a front-wheel drive compact pickup built on a crossover platform designed for those customers who want the convenience of owning a pickup but don’t need the capability that a mid-size or a full-size truck provides.

The all-new Maverick is the first full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market, while its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and park. There’s even room for five adults and plenty of storage space.

The idea of a truck bed wedded to a car platform isn’t new.

Back in the late 1950s, Ford introduced the Ranchero, which spurred Chevrolet to bring out their version, the El Camino.

Back in 2006, Honda created the Ridgeline pickup by adapting the MDX platform to add a pickup to their lineup. The Ford Maverick is built on the same concept since it shares a platform with the Escape and the Bronco Sport crossovers.

A base 2024 Ford Maverick brings with it a $23,400 MSRP price tag. That’s almost $10,000 less than its larger true truck cousin, the Ford Ranger. The base model is powered by a 250hp, 2.0 liter Ecoboost twin-turbo engine that mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimated fuel econ-

omy numbers come in at 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Spring for an extra $1,500, and you can afford to get a Maverick with a 191 hp, 2.5 liter gasoline hybrid engine that’s hooked up to a PowerSplit electronic continuously variable transmission. This is the model that delivers those impressive fuel numbers of 42 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

The Maverick may look small, but don’t underestimate it because it still can do a lot of work. Maverick offers standard payload of 1,500 pounds and the volume to carry a standard ATV, plus it has the capability to tow 2,000 pounds, enough for a pair of personal water craft or a good-sized pop-up camper trailer. Maverick’s equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine delivering 277 lb.-ft. of torque and with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds, enough for an average 21-foot boat.

As a truck owner myself, that truck bed always comes in handy when you need it. That’s why the Maverick hits a sweet spot for Texans who want the utility of a truck but just don’t need the added capability of a big pickup.

14 NOVEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Lemon Grass

By Alisa Murray www.alisamurray.com

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ey Sweet Lifers! Hope y’all are digging in and prepping those beds for some Fall harvesting. I have prepped and added nutrients to all of my beds and will start sprinkling some seeds over the next few weeks for radishes, beets, carrots and collards.

One of my favorites to grow and use in the garden is lemon grass. I think what made me fall in love with lemon grass was how wonderful it tastes with pork. What’s more, it makes it through our winters and survives our hot summers, so mine is actually three-years-old!

Lemon grass is native to Southeastern Asia and has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since the 17th century.

India is now the current largest exporter of lemon grass worldwide.

Lemon grass is a member of the Poaceae family, and it grows like a tall grass. At its largest, it can get to be 6’ tall and spread to 4’ wide. Mine, I have kept a check on so that it does not “take over” the space I have planned for it.

The medicinal uses of lemon grass are mainly gastro-intestinal. Treating ailments such as stomach issues, gas and bloating, even assisting with fevers and of course, inflammation. The leaves can be boiled for a tea. If using as a tea, it is an effective antibacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant option. Adding in a bit of squeezed lemon or lime and a spoonful of sugar is especially nice.

The culinary uses for lemon grass are what got me to growing it in my own garden. I love Thai food, and it is a staple ingredient in many of those dishes. It has a citrus flavor that is different from lemons and other citrus fruit. I like it with pork and chicken, and it does very well in stir fry’s, soups and sauces.

The most coveted aspect of lemon grass, aside from its culinary uses, is its oil. The essential oil of lemon grass is very high in potency and has been used for flavoring beverages to enhancing perfumes and cosmetics. To get the extract simply squeeze the leaves. I find it a great add on to my candle and soap making for gifts.

No matter what use you may find for lemon grass, the most basic and elegant of all is it stands out in the garden landscape and makes a lovely filler around vegetables. Because of its potent aroma, it also attracts and wards off pests and friends in the garden making it a perfect plant to grow!

Keep on growing and stay “sweet!”

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MEDICAL FOCUS

Christopher Sy, M.D., Neurosurgeon

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Welcomes Neurosurgeon Christopher Sy, M.D. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is pleased to welcome neurosurgeon Christopher Sy, M.D. to the Houston Methodist Department of Neurosurgery at Sugar Land.

Sy treats a wide range of neurosurgery conditions, including craniocervical junction disorders, hydrocephalus, brain and spine tumors and traumatic injuries that affect the brain and spine. He specializes in degenerative diseases and conditions that affect the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, minimally invasive spine surgery; complex revision/reconstructive spine surgery; artificial disc replacement; and spinal computer navigation.

Sy earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and elected into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his residency in neurosurgery at the Uni-

versity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and pursued a fellowship in spinal surgery at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

“Patient safety and well-being are my top priorities,” said Sy. “I provide care that is personalized for each patient, and I make sure that patients and their loved ones understand all the options available to them. My goal in life is to help people in a compassionate manner and to that end, I treat all patients as if they were my own family.”

Sy’s office is on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land campus in Medical Office Building 1, 16651 Southwest Freeway, Suite 440. To schedule an appointment, call Houston Methodist Department of Neurosurgery at Sugar Land at 346.874.2525.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Welcomes Urologic Oncologist Courtney Chang, M.D. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is pleased to welcome urologist Courtney Chang, M.D., who started seeing patients this month.

Chang is joining Laura Martinez, M.D. and Zachary Mucher, M.D., at Houston Methodist Urology Associates, located in Medical Office Building 2 on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land campus.

Chang earned her medical degree and completed her urology residency at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She pursued a fellowship in urology robotics and oncology at Houston Methodist Hospital. Her clinical expertise includes adrenal masses/

cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

“My goal is to provide patients with the best urologic treatment by incorporating evidence-based medicine and multi-disciplinary care with a particular focus on using minimally invasive surgical treatments and providing access to clinical trials,” said Chang.

To schedule an appointment with Chang or another urologist, visit houstonmethodist.org/spg or call Houston Methodist Urology Associates at 281746-6611.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Courtney Chang, M.D., Urologist

16 NOVEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.

Living the Sweet Life: Having Some Fun at Wisteria

H

ey Sweet Lifers! Oh, I just love watching HGTV, and my mother-in-law did, too. Both of us have always had a knack and passion for decorating, and for me, a sincere appreciation for old houses. I got the chance to spend some time in Laurel, Mississippi as B and I have been setting up our second home, and we spent the night in this beautiful house on our way back to Texas.

The front doors of the Wisteria Bed and Breakfast in Laurel, Mississippi.

Many of you know Ben and Erin Napier from their many shows they host in Laurel, their home town. It is a quaint place, and we really enjoyed the small town feel and the historic homes restored to their glory days there.

The Wisteria is a bed and breakfast in Laurel, and having been to many over the years, we found it to be a really special experience.

The home was built in 1901 for Silas Wright Gardiner, one of the founders of Laurel. He was a lumber baron, and he and his brothers set up the Eastman-Gardiner Lumber Company. The Wisteria was he and his wife’s second home, and they spent seven months each year in The formal living parlor.

Mississippi. The house is

decked out with extensive libraries, fine art and collections.

Each of his homes were completely furnished so that all he had to do was pack up personal things and go. My kind of travel these days!

Brian and I met the current owners of the Wisteria Bed and Breakfast, Mr. Schneider, who purchased the home in 1972 and raised his children there before converting the bedrooms into what it has become today a wonderful respite for travelers looking for a quaint and off the beaten path sleeping experience. First of all, the home is painted in what my Aunt Lona would have called the “perfect purple.” It stands out against other homes in the historic area of Laurel and is literally across the street from the museum and the Episcopal Church, so y’all know I was totally “at home!”

I got to grab a bath in the original tub, and every detail by way of antiques to the lace curtains was thoughtfully put together to create the ambiance one would expect in staying in such a place. From the creaky floors to the sleeping cats, I was, to say the very least, happy and content. We even set up the Astros on our computer and watched our guys win another game while enjoying our choice beverages!

The morning breakfast was the best we have ever had, complete with crystal goblets filled with fresh orange juice and coffee served with silver spoons. I’m The original bathroom at Wisteria telling you this WisteBed and Breakfast. ria House is my kind of place and a must sleep if you find yourself in Laurel for the night. Over breakfast we met a couple from Germany, another from Alabama, and the owner told stories about his Laurel before HGTV came to his “Home Town!”

Take care of you, and stay “sweet!”

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