Spring 2013
This sprawling home is full of charm and memories Green Country Living
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contents The Art of Living
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with
Dick and Angela Scott have created an opulent home full of elegant detail.
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Gardening in Green Country The top 10 ornamental plants that thrive in Green Country.
Sprawling Memories
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Jim Harris Jr. has created a legacy with his home and stables.
Wonderful Wine
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Melony Carey highlights three seasonal picnics in the park.
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Valarie Carter shares the best wines to pair with spring parties.
The Cook’s Pantry
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QA
Micki and Tom Shelton have filled their home with art, keepsakes and love.
Delightfully Detailed
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Designer’s Corner
Mind your manners Gracious Me gives helpful tips on cellphone etiquette.
Q: A: Q: A:
Gary & Beth Cooper
of Classic Designs by GK
Where do I start if I want to redecorate my living room?
You need to start with a color — paint, fabric or flooring. Pick one and work from there, building on your whole palette. Can I mix fabrics and leather together?
Yes, having different textures and patterns make your room more interesting and more personal. Your room reflects your personality and then does not look cookie cutter.
Q: A: look.
How about wood tones, can I mix them?
Yes. As long as you love the pieces they do not have to match. Mixing wood and painted finishes gives your room a unique
Q: A: Q: A:
What are some new colors?
Gray and neutral tones are good right now. You can change pillows to give your room a punch of color and a different feel. Is leather a good choice?
Leather is always a good choice. It is durable and classic. It will hold up to an active family and look timeless. By adding pillows and throws you warm leather up and make it more cozy. Top grain leather is always the best choice in leather upholstery for your home.
Cover photo by Jerry Willis
on the cover
Spring 2013
Spring 2013
STAFF
publisher editor ADVERTISING SALES Layout & Design
This sprawling home is full of charm and memories Jim Harris Jr. has created a home filled with personal history and accented with Native American and Western art.
Issue 32
Randy Mooney Jerry Willis Angela Jackson Amanda M. Burleson-Guthrie
Green Country Living is published quarterly by the Muskogee Phoenix. Contents of the magazine are by the Muskogee Phoenix. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the Muskogee Phoenix. Green Country Living, P.O. Box 1968, Muskogee OK 74402. email jwillis@muskogeephoenix.com - Editorial: (918) 684-2932 email adjackson@muskogeephoenix.com - Advertising and distribution: (918) 684-2813
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Clockwise this page: Micki Shelton turned the coat closet in the entry into a “minigallery.” The door was removed and shelves installed for Micki to display some of her favorite crystal pieces. A crystal chandelier hangs inside, and dramatic lighting reflects off the pieces and the many mirrors framing the walls. Tom and Micki Shelton have blended furniture and possessions from their separate lives to create a rich environment for their life together. Tom and Micki Shelton’s living room is decorated in a comfortable style, with a mix of porcelain scattered on the fireplace mantle and overstuffed couches in vibrant red. Opposite page: The center island in the Shelton’s kitchen is set for a spring tea.
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done very minor remodeling work — one closet and some outdoor decor, which Tom has done himself. The coat closet in the entry has been turned into one of Micki’s many “mini-galleries” she has created throughout her home — collections of pieces that hold memories of life, friends, family and travel. The door was removed and shelves installed for Micki to display some of her favorite crystal pieces. A crystal chandelier hangs inside, and dramatic lighting reflects of the pieces and the many mirrors framing the walls. “I’ve always loved crystal, and I’ve always loved mirrors,” Micki said. Another mini-gallery in the main hall commemorates her trip to China. “Twelve journalists were chosen to be a guest of the government in China, and I was one of them,” she said. “I brought many of these items back.” The mini-gallery has miniatures from China on display, vintage chopsticks boxes, books, figurines and is framed by several pieces of art hanging on the wall behind. Micki said she has long collected art, and many of her paintings were gifts from artist friends over the years and have special meaning for her. Tom joked he’s sure he hung 150 pictures when they moved in and had to move at least 50 of them again. But that’s okay with him, he said. He enjoys doing projects around the house. The couple’s back yard wasn’t landscaped but did offer a nice concrete patio with an entrance into their bedroom. So Tom built a pergola over the patio and used panels of wood to screen the neighbors’ yards without creating a claustrophobic space for the couple to entertain outdoors. They plan to put a new privacy fence across the back and invest in landscaping, Micki said.
Back indoors, Micki has created a cozy bedroom for the couple, with a seating area at the foot of the 1830s, ornate German bed that Micki has “carried around with me for more than 50 years.”
More art nearly covers the wall facing the bed, with several pieces set as the focal point. One piece, a pueblo with a barrel of cascading red flowers on the porch, is a particular favorite, she said.
“Joan Marron in Tucson gave me these pieces,” she said. “I did one of the first interviews she ever gave with her, and we really clicked. This painting really started my collection off.” Micki has also decorated her
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“If I find something I like, I get it,” she said. “I get my big pieces of furniture from McClain’s and GK (Home Furnishings),” she said. She finds items for her home everywhere from shops in Dallas to consignment stores. “I can see a piece that looks like trash and redo it,” she said. “I like to shop and love to work with color. I appreciate beauty.” She designed her granddaughters’ bedroom “for all the little princesses.” One of her grandchildren, Sophie Hodges, 7, of Warner, said she loves it. The floor is twotoned wood done in a diamond pattern with a pink faux fur rug at the foot of the bed. Behind the bed is black velvet fabric on the slanted wall. It was created by Thayer Upholstery. Angela’s daughter, Amber Hodges’, white homecoming queen dress is on a mannequin with colorful butterflies on it. “I wanted it to look like a fairy tale,” she said. The design of the room started from a painting of jousting at a castle. Artist Hope Farmer added other scenes of
castles through arches giving it a three-dimensional feel. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling painted by Farmer to look like clouds floating by in a blue sky. Rocking horses add to the fun. The guest room, designed for her son, Michael Hodges, has burlap on the walls and a ceiling fan that looks like tea light candles are on the fan blades. A cowhide rug is on the floor. Chairs in a sitting area were purchased for $50 apiece and then recovered by Thayer Upholstery. Daughter Amber’s room is black and white with a silver ceiling. The walls are painted metallic pearl. “I do things with color most people wouldn’t think of,” she said. She’s often asked to share her home decorating suggestions. “I love to,” she said. “That’s what I would like to do.” Every room has a design theme. The theater room is the “woman’s cave.” It is “really comfortable,” she said of the room. The walls are painted dark burgundy with gold dust
Clockwise both pages: An arched entry leads to the brickfloored kitchen in the Scott home. Angela Scott designed her granddaughters’ bedroom “for all the little princesses.” The design of the room started from a painting of jousting at a castle. Artist Hope Farmer did the diamond pattern behind the painting and added other scenes of castles to the room. Angela’s daughter, Amber Hodges’, white homecoming queen dress is on a mannequin. Scott has layered colors on the walls in many of the rooms, including the formal living room off the entry foyer. The home has a number of fireplaces, including this one. A chandelier hangs in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The room is decorated in warm colors with silver accents. 16
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in the paint. Leather chairs were reupholstered. A tall rectangular mirror helps to bounce off light. A round cheetah-covered ottoman is in the center of the room. A large painting of a senorita is one of Angela’s favorites. “The more detail, the better I like it,” she said. Downstairs, there is plenty of detail in the hand-carved wood on the spiral staircase and the gold and wooden rope columns that frame the formal dining room. To the right of the foyer, which has about a 20-foot ceiling, is the formal living room where the 14-foot four-sided ceiling is painted copper. “I dreamed it up,” she said. She dreamed up rich tones for the ceiling in the great room in shades of copper, gold and bronze. “When me and Hope get
together, we use lots of glazes,” she said. The mustard-color leather sofas were the start of the color scheme for the room. There are two black leather recliners. Two 3-foot-tall silver greyhound statues watch over the room. It’s the room where her husband spends his time when not running Cobblestone Golf Course. They also own two convenience stores where Angela works. Open from the living room are the dining room and kitchen. They have brick floors. A purple and gold banquette or half-circle bench, is on one side of the oval dining table. There are five different fabrics used on the dining chairs. In the kitchen, Angela has her late father, Zack Hyslop’s, stein collection with Clydesdale horses on them. Davis Interior Surfaces of Tahlequah did
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her cappuccino granite countertops with rough edges. Her commercial appliances are stainless steel. The refrigerator is hidden behind the knotty cherry cabinets stained with maple and painted black. The trim and doors are knotty alder. “My glassware and crystal came from secondhand stores and auctions,” she said. The formal dining room
table is where Angela spent her money. It is a Maitland-Smith piece with inlaid wood and slate. “I fell in love with this table,” she said. The chairs were said to come from Liberace’s estate in Palm Springs, Calif. She bought them at a consignment store in Tulsa. “I knew they would go with this table.” They were white wood
covered in blue silk. Thayer’s reupholstered them and painted them gold. The walls are painted Oriental silk with a large medallion in the recessed ceiling with rounded ends. The window treatments on the bay window facing the front of the home are the same Oriental silk color with soft green and gold stripes with gold
fringe made by Lona Heath Interiors of Tulsa. At the end of the hall is the office with an old desk bought at an auction for about $300. She took it to Dip ’N Strip in Muskogee to make it a showpiece. Angela said she hopes the home she and her husband of 27 years have made feels comfortable and welcoming. 3
Clockwise both pages: Angela Scott designed the guest room for her son, Michael Hodges. The room has burlap on the walls and a cowhide rug on the floor. The informal living room is done in dark wood with built-in bookcases framing a fireplace topped with a flat-screen TV. The couches are covered in buttery leather. Angela Scott enjoys finding unique items for her home. She finds items for her home everywhere from shops in Dallas to consignment stores. The furniture in Angela Scott’s home is a mixture of styles — everything except contemporary. “If I find something I like, I get it,” she said.
Photos by Jerry Willis
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,
QQRYDWLYH
With a Personal Touch
“TCH is able to combine the latest innovative technologies with the personal touch of a rural community. I truly believe we have some of the most caring individuals employed here that I have ever worked with.”
~Amy Williams, RN, BSN Assistant VP of Operational Nursing
Above: Angela Scott says her theater room is the “woman’s cave.” It is “really comfortable,” she said of the room. The walls are painted dark burgundy with gold dust in the paint. A round cheetah-covered ottoman is in the center of the room. Below: The informal living room flows into a breakfast nook and the kitchen.
Your Healthcare Provider of Choice www.tch-ok.org (918) 456-0641
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96423
Scene and Be Seen Let’s Unwine A group of friends, Angela Jackson, Kim Maples, Randy Howard, Kevin Igert and Ginger Kelly share a passion for wine and networking. Shawn Raper allowed the use of the Severs Block Building at Main and Broadway for this art show featuring Roger Davis’ art and catered by The Bite, Just in Thyme Catering and Dessert Girls.
Photos by Mandy Lundy and John Hasler Green Country Living
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Scene and Be Seen Flying Fez Wine Tasting Festival The event helps the Bedouin Shrine pay for maintenance and upkeep of its facility and helps the Shrine transport children to burn centers and hospitals.
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Trivia Challenge 2013; Battle of the Brains The Education Foundation of Muskogee Inc., and Yaffee Iron and Metal Company Inc., sponsored the Trivia Challenge 2013: Battle of the Brains at the Muskogee Civic Center. Proceeds benefit The Education Foundation’s Grant Program.
Home Sweet Home Chocolate Festival The Home Sweet Home Chocolate Festival featured a variety of foods, desserts, wine and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Muskogee.
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all summer, until the frost.” They’re also drought tolerant, Weatherbee said.
CRAPE MYRTLE These heat lovers bloom in the hot summer sun. They bloom in various shades of red, pink, lavender and purple. “Crape myrtles seem to do real well here,” Helsley said. “They do very well in hot summers.”
AZALEAS Of course we’d mention azaleas. The Azalea Society of America said most varieties prefer shade. They grow best in slightly acidic soil. “Standard azaleas bloom once every spring,” Helsley said. “The encore azalea blooms twice a year. I have seen it bloom as many as three times.”
HOSTAS This reliable, hardy perennial comes in a variety of colors, shapes and textures. “They add a different dimension to your garden because they come in so many shapes and sizes,” said Raymond Hendrix, owner of Sunshine Nursery in Tahlequah. He said they do best in the shade.
Heuchera These perennials have foliage of all types. Leaves can be broad or crinkly. Weatherbee said they do best in the shade and come in many colors — “anywhere from purple to lime green to red rust color.”
Palace Purple coral bells, Heuchera micrantha “Palace Purple,” grows in a shady bed under a pin oak tree. Heuchera offers foliage in a variety of textures and colors to brighten a bed.
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Horsing Around Jim Harris Jr. has a house full of memories, and a stable full of horses By Leilani Roberts Ott
T
he small golden ceramic house sitting on the corner of the china cabinet isn’t just holding cookies. It’s holding a lifetime of memories for Jim Harris Jr. “Tragedy or victory, it all happened around that cookie jar,” Harris said. “Everything
here has significance.” Harris and his sidekick, his dog, Sammy, live on a 230-acre ranch on Fern Mountain Road in Muskogee with eight ponds and horses in all sizes. The littlest pony, Peanut, belongs to Kyler Stern, 4, Harris’ grandson. Kyler is quick to saddle up wearing his “Sunday go to meetin’ boots” and show how he
can ride, lessons learned from his mother, Holly Stern, Harris’ daughter. The property already had a barn with nine stalls and office when Harris bought it. It also has an indoor washing bay. There’s a hitchin’ post in the front of the house that Harris gave Stern so she’d have a place to tie up her horse. There are even photos of
Harris’ father on a horse as a child. The family has a passion for horses that also is evident in the home with Native American art that includes horses and other pieces of art. For Harris, the cookie jar is a work of art — a wedding gift to his parents, the late Erline and Jim Harris Sr. It is made by Price Brothers in England and is
Left: The hitching post in front of the home is just one of the indications of the family’s affection for horses. Right: The Harris home is filled with memorabilia from the family.
The Jim Harris Jr. home home was designed by Tulsa architect John Brooks Walton and built in 1998 by Beck Construction of Hackett stone from Hackett, Ark.
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very rare, he said. “That sat on Mother’s kitchen table 100 years,” he said. “I have 150 pieces of it.” His mother owned the gift shop so many of the unique collectibles in his home came from, such as the Cadbury’s chocolate case she bought in Fort Smith, Ark. “When something hits a chord, it just reminds me of a kinder, more gentle time,” he said. Harris’ home was designed by Tulsa architect John Brooks Walton and built in 1998 by Beck Construction of Hackett stone from Hackett, Ark. Like the outside of the home, the inside has wide open spaces with the great room ceiling reaching 26 feet with large beams. Stern
remembers a 16-foot tree they had one year for Christmas. “It was the best,” Stern said. Harris agreed. Christmas is his favorite time of the year, when he pulls out The Friendly Village Christmas dishes and platters depicting different winter scenes. The elk antler chandelier in the room is decorated at Christmastime. Harris gets help with decorating from Judy Littrell, a longtime family friend. Harris praised her for taking his “junk” and making it look like it belongs. Much of his decor has an “Indian and cowboy” theme, a holdover from his childhood, he said. Littrell said she helped Harris redo the house last year choosing the color palettes from
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Clockwise this page: The kitchen is appointed like a commercial kitchen, but the feel is country French, with carved woodwork and cabinets. The faucet in the restroom off the breakfast room is concealed within statuary. The master bedroom of the Harris home has pine beams on the ceiling and offers a sense of Old World comfort. Opposite page: This boy hunter greets visitors at the door to the Harris home.
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the Native American art. “We kept the background (walls) neutral,” she said. “Everything in Jim’s house is here for comfort and worth. He was a joy to work with.” There are three bedrooms on the main floor and guest quarters upstairs. Most of the rooms offer a view of a pond. Stern could see a big pond and the horse barn. “I had the best view from my room,” Stern said. “It was neat to wake up and see the horses sticking their head out of the barn.” Harris’ favorite room is the breakfast room which has a fireplace — one of five — and a comfortable table and chairs to sit in while enjoying the scenery. “When you get out there, you don’t want to leave,” Littrell said. “It’s so peaceful.” Since Harris is in the restaurant business, he wanted a commercial kitchen but didn’t want it to look like one. The appliances are hidden behind country French-styled cabinets. The floors throughout most of the 5,000-square-foot home are oak planks. “You can’t mess it up,” he said. “You can roller skate on it.” The floor takes plenty of hits with Harris’ four grandsons. His son, Jimmy, and wife, Katie, of Muskogee have three sons — Sean, Ryan and Lucas; and Holly and husband Bill have one, Kyler. “I want my house to feel comfortable. It’s not just a home, it’s the story of your life.” Along every wall, there is a unique piece of furniture or collectible. A Kraft cheese ice box was in the dairy barn on 64th Street. It is filled with his mother’s Hummel collection, some dating back to the 1930s. She was a Hummel dealer. She has white figurines, one labeled No. 17 out of 400, “Plowing the Prairie,” a farmer plowing with oxen; and “Bronco Rustler.” A large grandfather clock
Right: Jim Harris Jr. plays with grandson Kyler Stern, 4, as Kyler riders his pony, Peanut. Below: One of the bedrooms is decorated in blue and taupe with Harris’ father’s roll-top desk as a showpiece.
Photos by Jerry Willis
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came out of his grandmother’s smokehouse. His father restored it along with many other clocks. Family photos include Harris’ grandfather’s old grocery store on Gibson Street. Harris, a business man himself, spends most of his time in his office. “I just buy what I like,” he said. A Shrine parade saddle, made with silver medallions, was found in an old wooden barrel which protected it in a barn in Kentucky. The master bedroom has pine beams in the ceiling. The master bath and the other baths have old cabinets used for counters and basins. The cabinets are topped with Italian marble, which also is on the floor. It has a steam room and shower. “I spent more on the bathroom than the house,” Harris said. His son’s room is decorated
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in blue and taupe with Harris’ father’s roll-top desk as a showpiece. Headboards covered in animal skins and some of the furniture was created by Littrell and Thayer Upholstery of Muskogee. “He chose his own fabrics,” Littrell said. “He wanted everything to be extra comfortable and big. It had to be big to work in the large rooms.” Through a porte-cochere is the guest quarters which is designed for the grandchildren with shelves full of books and toys like wooden airplanes. The room is done in red and black plaid and black and white steer hide. “I loved living here,” Holly said as she read a book to her son. “I want to build a house on the property. It still feels like home.” 3
Clockwise this page: Jim Harris Jr. has filled much of his home with art with a Western theme, including two white figurines, one labeled No. 17 out of 400, “Plowing the Prairie,” a farmer plowing with oxen; and “Bronco Rustler,” from his mother’s Hummel collection. This cookie jar and many of the other collectables in the home of Jim Harris Jr. came from his mother. “Tragedy or victory, it all happened around that cookie jar,” Harris said. “Everything here has significance.” The master bath has old cabinets used for counters and basins. The floor and the frame for the tub, as well as the countertops, are done in Italian marble. “I spent more on the bathroom than the house,” Jim Harris Jr. said.
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food & drink
Wonderful Wine
Boxed wines have come a long way
By Valarie Carter
F
inally. It’s spring. But what will you drink? Iced tea, mint juleps, lemonade, iced coffees for sure. But which wines?
My advice is always to drink what you like. Maybe the real question is “What shall I serve?” The spring and summer months just beg for a party, so go for it. I like to keep a red and a
white boxed wine around the kitchen for cooking, but in the past few years there has been an influx of tasty, highly-drinkable boxed wines. While boxed wines have gotten a (perhaps deservedly) bad rap in the past, they have recently come into vogue for a few reasons.
Why go boxed? • Sometimes you can get a great boxed wine for a great price because the packaging process is cheaper and more energy efficient than bottling, thereby lowering the cost per unit. • It’s hard to break a box. If the party gets crazy and someone knocks the wine box off the table, you won’t lose a drop. • Wine stays fresh longer. My
rule of thumb after opening a bottle is two days to drink and two weeks to cook. Boxed wines stay fresh a minimum of 3-4 weeks after “uncorking” (breaking the seal.) • You can still recycle the box as you can a bottle. • You won’t run the risk of cork taint. (Also referred to as corked or corky, this is when a wine smells like wet dog, a damp basement or moldy newspapers. The wine has undergone a tragic change in quality due to contamination from the cork or because the cork didn’t do it’s job and allowed a contaminant into the wine.) Tastes yucky, but safe to drink. If you are having a large summer soiree, keep it simple
Boxed Wines
Three liter box is equal to four 750 ml bottles. Each brand is available in assorted varietals and blends. Fish Eye Maipe Hardy Bota Box Pinot Evil Banrock Station 40
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$16 $17 $17 $18 $19 $20
Black Box $20 Patch Block $20 Pepperwood Grove $20 Badger Mountain Organic Vineyard $22
Sauvignon blanc and think about serving just two or three varietals. Maybe a red, a white, and possibly a blush. Cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay are popular choices and will satisfy a crowd. Food-friendlier choices of pinot noir and sauvignon would be lovely at a party. Try replacing the staid white zinfandel with white merlot or white Grenache. If you really want to get crazy, serve Malbec (red) and Viogner (white). That’ll really get your party going. Maybe you’re in the mood for a more intimate dinner party. For a smaller crowd, consider a springy risotto. This creamy but light dish lends itself well to sauvignon blanc with the heavy dose of lemon, veggies and herbs. Served with roasted pork or roasted chicken and a green salad, the risotto makes a standout side dish. Make it a vegetarian main course by swapping veggie stock for the chicken stock and serve with a white bean and tomato salad.
Spring Green Risotto 5 cups chicken broth or stock (I like Swanson) 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 cup Arborio rice, or other starchy medium-grain “risotto style” rice 3/4 cup dry white wine such as sauvignon blanc Zest and juice of one lemon 1 bunch asparagus - remove the woody ends and cut spears remaining into 1-inch pieces 6 ounces fresh spinach leaves, well washed and
roughly chopped 5 ounces fresh or frozen petite green peas 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped dill 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for grating. Salt and freshly ground black pepper Pour stock into a medium saucepan, heat until simmering. Cover and keep warm. Heat the olive oil and butter in a heavy, large saucepan over medium heat. When butter is foamy, add the onion along with a little salt and pepper and sauté until translucent. Stir in the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the wine and stir until absorbed. Stir in lemon zest and 1 cup of hot broth, stirring often until liquid is absorbed. Repeat, adding 1 cup of hot broth 2 more times, stirring often, until liquid is absorbed. At this point, the risotto can be made 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate the risotto (the rice will still be firm) and remaining broth, uncovered, until cool, then cover and keep them refrigerated until ready to proceed. Bring the remaining broth to a simmer. Cover and keep it warm over very low heat. Stir 1 cup of hot broth into the partially cooked risotto over medium heat until the broth is absorbed and the risotto is hot. Add asparagus pieces and half of the lemon juice. Add the remaining broth and simmer until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes longer.
• Uppercut, North Coast 2010, $10 • Tora Bay, Martinborough, New Zealand 2011, $13 • The Crossings, Marlborough, New Zealand 2011, $14 • St. Supery, Napa Valley 2011, $17 • Auntsfield Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand 2010, $17 • Nobilo Icon, Marlborough, New Zealand 2011, $20 • Groth, Napa Valley 2011, $22
Stir in the spinach, peas, parsley, and dill. Heat through. The result should be creamy and somewhat pourable and the rice should be firm but without a crunchy center. If the rice is still under done add 1/4 cup very
hot water and stir until creamy. Repeat as necessary. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt, pepper and remaining lemon juice. Serves 4-6. 3
For an intimate dinner party, consider a spring risotto. This creamy but light dish lends itself well to pairing with a sauvignon blanc.
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food & drink pot; pour root beer over meat. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Remove from crock pot and shred pork. Add barbecue sauce and stir. Serve over buns topped with cole slaw, pickle slices or other condiments as desired. Source: www.allrecipes.com.
Chipotle Potato Salad 2 ³/₄ pounds small red new potatoes, cooked in skins 4 eggs, hardboiled and chopped 1 cup Miracle Whip 2 small canned chipotle peppers, seeded and minced 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from can 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
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1 teaspoon salt ¹/₂ cup chopped celery ¹/₂ cup chopped red onion ¹/₄ cup chopped cilantro Drain cooked potatoes and let cool. Cut into 1 inch cubes, leaving skins on. Add eggs, celery, cilantro and onions. Stir together Miracle Whip, chiles, adobo sauce, vinegar and salt. Add dressing to potatoes and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate at least on hour. Source: www.may. com.
Red, White and Blue Cake 2 pints strawberries, rinsed 1 large pound cake loaf 1 cup blueberries, rinsed 1 tub Cool Whip
Slice pound cake into 10 slices. Line bottom of 9x13-inch pan with cake slices. Top with 1 cup blueberries and strawberries, sliced. Top with Cool Whip. Arrange blueberries in top left corner in a square like “stars” and make rows for the strips with remaining strawberries halved, to resemble the flag. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
A Butterfly Brunch Asparagus Frittata 6 large eggs 2 tablespoons whipping cream ¹/₂ teaspoon salt
¹/₈ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 12 ounces fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 ounces fontina cheese, grated Preheat broiler. Place asparagus spears in pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil then gently cook about 10 minutes until tender; drain. In medium bowl whisk eggs, cream, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture into 9-inch ovenproof skillet; top with asparagus and cheese. Cook over medium heat until set around edges, but top is still runny, about 2 minutes. Place pan under broiler and let
brown on top, about 4 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes and then run a spatula around the rim to loosen. Slide onto serving platter. Cut into wedges to serve.
Stuffed Salmon Loaf 1 loaf French bread 3 ounces cream cheese ¹/₃ cup finely chopped celery 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons sriracha chili sauce 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 large can boneless pink salmon, drained and flaked 1 hardboiled egg, chopped Trim 1 inch off each end of loaf. Cut loaf horizontally and scoop out each half, leaving a 1 inch border. Reserve bread crumbs. In medium bowl combine cream cheese, celery, cilantro, chili sauce, onion and lemon juice. Stir in salmon, egg and finely crumbled bread. Mix well. Spoon into bread and reassemble loaf. Wrap and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Cut into slices before serving. Can top with arugula or spring field greens, if desired.
Lemon Bundt Cake 1 box lemon cake mix 1 small box instant vanilla
pudding ³/₄ cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 1 cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 10 inch Bundt pan. In large bowl combine cake mix and pudding mix, then stir in oil. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Stir in the lemon-lime soda. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Allow to cool. Glaze with powdered sugar glaze.
A Picnic in the Park Artichoke and Egg Spread 1 jar Rolland Grilled Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped ¹/₂ cup mayonnaise ¹/₂ cup sour cream 3 hardboiled eggs, chopped ¹/₂ teaspoon curry powder Cayenne pepper Salt and freshly ground black pepper Combine artichoke hearts, mayo, sour cream, curry powder, salt and pepper and mix well. Put into serving dish. Top with cayenne. Adapted from www. allrecipes.com.
Stuffed salmon loaf sandwiches, spinach salad and an asparagus frittata make a fine spring feast.
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food & drink Chicken Salad Wraps 1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed and shredded 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced ¹/₂ cup chopped bread and butter pickles ¹/₄ cup chopped red onion Mix celery, pickles, and onion in medium bowl. Toss with vinaigrette recipe below. Season with salt and pepper. Can add 2 tablespoons mayonnaise to vinaigrette, if desired. Refrigerate chicken salad in airtight container, if not serving immediately.
Mustard Vinaigrette 1 tablespoon grainy mustard or Dijon
2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar ¹/₂ cup olive oil Place all ingredients in bowl and whisk until emulsified. Store in sealed jar refrigerated for up to a week.
Easy Chocolate Pastry ¹/₃ cup sliced almonds, chopped ¹/₃ cup Milky Way miniatures chopped 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips 1 large tube crescent rolls 3 tablespoons powdered sugar Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In medium bow, mix nuts, chopped candy bars, and chocolate chips. On a flat surface, unroll crescent dough and separate along perforations to make 4 rectangles. Pinch seams together. Place about 3 tablespoons candy mixture lengthwise down the center of each rectangle. Fold long edge over and roll to enclose filling. Place seam side down on baking sheet and bake 13
minutes until nicely browned. Cool. Mix powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon water. Transfer to a sandwich gab, snip off end, and drizzle glaze onto pastry. Top with slivered almonds. Microwave 2 tablespoons chocolate chips until melted, approximately 30 minutes. Drizzle over pastry as above. To serve, cut each pastry in half diagonally. Source: Family Circle magazine, 2005. 3
This chicken salad wrap, artichoke and egg spread, crackers and a bottle of wine make for a great picnic.
food & drink
Gracious Me!
A
re you using your manners with your cellphone? Do we still need to discuss this? It seems that everywhere we look, someone is telling us when and how to use our cells. It is also blatantly
Top 10 Courtesies of Cellphone Use obvious that we as a society are not paying much attention to cellphone manners.
10
Chose a ringtone you won’t regret. Do you really want
everyone to hear “Hunk-a-Hunk of Hot Love” in the grocery?
9
Don’t interrupt oneon-one conversations to take a call unless it is an emergency.
The same rules apply to texting.
Don’t text when you are in a one-on-one conversation with someone.
8
If you must have your phone on when dining, have it on silent. Explain that
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you are only leaving the phone on for emergencies. Almost all cellphones have a vibrate feature. Use it! Just to be clear, emergencies are messages from your doctor, children or their school, not from your friends. You can easily see who it is, and return the call later. Unless you are expecting an emergency call, never leave your phone on the table.
7
Follow the 10-to-15 feet rule. Stay back
from other people 10 feet to take a call when outside. While inside allow at least 15 feet, or go into another room. Remember that your voice will carry inside. Never answer your cell when with a group. Walk away from the group and answer quietly.
6
Lower your voice when talking. Use a
normal tone of voice on the phone. HINT: Cellphones have volume
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controls. If you must speak loudly to be heard by the other party, it is probably better to have the conversation at another time. It is easier to hear someone if they are talking in a lower voice. Even on small phones, the speaker can pick up your voice several inches away.
5
Leave it off during funerals, weddings, concerts, and religious services.
Furthermore, don’t turn on the screen in a dark theater. If you are asked to turn off your
phone, that means OFF. It does not mean on silent or vibrate. Don’t use your phone to check the time. The screen lights up! Wear a watch. You and others paid good money to go to that concert. Enjoy it.
4
Dating and cellphones don’t mix.
Turn off your cell before you pick up your date or before your date arrives. The only person who is important to talk to on a date is your date. If you are expecting an important call, explain this in advance.
Gracious Me Has lived and raised her family in the Muskogee area for more than 30 years. She loves to entertain. She was born and raised in the South, where she attended a small private college. She has hosted or planned many events and parties. Most importantly, Gracious Me was groomed by her mother in the proper etiquette of Emily Post.
Excuse yourself and take the call in private. After the call, turn off the cell and apologize again.
3
Refrain from discussing personal things in public. You
really don’t want the whole world to know about your trip to the doctor, or your new underwear, or your latest offcolor joke, now do you? Trust me, we don’t want to know!
2
Always ask before taking someone’s picture. Always ask
before posting a photo on the Web, too. By the way, make sure that posted pictures are in good taste.
1
Don’t drive and text!
Never, ever. According to the government website, www.distraction.gov, you are 23 times more likely to crash if you are texting while driving. Check it out and see the statistics for yourself. 3
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