LDNCharmJune2016

charm East Texas june 2016 | Volume 8 issue 6

Rolling Restaurants A food truck guide

Watercolor Issue From local fashion to DIY art

Stephanie Davis Words of love from local photographers

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from the editor “I am moved by the nature of the medium when I approach it with no preconceived ideas; the accidental happenings of the rapid, free-flowing action of watercolor when used wet-intowet.” — Carlton Plummer

On the cover Photo by Jackie Ray jackierayphotography.com Cover model Brooke Belschner is pictured on a beach at Sam Rayburn.

Ashley Conlon in Lufkin did the makeup and Rob Fisher did the hair for the June cover and fashion shoot. Learn more about Ashley and Rob on page 10.

Flip to page 94 for behind-thescenes information from this month’s photo shoots.

Watercolor just kind of took over in this month’s issue of Charm, and I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together. There’s something so beautiful about colorful chaos. Our fashion spread is my personal favorite, and once again Jackie Ray captivated me with her awe-inspiring photography. We were able to be extremely creative and capture fashion’s beauty with watercolor. The team loaded up and headed to Lake Sam Rayburn in Jasper, Texas, for our fashion spread. It was so much fun incorporating all of the different natural elements.

Be sure to look for a moving poem written by one of our models, Dulce. We’ve featured quotes from her poem throughout our fashion spread and ended with the full composition.

Also in this month’s edition, we are introducing a new, thought-provoking series, “A Bad Day in the Life of ...” To kick off the series, we will get to meet D. Sisente, a waitress, student and mother of three who shared her story with us.

Don’t forget about Dad. This month we offer some Father’s Day gift ideas found in the local gift guide segment. Also, look for a mouth-watering barbecue recipe that no dad could resist.

On the topic of dads, Jackie Ray shared with us a recent adventure that she took with her father and well-known local artist, Charlie Becker. The story of Jackie and her dad’s adventure to the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas will leave you wanting to pack a bag and head west ... adios.

charm staff Editor Leigh Ann Farmer

(936) 631-2671 charm@lufkindailynews.com Design Jackie Ray

design@charmeasttexas.com Contributing Writers Cyndy Aldred, Joel Redus, Vicky Camarillo, Angela Larson, Stephanie Stevens, Skye

Charm East Texas is published by The Lufkin News and The Daily Sentinel. No portion may be reproduced in whole in or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

The Daily Sentinel 4

charm JUNe 2016

Page-Smith, Gary Stallard, Anna Dean, Thalia Guerrero, Kimberly Squyres Wagner, Jackie Ray, Sarah Williams Copy Editors Andy Adams, Vicky Camarillo Contributing Photographers Jackie Ray, Sarah Williams, Anna Dean, Andy Adams Advertising (936) 631-2630 (Lufkin) or (936) 564-8361 (Nacogdoches) Email us charm@lufkindailynews.com Follow us @charmeasttexas

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, TX 75902-1089 Street Address: 300 Ellis, Lufkin, TX 75904-3817 USPS 321-820 Southern Newspapers Inc., doing business as The Lufkin Daily News, is published mornings daily. Periodicals postage is paid at Lufkin, Texas.

Postmaster: Send address changes to THE LUFKIN DAILY NEWS, P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, TX 75902-1089.

charm june 2016

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contents 58

36

72 Features 12 25 things 14 A Word from Gary Stallard 24 Remembering Stephanie Davis 36 Wedding Bliss at Park Hill Farms 42 The Art of Pastry 44 Rolling Restaurants 68 Animal Rescue 72 Featured Artist 86 A Bad Day in the Life of a Waitress 90 Daytripper: West Texas

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90

Home & Garden

Beauty & Fashion

48 Farm to Fork 56 Charming Recipe 58 Charming Drink 60 Charmed Living 70 The Creativity Exchange

in each issue 4 Letter from the Editor 8 Charm Chat 10 Behind Charm 96 Your Space

18 Father’s Day Gift Guide 20 Local Fashion 28 Editor’s Picks 30 Glowing This Summer 34 Closet Confidential 76 Local Fashion 84 Fashion Flash 94 Behind the Scenes

HEALTHY LIVING 50 Cuckoo for Coconuts 54 Cooking with Essential Oils

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Charm chat

Tell us what you think! charm@lufkindailynews.com or facebook.com/charmeasttexas

“Love Charm magazine! Classy!”

Olivia Wilkin “I enjoy reading your magazine. I especially enjoy how you feature local businesses in your photo shoots.”

Shelley Williams

“Your ads have helped me find new places to shop! Thanks so much!”

Terrie Chavez

“Today’s magazine is really special.

Thanks for a job well done.”

Nell Bell

“It was an enjoyable read. Wonderful job! Beautiful pictures and great information.”

Tiffany George Crain

“I looked at the whole thing cover to cover! You all killed it! You’re doing an amazing job.”

Kimberlee Robinson Freeman

Congratulations Nene Curry from Lufkin!

find the charm!

Find the charm hidden in the magazine that matches the one shown here and you could be Nene Curry found the charms hidden on the winner of a $50 gift certificate to the Charm page 82 of the May issue. She won a $50 advertiser of your choice. It will not be hidden in gift certificate to the Charm advertiser of an ad. Email us at charm@lufkindailynews.com her choice. Nene chose her gift certificate or write to us at Charm, P.O. Box 1089, Lufkin, to Merle Norman in Lufkin.

TX 75902 with your name and phone number and tell us where you found it. All correct entries will be entered into a drawing. The lucky winner will be announced in our next issue.

BEARD FINE JEWELERS 8

charm JUNe 2016

2002 S. First Street Lufkin, TX • 936.637.2848

charm june 2016

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Sarah Williams is a wife, mother and photographer who was born in Michigan and now resides in East Texas.

For more information or to see her work, visit thesilhouettestudio.com.

Anna Dean is a wife, photographer, lifestyle blogger and dog mama. She’s an old soul with a love for Jesus, antiques and traveling. Follow her adventures at annadeanstudio.com/blog. Email: annakrystinephotography@gmail.com.

Jackie Ray is a portrait and wedding photographer in Lufkin. Her work is inspired by light, colors and textures.

She is also the graphic designer and staff photographer for Charm magazine. View more of Jackie’s work at jackierayphotography.com. To make an appointment, contact her at jackie@ jackierayphotography.com.

Ashley Conlon is a licensed esthetician and makeup artist, is available for various on-site makeup artistry needs.

To view more services or schedule an appointment, go to styleseat.com/ ashleyconlon or contact her at (936) 635-4710. She is located at Bella Salon, an Aveda Concept Salon, in Lufkin.

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Rob Fisher is a licensed cosmetologist trained at Paul Mitchell in 2005. He has 10 years’ experience in the salon industry. He enjoys being creative while making someone feel good about themselves. His range of services include Aveda color, color correction, makeup application, extensions, retexturizing treatments, and men, women and child haircuts. To schedule an appointment, contact him at (936) 635-7712. He is located at Bella Salon in Lufkin.

Contributors

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25 things

about Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Billy Ball

I grew up in Dallas, Texas, where I lived until I moved my family to Lufkin in 1974. It amazes me that I have now lived longer in Lufkin than I did in Dallas. It’s home!

I dearly love and appreciate my poor parents who raised me in a small three-room house with an outhouse and #3 wash tub. I would love to have my mother’s chicken fried steak and gravy again.

I slept on a roll-away bed until I was 12.

I started working in a grocery store at age 12 and have been employed ever since.

I served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam.

This is my 50th year working within the criminal justice system and public service. I started as a patrolman with the Dallas PD, then promoted to narcotics investigator. I served in a Federal Drug Abuse Task Force before entering Federal Law Enforcement, where I remained until I retired as supervisory special agent in charge of all investigations and law enforcement operations for a seven-state area and the Caribbean. I am currently serving as justice of the peace, Precinct 1, Angelina County.

I was awarded the Dallas Police Department Meritorious Conduct Award for saving the life of a federal agent.

Received a White House Letter of Commendation for drug investigations.

Graduated from Sam Houston State University, B.S. in criminal justice.

The most rewarding situation in my career was when I found a newborn 2 pound, 3 ounce baby girl (still covered in mucus) who had been abandoned next to a small lake and I was able to resuscitate her. I named her Mosina because I found her in the bulrushes.

As a hobby, I raised a small herd of cattle for 10 years.

I taught criminal justice at Angelina College.

I built a home workshop where I made wooden toys and cabinetry.

My wife Beverly and I will celebrate our 49th anniversary this year. She is and has been my best friend, my guardian angel, my bed rock and my love for all these years. Wonder why? She must have found some redeeming qualities in me.

I am the father of two sons and have one beautiful granddaughter.

This is my 15th year as chairman of the Texas State Forest Festival.

I was given the honor as a Navy man to be the keynote speaker for the 239 Marine Corps Birthday and Ball in Lufkin.

I love peanut butter and eat it almost every day.

I went through “withdrawal” when we couldn’t get Blue Bell. My favorites are Pralines and Cream and Buttered Pecan.

I listen to Elvis Presley sing “Unchained Melody” and “My Way” two or three times a week. It’s really special when my granddaughter joins me.

We like the same artists and music, and she takes voice and sings in the school choir.

I like motivational and funny quotes and try to take some to work each day.

I look up the Merriam-Webster Dictionary “Word of the Day” and try to incorporate it at least once in my daily activities.

My bucket list (fantasy): sail around the world, travel to Europe, own a men’s clothing store and a romantic piano bar, wear a new tailor-made suit to work every day, take ballroom dancing lessons and be able to work forever.

Thankful for the friends who are a part of my life, my health and the health of my family.

Favorite city to visit is Washington, D.C. It has so much history to see.

Billy Ball, patrolman of the Dallas Police Department.

Billy Ball with wife Beverly and sons John and Donny in 1978.

Billy Ball, RM3 in the U.S. Navy, in 1965.

Billy Ball at age 5.

Judge Billy Ball with Constable Tom Selman and court clerks Norma Zarzoza, Chrissy Powell and Erica Ramos.

Billy Ball, U.S. Forest Service, in 1978.

Judge Billy Ball and granddaughter Kori.

Spare the rod and spoil the fun I

f fish could talk, that one would have begged me: “Kill me, now. Please.”

Poor little guy was in the midst of a traumatic event. My daughter Jordan, then 3 years old, had hooked him just moments before — the very first fish she’d ever caught. Standing near the boat ramp wearing her little life jacket and holding her miniature rod and reel, Jordan was determined to land anything causing her pink bobber to disappear underwater.

When that happened, she tried cranking the reel, but the fish was strong.

A battle for the ages ensued between that perch and my kid.

Jordan refused to lose. Rather than trust her reel, she turned her back to the water, held the rod over her tiny shoulder and began running up the boat ramp, little flip-flops flapping all the way.

Sure enough, her strategy worked.

Within a few steps, she’d dragged the fish from the water and halfway up the ramp. There, the fish stared at me accusingly, begging me to end its misery as Jordan danced her victory dance.

That’s just one fish story of a lifetime of them when it comes to taking my kids fishing.

Want another one? I’ve got millions.

About 10 years later, another fish gave me the same, pleading look: “Kill me, now. Please.” This was a 30-plus-pound redfish, one my teenage daughters Jaime and Jordan helped me land at the beach.

At the time of his begging, the poor fish was on the end of a long stringer. My kids thought he was so pretty, they didn’t

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s t o ry b y

Gary stallard

Jaime and Jordan fishing.

want anything to happen to him. They were walking him up and down the surf, the fish following like a puppy on a leash.

They’d even named him — ChadBob, for reasons only their weird minds could explain — meaning I couldn’t eat him as planned. Apparently, there’s an unwritten rule of Dadhood stating we can’t eat anything the kids name.

My girls were with me the morning a sea turtle got my hook snagged on the edge of his shell. We reeled him up to the beach, where my girls proceeded to lavish the beautiful creature with love — and kisses. Wet, salty, fishy kisses. When we released him, I had to hold them back from trying to swim out to sea with him. They wanted to make sure he got “home” OK. Had a pelican land right on top of my

line right as I was battling a big fish. All his flapping made his entangling even worse, so Jordan and I had to reel and wade until we reached him. The big bird actually let Jordan hold him — yes, and kiss him — while I removed the line.

When she sat him back in the water, he hung out with us for a few minutes.

He seemed reluctant to leave her. They’d experienced a moment.

So many stories ...

From the time I was old enough to walk, I was fishing with my dad. From the time my girls were old enough to walk, they were fishing with me. Our trips together have always been my favorite Father’s Day gifts. When they were too small for the wade fishing in the Gulf I love so much, I tied to my waist one of those tubes people drag

a word from gary stallard

Jordan shows her bluegill off to the camera.

Jaime poses with her fish.

behind boats. Jaime and Jordan sat in the tube. They covered the bottom of the tube with water, sand and their newly caught pet hermit crabs, just so they could stay out with me, bobbing on top of the water. If I hooked a fish, I handed them the rod and let them land it. We were fishing, and we were together.

So, so many stories, written with nothing more than a fishing pole and some worms or bait fish caught in the surf — I threw out the net, my girls reeled it in to see what we’d caught.

Memories. Little Mermaid life jackets. Beauty and the Beast fishing poles. Jaime’s “lucky” fishing outfit.

Little overalls with a floral pattern.

She’d caught her first bass — almost by accident — while standing next to me wearing that outfit. On our next trip, she insisted on donning the same duds. Sure enough, she landed another one. She outgrew those clothes years ago, but if we were on our way to another fishing trip right now, she’d find some way to wear them.

Jaime nearly falling out of the boat when she hooked her own big red.

Exhausted, she tried handing me the rod, but I told her if I reeled it in, it would be my fish, not hers. An hour later, she nearly danced herself out of the boat celebrating her victory.

Fish stories and memories ...

My father passed along to me so many life lessons, but few have stuck with me as much as “Spare the rod, spoil the fun.”

From the full family trips to the one-onone escapes, Dad’s love of fishing created a lifetime of memories: sitting on the lake shore with my siblings late into the night — and griping when my sister Darlene caught more and bigger fish (the ultimate insult to a boy). Spending an entire night on an island with my brother Randy. I was 12 and he was 10, and we were in boy paradise. Nothing but a Coleman lantern, two fishing poles and two miniature pirates battling the beasts of the wild. Heaven.

I never outgrew any of it. So when my girls hit this planet, there was no doubt they’d learn to fish. They didn’t always understand why, when they were fishing, I wasn’t. They didn’t quite get how my thrill came from seeing them experience theirs.

They probably thought it was all about whatever we caught. They were wrong.

When Jordan was 16, she reminded me she’d never caught a shark. Pretty much charm june 2016

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Jaime and Jordan hold ChadBob, the red fish they helped catch and name.

Erika holds a shark she caught while fishing.

Jordan shows off the multiple sharks she caught while fishing.

all the other kids could boast of landing at least one baby Jaws. All my “acquired” children — Jay, Erika and Aimee — had their turns fighting sharks. The friends they brought along for trips went home with stories and pics to impress their friends. How many teenagers have shark pics to show off at school? My adopted niece, Michelle, even caught a stingray.

You don’t think she flashed that pic around her classmates? Her coolness factor blew through the roof.

But Jordan’s luck hadn’t extended that far. She’d caught nearly every other kind of fish, but had yet to experience a shark fight.

So I took her out one evening, just the two of us, and stood back as she landed

several. She fought those monsters like a pro. No fear, just sheer determination.

She wanted to know why I wasn’t fishing.

I was too busy watching her, relishing the moment and trying to absorb every image.

On the way home late that night, over her nonstop, excited chatter, she heard the Trace Adkins song on the radio: “Just Fishin’.” He sang, “She ain’t even thinkin’ ’bout/ What’s really goin’ on right now/ But I guarantee this memory’s a big ’un/ And she thinks we’re just fishin’.”

Jordan stopped talking mid-chatter and looked at me.

“I get it, Daddy. We weren’t just fishing, were we?”

No, child. We surely weren’t.

Gary Stallard, a former U.S. Marine, completed his bachelor’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University, where he majored in English and journalism. Since 2006, he has been with Angelina College, serving as AC’s coordinator of marketing and development, writing instructor and sports information director. For more than 14 years, he has worked as a sports writer/columnist/photographer for The Lufkin News. He and his wife Susan, a school nurse at Pineywoods Community Academy, live in Lufkin. They have four children, three grandchildren, a dog, a cat and four grand-dogs.

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Law Office Of

Kaye M. alderman faMiLy Law attOrney

Did your parents divorce when you were a child or adolescent? Did your parents fight for control over you and your siblings? Did one of your parents try to turn you against the other parent?

With a more than fifty percent divorce rate in the United States today most people can relate to what it was like to live through a divorce between their parents. Unfortunately, they can also relate to what it was like to feel like pawns in the war that was waged by at least one parent against the other.

It is understandable that by the time two people are ready for divorce, there are many angry, resentful and bitter feelings that have accumulated during the course of the marital relationship. Very few divorces are friendly and amicable with the former spouses remaining friends. Children’s needs do not seem to significantly influence the behavior displayed by former spouses.

In fact, all too often, divorcing parents are willing to display a vindictiveness directed against the other parent by using the children as weapons in the divorce and post divorce war. These types of vengeful parents do not seem to understand that the only victims of this type of behavior are the children.

During my years as a family law attorney I have seen many cases in which parents wage bitter custody battles against one another. One parent may attempt to obtain sole or primary joint custody of the children while severely restricting the visitation rights of the other parent. You might believe that the battle was being waged against someone who was an alcohol or drug addict or was abusive to the children.

However, in all too many cases there is

Children are not weapons

no such addictive or abusive behavior.

Rather, the motivation for the vindictive parent is to settle the score against the other parent for sins having been committed between the two of them.

• For example, an angry wife and mother may feel so devastated by the divorce that she is swept away by anger, rage and the desire to punish the former spouse by demanding sole custody and limiting the access to the child.

• Another scenario is when each of the parents place the children in the middle of their conflict by attempting to turn them against the other parent. They will do all they can to devalue and demonize the other parent in the eyes of the child. The wish is to win the child to their own side so that they will be permanently allied with them against the other.

• Perhaps the worst case situation is the one in which the divorce takes place, the one parent gains custody, the other parent moves away and a curtain of silence falls between the children and the absent parent.

What is the effect of these behaviors on children?

First, children identify with each of their parents. If they are made to

believe that one parent is evil they will come to believe that this is true of them, as well.

Second, it is common for children to misunderstand what is happening between alienated parents and to blame themselves for their troubles. They are also quick to believe that one or both parents are leaving home because he, the child, is not loved. In some cases, a child who witnesses a parent packing and moving may fear that he, the child will be told to leave home forever.

For the child who experiences the loss of a parent because that parent has been successfully blocked from participation in the child’s life, the consequences are worst. The child is left to imagine what became of the missing parent.

Studies show that high conflict divorce can result in children growing into adults who have lower self esteem, symptoms of depression and anxiety.

In contrast, children who are raised by both parents, whether in an intact marital relationship OR by divorced parents who amicably share time with their children are not as likely to exhibit these traits.

Divorce is an unfortunate but sometimes unavoidable result of a failed relationship. By this legal mechanism we can end the marriage, but we cannot end the family. Mom will always be Mom and Dad will always be Dad. Divorce only redefines the terms of the family relationship. I believe that parents who are able to redefine those terms with the least impact on the children will see the best long term result.

Dealing with divorce, child custody, child support enforcement, termination, adoption, modification of custody, visitation and/or child support? I’m here to help.

Law Office Of

Kaye M. alderman faMiLy Law attOrney

124 E. Lufkin Ave. • Lufkin • (936) 639-5293 charm june 2016

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Father’s Day gift guide

Picking out a unique Father’s Day gift can be tricky. Ties are nice, but there are other great items available locally. Here are some great gifts that dads want.

Stylish Dad Kids are no match for MaidPro in Lufkin. Give a gift certificate for busy dads.

Dad will love to spruce up his office with the scent of Boticario de Havana. Try the candle or the oils. Available at Studio 319 in Lufkin.

Give Dad this leather wallet with multiple card slots. Available at Brown’s Shoe Fit in Lufkin.

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The best grooming products are the perfect gift for Dad. Black Jack brand available at MedSpa in Lufkin.

These Chisel cufflinks demonstrate excellent craftsmanship and classic style. Available at Beard Fine Jewelers in Lufkin.

Make time stand still with a handsome Citizen watch and free water bottle with purchase. Available at Cavanaugh’s Jewelers in Lufkin.

For the man who has everything, unique bullet pens are the perfect gift.

Available at Tommy’s Watch and Jewelry in Lufkin.

Gift Guide

Give the gift that shines as bright as Dad. This one-of-akind light-up cooler is available at Miller’s Point in Nacogdoches.

Keep Dad in style.

Sunglasses available at The Center for Sight in Lufkin.

Get Dad’s favorite brand, Fripp & Folly, at Sparkle Boutique in Nacogdoches.

Just for Dad. Solid wood furniture from Carpets by Curiosity in Lufkin. Picnic tables, rockers and more.

Keep Dad’s beverages frosty with the Chillsner.

Available at Laine’s Hallmark in Nacogdoches.

Show Dad some love with this coffee cup.

Available at Goodwill in Lufkin.

The perfect Father’s Day gift. Make Dad king of the grill. Available at The Pool Store in Lufkin.

Adventurous Dad charm june 2016

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Free bird.

For a while she was kept ...

jackie ray Ashley conlon rob fisher

photos by

makeup by hair by

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Right Beaded statement necklace and green and gold stone earrings. Available at Spring and Prince in Nacogdoches.

Left Brooke models a floral top.

Available at House of Traditions in Nacogdoches. Teal skinny pant. Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin. Above Blue suede peep-toe booties.

Available at House of Traditions in Nacogdoches.

Left Green and gold handbag and mustard yellow sunglasses.

Available at Miss McGillicuddy’s in Diboll. Watercolor skull hand painted by Leigh Ann Farmer.

Below Color-change Keds.

Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin.

Left Green and gold stone earrings. Available at Spring and Prince in Nacogdoches.

Original watercolor painting

by Barbara Richert.

Kept from all the beauty of life...

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Brooke models a mustard yellow dress with cut-out detail. Available at The Loft in Lufkin. Blue suede peep-toe booties. Available at House of Traditions in Nacogdoches. Original watercolor painting by Barbara Richert.

Remembering

Stephanie Davis “Stephanie was a true artist in every way.

She loved everyone she met and selflessly poured her heart and soul into sharing her beautiful work and the love of God with others.

I am forever grateful for her friendship and her shining her wonderful gift of photography on me. From the day I met her, my life was changed. I will hear her contagious laugh and continue to be inspired by her with every photo I take.”

Anna Dean “In 2010, Stephanie took me in as a new photog friend. It was a blessing to be able to learn from one of the best. She was truly a light in this world. She was full of love, joy and laughter, and it showed in everything she did.

What I loved most about this special woman is her love for the Lord. Her faith didn’t waver.

From photographer to faithful servant, Steph was truly an inspiration. She leaves behind an amazing legacy.”

Morgan Due

O

n May 14, 2016, Lufkin lost a very influential photographer who touched the lives of so many. For the past 20 years, Stephanie Davis shared her passion and artistic talent with East Texas.

Stephanie photographed countless weddings and portraits over the years and happily mentored many budding photographers along the way.

Charm relies heavily on local visual talent. Stephanie indirectly contributed to the magazine and the industry as a whole by inspiring many local photographers to take a leap of faith and trust their artistic ability.

East Texas is home to many talented photographers today because she was such a selfless artist who enjoyed watching others succeed. Stephanie was a master at her craft and a joy to be around. All who knew her feel a great loss, especially those artists and photographers who followed her lead.

Stephanie will live on through the timeless art she created and through all of the young artists who were inspired by her passion. Let’s honor Stephanie Davis and her brilliant work. s t o ry b y

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Jackie Ray

“She captured such beauty in all of my brides and made sure to encourage me, building my confidence as a new makeup artist years ago.

She never failed to make me feel at home around her, and it’s no secret that she has blessed so many lives with her smile, sense of humor and ability to light up a room with God’s love. I sure am glad I knew her and I know the world is, too.”

Ashley Conlon “There is no way I could describe Stephanie with just one word. She embodied so many wonderful things. She was so giving, though. Giving with her time, her wisdom and knowledge, and with her love for Jesus. She taught me everything I know about photography. She taught me about life, love and the Holy Spirit. She’s responsible for so much of my happiness. She was more than just a best friend; she was my mentor, my confidante, my teacher, my cheerleader and my second mom. I miss her so much it hurts.”

Kylie Kristine White “Stephanie had a way to evoke emotion and energy into her photographs that was truly a gift from God. She inspired me to have confidence and taught me invaluable lessons in capturing those moments for myself. It’s hard to imagine a world without her talent and joyous spirit.”

Delaney Harbuck

“Stephanie was such a beautiful, vibrant soul who shined a beautiful light in a dark world.

She inspired me as a photographer, friend and believer. I am forever grateful that she let me be an ambassador with her my senior year of high school and helped ignite my love and passion for photography. I’d never felt more beautiful than I did in front of her camera. She mentored me and pushed me to be better.

I, like everyone who knew her, am a better person for knowing Stephanie and will miss hearing her contagious laughter and sweet encouragements.”

Jenna McElroy

Stephanie with her daughter Kate and husband Chris.

Stephanie’s amazing cotton field portrait sessions were among the many things she was known for.

Give Him the Gift of Style

You Are What You Eat Improve your summer eating habits by replacing fried foods with fresh fruits & vegetables.

Hours Mon.–Fri. 9:30 am–6 pm saturday 9:30 am–5 pm

705 s. Timberland Lufkin, Texas (936) 634-6773

Facebook.com/LufkinBrowns

Congratulations Kim Hennigan

For example, choose one of these delicious items instead of french fries: Carrot sticks Celer y sticks Sliced apple Orange wedges Grapes

Our doctors can help you manage your risk factors and prevent hear t attacks.

OUR NEW MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR AND HOME LOAN EXPERT MLO# 661704

First Bank & Trust East Texas is proud to announce the promotion of Kim Hennigan to loan originator.

Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has been in the banking industry since 2003 and began working at the Frank Street location in 2013 as a loan assistant. She will continue serving our customers at the Lufkin location on Frank Street.

(936) 634-6669 2510 W. Frank St. | Lufkin (936) 559-5100 1009 N. University Dr. | Nacogdoches

310 Gaslight Blvd. | Lufkin

936.632.8787 R.R. Bachireddy, MD J.S. Chandra, MD M.M. Khan, MD V.R. Kovvali, MD K.L. Hudson, DO C.K. Mani, MD I.M. Khan, MD charm june 2016 R.V. Kedia, MD

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Why do I advertise in Charm?

Charm fits the personality of my customers.

I

’ve enjoyed Charm magazine since its very first issue. It offers a window into not only what Market to Market has to offer, but what our community offers as well. I am inspired by things that are new and different, so the format Charm uses fits my personality along with the personalities of my customers, whom I love so much. I especially enjoy how each issue has a new look that changes not only with the seasons but with the new merchandise both Market to Market and other local businesses have to offer.

Charm has evolved since the day it started in order to keep up with the changes in our community, and that fits perfectly with what we do here at Market to Market. — G.G. Tiemann, owner of Market to Market

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charm june 2016

For the Man Who Has Everything...

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2160302 Beautiful 3BR 2BTH home with beautiful landscaping. Home has been well maintained. Updated kitchen with new counter-tops. Large fenced backyard with small garden and a patio to sit and relax. Large master suite with walk-in closet. Inviting family room with woodburning fireplace. Enclosed front porch that is ideal for enjoying a morning drinking coffee and bird watching. Great home with a great $178,000 price. A MUST SEE!!!

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charm june 2016

27

Editor’s Picks

This double pendant stone necklace is a must-have for any summer soirée.

Find this floral headpiece from Rubie and Janie in Lufkin.

We love this embroidered bag from Sparkle in Nacogdoches.

Get these stylish sunglasses at The Center for Sight in Lufkin.

Reduce stress with this adult coloring book from Laine’s Hallmark in Nacogdoches.

Stay stylish by coordinating your coffee mug with some decor for your home. These adorable pieces are available at Laine’s Hallmark in Nacogdoches.

This beautiful soft pink dress is perfect for any formal occasion.

Available at Rubie and Jane in Lufkin.

Dress up any outfit with these blushing pink peep-toe heels.

Available at Rubie and Jane in Lufkin.

These beautiful detailed earrings are available at Sparkle in Nacogdoches.

Your skin will love this relaxing lavender lotion.

Available at Studio 319 in Lufkin.

These vintage-inspired trays come in a variety of floral designs.

Available at Market to Market in Lufkin.

These beautiful agate stone coasters are available at Market to Market in Lufkin.

Find these colorful clear cosmetic bags and their matching accessories at Studio 319 in Lufkin.

Get these super soft and comfortable leather sandals at Brown’s Shoe Fit in Lufkin.

Schedule Your Bridal Hair & Makeup Appointments

get ready for

Summer

Adventures

Nacogdoches 3205 N. UNiversity dr., (UNiversity Park Plaza Next to kroger)

936-564-6724

charm june 2016

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Glowing this summer

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charm june 2016

s t o ry b y

thalia Guerrero

S

ummer is here, and so are simple and refreshing makeup trends. Looking dewy and having glowing skin is definitely “in” this season. This look accommodates all skin types and suits all ages. It also focuses on using one product that can be found at drugstores and high-end makeup stores.

This will help skin look youthful and reflects natural light beautifully. It makes all skin types look very refreshed and healthy, so don’t be afraid to glow this summer. Luminous skin is for everyone, and this summer you should be able to accomplish a soft and effortless makeup look without all the work.

This natural-looking glow can by conquered by purchasing an illuminating powder or a liquid illuminator. This trend has been around for years, but recently everyone who has a passion for makeup has indulged in this beautiful look. As was previously mentioned, you can find these items at your local drugstore, and an affordable liquid illuminator by NYX is one of them. This brand offers two different illuminators for either fair skin (named “Sunbeam”) or one for medium to dark skin tones (named “Gleam”).

Finding the right shade for you should be fairly easy. They are also very affordable, all under $10. Another great brand of illuminators found at the drugstore are

by E.L.F., offering baked highlighters that are, once again, very affordable.

Baked eyeshadows share the same concept as illuminators. They are both produced to give off a shimmery glow and made of the same materials. As long as you have the basic knowledge of what products are made of or what finish they give off, you can manipulate tons of products to your liking to execute certain looks. It’s just all about experimentation.

If you are looking for something that is not found at the drugstore, MAC offers

a very transitional powdered illuminator that suits all skin types, called “Soft and Gentle.” That product is a staple for many makeup artists everywhere because it works so well for every single skin type.

This illuminator goes for $32. You can find it online or in the store. Other staple illuminators that are fan favorites are by Anastasia Beverly Hills, retailing for $28, found online or at Sephora. “Starlight”

by ABH is also a color that works well with most skin tones.

APPLICATION Applying these illuminators is very simple. If you choose to use a liquid illuminator, this will actually be applied under your foundation, not over it. There is a misconception of that theory, but celebrity makeup artists have begun to lean toward that concept so that the dewy look looks very natural and makes your skin look rejuvenated. This is a great makeup trick for people with dry skin.

It will help the skin look hydrated and youthful.

You can place a small dab of the liquid illuminator on the tip of your finger and swipe the liquid right above your highest point of your cheekbones. You don’t want to place this where you would normally contour or apply blush. You also don’t want to smudge the liquid into your skin too much either; you will get a very dull effect. Instead, swipe the illuminator once from the outer portion of your face toward the center. This swipe should stop about halfway down the cheeks but no further than the inner corner of your eyes. You can pour another dab of the

illuminator and place a very small dab on the very tip of your nose, your cupid’s bow and on the center of your chin. This helps to balance the entire look and distribute it evenly throughout your entire face.

However, too much of an illuminator can sometimes cause for you to look very sweaty or oily, so be careful not to add too much. After this has been applied, put your foundation on as you normally would, but have a lighter hand on the areas you placed your liquid illuminator.

The look should be very natural but will still give you that pop.

Powdered illuminators are placed above your foundation, in the same areas that were previously mentioned.

These sort of illuminators are usually applied with fan brushes. Thinner fan brushes help give a lighter, thinner and more natural glow due to the brush not being so dense. If the fan brush is thicker with many bristles, you are going to get a thicker, more dramatic look. It’s all in preference and the occasion that calls for whatever look you may prefer. Don’t be afraid to try different products or play with different looks. This summer is all about glowing, so try these techniques and glow.

Thalia Guerrero loves to help women feel glamorous, confident and sophisticated while saving time and money. Runway modeling sparked her creativity as she discovered many tips and tricks to help with DIY hair and makeup looks. For the latest scoop on makeup looks and easy DIY hairstyles, follow her blog at glammeforever.blogspot.com. charm june 2016

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charm june 2016

Texan’s Barber School offers various programs including: •Barber Program •Barber Teacher Program •Cosmetology Crossover to Barber Program

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“Years ago, my husband gave me my first piece of gold James Avery jewelry, my Jerusalem cross.

I love it and never take it off. I added the birthstones of my grandkids to keep them close to my heart.”

Madelyn Porter “For a few years, I was crazy over scarves! I think I wore one every day. I bought them everywhere. This pretty scarf is a Vera designed scarf. It looks like a watercolor painting. Vera was my sweet mother’s name, so that makes it extra special.”

“The beautiful shell dish from Peter’s Pottery was given to me by a sweet southern Mississippi friend.

She loves everything in and from Mississippi! It was too pretty to use as a soap dish. I keep it on my dresser and keep special jewelry in it. When she left Lufkin, I gave her an angel from Peter’s Pottery. The jade ring and earrings are, again, a gift from my husband. Gladys Swanson designed the pearl and beaded bracelet.”

“Attractive ‘readers’ are hard to find.

I found Eyebobs online and started shopping. I have found lots of styles and colors of frames. They even go up to my strength (I’m not telling).”

“I just saw and fell in love with this soft pink scarf. I don’t remember where I bought it, but I have really enjoyed wearing it.”

Closet Confidential

“I love Tieks flats! My daughter surprised me with the rose gold flats for Christmas. ... Pearls go with everything. I was fortunate to bid at this strand at the PELC Mardi Gras Fundraiser and Auction. The strand is designed by a local jewelry designer, Gladys Swanson.”

“‘La Vie Est Belle’ fragrance is my current favorite. It means ‘life is beautiful.’ I have worn it for about a year or more. A lady followed me around the store with her shopping cart one day. She stopped me and asked, ‘Do you mind telling me what perfume you are wearing?’ I’m hoping she meant it as a compliment!”

“I really like Spartina purses. I bought my first one from The Very Thing a few years ago. It’s hard to resist buying a new one. It seems I have quite a collection now. They are stylish, but not over-the-top expensive. The pattern is hidden in the pretty lining.”

“This silver James Avery bangle was a gift from my daughter. It has all the symbols of the Christian faith on it.

I also wear it every day; it means a lot to me. My special friend, Nancy, honored me by giving me a beautiful traditional jade bangle. She put it on in a special ceremony (an interesting story about that).”

closet confidential

“i love to dress colorful, fun and easy.”

Editor’s note: Madelyn Porter is a retired local art teacher and it definitely shines throughout her wardrobe. She has such unique, beautiful pieces and an eye for style. Jackie and I had so much fun visiting with our dear friend. She is such a joy to be around, and her closet didn’t disappoint. It was fabulous!

Favorite designers: “I admire Diane von Furstenburg. Her designers are classic and lasting. She also looks so chic! Ralph Lauren’s designs in clothing, shoes, etc. are also timeless. Spartina purses are so great! James Avery and Michael Kors for jewelry. Eyebobs for unique designs in reader glasses.”

Style icons: “I really don’t have one style icon. I just look for styles that are colorful, creative and simple designs! Although, I love black and brown basics with touches of color.”

Celebrity wardrobe you would like to raid: “Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson — crazy, talented and fun ladies! I bet their closets are quirky and amazing. I also read an article about Nina Garcia’s closet from Project Runway. It seems elegant and beautiful.”

Best places to snap a fashion bargain: “Downtown Lufkin! I love the unique jewelry finds, clothes and gifts at Becker Art Studio and Wildflower Boutique. There are great buys at The Twisted Sisters store. Sweet Ella Mae is another new, fun store that I enjoy finding good deals at. I also love Laurie Anna’s in Canton for comfortable clothes and gifts. I always go

by Soft Surroundings in The Woodlands when I’m there or check their online catalog.”

Fashion crime: “Leggings look so great with a tunic top, but they aren’t for everyone!”

Fashion struggle: “Jeans! Everyone loves them ... but me.”

Favorite trends this season: “One trend that I have seen lately is the return of colorful embroidered tops and dresses we use to buy in Mexico. I wore them awhile back and just purchased one at Spring and Prince in Nacogdoches.”

“I found this linen top while shopping in Canton. I wore it to my godson’s wedding.”

charm june 2016

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Wedding Bliss at Park Hill Farm

Watercolor cake by Tastry Floral design by Liza’s Garden Maggie Sottero dress provided

by Rubie and Jane

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charm june 2016

s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

sarah williams

For more information about Park Hill Farm, visit ringstrueevents.com or call (325) 660-8335.

It has the grandeur of the stately mansion with a centuries-old foundation, and the landscape provides views that rival the rolling hills of central Texas.

N

estled in the rolling hills of Crockett, on over 100 acres of land, is the classic weddings and events venue Park Hill Farm, which is owned and operated by Rings True Events.

The property boasts several buildings, from barns to cottages. However, its main gem is the century-and-a-halfold mansion at the top of the hill. The 6,000-square-foot mansion was built by

Tom Collins before the Civil War, and it is everything from charming to timeless.

The front and back facades nearly mirror each other, and there are screened-in back porches that would be perfect to sit and enjoy a sweet Southern tea on a hot day. This venue is everything a bride may want to have on her wedding day, but more than that, Park Hill Farm is equipped to give an inclusive week of wedding bliss and also serve as a getaway

for couples and families alike.

Owners Dan and Kim Huggins and Robert and Laurie Norris acquired the property over a year and a half ago and since then have poured a labor of love into restoring it into a masterpiece.

One example is the restoration of the wallpaper, which was peeling off the walls, to ensure the historical and stately nature of the mansion.

They have two guest cottages and charm june 2016

37

are converting a barn into sleeping accommodations in order to provide lodging for over 40 people. Final designs are being drawn up for their large glass reception hall and catering kitchen, which will be a new structure and will somewhat mirror the look of the mansion, with plans for completion by late this summer.

As a wedding photographer myself, I have photographed hundreds of weddings at countless event venues.

I was blown away by Park Hill Farm as soon as I pulled through the gate. It has the grandeur of the stately mansion with a centuries-old foundation, and the landscape provides views that rival the rolling hills of central Texas with the faint outlines of the East Texas Pineywoods. The sun sets a golden hue along the hills of the rolling pasture with longhorns grazing and horses galloping off in the distance. This is something out of a movie, and the entire farm is everything the South embodies: family, tradition, value and celebration.

This venue is sure to leave a lasting impression on your closest friends and family, as well as provide a place to cultivate memories that will last a lifetime.

Sarah Williams is a wife, mother and photographer who was born in Michigan and now resides in East Texas. For more information or to see her work, visit thesilhouettestudio.com.

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charm june 2016

Crockett, Texas

Park Hill Farm is perfect for Weddings, Family Reunions, Anniversaries, Retreats, Vacations, Parties, Music Events and other special events. Ask about our very affordable newly-remodeled guest houses that are available for the day, the weekend or by the week.

For availability, pricing or a tour call Kim at (936)545-7000

1901 W. Navarro Rd Crockett, Texas VRBO/HomeAway #824007

RingsTrueEvents.com charm june 2016

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Wedding Venue

Bed & Breakfast

Eagle Nest Hidden Lake Resort offers the perfect relaxing weekend in our bed & breakfast or one of our cabins, after the holiday season.

Our Activity Building is now available for any size event.

Call us today for your reservation 936-520-0838 or 936-204-3591 19299 us HWy 59 nortH | Garrison, texas www. eaglenesthiddenlakeresort . com

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charm june 2016

Look and feel your best.

Start

Summer Fresh Clean out your closet and donate to Goodwill. Use the cheat sheet to get started.

HAVE YOU WORN IT IN THE PAST YEAR?

Y

DOES IT FIT?

Y

N CAN YOU GET IT TAILORED?

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th e

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DO YOU LOVE IT?

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great emotional and financial security. Your family will find great comfort in knowing that you took the responsibility for your funeral plans to reflect what you wanted.

It will give your loved ones peace of mind not to have to make those important but hard decisions at a most stressful time and it will spare them additional emotional grief.

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936.699.LIFE (5433) 203 Christie St. • Lufkin CharlesAEvansMD.com

LUFKINGOODWILL.ORG

Confections The Art of Pastry s t o ry b y

Leigh ann farmer

photos by

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charm june 2016

jackie ray

T

ucked away down a historic street, Confections is a whimsical bakery in the heart of downtown Lufkin. It’s no secret that it has become a staple for adorable pastries in our community. The bakery offers over a dozen varieties of homemade cookies and 11 varieties of delicious cupcakes.

It’s more than just about satisfying your sweet tooth, though; Confections is open for breakfast and lunch. They offer scrumptious delights from fresh chicken salad sandwiches, tomato basil soup, to grilled cheeses and more. The art of pastries is not just a hobby for owners Dawn Cooley and Miranda Varkadoz — it is their passion. I decided to sit down with Cooley and ask her a few questions about their adorable Airstream bakery.

Q:

How was Confections born?

A: “It all started with the penguin cookie-cutter. As children, our family would go caroling every Christmas and bring homemade decorated penguin cookies, fudge and treats. Then my nephews and niece came along and I started making cookies to celebrate sea creature-themed birthdays and sporting events. Before long, parents in their classes and at our parties were stopping us, asking where they could get cookies like that. Miranda encouraged me to open a shop ... Confections! Five years later she became my business partner. She loves to take credit for every single decorated cookie and accepts every compliment as her own! We love each other. We went through college together, our internships in Houston together, and now we have a business together. I come in early before hours and Miranda comes in later in the day, so one of us is always here.”

Q:

Can you tell me about the chicken theme?

Q:

How do you like being located downtown?

A: “Many people ask us about our chicken cutout in our front flower bed and chicken theme throughout the shop. It’s actually an inside family joke going back to my fear of Guatemalan attack chickens. Literally! My entire family makes fun of my aversion to fowl. We use a lot of eggs and we sell a lot of chicken salad, which is my way of getting back at those beady-eyed deviant chickens.”

A: “We love our downtown family and the spirit of camaraderie. We’ve been in our location for six years now and could not do it without the loyalty of our customers.”

Q:

I love that you use real butter.

What made you decide that this was an important standard for Confections?

A: “We grew up baking and cooking with our mom and grandmothers, and real butter was everything ... and in everything. Mama put butter in everything from chicken noodle soup to spaghetti. We believe using high-quality ingredients will give us a high-quality product.”

Q:

What new delicious foods will you be offering in the near future?

A: “Soon, we will be offering gourmet-flavored popcorn as well. Due to popular demand, we will be bringing back our farmhouse cinnamon rolls and cheese danishes, as well as our freshly squeezed lemonade and sun teas to complement our delicious homemade soups, chicken croissants and gourmet grilled sandwiches.”

If you haven’t visited this little piece of heaven, don’t miss out. Confections’ new hours of operation are Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can find the bakery at 117 W. Shepherd Ave. Your taste buds won’t be sorry! charm june 2016

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Rolling Restaurants

A guide to East Texas food trucks

1. s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

anna Dean

T

he food truck revolution is spreading like wildfire all over the U.S. Lucky for our neck of the woods, the East Texas food truck scene is on the rise. Food trucks with creative and interesting foods are popping up all over Lufkin and surrounding cities. Many entrepreneurs are going the food truck route because it allows them flexibility and creativity to breathe new life into old food concepts. These food trucks are all about enthusiasm and adventure, traveling the roads to bring us the best food around.

So, whether you are in the mood for a Cuban sandwich, chorizo tacos or fried Oreos, the moveable eateries of East Texas are sure to make your belly happy.

Plus, there is something that is just plain fun about ordering from a truck.

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charm june 2016

2.

feature

6.

3.

4.

3.

1. JUNK FOOD JUNKIES This husband-and-wife duo travels all over East Texas to bring you the most delicious junk food around. Indulge in a world-famous Royers Cutie Pie with fresh-squeezed lemonade. Their fried Oreos and funnel cakes are sure to put you in a happy sugar coma.

And it’s all served from a renovated retro-style Airstream that is as cute as a button. Linda and Lynn will steal your hearts with their kind spirits and friendly service. They are located at The Nacogdoches Trade Days every month and will be at Vintage Market Days June 17-19. They are also now booking weddings!

Facebook: Junkfoodjunkies Instagram: Junkfoodjunkies

1.

2. TAQUERIA LEON Treat yourself to one of the best tacos in town at Taqueria Leon. This food truck is a local favorite among Lufkinites, and I can easily see why. All of their tacos are wrapped in two fresh corn tortillas, topped with onions and cilantro and garnished with fresh radishes. The owner says the most popular taco is the pastor. They also have quesadillas, burritos, gorditas, tortas and more. Just do yourself a favor and order one of everything.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Favorite spot: 600 Finley Ave., Lufkin (next to Sherwin Williams on Timberland Drive) Facebook: Taqueria Leon

2.

3. TAQUERIA VIEJO Taco Tuesday, anyone? Be greeted with a smile as you try one of Lufkin’s most tasty taquerias. Try a mouth-watering fajita taco, a chile rojo con huevo gordita or chicken quesadillas. The menu is loaded with flavorful options that your whole family will love. Taqueria Viejo also participates in food truck Sunday at Lufkin First Assembly.

Favorite spot: 802 N. Raguet St., Lufkin Facebook: Taqueria Viejo charm june 2016

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6.

4. SOMETHING DIFFERENT ISLAND CUISINE Experience something different at this incredible island cuisine food truck.Taste the sweet and spicy flavors of the island as you bite into a crab rangoon or an island short rib sandwich. Try a chicken empanada with a side of cucumber salad, or a bowl of pancit with a lumpia. Don’t forget to try their sun-kissed wings. I was blown away by the food and friendly service. Sit under a shade tree and enjoy a fried pie with a flavored water. Each dish is uniquely inspired by the owner’s home country of Guam and fused with its island flavors. There is truly something for everyone.

Hours: Open Monday through Saturday.

Breakfast, 8-10 a.m.; lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner, 5-9 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Favorite spot: 600 Finley Ave., Lufkin (next to Sherwin Williams on Timberland Drive) Facebook: Something Different Island Cuisine

5. SALS AND SAMS Sals and Sams was one of the first food trucks to hit the streets of Lufkin. For years, Jeff Rike has captured our appetites with his gourmet Mediterranean-style street food made with fresh ingredients.

This food truck quickly became a local favorite with items like gyros, hand-cut fries and old-school Philly cheesesteak.

We are happy to announce that Jeff will be starting a new journey in the culinary world. He is opening a full-service deli in his very own brick and mortar store.

Jeff has pioneered the way for so many.

We are so excited for him and what he will bring to our community.

Facebook: SalsandSams Hours and address to be announced.

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charm june 2016

1.

4.

6.

6. OLD SOULS If you want to experience a little bit of heaven, try Old Souls. Owners Tom and Ethan take old-time favorites to a new level and bring East Texas fresh and fun food ideas, from applejack grilled cheese sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, to brisket tacos. Try a sirloin steak sandwich with a side of bacon bombs and don’t forget to try their special sauce.

Grab a beer next door at the Big Thicket Brewery. Chow down on some delicious food, listen to live music and have a great time with some great folks in the friendly atmosphere of downtown Lufkin.

Hours:Thursday thru Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.. Saturday 3-10 p.m.

Favorite spot: West Shepard Avenue, Lufkin Texas Facebook: Oldsoulsfoodtruck Instagram: Oldsoulsfoodtruck

5.

Social media plays a big part in the success of the food truck boom. With the help of Twitter, Facebook and other media outlets, folks can find their favorite food trucks in just a few clicks.

Be sure to like and follow their pages to keep up with their whereabouts.

The next time you need your food truck fix, head on over to one of these amazing restaurants on wheels and support some of your local artisans.

Their passion and love for people and good food will inspire you.

Anna Dean is a wife, photographer, lifestyle blogger and dog mama. She’s an old soul with a love for Jesus, antiques and traveling. Follow her adventures at annadeanstudio. com/blog.

Email: annakrystinephotography@ gmail.com

Birthday parties & summer parties Carnival Games | Jousting Ring | Boxing Ring Hooley Ball | Basketball Shoot Popcorn | Cotton Candy | Snow Cones 510 E. Main Street in Downtown Nacogdoches

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936.657.1944

2160356 Beautiful two story 5BR/3.5BTH home situated on over 20 acres.

Gorgeous setting. Inground pool with swim up tiki bar, and hot tub, perfect for entertaining. The home has a well appointed floor plan. Beautiful kitchen with updated high end appliances, granite counter tops, farmhouse style sink and gorgeous custom cabinets.

Tile and hardwood throughout. 2BR 1BTH guest house and a 3,000 sq ft shop also on the premises. So many amenities for this $535,000 property.

c l i n e f a m i l y m e d i c i n e. c o m charm june 2016

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Preserving the summer bounty s t o ry b y

A

s East Texans begin to harvest the abundant fruit and vegetables of summer, the Extension office receives many questions about food preservation — especially canning. There is a long tradition of canning backyard bounty to provide wholesome, nutritious foods throughout the year. Unlike our grandparents, most of us no longer need to can to ensure survival. Rather, it’s done for the enjoyment, quality time with loved ones and, of course, the delicious end product.

No matter one’s reasons for preserving food, it is important to follow standard, tested procedures to ensure safety and quality. Unfortunately, there is much misinformation about canning that leads to food waste, illness or worse.

Plenty of people use food preservation techniques that are not endorsed by a

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Joel Redus

reliable source. They may say that it’s always been done that way and no one ever got sick. If that is the case, they have truly been lucky. Extension recommends only using research-based methods to minimize risk of food-borne illness.

Botulism is no joke, and mold and other pathogens in your canned goods are no fun either.

Here are a few tips for safe canning at home: Start with a clean preparation area and the freshest foods possible. Check jars for nicks and cracks. Make sure your equipment is clean and in good working order.

Always use a pressure canner when canning low-acid foods. This includes

most vegetables (except many tomato products), seafood, poultry and meat.

If using a pressure canner with a dial gauge, have it tested each year.

from farm to fork

There is a long tradition of canning backyard bounty to provide wholesome, nutritious foods throughout the year.

Always use tested recipes that have up-to-date, researched processing (canning) times. Reliable sources include USDA and Extension publications, manufacturers of canning equipment and the National Center for Home Food Preservation (http://nchfp.uga.edu/).

Do not alter ingredients in tested recipes, which can change the acidity and make the product unsafe. If you want extra onion in your salsa, just add it when serving, not before processing.

When filling jars, always use the correct headspace. Having too little or too much headspace can affect how the lid seals and the quality of the final product.

Avoid unsafe techniques, such as open kettle, steam or oven canning.

Open kettle canning involves heating the food to boiling, pouring it into the jars, applying lids and allowing the heat of the jar to cause the lid to seal. With this “how Granny always did it� method, the food is not heated adequately to destroy the spoilage organisms that can enter while filling the jar. It also does not produce a strong seal. This method is not safe! Processing jars in a boiling water bath or in a pressure canner drives air out of the jar and produces a strong vacuum seal.

Oven canning. Occasionally people ask about processing jars in the oven. They claim a friend or neighbor promotes it as

a simple method of canning. What they fail to understand is that oven heat is not the same as heat from a boiling water bath or from steam in a pressure canner.

First of all, jars are not designed to withstand oven temperatures and can break or even explode, causing injury from broken glass.

Secondly, dry heat is not comparable to the moist heat of a boiling water bath.

Processing in an oven will not heat the contents in the coldest part of the jar in the same way as boiling water.

Thirdly, oven heat will not increase the temperature inside the jar above boiling to be adequate to destroy botulism spores in low-acid foods. Only in the enclosed conditions of a sealed pressure canner will you be able to increase the internal temperature to 240 F. Oven canning is not recommended!

Canning the summer bounty can be a fun and rewarding experience. It’s important for people to have confidence to do it safely and effectively. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Angelina County will be hosting handson canning workshops on Monday, June 20, and July 18 at 6:30 p.m. At time of writing, location and additional details TBD. To participate or for more info, visit http://angelina.agrilife.org/events/ or call (936) 634-6414.

Joel Redus is a registered dietitian nutritionist and Extension agent for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Angelina County. He enjoys experimenting with growing and cooking food and exploring the outdoors with his wife, Michelle.

Contact: (936) 634-6414 x101 or joel.redus@ ag.tamu.edu. charm june 2016

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Cuckoo for Coconuts

s t o ry b y

Angela Larson

Coconuts are extremely versatile and offer many health benefits.

C

oconuts inspire images of sipping fruity drinks while lounging on the beach in the ocean breeze. (Yes, please.) And let me just say that I am cuckoo for coconuts.

They really are marvelous, delicious and versatile. Coconut products have been all the rage for a while from skincare to beverages, so let’s take a look at why people are going coconuts.

QUICK ENERGY SOURCE Coconut oil is about 90 percent saturated fat, so it will be solid at room temperature.

It is the highest natural food source of a special type of fat called mediumchain triglycerides, and this is important because that specific type of fat can bypass the normal digestive processes for fats (which can take a while) and

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get absorbed quickly and easily for fast energy. MCTs are actually converted to usable energy about as fast as sugars, so if you need a quick yet healthy pick-meup, reach for a little spoonful of coconut oil instead of that candy bar, lest you be “hangry.”

HEART HEALTHY Coconut oil is full of saturated fat, and yet, it seems to be amazingly heart healthy based on the available studies. In previous articles I’ve discussed that the hate train on saturated fat is probably less than warranted by science, but in the case of coconut oil, this seems to be especially true. It has been observed that cultures that eat abundant amounts of coconut oil tend to have less heart disease than us lesser coconut-ivores. It is also true that

coconut oil increases our good (HDL) cholesterol very effectively, which may be part of the reason it seems to be great for heart health. Another neat fact is that the fat composition of coconut oil likely reduces lipid peroxidation, which is a fancy term for damage to cholesterol particles. And damaged cholesterol particles are likely a leading cause of heart disease.

GERMAPHOBIC Coconut oil has been scientifically proven ability to kill, obliterate and annihilate several types of nasty bacteria, viruses and fungi. So eat it, rub it on your skin, bathe in it and make fruity drinks with it. Let’s stay germ-free, hydrated and happy (see aforementioned fruity drinks).

healthy living

ELECTROLYTE RICH Speaking of hydration, coconut water has reportedly even been used as an IV fluid in a pinch, because it is such a great source of electrolytes, not to mention B vitamins, vitamin C and the nifty muscle-supporting antioxidant arginine.

Instead of colorful, sugar and chemicalladen sports drinks, let’s imbibe the more natural and nutty alternative — coconut water. Plus, it’s just yummy.

ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE Coconut oil is full of healthy compounds called antioxidants, which are the body’s clean-up crew against all the damage daily life, toxic chemicals, junk food, sun damage, and evil alien invaders can do to the body. So just eat it.

VERSATILE For cooking, coconut oil is a great alternative to highly processed (and thus, unhealthy) vegetable oils. Refined coconut oil has no flavor and is a perfect substitute for vegetable and canola oil in any cooking and baking application.

Because of its heat stability and high smoke point, you can even use refined coconut oil for frying. Use the same amount of coconut oil as you would vegetable or canola oil required by any recipe. If liquefied oil is needed and your trusty jar of coconut oil has solidified, run your container of coconut oil under hot water for a minute and you’ll have liquid oil for easy measuring and cooking. Virgin coconut oil has higher levels of antioxidants and a coconut-y flavor which is great for cooking certain things. An energy-packed spoonful of virgin coconut oil can be a great addition to your morning smoothie. You can even use the same kind of virgin coconut oil on your skin as a nourishing lotion. Other

Coconuts are available in your local grocery store in a variety of forms.

purported uses of coconut oil include bug repellant, mild sun protectant and excellent slip-and-slide medium with the addition of a tarp and a water hose, though I haven’t personally investigated the scientific validity of those claims.

So, now that you know how great coconut is, you must be asking yourself, “Where can I get this glorious substance sent from above?” I’m glad you asked.

Coconut oil is available at most every grocery store now, usually in the same section as the other cooking oils and olive oil. The best type to choose is coldpressed, and make sure to check whether you are buying “refined” for a flavorless oil or “virgin” for a coconut-y flavored oil.

Coconut water, coconut milk, coconut

cream, unsweetened shredded coconut and coconut flakes are also available at most grocery stores and can always be found at your favorite health food store. In the world of healthy eating, it is prudent to remember to watch out — there are a lot of coconuts running around out there. In this case, that’s actually a good thing.

Angela Larson is a clinical dietitian representing Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin.

Food is her passion, so Angela loves trying new recipes and exploring the more holistic side of food and nutrition. She and her husband, Austin, have a 1-year-old daughter, Ava. Angela loves to cook and garden when she can find the time.

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Essential oils that can be used for cooking Oregano: great addition to pasta sauces, pizza and chili Basil: excellent in pesto or pasta dishes Cilantro: add to fresh salsa and pico de gallo

Cooking with essential oils s t o ry b y

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charm june 2016

skye page-smith

healthy living

I

love the idea of cooking with fresh herbs and spices. I once spent an entire afternoon preparing the cutest Pinterest-inspired kitchen display for some plants I purchased. It was going to be my personal herb garden.

Unfortunately, I did not inherit my mother’s green thumb, and nothing survived. My next option was fresh storebought herbs, but they were ruining before I could use them all. I didn’t want to give up on my endeavor, so I decided to do some research on cooking with essential oils. (I had already incorporated them into our home for medicinal purposes and for green cleaning.) In fact, I had a nice selection neatly organized on a butcher’s rack in my kitchen. (Handy for cooking, right?)

My research led me to a plethora of recipes and surprisingly only a few important tips you need to know before diving into the fun part of cooking and experimenting with flavor. The most important tip is that not all essential oils are created equal. Some contain fillers and additives that make them unsafe for internal consumption. So, make sure that you are cooking with a therapeuticgrade essential oil like doTerra. Essential oils are extremely flavorful and potent.

One drop of essential oils is equivalent to about two teaspoons of dried herbs.

Keep in mind that essential oils have an extremely long shelf life and will maintain their potency far longer than any dried herb or spice.

This leads me to tip No. 2 — it’s always

Spicy Balsamic Rosemary Beef Kabobs

Marinade: ½ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons pepper 2 drops rosemary essential oil Directions: Marinate beef. Then, alternate beef, purple onion, potatoes and mushrooms on a skewer. Apply more marinade and grill until done.

Source: Living Magazine

best to start out with less and add more to taste. Toothpick method: Dip the toothpick into the bottle and then stir into your dish. Do this until the desired flavor is reached. Everything else you need to know will come from practice and taste testing.

We love to grill outdoors during the summer months and are always looking for quick and easy recipes that the entire family can enjoy. Summers are even better with an ice cold smoothie to beat the heat.

Skye Page-Smith is a Lufkin native, wife and a boy mom. Skye is passionate about incorporating essential oils into everyone’s homes as a tool for obtaining physical and

Waldorf Salad

Ingredients: 5 apples, medium diced 5 ounces celery, small diced 4 ounces walnuts, coarsely chopped 2/3 cup mayo or plain Greek yogurt 7 drops lemon essential oil Directions: Combine all above ingredients; serve.

Source: Chef Prososki, C.E.C. and corporate doTerra chef

Tropical Smoothie

Ingredients: 2 cups frozen tropical fruit mix 1 ½ cups pineapple juice 5 drops wild orange essential oil Directions: Mix in a blender; serve and enjoy.

mental wellness. She believes in a world where holistic and modern health modalities merge to create a complementary approach to health. You can follow Skye on her public Facebook page @Texas Oil Chik. Please email her for a schedule of classes, questions or comments at skyesmith10@yahoo.com. charm june 2016

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Charming recipe

Southern Barbecue Father’s Day Ribs Ingredients: 4 pounds baby back pork ribs 2/3 cup water 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1 cup ketchup 1 cup water 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup prepared mustard 4 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1/8 teaspoon salt Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place ribs in two 10-by-15-inch roasting pans. Pour water and red wine vinegar into a bowl, and stir. Pour diluted vinegar over ribs and cover with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Baste the ribs with their juices halfway through cooking.

2. In a medium saucepan, mix together ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, butter, brown sugar, hot pepper sauce and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer barbecue sauce for 1 hour.

3. Preheat grill for medium heat.

4. Lightly oil preheated grill. Transfer ribs from the oven to the grill, discarding cooking liquid. Grill over medium heat for 15 minutes, turning ribs once. Baste ribs generously with barbecue sauce, and grill 8 minutes. Turn ribs, baste again with barbecue sauce and grill 8 minutes.

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charm june 2016

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s t o ry b y

stephanie stevens

photos by

B

Bohemian Abode

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charm june 2016

jackie Ray

ehind Larry Bruce Gardens café in Kennard sits a house owned by Larry and Sara Bruce. Most pass by without stopping to glance at the house hidden among the thick hedge, herbs and plants, but the ones who do find a hidden oasis.

But it was with hard work that the Bruces’ oasis was created.

The Bruces moved into their house in 1992 to raise their two children. The house, complete with an office and spare bedroom, used to belong to Larry’s grandparents, Pole and Hazel Currie.

“Larry’s the seventh generation on this land,” Sara said. “This house goes back to the 1800s. We don’t use it much anymore because of our add-on.”

Their 2,000-foot add-on, or master suite, is their home away from home.

They started building it in 2000 and moved into it in 2004, paying for it as they went.

It’s essentially composed of a large room with a gallery, connecting it to the original house, making their entire house 3,500 square feet.

Walking into the master suite, one passes through a red door with black trim into a wide area with blacks and reds, highlighting the theme colors in their bohemian abode.

“They are passionate colors,” Sara said.

“I love passion and think that if you are going to do anything, you should have a passion for it. This was just a dream come true. Because to raise two kids in that small house with one bathroom, to have this much space, is just amazing.”

The doors open to a 100-year-old black grand piano sitting in the center.

To the left of the door rests a handmade four-poster Indonesian imported king-size bed. Indian saris are draped across the bed posters.

The Bruces collect special chandeliers.

The living room is accented with silk pillows and beaded blankets.

Deep red and black colors flow throughout the house.

The walk-in closet is spacious and organized.

Michelangelo’s Pieta statue.

The 100-year-old grand piano is the centerpiece of the Bruces’ abode.

charm june 2016

61

The gardens around the house are landscaped by Larry, who has a landscaping company, Larry Bruce Gardens. He wanted to create an English cottage-styled garden and grew hedges from cuttings. The giant tree is an oak tree, planted by his grandparents.

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charm june 2016

Charmed Living

Several pineapple chandeliers hang from the ceilings. Dark curtains hang over 6-by-8-foot and 3-by-8foot windows. Candles, essentials oil diffusers, and Christ paintings and statues are scattered throughout the house.

“This bedroom is our favorite place to be,” Sara said. “This is where we spend all our evening hours, where we recuperate from each day. So it’s very special to us.”

Past the bed are a silk couch and an 8-foot oriental screen dividing the bedroom from the bathroom. In the bathroom, shrouded in dim colors, a black-tiled Jacuzzi tub sits in the corner.

Steaming water pours from a red faucet with red handles. Light flickers from two ornate candlesticks, each a foot high, holding up 12-inch layered dark red candles.

Black countertops on wooden cabinets are built in with his and her sinks and mirrors, along with lamps.

Behind a curtain is a 7-by-7-foot tiled walk-in shower.

Past the bathing area is a walk-in closet, 16 by 30 feet. The center holds a table and chairs, but the floor-to-ceiling shelving and closet rods grab your eyes.

Ceiling track lights shine down on shoe racks, hanging rods and shelf space. A full-length mirror rests against the wall Larry and Sara Bruce pose under the oak tree.

Tobi, 3-year-old cocker spaniel.

on the left so every outfit can be fully appraised.

The washer and dryer sit in the corner near oak linen cabins. Another 8-by-3foot window lets in light.

Dark stained concrete flows through the area along with stained Southern pine walls. Larry’s father-in-law, Mack Steve, had a saw mill in Kennard and cut the boards for them.

Back near the front door, to the right of the piano, are a couch and recliner stationed in front of a flat-screen TV, entertainment center and wet bar.

Everything is draped with silk pillows and beaded blankets.

Handmade Persian rugs weave through the stained cement into the gallery. The 52-foot gallery with concrete steps was created to connect the add-on to the original house. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with pictures and tall windows to let in light.

“It’s our resort,” Sara said. “We can’t travel and so that was our goal, to make it all here so we don’t have to go anywhere.

You get excited about staying in a new hotel room; well, I wanted the best one.

I had a picture of a room in Hotel ZaZa and based our room off of that.”

Outside the front door is a 40-by20-foot saltwater pool. The pool is

surrounded by tile from Saltillo, Mexico, with a black fence. The Bruces plan to rent out the 8-foot-deep saltwater pool for private parties in the summer. A grill is on the side of the pool and Larry plans to put a big stone oven next to the grill to make breads and pizza.

They are working on two guesthouses as well, one roomed with a big Jacuzzi on the back of it.

It’s just an ongoing process,” she said.

“I’ve never been able to find a quitting place.”

She said they put in all this effort because it’s just the way they are wired.

“We just can’t stop,” she said. “There’s always something next to do. Whatever you put in is what you get out of it.”

Her favorite part about the house: “It’s family land,” Sara said.

“I knew his grandparents real well when I was a teenager and fell in love with them. “It’s special to me to have raised my kids here.”

The Bruces will celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary this month.

“It’s been a blessing to be here on this property where his family has been for generations and to raise our children here, and to hopefully spend the rest of our lives here,” Sara said. “It’s exciting, and I couldn’t think of any other place I’d want to live than here. This is home.”

The front of the Bruces’ home.

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Tips for taking your pet to the vet s t o ry b y

W

ith four dogs, two cats, one horse, plus a rotating number of foster animals, I end up at the veterinarian’s office more than I, or my pets, would like.

I’ve dealt with everything from routine shots and heartworm checks, to emergencies, including seizures and broken bones.

Although all my pets are mixed-breed rescues, they sure have become highdollar animals.

My dogs, especially, used to always make me look bad at the vet. I swear they’re normally good dogs. Then again, that’s what all dog moms say.

Scooby, normally the friendliest dog around, gets an attitude every time — especially when having his toenails trimmed. It just doesn’t cut it for him. He always ends up in a muzzle.

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charm june 2016

kimberly squyres wagner

Jake is my 13-year-old big baby — literally. And although he tries to be, he’s definitely too big to be a lap dog. He gets so anxious that it’s almost more of a health hazard for him to go to the vet than not go.

We’re talking borderline hyperventilation.

Josie, my beautiful border collie, gets scared and pees everywhere, even on the vet. It’s more like a beautiful disaster.

And, of course, Joey (now affectionately known as “the Jerk”) apparently just wanted attention one time, because after limping for two days, I booked him an appointment and instead of being the pathetic creature he had been, he runs circles in the waiting room, barking joyously.

But, with all of these vet visits, I’ve learned a lot about proper vet etiquette and anxiety-coping strategies to avoid a catastrophe at the vet, and actually have a

doggone good time.

It just takes a little training for both pets and their people. Mine certainly aren’t perfect, but we’re working on it.

So, whether you have a terrified terrier or a little scaredy cat, try these simple tips and tricks next time you’re visiting the vet.

BE MINDFUL Pay attention to how your pet is communicating with others. Are they a Reactive Rover or Hissy Fit Kitty?

Sometimes, simply staring can set off a bad chain reaction. And never let your pet run up to another animal, regardless of whether you think your pet is acting in a harmless manner. It may scare them or they make react defensively, even to a innocent sniff. Always watch your pet and keep your distance from others.

Animal friends

I’ve learned a lot about proper vet etiquette and anxietycoping strategies to avoid a catastrophe at the vet.

MAKE IT FUN Do something fun before and after going to the vet’s office. This way, your pet won’t develop anxiety when you try to get him in the car. Go to the dog park or get them some tater tots from Sonic. (Tater tots probably aren’t recommended by most vets, but it works for my dogs.)

TIMING IS EVERYTHING Don’t get there too early and make your pet sit and wait longer than he has to. If there is going to be a delay, ask if you can wait outside and be called in when it is your turn. But of course, out of courtesy, don’t be late.

CHANNEL NERVOUS ENERGY Take them for a walk, let them do their business (there’s a reason most vet offices don’t have expensive landscaping) or play a game of fetch outside. Let them let loose (but on leash, of course) and shake out the nerves beforehand.

COMFORT Bring their favorite blanket or mat and get on their level by sitting on the floor with them so they can be comfortable. Play soothing music for them on your phone or bring a brush and take the time to massage and groom them.

DISTRACTION Bring their favorite toy (but don’t initiate play around other animals) and play games, or bring some treats and work on teaching them tricks.

BODY LANGUAGE If you keep a tight leash or use a highpitched voice to “baby talk” to your pet, you may be causing more harm than good. Instead, stay relaxed and use low, soothing tones. If you’re stressed, your pet will be too.

So, next time Fido or Fluffy needs a trip to the vet, don’t fret about it; just remember these seven heavenly tips that will help your pet actually enjoy the vet. They’re tested tried and true by my muttley crew, so I hope they also work for you.

Kimberly Squyers Wagner is a local animal advocate and lecturer and director of debate at Stephen F. Austin State University. She can be reached at kimberlysquyres@hotmail.com.

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67

Animal rescue Editor’s note: In order to help homeless pets in the Lufkin and Nacogdoches area, Charm East Texas’ animal rescue page features pets that are in desperate need of loving homes. If you are a rescue that has a pet to feature, please contact us at charm@lufkindailynews.com. Please limit your submissions to one pet per issue.

Beethoven is an unusual combination of American Bulldog and Kuvasz. His big, goofy grin says he’s a happy dog who greets everybody with an all-over wag. He loves attention and plays with his Kong toy like a puppy. He sits, lies down and kennels on command. He walks well on a leash and is crate trained. He behaves well around other dogs while on lead, but is dominant off lead, particularly with other males, so we recommend that he be the only dog in the home. This big teddy bear loves children and is highly affectionate; he will make a great family pet. Please contact adopt@stfrancisrescuenac.com.

Beethoven

Prim is a 2-year-old black lab/Plott hound mix. She’s very sweet toward people, a little shy and very calm.

She has mastered leash walking in just two days. She would be great for a family with kids. She does need to be the only dog; she was found as a stray in the woods and has had to fight off other dogs in the past just to survive. She’s been spayed and had all her shots. For more information, please contact Stihl Saving Paws at stihlsavingpaws@yahoo.com or call (936) 465-0020.

Bessie is a sweet 3-year-old Boxer mix that loves her toys, playing with kids and most other dogs, too.

It only takes $80 to make her a part of your family.

She has been spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and given her rabies shot. Visit the Winnie Berry Humane Society of Angelina County, at 1102 N. John Redditt Drive in Lufkin, to play with Bessie from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except from noon to 1. Call the society at (936) 639-1880, visit its Facebook page or go to winnieberry.org.

Prim

Bessie

Nigel

Nigel, a gray and white tabby, and his sister Black Pearl, a domestic shorthair black cat, were the only two survivors of their litter. The mama cat had mastitis and the kittens slowly starved before they were rescued.

In a little over a week, they went from weighing 4 ounces each to 13 and 14 ounces. Both of these cats have a very strong will to live and love. For more information, please visit petfinder.com, search under Nacogdoches and look for O’Malley Cat Organization.

Black Pearl

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s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

Cyndy aldred

DIY Watercolor Art

I

want to share a very easy DIY abstract watercolor art technique that is a great way to create your own frame-worthy art.

If you’ve never painted before artistically, or with watercolors, don’t worry — I’m going to walk you through the simple steps. This abstract watercolor technique is an easy way to incorporate your colors into beautiful art.

When it comes to painting artistically, the best way to get started is just to play.

Even if you think you’re not creative, trust me, you can do this and you will surprise yourself. If you have the right tools and good paint/watercolors, you’re halfway there.

The great news is you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great set of watercolors. I use two different sets of paints at two different price points. If you’ve never used watercolors before and don’t want to spend a lot, all you need is a fantastic set by Loew Cornell that is only $5.99 from Amazon.

I have used these paints for years. I

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love this set because the colors are more subtle. I prefer for my watercolors to be more soft but still richly pigmented, and this set is perfect for that. I also use these amazing Japanese watercolors from Kuretake that have strong pigmentation and incredible colors. The set that I use is $23.88 from Amazon. If you really want to get into watercolor painting, I recommend getting both sets because the Kuretake set is limited on colors like pinks and lime greens; I use both sets together most of the time.

Any paintbrush will work that says it can be used for watercolors. For this project, you will need a large, round brush (No. 16) and a No. 6 small round.

If you don’t have a good set of brushes, a great set by Marrywindix is $8.99 on Amazon. With nine brushes, it has what you’ll need for this project.

I recommend playing and getting your technique down on cheap craft paper and even children’s white construction paper.

The cheap paper will curl because it’s not meant for watercolors, but watercolor

paper is more expensive. You’ll want to master your technique before you begin using watercolor paper.

Not all watercolor papers are created equal. The best ones to use for framing and creating art should be around 140 pounds/300 grams per square meter, or else it will curl. My favorite is a pad of 30 from Canson because it’s such a good price at $7.99 on Amazon. I cut the paper in half for projects I’m going to frame.

Although I’m going to walk you through the steps I took to make these particular designs, I really encourage you to play and explore with your watercolors. You will see that you can veer off and create your own designs and layout once you get comfortable, and you can pick your best stuff for framing.

To get started, you’ll want to think about your color palette. For these paintings, I like to use about four or five colors. You will need a dark color like black, gray or navy to contrast and use for your circles.

If you just want to do circles, use your brush like a pencil and go as fast as you can in a circular motion. I like to push down more on my brush on the first layers, so they are thicker, and then switch colors and finish with more precise lines by using the tip of my brush. You can always go back again if you want to finish a circle or you can leave it as a half.

When you’re finished, let the pieces dry overnight and then they’ll be ready for framing. I like to use oversize white mats with smaller squares in the middle for watercolors. I think the negative space with the art is such a stunning combination.

Painting with watercolors is so fun and relaxing. Even better, you can create some great art for your home.

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There are two ways you can begin.

You can either just do circles in different colors with different-size brushes, or you can create a watercolor background for your circles by taking your large No. 16 brush and swiping on color. To do background swipes, get your brush wet in water and circle around in the color that you want to use.

There are two things you need to know about using watercolors. First, the less water you use, the stronger the color pigmentation will be. For the background, you’ll want it soft/faint and less pigmentation. Use a lot of water to dampen your color. The second important thing to know when using watercolors is the more you push down on your brush, the thicker your lines/ strokes will be. So for the background, you’ll want to swipe using the whole brush. To get that wispy trailing-off look where your start and stop your paint, use the brush like you’re sweeping the floors — fast sweep.

In another sample, I pushed down a little harder on my brush, so the lines are thicker. I also used very little water, which is why the color is so bold. You can do one large circle in the middle or smaller circles to begin with.

Next, I switched to gray and used more water to make the color softer and I used more of the tip of my brush for more narrow/precise lines. I did this in the center to fill in that negative space.

Another thing I did was to go alongside the black in areas to add more depth, and I added a swipe of brown.

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Address Plaza Chestnut Phone Number 1508 S. Chestnut St. • Lufkin Business Hours 936.632.1525 M-F 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Sat. 10 am – 4 pm Lufkin Merle Norman Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931.

R E S I Z I N G A N D C U S TO M I Z I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S A clear zone of 1/2 the height of the logo must be maintained as shown below.

No text or graphic elements can appear in this clear zone. Logo and tagline may not be stretched or manipulated in any way.

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Featured artist

Barbara Richert watercolor artist s t o ry b y

stephanie stevens

W

ater runs across the page, bleeding bright slashes of red into bold cyan hues and sharp teals. The artist mixes the colors to create unique patterns and textures in order to make those small details visible to the viewer.

That’s why local realistic artist Barbara Richert paints.

“I think I can see things other people don’t see,” she said. “Some people just don’t see things, and I want to let people see the world the way I see it.

“Do you know why the mountains look blue and the grass right in front of you is yellow/green? Most people say, ‘No, I never noticed it.’ Well, yellow is a short wavelength and dissipates so you can see it from the close-up grass. Blue is the longest wavelength, so you see that from the faraway mountains, but not the yellows because it has dissipated before it gets to your eyes.”

There is so much to love about art, Richert said; she doesn’t think she could ever get enough of it.

Richert hasn’t always painted, though.

She was born in New York, she said, but has lived in Texas long enough to say “y’all.” The Canandaigua, New York, native studied at the Slade School of Art at the University of London as a foreign exchange student. She received an undergraduate degree in printmaking from Penn State University in 1970, but said she couldn’t make a living from that.

So she earned a master’s degree in finance and worked in the corporate

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Barbara Richert paints in her downtown Lufkin studio on the second floor of the Heritage Antique Store.

Photo by Jackie Ray

world for 25 years in Dallas. She then opened and ran a scratch bakery and café called Winnsboro Bakery and Grill for 10 years in Winnsboro, but something still seemed to be missing.

“I always said when I retire, I will do my art,” Richert said.

At the age of 61, she sold her bakery

and moved to Lufkin, where she happily retired to meet up with her first love — art.

Over the last 10 years of her retirement, she has worked in charcoal, pastel and ink, creating Japanese calligraphy, manga art, doodles, sketches and paintings. But watercolor remains her favorite medium.

Clockwise from top left: “Hummer” in watercolor, “Tunas” in watercolor, “Hydrangeas” in watercolor and “Mimosa Blossom” in watercolor.

“I’ve been doing watercolor for two years now,” Richert said. “I travel a lot, and pastels are too messy to travel with and preserve. I like watercolors the best because I’m still learning and it’s a challenge.”

To date, she has created around 300 watercolor pieces.

She described her style as realistic and nature-oriented; her favorite things to paint are birds, flowers and trees.

“For some reason I don’t do shadows.

I’m solely interested in the subject and not so much the lighting around it,” she said. “When I’m painting, I’m always thinking, is it enough water or too much? What colors should I use here?

How am I going to make these clouds loose? There’s so much to think about.”

She works in her studio/gallery in the Heritage Antiques and Art Galleries in downtown Lufkin, on 110 W. Burke Ave. She invited people to come down to visit and see her artwork on display.

The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Many original 12-by-16-inch paintings hanging in her gallery sell for $50 each in the mat with acetate sleeves and for $20 in only the acetate sleeves.

She said she has enjoyed volunteering as an art teacher at Anderson and Dunbar schools and at PineCrest for Alzheimer’s patients. During art camp at the Museum of East Texas, you can find her up to her elbows in paint, teaching children and adult classes.

Richert also teaches children/adult art classes and individuals at her studio. She charges $20 a session for children, which is about an hour and a half long. She provides the supplies.

“I was really excited because two of my students entered the Lufkin Art Guild show and won first place in their division in the watercolor category,” she said. “There is so much to learn about art. It’s unending and each day I unfold something new and exciting.”

To set up an art class or inquire about paintings, contact Richert at (903) 588-5322.

For more information, or to buy Richert’s artwork printed on canvases, shower curtains, phone cases and more, visit barbararichert.com. charm june 2016

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Sometimes 1 Bandage Just Isn’t Enough!

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Depression is [and so are the solutions.]

Millions of Americans deal with depression. But its symptoms are sometimes more subtle than other illnesses. Is your loved one persistently sad or irritable? Has he lost interest in things he used to enjoy? Is she constantly tired but can’t sleep well?

We can help. Call Burke at 936-634-5010 to make an appointment, or visit myBurke.org/REAL to learn more.

IF YOU’RE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, CALL BURKE’S 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE AT 1-800-392-8343.

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104 S. FirSt St. (936) 637-1084

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her soul captivated with the simplicity of the wild...

photos by

jackie ray

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charm june 2016

Left Meredith models a pink dress.

Available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Lufkin. Makeup and hair provided

by Bella Salon and Boutique in Lufkin.

Above Beaded iridescent tassel necklace. Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin. Opal earrings.

Available at Miss McGillicuddy’s in Diboll. Pink and gold stone bracelet. Available at Miller’s Point in Nacogdoches. Above right Brooke models a blue dress with cut-out detail.

Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin. Right Taupe dress. Available at The Loft in Lufkin. Green and gold stone necklace. Available at Spring and Prince in Nacogdoches. Silk scarf hand dyed by Adell Becker.

charm june 2016

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Above left Dulce wears pink earrings.

Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin. Yellow tank. Available at Miss McGillicuddy’s in Diboll. Above Stone bracelet and Daniel Wellington leather watch. Available at Miller’s Point in Nacogdoches. Left Lacey models a white dress with cut-out detail. Available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Lufkin.

Right Dulce models a maroon tie-dye layered dress. Available at Spring and Prince in Nacogdoches.

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she somehow seemed to find herself within the whisper of the trees...

charm june 2016

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and the humming of the birds...

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Right Lacey wears a light blue tank and cobalt blue shorts.

Available at Miller’s Point in Nacogdoches.

Left Dulce models a blue halter dress. Available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Lufkin. Above Meredith models a green tie-dye button-down top. Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin.

Teal maxi skirt. Available at House of Traditions in Nacogdoches.

Left Lacey wears a light blue tank and cobalt blue shorts.

Available at Miller’s Point in Nacogdoches. Brooke models a light blue dress with cut-out detail. Available at Renee’s at the Red Door in Lufkin.

Left Meredith models a lavender lace dress.

Available at Miss McGillicuddy’s in Diboll.

Right Meredith models a green maxi. Available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Lufkin

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Lacey models a colorful bohemian maxi. Available at The Loft in Lufkin.

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2601 S. John Redditt, Lufkin • (936) 639-2311 • southlandfcu.com • Se Habla Español charm june 2016

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Kaitlyn & Taylor jackie ray photos by

fashion flash

Editor’s note: This cute couple was shopping at Target in Lufkin and we couldn’t help noticing their quirky style. We asked them to be this month’s Fashion Flash and they said yes. I hope you enjoy their answers as much as I did.

Kaitlyn Occupation/school: Sales associate at American Eagle and The Children’s Place.

Define your style: My style is very dependent on my mood. One day I’m head-to-toe lace and tulle.

The next, I’m all leather and motorcycle boots.

Favorite places to shop: GUESS, Altar’d State, ModCloth, American Eagle and Target.

Best places to snap a fashion bargain: American Eagle.

Your dream fashion purchase: A Boda Skins Kay Michaels quilted biker jacket (in pink with platinum hardware).

Tell me about what you were wearing that day: A white crop top from American Eagle, checkered picnic skirt from ModCloth and Mossimo Supply Co. heels from Target.

Favorite designer: Coco Chanel.

Celebrity wardrobe you would love to raid: Grace Kelly and Zooey Deschanel.

What inspires you: Black-and-white films, art, nature, different eras and cultures, and everything posted on lookbook.nu.

Tell me something random about yourself: If I could dress in costume every day I would. I think that’s why I’ve always liked Halloween so much. I really love dressing up.

Taylor Occupation/school: Forklift operative at Atkinson Candy Company.

Define your style: It’s very mix-matched. I like pairing interesting patterns and textures together when choosing an outfit.

Favorite places to shop: Zumiez, American Eagle, Hollister, Vans and Target.

Best places to snap a fashion bargain: American Eagle.

Your dream fashion purchase: A collection of bolo ties.

Tell me about what you were wearing that day: Obey beanie, LRG paddle button-up, Empyre Skeletor jeans and red, low-top, gum sole Van’s.

Favorite designer: Neil Barrett.

Celebrity wardrobe you would love to raid: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dallas Green.

What inspires you: Earlier men’s fashion from about the ’40s to the ’60s, nature, textures and different cultures.

Tell me something random about yourself: I never used to indulge in fashion or really explore my style until very recently. I’ve become a picky shopper and, more often than not, leave stores empty-handed. I want my closet to really define my taste now as opposed to when my closet was strictly skinny jeans and flannels.

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A bad day in the life of a...

Editor’s note: How many of you work or have ever worked in the customer or public service industry?

I’m sure everyone can recall at least one occasion where they received terrible service from an inattentive waiter, an angry store clerk or a rude police officer.

Have you ever stopped to consider that you may have just encountered this person on their worst day? I’m sure all of us can remember at least one occasion when we gave a poor tip to a waiter for equally inadequate service.

What if the mediocre service you received pales in comparison to the reason behind the unsatisfactory performance? As such, what if a generous offering, or any small gesture of kindness, was the best thing that happened to that person all day, or all week, for that matter?

No one should condone poor customer service in any industry, but we should all promote compassion in every walk of life.

In the next six issues of Charm, you will find a new series that dives deeper into this concept. In this series, “A Bad Day in the Life of,” we will get to hear firsthand stories from local members of the service industry who are guilty of having a bad day.

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waitress

B

etween tending to three tables at a time, keeping orders straight and balancing trays piled with food — all while connecting with customers — restaurant servers have a lot on their plate.

D. Sisente began serving at Olive Garden in Lufkin last August and works between 12 and 25 hours a week. She’s a single mother of three, with two kids in college, and she juggles her home life with work and school, as she’s a full-time nursing student at Angelina College.

“It can be pretty stressful at times,” Sisente said. “My income at Olive Garden is very important because without that, I would not be able to make it. I don’t get any kind of assistance from the government.”

Sisente is on track to graduate from AC next May. She’s already a licensed paramedic and firefighter, but a civil service law in the city of Lufkin prevented her from finding a job as a firefighter because she’s past the age of 36; she didn’t know about the restriction until a month before she graduated with that degree in 2006.

“I’ve been a paramedic for 10 years now, and the experience that I’ve gained on the truck will definitely help me in my nursing career,” she said. “I love the emergency aspect of it, and my hope is to become an emergency room or a flight nurse. So I didn’t really waste 10 years; I just didn’t have the opportunity to put it to good use the way I planned originally.”

Like Sisente, many Olive Garden employees are college students who did not have a lifelong ambition to work as servers, she said. Some of them work 30 hours a week to pay for a full course load, and they make time to study to keep their grades up.

“Most of us, even though we’re doing this right now for a living, this is not what we want to do for the rest of our life,” she said. “The majority of us have a career goal that has absolutely nothing to do with serving food. It might be service in another area; it might be customer service in sales. One of the girls is going to be working for Disney World, so will she be serving breadsticks? No. But it’s going to be customer service. It’s just

feature

s t o ry b y

Vicky Camarillo anna dean

photos by

going to be in an area she loves and that she dreamed of since she was a little girl.”

Unlike other employees’ wages, a large part of servers’ wages comes from tips.

However, Sisente said, some customers don’t understand the importance of giving servers an adequate tip.

Servers also have to give a percentage of their tips to bussers and bartenders, regardless of whether the servers pre-bussed the tables or whether the customers ordered an alcoholic drink.

Plus, some customers don’t seem to realize there’s more to servers’ jobs than bringing out food, or that the guests’ table is one of three being served by one person.

“As much as I would love for them to

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D. Sisente is a server at Olive Garden in Lufkin as well as a mother of three and a full-time nursing student at Angelina College.

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D. Sisente, a server at Olive Garden in Lufkin, said she loves working for the restaurant because it’s student-friendly and she loves the food.

believe they’re the only three tables on the planet, they’re not,” she said. “We have an entire restaurant, and a lot of times when it’s really busy and really crowded, it gets kind of hectic. Somebody’s order might get mixed up ... or I might get in a hurry and I might get the orders wrong because somebody asked for something special. Example: They might want to substitute a fettucine for spaghetti on a Tour (of Italy). If I don’t key that in right, the kitchen doesn’t know. If the kitchen doesn’t know, then they’re going to make it wrong. And if they make it wrong, then that’s going to add time, and it’s just kind of a domino effect.”

Although the servers love to take care of their guests and want them to be satisfied, she said, making extra requests or changes to menu items will take a little more time.

Her advice to customers: Be patient.

“Unfortunately for that table that wants a special order, the other two tables might be ordering straight off the menu, and they don’t understand why things are taking so long and why I can’t stop everything and come answer their question,” Sisente said. “And that’s fine — we want them to feel like they’re the only ones, but that’s not reality.”

Inevitably, because the job relies on constant interaction, sometimes bad experiences in other aspects of her life might bleed into her work, she said.

“I’m human just like everybody else,” she said. “If I have a rough day at school, or if I have a sick kid, or my personal life is not 100 percent great, then there’s always the chance that I might carry that over with me, unfortunately, to work. You try to leave it at the door, but if you come in and you have that one table that, whatever you do, they’re not happy and you’ve already had a bad day, table No. 2 might end up getting the brunt of it.”

She said she’s experienced the gamut of negative and positive experiences with customers. One that she remembered fondly was a night when she was serving two tables, one with four girls and one with five college baseball players.

“Come to find out that the girls were too young for the guys, but I didn’t know, so I was like, ‘Hey, girls, how old are y’all?’” Sisente said. “And they told me they were only 17, and I was like, ‘Oh, never mind, y’all stay away from that table over there because that’s a bunch of college boys. I was trying to find y’all prom dates or something.’ And

they started laughing.

“Well, they ended up leaving me the sweetest note on the back of the receipt that they loved me, that I was awesome, and that they were going to take a look at the boys on the way out or something like that. It was really cute. The guys had a good sense of humor.”

And servers love that kind of interaction, Sisente said.

“We like feedback,” she said. “Even if we’re doing something wrong, we would rather you say, ‘Look, here’s the deal. Obviously, you’re having a bad day.

We came here to eat; this wasn’t the best experience we’ve had.’ At that point, I’m going to get my manager because we want them to come back. Now maybe I can fix it, maybe I can do something to make my next table better.”

Sisente said that if something goes wrong in a restaurant, the blame shouldn’t fall solely on the server.

“There’s a lot of other people involved in getting that order right,” she said. “There’s a lot of steps to taking somebody’s order, getting it to the kitchen and getting it to the table. It’s not that simple. If they think it is, maybe they should take a walk in our shoes for a day.” charm june 2016

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Where Big Bend and starry skies meet

The view from Texas 17 heading toward Fort Davis, Texas. s t o ry a n d p h o t o s b y

I

jackie ray

’ve always known there was something magical about West Texas. Not because I had personally spent much time there, but because growing up I was surrounded by my dad’s Western landscapes. My dad is Charlie Becker, an artist here in East Texas, and many of his paintings depict the mountains of Big Bend, or dilapidated rusted cars abandoned in the desert.

So here I was West Texas bound and my dad was my traveling companion.

The cool thing about Charlie Becker is he has seen most of Texas, photographed it and painted it. There isn’t much left in this larger-than-life state that he hasn’t seen. He is an awesome travel guide

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and knower of all things Texas historyrelated. We had a few destinations — some I wanted to see for the first time, and some Dad wanted to revisit. We also found some great places to stop along the way.

The first stop was one of my favorites.

I highly recommend traveling through Texas in April. Not only is the weather mild and breezy, but the flowers are out in full bloom. The highway is lined with Jackson Pollock-like splatters of classic Texas wildflowers.This is what we viewed as we made our way to Fredericksburg.

Red corn poppy flowers fill huge fields in Fredericksburg this time of year.

We stopped at Becker Vineyards to take in the beautiful scenery and

Big Bend National Park is covered with blooming ocotillo plants.

Charlie Becker in Marfa, Texas, wearing his 25-yearold cowboy hat.

A purple prickly pear cactus is blooming at Big Bend National Park.

The desert is full of the softest pastel colors I’ve ever seen. The sky was this deep blue and the clouds were huge puffs of white just spread out across the endless sky. to try some amazing Texas-made wine. This particular winery is among many in Fredericksburg, but this one is our favorite. We also visited the Fredericksburg Brewery, which is located on the main drag in Fredericksburg.

They have some amazing pizza and we had to give the beer a try. I highly recommend both spots on your way to West Texas. The winery is a great place to stretch your legs, and the brewery has amazing food and a fun atmosphere.

After a great lunch and about two hours later, we were westward bound again. Dad decided to take me to a few places where he had found some amazing things to paint in the past. One of those places was Marathon, Texas.

You know you’ve arrived because an

old weathered building says Marathon in huge white blocky letters. In front is a junkyard with some old rusty cars.

As we walked around, my dad said, “I painted this car. Do you remember it?” It took me a minute to remember, but as I looked around, I realized that I had seen this all before. It was surreal standing in a real-life Charlie Becker painting.

We also visited the Gage Hotel in Marathon (gagehotel.com). The hotel was built in 1926 and has a rich West Texas history. Many people traveled to this region to relax and recharge among the beautiful landscape and the amazing sunsets.

The next day we visited the city of Terlingua. My dad was really excited to visit this little town, and as soon as

we arrived, I knew why. The view was breathtaking. As we arrived we took these tan dusty roads along small rolling hills. Our first stop was the Trading Post. It sits atop a hill overlooking the Big Bend National Park. As we sat and drank our Coronas, my dad told me all about the mercury mines that the Mexicans worked at in the town years ago. Apparently mining quicksilver was a dangerous job and many men lost their lives. All that’s left now of the mining structures are dilapidated rock houses that they now call The Ghost Town.They are scattered along the roads and there are some larger crumbling structures if you follow a few small roads past the post. After sitting and looking out on the rolling landscape, I started to fall in love with the color palette in this area. The desert is full of the softest pastel colors I’ve ever seen. The sky was this deep blue and the clouds were huge puffs of white just spread out across the endless sky. charm june 2016

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Santa Elena Canyon in the Big Bend National Park.

DAYTRIPPER The Ghost Town in Terlingua, Texas, consists of ruins left of the Chisos Mining Co.

As for accommodations, there are some great places to stay in Terlingua. The options include campgrounds, teepees, RVs or hotel rooms. I highly recommend visiting this understated town.

Once our beer was gone and we had visited some of the crumbling houses, we headed out to the Big Bend National Park. I was excited about visiting Santa Elena Canyon specifically. My dad had painted this canyon a few years ago.

First off, the painting was huge and magnificent. The canyon was pastel purple with touches of tan and green. A river ran through the middle. The sheer size was depicted so perfectly, and just looking at the painting made you feel small. There was no difference seeing it in real life. We didn’t get to do any hiking, but if you have time, definitely

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Vintage car resting in a Marathon, Texas, junkyard.

hike to some of the more remote spots in the park.

Our next stop was Marfa, Texas.

I didn’t know much about this tiny town except for the Marfa Lights and the art installation featuring a Prada store in the middle of nowhere. I was a little surprised that the Prada store installation was on the other side of Valentine, and not even in Marfa, but we made the 30-minute trek out there anyway. My favorite was listening to my 72-year-old dad complain about the art piece. Coming from his background in art, this was a pointless waste of space.

If you know my dad, then you know this reaction isn’t far from how he feels about most things. I had a pretty good laugh listening to his critique.

The Prada installation was created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset in 2005.

The building cost $80,000 to build and was meant to be left to degrade over time. Unfortunately, vandals kept spray-painting and robbing the store of the Prada displays, which forced them to repair and maintain the structure.

The intention of the piece was to be a “sculptural intervention” and comment on consumerism. Apparently it backfired because people would leave their business cards along the perimeter of the building for advertisement. As a photographer, I loved this art piece. The minimalism of the building juxtaposed with the landscape makes for some amazing pictures. Even though I’ve seen this image a million times, I still had to take one myself. I might even make my dad do a painting of the art piece.

Another great stop in Marfa was the

Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, Texas, is a great place to rest on the way to West Texas.

The Thunderbird Hotel in Marfa, Texas, is a stylish little getaway.

The Thunderbird restaurant has an inviting ambiance.

Charlie Becker shows his art piece at El Cosmico campground in Marfa, Texas.

A view from a hill in Terlingua, Texas.

Marfa Lights. I really didn’t know what to expect. We arrived at the viewing site about 9:30 p.m. and started staring off into the darkness. Surprisingly there was quite a few people there watching the lights also. Slowly Dad and I started to see them. Little white, red and green lights that moved and danced ever so slightly. Sometimes they moved more than others, but it was pretty cool once you started to see it. There is something magical about witnessing a natural phenomenon. I even think my dad enjoyed it. The lights were first seen in March 1883 by the cowboy Robert Reed Ellison. There is no explanation for the lights. Some say it’s from the headlights on the highway and some say it’s light mirages created by temperature changes between warm and cool air. Either way,

it’s pretty cool to sit outside in the West Texas desert and look out into the night sky.

Marfa has some great accommodations, and one of the hotels we visited was the Thunderbird Hotel (thunderbirdmarfa. com). They have a restaurant and bar located across the street from the rooms along with an amazing outdoor sitting area. The ambiance was inviting and it felt sophisticated yet rustic. The website describes the hotel as “modest rooms in a stylish, circa-1950s lodging with an outdoor pool and a vinyl record collection.” I can’t wait to visit again so I can stay at this amazing hotel.

As an artist, it’s always fun to get away from your normal surroundings and travel to get inspired. This trip across Texas did just that. I had a great time

A jackrabbit at Big Bend National Park.

traveling with my dad. He was a great guide and I really enjoyed seeing his art in 3D. charm june 2016

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behind the scenes

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Free bird.

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For a while she was kept...

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Her soul was captivated with the simplicity of the wild.

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“It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.”

Johann Friedrich von Schiller “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”

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