13 minute read
Travel with Terri Guthrie
JEFFERSON,
by Terri Guthrie | photo courtesy of Terri Guthrie
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If you are itching to get out of town for a few days, consider heading east to historic Jefferson, Texas. It’s one charming town...especially at Christmas! Jefferson is a great weekend getaway with lots to see and do.
Back in the 1800s, the area became a main river port of entry to the West for products and immigrants. It was also a major shipping port for selling agricultural products. Cotton was king and brought to Jefferson from as far away as Dallas then sold in Jefferson and traveled on to merchants across America. Jefferson soon became a boom town after the arrival of the steamboat. This was called the “Golden Era,” as Jefferson became a thriving steamboat port from 1845 until 1875. Unfortunately, the Army Corps of Engineers had to reduce the water level in Big Cypress Bayou, and steamboats could no longer navigate the waterway. As a result, it devastated the economy in Jefferson. This town suddenly ceased to be a prominent port city and commercial center. Fortunately, many of the midnineteenth century homes and buildings on the Historical Registry remain and are a treat to see.
Today, Jefferson is much smaller but still very beautiful. A unique event they have during the holidays is the Candlelight Tour of Homes. It’s considered among the top Christmas events in east Texas. We have enjoyed tours of lavishly-decorated residences. They reflect the grandeur of an elaborate past as you are greeted by tour guides dressed in period clothing and given a brief history of the home. Most of the Christmas decorations are over the top and all greenery is live. We learned so much fun history and were inspired with many holiday decorating ideas!
There are other special attractions in addition to visiting the historical homes. One of our favorites is the free “Enchanted Forest.” It’s a display of more than 125 lighted and decorated Christmas trees. Every tree has a theme and each is unique. This is quite a community effort that is magical to see and is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!
In Jefferson, life moves a little bit more slowly than it does in the big city, which I love since I’m a small-town girl. So, plan to saunter around and take your time. There’re many gift and antique shops, even an old traditional general store!
Jefferson is known as the “Bed and Breakfast Capital of East Texas.” It’s the perfect place to unwind with countless charming bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels, including Texas landmarks that have hosted some of the most famous men and women in the world. Mr and Mrs. George W. Bush have laid their heads at the luxurious House of the Seasons, a Victorian-style home built in 1872. We always stay at The Excelsior House Hotel, a famous landmark in Jefferson. It has welcomed its share of notable figures, including Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes since its inception in the late 1850s. It is actually owned and operated by the local Garden Club and is the oldest hotel in continuous operation in Texas!
If you’re looking for a truly unique getaway that’s just a few hours away, Jefferson is hard to beat!
Learn more about places to stay and holiday activities by visiting
VisitJeffersonTexas.com.
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Scones Order OF SASS AN & PLEASE!
by Jade Kensington | photos courtesy of The Cuchen’s Family
Jasmine “Jazzy” Cuchens has fond early childhood memories of playing with her Weekends are typically for rest and kitchen playset, taking orders, serving up coffee and waffles, and using Playdoh relaxation, but not for Jazzy. She has a to create an array of baked goodies. This past summer, the 9-year-old turned her busy schedule, but she has it down pat. longtime interest into a successful business in the middle of a global pandemic. Each Saturday at 6 a.m., Jazzy can be found baking in the kitchen with her dad. Her entrepreneurship began in July, when chocolate chips to jazz them up. The Around 9 a.m., she and her mom begin she reached a new level of boredom while consistency resembled scones rather than boxing the scones and getting the counter sheltering in place. She stumbled upon shortcake, but after her family raved about ready for customer pick-up. Customers a box of shortcake mix in the kitchen and how delicious they were, can swing by and pick up asked her parents if she could make them by herself. She noticed the recipe seemed Jazzy came up with the idea of starting her own “When I bake their orders between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., which rather dull, so she decided to add some business, Jazzy’s the scones, I is Jazzy’s favorite part of Sassy Scones. The business name is sure put a little it all. “I love to greet the customers and see to make anyone smile. “When I bake the scones, personality their reactions!” Although each member I put a little personality in,” Jazzy says. “One of my in. One of my of the family has a role in helping the business personality traits is sassy.” personality run smoothly, Jazzy is In launching her business, Jazzy and her parents traits is sassy.” definitely the driving force and holds the “Girl came up with summer- Boss” title to keep the themed scone flavors: chippy chocolate, business moving forward. Dad is the head white chocolate strawberry, and lemon chef, Mom manages their marketing and blueberry. “Chippy chocolate was my social media presence, and one of her favorite, but my dad tells me white older brothers assists customers during chocolate strawberry was our best seller,” their two-hour pick-up window. Her other says Jazzy. brother utilizes his prior AV Club skills in
filming Jazzy’s unboxing videos for other baking companies that have subscription boxes—Kidstir, Kids Baking Club, and Raddish Kids, are just to name a few.
The results are impressive, and they speak for themselves. Approximately 10 weeks after the creation of her business, Jazzy took the national spotlight on “Good Morning America” via a Zoom interview and was delighted when they told her she was being gifted a large assortment of bake ware courtesy of KitchenAid. Two months into the start of her business, Jazzy began to further promote her brand by bringing her scones and merchandise to several pop-up events around North Texas, all of which have been incredibly successful. At five months, Jazzy’s Sassy Scones reached over $6,000 in sales.
Jazzy and her parents are always collaborating and coming up with new seasonal flavor ideas. In September, they unveiled their line of fall flavors: pumpkin spice, cinnamon chippy, and cranberry orange. For Halloween, they launched a limited-edition of Spooky Scones, which was a delicious concoction of butterscotch mixed with mini chocolate chips and Heath topping. Winter holiday flavors recently launched in November, and they consist of: eggnog, chippy hot cocoa, and gingerbread. They can ship all over the United States, and the scones are able to stay fresh because they are dairy-free. Included in her line of merchandise is a Junior Baker Kit, which consists of a metal mixing bowl, apron, scone mix, chocolate chippies, sugar sprinkles, recipe card, spoon and spatula, and baker’s bag and seal—all for $25! Kids of all ages can make Jazzy’s signature scones right in their own kitchen and get a taste of what it is like to be a real junior baker.
Jazzy’s confidence is not just limited to the kitchen. Her entrepreneurial spirit has also allowed her to see, first-hand, how revenue and expenses affect the overall profit of her business. Such topics would normally inflict yawns on kids her age, but Jazzy takes an interest in handling the behind-the-scenes business operations.
Like any great baker, her plans don’t just stop at Jazzy’s Sassy Scones. Her longterm goals include owning a tiny house bakery on wheels so she can share her baking talents with those across the country.
Jazzy’s journey has only just begun.
Don’t Skip THIS COVID CHRISTMAS
by Jean Eisenmann| photo courtesy of Jean Eisenmann
I, for one, refuse to let a pandemic cheat me out of celebrating Christmas. I want to dash through the snow and have Jack Frost nip at my nose (oh, yeah, we’re in Texas). Okay, then I’m going to jingle all the way…as soon as I find out what that means, and if it’s legal. In other (lyric-free) words, I want the full holiday deal.
Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle at the ribbon, and with a circle-backslash symbol thought of letting your heart be light in the displayed prominently on the front. Let midst of COVID-19. The calendar says ‘tis ‘em smooch on their own thresholds. the season, and we need more than ever We decided to skip having a sit-down to be merry and bright. Right this very dinner this year. Dishes have to be minute. Whether we have a little or a lot, passed around the table, each piece Christmas is cause for celebration. collecting germ-ridden This year, my husband Van and I are inviting I’M GOING TO fingerprints until the plates’ patterns are friends over, but you’d JINGLE ALL THE unrecognizable. My better not pout, and I’m thought was to place telling you why. Because WAY…AS SOON colorful gloves in we’ll be paying strict attention to complying AS I FIND OUT Christmas patterns at each place setting with COVID-19 WHAT THAT under the guise of safety measures. party favors, and This will not be a tree- MEANS, AND IF then emphasize that trimming party. It wouldn’t be sanitary for IT’S LEGAL. everyone needs to wear them throughout everyone to touch the ornaments. Can dinner, as it adds you imagine how difficult it would be to the festivities. Van pointed out the to wash tinsel before packing it away? awkwardness of maneuvering plastic Mistletoe will be hung by the front door utensils while wearing woolen gloves. because it’s traditional and festive. But no Says a man who’s tried it never. Hey, I said puckering and blending of saliva particles. gloves, not mittens, bless his heart. Solution: the bough will be encased in a Instead, we’re going with “box dinners.” clear plastic bag tied with a cheery red You know, like box lunches, but…dinner. In a box. Now the search is on for holiday condiment packets.
In lieu of glove party favors I’ve chosen mini Christmas stockings, each one stuffed with a pocket-sized hand sanitizer bottle in a popular holiday scent. Nothing says Christmas like the lingering smell of eggnog on your hands.
This is the first Christmas ever that we’ll be serving fruitcake. It was made five years ago, well before COVID-19, and therefore should be safe for human consumption. If guests grimace at the sight it’ll become a door prize, and the lucky recipient’s new doorstop or their kid’s science experiment.
Our final plan is to roast chestnuts on an open fire. Not for the taste, nor the tradition, but to sterilize them before eating.
All in all, it can be a holly jolly – though uncommon – Christmas. Whatever you make of it, remember that through good times and bad, it’s a wonderful life we live in this great country. And it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, just don’t be a humbug during the holidays. Make this a December to remember, not for the pandemic, but for the good tidings, comfort and joy we bring to each other. Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas, y’all.
Brawley Farms UNSURPASSED EQUESTRIAN S E R V I C E S
by Jean Eisenmann cover photo by Miranda Longoria Photography | interior photos courtesy of Brawley Farms As you approach Brawley Farms from the road, the picturesque sight of more than 17 acres of lush pastures and scenic trails comes into view. A few feet into the driveway stands an impressive iron gate adorned with the Brawley Farms family crest of a unicorn proudly strutting inside a shield. It’s a crest that has been in the Brawley family for two generations.
Owner Bob Brawley calls the farm a “little piece of heaven,” and most locals agree. Located in Double Oak, across the street from Lantana and five minutes from Highland Village-Flower Mound, Brawley Farms is a top-of-the-line, world-class equestrian facility.
Once past the gates and inside, you fully capture the splendor of the grounds.
The glistening lake is now visible, as is timed event over jumps), and equitation the stable with its substantial turnout (judged on the rider’s style and position). paddocks and outside derby field. A large covered arena is accessible to the The Brawley name is both widely known barn. Attached to that arena you’ll find a and respected across the country and comfortable observation lounge where abroad. Bob Brawley has been riding guests may sit on leather couches, drink horses all his life. This includes being on a beverage, watch TV, and observe the the hunter jumper circuit for more than horses and riders in the arena. 30 years, earning recognition for both his quality horsemanship and dedication to Brawley Farms detail. His two assistants, currently houses 38 horses in unsurpassed accommodations. Most of the horses Attached to that arena you’ll find a comfortable observation lounge Morgan Knochel and Christina Schweir, have been trainers at Brawley Farms for four and five actively compete nationwide as hunters or jumpers, with a small group of lesson where guests may sit on leather couches, drink a beverage, watch TV, and years, respectively. Having worked together so closely and intensely, horses for those who observe the horses and they think alike, and their do not own their own riders in the arena. passion for the business horse. Lessons are is equally strong. available for all ages, from beginner to All of the show horses on the farm intermediate riders. are housed in large, well-lit stalls with What defines Brawley Farms is that they automatic waterers and receive topoffer an exceptional full-service show and of-the-line nutrition daily. Their routine training program catering to the needs of includes specialized training programs both horses and riders of any skill level. that develop muscle and also work on Their trainers focus on developing horses jumping technique. “These horses are so and riders to excel at the highest level well taken care of,” said Morgan. “They are in hunters (where you are judged on the treated like professional athletes, because horse’s movement and style), jumpers (a they are.” Another service Brawley Farms offers is finding horses and ponies for clients to purchase or lease. They take great care in matching personalities and goals so that each partnership between horse and rider is successful. Using a vast network of connections across the country and in Europe, the Brawley team goes above and beyond to match clients with horses that will help them reach their goals and exceed their expectations.
The equipment and observation rooms are brimming with ribbons won from competitions held around the country and competition photos of employees and clients alike in various stages of performances with their champion horses. The trainers compete nationally, traveling on the road about 25 weeks out of the year (including all summer) to various competitive horse shows across the country. They often earn national awards at the end of the year, which is a big return on their dedication.
There aren’t many equestrian facilities providing excellence in such a comprehensive and caring way, and with as many years of experience as Brawley Farms. An equestrian’s dream, right here in your own backyard.
