Josephine April 2013

Josephine St. Joseph’s women’s magazine

Dress up your style This season is all about classic colors and shapes

April 2013

More inside: Turning trash into treasure at a Savannah antique shop

Celebrate the season with a a spring getaway Get back in touch with lost friends

Spring training Get toned up so you can enjoy warmer weather

How to get rid of stuff that you really don’t need Keeping your spending under control

Looking to improve your health and overall wellness? Have a ton of fun?

Make new friends? Then join Spirit of Women at Heartland Health. It’s a group of women helping each other get serious about getting active with life-enriching activities designed for women of all ages.

Learn more at heartlandhealth.com/spirit

editorial: (816) 271-8594 toll-free: (800) 779-6397 advertising: (816) 271-8527 fax: (816) 271-8686 josephine@ newspressnow.com

Our staff Editor Jess DeHaven jess.dehaven@newspressnow.com Presentation editor Paul Branson paul.branson@newspressnow.com Photo editor Todd Weddle todd.weddle@newspressnow.com Designer George Stanton george.stanton@newspressnow.com

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Josephine

St. Joseph News-Press P.O. BOX 29 St. Joseph, MO 64502

the regulars editor’s note

4

events calendar

5

the 5

6

average joe

28

getting real

29

meal time

30

inside

Cover photography by Matt Reid/Josephine magazine

cover girl We hope this month’s cover girl Nina Pecora had as much fun modeling for our spring fashion shoot as we had working with her. Nina describes her own style as vintage with some ’70s flair but also a classic, elegant look. “I like pretty clothes,” she says.

When she’s not working as a pharmacy tech at Hy-Vee, the St. Joseph native often can be found out and about enjoying St. Joseph’s music scene.

“I’ve always been really interested in music, and in St. Joseph, there’s always something different to listen to and dance to,” she says.

Another interest she has is refurbishing. Nina says she spent some real effort repairing a backyard at the last place she lived that was in shambles.

Check out more photos of Nina starting on page 16.

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| Josephine magazine |

April 2013

Spring training Get yourself toned up for warmer weather

8

Foolish spending Keep your cash in check

12

It’s so easy being green Simple steps can help you be kinder to the planet (and your wallet, too)

14

Bright and beautiful Spring fashion is blooming

16

Turning trash to treasure Savannah woman’s antique shop is a long-time dream come true

20

Break in spring Celebrate the new season with a getaway

22

Making the reconnection Getting back in touch with friends from the past can strengthen your future

24

Going, going, gone You can part with items you don’t wear, use or need

26

3

editor’s note

By JESS DEHAVEN It’s time to put away the coats, scarves and mittens and put on something a little lighter and brighter. If you’re looking for something new to add to your wardrobe to celebrate the return of spring, check out our spring fashion guide on page 16.

We’ve got a look at this year’s trends and pieces that can put a spring in your step. Perhaps we’ll inspire you to head out and do a little shopping this weekend.

While you’re trying on spring things, you might notice you’re in need of a little toning. Why not get a jump on swimsuit season with some tips from the experts? Lisa Horn has the scoop on that kind of spring training on page 8.

If your thoughts in spring turn to getting away, you might check out Jennifer Gordon’s feature on page 22.

She rounded up some ideas for quick spring breaks that can give you a little boost after the long, cold winter.

Spring also is the traditional time for some intensive cleaning. What better way to prepare for months of living more out in the open than clearing away the clutter and cobwebs? But if you’re one of those people who just can’t seem to get rid of things, turn to Cathy Woolridge’s story on page 26. She has strategies to help you fight that clutter.

Happy spring!

KEEP YOUR DREAMS IN DRIVE.

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Cari Rich, Agent 102 E. Clay Ave. Plattsburg, Missouri (816) 539-3751 caririch.com

Chuck Thorburn Agency, Inc.

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Lee Butler Agency 2721 Pembroke Ln. (816) 279-7770 leebutleragency.com

Carolyn Sampson Agency 6120 King Hill Ave. (816) 238-5201 csampsoninsurance.com

Dave R. Price, Agent 910 N. Woodbine Rd. (816) 233-5632 davepriceagency.com

Scott Wineinger Agency 1805 Oak Ridge Circle (816) 233-5659 scottwineinger.com

Tom C. Lemmon, Agent 2524 Saint Joseph Ave. (816) 279-2606 tlemmon@amfam.com

Matt Thrasher Agency, Inc. 301 Illinois Ave. (816) 238-1121 mattthrasher.com

Rick Hopp Agency 3201 Ashland Ave. Ste. E (816) 364-1798 rickhopp.com

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april

area events

SUN

MON

Every Monday 9:45 a.m. (weigh-in at 8:30), TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) a non-profit, weight-loss support and education group, East Hills Church of Christ, 3912 Penn St., 232-6858.

5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 106 S. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

April 1 7 to 9 p.m., St. Joseph Camera Club, Rolling Hills Consolidated Library.

April 15 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Young Living Essential Oils presents free natural health seminar, 1570 Calhoun St., Chillicothe, Mo. Call (660) 707-0097 or e-mail millergloria @att.net.

TUE

Every Tuesday 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 106 S. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

April 2 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., YWCA annual gardening lunch, YWCA, $12. Speaker will focus on Monet gardens and unusual color combinations and heights. RSVP to 2324481.

6:30 p.m., Pony Express Chapter of Cowboys for Christ, Pony Express Saddle and Bridle Club, north of K Highway on County Road 371.

Call 238-7503.

April 16 6:30 p.m., Pony Express Chapter of ABWA meeting. To find out more and to make reservations, please call Vickie at (816) 244-5648 the Friday before the meeting.

WED

Every Wednesday 7 a.m., Farmer’s market, 3821 Eastridge Village.

7:30 a.m., St. Joseph BNI weekly meeting, Pony Express Museum.

Call 262-9684.

5:15 to 6 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 106 S. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

April 24 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., administrative professionals luncheon, YWCA. Includes lunch, fashion tips, home decor tips and gardening tips. RSVP to 232-4481.

April 23 10 a.m., Welcome Wagon Social Club of St. Joseph, general meeting, Rolling Hills Library, 1904 N. Belt Highway. For additional information, go to www. stjomowelcomewagon.com.

3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Young Living Essential Oils presents free natural health seminar, 1570 Calhoun St., Chillicothe, Mo. Call (660) 707-0097 or e-mail millergloria@att.net.

7 p.m., Introductory session to Creighton Model Fertility Awareness and Appreciation, Heartland Medical Plaza.

Course is designed to help couples cooperate with their fertility in family planning.

Call 232-2258.

April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

THUR Every Thursday 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., knitting classes, Keeping Good Company, $20 for four weeks, call 364-4799.

6:45 to 7:30 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 106 S. Belt Highway, 6711133, $3 a class.

2013 FRI Every Friday 5 to 8 p.m., Friday Night Wine Tastings, Smooth Endings Fine Wines, Spirits and Cigars, corner of Belt and Beck, (816) 749-4WINE, $5 per person.

April 11 9:30 a.m., St. Joseph Garden Club, Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Citizens Center.

Program is “From Greenhouse Nursery to Your Garden” by Bill Manville of Blooming Gardens and Landscaping. Guests welcome.

Call 232-9151.

SAT Every Saturday 7 a.m., Farmer’s market, 3821 Eastridge Village.

9 to 9:45 p.m., Cardio Fit Boxing, Monroe’s ATA, 106 S. Belt Highway, 671-1133, $3 a class.

April 27 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., YWCA annual gardeners’ festival, YWCA.

Noon, YWCA annual meeting, YWCA. YWCA’s 125th year in St. Joseph and the 100th anniversary of the current building will be celebrated. RSVP to 232-4481.

5 to 8 p.m., Covenant Medical Spa and Primary Care evening of wellness and beauty, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Tickets are $10 and include a light dinner. Tickets also are buy three, get one free. Cash bar also available.

April 18 5:30 p.m., Third Thursday Wine Tasting, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Cost is $10 per person. Call 232-9750.

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5

The

5

tips for life

Take a step back Relate. If you find yourself getting into a shouting match with a friend, family member or partner, take a step back, Dr. John Gottman said recently in an interview with Real Simple magazine. Dr. Gottman, who works with the Gottman Institute in Seattle, said that during heated conversations, your stress levels are up, and it’s hard to take in what the other person is saying. Giving both parties time to calm down will lead to a much more productive talk about what the issue is and how to resolve it.

Play it again

Health. Here’s another excuse for us to put our favorite songs on repeat. New research shows that attentively listening to our favorite music can help lower blood pressure, decrease tension and even ease pain. By relaxing, breathing deeply and closely paying attention to the words or rhythms of songs, participants from multiple international studies found relief from everyday pains and stresses. “Music ... reduces activity in the amygdala, an area that regulates negative emotions, while acting on neural systems that stimulate pleasure,” says Joke Bradt, a music therapist at Drexel University. For more information, see Sari Harrar’s article “3 Health Benefits of Your Favorite Song” at goodhousekeeping.com.

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April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

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Regift it Money. They say it’s the thought that counts, and that’s definitely the case when you receive a gift card to a clothing store that doesn’t suit your tastes or a restaurant chain that doesn’t have a location anywhere near St. Joseph.

Turn that card into cash by selling it on the website GiftCardGranny.com, where you can receive up to 92 percent of the card’s value or trade it for a gift card to Amazon.com.

It’s about time

A clear solution Organize. If you’re looking to add storage space without creating an eyesore on your wall, consider using a clear acrylic pegboard. Real Simple magazine suggests it as something that keeps supplies handy and surfaces clear while fading into the background.

What is he thinking? Here’s something our Andrew Gaug has been pondering: If you talk to anyone who knows me, one of the first things they will tell you (besides how I’m the nicest guy on Earth, heh, heh) is that I’m almost always late. One friend joked that I will probably be late for my own funeral. A speaker at a church I recently attended spoke on the subject of being late, and it’s something us guys have to remember — when you say you’ll be on time, whether it’s for work or play, it’s your word and your bond. You break that too many times and it becomes your character.

Never let it come to that.

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Spring training

Photos by Matt Reid | Josephine magazine

Jill Brenneman, a physical education teacher at St. Joseph Christian School, demonstrates how to use body weight only to excercise muscle groups.

Get yourself toned up for warmer weather 8

By LISA HORN Josephine magazine

I

f you’re like most people, chances are your spring clothes aren’t the only things that have been hibernating for the past few months.

April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

You’re not alone, though, since most people gain an average of five to seven pounds during the winter, according to WebMD.com.

St. Joseph fitness experts Billy Jones and Emily Fite have some exercises to help firm up problem areas that women often claim need toning.

The beauty of these exercises is they can all be done at home, using your own body weight, dumbbells or resistance bands.

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Please see PAGE 9

CONTINUED FROM Page 8 For any kind of toning exercise, Jones, a personal trainer and fitness instructor at The Rec Center, suggests that if you’re not using your own body weight, use lighter weights. The golden rule for repetitions is about 12 to 15 in two to three sets, he says.

“It’s more about reps,” Jones adds. “You still want to make it a challenge, though, by sweating and getting your heart rate up.”

For yoga poses, the key is to maintain even breathing and good form for as long as you find comfortable — anywhere from one breath to two minutes or even longer for the more experienced.

“Yoga is really for anyone,” says Fite, owner and instructor of The Yoga Room.

“We can do these poses with any modification, on any level.”

As you get stronger, you will find satisfaction in being able to keep and hold poses longer, Fite says.

“Yoga provides a proportional look to your body,” she says. “You’re using your own body weight and gravity to strengthen.”

Here are some ways to work on your own problem areas:

Biceps/triceps

Tricep kickbacks — These aren’t the easiest, and good form is key, Jones says.

Dumbbells in the three- to five-pound

Jill Brenneman shows a tricep workout. range are a good place to start.

1. Kneel over a bench with arm supporting body. Grasp dumbbell. Position upper arm parallel to floor.

2. Extend arm until it is straight. Return and repeat. Continue with opposite arm.

Hammer curls

1. Standing straight, position two

dumbbells to sides, palms facing in and arms straight.

2. Then, with elbows to sides, raise one dumbbell until forearm is vertical and thumb faces shoulder. Lower to original position and repeat with alternative arm.

Please see PAGE 10

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CONTINUED FROM Page 9

Downward dog

1. Begin on your hands and knees, with hands six inches in front of shoulders and ensuring that your middle fingers are facing forward to protect your wrists.

2. Press down into your hands and straighten up, keeping a straight line along the back and through your hips.

Gain strength in your shoulders as you push into your hands. Your body will be shaped in a V, with your rear end at the highest point.

For an added challenge, try lifting one heel up to the ceiling in a threelegged dog pose. Lengthen your back and squeeze your gluteus muscles on the side where your heel is raised and alternate.

Glutes/hamstrings

Squats — Squats are another exercise where your body weight can provide the resistance needed for toning. Try doing three sets of 12 to 15 reps.

1. Stand up straight with your legs shoulder width apart.

2. As you squat down, keep your back straight (not arched) and focus on sticking your rear end all the way out (as if you’re sitting on a little stool).

3. Breathe out as you squat down as far as you can go, with your arms stretched out in front of you for balance. Don’t allow your knees to go past your toes.

4. Stand back up slowly as you breathe in and then repeat all the steps.

Bridge — This pose activates the gluteus muscles and lengthens the lower back.

1. Lying on your back, scoop your tailbone forward and up while squeezing your glutes intensely.

2. Focus on your breathing circulating throughout your body and relaxing every other muscle except for your glutes and inner thighs.

3. To come back to the floor, let your stomach rise and fall gently, inhaling and exhaling back down vertebra by vertebra, letting your tailbone touch the floor last.

(This exercise can be held as long as you like for more intensity, and a small ball or block can be used to squeeze the inner thighs).

V ups use a rubber band to increase resistance.

Abdominals/core

V ups — “These are one of the better ab

workouts you can do,” Jones says. This exercise is another great use of your own body weight and works all core muscles, except the lower abs.

1. Sit on floor or mat. Lie on your back with hands stretched out on floor over head.

2. Simultaneously raise straight legs and torso. Reach toward raised feet to form a V. Return to starting position.

Repeat.

Plank pose

1. Start in downward-facing dog (if abs are engaged, this pose also tones the core).

2. Activate the front of your shoulders, pressing dramatically into your hands, elongating the neck and the arms, so they’re perpendicular to the floor.

3. Open up the front of your shoulders. Your head should be the highest point, with the lowest point being your feet. Focus on keeping your back strong and maintaining the pose as it increases in intensity with slow, steady breaths.

flexing knee and hip of lead leg, keeping knee pointed same direction of foot.

Return to original standing position by forcibly extending hip and knee of lead leg. Repeat by alternating lunge with opposite leg.

These are also great for toning the glutes.

Reverse plank — This pose tones several different muscle areas, Fite says.

1. Begin by sitting on the floor, with hands under shoulders and fingers pointing toward feet (if you have wrists that are prone to injury, try using fists instead).

2. Stretch out your legs in front of you with your inner thighs turned in, so your toes are touching.

3. Broaden your chest, lengthen your biceps while strengthening the triceps, squeezing your glutes and inner thighs, ensuring that your spine is strong and you’re not swaying. Make sure your abdominal muscles also are engaged to lengthen and support your back.

Additional information provided by exrx.net and yogajournal.com

Inner thighs

“Lunges are really good,” Jones says.

“You can tone up really quick.”

Start slow by using your own body weight and in a week or two, add 5- or 10-pound weights to make them more challenging.

Side lunges

Good form is essential to do squats effectively.

1. Stand with dumbbells grasped to sides.

2. Lunge to one side with first leg.

Position closest dumbbell behind thigh and opposite dumbbell to front. Land on heel, then forefoot. Lower body by

Lunges are great for toning glutes and thighs.

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Foolish spending

Keep your cash in check

By ANDREW GAUG Josephine magazine

W

e’ve all had that feeling — you have extra money and the item you’ve wanted is on sale or maybe it’s available. But you know that cash should be saved.

It’s frivolous spending, and it’s a problem Mike Hanneman, fi nancial services specialist for Apprisen, has seen a lot when he helps people get out of debt.

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April 2013

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“I continue to see and hear about clients who frequently ‘impulse shop,’ meaning when they go out into shopping areas whether it is food, clothing and even entertainment, they will purchase something whether they have a need for it or not, and most often, it’s not a purchase that’s been incorporated within their budget,” he says.

Wade Collins of St. Joseph admits to doing some frivolous spending in his time. Standing in the mall with one bag containing some new shoes, he says there was a time when it was multiple bags paid for with multiple cards.

“I couldn’t help it. I got into that mentality where it was like ‘Jordan Dunks — (I) gotta have it. New phone — gotta have it. Stuff for my car — you know it,’” he says.

It got to the point where Collins had to sit down and call each credit card company to work with them on paying each off.

“Thankfully, they listened. I couldn’t stand the calls anymore. It was too much,” he says.

Working for Apprisen, formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling, for years, Hanneman says it’s troubling seeing so many people go under financially

because they don’t have a budget set up to curb needless spending.

“Utilizing a consistent monthly budget is very helpful, useful and can really make a valuable difference to help keep expenses down, to better save money and to be prepared to pay for all upcoming expenses,” he says.

Getting started on a budget is as easy as taking a look at a few paychecks. Look at how much you make in a month. If it fluctuates, look at the average amount you’ve made during the past six months.

From there, make a list of must-pay expenses like mortgage, rent, car payments and such.

An extra tip Hanneman suggests is if you have a heating bill, look into getting on a fixed plan.

“It can be more beneficial to get on a level-pay plan with the utility company so you’ll know exactly how much your bill is going to be rather than be surprised as the seasons change and you pay more for heat during the winter and more for electricity to run the air conditioner in the summer,” he says.

From there, look at flexible expenses like groceries, gas and prescriptions, followed by periodic payments like insur-

ance, house repairs and medical bills.

Collins says he found the best way to curb his spending is leaving the credit cards at home and only using them when he knows he will make a big purchase or has to buy gas. When he’s out shopping, he says he only has an allotted amount of cash in his pocket. When that runs out, he’s done.

“Sometimes you get the flies coming out of your wallet when you think you’ve got some money in there. It’s embarrassing, but it keeps me in check — ‘There will be no Jordans to be bought today,’” he says with a huge laugh.

To add to his advice, Hanneman suggests including savings in the must-pay category for rainy days.

“Whether you are saving $25 per pay period or $100, you’ll prepare yourself for unexpected expenses such as car repairs, house repairs or medical bills and won’t have to rely on credit,” he says.

If you’re running into financial problems again and again, you may want to contact a personal financial advisor. In addition, you also can use mobile apps like Mint.com that track and categorize all purchases, set weekly financial goals and encourage you to stay on track.

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It’s so easy being green Simple steps can help you be kinder to the planet (and your wallet, too)

By KRISTEN HARE Josephine magazine

I

f you’re like pretty much everyone these days, you probably want to save money and be greener in your lifestyle. For awhile, the two have seemed at odds, but with some simple changes around the house and in your daily routines and habits, you can save money and be kinder to the Earth at the same time.

These are small and pretty simple adjustments, which is a great way to start if you’re not ready to buy that electric car or clear your backyard for your own organic garden.

1. Switch your lights

Energy Star, which is a joint program between the EPA and the Department of Energy, reports that replacing the five most used bulbs in your house with bulbs with the Energy Star label can save $70 a year on your energy bills. If every American replaced just one bulb in their home, they report, the country would save $600 million in annual energy costs and pre-

vent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gases from getting into the atmosphere.

Once you’re through with them, however, you shouldn’t dispose of fluorescent bulbs in the trash. According to St. Joseph Public Works, compact fluorescent lights contain mercury. So instead of trashing them, contact the St. Joseph Landfill, which will recycle them for a fee.

2. Skip those plastics

Everyone’s always saying to drink more water, and with plastic bottled water, it’s so easy to grab and go. But that healthy habit has some unintended

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consequences. According to National Geographic, manufacturing those plastic bottles requires oil and transportation, producing carbon dioxide, and only about 13 percent end up in the recycling bin.

Plastic water bottles take centuries to decompose and can contribute toxins to the environment in the process. Instead of buying those plastics, look for reusable and refillable water bottles. They come in a variety of materials, from glass to aluminum and BPA-free plastic, and mean you’ll also save money when, instead of buying water, you can fill your bottle up with the clean water coming right into your home.

You also can skip out on the plastic bags while shopping by bringing your own reusable bags with you. It’s a trend that Bill Blacketer, superintendent of solid waste and recycling with the city, is seeing.

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“There’s definitely a move to go green with the shopping bags,” he says. “A lot of people are using reusable bags and boxes as opposed to getting the new plastics all the time.”

and with the seasons, you’re getting back in touch with the harmony that people have lived in since people have been around, save about the last 50 years.

Do you really need watermelon in December? Eating locally helps you get the most you can nutritionally out of food, Messner says, and that helps your body function at its optimum levels.

3. Eat locally grown foods

Locally grown food doesn’t mean organic, although they often are the same.

But when you buy food at area farmer’s markets, you’re eating something grown nearby, with little time from dirt to table and little money and environmental waste getting them to you. You’re also supporting local farmers, like Fred Messner of Nature’s Choice Biodynamic Farm in St. Joseph. Messner has farmed for 20 years, and his farm is a biodynamic farm, which is an advanced form of organic farming, he says. The farm produces 40 varieties of vegetables. You can find them in stalls 12, 13 and 14 at Kansas City’s City Market.

Why eat local (and organic)?

“We are a product of what we put into our bodies,” Messner says.

And our bodies can take a lot of junk and still function, but when you eat fresh

4. Recycle

According to the Missouri Recycling Association, 75 percent of Missourians report they recycle. That simple act contributes to the economy through jobs, and less recyclable waste is diverted to the landfill. In St. Joseph, you can recycle office paper, cardboard, tin cans, aluminum cans and clear and brown glass.

Some #1 and #2 plastics are accepted, and the Recycling Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3405 S. Belt.

For a full list of what they accept, go to http://www.stjoemo.info/publicworks/ faqs.cfm.

5. Drive less, walk or ride more

St. Joseph has a 1,500-acre park system, with 26 miles of parkways. As the weather warms up, spring is a perfect time to dust off your tennis shoes and walk or ride around town instead of jumping in the car. Walking and riding not only save money on gas, but can they help you get and stay in shape, too.

According to a report by the Mayo Clinic, people who walk have lower levels of bad cholesterol, higher levels of good cholesterol, lower blood pressure and lowered risk for type 2 diabetes. Plus, they have improved moods.

St. Joseph isn’t a sprawled-out place, geographically, and for most people the trip to work is between one and seven miles, says Sharon Ritchey, events coordinator with the Parks Department.

Plus, she says, “with all the new trails, I think that’s a huge plus for people.”

And if where you want to go is too far to walk, consider testing out public transportation. St. Joseph Transit has several routes around town, and you can even bike there and put your bike on their racks to get a bit farther. You can map out your route at St. Joseph Transit’s website, stjoemo.info/transit, and even plug in information about the miles you travel and what you spend on gas to see what you’d save if you hopped on The Ride.

Bright

ht and beautiful

Spring fashion is blooming

Story by BROOKE VANCLEAVE | Photos by MATT REID Josephine magazine

S

pring is here, so it’s time to pack away those bulky winter clothes and put on something a little lighter and brighter.

This season will see a resurgence in classic patterns, prints and colors.

This means you won’t have to look too far or spend too much money to stay on top of spring fashion trends.

Last year, some spring trends that were a huge hit included polka dots, color blocks, leggings, peplum accents and the color tangerine. Although these styles weren’t gracing runways as much at this year’s Fashion Week in New York, they don’t seem to be going anywhere soon.

“Something that’s continued from previous seasons is big prints and bright colors,” says Rachel Schneider, merchandise execution leader at the St. Joseph J.C. Penney.

According to Harper’s Bazaar, popular styles on the runway this season are bold, graphic patterns and florals, bright colors like neons, stripes, pastels and delicate whites. Many of these

trends are easy to achieve for the everyday woman looking to freshen up her wardrobe.

Pantone’s color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Unlike last year’s tangerine, emerald is a color that is appropriate for all seasons. It reflects the buds and blooms of spring greenery but is versatile enough to wear in the colder months of fall and winter.

Ms. Schneider says clothing trends depend largely upon what is happening nationally, and designers choose which styles to feature in their lines.

This determines what is displayed in store windows and on mannequins.

For instance, she says J.C. Penney has started to carry more of a brand called Duro Olowu because it was popularized by Michelle Obama when she wore it to the first inauguration. The store has experienced several changes to keep up with shifting trends.

“What we try to do here ... is to have different shops in all different price ranges,” Ms. Schneider says.

The shops are separated by brand or designer and cater to all different age Please see PAGE 19

Nina Pecora models a bevy of spring dresses at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. All of the dresses in this shoot were provided by Dillard’s at East Hills Mall in St. Joseph. At left, Nina is wearing a Caroline belted dress by Antonio Melani ($169) and she’s carrying Rosie wedge sandals by Antonio Melani ($79.99).

LEFT: Nina is wearing a Gavelia floral print top

by Antonio Melani ($89), Perla belted pencil skirt

by Antonio Melani ($119) and Melissa T-strap sandals by Gianni Bini ($69.99.)

All available at Dillard’s.

BELOW LEFT: Nina wears a Mischka floral peplum dress by Antonio Melani ($169) from Dillard’s.

BELOW RIGHT: Nina models a Yvonne scalloped lace dress

by Antonio Melani ($179 at Dillard’s).

18

CONTINUED FROM page 17 groups.

Other trends she thinks will stick around for awhile are skinny jeans and boots.

Karen White, a selling specialist at the St. Joseph Dillard’s, says she thinks many styles that were popular this winter will continue into the spring, like lace accents and bright solid colors.

“The orange, the real hot pinks, neon pinks, yellows, greens — those are really trendy hot looks for spring and summer,” she says.

She says Dillard’s focuses on providing women with ready-to-wear styles that fit their budgets. Since St. Joseph is a smaller city with smaller stores, it might not see some of the more extreme runway trends, as tastes often vary by region. Instead, Ms. White agrees with Ms. Schneider in that classic pieces are easier to work into a spring wardrobe.

Based on their prevalence in the store, Ms. White anticipates blue hues, leggings, light cotton jackets and lots of stripes to be popular trends this spring.

When stores want to clear out their winter stock and emphasize their new spring arrivals, one of the ways they do it is by holding special customer events.

“Melani, generally speaking, will have an event right before Easter where I will get in touch with a lot of our customers and invite them to come in and see some of our new designs,” Ms. White says of Antonio Melani, one of the designers she specializes in at Dillard’s.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take a lot of money or effort to refresh a spring wardrobe this year. Sometimes all you have to do is update it with a few colorful new pieces to mix and match with old standbys.

For example, pairing your trusty leggings with a long, flowing tunic with a bright floral pattern is a great way to mix old and new and transition from winter to spring.

Add in a few accessories like a bold statement necklace or large tote (perhaps in emerald green?) and you’re ready to hit the town in style.

ON THE COVER: Nina sits in the Albrecht-Kemper’s cafe wearing a lace dress by Antonio Melani Abella, $179. Her shoes are Melissa T-strap sandals

by Gianni Bini, $69.99. All from Dillard’s. newspressnow.com/josephine

ON PAGE 3: Nina stands near the entrance of the Albrecht-Kemper wearing a jersey ballet neck top by Lauren Ralph Lauren ($59.50), classic straight cropped 5-pocket jeans by Lauren Ralph Lauren ($69.99) and navy/glitter Anglefish boat shoes by Sperry Top-Sider ($90). All available at Dillard’s.

| Josephine magazine |

ABOVE: Nina adjusts her Melissa T-strap sandals by Gianni Bini ($69) while wearing a Godiva stud-detail dress by Antonio Melani ($179). Find them at Dillard’s.

April 2013

19

Turning trash to treasure Savannah woman’s antique shop is a long-time dream come true

By ERIN WISDOM Josephine magazine

I

n her retirement, Mona Bledsoe wants to take up welding.

And chainsaw carving. But first, she’ll have to carve out time for these while also running Mona’s Old House Antiques

Matt Reid | Josephine magazine

Mona Bledsoe sits in her Savannah, Mo., shop, Mona’s Old House Antiques.

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April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

newspressnow.com/josephine

and Crafts, a business she began several years ago.

“A sign at the shop says ‘I buy junk, but I sell antiques,’” the Savannah, Mo., woman says. “I think that covers it.”

Bledsoe has more time for the business now, after retiring as a supervisor in the mail room at Missouri Western State University last summer. She also has plenty of space for it in an old farmhouse where her family lived for years, until building a log cabin on their property and moving into it. Every room of the farmhouse is filled now with odds and ends Bledsoe has scouted out, as well as some crafts and jewelry she sells on consignment and even some of her own creations.

Bledsoe’s dream for refinishing and repurposing items goes back to before “junking” became trendy. Her very first antique was a chest she bought when she was about 12 and used as a hope chest.

Many years later, she’s made a tradition from this by buying and refinishing old trunks for grandchildren.

She even has a written record of her plans to one day have an antique store in a 1990 issue of the News-Press, in a story about a home renovation in which her family used wood from an old barn on their property as paneling inside their home (now her store).

Matt Reid | Josephine magazine

A look at homemade pieces made by Mona Bledsoe at Mona’s Old House Antiques in Savannah, Mo.

“It’s just something she’s always wanted, and she’s finally gotten to make it happen,” says Bledsoe’s daughter, Amanda Haley, who oversees the business’ Facebook page and also provides flower arrangements and crafts for it.

“I think she’s been interested in all this even before I was born; she was always garage-saleing and finding things and fixing them up.”

Beyond this, Bledsoe enjoys sharing her interests with other women by holding crafting classes. Last fall, for example, she led a class on crocheting rugs.

And this spring, she plans to offer one on making gourd birdhouses. She also

enjoys knife and tomahawk throwing and is interested in forming a group for outdoorsy activities like this.

“It’s always fun to get a group of ladies together,” she says, “and if they can learn something and have something to eat, we’re good.”

But the main item on her agenda this spring is reopening her store, which she closes during the winter due to the fact that the only heat source in the old farmhouse is a wood-burning stove. Mona’s Old House Antiques and Crafts is located at 13719 State Route D in Savannah, and because her business hours vary, Bledsoe asks that anyone interested call her at (816) 324-5254 before coming.

The amount of business she has on any given day also can vary significantly (although she notes that if she’s in the middle of a project in the store’s workshop area, she can be sure she’ll have plenty of visitors). But no matter what, she has

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Cotter Travel office manager Chad Cotter says Mexico is one of the most sought-after destination spots with all-inclusive resort rates.

Break in spring Celebrate the new season with a getaway

By JENNIFER GORDON

Josephine magazine

S

heri McCoy knows that not only can pre-summer trips provide a much-needed change in scenery, but they also can whisk you away from less-than-ideal weather.

While Northwest Missouri shoveled itself out of two heavy snow storms at the end of February, McCoy was on a cruise to Tahiti and Hawaii with the Nodaway Valley Bank Ambassadors.

22

April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

The travel group often picks warmer climes to visit in the springtime, McCoy says. One of their favorite spots is Savannah, Ga. “If we head south, like to Georgia, spring’s a good time to go because of the heat factor,” she says. “We do that in springtime just to get away from bad weather.”

Spring trips also offer a chance to visit less-crowded locales and seasonal festivals while enjoying slightly cheaper airfare and hotel rates. No matter your destination, spring might just be the perfect vacation season.

newspressnow.com/josephine

Beach bound

Year ‘round, Chad Cotter, office manager of Cotter Travel, says Mexico is the most sought-after destination. The all-inclusive resorts offer hard-to-beat rates.

But the Caribbean is worth considering, too, he says.

Summer is the Caribbean’s hurricane season; it lasts from June to November according to Frommer’s, a travel company and publisher.

Those looking for a calmer beach destination might want to try Bonita Beach, Fla. Fort Myers to the north and Naples to the south typically draw more of the tourists, but St. Joseph resident Nona Sanders says Bonita Beach has more appeal.

“Your sunsets are absolutely gorgeous, and there’s seashells all over the place,” says Sanders, the former owner of Sanders Tours and Cruises.

Near Bonita Beach sits a natural reserve, Barefoot Beach Preserve Park.

Along with sand dunes, the 342-acre, undeveloped beach provides a nesting ground for sea turtles and other wildlife.

City views

Tourists can beat the summer crowds and see the city in bloom if they visit Washington D.C. during the city’s springtime National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The city sponsors the event every year to commemorate the 3,000 cherry trees Japan gifted the capitol in 1912. This year’s festival runs from March 20 to April 14. Each day features more than 150 performances by local and national groups, according to the event website, www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

McCoy, who with the ambassadors has toured other cities’ floral festivities, cautions travelers to be realistic about what they’ll expect from any flower-themed event. If they come just for the blooming buds, they may be disappointed.

“You’re not always guaranteed that if you’re going to an azalea festival that the azaleas are going to be out. Spring may be early or it may be late,” she says.

If they’re coming for the festival atmosphere, they’re likely to get what they wanted, she says, no matter what the weather’s doing.

Springtime brings lots of bustle to the

Big Apple as well. Tourists can see cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The home openers for the New York Mets and Yankees both take place April 1, and the Tribeca Film Festival goes from April 17 to 28.

Day tripping

Travelers who want to stay closer to home can check out Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. The theme park opens again with limited hours in March, and toward the end of month it opens during the weekdays as well as the weekends.

Pella, Iowa, located about three and a half hours away from St. Joseph, hosts a Dutch heritage festival the first weekend

in May. In addition to showcasing tulips, the town also puts on antique window displays in its downtown district and highlights its Dutch architecture.

Travelers’ tips

With any trip any time of year, you’re never guaranteed perfect weather. McCoy advises travelers to be flexible with their trip plans and keep an open attitude.

“I always ask people, ‘Would you rather be in Italy in the rain or St. Joe in the rain?’” she says.

Mr. Cotter says it’s good to have travel insurance so if severe weather cancels flights or cruises, you have the flexibility to reschedule.

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Making the reconnection

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April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

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Getting back in touch with friends from the past can strengthen your future

By CRYSTAL K. WIEBE Josephine magazine

S

ome friends are like the North Star.

Although you may not need to check your course by their position every night, you can count on them to be there when you do.

In one of the darkest points in Bethany Kruger’s life, one friend supported her, listening and encouraging her journey out of a dead-end lifestyle.

As she got back on her feet, he entered the Marines. She eventually left their west Kansas hometown, as well, landing a job as an ophthalmic assistant in Olathe, Kan. She e-mailed his mom for updates during his deployments. They kept loose tabs with each other through Facebook.

Then last year, more than a decade since they’d last spent time together, he called.

His wife had just left him. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know Kruger also was going through a divorce. He just needed someone to talk to.

“Over the past eight months,” Kruger says, “We have maneuvered through our personal hells together — our own little support group. Anger, confusion, pain, loneliness, reality checks, epiphanies, laughter, trust, calls that last until the sun comes up.”

This story is not unusual.

When we are hurting, when our lives turn upside down, as chapters of our lives end, we crave the people who knew us at a different time.

According to a 2012 story in the Telegraph, losing touch with old friends is among the most common bedside regrets

Summer Colors Are In!

of dying patients.

But we all lose touch.

People move and work demanding jobs; families expand, with little time left for friends.

Alice Michaels, a 50-year-old warehouse supervisor for a third-party delivery service in St. Joseph, sensed this happening early in life.

At the end of high school, most of the other girls on her softball team moved away for college.

“It was a sad occasion for me,” she says.

“I was the one that stayed behind, losing them one by one.”

Through the years, Michaels kept up with old friends as she could, never closing the door on anyone.

“As we all grew apart, there was one thing I knew I was going to do,” she says, “and that’s make sure as they moved away that they knew how I felt about each and every one of them — that in years to come they knew they had a paid (in full) return ticket into my life.”

That outlook allowed her to welcome long-lost friends with open arms following a recent diagnosis with cancer. After her story was featured in the News-Press, Michaels says she was flooded with Facebook friend requests.

One was from a friend who had moved back to St. Joseph long ago.

“It was bittersweet,” Michaels says. “I knew we could connect again, but I also knew I had missed out on some wonderful years.”

Rae Lynn Stroud, a 40-year-old teacher and single mom in St. Joseph, credits Facebook with helping her stay up-todate with what’s going on in the lives of her lifelong friends.

“Sometimes you don’t have a lot of time to talk on the phone for an hour or two,”

In Savannah

Lisa C. Deal, CTA 816.324.4555

lisadeal@stjoelive.com

she says. “When we do have a chance to get in touch, we just try to pick up where we left off.”

That’s also how it is for Susanne Kelly and her best friend from high school.

The two drifted apart through college but came together again at a mutual friend’s funeral six years ago.

“We felt just like sisters again,” says Kelly, now 29. “I grew up next door to her.

We were so thrilled, and we remembered why we were so close and connected.”

Kelly, who has remained in Kansas City and works as an academic counselor, says the occasional contact with her old friend, who landed in New York City, inspires her.

They only see each other around the holidays, if there is time, but Kelly says it is never awkward.

For others feeling the pang to reconnect with a friend from the past, Kelly says. “Don’t be insecure. Just do it.”

Kruger concurs. While it may sometimes feel like it, you are never so far from your real friends.

“I don’t think it’s about a connection that was lost and needs to be reconnected,” Kruger says. “Most times we are just walking side by side with the people we have loved. It’s more a matter of crossing paths again. There is nothing scary about that. The same love is still there.”

Social media makes it easier than ever to connect with the people we used to know, according to the Pew Research Center.

Two-thirds of Americans use Facebook and other social media networks and cite maintaining connections with new and old friends as a primary reason.

72 percent of female social media users cite keeping in touch with family members as a primary motivation for engaging on social media.

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Going, going, gone

You can part with items you don’t wear, use or need

By Cathy Woolridge Josephine magazine

Y

ou have to have that trendy top, those snappy shoes, the fancy bread maker, that countertop pizza oven. So, you buy them. Then you get home and those have-to-have items are stuffed into a closet or shoved into a kitchen cabinet, never to be worn or used.

Soon the closet is full, the kitchen cabinets can’t hold another thing and you’re feeling stressed by the clutter. What you need is some expert advice on how to painlessly part with some of those items cluttering up your home. To help get you started we talked with Ann Graves, a professional organizer and owner of We Organize (weorganize.net), a nonjudgemental organizing service based in Parkville, Mo. If you’re a fan of the A&E series “Hoarders” you may have seen Graves and her We Organize team assisting the “Hoarders” team during the Oct. 1, 2012, episode of the hit series.

“I kind of equate getting organized and staying organized with losing weight,” Graves says.

Getting organized and staying organized can be a daunting undertaking. But, just as with successful weight loss, you need to set realistic goals and work steadily toward achieving those goals. Quick fixes and shortcuts don’t work.

The first step to tackling clutter and figuring out what items you don’t really need doesn’t have to be a giant leap. Graves says that you don’t need to tackle every nook and cranny in your home all in one day. Baby steps will help you from feeling overwhelmed.

“Take it in stages,” she advises. “Only do it for 30 minutes or an hour — or 15 minutes if you can’t do it longer.”

Sort through your possessions and be honest with yourself about items you haven’t worn or used.

What are the odds you are going to wear or use them?

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April 2013

| Josephine magazine |

“If you don’t use it within six months, you probably don’t need it,” Graves says.

When it comes to clothing, if you feel six months just isn’t going to work for you then come up with your own time limit. You can decide to part with any item that you don’t wear or use within a year of purchase. Just make sure to stick with whatever time limit you decide works best for you.

“We wear about 20 percent of our clothes about 80 percent of the time,” Graves says.

And, if you’re saving certain-size clothing for the time when you drop a few pounds, consider keeping one or two outfits in the closet to remind you of your goal and packing the rest away.

“Set a period of time for yourself to lose the weight and get rid of the clothes,” she says.

When it comes to the kitchen, Graves says that three months may be a good time limit to use or lose bulky items.

“The time you purchase it is the time you are most excited,” she says.

If you can’t work up much excitement for that bread maker or countertop pizza oven, now is the time to get it out of the house.

“Donate it to a cause you are passionate about,” Graves says.

Donating not only those small kitchen appliances, but clothing, home decor and other household items ensures that you are passing along something that can be of use to someone else. And, some organizations also will pick up the items from your home.

Of course, you can opt to sell your items at a garage sale, in the local classifieds or online, but donating is the quickest way to get them out of the house before you start second-guessing yourself and decide you just can’t part with them.

“The final push to get it out the door is the hardest,” Graves says.

Chronically disorganized or a hoarder?

Just because your house is cluttered doesn’t automatically mean you are a hoarder. You could just be chronically disorganized.

Being chronically disorganized means that you bring normal items into your home but have no system in place to deal with them, Graves says.

Once you get a system in place, you’re able to deal

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with the clutter.

Hoarding, however, is a psychological problem, one that the American Psychiatric Association (www.psychiatry.org) will formally recognize as a mental disorder when it releases the latest edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in May. According to the organization, hoarding disorder affects 2 to 5 percent of the population.

“What I see is a person who is hurting,” Graves says of clients she has helped who are hoarders.

According to Graves and the American Psychiatric Association, hoarders often fill their homes with random items to which they have attached a sentimental value, but that the general public sees as trash. Their homes are so filled with items that rooms can’t be used for their intended purpose. And, oftentimes, hoarders don’t think they have a problem.

The American Psychiatric Association adds that hoarding not only affects a person’s ability to function normally but also impacts their social, occupational and family relationships.

If you suspect you or someone you know may have hoarding disorder, contact your doctor or a mental health professional.

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I

Old man action figures Should yesterday’s heroes still be making today’s films?

ALONZO WESTON has been a columnist and reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press staff for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Deanna, have two children and a dog. The St. Joseph native is also a sports junkie who doesn’t pick up after himself. If you’d like to suggest an idea for this column, contact Alonzo at alonzo. weston@newspressnow.com.

28

used to dream of being an action hero. Driving fast, expensive cars, dating pretty young girls and beating up bad guys in slow motion kung fu seemed like the glamorous life.

But I was a young man then and that’s a young guy’s dream. The only action-hero role I’d probably get now is as a weary seen-it-all, gray-bearded detective. And I’d have a young, energetic and dumb sidekick to show all the ropes to before I got shot.

The old guy almost always gets shot in movies. Clint Eastwood died more in his 50s and 60s than he ever did in his 20s and 30s. He survived a barrage of bullets several times in his youth, but it only took one shot to kill him after he got older.

Now Clint plays a cranky old guy with no butt and pants pulled up over his belly button. He no longer chases bad guys down the streets of L.A. but chases kids out of his yard.

Clint was wise enough to know he was getting too old to beat up on bad guys. Too bad no one told that to Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. These guys are over 60 and still acting in movies made for younger guys.

All three of those guys came out with action movies this past winter, and not one of them did bang up at the box office.

Stallone came out with a movie called “Bullet to the Head” in February. He still has muscles, but they look as phony as a Joan Rivers plastic surgery job. The bulges stretched out in the wrong places. He has a larger bag to carry his six pack in now.

Anyone who has ever seen the mov-

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| Josephine magazine |

ie “Rocky Balboa,” the last (hopefully) in the line of “Rocky” boxing flicks, knows just how unrealistic these old guy action movies can be.

Here’s Rocky pushing 60 and he takes down some young black kid for the heavyweight championship. That doesn’t happen unless you’re Bernhard Goetz. And remember, he had a gun.

I remember interviewing Sonny Myers, the late pro wrestler, when he was in his 70s. It was after he had made a video with him beating down a 24-year-old kid.

“I spanked his (butt),” Sonny said.

Right then and there is when I knew wrestling was fake.

It seemed that every time you saw Schwarzenegger in the past he was naked except for a pair of Speedos and a girl draped over his shoulder.

You’d even see him at a black tie affair wearing Speedos and a blonde.

Schwarzenegger didn’t start wearing clothes until after he turned 50. Then the only time you ever saw him semi-nude was in the tabloids after some paparazzi caught a grainy image of him in Speedos and a beer belly getting out of a pool somewhere in Malibu.

Now true to his word, the old Terminator is back. This time Schwarzenegger plays a sheriff fighting crime in a small Mexican border town. And he keeps his police uniform on the whole time.

Another old man, Bruce Willis, came out with an action movie called “A Good Day To Die Hard.” It’s the latest installation in his aptly named “Die Hard” movie series.

In “A Good Day To Die Hard,” Willis teams up with his CIA agent son to prevent a nuclear weapons theft.

He makes cholesterol jokes along the way.

The only old guy who still makes good action movies is Liam Neeson.

He’s 60 years old but still looks like he could take out some young punk or a 1,000 of them like he did in “Taken.”

Really the only people who want to see old guys in action movies are old guys. It inspires us enough to go get beat up by some young kid somewhere.

April 2013

I

getting real

was never a Scout, so I have never practiced the motto “Be prepared.” I used to wish I was more of a “pre-thinker,” always having a strategy ready in advance, but as I aged, I have learned to embrace my “shades of gray” thinking, even though I live in a “black-and-white” world. I now see that creative thinkers may not always look prepared on the outside, but when a challenge arises, just get out of our way and watch the ideas come flowing out!

Like the time I ran to Walmart with a friend.

Before leaving the house, I made a courtesy call to my hubby, who was out and about. We shared departure and arrival times, and I decided since he was on his way home I was not going to take time to find my keys, as he would be there to let me in once I returned. After finalizing our plans, I took off with my pal.

Arriving back home about an hour later, she pulled up to the house, which was still dark, just like I had left it. Not wanting to be a burden, I told her, “Guess I beat him home.

Don’t worry. He said he would be here shortly, so I’ll just sit on the porch until he gets here.” She protested leaving her friend on a cold, dark night unattended but finally gave in to my demands.

I took the plastic bags full of my purchases and sat down on the bench on the porch.

As I sat there, the wind began to blow and the night became darker.

I watched every headlight that went down the adjoining street in hopes it was the man I live with, who I knew would soon come and rescue me from my despair.

After 20 minutes of alone time, I began to shiver. My toes were in pain from the chill, and my bottom now felt like a frozen turkey.

That was when my ability to think outside the box came in real handy.

I needed warmth, and since I didn’t have flint to start a fire, I emptied one of the Walmart sacks onto the porch and used the thin plastic bag to fashion a lovely hat that I tied neatly under my chin.

Next, I needed a snack and was afraid to eat the berries on the bush, so I knew I was going to have to break into the house or starve.

I found a stick and tried to shove it into a non-existent crack of the door.

No luck.

After cursing the energy-efficient doorway, I began banging on the window in hopes I could coerce an opening that I could shove a metal pipe into and use it to force the window open. As I rattled the glass pane, I realized I didn’t have a metal pipe so I would have to go to Plan B. I would climb onto the roof and go down the chimney. At that moment, the porch light came on.

I stepped back, assuming my pounding had shaken a wire loose.

Imagine my surprise when the front door opened and there stood my hubby, who later I found out had arrived home about 15 minutes before me and had been downstairs watching TV in the family room. My banging on the window had alerted him.

He stared at me, still wearing my Walmart hat.

He immediately began asking questions that a prepared person would ask. “Why didn’t you just knock?”

“Where are your keys?” “Why are the groceries on the ground and the bag they came in on your head?”

Having used all of my creative powers to prevent hypothermia, I was out of words so I did not answer. Instead, I took off my “hat” and refilled it with the purchases I had left on the ground, smiling with pride that I could come up with life-saving ideas if life threw me a curve ball. Even if those situations might be avoided if I was more prepared.

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| Josephine magazine |

Thinking outside the bag When you’re not prepared, a little creativity can help STACEY MOLLUS is a family-loving, fun-seeking, glitter-covered, chocolate-consuming humor columnist and author. She would love to hear from you, so e-mail her at queenofchocolates @live.com or find her on Facebook at “Stacey Jensen Mollus.”

April 2013

29

meal time

I

Handy ‘stuff’

have an organized kitchen where everything has its place and woe be to those who put anything away where it does not belong! James Beard (one of my favorite mentors) always emphasized that a professional chef or cook always is organized and cleans up after themselves. He was a fanatic about that; no piggy in the kitchen, please!

Organization makes cooking so much easier. Instead of five minutes of “Oh where is that pan or I know I have one somewhere,” you can start cooking. The easier it is, the more likely you actually will cook something.

P.S.: If you don’t know where it is, you never use it and you don’t need it.

And please, put the turkey roaster in the basement; you only use it a few times a year. Put the dishes you never use in the back of the cabinet. Only have one miscellaneous drawer in the kitchen. Put all the odds and ends in a plastic tub and if you ever need them, easy enough to go to the tub.

Some of my time savers include:

Vinaigrette Making a vinaigrette and keeping it in a plastic squirt bottle for a quick way to dress freshly dried greens. Using various flavored mustards provides a change of pace. I coat rounds of goat cheese in panko crumbs, bake until warm, place on the dressed greens and voila. The traditional ratio is usually 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil, go with whatever is your favorite.

1 part white wine or champagne vinegar Salt 2 parts olive oil 2 parts canola oil Large splash of balsamic vinegar Dijon mustard to taste (I use a lot, mustardgrette!)

First, combine vinegar and salt so the salt dissolves. Add the rest, keep adding and taste until you like the results. Add crushed garlic, red pepper flakes — it’s your creation.

Another great use for plastic squirt bottles is for cooking oils and olive oils. Just grab, squirt and start cooking.

MOTTS

April 2013

Savory butters Making compound butters can save you time and money while giving your recipe a flavor boost. Use unsalted butter, soften and add herbs of choice to taste. (You can blanch fresh herbs, cool and chop.) Form the butters into a roll about 1 inch in diameter (using waxed paper or clear wrap), chill or freeze and cut off a slice when needed. Use it to dress up steamed vegetables, grilled meat, fish or poultry.

One of most familiar examples of compound butter would be Maitre D’Hotel butter. The ratio is 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter. Place a slice on a hot steak and let it melt.

Other handy stuff For baking, I use a Silpat (a space-age sheet pan liner) to prevent sticking. Even the most fragile cookies come right off.

A microplane rasp grater is perfect for hard cheeses like Parmesan and hard spices like a whole nutmeg and also perfect for taking the zest off citrus without removing the pith. The same tool used by woodworkers, it’s terrific.

A wooden lemon reamer is easy to use on all lemons and limes, and it’s easily storable so I don’t have several sizes of citrus presses.

A food thermometer is essential in my kitchen. An inexpensive instant read Taylor (no relation) is perfect. I use it for meats, breads, sauces and so on. There is no guessing — you know exactly where you are in the cooking process. No more overcooked expensive meat!

However, nothing can beat my Cuisinart for all around fast stuff. A really good food processor can slice or dice pounds of vegetables in a flash, mix up a quiche dough in a few seconds, make an emulsified sauce, pulverize bread to make bread crumbs, puree just about anything, on and on.

You must purchase a good processor, and it is money well spent. (I had one for 25 years.) Most other brands just don’t perform well, are difficult to use and clean and are a total waste of your money. It will end up on top of the shelf, never to be used again!

Saving time in the kitchen, saving money and cooking something — all much easier if you are organized.

LONNIE GANDARA TAYLOR is a St. Joseph native who has returned home after a prestigious career in the culinary field. She taught cooking classes in the San Francisco Bay area for years and was a professional assistant to Julia Child, James

I often use an easy herb combo I got from Simone Beck, who called it MOTTS. Using freshly dried herbs, process in food processor or blender, pass through medium-fine sieve, and store in tightly covered jar in a cool place, out of sunlight. Toss some in 30

sauces, lamb stews, cheese tarts, etc.

1 part marjoram (M) 1 part oregano (O) 2 parts thyme (Twice Thyme) 1 part savory (S)

Beard, Martha Stewart, Simone Beck and Martin Yan, among others. She is a graduate of the Paris Cordon Bleu, the Academie du Vin in Paris and the first culinary class held in the Oriental hotel in Bangkok, as well as being the author of five cookbooks.

| Josephine magazine |

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