A N O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N • S E R V I N G N E B R A S K A & W E S T E R N I O W A
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM
the holiday issue
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Heirlooms and
curated ColleCtions
N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • VO L U M E 1 7 • I S S U E 6
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Christen 402-444-1094 | chris.christen@owh.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Jessica Thompson 402-444-1120 | jthompson@owh.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Marjie Ducey 402-444-1034 | marjie.ducey@owh.com COPY EDITOR Shelley Larsen
1702 Cuming Street Omaha, NE 68102 402-502-5265 • prairieinbloom.com
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ON THE COVER Mantel of Amy Sporrer, Photographed by Jeffrey Bebee CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Jeffrey Bebee, Heidi Hoffman, Kurt A. Keeler, Chad Lebo CUSTOM PUBLISHING SALES MANAGER Lauren Miller | 402-444-1261 | lauren.miller@owh.com
HELPING YOU MAKE A STATEMENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Emily Martin | 402-444-1411 | emily.martin@owh.com Marilyn Martin | 402-444-1405 | marilyn.martin@owh.com Deborah Fernsell | 402-444-1209 | dfernsell@owh.com EVENTS Tam Webb | 402-444-3125 | tam.webb@owh.com Tayler Kirtley | 402-444-1161 | tayler.kirtley@owh.com
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13817 Industrial Rd, Omaha, Ne 68137 402-445-2596 • jhcomaha.com Find us on Facebook @jhcshowroom
2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
AMPHITHEATER
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CONTENTS HISTORIC GEM 8
A HOUSE OF ANY COLOR
DESIGN DONE RIGHT 16
AN ENGLISH CLASSIC
RECIPES 22 46
Find Holiday Sparkle Here CreAtive. UniqUe. LoCAL. Fine Art, Custom Glass, Bronzes & Jewelry
GINGERBREAD TREES THE HIDDEN PANTRY: SOUPS
HOMESPIRATION 24
MAGICALLY SIMPLE
HOST 28
8
CHRISTMAS, REFINED
MEET THE EXPERTS 31 32
INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES KITCHENS REDEFINED
SPEAKING OF PLANTS 38
PROGRESS REPORT
SMALL SPACES, BIG STYLE 41
DIY ALTERNATIVE TREE
NEAR + FAR 42
28
TORONTO WINTER GETAWAY
LUXURY HOMES 45
AN ADVERTISING FEATURE
EXPERIENCE LOCAL
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r o t e l l a s b a k e r y. c o m
Baking high quality products begins with the finest “ingredients, integrated carefully with old world skills passed on from generation to generation. ”
Happy Holidays from the Rotella Family!
6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
EDITOR'S NOTE
DOLLOPS OF DELICIOUSNESS that night.
SAM SIFTON, THE NEW
For a restaurant critic, it can
YORK TIMES FOOD EDITOR, got a taste of Omaha
be a challenge working under the
recently in conjunction with
guise of anonymity. “Wigs don’t
the 16th annual Lauritzen
work so well for fellas.” His foil for
Gardens Antiques Show.
restaurant staff expecting a prep-
He confessed to arriving with a hoity-toity speech on food and culture for his Sun-
py-looking guy: An open-collar CHRIS CHRISTEN
day Luncheon & Lecture ap-
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
pearance but scrapped it after a whirlwind introduction to our city’s restaurant scene and an evening of wining and dining with the LGAS inner circle. “New York is not going to tell you anything about the art of entertaining,” Sifton told the sold-out audience of 500. “This is a sophisticated crowd.” For the next hour, Sifton served up a delightful smorgasbord of insights, anecdotes, musings and quips about his career, his love of Thanksgiving and the joys of food as a cultural experience. If this was impromptu speaking, it was as smooth as the Unstrung Harp cocktail served as guests mingled and found their seats. Some takeaways from the talk by the affable critic and author: “Anytime we interact with food and wine, it’s a cultural experience.” “Thanksgiving is the greatest American holiday, bar none.” His 2012 book, “Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well,” is a best-seller. “There is no need for fear” if you’re in the kitchen on the fourth Thursday of November, Sifton says. To aspiring home chefs: “If you cook on a regular cadence and invite people over to share it, your life is going to be better.” Two keys to a great party: Serve more alcohol than you think you should, and recognize that you’re not going to change
black shirt and some gold chains. On the road as national editor for The Times, Sifton almost always spent time in the kitchens of
the newspaper’s correspondents. “I kept coming across one book: ‘The New York Times Cookbook’ by Craig Claiborne.” Published in 1961, it was a best-seller for most of a decade. Sifton’s Omaha experience included “a wild day of eating” with former World-Herald food critic Sarah Baker Hansen. They hit Archetype, Farine + Four, Coneflower Creamery, Time Out Foods, Block 16 and Mercury. (Time ran out, or he would have had a Runza fix, too). Sifton found the crab Rangoon-topped Three Happiness Burger at Block 16 “shockingly delicious” and told his social media fan base later: “I’m bringing that to Brooklyn, stat.” The visit wasn’t long enough for a complete taste of the restaurant scene, including “a very interesting pizza game,” he told the LGAS crowd. “I’ll be back.” Visiting the Big Apple? Try the high-end Greek restaurants on 59th Street and the grilled fish with lemon in Queens. And just in case you’re curious (the LGAS crowd was), Sifton prefers his Thanksgiving stuffing baked outside the bird, in copious amounts. Happiest of holidays from our homes to yours!
MAKE IT AT HOME The Unstrung Harp cocktail originated at the now-closed Tenpenny restaurant in NYC. The recipe was inspired by Edward Gorey’s 1953 novel of the same name. Back in 2011, NYT Cooking declared the Unstrung Harp the “Drink of Summer.” Now you can enjoy it anytime time of year. Unstrung Harp Yields 1 drink Time: 2 minutes 1½ ounces Gosling’s Black Seal rum 1 ounce ginger syrup (see note) 2 limes halved and crushed 3½ ounces prosecco Shake the rum, syrup and limes with ice and pour into the largest and most sturdy wine glass you can find. Add prosecco. Note: To make the ginger syrup, dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar into a tablespoon of ginger juice from grated ginger. Cheers!
anyone’s mind on any particular subject
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8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
HISTORIC GEM
A HOUSE OF ANY COLOR Historic Gold Coast beauty gets a “trust us” makeover
I
STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE f Jenni Herchenbach were to win the lottery, the first thing she’d do is hire a full-time carpenter. “And I would keep them
busy,” she says.
That’s what happens when you live in
an architecturally significant home like the Smyth House in Omaha’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The stately 1906 residence at 38th and
garage designed by famed Omaha archi-
were considering new-home construc-
tect Thomas R. Kimball.
tion at West Shores in Waterloo when
Jenni and husband Scott have spent
the Smyth House came on the market
the past two years renovating the prop-
— as the 2013 Omaha ASID Designer
erty and don’t expect to ever truly be
Showhouse.
finished. “As long as we live here, there will be a project list,” she says. It may seem too big for the almost-empty nesters but with six daughters, that may not be an issue for long. “It could be filled some day with 36 grandchildren,” Jenni says. The couple bought the house in 2013
Webster Streets has eight bedrooms and
after a two-year search that stretched
about 6,000 square feet, plus a detached
from Crescent to Weeping Water. They
That gave the pair a chance to poke around on their own and fall in love with it. It’s not a frou-frou house, Jenni says, with lots of fireplaces and built-ins, but she never tires of the view as she pulls into the driveway. “It was the only one we both walked into and said, ‘This is it,’” Jenni says. “It was special,” Scott says.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
PARLOR The piano is a 1923 Steinway and was refurbished by Lindeblad Piano Restoration, of Pine Brook, N.J. Pocket doors leading into the room are cherry on one side and oak on the other.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 While they haven’t had to do a lot inside besides paint, the outside has undergone a transformation.
quarts of paint samples sitting in their foyer), the Herchenbachs decided on Sherwin-Williams’ “Aloof Gray” for the main color, “Urbane Bronze” for the base and windows and “Snow-
One not without controversy.
bound” for the trim. The peaks are “Pewter Green,” in homage
The Herchenbachs wanted to redo the facade to look as close
to the home’s original color.
as possible to the original, minus the pea green paint. Some
The choices add depth to the house’s architectural details,
neighbors were alarmed to learn that the white house was
says Jenni, who enjoys watching passers-by gawk at the multi-
going to be painted a new color.
ple stories, columns and porches, restored in all their glory.
After hours of consideration (at one time there were 22
10 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
In other work, metal siding was removed and the original
cedar siding was restored. That project gave the couple a
DINING ROOM
look at the house’s original color. The capitals at the top
The wood paneling is original to the house. Pocket doors divide the living and dining rooms. The ceiling light fixture is believed to be original to the house and Jenni sourced coordinating sconces (not shown).
of each column were restored, from horsehair-and-terracotta to a more modern cast. That necessitated raising the roofs above them, and lots of phone calls by Scott to find a company that could craft the replacements. “To get the exact same size was a nightmare,” he says. Halfway through the project, they switched
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
STAIRWELL & LANDING
SECOND-FLOOR PORCH
The second-floor ceiling medallion is an Omaha ASID Designer Showhouse addition. The window seat is original to the home.
Jenni and Scott often enjoy coffee and cocktails on the porch, which they say is also a great place to watch a movie, enjoy a fire and watch storms roll in.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 contractors, and started over successfully with Stein Construction. They declined to specify how much all the work cost. “A zillion and counting,” they said with a smile. Now that the outside is done, they’re happy with their choices and feel as though they’ve stayed true to the house that so many people remember. They also renovated the yard and fountain, making it more expansive for the entertaining they love with less maintenance. A kitchen makeover is on the to-do list along with the upstairs master bath. They’ve already started refurbishing the basement. The couple says this is the “forever” home they’ve always wanted. Jenni says, “This house feels so good when it’s full of people, laughter and music.”
12 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
WIDOW’S WALK Jenni and Scott say they have the best view of the city from atop their house.
OFFICE The wallpaper was added during the 2013 Showhouse renovations. Jenni decided on a dark slate gray for the other walls. “My office gets the most incredible morning light,’’ she says. “If I can’t be on the widow’s walk for sunrise, my office is the next best place.” The day bed in there allows for extra space for guests.
Making the Season Merry & Bright With gingerbread houses, trees adorned with colorful confections, festive carolers, brilliant indoor and outdoor light displays, and a towering poinsettia tree, you can make sweet memories at Lauritzen Gardens this holiday season. Cozy up by the fireplace, roast a marshmallow, walk through the lush conservatory, and enjoy the sights and sounds of garden trains. No matter your age, the days between November 23 and January 5 are sure to be merry and bright!
lauritzengardens.org
0000081044-01
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EXPERIENCE L O CAL | A SP ONSORED FEATURE
EXPERIENCES THAT LAST What to give a child? Creativity, confidence and connection
ELF:THE MUSICAL, STARTING NOV. 29
SPECIAL FOR THE ROSE THEATER
I
magine a gift that takes your child or grandchild on an amazing adventure, inspires them to accomplish their
wildest dreams and gives them confidence
to conquer whatever lies before them! It’s possible with the gift of an experience at The Rose Theater. “Live theater and theater education have a crucial role in developing the minds and hearts of our young people,” Artistic Director Matthew Gutschick says. “Plus, it’s an experience that involves enjoyable quality time as a family.” And, according to the Journal of Consumer Research, forges strong bonds. Here are four ways you can give the gift of theater to children ages 3 to 18 this holiday season.
1
Take the kids to a star-studded live theater performance with Backstreet Boys’ Howie D. While
any show at The Rose is certain to bring smiles, this is an opportunity to see a true music celebrity in a world-premiere event, in your own backyard. Howie Dorough will debut “Howie D: Back in the Day” at The Rose, Jan. 31–Feb. 16. It’s an inspirational story about finding your passion in life and discovering your true voice. Kids will love the original pop music performed by Howie D. You will love the message about being yourself and overcoming challenges to achieve your dreams. GIFT PACKAGE IDEA Present tickets ($25 each) with Howie’s latest CD,“Which One Am I?” with songs from “Howie D: Back in the Day.” Plan a day together watching Backstreet Boys videos and practicing their signature dance moves. After the show, talk about your child’s dreams and goals.
2
Give them the world — of theater! For $20-$27 per ticket (less, if purchased at Hy-Vee), your family
can rock out with mole rats, climb the Alps, play with a furry friend and more.
14 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
GIFT PACKAGE IDEAS • “Corduroy” — Wrap tickets for this spring show with a cuddly bear like the one in the production. • “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed” — Pick up a copy of Mo Willems’ book by the same title. Or make an entire Mo Willems book package for holiday reading:“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie,” “Knuffle Bunny:A Cautionary Tale” and others. • “The Diary of Anne Frank” — This show introduces older kids to historical events while helping them develop empathy and compassion. Pair tickets with the original book, a blank diary and a pass to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and Riekes Museum for a firsthand look at Jewish culture. • “The Little Engine That Could” — A Rose First Stage production designed for very young children. Present the tickets ($12 each) with a train-themed book and a toy train. • “The Sound of Music” — Families of all ages will appreciate the world’s favorite musical when it bursts onto The Rose stage in June. Package the tickets with a soundtrack or DVD from the musical and plan a sing-a-long night to discover your own inner Von Trapp family talents.
3
The Rose Studios for Youth Artists in west Omaha. Enrollment is open through Jan. 1 for spring concerts complete with costumes, sets, professional lighting and more. For ages 2 to 18, starting at $30 per month. GIFT-GIVING IDEA Announce the news with a personalized dance bag or a Broadway cast recording and vocal music book.
4
Perform in a short play with a DRAMA class or camp. Camping takes on a whole new meaning at
The Rose. Summer camp 2020 information will be available in early January, so pick up a gift certificate and let your kids see what it means to spend summer on the stage. Camp experiences run one to four weeks. Registration is open for winter and spring drama classes. GIFT-GIVING IDEAS Fill a clear reusable water bottle or lunch box with Starburst candy and include a tag that reads, “You are sure to be the STAR at theater camp!” along with a Rose Theater T-shirt (available at the theater’s Rose Boutique).
Put your budding artist in the spotlight with a BROADWAY at
For more information on experiential
The Rose class in dance, musical
gifts from The Rose Theater, call 402- 345-
theater, voice or acting. Coming in 2020:
4849 or visit www.rosetheater.org.
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DESIGN DONE RIGHT
AN ENGLISH CLASSIC All she wants for Christmas is more Spode
STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE
J
enni Toebben loves it each November when, with Thanksgiving behind her, she can finally pull out her carefully marked Christmas bins and start decorating for the holidays. Her kids won’t let her start any earlier. It’s almost like opening a scrapbook, she
says.
“I’ll have an ornament given to me by someone who is no
longer around and certain ones I’ve given to the kids depending on what has gone on in their lives,” she says. Cookie-cutter ornaments go on the kids’ tree. “When I first got married I could not afford anything. I did cookie cutters with curling ribbons.” Toebben loves everything about Christmas. She says her traditional two-story house in The Farm subdivision in Elkhorn is perfect for the holiday, which is one of the reasons she loves it, too. Her home has three fireplaces, lots of room to entertain and plenty of space for her four trees, each with its own theme. The house has a formal dining room, where she decorates the table differently each December. Last year, it was gold and silver. This year, she’s considering nutcrackers. She has plenty. A lower-level storage room is bursting with
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 16 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
FAMILY ROOM
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
with plates and addicted to the English
she’s a Realtor and shows her two Sussex
Christmas items. She’s on the lookout
brand, she says, especially the blue-and-
and one English toy spaniels. She and
all year; it was still hot when she spotted
white variety.
Bertram, Pirbright and Roberta drive to
adorable Stewart red plaid plate chargers she had to add to her collection. It’s the same way with the Spode pieces that dot the house and fill her largest tree in the living room. She’s obsessed
18 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
“I can go to an estate sale or some junky antique shop, and I have a radar for blue and white,” she says. The tree in her office is done in pastels and adorned with houses and dogs;
about 30 shows a year. Her Christmas decorations don’t come down until the end of January because of two events earlier in the month. The children’s tree is on the lower
level. It’s bright with primary colors and lots of animals. “I collected a lot of it for my kids as
and is the dressiest of the four. Each tree is assigned its own storage bins. Same with the greenery for the
they’ve grown up,” Jenni says. “When
mantels and similar ornaments, many
Emma and Spencer were little I would
glass because they are inexpensive and
have them help me decorate that tree.”
add pops of color.
The tree in the family room off the kitchen is done up in gold and burgundy,
Jenni would much rather go to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
DINING ROOM Jenni decorates the dining table with a different theme each year.
FAMILY ROOM Jenni with three of her dogs. They travel to about 30 shows a year.
SUNROOM The tree in Jenni’s office has lots of dogs and houses (she’s a Realtor).
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 someone’s house than a restaurant for a night out and has several parties over the holidays. One year, she did an exhausting seven in 10 days. At least it kept her house clean, she says, laughing. She bakes, too: cookies and English muffin bread. “It is one of my favorite holidays,” she says. “I love winter. It’s a time when families get together. It’s fun because you make your house look different. People kind of get in the spirit, which I like.”
20 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
LIVING ROOM This tree has more ornaments than any of the others. “There are lots of memories on that tree,” Jenni says.
LOWER LEVEL Jenni’s children, Spencer and Emma, received nutcrackers every Christmas while they were growing up.
EXPERIENCE L O CAL | A SP ONSORED FEATURE
Y
MAGIC IN THE AIR Christmas characters come to life at Rockbrook Village
ou might see Rudolph at Rockbrook Village this year. Or maybe Dasher, Dancer, Prancer or Vixen.
Not to mention The Grinch.
Omaha’s Rockbrook Village is hosting its
“It’s a really cool experience for the people who come, and that’s why it’s so popular every single year,” she says. “The event also helps get the word out more about Rockbrook Village and about our store.”
annual Santa in the Village holiday event
BY MAGGIE O’BRIEN SPECIAL FOR ROCKBROOK VILLAGE
Nov. 30. Combined with
Visitors can take a break from shopping and the festivities to dine at
Small Business Saturday, it
local favorites Pasta Amore,
may be the shopping center’s
The Hunger Block and
best yet — with live reindeer
Jaipur, among others.
and The Grinch participating
“It’s a wonderful day,”
for the first time.
says Leo Fascianella, Pasta
Returning are holiday
Amore’s owner and chef. “We
favorites like free cookies,
are busy, but we are always
hot cocoa and carriage rides
busy. What I like best about
— not to mention Santa
it, though, is to see the young
himself.
little kids and their families
“The reindeer are an
who come out together to see
extra element of fun, and
Santa. It’s a beautiful thing
we’re very excited to have
that is unusual these days.”
them with us this year,” says
Santa in the Village and
Andrea Carson, Rockbrook
Small Business Saturday
Village marketing director.
are scheduled from 1 to
“Between the holiday spirit
4 p.m. and will include a
in the air and our unique mix
select group of local makers,
of locally owned merchants
artisans and small-batch
offering incredible holiday
food purveyors with pop-up
deals, it’s a great time to visit
shops throughout the Village.
the Village.”
Look for the large, red “Pop-
The Rockbrook Village
Up Shop” signs in front of
slogan, “Home grown,
participating stores.
locally owned,” has long
Great Harvest Bread
been a successful approach
Company is looking for a
to building community
vendor to team up with this
and sustaining a unique
year. In 2018, owner Marian
collection of businesses
Cihacek says, a mushroom
offering an array of products
and microgreen grower
and services that can’t be
helped the restaurant make
found anywhere else in the
mushroom soup and special
metro area, Carson says.
salads for the day.
The shopping center’s central location at 108th
to customers who might otherwise miss
Street and West Center Road and small-
it. Nestled in the west end of the shopping
town feel are pluses for merchants and
center near the Garden Cafe, Four Sisters
consumers alike. Many Rockbrook Village
Boutique offers affordable, contemporary
“Whoever we get, we like to incorporate whatever they have in our shop,” she says. “It was really fun, and there’s nothing like cross-marketing with
retailers are planning special sales — the
apparel and accessories, as well as Husker
another small business. Everyone benefits
day after Black Friday — to celebrate Small
gear.
that way.”
Business Saturday and the holidays. Sarah Spooner, owner of Four Sisters
Spooner says her staff is brainstorming ways to celebrate the day, including giving
For more information, visit rockbrookvillage.com. Businesses interested
Boutique, says Small Business Saturday and
out goodie bags to the first 100 people
in being a pop-up shop should email Carson
Santa in the Village introduces her store
through the door.
at andrea@rockbrookvillage.com.
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RECIPES
gingerbread trees Surprise Santa with a stunning gingerbread forest when he arrives at your house. Make sure to include a tall glass of milk!
TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY HEIDI HOFFMAN
INSTRUCTIONS Gingerbread dough (see recipe) Parchment paper Varied sizes of snowflake cookie cutters Small star cookie cutter Royal icing (see recipe) Powdered sugar
22 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Roll out the gingerbread dough to Âź-inch thickness. Using varied sizes of snowflake cookie cutters, cut out 12 snowflakes. Using a small star cookie cutter, cut out one star. Transfer cutouts to the baking sheet and bake in batches for 10 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. 3. Once baked and cooled, pipe royal icing onto each cookie and stack together. Dust with powdered sugar.
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GINGERBREAD DOUGH ½3 cup light molasses 1 cup light brown sugar 14 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons honey Zest of one lemon 4 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon baking soda 4 cups flour, sifted 1 teaspoon salt 1 lightly beaten large egg
1. Pour molasses into a large saucepan with brown sugar, butter, honey, lemon zest, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Stir frequently over low heat until sugar is dissolved. 2. Increase the heat to bring mixture to boiling. Remove from heat and beat in baking soda. Mix briefly until combined, then let cool for 15 minutes. 3. Sift flour and salt, then fold into the mixture in batches, using a stand mixer. 4. Add the egg and mix until just combined. 5. Scrape out dough onto plastic wrap, cover and refrigerate for one hour. Tip: Do not overwork the dough, or cookies will spread during baking. ROYAL ICING 2 cups powdered sugar 1 lightly beaten large egg white ½ teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon water Food coloring (optional) Piping bag
1. Add powdered sugar, egg white, lemon juice and water into a bowl. Mix together until soft peaks form. 2. Use food coloring to create your desired colors, if applicable 3. Spoon into a piping bag for easy decorating. Tip: Prepare icing ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
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HOMESPIRATION
Magically simple
EVERY ROOM OF THIS AKSARBEN BUNGALOW HAS A CLASSIC TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS
24 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE
my Sporrer decorates twice for Christmas. First at her midtown shops, Spruce and Rosie Jane, and then at her three-bedroom bungalow in the Aksarben area. It’s not a job she dreads. She actually enjoys every minute. Her secret? Decorations are freed from basement storage a week in advance, allowing for time to plan and prepare. There’s no last-minute and hurried trips to the store for hanging wire or extra bows. “Then when you want to decorate it’s fun and not a task,” she says. Because of the busy schedule at her shops this time of year, decorating at home is done the weekend before Thanksgiving. It’s a given with her that every room will have an element of the season. Ornaments peek out between cups and glasses in cupboards. The bathroom is decked out, too. Trees in each bedroom are a must. “We all spend so much time in our kitchen and bedroom — you can’t just stop with the family room and dining room,” she says. “The whole house should feel like Christmas.” Sporrer lived in Connecticut for years before moving to Omaha in 2012 and grew accustomed to the more traditional style of decorating. Although homes may have been on a grander scale there, she says, the classic style still works in smaller homes. “You have to have those little pops of Christmas everywhere because smaller neighborhood homes can’t accommodate huge trees,” she says.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
LIVING ROOM The big tree sits in the front room but Amy has hundreds of smaller ones throughout the house.
THE BAR Even this bar area off the kitchen gets a festive touch.
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25
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 Her decorations are far from overwhelming, however. The trick, she says, is to just add to your current decor. “I don’t put anything away,” Squeezing in her decorations is made somewhat easier for Sporrer because she has collected about 200 small trees and vintage houses that she can tuck everywhere. It can turn into a fun “I Spy” game for her guests. One of her favorite spots? Behind the glass doors of her kitchen cabinets. Once the holidays are over, tear down is easy. Totes are clearly marked for santas and trees. Ornaments from that year’s big
26 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
tree are put away separately, so she can create a new look the next year. That’s not difficult considering the oodles of decorations in the basement. “My Christmas collection is huge and always growing,” she says. “Some new, some vintage.” It has followed her through many moves and will likely be on the go again. As much as Sporrer loves her home and neighborhood, she’s feeling the itch for a new project. Maybe mid-century this time. But no matter where she lands, one thing will never change. “I love Christmas. I always have.”
inspiredlivingomaha.com
27
HOST
Christmas, refined After 30 years, couple trades red and green for silver and gold STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE
S
orry, Santa. The outdoor lights, the
toy train under the tree, the snow village in the living room — they will always
have a special place in a family’s Christmas story. But it’s time for a change. The kids have kids of their own, and all those traditional Christmas touches just aren’t expected anymore. “Consider it fully appreciated after 30 years,” says Rose McCormick of Beyond the Vine. She’s finding that as baby boomers age, their tastes are gravitating to modern traditional decor. When it comes to accessories — holiday decorations included — less is more, she says. Last year, McCormick helped a retired Omaha couple with a holiday makeover that took Christmas decorating in a new direction. “Our decor has always been very traditional and child-oriented with seven grandchildren,” the homeowner says. “This time we went for understated elegance.” Her husband was in full agreement. “Simpler is best,” he says of the new look of winter whites, gold and silver. Preparing a dinner party for 12 close friends in December 2018, the couple
and pine — in white vases set the length
for the culinary flavors but also for the
called on McCormick to help them turn
of the table provided the crowning touch.
time together.
their dining room into a shimmering winter wonderland.
A private caterer (a dear friend)
“The whole point of a beautiful table
prepared a menu that included ba-
is to make guests feel special, whether
con-wrapped shrimp with teriyaki
they’re family, close friends or your
pagne linens, gold-rimmed china, gold
glaze, beef medallions with mushroom
bridge or book club,” McCormick says.
flatware, metallic starburst spheres,
demi-glace sauce and warm chocolate
“Add great food and the ambiance is
flocked branches and white lights. Fresh
soufflé with raspberry coulis.
magical. It’s a lovely memory for you and
They dressed the tabletop in cham-
florals — amaryllis, roses, tulips, freesia
28 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
It was a meal to be savored, not only
your guests.”
inspiredlivingomaha.com
29
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MEET THE EXPERTS | A SP ONSORED FEATURE
BEYOND THE WELCOME MAT 5 tips for getting your home holiday-ready
BY LINDI JANULEWICZ SPECIAL FOR INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES
G
etting ready for the holidays often means planning for guests in your home. Here are five ways to offer a warm welcome.
Invest in an ottoman or two. They’re great for shared-space seating and adding visual interest to an open floor plan, can double as a coffee table and are kid-friendly. Some ottomans even offer storage for remote controls, game controllers, movies, children’s toys and other small, frequently used items.
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Give a tired space — the one you’re obsessing about — a quick update. Install a new lighting fixture over the kitchen table, swap out the area rug in the entry, bring some fun or drama to the powder room with a bold wall covering, anchor the sofa with new artwork. Small changes can and do have big impact. Remove or edit everyday accessories from rooms before bringing out your holiday decor. Adding holiday items to an already full shelf or tabletop muddies the look and steals focus. Carefully select what stays out and what tucks away for the season for maximum impact. Opt for clear acrylic chairs rather than folding chairs for extra seating. Acrylic chairs look especially tidy at folding tables. Drape the tables with floor-length linens for a polished look without adding visual weight to an already crowded space. Find acrylic chairs wherever party rentals are available. But reserve them well in advance! Create a cozy room for overnight guests. Essentials: comfortable bedding, fresh towels, soft lighting, convenient access to outlets for personal electronics and basic toiletries. Bonus items: A fan, black-out draperies, fresh flowers or greens in a vase, reading material, bottled water and snacks.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter Get a hand-picked selection of stories and photo galleries from the Inspired Living staff delivered straight to your inbox.
INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM
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INTERIOR DESIGN: INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES
inspiredlivingomaha.com
31
MEET THE EXPERTS | A SP ONSORED FEATURE
12
COST-SAVING KITCHEN RENOVATION TIPS
BY DOUG MEIGS SPECIAL FOR KITCHENS REDEFINED
K
BEFORE
elly S. King has helped clients modernize kitchens across the Omaha metro (and around the
close glides for greater functionality drawers).
BACKSPLASH
32 years. His Omaha-based
Add a tile backsplash (or replace an
company, Kitchens in strategic, costsaving renovations.
Replace or retrofit drawers with soft(while removing rickety, noisy, sticking
world) for more than
ReDefined, specializes
DRAWERS
outdated backsplash). Try a simple, traditional subway tile. Or consider a bold
KELLY S. KING
OVEN HOOD Remove a microwave over a stove and put
Here are King’s Top 12 upgrades for a brand-new look without gutting the kitchen.
it in the pantry. Add a range hood and
available.
chimney above the stove for a dramatic
COUNTERTOPS
statement in the kitchen (possibly with
REPAINTING/REFINISHING
new tiling, reclaimed wood or different paint finishes around the hood).
Refinishing or repainting existing cabinets offers an easy kitchen update — but
FLOATING SHELVES
don’t cut corners. Thorough cleaning,
Consider replacing upper cabinet boxes
sanding and primer application are
with new floating shelves for an open feel.
essential before painting/staining. For the
Local hardware stores sell basic floating
primer, King uses a “state-of-the-art and
shelving options. Custom-built floating
environmentally friendly” chemical bond
shelves can carry more weight with more
coat that his company produces. “A good
design options available.
refinish or paint job done right can last
HINGES
years; a poor job may yellow and chip after a few months,” he says.
Add soft-close hinges to hide exposed
CABINET DOORS Replacing doors with outdated style
tiling statement utilizing the plethora of color, pattern and texture options now
Replace old granite or Formica countertops with beautiful zeromaintenance quartz.
HARDWARE Install new, designer cabinet hardware (handles and knobs) for a bold statement.
FLOORING Refinish that tired, old flooring. Or replace it with wider plank wood, engineered wood or synthetic luxury vinyl planking.
hinges and prevent doors from slamming
To learn more, call 402-204-1299, or visit
shut.
kitchensredefined.com.
can transform a kitchen. Remember to repaint/refinish the cabinet boxes to
AFTER
match upgraded doors and drawers.
REFACING “Refacing” means to replace the exterior layer of cabinetry. It gives the appearance of totally new cabinets. “For example, you and then do new walnut doors,” King says, adding that there are many fun refacing options with specialty and exotic woods.
CROWN MOLDING Adding new crown molding (or replacing existing crown molding with a larger style) can transform any room.
32 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
PHOTOS BY PAULA MOSER
can skin over oak with a walnut veneer
INTERIOR DESIGN BY COURTNEY OTTE/THE MODERN HIVE
Fashion Apparel and Accessories, from Contemporary to Classic. Featuring Joseph Ribkoff
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INSPIRED LIVING GIFT GUIDE 2019 A SP ONSORED FEATURE
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HEARTS AND FIRE 1 1 0 1 5 E L M S T. ROCKBROOK VILLAGE 4 02- 88 4 -110 6 H E A RT S A N D F I R E .CO M
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WOMEN’S APPAREL, ACCESSORIES, JEWELRY & POLISH POTTERY Starting at $12 B E AU J OYAU 2 9 4 7 S . 1 0 8 T H S T. 4 0 2 - 3 0 1- 7 1 0 3 FAC E B O O K .C O M / B E AU J O YAU
CUDDLY THROWS, SHERPA SOCKS, & NORDIC GLOVES Starting at $11 NJ & CO. 1 7 6 5 0 W R I G H T S T. , S U I T E 4 4 02- 5 02-19 6 2 N J A N D C O M P A N Y. C O M
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THEATER, CLASSES, FAMILY FUN ALL YEAR ROUND Memberships starting at $105, single tickets starting at $20 THE ROSE THEATER 2 0 0 1 F A R N A M S T. 4 02-3 4 5 - 4 8 4 9 R O S E T H E AT E R .O R G
HOLIDAY DÉCOR, BAKING, CRAFT SUPPLIES & QUILTING MATERIALS GALORE Prices starting at $5 MANGELSEN’S 3 4 5 7 S . 8 4 T H S T. 4 0 2 - 3 9 1- 6 2 2 5 M A N G E L S E N S.CO M
SWIM LESSONS Starting at $84/month L I T T L E WAV E S FA M I L Y S W I M S C H O O L 1 7 6 0 2 W R I G H T S T. 4 0 2 - 9 3 2 -2 0 3 0 L I T T L E W A V E S F A M I L YS W I M S C H O O L .CO M
CUSTOM PHOTO DÉCOR & PHOTO GIFTS ROCKBROOK CAMERA 2 9 0 9 S . 1 6 9 TH P L A Z A , S U I T E 1 0 0 THE SHOPS OF LEGACY 4 0 2 - 6 9 1- 0 0 0 3 R O C K B R O O KC A M E R A .CO M
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35
SANTA BABY I need a little something under the tree... for Me
2909 S 108TH ST, OMAHA, NE 68144 402-343-9406 CHRISTIANNOBEL.COM
36 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
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FROM CHRISTIAN NOBEL
S M A L L S PAC E S, B I G ST Y L E
alternative christmas tree STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY
HEIDI HOFFMAN
1. Start by mapping out your wall hooks in a tree shape using small pieces of wall-safe tape. 2. Once tree shape is designed, remove tape as you adhere Command hooks to the wall. 3. Add Christmas lights in a zig-zag pattern. 4. Fill in with ribbon, tinsel and ornaments. 5. Hang a star at the top of the tree and arrange holiday decor and wrapped packages on the floor to complete the display.
inspiredlivingomaha.com
37
GARDENING
PROGRESS REPORT I get an F on spending but a passing grade on planting for pollinators
new (and smaller) pots that I got to dress up
season, there’s one area where I
my raised vegetable garden. Previous plants
definitely earned an F.
did much better in my dilapidated but huge
A big fat
plastic planters.
glorious I-don’t-regret-it-for-
What I thought was a bril-
a-minute failing grade on
liant idea for extra space in my
controlling my plant spending
vegetable garden backfired.
habits. I bought every amazing
I decided to fill the empty
flower that caught my eye and
areas with wildflower seeds
way overspent — again — at the
after writing that even a six-
Spring Affair in Lincoln last
foot patch could make a big
April. But I also made sure that
MARJIE DUCEY
SPEAKING OF PLANTS
almost every plant I brought
difference to pollinators. For good measure, I tossed in every leftover seed packet I had. Six weeks later, I had very
home was either a native species or good, according to the tag, for
few flowers, but all the weeds I had carefully
butterflies and bees. That’s my biggest focus
pulled had roared back. I’m going to try
going forward.
again next spring, maybe with zinnias and
I had a few disappointments. First off were the two Monet weigela that I spent big money on after a road trip to
cosmos. The biggest thing I learned this year? Too often, I buy plants, water them for
Canoyer Garden Center in Papillion. The
a few days and forget about them. With all
plants fried in the heat although the tag said
the rain last spring, and how pretty and
they could take full sun.
successful so many of my plants proved
My broccoli didn’t fare well in the fancy
38 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
to be afterward, I have to keep that water
UN S PL A S H .CO M
L
ooking back at the gardening
I usually don’t write down my observations of the growing season, but I think it’s a good idea. container handier in the future. I usually don’t write down my observations of the growing season, but
THE CLASSICS
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THE FLATIRON CAFÉ
If you’re craving the city’s BEST burger and a cold beer, then Dinker’s is your destination. Family-owned and operated since 1965 in Omaha’s “Little Poland” neighborhood. Selections include daily hand-pattied burgers, homemade onion rings, wings and chicken sandwiches. 2368 S 29TH ST 402-342-9742 DINKERSBAR.COM
Our classics endure for a reason. Serving delicious food and timeless hospitality since 1995. Open Table “Diner’s Choice” Award 2018. Tri p Advisor “Ten Best Restaurants i n Omaha 2019.” 1722 ST MARY’S AVE 402-344-3040 THEFLATIRONCAFE.COM
GARDEN CAFE
GORAT’S STEAK HOUSE
I think it’s a good idea. Michele Minnick started keeping a garden journal four years ago when she realized she couldn’t remember from year to year what worked and what didn’t in her flower beds and containers. The owner of the Garden Gallery in Olde Towne Elkhorn even created her own version to keep track of things such as when and where something was planted, when it bloomed, how tall it got and what made it a success or failure in her garden. “Just little things that will help me to plan for what I want it to look like next year,” she says.
A classic café and a Rockbrook landmark. An Omaha tradition since 1944. Favorite start your day with a delicious, from scratch of Warren Buffett, BRK shareholders, breakfast. Lunch offers delicious comfort celebrities and dignitaries from around food, signature soups, salads, and hot, the world. Top-quality fillet mignon, prime traditional chicken and beef entrees. Perfect rib, New York strip, whiskey rib-eye, chops to dine with friends and family, or host your and seafood. Live music next group meeting at Garden Café. most weekends. Dai ly lunch and dinner. 11040 OAk st. 4917 CENTER ST 402-393-0252 402-551-3733 GARDENCAFEROCkbROOk.COm GORATSOMAHA.COM
She adds pictures, too, to jog her memory about great color combina-
THE LEGENDS
tions or what she may need to plant more of next spring. She starts jotting notes midway through the growing season, often in incomplete sentences. She says if you start to journal that way, make sure you include enough information to recognize what plant you’re talking about. “I look at it during the winter just to get excited,” she says. “I love to see each year what my garden looked like. Sometimes I’ll do the same container and it will look completely different. I like to compare.” Do you keep a journal? I’d love to hear what works for you.
HOMY INN “A legendar y watering hole .” There’s no place like Homy! Omaha’s only champagne on tap, plus cocktails and cold beer. A “must stop” where friends gather. An Omaha institution since 1956. 1510 SADDLE CREEK RD 402-554-5815 HOMYINN.COM
The VIP Lounge Be a VIP where everyone knows your name – a great neighborhood lounge. one of the best places i n town to just chill, listen to music, and have a couple of drinks. our staff i s friendly and the atmosphere is easy-goi ng. 9001 arBor ST 402-391-7464 FaceBook.com/VIPLoungene
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41
HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
N E A R + FA R
12 FAVORITE WAYS TORONTO ENGAGES, ENTHRALLS AND ENTERTAINS
NYC’s little sister STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN
42 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
PHOTOS CHRIS CHRISTEN + KURT A. KEELER
NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE
C
CN TOWER
anada in the dead of winter
at night with illumination of the rink’s
5. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME
doesn’t sound smart, but
arches, the city’s official Christmas tree,
Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St.,
our family’s desire for a hol-
3D “Toronto” sign and Old City Hall in
iday getaway saw nine of us
Entertainment District
the background.
on Air Canada’s 2½-hour, nonstop flight from Omaha to Toronto last December. Though smaller than New York City, Toronto has a similar vibe with its soaring skyscrapers, hip neighborhoods, cool attractions and excellent public transportation. Our five-day itinerary concentrated on the city core. Here are our 12 favorite discoveries.
1. CN TOWER 301 Front St. West, Entertainment District Toronto smartly clusters three significant attractions in one tidy pedestrian plaza: the soaring CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and the small-but-engaging Toronto Railway Museum. We got our bearings from the top of the CN Tower, the city’s iconic symbol. The 360-degree view of the harbor and downtown was worth the $38 adult admission. For a hair-raising thrill and a fee, check out the
3. ST. LAWRENCE MARKET 93 Front St. East, Old Town Named No. 1 Food Market in the
100 Queen St. West
interactive. Go one-on-one against lifesize, animated versions of Hall of Fame goalies and shooters, view hockey flicks
butter tarts, maple candy, Montreal-style
and clips, and learn about legends of the
bagels, fresh-roasted coffee, sweet and
game and their gear. Admission: $20
savory crepes and Toronto’s signature peameal bacon sandwich. Aisle after aisle of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and poultry. The red brick emporium sits in Old Town, birthplace of Toronto. Also here: The Gooderham Flatiron Building, St. James Park with its doggie fountain, and a multicultural mash-up of restaurants, bistros, pubs and boutiques. In the vicinity: Mill Street Beer Hall in the Historic Distillery District. Victorian industrial architecture and cobblestone streets make this the perfect spot for the German-inspired Toronto Christmas Market, Nov. 14 to Dec. 22.
4. HARBOURFRONT CENTRE 235 Queens Quay West, on the waterfront
2. NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE
home of the Stanley Cup, is highly
World by National Geographic. Sample
EdgeWalk. Nearby: an “eggcellent” breakfast spot: Evviva, 25 Lower Simcoe St.
My brother’s party of seven raved about the experience. The museum,
Toronto sits on the shore of Lake Ontario, so a walk along the waterfront
Toronto’s answer to NYC’s Rockefeller
was a must. We made a delightful stop
Center. The square is a celebrated attrac-
for ice skating at Natrel Rink. I begged
tion year-round, with a reflecting pool
off, not wanting to embarrass myself,
in summer and a skating rink in winter.
but reconsidered and skated for the first
The holiday scene is especially magical
time in years — without falling down!
6. THE BATA SHOE MUSEUM 327 Bloor St. West, downtown A museum devoted to the history of footwear. Who knew? We lucked into “Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes.” Fashionistas will want (and need) more than an hour here. Steps away: BloorYorkville for upscale shopping. Nearby, giant ceramic heads by Omaha-based artist Jun Kaneko: One guards the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art; two welcome you to the posh Bisha Hotel.
7. ROL SAN 323 Spadina Ave., Chinatown Chinatown is everything you’d expect: Asian grocery stores, contemporary fusion restaurants and sidewalk vendors. We enjoyed a gargantuan meal at Rol San, a classic on the dim sum scene. The flavors were divine. A place packed with locals always is a good sign!
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8. KENSINGTON MARKET Vicinity of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street Adjacent to Chinatown, offbeat Kensington Market is a walkable bohemian neighborhood filled with graffiti, indie shops, vintage boutiques, coffee houses, art spaces and lively painted Victorian houses.
9. CASA LOMA HISTORIC CASTLE 1 Austin Terrace, north of downtown Toronto’s most distinctive private residence, built in 1914, is a family
KENSINGTON MARKET
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM
favorite during the holidays for the period decorations, live entertainment (aerialists in the Great Hall!) and Christmas market. Think “Downton Abbey” in scale and style. Crowded but worth it. Admission: $22.50.
10. LOOSE MOOSE TAP & GRILL 146 Front St. West Just two blocks from our hotel, this neighborhood watering hole was our group’s rendezvous spot. Noisy, friendly and packed before events. Storied pub feel.
11. THE SECOND CITY 51 Mercer St., Entertainment District Alley entrance. “Saturday Night
NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE
Live” atmosphere and format. Inventive young comedians who skewer everything from politics to popular culture. We had a ball at “It’s a Wild, Rowdy, Wonderful Life,” a mostly scripted two-act revue followed by a third act of improvisation.
12. KIT KAT ITALIAN BAR & GRILL 297 King St. West Tiny, kitschy mom-and-pop restaurant serving authentic Italian fare with attitude to match. We felt like family. Look for the grinning kitty at the bar and the Wishing Tree.
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ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
BATA SHOE MUSEUM
LUXURY HOMES
709 S. 96TH ST. $2,800,000
Celebrating 30 years of success and expertise in business!
Impressive District 66 Prudy/Slack designed home. Quality constructed by Dan Witt & set on approx. 3 secluded acres complete with tennis court and swimming pool. Over 9000 finished sq ft, 8+ car garage, 9+ bath locations, 5 bedrooms with walk-in closets, 4 fireplaces. The master features 2 enormous walk-in closets/rooms, 2 bath locations plus walk-in shower & whirlpool. Master suite overlooks access to private garden & patio. The second floor features a hallway with balcony windows overlooking the main floor living/great room. Generously sized second-floor bedrooms have walk-in closets, Jack/Jill configured baths. Please note that all measurements are approx. Blueprints available for review upon request. Seller requests 24-hour showing notice.
Meet the Experts
Nick and Asha Agarwal at
Carolyn Kesick 402-669-0940
Oriental Rug Palace
120 N. Lakeview Way, Ashland • $1,400,000 Simply showstopping and exquisite, this executive estate in Ashland is like none other. With over 7000 sq ft of high end finishes and entertaining space, with breathtaking and unbeatable views at every turn. Open the door and be wowed by the generous space and flowing open concept main floor, featuring chef’s kitchen with new high-end appliances and oversized island, wine bar, smooth ceilings, surround sound, new fireplace, and loads of natural light. Recently remodeled master retreat with its own private deck, coffee bar, heated tile floors, and a to-die-for master shower. Sunroom with a view for miles, private office, formal dining room, loads of cabinets for storage and all heated tile complete the main floor. Basement w/ full second kitchen, sunken family room, wine cellar, billiards room, 2 guest suites with full bathrooms, pool room with towel storage, hot tub and sauna, and a convenient second laundry room, play room and fitness room. Brand new deck, railing, Da Vinci roof and much much more.
Michael Maley 402-981-7400
Visit our showroom and explore the unique selection of fine handmade rugs, quality furniture and decorative accessories. Add warmth, luxury and style to your home that reflects you…
Stop by today for an enjoyable shopping experience and take advantage of great savings throughout the showroom, as we celebrate our 30 years in business!
21285 Rawhide Road $1,399,000 Welcome to this timeless 1.5-story family home on 2.4 acres for resort-like living, fun and relaxation. Enter and be captivated by the great room’s 18-foot limestone fireplace and views of lush grounds. Main floor master suite, sitting area and expansive walk-through closet leads to a 5-piece bath. Eat-in gourmet kitchen, laundry, library, wet bar also part of the open and inviting main floor. Enjoy four large bedrooms upstairs and access to private bathrooms, walk-in closets and second laundry area. Walk-out basement with full kitchen, many built-ins, electric fireplace, plus plenty of room for pool table, ping-pong and darts. Additional bonuses: exercise room, room with daylight windows, ¾ bath, ½ bath and multiple utility and storage rooms. This caring community has many events, a private park, pond, horse trails, in an unparalleled setting just minutes to Elkhorn schools, shopping, dining and more. Inside and out, there is no other place like this home.
Karen Jennings 402-290-6296
rugs | furniTure aCCessories Professional rug Cleaning, rePair, aPPraisals
Oriental Rug Palace
980 S 72nd St. Omaha, NE 402-390-1122 www.orientalrugpalace.com inspiredlivingomaha.com
45
RECIPES
Quick comfort
ALL-DAY SOUPS IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES
I
savor the quirks of regional food. Before moving to the Cornhusker State, I could never have told you if
a Runza was a sandwich or a wrestling move. I would have assumed ordering a Tiger Meat sandwich ends with a knock at the door by U.S. Fish & Wildlife agents. And I certainly had never washed down a bowl of chili with a warm cinnamon roll. Growing up in central Pennsylvania had its own long list of food foibles, including beef bologna sweet enough to hand out at Halloween. But when leaves turn and frost starts to bite, I think mostly of my Keystone State’s fascination CHAD LEBO
THE HIDDEN PANTRY
with hearty soups. Our church’s biggest fundraiser of the year was the Chicken Corn Soup Festi-
val featuring plastic foam bowl after plastic foam bowl of “carby” protein-filled soup thickened with enough crushed saltines to double as delicious drywall spackle. McClure, Pennsylvania, has been honoring Civil War veterans for 128 years with a Bean Soup Festival that also annually crowns the McClure Bean Soup Queen (along with all rights and privileges thereof). Soup is taken seriously. The only bad part of rich hearty soups (please note that I don’t consider fat and calories to be bad things), is that most take hours and hours of cooking. With a few techniques, though, a rich from-scratch soup can be whipped up in about 15 minutes. Neither of these recipes cheats and uses storebought stock or bouillon to nail that cooked-all-day flavor. Instead, they rely on high heat, salty fats and an umami kick from a little fish sauce. In essence, the fresh ingredients are cooked like a stir fry and then pureed at the end. The other trick is that the potato and squash are grated instead of cut into chunks, so they soften in minutes rather than hours. Focus on the methods and techniques and add or swap ingredients to make your own swift but satisfying fare.
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CREAMY POTATO BACON SOUP YIELDS 2 QUARTS Classic combination of potato, bacon and cream, but instead of cooking the soup for hours, it is ready in minutes. The fish sauce in the recipe adds depth to the flavor but does not make it “fishy.” If you really want to skip the fish sauce, just taste the soup at the end and add salt as needed to make up for it.
INSTRUCTIONS 4 cups hot/boiling water 3 cups potato, shredded with skin ¾ pound bacon, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 1 red bell pepper, minced ½ cup chives, chopped 1 stalk celery, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons sweet onion, minced 2 teaspoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce (optional)
1. Chop, shred and otherwise prep all ingredients. Leave the skin on the potato and shred using a box grater or food processor. 2. In thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, fry all the chopped bacon until browned but barely crispy. Stir constantly. 3. Remove 2/3 of the bacon and reserve to top the finished soup. Leave remaining bacon and the grease in the pot. 4. Add olive oil. Over high heat while stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot, fry the red pepper, celery, garlic, onion, hot sauce and fish sauce for 2-3 minutes. 5. Add the hot/ boiling water and the shredded potato and continue cooking over medium-high heat. While stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes until potato is softened. 6. Remove from heat, add all of the heavy cream and 2/3 of the chives and puree with a hand or stand blender. 7. Taste for salt and add more if needed. 8. Serve topped with the chopped bacon, remaining chives and garlic Parmesan croutons. More of the heavy cream or even sour cream can be drizzled on top, too.
BUTTERNUT & PEANUT SOUP WITH CHORIZO YIELDS 1½ QUARTS This rich and hearty soup can easily be a full meal. If you are not a fan of chorizo, it can be swapped for Italian sausage or even an unsweetened breakfast sausage. Butternut squash is wonderful, too, but this also works with acorn squash, pumpkin or even sweet potatoes and yams.
INSTRUCTIONS 4 cups hot/boiling water 3 cups butternut squash, shredded (without skin) 1 pound Mexican chorizo 1 cup peanuts, roasted and salted 2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup parsley, chopped 6 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons sweet onion, minced 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or use extra salt as needed)
1. Chop, shred and otherwise prep all ingredients. Cut off the skin from the butternut squash and shred using a box grater or food processor. 2. In thick-bottomed pot over high heat, fry 3 tablespoons of the oil and all the chorizo until browned but not crispy. Stir constantly. 3. Remove 2/3 of the chorizo and reserve to top finished soup. Leave remaining chorizo and fat/oil in the pot. 4. Add remaining olive oil. Over high heat while stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot, fry the peanuts, onion, garlic and fish sauce for 2-3 minutes. 5. Add the hot/boiling water and the shredded butternut squash and continue cooking over medium-high heat. While stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes until squash is tender. 6. Remove from heat, add the butter and 2/3 of the parsley and puree with a hand or stand blender. 7. Taste for salt and add more if needed. 8. Serve topped with the remaining chorizo and parsley, and garlic Parmesan croutons. A dollop of sour cream is a nice touch, too.
GARLIC PARMESAN CROUTONS YIELDS 2 CUPS Fresh croutons and storebought versions are very different beasts. Ones freshly fried are rich with olive oil and crispy without being hard. Any fresh or stale bread can work, but baguette-like loaves are best. For best flavor and texture, make them and use them right away. They’re not meant to be saved.
INSTRUCTIONS 2 cups bread, ½ inch cubes ¼ cup olive oil 3 tablespoons Parmesan, freshly grated 2 cloves garlic ¼ teaspoon fine salt
1. Cut the bread and set aside. 2. Smash the cloves of garlic and remove the “paper.” Do not chop or mince the garlic. You want whole cloves that are slightly smashed. 3. In thickbottomed skillet over high heat, fry the garlic in the olive oil. Tip the skillet to side, so that the oil puddles to “deep fry” the cloves until browned. 4. Remove the garlic and set the skillet on a flat surface. 5. Add the bread and salt, and fry until browned and crispy but not hard. Stir constantly. 6. Remove from skillet but leave the croutons. 7. Sprinkle grated cheese over surface and let melt for 2-3 minutes. 8. Best served warm or within an hour. inspiredlivingomaha.com
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SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ALL SEASONS FLORAL AND GIFTS
Make the Holidays Happy with flowers, gifts and attire for all occasions. Specializing in Troll Beads, and florals for holidays, weddings, galas, funerals and corporate events. 16939 WRIGHT PLAZA, SUITE 136 402-991-9300 SHOPALLSEASONSFLORALOMAHA.COM
Beau Joyau Like our name, Beau Joyau is a “beautiful jewel.” Gorgeous jewelry. Stylish casual attire. Largest varied collection of Polish Pottery in the Midwest. Put us on your Christmas bucket list. HILLToP PLaZa 2947 SouTH 108TH ST. 402-301-7103 BeauJoyau.CoM
EHLY’S INTERIORS
We do windows! We repair blinds! Family owned and operated for over 41 years. Full interior décor service: blinds, fabrics, drapery, upholstery, wallpaper and carpeting. Stop by our showroom to see the latest in décor fashions. 2312 BOB BOOZER DR 402-330-6557 EHLYSBLINDS.COM
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ERWIN’S JEWELERS Erwin’s offers an extraordinary selection of fine j ewelry, wedding and engagement rings, and jewelry repairs. Our extensive gift collection suits all tastes and includes a wide variety of collectible, hand-painted Cozenza glass - Perfect for the Holidays! 223 W. MISSION AVE., BELLEVUE 402-291-2454 ERWINSJEWELERSCO.COM
Spruce InterIorS and GIftS roSIe Jane BaBy and GIftS We’ve got exactly what you need to fill the stockings of everyone on your list this holiday season! fun hostess gifts, beautiful ornaments, unique accessories and treasures for little ones. follow us on Instagram. 5018/5022 LeaVenWortH Street omaHa, ne @SpruceomaHa @roSIeJaneGIftSomaHa
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LEGACY ART & FRAME
New Life ThrifT
A cozy little shop around the corner in Dundee filled with great finds, antiques, consignments and chandeliers. We offer framing for antique and contemporary works of art. 111 N 50TH ST 402-330-6665 LEGACY ART & FRAME ON FACEBOOK
Always a fun experience! fin d designer, vintage, antiques, clothin g and furniture. Shop NLTique Boutique for special items. holiday Seasonal Store is n ow open . Call for pick up of your estate sale leftovers, clothing and furniture. Like us on facebook! 7007 S 36Th ST, BeLLevue 402-731-9311 NewLifeThrifT.NeT
TEXTILES
Perfect for gift-giving: Custom Ottomans $125 Cuddly Throws $175 A great way to spruce up any room for the holidays and beyond. 149TH ST & INDUSTRIAL RD 402-399-8764 TEXTILESINTERIORS.COM
Village needleworks omaha’s premier needlepoint shop. Your destination for turnin g your passion for needlepoint into a work of art. located in Countryside Village. 8709 sHaMroCk road 402-391-1191 Villageneedleworks.CoM
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Certified Interior Designers In-Home Consultation Personalized Service Premium Brands
A STYLE THAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU Every space in your home should be a reflection of you. From comfort and convenience to style and sophistication. That’s why the creative interior
designers at Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Design Gallery are here. We work with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life. Bringing you the latest styles and personalized service all at NFM’s Legendary Low Prices. We’re here to help you create a style that can only be described as “you.”
T H E D E S IG N GA L L ERY
700 South 72nd Street, Omaha, N E 800-359-1200
nfm.com/design-gallery ©2019 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.
You’re not like everyone else. 2019 Maserati Ghilbi S Q4 GranLusso. Yours from $94,065* Maserati of Omaha 6611 L Street, Omaha, NE 68117 (402) 592-1015
*MSRP excludes taxes, title, an registration fees. Starting price refers to base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer. Š 2018 Maserati north America, inc. All rights reserved. Maserati and Trident logo are registered trademarks of Maserati SpA. Maserati urges you to obey all speed limits.