I am always amazed at how the Girlfriends Ministry of Cornerstone touches the lives of women, not only here at church, but throughout our community. Our ladies truly know how to host an event that produces joy and excitement for the women of our area. They really take Proverbs 17:22 seriously; A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Every time they come together and host an event, it makes this verse real in the lives of those who attend. It is in that same spirit this magazine is being published. It shows the desire we have to reach outside the walls of the church and into the community, to help meet the needs of the women of Greenville and the surrounding area. Our desire at Cornerstone, and the Girlfriends Ministry is to blend the spiritual and practical, bringing stability into the homes of our city. We believe relationships are essential and we endeavor to create a variety of avenues for ladies to grow together, have fun, and get connected. We offer everything from a coupon-clipping group to a yearly conference. Whether you enjoy shopping, cooking, reading, going to movies, Bible study, or you’re just looking for a new friend, we are confident this magazine will serve you and the women of our community well. So, sit back, get yourself a cup of coffee (or tea), and enjoy a few moments just for you. We trust you’ll find something useful and meaningful within these pages.
Because your life matters,
Dale Blair
Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Church Greenville
SPRING 2010
Welcome to the first issue of pointe! What you will see on the following pages reflects the way the wonderful women of Cornerstone Church do life as homemakers, wives, mothers, and women in the workplace.
CONTENTS
Welcome to pointe!
design pointe!
Define Your Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quick Re-dos & Instant Makeovers. . . . . . . Tablescaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pointe! the way
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Mom·isms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Thank You, Dad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
price pointe!
Stockpiling Your Pantry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
pointe! of view
Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New Again. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Preparing for An Empty Nest . . . . . . . . . . . 24
pointe! of reference
Spring Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closet Makeover 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keep or Toss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fruits & Vegetables in Season . . . . . . . . . . . Honey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 26 28 29 30
14 10
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EDITORS Lori Stephanoff Wanda Litchenberg Cindy Van Horn
LAYOUT & DESIGN Sherie LaPrade Daniel Lovelace Georgia Almeida
ADVERTISING Donna Blair
To advertise, go to pointemag.org or contact advertise@pointemag.org
pointe! magazine
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asked 250 women questions relating to our Spring issue content. Look for their responses throughout the magazine.
pointe! magazine | cornerstone church | 2701 wade hampton blvd greenville, sc 29615 | (864) 292-3022 | cornerstonegreenville.com
Mom•isms What Moms Teach Us About Life
YGIENE PERSONAL H h? ur teet Did you brush yo se n underwear in ca Always wear clea dent. you get in an acci your mouth, you Don’t put that in it ’s been. don’t know where
PROBLEM SOLVIN G
W hy? Because I SAID
so, that ’s why! You can’t find it? Well , where did you leave it last?
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS I’m not your waitress! Now, say you’re sorry...and MEAN it! If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
How can you have nothing to wear? Your closet is FULL of clothes!
What do you think, money grows on trees?
FAVORITE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS YOU’VE GIVEN OR RECEIVED:
• Hand-made items: Poems, cards, pictures, crafts, handprints, etc. • Family photos • Time together
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WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE TO DO ON MOTHER’S DAY?
Dinner out — 37% Receive home-cooked meal — 23% Stay in PJs all day — 18% Sleep in — 13% Be served breakfast in bed — 9%
DECISION MAK IN
G W hen you have your own house then you can make the rules ! W hat if ever yone jum ped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
ADVENTURE
Go play outside! It’s a beautiful day! How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t tasted it?
TMENT S U J D A E D U ATTIT ! make me get up
Don’t you ld, and I can take or w is th to in u I brought yo right back out! this. ill thank me for Some day you w
BEING C AREFU
L Don’t sit too close to the television; it’ ll ruin your eyes. W ho are you going wi th? Do I know them?
G LOVIN & E u. V it hurts yo n a ON LO h t e r o s me m This hurt ou ays love y I will alw what. no matter ere, you get th n e h w e okay. Call m ow you’re n k I o s t jus aby. S be my b Y A W L A You will www.corsinet.com/braincandy/mom
DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF SAYING THE SAME THINGS YOUR MOM SAID?
Absolutely Yes — 72% No, not really — 28%
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Spring Trends
2010
—Brooks Hearn
WHICH SPRING TREND WOULD YOU CHOOSE: NEUTRALS OR BOLD PRINTS? 8 } pointe!
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Neutrals — 53% Bold Prints — 47%
N
N
umerous trends appeared in the Spring 2010 Runway Shows during New York Fashion Week. Some of them may be more wearable than you think! Fall and winter’s neon shades move aside to make room for neutral tones, like khaki, tan, or beige. Neutrals seemed most common on dresses and office wear. When wearing neutrals, consider which shades best flatter your skin tone. Light gray is one neutral option that suits a wide range of skin tones. In contrast to neutrals, abstract, colorful, or geometric prints – even tie-dye – surfaced on dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories (i.e. scarves). Don’t be shy! School spirit-themed pieces, like blazers and anything striped, are big this season even though summer is on its way. Speaking of blazers, menswear-inspired pieces, particularly vests, will be popular this spring. Remember the controversial “harem pants” from the past few seasons? Slouchy pants are still “in,” although the silhouette is not so extreme. Expect to see slouchy styles in different lengths and fabrics that won’t require as much fashion bravado to wear.
Not a fan of “slouchy?” Don’t worry skinny pants are still popular for spring. “Skinny” refers to the cut of the pants and does not always mean “skintight.” Just pick the style (slouchy, skinny, or in between) that best suits your figure and go on with your sassy self! Denim fabrics appear in a variety of pieces. A word of caution: be careful how you pair these pieces in order to avoid the “joutfit” (jean outfit) look. With denim, a little usually goes a long way. Chambray, a lightweight denim fabric, is a current option as well. Ruffles show up on fun skirts and dresses. You’ll have a hard time not dancing the night away in a ruffled piece that moves beautifully. Looking for the right evening or cocktail dress? Consider multi-strap, feathers and shimmer for just the right evening dress. Fold-over necklines are a fresh option for career clothes. The fold-over is less revealing than off-the-shoulder necklines, making them more workappropriate. Colorful tweed suits make their return every few seasons, and they’re back this spring. Wearing head-to-toe color, otherwise known as the monochromatic look, will make you look taller and fashion-forward. Love polka dots? It’s your season to celebrate them as they appear everywhere!
Style and trend reports take note of the smallest details on this spring’s runways and red carpets – even nail polish. An overview of these current looks includes metallic, nude, or matte polishes. Big colors for spring 2010 are pale green, bright purple, and lilac, if you’re feeling adventurous.
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Delight
Gardener’s —Vicki Vincent
Springtime is a breath of fresh air.
DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN?
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Flower — 81% Vegetable — 41% Herb — 30%
I recently walked outside when the temperature was about 61 degrees and immediately began thinking of what to plant this year. The possibilities are endless. For beginning gardeners, trying to choose from all the options can be very intimidating. Here are some ideas to get you started.
GARDENING — The practice of growing plants. GARDENER — One who practices gardening. Key word here is practice. Gardening is all about experimenting.
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Container gardening is the most fun way to spruce up your house. If you don’t have them already, buy some wire baskets with the coconut husk or a few terra cotta pots (which are very cheap). If you do have these, pull them out of your garage and give them a quick cleaning.
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When spring flowers begin to arrive, shop for good gardening soil. And then go crazy with the flowers. A few of my favorites are Sweet Alyssum, Begonias, Coleus, Geraniums, Impatiens, Petunias, Salvia, Verbena, and Vinca. Most of them come in those little 6-packs.
TIP: If you think just one 6-pack will go into
your pot, then buy two. A great key to making your pots look full is to really fill them. You can’t smother the plants and it will make your hanging pots look very lush. Always find one plant, such as vines or Asparagus ferns, to trail down the pot.
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One of my favorite things to do is to buy red Geraniums, white Periwinkles, and a blue Plumbago. I put one color in three different pots and then arrange them on my deck for a patriotic look. On the 4th of July, I stick several small American flags into the pots.
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Use creative containers. I took out the seat of a ladder back chair, stapled plastic netting to the bottom and then added coconut husk over the netting. I filled it with potting soil and added plants. Every season I redo the chair with something different such as herbs, all green foliage with white flowers, even red, white and blue!
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After your Easter lilies lose their blooms, don’t throw them away. Instead, take them out of their pots and plant in a sunny place. They will bloom again next year in June or July (their natural bloom time). It’s a wonderful surprise! COMPOST HAPPENS. Compost is nothing more than yard or food waste that decomposes for the purpose of bringing LIVE organic matter back into the life of your soil/and plants. In other words, something dies to bring back life. In your garden, compost will always bring new life. I am a huge composter. Yep….got the three bins where one is ready for raw compost, one is cooking and one is ready to use. I have found this to be the key to healthy plants. Try it! You’ll love it!
One final tip: Just practice getting your hands dirty. Gardening soothes the soul.
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hope
—Nancy Strickland
getting back up again
“Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Chances are Notice that the scripture does not promise it will you’ve seen the Life Alert commercials that show be easy. Take my word for it; the hardest part of my an elderly or disabled person on the ground, unable fall was getting back up. At first, I couldn’t do it to get up on their own. Like me, you probably by myself. For a while, other people lifted my legs never expected to be in that situation. However, I and put me on my feet. In time, I only needed help now have a new empathy for the people in those to stand; and eventually I was taking steps. Each commercials. This past winter I slipped on some progression came with its own amount of pain and water in my home and landed resistance. Without a vision for my directly on my left hipbone. reward, I would not have been able “After a long and I was in so much pain I was to stick it out. crippled winter, I have unable to move to a phone. I felt completely helpless as I lay never been so ready for So let me encourage you in your there for almost three hours journey. Let this spring be the spring to arrive again. waiting for someone to assist. season that you decide to get This year, more than back up from whatever fall you’ve After a long and crippled winter, experienced. We’ve all stumbled ever, spring was a sign I have never been so ready for and fallen. We all have missed it of new hope – as if spring to arrive again. This year, and messed up. The worst thing we more than ever, spring is a sign each passing winter day could do is to refuse to get up. Just of new hope. Each day brings like I needed other people to help brought me closer to me closer to my restoration. me, it may require the assistance of my restoration.” others to get you on your feet again, Maybe you’re coming out of a too. Even through all the pain, winter in which you’ve experienced a hard “fall.” remember the reward is worth it. Maybe it was a time that you felt just like I did — broken. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT) says, “There is Today, I’m up and walking by myself, which a reward promised to those who will not give up. proves that God is BIGGER than my stumble. There is a reward for those who will stick it out.” Declare like Micah, “When I fall, I shall arise!” Let spring bring you a new sense of hope for (Micah 7:8) what God can do in your life.
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New
Is there madness to the method? Yes, you read that right. Is it madness that you have the sudden urge to purge in the spring? After all, it hits you every spring! What is that innate drive that goes beyond reason and pushes you to exert yourself in an effort to get the house ready? And ready for what? Ah ha! That’s the key. What’s amazing is that it doesn’t matter if you know what you’re getting ready for or not, the urge is the same; I have to get ready!
again —E. Otto Tilley
Spring is the most exciting season because it’s a time for new life. Birds have the overwhelming drive to build a nest in preparation for their new arrivals. That’s it! You’re building a nest.
But what’s the nest for? What will be your new arrival this year? Could it be that dream that’s been inside you for so many years is now coming back to life? Maybe it’s that deeper place you long for in your relationships, or hope that the prodigal son or daughter will return to reason. Maybe there’s just an overwhelming sense that something new is on the horizon and even though you don’t know what it is, you want to be ready when it comes. So rest assured that there is no madness to the method. The method is as old as time – one designed to inspire you to purge those things that clutter your life and make room for a fresh, new season. A season filled with dreams and opportunities. It’s designed to awaken you to the possibilities that lie ahead, and inspire you to face whatever challenges dare stand in your way. So get ready! Don’t resist the urge to purge. Go ahead – give in to the inspiration to dream. Spring is here; the season has changed, and all things are possible!
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Update your home decor this spring with designs that reflect your style and make you and your guests smile.
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Invite no-fuss lounging with furniture • Plush fabrics • Rich leathers
Anchor a soaring space by balancing the room with a few imposing pieces • Tall display case • Oversized mirror
Bring warmth to an empty corner • Side chair • Framed art • Plant stand Add character with decorative details • Favorite collection • Glassware & vases • Family photos • Architectural elements • Area rugs
Enhance lighting • Brighten a dark corridor • Usher in light from adjoining rooms through glass door panels or transom windows • Bounce light around with glossy paint finishes • Install dimmer switches so that you can vary light levels for mood and decorative emphasis Establish a focal point • A window view • Architectural feature • Artwork • Bright wall • Fireplace mantel
Expand space • Make a hallway look and feel roomy • Remove visual interruptions • During new construction or remodel, if possible, make corridors at least 5 feet wide
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design
For instant sophistication, choose a neutral color scheme.
basics
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Define Your
Style
SOFT MODERN Clean-lined & Unfussy Try a neutral palette, sleek finishes & striking artwork.
CLASSIC Inviting & Traditional
Choose mid-tone colors, rich gleaming woods & elegant fabric with trimmings.
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Raid magazines for pictures of appealing furniture, cabinetry, colors, and fabrics that inspire you. Tear out the pages that appeal to you and keep them in a file for inspiration!
WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? 1. After cleaning out your attic, you vow to: a. Trace the family heritage back to its European origins. b. Remodel and turn the attic into a skylit loft. c. Take time to put the wonderful old family pictures into an album — and read those old love letters again. 2. For your window, you would choose: a. Floral print fabric in a swag-and-jabot treatment. b. Translucent pleated shades or no treatments. c. Mellow pine shutters with side curtains of natural muslin. 3. You would be most likely to surround yourself in your home with these colors: a. Deep jewel colors b. Tone-on-tone neutrals c. Colors taken from nature 4. Your favorite kind of party is: a. A sit-down dinner of several courses. b. A tapas party of any kind. c. A family brunch or barbecue. 5. For your bedroom, you would choose: a. A vintage sleigh bed plumped with an array of crisp white eyelet-trimmed bed linens. b. A metal four-poster dressed in a bold, striped duvet. c. A pine canopy bed with lots of quilts.
Country With a Twist
Work with painted furniture, distressed finishes, overstuffed upholstery & bright whites.
7. When it comes to lighting, you like: a. Chandeliers and wall sconces. b. Track lights, recessed lights, and sleek, metallic lamps. c. I like lamps with gingham shades. 8. Your house needs more storage, especially in the dining areas. What do you go for? a. You can’t go wrong with a china cabinet or buffet. b. A birch cabinet with smooth, clean lines c. Grandma’s trunk in the attic. Mostly A’s, then your style leans more toward classic. Mostly B’s, soft modern. Mostly C’s, comfy cottage.
COMFY COTTAGE
6. When looking through kitchen decorating magazines, your eyes are drawn to: a. Glass cabinet doors to display favorite dinnerware. b. Clean lines, stainless steel appliances, and minimal hardware. c. Rooster motif and knotty pine cabinets.
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Lighting —Karie Calhoun
Lighting is an important aspect of every room’s design. Consider your personal style. Then evaluate the primary purpose of the spaces in your home and what you’d like to accomplish there: set a romantic mood, create a fun atmosphere, provide functional lighting for homework or detailed projects, etc.
style
Although the style in a house needs to flow, the same finish is not necessary for every single fixture. For example, your entry and dining areas may be very formal with crystal, brass, or other finishes, but your family room and breakfast area may be more informal with pewter or iron.
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size
A good rule of thumb to determine the size chandelier you’ll need is to simply add the width (in feet) and the length (in feet) of your room together. Use that total in inches for the chandelier. For example, if your room is 12’ x 14’, a 26-inch chandelier would work well. If you have heavy pieces of furniture, the room may feel smaller, so consider downsizing the chandelier by an inch or two.
length
How long a chandelier hangs down depends on its location. In a dining room, a chandelier typically hangs 30” – 34” above the tabletop. In a foyer or an area where people will be walking under a fixture, the chandelier should be no lower than 6½’ from the floor. Keep in mind the higher the ceiling, the larger the fixture needs to be in order not to appear too small for the area.
Quick re-dos
&
INSTANT MAKEOVERS
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Use window treatments to disguise problem windows. Clear out clutter.
Instead of relying on one big wholeroom furniture grouping, create seperate vignettes that enable a room to work whether it holds two or twenty people. Make furniture multi-task.
Refinish or reupholster. If you love something, revive it with a fresh finish or fabric. Give depth to a room by mounting a mirror.
Change color. Paint is inexpensive but has a huge impact. Mix styles and periods. It’s okay to be eclectic, it makes a room feel more personal.
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HALLWAY • Keep it clean and uncluttered • Multitasking tray or basket for keys, mail, and loose change • Mount a mirror above • Add height with a tall, flowering plant, such as a simple stemmed orchid • Include a family photo
BEHIND SOFA • Display novels and coffee table reads in stacks of three • Pay attention to colors on the bindings and jackets • Keep the color scheme simple and coordinated • Ensure light for reading with a table lamp • Include a favorite family photo • Remember for visual interest, always group elements in odd numbers and vary heights
PURE DISPLAY • Show off prized collections • Unify objects with color and shape • Stagger the heights • Keep equal distance between objects
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SPRING CLEANING TIPS Here’s a quick reference to help organize your spring cleaning. Most importantly, have as much fun as possible! Share cleaning with a friend, listen to music, an audio book or podcast to time pass more quickly.
Living Area... 1. Clear out clutter. 2. Dust down the ceiling and corners of walls. Spot wash, remembering air vents, doorknobs, doors, and switch plates. 3. Dust and clean all art and photographs along the wall. Never spray cleanser or water onto the frame since the liquid can seep behind the glass and damage the pictures. Instead lightly wet a clean cloth to wipe the frame and glass. 4. Dust and clean the ceiling fan. 5. Take down draperies, curtains, and blinds to wash or have cleaned according to the manufacturer’s directions. Vacuum and clean windowsills and corners. Wash windows inside and out. Take down and rinse screens. 6. Dust and clean out couches and chairs. Use a vacuum cleaner with attachment to clean out couch crevices. Check for missing items! Clean slipcovers, accent pillows, etc. 7. Dust and clean all accent lamps and knickknacks. Use a vacuum attachment or duster to clean the lampshades, lamps, and other decorative items. 8. Remove books from bookshelves. Dust both the books and the shelves. 9. Dust accent tables and entertainment center. Unplug and dust all the electronics, including the television screen. Check cords for fraying and wear. 10. Clean the carpets and rugs. If your carpets and rugs are heavily soiled, it may be time to call a professional. If your carpets are only lightly soiled, vacuuming and spot treating may be all that is necessary. 11. Take the time to clean the doormats inside and outside your doorways. Wipe or dust them off to make sure shoes don’t transfer dirt off your mat into your home.
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Kitchen... 1. Follow same steps 1-5 on cleaning your Living area. 2. Apply oven cleaner to the oven, then begin cleaning the refrigerator. Leave the windows in the kitchen open to avoid the overpowering smell. Don’t forget to vacuum the coils of your UNPLUGGED refrigerator. This is a great time to sweep and mop underneath it too if you can find some help to move it. Be careful to not scratch your floor. 3. While the oven cleaner works, begin sorting through the freezer and refrigerator. Throw out any expired food, mostly empty containers, and old items that you never used. Empty the refrigerator and take out shelves and drawers to wash. Wipe down the entire inside of the refrigerator and freezer before replacing shelves and food. Wipe down and clean out the oven according to the directions on the oven cleaner.
4. Take the knobs, burners, burner covers, and spill catchers off of the stove. Follow your stove/oven owner’s manual for information on proper cleaning methods for your model. (The one you carefully filed, when you bought the stove, just for an occasion like this.) Wipe down the entire stove. 5. Wipe down and clean the toaster, blender, and other small appliances after they are unplugged. Wipe down and clean the microwave. If the spills in the microwave are fossilized, steam from a boiling glass of water may help loosen the gunk. If the microwave smells, boil lemon juice. 6. Clean out kitchen cabinets. Remove mismatched lids and bowls or anything that isn’t being used on a regular basis. Reorganize and wash down the insides and outsides of cabinets. Reline if needed. 7. Run the dishwasher empty or with either vinegar or baking soda. Clean out the food trap and wash down the outside of the dishwasher. 8. Wash down the countertops in your kitchen. Don’t forget backsplashes. 9. Wipe down and clean out any drawers. Organize your flatware. This is a great time to install drawer dividers for better organization. 10. Wash down the sink. Pour baking soda with warm water and/or a lemon peel down the garbage disposal to freshen the drain. Put ice cubes through the disposal to sharpen the blades.
DO YOU FOLLOW A CLEANING GUIDE OR SET ROUTINE
Yes — 20% I clean randomly — 69% That’s why I had kids — 4% My husband cleans — 2% I pay someone else — 5%
11. Sweep and mop the floors, including baseboards. One way to get a floor REALLY clean is to use a rag or towel while on your hands and knees. If this is not an option, try scooting a large towel around the floor with your bare feet.
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Nest
Preparing for for an an Preparing
EMPTY —Alyce Reeves
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W
hen does a parent let go of a child? First grade? College? With marriage? Letting go really begins at birth and then every day afterwards. It is a major life change for parents when children move away. Parents often experience a mixed bag of emotions when their children leave home. Some feel sad, depressed, and lonely while others feel relieved or joyful. Whether you feel a loss or relief, it doesn’t mean you don’t trust God or don’t love your child. It only means that you are experiencing normal feelings during a major transition in life. After spending at least two decades of your life feeding, clothing, carpooling, loving, and praying for these children, the day comes when you realize they will leave – whether you’re ready or not. Although your child may be six feet tall and 25 years old, to let him go feels as if you’re losing your job or purpose. However, they need to become independent adults, so you should encourage them without making them feel guilty. The last thing your daughter needs to feel is that she has to stay home because you would be a basket case if she left.
own kind of music, travel, and get to know one another again. Make a new commitment to work on your marriage by spending time together, taking marriage enrichment courses, and praying for each other.
3. Make a dream list What are some things you always wanted to do but couldn’t because you were raising kids? Maybe it’s writing, making jewelry, beginning a new career, going back to school, or joining a ministry team. Make your list, pray about it, and begin taking steps in that direction for an exciting new chapter in your life.
“...the day comes when you realize they will leave – whether you’re ready or not.”
It is never too early to prepare for the empty nest. Here are six things to consider as you start the journey:
1. Give clear instructions Preparing your child is good for both of you. Do they know basic life skills such as how to do laundry, prepare simple meals, or balance their checkbook? Do they understand your expectations for grades and behavior? Do they know how to call on God? If not, teach them now; otherwise, they will continue to rely on you, which isn’t good for either of you.
2. Get to know your spouse This is a time for you and your husband to rekindle your romance, have privacy in the house, play your
For me, one of the most precious promises of God is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
4. Get involved The happiest people are ones who are involved and giving to others. So find a need and get busy meeting it in your unique way.
5. Talk to other empty-nesters You won’t get much sympathy from those who have never experienced an empty nest. Connect and share with other empty-nesters for ideas on parenting adult kids, as well as personal encouragement.
6. Trust God Rest in the truth that letting go of your children is not abandoning them, but it’s carefully giving them over to God. You can trust Him. He loves your children more than you do and is working in their lives. He also loves you and will take wonderful care of you. Live in the peace of 2 Timothy 1:12 “...I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.”
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MAKEOVER 101
CLOSET
In my dictionary, the definition of “organize” is “procrastinate!”
Do you long for less clutter and more organization? When you hear “organize your closet,” do thoughts like, “Closet Maid organizer…$125; drill, screws…$50; the ‘know-how’…priceless” plague your mind? With a few simple items, you can have a closet to brag about! Ask a good friend who will be honest with you to help with each item. (Return the favor and help clean out her closet, too.) To sort through clothes, two key areas take priority – size and style. Ask tough questions like: • Does this fit you right now? How realistic is it to lose that much weight? Even if you did lose the weight, would this still be fashionable?
—Debra Malone
hangers for blouses, red for jackets, blue for pants, pink for dresses, etc. Or use different color hangers for each family member. For example, white for you, blue for your husband, pink for your daughter and red for your son. At laundry time, collect all empty hangers from the closets. As clothes come out of the dryer or are ready to be hung to line dry, your extra hangers will be right there.
No matter how good the deal or how sweet the gift was, if it isn’t your style, don’t keep it!
• How long has it been hanging in your closet? No matter how good the deal or how sweet the gift was - if it isn’t your style, don’t keep it! Bless someone who needs it and give it away. Another rule of thumb is not to keep anything a drama team would love to wear in their comedy skits! Invest in hangers to color code your closet(s). Two potential ways to organize would be to use one color hanger for each type of clothing. For instance, white
Use clear shoeboxes to store shoes on a closet shelf. Label the boxes so you can easily locate the ones you want. By keeping shoeboxes on the shelf, floor space is available for boots, sneakers, slippers, etc. Buy shoeboxes a few at a time from the dollar store. Stand a divided box on end to store handbags, sandals, shoe care items, etc.
Try a hanging jewelry organizer with clear pockets for easily finding your accessories. Give each item a home either by type of jewelry, color or style. For example, everyday items in one pocket, pearl items in another, all silver in one, special items all together, etc. If you have been putting off getting organized, start with just one closet. Time spent cleaning out and de-cluttering is time well spent. You may discover a treasured item tucked away. You’ll enjoy the feeling of freedom as you reclaim and organize spaces in your home. www.pointemag.org { 27
Keep or Toss? Tips for Safe Food Storage
You’ve been couponing and saving tons of money. Now you have a stockpile of food. So what’s the best way to store it?
How long will it stay fresh and tasty? Food Item
Refrigerate
Keep Frozen
Berries* (fresh, raw)
a few days
10 – 12 months
Beans (frozen)
a few days
10 – 12 months
Beans, snap, string or wax, (fresh, raw)
3 – 5 days
12 – 18 months
Beans (canned or bottled) 3 – 4 days
1 – 2 months (after opening)
Broccoli (frozen)
10 – 12 months
Corn on the cob (fresh, raw)
1 – 2 days
8 months
Corn on the cob (frozen)
10 – 12 months
Onions (fresh, raw)
2 – 3 days
10 – 12 months
Beef roasts, all cuts
3 – 5 days
6 – 12 months
Ground beef (fresh, raw)
1 – 2 days
3 – 4 months
Chicken (fresh, raw)
1 – 2 days
9 months
Pork chops (fresh, raw)
3 – 5 days
4 – 6 months
Turkey, whole (frozen)
3 – 5 days
1 year
Jelly (opened)
1 year
*Wash berries when ready to use; excess moisture hastens decay.
Storing Chocolate in the Pantry Milk chocolate, solid bar (unopened) Baking chocolate, solid bar (unopened) Chocolate chips
8 – 10 months up to 2 years 16 months to 2 years
More on food storage safety and answers to popular questions at www.stilltasty.com.
28 } pointe!
spring 2010
Q A Q A Q A
How can I tell when avocados are ripe enough to use?
Give a gentle squeeze. If it yields to light pressure, it’s ready to use.
I store my bread at room temperature, but a friend puts hers in the refrigerator. Which is better?
The counter.
Can I put hot food in the refrigerator?
It’s fine to place hot food directly in the refrigerator. Divide into smaller containers so it will cool off quickly.
Q A
Is it ok to store the leftovers in the can?
From a safety standpoint, the answer is yes. But the USDA doesn’t advise it because food may lose its flavor and appearance.
Q A
Can you safely defrost ground beef on the counter if it’s still tightly wrapped in the original store packaging?
Wrapped or not, that’s an unsafe move. The USDA recommends only thawing food in refrigerator, in cold water or in microwave.
Q A
It seems like I’m always running out of milk. Is it a good idea to stock up and freeze some?
You can freeze milk successfully if you plan to use it for cooking purposes. If you’re hoping to drink it, you may or may not be satisfied with the end result — it’s a matter of personal preference.
Q
I recently attended a barbeque at a friend’s house. The hamburgers were still pink on the inside. I don’t believe anyone got ill, but could that really be safe?
A
Yes, a cooked burger that’s pink on the inside can be safe to eat — but only if the meat’s internal temperature has reached 160°F throughout.
Fruits & Vegetables APRIL
Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas and pea pods, Radishes, Spinach, Strawberries, Turnips
in season this Spring MAY
Arugula, Asparagus, Basil, Beans, Beets, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Peaches, Peas and pea pods, Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Squash-summer, Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Watermelon, Zucchini
JUNE
Arugula, Asparagus, Basil, Beans, Beets, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cantaloupes, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Edamame, Eggplant, Garlic, Lettuce, Melons, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Peaches, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Squash-summer, Strawberries, Sweet Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini www.pointemag.org { 29
honey
IS THERE ANY SWEETER NAME THAN
—Dawn Parrish
Especially if it’s what your husband and awesome grandchildren call you. The many benefits of being a Honey are legendary.
You have access to unlimited hugs and kisses. You are loved no matter how you look or dress. You never have to cook alone (or anything else for that matter). This list could go on and on, but you get the picture. Add some “honey” to your life - either in the form of a human being (I have been known to adopt some grandchildren) or even easier - in the kitchen!
Honey-glazed Carrots with Pecans Ingredients
1/3 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 2 lbs. carrots, halved lengthwise, cut diagonally in ¼” slices 2 Tbsp canola oil, divided 1/8 plus 1/4 tsp salt, divided 1/2 tsp chili powder 1 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp honey
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Toss pecans on rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt. Toast in oven 5 minutes. Warm butter and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, cover, and cook 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until carrots are tender, about 1 minute. Turn off heat, stir in honey. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve with pecans sprinkled on top. Note: This is a tasty and pretty side dish. Chili powder adds a little “kick” and a little extra color (adjust amount to your taste).
WARNING:Children under the age of 12 months should not be fed honey since it may cause infant botulism and can result in death. Other foods that pose a similar threat to infants include corn syrup and low-acid home-canned foods.
30 } pointe!
spring 2010
Honey Mustard Chicken (Charm of Charleston II) Ingredients
Honey Butter
(beefolks.com)
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup honey (choose a light, sweeter honey)
Directions Whip butter and honey together thoroughly. Refrigerate (molded if desired) until firm. Note: This will last approximately 1 week in the refrigerator, so make it in small batches, as needed. Raw honey contains enzymes that will cause the butter to turn if stored too long.
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, reserve juice 2 cloves of garlic 2 tsp oil 1 tsp thyme 1 Tbsp cornstarch 4 chicken breasts cut in bite-size pieces 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
Directions Brown chicken in oil; set aside and keep warm. Combine honey, mustard, thyme and garlic with pineapple juice in saucepan. Cover and simmer over medium low heat. Add cornstarch and stir until slightly thickened. Add pineapple and stir well. Serve over rice with chicken.
Missouri Munch Granola (Charm of Charleston II) Ingredients
1/2 cup oil 2 lbs. old fashioned oats 2 sticks butter 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 2 Tbsp molasses 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1 cup brown sugar 1 cup wheat germ 1 Tbsp vanilla 2 cups Grape-nuts Cereal 1 cup honey 1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In saucepan, melt and mix together first 6 ingredients; cool slightly. Combine remaining ingredients in very large bowl; mix well. Pour in liquid mixture; mix together well. Spread onto shallow, lightly greased pans. Bake 20 – 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Note: This is wonderful sprinkled over fresh fruit with a bit of flavored yogurt or just to munch on.
A SWEET THOUGHT Honey can vary in flavor, depending on the type of flower visited by the bees. Lighter honey is generally milder than those that are darker in color. Honey is a natural sweetener and serves as a healthy alternative to refined sugar. www.pointemag.org { 31
Thank You, Dad —Keith Brown
Any man can be a father; we all know that is true But it takes a very special man, to be a Dad like you.
So in these words I’ll try, a very special thanks to say Things that are well deserved, but for things I can never repay.
You taught me to play Hide n’ Seek, and how to fly a kite How to write my name in cursive, and how to ride a bike. You taught me some real “life lessons,” like how to swim when I was three How to run a race real fast and how to draw a tree.
For after watching you dear Dad, my friend and mentor, too That as I grow…I sure am glad that I have a Dad like you.
Thank you, Dad, for loving me, and being there ‘til the end Thank you, Dad, for helping me, through “thick” and through “thin” For being a “Stand Firm” companion, and for marrying and loving my Mom Thank you…thank you, Dad… a model for one and all.
With patience and with kindness, you worked with me each day You taught me how to love the Lord, and you taught me how to pray. Your discipline was firm, and understood by all That same hand that could spank and hurt, wiped tears when I would fall.
www.pointemag.org { 33
Stockpiling
YOUR PANTRY —Susan Weathers
“Stockpiling” means that you buy enough items at their lowest price to last until they reach that low point again. Grocery prices fluctuate, hitting their lowest point once every 12 weeks. Get your best deals by combining sale prices with couponing. You really enjoy the benefit when you shop from your pantry instead of running out to buy a needed item at full price.
Less stress and more money in your pocket!
DO YOU CLIP COUPONS?
75% — yes 13% — no, but I’d like to learn 12% — no
www.pointemag.org { 35
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