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july / august 2011 • free redouxhome.com
northfield • red wing • faribault • cannon falls dundas • mississippi river valley
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
CITY DWELLERS FLOCK TO RAISING CHICKENS
DAY TRIPPING: MAIDEN ROCK & STOCKHOLM
GRIN AND BARE IT:
GET YOUR SKIN LOOKING ITS BEST
THE GOOD LIFE JOURNEY INSPIRING MODELS FROM Y O G A S U T R A & B H A G A V A D G I TA
RED WING, MN 28 Sep ‐ 02 Oct 2011 Dr. Kausthub Desikachar is the son and student of TKV Desikachar and the grandson of T. Krishnamacarya. He is the cofounder of the Krishnamacarya Healing and Yoga Foundation (KHYF) in Chennai, India, where he is also a Senior Teacher and Yoga Therapy Consultant. Patron to the British Wheel of Yoga, he is also an Advisor to the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Contact & Registration
Carolyn Hedin or Jody Johnson Phone: 651‐388‐6099 Email: carolynhedin@yahoo.com Webpage: www.BluewaterYoga.com
a inspiring yo ga intensive with D r. K a u s t h u b D e s i k a c h a r The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita are two of the most admired texts in the world today and hold innumerable practical pearls of wisdom. These teachings not only inspire us in the journey of life, but also provide useful models that allow us to blossom into our true potential. This inspiring Yoga seminar will aim to bring light to the classical models offered by these two texts, and explain how to apply them in a contemporary context, both for ourselves, and for those whose lives we touch. It will include theoretical presentations, interactive workshops and appropriately designed meditative practices consitent with the themes.
PUBLISHER Nichole Day Diggins / Flying Pan Productions EDITOR Elizabeth Child COPY EDITORS Jodi Ohlsen Read Linda Day Dunlap CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Child Nichole Day Diggins Linda Day Dunlap Colleen Flynn Tracy Giza Ruth Raich Eliza Wren Varien ART DIRECTOR / DESIGN Nichole Day Diggins SALES Alisa Balterman Elizabeth Child Linda Day Dunlap Peter Diggins Sara French REDOUX HOME • PO BOX 148, Northfield, MN 55057 p: 507.301.9710 e: info@redouxhome.com
Open Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–9 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. 516 Water Street S, Northfield • 507-650-0106 • www.justfood.coop
redoux home is produced by Flying Pan Productions. All rights reserved. Copyright 2011. Copies of this publication or its contents may not be made for promotional purposes. For article reprints, contact REDOUX HOME at info@redouxhome.com. to advertise: 507.301.9710 • 612.812.9987 www.redouxhome.com
editor’s note
SUMMER INSPIRATIONS Summer is perfect for lingering. But not this year. Our summer weather has been so unpredictable that summer has been “accordioned.” When you squish an accordion it makes the bleating sound that’s in my heart. So let’s turn up the volume on the oldies and remember summers past. What have you savored that hasn’t come to pass? What summer inspirations are waiting to be awakened? Squished summer is no time to linger. The bike has been tuned up but needs to be ridden. There are new things to learn. I want to learn to sail so I can take over as captain in our boat. And there are places to go. This issue features the Mississippi River’s Wisconsin side, with a few Red Wing stops on the way. If you haven’t been to Maiden Rock and Stockholm, you’re in for a treat. Visit the Stockholm Art Fair Saturday, July 16 when all the stops are pulled. Read about the area and art fair in this issue. Try a REDOUX HOME Challenge. Make a giant wall clock from a table to display in your home, thanks to detailed directions by artist Tracy Giza. Add art to your garden. (It doesn’t need watering.) Take a look at Jennifer Wolcott’s creations right here. Make your urban yard into the farm you’d always wanted. Try raising chickens. Imagine getting up to fresh brown and blue eggs in the morning! And then there’s always the endless terrain of rediscovery: You. Summer is for baring skin, but smooth skin isn’t forever. Nichole Day Diggins has discovered numerous ways to make skin beautiful again with safe, reasonably priced techniques, which she details in this issue. I hope you enjoy reading our summer inspirations. Share yours with us on our Facebook page! Elizabeth Child, editor editor@redouxhome.com
summer inspirations july / august 2011
departments 04
editor’s note Summer inspirations BY ELIZABETH CHILD
25 features
redouxhome.com JULY / AUGUST 2011
in the garden Steel in the Garden: A profile of Jennifer Wolcott. BY ELIZABETH CHILD
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More people are crossing eggs off their shopping lists and walking no further than their backyards for their morning omeletes. BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
Grin and Bare It: Are you hiding your skin? A remedy is within reach. BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
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food
city dwellers flock to raising chickens
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art al fresco
living well (& looking good)
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Sweet and Savory Summer Salads. Riverside eateries share their salad secrets.
The 38th annual Stockholm Art Fair. BY LINDA DAY DUNLAP
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redoux-it yourself In With the Old: Uncover the possibilities in discarded furniture. STORY AND PHOTOS BY TRACY GIZA
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day tripping photo courtesy Journey Inn
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A scenic (and sophisticated) trip along the Mississippi. STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
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inspirations Profile of Northfield-area Gilbertson.
Realtor
Ruthie
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redoux home bazaar Your resource guide for great places, products and services.
City dwellers
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Flock to raising chickens Most of us pick up our eggs at the co-op or grocery store, but more and more city dwellers are crossing eggs off their shopping lists and walking no further than their backyards for their morning omelets.
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
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Annika Nguyen (left) and Claire Casson gather eggs.
Katie and Doug Casson with their three children (from left): Claire, Grace and Max with neighbors Isabel Day Diggins (left) and Annika Nguyen.
People were ready to leave the past behind and modernize their homes and lifestyles. In recent years, however, the tides seem to be turning back to a simpler way of life. We want to feel more connected to nature, to the natural rhythm of life. Increasingly we are growing our own food and trying to live sustainably, and chickens are a natural compliment to that lifestyle. The website backyardchickens.com gets six million page views a month and more than 4,000 posts on its online forum every day. Hatcheries that supply baby chicks say they can barely keep up with demand. And this isn’t something we’re seeing only in our area. From New York City to Chicago, San Francisco, and everywhere in between, people are stepping into the role of backyard farmer in record numbers.
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The Cassons got their first chickens four years ago and say there are so many things they like about having chickens. Doug says he really loves the sound of clucking. “It is so gentle and companionable. I also like the way that neighbors stop to ask questions about them.” Katie enjoys watching the kids collect eggs. “We love to see how delighted our four year old is when she finds an egg in the box, and how careful she is never to break one. Neighborhood kids also love collecting eggs and taking them home, as if they were some kind of treasure.”
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In the first half of the twentieth century it was common to have chickens in the city. Then the 1950s ushered in an era of consumerism, and ‘progress’ (coupled with advertising) dictated that store-bought was superior.
JULY / AUGUST 2011 redouxhome.com
atie and Doug Casson decided to build a chicken coop in their Northfield yard as a small way to reconnect with their food. They were inspired when Katie’s mom, an elementary school teacher, told them about a child in her class who thought eggs were manufactured in an “egg factory.”
Above: (from left) Max Casson, Grace Casson, Isabel Day Diggins and Claire Casson. Below: Isabel Day Diggins
Above: Max and Claire Casson.
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Urban chicken farmers say it’s fairly easy to keep chickens – you just need a coop and a bit of room for them to roam. They’re good for your yard and garden too: chickens eat garden pests and fertilize your yard at the same time. Another perk, according to Katie: “Warm and fresh blue, green and brown eggs, of course! We’re convinced they taste better than store-bought eggs.” If you’re considering chickens, check your city ordinances first. Some cities limit the number of chickens you can keep, others prohibit roosters. And keep in mind that chickens do need care. You need to provide a coop to shelter them from predators and the weather. When you go on a trip, you’ll need to find someone to come over to feed them and collect eggs. And, as Katie points out, the smell can be a bit pungent at times. “When the weather is damp, the coop can smell a bit ripe. Yet generally, we have not been bothered by the smell, and our coop is pretty close to the house. Occasionally our chickens have flown the coop and wandered the neighborhood, so we have to be a bit careful about keeping them close to home.” Nichole Day Diggins is the publisher of REDOUX HOME, owner of Flying Pan Productions and co-owner of Redoux Design.
THE CHICKEN COOP Even if you plan to let chickens roam your yard, they must have a coop. A coop protects them from predators and keeps them cool in the summer, warm in the winter and dry when it rains or snows.
Get your comfort zone
OUTSIDE
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Full-sized chickens need approximately three square feet per bird. There should be at least one nesting box for every three hens and at least one linear foot of rails per chicken for roosting. The coop needs plenty of natural light and easy access to food and water. You can order a complete kit at Green Roof Chicken Coop (greenroofchickencoop.com). Their coops feature green roofs where you can grow flowers, herbs and produce. Plus they’re safe, secure and easy to clean. The kits include all required lumber, screws, hinges and knobs plus a heavy gauge pond liner for the roof (prices start at $599). Or for $35 you can just order the plans and get the materials yourself. Another excellent source for building a coop from scratch is the Catawba Converti Coops guidebook (about $20), which details how to build a simple but stylish portable coop (their motto is “urbane coop plans for urban chickens”). catawbacoops.com
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steel garden
in the
in the garden
A stately column echos spires of prairie grasses.
Large spheres give new dimension to the garden.
BY ELIZABETH CHILD Jennifer Wolcott calls herself an artist of last resort. “Give me a beat-up file cabinet and I’ll turn it into birds and planes and tractors, and give it one more life before it goes to the landfill,” Wolcott says.
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The resulting art is not only eco-friendly, it harbors an inner smile—the whimsy of something even Wolcott didn’t expect when allowing the material and the machine to interact. Wolcott, who resides in Northfield, has become known throughout the region for her sizable steel structures, the largest of which weighs 600 pounds and hangs on a wall in the McNeilus Steel Company in Dodge Center, Minnesota. She was recently selected to showcase her garden art in Tangletown Gardens’ Garden and Art tour, Saturday, July 23, in Minneapolis. The steel sculptures and structures she makes for the garden are like “drawing in air,” she says. “People are attracted to the shapes. There’s an innate response to the forms. They’re as old as the hills. They could be Galileo’s device for looking at the heavens or the moon itself.” Ribbed balls of varying sizes invite vines to grow through them; gates combine steel with etched and layered glass to capture light in all seasons; “grasses”–tall twisted steel spires grouped in threes or fives–dance in the wind. A lover of language, she’s coined “industrielle” to describe these structures. “The feminine is set off by something rough,” she says. “It’s a binary system.” Her inspiration comes from the materials and the machines themselves. Her father, an art professor, told her early on: “Start working and something will happen. If you want to have ideas you have to start working.” Though her large-scale outdoor creations set her apart, she works in all scales and often adds subtle humor to her work. French clowns, puppets and toys populate her home, find their way into her art and, thus, into our lives to delight us. Wolcott would rather have you walk by her work, sit on it, grow a vine on it, or use it to open the door than go to a museum to see it. Her hope is to bring intrigue to our homes, gardens, communities and workplaces, so that her active imagination sparks our own. -- Elizabeth Child is editor of Redoux Home, a marketing communications specialist and a yoga instructor.
Jennifer Wolcott watches the interplay of machine and material.
fun facts •
Refused to learn to type so no one could make her be a secretary
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Was a high school Latin scholar
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As a single mother, worked a numerical controlled metal lathe in a machine shop because it paid more than “women’s work”
the
art of Landscape Design
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Has two sisters and all three of them claim to be “the boy of the family”
Providing Exceptional Quality & Uniquely Creative Design/Build Landscapes. From Contemporary to Classic...
•
Found 13 Jennifer Wolcotts on Facebook and asked them all to be friends `
Transforming functional spaces to evoke the feeling of
living in fine art.
507-645-9741 • 651-460-2171 SwitzersNursery.com
living well (& looking good)
Grin and Bare It Self conscious about your skin? A remedy is within reach. BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
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Summer is here and we’re showing more skin. For most of us, that means trying to stay cool while simultaneously attempting to mask our problem areas. Maybe it’s your upper arms that give you grief, or a muffin top spilling out over your waistband. Or perhaps you want to conceal those pesky spider veins. Cellulite? Spare tire anyone? A whole host of insecurities rear their ugly heads this time of year, especially as we age. If baring your skin has you nostalgic for winter, take heart that a remedy is out there, whatever your grievance. WRINKLES, FROWN LINES, EXCESSIVE SWEATING, MIGRAINES Back in the early 90s, a ‘miraculous’ anti-aging product first came on the scene that temporarily caused wrinkles to disappear by paralyzing otherwise healthy muscles. At first, the proposition of allowing someone to inject a confirmed deadly poison into your face seemed absurd. Two decades later it’s an appointment millions of us routinely make every few months, with about the same fanfare as a manicure or a haircut. Botulinum Toxin A is marketed under two names, Botox and Dysport, and it isn’t just for wrinkles anymore. Skilled injectors, like Laurie Wall of Transcend Medi Spa in Hudson, use Botox and its competitor Dysport, to sculpt the face, lift the eyebrows, enlarge the eyes and add the illusion of volume in strategic areas. Botox/Dysport is now used to treat everything from neuromuscular disorders and overactive bladders to migraine headaches and back pain. People even use it on their armpits to reduce excessive sweating. Wall injects more than 3,000 units of Botox and Dysport every week and is a true master when it comes to artfully achieving a natural look. (No stiff, expressionless faces allowed.) “We see all types of clients,” Wall says, “Those much like me who are thrilled that there are things we can do to keep us looking young, and those who have issues that have chiseled away at their self-confidence, like acne, port wine stains, facial hair, hyperpigmentation, scars, tattoos and rosacea to name a few. Our lasers can help take care of these things.” Wall says most patients aren’t looking for drastic changes–they just want that soft, well-rested look of youth (which can also be achieved with the help of fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse, which add fullness to your face in just the right places).
CELLULITE, FLABBY ARMS, SPARE TIRE, BELLY ROLL, SAGGY SKIN, DOUBLE CHIN Most of us have at least one problem area that won’t go away, no matter how hard we try. Maybe it’s your waistline, or your hips and thighs, or upper arms (all of the above?). Sometimes it seems no amount of working out and eating right will help. Enter the Accent XL machine. It tones, tightens and reduces with truly amazing results. The Accent bills itself as “a body contouring RF Thermotherapy device designed for tightening skin, reducing cellulite and reducing fat.” Most people say the results are undeniable after just one treatment (and even better after three or more). Transcend Medi Spa has been using the Accent XL for nearly a year and the demand has been so great they recently added a second machine. They may need a third one soon as both machines are currently in use every single hour of every day the clinic is open. “The Accent works using two different technologies,” explains Wall. “The first is radio frequency, which causes the fat cells to split open and the byproduct to be flushed out via the lymphatic system over several days. The second is thermal heat, which helps to regenerate collagen and tighten the skin while tightening the fibers of muscle and fascia.” The Accent treatments can be done anywhere on the body but frequently are used to tone skin on the face, jaw and neck, under the upper arms, around the abdomen and the hips and thighs. Before your treatment, a technician will measure you so that afterward you know exactly how many inches you’ve lost. The treatments last about 40 minutes and allow you to resume normal activities immediately. Results are immediate, though for best results, three to six treatments may be needed.
Teri Bjornstad (left) and owner Laurie Wall of Transcend Medi Spa in Husdon.
SPIDER VEINS Summer means ditching the opaque tights and long pants in favor of capris, shorts and skirts. Bare legs abound. But if spider veins have you running for cover to avoid leg exposure, take heart that they are easily and effectively treated. Spider veins are superficial blood vessels, usually red or blue, found on the legs or face. Spider veins are hereditary but can also be caused by hormonal changes, pregnancy, sun exposure and sitting or standing for long periods of time. Veins, like arteries, are blood vessels. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart and veins carry blood back to the heart. Veins have small one-way valves along their walls preventing blood from flowing the reverse direction. When those valves are faulty, blood can build up and pool.
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Sclerotherapy is the gold standard in treating spider veins. Laurie Wall loves the results sclerotherapy give her clients. “Sclerotherapy is wonderfully successful for eliminating spider veins, by injecting the vessels with Ascelera, glycerin or sodium you flush the veins and seal them, which prevents the flow of blood through them,” Wall says. “It does not, however, help with varicose veins.”
UNWANTED HAIR Hair possesses powerful symbolic and evocative properties. But that power applies, for the most part, solely to the hair on our heads. The hair covering our bodies is another story. These days, even some men are baring it all, or at least, paring back considerably; “manscaping” has become de rigueur. That’s why so many of us exert so much time and effort on hair removal by way of creams, shaving, waxing and plucking. Pulsed light with Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT) treats unwanted hair with quick and safe bursts of light. The light selectively treats only hair follicles, leaving surrounding tissue untouched. There’s no down time and the results can be permanent – anywhere on the body (it feels kind of like being snapped with a rubber band). Electrolysis is another hair removal option and it, too, provides long-term elimination of unwanted hair. However, electrolysis is more painful and takes a lot longer (you may need 15-30 visits for best results). With electrolysis, a sterile needle is inserted into every hair follicle and a low-level electrical current kills the follicle. Because you’re essentially going after hairs one by one, it’s better for small areas like the brows, upper lip and chin.
ACNE, BLACKHEADS, PIMPLES, WHITEHEADS Acne is a common skin problem plaguing everyone from teens through those in middle age and beyond. It’s caused when pimples form in clogged hair folicles. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. No one really knows exactly what causes acne, but hormone changes probably play a role. There are a lot of myths about what causes acne– like chocolate and greasy food–but there is not much evidence supporting foods as a cause of acne on most people. Dirty, oily skin is also often blamed, but blackheads and pimples aren’t caused by dirt. And while stress doesn’t cause acne, it can make it worse. Laurie Wall treats people of all ages for acne, from age 12 to 72. She says acne has a profound effect on people’s lives and on their self-confidence and esteem, adding, “I had no idea just how profound until we ran a segment on “Twin Cities Live.” We featured a young woman with moderate acne and scarring whom we’d treated for a six-month period. She underwent four photo facials and four pixel treatments, and after all eight treatments, with a clear complexion and no visible scarring, our phones rang off the hook!” If you have acne, there are many different treatments, medicines and creams that can help. Some other things you can do: clean your skin gently, avoid touching your skin and stay out of the sun.
VANISHING EYEBROWS, THINNING HAIR, SCARS If you have nonexistent or thin eyebrows, sparse eyelashes, a scar you want to conceal, poor eyesight or even thinning hair, dermal pigmentation may be for you. It’s also referred to as permanent makeup, micro-pigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, and it is being used to correct and conceal a large variety of grievances. Certified medical dermal pigmentation artist Teri Bjornstad has more than 15 years experience as a dermal pigmentation technician. She is also a trained makeup artist and stays up-todate with the current looks and applications. When it comes to permanent makeup, Bjornstad is truly a master of her craft. “I am blessed with a steady hand, artistic eye and perfectionism in my profession,” Bjornstad says. “I absolutely love it when my clients come back after their procedure to thank me for making their lives easier and for helping them feel more confident and beautiful.” Bjornstad began her career working with a facial reconstruction surgeon, applying permanent makeup to post-surgical patients to camouflage scarring and color variations. She now works out of Transcend Medi Spa and treats people from all walks of life. Some patients want to conceal hair loss from chemotherapy or alopecia, others are recovering from breast surgery. She sees women who are tired of putting on makeup every day and those who have developed a vision problem or other impairment and can’t do it themselves. Sometimes accident victims and people with allergies or sensitive skin cannot wear traditional makeup. Bjornstad also sees people with sparse or light eyebrows and those wanting to reshape or define their lips. If you’re considering permanent cosmetics, do your homework and make sure your technician is certified and experienced. Ask where they were trained and get references. Make sure the pigment used is medical grade. It’s a good idea, too, to ask to see before and after photos of past clients. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Initial consultations are generally free.
What is a Medical Spa? A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a medical doctor. Medical spas can treat facial conditions like brown spots, redness and broken capillaries that cannot be treated at all or as effectively by a traditional esthetician. Medical spa menus vary but you can usually get treatments like laser treatments, microdermabrasion, photo facials, injectables and fillers, chemical peels, sclerotherapy, hypnotherapy, dermal pigmentation and skin tightening or skin rejuvenation.
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bookcase ‘before’
food
sweet & savory
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Strawberry Salad with Sweet and Spicy Pecans by Smokey Row CafĂŠ Photo by Eliza Wren Varien, copyright 2011
JULY / AUGUST 2011 redouxhome.com
summer salads
Riverside eateries share their salad secrets Red Wing’s Smokey Row Café is home to the Jenny Lind Bakery. You can rest your shopping feet and take in the smells and tastes of fresh baked goods from around the world. Open for breakfast and lunch, Smokey Row is located near the Mississippi River on Old West Main Street. (Look for it near the Red Wing Pottery Salesroom.) Linger inside or out, and enjoy a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee or espresso, and stay for a sumptuous home-cooked meal. Delight your palate with from-scratch soups, paninis and other sandwiches, ice cream and daily specials. Proprietor Ruth Raich shares a summer salad favorite below.
Recipe: Strawberry Salad with Sweet and Spicy Pecans Serves 4 to 6 as an entrée
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BY RUTH RAICH
Strawberry Salad with Sweet & Spicy Pecans
Spicy and Sweet Pecans: (Use half for recipe, save the rest!)
Ingredients: 1 pound of greens 1 carrot grated 1/4 red onion sliced 1/2 pint of strawberries sliced (or substitute raspberries)
Mix in a plastic bag: 2 cups (8 ounces) pecans 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt
Raspberry vinaigrette dressing:
Whip with a mixer until foamy: 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water
(makes about 2 1/2 cups – use about half for recipe) Whisk together or make in a shake-able container: 1 cup olive oil 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 cup raspberry vinegar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 orange juiced 2 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Add pecans, stir to coat and then place in the plastic bag with spices, shake and place on parchment or silpat. Spread into single layer and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir. Bake 6-10 minutes more until dry and browned. Cool and then break up pecans. To plate: In a bowl, place your mixed greens and top with grated carrot, red onion slices, strawberries and pecans. Toss with dressing, or serve dressing on the side.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Bogus Creek Café & Bakery is an oasis in summer. The café in Stockholm, Wisconsin, sits at the base of a hillside garden and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries entices you to stroll down to an enchanting courtyard, also home to Savvy’s Gift Shop and the Crazy Cat Candy Shoppe. Across from the café, the bakery is notorious for its artisan breads – cheesy cheddar, cranberry walnut, sauerkraut rye and the pleasantly addictive Swedish donut, all baked fresh daily. Chef and owner Colleen Flynn shares one of her favorites with REDOUX HOME readers.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken BY COLLEEN FLYNN
Place all the ingredients in a food processor. Mix well and refrigerate.
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Honey-lime curry dressing Makes 2 cups (double this because you will want it on everything!) 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons lime juice 1/4 cup honey 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 teaspoon curry powder 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
redouxhome.com
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Salt and freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¾ cup bread crumbs 2 eggs, lightly beaten mixed with one tablespoon of lemon juice 1/3 cup melted butter 4 lemon wedges
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Serves 4
Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season the flour with nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste and Parmesan cheese. Add the bread crumbs. Dip the breasts into the egg/lemon mixture, then dredge into the flour mixture, coating thoroughly. Brown on all sides in the melted butter over medium heat and serve hot with lemon wedges. Serve over a nice green salad with honey-lime curry dressing (below). This works well with pork tenderloin also.
redoux-it yourself
In with the Old: Uncover the possibilities in discarded furniture
before
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BY TRACY GIZA
A dresser not only adds extra storage space but looks great if cleverly painted to match the flavor of the room!
In the summer we are greeted by garage sales, porch sales, rummage sales, treasure sales and of course the “garage boutique.” Let the possibilities inspire you. Transform an old cabinet into a mini wine bar or the perfect little linen closet. Turn a dining table into a coffee table by cutting off a few inches, or repurpose it entirely by turning the table-top into an oversize wall clock. (Instructions follow.) At blowout prices, you simply can’t afford NOT to take advantage of these sales! So have fun, experiment with colors and function and get creative. Turn a piece upside down, on its side and really think about a better purpose for the piece before you pass it by. You may be amazed at how a garage sale find can turn into a one-of-a-kind addition to your home that will be cherished for years to come. Best of all, you’re the designer. Entertainment centers seem to be a thing of the past but make great cabinets for toys, sewing supplies, etc., with a few simple adjustments. Shelves add function, while doors hide the clutter and chalkboard paint just makes it fun! Get organized by converting a TV armoire into a mini home office with lots of clever storage. Close the doors and it will look tidy even when you’re not. Inexpensive chairs can be real show-stoppers with a little paint, while adding function to an awkward space. Use odd materials in new ways. Reinvent a good use for old shutters, pieces of trim, finials, knobs and furniture feet to accent a boring piece you already own. The number of ways to re-purpose and re-style a dresser is endless. A dresser not only adds extra storage space but looks great if cleverly painted to match the flavor of the room. Tables are easy to find and with some imagination can add flare to any room. These conversation pieces keep everyone talking.
RED WING, MN
A window becomes a rack for hanging pots in the kitchen and wallpapered to match your kitchen.
Windows can become shabby chic mirrors for a bedroom or bathroom.
HOW TO MAKE A LARGE WALL CLOCK: 1. Pick up an old table top - only spend a few dollars. 2. Sand the surface to create a smooth face. Clean the dust and any debris off the surface. 3. Prepare the face with a latex primer. 4. Know your style! Look at clock face styles on the Internet until you find one you love. 5. Paint the surface in your desired style and color. 6. Stencil in the clock numbers, or use tracing paper with images from the Internet. Use roman numerals, symbols, photos, anything! Be careful of your spacing. 7. Varnish the entire face for a finished look. 8. Purchase or order the clock mechanism on line or at a craft store. Larger clocks need large hands. These can be ordered in many different styles only for around $25 or less. 9. Drill a hole in the center of the table top to insert the clock mechanism. See photos online at redouxhome.com.
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day tripping
A scenic (and sophisticated) trip along the Mississippi
The tiny villages around Lake Pepin harbor fantastic temptations for tourists STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICHOLE DAY DIGGINS
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As you traverse the hilly landscape along Highway 35 in western Wisconsin, the soaring bluffs give way to limestone outcroppings and expansive views of the Mississippi River. The 70-mile drive around Lake Pepin is a popular day-trip, drawing thousands of tourists each summer. Lake Pepin is actually a 26-mile-long widening of the Mississippi, about 60 miles downstream from St. Paul. The panoramic vistas may draw people to the area, but visitors soon discover an urbane array of bakeries, bistros, cafes, galleries, boutiques, gardens, and bed-and-breakfasts. The quaint villages of Maiden Rock and Stockholm have scarcely 100 residents each, yet the caliber of the food and lodgings, the fine art, and shopping rival those of any vibrant urban locale. At one time not so long ago, Stockholm was nearly a ghost town. But artists and artisans helped bring the area back to life, shaping it into the magical villa it is today. The size of these river towns may have remained small (okay, tiny) but the experience is definitely immense. If you’re coming to the area from the north, you’ll first come to Bay City, Wisconsin. You can’t miss Flat Pennies Ice Cream, housed alongside an old Soo Line caboose. If you’re looking for tourist information, you’ll find it in the caboose, along with places to sit to devour your reading material–and your ice cream.
Smiling Pelican Bake Shop, Maiden Rock You don’t want to miss the Smiling Pelican. The delicious delicacies change daily and sell out quickly. Look for chocolate raspberry mousse torte, turtle tart, blackberry cinnamon buttermilk pie, Jack Daniels cheesecake, raspberry sour cream pies, and lemon tart–and don’t forget the masterful array of handmade breads: Vienna, Swiss sunflower, struan, bird seed, pecan raisin wheat, focaccia, cranberry wild rice sourdough, hootenanny, honey brioche, rye… the list goes on and on. Open the first week of April through December 23. Secret Heart Gallery, Maiden Rock Four years ago, Minneapolis artist B.J. Christofferson bought a 107-year-old brick house along Great River Road in Maiden Rock and converted it into a studio and gallery space. The inspiration for her work comes from Spanish colonial art, medieval art, and Mexican folk art. Her narrative dioramas and three-dimensional wall pieces represent protectors, guardians, saints and their symbols. secretheartgallery.com Abode Gallery, Stockholm Operating under the credo “life is meant to be lived, and lived beautifully,” Abode invites you to explore their fantastic collection of artisan-made furnishings and accessories, handmade gifts and cards, as well as local and regional books, music, and fine art. Abode is actually three stores interconnected in one great space: a local foods market, the home and lifestyle store (and interior design studio) and an art gallery. Upstairs is the renovated old Stockholm Opera House. abodegallery.com The Blue Bikes of Stockholm As you stroll through Stockholm you’re likely to see blue bicycles around town. They are free for visitors to use, allowing you to see more of the area, and get in a little exercise at the same time. Stockholm merchants found some easy-to-ride bikes, painted them blue, and placed them in racks around town. Just find a rack and take a bike. When you’re finished, just return the bike to one of the four racks in the village. stockholmwisconsin.com
The Stockholm Pie Company The old-fashioned pies at this little Stockholm pie shop are hand-crafted, delicious and flaky – just like Grandma used to make (that is, if Grandma was an outstanding pie maker). With a repertoire of more than 30 varieties of fruit pies, cream pies, pecan and ice cream pies, you won’t be disappointed. If sweet isn’t your thing, try one of the many varieties of savory pies, potpies and quiches. Special orders are encouraged. Voted Best Pie of 2011 by City Pages. thestockholmpiecompany.com.
day tripping
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Journey Inn Located three miles from the Great River Road in Maiden Rock, Journey Inn is a destination that inspires and restores. The “eco-retreat” is a new-concept holistic bed and breakfast built with earth-friendly products and healthy building features. The inn uses natural and organic bedding and cleaning products, and serves up delicious, organic whole foods. Enjoy one of the four relaxing rooms in the inn (Earth, Air, Water or Fire), or for more privacy, rent the cozy cottage with two bedrooms, two baths and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s all set on 66 acres of prairie that includes hilly woodlands, a spring-fed creek, walking paths, and a meditative labyrinth. journeyinn.net
The Palate Gourmet Kitchen Store, Stockholm The Palate’s bright and airy shop is filled with handpicked items that offer the best in functionality, value and beauty. They carry a wonderful selection of gourmet cookware, dinnerware, kitchen tools and unique home decor products. Be sure to check out the ‘Laudable Linens’–spill-proof and custom-made in the USA. You’ll also find gourmet food items, including tempting sweets, and a selection of hand-picked wines from around the world. There is also a chef’s kitchen where cooking classes are held. thepalate.net Sandy’s Clothing and Art, Stockholm Sandy’s promises serendipitous shopping, gracious staff and a thoughtful selection. This fun and unique clothing store has many items from small, emerging designers and hand-made wares by local artisans, as well. sandysclothingandart.com Bogus Creek Café & Bakery, Stockholm Outstanding food paired with delightful garden seating make this a must on your visit to the quaint village of Stockholm. Bogus Creek is known for its breakfasts (served all day): Bogus hash, French toast (made with fresh-baked croissants), light and airy Swedish pancakes, grilled salmon cakes, muffins, scones and Swedish donuts. Open daily, Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM, Sat 9 AM - 7:30 PM and Sundays 9 AM - 5 PM. 715.442.5017
Maiden Rock Inn – “Where Sleeping in School is Cool” This charming 16,000-square-foot brick schoolhouse-turnedinn has been a work in progress since 1995. The rooms feature extensive millwork, 12-foot tin ceilings and full baths. The owners are currently installing a delicatessen and in July will receive the first shipment of Alsatian wines direct from France. (These fine wines have never before been imported as the vintners are so small, making this just one more reason to trek to this gorgeous area.) maidenrockinn.com
Savvy, Stockholm Looking for an edge on your shopping experience? Savvy stays on top, and ahead of, the latest trends in both women’s fashion and home accents. Open 11 AM–5 PM, seven days a week from Memorial Day through the end of October. (Also open Friday through Sunday mid-March through April and November through the first weekend in December.) 715.442.9044
MAR / APR 2011 redouxhome.com
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inspirations
Up Close Meet Ruthie Gilbertson, Edina Realty agent Ruthie Gilbertson is a real estate agent who lives in Northfield and works in a one-and-a-half hour driving radius. She told Editor Elizabeth Child why she loves her job, even in this challenging market.
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Why real estate suits her: “About 10 years ago I was going through a divorce with two young children, when my realtor, Pat Johnson asked if I would be interested in an assistant position. She put me through classes to get licensed, and I remained her assistant for nearly five years before deciding to venture off on my own.” Best part of her own home: “My kitchen. It’s big and open and has a sitting area with a wood-burning fireplace. When I’m home, it’s where I spend 90 percent of my time. ‘Redouxs’ she’s undertaken: “Painting and removing wallpaper. Those two small things will do wonders for a home.” Advice for selling a home: “As a seller the two most important things to remember in this market are one, whatever equity you have lost in your current home, you will get back in the home you are purchasing. And two, interest rates are at an all-time low, which gives more buying power to potential buyers who would not be able to afford your home if rates jumped.” Who this market favors: “It is definitely a buyer’s market, but sellers need to realize that they have the opportunity to be buyers, as well.”
Inspect before you buy: “The main things that I suggest people look at when first previewing a home are the ‘big ticket’ items, such as the roof, the furnace, appliances and siding, most of which you can usually tell just by looking at them. If a home has not had a new roof after the hailstorm of 2006, that’s a red flag!” Good news for first-timer buyers: “Today, people are able to purchase and own a home for less than they are paying in rent for an apartment. Interest rates are allowing more buying power, and there are so many great programs available to first-time home-buyers.” Home buying as an investment: “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have made it more difficult for investors to ‘flip’ houses. They favor owner-occupant purchases. They will typically put a 30- to 45-day hold on an offer from an investor, giving first opportunity to a first-time home-buyer who plans to live in the home.” The opportunity in foreclosures: “Any home, foreclosure or not, can be a good deal if the price is right. Many homes are priced right for the market, but are presumed to be overpriced because they aren’t bank-owned. As realtors, we use comparables of solds in the area to price homes–which includes foreclosures.” Average time it takes to sell a home in southern Minnesota: “Three to five years ago I would have said 30-45 days. In today’s market it can be one week to two years.” Philosophy of client service: “I listen and pay attention to what my clients want and don’t want. I am never pushy, and consider myself to be very patient.”
art al fresco
THE 38TH ANNUAL STOCKHOLM ART FAIR
BY LINDA DAY DUNLAP The Stockholm Art Fair has come a long way since its inception in 1974. Back then, a group of artists who had recently moved to the area held the art fair as a way to ”let the people know who we were and what we did.” The thinking was that if no one showed up, it would be just a picnic. But people did come to the upstart fair along the Mississippi River. Chickens were bartered, kittens were given away, and enough art was sold to set in motion an evolving annual event. This year marks the 38th annual Stockholm Art Fair–a juried fine art show which is a very big event for the tiny town of Stockholm. The Stockholm Art Fair is one day only–always the third Saturday in July. On Saturday, July 16 this year, 107 artists will fill Village Park just off the Great River Road (Highway 35) on scenic Lake Pepin. Artists will come from five states to show and sell their paintings, jewelry, clay, glass, sculpture, fiber, leather, photography, and more. The fair also features live, original music all day long, and local foods made by area chefs including chicken croissant sandwiches with rhubarb chutney, organically grown beef and chicken sandwiches on pita, grilled portabella mushroom sandwiches, locally roasted coffee and homemade pie. Each year, a different artist is featured on the official poster (collected by many). This year’s poster features a photograph of a wood sculpture by regional sculptor Richard Brown of Buffalo City, Wisconsin. Brown has participated in the art fair for 20 years and has won several awards over the years as well. His sculpture, “The Cyclist,” captures the spirit of fun and celebration, which is what the art fair is all about. The Stockholm Art Fair is truly a happening community celebration, anticipated by thousands of people every year. You’re always sure to find diverse and outstanding fine art, music and ambiance–a perfect way to spend a summer day in a small town. Linda Day Dunlap is a Stockholm, Wisconsin-based artist and chief organizer of the Stockholm Art Fair.
redouxhome.com / bazaar
GREAT RIVER COFFEE ROASTERS Locally Owned and Operated 100% Specialty Grade Arabica Coffees True Artisan, Small Batch Coffee Roaster Home of Mississippi Mud TM Hwy 35 & Lake St., Pepin, WI. CALL TO ORDER: 800.984.5282 greatrivercoffee. com
SANDY’S CLOTHING AND ART Tammy Rice upcycled innertube jewelry at Sandy’s in Stockholm! Make peace not landfills. At Sandy’s you will find serendipitous shopping, gracious staff & a thoughtful selection. Highway 35 Stockholm, WI Tel: 715.442.3112 www.sandysclothingandart.com
JOURNEY INN Journey Inn, an eco-retreat is located in Maiden Rock, WI on 66 acres of prairie, meadow & woodland, across from a State Natural area. Enjoy a quiet getaway, massage/ spa services, workshops, hiking, bikes & meditative labyrinth Journey Inn, an eco retreat Maiden Rock, WI info@journeyinn.net Tel: 715.448.2424 www.journeyinn.net
ACCOLA GALLERY An open armed gallery featuring the work of artist Jean Accola and other artists of the region. Paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, books, rugs, selective imported textiles, pottery, custom printing and framing. Accola Gallery 502 2nd Ave E., Durand, WI Tel: 715.672.8188 Open Wed to Sat 10AM to 5PM or by appt. www.accolagallery.com
System diagnostics Virus removal Data transfer Custom system builds Wireless network setup Hardware sales and installation Reboot Computers 18 Bridge Square, Northfield help@rebootnorthfield.com Tel: 507.663.7050
www.lindadayclay.com
SHEPHERD’S WAY FARMS Minnesota Artisan Sheep Cheese Shepherd’s Way Farms, a local family-based sheep dairy, produces award-winning artisan cheeses on the farm, just outside Northfield. Find Shepherd’s Way cheeses at Just Food Co-op in Northfield, or other local co-ops, specialty cheese shops, or Byerly’s, Lunds & Kowalski’s. Visit Shepherd’s Way during the Eat Local Farm Tour, Saturday, July 30, 11am-3pm. www.shepherdswayfarms.com 8626 160th St East • Nerstrand, MN • 507.663.9040
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LINDA DAY CLAY Handmade functional pottery. Custom clay pieces for all occasions. Linda Day Clay Arkansaw, WI daydunlp@nelson-tel.net Tel: 715.285.5692
JULY / AUGUST 2011 redouxhome.com
REBOOT COMPUTERS Computer service and repair in Northfield.
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