Sand & Pine June/July 2021 by Sand & Pine

Creative Lumber ¬ Summer Cocktails ¬ Moore Reading

SAND & PINE June/July 2021

Your Local Real Estate Experts! Jessica Rowan

Broker

Nikki Bowman

910.585.5438

Broker/Owner

910.528.4902

760 B NW Broad Street • Southern Pines

realtyworldofmoore.com

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E THIS E

P UR

Try one of seven flavors of wine slushy mixes this summer! Mix with a dry white wine for a traditional wine slushy. You can also mix with rum for a traditional strawberry daiquiri, or even tequila for a strawberry margarita! Garnish with fresh strawberries or a lemon slice and top with whipped cream.

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HEN &

K I T C HEN GOODS | COCK TAIL SUP P LIE S | H O S T E S S GIF T S L AGUIOLE CU T LE RY | S TAU B CA S T IR ON C OOK WAR E H OME DE C OR AND MOR E 100 M AG NO LI A R OA D, S U I T E 1 0 2, V ILL AG E O F P INEH U R S T W W W. P U R P LE T H IS T LE S H O P. C O M | 9 1 0 . 4 2 0 . 2 4 3 4

Photo: Ashley Taylor Photography

120 West Main Street, Aberdeen, NC 28315 | 910.944.1071 | www.JackHadden.com www.SandandPineMag.com

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contents 12

Moore Reading

SAND & PINE

Victor Hugo said: “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” Light that love of reading this summer!

Creative Lumber

At the Table

The art of woodworking isn’t for the Y chromosome alone. Two Southern Pines women are focusing their creative talent toward the timber arts.

Slice up some cukes! In a salad, in a drink, in a sandwich, cucumbers are a summer vegetable worthy of our attention.

Pub People

Greg Girard, Amanda Jakl

Storysmith

Greg Girard greg@sandandpinemag.com

¬ Summer Creative Lumber

Cocktails ¬ Moore

Reading

SA N D & P IN E June/July 2021

Creative Conjuror

Amanda Jakl amanda@sandandpinemag.com

On the Cover “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.” – George Carlin

Idea Inventor

Amanda Oden oden@sandandpinemag.com

Word Geek

Rachel Dorrell

Ad Peddler

Debbie Jordan debbie@sandandpinemag.com

Contributing Scribblers

Darcy Connor, Christin Daubert, Jamie Doom, Dolores Muller, Robert Nason, Amanda Oden, Patti Ranck, Dana Vamvakias

Our Girl Friday Iris Voelker

Visual Alchemist Steven Jordan

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P.O. Box 892 Southern Pines, NC 28388 Tel. 910.315.0467 info@sandandpinemag.com www.sandandpinemag.com facebook: SandandPineMag

Quicksand 6 Good Reads

Garden Variety

Shop Local

Be Inspired 34 Parenting in the Pines 36 Pet Care 38 On the Fly 40

Ode to Mexican Beer

Summer Cocktails

Light, refreshing, hitting the spot on a hot summer afternoon. And you don’t have to go too far south (Southern Pines will do) to enjoy one.

These cocktail recipes are inspired by the glorious herbs and fruits that accompany the drink. Summer Sage, Red Sangria, Thyme After Thyme and more!

DIY

Dropping In

Puzzles

Last Word

editor note So I bought a CD player. Yes, I'm aware it’s 2021 and not 1995. No, I didn’t break out all my flannels from college (I wore them so much they disintegrated years ago anyway). It’s a Victrola Microsystem with a Maplewood exterior, 30-watt speakers and plays one CD at a time. And what inspired me to get this machine from yesteryear (OK, it’s also Bluetooth compatible, so it’s not totally ancient) and make room for it in my office was The Box. We simply call it The Box. It is in one of our closets, as it always has been no matter where we have lived. The Box has traveled with us going on 30 years. It is our friend and our nemesis. It’s a big box that we always comment is too heavy each time we’ve moved homes, as if it’s a new revelation. There are seven to 10 layers of tape dangling at all angles from The Box that have sealed it up over the years. Since we can remember, The Box has been the foundation, the strong and level base, for stacking other boxes and tubs. The Box has rarely been opened yet the layers of tape that seal it show evidence of at least curiosity as to what is inside. Last

by Greg Girard

month, The Box was pulled out and finally, truly opened. I can still remember the small CD shop in my hometown. It was tucked into a corner of a shopping center next to a barber shop and diner. The guy who owned it had that low, rancid level of body odor that you could tolerate for a while but at some point fresh air was required lest you collapse from the fumes. He had a plethora of musical knowledge, however, so if you came out of there with a new discovery, it was worth it. It’s where I bought my first CDs: Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Cars, The Police, Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name just a few. It’s where I traded my Def Leppard and Queen albums to help me buy the new Eric Clapton box set. It’s where I bought bootleg Grateful Dead tapes for $5. And The Box, well, The Box had it all. All my Pearl Jam CDs. All my CDs from my blues phase. A handful of mixed CDs that friends had given me. An endless list of musical artists. It even had that White Buffalo CD I bought out West in a gift shop near the Grand Canyon during one of my cross country trips. I’m happy to say The Box is no longer. The stacks of CDs have come out and the simple joy that putting in a CD gives makes me wonder why I waited so long. www.SandandPineMag.com | 5

QUICKSAND BY THE NUMBERS » COWS

400K

Gallons of water a day a cow can drink. This is equivalent to about a full bathtub. Thirsty much? Cows also consume roughly 25 to 50 pounds of grass or other dry matter, depending on the size of the animal. All that eating and drinking, of course, produces waste. A cow will urinate around 30 gallons and produce up to 80 pounds of manure a day. That’s 12 tons of manure a year!

Year the first ice cream parlor opened in the U.S. A New York confectioner named Philip Lenzi opened the shop to rave reviews. Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were known for their love of ice cream.

1776

The value, in U.S. dollars, of the most expensive cow purchased at an auction. A Holstein, Missy the cow was named Supreme Grand Champion of All Breeds at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, and won that title again in Toronto, Ontario, a year later. You could have bought seven Lamborghini for the price of Missy. Missy the cow’s embryos alone were priced at $3 million.

1.45M

(and counting) Well-known TV shows and movies making jokes/references to the popular slogan “Got Milk?” From Friends and Roseanne to Johnny Bravo and The Weird Al Show, this catchphrase hit the market in the early ’90s and has stuck around ever since. The advertisement was originally made to influence the consumption of cows’ milk, but people took it in a different direction, making puns and parodies from it for the last three decades.

The number of teeth a cow has. A cow will chew about 50 times per minute, which equates to about 40,000 jaw movements every day.

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People who attended Woodstock in August 1969, along with a handful of cows. Because the iconic music festival’s original venue canceled a month before the event, the creators’ only option was a 600acre dairy farm. The farmers' attempts to corral the cows in a fenced area failed as attendees overwhelmed the space, destroying barriers. The end result was the cows got to meander the grounds and listen to Jimi Hendrix. The century when cows became a common domesticated animal in North America. Nearly all families had at least one cow in their possession, mostly due to cheese and milk being more valuable than beef. Taking care of the family cow is no longer common in the U.S. and the number of small dairy farms (under 200 cows) continues to decline.

LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN

OUTER SANDBOX

Waffles + Mochi

ROAD TRIP!

This new series is the brainchild of former First Lady Michelle Obama. The adorable puppet characters take you on entertaining adventures all over the world teaching you about where your food comes from. We initially put it on for our kids, but were quickly hooked ourselves! Celebrity guests like Jack Black, Tan France, Lionel Richie and Rashida Jones had us laughing while renowned chefs like Massimo Bottura and Samin Nosrat kept us learning. This is one show the entire family can enjoy together.

Road trip! Beyond the boundaries of our little sandbox, there is much to see. Here are a few events worth checking out. For events with a more local flavor, check out moorechoices.net. And check with locales before heading out!

Bandsintown After an entire year without live music we cannot wait to pack into a crowded arena and watch our favorite bands perform while strangers spill overpriced beer on our shoes! To help us plot out our summer concert plans we have been using this app, which sends you notifications when your beloved musicians are touring near you and allows you to purchase concert tickets immediately. Another favorite feature is the ability to stream thousands of live shows right from your living room so you never have to miss a beat again. Alltrails This app outfits you with a gigantic, searchable list of hiking and biking trails throughout the U.S. It quickly gives you information about terrain, traces your route as you explore and even helps you identify all the interesting plants you encounter along the way.

JUNE 18–19 Rhododendron Festival Bakersville | ncrhododendronfestival.org It’s the 74th year of celebrating the fragrant summer bloom that everyone loves to admire but nobody really knows how to spell. There will be craft vendors, a car show, the annual Rhododendron Pageant and dancing in the streets of the quaint Bakersville town square. JUNE 22 Summer Solstice Festival Greensboro | greensborosummersolstice.org Not sure about you, but we spent the past year isolated from other people and we are ready to get weird! Slap on some body paint, grab a hula hoop and head to Greensboro for a festival celebrating all things divine about summer. We are especially excited about the drum circle and the fire twirling spectacular, but we’d be lying if we didn’t admit it’s all about the people watching. JULY 23–24 Hillbilly Jam Maggie Valley | thehillbillyjam.com Lil' bit country, lil' bit rock n' roll, this annual event is ready to go again in 2021. Classic banjos, bluegrass, car and bike show, craft vendors, and a meet and greet with real moonshiners from the Discovery show Moonshiners. Channel that inner hillbilly and enjoy a couple days in Blue Ridge Mountains.

QUOTES Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. – Sam Keen

I guess there are never enough books. – John Steinbeck

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TO YOUR HEALTH

Health Tips Take a Nap You don’t have to really twist our arm to get us to settle in for a little cat nap, but science shows that taking a brief siesta is actually good for you. A short nap in the midafternoon can improve job performance, boost memory, make you more alert and ease stress. Just make sure

to get all your sheep counted before 3 p.m., as napping any later than that can negatively affect your sleep at night. Pick up a Book Like exercising early in the morning, reading a book before bed flexes the brains muscles, proving to be a good stimulant for imagination and creativity. Immersing yourself in a good story is also a way to take your mind off of a situation. One

study found that reading for just 6 minutes a day helped reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent. The good news is that you don’t have to be a total smartypants to receive the benefits of cracking open a book. Readers of romance and mystery novels showed the same stress reduction and cognitive benefits as readers of nonfiction. Phew!

Tips on living a more sustainable life

Breathe Easier There are hundreds of possible indoor air pollutants that could be contaminating

the air of your home or workplace. Many of us are regularly inhaling mold, mildew, radon, dust and dander without even realizing it. This can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. One way to determine if your air quality is topnotch is to have it professionally tested for contaminants. Once diagnosed, an air quality specialist can recommend different filtration options that will ensure you are breathing your best.

JUNE 26 Spartan Trail Fayetteville 10k night run endurancecui.active.com

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Live Lightly

SEPTEMBER 4 Weymouth Woods Trail Run Southern Pines 25k, 50k runsignup.com

For most households, the clothes dryer is the second most energy consuming appliance, right after the refrigerator. One surprisingly easy way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by almost 2,400 pounds annually is to start line drying your laundry instead of tossing it in the dryer. Not only is this gentler on your clothing (in turn, making the fabric last longer) but the sun's UV rays have also been shown to whiten and remove stains from fabric. Another benefit? Because air drying allows the fabrics to naturally stretch to their original form, you reduce wrinkles and eliminate the need to iron.

SEPTEMBER 11 Mountain Creek Conservation Run Ellerbe 5k, 10 mile runsignup.com

We K e e p t h e S a n d h i l l s o n I t s F e e t !

Dr. A. Anthony Haro, III

Diplomate American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery & Board Certified in Foot Surgery Fellow American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery Fellowship in Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Amie L. Haracz

Diplomate American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery & Board Certified in Foot Surgery Fellow American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Kevin W. Schmidtke

Diplomate American Board of Podiatric Medicine Board Qualified in Foot Surgery Associate American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Specializing in Ankle/Foot Care & Surgery: Ankle and foot disorders • Diabetic foot care • Arthritis Joint replacement • Bunions • Hammertoes Achilles & tendon injuries • Nerve pain Ingrown nails & nail problems • Ankle arthroscopy Sports injuries / fractures • Heel pain • Flat feet Corns & Calluses • Warts and wound care

Pinehurst Clinic

200 Westgate Drive, Suite A 910.295.7400

Raeford Clinic 313 Teal Drive 910.904.7430

Troy Clinic

522 Allen Street 910.571.5710

Sanford Clinic

1139 Carthage Street 910.295.7400

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Good Reads by Darcy Connor

Preschool/Toddler I Say Ooh You Say Aah Written & Illustrated by John Kane

Picture Book A Perfect Day Written & Illustrated by Lane Smith

A first lesson in not sweating the small stuff, in A Perfect Day, dog, cat, chickadee and squirrel are enjoying the many moments of, well, a perfect day. That is until bear comes along and stomps on the daffodils, slops up some water and eats the birdseed. Serenity now!

“There’s something very simple that I need your to remember. When I say OOH, you say AAH as loudly as you can.” Thus starts this interactive book that can’t help but engage your little one in a reading adventure. Oh, but it doesn’t stop with just the OOHs and AAHs, because of course, “When you see an ant, you say UNDERPANTS!”

Middle School Caraval By Stephanie Garber

Elementary School Rise of the Earth Dragon: Dragon Masters #1 Written by Tracey West Illustrated by Graham Howells

Aimed toward new independent readers, this series will grab your young one and not let go. Dragons, wizards, magic, kings, quests—really, what could be better? The 20-book series can be all-consuming for your blossoming reader, but I see no downside to that!

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Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she lives with her sister, Tella, and her cruel father. As Scarlett’s father arranges an unwanted marriage for her, she sees her dream of experiencing Caraval—a distant, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—as unreachable. This year, however, Scarlett’s dream invitation to the performance arrives and with the help of a mysterious sailor, Scarlett and her sister escape to the show. Yet, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, and it turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Caraval is the first book in a trilogy and made it on innumerable best young adult book lists when it debuted in 2017. And a true indicator it is a good read: My daughter gives this one a big thumbs up.

Adult Summertime Guests By Wendy Francis

Can’t tell you how happy it makes me to suggest a beach read! This novel by Wendy Francis follows the story of four people staying at a glamorous Boston hotel in early summer where someone has tragically fallen to her death. Why did the woman die? What was her secret? How do these four strangers connect? Summertime Guests is the perfect companion to your summer relaxation plans. Add in a cool, refreshing cocktail, and life simply doesn’t get better.

A few other suggestions for your summer reading list ... Kids Little Kids First Big Book of Why by National Geographic Seeds and Trees Written by Brandon Walden / Illustrated by Kristen & Kevin Howdeshell Teens We are Inevitable by Gayle Forman The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna Adults Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe

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Moore Reading! A Summer Reading Guide

e all know kids need to read over the summer. The summer slide is real: Studies show that kids can lose almost 20 percent of their reading gains they built during the school year. And don’t get us started on how the global pandemic has affected our kids. But let’s look on the bright side: Moore County has fantastic libraries and reading programs for all children. We’ve compiled some resources to get and keep your young one reading all summer.

Moore County Literacy Summer Reading Stations (open to all children from Pre-K to Grade 8) During three separate weeks in the summer outside reading stations will pop up in locations across Moore County. Children can attend one day or all week! This program isn’t limited to reading either; there are STEAM activities as well. This is the perfect summer combo: Get kids outside and get kids reading. Pop-ups will also have free snacks, books and parent resources.

Dates: June 14–17 July 12–15 August 9–12 Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Visit mcliteracy.com for the most up-to-date list of locations Locations include, but not limited to: Aberdeen Lake Park, Aberdeen First Baptist Church, Carthage Cameron Elementary School, Cameron Ben’s Ice Cream, Eagle Springs Given Tufts Memorial Library, Pinehurst Greenspace Stage, Robbins Yellow Poplar, Robbins

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Westmoore Elementary, Seagrove Seven Lakes Baptist Church, Seven Lakes Boys & Girls Club, Southern Pines Brookside Apartments, Southern Pines Pool Park, Southern Pines The Taylor House, 8263 Main Street, Taylortown Pinehill Country Living Mobile Home Park, Vass Christ Way CDC, West End

Barbara H. Cole Children’s Literature Collection Sandhills Community College The Children’s Literature Center has more than 4,000 items including DVDs, children’s picture books, juvenile fiction and nonfiction books, as well as young adult books.

“

*Annual Moore County Battle of the Books titles are also available.

I cannot begin to tell you what the love of reading will do for your children. It will open doors of curiosity. It will titillate their desire to see places they thought were makebelieve. It softens loneliness, fills the gaps of boredom, creates role models and changes the course of their very lives.

Moore County Libraries

Hours subject to change. Please check with your neighborhood library for the most current information. Boyd Library - (910) 695-3819 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst Monday - Thursday: 7:45 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday: 7:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday: Closed Given Memorial Library - (910) 295-6022 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Moore County Library - (910) 947-5335 101 Saunders Street, Carthage Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday: Closed Page Memorial Library - (910) 944-1200 100 S. Poplar St., Aberdeen Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 2 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed

”

-Erma Bombeck & Billings S. Fuess, Jr.

Pinebluff Library - (910) 281-3004 305 E. Baltimore Avenue, Pinebluff Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 2 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed Robbins Area Library - (910) 948-4000 161 E. Magnolia Drive, Robbins Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed Southern Pines Library - (910) 692-8235 170 W. Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Vass Area Library - (910) 245-2000 128 Seaboard Street, Vass Monday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed

In-Person Library StoryTimes Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. and 11a.m.: Southern Pines Library (for birth – 2 years old) Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.: Pinebluff Library Thursdays 10 a.m.: Robbins Area Library 10 a.m.: Vass Area Library 3:30 p.m.: Southern Pines Library Fridays 10:30 a.m.: Moore County Library

Virtual Library StoryTimes

Thursdays 10 a.m.: Robbins Area Library FB page Fridays 10:30 a.m.: Moore County Library FB page www.SandandPineMag.com | 13

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library • • •

Open to all children 0–5 years old, free to all participants Receive one free book every month until their 5th birthday Books in braille and audiobooks are available too!

“

When a new experience roots us up we can get replanted through a book.

Contact Partners for Children & Families (pfcfmc.org) to sign up. Allow 6–9 weeks to receive your first book after registration.

Some Reading Stats •

Six additional minutes of reading per day can significantly improve kids’ reading performance.

•

Children who read at least 20 minutes a day are exposed to almost 2 million words per year.

•

Kids who engage in reading 20 minutes a day are likely to score better than 90 percent of their peers on standardized tests.

•

Reading can reduce stress by up to 68 percent.

•

50 percent of people who read before bed report sleeping better than nonreaders.

•

Teenagers who read in their leisure time know 26 percent more words than those who don’t.

-Althea Warren

Bookshare.org

”

The largest library of accessible ebooks in the world at almost 1 million books, Bookshare is supported by the US Dept. of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs. This is the only not-free option we’re mentioning because we feel it’s important that parents of children with dyslexia, learning disabilities, visual impairments, physical disabilities and other reading barriers are aware of this resource. For qualifying students, this opens up the world of reading.

Audio Books Librivox LibriVox is solely audio recordings of works in the public domain. Ideal for any high school or college student who has to catch up on the classics or an adult who never had to read them in the first place. To read along with the audio, LibriVox includes links to Project Gutenberg, an online resource for works in the public domain. librivox.org

Lit2Go The Lit2Go website is similar to LibriVox in its book offerings, but offers some extra features. Most books have the original text on the same page as the audio so you can follow along as you listen. A reading level is given on each book, along with page numbers, citations and a brief book summary. Lit2Go also has a very large library of poetry.

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Storynory Ideal for younger readers, Storynory has all the classic fairytales and original works that are sure to capture the attention of your little ones. The website has an option to read the text along with the narration. All the voices are professional theater actors which makes for a fun listening experience. storynory.com

UNDER THE SEA WE PROUDLY CARRY

PLUSH TOYS IN A VARIETY OF ANIMALS, SIZES, AND SQUEAKERS. STOP IN TODAY TO SEE OUR SELECTION AND BRING HOME A BIT OF THE OCEAN TO YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND.

ichaela Harr is a local woodworker who happened upon the craft because of a suggestion to keep busy during her husband’s deployments. “I always say, ‘I didn’t find woodworking, it found me.’ I needed something to keep my mind focused during a stressful time, and I gave this a shot,” says Michaela. “It might sound cliche, but this is the first thing that captivated me. My first foray into woodworking was a flooring project in my house, but what I consider to be my first actual woodworking project was to turn a pen. I’m entirely self-taught and haven’t had

Creative Lumber Story By Amanda Oden / Photos By Amanda Jakl

a mentor or anyone to show me the ropes. I really just genuinely enjoy this!” She enjoyed it enough to begin experimenting with projects like propagation stations, charcuterie boards and cookbook stands. Eventually those experiments turned into requests and commissions for various custom pieces. This resulted in the founding of Harr House Woodworking. One aspect of the business design project was to create her logo. “We used a grenade in the logo. Besides being a nod to military life, the grenade started as a joke really. The joke, I guess, being that I’m such a force to be reckoned

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MichaelaHarrworkingonacustomorderather workshop in Southern Pines.

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Left, Mollie Tobias of MollieTobiasCreativeand some of her works. Next page, Michaela Harr of Harr House Woodworking and a finished project.

with — ‘Don’t want to pull the pin on that one.’ I definitely consider myself spitfire. Fragile, but like a bomb not a flower.” This fragile bomb sees the challenges in entering a maledominated field, but doesn’t shy away from her craft or feeling like she belongs. “At times you deal with mansplainers or people that talk to me differently because I’m a woman,” she says. “But in my experience, it's the guys that don’t really know what they’re talking about that want to offer their two cents. When it comes to woodworking peers that are male, they've really been nothing but respectful.” Creating a new business venture 18 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

is exciting but time consuming, and Harr balances her woodworking business with being a mother to her 8- and 10-year-old children. “First and foremost, I’m a mom. That’s the job I’ll die the proudest of. I could have a customer offer me a million dollars for an order, but it wouldn't be as fulfilling as hearing my kids say, “My mom’s a woodworker.” Currently, Michaela is working exclusively on custom orders, working out of a shared space near O’Donnell’s Pub with Jake Kerry of Welding Wood and Mollie Tobias of Mollie Tobias Creative. In the future, she envisions developing furniture and decorative accents lines for Harr House Woodworking. But all in good time.

“It’s been really nice getting all these projects out of my garage and it’s been fun to have people in the same field cheering each other on.” The Adorable Lumberjack When Mollie Tobias isn’t busy with her photography business or as creative lead for U.S. Elite (a company that sells high-end tactical apparel), she’s a wife and mother to a precocious 2-year-old boy. And somehow she also manages to add woodworking to her busy schedule. Like Michaela, Mollie didn’t have an immediate interest in the craft of woodworking. “I have a tumultuous relationship with power tools,” she says with a laugh. “Believe it or not, I almost

failed woodshop in high school. It’s funny now, but at the time I was always trying to get the boys in class to finish my work for me.” But when she moved to Northern Virginia, where her military husband was stationed, she befriended a woodworker at her rock climbing gym. “We were driving around one day and as we passed my neighbor’s yard, I mentioned that the tree they had recently cut down would make a really cool table. My friend agreed and said, ‘Let me teach you,’ and I took him up on it. I started making little cutting boards and coasters, things that didn’t require a lot of crazy equipment. And if you screw it up you’re out $50 not $1,000. I’m an excellent breaker of things, so this has been the way to go for me.” Positive responses to her projects from friends and family eventually led to her creating an Etsy page to sell some of her handcrafted wares. She set up a website and in her bio,

she labeled herself an “adorable lumberjack.” “I feel like it really summed me up.” With all of the complexities of balancing multiple jobs and family life, it can be difficult sometimes to find time to create, though, and Mollie is always focusing on life balance. “Right now, I’ve been doing a lot of resin work because it can be hard to find the time to get away,” she says. “Smaller projects that I can sneak off and work on in the garage while my son is napping are more manageable right now. If time and money weren’t an issue, my favorite thing to create is river resin tables. I made two of them for our house as a post-pregnancy project. I actually have made a lot of projects for my home. Things like cabinets, a Montessori-style table set for my son, multiple tables, a coffee table and a gun rack (that also doubles as a plant

hanger), just to name a few.” If someone is looking to take on woodworking themselves, Tobias suggests reaching out to someone with experience. “Definitely find yourself a mentor. One of the things that is really daunting about this craft is the safety aspect. Power tools don’t really come with instructions and it can be really dangerous if you’re not careful and knowledgeable.” As for where Mollie Tobias Creative goes from here: “I don’t really have a grand plan. I recently felled (fell is the process of cutting down trees) a large oak tree at a property in Virginia and hauled the wood here to Southern Pines. I’ve been cutting the chunks into tabletops. It’s three stumps of white oak and it will make roughly six coffee tables. Mostly I just want to make cool stuff and keep making enough money that I can continue to keep making cool stuff.”

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Garden Hydragea Paniculata

BY DOLORES MULLER N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer

20 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

ydrangeas are high on the list of favorite flowers. If you are thinking of planting one or adding to your hydrangea collection, I would recommend the hydrangea paniculata. Panicle hydrangeas are the most sun-tolerant and most cold-hardy of all hydrangeas. They range in size from 3 to 8 feet depending on the variety. They aren’t finicky about soil, but good drainage is a must. They are tolerant of a range of pH levels, from acidic to alkaline, so unless you live in an area of extreme soil pH, you should not need to make any soil changes to successfully grow panicle hydrangeas. Panicles grow in zones 3 through 8 (even in zone 9 in the case of the variety “Limelight”). That means they can be planted everywhere from Canada to Alabama, and in every area, you can count on big, beautiful blooms all summer. Panicle hydrangeas

offer the best cold and heat tolerance of all the types of hydrangeas. “Limelight” is probably the most wellknown variety. Huge, footballshaped flowers open in an elegant celadon green and look fresh and clean in summer's heat. The blooms age to an array of pink, red and burgundy, which persists through frost for months of irresistible flowers. It is a larger variety, ranging up to 8 feet. “Little Lime” is a smaller version, which grows 3–5 feet tall. Other smaller choices would be “Little Quick Fire” which is 3–5 feet tall or “Fire Light Tidbit” 2–3 feet in height. Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood: They create their flower buds for the year only after they’ve begun to leaf out in spring. And our late frosts in April won’t phase these beauties. Yes! They do great in containers too.

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Panicle hydrangeas can be pruned in late fall, once the plant has gone completely dormant or in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge.

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Six or more hours of sunlight is preferable, as it encourages the strongest stems and the most flowers. In our area, afternoon shade is appreciated.

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Avoid fertilizing panicle hydrangeas excessively. Granular fertilizer formulated for shrubs early spring is sufficient.

/NCMGMooreCnty

www.SandandPineMag.com | 21

At the

Table

Summer Cukes By ROBERT NASON

he cucumber is native to India, with evidence that the vegetable has been grown as food for more than 3,000 years. The Egyptians were known to make a liquor from cucumbers: They would cut a hole in a ripe cucumber, stir the inside to liquefy it, plug up the hole and bury it in the ground. After several days, they’d dig it up and drink the liquid. It’s thought that Columbus brought the cucumber to North America, and by the early 19th century, Americans were growing eight different cucumber varieties. A half-cup of cucumbers is only 8 calories, which is one of the reasons why the veggie is so popular in recipes. The inside of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than its outside, hence the use of cucumbers at spas to lessen puffiness around the eyes. That coolness also makes the cucumber—which contains antioxidants, electrolytes and vitamin K—such a great food choice during the warm summer months.

22 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

Cucumber Gin & Tonic thekitchn.com / Serves 4

Ingredients

1 large cucumber, sliced 1 ½ cups gin 1 liter tonic water, chilled Ice

Directions

Muddle the cucumbers in a pitcher. Add the gin and tonic water, give it a gentle stir and serve in icefilled glasses.

Cucumber Tomato Salad asouthernsoul.com / Serves 8

Ingredients

1 English cucumber, sliced 2 tomatoes, sliced, or 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced Dressing ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon cracked pepper

Directions

Place tomatoes, cucumbers and onions in a large bowl; set aside. In a mixing cup or small bowl, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a whisk, blend until well mixed. Pour dressing over tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. Toss salad. Can be served immediately or stored in the fridge, covered for up to 2 days. Note: If making the salad ahead of serving, use half of dressing to toss salad and reserve half to add in later.

www.SandandPineMag.com | 23

At the

Table

Cucumber & Melon with Chile & Honey

Chicken & Cucumber Salad with Parsley Pesto

Ingredients

bonappetit.com / Serves 4

¼ cup raw pistachios ½ jalapeño or Fresno chile, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon honey 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 1 English hothouse cucumber, halved crosswise, then halved

lengthwise, seeds scooped out with a spoon ¼ medium ripe honeydew melon or cantaloupe, rind removed 5 ounces ricotta salata (salted dry ricotta) or feta ½ cup basil leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 7–9 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop 2 tablespoons of pistachios. Leave remaining nuts whole; set aside. Whisk chopped pistachios, chile, vinegar and honey in a small bowl. Gradually stream in oil, whisking constantly until emulsified; generously season dressing with salt and pepper. Using a mandoline, shave cucumber and honeydew lengthwise (or thinly slice with a knife). Place in a large bowl. Set blade to a slightly wider setting; shave cheese into planks. Add to bowl along with basil and reserved pistachios; drizzle dressing over and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper.

cookinglight.com / Serves 6 2 cups packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (from 1 bunch) 1 cup fresh baby spinach 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese 1 medium garlic clove, smashed 1 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 chicken) 2 cups cooked shelled edamame 1 (15-oz.) can unsalted chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 cup chopped English cucumber 4 cups loosely packed arugula

Directions

Combine parsley, spinach, lemon juice, pine nuts, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in bowl of a food processor; process until smooth, about 1 minute. With processor running, add oil; process until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir together chicken, edamame, chickpeas, and cucumber in a large bowl. Add pesto; toss to combine. Place 2/3 cup arugula in each of 6 bowls; top each with 1 cup chicken salad mixture. Serve immediately.

Pickled Cucumber

themediterraneandish.com / Serves 16

Ingredients

3 cups vinegar distilled white vinegar 2 ¼ cup cold water 2 ½ tablespoons kosher salt 3 tablespoon mustard seed 3 tablespoon coriander seed

Directions

3 tablespoon peppercorn 2 bay leaves 1 ¼ pound Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers, sliced into ½-inch rounds 4 green onions trimmed and chopped (both white

Place the sliced cucumbers and some ice cubes in a colander in the sink for 20 minutes or so (this helps give them better crunch). Drain completely and pat dry. In saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, mustard seed, coriander seed, peppercorn and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Pack cucumbers, green onions, jalapenos, garlic, and a few springs of dill in some wide-mouth jars (packed tightly).

24 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

and green parts) 3 Jalapeno peppers sliced into rounds (remove seeds for less heat) 6 garlic cloves minced Few sprigs of fresh dill, to your liking

Ladle the brine into the jars to cover the cucumbers (use the back of a spoon to push the cucumbers down to submerge). Give the jars a couple of taps to release any air bubbles and allow the cukes to settle. Cover the jars tightly with their lids and refrigerate. For best results, allow pickles a full night in the fridge before using, but you can enjoy them earlier if you like. Notes: Quick or refrigerator pickles must be stored in the fridge. They will keep well for 2 months.

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www.SandandPineMag.com | 25

Beer Matters

Ode to the Mexican Lager BY JAMIE DOOM AT THE RISK OF OSTRACIZING MYSELF from my fellow beard-having, trucker hat-wearing beer nerds, I have a confession to make. If I’m in a bar and I see Cerveza Pacifico Clara on tap I’m probably going to order it before I order anything else. This is definitely true if I’m at the beach in the summer. As a seasonal drinker, I am always looking for the lightest, crispest beer I can find in the summer, and recently I’ve landed on a beer that has always been here. Increasingly, I’m not alone in my love for the most drinkable of beers. According to the Brewers Association, imported Mexican lagers are the fastest growing malt beverage segment in the United States outside of FMBs (Flavored Malt Beverage is a category driven by spiked seltzers, which is a whole other topic for another day). 26 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

In the last three years, Corona, a beer brand produced by Cerveceria Modelo and owned by AB InBev, became the most valuable brand in Mexico, surpassing Pemex, the Mexican state-owned petroleum company. Today, Mexico is the largest exporter of beer in the world. The best imported and local craft Mexican lagers manage to be crisp without being overly dry and manage to be very drinkable and slightly sweet without being cloying. They aren’t just easy-drinking, they are smooth, smooth, smooth! There’s less barley in the mash, and the corn completely ferments out. So these beers tend to have way fewer calories and are a lot less filling than your average craft beer. Mexican lagers usually fall into two categories. My favorite style is clara, which is a lighter Pilsner-style beer that’s usually brewed with flaked maize. Clara means clear and bright in Spanish, and that’s exactly what you are getting with this beer. Pacifico Clara is a great example of a clara beer. The second type is the Vienna-style amber lager that’s also usually brewed with flaked maize or corn. Mexican Vienna lagers, Negra Modelo as an example, are usually a little darker and sweeter than their European

counterparts due to the use of corn in the grist. If I were forced to rank the top 5 Mexican Lagers, it would look like this:

barbecue or after working in the garden on a hot summer day.

1.) Pacifico Clara. Light, smooth, clean and endlessly drinkable! This is the gold standard of clara or Pilsner-style Mexican lagers. This beer pours a light straw color and accompanies fresh seafood or fresh vegetables wonderfully. 2.) Modelo Especial. This is similar to Pacifico in that it is another light crusher. I’ve noticed it’s also easier to find in cans than Pacifico, which means it’s great for taking on a hike or to the pool. 3.) Dos Equis Amber. This is the first Vienna-style amber on my list. It’s fuller bodied that the beers listed above. This sweet, caramel-colored beer pairs well with rich, spicy foods. 4.) Tecate. This Pilsner-style beer seems a tad more earthy and drier than the others. It’s the perfect beer to have with

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(And just a brief aside about limes: Those who think putting fruit in beer infringes on the sacred nature of brewing … relax! Limes are delicious. We should squeeze them on everything.) Several local craft breweries in the Sandhills are creating North Carolina versions of Mexican lagers that are fabulously and wonderfully diverse and crushable. In Sanford, two breweries are brewing the two styles of Mexican lager. David McComas the owner and head brewer at Hugger Mugger Brewing Company set out to make the most accessible, thirst-quenching Mexican lager possible; and ever since he first brewed it, it has stayed on tap. Called

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Great Beer, Food & Fun!

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5.) Victoria. This is a little harder to find than the beers ranked above, but this is Mexico’s oldest beer brand. Little to no corn is used in this Pilsner-style lager, but the bitterness and sweetness are wellbalanced.

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Pour Favor, instead of flaked corn, he uses grits in the grist to round out the taste and give it a North Carolina flair. He also dry-hopped it with Citra hops to give it a nice citrus finish. And at Camelback Brewing, head brewer and owner Michael Stec is making a seasonal version called Principe de Paz. It employs traits of the Viennastyle lager and uses Pilsen and toasted malts. Liberty and Laurel hops add a citrusy spice which is accentuated by a slice of lime. Southern Pines Brewing makes a year round offering in both cans and draft called “NAV” (named after the National Athletic Village nearby). Head brewer Pete Davis makes this crushable Pilsnerstyle lager that incorporates flaked corn and two-row barley. It’s dry hopped with Saaz and is served with a lime, and has become the No. 1 selling beer in their tap room. Summer is here, y’all! Plan your lime accordingly.

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105 E. SOUTH STREET, ABERDEEN R A I L H O U S E B R E W E R Y. C O M www.SandandPineMag.com | 27

Summer

Cocktails AS

farmers market baskets start to bulge with local, ripe fruit and the backyard organic herb gardens start to bloom, we, naturally, thought cocktails. Picture it: The early evening glow of the sun in the summer, your feet kicked up on the table, a refreshing cocktail sweating in your hand, and easy conversation with friends and family. Time stands still and all is right in that one true moment. (This same vision goes well in a beach setting too. Or the mountains. Who are we kidding, almost anywhere.) “The summer night is like a perfection of thought,” American poet Wallace Stevens said. We couldn’t agree more. Here are a few summer cocktails with a distinct herb and fruit spin to enjoy these summer evenings.

28 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

Red Sangria

Lemon&RosemaryBourbonSour

Yield: 6–8 servings delish.com

Yield: 4 drinks foxeslovelemons.com

Ingredients 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine 1 cup orange juice ½ cup brandy ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 orange, sliced 1 apple, sliced 1 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 (12-ounce) can seltzer

Ingredients Rosemary Simple Syrup 3 large sprigs of rosemary 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 6 tablespoons water

Directions In a large pitcher, mix together wine, orange juice, brandy and sugar, then stir in oranges, apples, blueberries and strawberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve, preferably 2 hours. Top off with seltzer before serving.

A Rose by Any Other Name Yield: varies cocktailpartyapp.com Ingredients 6 mint leaves 2 parts brandy or cognac 2 parts grapefruit juice ½ part honey syrup 2 drops rose water

Lemon & Rosemary Bourbon Sour 8 ounces bourbon 4 ounces fresh lemon juice Ice cubes, for shaking and serving Sprigs of rosemary, for garnish (optional) Directions Make the rosemary simple syrup: Place rosemary on cutting board and gently hit sprigs with back of knife to release their flavor and aroma. Transfer rosemary to small saucepot; stir in sugar and water. Cook over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to a jar or container and refrigerate until completely cool, or up to 5 days. Makes about ½ cup syrup. To make 4 cocktails: In cocktail shaker, combine rosemary simple syrup, bourbon, lemon juice and ice; shake well. Fill 4 double old fashioned glasses with ice; divide bourbon mixture between glasses. Serve cocktails garnished with rosemary sprigs.

Directions Using a muddler, gently bruise the mint at the bottom of a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients and ice. Shake and strain into a short ice-filled glass and garnish with mint sprigs and a slice of grapefruit.

www.SandandPineMag.com | 29

SummerCocktailsSummerCocktailsSummerCocktailsSummerCocktails The Summer Sage

Thyme After Thyme

Yield: 2 drinks thekitchn.com

Yield: varies cocktailpartyapp.com

Ingredients 12 slices red plum, as ripe and juicy as possible 8 sage leaves, stems removed 1 ounce simple syrup (less for a more pronounced whiskey taste) Splash (about ¼ ounce) fresh-squeezed lemon juice 4 ounces rye whiskey

Ingredients 1 ½ parts gin 1 part white wine 1 part grapefruit juice 1 sprig thyme

Directions Add the plums, sage and simple syrup to the bottom of a shaker, and muddle (or smoosh vigorously with the back of a spoon) until the plums form a nice mush. Fill the shaker with ice and add the lemon juice and whiskey. Shake and then double strain into a cocktail glass.

Directions Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled short glass. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit and a fresh sprig of thyme.

Tabernacle Crush Yield: 2 drinks foodandwine.com Ingredients 1 large peach, sliced 12 small basil leaves, plus more for garnish 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 3 ounces gin 2 ounces Lillet 1 ounce simple syrup Ice Club soda Directions In a tall glass, muddle the peach with the 6 basil leaves and the lemon juice. Add the gin, Lillet and simple syrup. Add ice cubes and top with club soda. Garnish with basil.

30 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

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www.SandandPineMag.com | 31

Shop SP c al Lo 1

Summer Edition Summertime and the living is easy. So is the shopping. Check out all the great summer finds in the boutiques of Moore County.

Let's Get Cooking! 7

1. BREEZY TUNICS

A pop of color is always the answer for summer fashion. You'll find these easy pieces at Clothes Horse Southern Pines.

2. CROSS NECKLACE

This is a classic piece for almost any wardrobe. Simple and elegant, it's the perfect addition. Pick it up at Cooper & Bailey's.

32 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

3. COOL MAXI DRESS

A fun maxi dress WITH pockets? Heck yeah! Stay cool this summer and look good. Find it at Manifest Boutique.

4. CABANA SANDALS

Slide into summer with these super versatile slides (see what we did there?). Perfect for almost any outfit. Get 'em at Cooper & Bailey's.

5. SOAK IT IN

Coffee isn't just for drinking. Scrub and soak in it too! Stop by Manifest Boutique to stock up.

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SUMMER LOVIN'

Articles of Society Carly fit in the Cane wash are a great pair crop jeans that work for almost any summer activity.

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Cooper and Bailey's 21 Chinquapin Road, Pinehurst cooperandbaileys.com

➺

LIGHT SOME FIREWORKS!

Pull on ankle pant that comes in 41 solids and endless prints? Sign us up! These are the perfect summer pant. Available at Clothes Horse of Southern Pines.

Clothes Horse of Southern Pines 163 Beverly Lane, Southern Pines facebook.com/ClothesHorseofSPines

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THE NEW

Articles of Society Sarah jean in the Halaula wash have just the right amount of stretch to be comfortable AND good looking. Available at Manifest Boutique.

6. CARBS? YES PLEASE!

Making your own bread is as easy as adding a can of your favorite beer to this mix and bake! Find this delicious mix at Pinehurst Olive Oil Co.

7. GREASE THOSE WHEELS Why choose one type of oil when you can try a bunch! Get a selection of olive oils and vinegars and find your favorite! Get it at Pinehurst Olive Oil Co.

The Pinehurst Olive Oil Co.. 105 Cherokee Road, Suite B-E Pinehurst thepinehurstoliveoilco.com

8. TOSS IT UP!

Summer is all about salads. Dress up your panzanella with these olive wood salad servers. Gorgeous. Available at Pinehurst Olive Oil Co.

Manifest Boutique 240 NW Broad Street, Southern Pines instagram.com/manifest.boutique

www.SandandPineMag.com | 33

( Be Inspired )

Creativity, Where Art Thou? BY CHRISTIN DAUBERT

34 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

I COME TO YOU NOT WITH TIPS and tricks on how to spark your creativity this summer, but with a mindset versus a practice. If you bear with me, I’ll show you what I mean. I went back and read the column I wrote for this issue last year and it made me chuckle. Not because I wrote anything funny, but because it was naive. I had no idea that a year later I’d be in a creative slump and feeling frustrated with how very different my creativity looks today versus in the “before times.” I don’t think a lot of people give credit to how difficult this year has been—myself included. The combination of canceling our Nights with the Makers, moving into an apartment with no space for my art and having no collaborative events that celebrate art in any way has thrown my creative center off balance.

I feel it’s important to say that through everything, it was such a privilege to still be needed at my full-time job while also staying healthy. That said, I’ve struggled creatively. Hopefully if you’ve read this column you know that I celebrate all walks of creativity—from curating a playlist to planting a garden—all of it reflects and requires a creative mind. I’ve been hung up on getting back to normal, aka pre-pandemic Christin. Y’all, it paralyzes me with an overwhelming feeling to even think about it. I have this deep-seated fear that when I pick up a palette knife again, my art will be different. That when we host our next Night with the Makers, we will be balls of awkward energy that have zero idea how to inspire a room full of people. Do you find that your creative energy is zapped and you fear beginning again? Or have you maintained, maybe even thrived, throughout this year? Nothing brings me more joy than seeing artists, businesses—honestly anyone—thriving right now. It feels magical. Writing this piece has required me to reflect on not only my fears and insecurities about moving forward, but also the small ways I’ve adapted and tried to keep my creative flame lit. It looks and feels different to create in new ways, but it invigorates me to think that I’m not alone in this struggle. I know the myriad ways that creatives find inspiration and I’m always grateful to hear about what works and what doesn’t. I mentioned a mindset versus a practice in my opening sentence. Are we able to create for that feeling we get while creating, rather than creating to achieve something? I am committed to create for the simple sake of creating instead of producing a product that I feel compelled to share or sell (or post on Instagram). I believe in the universe showing me lessons I need to learn and sit through. While reading the writings of the brilliant Morgan Harper Nichols, I came across these words: “What if the feeling of ‘nothing is happening here’ is actually a blank canvas? An invitation to explore the possibility of what could be? What if the feeling of being lost in a new, empty space is an invitation into a new beginning? What would it mean to explore the depths of your creativity with hope for what lies ahead?” That right there is the mindset I’m carrying into the summer. I will stop speaking about my slump like it’s some creative desert, and instead look at it as an open space to something amazing that is just ahead of me. I invite you to do the same. Feel free to reach out and share your creativity with me through Instagram at @ConsciouslyChristin. I love connecting and seeing what inspires this community of makers.

154 NW Broad St. Southern Pines, NC Monday - Saturday 11-4 910.725.1010 | www.rriveter.com www.SandandPineMag.com | 35

Parenting

Gardening We Will Go BY AMANDA ODEN

36 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

IN THE

Pines

THIS YEAR, after having expanded to a family of five, we quickly began to realize that our house just wasn’t working for us anymore. As our house hunt began, we made a list as a family of all the things we wanted and needed for a new home. While my daughter’s suggestion of a barn for unicorns and my husband’s idea of a man-cave to play guitar were lobbied about and ultimately denied, the one thing we all agreed upon was that we really wanted a nice backyard.

We looked at house after house and were getting discouraged until one morning I checked the local listings and found a house that met all of our criteria. I contacted our real estate agent immediately and within a week we found out the house was ours! It had the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the open floor plan that anyone with toddlers understands the need for. But the best part was our new house had a great backyard with grass for the kids to run around, a porch for my husband's hammock and a lighted pergola for dining outside. There were also citrus trees and a huge raised bed

stylish supermom from the show Fixer Upper) over and over and made countless trips to the hardware store getting tons of supplies. We were all set and woke up early that first Saturday morning to start working in the garden. It took us all of 10 minutes to collectively realize we were in over our heads. My husband couldn’t figure out how to turn on the irrigation system. My daughter started whining because her gardening gloves were too hot. My son was more interested in filling the watering can with rocks than in helping me turn the soil and plant the seeds. The straw hat that made me

infant in your arms. It was pretty chaotic and nothing like the relaxing bonding experience Joanna Gaines had promised, even though we did somehow manage to get everything planted. I was really proud of how we all worked together (or at least around each other). I wish I could say the garden was a flourishing success, but we’ve had some setbacks. Our peppers and herbs are doing alright but our watermelon was a major flop. My grand plans for bouquets and leafy salads are going to have to wait until we master lettuce and flowers. We still haven’t figured out the irrigation system and now we’re too embarrassed to admit defeat

We read the book "We are the Gardeners" by Joanna Gaines (everyone’s favorite stylish supermom from the show Fixer Upper) over and over and made countless trips to the hardware store getting tons of supplies. We were all set and woke up early that first Saturday morning to start working in the garden. garden complete with an irrigation system. I had visions of us all in matching straw hats picking lemons for homemade lemonade and putting together big salads from all the vegetables we were going to harvest from our very own garden. I was already getting a bit smug about all the beautiful centerpieces I was going to create from my imaginary flower beds. It was going to be so relaxing spending hours in the garden as a family. We couldn’t wait! The kids were excited too, and talked nonstop about the different seeds they wanted to plant. We read the book We are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines (everyone’s favorite

It took us all of 10 minutes to collectively realize we were in over our heads. feel like Martha Stewart was actually itchy and kept slipping down over my eyes while I pulled weeds. The baby refused to go in the expensive sling we bought (specifically so we could wear him on our chests while gardening) and got fussy any time my husband or I put him down—turns out it’s really difficult to prune with a squirmy

and hire someone to come out and explain it to us. Right now, we all have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the garden. My son sings songs to the plants and my daughter stands in between the tomato cages and tells jokes to the fruit because we read that music and conversation helps them to thrive. The kids cheer on new blossoms but are less enthusiastic when it comes time to pull weeds. My husband and I find watering at night to be equal parts peaceful retreat and (when we are busy or tired) an annoying chore. We’re going to stick with it though; we’re all committed. We are not the gardeners. Not by a long shot. But we’re working on it.

www.SandandPineMag.com | 37

Pet D R . DA N A VA M VA K I A S

With the warmer weather, I'd really like to exercise my dog by letting him swim; is there anything I need to know before that happens?

38 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

Care VA N G UA R D V E T E R I N A RY H O S P I TA L

Yay, warm weather and water! Swimming is a great exercise for dogs and people, but there are some things to be aware of before you head to the water. First, swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise, but if your dog is not in great shape, it should be started gradually. Many people will try to get weight off of their dogs by swimming, but many times they are unknowingly putting a huge stress on the dog’s body, so please take it in small increments. If

your dog has a cardiovascular disease, like heart murmurs, arrhythmias or heart worm disease, you need to consult your veterinarian before you begin letting your dog swim. If your dog is not a swimmer—and many are not—please do not force the issue. Also, don’t forget that a dog is mainly moving with the forearms (dog paddle), so stay out of the way of those paws because you can get scratched up if you aren’t careful. Additional things to know: Swimming Pools: Make sure your dog knows how to get out of the pool. It is hard for dogs to understand where the steps are, so make sure you familiarize your dog with the exit. Swimming pools have a variety of chemicals in the water, so discourage your dog from drinking large amounts of the water to limit likelihood of gastrointestinal upset. When they are done swimming, try to hose them off with regular water so the chemicals are not adhering to their fur. If the pool is an aboveground pool, the dogs can ruin the liners of these pools by swimming up to the edge and the nails clawing on the liner as they try to find an exit out of the pool. Lastly, they should not be left unattended; dogs do drown. Lakes/Ponds: In the N.C. area we have a few concerns with these waters. We have a growing issue with contaminated water from the runoff of insecticides and

pollution/litter, and the smaller the water source, the more likely these things can be present. Additionally, we have had an influx of toxic algae in our area that have been killing dogs. Please check with local guidelines on the health of the lake/pond you are using and the results of testing on these waters prior to letting your dog swim. This information is available online with local authorities and wildlife agencies. In N.C. we have venomous snakes that like our waters, so pay attention to areas that the dogs are wandering or swimming into. Similar to pools, try to discourage your dog from drinking excessive amount of the water and rinse them off well when you get home. Oceans: Dogs don’t understand undertows or rip currents. Please know the conditions of the ocean prior to swimming and realize that they can become much more fatigued when they are battling waves to retrieve balls and sticks. The deadliest issue with the ocean is saltwater toxicity. The dogs start drinking the water or they are swallowing large amounts with waves and they can actually have a sodium toxicity that happens very quickly. Bottom line is swimming is good, but be aware of these issues that may affect your dog. Rinse your dog off after swimming anywhere, and if your dog starts showing any medical abnormality after swimming, take them to a veterinarian sooner rather than later.

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he Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly

Celebrity you would most like to have brunch with? James Taylor Best local spot for a date night? Picnic at Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities (where I got married) Favorite song to sing in the shower? Love Cats, by the Cure The one book you wish everyone would read? I read it when I was young and need to reread A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold Best local shop to “treat yo self”? Cake from The Bakehouse What was your favorite subject in school? Science Best gift you ever received? Mini Cooper What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self? "Lighten up, for heaven's sake" Most supportive person in your life? Impossible to pick as I am super lucky to be surrounded by supportive family, friends and volunteers at work! Describe your personality in three words. Loyal, kind, generous Name a place you have always wanted to travel. Scotland Do you have a hidden talent? Can adapt to most situations

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DIY

By PATTI RANCK, Indigo Earth Creative

Not Your Grandma's Wallpaper Y

es, wallpaper is, in fact, back in vogue and better than ever. Even one focal wall can completely change the vibe of a room. Wallpapers are available at so many price points, and with only one wall to consider, it is really not a huge outlay of money for the return you get, style-wise. The greatest expense would be labor, and you can solve that by doing it yourself! (But I guess you knew I was gonna say that.) Don’t be intimidated. It is not the daunting proposition it once was. These days, new peel-and-stick wallpapers are available everywhere and are infinitely easier and less messy than wallpapers of old. All that being said, there are still some things you need to know before getting started. For your first foray into the wonderful world of wallpapering, try to stay away from more complicated textures and finishes such as grass cloth, fabrics or metallics. A nice, smooth basic wallpaper will be best. When buying more than one roll of wallpaper, be sure to check that the “Dye Lot” or “Run” numbers are the same. Different dye lots can have slight shading and color tone variations that somehow never look quite as

The Stuff

noticeable until after they are up on the wall. Best to order all rolls at one time. So, before we get into all the fun doing, the most important (and what I find to be personally the trickiest) detail to tackle first: Measuring your space properly in order to determine the correct amount of wallpaper to purchase. Most rolls of wallpaper list linear feet as well as number of square feet it will cover. You can research various methods for measuring quantities needed for your particular space. (Note: Always round up in your calculations. Better to have too much than not enough.) Often the wall covering companies or home improvement stores have some good instructions and even automatic calculators on their websites that will do it for you. Just remember, it is extremely important to determine the length of the pattern repeat in order to have the correct amount of each piece of wallpaper to properly match the design. Some can be quite long. Many times this is noted (in inches) either on the wallpaper roll label, the website, or in the wallpaper sample book.

•

Wallpaper

•

Wide metal putty/spackle knife

•

Tape measure

•

Long metal ruler or T-square

Wallpaper smoother or quality rubber squeegee

•

Utility or X-Acto knife (Be sure to use sharp, new blades and have extra on hand; they get dull quickly and you do not want to risk tearing your paper)

•

Damp cotton cloths to smooth seams (I use basic white cotton terry wash cloths)

•

Step ladder

•

Small container premixed wallpaper paste and chip brush (optional). I used this on mine as I was wallpapering a bathroom—and we all know, that is the room where the moisture struggle is real and I wanted to be sure this would have a super hold long term.

•

Sharp scissors (optional)

•

Pencil

•

Chalk (optional, in case you need to mark the front of the paper)

42 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

www.SandandPineMag.com | 43

DIY The Doing 1. Suffice it to say, always start with prepped walls: Clean, spackle and sand any holes or imperfections as best as you can and be sure the surface has dried completely—at least 24 hours. 2. Cut your first strip per your calculations above, marking the line with ruler and pencil and then cut using metal ruler (or T-square) and utility knife; if the wall covering you chose is somewhat narrow, you may be able to get a neat cut with scissors. 3. Peel off about 12 inches from the top and line the wallpaper up in your first corner, leaving some excess at the top. Note: Walls are very rarely straight, so don’t rely on that to keep everything even; chances are it won’t work. This excess will be trimmed off later. 4. Moving carefully from top to bottom, smooth over paper to adhere to wall, and holding paper to top of wall with one hand, slowly pull down backing to remove and continue smoothing firmly as you go. All while trying not to get wrinkles or have any of the paper stick to itself accidentally … I know you wish you were an octopus about now, but it can be done with two hands. 5. After you get to the baseboard area, use your smoother and/or damp cloth to gently smooth out any air bubbles. If you have a really huge one that can’t be smoothed, you can really carefully lift the corner of the paper and smooth out the air bubble as you go and reapply that section. This is the beauty of peel and stick. 6. Using your utility knife and metal spackle knife as a straightedge to guide you, carefully cut off the excess along the ceiling and at the baseboard (or floor if you have already removed the baseboards as part of your prep work prior to papering the wall.) 7. When applying all remaining pieces, pay close attention to the pattern carefully lining up each strip to match the wallpaper design. This will ensure a seamless look. Repeat above application process across the rest of the wall. 8. If papering around a window or outlet, turn off power, remove switch plate and any drapes or blinds that may interfere and then simply overlap the paper as you go, smoothing all around the area to be removed and use your straightedge and knife to cut away the excess paper. Smooth these edges with smoother or damp cloth. Note: TURN OFF POWER BEFORE CUTTING AROUND AN OUTLET! Safety first, truly. Don’t make me yell that again. 9. Replace any switch plates, rehang the drapes, replace any furniture and staging décor and you are done! A new room in one weekend!

44 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

Hangin' Out

(so we're droppin' in)

Camelot

Park

05.11.21

Pinehurst

Ice Cream

Parlor

05.11.21

Southern Pines

www.SandandPineMag.com www.SandandPineMag.com| 45 | 45

Puzzles

WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?

DIFFICULT

Place numbers into the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains each of the digits 1 to 9. No guessing is needed. EASY

Across 1. Crow call 4. Wind instrument 8. Puts on 12. Cereal 13. Unique thing 14. Fencing sword 15. Longing 17. Sensible 18. Monetary unit of Burma 19. Banished 21. Abode of the dead 23. Drag logs 24. Gone 25. Unsnarl 29. Land measure 30. Encore 31. Outfit 32. Pertaining to medals 34. Suspended 35. Seethe 36. Adolescent years 37. Unproductive

40. Red planet 41. Notion 42. Hair lines over eyes 46. Benevolent 47. Palm starch 48. New Zealand bird 49. Suffix, diminutive 50. Fly high 51. Finish Down 1. Bawl 2. Affirmative vote 3. Made feeble 4. Of pitch 5. Military detachment 6. Scottish hill 7. Containing divalent silver 8. Plan 9. Iridescent gem 10. Hawaiian goose 11. Pip 16. Indian peasant

20. Capital of Shaanxi province, China 21. Moved in water 22. In this place 23. Garden pest 25. Unattractiveness 26. Grisly 27. Waterfall 28. Ova 30. Agave 33. Scrape 34. German, Mr 36. Small drum 37. Bicycle 38. Entrance 39. Hire 40. Prefix, large 43. Legendary emperor of China 44. Was victorious 45. Morose

WHAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE THIS SUMMER Ladderword puzzles are like crosswords but with a twist. The words in the middle column are anagrams of the words of the first column. The words in the last column are anagrams of the middle column plus one additional letter. The anchor words (the down clues) are related by a common theme. Across 1. Encircle 3. Encircles 5. Putting on clothes 6. Get back 7. Ungrateful person 8. Irrigating

9. Behaves towards 10. Striped 11. Repeats 12. Pilots 13. Crimson red 14. Yankee 15. Oyster gems 16. Glitter

17. Small spark 18. Groaner 19. Any longer 20. Yeomen collectively Down 2. Tacky 4. Moist with sweat

Puzzle answers found on SandandPineMag.com 46 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

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Last Word Library of Congress In 1800, when President John Adams approved an act of Congress to move the national capital from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., a small section of the bill mentioned a monetary sum of $5,000 to be earmarked for books to be used by members of Congress. Fourteen years later, during the War of 1812, British troops marched to the capital—as President Madison and members of Congress fled—and burned the Capitol building where the 3,000 volume library was stored, destroying most of the collection. A year later, Thomas Jefferson, who had named the first two Librarians of Congress and believed so strongly in the power of knowledge and its intimate connection to democracy, agreed to sell his personal library to Congress in order to reestablish a Library of Congress collection. The Jefferson collection, consisting of 6,487 books, was bought for $23,950 and became the cornerstones of the Library of Congress that we know today. (Although another fire in 1850 destroyed 35,000 volumes, including two-thirds of Jefferson’s foundational contribution.) For 60 years, the Library of Congress was just that: a resource center for members of Congress. It wasn’t until the Civil War, when Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford saw the library for what it was: a national institution. Spofford, during his tenure from 1864 to 1897, was instrumental in pushing forward the construction of a separate building for the library and promoting copyright laws, centralizing the U.S. Copyright Office within the Library. Today, the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with more than 170 million items and boasting 883 miles of shelving. Each day the library receives upward of 15,000 items to review and adds about 10,000 items to the collection. About

48 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE June/July 2021

half of the library’s books are in languages other than English, with materials containing 470 other languages. The library also has extensive collections in music, sound recordings, motion pictures, prints and photographs. The institution has the largest U.S. telephone book collection, for what that’s worth, along with 140,000 comic books. It also has the world’s largest collection of maps with more than 5.6 million. In 1879, in support of constructing a building for the library, Senator Justin Morrill said: “We must either reduce the library to the stinted and specific wants of Congress alone, or permit it to advance to national importance, and give it room equal to the culture, wants, and resources of a great people. The higher education of our common country demands that this institution shall not be crippled for lack of room.” Thankfully, Congress listened.

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