G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
August 2021
bento
Heaven Fresh bento box lunches that are simple and budget friendly
A vision for downtown Seguin The revitalization process has made a big change for local businesses
Outdoor living spaces Discover stylish patio ideas and designs to help you prep your outdoor space
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in this issue August 2021
HELLO, NEIGHBOR 12 LA VERNIA, TEXAS
Find pleasance and warmth from the people and places of this charming small town
18
FEATURES 18 EXTERIOR DECOR
Keeping up with the trends of interior design means creating outdoor living spaces you can escape to 24 DOWNTOWN RENOVATIONS Kyle Kramm gives a tour of the revitalization process of downtown Seguin
ON THE SCENE 30 RESTORING HISTORY
Misty and Abby share their passion for helping any way they can to preserve the history of Seguin
24
CULINARY CREATIONS 34 BENTO BOXES
Creative and fun bento box lunches that make eating healthy a simple endeavor
AROUND TOWN 38 FAVORITE FINDS
Unique items from local small businesses
40 SAVE THE DATE
See what events are coming up
42 FACES OF SEGUIN
4
Submitted photos from our readers
SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
on the cover Photo by Desiree Gerland
Colorful and fun food combinations make a bento box lunch that adds a little joy to the middle of your day.
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G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
Vol. 8, No. 3 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette. Publisher
Elizabeth Engelhardt Editor
Desiree Gerland
Graphic Designer
Rebecca Harrison Writers
Felicia Frazar Michael Pape
ADVERTISING
Delilah Reyes Gay Lynn Olsovsky
TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN Magazine call 830-379-5402 have Story Ideas? let us know
seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com
To view the digital version visit issuu.com/seguingazette
SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE All material herein c. 2021 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155. All rights reserved
An INSIDE look from our
WRITERS
“Watching Misty and Abby take their time in preserving pieces of the past is incredible. The care they take to ensure that history isn’t lost is immeasurable. It’s obvious in the care they take, forgoing modernized tools for those of the past to ensure these time-treasured pieces are preserved for future generations to come.” – Felicia Frazar
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“I love to find the good hiding in anything, and with La Vernia it was right there on the surface. It didn’t take long before I was taken by the place, and found myself yet another golden brick laid in the vast road of incredible locations in Texas. I encourage everyone to take a few hours to wander, eat, drink, and enjoy a town I would love to see grow.” – Michael Pape “Hearing the different ways people are bringing their living rooms to life outside is inspiring. It is incredible how quickly a pop of color, a splash of paint and some comfortable chairs can transform a regular patio into this outdoor living escape, one might not want to leave. It has me looking at ways I can transform my backyard into a comfortable oasis.” – Felicia Frazar
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FROM THE
Editor One of my favorite ways to show someone that I care about them is by making them something they can eat. This includes birthday cakes, comfort foods after illness or hospital visits, and the simple dishes made on a normal day. For me, preparing a meal is fun, like making edible crafts. But cooking isn’t the easiest thing in the world. It involves time, planning and energy. Also, a little bit of skill, or for beginners, being able to follow the directions of a recipe. This means cooking is a brilliant way of showing love and that they’re worth the effort. I have spent many years teaching my children to cook, and helping them grow a healthy relationship with food. In a society that glorifies thinness, it’s hard to not get overwhelmed with toxic ideas around food. This makes it important to consider the food you’re consuming and how it
can fuel and heal your body. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be something to dread, and isn’t just to help people lose weight. You’re also giving your body what it needs, similarly when you give food to someone else, you’re telling them you want them to be nourished. I feel a theme of love, passion, and sharing in this month’s issue. I made bento box lunches for my family, Misty and Abby at The Immortal Orchid have a passion for restoring history, and the downtown Mainstreet Program is giving downtown the love that it very much deserves. There are some inspirational tips to help you get your outdoor living spaces ready to share with your loved ones, and a friendly trip to La Vernia where there’s plenty to enjoy for anyone willing to stroll through. It’s an interesting issue, and I fully embrace and love it. Share the love, Seguin.
Desiree Gerland Desiree Gerland
Magazine Editor & Creative Director
email: desiree.gerland@seguingazette.com mail: Attn: Desiree Gerland Seguin Gazette 1012 Schriewer, Seguin, Tx 78155
Keepers
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Father Christmas Shop In Downtown Historic Seguin, Texas.
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{ Helloneighbor }
take a deep breath
in La Vernia, Tx D
Story and photos by Michael Pape
espite how close La Vernia is, and how many times I’ve passed through, I was guilty of having no idea what La Vernia truly had to offer. Sure, I’d stopped for a nibble or fuel, but never took a chance to smell the green. I regretted this, but am here to rectify that. Being a responsible adult, humble toward my failures, I did the responsible thing. I Googled what La Vernia had to offer. For the first time in 20 years, Google failed me. All of my stressful Googling was, of course, completely unnecessary. I knew there was a weekend market that I desperately wanted to visit. That’s all I needed. With all of my traveling, all of my random excursions to the tiny, or the unknown, I never arrived with more than a vague idea of what could be fun. The towns do the talking as soon as you step out; predetermined expectations ruin the thrill of exploration. So, I threw my computer, along with Google’s vague walking trail suggestions, right out of my window. I had a weekend market to get to, and perhaps a loose plan of hunger-sating. (Side note:
12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
there’s a Taco Bell in La Vernia. I’m sure many of you don’t need to read further.) I arrived in La Vernia – which, again, isn’t that far away – later than I anticipated. I probably had an hour to peruse the market, and then the rest of the day to find places and people of interest. Before hitting the weekend market, the gravity of a different flea market sucked me in, stealing more time. I felt a kismetic kinship with the owner, and wanted to chat, but had to cut that conversation painfully short. The clock ticked quickly, and I knew vendors would be closing up soon at the aforementioned weekend market. I left with quick promises of returning another day and rushed to the weekend market to find it closed. With some lazy Googling that I had previously abandoned, I would have known they weren’t open on the particular weekend I intended to visit. Disappointed, I searched for strong coffee to calm the disheartened deal-hunting beast in me. That’s when things unfolded in the lovely way they tend to on these trips.
Seguin
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A variety of Woods, styles, and Custom Work Available
12286 US HWY 87W, LaVernia, Tx 78121 951.490.2374 - hardwoodchairman@yahoo.com GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 13
From here on out, I really want to emphasize the authenticity in the smiles of the people I spoke with, and the genuine niceness emanating from them. To the two lovely baristas serving tall, cold, sweet coffee: Your smiles were as sweet as my Joe. I’m sorry I had no idea what I wanted, I can sometimes be indecisive. To the gentleman with the trailer on the side of the road selling a variety of interesting items: Sincerely, truly, deeply, thank you for the Casio keyboard. Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted one to tinker on and be a rockstar, and you’ve fulfilled a very old dream. Your generosity will warm me for a lifetime. To the family with the flea market hiding on the side of the road into La Vernia: You have wonderful energy. I instantly knew I could sit there and talk all day about the treasures lurking in your store. I apologize for not staying longer, I had to rush to a closed weekend market. I promise I’ll be back, and I never break a promise. After wandering a few hours, finding beautiful humans, and a trunk full of cool stuff, I left for San Antonio to run some errands. I came back at the golden hour to take some photos, and feel out the town at night. At that hour, the town was glowing. Honestly, La Vernia was golden. I wandered for at least three more hours, shooting random doorways, buildings, and local signs. For how small La Vernia is, I saw a surprising amount of people. Aside from waves and hellos, none of them gave this dork a second look when he was lying around, shooting photos of brick walls and flowers, and for that, I thank you. It’s not only these people that made the trip worth taking. My strange-person wandering and chatting aside, there are amazing places to eat, drink, hang out. You don’t need the spice of life that is variety when every little thing with an open door is a gem. The definitive quality over quantity can be found in La Vernia, Texas.
14 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
12966 US Hwy 87 W La Vernia, TX 78121 Tues-Thurs 9a-6p 9a-5p CUSTOM DECORATION Friday Saturday 10a-2p
Embroidery-Screenprint-DTG-DHT
City of La Vernia Upcoming Events
August
October
November
6th 5-7pm,
Halloween Movie in the park
Small Business Saturday
December
Founded in 1959 we have been serving this dynamic, attractive and fastest growing region in the country. We are able to meet all your title insurance needs, from residential to new home purchases, Refinances, 1031 Exchange, subdivisions, development, acreage and Farm and Ranch.
Serving the following areas title needs ... Wilson, Guadalupe, Atascosa, Bexar, Comal and surrounding Counties. We welcome you to call or come by to visit us any of our locations. LaVernia Office: 207 W. Chihuahua, Suite 106/107, 830-303-0080 Seguin Office: 202 N. Camp St. Ste 110, 830-303-0080
Peggie L. Haynes-Escrow Officer/Manager.
New Braunfels Office: 243 S. Seguin Ave., 830-625-7553 Canyon Lake Office: 1435FM 2673, 830-907-3424 San Marcos Office: 100 E. San Antonio, Ste. 101, 512-353-1782
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 15
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Christmas in the park, back to school bash (Business bazar, boutique Santa Drive fashion show, food trucks, and school clubs) around town Please Check social media for more details (830) 779-4541 • https://www.facebook.com/CityofLaVernia
Den
the
Restaurant
p l ay f u l a n d c l a s s i c a m e r i c a n d i n i n g i n L a V e r n i a , T e x a s STORY AND PHOTOS BY HARVEY MCBEE
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he Den, a top-rated La Vernia Restaurant, opened in January 2016. Cradled by rolling hills, The Den features a newly-constructed building, a 7000 square-foot AstroTurf outdoor seating area, patio, bandstand, and children’s play area. The two bar areas have full liquor and 16 draft beers along with frozen margarita machine and so much more. Focusing on good eats with friends and family, The Den is centered around massive oak trees that overlook the patio. On the patio or inside the restaurant itself, patrons can enjoy classic American food lovingly crafted by master chefs while listening to local bands perform. Of particular pride are the breakfast omelettes, huge burgers, tender chicken fried steak, awesome salads, and fresh seafood! “We feature fresh ingredients and made to order food.” said owner, “Levi” Harvey McBee. All of the signature burgers are fresh 1/2 pound patties and the chicken fried steak beef comes from Pruskis meat market. The fried fish is 5 star favorite. Also on the menu is a variety of hot wings and of course a full kids menu.
The Den can cater your events at home, office, or at other local venues. They can provide on-site catering for larger parties with a large dining area and outdoor areas that can accommodate you no matter the size of the party. “We work together with you to come up with a custom catering menu, fit for any budget! Our onsite catering is so popular that we just added a brand new addition to the property specifically for private parties and catered events.” said McBee. “We built The Den to bring families together. We can host a 1-year-old birthday party and an 80th birthday party for the same family at the same time and all of the family can have a good time and feel more than comfortable because of the way we built the property.”
“Do what’s right for others before yourself and no one can ever point a finger at you that you are unworthy of blessings or happiness.” To begin planning your event contact us at catering@thedenlavernia.com or call 830-779-2277. paid advertisement
16 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
Family Friendly Full Menu Full Bar Live Music Playground Private Party Areas Less Than 30 Min Country Drive From Downtown Seguin GO BACK
Family owned, family focused American eatery. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Tuesday - Sunday www.TheDenLaVernia.com Facebook.com/TheDenLaVernia
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 17
{ feature }
The
Perfect Getaway
is just a few feet away
TURNING YOUR OUTDOOR PATIO INTO A
LIVING EXPERIENCE
I
Story by Felicia Frazar
nside homes are living spaces designed with comfort in mind. Cushy chairs, decorative lamps, aesthetically pleasing decor are all brought together to give the homeowner and their guests a place to unwind and relax. Now, interior designers like Jeff Koehler, of Design Associates, and Amber Ehrlich, of Keepers Interiors, are seeing that inside look and feel make the move outdoors. “People are bringing the inside out,” Koehler said. “It is taking patios and decks, screened-in porches and making them feel like living spaces. They are not just meant for being outside in the sunshine or the shade. It is meant to feel like a room. It is creating a space that is just another place to go, another escape from the hubbub of life that is thrown at you.” 18 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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For some, the days of wrought iron patio furniture are long gone and replaced by comfortable couches set upon outdoor rugs, adorned with decorative pillows and accompanied by tables with lamps and art, Koehler said. “These are things that can be used inside and outside,” he said. “It is about creating another environment, another place to go that is as comfortable as being in your living room or being in your den or your family room. In some ways that literally looks like a room, rather than just some plants sitting around in pots and wrought iron furniture.” The furniture and decor are not standard indoor pieces. They are specifically crafted to withstand the elements, repel water and continue to be functional. It’s a trend that plays off homes creating outdoor kitchen spaces, Koehler said. “The outdoor kitchen was a natural bend from a regular patio deck situation,” he said. “When they had the grilling that turned into more of an outdoor kitchen, then everything else needed to follow suit and they needed more comfortable furniture and more accessories that you can use outside and are weatherproof. You weren’t just grilling outside, it was becoming a dining experience and becoming a living experience.”
20 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
“Color brings out happiness and people want to feel that more now,”
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Typically larger pieces, like a sofa, are a neutral solid color, while the accessorizing pieces are more vibrant, Ehrlich said. “If you’re going to spend a lot of money on one item, like a sofa, you’re going to do a solid or a basic with a little bit of texture,” she said. “Then you can change up your pillows and change up your theme and change with the season. Usually people add color through paint and throw pillows. It is an inexpensive way to change up the color.” Ehrlich has seen an uptick in customers opting to go the DYI route and use Anne Sloane’s Chalk Paint to spruce up their backyard areas. “Color brings out happiness and people want to feel that more now,” she said. “As they try to get back to normal, they’re painting things and finding ways to spruce up things. Most people are using bright blues and greens, not the navy blues or burgundies. “ While the furniture aspect isn’t all that new to the outdoor situation, using accessories is, Koehler said. “I think the biggest shift is really for the uses of accessories — rugs for the ground, the porch, the deck or the patio; art that is weather proof, and lamps that are outdoor safe,” he said. “Water features are still an important part of that. It is about making it a more livable space, not just a patio.” Outdoor lamps help lighten up the area, while not standing out in the crowd. “We have a lamp line, outdoor lamps, that are heavier, the bulb is covered to protect it from the elements and the cord is a commercial, outdoor cord,” Ehrlich said. “Those are a lot of fun. The lamps are more monochromatic.” This trend is picking up more steam as people are finding new ways to make their home — inside and out — more comfortable. “It is looking more and more like living rooms, comfortable seating that feels like a living room that is providing function and is comfortable,” Koehler said.
22 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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{ feature }
Home of the World’s Largest Pecan 24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
Mainline
on Main Street
The Restoration of Seguin’s Historic Downtown
Story and photos by Felicia Frazar
T
he heart of Seguin lies at the intersection of Court Street and Austin Street. Throughout the years, the city’s heartbeat has slowed and sped up, but it never stopped. And now, it’s rolling at a steady pace with established businesses thriving and new businesses taking up shop. The gradual change to get downtown Seguin to where it is took about four
decades in the making, said Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street director and Convention and Visitors Bureau director. “It goes back about 40 years ago,” he said. “That is when Seguin first became part of the Main Street organization. We were one of the pilot cities for the program. We were part of the program from ’81 to’85.” The city left the program only to rejoin in 1997, giving the historic
downtown district the boost it needed. “Rejoining the program is what really kicked off the downtown revitalization,” Kramm said. The combination of public and private investments and the partnerships between public and private investors helped create a positive change and bring businesses and visitors back to the heart of Seguin, Kramm said. Some of the changes included buryGUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 25
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The
ing overhead power lines, constructing sidewalks, as well as renovating Central Park and Walnut Springs Park. Funding came from the public through the Destination Seguin bonds as well as state grants. “Once you started to see this public money going back into our town, you started to see more private investments coming in as well,” Kramm said. Private investors like Jason Howell, Freddie Leos, the Smiths and the Woodalls purchased historic properties in and around the square, breathing life back into the buildings and restoring them to their former glory. “I think Jason Howell is one of the first investors to really come to downtown and take that risk and that was due to the city’s incentive programs in 26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
’08 or ’09,” Kramm said. The changes drew established businesses to relocate. Gift and Gourmet, which was just outside the downtown district purchased a building on Austin Street, renovated it and made it their new home. Seguin Brewing Company initially started outside of the city limits, but eventually the partners brought the tasting room to Gonzales Street and throughout the years have expanded it to include a restaurant. New businesses varying from restaurants, retail shops, antiques and more dot the storefronts drawing new customers in. “A lot of these people started to recognize and see what was going on in downtown Seguin and they wanted
to add to it and be part of the success,” Kramm said. While the new ventures are just starting their journeys, long-established businesses continue to thrive. For more than 100 years, Starcke Furniture has seen the ebb and flow of neighboring businesses from its windows at the corner of Austin and Nolte streets. Current co-owner Hilmar Starcke has watched the changes that have taken place over the years. “We’ve seen an increase in occupancy in store fronts in all of downtown and then I’ve seen as it has gone the other direction and then come back,” he said. “It’s kind of like a wave. It is interesting like that.” The variety of businesses offer a unique experience to visitors, Starcke said.
Monday - Friday Lunch Special
Lunches are served with (2) sides, for only $9! To Go Cups add .25 cents. Extra plate add $1.50 Served from 11-2 or while quantities last. (Drinks NOT included with Lunch Specials)
Check out our night specials online www.ggscornercafemarion.com
SUN
1 closed
AUGUST 2021
OPEN
MON - SAT 11-9 CLOSED SUNDAY
MON
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
Meatloaf
Breaded Pork Cutlet
Country Fried Chicken
Old Fashioned Pot Roast
Butterfly Shrimp
Pulled Pork On Bun
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closed
Meatloaf
15
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Chicken Fried Chicken Breast
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Turkey N Dressing
Liver N Onions
Cajun Catfish
French Dip Hoagie
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closed
Meatloaf
Breaded Pork Cutlet
Country Fried Chicken
Ground Meat N Gravy
Butterfly Shrimp
Pulled Pork On Bun
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closed
Meatloaf
Chicken Ranchero
Chicken Fried Steak
German Sausage
Cajun Catfish
French Dip Hoagie
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Meatloaf
Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce
closed
10
4
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 27
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129 W. San Antonio, Marion (Down HWY 78) • 830-914-2572
28 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 29
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“Downtown is still a collection of very different sorts of occupants,” he said. “We have a few residences down here, but we have banks, lawyers’ offices, retailers, real estate. It is such a conglomeration of many different sorts of occupants. It makes it neat, but then you don’t have a common thread as you might in a shopping center that is all retail or something like that. You don’t have a common thread to bind them all together. You wind up being a collection of independent characters down here. You can walk up one end of Austin Street and find a whole different crowd of folks doing different various things. It is wonderful.” Other long-time businesses like Starcke’s include Vogue Shoes, Picketts Fine Arts and Frame and The Oak Tavern. “You’ve got these long-term businesses who have been here for generations,” Kramm said. “That says something about the ability to be successful downtown.Those are our anchors in downtown that has been successful.” It has taken the city’s downtown historic district a long time to get to where it is now, the area will only continue to grow as the community does, Kramm said. “Downtown is not an overnight success,” he said. “It is very incremental, small changes that we made to make downtown successful. Little things add up over time.”
{ ONtheSCENE }
Immortal
Artisans Bring life back to treasures of the past
30 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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Story and photos by Felicia Frazar
T
ables left to survive the elements, long-forgotten upholstered chairs rotting in a garage and frosted over portraits in cracked frames are pieces of the past needing a little tender loving care. That’s where Misty and Abby de La Fuente step in. As the owners of the Immortal Orchid, the couple sells antique decor. But their work goes far beyond peddling old time pieces, as they spend countless hours restoring furniture that predates the mid-century. “We only do 1920s and older,” Misty said. “We restore wooden, Victorian era furniture. We also do upholstery, photo restoration. It is a labor of love, it is hard work. This is a dying trade. People don’t know this stuff and we do.” The pair work in tandem. Abby
sands and stains, while Misty works on the upholstery and re-assembly. “I couldn’t do this without her. We’re a team,” Misty said. Misty’s move into restoration work came from her creative background. She earned her bachelor’s in fine arts and design, and had a keen eye for photography. It was her photo sessions that led her down the restoration path. Frequently, Misty was presented with opportunities to shoot photos with Victorian-era furniture, but without having the pieces herself, buying antiques in pristine condition was a costly option that Misty couldn’t afford. “I would find chairs and …. they would be in really bad condition,” she said. “I thought, ‘I’d like to see what it would look like originally.’ I thought I
would try to redo them myself.” Misty started by using a chalk paint to spruce up the pieces, but still felt that it wasn’t quite what she was looking to accomplish. “Then we started to look and realize we are covering this very beautiful wood,” she said. Abby, is newer to the world of restoration. She began as Misty would ask for her assistance in fixing pieces here and there. With a background in automotive repair, wood working was a slightly different challenge, but Abby faced it. “When I was at work, I would see all kinds of people come into the garage and she was selling things out of the garage, things that she worked on,” she said. “So, she kind of pushed me into it. GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 31
She said she needed some things fixed. I was scared at first. I really developed a passion for it.” While modern times often call for newer technologies, Abby has found that she prefers the old methods and tools to get the best results. “I’m an old soul,” Abby said. “It is therapeutic for me to work on things, to sand things, using the old chisels and hammer.” “It is so much more gratifying and you can see it in the piece, you can see the little details that you used your hands,” Misty said. Among the pieces the women are working on is a chair belonging to Max Starcke. In looking over the piece, Misty talked about how each layer of the chair spoke about its original owner and its creator, from the diamond tufting to 32 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
the layers of hay, moss, horse hair and cotton that made up the seat and the original color of the fabric. The artifacts Misty and Abby work on are not just decor, they’re pieces of someone’s story. “These pieces are precious to people and they are irreplaceable,” Misty said. “People come in with the same stories. They’ve lost a parent or a spouse and they’ve got these pieces they want restored. We’re not here to get rich, we’re here to help people, add to the community with the restoration work and do what we love to do.” In a town like Seguin where the history is rich, Misty and Abby hope to help solidify the city’s heritage and preserve it for generations to come. Recently, the couple restored the doors on Tri-County Surveying, across
the street from their shop, and they are currently working on the doors of the historic Aumont Hotel, starting with the 1916 Bar & Bistro. “Everyone here is all about the history and preserving Seguin. I said what about preserving the actual artifacts,” she said. “We’re here to help people, to help the community and do our part. We love it here; we love Seguin.” Fascinated by all things Victorian, the women live in a Victorian-style home, filled with period-style furniture, displaying the decor’s immortality. “This stuff outlives us,” Misty said. “That’s why this stuff is called immortal, because it basically is. If you take care of it and it gets passed down to people who take care of it, it is going to outlast all of us.”
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{ CULINARYCREATIONS }
Bento Lunch Story and photos by Desiree Gerland
C
reativity matters as much as taste and nutrition when preparing a Japanese-style bento box. But more important is simplicity. Keeping things simple when planning out your own bento lunches really can have an impact on committing to a daily bento lunch. It was easy to get excited while looking to Pinterest for bento box lunch ideas. There as a plethora of insanely artistic boxes that appealed to the creative side of the brain. After
34 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
scrolling for an obscene amount of time, it was clear that this was perhaps something that could easily be taken overboard. So, naturally, I committed – in my own chaotic-organized way – making multiple lists, saving internet images, shopping on Amazon for fun bento boxes and clicking ‘add to cart’ far too many times, and then heading to HEB. As a mother of teenage boys, I am somewhat experienced in the art of shopping on a budget. Yes, there’s
nothing quite like spending tons of hard earned cash at the grocery store, just to watch it disappear into the never-ending void attached to the face of a teenager. It’s easy, and cheap, to throw greasy frozen food into the vacuumous hungry black holes, but that’s missing the point. I try to shop on a budget, while also providing healthy and balanced meals. The absolute best way to accomplish the elusive, easy, cheap, and healthy diet? Keep it simple.
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The Aisai box is a visually-appealing lunch box that is made specifically to express love from a wife toward her husband.
The Makunouchi bento is the traditional style box that’s eaten at the theater and contains several dishes like rice, meat, fish, egg, pickled plum and vegetables. GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 35
The Shikaeshi bento box (aka the revenge lunchbox) is packed by wives who are angry and might fill the box with things like raw rice, raw egg or angry messages they write from strips of nori.
The Ekiben is sold at train stations and is often based on local specialties. There are over 6000 varieties of ekiben in Japan.
Bento boxes come in everything from lacquered wood to aluminum, plastic and bamboo. They can be rectangular, circular or oval, and often come with matching silverware, chopsticks and carrying pouches called kinchaku. The Kyaraben is a bento that features elaborate characters and animals. 36 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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Healthy doesn’t only mean low in fat and high in fiber. A big part of eating healthy that is easy to overlook is portion control. A classic Japanese-inspired bento box is a great way to manage how much food is being consumed in one sitting. A Noriben is a simple bento with fewer than four ingredients, and the milliliters size of most boxes corresponds to the number of calories that are in them. In Japan it is normal to pack the bentos with three parts grain, two parts vegetable, and one part protein. While shopping for bento box ingredients, I stuck with things that are familiar to me and my family. Rice, fish, eggs, nuts, and fruits are all staples in our household, so in the cart they went. Affordable deli meats and cheeses were an obvious choice, especially when preparing a bento that can be eaten straight out of the backpack or refrigerator. Buying in bulk and storing in the refrigerator for the week is a major help when throwing together several boxes in the morning, while also cutting costs. At the checkout, I ended up spending roughly $100 dollars to make bento lunches for four people for two weeks. Don’t get too focused on pairing things that go well together, the simplicity of ingredients typically nullifies that concern. Also, mixing and matching different ingredients is part of the appeal of bento boxes. Having a box with more than one compartment means you can have several parts of a meal without mixing them in the same box, and eliminates the need for disposable packaging, like ziplock bags. Bento boxes have a broad and rich history, going back as far as the fifth century. I’d love to carry you down the rabbit hole of bento, and I wholly encourage you to research the history on your own, but I will give you one final bit of bento lore: bento has become a language of love. Something you thoughtfully prepare, not just for yourself, but for your loved ones. Take this information with you, make someone something special, and send me photos when you do. Itadakimasu!
THIS ISSUE’S FAVORITE FINDS have been picked by Delilah Reyes - seguin gazette Advetising director.
Thank you for continuing to support our community.
14k Yellow Gold Peridot Earrings Fabio’s Jewelry - $499
I absolutely love these earrings with my birthstone color! 1024 E. Court St., Seguin (830)372-1944 www.fabiosjewelry.com
Bermudez - Miranda Art Sol Y Luna - $1,500
I found this piece in Sol Y Luna and instantly fell in love with the bright colors and the freedom you feel coming from it. 112 E. Court St., Seguin (830)406-8378 www.facebook.com/solylunaseguin
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These handmade, solid walnut charcuterie boards are a must have if you like to entertain.
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EVENT C A L E N D A R -AugustMARION SAUSAGE SUPPER & TRADE DAYS: SEVENTH – 10 AM Come out and enjoy the day with the Marion Chamber and eat some German sausage, shop with the vendors, dance to some Polka music, play Chicken $hit Bingo and later enjoy a live concert with more dancing. Location: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 606 S. Center St., Marion.
Allen Dreibrodt memorial fundraiser: Seventh – 5 pm There will be amazing live and silent auction items to bid on, as well as a gun card raffle, great dinner catered by Johnny’s Barbecue, and dance, with Gary Glenn and the 20X Band. Tickets are $25 apiece. All proceeds go to the youth in the community. Location: Columbus Club of Seguin Hall, 1015 S. Austin St.
183rd Seguin Birthday Party: THIRTEENTH – 5:30 - 8 PM The Seguin Conservation Society is inviting you to spend your Friday night celebrating the city’s 183rd birthday. Come out for a night of great food and live music. The event will include a homemade ice cream contest! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. Location: First Church/Campbell-Hoermann Log Cabin Complex, 200 E. Live Oak St.
third thursday - seguin’s birthday: Nineteenth – 4 - 8 PM Enjoy a lovely evening filled with live music & food trucks. Visit participating businesses for great deals and to enter to win a HUGE Downtown Seguin package!!! (value $500 in gift cards and product) Downtown stays open late so you can shop local. Location: 201 S. Austin St.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY: t wentieth – 11 A M - 2 P M Join Guadalupe County and The Seguin Main Street Program every third Friday behind the Justice Center for delicious eats. Location: S. Camp and W. Donnegan.
-September70th Annual Sausage Festival: FIFTH – 11 am - 11:30 pm Benefits the New Berlin Fire Department and Community Club. Enjoy homemade sausage starting at 11 a.m., bingo, raffle, silent auction, country store & more. A live auction starts at 5 p.m. & dance the night away to music by Clint Taft & the Buckwild Band starting at 7 p.m. Location: New Berlin Community Center, 8815 FM 775, New Berlin.
Send event details to seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com to have your event added to this calendar 40 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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