St. Louis Home and Happenings - December 2018

S A I N T

L O U I S

& HOME AND HAPPENINGS

DECEMBER18

CHRISTMAS ISSUE This special publication brought to you by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate

A note from the editor...

www. STLHandHMag .com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Wade Brewer

DESIGN Brian L Spurgeon

December is here, and that means it’s time for our holiday issue.

This month, we have some wonderful information for you for this time if year.

Our gift guide will help you to find the perfect present to place under the tree for everyone on your list and Helpful Holiday Hints offer some unique gifts that they are sure to love.

If you are hosting events this year we have some outstanding recipes and entertaining ideas that are sure to make your life a little easier.

This issue can’t be all about fun, this time of year also brings with it the cold and flue season. Free Yourself from the Flu gives you some gives you some ideas to prevent and protect against the flu.

WEBSITE & FEEDBACK www.STLHandHMag.com

Editor@STLHandHMag.com

If you’re looking for some fun things to do in our area this time of year, search no further than our Happenings section. We have listed there some unique and fun activities that everyone is sure to love.

We hope that you enjoy this issue of St. Louis Home and Happenings and that you have a wonderful holiday season!

Wade Brewer Editor-in-chief

Self published by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate. All material herein is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.

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CONTENTS

Saving Those Who Served

4

Make a Great Escape with a Specialty Room for You

6

Free Yourself From the Flu

8

Serving Those Who Served

9

Officer Without a Pension

10

5DIY Car Care Projects

11

How to Create the Perfect, Four-Season Outdoor Living Space

12

Helpful Holiday Hints

14

The Nice List

16

Highlight Your Holidays

18

Festive Fun - with Cookies and Cocoa

20

St. Louis Happenings

22

Join Us In Cottleville

24

Buying or Selling a Home?

25

Home of the Month

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Make a Great Escape with a SPECIALTY ROOM for You Family Features

It has been said that distance makes the heart grow fonder. When the demands of life make it tough to get away, you can actually find your escape closer to home – right in your home, even – by carving out a corner to create a retreat just for you.

A room dedicated to you and all of your hobbies or personal interests can serve as a welcome escape from the real world if only for a little while. These tips make it simple to get started planning your big escape with ideas centered on some of the most common specialty rooms, as well as a solution for fitting the ideas into a smaller home.

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Create a space for crafts.

Keep your space clutter-free and ready to enjoy with a craft room such as those designed by Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., which can feature spacious storage and expansive countertops, providing ample space to create projects that help deco­rate both the interior and exterior of the home, or simply to unwind and relieve stress.

A room designed to let you explore your crafty side can help prevent the kitchen or dining room table from becoming a creative center or wrapping station around the holidays, and allows those areas to remain dedicated to family, food and friendship. It doesn’t have to be just for crafts, though. It can also be a place to settle down with a good book and just relax.

Don’t dismiss cars, bars and sports.

If you find your frazzled senses defraying with a little threading therapy, look to create a space that celebrates this pastime.

With the rise in popularity of websites such as Pinterest, which feature a plethora of DIY ideas, you’ll have ample opportunity to distract your mind and busy your hands.

If a room free of frou-frou decor where you can just unwind is more your ticket, a man cave may be just the answer.

Man caves come in all shapes and sizes, from rowdy dens for sports fanatics to workshops decked out with the tools of your trade.

Even if decorating isn’t your thing, look for ways to make the place your own, whether you display trophies from your hunting excursions or decor emblazoned with the logos of your favorite sports teams. This is the room that allows you to relish in the hobbies you enjoy most.

If there isn’t a spare room or basement available, the garage can serve as a good alternative. With specific spots for tools and lawn care products – or even that car or motorcycle collection – the garage can meet the same needs as a more traditional man cave.

When two rooms become one.

to share your hobby time with a partner, you can create a specialty room that accommodates both your interests with a little creativity and planning. Working as a team, you can find the right accessories and storage to design a getaway for two. For example, a creative room from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. offers more than 600 door styles, wood types and combi­nations. The result is a chance to combine two rooms, such as the man cave and craft room, for a sanctuary you can build and enjoy together.

Find more inspiration for personal spaces and tools to maximize your space and storage at wellborn.com.

Whether space limitations prohibit separate quarters, or you simply prefer

Accessorize Your Personal Space If creating a space all your own feels like a daunting project, these clever tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. will help get you closer to a room you can get ready to enjoy: • Charging Solutions: Install a charging station in a drawer for phones or other handheld devices. Power and docking stations can easily hide devices and ports yet keep them readily accessible.

• Accessory Racks and Holders: Hooks for tools or coats keep them off of other furniture, including countertops where they can pile up and detract from your work­space.

Cubby inserts and baskets help keep your things organized on shelves.

• Sliding Shelves: Sliding shelves, drawers and baskets let you organize tools or crafting accessories while providing easy access to the items you’ve tucked away.

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FREE YOURSELF FROM THE FLU

Preventive stops to protect your home and business Family Features

With flu season approaching, parents may be bracing for an outbreak at their children’s schools, but adults are also highly suscep­tible at work and in other public places. Now is the time for families and businesses to take steps to prevent and protect against the flu.

With workers missing as much as a week after falling ill with the flu, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attributes as much as $7 billion in losses for U.S. businesses each year as a result of workers’ sick days and lost productivity.

Combine that with lost wages, missed school and sporting events, and the overall hit to your personal health, and the toll is higher yet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year depending upon the severity of the flu season. People at high risk for developing flu-related complications include children under 5, adults 65 or older, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care centers, and people who have medical conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease and blood disorders.

“Influenza is a serious viral infection, and the toll on public health each year related to influenza is significant,” said Dr. John Hanlin, vice president of public health and food safety at Ecolab. “Fortunately, there are a number of important measures that you, your family and your business colleagues can take to reduce the risk of influenza.”

Getting a flu vaccine and taking anti-viral medica­tions as prescribed if you do contract the flu are two ways the CDC advocates stopping the spread of flu germs. Another vital factor in protecting yourself from the flu is preventing its spread.

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The flu is a respiratory infection accompanied by fever and often respiratory complications that is transmitted from person to person, either through personal contact, or through contact with a contami­nated surface. Individuals who have contracted the virus are contagious at least one day prior to displaying symptoms, and up to seven days after they first appear.

In addition, the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 12 hours on cloth, paper and tissues. Properly clean­ing and disinfecting can minimize the chances of individuals contracting the virus from a contami­nated surface.

Prevent contamination To properly clean, disinfect and protect your environ­ment, know that you should: • Clean any visible soil from surfaces before dis­infect­ing.

When cleaning and disinfecting, work from top to bottom and from cleaner to more heavily soiled surfaces.

• Thoroughly wet the surface with a U.S. EPA registered disinfectant and follow label instruc­tions. Choose disin­fectants effective against the flu virus, such as Ecolab’s line of disinfectant products, which are available for institutional and industrial use.

• Disinfect frequently touched hard surfaces often, including tables, chairs, light switches, door handles and restroom facilities.

• Give special attention to frequently touched sur­faces in food preparation areas, as well as the restroom, including light and air control switches, faucets, toilet flush levers, door knobs and handrails.

• Avoid touching public items that sustain heavy use, such as elevator buttons and push plates on doors, with your hands.

• Before using hand sanitizer, remove any dirt from hands with soap and water. Apply product to palm and rub hands together until it disappears (15-20 seconds).

Education is the first step in promoting effective hand hygiene. But the real challenge is motivating others to wash frequently and follow protocols day in and day out.

• Use soaps that are gentle on hands.

Formulations that irritate skin may dissuade even the most dedicated hand-washer.

• Be a role model and wash your hands following the same high standard you set for your family and coworkers.

• Continuously reinforce that protection starts with prevention, and hand-washing is critical to prevention.

Proper hand hygiene

Extra care in the kitchen

Hand-washing is also essential to preventing an influenza contamination.

Proper hand-washing helps remove most bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, so they can’t be spread to others. The CDC recommends these steps: • Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.

• Rub hands together to lather the soap. Clean the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.

• Scrub for at least 20 seconds.

• Rinse well under clean, running water.

• Dry with a clean towel or air dry.

Because flu and cold viruses can spread easily to foods and beverages, it’s especially important to promote hand-washing in the kitchen. The Food and Drug Administration suggests: • Plan food preparation activities to reduce the number of times hands need to be washed.

• Use soap and water, which is more effective in removing foodborne pathogens than hand sanitizers.

For additional information on how Ecolab can help you and your business prepare for the flu season, visit ecolab. com/pages/flu.

6 Ways to Minimize Exposure to the Flu 1.

2.

3.

4.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer frequently.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

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lived, ate and slept together for more than a year.”

Ultimately, Foster’s quest to reconnect with Mick was successful, and they are together again living in Colorado.

“When I first got Mick back, I was worried that I might not be able to take care of him,” he recalled. “After what you go through with your dog in the serv­ice and then adopt them afterward, you wouldn’t want to say goodbye to your partner because you couldn’t afford to take care of him.”

Serving Those Who Served Family Features When Cpl. Matt Foster left Afghanistan after his tour of duty in 2013, he didn’t know whether he would ever see his K-9 partner again.

For nine months, Foster and Sgt. Mick, a black Labrador retriever, lived and worked together keeping the military compound at Camp Leatherneck and the surrounding area in Helmand Province safe from explosive attack.

Foster’s interest in becoming a military dog handler in the Marine Corps came from a high school friend who served and ultimately lost his life in Afghanistan.

“I’d always loved dogs and this seemed like a good fit for me,” he said. “Only a certain number of dogs are assigned to a unit, so I was fortunate to be selected.”

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After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Foster did not give up in his quest to adopt Mick. The 7-year-old Lab had been discharged for medical reasons and Foster said he lost count of the number of adoption forms he sent attempting to be reunited with his dog.

“It is very difficult for a Marine infantry K-9 handler to keep his dog when he returns from active duty over­ seas,” Foster recalled. “Once back in California, the dogs go on a truck to North Carolina to be redeployed, and generally we never see them again.”

That, in fact, is what happened with one of Foster’s two explosives detection dogs.

“Macey, a chocolate Lab, was my first dog and Mick joined us later,” he said.

“Macey and Mick were my babies; we

Once military and police dogs retire, with no guar­anteed pension for their medical care, the burden and cost of care often fall solely on their caregivers.

Now an advocate for military dog adoption, Foster has joined The Sage Foun­dation for Dogs Who Serve and the RIMADYL K-9 Courage program to help other retired military dogs and handlers.

The RIMADYL K-9 Courage Program is a charitable healthcare donation program that, together with The Sage Foundation and National Police Dog Foundation, provides financial and in-kind product donations of $150,000 annu­ally to support the veterinary needs for up to 500 retired police and military K-9s.

“I’m a big believer in the power of the human-animal bond, and I think anyone who loves a dog can relate to that special relationship,” said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DAPVP, Group Director, Companion Animal Marketing for Zoetis, the company behind the program. “But it goes to another level with these former working dogs. I think it’s difficult for most of us to even com­ prehend how special that relationship is.”

Foster agrees: “I know firsthand the wear and tear on these dogs while they are in service, and having a program to help offset their medical needs is very helpful.”

Officer Without a Pension Despite being considered an officer of his county’s sheriff’s office, Dano is another retired working dog whose veterinary needs and expenses will mount after retirement.

“Dano is an extraordinary dog,” said Senior Deputy Sheriff Danielle Delpit of her K-9 partner. “He’s been injured, tazed and involved in two critical incidents.”

One of those incidents resulted in Dano saving his human partner’s life.

For his bravery, the German shepherd received the first National Police Dog Foundation Hero Award.

Cpl. Matt Foster and K-9 partner Sgt. Mick

Recently, Delpit noticed that Dano, now 7 1/2 years old, was slowing down and she reluctantly decided it was time for him to retire.

“As his handler, I am look­ing out for his best interests first. He couldn’t jump into the car like he used to, I could tell he was in pain,” she said.

After Dano’s retirement, it became Delpit’s responsibility to care for him.

“While on active duty, Dano’s veterinary care was covered. But now that he is retired, it is up to me,” she explained. “Dano has injuries; he has a bad back and I know he will eventually have arthri­tis. The RIMADYL K-9 Courage Program will give me peace of mind to know I’ll have help to give him the healthcare he deserves.”

Even before Dano’s retire­ment, Delpit decided not to have another K-9 partner.

“There can never be a replacement for that one special dog. He’s not only made me a better police officer, he’s made me a better person,” she said.

k-9s in service Since the Revolutionary War, the U.S. military has been using working dogs as messengers, sentries, scouts and mine detectors.

An estimated 1,775 military dogs are actively working to protect military personnel. Each dog saves as many as 150200 service men and women by detecting explosives and hidden weapons caches.

welfare of dogs who have faithfully served in wars, police work, crime pre­vention and rescue. Their work includes educa­ tion and public awareness, as well as making medical care available for these hero dogs.

Today, law enforcement dogs are used at the local, county, state and federal levels, and are considered full-fledged police officers. Unlike their human counterparts, however, these officers do not receive a pension.

In an average year, 300-400 dogs retire, but it’s not required that a military dog serving overseas be returned to the United States at retirement. Legislation is pending in Congress to mandate their return for U.S. adoption.

With a mission of making K-9 teams mission-ready and self-sustaining, the National Police Dog Foundation (www. nationalpolicedogfoundation.org) provides funding for the purchase, training and medical needs for police dogs through retirement.

The Sage Foundation for Dogs Who Serve (www.sagefoundationfordogs.org) works to promote the

You can help Learn how you can support retired police and military dogs at www.rimadylk9courage.com.

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5DIY Car Care Projects Family Features It’s no secret that regular maintenance helps prolong the life and performance of your vehicle, but you may be surprised by how many routine maintenance tasks you can complete by yourself at home. Get in the garage this winter and tackle that cabin fever with these DIY car care projects that can be done all at once and not only save money by helping prevent repair costs in the long run, but also help you save big on service fees.

1. Air Filters

Not only do you want fresh air while you drive, so does your engine. If your air filter gets too dirty or clogged, your engine won’t be able to suck enough air into the combustion chambers. Engine

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performance will be reduced, especially when you are passing or merging onto a freeway. If an air filter becomes sufficiently dirty and damaged, it could also allow harmful, abra­sive contaminants into the com­bustion chamber, accelerating engine wear.

Changing an air filter requires no more skill than hanging pictures around the house and is one of the easiest DIY car care projects, regularly taking less than 10 minutes to complete. Changing your air filter every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, will provide better engine protection, but give careful attention to seasonal concerns such as fall leaves, debris hidden in dirty snow and road salt which can clog air filters. Designed and constructed with advanced fea­tures to capture and hold more dirt to keep engines cleaner in ex-

treme driving conditions, FRAM Tough Guard air filters are ideal for strenuous driving conditions such as idling in heavy traffic, driving on dirty, dusty roads and towing heavy loads, all of which can put heavy strain on the engine. Learn more at FRAM.com and refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for air filter location and specific instructions.

2. Oil

Oil is one of the most vital compo­nents of your engine’s overall health. It allows the engine parts to operate smoothly together, removes heat and prevents accumulation of things like carbon and varnish in the engine. Your owner’s manual will guide you to the right oil for your vehicle, but you may need to do some com­parison shopping to find the right performance blend for your

specific driving conditions and needs.

Today, many auto manufacturers tout inter­vals of 5,000 miles and longer.

However, those change intervals are based on using the correct oil and a quality oil filter, which should also be changed when changing the oil. A qualified repair technician can help you determine the best schedule for your vehicle and driving habits.

3. Transmission Fluid

The transmission fluid is another liquid vital to your engine’s proper operation.

Gear shifting, cooling the transmission and lubrication are all critical roles that transmission fluid plays, and all that work causes the fluid to deteriorate over time, particularly with harsh driving con­ditions. Your owner’s manual is a good starting point; it will tell you the change interval and the specifications for transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is highly specialized now and requires a fluid that meets the original equipment manufacturers’ specifications.

4. Cabin Air Filter

A cabin air filter cleans and circulates the air that enters through your car’s ventilation system. Contaminants can enter your vehicle with outside air and become concentrated, exposing passengers to higher levels of dust, dirt and allergens while also poten­tially limiting the effectiveness of your car’s air conditioner and defrost system, making it impor­tant to keep the cabin filter unre­stricted. In general, a cabin air filter should be changed every 15,000 miles or once a year, but can vary depending on driving habits. Your owner’s manual may list the recommended service inter­val for your vehicle, but replacing all of your air filters at the same time is good practice and winter is the optimal season to make a change after catching fall debris and allergens.

5. Spark Plugs

Although many spark plugs are designed to last as long as 100,000 miles, certain conditions can damage

the plugs, resulting in engine misfires, poor fuel economy and other malfunctions that affect overall engine perfor­mance. These performance issues indicate that at least checking, if not replacing, your spark plugs is in order.

In addition, used car buyers should check the condition of spark plugs if no service history is available.

Replacing spark plugs is a quick job requiring few tools, but it’s important to change one at a time so you do not mix up the plug wires. Take note of the condition of the spark plugs you remove: they should be slightly dirty, but a white or oily appearance may indicate other problems. Choosing the right plugs for your vehicle is as simple as talking with the staff at your local auto parts store; they’ll be able to point you to the right plugs for your vehicle. Always replace spark plug wires or boots that are worn, cracked or oil-soaked and reference your owner’s manual for more information.

Install an air filter like a pro Replacing your own air filter is an easy way to save the time and expense of a trip to the repair shop. Follow these simple steps from the experts at FRAM to be on your way to cleaner air in your vehicle in just a few minutes:

1. Use proper protective gear.

2. Loosen wing nut or other fasteners to remove filter cover.

3. Remove old air filter.

4. Clean filter cover and housing using a shop vacuum.

5. Install new air filter. Be sure it is sealed around the perimeter.

6. Replace cover and fasten.

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Helpful Holiday Hints Find Something on Everyone’s Wish List Family Features

No matter who you’re buying for this holiday season, your shopping list is sure to be long and complex. Simplify it with these holiday hints, which feature something for everyone on the list.

From gifts that keep on giving, month after month, or the latest in handheld functionality to a stylish classic and tasty treats both sweet and rich in flavor, this guide has you covered – right down to ship­ping your gifts to their intended recipients.

For the Reader in Your Life Books can make great gifts ... but how do you pick the right title for the booklover on your list? With a Book of the Month gift subscription, you can delight the readers in your life by letting them choose. Each month, members get to select from five new hardcovers specially chosen by a panel of well-known judges. Whether you give a 3-, 6-, or 12-month membership, your gift will last well beyond the holidays. Visit bookofthemonth.com/gift.

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Holiday Shipping Made Simple Whether you’re mailing Christmas cards or sending gifts to loved ones across the country, you want a good value for your holiday shipping. The U.S. Postal Service makes it easy to schedule a free package pickup and even offers free Priority Mail boxes. You’ll also get end-to-end tracking so you know exactly when your package will arrive. Visit USPS. com or stop into any U.S. Post Office to complete all your mailing needs this holiday season.

Dry-Aged Holiday Perfection Be sure to please even the most discriminating steak connoisseur this holiday season with an artisan Bone-In Ribeye from Chicago Steak Company. Cut French-style, this ribeye undergoes a six-week dry aging process and is abundant in marbling and rich in flavor. Visit mychicagosteak.com/dry-aged-beef.asp to take advantage of a special offer of four 18-ounce artisan, dry-aged bone-in ribeyes for $209.95 (regularly $249.95) plus free shipping, 12 free steak burgers and a free bottle of steak seasoning by using promo code DRYAGED.

A Sweet Gift for the Holidays Just in time for the holidays, find chocolate covered Gratify Gluten Free pretzels in four limited edition flavors: lus­cious White Chocolate and Peppermint, delectable Dark Chocolate and Peppermint, decadent Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter and rich and creamy Dark Chocolate coated pretzel twists.

With flavors and textures so delicious, you’ll be surprised to know they are gluten free. A taste so good, you’ll put on your Gratify face. Visit gratifyfoods.com for sweet savings.

An Iconic Gift from the Past Take style up a notch for the guys on your list this holiday season. One of the most recog­nizable tennis shoes of all time is back. The Stan Smith by adidas Originals features premium leather, perforated stripes, a terry sock liner and a contrasting heel tab. Choose Fairway Green for the ultimate throwback look, or find other colors and styles of this iconic shoe for adults at Foot Locker stores and on footlocker.com. Introduce kids to a classic with youth versions available at Kids Foot Locker stores and online at kidsfootlocker.com.

Handheld Reliability Meets Functionality Stylish, sturdy and smart, the waterproof Kyocera Hydro WAVE sports a large, beautiful 5-inch display and is designed to protect against everyday phone hazards. The Android-powered smartphone’s durable design is certified to U.S. Military Standard 810G for shock and is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in up to one meter of water. The latest in the Kyocera Hydro Series, Hydro WAVE weaves affordable reliability with enticing functionality and is available through T-Mobile and MetroPCS.

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Family Features Santa’s made his list, checked it twice and found out who’s been naughty and nice. For family and friends who found their way on to Santa’s nice list this year, these great holiday gift ideas, ranging from organization to ways to stave off that winter chill to gifts that bring out the magic of the season and last long after the holidays are over, can help earn you a spot on your loved ones’ nice lists for years to come.

Heat Up Your Holidays This chilly holiday season, give the gift of heat to the outdoors­man who loves to hunt and camp, a friend who enjoys tailgating or the proud parent who spends time on the sidelines at their child’s outdoor games. The Chaheati Heated Add-On is cordless, light­weight, has a rechargeable battery and fits onto any portable chair. The heating system has four temperature settings – keeping you warm and outside doing what you love longer. Visit Chaheati.com/Retailers for retail locations and more information.

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Experience the Magic of Christmas

Pens and Pencils Make Great Stocking Stuffers

Start a new family tradition this holiday season with the Magic Light Wand. Witness real magic on the children’s faces when they touch the button on the wand, hear the tinkling chimes and see all of your holiday lights come alive.

Avoid the hassle of rummaging around behind the tree to plug in a cord or searching for a tiny remote and visit magiclightwand. com for more informa­tion and to order.

Everyone loves a stocking full of sweets and treats, but why not add something both fun and practical, such as Zebra pens and mechanical pencils that last long past the season? Durable Steel pens make great gifts for dads and dudes, while Cadoozles’ play­ful patterns please kids of all ages.

Moms can express themselves with vibrant Sarasa gel pens, which come in many colors, and everyone can appreciate the smooth, reliable Z-Grip Plus. Learn more at zebrapen.com/stockingstuffers.

The Gift of Sight This holiday, give a gift that changes the way someone you love sees the world – a gift that keeps giving even after the holidays are over.

Now for as low as $17/month, you can give the gift of good vision from VSP Direct to someone who doesn’t have access to vision insurance. Coverage from the No. 1 name in vision care means a comprehensive eye exam, glasses or contacts, plus the lowest outof-pocket costs. For more information, visit givevspdirect.com.

Comfortable Holiday Warmth and Style

A Safe Home for the Holidays

Get Organized This Holiday Season

Give the gift of luxe comfort this season with a cashmere turtle­neck sweater from Charter Club. Soft to the touch and incredibly warm, this sweater is a versatile addition to any wardrobe and the perfect way to embrace the latest color trend by selecting an of-themoment pastel hue. Retailing for $139, pick up this holiday essential exclusively at Macy’s stores and macys.com.

Give homeowners simple, smart security this holiday with Kidde’s RemoteLync WiFienabled products. The plug-in monitor sends an alert upon hearing a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm. The cord­less camera instantly sends video upon sensing motion. Mount it nearly anywhere and set it to arm/disarm based on your location, or request an on-demand video if the monitor is triggered. A free mobile app allows for custom notifications. For more information, visit kidde.com.

Stop overloading friends and family members with presents that cause clutter.

This holiday season, get creative and give the gift of organization. With ClosetMaid’s SuiteSymphony Collection Kits, you can provide an easy way for your loved ones to reclaim control of their closets. Available in three finishes (pure white, natural gray and espresso) and a variety of configurations, Collection Kits are easy options to consider this year. Start your holiday shopping now at ClosetMaid.com/SuiteSymphonyCombo.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Family Features The highlight of the holiday season is often the gathering of friends and family for a seasonal meal. Whether hosting and planning a full menu or attending a holiday get-together, keep in mind the perfect wine and spirit pairings for either a traditional feast or a more modern soiree featuring a variety of hors d’oeuvres.

Wines, such as La Crema Chardonnay and Liberated’s Cabernet, and spirits or liqueurs, can serve as more than just a terrific accompaniment to your holiday spread; they also make great gifts for those wine connoisseurs and liquor aficionados on your shopping list.

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The Perfect Accompaniment to Any Celebration An elegant choice for your favorite hostess or connois­seur, this limited production La Crema Chardonnay is a true expression of the Russian River Valley in Northern California.

Complex and nuanced, with flavors of ripe pear, nutmeg and hints of nougat, this lush wine is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday celebration and pairs well with roast chicken, creamy cheeses or seafood. Learn more about La Crema and their hands-on, artisan winemaking techniques at lacrema. com.

Ho w to Ag e Wine Grac ef u lly Whether you plan to store that wine you received as a gift for weeks, months or years, here are a few tips to ensure your wine ages well: • Store bottles on their sides. The cork can dry out and crack if not in contact with wine.

• Keep bottles between 55-65 F. The perfect cellar temperature to store wine is 55 F. Cooler temperatures can slow the aging process.

Reach Your Potential with Something Different

• Keep humidity between 60-80 percent. Low humidity can cause evaporation and oxidation while high humidity encourages mold.

Liberated wines are for anyone looking for something a little different, whether for themselves or as a gift. This new collection celebrates individuals that break free from boundaries to reach their full potential with nine stunning labels, all featuring a unique personality archetype. The Cabernet is a favorite for the holidays with hints of black cherry, a rich, silky texture and three labels to choose from: the Explorer, the Business Man and the Adventurer. Learn more at liberatedwine.com.

How to Age Win e G r ace f u lly

• Keep temperature swings to a minimum.

Temperature fluctua­tion causes wine to expand and contract, damaging the cork.

• Store in a dark place. Light exposure can cause wine proteins to become hazy and also cause aroma and flavor change.

• Store in a location free of odor and vibration.

Vibration can hinder wine’s development and odors can seep in through the cork.

Spirits can be served in a variety of ways, and different people prefer their drinks certain ways, so when entertaining this holiday season it is important to be familiar with some of the most common serving techniques: • Neat: When spirits are served and consumed at room temperature with nothing added.

A Blended Ready-toServe Delight

• On the rocks: When spirits are served and drank over ice.

• Up: When spirits are shaken or stirred with ice or chilled but drank with the ice filtered out.

• With a mixer: Some spirits lend them­selves well to mixing, with ingredients such as tonic water, cola or juice.

• With a twist: When spirits are served with a thin strip of citrus peel, tradi­tionally lemon, on the rim of the glass.

The Art of Chocolate in a Bottle

One brand is recognized all over the world as the ultimate expression of the art of chocolate – Godiva. Belgian Master Chocolatier Joseph Draps developed a unique rich chocolate with unparalleled smoothness more than 80 years ago, and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur is the ultimate embodi­ ment of the original chocolate collection. Each bottle combines chocolate with enticing flavors from around the world that mix well with a variety of spirits. Find more ways to enjoy Godiva Chocolate Liqueur at godivaliqueurs.com.

Since its first introduction in 1974, Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur has become one of the world’s most popular spirits, currently ranked seventh among globally sold distilled spirits. Its distinctive creamy taste comes from a blend of Irish whiskey, fresh double cream and other ingredients.

Baileys’ award-winning recipe, which now also includes Vanilla Cinnamon, Chocolate Cherry, Salted Caramel and Espresso Creme, is perfect as a ready-toserve cocktail or mixed with coffee. Find out more at baileys.com.

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Family Features

Ho-Ho-Hot Cocoa with a Twist

Treat your holiday guests to something special this Christmas. From mouth-watering spritz cookie recipes that will outshine the rest, to delicious hot cocoa boosted with salted caramel and an edible candy spoon on the side, you’ll be the host with the most in no time at all.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day, but add a dash of salted caramel flavor and you’re in for a real treat. Made with velvety Dark Cocoa Candy Melts candy, steamed milk and a splash of Treatology Salted Caramel flavor, this cocoa offers just the right balance of salty and sweet.

Spritz Cookies with a Little Glitz You know gingerbread and sugar cookie, but do you recall the most impres­sive cookie of all? Spritz cookies are fast and fun. Use a Wilton Cookie Press to make dozens of delicious, perfectly-shaped uniform cookies quickly. Add a spritz of edible silver or gold Color Mist Food Color Spray to make them shiny and bright.

Santa’s Favorite Spritz Cookie

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookie Spoons The delicious taste of sweet, baked Christmas cookies is captured in the Limited Edition Sugar Cookie Flavor Candy Melts candy and made into edible candy spoons with a microwaveable Spoon-Shaped Silicone Candy Mold.

For more holiday ideas and inspiration, visit wilton.com.

Indulge Santa’s sweet tooth with decadent chocolate spritz cookie sandwiches filled with a layer of pepper­mint icing.

Take a shortcut by using decorator icing that is already flavored and ready to squeeze, perfect for the timecrunched holidays.

Chocolate Peppermint Spritz Sandwich Cookies Makes: 4 dozen sandwiches 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup firmly-packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract 2 eggs • Wilton Peppermint Decorating Icing

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Heat oven to 350 F. In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

In large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addi­ tion. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing to make a smooth dough.

Place dough into cookie press and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. Cool cookies on pan on cooling grid 2 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on grid.

Sandwich cookies together with Pepper­ mint Decorating Icing.

Metallic Spritz Cookies Makes: 10 dozen cookies 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract 1/2 teaspoon Wilton • • • • • •

Imitation Almond Extract Silver Color Mist Food Color Spray Gold Color Mist Food Color Spray Buttercream icing Wilton Silver Sugar Pearls Wilton Gold Sugar Pearls

Heat oven to 350 F. In medium bowl, combine flour and baking powder.

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add egg, milk and extracts; mix well. Gradually add flour to butter mixture, mixing to make smooth dough. Do not chill.

Place dough into cookie press using an 8-petal flower disk and press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool cookies on pan on cooling grid 2 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on grid. You will need two cookies per treat.

Use silver or gold Color Mist food color spray to spray cookies. Let dry, about 3-5 minutes. Turn cookies over and spray underside. Let dry, about 3-5 minutes.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Makes: 4 cups 4 cups milk 1 cup Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Candy 1/4 teaspoon Wilton Treatology Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate In large saucepan, cook milk on medium heat until hot; remove from heat Whisk in candy and flavor concentrate. Continue whisking until candy is melted and mixture is smooth. Serve immediately.

Break 12 candy wafers in half and place in cavities of mold.

Place mold in microwave and microwave at half power or defrost setting for 1 minute. Gently jiggle and lightly tap mold to smooth melted candy. Continue to microwave and tap at 30-second intervals until smooth and completely melted.

Prepare buttercream icing or use premade buttercream icing. Use tip 12, cut disposable decorating bag and icing to pipe elongated beads on bottom of one cookie, following cookie shape.

Sandwich two cookies together.

Use tip 4, cut disposable decorating bag and icing to pipe a dot in center of sandwich cookie. Top dot with either silver or gold sugar pearls.

Sugar Cookie Candy Spoons Makes: 24 spoons • Wilton Sugar Cookie Candy Melts Candy (12-ounce bag) • Wilton Christmas Candy Spoon Mold • Wilton 12-inch Disposable Decorating Bags

Alternate melting method: Melt candy in disposable decorating bag according to candy package directions.

Snip a small tip off end of bag and gently squeeze bag to fill cavities with melted candy.

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SAINT

LOUIS

HAPPENINGS 2018 DEC

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis:

A Christmas Story Winterfest Ice Rink at The Arch Experience an ice skating rink like no other! Grab your skates and enjoy this outdoor rink in the heart of Kiener Plaza. In the shadow of the Gateway Arch or under its new lights, the Winterfest Ice Rink is a great winter destination with regular hours and special events November 17, 2018 – January 1, 2019! Enjoy the rink, sip hot chocolate in the renovated park, or explore the playground.

DECEMBER 11, 7pm | RECURRING EVENT | $24 – $97

130 Edgar Road | St. Louis, MO 63119 | (314) 968-4925

Admission: FREE

Skate rentals are available: $12 Adults | $7 Children (3 – 15)

Regular Hours

Thursday & Friday: 4 – 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: noon – 8 p.m.

Monday, December 24 – Tuesday, January 1: open everyday noon – 8 p.m.

“TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” READINGS

THRU 12/21/2018 | FIRST MISSOURI STATE CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC SITE | ST. CHARLES, MO As part of the St. Charles Christmas Traditions Festival activities on Wednesday and Friday evenings, you can enjoy a special reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by author Clement Clarke Moore with musical accompaniment in the historic Chauncey Shepard residence at the historic site. Readings will happen every 15 minutes. The event is free and seating is limited. Click here to read the news release.

EVENT TIMES: 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. DATES: EACH WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM NOV. 23 TO DEC. 21 200 South Main Street, St. Charles, MO | (636) 940-3322

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Tilles Park Winter Wonderland THRU december 30

Tilles Park | 9551 Litzsinger Rd | St. Louis, MO 63124 (314) 615-8822

Winter Wonderland is open 11/21/18 – 12/30/18 (Closed 12/24).

The display is open to vehicular traffic every day of the week except Mondays and Saturdays. Carriage rides are available everyday of the week except Mondays.

No pre-registration is required to drive thru Winter Wonderland.

Fees for vehicular traffic are paid on-site by cash or check (no credit cards). Cost is $10 per family vehicle.

lindenwood UNIVERSITY THEATRE

thru DECember 30 st. louis union station | $39 – $69

1820 Market St. | St. Louis, MO 63103 | 314.621.5262 Here is a very special chance for you and the entire family to experience the magic of The Polar Express, the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ comes to life on a journey to the enchanted beauty of “the North Pole”—where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake present for every good boy and girl.

December 21, 2018 | 8:00 p.m.

209 S. Kingshighway | St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 949-2000 Celtic Woman, celebrating Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, was founded in 2005. These talented women have had twelve consecutive #1’s on Billboard’s World Albums Chart, while also being named Billboard’s #1 World Music Artist of the Year six times. The group has performed for three U.S. Presidents and appeared twice at the White House, including the 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting. Now you can see them live, at Lindenwood.

Aladdin

forever forest

december 25, 12pm - 5:30pm the magic house | $11

516 South Kirkwood Road | St. Louis, MO 63122 314.822.8900 Adventure awaits at Forever Forest, a nationally traveling exhibit that explores how we use the forest to live, work and play in harmony. Kids can help construct a mini home by adding wood siding, flooring and more; explore a tree-top climber and climb aboard a realistic kid-sized replica of a Union Pacific train engine.

By exploring the realities of forests through play, families will learn about sustainability, selective harvesting, transportation needs and the everyday products we use made from trees.

thru DECember 30 Fort Zumwalt Park

1000 Jessup Drive | O’Fallon, MO 63366 Sunday, Tuesday (except 12/11) through Thursday, 6–9pm Friday and Saturday: 6–1pm Mondays: Closed to vehicle traffic – Train rides by advance reservation only (see below) Admission: $10 for cars; $15 for commercial vans and limousines; $1 per person on tour buses ($25 minimum) Tuesday Night Special - $7 for all non-commercial vehicles Wednesday – Sunday, bring a food pantry donation of canned or boxed goods and get a $1 discount per vehicle.

Please note: Celebration of Lights is closed on Christmas Day, December 25.

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It

OF

No one knows St. Charles County better!

Susan Brewer

c ri to s i H e l i v e tl ot C s a tm s i r Ch in

ENJOY A MEAL AT

Fresh ingredients | House made dough Voted best pizza in St. Charles PlankRoadPizza.com 22 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com

VISIT

FOR SHOPPING

Home Décor | Fashion, Jewelry, Accessories Voted best home décor and gift shop in St. Charles BloomingDaisyMarketplace.com

ENJOY DESSERT AT

House made waffle cones Fresh baked cookies | Delicious ice cream CottlevilleCookiesandCream.com

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 23

MEET OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED AGENTS Susan Brewer 314.540.0734

Susan@SusanBrewer.com

Wade Brewer 314.605.5205

Wade@Service1stHomes.com

Andrew Brewer 636.936.8600

Andrew@Service1stHomes.com

Mike Lampe 636.751.4442

Mike@Service1stHomes.com

Tammie Meyer 636.578.4399

Tammie@Service1stHomes.com

Our team of Independent Realtors is ready to help you achieve your Real Estate dreams!

At Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate, our goal is to help you realize your real estate goals while giving you the highest level of service possible.

Our office utilizes the very latest in technology and by using our proven marketing strategies and unique concepts, we can sell our listings for higher dollar and in a shorter amount of time than our competitors - no matter what their size. Give us a Susan Brewer Service First call today and let us show you the Real Estate

Service First Difference!

Lori Pisani 636.578.7781

Tom@Service1stHomes.com

Fred Figura 314.277.1925

Brittany Hale 636.399.6419

Fred@Service1stHomes.com

Brittany@Service1stHomes.com

Julie Steinbruegge 314.378.5146

Steve Savory 314.604.3999

Julie@Service1stHomes.com

Wendy Halamicek 636.634.1152

Wendy@Service1stHomes.com

24 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com

Tom Budde 636.734.4414

Lori@Service1stHomes.com

Steve.Savory@Service1stHomes.com

Ryan Sebacher 636.233.4327

Ryan@Service1stHomes.com

HOME MONTH OF THE

807 Kingsgate Drive 3 BEDROOM | 4 BATHROOM | 2 CAR GARAGE

GREAT ROOM

KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

Absolutely beautiful, the seller has redone so much to add the light bright clean “Magazine Style” look to this amazing home. Brick & Stone elevation, private covered porch entry. As you enter the soaring ceilings draw your eyes to the updated lighting, newly updated farmhouse wood floors. The dining room with exquisite “updated” shiplap ceiling, fresh light neutral paint throughout. The stunning two story great room offers a warm feel with the upscale gas fireplace, wall of windows, newly added custom crown molding.

The cooks kitchen ~ upgraded appliances, solid surface counter tops PLUS it offers the open feel for entertaining and perfect for your day-to-day living. Breakfast room overlooks nice private patio area ~ mature landscaping, backs to common area. The master suite features a large walk in closet, custom ceiling & spa like bath. A wonderful feature ~ bedroom 2 offers a private entry and full bath ~ perfect for a guest suite or home office. The professionally finished lower level offers 3rd sleeping room with a full bath. FANTASTIC family room/rec room with bar/kitchenette. Two car oversized garage in an upscale wonderful golf course community. Close to shopping, dining and so much more.

Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate FINISHED LOWER LEVEL

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 25

220 Northlind Drive Exquisite design, Elegant details in this gorgeous custom built estate, 5 Bedroom, 3 car oversized garage & detached 52 x 40 Garage. $1,289,000

4380 Austin Pass Drive Gorgeous, well maintained & ready 252 Dardenne Farms Drive Builder/Realtor owened and for you to call home. 5 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom. Expanded floor plan lived in. Brick & Stone Exterior, 1 Acre Lot, Finished Lower Level, soaring ceilings, exquisite millwork. 3 car oversized garage. $664,500 5 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, 3 car oversized garage. $659,900

890 Knaust Road This 1892 property offers a “Farm House” feel but 807 Kingsgate Drive Absolutely beautiful, light bright clean PERFECT property to become commercial, tax records has 1.36 but seller “Magazine Style” look to this amazing home. Brick & Stone elevation, believes it is +/- 2, 4 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Real Barn. $429,900 3 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, 2 car oversized garage. $389,900 26 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com

Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate

2304 Chemin Avenue ‘Almost’ new construction home, Enjoy everything that Old Town St. Charls has to offer, 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, 3 Car Garage. $375,000

124 Snake River Drive Wonderful floorplan with open Family Room to breakfast to kitchen PLUS a Main Level Den, Dining and Mud Room Laundry.

4 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, 3 Car Oversized Garage. $359,900

6 Boschert Creek Drive Upgraded Brick & Stone Elevation, Huge Family Room, Vaulted Ceiling & Loads of Natural Light, 42” Cabinets, Handy Center Island, 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom, 3 Car Garage. $308,500 MIKE LAMPE 636.751.4442

2941 Isle View Lane Conveniently located near the Page extention, Updated Décor, Living & Family Room w/wood Burning Fireplace, 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom, 2 Car Garage $240,000 MIKE LAMPE 636.751.4442

Your Home Here!

To view all of our current listings scan this code with your smart phone.

H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 27

Susan Brewer #1

AGENT IN ST. CHARLES

Visit www.SusanBrewer.Tv for weekly episodes that give advice on all things real estate. Everything from “How to get your house ready to sell� to a visit with the Mayor of St. Peters to discuss all of the things the city has to offer. Subscribe to be notified when a new episode is available.

SusanBrewer.tv where binge watching is allowed and be careful - you just might learn something.

Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate

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