Maria Reed dances with her husband, Master Sgt. Patrick Reed. | 34
Photo by CANDACE PAULEY
From closets to kitchens, Gwen French helps customers get their homes organized. | 42
Photo by BECKY STINEHOUR
Life and Style in Central Texas
Food & Drinks •
Suzy Q’s
• Lattes, Cappuccinos, Specialty Coffees
• Home-style Family Diner
• Breakfast & Lunch served All Day
• Unique items such as Monte Cristos and Beignets
• Burgers made with locally raised beef
• Soups, salads, desserts and other items made with family and friends recipes
FROM THE EDITOR
Are you still writing 2024 on your dates or has your mind already made the switch to 2025? Someone joked the other day that it usually takes them until September to start writing the correct year. Thankfully, I’ve never been that bad, but it does usually take a good month for me to adjust.
We have discussed our entire year for Tex Appeal and I’m excited to share with you our plans for 2025! First off, as you may have been able to tell from the cover, this issue is our Home & Garden issue. Our cover features Master Sgt. Patrick Reed dancing with his beautiful bride, Maria Reed, who is the mastermind behind Moving With the Military. As a military spouse with a lot of do-it-yourself experience, Maria shares her inspiration for creating a home improvement show for military families on page 34.
We know you love to travel and see new things in this great state of Texas, so our April/May issue will be focused on Travel & Recreation. We’re hoping to share things to see and do for day trips and quick overnight visits. After the wonderful response we received from our Summer Fun issue in 2024, we will once again feature Summer Fun in the June/July issue. We all know that with every new school year come new illnesses for your children to pick up and bring home to share the germs, so we will focus the August/September issue on Back to School and Health Care. We will be kicking off the holidays a bit earlier than normal, in our October/ November issue. This will be exciting because we will be able to feature Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday seasons. That issue will also include our annual Giving Pages. Finally, we will cap off 2025 in the December/ January issue with Back to Business, focusing on local businesses that help make this such a wonderful community in which to live.
It’s almost spring and with that comes spring cleaning, though I try to do my inside “spring” cleaning in the winter and use the warmer climate for yard work and gardening. I’ve been mostly focusing on keeping my home organized. If you struggle with organization, you need to read page 42 for Central Texas Professional Organizers’ tips on creating and maintaining an organized space.
Of course, after you organize, you need to make sure your home looks its best. Page 46 includes some creative do-it-yourself ideas to transform trash into treasure. If you’re tired of a drab old table, paint it and make it look like new!
If you’re looking for inspiration, but have no idea where to start, check out Veranda Bloom on page 48. The home décor boutique focuses on unique items and provides a variety of services.
Once you have your home organized and beautified, you need a break. There’s no better place in the spring than to breathe in the fresh air and pick your own flowers. The Robinson Family Farm, page 38, is hosting its second annual Texas Tulip Fest. They planted 200,000 tulips and are excited to share the colorful fields of blooms with you.
We are also kicking off 2025 with a new column focused on your finances. No matter who you are, saving a little money is always welcome. Jennise Ventura kicks off The Savvy Saver, page 54, with some advice about creating a budget and shopping planner.
I hope you take time for yourself in 2025 to focus on your faith, family and health. And I hope Tex Appeal will be right there with you for advice, helpful ideas and things to do. If you have any story ideas, please feel free to send me an email at editor@texappealmag.com.
For the United States, $24 per year, 6 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.
HOW TO CONTACT US: Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Brandy Cruz at editor@texappealmag.com
in Central Texas
PHOENIX CARLISLE is an obsessive book lover, who can’t get her hands on enough books. A high school honor student, Phoenix wants to be a criminal lawyer, and she hopes that she can travel to all the places she dreams of. For now, she helps her parents handle four younger siblings as she continues to read and write.
BLAIR DUPRE is the news editor of the Fort Cavazos Sentinel and has over a decade of photography experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2018 and now resides in Belton with her best friend, Jessica, and their cats Boo and Biscuit.
S. MORRISEY, a marketer by day, cherishes her life as a mom of six and granny of five. She loves sewing, knitting, theater and rocking out to punk, metal and ’80s music.
RACHEL STRICKLAND is a university writing tutor and freelance writer. She earned a Master of Arts in English from Texas A&M UniversityCentral Texas in 2021. She has a passion for anything related to language and writing, and her words have been published in various blogs, newspapers and literary journals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and listening to true crime podcasts — always with her cat on her lap.
AMY ROGNLIE is an author and middleschool teacher. Her newest series of cozy mystery novels, The Short Creek Mysteries, are set in Bell County. Amy’s articles have been published in national magazines and websites. She blogs on encouragement, hope and faith on AmyRognlie.com. Amy and her family reside in Little River-Academy.
BECKY STINEHOUR is a portrait, commercial and event photographer, specializing in live music venues. Her work has been published in several regional magazines. She is a Killeen High School graduate who loves to highlight her hometown connections through the lens of her camera. Find her on Instagram at ciphoto.
JENNISE VENTURA has been saving money through couponing and budgeting for over 25 years. She is founder of Savealotmom on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. She lives in Killeen with her husband, two daughters and their Yorkie.
TONYA WARREN has been a registered nurse for 33 years with Ascension Providence Healthcare in Waco and a lifestyles writer for a few years. She lives in Waco and enjoys reading, writing and taking her grouchy German Shepherd on walks.
JANNA ZEPP is a native Texan. Her career in mass communication includes writing for film, TV, radio, and print media. She spent four years writing for the Fort Hood Sentinel and two years as a III Corps Public Affairs television producer, anchor and writer for Fort Hood On Track and three years as the editor of Tex Appeal.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Tex Appeal is always looking for local photographers and freelance writers with newspaper or magazine experience. Send a resume and three to five recent published samples for consideration to editor@ texappealmag.com.
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Perfect Harmony
CHISHOLM TRAIL CHORUS HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of the CHISHOLM TRAIL CHORUS
“You come for the music, but you stay for the friendships,” Carol Mouché says about the Chisholm Trail Chorus.
The Chisholm Trail Chorus is the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, an organization of female singers, which serves more than 16,000 members in 19 countries, and offers education, competition, leadership opportunities and lifelong friendships.
"Chisholm Trail Chorus is an all-female a cappella ensemble that works hard and plays hard,” says Mouché, the marketing coordinator. “Auditions are required, but if you demonstrate that you can hold your part while singing with three other people, attend weekly rehearsals and are interested in personal and musical growth, you will fit right in!”
The group’s members include medical professionals, teachers, coaches, artists, journalists, paraprofessionals, business owners, bookkeepers, moms, grandparents and retirees, with ages ranging from 20s to 80s.
“A communal singing environment keeps you young at heart,” Mouché says. “When you are part of a whole, you have self-worth, because your voice matters. We aren’t soloists — our art form requires four distinct voice parts to make the chords ‘ring’ with overtones.”
Currently directed by a founding member, Carol Scherer, Chisholm Trail Chorus was founded in 1982. They competed regionally for the first time in 1983 in Dallas and won the Best Small Chorus award that year. Since then, they have consistently placed in the top five almost every year. Over the years, some chorus members have traveled to Russia, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Wales, Italy, Germany, England, Ireland and Scotland as representatives of Chisholm Trail Chorus and Great Gulf Coast Region 10. Some members of Chisholm Trail Chorus have even performed on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
A highlight for the group is the annual regional competition among choruses in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, but the chorus also enjoys singing at community and charity events. The singers practice a running repertoire of songs, including patriotic songs, ballads, holiday tunes and plenty of upbeat music, all sung in the barbershop style. They also sing at holiday events, nursing homes and other community venues. In addition, they put on an annual show for the community. For their most recent show, they performed a choreographed program at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple.
“We are performers who sing,” Mouché says. “We want to put emotion and character into everything we sing. Even if we are not holding props, we are embodying a character. We want to visually communicate a story to the audience because that’s when music moves you — when you feel like the music is speaking directly to you.”
The group often hires professional coaches to help chorus members focus on specific areas of vocal training and movement. For the past year, the chorus has benefited from a yearlong program where the coach introduces new topics each month, which are
The Chisholm Trail Chorus is an all-female a cappella ensemble with members ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s. They rehearse weekly in Temple and have performed around the world.
then incorporated into whatever music the group is working on at that time.
“I have been a member of Chisholm Trail Chorus for more than 25 years, and I still learn something new each rehearsal,” Mouché says.
The Sweet Adelines offers a myriad of educational seminars at the regional and international levels. Everyone brings talents from their personal lives and careers to share with this group — event coordinating, financial expertise, music education (they have several former and current music educators in their chorus), technology, and even baking talents.
“We are like a family,” Mouché says. “We are friends, and we take care of each other and we honor each other. We especially enjoy showing young
singers how they can perform with us, take a break for personal or career changes, and return to any Sweet Adeline chorus around the world. This has been great for folks who are transferred to this area through the military, then move elsewhere. They can find a Sweet Adeline ‘home’ wherever they land.”
Chisholm Trail Chorus rehearses weekly on Thursday evenings at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St. in Temple.
LEARN MORE
Website: www.chisholmtrailchorus.org
Email: contact@chisholmtrailchorus.org
Social media: www.facebook.com/ ChisholmTrailChorus
CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST NOURISHES HOPE
One Meal at a Time
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST
“
We hear so much about sorrow and suffering and evil in the world, it gives me hope to see the work done here every day by our volunteers,” says Paula Tanner, executive director of Churches Touching Lives for Christ, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of service to Bell County residents. “I am proud to be associated with the men and women who volunteer at CTLC, who give their time and talents to help people in need.”
CTLC was founded 30 years ago by a coalition of Temple churches who wanted to be more
effective in addressing the problem of hunger in our community and, thereby, to show the love of God to people in need. In 1998, the organization acquired permanent facilities in Temple and is now supported by more than 30 area churches and numerous business and social service organizations. It serves all rural areas within east Bell County. The ministry is an all-volunteer organization and owns the building that houses their distribution center, so their overhead costs are low. All of this makes it possible for their donors to know that when they donate to CTLC, their gifts will be used to buy food for people who do not have enough to eat.
CTLC is the largest all-volunteer food pantry in Central Texas, serving more than 2,000 families per month who need food assistance on a temporary and/or emergency basis. The ministry also distributed more than 24,000 pieces of clothing in 2024 — everything from clothes for growing school children to warm coats for homeless men and women. All are given free of charge, thanks to the generosity of folks throughout the community who support the ministry's work. CTLC clients enjoy “shopping” for their own clothing every Thursday at the distribution center, perusing the neatly hung and sized clothing and choosing up to 10 items per person per month. Clients may also choose household items, toys and baby equipment such as strollers and highchairs, as needed, for their families and children.
The ministry also partners with Temple Independent School District to provide bags of food each weekend to nearly 900 Temple ISD children who lack sufficient food at home. TISD counselors identify students of all ages who would otherwise go without food on the weekends, and CTLC volunteers gather each week throughout the school year to assemble the bags, which have been dubbed “Happy Bags” by the students.
“Many folks don’t realize how important it is to provide this food for students, particularly the high school students, because if they don’t have enough food to eat, they are tempted to quit school and
Brenda Camp organizes donated towels and linens.
get a job,” Tanner said. “There are a good number of homeless or food-insecure children, and we want them to be healthy and do their best in school.”
Over the last two years, the number of families seeking food aid from CTLC has grown from about 1,600 per month to more than 2,000 households. This growth is consistent with what other food
pantries are experiencing across the United States. To keep up with demand, CTLC recently purchased another used refrigerated shipping container to hold chilled produce and meat until they can be distributed. This one-time purchase will enable the pantry to accept more chilled foods and keep them in good condition.
“We cannot help with all of the issues involved with the growing need, but we can work hard to prevent food waste and share as much food as we can with people in our community who do not have enough to eat,” Tanner said. “We are proud to be a part of the Central Texas/Bell County community because we see that there is genuine concern for the hardships faced by the homeless and those in our community whose incomes are not sufficient to cover the basic costs of food, clothing and housing. We look to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who taught that when we seek the well-being of our neighbors, we are sharing the love of God.”
From left, Susan Fergus, program director; Martha Tyroch, Linda Williams and Susan Gaskins join other volunteers each week to pack bags of food for Temple ISD students who do not have a reliable source of food at home.
Longtime volunteer Retha Snelson has worn many hats through the years, from managing the organizations’ finances to directing the rotation of food supplies.
SCENE: POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
2 4 3
1. Savannah O'Malley jumps off the diving board at Temple’s Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 4. 2. Adrian Aragon does a flip off the diving board.
3. Josaias Losoya takes a plunge in Temple. 4. Samantha Gartin holds her nose as she splashes up.
Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
4 3 2
1. Children answer questions about the nativity story as Mary and Joseph look on at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen.
2. From left, Celeste Higareda, Elias Pavia and Lawrence Pavia portray Mary, Jesus and Joseph.
3. The Wise Men arrive, led by an angel.
4. From left, Yuriel Torres, Nathanael Reyes and Pedro Niño portray the Three Wise Men.
Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
Old-Fashioned Flavors
Z&H CANDY
EVOKES MEMORIES FROM LONG AGO
By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
It’s not often that you come across an old-timey candy and soda shop anymore. You know, the ones that have an extra “P” and “E” on the end of the word “shop,” which somehow makes them seem more vintage and fun. But in the newly renovated Katy Building in downtown Belton sits Z&H Old-Fashioned Candy, Toys, and Soda, a quaint shop that will transport you to a bygone era.
Virginia Benavidez, owner and operator of Z&H, says she first visited Belton with her husband a few years ago.
“We often do that,” she says. “We’ll go to towns in the Central Texas area and just spend the weekend there. And when we came to Belton, we were quite charmed by it.”
The couple was living in an apartment in Austin, expecting their second child, and they were ready to move into a more affordable living situation. Belton seemed like a good fit. Virginia says she immediately noticed that Belton didn’t have a candy or toy store, which a lot of smaller Texas towns have. When she heard about the renovations happening in the Katy Building, she thought it was the perfect time and place to open a store of her own.
“Initially, I had this vision of one of those shops where you see them pulling taffy and making fudge, and it’s a nice vision, but I don’t know how to pull taffy or make fudge,” she says. “However, I have a lot of experience pouring drinks.”
At that point, Virginia started working with a company in Chicago that refurbishes old soda fountains, and she set to work figuring out how to turn the 400-square-foot space into Z&H, which opened in September 2023.
Virginia has a full-time job separate from Z&H, but she says it’s boring office work, so having a passion project keeps things interesting and gives her a creative outlet. She has four other employees in addition to herself and her husband, who works full-time at Bold Republic Brewing in Temple.
The name Z&H honors the family’s dearly departed cats, Ziggy and Harvey, who are each represented in the company’s logo. Ziggy’s face is next to the Z and Harvey’s is next to the H. “Harvey really did have a whisker that came up and curled around his eye like a monocle,” Virginia says of the logo.
Virginia tries to get most of her outsourced inventory from local stores. Z&H offers ice cream from Freezing Point in Temple, lollipops from Lollies by Leah in Austin, handmade wooden toys from a couple in the Belton/
Virginia Benavidez owns Z&H Candy in Belton.
Temple area, and children’s books from local authors.
You can get hand-pulled sodas at Z&H, which will be a blast from the past for many. These sodas are made by pumping soda syrup into a glass, putting it under the soda fountain, and pulling, or jerking, on the tap, which is where the term “soda jerk” comes from. Z&H offers regular sodas, too, as well as floats and specialty drinks like egg creams, chocolate sodas and freezes.
There is also bulk wrapped candy, which is the only product at Z&H that is sourced outside of Texas. They do a pick-and-mix style where customers fill a bag with as much candy as they can for a flat rate.
“I had kids in mind in two different ways (with the bulk candy),” Virginia says. “One was making sure that the candy we offered was wrapped and not just out in the open. And two, we don’t weigh the candy — it’s a flat rate. And so, kids really get a kick out of seeing how much they can stuff in their bags because the price doesn’t change. Some kids take that as a challenge.”
There are plenty of events happening at Z&H, including three recurring monthly events. Rock and Read is a collaboration with Blackbird Books & Spirits. During this event, the folks at Blackbird choose a children’s book and buy several copies to be given away to the kids at the event. Someone from Blackbird will read the book, while Virginia plays music that she’s written to go with the story.
The second recurring event is the Craft and Coloring Concert where Virginia sets up craft supplies in the common area of the Katy Building, and kids in the community can show up, grab a craft, and maybe a slice
of pizza from Pizza PieRos, right across from Z&H.
The third event, the monthly Bell County Birthday Bash, doesn’t take place in the Katy Building, but it’s one where Virginia provides candy as a donation, and she performs music with her children’s band, The Bobas. She and some friends started this event to provide a free party for kids in the community. The bash usually takes place at a playground or a splash pad, and there are a variety of fun activities from vendors who want to offer their services to the community for free.
“I think it can be hard for parents that want to give their kids a great birthday party but often lack the time and the resources to throw them a big party,” Virginia says.
All kinds of people come into Z&H, including families, moms and kids, college students, and people from older generations looking for some nostalgia.
“Our mission statement is: ‘To conjure and create sweet memories across our community,’” Virginia says. “We want to conjure up memories, or create sweet memories for those who haven’t yet gotten a chance to experience something special like this little nostalgic candy and soda shop.”
Z&H OLD-FASHIONED CANDY, TOYS, AND SODA
Address: 203 North East Street in Belton
Phone: 254-613-4068
Website: www.zandhcandy.com
Social Media: www.instagram.com/zandhcandy
READER RECIPES
Sweet Taste of Love
Recipe and photo by BRANDY CRUZ
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day recipes just for you! Since the next issue of Tex Appeal is focused on travel, we would like you to share your favorite recipes you’ve picked up on your travels. This could be a clam chowder recipe you discovered while visiting Maine, a go-to taco recipe from Mexico or even the best fish and chips recipe someone shared with you while visiting the United Kingdom. The possibilities are limitless, so please share your favorites and maybe even include a picture from your travels. Send recipes and photos to editor@texappealmag.com.
VANILLA CUPCAKES
There’s something so wonderful about homemade cake — the combination of a soft, fluffy cake and sweet frosting — it might just be the perfect dessert. And the great thing is, once you have a perfect cake recipe, it’s easy to tweak it to make any kind of cake you want. Adding some cocoa powder will make it chocolate, a combination of cocoa and red food coloring will give you a beautiful red velvet cake. There are a multitude of things you can do, including adding flavors or other colors to your cake.
Today, we’re making vanilla cupcakes, but this recipe can be split into two round cake pans to make a cake. This is a great recipe for Valentine’s Day, especially if you have little ones. You can decorate these yourself or even have the frosting and toppings out so everyone can decorate their own.
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
½ cup butter (melted)
1 cup milk
3 teaspoons vanilla
3 teaspoons vegetable oil
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray the bottom of the pans or tins to prevent sticking. If you’re using cupcake liners, you don’t need to do this.
Whisk flour, salt and baking powder together and set
aside. In a separate bowl or a stand mixer, beat eggs, butter and sugar together. Add the flour mixture to the egg and butter mixture, along with the milk, alternating between flour and milk and mixing well before adding more. Doing this slowly will allow all the dry ingredients to incorporate well into the mixture. Add the vanilla and oil and give it one finale mix. It’s helpful to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl down to ensure everything is mixed into the batter.
If you’re making cupcakes, use a ladle to pour the cake mix into the cupcake pan. Use a spoon to help contain the mess and then use it to even out any cupcake batter to ensure all the cupcakes are roughly the same size.
If you’re making a round cake, pour the batter into the pans evenly so both layers will be roughly the same size.
Take each batter filled pan and tap it on the counter three or four times to release any large air bubbles. For cupcakes, bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. For cake, bake for about 30 minutes or until done. An easy way to tell if a cake is done is by lightly touching the center of the cake. It should not be gooey and should spring back when touched. If it is still gooey, bake longer.
After cooling in the pan for about five minutes, transfer to a cooling rack. The cake should cool completely before frosting it or you will have a mess on your hands.
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
Ingredients
2 sticks butter (softened)
1 pound powdered sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2-4 tablespoons milk
Directions
Ensure your butter is softened, but not melted. Whip butter in a mixer until fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar to the butter, beating frequently. If you add too much of the powdered sugar to the mixing bowl, the powdered sugar will fly up and make a mess, so do this slowly. When the mixture starts to get thick, add the vanilla and milk as needed until the frosting is smooth. Only add enough milk to keep your frosting stiff. If you add too much, it will run off your cake.
CHERRY PIE
Submitted by Tonya Warren
My mother-in-law baked this pie for my father-in-law every Valentine’s Day for 60 years, as it was his favorite!
Ingredients
2 unbaked pie crusts
2 14.5-ounce cans of pitted cherries
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
3 drops red food coloring, if desired
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. If you want a fancy lattice top
crust on your pie, make the cuts now, so it’s ready when your filling is ready.
Drain cherries, reserving one cup of the liquid from the can. On a stovetop, mix sugar and corn starch on medium heat in a small heavy saucepan. Gradually stir in reserved liquid from the can until smooth. Cook and stir until mixture bubbles.
After it thickens up, remove from heat. Stir butter, cherries and food coloring into mixture.
Pour into prepared crust. Cover with vented or lattice top crust.
Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake 25-35 minutes until golden brown.
Sipping on Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky
Story and photos by JANNA ZEPP
What’s the difference between an Irish person and a Scottish person? Twelve miles of salty water. The same cannot be said of the whiskey and the whisky, though water itself might well be the difference.
First, the spellings of the spirits: Irish is “whiskey” (as is the American variety). Scotch rejects the E, thus, “whisky.” I don’t know why. I’ve yet to find a reason.
Second, the taste and the way they are made differ. Scotch whisky comes from malted barley, which produces a fuller, weightier taste than most non-Scottish whiskies. Irish whiskey uses both malted and unmalted barley, which makes for a smoother, more refined taste.
Third, Scotch is double distilled. Irish whiskey is triple distilled. That fact alone also accounts for the difference in taste.
I encourage you to look up and learn more about whiskey/whisky. It makes for fascinating reading. But let’s get on with the cocktails.
GREEN WITH ENVY
Ingredients
1 basil leaf
Ice cubes
1 1/2 parts Irish whiskey
1 part lemon
1 1/2 parts Prosecco
1 part simple syrup
Directions: To make the simple syrup, add 250 milliliters boiling water to 250 grams white granulated sugar and stir well to dissolve. Allow to cool, bottle and refrigerate.
Lightly muddle basil leaves in your cocktail shaker.
Add all the rest of the ingredients, except sparkling wine, and shake with ice.
Double strain into a chilled tall glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling white wine and garnish with a basil leaf. Enjoy! BLOOD & SAND
BLOOD & SAND
Ingredients
3/4 ounce Scotch whisky (choose one that isn't too peated)
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
3/4 ounce Heering cherry liqueur
3/4 ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
Garnish: orange peel
Directions: Add the scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur and orange juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
Garnish with an orange peel.
When you raise your glass to toast your friends, you will want to say “Sláinte” if drinking Irish whiskey or “Sláinte mhath” if quaffing Scotch. Both are Gaelic (and yes, there is a difference between Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic).
In Irish, say “Slawn-juh” and in Scottish, say “Slawn-juh-VAH.” Both mean “to your very good health.” No, the spelling and pronunciation do not match.
I often say that, in Gaelic, a word might be spelled “gribnarf” but it is pronounced “ralph” because it’s ancient language and the alphabet becomes a soccer ball as a result.
Another traditional Irish toast involves something rude done to English invaders which cannot be repeated in front of small children or ladies of quality. But the other Scottish toast goes like this: “BUY YER ANE DRRRRRINK!”
The sentiment encourages, in fine Scottish tradition, whether Highlands or Borders, to pay on separate checks.
Let me know what you think about the cocktails at Janna.Zepp@gmail.com.
Sláinte mhath!
GREEN WITH ENVY
Weiner’s new novel is a big hit
By M. CLARE HAEFNER | Cover courtesy of WILLIAM MORROW
Jennifer Weiner’s forthcoming novel The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits (William Morrow, April 2025) is a must-read.
Combining the best-selling author’s trademark humor and complicated characters, fans will fall for this story about sisterhood and family set in the world of pop music.
Though born a year apart, sisters Zoe and Cassie Grossberg couldn’t be more different. Zoe is pretty and popular, while Cassie is overweight and inept in social situations. Though she relies on Zoe when forced to interact with others, Cassie is a musical prodigy, playing the piano by ear starting at age 4. As they reach adulthood, Zoe persuades Cassie to perform onstage in a battle of the bands contest, which eventually leads to a record deal, the release of a hit album and a national tour as the Griffin Sisters gain a following. But like many pop stars, the sisters and their bandmates can’t cope with the pressures of fame, disbanding abruptly about a year later after the death of their lead guitarist. Fast forward 20 years later, and Zoe’s daughter, Cherry, is poised to become a star. Though her mother never speaks about the Griffin Sisters or Cassie, who disappeared after the band’s demise, Cherry is determined to uncover what happened and try to mend the rift.
As the story unfolds, all three women must confront their choices, consider forgiveness and decide what path their futures will take.
Weiner’s experience as a pop culture journalist is evident throughout the book, with many references to music legends and sections that read like reviews of actual artists’ work. She makes The Griffin Sisters feel iconic and relevant, as if their music could easily appear on the radio, or your favorite streaming platform, alongside other pop stars from the 2000s like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera or older influences such as Wilson Phillips and Fleetwood Mac.
While the book is a departure from Weiner’s earlier novels that feature more romance, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits doesn’t disappoint with its strong and complex female characters who instantly feel like friends. The book is fast-paced and refreshing, even while unpacking 20+ years
of emotional turmoil and family secrets. Moving back and forth in time and told from multiple perspectives, Weiner masterfully weaves together a story that will stay with you long after the final page. You’ll want to grab a copy as soon as The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits is released. And like Cherry, you’ll hope Cassie and Zoe reunite to create more music — even if their hits only play in your imagination.
IF YOU GO
For any Jennifer Weiner superfans out there, the author will make an appearance at the Dallas Museum of Art on April 8 as part of her book tour. You can find more information and buy tickets at https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/ griffinsistersgreatesthits.
Romance softens hard hearts
By PHOENIX CARLISLE | Cover courtesy of BERKLEY BOOKS
How much banter and weird bump-ins does it take to finally realize you’re in love? Let’s ask Nora and Charlie, two busy New York society main characters who discover a meet-cute doesn’t always have to be the cutest to be life changing. Fall in love with two grumpy literary geniuses as they navigate work boundaries and allow themselves to fall into their own love story in Book Lovers by Emily Henry.
As a literary agent, Nora Stephens’ life is books, but she sees herself far from the traditional heroine she reads about. She’s not the plucky one, not the laid-back dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. After agreeing to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, with her sister Libby — who wants her to finally become the heroine of her own story —– Nora finds herself in meet-cute moments with a brooding book editor named Charlie Lastra. Nora knows she’s not the traditional heroine and Charlie knows that he is certainly the hero in nobody’s story, but fate has a way of bringing people together, even if it certainly is not the kind of carefully crafted stories these two bookworms envisioned for themselves.
I love Emily Henry’s books, and she did it again! I fell in love, not only with the plot, but with the setting, the other characters and her writing style. Her stories are such quick, sweet reads that pull you in and have you going back to the book store for more of her works. Henry wanted to craft a woman who was a heartless, girl-boss, no-cry-notime type of main character, thus presenting Nora. Nora felt like reading a deeper level into Amanda from The Holiday, which is an iconic movie. Charlie was so grumpy, yet compared to Nora, it was a nice change. Everyone loves when it’s grumpy and sunshine, but I believe grumpy and grumpy will always be superior because when they actually figure out they like each other then they have to be meaner to “hide their feelings,” which makes the yearning and banter 10 times better.
Nora was presented as a cold literary agent who thrives in the New York atmosphere and Charlie was presented as a cold hearted publisher who had high literary expectations, yet they both flourished in the Carolina air. Henry did an amazing job of taking
these grump tropes and adding development, which is hard to do when you present such shifty characters. She allowed them to each have a “soft spot,” allowing for deeper connections to the characters outside of their work. For Nora, it was her sweet sister Libby who reminded me of Sophie from Mamma Mia, which was a balance for Nora since it allowed her protective side to come out with readers. Honestly, I want a Libby perspective book soon, but don’t get me started on that. Not every “hard” character is hard, there is always a soft spot whether they want to admit it.
As 2025 progresses with new parts of life and new reading goals, consider picking up an Emily Henry novel for a read worth your while. Fast-paced books with developed plot and cute covers are exactly what we need in life. Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a great pick to start. Happy reading!
Michelle Weaver owns That Art Place in Belton.
That Art Place
PROVIDES SPACE FOR CREATIVITY
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
”I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember,” Michelle Weaver said. “As a child, art was my happy place — a way to explore and express myself. Over the years, my passion for art grew into a love for teaching and helping others discover their creative potential.”
After realizing the need for a place in Central Texas where people can go to express themselves creatively, Michelle and her husband Ben opened That Art Place in 2014, with one simple idea in mind — to make art easy and accessible for everyone.
The Belton art studio offers a variety of creative experiences. Michelle said they wanted to create a joyful, welcoming space where families, children and adults could come together to explore their creativity and make lasting memories.
That Art Place is a fully-equipped creative space for painting, molding pottery, creating fused glass and a host of other things. Michelle said they have assembled an amazing team who welcome, encourage and guide their customers.
They help “make art easy” by ensuring the studio is organized, inspiring and running smoothly. She said they also personally welcome each guest, guide them through the creative process, carefully kiln fire projects, clean up, and facilitate workshops. She believes she is only one small part of the amazing team, who are better together.
“For me, art is both relaxing and empowering. It’s a chance to focus on the moment and let go of stress. I love that art gives us a way to express ourselves and connect with
others,” she added. “Seeing the joy and confidence that creating art brings — whether it’s a child proudly showing off their painting or an adult rediscovering the fun of making something by hand — continues to inspire everything we do.”
With a background in art and education — including five years of teaching in public schools — and seeing the lack of art programs in schools, Michelle said she was happy to be able to provide that creative outlet for children and said the best part of her job is still being able to teach.
“My happy place is in the clay room, with muddy hands, surrounded by people creating and exploring clay for the first time. I especially love teaching pottery wheel classes to first-timers — there’s something magical about guiding someone through the process of shaping clay and seeing their excitement when they realize what they’ve created. It’s moments like those that make all the difficult and tedious parts of running your own business worth it. The joy of teaching and sharing art with others is what keeps me inspired every day.”
Michelle said she believes art is for everyone, no matter their skill level or experience, and encourages people to try their hand at art because they will be surprised at what they can do if they just try. She is amazed by people’s imagination and talent every single day.
“People are so much more creative than they give themselves credit for. I love watching someone who thinks
they’re ‘not artistic’ surprise themselves with what they can create,” Michelle said. “It’s not about being the most creative person or being able to draw the best stick figure, life is about enjoying the experience of creating and trying new things that excite you.”
After more than a decade in operation, Michelle said she has had many happy memories that stick with her and looks forward to many more happy memories in the years to come.
“We have a few kids who have first come in to do handprints as an infant and are now in our kids after school classes. Some families come in each year at Christmas to make a new ornament for their tree. It’s so fun to watch our community grow. My own kids have grown up in the studio. Soon they will be old enough to help out!”
THAT ART PLACE
Address: 108 Lake Road in Belton
Phone: 254-613-4292
Website: www.thatartplacestudio.com
Social Media: www.facebook.com/ thatartplacestudio
At That Art Place in Belton, patrons like Tara Dekeratry can paint ceramics and learn how to throw pottery.
Happy Houseplants
EASY-TO-GROW VARIETIES BRIGHTEN THE HOME
By AMY ROGNLIE
OK, friends, it’s time to talk houseplants. I know many of you out there love them as much as I do, and I do love a good chinwag about houseplants. As I have mentioned in the past, the first houseplant I ever bought for myself was an inch plant, otherwise known as tradescantia. It was a glorious purple and silver mound that I picked up at the local Piggly Wiggly when I was in college. I named it Moses, and hung it in the middle of my dorm room to bask in the fluorescent lights. I’m not sure what my roommate thought of it, but she didn’t complain, and it made me happy every time I looked at it.
I still love inch plants, and always have a piece or two of the lovely purple/ silver variety (known as “Zebrina”) rooting in a vase. Of course, I’ve also moved on to “Albovittata,” which is the white-striped version, and “Nanouk,” the beautiful green, pink and cream iteration that has become popular lately. Not to mention the fetching Tradescantia Luminensis “Lavender” with its pale, well, lavender striping.
Since that first plant purchase, I’ve always had at least a few houseplants around, even in the busiest times of my life. Houseplants lend a welcoming feel to any home and it is so relaxing to putter around with them. The popularity of houseplants has waxed and waned over the years, but during the pandemic, many folks discovered the joys of indoor gardening.
Since then, the houseplant market has exploded, and for good reason. Whether you have one sunny windowsill or a whole room to devote to houseplants, there are so many great plants to choose from, even if you are a beginner.
Some of my favorite houseplants are basic plants you can find at the grocery stores, big-box stores, or your local nursery. There is a reason why plants like pothos, sansevieria (dracaena), kalanchoe, peperomia, and orchids are so popular — they are all easy to care for. Though I have enjoyed growing all kinds of finicky plants over the years, I still love the commonly-grown
plants. I particularly adore sansevieria (newly classified as dracaena, if you care about such things), which are the humble “snake plants.” There are so many variations of leaf color, shape and size. I’m intrigued with how they produce new pups that come up along the edges of the pot. It’s the “thrilliest” of thrills (as Anne of Green Gables would say), to see a new little baby plant peeking through the soil when you least expect it. They don’t need to be watered very often and can take a wide variety of light conditions, though they will grow better with more light.
Phalaenopsis orchids, the kind you can buy at H-E-B, are easy to care for. They look fancy and delicate, but as long as you give them enough light (but not direct sunlight) and water them once a week or so, they will keep blooming for weeks at a time. After the blooms fade, keep taking care of the plant and it will likely bloom for you again after several months. Of course, there are all kinds of orchid varieties and some are pretty temperamental, just like people, so stick with phalaenopsis at first so you won’t be discouraged.
Pothos or philodendron plants are also very easy to care for. They are very similar to each other and there are many varieties, but both are easy to propagate in water or soil. So, if you love growing them, you can always grow more. One of my recent favorite varieties is the “neon” pothos, which has bright lime-green leaves while its new growth is pinkish orange. I have mine grouped with a couple of other plants on a shelf where there is no sunlight whatsoever. Instead, the plants are thriving under the light of an ordinary light bulb in an ordinary desk lamp.
Even if you think you have a brown thumb, be brave and give it a try! There is a lot of information online for how to grow every plant. Or, ask advice from a friend who is successful plant parent. If you enjoyed this discussion or have an idea for a future topic, email me at amy.k.rognlie@gmail.com. I’d love to talk plants with you!
ADOBE STOCK | Zuzana
Moving With the Military
MILITARY SPOUSE MARIA REED PROVIDES HOME RENOVATIONS FOR HEROES
By
BLAIR DUPRE | Photos courtesy of CANDACE PAULEY and BLACKALL PHOTOGRAPHY
Maria Reed, with her husband, Master Sgt. Patrick Reed, son Patrick and daughter Parker. Maria created Moving With the Military to support military families like hers.
Combining her ingenuity for film and home improvement with her passion for giving back to the community, a Fort Cavazos spouse is making a difference in the lives of military families, not just in Central Texas, but all over the country.
Maria Reed, mastermind of the home improvement show Moving With the Military, began her career in the film industry as a script supervisor, eventually becoming a director of commercials for clients including Scion. Maria’s love of the film industry grew as her career progressed and then she met her husband, Master Sgt. Patrick Reed.
“Everything changed because I was always traveling — he was always deployed or somewhere out in the field — now we find ourselves pregnant
what are we going to do,” she said. “So I gave up my career to stay at home with the kids.”
Reed became a teacher to remain close to her kids, but once they reached high school, she felt she was being called back to the film industry.
“I wanted to get back to the things that I fell in love with, which was storytelling,” she said.
Armed with her experiences as a military spouse, Maria knew a home improvement show made specifically for military families was what she wanted to create.
Like a lot of military spouses in Maria’s situation, Patrick’s absence at times due to his work placed her in situations where she would have to make repairs or build things around their home.
After speaking to other spouses, she found they
also felt that they were also figuring things out the best they could.
“The more I did it, I started sharing about it,” she said. “I started giving tips on how to use power tools. ‘If you’re afraid and have never done it before, here are some simple things to get started.’”
This, combined with Maria’s love for giving back to the community, is what inspired Moving With the Military.
“My love language is gift giving,” she said. “What better way to give, than to give a military family a makeover?”
“Home is the one thing I think we all struggle with,” she continued. “Is it where we live now? Is it where we’re from? Military families are the ones that say, ‘We’re just going to
move, we don’t have to do that. That’ll wait until our forever home.’ So I felt that was such a great way to give back to military families.”
She created a pitch for the show and shared it with several networks that declined the show, believing America wouldn’t be interested and it’s nothing personal, it’s just business. For Maria however, it was very personal.
“I was like, ‘I’m a military spouse of almost 20 years — it’s very personal,’” she said.
She was then faced with the monetary challenges that come with producing a show, but was reminded of something by students in her television and film production class, that she had been teaching them.
“In today’s day and age you don’t
Maria Reed points to something off camera while filming with her son, Patrick Reed, and Jenna Howard, venue manager of Hawthorn Hills Ranch. Patrick told Maria during the filming of that episode that he would be enlisting in the Army.
need a big production — you have a cellphone,” she said. “You have ways to broadcast yourself — YouTube, all the social media. You don’t need all the money. They said those words back to me because I was the one saying, ‘I can’t do this. It’s going to be too expensive. Who’s going to listen to me? A network’s not interested.’ And they said it all back, ‘Mrs. Reed, you can do it.’”
“I’m not going to lie, in the beginning it was hard,” she admitted. “We invested our own money — pretty much our life savings — and just said, ‘We’re going to take a leap of faith and do it and give back.’ Because when you do the right thing, it’s the right thing.”
Since the show’s inception, Maria has done more than 80 makeovers for military families all around the country, keeping in mind beauty as well as practicality.
“Watching all those home makeover shows, I felt like they got it wrong,” Maria said. “They didn’t really understand the military family. They would come in and do these beautiful makeovers, but … is that really realistic for a family who’s got to think about weight allowances when they move that 3,000-pound table?”
“I wanted people watching (Moving With the Military) to understand the story of the military family,” she continued, adding her family is still an active-duty military family. “We really understand the challenges that military families face. It’s not just for TV, it’s our real life.”
When Maria renovates a home, she focuses on what the family needs, while also finding affordable ways to make it stylish, as well as functional. However, to her, the renovation is just a bonus — at the end of the day, it’s all about the family.
“We get thousands of makeover requests and I wish I did have an unlimited budget to be able to do them all, because the stories of these families are so powerful,” she said. “I want everyone to be able to know that — to know that these service
men and women are mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sisters and kids.”
“When I see their faces, the level of gratitude — but it isn’t the gratitude for the stuff — it’s not about that. It’s ‘you saw me, you saw my family, you really get it,’” she continued. “It’s that moment of connection, to me, that is the most beautiful part. That moment of knowing that you are part of this (military) community (and) we see you. Whether you’re still in or out (of the military) for 20 years, it doesn’t matter. That connection, to me, is the most important part.
The renovations have not only been limited to homes — Maria and the Moving With the Military team has also renovated facilities, including a food pantry in New York that services 900 people.
“There are many times where I think it’s too hard,” she said. “Then right at that perfect moment I’ll get
a message from somebody who just saw an episode, or has been following us on social media, that just says, ‘Thank you.’ Or I’ll be in the grocery store here in the Killeen area … people have walked up to us and they’re like, ‘We watch the show and we love what you do.’”
Maria said they are taking nominations for makeovers at https:// movingwiththemilitary.tv/ and she encourages everyone to follow along.
“Follow along for the journey,” she said. “We love talking to people, meeting them and sharing their story. We’re truly grateful to be a part of this community.”
MOVING WITH THE MILITARY
Website: https:// movingwiththemilitary.tv/
Social media: www.facebook.com/ movingwiththemilitary www.instagram.com/ movingwiththemilitary
Maria Reed, right, surprises Andy and Amanda Allison during a special episode of Moving With the Military.
Spring into Fun
EXPLORE TEXAS TULIP FEST AND MORE AT ROBINSON FAMILY FARM IN TEMPLE
By TONYA WARREN
Photos
courtesy of ROBINSON FAMILY FARM, JERROD LEHNICK and LEGACY IMAGING
You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy. Born, bred and raised on about 200 acres, six miles from where the family lives today, Brian Robinson learned to appreciate the benefits of fertile land and Texas beef cattle. Although times have changed and the farm changed with the times, Brian hopes his grandparents would be proud of his visionary thinking. Although mainstream society is less agriculture oriented today, Brian and his wife, Helen, conceived a wellreceived business plan to bring back a taste of oldfashioned, family-oriented fun — fun you can find at Robinson Family Farm.
In recent years, there’s been a trend of get-backto-nature activities, thus the USDA has coined the term agritourism — a commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors to the farm for education and entertainment while generating income for the farm or business owner — such as the Robinson Family Farm. Roadside produce stands, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more all fall under the term agritourism.
In 2013, Helen said, Brian set the wheels in motion to give the community an opportunity to get away from electronic devices and spend quality time outdoors enjoying the simple pleasures of past generations. The couple envisioned a large outdoor attraction offering activities for any age. After sleuthing around similar businesses in Texas and scouring social media pages nationwide for ideas, the Robinsons were careful not to put the cart before the horse.
“We started talking about building a pumpkin patch, and in September 2014, we opened our doors to guests,” Helen said.
Thanks to fickle Texas winters and brutal summer heat, the farm is only open in the spring and fall. Putting dreary winter days behind them, folks are ready to play in the sunshine on the farm’s 56 acres. Having outgrown their previous place, the couple opened their current location in January 2022. With the world still in the throes of the global pandemic, Helen said, “It took a lot to move our whole operation, especially with the economy the way it was.”
and Brian Robinson enjoy welcoming guests to Robinson Family Farm.
The community has embraced the farm with weekends around Easter averaging crowds of 10,000 to 15,000. Open in the fall for around seven weeks, the farm normally hosts 30,000 to 35,000 guests, all ready to choose their perfect pumpkin.
Not to be missed this spring is the colorful Texas Tulip Fest. Trying to cultivate any natural resource can be challenging no matter the circumstances, and these finicky flowers are no exception, but Helen said she was proud of the farm’s first year growing tulips, noting that it was a huge learning experience.
“Tulips are very temperature and weather reliant,” Helen said. “This year, we’ve doubled our
Continued
Helen
order to 200,000 tulip bulbs and we anticipate a better germination rate.”
She encourages families to bring a basket and enjoy gathering tulips. Tulips run on their own schedule, so check the farm’s website in early spring to keep up with tulip opening dates. Also, the farm makes a lovely spot for Easter egg hunting and snapping pictures of smartly dressed kids with full Easter baskets.
Many different activities are offered at the farm, so there’s no shortage of fun. How about flying down the super mega slide? Zip lines, hamster wheels (for kids, not hamsters), archery, a giant Jenga and axe throwing are also available. Don’t forget skee ball, a gaga pit, a tire mountain for a mountain of play, tug-o-war, horseshoes, washers and more. Sifting for gems is also popular, which can result in finding gold, emeralds, amethyst and more. Kids always have fun in the critter corral.
Helen noted they add new activities annually, and they listen to suggestions from customers. A dog park and bounce pillows have been added this year along with a wheelchair swing on the big playground and a tram going around the farm that includes wheelchair accessibility. Mini golf also debuts this spring. Food trucks are on site as well. Helen said folks are welcome to bring in a cake for parties, otherwise no outside food or drink is allowed.
Running a family-oriented business allows the Robinsons to get to know repeat customers, thus playing a small part in their lives. Wedding proposals, gender reveals and birth announcements are always exciting times, Helen said.
The Robinsons pride themselves on offering a unique experience for folks looking to enjoy fun and time-treasured outdoor activities. Last May, more than 60% of their farm was destroyed by a tornado. Helen said they were so thankful for various businesses who helped them get up and
running again in four months, just in time for fall.
So, this spring, under the giant Texas sunshiny sky, Brian and Helen will welcome crowds with open arms, thankful for their unwavering loyalty to Robinson Family Farm.
“In the end we just want everyone to know how much we appreciate their business and support.”
ROBINSON FAMILY FARM
Address: 2651 Bob White Road in Temple
Phone: 254-931-9564
Website: www.therobinsonfamilyfarm.com
Social Media: www.facebook.com/ therobinsonfamilyfarm
Michael Ventura poses for a photo sitting on a truck filled with tulips at Robinson Family Farm.
A tractor pulls children of all ages around the farm. The tram is one of many family-oriented activities.
• Home & Commercial Inspections
• Blower Door & Duct Testing
• Backflow Certification Testing
• I n f ra re d I m a g i n g fo r Water & Insulation
• FHA, VA Inspections
• Wood-Destroying Insect Inspections
Shara Lane and Gwen French run Central Texas Professional Organizers.
Live Clutter Free
TIPS TO GET AND KEEP YOUR HOME ORGANIZED
By RACHEL STRICKLAND
Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of CENTRAL TEXAS PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS
It’s that time of year again — spring is blooming, and people are dusting off the winter cobwebs and feeling the need to get rid of clutter. But sometimes, it’s not as easy as throwing old clothes into a bin and taking it to Goodwill. Sometimes, you need a little professional help to get those organizational juices flowing, and Gwen French, owner of Central Texas Professional Organizers, is the one to call.
French was a teacher for 11 years, and one thing that she loved about the job was the challenge of keeping her classroom tidy. When she became a stay-at-home mom, she realized how important it was to stay organized at home too. Over time, she developed a passion for helping family and friends organize their spaces, manage their paperwork and create routines. When she started seeing what a huge difference it made in their lives, she decided to turn her organizational skills into a business. She opened Central Texas Professional Organizers (CTPO) in July 2019, and her business partner, Shara Lane, joined the team in 2023.
“(Shara) has a natural gift of organizing and an amazing eye for detail,” French says.
French says that CTPO helps a variety of people, from families who need help developing a schedule, to parents-to-be who are setting up nurseries and older folks who are downsizing. Overall, they aim to help clients make their spaces more functional, whether that’s their bedroom, garage, office, or closet. Many of French’s clients have ADHD or suffer from chronic disorganization, and so she’s helped many people create routines and systems to help with everyday stresses.
“Sometimes we are invited into a home to simply purge items with the client,” she said. “This is often the case when a loved one has passed or before someone moves to a new home. Those clients have a hard time letting go and need a little guidance as to what would be worth keeping and what could be donated/trashed. We don’t force anything on the client but offer tips and suggestions.”
Along with organizational services, CTPO also
offers a digital monthly meal plan subscription service for $5 a month. French emphasizes the importance of having a meal plan because it can help to save money and reduce decision fatigue. She says that each month’s plan includes weekly shopping lists, complete recipes, and nutrition information. The plans are also customizable and can be modified to be dairy-free, gluten-free, or low-carb. But if a meal plan is still too daunting, CTPO also offers plans for frozen meals to give people easy and delicious options that just need to be popped into the microwave.
French loves her job, especially the look on Continued
her clients’ faces when they see the results of the organizing project.
“We desire to help our clients create a home environment that is in order and easy to maintain, not overwhelming and dysfunctional,” she says. “We don’t just organize the space; we help the client tackle clutter that has built up over time. So many (people) just don’t know where to start. I like to dig in deep with my clients to find out how we can make their lives better. Yes, I love to make spaces beautiful, but it’s so much more important to me that they are functional and help reduce daily stress.”
French says her favorite type of room to organize are kids’ spaces, such as bedrooms and playrooms.
“Not only do I get the opportunity to help the child be in an environment where they can learn and play without a lot of distractions,” she says. “But I get to bring joy to parents when they find how easy it is for their child to maintain the space. I act as a ‘Clutter Coach’ to help teach kids to be responsible and learn what it means to respect and take care of the items they own — a lifelong skill.”
It’s easy to get started on your organizational journey with CTPO. French says when people first contact her, she asks what their needs and desired outcomes are. Then, they discuss what’s currently
working and not working in the space they’d like to organize. She sometimes sends a link to an Amazon list full of CTPO-recommended products to help organize the space, but she will usually just use containers that the client already has on hand.
“Then on the day of the session, we jump right in,” French says. “We have found that it’s most effective for the client to be home for the session, but there are certain spaces we can tackle alone with some guidance from the client.”
She says each session is three hours long. While organizing, they talk with the client about what they’re doing and how they can maintain the organizational methods over time. French then follows up later with the client to see if any tweaks need to be made. Clients who need help creating routines or schedules often do not require a physical visit, so those are typically done virtually.
“It can be intimidating to hire a professional organizer,” French says. “A lot of people are concerned about being judged, but Shara and I are completely judgment-free. We are on your team and want to help you, not to make you feel bad for the way you have or haven’t maintained your spaces in the past. We have a passion for showing people a new way to live with less stress and more productivity.”
Gwen French and Shara Lane help clients organize their homes and keep them clutter free.
Turn a garage full of clutter into an organized space with room to park a car.
HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE
Here are seven of Gwen French’s tips:
1. Sort items into three groups: keep, donate, and trash. Have a plan set up for what to do with the trash and donation piles, and make sure you follow that plan within 24 hours. Don’t let them sit in your space after you’ve started working on the room. Make sure to keep only things that you want, need, or use regularly, and rid your home of items that are just taking up space.
2. When trying to decide on a place to put an item, think about how you use the item verses where you think it should go. For example: if you use a certain pair of scissors and a certain type of tape when wrapping presents, keep those items with your wrapping paper. While they are office items, if you never use them in the office, there’s no need to put them there. This way, you know exactly where they are next time you’re wrapping presents, and you don’t have to waste time searching.
3. “Zone” your closets by designating what items will go in each one. This way, as you go through each room, you will know where to put items. This might look like a closet specifically for items like photos and sentimental paraphernalia. Putting too many types of items in a closet will make it very hard to everyone in the family to know where to put things.
4. Don’t purchase containers until you organize your space. While there are some adorable containers out there, having them and not using them is just adding to the clutter.
5. Keep maintenance in mind as you organize. Ask yourself: “Will this system be manageable when things get busy?”
6. To avoid burnout, don’t try to tackle the entire room. Instead, work in sections: start from the left side of the room and work your way around. You may only get one small portion done in a day, but it will keep you from getting overwhelmed.
7. Plan a 10-minute tidy-up at the end of every day. You’ll be surprised how much fun this can be for everyone in the family!
DIY SPRING HOME DÉCOR
Upcycling for a Fresh Look
By S. MORRISEY | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and try some fun, budget-friendly upcycling projects.
By repurposing items you already have or finding treasures at thrift stores and yard sales, you can create beautiful, unique decorations while helping reduce waste. Let’s explore a few creative ideas to give your home a fresh spring vibe.
KEEP YOUR TRAYS!
Remember those amazing holiday themed trays Sharon White created in our last issue? Trays are versatile and can be decorated to match any season.
Simply change out the items on the trays for a fresh look for different times of the year. You
can also personalize your tray with themes that resonate with you.
If you like biking or travel, try adding miniature bikes or suitcases and printing snapshots of your adventures.
Here are a few seasonal ideas:
• Summer: Seashells, small lanterns and fresh flowers for a coastal vibe.
• Fourth of July: Mini flags, red, white and blue candles, and star-shaped accents.
• Fall: Pinecones, small pumpkins and warmtoned leaves.
• Halloween: Mini skulls, spooky figurines and black-and-orange candles.
Decorate with items that bring you joy, whether whimsical, elegant, rustic or sparkly. Don’t be afraid to mix styles together. It’s your home, so you do what you like.
UPCYCLE OLD FRAMES
Turn old picture frames into new décor pieces with a little creativity. Here is an easy project:
PICTURE FRAME LANTERN
• Materials: Four matching 4x6 or 5x7 frames, one square frame, paint, glue and an LED candle.
• Assemble: Remove glass and backing from the frames. Paint the frames and glue them into a cube. Add the square frame on top for a lantern effect.
• Style: Place an LED candle and greenery inside. Add a decorative handle, if desired
REPURPOSE A PLATE AND CUTLERY SORTER
Transform an old plate and cutlery sorter into a charming mail center.
Repaint it to match your décor, and use the smaller sections for faux or real plants. The
larger section, originally for plates, can hold your incoming or outgoing mail.
This clever project is practical, stylish and easy to customize.
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO OUTDATED DÉCOR
Revive tired décor with simple and creative updates.
A fresh coat of chalk paint can turn outdated figurines, vases, or candlesticks into chic, modern
pieces with a soft matte finish.
Add personality to jars, boxes or trays by decoupaging them with decorative paper or fabric using Mod Podge.
For extra texture, wrap items in twine or fabric for a cozy, handmade look. These small touches can make a big difference, giving old pieces a fresh and stylish update.
If you need to supplement with new materials, check dollar stores or thrift shops or share supplies with friends to save money and spark creativity.
ECO-FRIENDLY ADVANTAGE
Upcycling not only saves money but also helps the planet. By repurposing, you reduce landfill waste and demand for new products. Plus, it’s a fun, creative way to decorate your home.
Start by looking through your craft stash or items set aside for donation.
With a little imagination, you can turn forgotten items into one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your style.
Gather your materials, invite friends for a crafting afternoon, and let upcycling bring a fresh, joyful touch to your home this spring.
Happy decorating!
Regina Knox owns Veranda Bloom.
Blooming Beautiful VERANDA BLOOM PROVIDES UNIQUE HOME DÉCOR IN CENTRAL TEXAS
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
When Regina Knox’s oldest son was diagnosed with autism at a young age, she quickly realized that being near his school would be a top priority — especially since she lived in a rural area and it was around a 25 minute drive to the school. So, she and her mom, Marcia Cockrell, bought an old, crumbling building in downtown Rogers to open their business.
“It wasn’t much to look at back then, but we rolled up our sleeves, poured our hearts, and a lot of sweat into it, and transformed it into something special. That's how Veranda Bloom was born,” Knox says. “In 2011, I purchased and remodeled the building next to the original building, and in 2014, I purchased and remodeled the final building in the strip, giving us about 10,000-square-feet of retail space.”
And from the moment you step inside Veranda Bloom, you’ll know this isn’t your average home décor store.
“We’re all about curating a collection that’s as unique as it is beautiful,” Knox says. “I bring in décor to suit every taste. Looking for Modern Farmhouse? Got it! Transitional? Yup! Traditional? Of course! Modern? You know it! Every piece you see has been handpicked with a sharp eye for quality, craftsmanship, and that special something that makes a house feel like home.”
Veranda Bloom offers personalized designing services and a friendly staff who are ready to help you find the perfect pieces to fulfill your vision for your home. Customers are welcome to come in and browse for that perfect piece, or bring in pictures or measurements for some serious designing at no extra charge.
Even if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for, you can explain your general idea and Regina, Lisa, Joanne or Amanda will give you their full attention and play around with different items to help you make the best decision for what will fit your needs, vision and budget.
“Whether it’s a statement piece of furniture or
the perfect little accent, we’ve got a thoughtfully chosen selection. I spend countless hours perusing numerous market vendors to curate items that will fit a wide variety of styles, tastes and budgets. We want everyone to come in with a vision, and be able to leave with items that will bring their vision to life,” Knox says.
Veranda Bloom staff member, Lisa, also creates gorgeous and unique floral arrangements, or you can browse the store’s extensive selection of beautiful stems to create your own arrangement. You can even bring in your own container, walk
Continued
through and pick out some floral stems, and have an arrangement put together that fits into your home's décor perfectly.
A local treasure in East Bell County, Veranda Bloom is more than a store. Knox and her staff have created a warm and welcoming place where folks are greeted with a smile and a friendly greeting as they express their surprise at the vast array of artistically-arranged décor items. Repeat customers often drop by just to chat or to enjoy a small outing in a lovely, peaceful setting.
“Ultimately, our goal is to keep creating a place where people feel welcome, inspired, and at home. We pride ourselves on being able to provide
our customers with quality, generational pieces and hope to be around for many more years,” Knox says. “For the past 16 years, we’ve had the absolute joy of watching people walk through our doors as customers and leave as friends. It’s one of the best parts of what we do — seeing strangers become regulars, regulars become friends, and friends become family.”
VERANDA BLOOM
Address: 12 E. Mesquite Ave. in Rogers
Phone: 254-642-0153
Website: www.verandabloom.com
Social media: www.facebook.com/verandabloom
Lisa Marshall, Regina Knox and Amanda Bedrich help Veranda Bloom customers find the perfect décor for their homes.
EVENTS
FEBRUARY
FEB. 5
Sing Along Movie Night
Pinky’s Bar & Grill in downtown Belton is hosting a Moulin Rouge Sing-a-long Movie Night at 7 p.m.
FEB. 7-8
Bell County PRCA Rodeo
The 37th Annual Bell County PRCA Rodeo returns for another year at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton. The event includes everyone’s favorite rodeo events, including bull riding, roping, steer wrestling and much more. For more information, visit www.bellcountyrodeo.com.
FEB. 8
Sazon Latin Food Market
The Sazon Latin Food Market is returning to downtown Belton, with food vendors representing flavors of the Caribbean, Central and South America, in a family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are free at OurLatinCity.com.
Smitten & Sprintin’ 5K Fun Run
Smitten & Sprintin’ 5K Fun Run is being held at Liberty Park from 7 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will benefit Community in Schools – Greater Central Texas for the 2025-2026 school year. Runners/ walkers are encouraged to dress in their best cupid/Valentine’s Day themed costume.
FEB. 9
Teas & Mysteries February
The February book club meeting for Teas & Mysteries at Blackbird Books & Spirits is at 4 p.m. in Belton. February’s book discussion will be The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by CL Miller.
FEB. 10-14
Crime Scene Investigations #2106
The Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting an Intermediate Crime Scene Investigation course. The week-long course will include a handson approach to crime scene investigations. For more information, visit www.ctcog.org.
FEB. 13
Valentine’s Day All-Inclusive Date Night
The Beltonian Theatre is hosting its 6th Annual Valentine’s Day All-Inclusive Date Night from 6-10
p.m. The event, located in the historic Beltonian Theatre, includes live music, dinner, bottomless champagne, movie and bottomless popcorn.
FEB. 14
Central Texas Sweethearts Ball
Dress to the nines and take your Valentine to the Central Texas Sweethearts Ball for a very special Valentine’s Day. The event includes dinner, dancing, live music and door prizes.
Date Night Jazz
The Blackbird Books & Spirits in Belton is hosting a live band for Valentine’s Day. Sit back and relax to some soothing jazz sounds at 7 p.m.
Murder in Manhattan Mystery Dinner
Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? Santa Paws Animal Rescue is hosting Murder in Manhattan Mystery Dinner from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at New Life Bistro. All proceeds benefit Santa Paws.
FEB. 15
Cowlentine’s
The Screaming Goat Funny Farm in Belton is hosting Cowlentine’s from noon to 2 p.m. Listen to live music while you hang out with cows. Barbecue will be available for purchase. Pony rides will be available for children under 45 pounds.
Anime Sunika is Feb. 15-16.
The 37th Annual Bell County PRCA Rodeo is Feb. 7-8 at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton.
Failentine’s Singles Night
No date? No worries! The Blackbird Books & Spirits is hosting a Failentine’s Singles Night for everyone without a Valentine. The event will begin at 7 p.m.
My Furry Valentine
Barrow Brewing Company is hosting its annual My Furry Valentine event from noon to 5 p.m. in Salado, because they know, nobody loves you like your fur-baby. There will be a pet adoption, as well as pet look-alike competitions.
Rodeo Prom
Bad Dog Rodeo Company in Belton will be hosting a rodeo, followed by a prom for rodeo kids. This event will begin at 3 p.m.
Stupid Cupid Anti-Valentine’s Party
Pinky’s Bar & Grill in Belton will host at Stupid Cupid Anti-Valentine’s Party at 7 p.m. If you’re single or been burned by your former Valentine, check out this event.
FEB. 15-16
Anime Sunika
Anime lovers unite for Anime Sunika, which returns to the Cadence Bank Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Dress up as your favorite anime character and meet other anime fans at the event.
MARCH
MARCH 17
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Whiskey Dinner
Irish chef Jonathan Keane will be preparing an Irish whiskey dinner at 6:30 p.m. for St. Patrick’s Day at The Barton House in Salado.
MARCH 27
Theo Von “Return of the Rat” Tour
The popular comedian Theo Von “Return of the Rat” Tour will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton.
Look for more upcoming events and ticket information at CentralTexasTickets.com.
Spending Habits
LOOK FOR WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR SAVINGS
It’s a new year, which means new beginnings and memories. It also means creating resolutions. While these resolutions often involve changes within, such as eating healthier, working out and focusing on mental health, what about your financial health? How about resolutions on your spending habits and priorities?
JENNISE VENTURA
Without fail, close to the holidays, I see people asking for help with food, bills and toys on social media. Living paycheck to paycheck is a risky way to live. What if all of a sudden, you lose your job or your vehicle breaks down? Someone in your family gets sick or worse, passes away? Do you have backup in your savings account?
How do you overcome this? I have a couple of ideas to help you and your family.
First, look at your monthly spending. Write down a list of all your bills and other expenses. How much do you spend on groceries?
After making your list, sit down together and look to see what you can cut down on.
Cellphone bill high? Look at other companies with a less expensive phone plan. Eat out a lot?
First, look at your monthly spending. Write down a list of all your bills and other expenses. After making your list, sit down together and look to see what you can cut down on.
Buy those family meals and eat leftovers instead. Many fast food restaurants have apps to help you save more money. Or, reduce the visits you eat out and focus on making meals at home. Electric bills making you queasy? Only use electricity when you are home. For colder months, open curtains and shades for the sun to come in. Try to use heat at night, when it’s much colder and pull those warm blankets out. In hotter months, run fans.
Focus on saving at least 10% on your bill and at least 20% of your total expense from your list. Any savings you obtain, put into a savings account and don’t touch it.
Saving money on groceries, household items and
Wishing you a Memorable Valentine’s Day!
Submit your Valentine’s love story for a chance to win a dozen roses. Go to www.YoungsDaughters.com
Click on “Plan Ahead”
Fill out the “online preplanning form” with a story. We will share the winning story and deliver roses to the home address or a local cemetery in honor of your beloved.
Phone entries can be submitted by calling 254-401-1302
For more information email: youngsdaughtersfuneralhome@gmail.com
personal care items is my key strength in savings. For groceries, I shop at H-E-B and use the MyHEB app to clip digital coupons.
I generally go early in the morning to get first picks on quick-sale produce and meats. Quick-sale produce is 50% off and quick-sale meats are 25% off. Often, there are digital coupons that can be applied for more savings.
These quick-sale items vary every morning in all H-E-B stores. It’s worth checking out. I freeze them until I am ready to use them.
Compare prices between name brand and store brand items. Also use the rebate apps such as Ibotta, Fetch Rewards and Receipt Pal.
If you walk into a grocery store with the intent to spend no more than $100 and you walk out
spending $80, put the remaining $20 into your savings account.
For household items and personal care products, I generally go to Walgreens. I also use the Walgreens app with lots of digital coupons. I often check out the digital flyer on there as well.
My only rule to buying items is that it has to be on sale AND have a digital coupon with it. Walgreens also offers bonus rewards for buying a certain dollar amount or quantity.
It also offers a military discount that can be combined with sale price and digital coupons. The discount is 15% off most items (excludes paper, cigarettes, dairy and a few other items) and offered every Saturday at all Killeen, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights and Belton stores.
Another discount that is offered is for senior citizens. The first Tuesday of the month, senior citizens, 55 years or older, get 20% off full-priced items. This discount can also be combined with store and manufacturer coupons as well.
During that first week, seniors can also use the Walgreens app or website to order online for delivery (free shipping over $35) or for in-store pickup and use online code SENIOR20 to receive the discount. You can use this discount twice in the same week, per store. If you go to Walgreens to spend $50 on detergent and you save $10, put that $10 into a savings account.
Have a spending goal in mind before you shop and focus on how much you can save. Any savings you make can go into your savings account and you can watch it grow. This would be your emergency/ backup money just in case you need it.
ADOBE STOCK | Prostock-studio
SCENE: CHROME & CAROLS
1. Veshell Greene, front left, and the Chrome & Carols "elves" pose for a photo during the United Way event. The elves help take down and load trees and presents into the winners’ vehicles.
2. Lauren Westbrook, evening anchor at KWTX, and Seleese Thompson, owner of Precious Memories, who creates the tree displays, pose with Gary Johnson, winner of one of the trees auctioned at the event.
3. The United Way of Central Texas staff organize the Chrome & Carols Festival of Trees every year.
Photos courtesy of the UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL TEXAS
SCENE: BLORA NATURE IN LIGHTS
Millions of lights greeted visitors during the 2024 Nature in Lights at BLORA on Fort Cavazos, including the tunnel of lights, a winter wonderland and Santa slam dunking a basketball.
Photos by BLAIR DUPRE
PERSONALIZED TOUCH.
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