C E L E B R AT I N G H O M E & T H E H I G H D E S E R T L I F E S T Y L E
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HOLIDAY EDITION 2010
editor’s column holiday calendar gingerbread recipes
FROM HOUSE TO HOME 10 11 18 19
classic designs, classic quality have a very thrifty christmas why faux paint? keeping a tradition alive
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Hunt. Gather, Create
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Poinsettia Alternatives
Sugar and Spice
Central Oregon New Home Living
IN THE GARDEN 26 gifts for the gardener 28 garden calendar
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Printed by The Bulletin Western Communications Commercial Print Division. Story ideas may be submitted to editor Ben Montgomery for consideration. Contact him at (541)383-0379 or bmontgomery@bendbulletin.com.
Staff members for The Bulletin’s special projects division include: Martha Tiller, Special Projects Manager; Ben Montgomery, Special Projects Editor; Lyle Cox, Photographer; Nicole Werner, Special Projects Assistant; Stacie Oberson, Specia l Projects Coordinator; Clint Nye, Graphic Designer. Published Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ANNISSA ANDERSON, a freelance writer and public relations consultant, also studied culinary arts and worked as a pastry chef in another life. She writes regularly for The Bulletin and other local publications and was a contributing writer in a recent edition of “Best Places Northwest.”
Writer and singer/songwriter LAUREL BRAUNS has been published in The Bulletin, Bend Living and VisitBend.com. She is currently teaching guitar and exploring Bend’s legendary running trails. She performs music around town with her band, the Sweet Harlots.
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AMY JO DETWEILER has worked as OSU Extension Horticulture Faculty for 10 years, educating in home and commercial horticulture, and providing annual training for the local OSU Master Gardener™ Program.
SUSAN THOMAS SPRINGER began her journalism career as a television news reporter. She worked in corporate marketing, managing communications for a bank and launching high-tech products. Today, she’s a freelance writer living in Sisters where she and her husband enjoy raising their twins.
DOUG STOTT, owner of Redmond Greenhouse, is a radio talk show host, TV personality and writing contributor for area publications, all providing him avenues for sharing his profound love of gardening, people, and his dedication to serve and educate. He grew up in Frenchglen, attended COCC, and served overseas in the Navy before marrying his wife, Sherry.
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 3
EDITOR’S
note Celebrate the holidays your way Four years ago, I wrote a narrative about the holiday season that offered greater meaning to a rather simple experience I had playing with Christmas decorations as a child. As a consequence for playing with and breaking a Christmas collectible, my dad established a rule that I felt could transcend age and experience, offering readers a more downto-earth approach to better appreciating the holiday season. And while I still believe that sitting back and soaking up the experience of the holidays is paramount, I now believe in a complementary approach. I’ll explain further, but first read my original story, “A Hands-off Approach to Appreciating the Season,” which I feel continues to pertain as much today as it did when I first wrote it:
~
As children, my sister and I looked at Christmas decorations the same way a retriever looks at a tennis ball: they obviously existed for our amusement. With a Christmas tree in the living room, a nativity scene in the dining room and various statuettes depicting Santa and his posse positioned throughout the house, our imaginations ran wild each December. Sometimes we commissioned these characters to recreate our favorite scenes from classic animated Christmas specials like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “Frosty the Snowman.” More often, we developed our own plots, always rich with character, conflict and heroism. Imagine the movie “Ransom” — Santa as the kidnapped, the Three Wise Men as conspirators, heroes named Mary, Joseph, Frosty and Rudolph, and chase scenes that meandered from branch to branch on the family tree —and you have a general idea of compelling degrees to which our story lines stretched. And you could probably imagine how we managed to break the head off of an antique ceramic Santa cherished by our parents. News of this tragedy — a botched rescue attempt, no doubt — didn’t resonate well with the folks, and so a new rule was created to extend the life 4 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
expectancy of the now- Super Glued Santa and the rest of the decorative figurines. Look, but don’t touch. The exclamation point my dad added to this rule — surely since he knew children’s hands could not be controlled with an additional level of security — was that while we looked, our hands were to always remain behind our backs. We were certainly welcome to continue admiring the family nativity set, the Santa figurines and the various Christmas decorations spread throughout the home, but no longer could we use this décor to stage epic struggles between good and evil. This new rule, which extended beyond our own home, was especially difficult to obey when visiting my grandparents’ home during the Christmas season. My grandparents loved to deck their home with all the flavors of the season, from grandma’s vast — and much larger — collection of Santa Claus-themed figurines and toys, to grandpa’s “North Pole Express” model train set that adorned their living room each year. Their home was a wonderland of holiday imagination and charm, and yet the rule remained: “Hands behind the back; look, but don’t touch.” A fidgety child, I no doubt wiggled with impatience each time my grandpa turned on the train set and showed me how he was able to control its speed and direction. The old man lit up each time he flipped the power on the track, moments that often led to stories about his passion for old locomotives. Fingers firmly interlaced behind my back, I also stood restlessly when admiring the Santa Claus collection my grandma was so proud of. Little more than toys to my sister and me, my grandma had a story to tell for each figurine in her collection — where they came from, how long she’s had them, why she’s so fond of the collection, and so on. At the time, my sister and I were too young to appreciate what was being given to us. But these moments, we later realized, helped to strengthen the bridge of family and tradition between ourselves and our grandparents. We grew to appreciate these moments long past their deaths, and their stories are often still shared when our family gathers on Christmas Day. And to think these memories belong to us because of a simple rule: When the bustle and materialism surrounding the holidays claimed
center stage, we took a step back, put our hands behind our backs and learned to appreciate what was really important.
~
Today, I’m a dad myself, the father of a 2-yearold daughter who’s approaching her third holiday season. And this one’s going to be a biggie. As Christmas approached last year, we ran our then-1-year-old through the gamut of holiday experiences, from viewing lights and attending parades to singing Christmas carols and visiting Santa. All the while you could see the wheels turning in that little head of hers, but you could tell she still wasn’t quite sure what this Christmas thing was all about. That changed on Christmas Day. Right before our eyes, little Maya turned from reluctant gift recipient to mad paper shredder. Immersed in the spirit of fun and family, she helped hand out gifts and even belted out barely recognizable renditions of “Jingle Bells.” Christmas was on! And it went on ... and on ... Maya continued perfecting her best renditions of Christmas carols well into the new year. And when it was time to read books at bedtime, she continued to select stories about Santa and the holidays. And then came the Santa sightings. “Santa! Santa! Santa!” Maya yelled one summer day to the thin, bearded man planting flowers across the street in shorts, a T-shirt and sandals. Every man with a grey beard and a pulse, after all, was Santa Claus. It had become clear to my wife and I leading up to that day that Maya had no plans to hold her hands behind her back and passively experience Christmas. And that was just fine with us. So as this season approaches, I’ve amended my theory that Christmas can be best experienced as an observer. There’s a time and a place for everything, and while I will no doubt work to instill in Maya a quiet appreciation for the holiday season and the joy it represents, I will also make sure my girl gets her little hands dirty making cookies, painting ornaments, wrapping presents and, yes, playing with little Santa Claus figurines. She has a long life ahead of her; “hands off” can come later. Ben Montgomery is The Bulletin’s special projects editor.
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS! There’s plenty to see and do throughout Central Oregon this holiday season. Here’s a sampling of what the high desert has to offer for 2010:
THROUGH MONDAY, JAN. 3
GINGERBREAD TRAIL: A stroll through Sisters businesses to view decorative gingerbread houses; 541-549-0251.
SATURDAY, NOV. 27
WONDERLAND EXPRESS AUCTION: A silent auction of unique creations; proceeds benefit Wonderland Express’ annual event; free admission; 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunriver Resort Great Hall, 17728 Abbot Drive; 541593-4405 or www.wonderlandexpress.com. SISTERS CHRISTMAS PARADE: The annual Christmas Parade down Hood Avenue will feature dozens of floats and entries, along with Santa Claus himself; free; 2 p.m.; downtown Sisters; 541-549-0251. REDMOND STARLIGHT HOLIDAY PARADE: Themed “The Polar Express”; free; 5 p.m.; downtown Redmond; 541-923-5191. CAMP SHERMAN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: A holiday themed bazaar at the Camp Sherman Community Hall.
SATURDAYS, NOV. 27, DEC. 4 & 11
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Bring your pet to have photos taken with Santa; proceeds to benefit Humane Society of Redmond; donations accepted; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Humane Society of Redmond Thrift & Gifts, 1776 S. Highway 97; 541-548-4428 or redmondhumane.org.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1 FRIDAY, DEC. 31
“HOME ON THE RANGE”: The annual gingerbread display at The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch; 866-901-2961.
DEC. 2, 4, 5, 9, 11 & 12
JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK FOR ARTHRITIS : Runners and walkers don festive holiday costumes, tie jingle bells to their shoelaces for this yearly 5K run and walk; Proceeds to benefit the Arthritis Foundation; $20, $10 children 12 and younger; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. costume contest, 11:30 a.m. Kid’s Fun Run, 11:40 a.m. 5K run, 11:45 a.m. 5K walk/1 mile walk.; downtown Bend; 503-245-5695, klowry@ arthritis.org or http://bendjinglebellrun. kintera.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 3
CHRISTMAS KAYAKERS FLOAT: Kayaks and canoes decorated with lights paddle a loop beginning at the bridge at Galveston Avenue; free; 4:15 p.m. gathering, 5 p.m. float; Mirror Pond, Deschutes River at Drake Park, Bend; 541-330-9586. STARLITE GALA: Featuring live entertainment, gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions and dancing; proceeds benefit St. Thomas Academy of Redmond; $60; 5:30 p.m.; Eagle Crest Resort, 1522 Cline Falls Road, Redmond; 541-923-3390.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DEC. 3 & 4
BEND CHRISTMAS PARADE: Parade theme is “Christmas Carols on Parade”; free; noon; downtown Bend; 541-388-3879.
HOLIDAY BENEFIT HOME TOUR: See a home decorated in holiday style, with more than 40 decorated Christmas trees, wall hangings and more, then visit a second nearby home; proceeds benefit the Children’s Vision Foundation; $5 in advance, $6 at the door; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tour home, 21163 Clairaway Ave., Bend; 541-330-3907. HAT AND SCARF SEW-A-THON: Cut and sew hats and scarves for children attending the Wonderland Express holiday party; free; 1-4 p.m.; Cynthia’s Sewing Center, 20225 Badger Road, Bend; 541-383-1999.
SATURDAY, DEC. 4
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Annual miniature exhibition of fine arts and crafts featuring work by more that 17 artists; free; 5-8 p.m.; The Oxford Hotel, 10 N.W. Minnesota Ave., Bend; 541-388-8964 or http://www. TeenyTinyArtShow.com.
CROOKED RIVER RANCH OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Includes visits with Santa, a parade, an illumination of the ranch Christmas tree and more; free; 10 a.m., 2 p.m. parade, 4:15 p.m. tree lighting; Crooked River Ranch Administration Building, 5195 S.W. Clubhouse Drive; 541548-8939.
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY CHRISTMAS: The Los Angeles-based hipsters perform yuletide classics; $40; 7:30 p.m.; Tower Theatre, 835 N.W. Wall St., Bend; 541-317-0700 or www. towertheatre.org.
FESTIVAL OF TREES: The 27th annual event showcases decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and more; music, refreshments, visits with Santa, an auction of trees, and more; proceeds benefit Redmond-Sisters
THURSDAY, DEC. 2
Hospice; free daytime family festivities, $40 evening event; 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. family festivities, 5 p.m. evening gala, 7:30 p.m. tree auction; Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Middle Sister, Three Sisters Conference and Convention Center, 3800 S.W. Airport Way, Redmond; 541-548-7483.
A BEND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Music, storytelling and carols with Michael John; $10, $5 ages 12 and younger, $25 families; 7 p.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. on weekends; Bend Performing Arts Center, 1155 S.W. Division St.; 541-504-6721 or http:// bendpac.org.
ST. FRANCIS CHRISTMAS FAIRE: A spaghetti dinner, with a silent auction, raffle and food sale; proceeds benefit St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; free admission, $4$22 for dinner; 5 p.m.; St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church & School, 2450 N.E. 27th St., Bend; 541-382-3631. LA PINE HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE: Conveyances of all types are decorated with lights; free; 6 p.m.; downtown La Pine; 541-536-9771 or director@lapine.org. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & CRAFT SHOW: Arts and crafts, pet photos with Santa at more; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sisters Art Works, 204 W Adams, Sisters; www.sistersartworks.com.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 4 & 5
“THE NUTCRACKER”: The Central Oregon School of Ballet performs the classic dance; $17 in advance, $20 at door; $6 ages 12 and younger in advance, $7 at door; Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.; Bend High School, 230 N.E. Sixth St.; 541-390-7549 or www.centraloregonschoolofballet.com. HIGH DESERT NUTCRACKER: Redmond School of Dance presents a Central Oregon version of the classic ballet; $5; Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.; Redmond High School, 675 S.W. Rimrock Way; 541-548-6957. Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 5
You’ll find something for everyone this holiday season. Central Oregon celebrates the season with a wide variety of events to inspire the child in all of us. MAGICAL VOICES OF CHRISTMAS: Annual fundraiser for music programs in Sisters Public Schools; a two-hour Christmas music event featuring bands, choral groups, jazz ensembles, and student performances; this year’s theme is “A World of Christmas”; 6 p.m., Sisters High School; free.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8
WREATH DECORATING: Learn to create a beautiful holiday wreath with Anita Tracy; bring your own wreath; free; 11 a.m.; Sunriver Area Public Library, 56855 Venture Lane; 541-312-1080.
SATURDAY, DEC. 11
RING NOEL: Ring in the season with handbell choir the Bells of Sunriver, as they play familiar holiday tunes; free; 3 p.m.; Bend Public Library, 601 N.W. Wall St.; 541-312-1037.
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SUNDAY, DEC. 12
HOW THE GROUCH STOLE CHRISTMAS TOUR: Hiphop show featuring Brother Ali with DJ Snuggles, The Grouch with DJ Fresh, Eligh and Los Rakas; $20 plus fees in advance, $23 at the door; 8 p.m., doors open 7 p.m.; Domino Room, 51 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend; 541-788-2989 or www. randompresents.com.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15
TEEN TERRITORY GIFT MAKING SESSION: Make some easy gifts to take home for the holidays; open to teens in grades six through 12; free; 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Sunriver Area Public Library, 56855 Venture Lane; 541-312-1080.
FRIDAY, DEC. 17
HOLIDAY BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE: Featuring music from The Bond Street Bluegrass Allstars, Blackstrap, Wild Rye and Greg Botsford; $5, plus donations of canned
food; 9 p.m.; Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom, 24 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend; 541-388-8331.
FRIDAY-MONDAY, DEC. 17-20
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: Bend Experimental Art Theatre presents an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, performed by a youth and adult cast; SOLD OUT; 7:30 p.m.; Tower Theatre, 835 N.W. Wall St., Bend; 541-317-0700 or www.towertheatre. org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 19
SUNRIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A selection of festive music to get you in the spirit of the Christmas season; $30, $40 reserved, $25 for seniors, $10 for 18 years and younger; 7:30 p.m.; Sunriver Resort Great Hall, 17728 Abbot Drive; 541-5939310 or www.sunrivermusic.org.
Photos by Nicole Werner
Sugar & Spice Spicy and sweet, the flavor of gingerbread defines the holiday season. by Annissa Anderson / for The Bulletin Special Projects
Gingerbread is quintessentially Christmas. Spicy, sweet and complex, gingerbread, in all its forms, is a dessert laced with spices that makes us feel warm inside during the holidays when the weather is cold outside. Rich mahogany in color and redolent with a dark molasses flavor, the tasty treat is beautiful on
its own or in fanciful, decorative shapes. The unique flavor of gingerbread comes from ginger itself. Asian in origin, ginger was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for its medicinal purposes. Monks in medieval Europe were among the first to bake with it, concocting heavy dough of dark rye or wheat flour, strong buckwheat honey, and a variety of other spices.
The flavor caught on, and by the 1400s, gingerbread was a staple throughout northern Europe. By the 1600s, eggs and butter or lard were being added, and the dough was being cut out into figures of animals or people or pressed into carved molds that portrayed saints and biblical events. The popular cut-out shapes of gingerbread men have long been a part of European and American traditional lore.
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 7
Spicy, sweet and complex, gingerbread, in all its forms, is a dessert laced with spices that makes us feel warm inside during the holidays when the weather is cold outside. In England, village maidens would eat a gingerbread “husband” on All Hallows’ Eve to ensure that they would find a real mate. In Hungary and Yugoslavia, decorated gingerbread dolls were exchanged as love tokens. In the United States, the gingerbread man became a familiar symbol with the late 19th century publishing of the classic tale about the man-shaped gingerbread cookie that sprang from the oven and ran off to elude a trail of hungry captors before he was eventually devoured by a wily fox.
Today’s Gingerbread
Today, gingerbread generally refers to one of two desserts, one in a soft form and another in a harder form. It can be a dense, ginger-spiced cookie flavored with honey or molasses and cut into fanciful shapes,
such as the popular gingerbread man. The term is also used to describe a dense, molasses-based spice cake or bread. In this form, it is also sometimes called “gingerbread cake” to distinguish it from the harder forms. This cake-like gingerbread is a typical dessert served during the winter in England, and particularly associated with Christmas. The French dessert called “pain d’épices” is similar, though generally slightly drier, and always involves honey rather than molasses. Another variation popular in the North of England, called “Parkin,” is a form of hard gingerbread made with oatmeal and molasses. In Germany, gingerbread is also made in two forms: a soft form called “Lebkuchen” and a harder form, particularly associated with Christmas markets popular in many German towns. This hard gingerbread is made
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in decorative shapes, which are then further decorated with sweets and icing. In Sweden, the most popular form of ginger confection is “Pepparkakor,” a thin, brittle biscuit also associated with Christmas time.
Building Flavors
The gingerbread house, bedecked with colorful gumdrops and candy canes and covered with icing “snow,” was probably first created in Europe in the early 1800s, shortly after the Brothers Grimm published the macabre fairy tale about young Hänsel and Gretel. The two children who were lured in to an evil witch’s house in the forest by the irresistible
goodies that decorated its exterior. In modern times, that rustic house in the woods has taken on much grander dimensions. How-to books on the subject, prefab kits and gingerbread-house contests seem to suggest that gingerbread men must live in meticulous, multistory Victorian mansions with clear sugar windows— if not in a full-scale gingerbread châteaux. Gingerbread houses, however glorious to behold, are mostly made with gingerbread sheets that have been fortified or left out to harden, making it generally unpalatable.
Swedish Gingerbread Cookies (Makes about 48 cookies)
These snappy and spicy gingerbread cookies are popular in Sweden during the holidays and can be served plain or decorated with icing. This recipe originally came from the 80-plus-year-old Vete-Katten bakery in Stockholm.
Ingredients:
FOR COOKIES: 3 3⁄4 cups flour 3 teaspoons ground cloves 3 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 1⁄2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 1⁄4 teaspoons baking soda 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1⁄2 cup dark corn syrup 1⁄2 cup heavy cream FOR ICING: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1 egg white, lightly beaten
Method:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients; set aside. In another large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar and golden syrup using a handheld mixer set to medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the reserved dry mixture and the heavy cream in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with the dry mixture, until the dough just combines. Transfer dough to a work surface, divide in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap; refrigerate for one hour. 2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap one disk of dough and place on a floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out to a 1⁄8-inch thickness. Cut out cookies using the cookie cutters of your choice and place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling scraps. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, until browned and set, about 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. 3. To make an icing, if using, whisk confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and egg white in a medium bowl until smooth. Transfer icing to a resealable plastic bag (or a pastry bag). Snip off a bottom corner of the bag and pipe icing onto cookies in a decorative pattern.
Lafayette Gingerbread (Serves 8)
This recipe is an 18th century American classic attributed to George Washington’s mother. When General Lafayette paid her a visit in 1784, she served him some — accompanied by a mint julep — and the gingerbread cake came to be known as Lafayette Gingerbread. 4 ounces butter, softened 1⁄2 cup dark brown sugar 1 cup unsulphured molasses 3 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons ground ginger 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground clove 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda 3⁄4 cup buttermilk 1⁄3 cup fresh orange juice 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 cup raisins
Ingredients: Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Stir in molasses then beat in eggs one at a time. Sift flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and baking soda into a medium bowl. Combine buttermilk, orange juice and zest, and raisins in another bowl. Beat flour mixture into creamed mixture onethird at a time, alternating with buttermilk mixture. 2. Pour batter into a greased, floured 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Make It Your Own
Artfully decorated gingerbread cookies, on the other hand, are an all-time classic. Cut out into the forms of animals, stars, snowflakes, and the quintessential gingerbread man, they continue to be popular for holiday parties and family gatherings. Making gingerbread cookie dough or cake is a relatively simple process; the steps to follow are like most any other cake or cookie. The more sensitive or time consuming part — and maybe part of the reason these holiday treasures are not seen throughout the year — is the rolling and cutting out
of gingerbread cookies. Firm dough is necessary for producing a smooth cookie with well-defined edges. Refrigerating the cookies after they are cut is an extra step that will make gingerbread cookies perfect for eating, looking at and sharing with family, friends and neighbors. The taste and smell of freshly baked gingerbread conjures up visions of home and family, and of the cold days that herald the arrival of the holiday season. However you choose to enjoy gingerbread this season, try to not limit yourself to just one kind: all the variations are truly festive.
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 9
RIGHT AT HOME
CLASSIC DESIGNS, CLASSIC QUALITY. Heather Cashman, co-owner of Bend Furniture and Design in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing, likens timeless design to a classic black dress. “With the classic black dress, you can give it many different looks through embellishments and accessories,” she said. “But in the end, the classic black dress is still a classic black dress.” When furnishing your home, Cashman suggests looking past current styles in favor of a similar level of classic simplicity — quality-made, designneutral pieces that can transcend time and trends.
For instance, a classic sofa — like the classic black dress — is one that can blend with any style, depending on the colors, textures and accent pieces surrounding it. But its role is certainly not a passive one. Cashman said that a classic sofa, for instance, can enhance the pieces around it. “These should be your core, or investment pieces,” she said. “They can elevate everything in the space. A quality classic sofa can make your $30 accent pillows look spectacular.”
Classic Designs According to Cashman, a classic design is one that offers longevity of style. “A classic design is one that’s clean and can transcend time,” she said. “Whatever you put with the piece — a core piece like a sofa or a dining room table — it takes on that personality.”
Classic Quality
Beneath the clean lines of a classic design is a foundation of solid wood. This further promotes the longevity of a piece, says Cashman. “Solid wood can be refinished decades down the road. On upholstered pieces, quality cushions and frame construction maintain their original design and last longer for the duration of the piece.” Cheaper furniture, she added, begins to look worn over time. Classic quality does not have to be expensive, however. “Trendy styles will cost more over time, as we tend to replace them sooner.” Cashman said. “When you select core pieces with classic quality and design, the value comes with its longevity. You want to invest in something you’ll have for years ... that you can pass on or resell someday.”
CLASSIC DESIGN,
BUILT TO LAST
VISIT BEND FURNITURE & DESIGN WHERE YOU’LL FIND NORTH AMERICAN CRAFTED FURNITURE AT A PRICE THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE. WE INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE.
10 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
Have a Very
Thrifty Christmas If you plan to tighten the financial belt this holiday season, consider a few of these ideas. by Ben Montgomery, Editor / Central Oregon New Home Living
Central Oregon saw it’s first snowfall on Nov. 9, and while it didn’t stick around for long, it sent us all a clear message: bust out your down coats because Old Man Winter is back in town. In the mean time, the change in weather also reminded us of the approach of another season, one of food, fellowship and gifts against the backdrop (we hope) of a well-timed snowfall. The holiday season, while certainly magical in the minds of children and adults alike, is also a time of the year when we annually create a balance sheet of sorts between our finances and our desire for “optimizing the magic.” The seemingly endless commitments that come with each Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve can sometimes smother the joy of the season under a pillow of stress and obligation. But it doesn’t have to. Recently, the staff here at The Bulletin that publishes and supports Central Oregon New Home Recipe cards courtesy of Pat Lynch Living kicked around some ideas for celebrating this and any holiday season without cleaning out your savings or cashing in your 401K. Most of the ideas are simple, but they collectively serve as a terrific reminder to experience the season as a whole rather than simply count down the shopping days that remain before Christmas.
Deck Your Halls with the High Desert
When the time comes to transform your home into a wonderland of Christmas cheer, look no further than local parks and forests for both inspiration and supplies. According to the article “Hunt, Gather, Create” on pages 12 through 14 of this magazine, nature can provide the perfect materials for the creation of your own holiday decor. From pine cones and berries to branches and trees, the high desert can provide materials for making wreaths and centerpieces,
accenting your fireplace mantel, etc., many times at little to no cost. It also provides a great excuse for spending a great day in the wilderness with family and friends. Call Deschutes National Forest headquarters at 541-383-5300 for more information.
Share Your Sweets
Cookies are to the holidays as air is to breathing, though acquiring a variety of the sweet treats does not require a steep commitment in money or time in the kitchen. Instead, gather some like-minded holiday sweet tooths — family members, coworkers, members of your church — and plan a cookie exchange. Here’s how it works: On a predetermined date, all participants should bring a fairly large quantity of their one or two favorite cookies to be shared with the others. A good variety will emerge, allowing each person to take home a considerable cookie plate of collective favorites to share with family and friends. According to special projects manager Martha Tiller, The Bulletin staff member who shared this idea, you’ll save time, you’ll save money, and most importantly, you’ll give yourselves yet another excuse to revel in Christmas fellowship.
Someone’s
‘Change’ Holiday
The holidays are for giving — the giving of gifts, but also the giving of compassion and ourselves for those in need. Include the entire family — even people at the office — in a commitment to change someone’s holiday season for the better. Do so by setting out a jar or bank into which participants will make daily deposits of their loose change. You may be surprised how quickly the money can add up. At a predetermined date prior to Christmas, according to Bulletin graphic designer Clint Nye who shared this idea with us, use the money collected to buy a spontaneous gift for a neighbor or someone in need
within the community. Several local organizations have established programs or “giving trees” that can help connect you to someone in need.
To the Heart, Via the Stomach
If music is the soundtrack of our lives, as Dick Clark is famous for saying, then food can most certainly serve as a flavorful connection to our past. Realizing this, Pat Lynch, an advertising representative at The Bulletin, gave the gift of holiday flavors for family and friends. Rather than cooking up the food herself, she collected a few of her favorite holiday recipes — recipes that had become synonymous with her personal holiday tastes — and gave them in the form of decorative recipes cards. The gift of food, after all, is a true gift from the heart.
Embrace Central Oregon
The spirit of the holidays is alive in Central Oregon from Thanksgiving through Christmas as communities and organizations strive to establish celebratory — and many times free — events that capture this spirit. Catch a Christmas parade or two (each area community hosts one), attend a free holidaythemed concert, cruise the neighborhoods for Christmas lights (Eagle Crest Resort features a mile-long display of colorful lights) and visit with Santa in one of a number of locations throughout the holidays. To learn more about what’s happening in Central Oregon during this holiday season, see our calendar of events on pages 5 and 6.
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 11
Hunt, gather,
CREATE
Nature provides the perfect materials for the creation of your own Christmas wreath this holiday season.
by Susan Thomas Springer / for The Bulletin Special Projects
Every Christmas, one Bend woman makes a wreath to send to a friend in Alaska so she can experience the fragrance of Noble fir and juniper. “There’s nothing like opening a box that smells of fresh greenery from Central Oregon,” said Landsystems Nursery Manager Cindy Jeffers, who teaches wreath-making classes. If you adopt a “hunter-gatherer” attitude toward finding wreath materials and learn some design tips, you too can make a beautiful and professional-looking wreath for the holidays. Your wreath can brighten your front door or bring nature indoors; it can be trendy or traditional. However you design your wreath, it sends a warm message. “It’s like a welcome sign,” said Sara Carson, owner of Bend’s Blue Daffodil Flowers. “It creates a homey, cozy, family atmosphere.”
The Basics
Photos by Nicole Werner / wreaths courtesy of Sara Carson, Blue Daffodil Flowers 12 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
Start with a wreath base, attach the larger materials, and then embellish. If you choose a grapevine wreath base from a craft store, weave in dry elements such as curly willow and other twigs. If you’re making a wreath from fresh greenery, start with a metal ring and use florist wire to attach greenery bundles. “The more different kinds of greenery you use, the more texture you have,” said Jeffers.
She recommends using Wilt-Pruf spray to guard against moisture loss and keep needles from dropping.
An Organic Style
“Keep adding and keep adding until it looks really full,” said Carson. “My approach to wreath making is to use as many natural elements as possible, presented in an organic style.” Carson plans ahead and gathers elements throughout the year for wreath making from both her backyard and local forests. She dries sage, ornamental grasses, hydrangea and other summer flowers, and Japanese lanterns. One of her favorites is to dry poppies upside-down, then pull off their petals and use the bold pod in wreaths. To gather larger items such as branches, she relies on a “ratchet” style pruner which increases the cutting force and gets through thicker stems. Also, she gathers things off the ground from pine cones, to mossy rocks and bark.
Embellishments
Carson attaches the rocks and smaller details with a hot glue gun. She removes the dried glue strings left behind and covers any gobs of glue
with moss. Final embellishments range from traditional florist bows to natural elements, or glitzy gold-sprayed decorations. Carson has decorated wreaths with everything from shells to tiny photo frames. She has noticed that peacock feathers and succulent wreaths are emerging trends. Jeffers says customers in her annual wreath-making classes individualize wreaths with a variety of decorations from holiday ornaments to red berries. She adds that bird-themed wreaths are popular.
A Natural Display
To hang a wreath on a front door, hide a flat tack in the top edge to avoid putting a nail hole in the door. Indoors, you can use wire covered in florist tape as a hanger. Wreaths don’t have to be hung; they can be used as a centerpiece with candles. Place plastic on the table first to avoid getting sticky sap on your furniture. Jeffers enjoys seeing Landsystems packed this time of year with fresh greens and a large selection of ribbons,
Harvesting boughs You can gather up to 50 pounds of boughs — branches of trees — from Deschutes National Forest land without a permit; it is called incidental use. You can also pick cones off the forest floor. Do not take boughs from trees that are located within 200 feet of any paved road, recreation area, trail, campground or lake, or experimental/ old growth forests, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Research Natural Areas, Late Successional Reserves and wilderness areas. See Deschutes Land and Resource Management Plan for the locations of these no picking areas. While this amount is plenty to create many wreaths, you can take even more with a permit and a small fee. Call Deschutes National Forest headquarters at 541-383-5300 with questions.
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 13
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ornaments and holiday decorations. The garden center offers two wreath-making classes: Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. Consult their website to register for those and other holiday classes such as centerpieces and swags. Carson has years of experience in retail florist shops and just recently started her own business in which she creates floral designs for weddings, events and the holidays. She offers custom wreaths and will decorate a home for the season. Wreaths dress up a door and send an enduring symbol of welcome.
Whimsical
CREATIONS
Local couple bringing history to life. by Laurel Brauns / for the Bulletin’s Special Projects
Victoria and Wally Roth moved to Bend from Southern California because they wanted to be surrounded by more trees. They also came here with a dream: to start a bed and breakfast that included gypsy wagons as part of the accommodation options. “We were flipping through some books at Barnes & Noble one day about people’s retreats, and we found this article about sheep herder’s wagons,” Wally said. “But Victoria insisted that no one would pay money to stay in a sheep herder’s wagon, so we started to explore the option of gypsy vans.” Wally proceeded to do some research on the wagons and came across a special on gypsies (or Romani, their politically correct name) on the history channel that had a short piece on the wagons. He contacted the proprietor of the museum that was featured on the special, and two weeks later he was on a plane to England to take measurements
Photos by Lyle Cox / Sub mit
ted
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 15
and drawings from the museum’s collection. “There is an energy and an essence that is inherent in the romance of the gypsy van that you can’t really imagine until you see one up close,” Victoria said. “We decided we could not do anything else but build them as accurately as possible.” Staying true to the original designs requires that one gypsy van take 6,000 hours to build, which equals one person working full time for three years. The completed wagons sell for between $150,000 and $200,000. The Roth’s research continued, and they eventually went back to England on a three-week trip where they planned to see every “living” gypsy wagon available for public viewing. “Living” vans are defined as wagons that are restored or livable. “Gypsies believed that speaking of the dead would bring them bad luck, so when someone died, oftentimes they would burn the wagon and all of the person’s belongings within,” Wally said. “That is why there are so few wagons still around. This practice also prevented them from having a history. That, and they were also without a written language.” Of the two vans that the Roth’s have worked on, both are done in the Reading style, originally crafted by a wagon-maker in England named Sam Dunton. Wally has been able to uncover plans for other styles of wagons but knows that they are not accurate. He replicates these old-world structures through his own measurements and through working closely with Peter Ingram, a wagon maker in England who has been creating replicas for 40 years. Ingram 16 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
spent four months with the Roth’s here in Bend in order to help them complete their first wagon in only nine months. Victoria apprenticed under Ingram during this time and learned the art of painting the wagon, which proved to be an intricate and delicate process. There is a long tradition of painting 24 karat gold leaf on to the wagons as a way for the gypsies to display their wealth. “These were itinerant people with no homes or land to show their monetary worth, so it was extremely important to them that their wagons were extravagantly decorated,”
Victoria said. “They had their horses, jewelry, China sets and their wagons. These wagons cost the same as it would to buy a nice house at the time.” The wagon that the Roths currently have under construction is about 14 feet long and 7 feet wide at the roof. Eventually the cabin will be filled with curved-glass china cabinets, a small stove and furniture, and yet there will still be plenty of room for multiple people to move freely inside the cabin. There is a bed in the back that could comfortably sleep two, which is why many people purchase the wagons as a guest house near their homes. Wagons are also commonly used as artist retreats, which is how their first customer in Colorado put
“We’re not in this for the money. It’s because when we are doing it we get lost in it and time stands still. You are bringing to life a piece of history.” her gypsy van to use. The attention to detail and superior craftsmanship is apparent on every inch of these structures, from the hand-carved, gold-leaf lion heads above the doors, to the star pattern in the ruby flash glass that Victoria will sand blast herself, to the hubs on the end of the wagon wheels that Wally had to first carve out of wood and then take to a foundry to obtain a custom metal molding.
“There is not a gypsy van section at Home Depot,” Victoria said with a laugh. Part of the reason the couple has been so successful is because both share a passion and natural talent for working with wood. Wally worked as a boat builder, and he also ran a yacht restoration business in Southern California for years where he was constantly faced with unique problems that required customized solutions.
And while Wally might handle the technical side of the design work, Victoria is obsessively excited about both carving and painting the vans, which is an equally important contribution to the final product. “We’re not in this for the money. It’s because when we are doing it we get lost in it and time stands still,” Victoria said. “You are bringing to life a piece of history.”
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Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 17
COLOR TRENDS
Why
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The holiday season is a time for gathering. A time of year when homeowners prepare to host family and friends both by digging out the holiday decorations and considering more permanent changes to improve the mood of a family or dining room. According to Norma Tucker of Denfeld Paints, Inc. in Bend, homeowners can improve the warmth of a room through do-it-yourself faux painting and finishing options. “Maybe you have a dining room that needs a new look before you serve Christmas dinner this year,” Tucker said. “Sometimes you want more than just a solid color on your walls. Faux painting and decorative finishes allow you to be more creative and give any room a oneof-a-kind design.”
Ralph Lauren Paints, for instance, offers a line of faux finishes to achieve such goals. Here are some examples: • Regent Metallics is a collection of luminous paint (40 colors) that adds timeless luxury and tailored sophistication to
A number of products and resources are available today that make it simpler for the do-it-yourselfer to achieve top-of-theline depth, texture and “the interplay of light and color,” Tucker said.
walls, trim, and architectural elements. • Candlelight is a topcoat designed to emulate the radiant glow and subtle nuance of flickering candlelight, adding drama and sophistication to any painted wall. • Suede is designed to evoke the supple hand of brushed suede with rich, authentic character, available in 44 sumptuous hues. • River Rock, with subtle mottled highlights, and textured appearance, captures the worn look of rocks awash in a turbulent stream and the rustic charm of the outdoors. “Faux finishes can enhance architectural features and create mood that reflects your own personal style by inviting color and texture into your home,” Tucker said. For more information about these
finishes, including expert how- to videos, featuring specialty techniques for applying faux products, visit ralphlaurenhome. com.
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Keeping a
Tradition Alive
Norwegian traditions alive in Bend through the making of lefse. By Annissa Anderson / for The Bulletin Special Projects
On a snowy morning in late October, the Sons of Norway Fjeldheim Lodge 2-47 in Bend was full of, sure, some Sons of Norway. But mostly it was bursting with aromas, flavors and chatter as the daughters and grandchildren of Norway busily made batch after batch of one of Norway’s traditional pastries: lefse. Lefse (LEFF-sah) is a flatbread made from potatoes and has been a Norwegian treat for close to 250 years — since the potato arrived in Norway. It is still prepared and eaten today in Norway, particularly for holidays and special occasions, but the tradition of making it is just as alive in Bend. An activity for all genders and ages, lefse making has been a holiday season activity at the local Sons of Norway Fjeldheim lodge for close to 30 years. The Sons of Norway Fjeldheim Lodge 2-47 in Bend, in its 94th year, presently has around 155 members. Like other Sons of Norway lodges around the United States, its members share a mission: to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway. However, the lodge membership in Bend is unique in that it has a more diverse mix of ages.
Photos by Lyle Cox and Nicole Werner Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 19
“It’s part of our heritage, and the traditions of our families. It bridges the distance between Oregon and our ancestral homeland.” Sons of Norway Bake Sale & Bazaar Lefse, as well as assorted other Scandinavian cookies and treats, will be for sale to benefit the Sons of Norway lodge and various local charities. Visit the Sons of Norway Fjeldheim Lodge 2-47, 549 NW Harmon Ave. in Bend, on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 541383-4333. “This is a very dynamic group,” said Berit Carlsen, a member of four years. “There are a lot of programs for families and children.”
She, like some others in the lefse-making crew, were raised in Norway and later transplanted in Bend. “There are certain things Norwegians can’t live without, and that includes lefse,” she said. Joy Mosier and Naomi Price, both current lodge members, attributed the longevity of the lefse making activity to Price’s mother, Loiselle Dahill, among others. The now 86-year-old Norwegian woman was active in baking and keeping the tradition alive during the 1980s and 90s. This year, a couple of dozen members have turned out over six days in October to make the flatbread, which is sold at their annual Bake Sale and Bazaar as a holiday season fundraiser. “We’re here to keep the
20 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
tradition alive,” said Mosier, who joined Sons of Norway in 1992. Mosier’s three daughters, now adults, all came to roll out lefse dough as children. Today, Mosier is involved with introducing Norwegian cultural skills — in the form of cooking, crafts, language, and more — to the children that come to the Sons of Norway lodge.
The Process
Lefse making is rather labor intensive, which is why it takes a proverbial village to make it. It takes a whole crew of volunteers just to cook the potatoes and send them through a meat grinder (a potato ricer is used for smaller batches) before they are ready to add to the dough. Six ingredients — butter,
flour, potatoes, baking powder, salt and sugar — create the dough that is divided into balls (weighed carefully to 3 ounces each), rolled into thin 12inch rounds, cooked atop a hot round skillet, and finally laid out flat to cool before being packaged and frozen. Lefse can be eaten plain — either cold or warmed up — but most people like to spread butter on it and roll it up before eating. Sometimes it gets sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. At the Sons of Norway, some
people were eating it with thinly sliced Gjetost, a caramely brown goat cheese. Although the entire process of lefse is quite an undertaking, many of the steps are simple enough for children to help. Kendra Pratt, 11, and her sister Ellie Pratt, 6, worked side-by-side rolling dough during one busy afternoon at the lodge. “It’s a really fun activity,” said the older sister about her first time rolling lefse. “I like it. It’s easier than mushing.” Eva Varga brought her two children, Jeffrey, 5, and Geneva, 8, to help with rolling lefse. In her second year of the activity, Geneva Varga already spoke like a pro. “I just use lots of flour to make it smooth and not sticky,” said Geneva Varga. She, like others rolling lefse dough, used a sock-covered rolling pin to roll out the dough on a canvas-covered board. Making lefse with family and friends, new and old, is a fun way for transplanted Norwegians, and others, to keep Norway’s culture alive in Bend. “It’s part of our heritage, and the traditions of our families,” said Eva Varga. “It bridges the distance between Oregon and our ancestral homeland.”
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Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 21
Poinsettia Alternatives
A look into both common and unusual blooming plants for your home or office this holiday season. by Doug Stott / for The Bulletin Special Projects Photos by Lyle Cox 22 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
Few things alert a person more about the upcoming Christmas season than the explosive vibrant displays of red poinsettias. Display after display at local garden centers and floral shops help sing the songs of this festive holiday season. But wait, what is that unusuallooking blooming plant over there? And over there is the nicest Christmas cactus I have ever seen! As with so many traditions, there are a growing number of folks that prefer or are looking for uncommon plants to help them decorate and celebrate this wonderful season. With that thought in mind, let’s explore some of the alternatives in blooming plants that you just might find at this time of the year if you are willing to search around a little.
Kalenchoe
Starting out the holiday parade is a long-blooming (and colorful) succulent leaved plant called kalenchoe. With more than 130 different varieties to choose from, this family of plants is guaranteed to meet the connoisseurs articulating demand for complementary colors. This plant loves a bright location and, in return, will furnish you multiple days of eye-popping color. Even when the blooms fade, the plant is attractive with its glossy thick foliage. This plant is a top pick for ease of care and its vibrant color.
that have multi-colored flowers. The dappled, heart-shaped foliage is also intriguing.
Christmas Cactus
The more popular and readily available Christmas cactus has always been a favorite heirloom plant. A tough, easy-to-care-for, droughttolerant house plant, this plant will always be a favorite in that special place in your home. You might try re-planting some small starter plants of different colors in a pot to create a great conversation piece!
Hellebores
The hellebores, also known as Christmas or Lenten rose, offer an exciting look in your home during the holiday season and will bloom for a very long time. For seasoned gardeners, you will know these plants as tough little evergreen perennials; however, they will make a dramatic blooming plant when cared for inside your home. With intricately colored blooms of white, purple, pink and green, these sometimes hard-to-find plants will capture your immediate attention. When the season is over, you may simply transplant them out into your garden when weather permits.
Rex Begonia
Another easy-to-find option is the decorative family of cyclamens. This plant loves a cooler climate (perfect for our area) and will bloom for a long time. Blossom colors range from white to purple with a few rare varieties
Another interesting indoor plant is the rex begonia. This family of plants is most notable for its dramatic leaf design as well as color; however, many of the species offer dainty blossoms of white and pink. Placed in decorative, earthen pottery, these plants will capture everyone’s attention and add an
Christmas Cactus
Geranium
Cyclamens
Begonia
element of glamor.
Gardenia
Although the tropical gardenia is more commonplace, it still adds what no other plant can accomplish in terms of fragrance. The delicate wisps of floral scent will tantalize the room in which it graces. These plants are a little finicky and will require warm temperatures — no chilly winter drafts.
Geranium
Although the common garden geranium is not often thought of as a houseplant, many folks have discovered how wonderful, colorful and carefree this plant can really be. Given a bright spot in your home,
Paper white
this easy-care bloomer will knock your socks off with vibrant color every day of the week. Offering just about any color you would like, this is a great choice for wintertime vibrancy.
Citrus Plants
The family of citrus plants always offer a thrill for the grower. Not only is the fabulous citrus bloom intoxicatingly fragrant, but the prospect of growing your own lemons, limes or even grapefruits can be enough to excite just about everyone. There are even varieties with variegated (green and white) leaves. The placement of some of these plants in your home can let to a somewhat tropical look even in the winter time. Citrus
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 23
Camellia
There is probably no other plant that will offer more grandeur than the tropical camellia. With glossy leaves and absolutely fabulous blooms, these plants add a touch of class and elegance. Camellias require a sunny, warm spot in order to achieve all this plant has to offer.
Narcissus & Amaryllis
Our conversation would not be complete unless we mentioned the fragrant narcissus and the noble amaryllis flowering bulbs. Whether you buy these already “potted up” and growing or purchase them as individual flower bulbs, they are sure to treat your home with a special holiday look. The size of the bulb will dictate the number of blooms as well as blossom size. Any kitchen table or breakfast nook will take on a special holiday fare when they are graced by these traditional plants
simply by adding a few pots of flowering plants. So whether it be the traditional poinsettia or a few of the other, more unusual blooming plants, I am sure you will enjoy the colors and fragrance that many of these plants have to offer. You will want to monitor your plant selections in respect to warmth, brightness of light and moisture. It would also be wise to fertilize them about once every two weeks with a “bloom” type liquid organic fertilizer such as Earth Juice. None of the above mentioned plants have a history of insect or disease problems, but it is always wise to monitor them on a weekly basis.
The special wintertime holiday season can be brightened up
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Photos by Nicole Werner
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Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 27
GARDEN CALENDAR December Force bulbs indoors to bring some color into your home during the winter months. The most commonly forced bulbs include crocus, hyacinths, paper whites, amaryllis, tulips, daffodils, miniature iris and scilla. Browse seed catalogs, nurseries and the Internet for seeds and seed catalogs.
by Amy Jo Detweiler / Special to The Bulletin
Clean, oil and sharpen garden tools. You can clean your tools with a bleach solution: 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry immediately to prevent corrosion. You can also use rubbing alcohol to disinfect tools. If you are selecting a live Christmas tree for the holidays, be sure and follow these tips:
Make sure your landscape plants, especially your new ones, do not dry out or desiccate this winter. If we have lots of snow, then you can enjoy the view from inside your cozy home. However, if we have a break in the weather with a dry spell (three to six weeks), where the sun is out, no snow has fallen and the ground has warmed up, you will need to drag out the garden hose and give all of your plants a deep soak. This will prevent your plants from drying out through the winter months. If we have a long, dry winter, you will want to water every six to eight weeks.
• Live trees can be kept inside for three to five days without breaking dormancy. • A tree goes dormant once a year; if dormancy is broken, the tree will likely not survive the freezing temperatures of winter once placed outside. • It’s best to plant your live tree as soon as possible, so you may want to dig the hole before the ground freezes and cover it until you are ready to plant. Better yet, dig a hole the size of the pot on the east or north side of your home, then sink the pot into the ground to protect and insulate the roots. In the spring, you can take the tree out of the pot and permanently plant the tree in the landscape. Make holiday decorations from trees, shrubs and ornamental berries from the landscape. Browse our local garden publications specific to Central Oregon at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/deschutes/ horticulture/garden-publications.
January/February Monitor houseplants for adequate water, fertilizer and humidity. These requirements are generally less during the winter months. Check stored vegetables, fruits or flower bulbs for rot or fungus, and discard any showing signs of rot. The national gardening craze has a lot of seed sources selling out earlier than ever. It
is a good idea to order seeds early this year. Purchase/ order annual and vegetable garden seeds with 65 to 80 days to maturity as these are best for Central Oregon. Remember to add 14 days to the maturity date on the packet to approximate how long it will take for that plant to mature here in Central Oregon. Plants either slow down or stop growing at night due to our low evening temperatures. If we have heavy snowstorms, you can tie limbs of your columnar evergreens (i.e. upright juniper, arborvitae) to prevent breakage from ice or snow. Order spring planted bulbs, corms and roots such as alliums, dahlias, gladiolus, lilies and autumn crocus. Dust off your houseplants to help them “breathe” using a cloth dampened with water. Avoid walking on the lawn if it is frozen solid to prevent damaging the turf. Make a cold frame or hotbed to start early vegetables or flowers.
Educate Yourself Master Gardener
Give a unique gift! Sign up a loved one to become an OSU Master Gardener volunteer. Classes are offered on Saturdays at the OSU Cascades Hall in Bend. The class of 2011 applications are available by calling 541-548-6088 or go to our website at http://extension.oregonstate. edu/deschutes. Not available to become a volunteer but want to take the classes? Not available on Saturdays but want to become an OSU Master Gardener.We offer on-line training or “classes only” training. For more information, call the OSU Extension office at 541-548-6088. 28 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
High Desert Gardening
Be sure and sign up for a new year of High Desert Gardening for a color newsletter with local tips and articles about Central Oregon’s landscapes and gardening. It is available electronically or in hard copy. To check out a sample of our newsletter, call us at 541-548-6088 or view a sample online at: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/deschutes/announcements/high-desert-gardeningnewsletter.(Nov. 12).
Fact or Fiction:
Are Poinsettia’s Poisonous? Every year during the holiday season, fear may arise with the inclusion of the beautiful Poinsettia in your home. It has long been thought that these festive holiday plants are poisonous and one should be cautious, particularly if you have small children or a pet that eats “everything”.
FACT: Poinsettia plants are not poisonous to humans. Apparently the myth began a long time ago (1919) when the death of a young child was mistakenly attributed to being poisoned by a poinsettia. The myth began then and continues to this day. Some of the confusion may lie in the fact that the poinsettia is a member of the genus Euphorbia, which does include a number of other toxic plants. However, just because the poinsettia is not poisonous does not mean it is edible. Research shows if eaten in large quantities (about 500 to 600 leaves), you are likely to end up with an upset stomach or other digestive issues. So avoid the urge to take a nibble and stick to candy canes. Poinsettias are fun, festive and great way to dress up your home for the holidays.
Featured Publication:
“Efficient Lawn Irrigation” Did you know that OSU Extension offers a library containing a wealth of information about gardening in Central Oregon? From Xeriscaping to creating a fire-resistant border around your home using local plants, this online resource is truly invaluable for any gardener. Want to know how much water to put on your lawn? Be sure and check out the newest OSU publication, “Efficient Lawn Irrigation in the Intermountain West ” at http:// ir.library.oregonstate.edu. Do a title search for the publication’s title and click on the resulting link to download the PDF document. This six-page guide includes information on best types of turfgrass for our area, how to determine how much and when to apply water, and techniques for determining the lawn’s water needs.
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www.oregonrestores.org Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 29
expert
advice Is wintertime a good time to sell? “’Tis the season…” Boy does this phrase bring a flurry of thoughts! I am often asked if this is a good time of year to list your home for sale. Actually. I am asked that question year-round. My answer is two-fold. First, I ask why they are asking, then I point out that the timing is good whenever you are ready. Regarding the sale of a home, this time of year is really no different than any other time of year … well, despite a few additional benefits that can be realized just by tweaking one’s perspective. Let’s start with the potential inconvenience. I’ve had our home listed for sale, and sure it’s inconvenient — making the bed every day made me feel like I was 8 years old again. (The day you don’t make your bed is the day you get two showings.) The best part about it was our home always looked brand new, and I loved coming home to a clean house. Nothing inconvenient about that!
Buyers who are shopping during the winter are more serious. Who would go out in the snow, perhaps taking time off of work to see homes before dark to find a new home for their family? Serious buyers, that’s who! Your warm touches during the holidays add that extra sensation of joyfulness. Decorate to your heart’s content. A word of caution: if all you have are paths from room to room after you’ve set up Santa’s shop, you’ve got too much cheer! Don’t suffocate potential buyers with visual and olfactory overload; leave that to the professionals in the retail market. Provide a peaceful retreat. Many sellers take their home off the market because they are just flat overwhelmed by their obligations during the holidays. There is less competition in the winter due to this thought process. If you remain active in the marketplace, you’ll stand a better chance of finding the right buyer. So as a seller, is there a way around this? Of course there is. That’s why I like real estate — there’s more than one solution to any question.
Talk with your agent about keeping your home available via an in-house listing, or changing the showing instructions to 24-hour notice required. Interest rates play a key role in the housing market. Right now, a 30-year fixed rate is hovering at or just shy of 4 percent. That is not a typo, my friends. Talk about a financial gift that keeps on giving! I have a current buyer who is flabbergasted at how his financial picture just changed from dark grays to every shade of the rainbow. He can’t stop smiling, and neither can his wife! We have a new year to look forward to, and every day is a gift. No matter your circumstances, I challenge you to find beauty in something — anything — that gives your heart that extra beat of life. We’ve made it this far, and we will continue to succeed by changing how we look at things, even when it seems you are looking ahead into a dark hole. Stars shine brightest in the darkest sky. Happy Holidays, and my absolute best to you and yours in the New Year! Cindy King is a principal broker at Steve Scott Realtors.
Creating jobs while filling a need On Bend’s southeast side, new homes will be rising from the ground over the next few months. What makes these homes unique in today’s economy is the nine homes will be third-party certified green-built homes affordable to people up to 100 percent of the area’s median income, and they will be creating jobs in Bend. This project is a partnership designed to demonstrate that affordable housing can also be built through state-of-the-art construction that is easier on the environment. They are designed to save the owner money year in and year out. Building Partners for Affordable Housing, the City of Bend, the State of Oregon, the federal government, citizens who paid into the Bend affordable housing fund and Earth Advantage
are just some of those participating to make the project successful. Building Partners was founded to bring affordable housing to those who were working but underserved. Builders from the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) worked to found the nonprofit near the peak of the real estate market due to lack of affordable housing options. Today new homes that are third-party certified green-built homes under $165,000 are hard to find. For most of these new homes, the buyer will only need to qualify for a $140,000 loan or less. A family of four making under $64,000 a year could qualify for a home, and Building Partners is working with families to point them toward the right financing options that will work for them. The COBA Building Green Council, working with the Bend Energy Education Coalition, is involved in the project, providing energy efficiency education materials and seminars that will inform people about techniques that can save them money when building or remodeling, whether they buy a home in this project or another one of
30 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Holiday Edition 2010
their choosing. Working together in partnership, the plan is to have homes at various stages of completion available to be shown on the 2011 Tour of Homes. This will allow builders to show what’s behind the walls and why it makes a difference. Building Partners also wants to demonstrate to people that inexpensive doesn’t mean a home can’t exceed building codes and achieve best practices in construction. COBA has become one of the nation’s leading home builders associations offering a Green Building Award on its Tour of Homes. The 2008 Tour hosted the first LEED-H home built in Bend by SolAire Homebuilders. The Tour of Homes will also provide additional materials on Green Building, Earth Advantage, Energy Star and other energy conservation and sustainability programs. If you would like more information, please visit the COBA website at www.coba.org or call COBA at 541-389-1058. Tim Knopp is the executive vice president of the Central Oregon Builders Association.
Central Oregon New Home Subdivisions
subdivision name:
NW BEND
DESCHUTES POINTE FREMONT PLACE NORTH RIM NORTHWEST CROSSING RIVERS EDGE VILLAGE ROCKY POINT SHEVLIN RIDGE TUSCANY PINES
NE BEND
BRECKENRIDGE EAGLES LANDING HORIZON RIDGE LAVA RIDGES MCCALL LANDING NORTHCREST PRONGHORN WOODHILL PARK
SW BEND
ASPEN RIM AT THE RIDGE DESCHUTES LANDING FOREST MEADOWS 2 POINTSWEST TETHEROW
SE BEND
FOREST CREEK PETTIGREW HIGHLANDS REED POINTE SOUTH BRIAR SOUTH POINT STONEGATE THE BRIDGES
REDMOND
ANTLER RIDGE CANYON RIM VILLAGE VISTA DORADO
SISTERS
COYOTE SPRINGS THE VILLAGE AT COLD SPRINGS
MADRAS YARROW
PRINEVILLE
BUENA VILLA ESTATES CRYSTAL SPRINGS FALCON RIDGE IRONHORSE LONGHORN RIDGE OCHOCO POINTE OLDE IRON ESTATES
SUNRIVER
CALDERA SPRINGS
EAGLE CREST HIGHLAND PARKS
price range:
From mid $300s From upper $200s Call For Pricing Call for Pricing Lots from $99,000 From high $500s Lots From $110,000 From $229,000
$237,900-$264,900 From $215,500 From upper $200s From low $200,000s From $159,900 $199,900-$209,500 lots from $72.5K; homes from $715K From low $100s
directions:
Hwy. 97 to west on Revere, right on Harriman. Hwy 97 to Reed Market/Mt. Washington west, rt. on NorthWest Crossing Dr. From Hwy 97, west at Mt. Washington, rt. on Wild Rye Circle West on Shevlin Park to Mt. Washington; south to next roundabout From Hwy 97, west at Mt. Washington past Summit to Fairway Heights Hwy. 97 to west on Revere, right on Harriman. West on Shevlin Park Rd., lft. on McClain Dr. From Hwy 97, west on Empire, rt. on OB Riley, rt. on Halfway.
Next to St. Francis, off 27th Street From 27th , head east on NE Conners Ave. East on Empire, north on Boyd Acres, east on Tristar From Butler Market, north on Purcell Blvd. Hwy 97 to east on Empire, to north on 18th, West on Sierra North on Boyd Acres Rd., left on Patriot Ln. Highway 20 east to Powell Butte Highway, left on Pronghorn Club Drive From Hwy 97, east on Empire, north on Boyd Acres, west on Gloucester Ln.
From $214,900 From high $300s From low $200s From $399,900 Lots from $199,000
South on Hwy. 97, west on Powers, lft. on Brookswood, rt. on Montrose Pass St. Take Reed Market Rd. exit west from Hwy 97. Turn rt. after first roundabout. From the Old Mil, S. on Brookswood Blvd, W. on Montrose Pass, S. on Dartmouth Ave. Century Drive to Seventh Mountain Resort. Follow signs to Pointswest Century Drive South, right on Skyline Ranch Road
From $67,000 $195,000 From high $100s From mid $100s from High $100’s From low $200,000s From low $200,000s
East on Powers, N. on Parrell, E. on Chase, S. on Benham, Rt. on Shire Lane. South on 27th St. to W. on Bear Creek, S. on Pettigrew, E. on Clairaway to Bridgecliff From Old Mill east on Reed Market Rd., rt. on 15th, rt. on Helen From Hwy 97, go east on Powers, rt on Parrell,lt on Knightsbridge. West of Brosterhous Rd., north of Murphy Rd., adjacent to Jewell Elementary School. Corner of China Hat and Parrel Rd. Hwy 97 to Reed Market Rd. East on Reed Market, south on 15th, go 1 mile
From $99,990 From $185,000 From $99,990
Hwy 126 west, north on NW 35th St. to SW Cascade. From Highland, north on Rimrock/19th. cross Antler, rt. on Ivy North Hwy 97, east on Maple, north on NE 5th, west on NE Quince
From $177,000 From $139,900
Hwy 20, South on Locust, over the creek, left on Coyote Springs Road West Hwy. 20, W. on McKinney Butte Road, N. on Trinity Way, W. on Carson Rd.
Lots from $26,000
$159,000-$189,900 From $55,000 $89,900 - $99,900 Lots from $32,900 $50,000-$255,000 From upper $100,000s $169,900
From Hwy 97, east on “B” St., south on City View.
East on Hwy 26, rt. on Buena Villa Drive. Hwy 26 (NE 3rd St.) east of Prineville, south on Stearns Rd. E. Hwy 26, rt. on Combs Flat, rt. on Juniper Canyon, rt. on Davis Lp., to Falcon Ridge Rd. Hwy 26, north on Combs Flat Rd. and follow signs to either homes or homesites E. Hwy 126. Rt on Combs flat rd. rt on Juniper Canyon. Rt on Davis Loop to Longhorn Ridge. From Highway 26, north on Ochoco Plaza, west on Laughlin, north on Hudspeth North on NW Harwood Street, left on NW Olde Iron Street
From mid $400s
Adjacent to Sunriver off of S. Century Dr.
From $400,000s
From W. Hwy 126, south at Eagle Crst Blvd for 1.5 miles, rt. into Highland Parks
For more info., contact a local REALTOR® or builder. Central Oregon Association of REALTORS®: 541-382-6027 www.coar.com Central Oregon Builders Association: 541-389-1058 www.coba.org
Holiday Edition 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 31
www.KristiWolfeDesigns.com
FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.thegarnergroup.com 541-383-4360
for the holidays at
Mt. Washington & NW Crossing Drive
20% Off
all Metro Duo raised feeders
IN
ER DR .
NW S
541-312-9349
$3 OFF Any 18” Pizza or $5 OFF Any 25” Pizza Offer expires 12/31/10
DR.
NW CL EA RWAT
.W ASH
ON
541-318-2998 | www.healthypawsbend.com Located on NW Crossing Drive
MT
GT
Good 12/1/10 - 12/24/10
NW CROSSING DR
NW FORT CLATSOP ST
15% Off all dog beds
www.northwestcrossing.com
SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL
Give your best 4-legged friend a soft new Bed or Raised Feeder for Christmas!
NW Crossing Drive | 541-389-1429
KYLIN
ER
S RD.
www.pisanosbend.com Located on NW Crossing Drive
10% OFF
Any Egg Nog or Pumpkin Spice Lattes (expires 12/31/10) Don’t forget to flash your Mt. Bachelor pass for more specials throughout the season! 541-382-6740 Located on NW Crossing Drive
541-647-1624 www.larosabend.com Mt. Washington & NW Crossing Drive
541-385-1777 NW Crossing Drive
www.portellowinecafe.com