Queen City Gives Us the Royal Treatment

IIn this issue, we’re celebrating the outdoors—and how what we do as window treatment professionals can add to the happiness and well-being of our customers with our incredible products. Regardless of what climate you live in (I happen to live in Minnesota, where we crave nice weather), there’s a solution that can help you enjoy nature, right from your own home. In fact, even though I can enjoy the outdoors for much less time than many of you, I will be adding an alfresco room to my home.

I want to be able to revel in the beauty of nature without the plague of mosquitos (the state bird) and extreme sunlight, all while keeping my outdoor furnishings safe and clean. AND if I add an outdoor fireplace, that will extend the amount of time I can be outside! I hope you enjoy all the great ideas we share on outdoor living trends and take advantage of the potential sales increase with these specialty custom products.

As I write this, I’m just catching my breath after the most amazing International Window Coverings Expo since pre-recession. There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing your customers (exhibitors and attendees) tell you what a great experience they had in Charlotte, NC. For me, it was exhilarating to watch the robust show floor and see the packed seminars.

Grace’s Hangover Chicken Salad

SALAD:

■ 4 chicken breasts (or 1 whole roasted chicken pulled into pieces)

■ 1-2 sliced colored peppers

■ 20 seedless grapes halved

■ 20 grape tomatoes halved or 1 jar of sundried tomatoes

■ 1 pound bag of good cheese tortellini cooked al dente

DRESSING:

Thanks to all of you that were able to make it this year. I hope to see you all in Dallas at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center next April. Being in Texas for the first time, it’s sure to be something special. See our show coverage in this issue and on our website.

I feel so blessed this year. I welcomed my seventh grandchild into the world this past February. Ania gave birth to sweet Ewalina—the next generation who was present at her first IWCE! I want to thank so many of you that welcomed her and amazed us with kind gifts, like a custom IWCE onesie. Ewalina was waiting across the street at the Westin for her mom to visit whenever she could.

Since I love to cook, I thought I’d share my world-famous summer recipe: Hangover Chicken Salad. It’s named this as I created it in my 30s the day after my girlfriends and I went out on the town and needed something satisfying to cure our condition the next day. Made with ingredients I had on hand, it’s become my most requested dish to serve and bring to parties in the summer. Enjoy this delicious salad with the cocktail we share on page 34 or a glass of rosé.

Grace McNamara Publisher grace@wf-vision.com

(this is key and may seem excessive but it needs to be to coat the ingredients and have a little punch)

■ 4 tablespoons olive oil

■ 4 tablespoons vinegar (you can vary the vinegar here but I prefer champagne/white wine vinegar)

■ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

■ 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

■ 3 cloves garlic minced

■ Salt and pepper

If using chicken breasts, marinate them in your favorite vinaigrette for 1 hour and grill until just tender. Slice the breasts into 1-inch pieces.

Whisk/blend the dressing ingredients together until creamy. Place the dressing into a large bowl, add the salad ingredients and enjoy with some nice crusty bread. Voilà! If you make it right, you will love it.