Modern Texas Living

The Little 

Black 

Dress 

5Places 

to Visit 

in Texas 

+ 

Soup & 

Sammies 

Recipes 

HOLIDAY 

Home Tour 

Kim Mulkey 

A Side Not Often Seen

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MODERN TEXAS LIVING | 1

STYLE, QUALITY 

& CHARACTER 

HANDMADE IN TEXAS 

CUSTOM DESIGNS • STORE FRONT • SHOW ROOM 

COME VISIT US! 

Monday - Saturday • 9am - 5pm 

9685 Lone Star Parkway 

Valley Mills, TX 76689 

254.486.9150

IN THIS 

ISSUE 

06 

AT HOME 

A Burst of Beautiful 4 

Designer Bed 101 12 

'Tis the Season 18 

24 

IN THE KITCHEN 

Pantry & Fridge Overhaul 24 

Soup & Sammies 30 

Holiday Cookies 34 

How to Design a Charcuterie Board 36 

Signature Drinks 40 

46 

IN GOOD HEALTH 

Spirit Lead Me 46 

You've Got This Mama 50 

54 

FEATURE 

Kim Mulkey 54 

61 

ON THE ROAD 

5 Places to Visit In Texas In the Winter 61 

Top Reasons to Use a Travel Agent 63 

64 

INSIDE BUSINESS 

Personal Profile with Alexis Bloom 64 

Get to Know Camille Johnson 65 

71 

OF LIFE & STYLE 

The Little Black Dress 71 

Waves Are In 80 

Galentines 82 

84 

FROM THE HEART 

Fostering Pets 84 

A Mother's Story 86 

ON THE COVER 

Kim Mulkey 

Hair: Penny McCorkle 

Makeup: Tammy Shefa 

Sweater: Prefontaine 

Earrings: Di' Amore Fine Jewelers MODERN TEXAS LIVING | 3

AT HOME 

A Burst 

of Beautiful 

For seven years, Alicia and Nick 

have been transforming their 

builder basic home into one with 

character, charm and functionality 

for their young family.

T 

heir style is part of an ongoing evolution. They don’t believe in designing a space and considering it 

complete. Design is fluid and ever-changing. Changing with the seasons, changing with our mood, 

and changing with each stage of life. It’s about creating a home you love and feel comfortable in and 

best reflects you at any one time. 

Opposite: A 7.5 ft. flocked tree is decorated in shades of gold and champagne with a few hints of navy to 

coordinate with their living room. 

Above: Bright whites, hints of blue and lots of natural texture are seen throughout their home, creating a cozy 

and inviting space for their family. 


AT HOME 

Above: These identical nooks were designed and built by Nick to give the kitchen a more custom-feel. 

They are Alicia's favorite spot in the house to style each season or holiday. 

Opposite: Nick and his daughter decorating gingerbread houses to display around the home during the 

holiday season. It has become a fun family tradition. 

6 | moderntexasliving.com

"WE BELIEVE 

IN LETTING OUR 

CREATIVITY LEAD 

US IN WHATEVER 

DIRECTION IT 

TAKES US."

AT HOME 

Above: A DIY chalkboard is the perfect place to spread a little Christmas cheer. 

Opposite: Alicia wraps their holiday gifts in coordinating paper and ribbon. It creates a cohesive look 

and makes opening gifts on Christmas morning feel a little more special. 

To see more of Alicia and Nick's work, 

go to www.aburstofbeautiful.com or on Instagram @ABurstofBeautiful. 

8 

| moderntexasliving.com

Choose the Winning Team 

Valerie Waitley • Catia Sykora • Allyson Stanley • Lisa Horn • Martha Kate Gunn • 

Ellen White • Katie Snapp • Kelsey Glaesmann • Stacy Clark • Jason Rankin • 

Kristin Clements • Danny Ellis • Tom Waitley • Maggie Moore • Karen Patterson • Halston 

Reyna • Anna Johnson • Camille Johnson • Donna Long • Cindy Gough • Gerry Dunlap 

254.405.6162 

Info@CJRealtors.com | www.camillejohnson.com 

104 Midway Center Waco, TX 76712

CLOTHING • SHOES • ACCESSORIES 

254.732.0575 

— Located in Waco — 

Central Texas Marketplace 

Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm 

Courtneys 

Courtneysboutique

AT HOME 

DESIGNER BED 101 

Simple Steps to Create a Dreamy Bed 


y Barbara Town 

Photography by Laura Alexandra Photo 

I 

have been working on a handful of bedroom projects 

lately, and every time I present bedding options I always 

get a ton of questions from my clients about what 

the different layers are and what is really needed, so 

I thought it would be great to break it down and show y'all 

how to make your bed look like a designer made it! 

It starts with some great bedding. I keep things neutral in 

the white, grey/charcoal, and tan areas which is perfect for 

creating that layered look as well as blending with any design 

style. Also, if you’re investing in good bedding, you want to 

make sure what you’re purchasing has that timeless look that 

will last you for many years. 


AT HOME 


1Sheets. I always suggest using white. White is just 

a great base color and easy to clean. Hello, bleach! 

I have had white sheets for as long as I can remember 

and honestly couldn't image using anything different, 

unless maybe it was a kid’s room. Select your favorites, 

everyone has a preference on thread count and the 

material. There really is no right or wrong. 

*Designer Tip: if your box spring is exposed and 

you don't like/need a bed skirt, use a second 

fitted sheet for a clean and streamline look. 

Coverlet. This is where I tend to get confused. 

A coverlet, quilt and matelasse are all somewhat 

similar, they just vary in material. This is the layer you 

sleep with every night on top of your sheets. With the 

heat during those Texas summers, I typically look for 

one that is somewhat lightweight. For the wintertime, 

3comfortable, but the larger ones I like to get rid of. 

4 

I just add an extra throw blanket over us if needed. 

Now this is not a step I do every day, but every 

time I wash our bedding I love to give it a good steam 

to get some of the wrinkles out. Maybe this is just 

my love for linen or the California girl in me, but I 

like a few wrinkles to keep things feeling casual and 

The Duvet. One thing a lot of people don't know 

is that you're not really supposed to sleep under the 

duvet (or at least is this what I believe and have been 

taught in my years of design). It is meant to be folded 

back and placed at the end of your bed. Now, putting 

the duvet insert into the cover is a whole other topic 

for another day, but once you get that part down, 

I like to lay the duvet over the bed and fold it in thirds. 

Straightening it out and making the edges crisp at 

the end of the bed. 

5them. I stand them up flat against the wall so our 

2 6 

Pillows. Everyone needs some sleeping pillows, 

right? When I photograph a space I like to hide these 

and act like they don't exist, but in reality we all have 

more decorative pillows can become the focal point. 

Decorative Pillows. Now the fun can begin. Not 

that bedding isn't fun, but the pillows are typically the 

first thing you see when you walk into a bedroom. So, 

I start with three euro pillows. Now, as I've mentioned 

we have a Queen size bed and could probably get 

away with two, but because I like my bed a little fuller, 

I stick with three. If you have a King size bed, you will 

definitely want to have three of the 26" square pillows. 

In front of my euro pillows I place two 22" x 22" 

pillows. Every morning I give each pillow a little fluff 

and chop before placing it in its spot for the day. This 

helps keep the insert as full as possible. 

Your front pillow could be another square pillow 

or you could go with a smaller rectangle like I have. 

This is the pillow I switch up all the time. I have had 

it as an American flag pillow, black and white stripe 

square pillow, and now a larger lumbar which I think 

helps tie in our black wall. 

When we break it down, it seems like a lot of steps, 

but on the day to day, I’m not changing out the sheets 

so it is really just pulling them up and straightening 

them. In total, it takes me about 2 minutes to make 

our bed every day and I typically work it into my 

morning routine and use it as wait time while my 

straightener is warming up. 


AT HOME 

Barbara Town is an Interior Designer, originally from Orange County, 

California and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. 

For more information on Barbara and her work, check her out 

on Instagram BarbaraTown or on Facebook at Town Lifestyle + Design. 


Located downtown in the Silo District: 

501 S. 8th Street / Waco, Texas 

254-235-1777 

Be sure to shop our second location: 

THE FINDERY MARKETPLACE 

910 Webster Avenue / Waco, Texas 

thefindery.com 

Follow us on social media 

@thefinderywaco

AT HOME 

‘Tis the Season 

by Amy Williams

P 

ersonalize your gifts this holiday season with festive DIYs that 

easily transform your brown paper packages into a few of your 

favorite things. Just stock up on an assortment of beautiful 

ribbons, kraft paper and fresh or faux greenery! Then, have fun 

creating personalized toppers for your packages with a few of these tips. 

Stamped with Love! Use alphabet letter stamps and colored ink to 

personalize plain gift tags with the recipient’s name. Finish with satin ribbon 

and a handmade ornament. 

Picture Perfect! Trim family photographs and cardstock into the shape of a 

gift tag by cutting angled corners and punching a hole. Tuck a few springs of 

greenery into the ribbon. 

A Personal Touch. Add wood or chipboard letters in the gift recipient’s initial 

to the package. Embellish with paint or pretty scrapbook paper using the 

letter as a template. 


AT HOME 

Coordinated papers and ribbons 

make it fun to mix and match, and 

also create a casual elegance to 

your gifts under the tree. 

A few sprigs of fresh greenery 

will bring your packages to life 

and add a seasonal scent. 

Amy William is a Waco based home decor and DIY Blogger. 

She is also a visual merchandiser and product stylist. You can follow 

more of her work on Instagram @cutertudor or at cutertudor.com. 

20 


New Location: 210 S 5th St Waco, TX 76701 

254-315-7686 

InteriorGlow.com Find us on 

Gifts 

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Lighting 

Tree Rentals 

www.garrisonconstructionllc.com 

Presents 

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Anna Johnson, 

REALTOR 

Phone (254) 717-4548 

AnnaJohnsonRE 

We Welcome the Whole Family into Our Salon! 

Dee Dee Barfield • Penny McCorkle • Nicky Connell • Stefanie Newton 

SERVICES INCLUDE: 

• Cuts 

• Styling 

• Highlights 

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with "Extreme Lash" 

• Facial Waxing 

• Eyebrow Tinting 

Product lines available in the salon include: IGK, Erayba, Saints & Sinners and many more... 

Located in the Ridgewood Village 

254.227.8691 



Pantry 

& 

Fridge 

Overhaul 

Holly, along with her husband Brad, are the owners of My Faux Farmhouse. 

We reached out and asked to feature one of their latest DIY projects: their fridge 

and patry makeovers. Here are some basic tips they shared with us. 

+ 

We grouped items by 

likeness, and everything 

has a container/designated 

space. Kids snacks/fruits 

are in one area and cold 

condiments in another 

area—butter, sour cream, 

etc. Drink containers 

are very convenient 

for keeping everything 

organized and not rolling/ 

floating around the fridge. 

+ 

We chose clear, plastic bins so that our young children could 

easily see the food we have stored. They are learning to pack 

their own lunches so transparency helps a ton! 

Organizers are from The Container Store and Target. 


+ 

+ 

In the pantry, we grouped snacks, baking 

ingredients, cereals, canned goods/pastas 

(in white plastic bins since kids didn’t need 

to see those) and paper goods (in metal 

bins) and chips in woven baskets. 

For our fresh produce and oatmeal, we 

combined them in the wire baskets. We 

used a couple of lazy susans in the corner 

of the pantry to store condiments (like 

peanut butter, Nutella, cooking oil, etc). 

This allows for easy/convenient access 

without them getting buried in a bin. 

Holly and Brad decided to start an Instagram two years ago in efforts to appease their parents who 

only wanted to see “pics of the grandkids.” They recently moved into another suburban spec home and 

started all over again with the basics—turning it into #ourfauxfarmhouse one DIY 

at a time. Follow their DIY Journey @ourfauxfarmhouse on Instagram. 


Slab Foundation 

Pier & Beam 

Foundation Drainage 

Financing Available 

Free Home Inspections 

Lifetime Warranty 

David Maddox 

President 

254-420-4910 

706 Sun Valley Blvd. Hewitt TX 76643 

www.wacofoundationrepair.com

Pecan Plaza Shopping Center | 1401 South 31st Street | Suite I | Temple, Texas 76504 | 254.770.0904

Brittany 

Amanda made the entire process from start to fi nish so smooth! 

I would defi nitely recommend her! 

Kristi 

Amanda listened to all my desires and wants so she knew exactly 

what I wanted. Extremely helpful and answered all my questions 

graciously. I never felt rushed and I was very confi dent in her. 

Mark & Amy 

Amanda is a true hustler! 

Mike & Kaye 

When we fi rst approached this home we looked at Amanda as the 

Seller’s Representative, but we realized she was there for us/our 

daughter. She has been wonderful to work with! 

Brandon & Jacki 

Thanks for your endless efforts and creative ways to help us fi nd 

our new home! We appreciate your backing and strength with the 

sale of our home! We could not have been so successful without 

your connection and we are grateful! Thanks Amanda!


Soup & 

Sammies

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP 

(from foodgawker.com) 

Paired with the Pear, Honey, 

Cheese and Caramelized Onion Sandwich 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 butternut squash (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut in 

1-inch chunks 

• 1 onion, diced 

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped 

• 4 slices bacon, diced 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 

• 2 cloves garlic, minced 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 

• 4 slices bacon, diced 

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock, or more, to taste 

• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese 

• 2 tablespoons chopped chives 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with 

nonstick spray. 

2. Place butternut squash, onion, bell pepper and bacon in a single layer 

onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil and garlic; season with salt 

and pepper, to taste. Gently toss to combine. 

3. Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until butternut squash 

is tender, stirring at halftime.* 

4. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until 

brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. 

5. Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add butternut 

squash mixture and thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 

about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in chicken 

stock and puree with an immersion blender. 

6. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 

5-10 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add more chicken stock as needed 

until desired consistency is reached. 

7. Serve immediately, garnished with bacon, goat cheese and chives, 

if desired. 

EASY PUMPKIN SOUP 

(from good housekeeping) 

paired with the Turkey, Cranberry, 

Brie and apple Sandwiches with Avocado and Bacon 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 medium onion, grated 

• 2 tbsp. olive oil 

• 1 29-oz. can pure pumpkin 

• 2 14.5-oz. cans chicken broth (4 cups) 

• 1/2 c. heavy cream 

• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 

• 3/4 tsp. salt 

• Topping: 

• Sour Cream 

• Pumpkin Seeds 

• Pumpkin Spice Seasoning 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and 

cook, stirring, 3 minutes or until soft. 

2. Stir in the pure pumpkin, chicken broth, cream, pumpkin pie spice, and 

salt and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until soup simmers. 

3. Ladle into bowls and top as desired. Shown with sour cream, pumpkin 

spice seasoning and roasted pumpkin seeds. 



CREAMY CAULIFLOWER CHOWDER 

(from twopeasandtheirpod.com): 

paired with Roasted Turkey Cobb Sandwich 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 large head of cauliflower, roughly chopped 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 

• 3 cloves garlic 

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter 

• 1 medium onion, chopped 

• 2 carrots, chopped 

• 2 celery stalks, chopped 

• 1 bay leaf 

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (can use gluten-free flour) 

• 2 (15 ounce) cans vegetable broth (low sodium is fine) 

• 1 1/4 cups Almond Breeze Almond-milk Unsweetened 

Original 

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (we used white cheddar) 

• Salt and black pepper, to taste 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place chopped cauliflower 

and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil 

and toss until well coated. Season with salt and black pepper, 

to taste. Place pan in the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes 

or until cauliflower is tender, stirring once. Remove from oven 

and set aside. 

2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium high heat. Add the 

onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add carrots and celery and 

cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

3. Finely chop the roasted garlic cloves. Add the garlic, roasted 

cauliflower, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Sprinkle flour 

over vegetables and stir. Cook until flour disappears. 

4. Pour in the vegetable broth and stir. Simmer for 10 minutes. 

Stir in the milk and shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is 

melted and chowder is creamy. Season with salt and black 

pepper, to taste. 

5. Ladle chowder into bowls and serve warm. 

ROASTED TURKEY COBB SANDWICH 

(adpated from closet cooking.com) 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 slices bacon 

• 2 slices bread (optionally lightly toasted) 

• 1 tablespoon mayo 

• 1/4 cup lettuce 

• 2 slices tomato 

• 1 tablespoon blue cheese 

• 1/4 avocado, sliced 

• 2 ounces roast turkey 

DIRECTIONS: 

Cook the bacon, assemble the sandwich and enjoy! 

TURKEY, CRANBERRY, 

BRIE AND APPLE SANDWICHES 

WITH AVOCADO AND BACON 

(adpated from closetcooking.com) 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 slices bread 

• 6 leaves baby spinach 

• 4 ounces roast turkey, sliced or shredded 

• 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce 

• 1/2 apple, sliced 

• 2 slices crispy cooked bacon 

• 1/4 avocado, sliced 

• 1 ounce brie 

DIRECTIONS: 

Assemble the sandwich and enjoy!

PEAR, HONEY, CHEESE 

AND CARAMELIZED ONION 

SANDWICHES 

(from www.manilaspoon.com) 

INGREDIENTS: 

• A loaf of Cranberry Pecan Bread (or your favorite 

sandwich bread) 

• 4 oz Goat Cheese or more if needed (or Mascarpone) 

• A bunch of fresh Arugula (Baby Rockets) 

• 1/2 a cup Caramelized Onions or more if needed (see 

this recipe on how to make caramelized onions) 

• 2 Bartlett Pears (or more, if needed), cleaned, cored and 

thinly sliced 

• Honey, to taste 

• A little Butter for toasting the bread (optional) 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Spread some goat cheese on one slice of bread on 

one side. Top the side with the cheese with arugula, 

caramelized onions, sliced pears then drizzle with honey. 

Top with the remaining slice. 

2. This next step is optional, but it sure adds extra flavor so 

I highly suggest this. Butter the exposed part of the bread 

on either side. If you have a panini press, heat it then toast 

the prepared sandwich to your liking. If you don’t have 

one, simply use a flat griddle or frying pan to toast the 

bread. Flip and repeat on the other side. Serve warm. 

Magen Wright is a Houston based life and style blogger. Follow her on instagram @OurSimpleHome. 

Happy Hour 

TUES-FRI 

5pm-6:30pm 

$3 off antipasta 

$2 off glasses of wine 

$1 off beer 

254.235.6000 

4700 Bosque Blvd Waco, TX 

New Private Event Room & Catering Now Available 



Holiday Cookies 

Cream Cheese 

Spritz Cookies 

Adapted from: http://www.caramelpotatoes.com 

INGREDIENTS 

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 3 ounces cream cheese 1 cup 

sugar 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 1/2 cups flour 

food coloring (if desired) 

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 375F. 

Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until well blended. 

Beat in egg yolk and almond extract. Gradually blend in 

flour until completely incorporated. Add a few drops of food 

coloring (I split the dough in half to make light pink and 

white). Cover and chill dough at least 2 hours or overnight. 

When ready to bake, remove the cookie dough from 

refrigerator and allow to rest about 10 – 15 minutes. Form 

cookies on ungreased baking sheet.

Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Recipe from: Magnolia Table Cookbook 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 heaping teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt 

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 

2 cups packed light brown sugar 

2 large eggs 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 

Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Place the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium 

bowl; set aside. 

Place the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the 

paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer 

and large bowl.) Beat on medium-high speed until light and 

fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat until blended. 

Add the vanilla and beat until blended. 

Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture. Mix on 

medium speed just until the flour is mixed in, then turn the 

mixer to high speed for a few seconds to pull the dough 

together; it will be chunky. Add the chocolate chips and beat 

on high speed to thoroughly and quickly mix in the chips, 

about 5 seconds. 

Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the prepared 

baking sheet; don’t flatten them. Bake until lightly browned 

on top, 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on the pan on a rack for 

1 minute, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool 

completely. Repeat with the remaining dough. 


IN THE KITCHEN

how to design 

a Charcuterie 

Board 

by Ashley Luengo 

STEP ONE 

To start, you need a great foundation. These amazing 

pieces of wood came from my local craft store for under $10! 

They are intended to be used for crafting, but when I saw 

them I knew they would be perfect for my spread. 

I simply rinsed them off with warm water and they were 

good to go. I also love to use marble cutting boards or 

vintage silver trays. You can literally use anything you have on 

hand. The flatter the surface the better though. 

STEP TWO 

Buy a nice selection of cheeses. A general rule of thumb 

is to get one soft cheese, one firm and one hard cheese. 

I usually like to do a Brie of some sort (goat’s milk brie is one 

of my favorites). And a gouda or swiss along with an aged 

cheddar make a lovely mix! 

Don’t think too hard about it and ask someone who 

works at the store to help you. They usually have wonderful 

suggestions! Leave the cheese uncut and allow guests to 

slice off chunks to their liking. 



STEP THREE 

Provide a rounded out selection of meats. 

Prosciutto, salami, speck, coppa and chorizo are 

my go-tos. Along with the usual suspects add in 

a quality sliced herb-roasted turkey. Having this 

variety allows for all guests to enjoy a little bit of 

everything! 

STEP FOUR 

Condiments! This is where you can add in 

some fun gourmet spreads and mustards. I like 

to use a whole-grain mustard and local honey as 

well as a fruit spread. The mustard allows guests 

to create mini sandwiches if they choose. And the 

honey is so good drizzled on a piece of cheese! 

The condiments are like jewelry to your charcuterie 

board. They really top it off! 

STEP FIVE 

Fruits, nuts and olives are essential! A crisp 

sweet apple sliced up tastes amazing with a 

piece of aged cheddar on top. Not only is fruit a 

compliment to the meats and cheeses, they taste 

great on their own. And they are a great way to 

cleanse your palate. 

Unsalted almonds and cashews are nice to 

offer, along with a selection of olives. Add in some 

veggies, too. Marinated or fresh work great! I found 

these beautiful cherry tomatoes at the farmer’s 

market and they were so sweet and delicious! And 

they looked great, too! 

STEP SIX 

The carbs! A beautifully sliced baguette, artisan 

crackers and crostini add so much to the mix here. 

They are the vehicles to get all this yumminess into 

your belly! Choose wisely, because these will set 

the tone for your whole spread. You’ve come so far, 

now don’t skip on this step. 

THE FINISHING TOUCH 

Now it’s time to accessorize your gorgeous 

spread! Add in some fresh herbs such as rosemary 

and lavender or some edible flowers to really help 

elevate the look of your feast! The number one rule 

though is to have fun! 

Ashley is the talented blogger behind Modern Glam Home. 

She is a lover of all things pretty and you can see more of her work by following her 

on Instagram @modernglamhome or through her blog at www.modern-glam.com. 


found in Waco exclusively at... 

1101 Richland Drive Waco, TX 

254.300.4923 

Coreopsis@hot.rr.com 

Tuesday-Friday 10:00-5:30pm 

Saturday 10:00-4:00pm 

7410 W Adams Avenue, Ste 170 temple, tx . 254.771.2050 

Monday-saturday 10am-6pm 



Decadent 

Dessert 

Cocktails 

AUTUMN ROSÉ SANGRIA 

Adapted from Bobby Flay’s Rose Sangria 

MAKES 4-6 SERVINGS 

• 1 bottle Rosé wine 

• 1/2 cup vodka 

• 1 cup fresh orange juice (without pulp) 

• 1/4 cup simple syrup or more to taste 

• 3 apples, cored, quartered, and thinly sliced 

• 1 lime quartered and thinly sliced 

• 1 lemon quartered and thinly sliced 

• 2 oranges peeled and sliced 

• 2 tbsp Sugar (optional) 

• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice (optional) 

Combine all ingredients (except 6 apple slices, 2 tbsp sugar 

(optional), and 2 tbsp of orange juice (optional)) in a pitcher 

and chill for at least 8 hours. Chilling overnight is preferable. 

If not serving immediately, strain the fruit and add fresh 

once served. 

OPTIONAL: When serving, place 2 tbsp of sugar in one 

saucer and 2 tbsp of orange juice in another. Holding the 

glass by its stem, dip the glass at a 45 degree angle and 

rotate so only the outer edge touches the orange juice. 

Repeat the same process when adding sugar to the rim of 

the glass. Add reserved apple slices as a garnish to the side 

of glasses when served 

SPARKLING CRANBERRY 

REFRESHER 

Adapted from Food & Wine Cranberry Sparkler 

MAKES 1 DRINK 

• 1 oz 100% cranberry juice 

• 1/4 oz simple syrup 

• 1 dash of orange bitters 

• 1 slice of orange 

• 3 oz sparkling wine or champagne 

• 3-4 frozen and thawed cranberries 

• 1 thinly sliced orange peel 

Combine cranberry juice, simple syrup, juice from one orange 

slice and orange bitters in a flute. Stir ingredients. Place 

thawed cranberry in flute. Top with 3 ounces of sparkling wine 

or champagne. Garnish rim of flute with the orange peel. 


PEANUT BUTTER 

AND BANANA TREAT 

MAKES 2 SERVINGS 

• 3/4 cup whole milk 

• 1 large frozen banana 

• 1 banana (not frozen) 

• 1 cup of ice (can add more for a thicker consistency) 

• 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter 

• 2 tbsp raw honey 

OPTIONAL: 2 tbsp Chocolate Syrup 

Combine milk, 1 frozen banana, ice, peanut butter and 

honey in a blender. Blend until smooth. Continue adding 

ice until it reaches the desired consistency. Optional: When 

serving, place 2 tbsp of chocolate syrup in one saucer. Dip 

the brim of the cup at a 45 degree angle and rotate so 

only the outer edge touches the chocolate syrup. 

Pour peanut butter and banana mixture into the glass and 

top with slices of fresh banana. 

If you liked these recipes, follow Laura Carter @blossomingnest on Instagram for more home, food & decor ideas. 

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IN GOOD HEALTH

Spirit Lead Me 

Where My Trust is Without Borders 

I 

found my BRCA gene at 27. 

I never planned on getting genetic 

testing. I didn’t have any suspicion that I was 

carrying a gene that could potentially kill me. 

I didn’t know much about my family history. 

I was 14 when I got put into foster care. I knew 

nothing of my father's family history. My mother’s 

side of the family had seen cancer and death, but 

when they all die from drugs and alcohol you never 

question if genes played a role. 

At the age of 18 I accepted Jesus as my Savior. 

I fell in love and got Married at 19. With God by 

my side and a husband who loved me fiercely, I 

thought life would be perfect. 

At twenty-six and three kids later, we moved 

across the country. My youngest son was faced 

with brain surgery. Six brain surgeries later, multiple 

conditions unanswered, he was diagnosed with a 

very rare skin condition: Ichthyosis. After a year of 

by Kaysie Berry 

complications his team of doctors recommended 

we meet with Genetics, put a puzzle together of 

his brain conditions and see if anything Genetics 

could find would make the puzzle whole. 

The way to approaching genetics in a child is 

simple: test him and mom and dad. Run his whole 

DNA genome. If anything comes up positive, 

then they run our DNA along side Lincoln’s. 

BRCA 2. My little Lincoln had BRCA 2. From 

me. That meant he had a risk of male breast cancer, 

pancreatic cancer and skin cancer. He would have 

to have screenings done when he turned 25. 

I have two other children who have a 50% 

chance of having BRCA 2. If they would like to 

get tested at 18, then that will be up to them. 

My heart tends to ache thinking of my daughter 

going through what I have endured this last year, 

if she does in fact have the gene, I get to say 

me, too. 

BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Breast Cancer genes 1 & 2) are the best-known genes linked to breast cancer risk. 

BRCA 1 & 2 mutations can be passed to you from either parent and can affect the risk of cancers in both 

women and men. A person who has a BRCA1/2 mutation is sometimes called a BRCA1 & 2 carrier. 



It’s a bit more complicated as a female testing positive 

for the BRCA gene. There are 2 BRCA genes. BRCA 1 and 

BRCA 2. Specific inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 

increase the risk of female breast and ovarian cancers. People 

who have inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 tend to 

develop breast and ovarian cancers at younger ages than 

people who do not have these mutations. 

A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can be inherited from a 

person’s mother or father. Each child of a parent who carries 

a mutation in one of these genes has a 50% chance (or 1 

chance in 2) of inheriting the mutation. 

Because BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene 

mutations are relatively rare in the 

general population, most experts 

agree that mutation testing of 

individuals who do not have cancer 

should be performed only when the 

person’s individual or family history 

suggests the possible presence of a 

mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. 

After multiple doctor appoint ments 

and screenings recommended for this 

gene including MRIs, painful biopsies, 

mammograms and ultrasounds, I was 

given two options: 

1. Continue with this screening 

multiple times a year while taking 

a mini chemo pill with massive side 

effects until the cancer was “caught,” 

then treat the cancer while it was still 

in a low stage, or 

2. Have a prophylactic double mastectomy and breast 

reconstruction to bring my risk from 85% of developing 

cancer to 5%. 

Spirit Lead me Where My Trust Is Without Borders. 

I would have never found out about my BRCA gene if it 

hadn’t have been Lincoln needing his genes tested. Coming 

from a broken home, in foster care and not knowing any 

family history, breast cancer never crossed my mind -let alone 

even doing a self breast exam. 

Lincoln Saved my Life. 

I BEAT 

CANCER 

BEFORE 

IT BEAT ME. 

I went ahead with the prophylactic double mastectomy. 

I beat cancer before it beat me. 

I am a Previvor. I Pre Survived breast cancer. 

A surgery every three months (due to complications) for 

the last year has not been easy. The pain of a mastectomy is 

unimaginable. Doing this with three young children often has 

me screaming out, “Why me?” 

But to be here with my children, to see my daughter 

someday walk down the aisle. To watch my boys play sports 

and graduate, to love my husband until we are old. It’s all 

worth it. 

Spirit Lead Me Where My Trust Is 

Without Borders. 

I wish I could say I’m near the end 

of the tunnel, that I can see the light 

on the other side, but for me and my 

BRCA journey I’m only halfway there. 

My next preventive surgery will be my 

ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the silent, 

deadly cancer. My surgeon said it’s not 

a matter of “If I get them removed, it’s 

a matter of WHEN.” 

Even though I can’t see the light, 

even though I can’t see God, I can feel 

the light; I can feel Him. 

As of right now I’m not sure how 

many more breast surgeries I will need 

in the future, but in the next five years 

I will need to get my ovaries removed. 

It’s not the prognosis I was hoping for 

when we started the search for answers for Lincoln, but it will 

hopefully save my life so that I can spend more of it with my 

family. 

If you have any family history of breast cancer or ovarian 

cancer, I highly recommend you speaking with your doctors 

about getting your genes tested for the BRCA gene. I also 

encourage you to practice self breast exams. My motto is 

“Feel them on the First.” It’s my favorite way of reminding 

myself to do a self breast exam. I still check because I have a 

5% chance of developing cancer. I will do anything possible 

to save my own life so that I can live it with those I love. 

To follow Kaysie's journey, follow her on Instagram @trustwithoutborders_brca. 


Photos by Adam Berry 



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Makeup Christi Wilson 

Location WacoWork 

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You've Got 

This, Mama 

by Julie Hays 

I 

n 2008, I interviewed Michelle Obama on a campaign 

stop for her husband in Austin. When I asked how 

she did it all, crisscrossing 

the country on a tour that 

eventually led to the White House 

with two young children in tow, she 

said, “I’m doing what every other 

mom I know is and that is juggling.” 

I didn’t appreciate the wise words 

at the time, but today, with three kids, 

I get it. Juggling. Don’t we all? Dance. 

Soccer. School. Lunches. Church. 

Work. Bedtime. Repeat. It never 

ends. What I now most appreciate 

about Mrs. Obama’s words is nothing 

about juggling is perfect. The balls 

almost always drop. 

I coach my kid’s soccer team but 

forget a scheduled interview at work. 

I’ve forgotten dress-up days 

at school, shoved sight words into a top drawer that my 

daughter never saw, sent my son in his sister’s x-small t-shirt 

for his picture day and broken down in a parent-teacher 

EVERYONE’S 

“NORMAL’ IS 

DIFFERENT AND 

THAT IS OKAY." 

conference with guilt that my child’s struggles were a result 

of my shortcomings. 

I’ve anchored many a live newscast 

with my kids hiding beneath my feet. 

I often tell them that everyone’s 

“normal” is different and that is okay. 

Juggling. 

Every day I get up and pick up those 

balls. Some days it’s like a circus act and 

other days I can’t catch to save my life. 

It’s stressful. It’s fun, and sometimes 

it’s a huge mess. 

But, Mrs. Obama was right. It really 

is what every mom I know is doing, too. 

No matter whether or not you drop 

all the balls or even get a black eye in 

the process, the main thing to know 

is that you’re not alone. Ask a friend 

or family member for help- there’s no 

shame in that. Just remember that at 

the end of the day you’re doing a great job because marriage, 

motherhood, and being a woman didn’t come with a manual. 

You’re writing your own. 

Julie 

Julie Hays is a wife, mother to three and the midday news anchor for KWTX. 

To follow Julie, go to @Juliehayskwtx. 


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The Other Side of 

Coach Mulkey 

by Brandy Stoffel 

With Baylor’s Head Women’s 

Basketball Coach, what 

you see is what you get. 

But most people don’t get to see 

the off-court side of Kim Mulkey. The 

Louisiana native who loves to eat, 

work in the yard, and spend time 

laughing with family and friends is 

often in the sports media spotlight as 

being animated and bold. “There’s a 

perception that I’m a mean woman 

because I stomp or throw my jacket. 

They think that’s who you are when you 

go home, but they don’t understand 

I’m out there just trying hard to help my 

kids win a basketball game.” 

In her career, Coach Mulkey has 

amassed five national championships 

(two as Head Coach at Baylor, one as 

an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech and 

two as a player there), an Olympic Gold 

Medal on Team USA, and countless 

coaching and player awards. She has 

traveled the world playing basketball games and even written 

an autobiography. Her favorite role, though, has been mother. 

“[My biggest blessings have 

been] my kids. Kids are miracles. 

I’ve been blessed with two children 

who have been good kids.” 

Makenzie (27) and Kramer (24) 

both live with their mom today. 

“My house now is big enough 

we don’t trip on each other and 

it's wonderful having them here.” 

Makenzie serves as the Associate 

Director of Basketball Operations 

for Baylor women’s basketball and 

is married to Clay Fuller, a former 

Baylor football player. After losing 

their daughter Scout at five months 

into pregnancy last year due to 

Hypoplastic Right Heart syndrome 

and Turner Syndrome, the couple 

welcomed son Kannon Reid to the 

family on Friday, October 12, 2018. 

“He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 

22 inches long.” An added layer of 

joy hums in Kim’s already warm tone 

as she talks about her grandchildren. Makenzie and Clay are 

currently looking for a house in Waco after recently moving 


ack. Kramer, who shares his middle name “Reid” 

with his new nephew, plays baseball for the St. Louis 

Cardinals (with the High A Minor League Palm Beach 

Cardinals) and is home until the spring training begins 

in February. “It’s like the Brady Bunch at my house right 

now,” Kim jokes. 

Raising kids, on and off the court, has posed the same 

challenges for Coach Mulkey as any woman or parent. 

“Certainly, there are decisions that I’ve made [with my 

kids at home] such as a quick spank or a grounding that 

I question ‘should I have done that’ or ‘was I too hard on 

them’. But the overall basis of who you are as a parent 

or coach far exceeds one little decision you made or 

had.” Coach Mulkey follows up on a specific incident 

recounted in her 2008 autobiography (Won’t Back 

Down: Teams, Dreams and Family) when she wished 


she’d acted differently towards Baylor player Jessika 

Stratton in a game against Tennessee. “I was immature 

as a coach and learned a lot from that kid; she taught 

me so much about perspective. Jessika came to see me 

recently and she is a tremendous woman and mother. 

Your kids help you understand it is just a game.” 

It may be just a game, but she still cusses a little. 

“I’m not proud of the fact that I cuss. It’s a culture I grew 

up in, and it's habit forming and becomes part of your 

vocabulary.” She laughs at the old adage “do as I say 

not as I do” which is ironic given the particular topic. 

“I tell my players, ‘Let me be the only one that’s going 

to hell, not y’all.’ Of course, they laugh and appreciate 

my sense of humor.” 

it.” Maybe Coach just doesn’t need any more courage. 

“I speak the blunt truth and people get their feelings hurt. 

That’s all I want… the truth. I will say the things people 

are afraid to say. Why should we be afraid to speak the 

truth? Society today [seems like] people can’t handle it 

or they misinterpret it. But when I put my head on my 

pillow, I know I’ve spoken the truth.” 

In the course of a long career, some might question 

if that alternate path they could have taken at some 

point along the road would have been better somehow. 

“Oh, NO. My degree is in Business Administration, 

and I was working on my MBA when I was talked into 

coaching by F. Jay Taylor (former President of Louisiana 

Tech) 34 years ago. This is what I was meant to do. I love 

“THE THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THEN, 

AND NOW, WERE ROOTED IN HOME AND FAMILY. 

I’M CONTENT WITH THE SIMPLE THINGS 

IN LIFE–A BALLGAME ON TELEVISION, 

OR A GOOD BOOK OR MAGAZINE.” 

“Baylor has been good to me and my children. I am 

blessed to be the coach at Baylor. I will defend Baylor 

publicly when others are afraid. I know the difference 

between good and bad and there is far more good 

about Baylor University than bad. Just do the right 

thing. I’ll make mistakes, but when it comes to life and 

doing right and wrong, we all know the difference. You 

don’t have to go to church every Sunday to do the 

right thing.” 

Growing up in Baptist and Methodist churches, 

Coach Mulkey enjoys classic hymns, regular prayers with 

the team and her family, and has never taken a drink 

of alcohol in her life. “No, I’m not a drinker. I’m a great 

bartender, and I’m fine with it. It is not for any reason 

other than I’m afraid I might like it and I don’t want to try 

coaching. I get to do what I want to do. I get to dress 

in shorts and tennis shoes and no make-up and coach 

at an elite level.” 

In her 2008 book, Coach Mulkey said, “The things 

that made me happy then, and now, were rooted in 

home and family. I’m content with the simple things 

in life–a ballgame on television, or a good book or 

magazine.” On this Fall day, just before the start of the 

2018 season, she confirms, “I’m the same person today 

that I was when I was a child. I’m very much rooted in 

the values of a home and family, and I don’t go out and 

have crazy trips and a social life. My life consists of my 

job, my children, going on a vacation now and then and 

being in my yard. I don’t need entertainment and I’m 

not lonely. I’m not pretentious.” 


Kannon Reid Fuller 

Born on October 12, 2018 

9lbs 1 oz 22 inches long 

One of Coach Mulkey’s ‘Thoughts for the Day’ to her 

team states “Today I gave all I had. What I’ve kept, I’ve lost 

forever.” As Coach Mulkey recovers from her recent spinal 

fusion surgery in preparation for the season ahead, she 

reflects on the seasons past, “I never put my career ahead 

of or in front of my family. I had help, but I’ve been hands on 

with my children. I worked my [Baylor] practices around my 

kids’ ballgames. I’m a big family person. I said that to the 

Athletic Director when they hired me. I’ve enjoyed every 

step of the way. I’ll be the same with grandchildren.” 


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SAN ANTONIO 

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massage are calling 

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help us relax from the 

stress that the holidays 

can cause! 

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TO VISIT IN TEXAS 

IN THE WINTER 

As the weather turns colder it’s easy for us to 

want to cuddle under our blankets and spend 

our evenings finishing seasons of Netflix in one 

sitting. However, Texas has so many beautiful 

destinations that are perfect for the cold 

weather! So roll out of those covers and into your 

next adventure with these 5 Winter destinations. 

HOUSTON 

Eating helps warm the 

body! In Houston you can 

eat in every continent 

without leaving the city. 

Korean BBQ, South 

African dishes, Hawaiian 

cocktails, Portuguese 

Tapas, Brazilian brunches, 

and Australian ice cream. 

Houston has all of this 

and more. 

FREDERICKSBURG 

Germany is known as one of the most magical Christmas countries 

in the world. Luckily we have our own German town: Fredericksburg 

where you can go on a holiday wine trail, view spectacular Christmas 

lights, and shop at The Christmas Store. 

To see more information about My Curly Adventures travels, check out her website at 

www.mycurlyadventures.com. You can also follow her on 

mycurlyadventures_ mycurlyadventures curlyadventures 


TOURS 

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Megan Ed

Riveria Maya, Mexico 

5 

TOP 

REASONS 

to Use a Travel Agent 

A friend and I recently went on a trip to Mexico. I've always 

booked online and price shopped for weeks making sure I was 

getting the best deal. Trip time rolled around and we started 

discussing booking online verse using a travel agent. Our friends 

had always had a great experience while traveling, so when I got 

back home to the states I decided to do a little research of our 

own on the benefits of using an agent. 

1WORKING WITH AN 

AGENT PROVIDES 

EXPERT ADVICE, 

FEEDBACK, AND TIPS 

This one is a no brainer. I knew 

this before doing our research, but 

wanted to state the obvious. Travel 

agents have all the information – 

from the best attractions to see, 

the most exciting activities to do, 

and the most affordable way to 

get there… they’ve got it covered. 

Madrid, Spain 

2 

YOU WON’T NEED TO DEAL 

WITH ANY HEADACHES 

No headaches or sleepless nights leading 

up to or during your vacation. What's the best deal 

on a rental car? What if there is bad weather and 

my flights gets cancelled. They handle all of these 

things for you. If you need to make a change to 

your trip, they can sit on hold while you go about 

your day. If you need to figure out the best place to 

book a car, they do the searching. Basically all your 

travel headaches belong to them. The only call you 

need to make is to your travel agency. They are 

your one contact for EVERYTHING. 

3YOU CAN MAKE PAYMENTS 

When you book your vacation online, you have 

to pay in full at the time of booking. When you 

use a travel agent, you can book by putting down a 

deposit. Greatest news of all, you can reserve your 

spot for as little as $100.00 per person. 

4THEY MONITOR FOR DEALS AND DISCOUNTS 

They are able to apply deals and discounts that supplier 

releases before most people know about them. If you booked 

your trip in April, and in July they release a free dining plan offer 

during the dates of your trip, they can automatically apply this to 

your trip. When you book it yourself, you may never know about 

this discount and if you do, you may know about it too late. Oh, 

and no need for you to wait on hold on the phone for hours trying 

to update your plan, your travel agent can do that for you. 

Orlando, Florida 

5THE BEST ONE OF ALL –MOST SERVICES 

ARE FREE 

There are no added fees. This is the one that shocked me the 

most. I figured they would add on fees or mark up the package so 

they could make a little extra money, but that's not the case. You 

get the expert advice, tips, recommendations, discount monitoring, 

and all of the above for NO EXTRA COST. So what’s the catch? 

There really isn't one. The cruise line, tour operators and resorts pay 

them a commission so you don't have to pay them a penny. Think of 

it as a finder's fee. Instead of Expedia,Priceline or Orbitz getting the 

"finder's fee" it's your agent. You don't pay a penny. 

In a nutshell, what I've learned is if you're already planning on 

going on a trip, you should consider using an agent since it won't 

cost you anything extra and you'll get all the above perks! 


INSIDE BUSINESS 

Alexis 

BLOOMER 

Journalist. Influencer. Business Owner. 

TELL US ABOUT YOU. 

I'm proud to call Salado, TX my hometown. Looking 

back, I am so thankful that I was raised in Central Texas, I 

have so many memories of growing up in my small town that 

I recently moved back to Salado and opened my business 

here. Although I’ve lived as far as New York, my heart has 

always been in Central Texas. 

I have always had a passion for journalism and have 

involved myself in the industry since I was 17 years old. 

I always believed that to be a true journalist you had to cover 

every realm of the industry, so I started in print, then hosted 

my own show on Sirius XM throughout college and most 

recently opened my own media company, Breaking Records 

Media, in my hometown. I am only 

twenty-five, but it has been my 

dream to have my own company 

that not only helps influence other 

creators, but that also promotes 

and tells stories that inspire others. 

YOU’RE USED TO 

BEING THE STAR, 

BUT EVERY NOW 

AND THEN YOU 

HAVE TO HELP 

OTHERS BE 

A STAR, TOO. 

WHAT DREW YOU TO THE 

FIELD OF JOURNALISM AND TO 

WRITING YOUR OWN BOOK? 

I received a karaoke machine 

one Christmas and remember ‘fake 

interviewing’ with it. I have always 

been passionate about others‘ 

stories and whether it be through 

a book or on TV, I knew that I 

wanted to be the girl that people 

looked to, when it came to helping 

someone tell their story. My first love was writing, I’ll never 

forget reading The Great Gatsby, I think that is when I first 

fell in love with writing. I wrote my rhyming children’s book, 

Kindness is Key, in one afternoon because I was passionate 

about teaching children to be kind, rather than bully. It was 

so important to me that we started practicing kindness at a 

young age. After I conquered that, I wanted to write a book 

for women about how to be a lady in the millennial age, thus 

creating Good Girl, Bad World. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST 

ABOUT YOUR WORK? 

I love people. I love making others 

feel good about themselves and my job 

has really given me an opportunity to 

reach a large audience and encourage 

those around me. 

IF YOU WEREN’T AN AUTHOR/ 

JOURNALIST, WHAT WOULD YOU DO 

FOR A CAREER? 

I think that I would have a show on 

HGTV about decorating and creating 

or a cooking show on Food Network. 

I am an artist at heart, I love to paint 

and create. 

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE 

EVER RECEIVED? 

My first day of college I was watching a girl at the anchor 

desk and she was upset that she had to help move equipment 

and one of the people in the studio said, “You’re used to being 

the star, but every now and then you have to help others be a 

star too.” That advice has stuck with me, so anytime you see 

me on camera, you’ll see me helping pick up afterwards or if I 

am covering an event, I am there early to help set up. 


Camille 

JOHNSON 

Wife. Mother. Millie. Realtor. Broker. 

From a small town girl on the farm, to a freshman in 

college walking-on to the basketball team at Baylor, to a 

high school English teacher, stay at home mom, and real 

estate agent here in our great community, Camille has 

become a name everyone knows and recognizes. 

WHAT GAVE YOU THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH 

TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOU DO? 

“My mom. Moms don’t always get a lot of credit because 

they are behind the scenes, but as I look back at my life I see 

moments where my mom’s hand was helping guide me and 

encouraging me to be the ‘best me.’ Your roots will always be 

here to help you grow but finding yourself and not being too 

content was always her way of giving us wings to help us fly.” 

My family. My husband Fred, two children and 

grandchildren are the highlights of my life. 

My friends. I have had the same supportive friend group 

for years that have helped encourage me over the years. 

BE HUMBLE AND KIND. 

THE BUSINESS 

WILL COME AND GO, 

BUT THE WAY YOU TREAT 

OTHERS WILL ALWAYS 

STICK WITH THEM. 

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF 

YOUR LIFE? 

My roots. I was born and raised in Bruceville Eddy,and was 

raised on a farm with my brother and sister. My faith. I am a 

member at Columbus Avenue Baptist. 

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR BUSINESS? 

People don’t typically sell because they want to. 

Sometimes they are going through difficult times like 

someone losing their spouse, financial struggles force them 

to sell, or a divorce so I find that my business can be a ministry 

to be kind and love on people during a difficult time. 

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CLAIM TO FAME? 

I holds the record for the 60 yard dash at Bruceville Eddy 

High School. I will forever hold this record because there is 

no longer a 60 yard dash. 

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? 

Be humble and kind. The business will come and go, but 

the way you treat others will always stick with them. 


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Wednesday to Thursday 

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WEEKDAYS AT FIVE, SIX, AND TEN O’CLOCK 

Ann Harder 

Ann Harder is a native Wacoan and cum 

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Find us on Facebook 



Magen Reaves 

With the holidays fast approaching 

I love finding new hairstyles that 

can just add that something 

"extra" to your look. From all the 

holiday parties you may repeat a outfit, but by simply 

changing up your hair-do you can get a whole other look 

with your outfit. I recently discovered the "Tigi Bedhead 

Wave Artist" and fell in love! This hot tool can be found 

at most retailers for $20-$40, depending if you catch 

it on sale or not. 

I typically don't buy into crimpers/ 

wavers like this because I find they 

don't work well on my thick hair. 

I had purchased the Wave Artist 

awhile back after seeing a friend 

with similar hair use it. Her hair 

looked amazing and I loved the wave 

look she got from just using the tool. 

I purchased the product, but didn't try it 

out until a year later. 

One weekend, on a lazy Saturday, I decided to break 

it open and give it a try... on week old hair. I fell in love 

with the look I got and became a believer. 

One thing I really liked about the Wave Artist is that I 

could go a few days before I needed to wash my hair or 

style it. The Wave Artist made my hair look thick and full! 

It's super simple too! 

If you have thick hair you will want to do smaller 

sections, maybe 1in. Section it off. 

You will start at the root and slowly just 

work your way down each section of hair. 

You can adjust the temperature of the 

tool. I personally had it on the highest 

degree, so then I didn't have to hold the 

tool on my hair long. 

Take it section by section and then when 

you have completed your whole head, gently run 

a brush through. 

And you're good to go! 

You should be able to go a few days with it styled just 

like this. 

By day 3-4 I pulled mine up in a pony tail and loved 

how big and full my pony was. 

Have fun with it this holiday season. 

Watch how just changing up your hair, changes your 

outfits and you have a whole new look. 

Magen is a Texas wife, mother and fashion blogger. To see more of her amazing work follow 

her on Instagram @MagenReaves or visit her on her website at www.MagenReaves.com. 

80 




Galentines 

by Alison Sorley 

I’ve celebrated Galentines for years whether single or 

with someone. Love should be celebrated all the time; 

our world would be a lot better with it. 

To celebrate Galentines try a few of these great ideas: 

• Game night with trivia consisting of all things love, quotes, 

movies. Treats and eats include pink champagne, heart 

cookies, red hots, etc. 

• Get a group of friends (single or taken), get all dressed 

up in pinks and reds and indulge in a fancy dinner with 

dessert and toasting to one another and friendship. True 

friendship is loving one another in the good, bad and ugly. 

• Also, get little gifts for everyone when hosting, such as 

heart-shaped soaps, mini bottles of pink champagne, 

bubble bath, etc. 

• Another thought, if you're single, treat yourself. You have 

to love yourself before you can be loved and you should 

celebrate it. By an inexpensive gift such as a massage, top, 

shoes or sometimes a splurge of a handbag or spa day. 

• A way to share love for free is watching your friends' or 

loved one’s kids so they can have date night, plus being 

around a child’s laughter, love, and fun nature is contagious 

and can really brighten your mood. 


Photo by Halle Judea Photography


Fostering 

Hope 

by Jessica Morrow 

In May 2016, Laura Bushnell was leaving work she heard 

the unmistakable distressed meow coming from an 

alleyway. Ordinarily, she would not have thought too 

much of the cry as there are lots of stray cats that live 

in the area. However, the urgency in the cry and the fact that 

it had been raining heavily all day with more heavy rains 

predicted piqued her concerns. She followed the cries to a 

small hole in the wall where, sure enough, a tiny kitten had 

wedged himself to escape the rains. A phone call to animal 

control led to a rescue effort that ironically included a team 

of firefighters. The firefighters freed the tiny kitten from 

the wall and he was quickly wrapped 

up and transported to Laura’s house 

for his first night inside. Laura and her 

husband named the kitten "Wall-E" and 

were determined to help him. Wall-E 

was swarming with fleas, starving, 

and terrified. Laura sent out a distress 

message on social media asking for 

help. Cue the Waco Humane Society. 

I had heard of Wall-E harrowing tale, 

so I offered to foster Wall-E through 

the Waco Humane Society’s Foster 

program. With a foster home secured, 

Wall-E entered the fostering system 

and was immediately placed into my 

home. This is not always the case for 

animals entering the Humane society; 

most cases involve their tireless foster 

coordinator, Emily Keil, recruiting from a list of other foster 

homes in the area (more on that later). 

My family had fostered several animals before and was 

familiar with some of the challenges that come from bringing 

a new animal into the household. We already had our own 

dog and cat, so making sure Wall-E had a quiet place for 

himself was crucial. We set up a litter box and food in our 

LIKE PEOPLE, 

EACH ANIMAL 

HAS A UNIQUE 

PERSONALITY 

AND EACH 

PRESENTS ITS 

OWN CHALLENGES 

AND REWARDS. 

guest bedroom to let him have some peace. By utilizing social 

media, we were able to find a “furever” home for Wall-E. 

Today Wall-E is a happy and beloved house cat. He is also 

a successful case for the Humane Society Foster Program. 

Animal shelters are meant to be a temporary location for 

homeless animals, the assiduous workers of our central Texas 

shelters see a constant stream of animals in truly desperate 

situations. Foster families not only provide individual attention 

and a safe home but also open space at the shelter. Fostering 

has provided opportunities for my family to volunteer in the 

community one animal (or sometimes litter) at a time. 

Like people, each animal has a unique 

personality and each presents its own 

challenges and rewards. Some experiences 

have been as simple as providing a dog a 

place to crash for a few weeks, to keeping 

litters of kittens, to housing a persnickety 

mother cat recovering from feline mastitis. 

Some of our most rewarding experiences 

have come from the more challenging cases. 

Like, watching a deaf albino kitten gain his 

confidence, or seeing the relief in a pair of 

tuxedo cats after multiple days of lime sulfur 

dunks to treat ringworm. Each case has 

been supported by animal organizations 

like the Central Texas Humane Society. 

My husband and I have fostered 18 

animals through various organizations over 

the years. Each one has held a special 

place in our hearts. Of all the animals we have fostered, we 

have only kept one (our now 7-year-old cat, “Mama Kitty”). 

Here in Central Texas, we have enjoyed partnering with the 

Humane Society of Central Texas. Their staff serve both the 

human and animal population with grace and compassion. 

Emily Keil, Foster Coordinator, has always been great in 

helping us to find an animal that will best fit with our family. 

84 


WHEN CONSIDERING ANIMAL FOSTERING, 

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: 

Separate, quite space: This is especially important if 

you have other pets. Mostly, it gives them a familiar place 

to get acclimated. Space can range from a spare bedroom 

to a bathroom. 

Patience: Not all animals will go home with you ready to 

cuddle. You never really know what their phobias are and how 

they will manifest themselves. Be patient and give them time to 

adjust to their new environment. 

Time: Your time is essential. You are helping them to develop 

into a loving pet for another family, so any time you have to sit 

with them, take them for walks, or brush out their fur will help get 

them ready for healthy habits with their future family. 

Transportation: You will need to be able to take them to 

medical appointments and checkups at the Humane Society as 

well as adoption events. This frequency likely depends on the 

age of your charge and any underlying medical issues. 

Advocate: You and your family will know your foster 

the best and can therefore help your furry friend to 

find a home. You are their best advocate for the pet 

getting adopted. 

Misconceptions: There are many misconceptions when 

it comes to fostering. Medical expenses like vaccinations 

are taken care of by the Humane Society as well as spaying 

and neutering. 

Ability to Let Go: It is a pleasure to open our home 

to these animals and help them to learn to trust and love. 

Parting with them is always a challenge as you know they 

have grown accustomed to you, too, but helping them 

transition to their forever home is so rewarding. Maybe the 

forever home ends up being your home, but if the goal is 

to provide a happy place of transition, you must be willing 

to say goodbye and do what is best for the animal. 

If you would like more information about the Humane Society Foster Program 

or if you want to become a foster family, apply online at humanesocietycentraltexas.org. 



A Mother ’ s Story 

by Stephanie Ginn 

P 

ostpartum Depression. It is real. It is hard. It is 

common. Why it is such a hush-hush topic? I don’t 

(and never will) understand. I feel called to share 

my story. It is LONG, it is real, but more importantly, 

it is okay! 

Three and a half months ago our world was changed for 

the better when our newest addition was born. Scarlett is our 

rainbow baby. We desired to have her, we longed for her, 

we prayed for her, and we praised God when we heard her 

precious heart beat for the first time (and every time after that). 

My first pregnancy with Caroline was a walk in the park. 

Hardly any sickness, was never really in pain, and breezed 

through it all. She was a 36 hour labor (she is still a diva to this 

day), but after she was born our connection was instant and I 

can honestly say I loved everything about motherhood. The 

good, the bad, the ugly. 

My pregnancy with Scarlett was a different story. I was 

diagnosed with a Marginal Cord Insertion which means that 

Scarlett had to work 4x as hard to get any nutrients from 

me. With that, I was now a monitored patient and had to 

get a lot of ultrasounds and extra tests done often. Then, 

I started having some heart issues so I was being seen by 

a cardiologist. At 30 and 33 weeks I found myself in Labor 

and Delivery and just lying in the hospital bed watching my 

contractions on the monitor. Each time the contractions were 

brought back under control and I was given some medicine 

to help control my contractions for the remainder of my 

pregnancy. The next week, I found out that I was starting 

to get some extra fluid around Scarlett which was just one 

more thing for them to watch. I was then put on bed rest at 

35 weeks and induced at 38 weeks because my fluid level 

continued to rise. 




Hospital life after Scarlett was born went well. We had 

visitors, help from the nurses, and a few days to adjust to 

baby life again. Then we went home. 

I remember thinking on the car ride home that something 

felt off. I brushed it off to be me still recovering from labor 

and the medicine that I had taken. Within a few hours of 

being home, I found myself upstairs with Andy in hysteric 

tears saying, “What in the world was I thinking when I thought 

that I could be a mom of two? I have lost my mind and there 

is no way that I can do this.” To be honest, I had no desire 

to do it. I was longing be go back to being a family of three, 

and I couldn’t understand why I was having these feelings 

because I never had any of those thoughts with Caroline. 

As the days passed, my feelings didn’t change. I still was 

not feeling connected to Scarlett and I had no desire to do 

anything. Baby related or not, I felt alone and lonely no matter 

how many people I was around. I was crying all the time. 

I would see a pregnant person and immediately feel sorry for 

them. That isn’t who I am and that isn’t who I wanted to be. The 

guilt then set in big time. How in the world could I not have 

extreme feelings for Scarlett? She is perfect. She is healthy, she 

is a beyond wonderful baby, and she is as gorgeous as can be. 

There must be something wrong with me. That was the only 

answer that I had for my thoughts and feelings. 

Thankfully, I have THE. BEST. support system in the world!! 

Being able to speak freely without the fear of being judged or 


frowned upon was an answered prayer. My friends and family 

were always willing to listen to me, let me cry my eyes out, let 

me put my feelings out on the table, or were just willing to sit 

in silence with me. And y’all, the power 

of prayer is incredible. I spent a lot {and 

I mean a lot} of time praying for answers, 

guidance, and comfort. 

After three (long) weeks of just 

going through the motions and feeling 

miserable, I reached out to my OBGYN. 

She assured me that what I was feeling 

was common, but just unfortunately not 

commonly talked about. After talking for 

awhile, she said that I did in fact have 

Postpartum Depression and Postpartum 

Anxiety. 

Hearing her say that gave me mixed 

feelings (as if I didn’t have enough of those 

already). I was glad to have somewhat of 

an answer to my crazy, but how in the 

world could I have PPD and PPA? 

The thoughts that flooded my mind 

were: I was meant to be a mom and have 

always wanted and prayed for a big family. Does this make 

me a weak person? Does this make me a bad mom? 

I have since learned that the answer to these questions 

is “No!” This is just part of my story. I got through it and 

feel passionately about sharing my story and bringing 

awareness to PPD. 

Looking back to my maternity 

leave, I wish I could start it now. I 

wish that I hadn’t wasted all of those 

days and moments with Scarlett 

feeling what I was. However, now I 

can’t (and never really do) let her out 

of my arms. I miss her during the day 

and take advantage of every minute 

I have with her in the evenings and 

on the weekends. She is my angel 

baby, her daddy’s little princess, and 

her big sister’s best friend! Our life 

and family would be incomplete 

without her. 

I share all of this to say, Postpartum 

Depression and Postpartum Anxiety 

are real and are common. However, 

they don’t have to control your life. 

Find your people and hold on tight! 

Be aware and reach out for help. You are not weak, and you 

are not a bad mom. 

POSTPARTUM 

DEPRESSION AND 

POSTPARTUM ANXIETY 

ARE REAL AND ARE 

COMMON. HOWEVER, 

THEY DON’T HAVE TO 

CONTROL YOUR LIFE. 

FIND YOUR PEOPLE 

AND HOLD ON TIGHT! 


CASEY NYSTROM 

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