Issuu

Holiday & Giving Issue

D E C E M B E R 2 022

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December 2022 PUBLISHER

Tara Bové | tara.bove@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Time for the Holidays and Giving

EDITOR

Connie Clark | connie.clark@citylifestyle.com SOCIAL MEDIA COOR DINATOR

Brianna Perez | brianna.perez@citylifestyle.com AD DESIGNER

Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER

Antanette Ray

Do you have a holiday tradition in your family? Perhaps one that was formed in your youth, or even passed down through generations? So many of us try to replicate those sights, sounds, images, and feelings for our own families. I’m one of them! In the second grade, I had a teacher named Ms. Frederick. She brought the magic of the season alive in our classroom through "Max the Elf". Max would visit our classroom and leave notes and treats for some students. I was so happy to be one of them. The tradition of the elf continued in our home, as I carried the memory into my own family's Christmas tradition. Another tradition we have comes from my Italian heritage. Have you ever eaten a Pizzella cookie? Pizzellas are a staple at Christmas and making a mess in the kitchen with my daughters is pure fun. We make plenty of cookies, and we get the joy of sharing these Italian treats with many friends and family. We also have some traditions that are pure Boerne. For the past 17 years, we have walked Main Street as it transformed into the magical Dickens on Main. Our children look forward to the Weihnachts Parade - especially the ‘littles’. It is true, Boerne spreads the holiday cheer, and for us, this kicks off the fun and joy. There is another aspect to Boerne that is at the heart of Christmas. While this season can be joy-filled for some, it can be painful and lonely for others, especially those who have lost loved ones. In the true spirit of the season, the people of Boerne are there for people in need. I invite you to read this issue cover to cover to learn how you make a difference and experience the reality that giving is better than receiving! Merry Christmas from Boerne Lifestyle!

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Jennifer Brown, Connie McFall Clark, Aubrey Matson, Brian Mc Vey, Kimberly Young CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Sarah Brooke Lyons, Dayna DeHoyos, Jessi Edison

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

TA R A B OV É , P U B L I S H E R @BOERNELIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/BOERNE |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Boerne Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Boerne area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Boerne Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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What’s on

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DECEMBER 2022

inside the issue The Holiday & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Gratitude for Those Not Home for Holidays

Lifestyle Letter

Culinary Creations

City Scene

Giving Back

Business Monthly

Our Town

Hometown Hero

LI FE + C U LT U R E

How To

Chef ’s Selection

FO O D + B EV ER AGE

Realty Report

Travel Journal

Events

Maker’s Studio

Decor Trends

We Count on Them to Keep Us Safe

20 Food and Wine Pairings

Shared by Bending Branch Winery and

T R AV EL LI FE + C U LT U R E

22 Give the Gift of Time! Gifting an Experience to Treasure

Plan Your Year-End Gift Giving Early

LI FE + C U LT U R E

HO ME + DES I GN

Sister Creek Vineyard

34 What Better Way to Share During the Holidays?

FO O D + B E V E R AG E

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Sarah Brooke Lyons Dave Strom, a.k.a. “Santa Dave”, will be appearing around town soon!

R EA L ESTAT E

HO ME + DES I GN

Hear well for the holidays! Let the magic of the holidays start with better communication. The team at Estes Audiology looks forward to serving you.

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DECEMBER 2022

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

1: Hill Country Giving Circle’s Disco Bingo event benefits Mission Haus Foundation 2: BISD Trustees’ meeting Pledge led by Curington Elementary School Student Council 3: Assemble Cocktails hosts a birthday celebration 4: San Antonio Express News awards Schneider Engineering Top Workplaces 2022 5: Scene from Boerne Community Theatre’s “Stranger in the Attic”

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @BoerneLifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

ADVOCATE

EDUCATE

CONNECT

To learn more about membership, visit us online at

www.boerne.org

DECEMBER 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Chef Junction

Trellis Counseling & Co.

Chef Junction is a multi-discipline culinary company led by award-winning Chef/Owner Juan Cardona. Offering concierge catering, he takes top-quality global food to your home, office, or event space, giving you the freedom to enjoy the experience without effort. American/Regional, Latin/ Caribbean, European, Asian/Indian, Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisines; desserts and wedding cakes are offered. The design, culinary, catering, and operations teams ensure every detail is executed brilliantly. Call 210429-0798 or visit chefjunction.com.

Trellis Counseling & Co., a suicide (pre)(inter)(post)vention specialist partnered with the Cibolo Center for Conservation for Mental Wellness workshops in October. Additional programs are planned: "Build Your Own Healing Garden" and "Nature & Grief" as well as others. Trellis' CEO Gillian Rodriguez has also served the families of Uvalde through a partnership with The Children's Bereavement Center in Uvalde twice a week. Day 1 Bags generously donated 100 bags filled with goodies. Go to trelliscounselingco.com for more information.

Blue Santa Toy & Gift Card Drive The Kendall County Sheriff's Office Blue Santa Program is accepting toys and identifying children in our community as recipients of the Blue Santa Program Toy Drive. Working in partnership with the Boerne Police Department, Hill Country Family Services, Love Kendall County Kids, The Center, and the American Legion Post 313, approximately 410 children received gifts in 2021 with the assistance of our generous community donations. Drop off donations by December 10. facebook.com/kendallcountysheriffsofficetx has lists of drop-off locations.

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Boerne

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Gratitude for Those Not Home for Holidays

WE COUNT ON THEM TO KEEP US SAFE

PENNY COATS is an “on-call” hospice nurse and case manager working for Embrace Hospice. She works on-call tending to the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. Most of Penny’s patients are in the memory care unit, which means they have dementia or other mental and physical issues. Penny’s hands-on work branches far beyond simply providing excellent physical care for her patients. Her calm, attentive presence and unwavering spirit of compassion create an incredible bond of trust between patient and caregiver. She chose this career to find her faith and use this gift for others to see in her daily journey of helping patients find comfort and peace throughout their endof-life journey. Penny also plays a crucial role in helping educate and support family caregivers as they adjust to their new role. I asked Penny how she copes with dealing with the loss of these patients in the (near) future. Penny stated that her husband Eric is her rock and is incredibly supportive of her career. They do everything together. Penny finds incredible solace in being outside working on their farm feeding the cows, chickens, ducks, and other animals. She recently assisted in delivering a baby calf.

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

ARTICLE BY BRIAN MC VEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BROOKE LYONS

Penny Coats

Sgt. Richard Gonzalez

RICHARD GONZALEZ is a Sergeant with the Fair Oaks

“My health and wellness are paramount to me! I come into work an hour early to get my workouts in — a great start to my workday.”

Police Department. He is a proud Texan, growing up on the West Side of San Antonio happy to have escaped the harsh realities that plague that part of San Antonio. Sgt. Gonzalez has worked with the Department for more than eight years and expressed the importance of working the midnight shift with this comment, “I want the citizens of Fair Oaks to know that our goal is to protect them while they are sleeping.” He also stated the importance of staying vigilant because crime is everywhere, regardless of household income or neighborhood. Working the midnight shift for many can be stressful, but not for Sgt. Gonzalez. He has grown accustomed to staying vigilant because no call is the same, whether it’s an alarm-to-home call, a vehicle pursuit call, or an accident with injuries call. I asked Sgt. Gonzalez how he copes with the enormity of the job. He stated, “My health and wellness are paramount to me! I come into work an hour early to get my workouts in — a great start to my workday.” Sgt. Gonzalez also loves spending time with family and friends. “I really enjoy getting away by going fishing in places like Corpus or Colorado.” CONTINUED > D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

Jason Abbott JASON ABBOTT is a Police Dispatcher and 911 call-taker. He has a unique background of also being a Boerne Police Officer. Jason has over 32 years of service in law enforcement. The Dispatcher role gives him the unique ability to understand quickly what is needed for his officers out on the street. Jason is truly a first responder because he is the first person to talk to those in a crisis. For those reading this, dispatchers and call-takers have an incredibly stressful job. That job is answering those calls and talking to people on the worst days of their lives. Jason stated, “You must have thick skin to do this job, while also having a sense of humor. However, the job of a call-taker can gnaw at your soul because you don’t get to know or see the outcomes of many of the calls.” Jason then spoke about the best moments of his law enforcement career: being with officers over the years, his days as a School Resource Officer, and one incredible chance encounter he had at the hospital. On that specific call, Jason had the pleasure of meeting with this nurse Karla, who later became his bride. The pride that Jason has for the City of Boerne and the community is in his DNA. In January, Jason will be officially retiring from the City. These three are reasons to be grateful. Take time out in your day to be thankful for those protecting us - from all our first responders to the wonderful caretakers in hospice.

“You must have thick skin to do this job, while also having a sense of humor. However, the job of a call-taker can gnaw at your soul because you don’t get to know or see the outcomes of many of the calls.” 18

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

Food and Wine

Pairings Bending Branch Winery

Sister Creek Vineyard

SHARED BY BENDING BRANCH WINERY AND SISTER CREEK VINEYARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAYNA DEHOYOS

Boerne Lifestyle visited two area wineries to obtain suggestions for tasty wine and food pairings. Following are the suggested pairings. Sister Creek Vineyard paired a spicy shrimp dish served over rice with its sweet white Muscat Canelli. The sweetness of the wine will contrast with the spices on the shrimp. Singing Waters Vineyard's Muscat was awarded Best of Show for Sweet Wine at the San Antonio Rodeo Wine Competition.

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

It was one of the 14 champion wines selected out of 875 entries. Robust-bodied red wines are the perfect complement to heartier, more flavorful foods. The tannins in bold reds like Bending Branch Winery’s Texas Tannat or Texas Cabernet Sauvignon are balanced out by the salt and fat in a grilled ribeye steak. Bending Branch Winery has many award winning wines. In addition to the winery itself, there is a store-front in Comfort.

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T H E

E X C E L L E N C E

R E S O R T

Beach View

GIVE THE GIFT OF T I M E ! 22

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

Front Entry

During this blessed season of giving, consider gifting an experience. A great experience gift is a destination trip, a staycation, or travel to a resort. And what a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday, an anniversary, a girls’ trip, or a gift just to say, “I love you!” Recently one of our team experienced an incredible celebratory trip to The Excellence Resort in Playa Mujeres Cancun, Mexico. On the beautiful Caribbean playground, boasting of white sands and a clear blue sea, the all-inclusive, all-adult, and all-suite resort was just what was needed for a relaxing gift. To unplug and not think about paying for anything while at the resort can offer the fabulous opportunity to “just be”. So we thought we’d share the experience with our readers. The Excellence Resort at Playa Mujeres features a variety of restaurants that are included in the price of your stay. From gorgeous breakfast buffets to light lunches beach-side to a fine-dining lobster dinner in the evening – those are just some of the selections in the thirteen restaurants, twelve bars and assorted pop-up carts. You never have to eat the same meal twice and your taste buds will thank you for the wide range of choices. Be sure to stop by the fresh coconut juice bar for an extra treat! CONTINUED >

GIFTING AN EXPERIENCE TO TREASURE ARTICLE BY CONNIE MCFALL CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE EXCELLENCE RESORT

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

exc el lenc ere s or t s .c om /c a ncu n / excellence-playa-mujeres

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TR AVE L

R E L A X I N G

Relaxing on the beach for a chair massage or enjoying the swim-up pool outside your room will have you relaxed and enjoying the downtime away from home. If you want to be more adventurous, the resort offers many excursions, a gym, as well as beach and water activities. The Excellence Resort has opportunities to enjoy private beaches, pools and clubs as well as areas in which to mix and mingle with other guests. Our traveler experienced a sense of uncrowded seclusion on the expansive beachfront even though there were lots of guests staying in the resort. There is nightlife in this gated resort, including wonderful variety shows, venues for dancing and even a Silent Disco Party where three DJs play three different types of music. The guests wear headphones and dance to their choice of music. What an unusual sight to hear nothing in the room but see people dancing to all types of music at the same time! The Excellence Resort offers a variety of elevated packages for your stay. The service at the resort is excellent and the staff goes out of their way to make sure you have the best experience ever. Special touches include a welcome banner for newlyweds and guests celebrating wedding anniversaries. Our guest was greeted in the room by fresh flowers, favorite desserts and champagne. For those making reservations at one of the restaurants, the service is impeccable and the table can be festooned with rose petals. What a great place in which to celebrate life!

G E T A W A Y

Outdoor Scene

Chocolate Me Time

Swim-up Pool

Martini Bar

Suite

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

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D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

ARTICLE BY AUBREY MATSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BROOKE LYONS

’TIS THE SEASON THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND BOERNE’S SANTA OPERATIONS

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | L IFE + CULTURE

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring — except one couple’s preparations to keep a certain Christmas spirit alive and well. Dave and Eileen Strom, a.k.a. “Santa Dave” and Christmas garment seamstress Eileen, have been in the serious Santa business since 2006. While they began their Christmas operations in California, they have since relocated to the San Antonio area.

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

DAVE AND EILEEN STROM

Dave Strom’s role in this endeavor is apparent, as he makes a wide variety of appearances as Santa at private parties, reading events at the Boerne Library, HOA events, and more. In fact, being Santa is a year-round profession for the couple; Strom explained he makes an appearance as “summer Santa” in late July for Boerne’s “Movies in the Park” event. Strom also does nursing home visits as Santa; Eileen recounted that even in their older years, the residents find joy in visits from Santa. However, the affair would not be complete without a Mrs. Claus. Eileen Strom is a top-ofthe-line seamstress who not only makes Santa suits but Christmas garments of all kinds. Eileen does not only make them for her husband: she has a worldwide demand for her Christmas creations. Her work has included that of island Santa garments for a Cayman Islands Santa as well as garments for clients in Scotland using authentic Tartan fabric. Eileen designed Dave’s original Santa suit and then expanded her business because of the need for quality Christmas costumes and clothing. “You can’t just walk into JC Penny’s and get a Santa vest,” noted Eileen. Although, Dave’s road to becoming Santa was not a conventional path. Dave recalled an experience from decades ago where he had been climbing telephone poles and a child thought him to be Santa who was passing through delivering gifts. “Did you get my letter?” the child asked. Dave, due to sustaining immense hip injuries, found himself semi-retired. However, Dave began making phone calls as Santa for family members’ children, thus beginning his association with Father Christmas himself. The couple agreed that their favorite part of what they do is bringing joy to the people they encounter. Dave explained that there’s something special about bringing about a sense of magic, as well as giving people a special memory that lives on. “You can’t buy that,” said Dave. Dave and Eileen both place great value on the impact they leave on the children and adults they visit, and fulfilling the need for the magic of the season is magical for them too, indeed.

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How About a

Gluten-Free Dessert ? THE BREAD BOX OWNER CHEF TINA MARIE KENT’S GLUTEN-FREE SHORTBREAD COOKIES PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAYNA DEHOYOS

These cookies can be pressed into molds or transformed into thumbprint cookies filled with jam.

GL U T E N-F R E E S H O R T B R E A D C O O K IE S INGREDIENTS • 2 cups of unsalted butter (room temperature) • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract (or almond extract) • 4 cups of gluten-free flour (rice flour as the primary ingredient) • Jar of jam (your choice) INSTRUCTIONS Line baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use a stand mixer and paddle attachment to beat the butter and sugar on slow speed until smooth. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. Add the flour very slowly, beating at a low speed. Take one tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. Press your thumb into the center of the cookie and fill it with the jam of your choice. Place the cookies on the parchment-lined sheet. Bake the cookies until light brown around the edges for 10-15 minutes. When the cookies are still warm, dip them face down in a bowl of cinnamon and sugar mixture. The Bread Box, located at the Alley at Bitters, serves the Boerne area with custom cakes. Find them on social media. thebreadboxsa.com

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

Everything you need to FIND NEW ROADS!

W H AT B E T T E R WAY TO SHARE DURING T H E H O L I DAY S ? Plan Your Year-End Gift Giving Early

Year-end gift giving is a wonderful way to spend the last days of the current year. For your 2022 gift-giving, we've included some of our favorites for you to consider. Magdalena House is a community of hope that offers support to mothers who are fleeing dangerous and abusive lives. It is a neighborhood of transitional homes that provides mothers the opportunity to redirect the trajectory of their lives to one of independence and safety for themselves and their children. Magdalena House mothers, and their children, receive wraparound services and 24/7 support in an environment that provides encouragement and a sense of belonging. These mothers choose an educational path that will help them earn a living wage, and Magdalena House provides mentoring and childcare supports to ensure mothers are successful. Over 75% of the mothers have completed significant educational milestones. Women leaving Magdalena House are confident they can support themselves and their children financially and emotionally. MagHouse.org Athena’s Prayer, a beautiful monument by artist/sculptor James N. Muir, is inspired by SSG Tiffany Kravec-Kelly who served two tours in Iraq. Athena is the classical goddess, not only of war but also of wisdom, courage and strength. This modern Athena symbolizes the feminine “prudence” to war. This is a tribute to all the women who have served in America’s Armed Forces. As a thoughtful year-end gift giving gesture, why not assist in making this monument a permanent piece in the park at Boerne’s Veteran Plaza? Contact John A. Rosa, owner of Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Garden at 830-816-5335. View the monument

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

and smaller sculpture at Texas Treasures and read Muir’s descriptions of each feature of the piece. It is the mission, duty and purpose of The Pink Berets to address, educate, coordinate and provide aid and relief to active duty women of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and first responders seeking assistance with invisible injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma and combat trauma stress on a local and national level. The goal and commitment are based solely upon helping women who have been afflicted with the devastating effects of traumas and addressing their symptoms before it progresses to homelessness, unemployment, and suicide. With holistic treatment programs, the staff listens carefully and guides clients on the pathway toward recovery and empowerment. thepinkberets.org Last Chance Forever's mission is to help sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey return to their natural habitat. Birds that are deemed non-releasable and are not suffering physical pain are utilized as educational ambassadors and are provided permanent sanctuary. Because most harm to raptors and other wild predators can be attributed to human activities, it is our responsibility to see that a balance between the human and natural worlds is maintained. The organization provides educational programming to bridge the gap between the human species and the amazing natural world while striving to maintain a common-sense approach to conserving our precious natural resources. A large flight recovery aviary is planned and what a great way to support this organization. lastchanceforever.org

The Pink Berets

Magdalena House

CONTINUED >

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

Athena’s Prayer

Last Chance Forever

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

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The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent struggling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does. To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.) Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amount up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.” Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue. “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.” City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

O UR TOWN | L IFE + CU LTURE

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

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DIY - Making Beautiful Wreaths For Home Holiday Decor or Gifts ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BROWN/BOARD & BRUSH CREATIVE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSI EDISON

Don't you love the smell of fresh winter greens during the holiday season? Jennifer Brown of Board & Brush Creative Studio in Boerne has provided some easy steps to create beautiful wreaths for gifts or to decorate your home.

TO MAKE THESE WONDERFUL WREATHS, GATHER: • An assortment box of bundled fresh winter greens, found at a local florist • Ribbon/bow options, 2-inch wired ribbon • Pinecones • Berry stems • 22-Gauge green floral wire - pre-cut four to five 10-inch lengths • 18-inch grapevine wreaths • Wire cutters • Floral snips/scissors To assemble the greenery, select a larger piece of greenery to start the layering process (we suggest something flat to start with as you will add more and build up as you go). Take it by the stem and insert it firmly and gently into the grapevine wreath. And repeat ... repeat ... repeat. It is really just that easy! Add different types of greens to create interesting textures with layering. Periodically lift your wreath up to see how it looks as you go. Secure your greens by snipping a

H OW TO | HOM E + D ESIG N

longer branch and inserting the shorter stem into the grapevine or you can tie down a longer branch with the floral wire. And now, the embellishments! If desired, add berry stems the same way as the greenery. Use the lengths of wire to attach pinecones by taking the wire and pushing it into a crease towards the base around the pinecone. Twist the wire and you’ll be left with two ends that you can tie to your wreath. Add your ribbon or premade bow last. You can do this with the floral wire as well. Finally, display and care. Attach the wreath to the door with a wreath holder and hang indoors or outdoors. Mist your wreath regularly with water to help extend its longevity. Additional tips: Start with lighter, flatter greens that you can layer onto. When adding pinecones, add them evenly around the wreath or create a small cluster of three for more visual interest or a focal point near the bow. Grouping elements in odd numbers creates a great balance. For instance, three berry stems evenly distributed around the wreath create a “triangle” and visual balance. Mix and match colors and textures, smooth long needles paired with greens that have small berries or shorter needles and different colors. Stay Creative! boardandbrush.com/boerne

Gather Your Supplies

Embellishments

Finished Product

Assemble the Greenery

Final Touches

Jennifer Hanging Wreath at Board & Brush

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / BO E R N E

D E CE MBE R 2 0 2 2

realty report A sample of recently sold properties in Boerne. N E I GH BO RH O O D

ORIGIN AL PRICE

SO L D P RIC E

%SO L D/ O RIG

DO M

B DRM S

B AT H S

Cordillera Ranch

$5,200,000.00

$4,950,000.00

95.20%

5/1

Anaqua Springs Ranch

$1,750,000.00

$1,643,000.00

93.90%

Menger Springs

$1,550,000.00

$1,455,000.00

93.90%

3/2

Indian Springs

$1,225,000.00

$1,175,000.00

95.90%

Anaqua Springs Ranch

$1,199,500.00

100%

3/1

Sundance Ranch

$994,900.00

$1,058,018.00

106.30%

4/1

River Mountain Ranch

$985,000.00

100%

3/1

Sundance Ranch

$974,900.00

100%

3/1

River Valley Fair Oaks Ranch

$937,900.00

$968,470.00

103.30%

River Valley Fair Oaks Ranch

$935,900.00

$1,015,146.00

108.40%

4/1

Fair Oaks Ranch

$924,900.00

$920,000.00

99.50%

4/1

Village Green

$899,000.00

$890,000.00

99.00%

River Valley Fair Oaks Ranch

$874,900.00

$850,000.00

97.20%

3/1

Balcones Creek

$849,000.00

$850,000.00

100.10%

River Valley Fair Oaks Ranch

$837,900.00

100%

3/1

Regent Park

$829,016.00

100%

4/2

Sundance Ranch

$825,000.00

100%

Meadowbrook Estates

$825,000.00

$765,000.00

92.70%

2/1

Johnson Ranch

$819,900.00

$820,507.00

100.10%

3/1

River Valley Fair Oaks Ranch

$816,900.00

$811,667.00

99.40%

3/1

Balcones Creek

$815,000.00

$800,000.00

98.20%

4/1

Cherry Ridge

$750,000.00

100%

Kendall Pointe

$699,000.00

$709,000.00

101.40%

3/1

Front Gate

$669,990.00

$671,000.00

100.20%

Sablechase

$620,000.00

$600,000.00

96.80%

3/1

Fallbrook

$604,975.00

$590,000.00

97.50%

3/1

Napa Oaks

$539,900.00

$549,000.00

101.70%

Fair Oaks Ranch

$520,000.00

$540,000.00

103.80%

2/1

Fair Oaks Ranch

$487,000.00

$490,000.00

100.60%

2/1

Napa Oaks

$485,000.00

100%

This data is a sampling of sold properties from October 2022. Source: SABOR MLS system.

The Historic

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DECEMBER 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

D EC E M BE R 2 N D

Stocking Stroll

H ILL COUN TRY MILE, BOERN E The annual Stocking Stroll begins on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. and ends on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. With your event bag and ticket in hand, collect treasures at participating shops. While you're strolling be sure to see what each store offers; you may be able to knock some gifts off your shopping list. Shop Local!

D EC E M BE R 3 RD

Weihnachts Parade

H ILL COUN TRY MILE, BOERN E The Weihnachts Parade is a beloved Christmas tradition in Boerne. The parade is held at night along historic and charming Main Street. Up to 100 floats, bands, and other entries are lit up in holiday cheer as they "parade' from the Fire Station to River Road. Grab a chair and some blankets and pick out your space to take it all in.

D EC E M BE R 3 RD

Oma's Christmas Fair

KEN DALL COUN TY FAIR G ROUNDS , B O E R NE From Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. until Dec. 4 at 4 p.m., enjoy the annual Oma’s Christmas Fair which has been a part of the Kendall County Fair Association for over 35 years. They cherish the workmanship of those unique artisans that still have a love for the hand-crafted, made-in-the-USA label. Craftsmen carve, weave, string, paint, sew, cook, draw, and create.

DE C E M BE R 9 T H

Toast to Old Town

H ILL COUN TRY MILE, BOERN E For the annual Dickens on Main celebration, on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. until Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., enjoy a merry mistletoe weekend in celebration of our olde town’s heritage. Locals (old & new) and all friends and family who are returning home for the holidays are invited to join us for a quiet stroll of downtown Boerne.

D EC E M BE R 1 0 T H

Music in the Cave

CAVE WITHOUT A N AME, BOER NE On Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., enjoy an evening with singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves and on Dec. 17 listen to a unique musical experience for the Winter Solstice. Queen's Throne Room. Tickets: cavewithoutaname.com/

D EC E M BE R 1 5T H

Canadian Brass Concert

CHAMPION HIG H S CHOOL AUDI TO R I UM, B O E R NE Boerne Performing Arts presents the Canadian Brass, an internationally acclaimed quintet that sold over 2 million albums worldwide! They will bring holiday cheer showcasing their virtuosity, spontaneity, and sense of jocularity with their Christmas classics. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: boerneperformingarts.com CONTINUED >

EVE N TS

OLD WEST CHRISTMAS LIGHT FEST DAZZLES AND DELIGHTS It’s another year of holiday flavors, favorites, and fun at Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, just north of San Antonio! Stroll through more than 2 million twinkling lights in an authentic Old West town, spend time with friends and family, and make lasting holiday memories with fun activities for all ages. Enjoy live music, snacks and drinks, shop at the local artisan handmade market, and enjoy family activities like visiting Santa & Mrs. Claus! Snap fun photos at our free digital photo booth, visit our Petting Zoo, or let the kids run free on our Inflatable Jumping Pad, these are just a few of the new activities we added in addition to last year’s festival.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO ENJOY, PLEASE VISIT WWW.CHRISTMASLIGHTFEST.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION AND EVENT UPDATES.

Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 State Hwy 46 W Unit C • (210) 570-7669 • info@christmaslightfest.com

EVENTS CONTINUED

D EC E M BE R 1 6T H

Kinder Fest

H ILL COUN TRY MILE, BOERN E Bring the kids for a weekend full of Christmas fun! From Dec. 16 starting at 10 a.m. and ending Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. Events include the Cookie Crawl, a free Santa Scavenger Hunt, Christmas Card Decorating at Under the Fig Tree, a visit with Santa at J. Forks Designs, and a Cowboy Christmas Market.

DE C EM BE R 1 7 T H

Christmas Market Days

MAIN PLAZA, BOERN E Shop vendors from all over Texas for fabulous holiday items and gifts from Dec. 17 at 10 am. until Dec. 18 at 4 p.m.

D EC E M BE R 1 8T H

Christmas Concert

BOERN E HIG H S CHOOL AUDITO R I UM Celebrate the holiday season with traditional Christmas songs played by the Boerne Concert Band. Concert is free and starts at 7 p.m.

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EVE N TS

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Hand-painted Tree Ornaments REFLECTING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Kimberly Young

ARTICLE BY KIMBERLY YOUNG

Jenny Gunter is a contemporary creative who loves all things rich in color and with purpose. The self-taught artist is primarily known for her large-scale personalized canvases with hidden scripture throughout each painting. Much like Jenny's artwork, her faith is the heart behind each glass ornament. She designs with an array of mediums on worn pages from a collection of well-loved Bibles. You can spot her unique ornaments by the rich velvet ribbon and king's crown that sits atop each creation. To order your personalized Christmas ornament, please contact her at Jennylynnrudd@gmail.com. @JennyGunterArt on Instagram. Kimberly Young offers some great advice on trends for decorating for Christmas. Traditional or whimsy garland on your mantle brings the season inside. Snow globes are always magical at Christmas time! Start a collection and add to it every year. Christmas pillows always brighten up your living room space during the holidays. A welcoming front door and Christmas doormats are a great way to style your home for welcoming all your guests. Kimberly Young is a local mom to three boys and a full-time businesswoman. However, despite her full schedule, she is always on top of the latest trends.

Jenny Gunter Art:

D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E + DE S I GN

Much like Jenny’s artwork, her faith is the heart behind each glass ornament.

dinner's ready.

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