By Sue Baldani

Having a craving for authentic Portuguese and Spanish cuisine? Look no further than Brasa Wood-Fired Grill, which opened in Warren, NJ in March of 2022.

The co-owner and chef, Jason Francisco, is first generation Portuguese American who learned to cook from watching his mother and others cook traditional, flavorful dishes that he now recreates for customers.

“I watched and learned,” he says. “I’m 50 now, and I’ve been doing this since I was 14. We also have a sous chef from Brazil who has helped with many of the Brazilian influences on our menu.” Everything on the menu is made fresh in house.

The chicken and ribs that come off the wood-fired grill are some of the restaurant’s most popular offerings. “The wood fire charcoal imparts a smokiness and a flavor into the food,” says Jason. “It’s also much healthier because we’re not cooking with any oils or grease.” The prime skirt steak is also a huge hit.

The majority of the meats come from a butcher in Newark that services Portuguese and Spanish restaurants. “They butcher everything for us,” he says. “There are big differences in going to a butcher as opposed to buying commercial.”

“Our ‘Big Fat Pork Chop’, as well as our skirt steak and burgers, come from a specialty meat shop in Manhattan’s meat packing district that we’ve been using for about 20 years,” says Rob Olsen, president of Liberty Hospitality and co-owner of the restaurant.

Although Brasa does not have a liquor license, it is an authorized retailer for Unionville Vineyards in New Jersey, so patrons, whether dining in or taking out, can purchase wines to go along with their meals.

Adds Rob, “We also have a sangria bar where there are several different varieties that pair with either red or white wine or sparkling wine that involve fresh juices, fruits, and homemade syrups.”

While there is a small, intimate dining room that can hold up to 50 people and can also be rented out for special events, its takeout option keeps the place hopping. “We dedicated more space than we normally would have to our takeout operation,” says Rob.

When ordering, don’t forget to include an authentic dessert. “Our most popular bakery item is a very traditional Portuguese custard cup,” says Jason. “We carry the traditional flavor and then a couple of other flavor variations.”

Reviews, says Rob, have been great. “Comments about our portion sizes, value, flavor, and the service in our dining room have been very positive.”

Brasa Wood-Fired Grill offers lunch and dinner during the week, and on weekends, adds brunch with some twists to the mix. There’s a Portuguese steak and egg combo with an authentic, flavorful sauce. “There’s another brunch dish called Hangover Home Fries,” says Rob. “It’s home fries with a choice of meat, chipotle aioli and two fried eggs.” Delicious!

Catering is also available, and you can order delivery by visiting its website. To place an order, learn more and to see the full menu, go to https://brasawarren.com/.

Written for The Showcase Magazine in Warren, New Jersey.

Take an evening stroll through an unforgettable multi-sensory experience 

By Sue Baldani

Grounds for Sculpture, with its lovely gardens, whimsical and classic pieces of art, unique exhibitions, and renowned restaurant and modern café, is a much-loved destination for people of all ages. Of course, its most bustling times are when the sun is shining and the weather is warm, but that may be changing.

There’s now an opportunity to put on that winter gear and head out after hours for an incredible display of artistic pageantry. Due to its popularity, Night Forms: Infinite Wave, is back for its second year. “This year, we’ve created a breadcrumb trail of light that kind of moves you through the space,” says Executive Director, Gary Garrido Schneider. “It’s designed to be immersive, and like the rest of Grounds for Sculpture, a little playful.”

By partnering with Klip Collective, which pioneered the process of creating evening landscapes through lighting, sound, and video-projection mapping, the exhibition provides a multi-sensory light and sound experience. Lights and images become one with the sculptures, trees, and other flora, lighting up the objects while accompanied by music that strobes and flashes along with the lightshow at just the right intervals. Other installations are quieter and calming, encouraging guests to stop and relax for a while.

“There’s definitely a start and end for each work, and you can follow that flow  of the artist where there is a kind of story from each piece, so as you move from one piece to the other, emotions build over time,” says Gary. This year, there’s also a digital guide which provides more information about the works that guests can access on their phones. 

Some of the installations even offer viewers the opportunity to become part of the show, causing a ripple effect that manifests across the display. Once the person leaves, it reverts back to its original lights and music programming. Other fun installations allow you to manipulate the lights and sounds yourself. Unlike at many artistic venues, here guests are encouraged to touch and interact with the incredible works on display.

“A big part of Grounds for Sculpture is making art approachable to all and  breaking down barriers,” he says. “You can approach it on your own terms, whether you’re a child or an adult.”

While strolling through the gardens, guests can stop at the Gazebo to warm up with a hot cocoa or warm apple cider (spiked or unspiked), and indulge in a delicious cookie or S’mores Tart. There are two other food options in the park – the indoor Van Gogh Café where guests can get sandwiches and other light fare, and its incredible Rats restaurant serving the best in fine dining. 

Tickets for Night Forms: Infinite Wave will be available from Thursday to Sunday, sunset to 11:00 pm through April 2. For more information, go to https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/exhibitions/night-forms-infinite-wave/. 

Some of the sculptures highlighted in Night Forms: Infinite Wave:

Carlos Dorrien’s The Nine Muses 

Bruce Beasley’s Dorion

Isaac Witkin’s Eolith

Masayuki Koorida’s Memory

Klip Collective’s RGB featuring artist Michelle Post’s sculpture, The Oligarchs 

Written for Morris City Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

By Sue Baldani

Growing up, Chelsea Chan always had pets, so when it came time to choose a career, she knew she wanted one that involved animals. For almost 10 years, she worked for PetMinders, Inc. in every capacity from office work to tending to their furry clients. When the owner decided to sell last August, it was only natural for Chelsea to take over the business, which she rebranded PetMinders NJ.

“I’ve always loved animals,” she says. “When I first found this job opportunity, it was right up my alley.”

There are many advantages to having pets taken care of in their own homes, she explains. “They’re in their own environment, and they’re familiar with the smells and everything around them. Especially once they get older, it becomes more challenging to board them. It’s definitely safer and less stressful to be home.”

Chelsea and her team also follow pets’ natural routines. “If they’re used to going in the backyard or if they’re used to going for walks, we do everything they normally do with their owners,” she says. Visits normally take place three times a day (but can be more or less) and a standard visit usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes. In addition to walking, feeding and playing with pets, or just sitting with them to keep them company, she and her team can give medications and transport them for grooming or a veterinarian visit, if necessary.

Most of the animals they care for are dogs and cats, but they also often handle guinea pigs, rabbits and birds. They get requests to care for reptiles and fish, and even chickens and goats, depending on the location, as well. Based in Warren, PetMinders NJ covers towns within a 10 mile radius including Watchung, Green Brook, Middlesex, Bedminster, Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights and more.

When owners are away from home for longer periods of time, Chelsea and her staff will also bring in packages, water plants, and turn lights on and off so it appears someone is home. “Sometimes people call us just for house visits; they might not even need animal care,” she says.

Everyone on her staff, she says, loves animals. “They are fully vetted upon being hired, but the other main things we’re looking at are how they treat animals and if they have experience with animals. They’re also trained before they go out on their own.”

If one team member is not available, another member will take his or her place. “We have a full staff, and work 365 days a year, including all holidays,” says Chelsea. “Everyone is an actual employee, and has been with us for many years.”

Today, Chelsea continues to have a menagerie of pets at home. She and her husband, Larry, live in Warren and have two dachshunds, one cat, two guinea pigs, and two aquariums. And, the family is about to expand. “We’re actually expecting our first baby girl in March!” she says.

To learn more about how she and her team can care for your pets, go to https://petmindersnj.com/.

Written for The Showcase magazine in Warren, NJ.

Donations Needed For Gift Baskets

The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary is gearing up to host another amazing Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, April 23, 2023. To help make this annual get-together even more fun and exciting, donations are being collected for gift baskets that will be auctioned off during the event.

Only new items will be accepted, and no shoes, clothing or stuffed animals are needed. Please consider donating items for inclusion in the following themed basket prizes: Baking – Gardening – Sports – Pets – Health – Children – Scrapbooking – Coffee/Tea – Comic Book – Arts and Crafts – Italian Dinner – Games – Vacation – and Crazy Socks. Baskets and ribbon would also be very much appreciated.

The Auxiliary will be collecting donations on the following dates and times at the Rescue Squad building at 1916 Bartle Avenue:

 Every Tuesday in March (7th;14th; 21st and 28th) from 7pm – 9pm

 Every Friday in March (3rd; 10th; 17th; 24th and 31st) from 7pm – 9pm

 Every Saturday in March (4th; 11th; 18th and 25th) from 10am – 2pm

Thank you for your support!

The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary meets once a month, and its grass roots function is to assist the Squad in many capacities – from holding fundraisers and providing meals during crises to performing outreach to squad and fellow auxiliary members. Members also attend town functions, such as fairs, concerts and holiday events, in order to connect with the community and promote Squad interests.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Auxiliary, come by the Squad building one evening to pick up an application, or go to https://www.scotchplainsrescuesquad.com/the-auxiliary/.

Written by Susan Baldani, a life member of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad.

This school gets an A+ in every area of student development

By Sue Baldani

At the prestigious Morristown Beard School (MBS) in Morristown, academic excellence is a huge focus for its 6^th through 12^th grade students, but that’s only part of its mission. A place of possibilities, MBS strives to give students a sense of community and belonging with an emphasis on balance between academic goals and personal achievement.

Tahj Valentine, a 2018 graduate of MBS who grew up in Morristown, is now the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at the school. He has had the unique opportunity of experiencing all that MBS has to offer from both sides of the desk.

As an elementary school student, Tahj would often accompany his brother to campus for football and basketball practice. From the very beginning, he was always made to feel a part of the school community. “I didn’t know it, but I was already being brought into the family.” (His father also attended MBS). As a faculty member since this past fall, he now has a chance to foster this feeling of belonging in others.

Senior Skylar Reale appreciates this welcoming culture. “Coming into the school [as a freshman], I was shy, but all the kids here, no matter what grade, were very welcoming,” she says.

An athlete, Skylar also enjoys the sports opportunities offered by the private school, which also facilitates friendships. “When I started field hockey, all the new kids came together, and the upperclassmen made sure they introduced themselves to us no matter if we were on varsity or junior varsity,” she says. 

Skylar also plays basketball and lacrosse, and was already an elite gymnast prior to enrollment. Being able to participate in different sports at MBS helped her discover that she loved playing team sports as well.

“MBS encourages students to try new things and not be afraid to fail. The school believes this is true learning, builds character, and helps them develop skills for life,” says Head of School, Liz Morrison. “Students succeed because they are supported – there is always someone beside them on their journey who will give them the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.”

Something else Skylar loves is the availability of interesting and unique elective classes. “I don’t know if Glass Design is offered anywhere else,” she says. “I’ve taken it for two years in our Center for Innovation & Design and this is going to be my third year. When the projects are done, they’re just so pretty to have at home.”

This year, she’s also taking a class in criminology. “I just love this topic and learning all the details about it,” says Skylar. “Having these types of classes, just like sports, is going to help me in my future.”

Having a good balance is very important at MBS. “It has been at the heart of our philosophy for decades,” says Liz. “Alumni still credit the school for allowing them the time and support to find and pursue their individual passions — to try new things in addition to focusing on academics.”

When Tahj started at Morristown Beard School as a freshman, he had a free period and the ability to go outside and walk around the School’s 22-acre campus. “It teaches you how to manage your free time,” he says. “You have that freedom of being able to either socialize with your friends or the ability to go see teachers for extra help or collaborate with classmates on a group project—just like college.

“When I first got to MBS, I probably didn’t manage my free time so well, but come sophomore year, that’s when I started to understand the importance of time management and how you have to balance things in life.”

This free time also allows students who need help with study skills to take advantage of the Center for Teacher & Learning.  “It’s a quiet place to go with knowledgeable teachers where you can have a one-on-one conversation,” says Skylar. “The support is great and I like that we get to really know each other.”

She adds, “I love MBS because it helped me break out of my shell, become social, and try new things.

To learn more about Morristown Beard School and how it can help your children succeed, go to https://www.mbs.net/.

Written for Morris City Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Enhance the delectable flavors of chocolate and wine

By Sue Baldani

If you want to delight your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, give them a gift of premium chocolates. To really make an impression, pair those with the right bottle of wine.

As with savory foods, certain wines can bring out the flavors of chocolate in a most extraordinary way. Since there are many different varieties of chocolate – milk, dark, and white – and many types of wines, there are certain important criteria to follow to ensure that you enhance both flavors, and not overwhelm or dilute them. To save you the time of taste testing and matching on your own (although that would be enjoyable), wine and chocolate experts have already done the work for you.

For instance, they have found that for a delicately flavored milk chocolate, a heavy full-bodied red will eradicate its subtle flavors. Or, for an intensely flavored chocolate, such as a bitter dark chocolate, the delicate flavors of a light white wine will be overshadowed.

It’s also important to match the sweetness of the wine with the sugar content of the chocolate. Dark chocolate is best paired with drier wines, while white and milk chocolate should be served with sweeter wines. These will enhance the flavors of both instead of competing against each other. And it’s always better to go a step up in sweetness than a level down.

While Valentine’s Day often calls for Champagne, it’s best to abstain while consuming chocolate. Although delicious, its dry and astringent nature doesn’t pair well with the confection.

Dark chocolate

There are many varieties of dark chocolate from slightly bitter to very bitter. That has to be taken into account when selecting the best pairing since both dark chocolate and wine contain tannins, and the intense concentration of these on the palate would not be favorable. So, be sure to pair a high-percentage cocoa chocolate with a more full-bodied wine such as a Merlot, Shiraz, Zinfandel, Cabernet, Grenache or Malbec. A nice vintage port would also work well.

Milk chocolate

Made from less cacao but with a high amount of sugar, milk chocolate is a favorite among many chocolate aficionados and much easier to pair with a wide variety of wines since the milk content makes it milder.

Lighter, fruitier wines and reds with a lower alcohol content pair well, as do fortified wines like Muscat or Tokay. A Lambrusco, Riesling, Moscato Noir, and other aged reds also work. A ruby port would be a nice complement too.

White chocolate

While not technically a “true chocolate,” it’s still a favorite of many. Made from cocoa butter, a high concentration of sugar and cream, white chocolate is delectably sweet and due to the cream, high in fat. It’s this fat that brings out the flavors and notes of a sweet wine.

Wines such as a Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais and a Moscato d’Asti pair nicely. A rosé port is also a nice accompaniment to this type of chocolate.

Flavored chocolate

When choosing the best pairings, it’s important to factor in what other ingredients are in the chocolate, such as nuts, fruit and caramels. Most aged sparkling reds pair very well with flavored chocolates.

For a dark raspberry, a good choice would be a Cabernet, while a dark orange would be nice with a Botrytis Semillon. Pair a citrus-infused white chocolate with a Sauvignon Blanc and a hazelnut chocolate with a Brachetto d’Acqui for a flavorful and delicious combination.

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

A place to store and share our stories

By Sue Baldani

We all have stories, but many of us don’t know how to capture and share them with family and friends. Many of us also wish that we knew more about our ancestors who have passed away.

“My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and I said to him, ‘I want to ask you questions about your life so your grandkids and great grandkids will have this information about their Grandpa Jack,’” says Elaine Schwartz. “We often don’t ask those questions while our relatives are alive, and then we have to depend on other people’s memories, and they’re not always right. They remember things with their own filters.”

Elaine, who came to know many interesting people in her work with the state, wanted to find a way for them and others to record and preserve their stories in a way that was sharable. “I was the community outreach director for the State of Kansas and the Department on Aging, and that’s when I realized that we didn’t have something available where people could write and share their life stories.”

In 2005, Elaine collaborated with her husband, Howard Schwartz, to develop Lasting Legacy Online, a totally free site. From her exhaustive research on how to write an autobiography, she was able to formulate 75 questions for people to answer.

“The one question I think is the most interesting is, ‘What is your earliest memory?’ Don’t think of pictures you’ve seen with you as a small child, but focus on what you actually remember. If you read my story, my first memory was of lightning when I was 3 years old and sleeping with my sister and being afraid.” She found that answering these questions in detail was very therapeutic.

“When I had to answer about the greatest accomplishment in my life, even though I had been a legislator and knew the governors and the high and mighty in the state, I answered that it was truly my family that was my most significant accomplishment,” she says.

Elaine also had the honor of interviewing her good friend, the late Chief Justice Kay McFarland. “Working with the chief on her story is really what made Lasting Legacy Online happen. She named me trustee of her estate, and one of the things I did was promote her story.” Since Elaine made the chief’s Lasting Legacy public, others are able to read about her fascinating life. Elaine and her husband have also made their stories public.

All the other stories are private, and the site utilizes the latest technology to protect this information. “We don’t even see the answers to their questions, because we want them to be private stories,” says Elaine. “Once they’re finished, they get a link, and they can then share that however they want.” The site also generates a QR code to use and share.

“Lasting Legacy Online is not only for people to write their own stories, but a way for them to capture those memories of the people they love before they die. It’s a beautiful thing. And if somebody has already written their life story, that document can be uploaded rather than going through the questions.”

Some of its users bestow their stories as gifts, while others, she says, are making them part of their trusts. “We have several financial institutions in Topeka that are using it with their clientele.”

Links can also be used for school reunions and/or any event where people would like to share their stories. “Whatever your age, it’s a great tool,” says Elaine.

To record your and your loved ones’ stories, sign up at https://lastinglegacyonline.com/.

Written for Topeka Lifestyle magazine in Kansas.

As we age, our daily regimen often needs to adjust

By Sue Baldani

While it’s important to take care of our skin all year round, there are certain issues that can arise or get worse when the weather turns cold. Some can be allayed with high quality over-the-counter products, whereas others may necessitate a visit with a dermatologist.

“In winter months, we tend to see more issues with dry and itchy skin,” says Dr. David Balle, a board-certified dermatologist with Grosse Pointe Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. “It’s a time of year when some things, like eczema and psoriasis, tend to act up.”

Fortunately, there are quite a few things we can do at home to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. Here, he gives us some helpful tips and product recommendations.

“When showering or bathing, use a mild, gentle cleanser,” he says. “Using harsher soaps may dry or strip the skin of its natural oils.” He recommends Dove^®  for Sensitive Skin as well as CeraVe^®  brand cleansers. “Secondly, when taking a shower or a bath, don’t linger, because the longer we’re exposed to water, the drier our skin becomes in the winter.”

It is also critical to use a moisturizer after each bath and shower. “What I usually recommend and what I use myself are CeraVe moisturizers,” says Dr. Balle.

As we age, he explains, adhering to a skin regimen becomes even more important. “Studies have shown that we produce less moisture in our skin than we did at a younger age, so moisturize daily for preventative maintenance.”

Grosse Pointe Dermatology offers its own moisturizing cream. “We make a super-rich moisturizing formula that’s often very helpful for areas that have thicker, drier skin with thicker scales, like hands and feet,” he says. “That’s something unique we offer our patients, and they absolutely love it.”

For the older population, Dr. Balle also recommends cutting down on the amount of showers and baths we take. Instead of every day, every other day may suffice, and he says to only use cleansers on necessary areas. Using our hands to clean ourselves is also gentler than using a wash cloth or loofah.

“When we’re younger, I think using a washcloth is a great idea, especially for the facial area where we produce more oil,” he says. “But, we tend to produce less oil and have less moisture in our skin naturally as we get on in age.”

He says using a hyaluronic acid serum is also helpful. “By 45 to 50 years of age, it’s thought that we’ve probably lost almost 50% of the hyaluronic acids that we naturally have in our skin,” says Dr. Balle. “Hyaluronic acids are molecules and agents that hold onto moisture and water in our skin. So as time goes on, not only do we produce less moisture, but we hold onto it less effectively.”

If you follow all the tips above, but you’re still itchy, it might be time to see a dermatologist. “A lot of times when people have itchy skin, they may need more help,” he says. “Chronic dry skin may eventually turn into a mild form of eczema, and they may need prescription level medication or cream to manage that.”

Severely dry, itchy skin, says Dr. Balle, can also be an sign of something more serious such as a thyroid or autoimmune disorder, or sometimes even cancer, which is another reason to visit a dermatologist. “Dr. Google never went to medical school,” he jokes. “When we see things online, we don’t really know where that information is coming from. Anybody can call themselves a skin care specialist and many do, but only board-certified dermatologists have spent four years in college, four years in medical school and have had four years of residency training, as well as continued medical education classes. We know how to properly evaluate, study, and determine what is safe, effective, and advisable.”

As a dermatologist, he also has the knowledge and expertise on ways to help us look our best by using a number of anti-aging and cosmetic treatments, like Botox, fillers and microdermabrasion.

As a Grosse Pointe Farms resident, Dr. Balle enjoys being involved in the community. “I’m on the city of Grosse Pointe Farms Foundation Board, and work as part of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce,” he says. “I’m also on the advisory board of the Helm.”

Dr. Balle also loves spending time with his dog Stella, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. “She’s a sweetie and a joy in my life. I’m just very blessed.”

To find out more, go to https://grossepointedermatology.com/.

Written for Grosse Pointe Lifestyle magazine in Michigan.

Learn the interesting history and fun facts of Christmas and the big man himself

By Sue Baldani

Being a professional Santa is a lot more than just putting on a red suit and happily chortling “Ho, Ho, Ho.” After all, sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him about their Christmas wishes is something most kids look forward to all year long. Since the real Santa can’t be everywhere at once, he needs caring and enthusiastic helpers who can fill in for him at times.

“I’ve been a professional Christmas performer since 2013, and one of my goals over the last couple of years, especially with COVID, was to become a better performer for my clients,” says James Brown of Warrenton. He believed that the more he learned about the holiday, the better he could emulate the persona of Santa.

“There are an estimated 10,000 professional Santa Clauses nationwide,” he says. “A professional Santa is someone who has a license, has undergone a background check, and carries insurance.”

In order to educate himself and other professional Santa Clauses, he started researching the history of Christmas and Santa Claus. Eventually, he put all of his findings into his book, Beyond the Beard, which was just released in October.

“It took about three years to write,” he says. “My editor, Katherine Eppley, helped me go through all the information that I collected. This book is basically the who, what, how, and why of Santa Claus and Christmas. Amy Zwirko of Creative Crafts produced the charming hand-drawn illustrations throughout the book.”

Brown says he didn’t start out to write a book. “It was just a personal journey for me. About two years ago, I got in touch with Phil Wenz who wrote the Santa Claus Oath, a code of ethics, that’s currently used in the Santa Claus community.” Wenz provided him with a lot of information, including the basic background of Charles W. Howard, who, explains Brown, pioneered one of the first Santa Claus Schools.

There are many interesting and obscure facts throughout the book that even the most devoted fans of Christmas and Santa might not know. Here are just a few:

• Mrs. Claus actually came about as part of the women’s suffrage movement in the late 1800s. During World War II, due to the shortage of men, women played Santa Claus and were paid $25 a week.
• Lewis Prang, the father of the American Christmas card, started using Santa depicted in a red suit. A lot of people believe Coca-Cola was responsible for that.
• Jolly Old St. Nicholas, created in 1865, was one of the first non-religious Christmas songs.
• The oldest church in the United States is St. Nicholas Church in New York City and it still stands today.

The book also includes a tasty recipe for Reindeer Snacks! It’s fun to treat Rudolph and his antlered friends.

Beyond the Beard can be found at Open Book in Warrenton, Barnes & Noble, on Amazon, and at Tinsel Thyme Press, which the Browns founded a couple of years ago.When not playing Santa Claus or running his agricultural business with his wife, Nichole, he works as a government employee. “Nichole is a school teacher who is considering writing about agriculture for children, and the reindeer photos in the book were actually created by my son, Zechariah. We sell his reindeer cards to Santa Clauses worldwide.”

Additionally, Brown uses these reindeer cards as part of his Santa routine. “I also have reindeer shoes and talk with the children about the shoes. I tell stories how Dancer likes to dance the salsa with Mrs. Claus and how Cupid likes to take care of the animals at the veterinarian’s office. It’s important to be a good storyteller.”

Brown’s other book, The Making of Santa, which he wrote alongside Beyond The Beard, was released in July of this year, and combines the basics of a Santa school with a business manual for the professional Santa. “We’ve sold approximately 1,000 copies already, mostly to the Santa Claus community,” he says.

His passion for Christmas started when he was on active duty in the Navy (he was enlisted for 20 years.) “I spent many years away from my family at Christmastime, and somebody was always there to be Santa for my kids,” says Brown. In addition to Zechariah, he has three daughters, Ashley, Amber, and Alesha. He was also able to watch Santa giving kids gifts during deployment parties.

Keep an eye out for more Christmas and Santa Claus related books coming in the near future. “We’ve already come up with the titles for the next couple of books, and we’re going to start working on book number three around February,” he says. “It won’t take long to turn it around because we already have all the material we need.”

To find out more, go to https://tinselthymepress.com/.

What makes a good Santa?

Along with the red suit and white gloves, pay extra attention to the beard, belt and boots. Kids care more about those than the suit. Wear a high quality beard, a real leather belt, and sturdy black boots.

Make sure you know the reindeers’ names and when Rudolph was born (1939) and have a story about when you and Mrs. Claus met (they married in 1849).

Always focus on the child. Be a good storyteller. The children are there to be with Santa and it’s a bonding moment for that child.

Santa should never be a disciplinary figure. Everyone has opportunities to be on the “Nice List.”

Written for Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine in Virginia.

Unique and inspiring decorating tips

By Sue Baldani

When Jessica Merryweather Pollard opened her home, gift and design store in the summer of 2021 in the Box Factory in Bend, Oregon, she focused on making it a place where people could find something that expressed their unique tastes. She also likes to encourage customers to think outside the box. With the holidays coming, she especially wants to promote decorating in a style that incorporates the traditional with the unexpected.

In order to keep a sense of continuity in the décor, Jessica advises choosing a color palette and carrying that theme throughout the house. This way, from the time you and your guests walk up to the front door, then walk into the living room, the dining room and possibly the powder room, everything feels connected.

Here, she gives us some ideas on how to make your home as festive and fun as can be this holiday season.

Front of home/porch

If you have a pot that you keep flowers in during the summer, transition that into a holiday theme using white or natural colored sticks with a mix of evergreens and even feathers. I usually do evergreen and juniper, and then I’ve used these red sticks that come off my crab apple tree.

One the front door, you could do a swag or a wreath, but I like to do greens around the border of my door and then add some fun color using ornaments and lightweight outdoor bulbs.

Living room

Most Christmas trees go in the living room, so the tree is going to be the focal point. The tree is also going to set the tone for how you’re going to decorate the rest of the room. You can go the traditional route of reds, greens, creams, golds and silvers, or follow the trend of super neutral. People have been doing white trees with lots of cream, taupe and gray ornaments. If you’re going to really kick it up and go kind of modern, it’s really fun to do navy blues, hot pinks and citrus. So, first decide how you want to decorate your tree.

If there’s a fireplace with a mantle, your next step would be to connect the mantle to the tree using the same colors. If you’re going traditional, you could use evergreens on the mantle, but if you’re going more neutral, you could use a pinecone swag or a feather garland – something that’s more browns and creams. Add candles in whatever colors you have going on with the tree.

On the sofa, you can add holiday pillows such as the Cross Country Skiers pillows we carry from Coral & Tusk, which uses a linen foundation with embroidery on it.

On your coffee table, try using a tray that has a winter arrangement with candles or you can do a bowl full of these really pretty wooden acorns we carry. There’s a really nice gold on the cap part.

Whatever color palette you do choose, you want to repeat the color at least three times in the room. I call it a three-point connection.

Dining room

It’s pretty to dress up the dining room table with a table runner, and you can find them in all different colors and textures. One of my favorites, Christmas Cheer, is also from Coral & Tusk and has bears on it. It’s absolutely gorgeous and whimsical. There are reds, greens, oranges and browns, which are really pretty and not the typical green and red plaid. You can then have your plates and napkins bring out some of the colors that are in that runner. Be creative.

You can also take sofa pillows and put them on dining room chairs to dress them up. It’s sometimes fun to find things that don’t scream Christmas, but are instead more about winter. The skier pillows, for example, are decorations you can keep out after the holiday. So don’t box yourself into Santa Claus or Christmas trees.

We sell a pretty candle holder you can put on a sideboard that you could fill with pinecones or evergreens instead of candles. Again, think outside the box.

We also have these African Zulu baskets that are all very neutral and you can mix in things you already have in your house with say marble Christmas trees and make it very organic.

Powder room

We have these beautiful tea towels, again from Coral & Tusk. One has a Christmas tree and all these critters hiding in the tree looking out at you. Another is a tinsel tree with bears, ice skating bears and, of course, the ski buddies bears.

There are many fun things to do. It doesn’t always have to be classic greens and reds. Hopefully, this gives you some new and fresh ideas.

To find out more, go to https://www.merryweather.shop/.

Written for Bend Lifestyle magazine in Oregon.