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Take it outdoors!As we roll into summer, we all spend more time outdoors. And we want things to look

nice. A few weeks back, Mike and I were relaxing on the patio after we'd finished mowing the lawn.

"The lawn looks nice," he commented. "But it looks a bit bare," I answered back.It was early in the season and I hadn't yet been able to get all of my yard decor out of

winter storage. As anyone who reads this regularly knows, I have a passion for frogs, and my outdoor gardens and yard are a haven for all of my frogs.

People sometimes ask how many I have, but it's been several years since I've actually taken the time to count them all inside or out.

Still, I'm always on the lookout for something new. This photo, at left, is something that has caught my eye mul-tiple time as it has been circulating on

Facebook pages. I definitely would like to give it a try, putting my own personal touch to it, but I haven't yet gathered up all the old tires and other items I need. Nor have I decided on the ideal location in our yard to place it. It's not one that would be easily moved regularly.

In this issue we take a look at yard decor and the importance of a nice-looking yard for people across the nation.

We also talk to a stay-at-home mom who has seen her role on the farm change after the birth of her children, as well as a working mother and her teenage daughter about their roles in keeping the household going on a daily basis.

I am sorry to say that our regular foodie, Michelle Gauer, is on a summer hiatus, but resident foodie Anne Polta (February, "Romancing the Cookbook") has stepped in fabu-lously and shares with us her favorite refreshing summertime drinks.

Speaking of drinks, our Spirits guy shares with us his thoughts on reading a good book while sipping on a cold one, and our Read it! column suggests we experience life through another person's memoir; maybe a nice summer escape, without the travel.

Traveling with kids this summer? We have tips for that too, and much, much more.If you have a topic youd like to see in Live it!, send your story idea to liveit@wctrib.

com. We love to hear from our readers. You can also like us on Facebook or send us a tweet @Liveitmag.

Life in west central Minnesota it really is a beautiful thing

Live it! Sharon BomstadLive it! Editor

On Floral arrangements made easy: Its Stacy from Cash Wise Floral, love

her! Amy Jean Combs, via Facebook

Awesome Stacy! Hope Koshenina Thompson, via Facebook

On The art of concealment: Great article. Debra Nelson, via Facebook

On It is lusciously lemon: If you like lemon, the cookies are awe-

some and easy! Kim Toops, via Facebook

On Romancing the cookbook in the February issue:

Anne ... I read mine like Novels also! Only problem is there are soooo many I want to try. But it deepens my knowledge and creativity!

Michelle Gauer, via Facebook

Editors note: We love to hear from our readers.

Like us on Facebook, send us a tweet with your comments or even a new story idea, or email us at [email protected].

Watch for the next issue due out Aug. 14, 2015.

To be sure and get future copies of Live it! magazine mailed directly to you, call 320-235-1150; cost is $15 annually.

Live it! Magazine 3

Cover Story 6Sense of purpose

StaffSharon BomStad

Magazine editor

dan BurdettMagazine Writer/Social Media

To contact Live it! call 320-235-1150 or email [email protected]

Writing & photographyDan Burdett

Nicole HovatterAnne Polta

Marketing consultantsKevin Smith, Director

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AdministrationSteven Ammermann, Publisher

Kelly Boldan, EditorTimothy Bailey, Business Manager

2208 W. Trott Ave., Willmar MN 56201

Volume 4, Issue 3

Liveit!M A G A Z I N E

Cant Live without it!a publiCation of the west Central tribune

Copyright 2015 West Central Tribune Live it! magazine

All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained.

25 Life Happens: Summer doesn't put an end to learning

27 Spirits!: A beer (or cocktail) and a good book

18 Fitness & Health: Don't quit because you're pregnant

31 Whats happenin? Mark your calendars now!

3 Readers mailbag: What we hear from readers

Departments

24

24 Read it!: Ever wonder what it'd be like to be someone else?

26 Get it!: Sparkling, grilling & dramatic

15 Style it!: Simple summer styles

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Whats inside

Tips to make your yard your own 19

22

Features 6 Young, stay-at-home mom shares her story

10 Working, stay-at-home stats for moms

12 Q&A: Working parents make it work

19 Do-it-yourself: Giving your yard personality

16 Family Talk: Plan ahead for summer road trips

22 Sip it!: Refreshing summer (non-alcoholic) drinks

6 Live it! Magazine

Story & PhotoS By dan Burdett

MMost nights by 10 p.m., Jenessa Huston struggles to keep her eyes open as the bed envelops her. If she quickly drifts off, she should get two solid hours of sleep before, Eli, all of 3 months, stirs for his first of three nocturnal feedings.

Hes a contented soul, mom says, a box of giggles and spit. Contrary to his elder sister, Meridith, at the same age, hes a sound sleeper, as un-troubled in the baby seat of the fam-ily SUV as he is in moms embrace. But he also loves his milk and every few hours his subtle whimpers snap Jenessa from her slumber.

On those sparse nights Jenessa cant sleep, she gets pensive. When she first met her husband, Patrick, some five years ago, she never con-sidered shed be a stay-at-home mother of two by the age of 23. Sometimes, shell cast thoughts the way of her friends, some fresh out of college and navi-gating the early stages of careers and rela-tionships.

Live it! Magazine 7

The thoughts arent grim or distressing, she asserts. Quite the contrary: They help keep her balanced. Being a mom fills her with a sense of ful-fillment and purpose. Its her passion.

But still, she says, its normal to wonder what if, right?

Recently, she awoke around 2 a.m. to an empty bed. It took a moment to determine if Patrick had yet to make it home from work or had simply woken early. Turns out it was the former.

Patrick is from a line of ranchers and was raised on the philosophy that hard work pays. Of late, hes been in the fields, at times, upward of 16 hours a day, planting corn, soybeans and wheat. It leaves little time for family, so each noon hour Jenessa and the children venture to town to meet him for lunch. There, they relish a brief flirtation with normalcy, an occasion for Patrick to play dad. And then the moment passes.

Hes one in a million, Jenessa says of her beau, her deep brown eyes large with conviction. But I guess for us to have this life, we have to make some pretty big sacrifices.

Making a lifeThe Hustons live in an airy and expansive re-

modeled farmhouse. Rustic touches trendy in the nations southwest are throughout: Rich wooden beams stretch across the ceiling; ceramic tile ex-tends like an artery from the foyer through the kitchen; a fireplace of natural stone and mortar is lined with snippets of an engagement, a wed-ding.

A grove shields the ex-terior of the home from howling prairie winds and the dense dust of a nearby gravel-pitted thoroughfare.

A jaunt west leads to a horse barn and a neigh-boring brick rambler the in-laws call home. In fact, the sprawling 1,400-acre ranch southwest of DeGraff and a skip from Ben-son remains home to two generations of Huston men and their families. Its also the only haunt Pat-rick has known.

Jenessa grew up an hour north of Minneapolis in Cambridge, a railroad town of 8,000-plus and one notable for its Swedish ancestry.

But she long felt the call of farm life, tracing it back to a trip to rural South Dakota. When her family moved to the Swift County hamlet of Holloway in her late teens, Jenessa took it as a sign.

She turned her hand to farming soon thereafter and began work at the Web Livestock Exchange in Benson, later meeting Patrick there through a mutual friend. They shared some nervous banter, each often on the cusp of asking the other out. Eventually, they exchanged phone numbers.

Their first date? Lets just say it began with 70 bulls and concluded with 70 steers.

How could it not be love at first sight? Jenessa dead-pans.

TranquilityBeyond the driveway to the home is an old barn of

speckled white and a lush meadow where dandelions freely sprout. At 2, Meridith is of an age where colors fascinate and the green and yellow palette catches her eye as she squeezes her mothers hand.

They spend many an hour outside.Some days they venture to the barn and livestock pens,

dropping in to feed rows of cattle, some new to the ranch, some bound for auction. Jenessa and the children also often accompany Patrick to the Monday auctions at Web Livestock Exchange, but the happenings do little of late to hold the attention of a curious little girl who seems to draw peace from a spot on the front deck, gazing at and playing with a swelling legion of kittens patrolling the land.

Shes in her element outside, Jenessa says. Just like her dad. Sometimes, when Patricks not working, we can sit for hours around a fire and just listen to the sounds of the ranch, the cattle. It can be amazing out here at night.

8 Live it! Magazine

Submitted photos Jenessa and Patrick Huston

Its for themMeridith begins to slow down as the late-afternoon sun

gives way to evening clouds. She sits by a rocking horse in the living room, her foot gently bouncing off the base, and is glued to a cartoon on the large television.

Jenessa is in the kitchen, an earshot from her daughter, marinating beef to make jerky. She enjoys the space and hints at a fondness for baking, particularly cookies.

She reminisces about working on the ranch through the early stages of pregnancy. She savors the role of homemaker but her face lights up at the notion of again working at Patricks side when the children are older.

Her moment is interrupted when Eli stirs from his af-ternoon nap, itching for a feeding.

Mom scoops son from a Pack n Play bassinet and cov-ers him with a warm blanket.

She gently cradles him, her eyes fixated on his.Meridith, seemingly jolted by a second wind, mounts

the horse and begins to giggle and coo as she rocks wildly, her antics not lost on her smiling mom.

Jenessa doesnt expect Patrick home for dinner.The day was void of their regular lunch date, and hus-

band and wife hadnt seen one another until mid-after-noon when Jenessa and the kids ran a sandwich out to him during a brief hiatus from the fields.

I wish I saw him more, Jenessa says. I know were the most important people in his life. I get that. I just know we cant be the most important thing at times. That makes sense, doesnt it? I mean were blessed. I know this. To have a successful business, our home, all of this: I know how lucky we are. But the cattle, the land its everything we have. It can get hard. But I guess its what we have to do to leave them (the children) some-thing. Its all for them.

She sits up and pulls Eli ever closer to her skin, kiss-ing his forehead. Soon, shell get the children bathed and ready for bed, one more day passing in the wind.

Dan Burdett it the lead writer for Live it! Magazine and can be reached at 320-214-4338 or at [email protected]. Follow Dan on Twitter @danburdett1. Live it! Magazine 9

10 Live it! Magazine

29 PERCENTThe share of mothers who do not work outside the home rose in 2012, the last year Pew Research com-piled data on the topic. This is up from a mod-ern-era low of 23 percent in 1999.

28 PERCENT Of all children in the U.S., 28 percent are being raised by a stay-at-home mother. This totaled 21.1 million in 2012 out of 74.2 million Americans younger than 18, up from 17.3 million (24 percent of children) in 2000. In 1970, 48 percent of children (34 million) had a mother who stayed at home.

1 IN 5Twenty pecent of U.S. children today are living in a household with a married stay-at-home mother and her working husband. In 1970, 41 percent of children lived in this type of house-hold. In 2012, 5 percent of children (3.7 million) lived with a single stay-at-home mother.

EDUCATIONIn 2012, nearly 370,000 married stay-at-home mothers had at least a masters degree and family income exceeding $75,000. This group accounted for 5 percent of married stay-at-home mothers with working husbands.

STAY AT HOME and WORKING MOTHERS BY THE NUMBERS

Live it! Magazine 11

DEMOGRAPHICSAmong all stay-at-home mothers in 2012, 42 percent were younger than 35. This compares with roughly 35 percent of working moth-ers. Fifty-one percent of stay-at-home mothers care for at least one child age 5 or younger, compared with 41 percent of working mothers.

SOCIETAL TRENDSOne of the most striking demographic differenc-es between stay-at-home mothers and working mothers relates to their economic well-being. Thirty-four percent of stay-at-home mothers are living in poverty, compared with 12 percent of working mothers.

STAY AT HOME AND WORKING MOTHERSPercent of mothers with child(ren) younger than 18 who are...

1970

Note: based on mothers ages 18-69 with own child(ren) younger than 18 in the household. Mothers are categorized based on employment status in 1970 and 2012. Other stay-at-home mothers are those who are single, cohabiting, or married with a non-working absent husband.

Source: Pew Research Center analysis of March Current Population Surveys integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-CPS), 1971 and 2013

STAY AT HOME AND WORKING MOTHERSPercent of mothers with child(ren) younger than 18 who are...

2012

Stay-at-home Working

Stay-at-home Working

Source: Pew Institute


& Story and Photo By dan Burdett Counting on the kids&QAAQ

For working parents, kids can play large roles around the home

TThe Hansons are a busy family. Married in 2014, John and Jessica have six children between them.Jessica is a physical therapy assistant for a cooperative that provides service to disabled children at regional schools. John is a master electrician for Killmer Electric, based out of the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal, and commutes daily to and from the Twin Cities.

They live on a hobby farm northeast of Kandiyohi. Because of the family dynamic, the children play an active role in maintaining the household, with eldest daughters Emma and Mya, both 12, taking care of their four younger brothers, ages 5 through 9, after school until their parents get home.

Live it! recently sat down with Jessica and Mya to dis-cuss this process.


Live it!: With you both as working parents, do you feel you miss out on family time?

Jessica Hanson: I definitely feel like I miss out on things as a working mom. I wish I could drop off and pick up my kids from school. As a result of that, theyre on the bus at 6:55 or 7 in the morning, which makes for a long day for them. I obviously cant attend every school event, and I feel bad about that.

Mya: I kind of feel the same. I wish I could spend a little more time with my mom.

Live it!: How do you find a balance?JH: I try to do a lot with my kids. Im big on trying to

make sure the time Im home is being spent with them. I feel like that way Im getting some time back. I make sure I give each of them one-on-one time every single night. And we take advantage of doing things together as a family. We go running and hiking and fishing and camping. Just things we can all engage in.

Mya: Yeah, I enjoy the time we spend together as a family. Its good for us.

Live it!: So please describe a normal day around the house and the roles Mya, Emma and the other chil-dren play.

JH: John leaves for work at 5 a.m. and Im up at 4 a.m. with him. The kids get their clothes and stuff set up the night before so the mornings arent so rushed. They are responsible for checking on the chickens and dogs and cats, and feeding them. They then get on the bus and I go to work. When they get home, the girls, depending on what they have going on, usually keep the boys en-tertained until I get home or help get supper started. We often do laundry together. Mya and her sister will help out and the boys will have sock folding contests as a way to make it more of a game than a chore. Whoever folds the most socks will get a treat. My son, Logan, likes to unload the dishwasher, so thats a plus. He always does that. And, to expand, if we have company over, each of the children will take a room to clean to help us get ready. Also, during the summer months, the kids are

more active in outdoor chores, too. Emma is really good at mowing the acreage and helping to keep the yard neat.

Live it!: What do you think children learn from hav-ing an active role in the household when their parents are working?

JH: In our situation, my husband helps out more with chores than most men I know, even though hes gone for such a big chunk of the day. So I definitely think the children benefit from seeing us working together. So I feel like it shows the children how to find a balance and work together as a family unit, which is something I hope they take with them when theyre older.

Mya: I think it definitely gives us someone to look up to. They have to work and are able to provide for us. It shows us that if we follow their example and try to be like them, well have a good path in life.

Live it!: And for you, Mya, is there a particular perk to sometimes having the house to yourself and being in charge?

Mya: When I can find something to do with the boys, its good. When theyre running around trying to act all crazy, its not so much fun. I pretty much have the same rules mom has.

JH: (laughing) Well thats good. The girls know theyve got to keep the house in order with four boys running around. They do a great job.

(Editors note: Emma Hanson was unavailable for comment during this interview due to a familial commitment.)

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it!Style

IBy nicole Hovatter

Its time to stow away your sweaters and refresh your wardrobe summer is finally here. Thankfully, this season provides a variety of fun trends to choose from. The key is knowing how and when to wear popular styles.

Going to great lengths: The maxi dressMaxi dresses have been hitting clothing

racks everywhere this summer, a versatile choice for almost every occasion, from weddings to work. The extra-long length makes it an easy choice for the office, with no need to worry about covering your legs with pantyhose. Just make sure to have a cardigan on hand. The flowy, breathable style is also great for hot summer months.

Denim makes a comeback: Jean dresses, jackets and vests

Think jean jackets were only cool 30 years ago? Think again. Denim is being featured in a variety of retro styles and is the perfect choice for a breezy summer day. Pair a jean dress with a neutral pair of leggings for a different twist to your week-end wardrobe. Try wearing a jean vest or jacket with a pair of bright-colored pants.

Goodbye to itsy-bitsy teeny weeny: Modest swimwear styles

Tiny triangle bikinis arent for every-one, especially those trying to hide stretch marks or a troublesome midsection. It may seem like the only cute, modern swimsuit options feature less and less fab-ric, but a variety of stylish alternatives are available. Spice up an ordinary one-piece by choosing a suit that has a strapless,

fringe, flounce, or bandeau top. Monoki-nis and other cutout swimsuits are also popular this summer.

An alternative to super-skinny jeans: Palazzo pants

Skinny jeans continue to be a favorite of fashionistas, but palazzo pants provide a comfortable and fashionable alternative. The breezy, lightweight fabric and wide-legged style of these pants make them per-fect for lounging on the beach. Featured in a variety of colors and styles, palazzo pants have become a popular fashion choice this summer. Lightweight linen bottoms are another comfortable and classy beachwear alternative. Linen pants or shorts pair best with a bold blouse.

Safety is sexy: Invest in sun protection essentials

While it can be inconvenient to wear sunscreen sometimes, it makes a better fashion accessory than wrinkles. Expensive anti-aging creams may boast incredible results, but defenses that keep skin youth-ful are free, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. While wrinkles are inevitable, sun exposure speeds up the process, causing premature aging.

Keep your skin beautiful this summer and reduce the risk of skin cancer by protecting it from the suns rays. The American Academy of Dermatology rec-ommends avoiding excessive sun exposure and wearing sunscreen SPF 30 or above. Excessive squinting also causes aging; wear sunglasses to prevent wrinkles around the eyes.

Nicole Hovatter is a staff writer for the West Central Tribune and Live it! Magazine. Follow Nicole on Twitter @publicsafetywct.

How to wear hot-weather fashion favorites


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Summer is here, which means road trips are planned. Trav-eling in the car can be both fun and inexpensive, if you plan accordingly.

Some parents may be concerned about traveling with children or looking for ideas to keep little hands, minds and feet busy during long rides. Here are our tips to make the trip smooth for everyone.

* MEDIA We encourage you to keep your children busy with media. Visit your local library to rent books, audio books and DVDs for the kids. Pack a special car bag to help you keep track of the books and movies. Leave this bag in the car to use only when you are traveling as it is something to look forward to; it will also help you from losing a DVD or book and having to pay a fine.

* STRING BEADS Another fun idea is to pack pipe cleaners and beads. Whenever you pass a town, add a bead to the pipe cleaner. Once you arrive at your destination you have a bracelet from all the towns you passed. Remember to count them up along the way. Another alternative is to take off a bead each time you pass a town. That way your child will know when you are getting closer. You could also string the bracelet on the way down and take off the beads on the way home.

* PLAN AHEAD Before you go, research areas you will be traveling through. Find areas for fun pit stops like museums, historical towns, waterfalls, etc. Consider packing a picnic lunch to eat at these fun stops as this will save your family time and money.

* SNACK ATTACK Pack a cooler full of water, juice, sandwich items, fruit and vegetables for the trip. This way, everyone can help themselves when they are hungry. You also wont have to stop as often as you are traveling.

* MINIMIZE THE MESS Pack gal-lon-sized baggies for any type of mess. These can be zipped shut to be sure nothing leaks out. The baggies are especially helpful when it comes to spills or possible car sickness.

* REST STOP TOYS We also encour-age you to pack a bag of toys to use at the rest stop. This could include items like jump ropes, bubbles and balls. Once at a rest stop, pull out these fun items and let the kids have a half hour to play before returning to the road.

- Family Talk -

Preparing kids for a road tripBy candi Walz - LetStaLKKIdS.areaVoICeS.Com

Photos by Jill Shaw

Elsa Shaw, 3, of Pennock, has her back-pack for a family road trip up north over the recent Memorial Day weekend.

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* KIDS CAMERA Allow your child to take pictures along the way of things they see out their window. When the trip is over ,create a book telling of what you saw during your trip.

* MULTI-PURPOSE TRAY Pack a metal cookie tray to use in different capacities. First, consider bringing along magnets or magnetic letters for older children to use in the car. Children will not only learn their letters but may even practice

spelling a few words. You can also use the tray to play puzzles or color. The tray can also be a placemat for eating.

Remember to make your car ride both fun and enjoyable. Make sure to stop from time to time and let the kids play and stretch their legs. Remember that each child is different so be prepared for anything during the trip. But most of all enjoy the ride!

Five-year-old Odin Shaw snapped these shots going through Wadena on a family road trip up north over the recent Memorial Day weekend.

Elsa uses a metal tray to hold her crayons and coloring book on a recent family road trip.

Did you know that exercising while pregnant is great for mom and baby?

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I have heard a lot of conflicting facts about exercis-ing while pregnant. As a personal trainer, fitness instruc-tor and online trainer, I have done much research over the past few months to find out whats OK, and whats not.

Here are some tips on what you need to know if you are pregnant and want to exercise.

* If youve been working out regularly, its perfectly fine (and recommended) to continue your regular work-out routine while pregnant. During your first trimester, you may not feel like exercising. But did you know that exercise can actually help with morning sickness and make you feel more energized? Find a workout buddy, go for a walk, a jog or to your favorite group exercise class and start feeling fantastic.

* If you havent been exercising, now is not the time to try new things. While walking and doing most body weight exercises are OK while pregnant, its better to play it safe and wait until after your little one is here to start up a new or rigorous workout routine.

* You need to be in tune with your body. I have real-ized that some days I can run, bike and hop all over the place while feeling great. Other days my body tells me I need to slow down. Pregnancy is not the time to push

through these warning signs. Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.

* Stay hydrated. Pregnant or not, your body needs water. While you are pregnant, your body needs even more water. Also, take a pass on the sugary drinks.

* Fill up with nutrient-rich foods. You burn more calo-ries when you are pregnant (hello, creating a human being is hard work), so if you choose to exercise, keep in mind you will have even more calories to consume throughout the day. Do not fill up on junk. While cravings will strike, make sure you have healthy foods on hand. Leafy greens, chicken, beef, sweet potatoes, vegetables and fruit will help you and baby stay on track and feel your best.

* Exercising throughout your pregnancy may help keep stretch marks away. Think about it: Exercising is a healthy way for you to make sure you are gaining the proper amount of weight throughout your pregnancy, and paired with a healthy diet, youll be less likely to pack on the pounds at a rapid speed. This means youll be less likely to have your body change rapidly, lowering the chances of stretch marks.

Keep in mind everyone is different. What your best friend was able to do during her pregnancy may not be best for you. Listen to your body and be sure to consult your doctor/midwife if you have any questions about exercising while pregnant.

- Fitness & Health -

Exercise and Pregnancy

Amy Erickson is Owner/Trainer at Amy Erickson Fitness; [email protected]

By aMy erickSon


IIt can be as simple as planting some colorful flowers in an old tree stump or hollowed-out log.No matter your ideas, likes or dislikes, as summer ap-proaches we all tend to move outdoors more. We want to capture those beautiful sunshiny days, which some-times seem few and far between.Across the nation, and even in the age of the smart-phone and television binge watching, the love affair with the American yard is not over.

According to an online survey commissioned by the National Association of Landscape Professionals and conducted by Harris Poll in May 2015, Ameri-cans think it is important to have a yard, keep it looking well-maintained and live in an area with nice landscap-ing.

Three quarters of Americans (75 percent) feel that it is important to spend time outside in their yards, according to the study conducted among 2,034 U.S. adults ages 18-plus.

Despite the perception the younger generation is only focused on a high-tech lifestyle, nearly three quarters

(74 percent) of Millennials (18- to 34-year-olds) think spending time outside in their yards is important.

Furthermore, while spending time outdoors, we want things to look nice and portray our own personalities.

Once again we turned to co-workers for many of the ideas shared here, from repurposing old and battered kids toys, chairs, bed frames, tractor seats and old metal wheels (shown here made into a unique sphere) to being creative with how you display your house number or making a popular and trendy fairy garden.

Birdhouses are always a fun thing to create and deco-rate with, inside or out. Upside-down flower pots make neat mushrooms and rhubarb leaves can be cemented into bird baths. Or, write your surname in your garden.

(See photo ideas on pages 20 & 21.)The possibilities are endless.Follow Live it! on Pinterest.com/liveitmag to see

more creative ideas. And most of all, have fun with it!


it!-yourself

Do-

Yard decor made simple

By SHaron BoMStad

Photo by Mary Reigstad


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PChill out this summer with beverage classics

It!Pass the iced tea, please and the fruit

smoothies, old-fashioned lemonade and all the other lusciously cool liquids that bring a refreshing Aahhh to a hot summer day.

Summer seems made for cold drinks, the kind that can be sipped on the deck or by the pool, after an invigorating bike ride or

walk, or while lounging under the trees in the lazy embrace of a hammock.

Heres a quartet of beverage classics to quench your thirst and add a welcome flavor to the days (and nights) of summer. Bonus: Theyre simple to make, guaran-teeing a minimum of time spent in the kitchen. Its summer, after all. Why sweat?

Sip By anne Polta

The herbal tea gives this version of iced tea a mildly sweet and fruity fla-vor thats the essence of summer. The sparkling water adds an unexpected touch of fizz.

8 grams (4 tea bags) herbal fruit or berry-flavored tea

2 cups boiling water2 cups sparkling fruit- or berry-flavored

bottled watersugar (optional, to taste)

Place tea in heat-proof pitcher; add 2 cups boiling water and steep for 4 to 6 minutes. Remove tea bags. If youre using sugar, stir in while the tea is still hot, tast-ing for the desired amount of sweetness. Add 2 cups sparkling bottled water. Chill tea. To serve, pour over ice. Serves 4 to 6.

Theres room here to get creative with flavor combinations raspberry or wild berry herbal tea with raspberry-flavored sparkling water, for example, or a lemon/mint tea with lemon-flavored sparkling water. Experiment to find the blend(s) you like best.

Sparkling iced herbal tea

cup 1 percent low-fat milk cup low-fat plain yogurt1 banana, cut into small pieces1 tablespoon liquid honey cup fresh fruit or 1.2 cup frozen fruit,

thawed (strawberries work best)Place ingredients in blender and blend

until smooth. Serves 1.

Smoothie

For the syrup:1 cup sugar1 cup waterCombine in a medium saucepan, bring to

a boil and boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and cool.

For the lemonade:1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 5

to 6 lemons3 to 4 cups cold water1 to 2 thinly sliced lemons, optionalCombine syrup and lemon juice. Add

water gradually, tasting for sweetness. Be-cause this lemonade is made with fresh lemons, it may be more tart than what youre accustomed to. If you like your lemonade on the sweeter side, you may need to add more sugar. Stir until well blended. Add ice and thinly sliced lemons, if youre using them. Serves 4 to 6.

Real lemonade

What could be better than a creamy, fruity smoothie for a summertime break-fast or afternoon pick-me-up? Credit for this goes to Affiliated Community Medical Centers, whose dietitians are a great source for recipes that are appealing as well as healthful. Find more beverage recipes on the ACMC website at www.acmc.com (click on Health and wellness articles, then click on Healthy recipes. ACMC recipes also can be found on Pin-terest.)


Sure, its easier to mix up a pitcher of lem-onade from a powdered mix or frozen con-centrate. But everyone should make a classic lemonade at least once every summer, if for no other reason than to experience the real thing.

Theres no shortage of recipes for homemade lemonade. Some are the easy stir-and-pour variety while others are more labor-intensive (remove the rinds from five lemons, chop into little pieces and macerate in sugar for an hour, anyone?) This recipe sticks to the basics. Yes, it requires turning on a stove but its worth it. The resulting syrup allows the sugar to evenly dissolve throughout the drink instead of col-lecting on the bottom of your glass or pitcher. For a shortcut, make the syrup ahead of time and refrigerate until using.

1/3 cup coffee beans1 cups cold watermilk, optionalCoarsely grind the coffee beans and place

in a pitcher or large glass container with a lid. (If you have a French press, this is a great occasion to use it.) Pour in water. Refrigerate overnight, for at least 12 hours and up to 48 hours. Slowly pour water and coffee mixture through a coffee filter into a clean container. Serve coffee over ice; add milk if you like and stir well. If youre really feeling decadent, pour your cold brew over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a yummy treat that combines beverage and dessert. Serves 2 to 3.

Iced coffee

If its iced coffee you crave, go with the cold cold brew, that is. A cold press is smoother and less acidic than hot-brewed coffee and its perfect poured over ice on a hot summer day.


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Ever wonder what it would be like to be sentenced to life in prison for a crime you did not commit? A sous chef in a busy restaurant? A war photographer experiencing extreme mo-ments? A child growing up in a funeral home? Thanks to the ever-growing genre of memoirs, now you can.

In a world where social media has made us feel connected to millions of people, we have become increasingly interested in what it is like to be someone else or experience something new. Memoirs do just that the writer shares a personal experience, taking it from a private to a universal event, and opens up about top-ics that would otherwise be left unknown. On the other hand,

readers are drawn in emotionally to the writers often frank description of their story and get an inside look at what it is like to be someone else. Although celebrity memoirs are becoming hugely popular, many of us just want to read about ordinary people and, thankfully, you can.

Pick up Getting Life: An In-

nocent Mans 25-Year Journey From Prison to Peace by Michael Morton to experience the jus-tice system from the perspective of an innocent man fighting for freedom.

Michael Gibney will transport you to the kitchen of an upscale New York restaurant in his memoir Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line.

Learn what it is like to be the one taking the pictures of war that we see every day in the news from Lynsey Addario in her book Its What I Do: A Photographers Life of Love and War.

Relive childhood with Kate Mayfield as she details her upbringing in a funeral home in The Undertakers Daughter.

These memoirs, and the thousands more available to you, will take you beyond your own experiences and let you experience, through writing, the thoughts and emotions associated with situations you never thought youd

have the chance in your lifetime to un-derstand and learn from.

As summer gets underway, feed your curiosity: Dive into a memoir today.

- Read it! -

Memoirs

Annice Sevett is Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar Public Li-brary. For more information on these books, swing by the Willmar Public Library. The librarians are there to help you find your new favorite author. Check out the librarys blog at turningpages.areavoices.com.

Step into someone elses shoesBy annice Sevett

School is out.You can tell by the looks of happiness on the faces of children

everywhere and the increasing stress lines on the foreheads of mothers and fathers. They are wondering exactly how many weeks it is until school starts again.

But lets talk about us adults for a moment. Perhaps weve left the hallowed halls of education only recently or so many, many years ago you can hardly remember being a student of any kind.

If you have been a feeling life has felt monotonous, lacking purpose or fulfillment, as some of us may find, youre not alone.

Take a moment. I know, it feels good to realize youre not the only one.

What you may be lacking in your life is something very basic that was a big part

of

your early life, and that is the act of learning. When we learn, we grow. We grow intellectually, of course,

but we also grow in self-esteem and what we can offer the world through practicing and sharing with others.

The wonderful thing about being adults is we get to choose what we want to learn and at what pace. We also get to choose how we learn. Do you know that you can learn a new language by simply going online and visiting free websites just five minutes a day?

Bookstores and libraries are a plethora of learning opportunity, not to mention community education classes and your local col-lege campuses.

Learning is not just for children and co-eds. It is a lifelong process that enriches your heart and mind and keeps us actively exploring our place in the world so that we know we have some-thing to offer and always, no matter our age or circumstances, something to learn about the world, but even more so about ourselves.

- Life Happens -

Never quit learning

Claudette Larson of New London is a licensed independent clinical social worker with 15 years of experience helping individ-uals, couples and families work on personal growth and positive real-life solutions.

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Can you tell which of the following definitions describes either a library or a liquor store?

Definition number one: An organized collection of re-sources made available to a community for referencing and borrowing.

Definition number two: An organized collection of re-sources typically in bottles made available to the public and intended for off premises consumption.

The answer is kind of a no-brainer, isnt it? But in my world, libraries and liquor stores (books and brews) go hand-in-hand. Why? I enjoy the products of both facilities. I can visit a library and spend a significant amount of time perus-ing book titles. Likewise, you get me in a liquor store, and Ill slowly cruise the aisles looking at the labels of the spirit, beer and wine bottles. Theres so much to enjoy in so little time kind of like summers in Minnesota.

Of course, you probably dont want to spend your entire summer in a library or a liquor store. But looking at books in a library or at bottles in a liquor store can give us much pleasure like our summer activities, be it fishing, gardening, baseball, softball, running, walking or swimming, etc. And for me, the one thing I always take with me is a book.

Throughout my life, a book has always accompanied me. Even as a young man on the farm, a book was always in my back pocket because I love to read. There are so many dif-ferent types of books mysteries, westerns, historical (no romance books, thank you!).

Similarly, when I was introduced to the universe of al-coholic beverages, I was intrigued by the variety of smells, tastes and sights of beers, wines and cocktails. Sitting quietly with a good drink and a good book was satisfying for me. For those few minutes of tasting and reading, life was perfect.

Recently, the Minneota Public Library just west of Mar-shall celebrated its new facility and I attended the gala event. The library moved into a beautifully renovated old down-town retail building and they have done a spectacular job of decorating it. I felt right at home walking through the stacks of books and viewing the memorabilia. But my visit to Min-neota didnt stop with the library. Theres another new store in the city called Highway 68 Liquor and I was drawn to it.

Unlike the renovated library, this is a new venture but its as appealing and organized as the library. Cleanly laid out and with a clear path through the many rows of beverages, I was drawn to the ... labels (building my reading skills,

of course!). The wine selection was pleasing with varieties from across the globe ditto for the spirits selection. At that moment, and after all my heavy library and label reading, I wanted a beer. Looking at the beer stock, I noticed brews from one of my favorite breweries Minneapolis Fulton Brewing Company. I thoroughly enjoy Fultons Sweet Child Of Vine IPA but I wanted something with a softer hop taste and there it was: The Ringer American Pale Ale. This ale has a light body but enough hops to be noticeable and still allow for a clean crisp finish. After a day of heavy reading, its a perfect beer to kick back and enjoy.

As we head into the hot, humid days of summer, plan ahead, and wherever you go consider taking a good book and a tasty beer with you. Or, if you would rather have a glass of wine or a cocktail, good for you. Summer is meant to be enjoyed. Just keep a book in your back pocket you never know when youll have the luxury of a few quiet moments during which you can fly away into a great read.

As always, eat and drink with moderation but laugh with reckless abandon.

Cheers!

- Spirits! -

Books and booze ...

Ron Skjong writes primarily about the wonderful world of wine but likes to explore various spirits and beers, too. He is married and has four grown children. While stationed in Germany, he was introduced to German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong pursuit developed to find that perfect bottle of wine.

By ron Skjong



it!outCheck Whats happenin June - August 2015

?

City celebrationsPaynesvilleJune 5-12

Town and Country Days, grand parade 7 p.m. Wednesday

RenvilleJune 10-14

Sugar Beet Days, grand parade 3 p.m. Saturday

KandiyohiJune 12-13

Kandi is Dandy Days, parade 11:30 a.m. Saturday

MontevideoJune 14-21

Fiesta Days, grand day parade 1 p.m. Sunday, June 21

AtwaterJune 16-21

Festival Days, grand parade 3:20 p.m. Saturday

Bird IslandJune 17-21

Island Days, regatta parade 3 p.m. Saturday

WillmarJune 23-28

Willmar Fests, grand day parade 10:30 a.m. Satur-day with fireworks at 10 p.m.

Granite FallsJune 25-27

Western Fest, grand parade 1 p.m. Saturday

DawsonJune 25-29

Riverfest, grand parade 2 p.m. Sunday

MadisonJune 29-July 4

Summerfest, grand parade 2 p.m. Saturday with fireworks at dusk

MaynardJune 30-July 4

Fourth of July, parade at 11 a.m. Saturday with fireworks at dusk

StarbuckJuly 1-5

Heritage Days, grand parade 6 p.m. Saturday with fireworks at 10 p.m.

Prairies Edge CasinoJuly 3

Family Fun Night, begins at 6 p.m. with food, music and fireworks show at dusk

SpicerJuly 3-5

Independence Day celebration, grand parade 10 a.m. Saturday with fireworks at dusk

TerraceJuly 4

Fourth of July, old-fashioned family fun, beginning at 5 p.m.

PaynesvilleJuly 4

Independence Day Celebration, boat parade 2 p.m. on Lake Koronis with fireworks at dusk

DanubeJuly 8-12

Fun Days, grand parade 2 p.m. Saturday

Clara CityJuly 9-11

Prairie Fest Days, grand parade 4 p.m. Saturday

LitchfieldJuly 9-12

Watercade, grand parade 6 p.m. Saturday

BrootenJuly 10-12

Bonanza Valley Days, parade 1 p.m. Sunday

BlomkestJuly 11

Appreciation Day, parade 4 p.m. Saturday

New LondonJuly 15-19

Water Days, grand parade 11 a.m. Saturday

CosmosJuly 17-19

Space Festival, grand parade 2 p.m. Sunday

Sacred HeartJuly 17-20

Summerfest, grand parade 6 p.m. Friday

BensonJuly 18-19

Kid Day celebration, parade 10 a.m. Saturday

GlenwoodJuly 21-26

Waterama, lighted pontoon parade at dusk Satur-day, parade 1 p.m. Sunday

OliviaJuly 22-26

Corn Capital Days, grand parade 3 p.m. Saturday

KerkhovenJuly 24-26

Town and Country Days, grand parade 3:30 p.m. Saturday

PennockJuly 31-Aug. 2

Pennock Fun Days, parade 11 a.m. Saturday

Lake LillianJuly 31-Aug. 2

Fun Days, parade 4 p.m. Saturday

New LondonAug. 5-8

29th annual New London to New Brighton An-tique Car Run Saturday; features cars from 1915 and earlier; country tours Wednesday, Thursday and Friday leaving from New London daily; run to New Brighton on Saturday

StarbuckAug. 7-8

Dragon Boat Racing, co-ed races on Lake Minne-waska; boats provided

BelgradeAug. 7-9

Augustfest, grand parade Saturday

BechynAug. 9

24th annual Czech Heritage Festival with ethnic foods, music, folk dancers, children activities

Grove CityAug. 13-16

AugustFest, parade 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Forest CityAug. 15-16

Stockade Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

RaymondAug. 22

Harvest Fest, parade 1 p.m. Saturday


County fairs

Redwood FallsJuly 8-12

Redwood County Fair

CanbyJuly 23-25

Yellow Medicine County Fair

MontevideoJuly 29-Aug. 1

Chippewa County Fair

LitchfieldJuly 30-Aug. 2

Meeker County Fair

WillmarAug. 5-8

Kandiyohi County Fair

GlenwoodAug. 5-9

Pope County Fair

MorrisAug. 12-15

Stevens County Fair

MorrisAug. 12-16

Stevens County Fair

Bird IslandAug. 19-21

Renville County Fair

AppletonAug. 19-23

Swift County Fair

Music concerts and moreJazz-N-JavaEvery Thursday

Willmar, 6 to 6:45 p.m., Jazz-N-Java, 913 Business 71 N.; free music concerts by different individuals and groups, followed by sing-along with house band.

Glacial Ridge WineryEvery Thursday

Spicer, 6:30 to 8:30 pm., Glacial Ridge Winery, state Highway 23 between New London and Spicer; free music concerts by different individuals and groups.

Hinterland VineyardsEvery Friday

Clara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vineyards and Winery, 3060 120th Ave. S.E.; free music concert by different individuals and groups.

Danube Historical SocietyJune 9, 23, July 9, 21, Aug. 11, 25

Danube, 7 p.m., bandstand by the water tower; free music concerts, bring a lawn chair or blanket, free-will donation; sponsored by the Danube Historical Society.

Concerts in the ParkJune 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., Rice Park; free concert by Prairie Winds Concert Band.

Pioneerland Band FestivalJune 14

Benson, 6:30 p.m., 28th annual Flag Day parade with 15 high school marching bands.

Music in the ParkJuly 12, 19, 25, Aug. 2, 9, 16

Spicer, 4 to 6 p.m., City Park observation deck; free concert by various groups.

Music FestivalJuly 10-11

Morris, Rock the Groundz, 6th annual music and camping festival, Stevens County Fairgrounds.

Night of BluegrassAug. 1

Terrace, 7 p.m., Terrace Mill; The High 48s plays their own original material in addition to festival favorites; adults $7, children under 12 $3.

Music FestivalAug. 15

New London, noon to 6 p.m., Neer Park; family friendly day of eclectic live music, food and a kid-zone; www.newlondonmusicfestival.com.

Misc.Little Crow Water Ski ShowJune through August

New London, 7:30 p.m., Neer Park, June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 4, 10, 17, 31; at 7 p.m., Aug. 1, 14, 21 and 28; 320-354-5684.

Mid-Week Farmers MarketEvery Wednesday

Willmar, noon to 5:30 p.m., Kandi Mall east side parking lot, high-quality produce available, all grown within 100 miles of Willmar.

Becker MarketEvery Thursday

Willmar, 2 to 5:30 p.m., 414 Becker Square parking lot between Fourth and Fifth streets downtown; ex-perience Willmars multicultural flavor in an outdoor atmosphere of farmers, growers, producers, artisans and entertainment.

Farmers MarketEvery Saturday starting July 12

Willmar, 6:30 a.m. to noon, YMCA parking lot; homegrown produce, farm-raised meat and hand-made items.

Arts/Drama

Fiddler on the RoofJune 11-16, 18-21

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, The Barn Theatre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performance of Fiddler on the Roof; for tickets call 320-235-9500.

Studio HopJune 19-20

Local artists will have their studios open 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Willmar, Spicer and New London areas; www.studiohop.org.

Night of ImprovJune 20

Terrace, 7 p.m., Terrace Mill; back by request, a Night of Improv with guaranteed laughter.

Cinderella the MusicalJuly 23-26, July 30-Aug. 1

New London, Thursday through Saturdays, 7 p.m., Little Theatre; performance of Cinderella the Mu-sical; tickets available at Whitney Music in Willmar, Inspiration Books & Gifts and A Thousand Cranes in New London.

Come Blow Your HornAug. 12-15, 18-21

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., The Barn Theatre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performances of Come Blow Your Horn; for tickets call 320-235-9500.

DancesMyron SommerfeldJune 14

Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; sum-mer dances open to all, music by Myron Sommerfeld; $15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans or shorts.

Polka FestJuly 3-5

Bird Island, Island Ballroom; 27 hours of dancing on large wooden dance floor; 320-365-9997.

Velvet BrassJuly 12

Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; sum-mer dances open to all, music by Velvet Brass; $15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans or shorts.

WacipiJuly 31-Aug. 2

Granite Falls, Upper Sioux Community Pezi-hutazzi Oyate Traditional Wacipi, warmup dances 7 p.m. Friday, grand entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Tuxedo JunctionAug. 9

Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; sum-mer dances open to all, music by Tuxedo Junction; $15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans or shorts.

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