From the Editor | April 2017
Dear Readers,
It’s been a crazy winter. I don’t think we really saw any winter weather at all, except for a few days when the temperatures dipped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Other than that, it’s been a mild, wet winter, which is reflected in the early blooms of wildflowers along the highways and the growth of edible winter plants in some backyards.
This year’s Home and Garden issue takes you on a tour of two different types of gardens. Wayne Schirner, president of the Bell County Master Gardeners, invited us to see his organic square foot garden creation in his backyard. Winter vegetables and berries are almost ripe for harvest and soon he’ll be planting his spring/summer crop, Page 43.
Marjorie Gillmeister has learned how to recycle egg shells in a most unusual way. In a garden named after her 4-year-old son, Wolfgang, they take empty egg shells and turn them into pods to grow seedlings. Because the eggshell is organic, when it comes time to plant, you can drop the entire shell into the ground, Page 11.
Taking a stroll back in time just got easier at Meme’s Teapot in Belton, housed in the 133-year-old mansion known as Whitfield Manor. Enjoy looking at Vania Whitfield’s collection of antiques while sipping on a cup of tea in a Victorian era china cup, Page 16.
New home building and design has evolved over the years to reveal a more contemporary look in exterior and interior décor. Rhonda Jung and Marla Rowe of Harper Sawyer Designs introduce our readers to some of the latest trends in interior design. Gone are the dark, rustic colors of the last several years and in are lighter, reflective tones that brighten any room, Page 27.
And it isn’t just the interiors that are reflective of a new era in home building and décor. New homes of every size and price point are going up in all of the far reaches of Bell County from Killeen to Morgan’s Point Resort. Realtors Teresa Adams and Mike Finnemann, and Executive Director Brad Wyrick, of the Temple Area Builders Association, took time out of their week to take us on a tour of the new developments that have something for everyone’s taste, need and budget, Page 34.
If you lack a green thumb but still enjoy the beauty of a garden, take a day trip to Austin and visit the Zilker Botanical Garden. The 2-mile trail leads through several planned areas including the Japanese garden and prehistoric garden. Don’t forget your sun block, Page 57.
Wherever you might be in your busy day, take a break, pour yourself a glass or cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy Tex Appeal’s 2017 Home and Garden issue.
Catherine Hosman is editor of Tex Appeal Magazine. Contact her at editor@texappealmag.com or 254-501-7511.