From the Editor | April & May 2022
Springtime brings not just flowers and showers, but the latest edition of Tex Appeal Magazine, and along with that, some great stories about our friends and neighbors.
Carey Stites, who writes our Health & Wellness column, shares meal planning when dealing with a serious illness. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and shares how she’s coping on page 54.
Flavours found a new Jamaican restaurant that is not like any other you might have experienced on page 14.
Neighbors highlights Braelyn Liles, 2021-22 Little Miss Five Hills, on page 8, with recognition of her award-winning Pajama Project with Foster Love Bell County.
Meet the Makers, a new feature, tells the story of Michael Pritchett of Sirril Art Gallery in Salado on page 52.
Entrepreneur introduces us to Belton’s Pink Bulldog Boutique, which offers women’s clothing with a western flair and a boho vibe, on page 50.
Amy Rognlie, one of our longtime contributors, has written her first gardening column, which will be a regular feature. You can read This Girl’s Garden on page 26.
At home fashion, what our grandmothers called “lounge attire” is making a comeback thanks to the pandemic on page 30.
Don’t be afraid of the dark when it comes to interior design. Yes, you can incorporate some of your favorite jewel tones and dark neutrals when it comes to planning a fresh look for your home. We tell you how on page 28.
Scene went to the annual Salute to Business hosted by the Temple Chamber of Commerce and you can see who’s who on page 12.
Jean Shine shares what Being Central Texan means to her on page 57.
Enjoy a field full of Texas bluebonnets in more colors than just blue in Tex Messages on page 60.
Salado’s own Liz Carpenter was the first woman executive assistant to a U.S. vice president, as well as a journalist, feminist and media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, and public relations expert. She was also lauded as the funniest woman in politics long before Molly Ivins. We’ll tell you why on page 64.
Take a day trip to Waxahachie this spring and find out what to see and do there on page 62. You’ll find crape myrtles, Victorian architecture, and the chance to travel to 16th century England just 90 minutes’ drive up I-35 when you go.
COVID-19 has not just stunted our physical health, it’s wreaked havoc on the mental health of our youngest Texans. Health care and education professionals discuss the impact of COVID on kids on page 32.
Megan Kiella, a professional home builder in Central Texas, shares her career journey as we look at local women in homebuilding on page 38.
We also look in on Ciece Gray of Picasa Designs to see what goes into her interior decorating, planning and unique, sleek, sophisticated style on page 44.
Anna and Derek Morris of Happy Karma Homes take us through building or rebuilding a home that you’ll really love on page 40.
And learn how Proctor Victory Garden’s Lauren and Paul Proctor turned a love of pickles into a thriving home business on page 46.
It’s turning out to be a lovely, if rather warm spring in Central Texas. I hope we brighten it even more with our stories and photos. As always, I love hearing from you, whether you enjoy what we’ve written, or you have a bone to pick, so drop me an email at editor@texappealmag.com or call me at 254-774-5266 and tell me what you think. And don’t forget to leave me a story idea in my inboxes!
Janna Zepp
Tex Appeal editor