Our Town November 2011 - Smyrna/Vinings

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homes in the Smyrna/Vinings Area. Opinions expressed by the

editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opin-

ions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and or

reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not respon-

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Entire contents copyright 2010 by Our Town. Reproduction in

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Our Town Magazine109 Anderson Street

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FA M I LY L I F E S T Y L E N E W S M A G A Z I N E

OurTownSmyrna•Vinings•Cumberland • Galleria •Vinings Estates

Graphics and DesignTerry Tanner

Tanner Graphics, Inc.

Feature Photographer, Allison Maurer

Allison Suzanne Photography

Contributing WritersMark Orler

Andrew WarneckeLeisa A. Bailey, Phd.

Pam WalkerBrooke Merrill

Shelia FreyShasta Clark

Alan Kippeny, PA-CMichelle DeHaven, DVM

Deborah Ratchford

Calendar of Events

About the Cover

Thankful

Toward Manhood

November Crossword

Planning the Family Thanksgiving Meal

Feeling Gratitude even when Life is Difficult

Business Spotlight

- Atlanta Center for Energy Medicine

Our Town Travel

Home & Design

Shopping with Shelia

Mommy Moments

The Role of a Physician Assistant

Disturbing New Danger to Cats

Pets of the Month

Real Estate in Our Town

What’s Cookin’?

in th

is issue

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Visit our website at www.ourtownmonthly.com for additional on-going events.

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770-952-0696At Your Home, Office or in the Park

Linda Bigger

SMYRNA OPTIMIST CLUB ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST: This year’sevent will be Saturday, November 26th at Smyrna First United Methodist Church on Con-cord Road in Smyrna. A donation of $5 per person will get you several excellent pancakesalong with all the fixins’ plus sausage, coffee, orange juice, or milk. Serving time will be7:30 AM through 11:00 AM. Plenty of time to have a good breakfast before driving downto Bobby Dodd Field for the annual Tech/Georgia game. Takeout orders are also available.If you can’t use the tickets, a donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated and care-fully used to benefit Smyrna children. For more information, or for tickets, please emailCurt Johnston at [email protected].

2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES: The 2nd annual Festival of Trees is hostedat the Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria. The hotel will be transformed into a Winter Won-derland, with trees decorated by 30 area non profits on display Nov. 20th to Jan. 5th withFREE hot chocolate on tap. The holiday event and hot chocolate is free of charge. Do-nations for the 30 non profits will be accepted. Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria, 2815Akers Mill Rd. SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 (Right across from the Cobb Performing Arts Cen-ter). For more information, visit www.embassysuites.hilton.com.

COMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Holiday celebration and Christmas TreeLighting. Bring your family, and join your friends Tues., Nov. 29th on the Village Greenfrom 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for “Coming Home for the Holidays.” Enjoy holiday fes-tivities and musical performances at the Smyrna Community Center and see Santa lightthe big Christmas Tree on the Village Green at 7 p.m. Bring the entire family for all of itand ring in the season downtown. This event marks the first official evening of holidaylights in the downtown.

HOLIDAY BAZZAR AT DELMAR GARDENS: Delmar Gardens of Smyrna re-tirement community will be hosting an afternoon of holiday shopping galore! An array oftalented local vendors will have a collection of beautiful merchandise for sale, includingjewelry, cosmetics, cookware and more! Join us for this special event and take home some-thing truly unique! Tuesday, November 29th, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 404 King Springs Vil-lage Parkway, Smyrna, GA 30082. Phone: 770-432-4444.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND MARKET: The Smyrna Holiday Lights and Market is anopen-air market with a holiday theme with up to 100 artists and vendors (painters, potters,sculptors, photography, crafters), unique food offerings, a performance stage for seasonalmusic and acts, an opening family-friendly night and festive lights. Holiday Lights andMarket Hours of Operation: Friday, Dec., 2nd, 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 12p.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4th, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Admission is FREE.

2011 HOLIDAY HOME TOUR OF SMYRNA-VININGS: Presented by TheFoundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna. Sunday, December 4th from noonto 6pm. Capture the Holiday spirit as you visit seven lovely homes dressed for the season.Enjoy refreshments and a complimentary tea room and finish your shopping at the silentauction. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of Digital Mammography equipmentfor Emory-Adventist Hospital. Tickets are $20 per person, and are available at the followinglocations: CBS Bank, Love Street Gifts, G. Scott Home, The Honeybee, The Nest, TheVillage Café, or call 770.438.5233.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT REV COFFEE: Every Wednesday from 8 to 10pm at REV,1680 Spring Rd. SE, Smyrna. Performers are encouraged to bring their own instruments;however, the friendly atmosophere of REV Coffee make it so those who forget their in-struments won’t necessarily be kept from playing. Also enjoy live music every Friday at8pm. For more information, visit www.revcoffee.com.

SUPPORT GROUPS OFFERED THROUGH VISIONS ANEW: Visions Anew,a non-profit which assists women through the divorce process, sponsors a number of freesupport groups around the city each week. Please see www.visionsanew.org for places,dates, and times in your area. Support Groups offered by Visions Anew for Men only atthe Vinings Fire Station, 4336 Paces Ferry Rd Atlanta, 30339. Meets 1st & 3rd Friday ofeach month, 7:00-8:00 PM

BREAKTHROUGH FELLOWSHIP: Are you looking for something real? Searchingfor community? If so, The Breakthrough Fellowship is your answer! We are a new churchserving the Smyrna/Vinings and metro Atlanta communities. Our vision is simple: SeekingGod. Building Community. Achieving Wholeness…through a more intimate relationshipwith Jesus Christ. Join us every Sunday at the AMC Parkway Pointe 15 (3101 Cobb Park-way, Atlanta, GA 30339). Hugs and coffee start at 9:30AM; worship begins at 10AM. Formore information, please visit www.thebreakthroughfellowship.org.


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Allison Maurer is the creative eye behind Allison Suzanne Photography. Photographyhas been a passion of Allison’s for over a decade. Combining this with her love forteaching, she competed a Master’s degree in Art Education emphasizing in photographyat Columbia University. She has always had a particular interest in portraiture focusedon newborns, children and families recognizing that a whole story can be told througha smile, giggle or glance. Through her work as a professional photographer Allison isalways in pursuit of what she calls that “special real un-posed moment.”

Allison and Jeff married andafter seven years teaching to

full classrooms, Allison’sdays are now spent teaching

to a smaller crowd. Allison’s two step-daughters

and fifteen month oldtwins are keeping her busy

as a full time mom. In between cheerleading,

naptimes and play dates,she can be found

traveling, organizingneighborhood

get-togethers, sipping Starbucks or exploring the

world through hercamera’s lens.

If you would like moreinformation go to

Always open to a new adven-ture, the native Detroiter re-located to Atlanta to teach Artin Cobb County. She quicklymade herself at home andmet the love of her life, Jeff,an Atlanta boy through andthrough.

www.allisonsuzannephotography.com

or contact Allison at 770-366-3529

Meet the Davis Family!

Thanksgiving wishes go out to OurTown readers from the Davis Family!Father, Keven is a Financial Advisorand Vice-President of Investmentswith the Wealth Brokerage ServiceDivision of Wells Fargo and worksat Atlantic Station. Mother, Keri isa real estate attorney with the lawfirm McLain & Merritt, P.C. and hasan office in Buckhead and Vinings.Austen (5), and Colten (3) are both inthe Kindergarten program at the FirstBaptist Church of Mableton. Austenloves baseball and is on the Smyrna Lit-tle League team, the Lookouts. Kevenassists with the coaching. Colten playssoccer and is on the U-4 Smyrna SoccerClub team, the Jets. Kendal (2) will begintaking dance at Becky Jones Dance Stu-dio in Vinings in January. The entirefamily attends church at ViningsLake on Cooper Lake Road and vol-unteer in various areas of thechurch. They love fishing, swim-ming, the beach and being togetheroutdoors. The kids love visitingtheir grandparents! Both sets livewithin 2 hours and they spoilthem as grandparents do. TheDavis’ are also season ticketholders for the Georgia Bulldoggames and love going to StoneMountain and the Zoo.

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One day this month most of us will sit down to a meal with a random spattering of familymembers and give thanks for some of the blessings we have enjoyed during the course ofthe year. Some of us will be thankful that we have experienced financial prosperity whilethe majority of us will be thankful that we just found a longer snorkel to keep us breathingwhile our monetary heads stay under water. Many of us will paint our thanks with the broadstroke of a roller, while some of us will wield a much finer brush. I think that it where mygratitude is headed.

Some of the things I am grateful for this year might surprise someone who does not livemy life, but I feel there might be some commonality nonetheless. For instance, I am thankfulfor the piercing shrieks of little girls, two little girls to be precise. Screams of both joy andfrustration are a sign that the two of them have healthy lungs and that they have the cognitiveability to experience, and express, both happiness and unrepentant anger, sometimes withinjust a few seconds of each other.

I am thankful for dirty diapers. Full diapers let me know that so many things other parentshave to fear in their infants are happily not present in mine. A brimming diaper is the resultof a full tummy, a good burp, a productive mommy and a daddy who should have changedhim an hour ago.

I am thankful for this recession. Without it I would have continued in my ignorant pursuitof “stuff ” that would have required a larger house, a bigger mortgage and a mountain ofdebt that would have eventually overwhelmed my sanity. And as a corollary to this thought,I am grateful to Craigslist and Ebay for affording me the opportunity to offload my “stuff ”and to teach me a valuable lesson in depreciation! I am grateful for holes in my clothes.They tell me that I am getting the full use out of my purchases and that fashion is not asimportant as function and durability.

I am grateful that I have lost my hair. Well, I haven’t actually lost it; it has just decided toforgo growing in one certain spot on the vast majority of my head. I am grateful becausewith the loss of my hair has come the loss of vanity that accompanied the curly mane itused to sport. Now I can spend a great deal less time in front of a mirror trying to fix myman-fro and more time learning how to correctly tie little pig-tails, pony-tails and Frenchbraids.

And lastly, I am grateful for all the frustrations, stress and failures that I have experiencedthis past year because they have afforded me the opportunity to spend more time in con-versation with my Creator, who constantly reminds me, “You think you’ve had a tough day,let me tell you about one I had.”

God Bless and Keep all of you!


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Toward Manhoodby Andrew R. Warnecke, MA, LPC

I recently went to a conference here in that featured some of my favorite speakers. Iwas blown away by some of the subject matter. I believe that one of the most importantand influential movements taking place is the men’s movement. Two of the speakers atthe conference, John Bradshaw and John Lee, talked about some of the problems menare facing in modern society. I have been reading a lot about the failed patriarchal ar-chetype that has caused so many problems in our culture, and I have noticed that moreand more men are willing to come into counseling and deal with their confusion andfrustration. I also recently read an article published by the New York Times on May 21,2001. The article was about male therapists being an endangered species. The articlecites that men aren’t going into the field because there is no money in it. This is a prob-lem because we have found that most men need and want a male counselor. I believeall men need a “men”-tor. I see so many men who are lost and overwhelmed. I havenoticed and personally experienced the failings of mainstream teachings on how to bea good man.

The roles of men have been changing dramatically since the end of WWII. There is re-ally nothing in our DNA that would make us anything more than a donor in the case offatherhood and husbandry. We have been “sold down the river” by the media to believethat we have to be a certain way to be considered successful as a man, generally the drivefor money and power, neither of which brings any real happiness and fulfillment. Menall grow up with an inherent inferiority complex that if not arrested can last a lifetime.

The men I treat are strong, intelligent, and creative. They really want to move past theirdysfunction and find the true happiness that comes with a healthy and positive self con-cept. So the movement is on to find some real definition and a model to bring our sons,brothers, husbands, and fathers out of the dark. I recently had a male patient tell methat he feels like he “abdicated his throne.” He explained that he feels like his life lacksreal meaning and purpose even though from the outside looking in he appears to bewhat would be considered successful.

One of the things that I thought was interesting that I learned at the conference I at-tended was that most grown men are really just big boys. One of the presenters, JohnBradshaw, had a family history (genogram) of one of the most famous American fam-ilies, the Kennedys. He explained how it would be fair to say that just about every malesuffered from sexual addiction and what would appear to be an inferiority complex. Hesaid, “I really didn’t start growing up until I was in my forties.” We have seen many ex-amples of “successful and powerful” men acting as if they were adolescents. I once sawa bumper sticker that read, “The only difference between men and boys is the price oftheir toys.” Men have a tendency to spend a lot of their energy to accumulate wealthand power and never really understand how to self actualize. I have even seen womenjoin in over the last 20 or so years with what has been called the pseudo-male complex.Women are becoming more aggressive and driven toward wealth and power. I amspreading the word and I hope you will join me in understanding that a real men’s move-ment is growing and will help shed light and offer solutions to some of the most dam-aging and costly problems in America today. If you are a man that is struggling, don’tbe ashamed to ask for help. I used to think therapy was for wimps, but now I am veryaware that the opposite is true. It may just be the bravest thing as a man that you willever do. Just imagine how much healthier we would all be if we could heal the fatherwound. If you are interested check out this website – it is one that I found very helpful:http://www.christoscenter.com/

Andy Warnecke is a Licensed ProfessionalCounselor and is the owner and founder ofWarnecke Professional Counseling (WPC),located in and Alpharetta/Roswell. WPCrecognizes that each individual is uniquein his or her life experience. WPC’s goal isto provide each client with counseling serv-ices that are tailored to meet his or her spe-cific counseling needs through anintegrative and holistic approach. Get toknow WPC. Call 678.784.4293 or visitwww.wpcounseling.com for more informa-tion.

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Planning the FamilyThanksgiving Meal

The family unanimously decided that you are in charge of the Thanksgiving meal this year. Canyou pull it off ? Yes, with a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can throw a great familyThanksgiving get together without stressing or staying busy for weeks. The key is advanced plan-ning.

Step 1: Make A Guest List

It’s next to impossible to determine how much food to buy and cook without knowing how manymouths you will be feeding. Contact friends and family early and request they RSVP by a certaindate. Follow up with them in the weeks before Thanksgiving to make sure you know who is andisn’t coming. Plan for at least 2 extra guests – more if you are entertaining a larger crowd.

Step 2: Plan the Meal

Once you know how many guests you’ll have, then the fun begins. You get to dream about food.Of course there are the old standbys like ham and turkey that you will probably be preparing, butthere’s so much more to a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

First, contact family members to find out what they can each bring. That will help you to adjustyour menu plan accordingly. Take note of everyone willing to bring a dish – even if they aren’tsure yet what to bring.

Make a list of Appetizers, MainDishes, Side Dishes, Breads, Sal-ads, Soups, and Desserts.What would be your fa-vorite Thanksgivingmeal of all time?

Do you have any-one with specialdietary require-ments? Perhapsyour UncleStan is dia-betic or AuntSally is allergicto peanuts. Besure to keeptheir needs inmind whileyou’re planning.Try to offer somelighter, lower calo-rie alternatives to bal-ance out some of the“heavier” traditionaldishes.

Step 3: The Master Plan

Once you determine what you’ll be serv-ing, it’s time to break it down into manageabletasks. Contact the people who didn’t know what they wanted to bring and assign them a dish. Ifyou’re short on desserts, ask them to bring one. If you dread making mashed potatoes, see if theywouldn’t mind bringing them. Anything you can’t delegate will be up to you to make of course.

Now, you know what everyone else is bringing, you can make a grocery list and a timeline of theitems you’ll be cooking. Take a little time and sit down to make your grocery list. Keep recipeshandy so you know exactly what you need. Don’t forget some of the spices you only use a fewtimes a year (like sage). What tools (like a disposable roasting pan) are you going to need to preparethe meal? Don’t forget to stock up on extra napkins and paper towels. If you are planning onusing disposable table clothes, plates etc. make a list of those items as well.

Get as much done as early as possible.

Did you know you could even freeze some mashed potato recipes weeks in advance? It’s true!Get started early on the shopping of non-perishable items for the party. Cross items of your mas-ter-shopping list as you get them.

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If you are familiar with me, you likely know my view that from a mental health perspectiveThanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year. Psychological research confirms whatphilosophers and spiritual leaders have long taught – living life with a sense of gratitude is akey to happiness. Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfactionand lower levels of depression and stress. Thankful people demonstrate a higher capacity forempathy. The healthiest human emotion is gratitude. Science has proven that having a thankfulattitude improves immune functioning and makes one more resistant to stress. People whoare grateful are happy, and people who are ungrateful are miserable. The value of consciously

focusing on appreciation for bless-ings in life is really indisputable.

However, there can be timeswhen being thankful is really, re-ally hard. Those who have re-cently experienced the loss of aloved one, or the foreclosure ofa home, or a loss of employ-ment, may find it difficult toidentify the other happier aspectsof life that also are there. Whenlife is hard – and life is hard formany people today – it can be re-ally easy to see only the negative.

In difficult times gratitude can bea tool to help focus on what is still good and a way to cope with loss and pain. Even with in-tense grief, a conscious decision to look for things in life to feel grateful for can be powerful.This doesn’t mean a stop to grieving loss, but that there is a focus away from the loss for atime. This can be helpful in navigating the grieving process.

A recently published book by Kelly Buckley titled Gratitude in Grief documents her journeyfollowing the sudden death of her 23 year old son. The author stated “One thing has helpedme breathe, and that is finding at least one little thing to be grateful for each day, in spite ofthe pain.” Her writing is a powerful and moving testament to the value of gratitude duringeven the most unimaginable pain.

Mary J. Lore, author of the book Managing Thought: How Do Your Thoughts Rule YourWorld?, writes: “During difficult times, we may find ourselves struggling with thoughts offear, self-doubt, anger, frustration, anxiety, depression, and despair. These kinds of thoughtsdo not inspire you nor do they move you in a direction that serves your purpose - - in fact,they make matters worse.” Lore advices the following daily practices:

List everything you are thankful for. Be sure to include what you are thankful for with re-spect to what you may be most unhappy about.

At the end of each day, work backward and think of everything you are thankful for fromthat day.

Throughout each day, take note of what you are thankful for and be grateful for each experi-ence.

When you find yourself thinking self-defeating or negative thoughts, take a deep breath,and ask “What can I be thankful for in this moment?”

Even during difficult times, as we practice being thankful, we access a more positive spirit.We improve our relationships, our creativity, and our lives. Gratitude and giving thanksfor all we are blessed with every day allows us to enjoy life more fully – even during painfultimes.

“It’s not easy being grateful all the time. But it’s when you feel least thankful that you aremost in need of what gratitude can give you.” ~Oprah Winfrey~

Dr. Bailey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice in Marietta. You can learn more about her by visiting: www.marietta-psychologist.com. You may reach her at (770) 428-6698 or [email protected].

Your comments or questions are welcome.


Tucked inside a quaint building on Concord Road in Smyrna, lies a jewel of a new businessthat rose from the partnership between two talented women, Cari Cater and Deirdre Layne.Atlanta Center for Energy Medicine is a holistic therapy partnership between Carter and Laynethat aims to provide auxiliary care and bring relief from the common ailments and healthcomplaints that so many people suffer through. We caught up with them to dis-cuss their new business venture and what makes this alternative practice tick.

OTM: What prompted you to open the Atlanta Cen-ter for Energy Medicine?

Deirde Layne: Both Cari and I had our own separate healingpractices in Atlanta. When we realized that we both shared yearsof experience treating patients with complementary modalities,it was a natural course of direction to team up in a joint prac-tice.

Cari Cater: It was an epiphany of sorts, to know that wecould do so much more for our clients as a team. At the time, Iwas (and will continue to be) a principle clinician for Atlanta’sProgressive Medical Center, the largest holistic medical center inthe Southeast, while Deirdre was running her popular Internetsite for home remedies (EarthClinic.com), and seeing patients outof her home.

OTM: What types of services does Atlanta Center forEnergy Medicine offer?

Deirde Layne: Cari’s primary acupuncture practice is very popular. Most ofher patients are long-term clients, but there are some who come in just for a few sessions todeal with acute health issues. But Cari’s services go well beyond acupuncture. Her NeuroLinktherapy and integrative allergy elimination techniques are also constantly requested.

Cari Cater: Deirdre offers an intensive set of cleansing, chelating, and energy healing ther-

apies. These work powerfully to build and balance the body’s natural energy fields, removingblockages that other techniques cannot touch, providing a uniquely therapeutic whole-healthtreatment. Altogether the ACFEM treatments are great natural therapies for lasting relief tocommon ailments, but the uniqueness of our services is the way they help your body to heal

itself and blaze a clearer path to long term wellness.

OTM: You both are obviously specialists in your field.What type of educational backgrounds and experiencesdo you have?

Deirde Layne: Cari received her training from The East West Col-lege of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, Florida, which awarded her aBachelor’s Degree in Professional Health Sciences and a Master’s De-gree in Oriental Medicine. She is a National Board Certified Acupunc-ture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine trained in over adozen therapeutic techniques from the ancient to the cutting edge ofcurrent healing technology.

I am a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, and have been fortunateto have studied my laying-on-of-hands techniques for over 20 years

under one of the world’s most renowned healers, Rosalyn Bruyere. Ihave also apprenticed with other notable experts in energy healing - Helen

Yamada of Asheville, NC, and Susan Brown of Los Angeles, California.

Cari Cater: Deirdre also brings in years of research that she has put intoEarthClinic.com, which has become one of the top three alternative medicine

websites in the world. Earth Clinic is an impressive, educational resource partly con-structed around the global travel she undertook early on, principally in Southeast Asia, in

search of powerful natural remedies and alternative healing modalities. All of that has puther in close and continuing touch internationally with healing practitioners similar to us. That’ssomething we can really draw on to help our clients.

OTM: We were excited to learn that you offered workshops in ourcommunity. Can you tell us more about this?

Cari Cater: We’re excited too. The Atlanta Center for Energy Medicine is committed tobringing in the country’s top healer-instructors to enrich our community. It’s a way to broadenour services and our outreach. Looking forward to 2012, we intend to host an esteemed os-teopathic doctor from New York City whom we know would be of benefit to our community.Also, we always welcome any requests or suggestions for areas of enrichment the communitywould like us to bring to the Center. Throughout the year we will be sharing our personal ex-pertise by holding free workshops on healing and meditation.

OTM: We love to hear about successful people and what they haveaccomplished and would love to hear what you have to say about afew of your success stories and your mission for the future.

Cari Cater:My mission is to find out why people suffer. This is often an unanswered ques-tion when patients first come in to the center. It is crucial to find the cause and not just chasethe symptoms. My own personal best results are with allergies, but also with chronic muscu-loskeletal pain (e.g. sciatica, neck and shoulder pain) autoimmune diseases, and social/emo-tional concerns such as ADD, emotional stress, and anxiety.

Deirde Layne: There are many reasons people return to see Cari again and again. Youcan read some great testimonials about her on our website (ACFEM.com)! I find some ofmy own best results are with patients suffering from low energy, severe fatigue, and depression.I also help clients to recover from physical traumas such as head injuries, accidents, and work-ing through post-surgery recuperation.

For both of us, the successes we have with our patients are won by clearing away the energetic,emotional, and other blockages that cause disease and disorder so that the body’s energy canflow the way it should and turn the tide back to health, no matter what the initial health con-cern may be.

Cari Cater: Your health is your own responsibility, and we want the Atlanta Center forEnergy Medicine at the forefront in leading the community toward a better comprehensionof the natural energies that drive our lives, helping you to take control of your health andoverall well-being. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to offer these services.

The Atlanta Center for Energy Medicine is located at 1246-B Concord Road, Ste 200 in Smyrna

770.438-2266 • www.acfem.com

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It is a rainy and dreary day at home, which happens around this time of year. Fall is always asolemn time of the year for me. All the fun of summer is over, and it is back to the humdrum ofdaily life.

At this time of the year, I start to think of what I miss the most about certain seasons and tradi-tions, now that life here in the US has become so hectic. I miss the beautiful fall leaves and sugarmaples turning bright red and yellow with the colder fall days. And I miss the football games I at-tended in years past where rival teams and homecoming queens were de rigueur. But most of all

I miss the fall festivals and holiday traditions that made a lot of us what we are today. .

For me, one of the best ways to enjoy these traditions is on a river cruise up or down the Danube.I for one, love river cruising. Having been on several cruises in Europe and one or two in Asia, aswell, it is my preferred style of cruising.

Countries can be seen from the inside out with a river cruise. Floating along the Rhone in France,I remember having to duck as we went under little bridges crossing the river from one quaint townto the next. You can be as active or inactive as you want, and all shore excursions are included.Each day, travelers stop for a walk through the town or countryside, where one can purchase thelocal products or try some of the local wines and cheeses. You can even take a bike ride alongsidethe waterway or sit on the top deck to watch the daily flow of life in these small towns.

This year, I am going to relive my holiday traditions with AMA Waterways on a marvelous cruisedown the Danube, beginning in the Czech Republic all the way to Nuremberg, Germany, I havedone this cruise before in the summer months and can tell you that it is fabulous! The little townslike Regensburg, Melk and Linz are so rich in local color. With AMA, it all can be seen in holidaysplendor, Not only will there be lights twinkling everywhere along this trip but if lucky enough,snow might be on the ground making the entire trip that much more magical.

I can shop till I drop in the Christmas Markets of Prague, Salzburg, Nuremburg, Vienna and evenPassau to hear the wonderful holiday organ concert if lucky. The trip ends in Budapest where theold city and castles of Buda will be lit in holiday traditions. Best of all, once I depart the US, I canenjoy all those traditions and markets and not worry about another thing. Award wining AMAWaterways has thought of everything. For instance on the larger cruises, meals are all included.But unlike most of the “big boys”, local wines are included with your meals, and your shore excursions and on board entertainment are “on the house”.

The Christmas Markets in Europe begin as early as Nov 22nd and last through the season. Thereare many departures to choose from all the way from Thanksgiving week through the end of December. When last I checked there was still availability, so what better way to get out of my“fall funk” and get in the mood for the holidays? Rest, relaxation and traditions all wrapped intoone neat package of river cruising . What could be better?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso travel consultant and can be reached [email protected]. You can follow her travels by visiting Pam’s blog at

http://www.pamwalkers.blogspot.com & www.walkeradventures.com


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It’s that time of year again! The temperatures are dropping, the holiday décor is airing out aftera year of being packed away in hot attics and storage rooms, and preparations for the ShowHouse season are in full swing. After being asked to chair the Design Committee again for theSymphony Decorators’ Show House this coming March, I was also asked to renovate a bathroomfor the Cathedral Antiques Show’s Inspiration House in January. Never a dull moment in BrookeMerrill world, I assure you. With so much writing material, I am overwhelmed by the optionsavailable to share with my readers! Since these two Show Houses run consecutively, I plan toshare stories about my experiences at both houses, starting with the planning for the InspirationHouse this month.

The Cathedral Antiques Show Inspiration House is a very unique Show House in that it show-cases fresh approaches to designing and living with antiques and vintage pieces. It truly inspiresthe creative and practical use of antiques in today’s design environment, and I was thrilled toput my design chops to good use. When most of your work falls under the monotony of de-signing window treatments and picking out living room furniture (all of which I sincerely love!!),it is gratifying to switch gears and put together a renovation plan for a guest bathroom that thou-sands of people will see and enjoy (not to mention critique). The one stipulation all of the de-signers of Inspiration House are charged with is that they all must use antiques and vintagematerials in their design concept. I will be the first to admit that antiques are not my forte, butthe wonderful committee members for the Inspiration House have been phenomenal in edu-cating and explaining the exhausting details involved with antiques and their values.

Any time I am working with a handicap (in this case, a less than stellar knowledge of antiques),I always start the design process with the elements that I can do blind folded and then moveinto the harder elements once I can fully concentrate on them without other distractions. Inthis case, I focused on designing a custom wall-covering with artist Bethany Travis. Her amazingreliefs of nature are awe inspiring and I could not wait to collaborate with her on this project.We decided to hone in on a masculine, woodsy feel in grays and chocolates, but we put a modernspin on the art design by throwing in pops of teal and citron with silver-leaf overlays. The effectis awesome, and the rest of the inspiration began to flow freely.

For example, what better tile to use with grays and chocolate than an elegant Carerra marble?By using 3 inch by 6 inch tiles set on a brick pattern, we will transform the tub insert into a sleekwalk-in shower with brushed nickel hardware and plumbing. I am still toying with the idea of anice decorative tile to complement the brick pattern, but I don’t want to overdo it, so the jury isstill out on that (I’ll keep you posted).

The next step was to decide whether or not to use a custom-made shower curtain or to install aglass door for the shower. In this space, I chose a curtain. It will not only be a fraction of theprice, but the fabric will also complement Bethany’s wall design to perfection. We designed afabric with a traditional chain link pattern, but when you look closely, you will see that the chainlinks are actually snakes connected head to tail up and down the fabric of the curtain. I instantlyhad the idea to add a hidden snake to Bethany’s wall mural to tie the theme together and add tothe masculine allure of the bathroom.

Finally, the time came to figure out how to incorporate an antique into the space. I did not wantto take the easy way out and use an antique bench in the corner of the bathroom, so I came upwith an idea. Why not convert an antique chest or small dresser into a bath vanity? Well, I’ll tellyou why not…it’s EXPENSIVE!! We designers are responsible for all of the materials and laborfor our space, so I would have to pay for the antique and then pay for the labor and materials toconvert it. Unfortunately, that is not in my budget, but I was completely married to the idea.After searching high and low for an affordable antique and finding none in good enough shapemy price range, I was losing sleep over my delimma. It was during one of those sleepless nightsthat I looked over and saw the antique dresser my grandmother had restored for me for my highschool graduation. It has followed me everywhere and only has a few dings and chips as I havetaken extreme care of my first bonafide antique. I jumped out of bed, did a few measurementand calculations in my head and decided it would be the perfect addition to the InspirationHouse! We will simply add a Carerra marble top and a semi-vessel sink to the top. My carpentercan convert the drawers for the plumbing so that they are still usable, and voila! We have ourantique for the bathroom.

Though we have successfully completed the design, we still have to go through constructionand the installation of all of the above design elements. No matter how prepared a designer is,there will always be kinks in the well thought out plan. I also still need to design window treat-ments and add artwork and accessories to the space, but those are the fun part and the icing onthe cake. The construction will have been completed by the next article, so I will keep all ofyou in suspense until next month when you will find out what went awry and if I still have allof my hair…stay tuned!

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3. Use sunscreen on the face, neck and hands every day.

4. In a pinch, cover grey roots with eye shadow.

5. Use good makeup brushes.

6. Smooth under eye concealer outward and upward for a

bright glow around the eyes. Don’t forget the inner eye to

lighten up dark shadows. I love YSL Touche Eclat.

7. Try a lash plumping serum before applying mascara for

‘wow’ lashes.

8. Apply lip liner to the edge of your lips then fill in the middle

for a long lasting lip color and to prevent lip coloring from

bleeding.

9. Brighten up your lipstick as you age.

10. If you have ‘smoker’s’ lines above your lips, go for real

lipstick instead of gloss, which tends to migrate into the

creases. Dab a little gloss on the bottom lip and purse lips

lightly together.

11. Use good quality scarves and pashminas to add color

and interest to your wardrobe.

12. Treat yourself to a monthly facial to purify and revitalize skin.

13. Try a mild peel, such as the 3 minute peel from La Prairie -

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14. To look instantly slimmer and more confident

- Stand up straight and invest in good bras.

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Shasta Clark, a former writer for CNNHeadline News is a freelance journalistwho writes about her most challengingjob yet, motherhood. You may contacther at [email protected].

Lilia Wanda. We call her Lily. We have a girl!

Do you ever feel like God is sitting back, smiling because he’s blessing you beyond your wildestdreams? I should know this already, but I am re-learning that God’s plans are always better than

mine, especially when it comes to my children.

When I found out I was expecting, I was positive I wouldhave another boy. I pictured our family like the 1960’s sit-com “My Three Sons,” except for the widower part, ofcourse. I chose a name that started with an H, just likemy first two sons Harrison and Hugh. I envisioned thethree boys’ sharing a bedroom, their navy blue twin bedslined up next to one another, their pillow shams embroi-dered with their H names. It was a scene right out of Pot-tery Barn Kids, and I was thrilled.

About halfway through my pregnancy, I was at the ultra-sound when you can find out your baby’s gender. As thetechnician moved the wand across my belly, I caught aglimpse of something. “A boy!” I said knowingly. “No,”she said. “That’s the umbilical cord. Do you want to knowwhat it is?” I hesitated, “yes.” “It’s a girl!” she said. Quiettears streamed down my cheeks. I can’t remember what Isaid because my mind was buzzing as the technicianshowed me the baby’s anatomy.

I don’t deal well with change, so it took me a while toerase the “My Three Sons” family I had conjured in myimagination and replace it with “Pretty in Pink.” Lookingback, my thoughts were almost humorous and my hus-band’s thoughts were hysterical. His first words after

learning we’d have a daughter were, “A girl! I have to pay for a wedding.” My thoughts were moreimmediate, “How will my rough and tumble little boys handle a sister? What bedroom will shesleep in? What will we name her?”

The only thing I knew for sure, her middle name would be Wanda, after my grandma who haddied a decade earlier. My grandma’s life impacted so many others that her funeral was standing-room only. Nearly everyone in her small hometown came to show their respects, many standingto describe how she’d introduced them to the Lord.

One day when I was concerned with how a girl will fit into our very boy-oriented family, my hus-band said something that calmed me for the remainder of my pregnancy. “What if she grows upto be a Wanda?” he asked.

I then spent the next few months anticipating my daughter, decorating her room with pink andbrown Pottery Barn Kids crib bedding and a crystal chandelier, and buying pink outfits completewith accessories. (Guess what honey, the wedding isn’t the only expensive thing about a girl!)

Then I waited…and waited…and waited. Six days after my due date, I went to the hospital to beinduced. I didn’t want to be induced because the drug they use tostart contractions, Pitocin, is wicked. It had to be invented by aman because no woman would make such a relentless, painfulmedication. When the nurse was checking me in, I went into laboron my own. No Pitocin needed! Five hours later, my 9 pound 3ounce daughter was born. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams,and God is surely smiling.

MOMMY MOMENTS by Shasta ClarkA Baby Called Wanda


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At Pinnacle, our physicians maximize results and minimize recoverytime. How? By using leading edge technologies and the most innovative techniques. We take this advanced approach in everyarea of orthopaedic care, including Pinnacle specialties such assports medicine, joint replacement, fracture care, spine, foot andankle, hand, general orthopaedics and pain management.

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Despite the 60 million search results for “Physician Assistant,” multiple patients that Ihave seen over the span of my career are still uncertain as to what my roles are as aPhysician Assistant (PA). I view this article as a great opportunity to inform the publicabout the training and responsibilities of PAs in today’s health care model.

Duke University had the first graduating class of three PAs. This was based upon thevision of Eugene Stead Jr. as a way to expand healthcare to the military and underservedareas. There are now nearly 150 PA programs (on the Master’s level) and 75,000 PAspracticing in primary care as well as other medical and surgical subspecialties. PAs canlegally practice in the United States and its territories. Based upon the success of theUS model, the profession has expanded to multiple foreign nations.

The amount of time PAs spend in post graduate training ranges from 24-33 months inan accredited program. After graduating from an accredited PA program, all graduatesmust pass a national board examination. In order to maintain certification, 100 hoursof continuing medical education must be completed every two years as well as retakingthe boards every six years. Unlike other professions in health care, PAs who fail theirboards twice in a row must retake graduate-level courses.

PAs are taught with the same medical model as physicians. To achieve the utmost patientsafety, PAs practice medicine under a supervising physician. However, while a PA’s scopeof practice is initially limited, it can be expanded with experience and approval fromthe supervising physician and local hospital/state boards. For example, when I started,all the patients I would see were also examined by my supervising physician. Now, it israre for us to see the same patient. What has not changed is our constant communicationregarding each patient.

As mentioned, PAs practice in the same arenas as physicians. This leads to greater flex-

ibility and ever changing roles. My current role is roughly 70 percent hospital based and30 percent outpatient office visits. While in the hospital, the majority of my time isspent assisting multiple surgeons with their cases. In 2010, I assisted on nearly 500 sur-geries. Most of the cases which I am involved are by request of the surgeon and basedupon the complexity of the case. Other hospital responsibilities include making roundson postoperative patients and seeing new admissions and consultations. It is importantfor me to spend time with a patient and make sure I have addressed any questions thatthe patient may have.

While in the office, I see patients that have initially been seen by my supervising physi-cian. If that patient returns without expected relief, I will review the diagnosis and treat-ment options with the patient to help decide what is appropriate for them. Injectingthe painful joint or ordering additional diagnostic tests are typical.

Overall, with the demand for health care services outpacing the number of physiciansavailable, PAs are helping fill the void. By working together with physicians, PAs performmany of the essential tasks involved with patient care andensure the patient receives the best possible care.

The Role of a Physician Assistantby Alan Kippeny, PA-C

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“Doc, my cat eats constantly but still keeps losing weight!”

While there can be any number of causes for this, in a middle-aged or older cat an over-active thyroid is always one of the potential reasons atop our list.

Thyroid glands produce hormones that regulate metabolism. But when they are en-larged and producing too much thyroid hormone, they rapidly increase a cat’s metabolicrate. This causes, among other things, a dramatic increase in heart rate and blood pres-sure, and an increased demand for nutrients. These kitties literally cannot consumeenough calories to meet their bodies’ increasing demands.

Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause heart failure or organ failure, but many cats justwaste away. I have seen adult cats weighing less than 4 pounds, caused by uncontrolledhyperthyroidism. Many owners mistakenly believe that as long as their cat has a healthy

appetite,it is OK,but thiskind ofw e i g h tloss canbe fatal.

H y p e r -t h y -ro id i smcan easilybe diag-nosed byyour vet-erinarianthroughs i m p l eb l o o dt e s t s .With an exam and additional blood work, your vet can also tell what organs may be af-fected and what treatment option would be best for your cat. Today’s treatments caninvolve daily medication, surgery to remove the enlarged gland, or radioactive iodinetreatment to destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue. Each treatment has its pros and cons– so only you and your vet can decide which option is best for your pet.

What causes hyperthyroidism?Thirty years ago, hyperthyroidism was unknown in cats. Now it is their most commonlydiagnosed hormone abnormality. Why? What has changed? These are questions thathave plagued veterinarians for years. A new study from the Environmental ProtectionAgency may provide some insight.

The EPA analyzed normal and hyperthyroid cats. The hyperthyroid cats had blood levelsof a chemical called PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) three times higher thannormal cats – and 20 to 100 times higher than the average person. According to theEPA, PBDE is known to disrupt the endocrine system, which releases hormones.

Looking back, PBDE was first introduced in the 1970s, and the first feline hyperthy-roidism cases started to appear roughly a decade later; it usually takes cats eight years ormore to show signs of the disease.

PBDE is used in flame retardants found in fabric, furniture, carpet, mattresses, electronicequipment, TVs and cell phones. According to Heather Stapleton, an environmentalchemist from Duke University, PBDE leaks out of these products in the form of dust;it doesn’t break down very easily, and accumulates in the body’s tissue when ingested.

Cats may ingest higher levels of these compounds because they are lower to the ground,in constant contact with these chemicals – and, ironically, because of their impeccablegrooming behavior. They ingest more household dust.

Higher levels of PBDE also have been found in canned cat food, specifically salmon,whitefish and chicken liver. This may be because PBDE dust leaks into the food chain,and larger fish such as salmon are higher on the food chain, therefore accumulatingmore PBDE.

A side note: EPA researchers, fearing cats may be “the canary in the coal mine,” havecalled for more study about PBDE and humans. PBDE has been found in human breastmilk, and researchers are concerned about small children, who, like cats, are close to theground and put everything in their mouths.

What can you do? Watch for more studies about PBDE. Limit the use of canned foodwith salmon, whitefish or chicken liver. Take your pets to your vet for their yearly exams– and remember, increased appetite and weight loss are never normal in any pet, of anyage.


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Disturbing New Danger to Catsby Dr. Michelle Dehaven, DVM • Cumberland Animal Clinic


If you would like your pet to be Our Town’s Pet of the Month,

please send a photo with a short bio to:

Our Town Magazine, 109 Anderson Street, Suite 109,

Marietta, GA 30060 or email it to

[email protected]

PLEASE SPECIFY

SMYRNA/VININGS EDITION

Michael D. Friedlander, D.V.M.Cat Care of Vinings Services

Early Morning Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Services

Annual Examinations, Vaccinations, Behavioral ConsultationsSurgery, Dentistry, Ultrasound and Digital X-ray

Condominium and “Special Needs” BoardingSupervised by Our Highly Trained Medical Staff

Located in the Vinings Court Shopping Center-Upper Level

4691 S. ATLANTA RD. • SUITE 200 • SMYRNA404.792.0700 • www.catcareofvinings.com

HOURS: WEEKDAYS 7AM - 7PM, SATURDAY 8AM - 12PM

3773 South Cobb Drive • Smyrna770-436-1818

Hours: Mon- Friday 7:00 am -7:30 pm • Sat- Sun 10am-6pm770-436-1818

Bark up the right tree - choose

Furry FriendsAcademy for allyour daycare,boarding andgrooming!

Bark up the right tree - choose

Furry FriendsAcademy for allyour daycare,boarding andgrooming!

• Private accommodations forsleeping and eating

• No monthly daycare commit-ment required for boarding

• Supervised play

• Socialization for your dog

• Large indoor and outdoorplayground

www.furryfriendsacademy.com

Daycare discount passes...20 day pass with no expiration /$17 per day.

Expert groomer with 20 years experience joins us at Furry FriendsAcademy! Call or come see us toschedule all of your furry friend's

grooming needs.

Vinnie is a 15 1⁄2 year old Chihuahua who lives in Smyrna. He enjoys getting his nailstrimmed at ViningsPets as well aswalks to ThompsonPark in Smyrna andthe Polo Fields inVinings. His fa-vorite day is Sunday- when he gets 2meatballs from Siracusa’s NYPizzeria!

pet

s of

the

mon

thW

innie

Mello

mof

Smyrna modeling her first Polo!

Thank goodness for fall. Myname is Jake and I am turning

12 years old on November 17th.I have been living with my

forever family since 2004when I was diagnosed with

cancer. Anything is possiblewith love and cooler weather!


Now OfferingElectric Fencing

When selling your home take the advice of your real estate agent. If you miss the pricepoint when selling your house, you also miss the window of opportunity to get the mostfor your home. This is very hard to explain to sellers in today’s economy.

I often find when I go on a listing appointment, thefirst thing most sellers mention is " down the streetthere is a home that is listed at this price$__________." The first thing I try to explain toa seller is that anyone can price their home at what-ever price they like, but the important question is“Will it sell?” It’s important to focus on what has"SOLD" or what is pending to sell. An appraiserwill look at the sold comps in the last 90 to 120days and search as far out as one mile. If forsome reason they cannot find accurate, currentpending and active sales, they will focus on whathas recently sold. An appraiser is also looking

for comparable homes built during the same timeas your home.

The four (4) major factors that come into play when evaluating a residential property'svalue are based on location, square footage, and number of bedrooms and baths. Ofcourse, your upgrades will be considered, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they will increaseyour home value, but they will certainly help you sell your home. Upgrades that will helpsell your home include granite, hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, etc.

When comparing bathrooms make sure you understand the different types of bathroomsand compare them correctly. A full bathroom includes a shower, bath, toilet and sink. Ahalf bath usually has less value unless your home has an adequate number of bathrooms.Also, a five piece bath with a separate shower and tub generally doesn’t t add more valuethan a regular sized full bath with a combination shower and tub.

Another factor to take into consideration is the garage. A garage, whether it is a one ortwo car garage, or a carport will affect the appraisal. If your home does not have a garageand other comparable homes do, expect to see a 10% reduction on your property. Unfor-tunately a four car garage will probably not add value to your home.

You should look at ACTIVE homes in the neighborhood and see how many days theyhave been on the market. This should also help you in pricing your property if you wantto sell your home within a 90 to 120 day time frame. Keep in mind you will make moremoney if you price your home correctly within the first 30 days. If you do not have anoffer in the first 30 days, then you should look at a price reduction.

Consult your real estate agent and follow an expert that studies the market if you trulywant to sell your home. It is very frustrating to just test the market and not get positiveresults. If you have small children it takes a lot to prepare for a showing and watchingagents come and go. Because this market fluctuates, it’s important for you to be aware ifa short sell or a foreclosure goes under contract or comes onto the market.

Keep in mind you may lose on the selling side but, on the buying side you should be ableto regain the value. There will never be a better time to purchase. Interest rates are at an

all time low. I have seen as low as 4% on a 30 year fixed rate!!!!

CALL A REALTOR TODAY AND START SHOPPING!!!!

REAL ESTATE IN Our Townby Deborah Ratchford

IN THE EYES OF AN APPRAISER

Deborah Ratchford

Keller Williams Realty Cityside

770-874-6205 Office

678-570-4779 Cell

678-391-3692 Fax

www.debdiditagain.com

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tips from a CatererUse your left over pumpkins as decorations for Thanksgiving centerpieces. Hollowed out, they make great vases for flowers.

www.adrianesdelectables.com 404.966.3609

www.freshnfitcuisine.com

Fresh ‘n Fit meal plans followthe guidlines of:

The American Heart AssociationThe American Diabetes Association

The American Cancer Society

West Cobb • east Cobb

Cumberland/Vinings

smyrna • Hiram

aCWortH • CartersVille

[email protected]

Stay in step with Atlanta’shectic pace and still enjoy afreshly prepared breakfast,lunch and dinner!

Do you get tired of the same old side dishes for every Thanksgiving Meal? Well,we at the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta are here to help you out! Wow yourfamily or your office pot luck, with a great classic recipe from one of our awardwinning cookbooks- Georgia on My Menu and Southern on Occasion.

And remember it is never too early to start your Christmas Shopping! We havegreat prices on our cookbooks that are perfect for everyone from your mother inlaw to your son’s piano teacher. Please visit our web site at www.jlcm.org to orderthese great books.

what’s

cook

in’?

GREEN BEAN BUNDLESSouthern On Occasion Page 1112 Pounds Fresh Green Beans, Trimmed

1 Pound Bacon, Cut into Halves

1 Cup packed light brown sugar

2 Tablespoons light soy sauce

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup butter

Blanch the green beans in boiling water in a

saucepan for 5 minutes. Wrap 8 to 10 green

beans with 1 bacon strip, twisting the ends of

the bacon; secure with a wooden pick. Place

in a dish. Repeat the process with the remain-

ing green beans and bacon. Microwave the

brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder and but-

ter in a microwave

safe dish until blended, stirring twice. Pour

over the green beans. Marinate in the refrig-

erator for 24 hours.

Arrange the bundles in a single layer on a bak-

ing dish. Reheat any remaining marinade that

has hardened in the dish and pour over the the

bundles. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Broil for 5 minutes.

May substitute four 16-ounce cans drained

and rinsed European-cut green beans for the

fresh green beans. Or, instead of wrapping in

bundles, arrange the green beans on a baking

sheet with sides. Sprinkle with crumbled

crisp-fried bacon. Pour the marinade over the

beans. Marinate, covered, for 24 hours. Bake,

uncovered for 30 minutes. Spoon the beans

and any remaining marinade into a serving

bowl.

To serve eight

FRESH ASPARAGUS WITH SOUR CREAM SAUCEGeorgia on My Menu Page 1471 pound fresh asparagus*

2 cups chicken broth

Hard Boiled Egg, Grated

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Sour Cream Sauce:

2 egg yolks beaten

1 (16 ounce) carton sour cream

Salt and Pepper, to taste

5 Teaspoons sweet vermouth

Cook asparagus in chicken broth until tender.

Drain well. Using a wire whisk, prepare sauce

in a double boiler. Do not bring to a boil.

Pour sauce over asparagus and top with grated

egg and crumbled bacon. *May substitute 1

pound fresh broccoli

Yield: 6 servings

ZUCCHINI AND WALNUTSGerorgia on My Menu, Page 181¼ cup olive oil

1 Pound zucchini, cut into ½ - inch slices

2 tablespoons onion, minced

1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup walnuts, chopped

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Heat the oil in a skillet and fry the zucchini

and onions for 5 minutes, until tender. Add

the lemon juice. Add nuts and salt and pep-

per, to taste.

Yield: 8 servings

CRANBERRY FROZEN SALADJust combine one 16-ounce can whole cran-

berry sauce, one 20-ounce can drained

crushed pineapple and 1 cup sour cream and

mix well. Spoon into a shallow round 9-inch

dish. Freeze, covered, until firm.

Documents

Our Town November 2011 - Smyrna/Vinings