By Amie Rodgers
On August 14, the White Mountain Woman’s Club will host their Second Annual Home and Garden Tour. Last year, the event was a wonderful tour of White Mountain homes and gardens. This year’s event will feature both landmark and new homes as well as have a special emphasis on sustainable gardens with berry vines, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. “We want to highlight the practices of eating what you grow and getting back to nature this year. We will have a lot of information avail­able about preserving food. …

by Amie Rodgers
There are a lot of reasons to know of a good upholstery shop. Whether you ‘inherited’ a rather obscenely colored piece of heir­loom furniture, got a deal at one of our many fine antique dealers or you simply came home to find your puppy has shredded the con­tents of your living room, it is a good thing to call upon someone like Tom and Dee Kelly to make it better. They have been doing fixing furniture in the Rim country since 1984. Although a lot of today’s furniture …

by Amie Rodgers
If you have considered upgrading your old wood stove for one that is more efficient and less well, dirty… Now is the time. The Clean Heat Exchange is a stove change-out program (executed by the American Lung Association and funded by SRP) that provides rebates to resi­dents of Apache and Navajo counties for replacing old wood or coal stoves with new cleaner-burning, more energy-efficient hearth appli­ances. (See press release for more information). Upgrading to a new hearth appliance will improve the air inside and outside your home, …

by Amie Rodgers
There is really only one thing for sure in business: It has its ups and downs. Some businesses respond well to changing circumstances and others don’t make it through the roughest times. Others like Red Door Mini Mall and Café are born from rough times and thrive as a true ‘something for everyone’ store. “My husband’s business was hurt badly by the Recession and it was time for me to go back to work. Believe it or not, I am a licensed dental assistant,” laughs owner Dana Heck, …

by Amie Rodgers
I bet you didn’t know that June is Garage Door Safety Month. Despite being the largest moving object in your house and generally a good portion of your curb appeal, you most likely don’t think about your garage door and opener at all… that is… unless it stops work­ing. “For a lot of people, the garage door is practically the front door to their home. Since the garage door takes up about 25% of the face of your home, it can really make a statement in terms …

by Tricia and Roxanne Roud of Loft 54 Interiors
It is that time of year again when we want to swap heavy draperies for airy sheer panels to allow sunlight in. This will allow for natural sunlight to be used as your primary source of lighting and cool the room.
Another becoming trend are sofa scarves. Give your sofa a colorful update by adding colorful throws, scarves or wraps. Drape these in neat rows across the back of the sofa, and tuck the ends into the back of the seat …

by Jerry Howell, Mountain Paint Center
As we welcome, and I do mean welcome, the beau­tiful weather back after a long winter, it is time to think about the maintenance requirements required by our homes. The fact that we are blessed with clean air and an altitude greater than 6500 feet means the effect of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays on wood siding and decks is heavy. The damage done to wood that is not properly cared for is shocking in some cases. Regardless of how much damage can be done, the …

by Amie Rodgers
In the pursuit of a greener lifestyle, we are taught to reduce, re-use and recycle. In that vein, what could be cooler than beautiful re-used art and trendy recycled accessories? In my travels, I was fortunate enough to meet Terry and Lynne Winans and explore their Wild Brush Art Gallery in Payson.
In addition to art supplies and framing, the Winans offer these fun recycled items. At top left, these handmade handbags and purses are made from repurposed candy wrappers, soda labels, food packages and newspapers. A tree is …

By Sharyn Jordan Hathcock ~
Author, Symbolist, Environmental Healer

“Ye are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13
The question is, “What does being the Salt of the Earth actually mean and how can this philosophy support you in living well?” First of all, think of the people in your life whose very presence brings out the very best in you. When considering these folks, what is the catalyst that triggers you to experience your better self? What is this intangible essence that draws forth deeper insights and more profound inspiration into your …