NEWSLETTER - SPRING 2013

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Spring Neighborhood Garage Sale May 17 and 18

Fall Neighborhood Garage SaleSept 20 and 21stPlease obtain your permit if you are going to participate. www.okc.gov

Yard of the Week - 2 winners per week are chosen for YOW from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winners receive sign in yard, picture on website and a $25.00 gift certificate. A complete list of winners is located on our website

www.themeadowsokc.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Wilshire Construction 2 Covenant Reminders 2 Register Storm Shelters 3 Summer Exercise 3 Book Club 4 Break Ins 4 Canada Geese 4 Recipes 5 Author Dalia Woodliff 6 Trench Composting 7 Terry Monson 8

Contact Information – Future newsletters will be sent via email and posted on our website. For those who do not have an email address or computer and you have informed the HOA of this, we will mail you a copy. If we do not have your current email address, please email it tothemeadowsokc@gmail.com

Park – Please keep our park clean. Please throw away trash and clean up after your pets. If you need to reserve the park for an event or sports practice. Call and leave a message at 405.728.6741 or email themeadowsokc@gmail.com for the form and instructions.

Wilshire Construction Update - • Wilshire will be 4 lanes from Council past the turnpike to Morgan road.• Turning lanes are still being decided on.• Wilshire will be under construction starting in the summer of 2013• Construction will be in two phases from Morgan Road to County Line and then from County Line

to Council• Construction work completed on the Morgan Road to County Line section, then continue in

Summer of 2013 from Council to County Line• Wilshire construction will be one side at a time to minimize the traffic impace• Road width will be an extra 10-15 feet on each side for a total of 50 feet across.• Ditch along horse farm will be underground storm sewer.• City is waiting for a location plan from AT&T. AT&T is scheduled to move their lines this summer

and then the rest of the construction work can begin. • The center line of Wilshire will be exactly the same as between Morgan Road and County line

Road. It will be a total of 48 feet from the south road edge to the north road road edge. The edge of the street will be 24 feet from the center line on each side.

Covenant Reminders - Please follow our covenants and restrictions. A friendly reminder of our covenants and restrictions:

• Tree City Ordinance – • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Code of Ordinances >> - OKLAHOMA CITY MUNICIPAL CODE, 2010

>> Chapter 59 - ZONING AND PLANNING CODE >> ARTICLE XI. - LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING REGULATIONS

• ARTICLE XI. - LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING REGULATIONS • Landscaping Requirements for Single-Family Residential, Duplex, and Mobile Home Residential Use

Units in the Following Districts: R-1, R-1ZL, R-MH-1, R-2, R-3, R-3M, R-4, R-4M, HP, NC, SPUD, and PUD.

• Single Family Residential (R-1) provides for urban scale single-family residential development.• (1) All required perimeter yards shall be landscaped. The landscaping of these yards shall, at a

minimum, consist of a combination of living vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, grasses or groundcover materials, planted or transplanted and maintained, or preserved as existing natural vegetation areas (e.g. woods or thickets).

• (2) Within the perimeter yards, there shall be at least one medium tree planted and/or maintained for every 75 feet, or fraction thereof, of frontage with a minimum of one tree per lot.

• Trees – A resolution was adopted in 2011 to clarify the type of tree which must be planted in each homeowner’s front yard. The Owners’ Certificate of Restriction, declare that the “tree of the same type and size” as set forth in this document, is any deciduous tree, including but not limited to, trees such as the Chinese Pistache, Cleveland Select, which is a better variety of the pear tree, Oklahoma Redbud, Bradford Pear, or other deciduous tree, of at least a minimum of 15 gallons in size.

• With the adoption of this restriction, each homeowner must have a tree in their front yard. If a tree is not planted in your front yard by June 1, 2013, you may be subject to fine.

• A complete copy of the Covenants and Restrictions can be obtained through the neighborhood website at www.themeadowsokc.org or by leaving a message at 728.6741.

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Good Tips for Summer Exercise - Don’t let the high temps derail your workoutThe extra daylight hours of summer make it the perfect season for squeezing in more activity—but the heat can deter even the most dedicated of outdoor exercisers. Follow these six tips to help you exercise safely and stay cool when you’re out walking this season.

1. Get acclimated. Don’t shock your body by trying to do too much too soon when the temperature’s hot—your body needs time to adjust to the heat. Start out with a certain distance and pace, and increase as you go.

2. Plan your workouts. Plan your walks for early morning or evening and not during peak sunshine hours when temperatures are the hottest.

3. Stay cool in your clothes. Wear light moisture-wicking clothes—and not cotton—so your clothes repel moisture and don’t stick to you. Moisture-wicking socks also prevent blisters. Be sure your clothing and hat are light colors and not black.

4. Increase your intake of water. If you’re walking, you need more than the standard eight ounces of water eight times a day. Take a reusable water bottle with you on your walk.

5. Protect your skin. Wear a high SPF sunscreen and don’t forget the back of your neck, the tip of your ears, and your hands. It’s always a good idea to wear a hat to protect your scalp from the sun too. Also, look for a route that offers both sunlight and shade.

6. Go for the calorie burn, not the sunburn. Instead of spending too much time in the sun and running the risk of overexertion, maximize your walks by using the full range of your arm swing.

Read more: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/how-walk-safely-when-its-hot-out#ixzz20FloUaGY

City Encourages Citizens to Register Storm SheltersThe City of Oklahoma City invites residents to register their storm shelters by contacting the Action Center at 297-2535. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is using the information provided by residents about their storm shelters to create a computer database of their locations. GIS has the ability to retrieve valuable information such as the type of shelter, the location of the shelter on the property and emergency contact phone numbers for the property occupants. This information can be used to create maps of areas that are hit by severe weather.

The Oklahoma City Fire and Police Departments as well as Oklahoma City Emergency Management can use these maps to organize searches for residents who may be safe from the storm but trapped inside their shelter by debris lying on top of it.

Call to register your shelter Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to provide the Action Center with information about the shelter, including where it is located on the property, what type of shelter it is, and provide your name and phone number.

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Break-Ins – We have had a few break-ins in the neighborhood in the last couple of months. As a suggestion, you may want to leave your porch lights on in the evening to deter any suspicious activity. As always, please call our local law enforcement if necessary.

Love to Read!! Want to join a book club!!!!!

La Peteite Soeur Book Review Club meets @ Junior’s which is located at 2601 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City the 4th Monday of each month, March through November.

For more information call Cathy Meyer, 728-1707

Our Canada Geese by Dalia Woodliff

The Canada Geese are our daily visitors here at The Meadows and River Bend flying in their V pattern night and day and over our mini-lakes. Native to all of North America they migrate from the North – some as far as Alaska. Due to changing habitats many have altered their migration pattern and those who never leave are called the Residential Flock.

They have brownish colored feathers with a black head, long black necks and a white cheek patch. You hear their distinct honk and near lakes, marshes and open grassland – also all over our sidewalks and their whitish colored nests on the ground near water. They are able to reproduce at 2-3 years of age and the eggs hatch in 28 days with broods averaging 4 goslings. They are very protective of their nests and will defend to the death so be careful taking a picture. I’ve seen a couple of my neighbors run for their lives! Mated pairs in early spring stay together near preferred nest sites. When you see a goose lounging around it’s likely the mate is sitting on the nest. Their average life span is 24 years.

The Canada Geese are regulated by the US Fish and Wildlife guidelines set by Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918 making it unlawful to kill – sell – or disturb nests. We have a neighbor who is licensed to help control overpopulation. Please call us or email themeadowsokc@gmail.com if you have a problem with the Geese population in and around your yard.

COFFEE PUNCH – Cathy Meyer 7 Tbl Instant Coffee dissolved7 Tbl Sugar1 Cup boiling waterPut in the refrigerator to cool and then add to: 1/2 Gal. Coffee Ice Cream (I use Braums Cappuccino Chunky Choc)1/2 Gal. Vanilla Ice Cream1/2 Gal. Milk

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CORN DOG MUFFINS – Caroline Medlinger

INGREDIENTS2 (8-1/2OZ) PKGS. CORNBREAD2 TBLS. BROWN SUGAR2 EGGS1 C. MILK1 (11 OZ) CAN WHOLD KERNAL CORN, DRAINED5 JUMBO FRANKFURTERS (I USED OSCAR MAYER CHICAGO DOGS) CHOPPED1 C. CHEDDAR CHEESE, SHREDDED

DIRECTIONSPREHEAT OVEN TO 400ºFCOMBINE CORNBREAD MIX AND BROWN SUGAR.ADD EGGS AND MILK, STIRRING ONLY UNTIL MOISTENEDSTIR IN DRAINED CORN, FRANKS AND CHEESE. BATTER WILL BE THIN.FILL MINI (24) MUFFIN CUPS 2/3 FULL , AND/OR REGULAR CUPCAKE TINS 2/3 FULL.

BAKE AT 400º F FOR 15 MINUTES OR UNTIL TOPS ARE BROWN.

CREAM PUFF IN A PAN – Caroline Medlinger

1 cup water1/2 cup butter1 cup all-purpose flour1 tblsp. sugar4 eggs2 pkgs. (3 oz. each) instant vanilla pudding mix3 cups milk1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened1 tsp. pure vanilla or almond flavoring1 container (16 oz) prepared whipped topping Chocolate syrup

Bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour and sugar all at once, stirring until incorporated. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Spread in greased 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven 25 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Beat together pudding mix, milk, cream cheese and flavoring. Spread over cooled cream puff crust. Spread with prepared topping.Just before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup. Leftovers must be refrigerated.

EASY, SIMPLE, DELICIOUS, FLUFFY OMELETTE – Caroline MedlingerStart a pot of water on the stove to boil.2 eggs and any of the following additions.

Add a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, cooked crumbled bacon, cooked crumbled sausage, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, mushrooms, etc.

Put the eggs in a quart freezer zip-loc bag and squish them around to combine them, (or mix them with a fork before putting in bag). If you put the bag in a measuring cup to hold it up, it is easier to put the ingredients in.

Add pepper, Lawry’s salt, and any ingredients you wish; a sliver of butter and shredded cheddar. Mix it around in the bag, fold it until the air is out, zip it and drop it in the boiling water and 13 - 14 minutes later Light, fluffy and very tasty. Open the bag, drop the rolled omelet on a plate, throw away the bag and savor every bite! Nice to serve with fresh fruit or toast. Great to slice and put on flaky butter biscuits too!

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX – Caroline Medlinger1 – 2 lb. box Powdered milk 1-1/2 lb. powdered sugar12 oz. coffee mate1-1/2 lb. container of Nestle’s Quik1-1/2 Tblsp. Nestle’s cocoa powder1 bag mini marshmallowsMix everything together well except for the marshmallows. Fold those in after the mixture is blended. Store in covered container.Dissolve 1/3 cup hot chocolate mix in 1 cup hot milk or water.

HOT APPLE CIDER - Vernetta Martin2 qts.cider½ cup brown sugar1/4 tsp.salt1 whole cinnamon stick1 tsp. allspice1 tsp. whole clovesCombine cider, sugar, salt in pan, add spices, simmer/cover for 20 minutes, remove spices.

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We have another published author in the neighborhood – Congratulations to Dalia Woodliff!!!!

Excerpt from Book 1 of The Jade Trilogy – Lair of the Jadeby Dalia Woodliff

Lia was on her 40th step — then realized she had to turn around and started walking back down. At the 10th step, close to the doorway, her left leg started making that cracking noise, when she heard another sound…like gasping…and stopped to listen. She looked up and started back up again…same sound…someone gasping for air…then a shuffling noise…”Tomas, are you all right?” Someone was in trouble and in-stinctively Lia kept going up the stairwell. She heard a thump — thump — thump as something hit the wall on the 3rd floor landing. Fear set in and as she climbed, she could see the outline of Tomas’ chocolate suited arm in the light of his flashlight. His other arm and gray head were hanging over the stairwell on the landing. She heard his whisper— “Mea Culpa — Help Me!” =The scene was almost a replica of the Death of Marat painting which she had just seen on the 2nd floor landing. Hugging the railing, Lia yelled. “Somebody help — over here. HELP! HELP!” Her heart was ham-mering so loudly, she faded but managed to blow her bracelet whistle. As people pushed into the stairwell, she lost all sense of reality and direction. A flashlight come up to her level and someone with a black velvet jacket placed a velvet arm around her shoulders and led her down out to the 2nd floor…..

Available on E-books – Kindle-Nook- Sony.. www.daliawoodliff.com andFacebook ….. Find out if Lia and Tomas survive the evil Vitas

POPPY SEED CAKE Dalia Woodliff

This is an Eastern European specialty - it blew us away!3 cups Flour2 cups Sugar1.5 cups of Oil4 Eggs1 tsp Vanilla Extract½ tsp Salt1.5 tsp Baking Soda1 (13 oz can) Evaporated Milk1 (12 ounce can) Poppy Seed filling1 cup chopped NutsIn large bowl, sift dry ingredients, add eggs, milk, vanilla. Beat well – add oil, mix until smooth add Poppy seed filling and nuts, combine. Pour into ungreased tube pan...Bake 350▫ 1 hour and 10 min …Cool before removing ….Drizzle Chocolate Glaze(1 cup melted chocolate chips - 2 tbsp vanilla or rum)

POTATO PUMPKIN MASH Dalia Woodliff

8 cups peeled/cubed pumpkin (2 lbs )8 medium peeled/cubed potatoes (2 lbs)½ to ¾ cup milk (divided)8 tbsp butter, softened (divided)1 tsp salt (divided)1 tbsp olive oil½ tsp coarse pepper1) Bring pumpkin to boil – reduce heat for 20-25 min2) Boil potatoes in another pan – uncovered 10-15 minutes3) Drain and mash potatoes add ¼ cup milk, 4 tbsp butter and ¼ tsp salt and pinch ofmilk if needed…transfer to serving bowl.4) Drain pumpkin, mash add remaining butter,salt and milk…spoon over potatoes…drizzlewith olive oil…swirl…

Taste of Home Recipe: For pumpkinhaters - great way to sneakit in…Delicious.

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1. Dig a trench between sidewalk and flowerbed – 3 foot long – 16 inches deep –watch for roots and spring onion seedling or bulbs.

2. Start with browns – dead leaves, straw and sawdust…No bones or meat. Then add greens – grass clippings, fruits, vegetable peelings

3. Alternate layers…. chop up with shovel….take out your anger on the next door neighbor’s dog

4. Cover with 8 inches of soil - backfill with 12 more. As my dentist says “tap-tap-”

Sound like a yummy casserole, doesn’t it? Seriously, I do not use meats, bones or greasy stuff or dead squirrels. This is great for areas where you may want a future bed. Dig early in the spring and it may take 4 months for the process to work but it’s worth the wait.

When I really get energetic I trench throughout the yard – many times competing and upsetting our resident gopher - and make mounds. The soil is black gold – I promise – and it’s a great way to get rid of your scraps without a battle or honey-do-lists.

Trench Compostingby Dalia Woodliff

Since I discovered Trench Composting - I very seldom use the disposal. I remember Mama used to bury her vegetable/fruit peelings in the ground but I was young and dumb and it all seemed old-fashioned. I finally got wise and it’s very simple - no need to aerate, fight or pretend and probably being an ex-gopher in my past life, I love to dig holes.

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, you might want to consider that now is a great time to enter the mar-ket.

If you’re content where you are, I completely understand. But if you think you might be interested in selling your home at any point in the near future, this is a great chance to explore your options at no cost to yourself.

Just give me a call to receive your free comparative market analysis for your home. I look forward to hearing from you.

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