Indoor S'mores are Just the Ticket

Make these delicious S'mores inside, if you can't find a campfire

Make these delicious S'mores inside, if you can't find a campfire

If you can't get out to a campsite this Memorial Day weekend, you can bring one of the treasured campfire traditions inside. Try these delicious indoor S'mores if you can't find a fire pit. All you need is an oven and of course chocolate, graham crackers and big puffy marshmallows. Here's what you do: Take six or eight squares of graham cracker and put them on a shallow metal pan. Top each with a square of milk chocolate. Add a slice of marshmallow (I cut them in half with a kitchen shears.) Put the pan in a 400-degree oven and bake for about 3-minutes until the marshmallows are golden brown. Take the pan out of the oven and top each one with another graham cracker square. Let the fun begin as you eat these easy, delicious treats… that remind us of great times around the campfire. Enjoy.

We especially like these when our weekend weather turns cold and cloudy. The only time we went camping on Memorial Day, it started snowing and sent all of us packing. That seems to be a tradition you can count on here in Northern Nevada!

What Happened to Spring?

A mom and daughter from San Jose enjoy the snow at Mt. Rose

A mom and daughter from San Jose enjoy the snow at Mt. Rose

Winter is always fun for kids, but this one was less than impressive. I don't know about you, but it seems like we had a long fire season, a short ski season, and now were on the verge of fire season again.

Old Man Winter gave one last try toward the middle of April but by then the ski resorts were ready to close as winter sports enthusiasts moved on to other activities.  This week 90-degree temperatures on the valley floor made it seem like summer. Thunder storms gave us brush fires months before we're ready to start thinking about defensible space.

Even the weather forecasters say it's early for thunder storms and wildfires. But this is Nevada and that means you have to be prepared for snow one day and air conditioning the next. We know not to put away the wool sweaters and not to plant the tomatoes until the snow is off Peavine.

Some ski resorts are holding on 'til the very end, staying open until the first week of May. Who knows, it may even snow again. It's certainly happened before.

Pop of Color Makes Spring Wardrobe Fresh and Exciting

Isha Casagrande shows how to add color to a spring jacket at the Summit

Isha Casagrande shows how to add color to a spring jacket at the Summit

How do you move beyond your winter wardrobe with black turtlenecks and snow boots into a fresh fashion statement for spring?  The answer is simple: Color!  I spent an hour with Isha Casagrande, wardrobe consultant and personal shopper for The Summit, and emerged with the know-how to put together my spring wardrobe.

Pop into Spring with colorful accessories

Pop into Spring with colorful accessories

Turns out it's all about color this spring.  Isha confirms that color blocking is fashionable this year and works well for people who are daring, and those –like me– who need some help.

Isha has a two-piece rule:  "If two pieces are the same color and/or texture it can pull any look together," says Casagrande.

Take a striped blazer.  Add a colorful belt, some khaki pants and colorful shoes, and you've got an outfit.  The same goes with a green sweater and some bright add-ons.

I especially liked the nautical look of the blue and white striped blazer. We tried it with yellow, then red and other solid colors. Casagrande says blazers are more casual this spring and can be worn with jeans, or with khakis for a more professional look.

A little coaching and voila! An outfit for spring.

A little coaching and voila! An outfit for spring.

The cardigan is making a comeback as well.  We found several in interesting patterns, which were subtle, not overwhelming.

Casagrande says neon is new this year, but can be a little scary for some.  "Wearing something like a yellow necklace from Ann Taylor is a great way to enjoy the trend while looking age appropriate and fashionable," says Casagrande.

She recommends buying basic, classic pieces that can carry over from season to season. That way you can change-up your look with accessories. Belts are definitely the hottest accessory for the season according to Casagrande.

Ready for Spring!

Ready for Spring!

The key is to feel comfortable, but at the same time, fashionable.  I don't know about you, but I definitely needed a little coaching to come up with a look that I can wear boldly into the warmer weather.

If you want advice on what to add to your wardrobe this spring, Casagrande is presenting a "Spring Fling" fashion event at the Summit on Friday, March 23rd.  You can call 853-7800 for details.

Spelling Bee Hits Stage at Wooster High School

Noah Locricchio and Emma Boyden perform in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Wooster High School in Reno

Noah Locricchio and Emma Boyden perform in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Wooster High School in Reno

Wooster High School presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" this week, starring the Wooster Players. Performances are Wednesday, March 14 through Saturday, March 17 at 7pm. There's a matinee performance on Sunday, March 18 at 2pm. Wooster's theatre department offers this award-winning musical comedy about six young people who learn that winning isn't everything. Local middle school students will compete in a mini spelling bee during each show's intermission. Add to that some improv, and it's show time!

We're Back, Baby!

New snow in the Sierra invites skiers to hit the slopes

New snow in the Sierra invites skiers to hit the slopes

Ten to Twelve inches of new snow and sunny skies in the Sierra. Time to ski!  I took an informal poll at Mt. Rose the other day and found people from San Jose to Reno are eager to get back on the runs. The latest storm should help us entice tourists and locals, and add to the snow pack for kayaking later on in the spring. The snow pack is still low, but experts say we're catching up. Enjoy!

Roses Galore! Behind the Scenes at a Flower Store on Valentine's Eve

Bouquets are ready to deliver at Sparks Florist Design Center where Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year

Bouquets are ready to deliver at Sparks Florist Design Center where Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year

I got a chance to see the Floral Design Center at Sparks Florist on the day before Valentine's Day.  Imagine more than a thousand bouquets; big, small and in-between. And the smell is like a bouquet of roses on steroids.  Because Valentine's Day falls on Tuesday this year, more people order flowers. Why? Because they want them delivered at work for everyone to see!  Good news for our local businesses, whether they offer flowers, candy or balloons.  Business is blooming.

Northern Nevada Goes Red for Women's Heart Health–You Can Too!

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini proclaim Friday, Feb. 3rd "Wear Red Day" to promote women's heart health in Northern Nevada

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini proclaim Friday, Feb. 3rd "Wear Red Day" to promote women's heart health in Northern Nevada

Go ahead, get out your favorite red outfit.  If you're a guy, wear a red tie.  Friday, February 3rd is "National Wear Red Day."  Everyone is encouraged to wear something red to remind women to live heart-healthy lives.  Heart disease is the number one killer of women.  The Go Red campaign provides information on how to live stronger, longer lives and develop healthy habits.  It started as a grassroots awareness campaign, and has grown into a movement involving millions of ordinary women and men, celebrities and health care professionals.  And–it's taking off in a big way in Reno.

Cardiologist Dr. Anita Kedia, Phyllis Freyer of Renown and Nevada's First Lady Kathleen Sandoval "Go Red" for women's heart health

Cardiologist Dr. Anita Kedia, Phyllis Freyer of Renown and Nevada's First Lady Kathleen Sandoval "Go Red" for women's heart health

Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million women annually;  about one per minute, according to the American Heart Association.  Reno Mayor Bob Cashell reminded everyone that there's no such thing as a little heart attack.  Experts also urge women to have their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked and to take action to safeguard their health.

Here in Northern Nevada, businesses are encouraging everyone to wear red on Friday.  Peg's Glorified Ham and Eggs will be turning their pancakes red.  The Grand Sierra Resort will be turning its building red for the Month of February, which is National Heart Month.  CommRow will hold a raffle for two concert tickets and climbing passes.  All proceeds will go back to the American Heart Association.  Many other businesses are participating.

Next month, the annual "Go Red for Women" luncheon in Reno will be held on Friday, March 2nd at the Atlantis Casino Resort.  For more information on Women's Heart Health, go to the American Heart Association website.

And don't forget to wear red!