Celebrate The Season 2014 by Admin

Azle News The

A Special Supplement to

Talk

Tree

Celebrate with safety around your tree this holiday season

The

The Sounds

of the Season Christmas tunes to spread holiday spirit

Staff Favorites

Fun-filled recipes from your news gathering locals

GoingGreen How to make your holiday season more eco-friendly

Colors of Christmas Coloring Contest for Children ages 2-11

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

03..Celebrate with safety around your tree this holiday season 04..Eggnog Recipe 05..Celebrate and stay true to your budget this holiday season 07..Make the most of Black Friday shopping 09..A look back at popular toys from years past 10..Christmas tunes to spread holiday spirit 11..How to make your holiday season more eco-friendly 15..Praline Bundt Cake Recipe

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Your hometown news crew has gathered their favorite recipes just in time for the holiday season.

3 4 6 6 6 8 8 9 11 14 14 15

Cranberry Orange Loaf, Kim Ware Sopapilla Cheesecake, Tonya McDowell Grandma’s Polish Christmas Cookies, Cynthia Rotter Gluten-Free Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes, Clay Cravotta Apple Pie Cake, Stephanie Cravotta Party Cheese Wheel, Shirley Castor Mom’s Rich Cocoa Fudge, Mark Campbell Cranberry Salad, Carla Noah Stutsman Peanut Butter Blossoms, Amber Plumley Reindeer Noses, Terry Thomas Christmas Morning Egg Casserole, Johnna Bridges Ann’s (Mom) German Chocolate Icing, Natalie Gentry

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Celebrate with safety

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

around your tree this holiday season Christmas trees are a beloved staple of the holiday season. Whether you prefer a freshly cut tree or an artificial alternative, the day a Christmas tree is brought home or erected is when many people truly grow excited about the holiday season and begin to be overtaken by holiday cheer. But as beautiful and inspiring as Christmas trees can be, it’s important that men, women and children exercise caution around trees so no accidents occur. The following are some Christmas tree safety tips courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association. Choose the right tree. The tree you choose can go a long way toward ensuring the tree will make it through the season accident-free. Artificial trees should be identified on their labels as fire retardant, which means they are less susceptible to fire, something that’s especially important since so many people drape their trees in deco-

Cranberry Orange Loaf Recipe from Kim Ware

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup margarine, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup orange juice 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Whisk to-

rative lights. A freshly cut tree should have fresh, green needles that do not fall off when the tree is touched. This indicates that the tree is not dried out and less susceptible to catching on fire. Do not place the tree near a heat source. Even freshly cut and flame retardant trees can catch fire, so it’s important that trees are not placed in close proximity to any heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, heating vents, baseboard heaters, and candles. In addition, avoid placing the tree near lights or lamps that emit a lot of heat. Keep the tree clear of exits. A Christmas tree should never be placed in a spot that bars an exit. Should an accident happen and the tree light onfire, all exits should be easily accessible so residents and guests can quickly get out of the home. Add water to the tree stand every day. Water should be added to the tree’s stand every day. gether flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in orange zest, cranberries, and pecans. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in orange juice. Beat in flour mixture until just moistened. Pour into prepared pan. 3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the bread springs back when lightly touched. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Wrap in plastic when completely cool. Original recipe makes 1 9x5 inch loaf. Serves 12. Preparation 15 minutes. Cook 1 hour. Ready in 1 hour 25 minutes.

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Turn lights off before going to bed. Though a Christmas tree may look beautiful when it is illuminated in the middle of the night when no other lights are on, the lights on the tree should always be turned off before going to bed or leaving your home. Properly discard the tree. Trees that have dried out pose a considerable fire risk, so it’s best to discard a tree when it starts to drop needles. Do not place a discarded tree in the garage or lean it up against your home. If necessary, consult a local recycling company to determine the best way to discard your tree.

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lights should be inspected before they are hung on the tree. Replace any loose or burned out bulbs, and inspect cords to make sure they are not worn down or frayed. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully when stringing lights, as there may be specific guidelines as to how many strings of lights can be connected at one time. Use appropriate lights. Many lights are exclusive to indoor or outdoor use, so be sure to use the appropriate lights for your indoor tree. The wrong lights could be a safety hazard. Do not hang lit candles on a Christmas tree.

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That water will not only help the tree maintain its color and aesthetic appeal, but also helps to prevent the tree from drying out. A dry tree is a significant safety risk, so be sure to check if the tree needs water when you wake up each morning and again before going to bed. Many trees initially need water both in the morning and at night. As the holiday season wears on, the tree will likely consume less water, but it’s still best to monitor the stand’s water levels every day until the tree is discarded. Inspect lights before decorating the tree. All Christmas

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No holiday celebration is complete 4

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

until eggnog has been served The holiday season is rife with tradition, from Christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with Santa Claus at the local mall. Families reunite come the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together and do a little catching up along the way. But the holiday season also is synonymous with parties. Whether it’s to enjoy an office

Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe from Tonya McDowell

Ingredients: 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls 3/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup honey 1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract

holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and a main reason why this is such a festive and beloved time of year. As this is a season of celebrating, it’s good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has

been served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung by the chimney with care. This year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press).

in a bowl until smooth. 3. Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough, and use a rolling pin to shape each piece into 9x13 inch rectangles. Press one piece into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough. Stir together 3/4 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Dot the mixture over the top of the cheesecake. 4. Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares.

Excellent Eggnog Serves 8 8 large eggs, preferably organic 21⁄4 cups superfine sugar 8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish

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1. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency. 3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well. 4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters). 5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk-sugar-alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours). 6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.

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Celebrate and stay true to your budget this holiday season

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The holiday season is a joyous time of year dominated by family reunions and seasonal soirées. And while kindness is a theme of the holiday season, this time of year can be especially unkind to personal budgets, many of which get stretched thin in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Travel and shopping tend to do the most damage to budgets come the holiday season, when people hit the road to see family and friends, often with numerous gifts in tow. But the holiday season does not have to be so harsh on personal budgets, especially for those men and women who employ a few tricks of the trade to lighten their financial burdens during this festive time of year. Set spending limits. Many families, especially those that are very large, establish spending limits with regard to how much each person can spend on gifts for their loved ones. Such limits still allow holiday celebrants to exchange gifts with their family members, but limits help celebrants reign in their holiday spending as well. No one wants to begin the new year with

heaps of debt or an empty bank account, so don’t be afraid to propose such spending limits to your relatives. Share hosting duties. In addition to travel and shopping, hosting holiday parties requires a considerable financial commitment on the part of the host. Rather than forcing holiday hosts to shoulder that burden on their own, families can share the hosting duties, even if the party is still slated to take place at one person’s home. Make the holiday dinner a potluck affair so holiday hosts don’t have to assume the cost of the entire meal on their own. Request family members bring certain items, asking one person to provide beverages for the night while another takes care of dessert. Sharing such duties makes the cost of hosting a large holiday dinner much more manageable while freeing up time that holiday hosts can spend with their loved ones. Make your own decorations. Holiday decorations go a long way toward feeding the festive atmosphere of the season. But store-bought decorations can be expensive. Instead of out-

sourcing your holiday decorating, make homemade decorations with materials purchased at a nearby arts and crafts store. Gather the family together for a crafts night and enjoy this time spent together during what’s typically a hectic time of year. Homemade decorations also create lasting memories, as you and your family can enjoy reflecting on the fruits of your labors every holiday season for years to come. Start shopping early. One way to stretch your holiday shopping budget is to start shopping early. Though many holiday shoppers have been given such advice, very few take it to heart. Shopping early affords you more time to find deals and comparison shop, and beginning your search for gifts early allows you to patiently wait for sales or other discounts that might not be available once the holiday season hits full swing. If you plan to purchase any big-ticket items well in advance of the holiday season, first confirm the return policy, specifically how long

you have to return the gift, as you don’t want your loved one to end up with a gift they can’t return if necessary. The holiday season finds many

people stretching their budgets. But men and women can employ several strategies to save money while still enjoying a memorable and festive holiday season.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Grandma’s Polish Christmas Cookies

dough is stiff enough to knead. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times. Divide dough into four pieces. Recipe from Cynthia Rotter Roll each portion into a 1/4-in.Ingredients: thick rectangle; cut into 4-in. by 4 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2-in. strips. Cut a 2-in. length1 teaspoon salt wise slit down the middle of each 1 cup cold butter strip; pull one of the ends through 4 egg yolks the slit like a bow. 1 cup evaporated milk In an electric skillet or deep-fat 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry dough Oil for deep-fat frying strips, a few at a time, until golden Confectioners’ sugar In a large bowl, combine flour brown on both sides. Drain on paand salt. Cut in butter until mixture per towels. Dust with confectioners’ resembles coarse crumbs. In another sugar. Total Time: Prep: 45 min. bowl, beat egg yolks until foamy; Cook: 5 min./batch add milk and vanilla. Yield: 40 cookies. Stir into crumb mixture until

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Gluten-Free Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes Recipe from Clay Cravotta

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sence in a high-speed blender/food processor and blend until you have a smooth paste. Stir this mixture in with the dry ingredients and remaining 1 cup of almond milk until you have a relatively thick batter. 2. Heat up a non-stick pan on medium heat before pouring in about 1/4 cup batter per pancake. When the pancakes has started to firm up on the upward-facing side, flip around and cook on the other side until they are a deep golden color. It is very important that you do not have a too high heat, as this will result in burnt and/or uncooked pancakes. Place the pancakes on a plate and place a towel on top to retain the heat. Repeat until all of the batter has been used. Makes 10-15 thick pancakes.

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flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar and the salt. With pastry blender or fork, cut Recipe from Stephanie Cravotta in butter until mixture is crumbly. Set Topping aside. 1 cup all-purpose flour 3. In another medium bowl, gently ½ cup packed brown sugar stir together Apple Mixture ingredi¼ teaspoon salt ents; set aside. ½ cup butter, cut into small pieces 4. In large bowl, beat Cake ingreApple Mixture dients with electric mixer on low 6 apples, peeled, thinly sliced speed 30 seconds, then on medium 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl oc1 teaspoon ground cinnamon casionally. Pour into pan. 2 teaspoons lemon juice 5. Spread apple mixture evenly Cake over cake batter. Sprinkle Topping 1 box yellow cake mix evenly over top. 1 1/3 cups water 6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until 1/3 cup oil toothpick inserted in center comes 3 eggs 1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for out clean. Cool completely, about 30 dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom minutes. Prep Time: 30 min. and sides of 13x9-inch pan with bakTotal Time: 1hr 35 min. ing spray with flour. Servings: 12 2. In medium bowl, stir together

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Make the most of

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Black Friday shopping

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and is often the perfect time to begin holiday shopping and save money on incredible deals. Thousands of eager shoppers will leave their homes in the early morning hours and wait in lines at stores in order to grab the best prices of the season, while retailers will be gearing up to lure the greatest number of shoppers. Surviving the day unscathed and arriving home with discounts galore involves having a game plan for success. Know the prices of the items you want to buy. Scour advertisements in advance of Black Friday to gauge the regular retail prices for common items, including electronics. Comparison shop for the best prices and make notes to help you when Black Friday arrives. Understand the fine print of “door busters.” Door buster sales are meant to get shoppers into stores, where retailers hope shoppers will make additional purchases while taking advantage of advertised deals. If door buster items are all you’re looking for, read the advertisements carefully, noting the start and end time of the discounts and if there will be limited quantities. In addition, determine if there is a special return policy for sale items purchased on Black Friday. Dress for comfort. Wear sensible, comfortable shoes and clothing when shopping. Leave a large purse at home and opt for something compact that can be draped securely over your shoulder and body to navigate the crowds. Keep your coat in the car or make use of a coat check service if available. Dress in layers if you will be waiting outside for stores to open. This way you can shed clothing as the mercury rises or when you get inside. Arrive together but shop separately. The “divide and conquer” method of shopping allows everyone in your shopping party to score good deals. Split up shopping tasks and then head to different areas of the store. Share and collect your purchases when you meet up after the rush. Make a list and stick to it. Buyers’ remorse come Saturday morning is common for those who have over-extended their

budgets and purchased items they did not need. Know ahead of time what you plan to purchase and do not veer off course. Scout the stores ahead of time. Visit the stores where you plan to shop a few days before Black Friday. Learn the layout of the store and where everything is located. Try on certain clothes or read over the labels of big-ticket items you plan to buy. Knowing where items are located and having all of your information in advance will cut down on the time it takes to find items on Black Friday. Don’t overlook nontraditional stores. Many other stores, from pharmacies to supermarkets, stock items apart from food and toiletries. Consider taking advantage of their sales for some Black Friday deals. Park off campus. Mall parking lots can get just as crowded as the stores themselves. Save yourself time and the stress of finding a spot by parking near the store but away from the crowd. Clean out your car prior to shopping. Make room in the trunk or cargo area for all of your purchases. For those who will be buying large, heavy items, find out if the store will ship the merchandise or will hold it aside until you can take it home. Understand that some stores will not hold items and enlist a friend or spouse to help you pack purchases into the car. Promptly store receipts. Designate a folder or envelope for all of your receipts to keep them organized and handy. Pack a small snack and drink. It’s easy to become dehydrated and hungry waiting in long lines, which can compromise your decision-making abilities. Bring a snack so that you can recharge your body and continue shopping. Leave the kids at home. Black Friday shopping can be stressful, and children can easily get lost or bumped around in the fray. It is safer to leave them home so you can focus your full attention on shopping. Know when to call it quits. Establish a firm cut-off time for ending your shopping excursion. This way you can head home, rest and sort through your purchases.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Party Cheese Wheel

erately stiff dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead till Recipe from Shirley Castor smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes. lngredients: Place in lightly greased bowl, turn1 package active dry yeast ing once to grease surface. Cover; 2/3 cup warm water (118 to 115 let rise in warm place till doubledegrees) about a t hour. Punch down; divide 2 cups all-purpose flour into two portions. Cover and let rest 2 tablespoons cooking oil 10 minutes. 1/2 teaspoon sugar On lightly floured surface, roll 1/2 teaspoon salt one portion to a l3-inch circle. 1 beaten egg 3 cups {12 ounces} shredded Place circle on a greased 12-inch cheese round pan. Combine the first egg, (l like to use a combination of cheese, parsley, garlic salt, and pepColby, Monterey Jack, and moz- per. Spread over dough in pan. Roll zarella) emaining dough to a 13-inch circle. 1/2 cup snipped parsley Place over filling; trim and flute 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt edges. 1/8 teaspoon pepper Bake in 400 degree gven for 20 1 slightly beaten egg minutes. Remove from oven. Brush l tablespoon water top with mixture of remaining egg 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seed Soften yeast in the warm water. and l tablespoon water. Sprinkle Beat in 1 cup of the flour, the oil, with sesame seed, Return to oven the 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and the 1/2 and continue baking 12 to 15 minteaspoon of salt. Stir in enough of utes more. Cut in narrow wedges. the remaining flour to make a mod- Serve hot. Makes 16 to 20 servings.

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Mom’s Rich Cocoa Fudge Recipe from Mark Campbell

My mother’s fudge was legendary – was because she now has Alzheimer’s and recognizes none of us. However, before she got ill, she was kind enough to hand write this recipe; still, no one in our family has ever managed to duplicate it. After it set, Mom’s fudge was wonderfully crumbly and it got better as days wore on. So, this recipe is exactly as she wrote it down. (The word “oleo” gives you a hint that it’s a pretty old formula.) 3 cups of sugar 2/3 cup of Hershey’s cocoa or Dutch processed cocoa 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup of milk

½ cup of can cream (Carnation) ½ stick oleo or ¼ cup butter 1 teaspoon real vanilla Grease a platter or pan with oleo or butter. Mix sugar, salt, cocoa. Add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Then boil without stirring to 234 degrees or until amount of syrup when dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla – do not stir. Cool to room temperature, about 110 degrees. Beat with wooden spoon until mixture thickens. Pour into pan and let cool. Cut into squares before it hardens. Do not refrigerate. Store in covered container.

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A look back

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Many parents have spent time during the holiday season on endless quests for the perfect gift for their children. Many gifts have earned “must-have” status over the years, and although many of these gifts are forgotten by the time the next holiday season comes around, certain products have remained timeless. Some of these more memorable products have even been resurrected into newer, modern-day versions of their previous selves. Here’s a look at some of the toys that have made their mark over the last several decades. Rubik’s Cube: The Rubik’s Cube reached the height of its popularity during the 1980s, when the colorful game puzzle was mass-marketed to the public. Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik actually invented what he dubbed the “Magic Cube” a decade prior. Since the product’s inception, millions of Rubik’s Cubes have been sold across the globe, making it one of the topselling puzzles and toys. Cabbage Patch Kids: Adults stormed stores in the mid 1980s for Cabbage Patch Kids, which became one of the most popular toys of the decade. Designed by art student Xavier Roberts, Cabbage Patch Kids began as dolls called “Little People.” The dolls were marketed with a fantastical story about a cabbage patch in a magical valley, where dolls were born and awaited their adoption into loving homes. Cabbage Patch Kids have been produced by a number of different toy manufacturers through the years, and shoppers can still find new incarnations at stores today.

at popular toys from years past

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles started as a comic designed to parody established popular comics of the early 1980s. The concept of genetically mutated turtles who possessed ninja skills quickly caught on and the TMNT franchise expanded to television shows and scores of complementary merchandise. Beanie Babies: Ty Inc. introduced a series of plush toys filled with tiny plastic pellets instead of traditional polyester stuffing in 1993. These pellets made the dolls flexible and cuddly, which played a role in their popularity. Throughout the 1990s, children collected as many of the Beanie Babies as they could, though some of the dolls were more coveted than others. Ty ceased production of Beanie Babies in 1999 with a bear called “The End,” but it wasn’t long before new Beanie Babies were manufactured for a new generation of children to collect. Tickle Me Elmo: The hottest toy of the 1996 giving season was Tickle Me Elmo, a plush doll based on the beloved Sesa m e Street monster. When prompted, Elmo would laugh, giggle and gyrate to the delight of kids and adults alike. Tickle Me Elmo caused mass frenzy at stores during the 1996 holiday season, as shoppers swarmed toy stores to get their hands on the top toy of the year. Nintendo DS: The Nintendo DS, first offered in 2004, was the first Nintendo console released in North America before it was released in Japan. With its dual screens (the lower being a touchscreen) and portability fac-

Cranberry Salad

1 package cream cheese, softened By Carla Noah Stutsman 1 regular carton Cool Whip This Cranberry Salad has been a 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or family favorite at Thanksgiving and pecans Christmas for years. Combine chopped cranberries, 1 bag frozen cranberries, sugar, and pineapple and let stand chopped a half-hour. Add remaining ingredi1-1/4 cups sugar ents and mix well. 1-1/2 cups drained crushed Refrigerate and allow to stand pineapple overnight for flavors to develop. 1 lb. miniature marshmallows Makes about 10-12 servings

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tor, the handheld device became one of the most popular gifts for young gamers. Zhu Zhu Pets: Interactive, robotic hamsters, Zhu Zhu Pets first appeared on the scene in 2009. Their name was derived from Mandarin Chinese and translates to “little pig.” These small toys could be set to explore their environment or simply emit cooing sounds in the “nurturing mode.” Nintendo Wii: In addition to

the Sony Playstation and Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii became the latest in a history of must-have video game consoles in the early 21st century. Games on the Wii were interactive through the use of motion-sensing hand controllers and other gaming interfaces. The later release of the Wii Fit package made the Nintendo Wii even more popular. Monster High Dolls: With

their ghoulish good looks, Monster High action figures were one of the most gifts of 2012. The dolls are based on a series of young adult novels modeled after “Twilight,” though the Monster High dolls are targeted to younger children than items associated with the wildly popular “Twilight” series. It remains to be seen which toy will become this season’s “must-have” item.

First Baptist Church 500 N. MaiN Street • SpriNgtowN

Pastor: Dr. Hal Kinkeade

Wednesday (Family Meal)..........5:00 p.m. Children’s Ministry.....................5:45 p.m. Youth Ministry............................6:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study........................6:00 p.m.

Sunday School...............9:30 a.m. Morning Worship...........10:50 a.m. Evening Worship............6:00 p.m.

email: fbcstown@flash.net Metro 817-220-5229

Cliff’s

Auto Service Center Family Owned Family Friendly – Honest Folks

Repairs For All Cars & Light Trucks ★ Same Day Service On Most Repairs

• State Inspection • E-Z In & Out Oil Changes • 12 Months / 12K Mile Warranty • A/C Service • Brakes • Computer Diagnostics

HOURS: Monday - Friday · 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday · 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

n e p O iving g s k Than eekend W

Many Tire Lines: Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone and most other major brands!

1088 E. Hwy. 199 Springtown

817-220-5959

302 Palo Pinto Weatherford

817-596-0708

Christmas tunes to 10

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Making a Difference. Offering a Choice.

spread holiday spirit Some stores start stocking Christmas decorations and wrapping paper as early as the end of October, and some families begin decking their halls in holiday finery in late November. But for many people, the holiday season has not truly begun until the music synonymous with this festive time of year has hit the airwaves. Few things can make a person feel as festive as the holiday songs they know and love. Many families have a favorite musical artist whose music they consider synonymous with their holiday celebrations. While families have their own unique holiday traditions, over time certain holiday songs have emerged as favorites. These are the tunes you’re likely to hear played over and over on the radio. Billboard, which tracks the music industry’s most popular songs, compiled its own list of the most popular Christmas songs. The list measures the volume of people who have been exposed to the song on the radio, and is based on ranking rather than exact figures of listeners, and the following are the 10 most popular songs based on those parameters. 10. “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” by John Lennon: This song debuted in 1971 and was written by Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono. Performed with the Harlem Community Choir, the song was originally a protest song about the Vietnam Warm before it eventually became a Christmas standard. 9. “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: According to Nielsen, this instrumental mash-up of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” is one of the best-selling Christmas digital singles in SoundScan history. A combination of full, classical orchestra and rock, “Christmas Eve” is a memorable and powerful piece of music. 8. “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby: Crosby crooned this tune in 1942 in the movie of the same name, and Irving Berlin’s song soon became one of the most popular holiday tunes of all time. It has been covered innumerable times and has become a holiday season standard. 7. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” by Andy Williams: This popular Christ-

mas song was written by Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963. The song celebrates the traditions and feelings of the Christmas season. 6. “Feliz Navidad,” by José Feliciano: This Spanish-English pop song is recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as one of the 25 most-played and recorded Christmas songs around the world. Puerto-Rican born Feliciano has said that the song has always been a bridge to the cultures that are so dear to him. 5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” by Burl Ives: This song was written by Johnny Marks, an American songwriter. Ironically, Marks was Jewish, but he specialized in Christmas songs and wrote many of the holiday standards people love, including this upbeat tune and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” 4. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” by Nat King Cole: Believe it or not, this song was actually written in the summer when composers Bob Wells and Mel Tormé were trying to cool off with winter imagery. Snowcovered images and phrases eventually turned into lyrics for this popular song that was most memorably recorded by Nat King Cole. 3. “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms: This song has been performed by many, but Helms’ version of the is perhaps the best known. The song highlights the crossover style known as “rockabilly” and merges the classic “Jingle Bells” with rock n’ roll references of the 1950s. 2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” by Brenda Lee: Brenda Lee was a chart-topping female vocalist of the 1960s who owes much of her success to this beloved holiday classic. Despite the mature sound of her voice, Lee recorded this version when she was only 13 years old. 1. “All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey: This up-tempo love song has become a Christmas classic and one of Carey’s most popular hits. She cowrote and coproduced the song with Walter Afansieff. It is one of the few, modern, original Christmas songs to stand the test of time and become an official Christmas standard.

Quality Care You Deserve

Do you know that you have a choice when it comes to your care? Welcome to Azle Manor - the cornerstone in Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing care. · On-site Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy · 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care · Beauty and Barber Shop · Courtyard and Gazebo (Residents can enjoy Outdoor Activities)

· Activities offered Seven Days a Week · Scheduled Outings · Interfaith Religious Services · Televisions with DirectTV provided · WiFi Available

Give us a call or drop by today! We’ll be glad to show you around.

Call Kinny Pack at 817-444-2536 • 721 Dunaway Lane, Azle, 76020

Azle

Manor

HEALTH CARE & REHAB Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and Insurance Locally Owned and Serving the Community for Over 41 Years

How to make

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

your holiday season more eco-friendly Come the holiday season, it can be easy to overlook certain things, like eco-friendly living, in an effort to make entertaining easier. The holiday season has become a time of excess, with large meals, an overabundance of presents and other wasteful measures. This year, environmentally conscious hosts can make an effort to make their celebrations more environmentally friendly. • Purchase locally made gifts to reduce the amount of shipping required. This cuts down on materials used and fossil fuels that power planes or cargo ships needed to transport products made overseas. • According to the Environmental Protection Agency, roughly 40 percent of all battery sales take place during the holidays. Consumers concerned about the effect of batteries on the environment can give only battery-free gifts. • Make your own gifts. Not all gifts have to be bought at the store. There are many meaningful gifts that can be made by

hand, and homemade gifts cut back on potentially harmful production practices and transportation. • Rely on natural items when decorating your home. When decking the halls this holiday season, collect pine cones and holly from outdoors and make garlands from raffia or vines. These materials can be put into compost heaps or ground up into mulch later on, reducing waste. • Cut back on lighting by reducing the number of lights you string up on your home and choosing energy-efficient lights. LED l i g h t s , which use up to 95 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, is another way to leave a smaller carbon footprint this holiday season. • Avoid especially flashly wrapping paper. Glossy or metallic wrapping paper is hard to recycle. Use paper made of natural fibers or select plain postage paper and dress up presents with reusable ribbons and bows.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Directions: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates. 2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. 3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. 4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 48 cookies.

Recipe from Amber Plumley

Ingredients: 48 Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates 1/2 cup shortening 3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Additional granulated sugar(optional)

Staff Favorites

New Holiday Arrivals

We can help you find the perfect gift for your Special Someone! Gifts • Boots • Purses • Clothes • Jewelry 813 Boyd Rd, • Azle 817-444-9000

Wednesday, November 12, 2014