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Simply Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Settings Thanksgiving Appalachia’s Favorite Recipes Creating The Christmas Spirit Merry & Bright Decking the Halls Christmas Memories Vintage Ceramic Trees More Popular Than Ever Archer Park - Lighting Up Christmas Holiday Baking
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A Very Merry COVID Christmas Find joy this holiday season—even if coronavirus cases change your traditions. BY TRACIE VANDERBECK
This Christmas, it may be hard not to feel a little like Scooge. But before you say, “Bah, humbug,” and try to fast forward into the new year, look for ways to find some fun this holiday season. The coronavirus pandemic may mean your Christmas won’t look exactly the same as it usually does, but you can get creative and find some new ways to celebrate. Here’s how to make your Christmas special, even if concerns about COVID-19 mean you’ll have to celebrate the holidays away from your friends and family. 1. Prioritize the traditions that matter most to you Think about what is the essence of the holiday for you, so you can try to preserve it. Even if you’re not doing everything you used to, you can set up the holiday decorations, if that’s really important, or make the special foods you love. 2. Trim a tree outdoors Since you might be entertaining outdoors more than you usually do this time of year, this is the year to go overboard with decking out your deck or patio—and adorning an outdoor-friendly tree (or even a live Christmas tree in a planter) with LED lights and shatterproof ornaments is the way to go. (Tip: Use twist ties or florist’s wire to secure the ornaments to the tree, so they’ll stay put even in a stiff wind.) 3. Make special memories You and your household members may be a little tired of each other right now, but think of fun ways to help set the holiday season apart. Create a little advent calendar with festive activities for each day. Your Christmas activities don’t have to be elaborate—it could just be drinking hot cocoa together wearing Santa hats or watching Christmas movies. 4. Find ways to make the most of your time with loved ones To keep everyone as safe as possible, your best bet is following CDC recommendations and avoiding large gatherings indoors. (An outbreak of COVID is the Christmas gift that no one wished for.) Look for outdoor activities that can be socially distanced and keep you active. And don’t forget to serve hot foods and drinks to help keep everyone toasty. Do your Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange around an outdoor picnic table or fire pit. 5. Spread some joy If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how much the people in our lives mean to us, so go ahead and spread some happiness where you can. Write down how much the people you love mean to you and send it out to them. Make Christmas cookies and leave some with your friends and neighbors—or drop off treats at a local nursing home, hospital, or fire department to brighten the lives of the people there. 6. Remember that what’s different may make this holiday more special You may not remember exactly what happened at the holidays from year to year, but when something this different happens, it’ll stick out. This exceptional holiday season will probably be more memorable because it’s so different. We just have to find a way to make the most of it.
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Above: Rustic elements including a collection of small white pumpkins, distressed flower pots, natural linen napkins, acorns and sprigs of fresh sage are juxtaposed with crystal champagne flutes for a shabby chic tablescape.
Left: Sage and white pumpkins along with white roses rest beautifully on a bed of fresh seeded eucalyptus and pine cones. An inexpensive piece of burlap over the table adds a beautiful background to this natural tablescape. 6
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Above: Less is more with this fall tablescape. Faux log candle holders, small pumpkins and gourds, pots of English ivy and a mix of depression glass goblets bring all the colors of fall together. Left: Pantone color of the year, Classic Navy, has found it’s way into holiday decor in 2020. Faux olive branch leafy garlands serve as the foundation for this bountiful Thanksgiving tablescape. Faux fall colored leaf stems, blue and brown berry picks and a few faux sage picks are layered on with velvet pumpkins nestled on top with the largest one in the center and the smaller pumpkins in and around the garland. Photo courtesy of Home with Holly J.
Right: Decorating not your thing? You’re in luck.This Legends of the Fall Tablescape Kit offered by Table Terraine includes everything you need for a beautiful Thanksgiving Table. The kit includes: a table runner, tablecloth, linen napkins, water goblets, horn napkin rings and water hyacinth placemats. For more information visit www.tableterrain.com.
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Take your Thanksgiving dinner up a notch with these tried and true Appalachian inspired recipes. Beer Cheese
Southern Cornbread Dressing A traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe perfectly seasoned with onions, celery and sage. Makes a delicious addition to every holiday table. Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 12 servings
Beer cheese is a quintessential snack of the Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon & Boone region. Winchester even has its own Beer Cheese Trail, and rumor has it Queen Elizabeth II brought some home after a visit to horse country. Ingredients • 1 pound block of sharp cheddar cheese • 1/2 yellow onion, roughly chopped • 2 tsp minced garlic • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce • 1½ teaspoons yellow mustard • 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 bottle full-flavored beer Instructions 1. At least one hour before you’re ready to start making your dip, open beer and let sit on counter. Beer should be flat. 2. Add onion to food processor and pulse until finely minced. 3. Add all spices to processor. 4. Chop cheese into two inch cubes; add one cube to processor at a time while pulsing. 5. Slowly pour in beer while pulsing until you reach a creamy consistency and no chunks of cheese remain. (Approximately half of a bottle) 6. Serve with crackers, pretzels, carrots and celery sticks.
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Ingredients • 1 batch cornbread, crumbled • 8 tablespoons butter • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 celery ribs, chopped • 1½ teaspoons dried sage • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper • 3 bread slices, toasted and crumbled • ½ cup milk • 3 eggs lightly beaten • 2 cups chicken broth • 2 tablespoons butter Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9”x13” baking dish, and set aside. 2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons butter. 3. Add onions and celery to skillet and saute until tender. 4. Stir in poultry seasoning, sage, salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside. 5. In a large mixing bowl, add cornbread crumbles and toast crumbles. Stir in chicken broth. 6. Add onion mixture to cornbread mixture, and stir to combine. 7. Test seasoning now and adjust as necessary. 8. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and eggs. Pour into dressing mixture and stir to combine. 9. Transfer dressing mixture to prepared baking dish, and spread gently and evenly.
10. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into small slivers and scatter on top of the dressing. 11. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until browned on the top. Notes: • Make the cornbread at least one day before (or up to 3 days). Let the cornbread sit out, uncovered to get a little stale. Then crumble before adding it to the recipe. • Make your cornbread from scratch. Do not add sugar or honey. • Dressing mixture should be very moist, but not soupy. If your dressing mixture is not wet all the way through after adding all ingredients, add an additional broth. • Add 1 pound of crumbled pork sausage for extra flavor. Sage sausage compliments the flavors of this dish. Make Ahead Instructions: Prepare dressing as instructed in the recipe, without baking. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. Three different cheeses and a homemade cheese sauce takes this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top. Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 1 hr Ingredients • 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked (or other tubular pasta) • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 6 tbsp unsalted butter • 1/3 cup all purpose flour • 3 cups whole milk • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded • 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded • salt and pepper to taste • 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs • 4 tbsp butter, melted • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika) Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large 3 qt or 4 qt baking dish and set aside. Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside. 2. Cook the pasta one minute shy of al dente according to the pack age instructions. Remove from heat, drain, and place in a large bowl. 3. Drizzle pasta with olive oil and stir to coat pasta. Set aside to cool while preparing cheese sauce. 4. Melt butter in a deep saucepan, dutch oven, or stock pot. 5. Whisk in flour over medium heat and continue whisking for about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
6. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until nice and smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the surface and then continue cooking and whisking for another 2 minutes. 7. Whisk in salt and pepper. 8. Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups of shredded cheese and continue whisking until creamy and smooth. Sauce should be nice and thick. 9. Stir in the cooled pasta until combined and pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce. 10. Pour half of the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. 11. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese and then the remaining mac and cheese. 12. In a small bowl, combine panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter and paprika. Sprinkle over the top and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately. Notes: • Use block cheese and shred, do not buy the pre-shredded cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is great for so many things but not macaroni and cheese. It’s coated and won’t melt properly. • Cook your pasta to slightly less than al dente, The reason is that this is baked mac and cheese so the pasta will continue to cook in the homemade cheese sauce in the oven. • If you can’t find Gruyere, Jarlsberg Swiss cheese is the best substitute. Other cheese that work: mozzarella, jack cheese and American.
Maysville Historic Transparent Pie The origin of transparent pie is difficult to pin down, but it likely dates to the 1800s, when home cooks in small farm kitchens in the Northern Kentucky River Region had to be creative with the ingredients they had on hand: eggs, sugar, butter, cream and a bit of flour. Magee’s Bakery in Maysville popularized the pie in the 1930s, and it has gained many loyal fans over the years – including actor (and Kentucky native) George Clooney, who has been known to share slices of transparent pie on movie sets. Ingredients • 1 cup cream • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 unbaked (9-inch) pie shell • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted • 2 cups sugar • 2 tablespoons flour • 4 eggs, beaten Instructions 1. Beat butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add cream, and mix well. 2. Beat in eggs. Stir in flour and vanilla. 3. Pour into pie shell. 4. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Yields 8 servings.
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A candy land display at Above & Beyond Especially for You includes gingerbread houses, candy cane trees, holiday greenery and a life-size Nutcracker drummer.
CREATING
Christmas Spirit the
Local retailer and designer, Susan Lockhart, owner of Above and Beyond Just For You, creates lavish holiday displays at her store in Pikeville to inspire her customers to create special holiday designs at home.
STORY BY NICOLE ZIEGE PHOTOS BY TRACIE VANDERBECK
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he Christmas season for Susan Lockhart at Pikeville’s “Above and Beyond, Just For You” is no small matter. After more than a week of decorating the store, Lockhart and her employees have created unique displays for their customers, where each color scheme transitions seamlessly into the next while staying true to certain themes and involving classic Christmas elements, like gingerbread men, Santa Claus and snowmen. The process of preparing for Christmas every year, though, starts in the month of January for Lockhart. She travels to Atlanta to visit Americasmart, a large wholesale marketplace that offers the latest in gift products and various home decor every year, in order to search for decorations to sell. While scouring the market, she also creates an informal plan in her mind for how she could decorate her store with those items. By using the decorations in various displays, she said that she allows the customers to gain inspiration from the displays and learn more about how to use them, in addition to becoming more interested in purchasing them. “That’s where you put your puzzle pieces together. Sometimes it just comes to life from day one or until day seven, Continued on page 14
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Blue continues to be popular in holiday decor in 2020. Lockhart has devoted a large portion of her store to the trend. She recommends making smaller incremental additions to your holiday decor each year if you’re looking to change your theme or colors. if you shop for seven days,” Lockhart said, regarding the market. “I traditionally have a lot in red because I have found that our customers, no matter where they may go with their style in their home, they always have a touch of red, and a lot of people love that traditional red, green and gold. We always try to find a good variety in our core colors for Christmas.” Lockhart has developed a passion for interior design and decorating for more than 15 years, and she opened her 14
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Pikeville store in 2012. Additionally, she also works as an interior decorator for several clients around the region in order to help them decorate for the Christmas season. Every year, Lockhart has consistently picked up on potential upcoming trends that may appeal to her customers in Eastern Kentucky by looking at what they purchase at her store and by looking at what is trending more at Americasmart each year. “I try to look at what may be the next
trend or what is trending, and then I try to think about how would it go here, will that go with our customers, will that go in Eastern Kentucky, or will that trend even make it here,” she said. “There was an instance one year of it being trendy to style everything Victorian, but it never hit here.” Some of the current and most significant Christmas trends that she has noticed, both as a seller and as an interior decorator, in the Appalachian region this year include traditional colors like green, red and gold, red trucks and flocking, which includes flock trees and flock garland. Flocking is a design trend of making trees or garland appear snowy and white. “Flocking is huge. Flocking was big when I was a young girl. One of the memories I have from my childhood is when my mom would get a fresh tree and my dad would get the vacuum out and the flocking kit and he would flock her tree,” Lockhart said. “There was also a greenhouse down in Floyd County where they would flock trees and sell them to customers. Back when I was a little girl, flocking was big, then it went away for a while and now it’s back. They’re really coming back strong.” Snowmen are still the most common Christmas staples in Eastern Kentucky every year, Lockhart explained, due to their versatility as being decorations for people to use during the entire winter season, including December, January and even into February. She added that Santa Claus is also a popular option because it is a classic traditional image that many still like to display in Eastern Kentucky, as well as some nativity scenes. She emphasized the importance of color combinations with creating trendy, decorative Christmas trees and displays. This year, several colors are trendy to use as add-on pieces, like blue, which has trended as an accent color for fall and winter this year and last year. “I did not jump on board last year because I felt like it was too premature for our area,” Lockhart said, explaining that blue Christmas trees were also in season last year at market. “I knew one customer who did do a blue tree. When we went (to market) this year, we still saw a strong presence with blue so this year I did bring
rated using various shades of green, with gold, white and red as accents. “Jades, greens and moss colors, they can be by themselves beautiful, or they can be complemented by your traditional reds,” she said. For people who want to create a new theme for their tree or experiment with different themes, Lockhart recommended that they make smaller, more incremental changes to their designs and themes every year, especially if they do not want to spend a lot of money on new decorations. For example, if people have a lot of red decorations but want to create a different look this year, she recommended that they add a different ribbon or ornament in order to start changing their tree. “If people want to change their theme up, it’s very expensive to completely change your decorations on your tree,” Lockhart said. “I often will tell people: Change it up a little this year, add that one accent color or do it in a decoration or an ornament, and next year, if you want to, add a little more to it and kind of give it more direction of where you want to go with it.” Black and white and red along with snowmen continue to be popular trends in 2020. in some blue trees for fall and brought in a heavier amount for Christmas. It has already sold quite well this year.” The color scheme of black, white and red is also trending this year, as it creates a more elegant and sophisticated look to Christmas. This color scheme can work in several areas around the house, including the Christmas tree, where the red can work as an accent. “I also fell in love with a black, white and red theme,” Lockhart said. “It’s a very chic, sophisticated look. Basic, simple, over-the-top but not big. That was an inspiration that I saw at market that I thought would be great.” Another significant color scheme that Lockhart noted was the combination of various green tones, to create displays, including on the Christmas tree. At Above and Beyond, Just For You, Lockhart displayed several Christmas trees around her store. One of them was decoEverything Home Holiday 2020
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MERRY & BRIGHT
Lockhart goes ‘Above and Beyond’ for local resident’s Christmas STORY BY NICOLE ZIEGE PHOTOS BY SUSAN LOCKHART
When local decorator Susan Lockhart meets with a client to discuss how they would like to decorate their home or venue for a party or holiday, she explained how it is always important to learn more about the client before creating displays and designs for them in order to coordinate the designs to the client’s personality and wishes. Last year, Lockhart worked with local client Brooke Hensley to help her decorate her home for the Christmas season. While talking to Hensley, Lockhart discussed with her about how Hensley wanted a clean look with simple reds and a red and white Christmas tree. “I immediately thought of a very basic tree with a red and white ornaments and little berries,” she said. “She had a ’Tis the Season sign and a few big ornaments, and we went and made her tree out of that. When I talked to her, I just realized simplicity but elegant with pops of those red berries would really probably suit her personality. It was so simple but just pretty, and it worked.” Lockhart said that it is important for her as a designer to help her clients pull together whatever their style and preferences are in order to create a look they may like. By adding accents of mint green and berries, Lockhart said that the look transformed into being one of her favorite houses that she worked on last year. “People often know what they like, or they maybe can’t articulate it or sometimes they can’t pull their stuff together,” Lockhart said. “For me, I still have to play with it, or what I might thought would work when I start it, you just have to play with it and be open-minded — like, ‘That looks bad, so let’s take that down and start all over.’ We took the next step in implementing what she had (and) what she could find, and I thought it was my favorite house.”
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Halls
DECKING the
From the minute you enter into Christy McCoy’s home you’re greeted with the splendor of Christmas. A magical display of lighted buildings from the Dept. 56 Snow Village Collection fills her staircase.
South Williamson resident and retired teacher Christy McCoy’s longstanding tradition of meticulously decorating her home for the Christmas Holiday is one that she has no plans of breaking anytime soon. STORY BY BRUCE JUSTICE PHOTOS SUBMITTED
On each step of the staircase leading up to the second floor of her South Williamson home is a Dept. 56 Snow Village Collection of replica houses and/or cabins. With respect to this one display, once inside her home’s front door it doesn’t take but a moment before the onlooker is enveloped by the cozy, Christmassy aura being collectively emitted from each of the softly lighted rustic structures. A few feet away on the open shelves of a kitchen curio cupboard, radiating this same magical aura, is what she calls “Restaurant Row,” showcasing, among other holiday-themed eateries, “Rosita’s Cantina” and “Pisa Pizza.” And customarily, and irrespective of the vast array of ornaments she has meticulously arranged in nearly every room on both floors of her house, retired Pike County teacher and current Matewan PK-8 virtual teacher Christy McCoy says these and the many more similarly to them all originate from the same companies/suppliers. “I’ve always pretty much bought all my collections from places like Grandin Road, Front Gate, Above and Beyond, Just For You, and Cracker Barrel,” she said. “I guess you could say I’ve always been somewhat of a traditionalist in this sense as well when it comes to the places I always go to get the things I use for my displays.” And because of her passion for Christmas trees and believing having just one somehow falls short of exhibiting true Christmas spirit, strategically located throughout her home are a variety of Yuletide trees. “Of course I have an eclectic tree with a Santa and presents and all the typical ornaments, but, being a teacher for so many Continued on page 22
years, I also have one decorated with all the ornaments that my students have given me over the span of my teaching career, which is really special to me. “I also have what I refer to as my ‘Travel Christmas Tree,’ which is decorated with things I’ve picked up at different vacation spots over the years.” McCoy said her traditional Christmas decorating scheme is so detailed and so time-consuming she has to begin around Halloween to have it completed on time. “And that’s just inside my house … that doesn’t include my outside decorations,” she quickly added. “I have to work the outside things into my time schedule as I go along.” Whether it’s her Dept. 56 Snow Village Collection, her Restaurant Row, her variety of Christmas Trees, the wafting aroma of live pine and holly berries throughout her home, holiday cooking and family get-togethers, or neighborhood caroling and attending church services on Christmas Eve, McCoy says collectively it can all be summed up with one word: tradition. “All these things make me happy because I’m always just going to be a kid at heart,” she said. “I have multiple nieces and nephews, and no question I keep doing it for them … but also for me, because I love it.” Above: Christy’s kitchen is ready for guests with a snowman theme and a display of Christmas buildings which she refers to as Restaurant Row. Right: Christy has placed multiple trees throughout her home for the holidays, each with a different theme. 22
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CHRISTMAS
MEMORIES The gift of keeping traditions alive in the mountains STORY BY KATIE KELLEY PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Every year, families throughout the country celebrate Christmas with gifts, food, decorations, parties, and practicing religious activities. For some, such as Teresa Brewer and her family, the Christmas season serves as another purpose in addition to those festivities — preserving and honoring the richness of the traditions and culture of the Appalachian people. Each December, Brewer, her husband, and their two children participate in several holiday activities, several of which are long-time traditions passed down over the years or newly founded practices that the family has turned into new traditions. “Christmas has always been a special time for me and for our family,” said Brewer. “My family enjoys a host of Christmas events annually. We plan, dream and prepare all year long.” Brewer said her children are always involved in their church’s Christmas play, and as a family, they love to bake cookies, cakes, pies and a variety of homemade candies. The holiday, she said, brings back fond memories of her childhood and fills her heart with love that she hopes to continue passing on. Some of the most vivid memories, she said, involve the process of decorating for Christmas with her family. “As a child I remember walking through a forest of pines gently glistening with snow displayed in my grandmother’s front yard,” said Brewer. “My dad, a local businessman, used to make a few extra dollars for gifts by selling Christmas trees. I think it was my dad’s personal way of giving joy to our community and giving to his family at the same time.” “My mother made Christmas unique by making ornaments that money could never buy. Handmade was always better than store bought,” said Brewer. “I now know that is true, not because they are more elegant but because your heart is reflected in your work,” she said. “Your ornament would always be perfect, though perhaps not flawless.” “She used a salt dough recipe handed down from my grandmother. We all took turns smooshing the ingredients together. It was a little messy, but definitely the highlight of the evening. We painted each one by hand and even the messy ones won her heart’s approval for center stage on the
Above: Then and now. Teresa Brewer as a young girl lights the candles at holiday table full of special holiday treats, a tradition she continues today with her own family. Opposite: The Brewer family Christmas tree. tree,” Brewer said. Many of these traditions, she said, have been continued throughout the years, and the memories live on with her telling the stories to the family. “Today in our family, things haven’t changed much. We have an artificial tree, but only to extend the season a bit as my love for Christmas is quite overwhelming and possibly even a little reckless,” said Brewer. “My parents are older and have slowed down a little, but their honored traditions have stood the test of time and we have even added a few of our own. I am glad to have the privilege to share with my own family.” Being able to pass the memories and traditions on to her children and future generations of her family, said Brewer, is very important, and something she sees as one of her duties. “If we are given a treasure like Christmas, we have a duty, even an obligation, to share that with the next generation,” said Brewer. “Christmas has an excitement to it like no other season. I love it all. I love the carols, cakes, pies and candy made from scratch, the twinkling lights and smell of gingerbread mixed with pine trees, the china and polished silver, the stemware, flatware and all the fuss — especially the fuss.” During the holidays, Brewer said, she often reminisces of her childhood, the time spent with her family, and how important that was to her growing up. Brewer said she likes to honor those memories and the loved ones lost even now. “My grandmother was very special to me. I remember sitting at her table many times for Sunday dinner. She is gone, but we remember her and my grandfather in our Christmas traditions,” said Brewer. “Their china, in all its golden glory, adorns the family table along with her tea pitcher full of Southern sweet tea just the way she used to make it. We light a candle for each of those gone on. I also wear my grandmother’s ring every Christmas and remember how her hands looked all covered in dough
cooking for her own family. It is important to remember and honor the ones who have laid the foundations of our traditions and those who have blessed and enriched our lives,” said Brewer. Throughout the years, Brewer said, while continuing to uphold the many traditions of her childhood, as well as create new ones with her children and husband, she has documented everything, ensuring that the practices and stories will be passed on for others to read about and cherish later on. “Memories are a gift we can give back to ourselves,” said Brewer. “Each year we use a Christmas planner I bought from Hallmark long ago. We just copy new pages and keep adding. That simple journal has been a treasure, so many memories etched in that book,” she said. “We always save the best event for last,” said Brewer. “Once every gift is perfectly wrapped and placed around the tree, candles flickering and fragrant, hot cider on, and family recipes in the oven, we sit down together and sing a song or two, read the Christmas story from our old and well-worn Bible, bless our food, and share our gifts. Finally, we sit satisfied with the food in our bellies and bask in the love that fills our hearts and wish it would never end. “Christmas brings about one of life’s most precious lessons. Christmas is about giving and also about sacrifice. God gave us His very best that night in a little town in Bethlehem, a humble and innocent child was a gift and later the sacrifice to save the world. I believe this is an example to us. If we love our families, we will give our very best gifts — time, love and fellowship. We will also make the sacrifices necessary to ensure the holiday is truly heartfelt and full of meaning and blessings for our families and our neighbors,” said Brewer. Although the way things are done this year will inevitably be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brewer said, the emotions will remain the same.
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Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees More Popular Than Ever
Photo courtesy of the Vermont Country Store. Calling all vintage ceramic Christmas tree owners! These tabletop tannenbaums are all the rage again, and the proof ’s everywhere: Retailers like Amazon and Walmart are well-stocked with modern variations of these delicate beauties. But it’s the older models—available on Etsy—that are most popular of all, and could be worth some serious cash. So what’s the deal with these ceramic decorations—and why have people been making such a fuss over them for so many decades? For starters, it’s important to know the history of the pretty figurines. Believe it or not, the trees first hit the scene back in ‘40s, but they didn’t truly become popular until the ‘70s. They were first designed (at least officially) by Atlantic Molds, but most vintage ones you’ll find at flea markets or online sellers come from Nowell’s. Many folks collect them and pass them on to family members. The best source for vintage finds is Etsy and Ebay. Many online retailers offer beautiful replicas such as Vermont Country Store, Plow and Hearth and Amazon. You can find styles in a variety of colors, sizes, and designs too. New ones are typically battery-operated, while antique ones light up with a power cord. And if you don’t own one of these beauties yet, note that you don’t have to go the store-bought route! Back in the day, many collectors crafted their very own with pre-made ceramic trees—and you can do the same today. There are tons of DIY kits on the market (particularly on Etsy), which allow you to paint your own heirloom piece that can be cherished for generations to come. Wondering what to do with one of these treasures once you find it in your home? First, try sprucing it up a bit. You can easily make it look merry and bright again with replacement bulbs and new tree bases which are easily found online. Try Ebay, Amazon and Etsy. Regardless of whether you buy a new tree or invest in an vintage piece, one thing’s for sure: You’re going to make Grandma very proud!
Photo via Pinterest.
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LIGHTING UP CHRISTMAS For More Than 25 Years
Archer Park’s Christmas lights set to offer safe entertainment during COVID-19 BY AUSTIN BLANKENSHIP STAFF WRITER Each family or individual has a Christmas tradition in which they share with their loved ones each and every year, the same goes for the City of Prestonsburg and its more than 25-year-old tradition of lighting up the holiday with its Archer Park light display. The City of Prestonsburg has been giving individuals a reason to get into the holiday spirit for more than 25 years, with its annual Christmas light display which is held in Archer Park, according to one of the individuals tasked with preparing the lights each year, park employee Ritchie Schoolcraft. Schoolcraft, who has been involved with Archer Park and its light display for approximately 11 years now, said that, typically, the light display sees anywhere from 45,000 to 50,000 vehicles drive through the light display. Those vehicles, of course, are made up of many individuals and families from Eastern Kentucky. However, according to Schoolcraft, the display has garnered the attention of tourists from near and far as well. “We’ve had people come in from West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee and all over Kentucky,” Schoolcraft said. “We’ll see people from a ton of other states, whether it’s just to see the lights or they’re there to see their families, they still come out to the park.” The light display has been a a nice tourist hotspot for Prestonsburg since it began, with each year getting improvements from the last. According to Schoolcraft, every year the city is looking to “up the ante” in order to continue the popular holiday tradition. “Every year since it felt like I came here, we’ve looked to improve the display,” Schoolcraft said. “Whether it’s purchasing more or newer lights, or if it’s us playing around with ideas regarding how we can make the show more interactive and entertaining.” Schoolcraft said that recently the display has been featuring more and more LED lights, which he added has became a popular choice for many Christmas lights. However, even with the modern upgrades, Schoolcraft insists that the park continues a lot of its older traditions, one of which he said was the tree decoration. Typically, Schoolcraft said that preparations for the annual Christmas display begin around the first week of Septem30
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ber, just to make sure everything is ready. But, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, Schoolcraft said that preparations weren’t able to start until the second week of September. “We usually decorate until the week of Thanksgiving,” Schoolcraft said. “And then we turn the lights on Thanksgiving Day. A lot of things go into actually getting a month-long Christmas light-show ready,” According to Schoolcraft, park employees are constantly having to maintain the lights daily, just to make sure that when it’s time to flip that switch on Thanksgiving, all lights are operational. With the current COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, many individuals may be turned-off to the idea of attending a public Christmas light display. However, Schoolcraft said that Prestonsburg’s show, will offer people a safe way to get in the holiday spirit, through its drive-thru display. “For the most part, people come and see the lights and they’re already with their family units,” Schoolcraft said. “And with our display being a drive-thru setup, it already kind of promotes social distancing.” One tradition that occurs each year during the display, is the opportunity to visit Santa Claus at Archer Park. According to Schoolcraft, the park fully intends to still have Santa checking his “naughty and nice” list, but the city and park are still figuring out a way to ensure the utmost safety for individuals who are in attendance. Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton said the light display at Archer Park is one of his favorite city traditions. According to him, the city has been and will continue to be committed to providing bigger and better entertainment for Prestonsburg. “This is going to be an awesome opportunity for people here in Eastern Kentucky and other states to come get in the holiday spirit, while being safe,” Stapleton said. “People are going to be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful Christmas light displays right here in Prestonsburg, from the safety of their own vehicle.” “We just want to invite everyone to come out to our great city for some safe holiday entertainment.” The annual Archer Park Christmas light display will be ready for individuals beginning on Thanksgiving Day.
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HOLIDAY BAKING Old family recipes and sharing the Christmas Spirit STORY AND PHOTOS BY TRACIE VANDERBECK
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ne of my favorite parts of Christmas is baking. I still make some of my mother’s beloved cookie recipes but I’ve added several others over the years. I’ve learned not to start my baking too early though, because they disappear so quickly at my house. A few days before Christmas I fill my kitchen table with all my baked goodies laid out on my favorite Christmas plates along with a few small gifts, fresh greenery that my good friend, Robin Wells, brings me every year from her garden, some candles and a few simple holiday decor items. It’s not fancy or extravagant, but I enjoy being ready for family and guests that may drop in. I keep some flavored coffees, teas and hot chocolate for my Keurig on hand for anyone I can convince to come in and visit for a bit. This has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season for me. Showing some hospitality and sharing some Christmas spirit with family and friends is what the season is all about. The 2020 holiday season will definitely be a different year in terms of inviting friends into your home, but hospitality can still extend to your own family and close inner circle of friends. Please continue to be diligent by taking all necessary safety precautions and practice social distancing this holiday season.
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Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2)
Favorite Cookie Recipes
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Spritz Cookies
One of my most requested holiday cookies. Spritz Cookies perfectly round out any cookie platter, not too sweet and perfectly buttery. Spritz cookies actually come from a German word meaning “to squirt”, but are typically known as Swedish or Norwegian cookies and require the use of a cookie press. If you have never used a cookie press, I recommend watching some videos. It takes a little practice getting used to using the press. Ingredients • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 1/2 cups butter • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons milk • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Assorted colored sugars
Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 2. In bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. (5 min) 3. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract; mix well. 4. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat until combined. Do not chill. 5. Fill cookie press with dough and with desired disks, press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. 6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet on cooling rack. Remove from sheet; cool completely. Continued on page 36 Everything Home Holiday 2020
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RECIPES
Pecan Tassies
Pecan Tassies are a miniature version of the pecan pie. The exact history of the dish and the original creator of Pecan Tassies recipe are unknown. But according to a legend, the word ‘tassies’ is an American simplification of the French word ‘tasse’ or the Scottish word ‘tassie’ which means small cup. Pecan Pie is originally credited to the New Orleans, Louisiana, region of the US. Storebought versions cannot compare to this old family recipe. They also freeze well. Ingredients: Dough: 4 cups flour 12 oz cream cheese 1 lb butter at room temperature Filling: 4 eggs - lightly beaten 3 cups dark brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 4 Tbl. melted butter Topping: 2 cups pecans chopped into small pieces Instructions: 1. Mix ingredients for dough. Pinch off enough dough to make balls the size of a small walnut. Press each ball into ungreased miniature muffin pan. 2. Mix filling ingredients until well blended. Filling will be like thick syrup. Fill each dough cup 1/2 to 3/4 full. Sprinkle nuts on top of filling. 3. Bake at 375ºF for 15 - 20 minutes. Tarts will be soft when removed from hot oven but will firm up as they cool. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tin. Makes 5 1/2 to 6 dozen. Note: Pampered Chef makes a dough press that may save you some time, but I still prefer to shape them by hand. Pressing them out by hand gives me a little more control over the thickness of the dough which allows for a little more filling and less crust. 36
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Almost Mrs. Field’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies ususally aren’t considered a traditional holiday cookie, but we always have them at our house at Christmas. My family insists on it. Mrs. Field’s cookies are perfectly crispy around the edge and chewy in the middle. Ingredients: • 1 pound butter softened, (salted) • 2 cups dark brown sugar packed • 2 cups white sugar • 4 eggs beaten • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 2 teaspoons baking soda • 4 1/2 cups of sifted flour • 5 cups uncooked oatmeal ground in food processor. • 24 ounces chocolate chips (milk or semisweet) • 1 - 8 oz. chocolate bar grated • 3 cups of chopped nuts (optional) Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350º. 2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars together in a large bowl. 3. Add beaten eggs and vanilla. Beat well. 4. Mix together baking powder, baking soda and flour. Blend into sugar mixture. 5. Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips, ground chocolate and nuts if using. The dough will be quite thick and you may need to combine by hand. 6. Roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. 7. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from rack and cool. Notes: • If you don’t have a food processor to grind the oatmeal, a blender will do the job. It should be almost a flour consistency. • Be careful not to bake these cookies too long, they will continue to bake after they come out of the oven. Depending on the size of the cookie you make, the timing can vary between 8 and 9 minutes. • This recipe may be cut in half very sucessfully, but you’ll be sorry you did.
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