Mountain Escapes Volume 06 2023

DECEMBER 2023 | JANUARY 2024

COVERING MOUNTAIN TOWNS OF EAST TN, SOUTHWEST VA & WESTERN NC

THE TASTE OF GOOD HEALTH!

Stepping into the world of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Conversations with K.C. St. Louis, Owner, Certified Olive Oil Sommelier Abingdon Olive Oil Co. 335 Cummings St., Abingdon, VA 24210

Mountain Escapes: Tell us about Abingdon Olive Oil Company

KC: At Abingdon Olive Oil Company, we are purveyors of Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. “Ultra Premium” boasts the highest standards in the world: Low Free Fatty Acid, High Oleic Acid, RICH in phenols … so much so, many call it “Liquid Gold.” Our olive oils come from all over the world. So at Abingdon Olive Oil Company, we take you on a tour of the world of extra virgin olive oils.

Mountain Escapes: I read an article recently that claimed the best EVOO comes from Tunisia where the air is dry and arid, so the olive tree roots dig deep into the ground for sustenance making the olives rich in nutrients thereby producing healthier olive oil. Is that true?”

KC: There are many factors that go into producing an ultra premium olive oil and weather is certainly one of them. When I first opened back in 2011, some customers would come in asking, “Greece! Greece! Do you have any olive oil from Greece?” I would ask, “Why does that matter?” And they would reply, “Because we were just there, and we had THE BEST olive oil we’ve ever tasted!” “Ohhh.” I’d say. The reality is, like most Americans, they’d never tasted real olive oil. Most of the stuff we find on our grocery shelves isn’t anything close to a true extra virgin because we don’t have any standards in this country. No organization is “policing” it’s quality and taste.

Now technically speaking, where in the world extra virgin olive oil

comes from has nothing to do with the actual taste or quality of a particular olive oil. There are over 2000 varietals of olives on the planet. Just like the taste of Granny Smith apples is significantly different from the taste of Red Delicious apples so you use them for different purposes … Granny Smith for tart apples pies and Red Delicious for THE BEST apple butter E V E R (!!!) … the same is true for olives and their corresponding olive oil.

I’m an Ohio girl. We were taught as kids all about Johnny Appleseed and how he roamed the state of Ohio planting apple trees. Everybody knows THE best Red Delicious Apples come from Ohio (!) AND, therefore, THE very best apple butter and apple pies are produced in Ohio. … Unless you’re from Seattle! And then, THE VERY BEST Red Delicious Apples come from Seattle.

So which is the right answer? Both!!

A delicious apple is a delicious apple!! And yet, a Red Delicious grown in Ohio will taste quite different in very subtle ways from its counterpart grown in Seattle. Why? Because of the terrain of the region… the ocean’s salty winds blowing through the apple groves of Seattle vs. the freshwater influence of the breezes flowing from the Great Lakes in Ohio will affect the taste of the apples.

And so it with olives as well. The soil and the corresponding bacteria and microbes in it play a significant role in the final taste. The topography or “lay of the land” the olive trees are

planted on is a factor as well. Was it fairly flat or tiered? Good drainage or not? Climate fluctuations from year to year will have an effect. Was it a rainy year or dry, barren year? Were there wildfires in the area? Did volcanoes erupt? Every outside influence of nature permeates into the roots, the bark, the leaves, the very air the tree “breaths” as it produces its fruit and, thus, affects the subtle descriptive flavors within.

When you come in our shop, my excellent tour guides will explain

Mountain Escapes: And THAT folks is just the beginning of our extraordinary conversation with KC St Louis, owner of Abingdon Olive Oil Co located just off exit 17 on i81 at 335 Cummings St. in AMAZING Abingdon Virginia. Tune in next issue for more in depth information about true EVOO!

ON THE COVERS

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HOLIDAY TIPS & RECIPES

A Beautiful Christmas Tradition

Under the artistic direction of Leonid Flegmatov, Kingsport Ballet prepares for a record year of The Nutcracker ballet with the largest cast to date. The production takes place at the Ballad Health Performing Arts Center (formerly the Wellmont Performing Arts Center) on the Northeast State campus, December 7-10.

One of the company’s greatest assets is its professional stagings, which include costumes and sets. Since transitioning to Artistic Director in May of 2022 Mr. Flegmatov has worked with executive director Bertina Dew and the board of directors to gradually replace the company’s tutus and ballet sets. Board

president Karen Ellison agrees that “...these beautiful costumes are assets that elevate Kingsport Ballet productions. They complete the whole package that our organization provides our region - great training and authentic stagings.”

In 2002, upon the start of former director Valeria Sinyavskaya’s tenure, the company commissioned two full sets of professional tutus from the costume mistresses of the Kirov Ballet in Russia. After two decades of constant use, they are in need of replacement. Some have been refurbished several times since purchased, and most are altered each year as they also serve

*Pictures are from previous years’ performances.

BLAKLEY-MITCHELL

CLOTHING

double-duty when re-decorated for use in other ballets. A set of tutus numbers 18-20 pieces and by today’s prices can run $800 to $1500 each. One of the greatest challenges of upkeep is the everchanging alterations which must take place from year to year as the costumes are worn by different dancers.

Last year’s Nutcracker production saw the addition of several new set pieces, giving the onstage scene a brighter and more magical appearance. In addition to the larger cast, this December audiences will see the beginning of some of the costuming updates.

The company has been staging the

Nutcracker in the East Tennessee region for two decades drawing local and regional audiences, including those from Asheville and Southwest Virginia. Some long-time followers travel up to 90 minutes to attend the ballet and have made it a family tradition, collecting souvenirs from the ballet boutique and attending the children’s party, Clara’s Tea, prior to seeing the ballet.

The production features over 60 dancers, including principal guest artists from professional ballet companies across the United

States, as well as Kingsport Ballet company dancers and children from the area.

The production includes a school performance for area children, and also a livestreamed performance. Public shows are Friday through Sunday. Saturday’s evening show will also be livestreamed.

Schools please contact us at kingsportballet@gmail.com for prompt reservations. Public audiences may visit our website www.kingsportballet.org and follow the links to purchase tickets online.

Kingsport Ballet is funded for general operations by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the General Assembly under an agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts. Outreach programs are funded in part by the City of Kingsport. Additional Kingsport Ballet projects are funded in part by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Discover Greeneville and Greene County with the Greene County Partnership’s New Passport

The Greene County Partnership’s tourism department has announced the launch of the Greeneville and Greene County Passport, an exciting new initiative designed to serve as a comprehensive visitor's guide to the rich history, vibrant shopping scene, dining options, and entertaining attractions in the picturesque region. The passports are free and are not just a guide but an invitation for visitors and residents to explore the beauty and charm of Greeneville and Greene County. Packed with information on historical landmarks, unique shops, dining experiences, and entertaining hotspots, the passport is the key to unlocking

the hidden gems that make the community special.

TOP 10 MUST-SEE EXPERIENCES

One of the standout features of the Greeneville and Greene County Passport is the curated list of the "Top 10 Must-See Experiences" voted on by Greeneville residents. These experiences are as follows:

• Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

• David Crockett Birthplace State Park

• Niswonger Performing Arts Center

• City Garage Car Museum

• Rheatown County Store & Deli

• Broyles General Store and Garden Emporium

• The Funny Farm

• Scoop Dog's Creamery

• Brumley's Restaurant & Lounge

• Brolin & Bailey Co.

As patrons explore each location, they can collect stamps to mark their journey through the heart of the community. Visitors who visit all 10 experiences can leave their completed passport at the last experience to be mailed an exclusive Discover Greeneville challenge coin featuring Greeneville’s friendly mascot, Banjo the Bear.

The Greeneville and Greene County Passport is available for pickup at any of the experience locations or at the Greene County Partnership.

For more information on the passport, please contact the Greene County Partnership’s Tourism Department at 423-638-4111 or visit www.discovergreenevilletn.com.

christmas tree Holiday Hacks

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree... why do you never look quite right? When your vision for your tree doesn’t match up with reality, it’s enough to turn anyone into a Grinch. Not this year—with the help of some seriously easy decorating hacks, you’ll be channeling Cindy Lou Who’s holiday vibes by the time the tree is done.

Christmas Tree Basics & Setup Fluff The Branches For A Fuller Look. When you set up an artificial tree, the branches are usually squished from being stuffed in a box, so take the time to spread each one out and make it as fluffy as possible before attaching the next branch. The key

to turning a faux or artificial tree into the perfect Christmas tree is not skipping or rushing through this critical step!

If your tree has sections that are very sparse, you can fill in the gaps with sections of artificial pine garland. Once you get the tree lit and decorated, you won’t even be able to tell! You could also fill in sparse spots with sprigs of silk poinsettia flowers or other festive holiday sprigs for a pop of color.

Consider Your Tree Stand & Skirt

Depending on the volume of gifts you anticipate Santa will have in his bag when he visits your house this

year, you may want to elevate your tree off the ground to allow more room for gifts under the tree. If you have small kids or mischievous pets at home, setting the entire tree on a low table can be an an easy way to prevent it from getting pulled or pushed over.

Another simple option is to set the base of the tree on large cans, such as unopened #10 food cans or gallon paint cans. You can also stack the tree on empty cans if that’s all you have on hand, but filling them with something heavy beforehand will make your setup sturdier and less precarious.

Once you’ve got your tree positioned where you want it and raised to your desired height, hide the base (and anything underneath it) with a nice tree skirt. You don’t even have to buy a traditional skirt — you could use a length of burlap,

a linen tablecloth, a festive flannel sheet, or even a chunky knit blanket as a tree skirt to cover the base of your tree.

Care Guidelines For Live Trees

If you’ll be decorating a live tree or real tree this year, caring for it properly not only keep it looking great, but will help prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. Here are a few tree care guidelines to follow: Put the base of the tree in water as soon as you bring it inside. Position live trees away from vents, fireplaces, and other sources of heat.

To determine how much water your tree needs, measure the diameter of the base of the tree, then provide 1 quart of water per inch of its diameter.

Check the water level daily to make sure the base stays submerged.

Christmas Tree Hacks: Lighting Your Tree

After you’ve gotten your tree set up, you’re ready for my own least favorite part of the process: adding lights. Here are some tips that can help make it easier to light your tree:

1. Know How Many Lights You’ll Need.

When it comes to Christmas tree lighting, the rule of thumb is to plan on using 100 lights per vertical foot of your tree.

2. Light One Section At A Time. If you have an artificial tree that is assembled in sections, it might be easier to light each section separately, then assemble the sections when you’re done. Decorating a tree is stressful enough with out having to bend and twist around those wide lower branches!

Another way to light your tree is to run your lights vertically, rather than spiraling them around the tree

horizontally. People who prefer this approach say it helps prevent the lights from getting lost among the branches.

3. Use LED Lights. When shopping for Christmas tree lights, look for LED lights. They emit the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs, yet last longer and are more energy-efficient and fire-resistant.

4. Use White Lights For An Inner Glow.

Multi-colored lights can make your Christmas tree look fun and festive, but it’ll look even better if it also has a steady glow from within! Add a strand or two of warm, white lights around the tree trunk to give it a lovely glow behind those colorful lights.

5. Work From the Top Down.

Pets and toddlers may admire the lower branches of your Christmas tree, but most people’s attention will be drawn to the middle and top. A messy tangle of lights or sparse patches of branches will be especially noticeable near the top of the tree. Start from the top when stringing lights, and hang your favorite and most attractive ornaments near the top too. Not only will they be eye level for most people, but they’ll

be safer from those curious pets and toddlers.

CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING TIPS: HANGING ORNAMENTS

1. Ditch Flimsy Hangers

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that life’s too short to struggle with flimsy ornament hangers that barely support the weight of ornaments made from anything other than very lightweight plastic.

In fact, I’ve started using floral wire instead of those flimsy hooks — it’s much sturdier and blends right in with the tree branches.

2. Hang Larger Ornaments First

Distribute your biggest, heaviest Christmas tree ornaments around the tree first, then use smaller ornaments to cover the spaces in between. You’ll end up with a stunning Christmas tree that doesn’t look lopsided or top heavy.

3. Hang Valuable Ornaments Up High

Ornaments that are especially meaningful or valuable should be hung near the top of the tree where they’ll be safely out of reach of children or pets. Also, consider using a length of ribbon or wire to secure your special ornaments to their branches to prevent them from falling if the tree gets bumped or jostled.

Likewise, consider placing your least favorite ornaments near the bottom of your tree. They’ll give it a nice full look, while the ornaments you really want to see will be front and center.

4. Support Your Tree Topper

Some tree toppers can be pretty heavy, and it’s important to give them a sturdy base to rest on. One easy way to do this is by folding

over the top few inches of the tallest point of your tree — I do it every year, and it works like a charm!

5. Finish It Off With Fragrance

For those of us who prefer the convenience of an artificial tree, we don’t have to give up that nostalgic, fresh-cut tree scent entirely! Here are a few ways to add the scent of evergreens to your Christmas tree as a secret finishing touch:

• Diffuse white fir or pine essential oil near the tree.

• Sprinkle pine or fir essential oil onto a basket of decorative pine boughs or pine cones.

• Use simmering potpourri to fill your whole house with a festive aroma.

• Make gel air fresheners with your favorite seasonal scents and hide them among the branches.

BONUS:

1. Wrap Up The Whole Tree

If you have an artificial tree (and

a decent amount of free storage space), you can save yourself some serious time and effort by wrapping up the whole thing before storing it away — lights, ornaments, and all! Use something light (like old bed sheets) to wrap the tree to avoid squishing the branches.

2. Snap A Photo

If you love the way your tree looks this year, take a few minutes to snap photos of it on your phone before taking it down. Next year, you’ll be able to recreate that look you loved by referencing those photos, and the process will go much faster with a visual guide to follow.

What other Christmas tree hacks would you add to this list? We want to know what tips we should add next time! Email your helpful tip to mountainescapes10@gmail. com or post it with a picture to our Facebook!

Let’s make the house smell like Christmas

It’s finally the time I wait for all year long! Here’s the thing, every year I always make these grand plans in my head to do all my favorite holiday things. Like all of them.

Cut down the family tree, decorate the tree, make sugar cookies, decorate the house, make gingerbread houses from scratch, send out Christmas cookies to everyone, find the best gifts, watch ALL the Christmas movies, go for a snowy sleigh ride, make hot cocoa with giant marshmallows and loads of whipped cream, go ice skating, make the most grand Christmas dinner – with the table set all cute and festive. The idea is

pretty much just to have the perfect Christmas season.

Here ‘s the reality though, I maybe do one or two of those things and then Christmas comes and goes, and I am wicked sad it’s over because I didn’t even get to cross off half the things on my list. It honestly happens every year.

So this year, I am just accepting the fact that I will never get all those things done. Especially with how busy I am right now, it’s just not possible. Instead, to take the edge off the business of the season, I will at least make it smell like Christmas cheer!

So let’s get started with this crazy easy, holiday potpourri that simmers on the stove all day long. Don’t think I am all old and lame trying to tell you guys to make some homemade potpourri, I promise you will love this. Just trying to make the house smell like Christmas – like home. If you’re a candle person, you’ll love this potpourri.

The best part is, you can really use whatever you have on hand. The must-haves in my opinion are cinnamon, citrus, ginger and vanilla. Nothing makes it feel more like the holidays than those smells. So good.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups

• 3 tangerines

• 3

• 2 star anise gives a strong black licorice smell. (optional)

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 1 inch piece fresh ginger

• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean + 1 vanilla extract

• 1 small branch fresh pine

• 1 cup apple cider pomegranate or cranberry juice

• water

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a medium size sauce pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 3/4 the way full. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, adding more water as needed. I let mine simmer for close to 4 hours and then let it cool over night and simmer again the next day. Just be sure to keep adding more water.

Did somebody say DirtySanta

No... it’s not what I thought either, a story for another time. Dirty Santa is actually a popular Holiday present swapping game that has gone by several names but the object is still the same. Dirty Santa is a gift exchange game that concentrates on the game itself rather than the present, where “dirty” implies the stealing involved.

Stealing you say? That’s not very Santa like, I know! Unlike Secret Santa where participants get to know who the receiver will be beforehand, you will never know who will end up with your gift with this game.

Sound fun? Want to learn how to play? Well whether it’s played by family, friends or at work, this is a great game people from all ages can play!

Let’s begin!

1. You should have at least 5 participants to start the game (Otherwise it’s not fun).

2. Predetermine the price range of gifts to be exchanged such as “around $10”, “under $20”, “above $25”, and so on.

3. Every participant must wrap the gift and place it at a central location. *No marking or label is allowed, and no one

should know the owner of a gift except the owner himself!”

4. Count the number of participants (let’s say we have 8 participants), then write down numbers 1–8 and on different small papers (our FREE printable will do that for you) and put them inside a hat or bowl.

5. Each participant draws a paper from the hat or bowl to determine the playing order of the participants

6. The participants who drew number 1 will have to pick a gift and unwrap it. *Participants are allowed to gently

shake, touch or listen to all the gifts to inspect them before unwrapping.

7. The participant who drew number 2 can choose to unwrap a new gift OR steal the unwrapped gifts from number 1.

8. The fashion continues such that number 3 can steal from number 1&2 and number 8 can steals from player 1 to 7.

9. Whenever a participant’s gift is stolen, he/she shall choose to unwrap a new gift or steal from someone else. Exception: During the first round of

saturday 11am-10pm

stealing where number 2 decides to steal from number 1, number 1 cannot steal back from number 2 and can only unwrap a new gift.

10. You cannot steal a gift from the person who has previously stolen from you. (Too bad for you !)

11. A gift can only be stolen 3 times.

12. To be fair to player number 1 (so that he’s not left out), after everyone has their turn, participant number 1 gets to choose whether to keep his gift or steal from anyone else. (Remember rule number 10 & 11).

13. The game ends when number 1 decides to keep his gift or after all the stealing is complete.

It’s always fun to add something new to the game especially if you have been playing the same rules for many years. Try out the fun variations below!

• Have a Theme — Have everyone buy from the same store or getting the same gift category such as ornament gifts, re-gifts from home, DIY gifts or boardgames.

• Head or Tail — Let a coin to decide whether to keep a gift or steal a gift! Head for keeping, tail for stealing!

• Keep it secret — All the gifts are wrapped until the end of the game.

If you want some great printables, Email us at mountainescapes10@gmail.com

Holidays!

CINNAMON

Gingerbread, nutmeg, and peppermint are classic flavors during the colder months, but there’s a reason that cinnamon spice is associated with everything nice (and it isn’t just because it’s an easy rhyme). It’s just so good, and it comes with some pretty sweet health benefits too. So why limit your use to just desserts? Check out these sweet and savory ways to use cinnamon that prove it may just be the most versatile spice in your cabinet.

SIMPLE CINNAMON PUMPKIN PANCAKES

3 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 1/2 cups almond milk (regular milk is fine too)

5 ounces plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons baking powder (yes, tablespoons!)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, and/or all spice

Whisk the eggs, pumpkin, olive oil, brown sugar, almond milk, and Greek yogurt together until smooth. Add the whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Stir until just combined.

Preheat a skillet or griddle to medium high heat. Pour 1/3 cup batter onto the hot griddle and let cook for 3-5 minutes until bubbles rise to the top and the edges look dry. Flip the pancakes and let cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove and keep warm until ready to serve. Top with butter and maple syrup. Keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days or freeze them to enjoy later.

MAPLE CINNAMON CHEESECAKES WITH GINGERBREAD CRUST

For the crust

1 heaping cup pecans

6 medjool dates

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

For the cheesecake

2 cups raw cashews (soaked overnight)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Juice of 1 lemon

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/2 tsp sea salt

These Maple Cinnamon Cheesecakes are vegan, gluten free and paleo.

For the crust:

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor . You will see the mixture start to get to a crumbly like consistency. Be careful not to over process or you will end up with pecan butter. Once the mixture looks done, you can press a little into the bottom of each muffin cup. I used standard sized pans . Place them in the fridge while you make the cheesecake part.

For the cheesecake:

Make sure your cashews have been soaking overnight. Drain and rinse them. Place them in a food processor with all the other cheesecake ingredients. Mix until everything is smooth.

Spoon a little of the cheesecake mixture into each muffin cup. Once that is done, place them in the fridge to firm up. It can take up to 12 hours for the cheesecakes to get fully firm.

CINNAMON BROWN RICE PUDDING W/

ALMOND MILK

4 cups water

1 cup brown rice

4 cups almond milk

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup raisins

Boil 4 cups of water and stir in brown rice. Lower to medium heat and simmer rice for 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir occasionally. Drain water and transfer rice back to its original pot. Put the lid on the pot and let steam for 10 minutes, away from the flame. After 10 minutes, transfer rice to a bowl and set aside. Bring almond milk, sugar, honey and spices to a low boil. Stir often so the milk doesn’t burn. Add the rice, butter and raisins, stir often. Simmer until milk cooks down, about 30-45 minutes.

Serve cold or at room temperature with a pinch of cinnamon on top. Add raisins to your liking.

Christmas Song Picture Game