Everything Home Holiday by Fox Printing and Digital Publishing

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Making Memories That Last INSIDE THIS ISSUE 7 10 13 15 19 25 30 34 37 40 42 48

Nature Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescapes DIY Fresh Floral Arrangement Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe Living With The Things We Love 2019 Christmas Decor Trends The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year A Christmas Home Fit For A King Creative Ways To Display Bottle Brush Trees A Whimsical Christmas 5 Ways To Hang Wreaths And Garlands Create The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Box Making Christmas: Holidays At The Cabin

A special supplement to Appalachian Newspapers, Inc. 129 Caroline Avenue, Pikeville, KY 41501 606-437-4054 • 800-539-4054 PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Jeff Vanderbeck

Jamie Beckett Emma Burchett Karri Gibson Jenny Jones

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Bobby Gilliam EDITOR

Russ Cassady ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Danny Coleman LAYOUT & COVER DESIGN

Tracie Vanderbeck 4

Everything Home Holiday 2019

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Peggy Bailey Austin Barnett Rita Brock Gina Ferguson Lynn Massey Carrie Patrick Barbara Skeens

BY TRACIE VANDERBECK SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS MANAGER

hristmas is a time for family and friends to make memories that last for years to come. It is a season to offer gifts, gather over delicious meals and spend precious moments together. To be at home, wherever that may be, has meaning that goes beyond current style trends to our essential need to connect each year. Going from one home to another seems to lift spirits and peace dwells among festive settings and merry making! Popular trends in holiday decor emerge each year and I’m always excited to see what’s new and how I might be able to incorporate a few new pieces into my existing collection. “Christmas Decorating Trends” on page 19 offers the newest looks in this year’s holiday themes. You’ll find they are surprisingly easy to incorporate and build upon your existing decor. We were fortunate this issue to have several people open up their homes and share their holiday decor and family traditions. From simple to extravagant, traditional to modern, one thing they all seem to enjoy most is recreating holiday memories and making new ones. Holiday decorating gives us the perfect excuse to nurture our creative side and provide a wonderful setting for holiday celebrations. Not in touch with your creative side or short on time? Not to worry, many people are outsourcing their holiday decorating, which in no way diminishes the joy of the season. The holidays can be a stressful time of year for many. If you dread the process, get some help. Hire a professional to decorate your home or enlist a creative friend. The holidays should be spent enjoying loved ones. This time of year is when families get together and reunite with loved ones that you normally don’t see. Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or throwing a soiree, you want your home to be decorated for all to enjoy, regardless of how you get it done. If you’re planning on baking this year and sharing your confections with friends and family, we have some tips on creating the ultimate cookie box on page 42. If you’re a baker, you know that baking is a gift of love. Take the time to package them in beautiful way. Be sure to tie them up with a bow. The wise men who brought their gifts to honor the birth of Jesus inspired the concept of giving gifts during the holiday. According to the Christian Bible’s New Testament, the wise men brought gifts of gold, incense and myrrh to baby Jesus. A ribbon is tied around a gift to represent how people should all be tied together in bonds of unity and goodwill during the holiday season. Another holiday symbol is the beloved wreath. The wreath is a circular, never-ending symbol of eternal love and rebirth. Holly also stands for immortality and cedar for strength. Today, the wreath symbolizes generosity, giving and the gathering of family. We have some novel ideas on how to hang your wreaths on page 40. There are so many simple ways to add Christmas spirit into your home without spending a lot of money or putting up extravagant decorations: light some candles, turn on some holiday music, spread some fresh evergreen branches and berries around the house, bake some cookies with your kids, make some hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies. Don’t get hung up on having the perfect decor, enjoy the gifts of the season and the true meaning of Christmas. Happy holidays!

Tracie Vanderbeck

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Nature Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescapes S T O R Y B Y T R A C I E VA N D E R B E C K

Draw from autumn’s bounty to dress your holiday table naturally. We’ve rounded up some of the best Thanksgiving table ideas to provide inspiration for this year’s decorations. Everything Home Holiday 2019

hanksgiving table settings to some are even more exciting than Christmas. Preparing for and setting your Thanksgiving table is the kick off for the holiday season. There are so many different table-decorating and Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas and many are around a theme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rustic, elegant, traditional, more modern and organic are just a few. Each table should have its own personality and you can see that a rustic table setting is a more seasonal and non-fussy approach. There is no need to make elaborate Thanksgiving centerpieces to bring punch to your holiday table. Try using a happy balance of inexpensive grocery story flowers and natural items from your garden as the centerpiece. Keeping it simple and natural sets the tone for a relaxed gathering with family and friends.

1 Soft Autumnal Colors The secret to this charming fall tablescape? The soft blending of muted fall shades. The addition of rustic serving pieces and white hydrangeas give this centerpiece a light ethereal farmhouse feel. A simple wreath of sage colored greenery creates a beautiful nesting place for a white pumpkin. Simply add plates.

2 Apple Spice Garland This Apple Spice Garland from Balsam Hill is a standout all on its own. Richly colored fall leaves combined with grapevines, apples and hydrangeas is a showstopper. Less is truly more sometimes. 8

Everything Home Holiday 2019

3 Orange and White Pumpkins Centerpiece

Can’t decide on a color scheme? Give yourself the best of both worlds with this neat centerpiece idea, which brings together a neutral runner, white taper candles and a dash of bold color. Don’t be afraid to mix real and fake pieces to achieve the look you are going for. It’s hard to tell the difference most of the time.

4 Greenery Runner Make your table feel full and lush—without spending a ton of money—by starting with a big base of inexpensive leaves and greenery. Seeded eucalyptus is such a beautiful choice for this look. It has wonderful texture and color and is long lasting. Add o ers pu p ins gourds pinecones or any organic aterial This can work for a more formal table setting by adding white roses or hydrangeas as pictured. For a more casual look add red apples, yellow pears, berries, pinecones or cinnamon sticks, just to name a few.

5 An Electric Table This is a full proof, casual look that anyone can do. The beauty of combining elements from nature is that it will naturally go together. There are no mistakes in nature. Start with a rustic style table runner and add a vase of fall branches, berries, vines, bowls of apples and other nuts and fruits. Add candlesticks, lanterns, votives or a combination of each. Mismatched plates and serveware work beautifully with this look.

4 Everything Home Holiday 2019

a e his resh all loral rrange ent n hree asy teps

his super si ple holiday oral arrange ent that ill surely i press your guests

What Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Need: A black resin urn about 12 inches in diameter Any round or even square container will do. 3 blocks of floral foam ou can find this at your local cra t store or online 15 stems of seeded eucalyptus his is o ten a ailable at your local grocery store or your local orist can order so e or you 12-24 stems of white roses eadily a ailable at ost grocery stores or your local orist ou could use any color

STEP 1:

Add soaked floral foam to your container. you ha e ne er used oral oa don t be inti idated t s super easy ou can easily find tutorials on the nternet t s a ga e changer or success ul oral arranging ter the oa is in ater cut it into pieces to fit snuggly inside the container his does not ha e to be a per ect fit s long as the oa fills the container and is a airly e en sur ace about ro the top 10

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Fill the container with greenery his centerpiece relies on a hea y a ount o greenery tart along the edges and add the greenery at an angle so it alls o er the sides o the container ut the ste s about long and strip o any lo er lea es ontinue adding the ste s all the ay around until you ha e a air a ount o greenery along the edge hen start filling in the center n order to fill in the center ith greenery cut the ste s slightly longer and begin placing the into the oa at a ore upright angle to add so e height and roundness to the shape ill in the a ority o the center ith greens lea ing so e open spaces to add the roses

STEP 3: Add the roses he final step is to add the roses t is i portant to easure the length o the ste s care ully in this step so the heads o the roses do not sit too deeply in the greenery and also are not stic ing too ar out lace the ste s into the oral oa at an angle that ollo s the shape o the greenery lace the roses along the edges at ore o an angle and o e to ard the center o the arrange ent placing the ore upright You can easily add in any additional accent o er depending on your palette

Everything Home Holiday 2019

RECIPE

Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast If you’re hosting overnight guests for the holidays, time savers are key when it comes to making meals. After all, wouldn’t you rather spend more time with your guests than slaving away in the kitchen? An easy and absolutely delicious recipe for house guests is Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast! It’s the perfect breakfast or brunch recipe for the holidays! Make it the night before then just wake and bake! Prep 30 mins; cook 35; mins inactive 6; hours total 7. Yield 4 servings A super easy recipe for Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast! Ingredients 3/4 cup whole milk 3/4 cup heavy cream 6 large eggs plus 3 egg yolks 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 loaf French bread, cut into 8 slices 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions In a large bowl combine the milk, cream, eggs, yolks and vanilla, beat well and set aside. Arrange sliced bread in a large shallow bowl. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

When ready to bake... Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). In a small saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Remove from heat and whisk in the brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup and pecans. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish. Carefully arrange the soaked bread on top. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool for inutes o ser e ip pieces upside do n so the pecan topping is ace up. Enjoy! Tips: • French bread is best for this recipe, Sandwich bread is very thin and may become soggy as it soaks overnight. • You’ll want to soak the bread in a large, shallow bowl OR you can use a second 3-qt baking dish. It’s very important that the bread isn’t overlapping as it soaks and that each piece is covered in the vanilla cream mixture. or a genuine pecan pie a or use aple syrup and corn syrup you only have one on hand, you may use ALL corn syrup or ALL maple syrup. • Once baked, this overnight pecan pie french toast is best served right away. However it will keep, covered tightly in the fridge, for up to 3 days. For an extremely decadent treat, serve with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream! Everything Home Holiday 2019

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Living With The

Things We Love

For Jamie Weaver, decorating has been a lifelong passion S TO RY A ND PH O TO S B Y B R U C E J U STIC E

ost of those who only casually know West Williamson resident Jamie Weaver probably know her best as the caring woman at Weaver Mortuary who compassionately guides people through the painful and trying emotions experienced following the passing of a loved one. And considering that she and her husband John have owned and operated the West Williamson funeral home and have been serving people on both sides of the Tug River for more than four decades, this more general recognition would be very reasonable and even understandable.

However, those who know Jamie well know she also has a deep-rooted passion for family and home, and that she fervently believes the kind of atmosphere that the second ultimately emanates can and does greatly a ect and in uence the e eryday li es o those li ing in it This philosophy, she said, seemed to be engrained almost from the time of her birth. In fact, creating the perfect home ambience in precisely the right locations, particularly during special times of the year, particularly still during the fall and Christmas seasons, has been entrenched in her psyche for as long as she can remember. Everything Home Holiday 2019

“When I was a really young child, at Christmas I would decorate our porch and other parts of our house with whatever I had at the time, so I’ve seemingly always done it,” she said. “I simply love everything about home and homemaking … I just love a pretty house and I have this need to do everything I can do to make it that way.” This is why, she said, that it is never a surprise to anyone who visits her home that she has for another year pulled out all stops and left no doubt as to which of her two favorite seasons it happens to be during the time of their visit. These visitors include her now-grown children Jonathan, who is a Charleston police detective, and Alexis, an interior design student, her daughter-in-law, Brittany, and even young grandchildren Charlotte, Miles and Samuel, who together, Jamie admits, most likely represent her biggest admirers and critics. While she admits Christmas is a special time very close to her heart and that appropriately decorating her home (the house was originally built in the mid-1950s and purchased by John and her in 1982) for the holiday is always a given, the fall of the year has also always been an equally Opposite page: West Williamson resident Jamie Weaver, pictured in her dining room, said she fell in love with holiday and other special occasion decorating when she was a child and has only grown to love it more as she has gotten older. Above: The mantle in the Weaver living room is decorated with a mixture of berries, pumpkins, leaves, flowers and greenery. Left: The dining room buffet table is a colorful vignette centered around Jamie’s silver tea set. Jamie mixes brightly colored berries and fall greenery. Her wreath is a mixture of natural items heightened by the silver ornament balls tying the whole look together. 16

Everything Home Holiday 2019

special time deserving equally appropriate adornment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love the fall of the year and there are just so many ways you can decorate your ho e to re ect the season see beauty in so any things with so many of these things growing right in my yard that I can and do use nd because it ta es a great deal o aterial hen you re decorating I try to save and reuse most everything I can.â&#x20AC;? ust finding the ti e and energy to beauti y her ho e hile sharing the operation o a ull ti e business ouldn t be enough to fill the plates o ost people as current corresponding secretary o the illia son ild ood arden lub the current second ice president o the est irginia arden lub not to ention a great deal o her ti e ha ing been consu ed as past district director o the hio yann istrict o the est irginia arden lub a ie additionally ta es it upon hersel to a e sure those places closest to her heart li e do nto n illia son recei e and maintain appropriate adornment as well. nd i si ply finding the ti e and energy or all these additional acti ities ouldn t be enough to easily o er o the plates o ost people a ie also ta es ti e out o her hectic schedule to o ersee the e ent decorations or the a ore entioned garden club as ell as nu erous church e ents socials and special occasion eals or any all this ay see li e an a ul lot o or and too ti e consu ing especially or so eone li e e ho or s outside o the ho e e ery day she said ut truly thin o it as a or o lo e and so ething can t i agine that ll e er stop doing as long as able to do it.â&#x20AC;?

Right: Two adorable scarecrows offer a gracious greeting to anyone who enters the Weaver kitchen. Jamie creatively uses a pedestal plate, a block of hay and a couple of gourds to prop up her little friends. Below left: A couple of pilgrim dolls stand atop a console table in the Weaver living room. Below right: John and Jamie Weaver pose with the family dog next to a festive fall display outside their home.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all candy canes and silver lanes aglow at the Leipprandt home for Christmas. Tabatha Beach-Leipprandt shares the story behind her Candy Land themed decor.

S TO RY B Y N IC O LE ZIEG E P H O TO S B Y SU SA N LO C K H A RT

“To me, this is my art, and it’s my ability to express myself.” ~ Tabatha Beach-Leipprandt

onso e a e n e e rand ng roo s flan ed y wo flo ed rees adorned w r g y o ored n age s y e orna en s. e onso e a e displays holiday decor and serves as a dessert station.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

ikeville native, Tabatha BeachLeipprandt, loves elaborate things, and her Christmas decorations are no exception. Her house on Chloe idge is decorated o ten ceiling to oor in elaborate designs of gingerbread houses, sno en anta laus figurines sno a es candy and other holiday decorating staples. Tabatha said that she continues to look for decorations throughout the year, and she purchases collectible anta laus figurines or gingerbread houses from catalogues and brands like Kurt S. Adler. She also looks for bargains and shops the sales for her other Chirstmas decor. She said that she enjoys decorating with brighter colors, even though, she said, colors like blue and hot pink are more “untraditional” for Christmas decorations. Tabatha decorates for Christmas in every room of her home. Each room has it’s own unique decor, but stays within the same themes and color scheme. “I want it all to coordinate and blend,” Tabatha said. “To me, this is my art, and it’s my ability to express myself.” As she prepares to decorate for Christmas, Tabatha goes above and beyond to decorate her home, calling on her friend Susan Lockhart of the local event planning and decorating company, Above and Beyond Just for You, to work with her. “The decorating requires a lot of man hours and I have a lot of help,” said Tabatha. Tabatha also gives credit to several that contribute to the process including, Sheliah Kiddies, who helps with the decorating, and a crew of people to help with the heavy lifting. Lockhart, owner of Above and Beyond, has worked with Tabatha to create her vision of decorating for Christmas for about four years, and Lockhart has helped people decorate their homes in the area for between 15 and 18 years, both in leisure and as an occupation. Decoration trends for Eastern Kentucky, Continued on page 28

Above: Another console table in the family room and bar area is brightly lit table top trees and garland and showcases a a a s an a g r nes collection. Candy canes and Reindeer complete the scene. Right: A richly decorated garland, brightly lit, and decorated with colored orna en s snowfla es bows and snowmen, begins in the foyer of the home, carrying the theme up the stairs and into to the living room. Everything Home Holiday 2019

“While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.” ~Twas The Night Before Christmas

Continued from page 27 Lockhart said, consist of more traditional color schemes, like reds and greens, along with black plaid and red plaid, also known as buffalo plaid. Through her work, Lockhart said that she has noticed the use of more snowman decorations, along with the more common Santa Clauses and gingerbread houses. Snowmen are more often used for Christmas and holiday decorating because of their versatility and ability to be kept up during January and February. “A good tip for people who are interested in changing or switching up their home decorating themes is to do it in steps,” Lockhart said, recommending that people bring in one or two different pieces to their decorating themes over a few years. Lockhart recommends that people who decorate for Christmas have a good base to start with, like garland, especially if they are looking to switch up their Christmas decorating themes. After having that base, she then recommends adding o ers or orna ents “With that base, it’s easier to make your decorations come to life,” Lockhart said. ne significant the e in abatha s decorating is “Candy Land,” inspired by the famous board game created in the early 1940s. The board game, she said, was a staple for her and her family, and she said that she often played it with her grandmother around Christmastime, especially after her grandmother was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “I got my love for decorating from her,” Tabatha said. During the Christmas season, Tabatha enjoys hosting parties including a children’s Christmas cookie party with her relatives and friends. For the adults, Tabatha calls on different local restaurants and caterers. She sets up food stations thoughout the house including the kitchen, the family room and bar area, and the living room, encouraging guests to move about from room to room. “I’m an all or nothing kind of girl,” Tabatha said. “I love entertaining guests, and I go all out with the food. It’s just something that I love to do.” Tabatha’s “sweet” and sentimental thoughts about Christmas’s past brings so much meaning to her decor for the holidays. It’s a tribute to her family and their memories.

Above: One of the Leipprandt guest rooms is the stuff childhood dreams are made of. The elaborately decorated tree is full of sweets and snowmen. A brightly colored gingerbread house completes the scene. Left: A festive vignette of snowmen arranged on a sofa table in the living room greet guests. 28

Everything Home Holiday 2019

A Christmas Home Fit for a King The home of Janice Brafford-King and her husband Rick King, of Hazard, Kentucky, is the perfect backdrop for their beautiful Christmas collectibles and decor.

S TO RY B Y K ATIE K ELLEY

Photo by Katie Kelley: Janice Brafford-King and her dog, Scottie, pose in the living room of her home in Hazard, Kentucky. King loves sharing their beautifully decorated home with family and friends, especially during the holidays.

hen Janice Brafford-King and her husband Rick King, Esq. relocated to Hazard around fourteen years ago, they fell in love with the privacy and formal qualities of their (then) new home. Their house, located on Ridgeview Way in Hazard, was built in the early 2000s and her family purchased it in 2005. The house is two stories and is approximately 2,636 square feet. The upstairs includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and three attics, while the downstairs includes a living room, kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, two bathrooms, a family room and a sun room. The outside features a circular driveway, a deck, a built-in garage, an additional parking area, and various gardens. The Kings live alone, except for their dog, Scottie, and two turtles, so the upstairs is mainly for guests, said Janice. They do have many guests though, Janice said, as they have two children, three grandchildren, and are very involved in the community. Janice is the market president of o unity rust an and ic is the hie egal ficer or so the pair are often at community events or having visitors over. anice said that upon seeing the house or the first ti e they lo ed it but also knew what direction they wanted to go in to express themselves. “Probably the thing that grabbed my husband’s attention was the privacy and size of the lot. For me, I’m a little bit of a formal person, so I like the formal wood work in the house. I love the tall cathedral ceilings,” said

King. “We just spruced it up a lot,” Janice continued. “It’s a great house, very well built and has some beautiful features, like all of the columns. I love all of that. We just improved on it a bit,” she said. “They just added Janice’s personality,” said co-owner of the Decorating Center Judy Campbell, who has helped the Kings decorate their home throughout the years. “Over the years we’ve done upholstery and window treatments. It’s been a long standing relationship.” The house, Janice said, has more of a traditional design, but they have added many items to showcase their lifestyles and expressive personalities as well. Plantation shutters are placed on windows throughout the house, courtesy of the Decorating Center, as well are the various wreaths and oral arrange ents Walking through the Kings’ house, you will immediately notice the use of rich reds and earthy tones. This is mostly because of Janice’s favorite color, she said. “I’m a red person, I like red. I like rich, deep colors.” While many of the rooms share the same or similar colors, Janice said they didn t really choose to go by a specific color sche e “I just like what I like. I don’t go by any certain color or style, if I like it I use it,” she said. “She doesn’t trend,” agreed Campbell. The kitchen features granite counter tops and a corner sink. The backsplash was done by the Decorating Center and matches the counter tops. On top of the cabinets, lay vines with twinkling lights woven in. Continued on page 32 Everything Home Holiday 2019

“That (the leaves and lights above the counter) is a little bit ‘not the trend’ right now,” said Campbell. “Everything now is about less clutter, but that (the vine and light combination) works in this house. It’s very elegant,” she continued. “Nothing clashes out to cause a disturbance.” “Janice has a lot of things that are collectibles,” Campbell added, explaining that the items are often mismatched but complementary, and help add character to the house. Many of the decorative items and furniture were not sets anice said adding she ust finds the at di erent places. “I just pick a piece here or there. Judy will pick up a piece too,” she said. Additionally, Janice said her husband enjoys bringing back souvenirs from different trips and enjoys collecting artifacts. “Rick, he wants to pick something up all the time,” she said. A couple of pieces displayed in the family room were from Rome, Italy, Janice said. One of their travel finds they use in their d cor is a hand blo n glass o l Another item they acquired from traveling is a small elephant from India that they have displayed in their master bedroom. Also in their bedroom, is a set of Russian nesting dolls they received as a gift. Another item of which the Kings are fond of is a cuckoo clock from 32

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Photos submitted. Above Left: King’s stairway and upstairs landing, which overlooks the living room, showcases a lavish garland, candles and wreaths, and topiary trees, accentuating the home’s detailed moldings. Above Right: Janice King stands next to her console table in the foyer decorated with various Christmas treasures including a nativity set and pine branches adorned with glittered pine cones and gold ornaments. Above: A collection of Jim Shore ange g r nes are d s ayed on a s e n a d s ay a ne .

Germany, which they have placed near a Thomas Kinkade painting in their formal dining room. The couple also have items of furniture and décor that were passed down from their mothers and grandmothers. King said she likes to have unique items and furniture in each room or have them set up in a way that is different than what is popular at the time. Some of this is accomplished with small details, while other rooms have larger examples, she said. he o fice upstairs has a large boo shel a chess table and a ight si ulator a ong other collectibles stored on shel ing oth bathroo s do nstairs ha e essel sin s he aster bedroo has lights built into a frame in the ceiling. The foyer has tall ceilings, a grandfather clock, and a table ith iron inspired loo ing legs lso a good exa ple o anice s lo e o ixing and atching ite s is a bo b chest placed in the li ing roo top o the chest is a large irror that she elt ent ell ith the colors o the dra ers here are large hutches ar oire ardrobes chests and more throughout the house as well. nother roo the ings thin sho o their expressi e ualities is the sun roo that the ecorating enter built on or the he roo eatures tall ooden ceilings and ar colors t has a hot tub built into the oor here is also an anti ue chest used as a centerpiece or the roo nother attraction in this roo is the use o outdoor patio urniture instead of traditional indoor seating. The seating used in the sun room matches the pieces used on the dec outside bringing it all together isually he dec isn t the only outside attraction the ings use to enhance their ho e s appearance anice said during the spring and su er they ha e o er gardens and rose bushes usually around thirty o the she said. “We have done all of the landscaping out front, except for the cir cular drive. We spent $17,000 on landscaping last year alone,” said King, stating that the yard aesthetic is ust as i portant as the house s hile the daily decorati e decisions succeed in expressing the ings personalities, nothing can express King as well as her holiday decorations. ing said she absolutely lo es hrist as and is ery ell no n or her Christmas decorations and holiday spirit. he one thing anice is no n or is her lo e o hrist as he has so e a eso e hrist as decorations and trees said a pbell agreeing with King. ing said she starts decorating or hrist as the first ee o o e ber and is usually finished by the second ee because there are a lot o events around that time of year, as well as a lot of visitors, and she wants her home to look good. On average, King said it takes her approximately 76 hours to put decorations up and around 42 hours to take them down once the holidays are over. ll three o their attics are filled ith hrist as decorations she said During the holiday season, multiple Christmas trees from the Decorating enter ill be placed throughout the house dditionally ing said she places Christmas themed items in every single room of the house. here s ust so ething ery special about hrist as said ing hen thin about hrist as thin about od lo e esus and a ily It just makes me feel very warm. It is just a real special time.” lthough the house has co e a long ay the ings still ha e a e more changes they want to make, said King. They hope to get working on the soon she said and the ecorating enter ill be assisting ith it hen the ti e co es s al ays ing said she plans to ha e the design express her personality and go against trends.

Photos submitted. Top: The King’s open kitchen is perfect for entertaining. During the holidays Janice displays more of her collections including; a large gingerbread house and gingerbread men, vintage bottle brush and ceramic trees and a festive collection of Christmas dinnerware. Right: The cozy kitchen table is ready for guests with Christmas dinnerware, napkins and a festive centerpiece. Everything Home Holiday 2019

Creative Ways To Display Bottle Brush Trees B Y T R A C IE VA N D E R B E C K

ostalgia is making its way into our holiday decor: Vintage Christmas decorations are super popular and bottle brush Christmas trees are back in season. Though bottle brush trees have been around for decades, shops have recently started selling more and more of the bristly, miniature trees. Traditional styles are still popular, but more modern versions are popping up in bright new colors. These little vintage treasures fit well into any decor. Display possibilities are endless. A large collection displayed together can make a striking impact whether they are all one color or multiple colors. Individual trees can be tucked into dishes, decorative boxes, and other holiday vignettes. Vintage glitter houses and bottle brush trees have made a huge comeback in recent years. Use them to decorate shelves, bookcases, console and sofa tables in every room of the house. Bottle brush trees are readily available at major and local retailers. Custom hand dyed varieties are easy to find on Etsy. There are multiple tutorials on Pinterest if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in making your own. You can dye them to fit your own decor and adorn them with tiny ornaments.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Bottle brush trees in pastel colors create a beautiful vignette complete with a pink vintage truck and ornaments

A modern black and white winter display is accentuated by a collection of various size bottle brush trees.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

A Whimsical Christmas

Kathy Moore goes all out on her Christmas decor but keeps the true meaning of Christmas. STORY B Y TERRY MAY PHOTOS B Y CHRIS D OT SON

The Moore’s front door is framed with brightly lit garland and gifts, a coordinating wreath and vintage sled create a welcoming and festive entry. athy Moore of Forest Hills in northeastern Pike County is a queen of Christmas. Every room in her two-story home comes alive for an extended holiday season starting in November and ending around the end of January with festive colors, bright lights and happy decorations. Her decorating style is whimsical, fun and full out. “I know a lot of other places are more elegant, but I want my home to be fun and ‘kiddish,’” she told Everything Home. “We use our house — it is not a showplace that people have to be afraid to touch anything — and I want it to be inviting toward people. When people come into my house at Christmas, I want them to enjoy it and be relaxed.” How does she achieve this effect? She simply uses Christmas magic, of course, provided by lots and lots and lots of elves. Yes, elves. The mythical beings co e to li e at her house in un unpredictable ays and find their ay throughout her home. “I guess if there is any theme to my Christmas decorations it would be elves,” Kathy said. “My mom loved Christmas and so have I since I was a little girl. We have always done Christmas big. When we built our new home 12 years ago, my mom and I went to Sam’s (Club) and went crazy. “I started with elves,” Kathy continued. “That has been my theme ever since. I add something new every year. They are so fun. They bring out the kid in you.” In addition to having decorations in every room, Kathy has six Christmas trees throughout the space all in varying sizes. Her largest is a 12 foot tree. “Pam and Dottie Stafford do that tree and my banisters for me each year.” athy o ed as she continued y o and are only fi e eet tall ith a 12-foot tree, the math just doesn’t work for us. Then, we pick up the rest.” athy said the urry o decorating acti ities at her house begins the ee after Halloween. She said she is lucky to have family and friends that usually help her bring all the decorations out of the attic and get it organized.

Helpful little elves appear throughout the Moore home, creating a cheerful and playful theme.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

oore s a o o oo

y dogs os ng or a o day e ey are ar o e de or.

“That is probably the question I am asked the most: Where do you keep all this stuff the rest of the year?” she laughed. “I am lucky that we have a really big attic. When we get things out, everyone forms a chain and I tell everyone what room to take things to. If I don’t stop collecting things soon, I’ll have no room left.” Yes, she has a lot of things to prepare, but Kathy said the reason she decorates early is so that she and her family can enjoy the holidays. Between her two school-aged children, her husband, church and her responsibilities at her family’s business — Moore Chrysler in West Williamson, West Virginia — the time between November and January can get pretty hectic. “I am just a big kid myself,” she said. “I love sitting back and watching Hallmark movies after everything is done and just enjoying it.” During that time, she will host a party for her church’s women’s group, a cookie swap, a party for her children and a slew of other events. Last year, Kathy and her home were featured as part of the “Homes of the Holidays Tour” sponsored by the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce. “My kids look forward to Christmas every year. By October they are always asking when we are going to start decorating,” Kathy said. “I think they will be like me and my mom when they grow up and continue to love Christmas in a big way. They even plan my schedule for me. My son will come with a calendar and say we can do the church party on this day and our party on that day. They like the traditions we have but they know that I’m game for anything.” Kathy said that her home has become the center of the family’s Christmas traditions. Her mom lives close by but does not decorate as much now and her father died recently. So, Kathy’s home is where her mom and siblings now gather. Despite all the elves and trees and lights and myriad of other decorations, Kathy said the purpose of Christmas is never lost with her family. “All these things can get blown out of proportion so easily. Our church is an important part of our lives and Jesus is the reason we celebrate,” Kathy said. “We have been very blessed, but we all know that everything can be taken away. I am just grateful to be with the ones I love and to eat and to enjoy the holiday. There are lots of people who don’t have a tree or a house to put it in. We do go all out decorating, but we also keep the true meaning of Christmas.”

o y s one re a e de ora ed w rg y rees gar and e es and g s a e a er e s o o ga er w a y and r ends o wa e ga e.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

1. Adhesive Hooks Use two hooks to secure the top and bottom part of a wreath. For garlands, line up several with space intervals. Make sure thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enough support for both ends and middle of the garland. Fluff the foliage to completely hide the hooks. These are practical because you can remove and reposition them. There are even clear ones for mirrors and windows. Bonus tip: Check the hookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size and weight limit before hanging heavier items. 2. Nylon Fishing Line ransparent nylon fishing line is strong ersatile and almost invisible from afar. To hang a wreath on your front door, place an adhesive hook on the interior side above eye level, with the hook part facing downwards. Loop one end of the cord through the center of the wreath and knot both ends securely. The cord should be long enough to go over the top of the door and secured from the hook inside, so the wreath hangs on the outside of the front door at your desired height. To hang a garland on the banister, start from the bottom of the stairs. Wrap the cord around one end of the garland and the top of the banister. Tie the cord in a secure knot to keep it in place. Repeat the process upstairs at the other end of the garland. Do the same at the center to create a draping e ect hen the garland is secure u the foliage to hide the cord. Bonus tip: Try this method using clear zip ties, twist wires or jute string. 3. Ribbon or Twine A pretty ribbon or natural twine serves dual purpose as a style element and a way to hang your wreath. Loop one end of the ribbon through the center of the wreath, then tie both ends of the ribbon with a secure knot. Find a place with a hook like a coat rack and hang your wreath. Bonus tip: Use a coordinating ribbon to cover cords and wires, then secure it with gaffer tape. 4. Over-the-Door Wreath Hangers You simply need to place these over the door and hang the reath ro the hoo ost hangers fit standard doors and have steel frames to support heavier wreaths. Some are also adjustable so you can change the height of your display. Bonus tip: The larger the wreath, the higher you should hang it on the door. 5. Garland Hangers Available for single and double doors, garland hangers use spring tension so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need for drills or nails. You simply mount it, adjust to fit the door s idth and drape your garlands in place. Available through Balsam Hill.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

How To Create The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Box Follow these tips to create a show stopping cookie box for a beautiful holiday gift or cookie swap.

leigh your next cookie swap by making an epic cookie box filled with a collage of homemade holiday cookies and sweets. Here are some top tips for creating a beautiful homemade gift.

1. Pick a medley of cookies. Include cookies with a variety of shapes, from simple round snickerdoodles to snowflake-shaped sugar cookies. Play with a range of textures, including chewy fudge and crisp shortbread. Inject pops of color—a variety of different color frostings and sugars help pump up the color scheme. Use peppermint sticks, sprinkles and your favorite confections as cheerful accents. Tackling several different original cookie recipes can be daunting, so look for recipes that keep well or can be frozen. 2. Add a personal touch. Sharing is not just about cookies but memories, too. Include cookies that represent a part of your family and upbringing. Make your cookies signature to you. 3. Build your box. Start with an open wooden box, such as a photo box, or you can easily use a large cookie tin. If making your own dividers to separate your cookies, use parchment paper liners, cardboard dividers, or modeler’s wood (a.k.a. balsa wood), which cuts really easily with a box cutter. Secure your cardboard or soft wood pieces in place with putty or glue. When in doubt, just organize your cookies and confections by type, no sectionals needed. Stack the cookies, pile them up, tie them together with twine, or turn them on their side—it’s all about breaking up the pattern!

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Tips for baking better Christmas cookies Mastering cookies takes a little patience and some trial and error. Once bakers get their feet wet, Christmas-cookie-baking becomes even more special.

ookies are a classic holiday treat, and some families even build entire traditions around baking Christmas cookies. o ice ba ers a ing coo ies or the first ti e ay be a little overwhelmed when perusing recipes. Baking is a science, and sometimes it takes practice to get the results just right. However, there are some tips that can help yield better, buttery bounties.

Handle butter with care Butter can make or break a cookie recipe, as butter is often the glue that holds the cookie together. Therefore, it is key to follow the directions carefully regarding how to handle butter. Smithsonian.com says to leave butter at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to properly soften it his ta es patience but fiddling ith butter too uch can da age its delectable integrity. While purists may say butter is best, margarine may be acceptable if it has a high fat content; otherwise, cookies may spread out and atten When it comes time to cream the butter with sugar, be sure to do so thoroughly to incorporate air into the butter and remove the grainy texture of the sugar. easure flour ro erly easuring our the right ay can ensure coo ies co e out right he oo ing hannel says to spoon the our lightly into a dry easuring cup then le el it o ith a ni e o not dip the easuring cup into the our or tap the ni e against the cup his ill pac too uch our into the measuring cup and result in dry, tough cookies.

lo do n t e e s Add eggs one at a time to make sure each will emulsify properly with the fat in the butter. Adding eggs en asse ay cause the e ulsification to ail ill out Follow recipes that call for chilling cookie dough carefully. This process is important for making sliced and shaped cookies. By chilling, the dough becomes more malleable for rolling and even slicing. se a bottom rack Too much heat may compromise cookie integrity. The food experts at Delish say to try moving cookies onto a lower rack in the oven if they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t retaining their shape when baked. Put an empty cookie sheet on the top rack. That will block the cookies from the most intense heat that rises to the top of the oven.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Tips for safe holiday entertaining in pet-friendly households Holiday hosts should factor in pet safety when they open their homes to guests. The holidays are a time to spend with friends and family. Celebrating and entertaining are large components of what makes Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and New Years festivities so enjoyable. Holiday hosts with pets must consider companion animals when planning the festivities. The holiday season brings added dangers for pets. The American Veterinary Association notes that, by keeping hazards in mind, pet owners can ensure their four-legged friends enjoy the season as much as everyone else.

· Secure the tree. Securely anchor the Christmas tree so that it won’t tip over on anyone, including rambunctious pets. Also, stagnant tree stand water can grow bacteria. If a pet should drink the water, it may end up with nausea or diarrhea. Replenish the tree basin with fresh water daily. · Skip the candles. When creating mood lighting, opt for electronic or battery po ered lights instead o open a es ets ay noc o er candles and that can be an instant fire ha ard · Keep food out of reach. Situate food buffets beyond the reach of hungry and curious animals. Warn guests to promptly throw out their leftovers so that dogs and cats do not sneak away with scraps that may cause stomach upset or worse. Real Simple magazine warns that fatty oods can pro ote pancreatitis a potentially dangerous in a ation o the pancreas that produces toxic enzymes and causes illness and dehydration. Small bones can get lodged in a pet’s throat or intestines as well.

· Avoid artificial sweeteners. Exercise caution when baking sugar-free desserts he artificial s eetener xylitol can cause dogs blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. Xylitol is found in some toothpastes and gum, so tell overnight guests to keep their toiletries secure to avoid accidental exposure. · Be cautious with cocktails. If the celebration will include alcoholic be erages the says to place unattended adult be erages here pets cannot reach them. Ingested alcohol can make pets ill, weak and even induce comas. · Be picky about plants. Mistletoe, holly and poinsettias can be dangerous in pet-friendly households. These plants can cause gastrointestinal upset and ay lead to other proble s i ingested pt or artificial replicas instead guests bring o ers confir they are nontoxic to pets before putting them on display. · Watch the door. Guests going in and out may inadvertently leave doors open. In such instances, pets who get scared or are door dashers may be able to escape the house ut a note by the door to atch or escaping pets. · Designate a safe space for pets. If the holiday hustle proves too much for cats, dogs, birds and more, give the pet a safe, quiet spot away from the crowds. 46

Everything Home Holiday 2019

Making Christmas: Holidays at the Cabin

Artists and crafters with Art of the Mountains gather early for “Holidays at the Cabin” to sell their holiday crafts. By Destiny Caldwell Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones working to make Christmas special. For the past 16 years, artists and crafters with Art of the Mountains begin preparing months ahead of the holiday to ensure those who buy their pieces have a great Christmas. Their annual “Holidays at the Cabin” event features a number of artists selling a variety of handmade goods for Halloween, Thanksgiving and, of course, Christmas. These artists include father and son Sam and Zane Collins, as well as Rae Ann Barnett. Rae Ann and Sam are also organizers for Art of the Mountains. “Holidays at the Cabin” took place in mid-October and will be held at around the same time next year. Rae Ann said that the event originally only focused on Christmas but grew to include other holidays to appeal to a wider audience and allow the artists to put forth a greater variety of arts and crafts. “One of our members named it ‘Christmas at the Cabin’ originally and over the last few years we’ve just seen a decline in people coming out and that probably has to do with the economy,” said Rae Ann, “So we moved our date back further up in the year so that we could include all the fall holidays plus winter. So now we get Halloween, Thanksgiving, fall and then winter and Christmas all covered in one sale.” One of the biggest hits at this year’s event was nine-year-old Zane Collins, a third grade student at Roy G. Eversole Elementary in Perry County. Zane makes handmade ornaments. “It originally started with my dad woodworking and when I saw him doing woodwork in the garage I thought, ‘I wanna do that,” Zane said. “We thought we’d start small with the ornaments. It’s really fun.” Zane said that he cuts out his ornaments with a saw and paints them himself. “I thought it’d be really fun to do all the painting and cutting them out,” Zane said. At the “Holidays at the Cabin” event, Zane sold approximately 35 of his ornaments, he said the hardest of which to make is a reindeer. “I really enjoyed the sale. It was really cool. I thought wow so many people like my stuff, they were all amazed that I did all this, you know, I’m nine and there’s some people there who are like 70. I love it, it’s just making peoples’ Christ 48

Everything Home Holiday 2019

mases better.” “Not everybody can do art, not everybody can do crafts even, but it’s a great way to get gifts that mean a little more than just going out to the store and buying it,” said Rae Ann. a and ae nn said that you can find uni ue and beauti ul pieces o art, like Zane’s ornaments, at every Art of the Mountains event. here are things that you can find at one o these sales that you actually can t find at a store said a y son ane a es the orna ents you can go and buy little ornaments like that for relatively cheap, probably about the same price he does them, the difference is he hand cuts those and they re ade o better uality things and he s still able to sell the at a price comparable to Walmart.” Several of the artists also personalize items for customers. “A lot of our artists personalize items and then if someone wanted a character li e r you re not going to find r stu no and other characters that are no longer popular,” said Rae Ann, “It’s a good way to get stuff out to a different audience.” Art of the Mountains is also focused on preserving and continuing Appalachian culture through arts and crafts. “It’s a great way to share our culture with other people and just a great way to keep Appalachian culture ali e said ae nn thin e erybody in our group has uni ue talents even if you go to other art shows, it’s not a cookie cutter craft group.” One of the artists makes her own soap from her own goat’s milk. “She raises her goats, she milks them and processes the milk into her products so it s not ust things that you can get ust any here t s specific to our area and our culture and an advantage that we have been able to keep those things alive here,” said Rae Ann, “It’s a priceless talent and a priceless piece of our culture that people are getting more interested in again.” “When you see Art of the Mountains logo or you see that name attached to some event make sure you go check it out because there’s going to be 10, 15, 20 true artists who make things with their hands and they’re great people, they’re great conversation, they have great products and you’re not going to have to take out a second mortgage to buy it. In this day of big stores and online sales come out and talk to somebody, hear the stories behind the pieces,” Sam said.

Everything Home Holiday 2019

It pays to double check™. Let’s take a timeout and talk about a Discount Double Check®. It could save you big. CONTACT ME TODAY. Jennifer C Reynolds Ins Ag Inc Jennifer Reynolds, Agent 145 Weddington Branch Pikeville, KY 41501 Bus: 606-432-4444

1506564

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL