Hometown
HOMETOWN
CELEBRATIONS 2019
Contents 2019
4. HOMETOWN CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE NATION 6. COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS 8. WINE CORK HOLIDAY WREATH-DIY 10. GIFT IDEAS FOR HIM 12. GIFT IDEAS FOR HER 14. GIFTS FOR KIDS & TEENS 16. CINNAMON ORNAMENTS 20. CRANBERRY APPLE STUFFED PORK
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SETTING THE TABLE FOR A HOMETOWN HOLIDAY
If you’re the lucky one taking a turn at hosting the big meal and family get-together this holiday season, you probably have a lot of things on your mind. 2
Upcoming Local Events
Hometown
December 5, 2019 Late Night Shopping Local merchants will stay open until 8:30 pm for Christmas shopping
STAFF Executive Publishers
Greg and Suzanne Polk Fox
Fox Print and Creative Publishing, LLC Managing Editor Suzanne Polk Fox
Writers
Amanda Bochain Emily Fox Ann Jarema Art Director
Museum Open House 700 Hobbs Hwy, 6:00 - 8:30pm
Christmas Drop & Shop Adults can shop kid free! Morgan Guffey will be showing The Grinch, ornament painting, & providing snacks & hot cocoa at First Baptist Church (202 SW Ave B).
December 16, 2019
Dianne Waller
Santa’s Corner Stop
Production
Free children’s activities from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on the NE corner of the square
Claire Thomas Design
Tra Pham © 2019 Fox Print & Creative Publishing, LLC, New Orleans, LA All rights reserved Printed in the USA by Fox Print Services (igofox.com) The information contained in Hometown Moments and Memories is intended for educational purposes only. Jumpstart Publishing, LLC and publishers of Hometown Moments and Memories, do not endorse or promote any of the products or services described in the pages of Hometown Moments and Memories and the publishers do not verify the accuracy of any claims made in the editorial or advertisements contained in Hometown Moments and Memories. V5
February 13, 2020 Valentine’s Shopping for Men Local merchants will stay open until 7:00 pm
Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber President/CEO, Shelby Concotelli
(432) 758-2352
www.seminoletxchamber.org
119 SE Ave B Seminole, TX
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ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA –This lovely town, known
HOMETOWN
CELEBRATIONS Across the Nation By Ann Jarema IF YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT EVERY YEAR, WHY NOT COMBINE YOUR TWO PASSIONS? EVERY YEAR, SMALL TOWNS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES GET THEIR HOLIDAY ON WITH CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE SURE TO DELIGHT EVEN THE SCROOGES AMONG US. CHECK OUT THIS LIST FOR SOME OF OUR FAVORITE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
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DURANGO, COLORADO
–If you loved the 2004 film "The Polar Express" or the book that inspired it by Chris Van Allsburg, then this town will make you want to shout “All aboard!” Durango provides you with your very own "Polar Express" experience complete with chefs, a hobo, the conductor, the Hero Boy, Billy, elves, and Santa himself. Enjoy hot chocolate while listening to the story on your way to North Pole. And look forward to a personal visit to your train car from Santa! 4
to be the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European origin in our country, is hands down our favorite holiday celebration. National Geographic magazine even revered St. Augustine as one of the 10 best places in the world to see holiday lights, and with their Nights of Lights celebration, it is no wonder. This light tradition usually commences the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs its course through late January.
there. Several of the surrounding towns, all inspired by Norman Rockwell, get into the spirit too. Plan to stop through Forest City, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Dillsboro, Beech Mountain and Banner Elk, Sylva, Saluda, Waynesville, Rutherfordton, Brevard, MorganASHEVILLE, NORTH CARton, and the Biltmore Village to OLINA – While your Christtake in the numerous charming mas adventure may begin in streets, light displays and holiday Asheville, it certainly won’t stop shopping.
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BETHLEHEM, CONNECTICUT – This small town has a population of under 4,000, but celebrates Christmas in a big way! With craft sales, hayrides, Christmas train rides, pictures with Santa, and plenty of food, this town will keep you entertained for hours. And when done with all of those fun festive activities, you’ll find plenty of other ways to stay entertained with a trip to the local indoor flea market or vineyard. And of course, shopping at The Christmas Shop is a must.
s S a nta C lau a c h nds to e o p s e r y ll a u a ct , w it h t h e r e t t le y r e v and e w s p e c ia l h e lp o f a fe s r e lf v o lu nt ee
City of Seminole (432) 758 - 3676
302 S. Main St. Seminole, TX
Seminole Water Dept. (432) 758-3621
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Seminole Public Works SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA – This tiny
town proudly boasts a population of under 3,000 and each year, the town post office receives thousands of letters addressed to the city namesake. And what’s even more special? Santa Claus actually responds to each and every letter, with the help of a few special elf volunteers. Additionally, the town’s celebration spans three weeks and includes a Christmas parade, 5k, festival of lights and even chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
(432) 758-8812
Seminole EMS (non-emergency)
(432) 758-8816
Seminole Police Dept. (non-emergency)
(432) 758-9871
Countdown to
CHRISTMAS Sunday
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Take Vintage Photos For Christmas Cards
Make Hand Stamped Christmas Cards
Make Your Own Christmas Potpourri
Make Your Own Hand Stamped Wrapping Paper
Make Divinity
Saturday
Sunday
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Make Your Salt Dough Ornaments
Mail Your Christmas Cards
Decorate Your Christmas Tree
Bring Flowers to Your Church
Take Gifts To Teachers
Saturday
Sunday
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Make Your Christmas Centerpiece
Write Letters To Santa
Hang Some Christmas Lights
Go Christmas Caroling
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Watch a Christmas Movie
Make Christmas Candy
Do Your Make Ahead and Freeze Prep for Christmas Dinner
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Host an Ice Cream Social at a Nursing Home
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Saturday
Sunday
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Host A Christmas Get Together
Do Final Touches to Decorations
Have Friends Over to Bake Cookies
Visit Santa and Take a Picture
Tuesday
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Watch “A Christmas Story” and drink some hot chocolate 6
Mule Creek Gift House
(432) 955 - 6262 109 SW Ave B Seminole, TX Regular Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm & Saturday 10 am - 3 pm
Thankful for all my sweet customers, friends, and family.
Join Us for
Late Night Shopping December 5 until 8:30 pm
(432) 758-2053 502 Hobbs Hwy Seminole, TX
Let us help you fill those Christmas wish lists!
You’re invited to join us in celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 pm
“...to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the
Messiah, the Lord...”
First United Methodist Church
(432) 758-3241 304 SW Ave B Seminole, TX
Wine A Little
CORK HOLIDAY WREATH DIY
W
ith the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to adorn your home to help you celebrate. If you have used the same old decorations year after year, now is the time to make something new! And if you have enjoyed a bottle of wine over the past few months or years, you may have corks sitting around. Of course, if you don’t have any spare corks lying around, you can make a trip to your nearby restaurant and ask them if they can hold any corks for you over the coming weeks. You might even get lucky and they’ll have some sitting around for you. If this doesn’t work for you, most craft stores carry cork by the bag, which makes it easy to make a large project like this one. In just a few hours, you can have your very own wine cork wreath ready to hang over the mantle, on the front door or anywhere in your home. And not only do these wreaths look great on display, they make great gifts too. To get started, collect the following supplies and ensure they are within arm’s reach in your crafting corner. If you don’t have a favorite crafting place, you can easily set up shop in your kitchen, laundry room, garage or anywhere that provides you the space to work easily.
By Ann Jarema SUPPLIES NEEDED: • 14" Styrofoam wreath • 20 mini glue sticks and a mini hot glue gun • 6 to 7 yards of ribbon (color of your choice–we suggest red) • 2 ft ribbon for bow (color of your choice – we suggest red) • X-ACTO knife or similar craft-type cutting device (a straight chef’s knife will also suffice) • 4 ft brown craft paper • 1 bottle tacky glue • 100 satin crafting pins (to adhere the thin ribbon for decoration) • 100-140 wine corks
DIRECTIONS: Cover your foam wreath with the craft paper using tacky glue. Think of this in the same way you wrap a wrist or ankle with an Ace bandage. Continue until the entire wreath is covered with craft paper. One layer of craft paper will suffice. Taking your X-ACTO knife, clip the ends of each cork at a small angle. Perfection isn’t necessary here. In fact, the variability will create some interesting dimension for your wreath. Note, if you are going for a red wreath or want to create a unique look, consider inconsistency on which end of the cork to snip. You may want to showcase the natural red from a red wine on some of the cork ends, and then have a more cork-look to the others. Laying your wrapped wreath flat on your work space, and using your hot glue, start gluing the corks around the middle of the spine of the wreath. (The glue goes on the angled portion of the cork). Keep adding rows until you have worked all the way around your wreath, in multiple rows. Add your embellishments and other desired decorations with the craft pins. Twisted bows or bursts of ribbon bundles coming from in between the corks create a lovely look and help to break up the monotony of the corks. Add your ribbon to the top or bottom front of the wreath (this is truly up to personal preference). Allow your wreath to dry overnight. Once dry, add a hook or an additional segment of looped ribbon to the top back of the wreath, to create ease in hanging. This is a personal preference as well, as some prefer to hang the wreath simply by the wreath itself, without using a hook.
Ship N More FedEx Shipping Services, Specialty Gifts & Home Decor
Merry Christmas
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
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124 South Main Seminole, TX On the Square
for GIFT IDEAS
C offee cl ub
Get your coffee lover a caffeine fix for the entire year. Check out your local coffee shops, stock up on bags of local coffee and give him a new blend every month.
HIM THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH THESE FUN AND FUNCTIONAL GIFTS. NO MATTER HIS INTERESTS OR LIFESTYLE, THERE’S A SPECIAL GIFT OUT THERE JUST FOR HIM! By Emily Fox
Old -fas hio ne d sh av e kit The perfect gift for all bearded beaus: this old-fashioned kit will keep him looking sharp! As an added bonus, many of the blades in these kits are kinder to skin than disposable razors.
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Vi ny l re cord bo oken ds These vinyl record bookends will lend a cool new look to his bookshelves. To make it even more special, hit up your local thrift store and make them yourself!
Rev up game night with this fun new word game! This twisting alphabet game will test his creativity and competitiveness...and it’s perfect for traveling.
Grilli ng ca mp ing ba sket
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t get ready for warmer weather. Grill-loving guys will flip over this basket that can pull double-duty on the grill and over a campfire.
ming of a G R ER EE NEChristmas? dreaming of a G N Christmas? dreaming of a G R E E N Christmas? dreaming of a G R E E N Christmas? dreaming of a G R E E N Christmas?
DEALS FOR ALL THE DEERE FANS ON YOUR LIST! JOHN DEERE LIBERTY GUN SAFES
JOHN DEERE TOOL CHESTS
JOHN DEERE TOOLS DEALS FOR ALL THE DEERE FANS ON YOUR 15% OFF $100 OFF 15% OFF LIST! (WITH PURCHASE OF TOOL CHEST) & FREE DELIVERY OHN DEERE JOHN DEERE JOHN DEERE JOHNFOR DEERE JOHN DEERE DEERE DEALS DEERE FANS ONJOHN YOUR LIST! JOHN DEERE ALL THE JOHN DEERE JOHN DEERE LIBERTY GUN SAFES TOOL CHESTS TOOLS TY GUN SAFES TOOL CHESTS TOOLS Join us December 5th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to get your picture madeTOOLS with Santa! LIBERTY GUN SAFES TOOL CHESTS JOHN DEERE JOHN JOHN DEERE 15% OFF $100DEERE OFF 15% OFF 15% OFF LIBERTY $100 OFF 15% OFF GUN SAFES (WITH PURCHASE OF TOOL CHEST) TOOL TOOLS 15% OFF $100CHESTS OFF (WITH PURCHASE 15% OFF & FREE DELIVERY OF TOOL CHEST) N. HWY 385 (432) 758-1110 EE DELIVERY 204 15% OFF $100 OFF 15%PURCHASE OFF (WITH OF TOOL CHEST) & FREE DELIVERY (WITH PURCHASE OF TOOL CHEST) & FREE DELIVERY Join us December 5th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to get your picture made with Santa!
FOR S ALL THE DEERE FANS ON YOUR LIST! LIST! DEALS FOR ALL THE DEERE FANS ON YOUR
December 5th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to get your picture made with Santa! Join us December 5th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. p.m. toto get your picture made with Santa! Join us December 5th from 3:30-5:30 get your picture made with Santa
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204 N. HWY 385 (432) 758-1110 204 N. HWY 385 5 N.204 HWY 385 758-1 (432) 758-1110 (432) 758-1110 N. HWY 385
(432) 758-1110
If you haven’t seen the videos blasting all over social media of these FabFitFun boxes, rest assured that she probably has. The FabFitFun box creates an element of surprise and each package (arrives quarterly) is full of skin care items and make-up samples (and not just a tiny sample… these samples are large enough to offer multiple uses), fitness accessories, jewelry and more. To order, visit www.fabfitfun.com
If she likes technology or is always leaving on the lights (or pestering you for leaving on the lights), get her an Amazon Echo Dot. This device is great for responding to even the most complex questions, reporting on the weather, providing a quick update on current events, controlling the temperature on the thermostat and turning off the lights. (HINT: Have her ask her new Echo Dot, “Why are fire engines red?”)
By Ann Jarema
Does she love to cook but not have time to shop? Why not try a Hello Fresh Meal Kit? Hello Fresh is a low-risk order as no subscription is required. To order, visit www.hellofresh. com, and she will receive a one-time delivery of recipes, along with all of the necessary ingredients to create that night’s dinner masterpiece.
If she likes to read, likes a great coffee table book and conversation piece, or is one heck of a lady, pick up a copy of Ann Shen’s book, “Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World (Women in History Book, Book of Women Who Changed the World).” This book covers amazing women throughout history, inclusive of pirates, scientists, activists, and more.
As long as you take some time to think abou t HER and HER inter ests, you’l l be sure to select a gift that will light up her face , and that will make her feel spec ial. Hap py shop ping !
for GIFT IDEAS
HER Let’s face it, women can be hard to shop for. Whether buying for mom, a spouse or significant other, a daughter, a grandmother, or even an aunt, the entire act of purchasing a gift for a special woman in your life can be fraught with anxiety. And you might be scratching your head, or channeling Mel Gibson in his 2000 romance film, “What Women Want.” But, make it easy on yourself. Women want to know that you have taken the time to think about them… so if you are already trying to figure out what to do, you’ve already taken the first step, and she’ll be thankful knowing that you didn’t just run to the nearby convenience store, grabbing the first bottle perfume you found on the shelf. Here are some quick suggestions to help you make her gift special.
Does she have a great soaking tub and like to relax after a long day at work or a visit to the gym? The LifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs Gift Set is made in the USA, and is truly the bomb (times 12)! The bombs will create a delightful fizz in the tub, and will not leave a stain or ugly residue.
Expressions
The difference between ordinary & extraordinary is that little extra (432) 758-0011 100 S. Main St. Seminole, Texas
Holiday Gift Guide two
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nine ONE. Rifle Paper Corkcicle Tumbler, $34 TWO. Mens Minnetonka Mocs, $45 THREE. Consuela Grab N Go, $59 FOUR. Consuela Grab N Go Mini, $35 FIVE. Root Candle - Candy Cane, $30 SIX. Brighton Neptune Rings Collection Necklace $138, Bracelet $68, Earrings $88
SEVEN. Warmies Heatable Eye Mask, $12 EIGHT. Jellycat Book & Animal, $34 NINE. Warmies Heatable Slippers, $25 TEN. Throw Blanket, $36 (Red buffalo check & leopard)
Buying for a child that is a bit more laid back that likes to hang out and read? This versatile Floor Pillow Fold Out Lounger retails for under $30 and is super soft and comfortable.
Gifts
By Emily Fox
FOR KIDS & TEENS
It’s not easy to find the right gift for a young child or for a teenager. Any gift-giver fears giving the gift that the youngster will set aside after opening because it didn’t interest them, causing them to move on to the next package in the hope of finding something better. Or what about that teenager and the rolling of the eyes when they receive something “uncool” are behind the times? It’s no wonder that gift giving can cause stress and anxiety for any well-intentioned gift giver. So, this quick list is intended to take some of the pressure off.
Check out this Boogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet. All kids inevitably want what mom and dad or big brother and sister have, and this unique take on the Etch a Sketch of yesteryear will be sure to delight any budding artist.
Perhaps one of the latest crazes of the year has been the Nintendo Switch. This item is easy to use and popular for kids of all ages, plus it is the gift that keeps on giving as you can gift new games for future gifting holidays.
If your gift recipient is more into science and could be the future Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, this Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit provides over 100 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects that are sure to delight (and educate) that budding entrepreneur.
With one of th e u ar e afor ementio ne d gifts , yo ient su re to de lig ht yo ur re cip ow nie an d yo u’l l ea rn so me br po ints in th e proc ess.
What about your child with tons of energy to burn and the need to get outside and ride? The EzyRoller Classic Ride On is great for children ages 4 to 14. This unique take on a sidewinder crossed with big wheel doesn’t use pedals, and instead uses a foot bar that leverages easy alternating leg movements to get you rolling.
YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
200 SE Avenue B | Seminole, TX 79360 | 432.758.5845
MEMBER FDIC
EQUAL HOUSING LENDER
877.493.7862
| WTNB.com
CINNAMON ORNAMENTS Two Ways By Emily Fox
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN HANDMADE ORNAMENTS THAT MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL LIKE CHRISTMAS? KIDS WILL LOVE GETTING TO CUT OUT FESTIVE SHAPES FOR CINNAMON APPLESAUCE ORNAMENTS AND CHOOSING RIBBON PATTERNS AND COLORS FOR CINNAMON STICK CHRISTMAS TREES. PERFECT CHRISTMAS SCENT, PERFECT CHRISTMAS CHARM.
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CINNAMON APPLESAUCE ORNAMENTS Supplies needed:
• ½ cup applesauce • ½ cup ground cinnamon, plus some for dusting • 1 tsp school glue • Rolling pin • Festive cookie cutters • Spatula • Baking sheet • Twine or ribbon
1. Mix the applesauce, ground cinnamon and glue. The dough will be very sticky! Sprinkle some cinnamon on
the surface where you want to roll out your dough. Shake some cinnamon on the rolling pin, as well. Roll out dough until it’s about ½ inch thick. 2. Use festive cookie cutters to cut out ornaments. Make a hole near the top of the ornament. A pen or a straw works great for this. Make the hole a little bigger than you think it needs to be. It will shrink in the oven.
3. Using the spatula, carefully transfer ornaments to the baking sheet (great time for grownups to help!). Bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes, or let air dry for several days...if you can wait! 4. Once completely set and cool, string twine or ribbon through the hole and hang on your tree!
CINNAMON STICK CHRISTMAS TREES Supplies needed:
• Long cinnamon sticks • Assorted ribbon • Scissors • Glue gun and glue • Twine
Cut six pieces ribbon into lengths of 9-10 inches each. Tie the six pieces of ribbon around a cinnamon stick, starting at the top and working towards the bottom. A simple knot will do. Leave a little
room between each ribbon. With scissors (grown-ups can help!), start at the top ribbon and cut down at an outward diagonal. Your ribbon should be longest at the bottom. Repeat on the other side. Cut desired length of twine for your hanger. Make a loop with the twine and secure ends to the top of your “tree” with a drop of glue. Tie a small bow with a piece of extra ribbon and glue over the ends of your twine loop.
Let dr y an d ha ng on th e tr ee !
GIGIS ATTIC
406 S. Main (South Entrance)
(432) 889 - 4858
ONE WEEK CHRISTMAS SALE December 2nd - 6th Monday: 30% off all lamps Tuesday: 25% off home accents & wreaths Wednesday: 30% off all mirrors Thursday: 40% off pictures, prints, & oils Friday: 25% off all accent chairs
Stop by and Christmas shop wonderful pieces for everyone!
Santa’s
Corner Stop Join us for a FREE community event Monday December 16 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Kountry Charm “A modern boutique with a vintage charm!”
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Kountry Charm Family!
Features: -Decor
-Cookware
Northeast corner of the Courthouse Square
-Fabric -Vintage -Unique Gadgets
Visit from Santa Make & Takes Photo Station & More
& More!
Bridal Registries Available!
Hosted by: Ace Hardware, McSoutherland Charm, Simply Sassy, & The Hair Gin
(432) 955-2020 200 S Main St Seminole, TX 79360
Where you are more than a number, you’re a member! Apply Online @ www.estacadofcu.com 2220 N. Dal Paso 18 Hobbs, NM
220 N. Love Lovington, NM
324 N. Main Denver City TX
Storage Buildings CMC Plasma Cutter Deliver a variety of dirts, caliche, and decorative rock for landscaping
CRANBERRY APPLE STUFFED PORK
Active Time: 30 minutes Yield: 4 Servings
By Amanda Bochain INGREDIENTS
• ½ cup dried cranberries • ¼ cup red wine • 1 tsp butter • 1 cup chopped apple, peeled • ½ cup pearl onions, halved • ¼ tsp salt • ¼ tsp ground black pepper • 1 pound pork tenderloin • 1 tsp olive oil • ½ cup chicken stock DIRECTIONS
Combine the dried cranberries and the wine in a small bowl and set aside to let the fruit absorb the liquid. Let sit for about an hour. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the chopped apples. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pearl onions to the pan and cook 20
for another minute. If the pan gets too dry, add about a tablespoon of water at a time to prevent the fruit and onions from burning. Strain the cranberries, saving the wine for later, then stir the cranberries into the apple and onion mix. Add the salt and pepper and stir. Make a hole in the center of the pork tenderloin by pushing the handle of a wooden spoon through the center of the pork loin. Once the handle has gone all the way through, roll it around a little to widen the hole. Stuff the pork loin with half of the fruit and onion mixture, reserving the rest of the fruit to make a sauce. Place the olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet and heat over medium high heat.
Sear the pork loin in the pan, cooking it for about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the skillet to a pre-heated 425 degree oven and bake for 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the pork loin sit in the skillet for 5 minutes. Move to a cutting board and begin the sauce. Pour the reserved wine in the skillet (no need to wash it, the cooked pieces left behind from the pork will add flavor!) and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the reserved fruit and onion mix and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the pork loin and serve with the red wine fruit sauce. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year
Gaines County Commissioners Court (432) 758 - 5411 101 S. Main / PO Box 847 Seminole, Texas
Gaines County Sheriff’s Office (432) 758 - 9871 305 E Ave A Seminole, Texas
Gaines County CHERYL’S DINER
(432)758 - 3463
400 N. Main
S E TT IN G
THE TABLE FOR A HOMETOWN HOLIDAY
f you’re the lucky one taking a turn at hosting the big meal and family get-together this holiday season, you probably have a lot of things on your mind. From finding room for out-of-town relatives to sleep, to menu planning, to making sure you have time to clean the house (and keep it clean), and even arranging for the gift exchange, hosts and hostesses have a lot to consider. But that doesn’t mean that hosting can’t be fun, in fact, maybe you get energized by the idea of opening up your home to the family. Or, maybe you just love to decorate, and this is just one more opportunity to show off those skills that show you should have been an interior designer? Okay, maybe you will never be an interior designer, and maybe you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body, but you really want to create a statement and decorate your home, and table for this special event.
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By Ann Jarema
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF SOME IDEAS AND INSPIRATION TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET STARTED:
Determine the 1settings number of place you will need, and then determine your theme and color palette. If decorating for Christmas, your generic theme is easy. But, think deeper than that… is your theme Kris Kringle? Maybe you are looking for an elegant and classy look? Maybe you are a gum-drop fan and want to create a theme around gum drops and gingerbread. Whatever
it is you are looking to do, get your thoughts in mind and lock them down.
other oopsies that will inevitably make their way to your holiday meal.
Select your Determine your tablecloth and centerpiece. 2ensure 3 it is designed Poinsettias, red and to fit your table (round, square or rectangular). A white tablecloth is always a go-to, but this will depend on your theme. A red tablecloth is a perfect fit for the Christmas season, and will also help to hide any spills or
stma s seas on, A red tabl eclot h is a perfect fit for the Chri r oops ies that will and will also help to hide any spill s or othe mea l. inevitabl y make their way to your holid ay
white roses or even a glass or crystal vase filled with red and gold Christmas ornaments, perhaps adorned with a thick ribbon tied around the base, are all easy go-tos and often items that you already have on hand or are easy to find during the days leading up to the big day. Gather (or purchase) your 4 placemats. While you can stick to the same color as your tablecloth, adding a pop of color to the mats can create dimension.
Gather (or purchase) 5(if going your cloth napkins for a more elegant look). Often times, it is easy to select tablecloths, placemats and cloth napkins at the same department store, making it easy to grab and go and stick to your planned theme. Don’t forget a fun napkin ring to help tie in your theme. If you are using sprigs of evergreen in your centerpiece, consider attaching a small sprig to the napkin holders. Or, if going for the ornament centerpiece, look for small ornaments that can be affixed in some way to those napkin holders (if you can’t find something small enough, check in the earring section as many stores have holiday earrings that could be repurposed). your 6Determine dinnerware,
glassware and serving ware. Will it all match or will it be eclectic? Have fun with this… if you don’t have enough pieces of any one setting, consider switching it up with an “every other” place setting approach. Consider if you will use chargers or not. the table and 7tableSet don’t forget your setting training. If using a 6-piece setting, your first and second course forks will be placed to the left, and your first and second course knives will be placed to the right. Your dessert fork and coffee spoon are placed above the setting. Next, take your napkin (in napkin holder) and set at a 45-degree angle on top of the plate. Then, consider a small candy (Christmas colored Hershey Kisses are always a win) or two on either side of the napkin holder. You can also sprinkle some
candies throughout the table to dress it up and fill in any white spaces that you prefer to avoid. Whatever approach you take to setting your tablescape, have fun with it. You don’t have to have
the absolute best in fabrics or china to create a great tablescape that your guests will ooh and aah about. Use what you have unless you are prepared to make an investment (and if you do decide to go out and buy, remember that you’ll be able to reuse these pieces for years and years to come). But again, let this be a fun activity for you as you work your way towards the holiday season… creating your tablescape is a great
Give the
Seminole Sentinel
as a gift this holiday season!
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Come by, call, or purchase online! 406 S. Main (north entrance) 432.758.3667 www.seminolesentinel.com
Merry Christmas! 24