2012
Lake Wedowee Life 3
Holiday 2012
Back Issues available at SouthernHolidayLife.com
Vol. 5 No. 6
Holiday Features Holiday Outdoors 26 Creating Wedowee’s Gingerbread House: Creativity and Teamwork Inspire 30 Safety is Key When it Comes to Outdoor Lights: Safety Tips from TREC 34 Enhancing Your Front Entrance: How to Door Décor
36 Turning Trash into Christmas Treasure: Reclaiming Wood for the Holidays
Holiday Entertaining 16 Embrace the Outdoors When Decorating: Harvest Tablescape 20 Thanksgiving Feats: Harvest Recipes for Thanksgiving
40 Preparing for the Main Event: Christmas Eve Menu
46 Planning a Party in 8 Simple Steps: Holiday Party Tips
50 Tips a Caterer Won’t Tell You...Until Now: Catering Your Holiday Party 56 Get Creative When Decorating the Holiday Table: Holiday Table Settings 58 Southern Like Pecan Pie on Christmas Day: Christmas Day Menu 68 Decorations for 3 Holidays: Holiday Tablescapes
70 Bonding Over A Few Wild Grapes: Making Homemade Jelly
Holiday Traditions 14 I am Thankful: Words From Our Fans 32 Magic Elf Returns to Bring Holiday Fun: Elf Magic 38 Tips for Wonderful Holiday Photos: Photo Tips and Contest
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In Every Issue 10 12 18 62 72
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Letter from the Editor At a Glance Simply Fabulous Charley’s Treasures Creative Crafting
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44 Countdown to the 25th:
82 Marine Crops Christmas: A Family
Advent Calendar
Staying Connected
54 Don’t Forget the Deeper Meaning of Christmas: 64 Holiday Traditions Carry on from One Generation to the Next 79 A Disney Magical Holiday: Road Trip
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74 DIY Christmas Crafts Reclaimed Christmas Tree Holiday Owl Wreath Ribbon Tabletop Tree Merry & Bright Canvas Wall Art Christmas Ball Ornaments
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Southern Holiday Life
877.959.LAKE (5253) 18285 Highway 431 Wedowee, AL
www.SouthernHolidayLife.com On the Cover Contestants in the 2012 Southern Holiday Life Cover Model Search participated in this cover shoot at Wedowee’s Gingerbread House.
Southern Holiday Life magazine is published annually by parent company Neighborhood Publishing which also produces Lake Wedowee Life and Friday Night Life magazines. All content in this publication is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Neighborhood Publishing. © 2008 Neighborhood Publishing
General Manager
Editor
Writer/Photographer
Advertising Sales
LEISEL CALDWELL info@lakewedoweelife.com
KELLY CALDWELL news@lakewedoweelife.com
AMANDA CAUSEY info@lakewedoweelife.com
LAVOY CALDWELL ads@lakewedoweelife.com
Southern Holiday Life 7
We asked our contributors t Holiday Memories . Leisel Caldwell
Kelly Caldwell
Leisel
Kelly
Our Annual Glass Family Smackdown on Christmas Eve Eve. Caldwells are in it to win it!
Playing “Hush Kitty” with all my cousins and my Great Aunt Rebeye on
Charley Norton
My favorite Holiday was my daughters first Christmas.
Jessica Maher
As a child, one year we got a phone call from Santa. Our excitement was priceless!
Chris McEwen
My daughter's first Christmas.
Julie Shirley
Placing the angel on the top of the tree was my magical childhood Christmas tradition.
Amanda Causey
Our yearly trips to pick out a Christmas tree at the Farmer’s Market and the crazy rides home.
Darlene Bailey
When all the family would gather in on Christmas Eve.
Lavoy Caldwell
At my Grandmother Burson’s house, the whole extended family is there. All of us spend the night, and Santa Claus still manages to find us.
Dwight Burke
The whole family together cooking in the kitchen is my favorite holiday memory.
Keesha McEwen
Peggy Burke
The year I got my convertible Barbie car. Santa was so excited he came at midnight that year.
My favorite childhood holiday memory is my whole family piling in our van heading to my grandparents.
to share with us one of their favorite Amanda Boykin
Candice Helton
Drinking hot cocoa and singing Christmas songs while putting up our Christmas decorations.
Sitting around the tree every year with my grandmother wrapping present after present.
Emily Beaird Roach
Holly McKenzie
We always spent holidays @my grandmother's in Wedowee. we still go to Mama Rosa 's every Christmas.
My favorite memory is mealtime with my family at Grandma & Granddaddy's house.
Veronica Hawkins
Whitney Baugh
Making ornaments, wrapping presents, and baking goodies with my mom.
Our son had just turned 2 & I was pregnant with our daughter. We awoke to find a blanket of snow.
Lake Wedowee Life 9
Bringing Back Fun Christmas Traditions Everyone has memories of baking cookies or the excitement of Christmas morning, but one that came to mind for me this year had more to do with community spirit than food or presents. In the early 1990s my mom was heavily involved in the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and had heard of an idea that not only promoted local businesses but allowed them to help beautify our little town at Christmastime. She brought the idea of Christmas Card Lane to the chamber and even though I was a young teen at the time, I remember what seemed like 20 or 30 businesses and civic groups jumping on board and decorating these larger than life Christmas Cards. Handley High School had one in its front lawn because we were in the state playoffs at the time, (I am thinking it was the 1992 season) and All We Wanted was a State Championship for Christmas. (We didn’t get it that year, but the Tigers of 2011 sure did it!!!) Anyway, the Christmas cards dotting the town is a fond memory of mine, and we wanted to reinvent that lost tradition this year. So we approached Wedowee Mayor Tim Coe to get the town on board as a co-sponsor, and we are pleased to announce we are bringing Christmas Card Lane to downtown Wedowee this holiday season. We will be releasing more details in the following weeks, but in a nutshell Christmas Card Lane is a great way to advertise your business, civic group, organization, or just a fun family project. The Deadline for registering is Nov 26, 5pm. All cards will be displayed around the downtown median from November 30th thru Dec 30th in Wedowee. Directions for Registering Register by going online at www.LakeWedoweeLife.com or www.SouthernHolidayLife.com and finding the link for Christmas Card Lane Entry or by calling Lake Wedowee Life at 877959-5253. More Information Judging is based on two criteria: artistic ability and creativity. Cards must be made out of two (2) 4 x 8 sheets of plywood hinged together or one (1) 4 x 8 sheet that is self supporting (to stand up) and decorated for the season. Only restrictions are the cards cannot be designed to require electricity. See website for additional information. We hope to see this take off and become an annual tradition for Wedowee.
Merry Christmas! Kelly Caldwell
Upcoming Local Events November 19th Pilot Club Christmas For Kids Bike Ride Lakeside Marina-Wedowee
November 30th - December 2nd “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Clause” The Historic Ashland Theatre
December 4th - December 7th SUSCC Christmas Show Wadley Tickets on Sale Now
Nov 22nd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
@ 9:00 am
Dec 1st Wedowee @ 1:00 pm
Dec 4th Lineville @ 6:00 pm
Dec 6th Ashland @ 6:00 pm Tentative Due to Construction
Dec 8th Roanoke @ 2pm Woodland @ 2pm Wadley @ 4pm
Don’t forget to track Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve at www.noradsanta.org!
Every year on Christmas Eve, The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), follows Santa Claus as he leaves the North Pole and delivers presents to children around the world. “NORAD Tracks Santa," which has existed since 1955, Be sure that you are in bed asleep before he gets close to your town so that he does not miss your house…..or have to make a side trip out of his carefully planned destination route!
We asked on our social media sites â&#x20AC;&#x153;What are you Thankful for?â&#x20AC;? Here are some of our favorite responses: Sandy Carol Smith: I am most thankful for my Family, My precious lil Princess Macie! When I was told that I might not ever get to have children, but GOD had other plans for me at age 36 I was blessed beyond words. She is my world GOD has been sooooooo Good to me! I thank him everyday for my Blessings!! Amy Richardson: I am thankful for dirty dishes and piles of clothes to wash. My children are growing up so fast and even though washing dishes and clothes seems like a never ending cycle, as long as I have them...I have my kids (and husband <3).
Stephany Dedman: I'm thankful first for the blood He shed for me. I'm thankful for my freedom and Liberty. I'm thankful for my sweet husband and all he does for me, and for our two beautiful girls that's all I need. I am Blessed! Heather Heard Huddleston: I am most thankful for God's aboundless love and blessings for me. It is because of Him that I have the opportunity to be thankful for the many other wonderful things in my life. He has blessed me with 3 smart and handsome boys, a wonderful husband, a very big family, everything I need and most of my wants among countless other things. He has truly blessed me beyond belief!
Embrace the Outdoors when Decorating When it comes to home decorating, you can begin by tossing everything out the door that you’ve learned thus far. Interior design should be fun, easy, and most importantly, it should be a reflection of you. Because your home is an extension of your family, it’s important that your decor represent your taste, lifestyle and interests. Just don’t overdo it. Keep things clean and crisp and remember, too much of a good thing is just that…too much! With that said, start by wowing your guests with a signature item that can serve as a conversation piece. In other words, let your imagination run wild in order to create something uniquely yours; something that no one has done before or can lay claim to. This can be achieved easily and without breaking the bank. With a little planning, a simple idea can catapult you into trendsetter status in 2.5 seconds. Consider repurposing household items you own such as dishes, flowers, vases, candle sticks, glasses, jars, etc. Go back to nature for seasonal elements like pine cones, leaves, wild wheat, twigs. The truth is, a can of spray paint can transform any outdoor find into a must-have decorating treasure. Not only will it be less expensive but the creative masterpiece will become more valuable to you than a Renoir is to the Met. For the budget savvy and environmentally conscious, taking advantage of craft festivals, garage/yard sales and trolling clearance bins is the equivalent of finding buried treasure. It’s easy to find an array of decor that is unique or that has the potential to be something fabulous. My signature item – tablescapes!
My supplies included mason jars (we make muscadine jelly so there are always plenty of jars in my home); paper towel flowers; wooden pumpkins (made by my hubby); old shutter as table runner; Redneck Wine Glasses; various jars filled with candy corn (inexpensive & our daughters loves to sneak candy) and pine cones Arrange in any order to stir up emotions you are trying to convey. Remember scale is important so you may need to attempt several arrangements before finding the fit that feels right for your décor. You may need to add and/or remove items to find the perfect blend. This table is a true reflection of my family’s style and it matches the overall decor of my home. When people come to your home they should say, ‘this house is so you’. Take risks---it's yours! There are no rules! Get creative and get happy!
Holiday Entertaining by Keesha McEwen
Season's Greetings readers! I know I'm early but Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Christmas and Thanksgiving seem to run smack dab into each other every year. The festivities begin in November and end after New Year's. One big stretch of partying. We all know what that means don't we? Our weekly grocery bill goes through the roof and the kitchen is where we can be found should anyone need us.
Simply Fabulous Story by Darlene Bailey Photo by Kelly Caldwell However, I do love my holiday baking. I must admit that I've never been fond of pumpkin pie, but this double layer recipe gives a whole other twist to this holiday desert. As we come to the end of an amazing year of cooking together I hope you have enjoyed trying some of my favorite recipes. Blessings to all and Bon AppĂŠtit!!! Glass Slipper Events 256.449.2946
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie 4 oz cream cheese(softened) 1 tablespoon milk 1 tablespoon sugar 1 (8 oz) tub cool whip(divided) 1 graham cracker crust 1 cup milk 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin 2 pkgs (4 oz) each vanilla instant pudding & pie filling 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix cream cheese, 1 T milk and 1 T sugar together with a fork. Gently fold half the container of cool whip into mixture. Pour in bottom of crust. With a wire whisk blend 1 cup milk, pumpkin, dry pudding and cinnamon until well mixed. Spread over cream cheese mixture. Chill for at least 4 hours or until set. Top with remaining cool whip when ready to serve.
Recipes Continued on page 20
Pumpkin Crunch Cake By: Candice Helton 1 can Libby's pumpkin pie filling 2 eggs 3/4 c. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. cloves 1 can (1 1/2 c.) evaporated milk 1 box yellow cake mix 1 stick butter, melted 1/2 c. chopped pecans whipped cream (optional) Preheat oven 350째F. In a large bowl combined pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and eggs. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Top with dry cake mix and pecans. Melted butter and pour over dry
cake mix. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees or until golden brown. Serve plain or topped with whipped cream.
Caramel Apple Cider By Amanda Causey 1 cup apple cider 4 tablespoons caramel Orange sprinkles 4 slices of apple Dip four glasses in the caramel and then dip them in the orange sprinkles to rim the glasses. Pour the cider into the glasses and garnish with apple slices. Drizzle any remaining caramel over the apple slices. Serve! Kids will love them...and grownups too!
Homemade Butterfingers By: Keesha McEwen 1 1/2 bag of Candy Corn 1 Jar of Peter Pan Honey Roasted Creamy Peanut butter 1 container of dips melted chocolate (or any microwavable melted chocolate) Everything is done in the Mi-
crowave! Pour the Candy corn into a microwave safe bowl. Then microwave it in 30 second intervals until it is completely melted. When its done stir in the whole jar of Peanut butter until they are completely mixed together. Then Place a piece of wax paper on to a glass plan and flatten into a rec-
tangle. Let it cool completely Then you can cut them to the size that you prefer. Melt your Dips chocolate and Dip your Butterfingers pieces in it. Then eat!! They don't photograph well but they are so Yummy!!
Harvest Table Setting By Holly McKenzie This harvest table setting put together by Holly is a great example of taking ordinary pieces you would already have at home and mixing them with a few natural fall elements to create a one of a kind set up for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies By Amanda Causey This is by far the easiest recipe for delicious cookies you will ever make! 1 egg 1 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter ( I use chunky peanut butter but you can use creamy)
Heat oven to 350°F. Beat egg in large bowl with mixer until foamy. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Flatten, in crisscross pattern, with tines of fork. Bake 10 min. or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
Storage Tips Plastic storage containers and resalable plastic bags keep cookies fresh. Old-fashioned cookie tins do the job well, if they have a tight seal. Never store cookies in any kind of container until they have cooled completely.
The Thankful Tree By: Amanda Causey If you want to add some rustic meaningful décor to your Thanksgiving day then try the thankful tree. This is a great way to get the children involved and teach them the meaning of the holiday season. Gather branches in the woods. I used a large Mason jar for this project. Coat the inside with brown paint (or whatever color you’d like) turn it upside down and allow the paint to drain out. Let it dry for at least 24 hrs. Using a craft punch make your ‘tags’ onto colored cardstock. We used various sized punches, with the larger tags being things we are most thankful for. Punch a hole and loop through some twine/string. Hang and enjoy! I created the framed “Thankful Tree” sign and it is available for download in our online gift guide that is on our website SoutherHolidayLife.com. There are 2 designs to choose from!
Teamwork and Creativity Inspire Transformation If anyone has driven through Wedowee, you may have noticed our little cabin on the hill after Wedowee Creek... Its small and charming and when it came time to discuss plans for this year's Southern Holiday Life, we knew we wanted the cabin to play a part. We tossed around several ideas, but the "Women of the magazine" (my wife, daughter and the little red-headed girl) decided they wanted to turn our cool rustic cabin into a gingerbread house for Christmas. That was all fine and good, but I knew that I had my
work cut out for me to make it happen. We got started right after Labor
Holiday Outdoors by Lavoy Caldwell Day, and the first task was adding the icing trim to the cabin... To make that happen, we went to the Building Supply for material which included pressure treated pine and paint. We cut a scallop decorative edge and hung the trim along the edge of the roof. (Yes, this part will
stay up year round.) "The Women" wanted lollipops to decorate the front of the house so I got my jigsaw and skill saw out and went to work... The only problem is they didn't know how many they wanted... So erring on the side of caution I cut a few extra which is how we got our Snowman, and you can't have a gingerbread house without a gingerbread man. After that, I thought my job was mostly done and was going to leave the rest to "The Women" but then you can't have a gingerbread house without Christmas Lights.
And, of course they didn't want just any kind of lights. "The Women" wanted the old-fashioned big bulb Christmas Lights. And, have you ever tried to find Christmas lights in September??? Let me tell you, it's not an easy task. I was successful in finding the right lights after three failed attempts and once I hung them on the house, I let "The Women" take over for good. They wrapped the posts on the porch in what they called "deco-mesh" and then found the gingerbread man a hat and bows and more lollipops. I thought I was finished until "The Women" came up with the idea that we needed snow on the
acoustic ceiling spray which builders use to finish sheetrock ceilings. It turned out better than expected and you need to come check it out this Christmas if you are in the area. We got some strange looks and cars honking because we were doing this in September and October, but I am sure people will enjoy it ground... Since we live in Alabama, now. When we had our Model snow is hardly ever in the forecast, Search kiddos out for the photo heck we do good to get frost on the shoot in early October, they had a ground in October... So in other blast getting in the Christmas words I had to get creative. After spirit, even if it was two months an investigative trip to Wedowee early. Building Supply and a conversaKeep a check on our website for tion with a builder buddy (Thank the dates of our photo session open you W.C. Pate) I had my answer. to the public featuring our life size The snow that you see is actually gingerbread house!
Safety is key when it comes to using outdoor lights
Few traditions are as unique to the holidays as decorating our homes and yards with twinkling lights and festive decorations. While these displays add to the magic of the season, they also increase our risks for holiday fires and injuries – just ask Clark Griswold. Follow these steps to ensure that your traditions result in a safe, bright, and happy time for your family. Carefully inspect each electrical decoration and extension cord before use, and discard any damaged items. Cracked sockets, bare or frayed wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or fire. Avoid overloading outlets, which can overheat and also cause a fire.
Holiday Outdoors by Rick Norris TREC The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends never connecting more than three strands of incandescent lights together. Do not pinch cords in windows or doors, or under heavy furniture. When decorating outside, make sure outdoor outlets are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Check that all items and extension cords are marked for outdoor use. And exercise extreme caution when decorating near overhead power lines. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder instead of metal. Keep yourself and all of your equipment at least 10
feet from power lines. Take special care with Christmas trees. If purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. Heated rooms dry out live trees—even fresh ones—rapidly. Place the tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces and space heaters. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water. For artificial trees, look for the label “fire resistant.” Decorate your tree, live or artificial, with non-combustible or flame-resistant materials. Never use burning candles on or near your tree. Whether your house is the most festive on the block or you prefer a more low-key style, make safety an important part of your holiday preparations.
Magic Elf Returns to Bring Holiday Fun If you are a regular reader of our magazine, you might remember that we had a special visitor last year while we were getting ready for the 2011 issue of Southern Holiday Life. Annabelle brought all kinds of mischief to the office! This year we had one of her coworkers Fern spend some time with us. The minute I saw her I knew that this little red haired elf and I would get along great! Although she did not make as many messes as Annabelle she still caused a little mischief! She hide my glue gun while I was in the middle of making crafts and I still cannot find it. She also ate all of the donuts Lavoy got for the office (ok I admit it...that was really me). During our cover
shoot with the model search kiddos she disappeared for a little bit and I found her snapping photos with her own mini camera. The only disastrous mess she made was in Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office when she dumped small paper scarps all in the floor! This year Fern will be going to stay with one of our lucky read-
Holiday Traditions by Amanda Causey ers! Beginning the week of Thanksgiving she will be the first of our 25 {Week} Days of Christmas Giveaways! Be sure to like Southern Holiday Life on Facebook so you can participate in all our giveaways and try for the op-
portunity to take Fern home...but I hope you have room for her wardrobe and her closet.
To find out more information about Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magic Elves visit www.Elf-Magic.com
Instagram is a fun and quirky way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. The following photos are tagged #FernGrams and you can follow Ferns adventures with Southern Holiday Life magazine on Twitter or Instagram by searching #FernGrams or #SouthernHolidayLife. Please share your Elfcapades throughout the holiday season and we will share our favorites with our followers! You can tag #SHL12 on Instagram or Twitter; share on our Southern Holiday Life Facebook Fan Page or email them to us at SouthernHolidayLife@gmail.com.
Enhancing Your Front Entrance With the holidays quickly approaching, I’m sure you’re beginning to think of ways to spruce up your home for the upcoming season. Decorative holiday wreaths are a wonderful way to add festive charm to your home. For many, wreaths are an essential component in their seasonal decorating, but very few people are aware of the historical significance of the modern day wreath. The tradition of hanging decorative wreaths for special occasions originated in ancient Rome as a representation of victory and success and has since become a welcoming symbol of hope and hospitality. Decorative holiday wreaths come in many different shapes, styles, and color combinations to satisfy every
unique individual. Whether you’re decorating style is more classic and traditional, or you prefer a more modern, eclectic, or whimsical design, decorative wreaths are a great way to en-
Holiday Outdoors by Amanda Boykin
hance your holiday decorations. In addition to wreaths, decorated garlands and swags are beautiful ways to enrich your outdoor décor. A pine or evergreen garland draped elegantly along your porch railings is a fabulous way to show your spirit for the season, and adding clear or multicolored lights will make your outdoor decorations even more spectacular. Poinsettias add a traditional touch to your Christmas decorations, and look lovely when placed on either side of your front door. With the holiday season comes parties, family gatherings, and an array of festivities. Beautiful decorations bring such enjoyment to those who see them. Give those who enter your home this holiday season a warm welcome by dressing up your front entrance with festive holiday decorations.
Turning Trash into Christmas Treasure Holiday Outdoors by Chris McEwen
I love unusual things. I always have had a knack for turning someone’s trash into a work of art. I never really planned on that love becoming what I did for a living. But as of late, the phrase “Love what you do, and Do what you love” has become a major inspiration in my professional life. I have begun to build furniture out of trash. Within the last 3 years I have stumbled upon an art form that I can do well and that I find interesting, it’s called upcycling. I call it an art form, but maybe its just a hobby. It is mainly reliant on wood reclaiming. Every board foot of wood that I save from the trash has its own history. Some of the wood I get is from pallets, a vast treasure trove of wood in it-
self. When I build things from wood, I like to utilize the natural beauty of the wood. Every detail of the individual pieces of wood create a woven pattern of beauty that comes together to form the final piece of artwork. Not every board is cut perfect from the mill. There are some flaws to every board which is used to create character. There is a small degree of satisfaction when you can reuse some old nasty wood and clean and reshape it into a functioning piece of furniture or décor. There are websites devoted to this on the internet. Usually people send me a picture of what they would like their furniture piece to look like and I try my best to incorporate the picture, their ideas and the wood’s “flaws”
into it. You can never get store bought wood to come with any history. Each reclaimed piece of wood I use has tons of history. Sometimes you will run into a nice straight piece of wood but it will be stained or dyed from some paint in it’s previous life, but that’s also just part of the wood’s personal history. Anyone can do Upcycling, just sometimes it takes a little work and creativity. Having the proper tools and equipment doesn’t hurt either. I have seen Coke bottles being turned into a roof for a shed, a whole “house” made from pallets, or even fishing lures made from bottle caps. Its fun to me because the limits are only what my imagination says they are.
Tips for Wonderful Christmas Photos Christmastime and winter are the most energetic and exciting times to take photographs for a variety of reasons – the natural elements, the captivating and imaginative decorations (including Christmas lights) and the festive mood that seems to overcome entire communities. The cold chill of winter brings a certain crispness to the air. Even the light usually has a different quality to it. This is all great for your photography. Get out in the brisk air and take photos of the snow-covered homes and lawns in your area.
Scrooge or a Grinch would object! Christmas photos can have dual uses – you take them for the memories/record-keeping and you can use them as your family’s Christmas card. Either way, you want to make sure that you, the photographer, are in some of the important family photos. The Christmas holiday is a heavily photographed event, so it’s important to approach the subject with an eye for doing something differ-
ent and compelling. Utilize the ornaments and the lights to spruce up the background elements of your shots, focus on your subject’s eyes and work to position your family into positions that emphasizes their close relationship and the joy this season instills in everyone. The preparation is just as important as the finished product when it comes to Christmas, so get in there and take photos of the tree trimming activity as it happens.
Holiday Traditions by Amanda Causey Christmas lights and ornaments are the holiday decorations you’ll find in nearly every Christmastime photograph. You’ll want to find ways to utilize them in inventive ways – extreme close ups or just having them dominate the frame where the “subjects”, the people, populate the background to give dimension and suggest depth. Holidays are days that highlight the importance of relationships, with Christmas being the granddaddy of them all. The stress and pressure of the passing year may wear on everyone, yet everyone is glad to relax and spend time with family. As with Thanksgiving, you have a chance to take photographs that define emotional moments for years, if not decades to come. Your family/guests will all be open to suggestions on how and where to stand to enable you to capture the bonds between them. Try to get them to smile and laugh; and suggest that couples stand beneath mistletoe for a holiday kiss. Only
With the popularity of smart phones rising, many cell phone developers are putting more effort into the camera quality of their model. This Holiday Season we will be sharing photographs from our readers on our social media platforms. If you have Twitter, Instagram or Facebook try our Holiday Photo Challenge! Simply take a photo a day, upload to your profile and use the tag ‘#SHL12’. We will be sharing our favorites to our followers so be sure to give your photos some thought and creativity! Happy Holidays!
Preparing for the Main Event Christmas Eve Menu Skewered Honey Roasted Pork Sweet potato pancakes with Cinnamon oil No-knead dinner rolls Baked Artichoke dip with Roasted Garlic Assorted Cheeses Peppermint Cream Bars Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies Roasted Onion, Garlic and Peppered Almonds
I am one of those people who look forward to Christmas Eve just as much if not more than Christmas Day. Like a Friday instead of Saturday, the day before a trip not the day of. I like the anticipation, the buildup of excitement of what awaits me as morning comes. Christmas Eve in my family is just as important as Christmas Day and like most southerners we make sure the house is packed and the food is overflowing. Growing up we did nice fancy dinners on Christmas Eve, the roast, soup, the casseroles, the potatoes and desserts. However, one year we decided to do something easysomething comforting and fun and that one year changed our lives (by that I mean the cooks- my mom and I) and we have never gone back. From sandwiches, dips, meats and miniature desserts, our Christmas Eve spread was creative, carefree and less time consuming. I remember my mom would always say, “Women make Christmas and the men and children enjoy it”. This should not be the case!
We should have some peace, rest and fun too! The food on Christmas Eve should “prepare” you for
Holiday Entertaining by Jessica Maher the exciting and special celebration of Christmas Day not leave you acting like scrooge. Repeat after me- JOLLY! Let’s be jolly this year and head into the most wonderful day with a wonderful Christmas
eve spread. This year I invite you to join me as I share with you my favorite Christmas recipes along with a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu. Whether you go by my recipes exactly or deviate to fit your own style, just do what I do best and Be Fearless in the Kitchen! Skewered Honey Roasted Pork 1 ½ lbs pork tenderloins cut into 1 inch cubes ½ cup honey ½ cup Dijon mustard ¼ cup oil 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp salt and pepper each ½ tsp paprika ½ tsp dried tarragon ½ tsp dried basil Instructions: Mix together all the ingredients, reserving 1/8 cup and marinate in a Ziploc bag for 4 hours. Thread each piece of meat on a skewer, approximately 3-4 pieces per skewer. Roast at 400 for 5-8 minutes per side, basting the meat with the reserved marinade mixture.
Sweet potato pancakes with Cinnamon oil 1 lb sweet potatoes, washed, peeled and cubed 1 ½ cup flour 1 tsp salt 3 ¼ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 2 eggs, lightly beaten ½ tsp baking spice 1 1/2 cups milk 5 TBSP butter, melted For the Cinnamon Maple Oil: 3/4 cup vegetable oil 5 TBSP cinnamon ¾ cup maple syrup Pinch of salt Instructions: Place sweet potatoes in steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and allow to steam for 1015 minutes until fork-tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool only slightly before you mash them with a fork or potato masher. Meanwhile, combine the dry ingredients along with the spices. In another separate bowl mix together the butter, milk and eggs, add in the mashed sweet potatoes and stir vigorously until well blended. Combine the sweet potato mixture with the dry ingredients and mix well. Heat a griddle and drop ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the grid-
dle and cook, turning once, until golden brown. These are great appetizers and or sides because you can make them in advance and allow them to sit in a warm oven until time to serve. For the Oil: Combine all ingredients and pour over pancakes. 1 Hour Dinner Rolls 1 ½ TBSP active yeast 1/2 sugar ½ cup warm water plus 2 TBSP 1 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup butter 1 tsp salt 4 ½ cups flour Instructions: Stir together 1 ½ cups flour, sugar and yeast. In a microwave safe dish, heat the butter, milk and water together until warm1 minute. Add to the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. Mix together the salt and remaining 3 cups flour and gradually add to the yeast mixture. Knead for 2-3 minutes until dough is slightly stiff. Place in greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 20
minutes. Remove the dough, punch it down and separate it into 15-20 dough balls. Place on greased baking pan and allow to rise another 10-15 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Baked Artichoke dip with Roasted Garlic 3 cloves garlic, peeled but not minced 1 cans of artichoke hearts, drained 1 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
1 tsp salt and pepper each 1 tsp Dijon mustard Dash of Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp paprika 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded 3 TBSP panko or regular breadcrumbs Instructions: Toss the garlic and artichokes with dash of olive oil. Place the artichokes and garlic on a baking sheet and roast at 400 for 5-8 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Stir together the yogurt, mustard, ¾ cup cheese, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings in a large bowl. Roughly chop up the roasted garlic and artichoke hearts and add them to the bowl. Stir well and pour into a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and panko. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Roasted Onion, Garlic and Peppered Almonds 3 TBSP oil 1 TBSP parsley 1 TBSP onion salt 1 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper 1 tsp black poppy seeds 1 1/2 tsp sugar 1 tsp garlic powder 3 cups of unsalted almonds Instructions In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and carefully add all ingredients except the almonds. Cook stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes add the almonds and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels until cooled completely. Spoon nut mixture into a plastic bag until ready to serve. Makes approx 3 cups. Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies 1 sugar cookie dough recipe 1 1/2 tsp Spiced Apple Cider Instant Drink Mix combined with the dry ingredients 1 package of caramel pieces, unwrapped and ready to go *Caster sugar, cinnamon and sugar mix, lemon crystals Instructions Follow directions according to the sugar cookie recipe found at www.kitchenbelleicious.com. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Roll dough into large individual balls and then place a caramel in the center. Roll the dough again through your hands to seal the caramel piece inside making sure there is none to be seen. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake on parchment lined baking sheet at 350 for 8-10 minutes until lightly and slightly:) golden. Sprinkle with sugar crystals, cinnamon and sugar mixture or caster sugar and
STUFF STUFF STUFF them into your mouth! Peppermint Cream Bars 1 sugar cookie dough 4 TBSP flour 4 egg yolks 1 can of condensed sweetened milk 1/2 tsp peppermint extract 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies White Chocolate Ganache 1/4 cup whipping cream 6 ounces of white chocolate, chopped Instructions Follow instructions for making my sugar cookie recipe found at www.kitchenbelleicious.com adding in an extra 4 TBSP of flour to
the dry ingredients. Press mixture evenly onto the bottom of a foil-lined baking pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. For filling, in a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and peppermint extract. Stir in crushed candies. Carefully pour filling over hot crust. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is set. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover; chill for 30 minutes or until cool. In a medium saucepan, bring whipping cream just to boiling over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate (do not stir) and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Cool about 5 minutes before pouring over bars. Pour White Chocolate Ganache over top of baked mixture, spreading evenly. Cover and chill 1 hour or until firm. Using the edges of the foil, lift cookies out of pan. Cut into bars. Makes approx. 36 bars.
Advent calendars have gained popularity over the past several years. Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season and in Latin means “arrival” which represents the approach of Christ’s birth. The first known advent’s date back several centuries and had a more religious meaning than some we commonly see today. As a child one of my fondest memories was our Christmas countdown. I get my creativity and craftiness from my grandmother, “Ma”. She handmade a Christmas Bell countdown that hung on the wall along with our other holiday décor. Normally I saw these made with paper links, but ours had chocolate kisses! Each night we would take a kiss until they were all gone...on Christmas Eve. The excitement I felt as a child stayed with me, and when my son was born I couldn’t wait until he was old enough to partake in the fun! When I started looking around at different countdown ideas years ago, there were not a whole
lot of things I could find online. Now if you go to websites like Pinterest, type in “advent” and you will be overwhelmed by the number of different images you see. Some seem to be for more decorative purposes, while others are for fun. Advent calendars are for all ages and a great way to have a family tradition that will always be included in treasured memories for years to come. I have 3 different types of advent calendars featured here that I have used over the years with my family. My son loves to count, and counting down the days to Christmas is a good teaching tool for math and reading.
Christmas Gift Countdown This advent was kind of like one of my son’s gifts. Each day had a special surprise inside. I took two 16 x 20 canvases and painted them. Take 24 clothespins and ad-
here Christmas scrapbook paper to them. Hot glue them to the canvas. I used 24 mini sacks and added little gifts inside. Tie them up with baker's twine (I made this myself using kite string and grey markers) the bakers twine was for
Holiday Traditions by Amanda Causey a little bit of decoration as well as to ensure that he didn’t peep. The numbers were printed on top of digital scrapbook paper that and punched with a circle scalloped 1.5' punch. Some items I included were: coins, gift cards and candy.
Mini Bucket Advent This advent is fun to make and would go well with rustic themed dĂŠcor. Years ago I worked in a restaurant that sold deserts in these mini buckets. Most people just threw them away (crazy right?) so I collected them and put them up for a rainy day! I found the old potato chip display at the thrift store for less than a buck. I made chalkboard labels by using a craft punch and cardstock along with chalkboard paint. All the evergreen swag was a yard sale find for a quarter. Inside each bucket I place different activities to do each night until Christmas. A few are a clue as to where a small gift might be hidden. This advent would be great for older children.
Read Your Way to Christmas Day For younger children this would be a great way to start out your advent tradition. Wrap 24 of your favorite holiday books. Each night have your child unwrap a book each evening before bedtime. You can even be strategic in the order that you place the books. I designed the numbered labels and they can be downloaded for free in our Southern Holiday Gift Guide that will be available on our website. You can access all our free downloads by visiting www.SouthernHolidayLife.com
Planning a Party in 8 Simple Steps
One of my favorite things to do is plan a fun party. However, after a few years of experience, planning a party that is organized and well-thought out is just as important to me now as the party itself. Behind the scenes is just as important as what happens when everyone is at the event. Here’s a basic handy list that takes the guesswork out of the planning process. Guest List Budget Theme Invitations Buy/Borrow/Rent List Grocery List Party Layout/Plan Relax 1-Guest List Write down a specific list of everyone who you plan on inviting, children included. This will
Holiday Entertaining by Holly McKenzie help you get a firm count and help you plan better. 2-Budget It’s a good idea to have a specific budget in mind for how much you want to spend so you don’t have any surprises and you know you allow enough money for the party essentials (Sometimes, this step may make you rethink your Guest List.) 3-Theme Having a theme will help you determine décor, food, colors and more. Is this for adults, children, both? A good theme carried out through a party makes it cohesive and fun!
4-Invitations Invitations should be mailed approximately 3 weeks prior to the event to allow guests enough notice. This means you should be thinking about invitations prior to a month out from the party! 5- Buy/Borrow/Rent List When I first start planning an event, I brainstorm every possible idea and every possible item I may need; all the way down to the ice scoop. It’s important to remember the essentials and by keeping a running list throughout the party planning, will help ensure you don’t leave something out! I have a friend who has a mutual group of friends that has their own “party closet”. It’s full of party essentials – tablecloths, serving pieces, etc. they have all contributed and purchased and is
available to any of them at any time for an event. This cuts down on their party expenses and is such a creative idea! 6- Grocery List Now for the yummy part! What kind of food will you need? Will it go along with the theme? Some of the best parties I have thrown involve store bought food used creatively and didn’t require a lot of prep work on my part. 7- Party Layout/Plan How will your tables be set up? Where will the guests sit/stand? Thinking about all these things and drawing them out on paper helps me. About a week prior to
the event, I set out all the dishes on a table exactly like I have drawn out on my sketch to make sure they work and then I can make changes. It’s easier to make changes a week prior rather than and hour prior. 8- Relax This part is very important. A stressed hostess is not a happy hostess and guests can tell. It’s your party, enjoy it! After all, you did all the hard work leading up to the party, take time to sit back and think “I made this happen” a little break will do you good!
Tips a Caterer Won’t Tell You… Until Now Having 20 years of experience with our own catering company and having done numerous events for former employers over the years, I have some great lessons I have learned when choosing a caterer for your holiday needs or that big event. First and foremost, a great caterer should always be willing to work with you! Flexibility should be a large part of your conversation. Never work with a caterer that has set menus and prices and/or isn’t willing to work with you. If they are unwilling to change or won’t listen to your suggestions then you need to get another caterer. I always tell my potential clients at first meeting that they need to get at least 3 estimates and meet with at least 3 caterers for their special event. A good and successful caterer should first ask you these 3 all important questions: How many people are you expecting at your event? 2) Will this be Hors d’oeuvres/appetizers or a full meal? 3) Do you have any idea of a menu already in mind? You should also have in mind whether you want your event to be buffet style or served by waiters as a sit down meal. The first words out of your caterer’s mouth should not be “How much are you willing to spend?” I generally try to meet with potential clients first, come up with a
menu and then shop for the best prices so that I can pass that savings along to my clients. In order to come up with a price you need a very good head count. It’s only after doing these things that I like to come up with a fairly firm price. You should always have the
Holiday Entertaining by Dwight Burke final vote on the menu. Keep in mind that the head count will dictate the amount of money you will spend. There are 3 levels of guest counts which will be used to decide which category you fall into. A guest count of 20 – 50 people would be considered a small
event, 50 – 150 people would be considered a medium sized event and 150 – 300+ would be considered a large event. When dealing with a caterer make sure you know into which category you fall. A rule of thumb when choosing your menu is that a small event should have at least 2 entrée choices (beef or chicken), 3 side items and 2 desserts. A medium/large event should have at least 3 entrée choices (beef, chicken and seafood), 4 side items and 2 desserts. You should dictate if you want more choices but keep in mind the more choices you have the more costly the event may be. Also keep in mind that if you choose a “buffet style” event that people tend to “choose” more than one entrée because it’s there. The number of entrees and sides as well as the style of event your choose will dictate the amount you will eventually pay. A good caterer will make recommendations that will reflect what you want and make suggestions to help you along in your decision making. Knowing what is in season and will be lower in cost for that season is very helpful and a good caterer should have that information for you. Look for “hidden” charges. Are the caterers going to charge you a delivery fee? A set up fee? A clean up fee? Gas and/or travel charges? These are items to look
for and take into consideration. Make sure you ask if they are not shown on your estimate and make sure you agree in advance to any of these charges. Another thing to take into consideration is a minimum guest number. If you agree to a minimum guest charge of 50 people and only 30 people show up you need to check with the caterer to see if you are still responsible for paying for 50 people? Paying a flat rate fee for a set amount of food no matter how many people show up might be a better route to go. These are things you need to go over ahead of time with your caterer. An accurate guest count is the best way to avoid this situation but so is having a flat rate lump sum fee rather than a per guest number. Paying per guest generally runs from $25 to $50 per person and can go higher depending on the food you choose and the caterer you hire. If you haven’t already rented your venue make sure you check to see if you are allowed to choose your own caterer or are you required to use their own in house caterer or choose from a list they provide you. If you are serving alcohol at your event, it may behoove you to research the local laws of
whether you need to have a licensed bartender. Some venues even require you to have a law enforcement officer on site to control the flow/dispensing of alcoholic beverages. If possible it is usually advantageous to choose a venue where you can purchase your own alcohol and staff the bar yourself. In most venues the mark up on alcohol can be 200% or more. Lastly, if the situation with your caterer leaves you feeling uneasy or something just doesn’t sit right with you: CHOOSE ANOTHER CATERER! The most important thing is that you and your caterer have a good rapport and that they are willing to work with you. A good caterer will offer you a tasting of all food items you have selected before the event. This is to ensure that you are happy with what you have chosen and this should be at no extra charge. To sum it all up, here is our list of do’s and don’ts for finding the best caterer for you and your event: 1) Have a set in stone number for the guest count. 2) Have a good idea of what you want for your menu at your meeting. 3) Make sure you get 3 estimates. 4) Look for hidden fees. 5) Always set up your own bar and bartender. 6) Never pay more than ½ up front with the balance due at the event. 7) Make sure you get a list of references from your caterer. 8) Make sure there is a tasting before your event. 9) Stay away from pre-set menus 10) If it doesn’t feel “right” don’t do it! Dwight Burke is the owner of Dwight’s Delight’s Catering and Burke’s Grill in Douglasville, Georgia. Visit www.BurkesGrill.com for Dwight’s contact information.
Checkout www.southernholidaylife.com for more holiday tips
Don’t Forget the Deeper Meaning of Christmas Boys will be boys. And boys will be rambunctious, rowdy, and generally destructive. They will also be remarkably clever in turning any patch of grass into a field, any room into a court, and any round object into a ball. Give them a wad of paper and a trash can and in a few minutes a basketball game will break out. Growing up, my brother and I had a “playroom” which was a half-finished basement with concrete floors that served as a football field in the fall, baseball diamond in the summer, tennis and basketball court in the winter, and a wrestling ring year round. Our play would generally follow a predictable pattern. It would begin lighthearted and energetic. And then the competitive juices would flow. And then tempers would flare. And then something would break. And, inevitably, an argument would erupt. Along the way we would hear dad at the top of the stairs shout, “Knock it off you two!” A few minutes and another crash later, we would hear, “Boys! Don’t make me come down there!” Undeterred, the violence would continue and the games escalate until there would be some great crash and loud cry, usually involving tears and blood. Then we would
Holiday Traditions by Ben Bailie hear the unmistakable “boomboom” of dad coming downstairs. Instantly our feud would end. We would scramble to repair the dry wall, clean up the broken glass and stop any bleeding. But it was too late. Dad had come downstairs. Justice would come to the offender and salvation to the wounded. This is a picture of what Christmas really is all about. The Chris-
tian message of Christmas is not primarily a message about chestnuts roasting on open fires, or warm hot chocolate for your soul. Christmas is God coming downstairs. It is confrontational. It is offensive. It is God announcing to the world that the world is broken and only He can come fix it. So this Christmas, by all means, sing about Rudolph and living snowmen. Sing about silent nights, holy nights, and joy coming to the world. But please don’t leave out the third verse: No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Christ’s mission in coming to earth is to bring about the full restoration, reversal, and eradication of all the effects of the curse, as far as they are found. And they are found everywhere. They are found in every heart. Christmas is a clean-up operation. It is a rescue mission. Christmas is the unwavering announcement that the world is broken, and God Himself has come downstairs to fix it.
Ben Bailie is the pastor at First Baptist Church in Roanoke.
Get Creative when Decorating the Holiday Table
The holiday season tends to evoke childhood memories. Maybe it’s seeing family you haven’t seen all year, sitting under the tree filled with glistening lights or maybe it is sitting down for a meal surrounded by family and friends. The beauty of the season, the warmth of the décor does not have to be overwhelming if you follow these simple steps. Fresh & Easy Finds The splendor in seasonal décor is that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to design a new look. It is sometimes fresh greenery that makes the best décor statement. Think Magnolia leaves, Evergreens, nuts and seasonal fruits. The best color for a table comes from nature. Mixing and matching dinnerware adds creativity and interest to the table. Family & Friends Think about who the occasion is for: is it a formal gathering, casual family entertaining or an event for children? All of these types of events require different planning and supplies. Is it a
family event? Use old frames and old family photos sprinkled in the décor to help create conversation at the dinner table. Also, look around your home for easy items to repurpose. Never underestimate a can of spray paint and an old piece you may have wanted to toss. A fresh coat of paint can
Holiday Entertaining by Holly McKenzie
liven up almost anything. Just be sure food doesn’t come in contact with painted items! Place cards also are handy to help eliminate the guessing on seating. Doing the placement beforehand helps sitting down for mealtime easier and ensures everyone has a seat. A place card can be as simple as a tag tied to a glass or napkin. A fun southern way of doing a place card is a chalkboard. You can purchase wood discs at a local craft shop, spray them with chalkboard paint and you have a quick and creative chalkboard place card. Focus The most important part is to remember the reason for the event. This will help you take a moment away from the holiday stress to focus on what matters more than the napkins being perfectly ironed and placed. With these three simple steps, you just might realize you are still at the holiday dinner table a couple hours later. After all, the dishes can wait! Happy Entertaining!
Southern Like Pecan Pie on Christmas Day
Christmas Day Menu Pumpkin French Toast Rounds Fruit Fondue Platter Arugula and fig winter salad Apple and Sage Roasted Chicken Duck and sausage gumbo Sautéed Green Beans, Edamame and Roasted Shallots Brownie Pecan Pie With me being southern and all, I can’t let this holiday season pass by without sharing with you all a pecan pie recipe. It just wouldn’t be right. Some version of pecan pie can be seen at every house here in the South whether it is the good old fashion pecan pie, mini pies, pecan pie muffins or pecan pie bars. I would like to introduce you to the latest and greatest creation in the pecan pie series and that is a brownie pecan pie.
Combing two of my loves into one pie almost makes me weak at the knees. The best part about it isShhh! I don’t want to say this too loud and risk the wrath of my southern grandmother-the cake is basically semihomemade- as in the brownie layer comes from a box! Okay, seriously, no rolling your eyes. Even cooks with a passion for baking know when a box of brownie mix is called for over the homemade version. Sure you are
Holiday Entertaining by Jessica Maher
more than welcome to make the brownie layer from scratch- but why? A crispy buttery crust, a decadent sugary sweet pecan topping and a moist chewy brownie center will have everyone begging for morewhich could be a good and bad thing depending on how long you want your guests to stick around:) Pumpkin French Toast Rounds 2 large eggs 1/3 cup canned pumpkin 1 tsp baking spice 1/8 tsp salt ¼ cup half and half 2 TBSP sugar ½ loaf of day old French bread, cut into cubes In a large bowl mix together the first 6 ingredients. Toss in the bread cubes and coat well. Allowing the bread to rest in the liquid for 10-15 minutes to soak up all the flavor. Place 2 heaping handfuls of the bread cubes into a greased muffin tin. Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Arugula and fig winter salad For the Salad: 1 ½ cups fresh arugula ½ cup fresh basil leaves 6-8 ripe figs, quartered ¼ cup glazed walnuts ¼ cup goat cheese For the dressing: 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 4 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp honey 1 shallot, minced Instructions: Whisk together the dressing ingredients. Toss together the salad ingredients and serve with the dressing.
Apple and Sage Roasted Chicken 1 whole roast chicken 1 stick unsalted butter ½ cup apple juice ½ tsp salt 2 TBSP chopped fresh sage ½ tsp pepper 2 apples, peeled and quartered 1 onion, peeled and quartered 3 garlic cloves Instructions: Mix together the ½ stick butter, 1 TBSP sage, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken with the sage butter. Stuff in the inside of the cavity with the apples, onions and garlic. Place in a preheatd 350 degree oven and roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the remaining ½ stick butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and add in the remaining sage and apple juice. Baste the chicken with the butter sauce every 30 minutes and continue to roast the chicken until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees. Remove then from oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Duck and sausage gumbo 1 lb of andouille sausage 2 duck legs, cut in half 1 bell pepper, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups chicken stock Sauteed Green Beans, Edamame and Roasted Shallots 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed 2 shallots, minced 1 clove garlic, minced ½ lb edamame beans, removed from shell ( you can buy these frozen) ½ tsp salt and pepper each 2 TBSP butter Instructions: Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and sauté the green beans, garlic and shallots for 5-8 minutes. Meanwhile steam the edamame beans according to the package directions. Toss with the green beans and shallots and serve warm.
2 cups water 1 tsp salt and pepper each 1 tsp Cajun seasoning Dash of hot sauce Dash of Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves 1 tsp oregano ¾ cup flour ¾ cup vegetable oil ½ cup green onions, diced White rice for serving Instructions: Heat the oil in a large dutch oven and saute the garlic, onions, bell peppers and celery until translucent- 5-8 minutes. Season with ½ tsp salt and pepper, ½ tsp Cajun seasoning and the oregano. Turn heat to low and mix in the flour. Stirring until everything is combined and slightly browned. Return heat to medium and slowly add in your chicken stock,
constantly stirring until all the flour has been dissolved and liquid is thick. Drop in the bay leaves, remaining salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning and stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat for 1 hour. Serve with white rice and top with green onions. Brownie Pecan Pie 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 Tablespoon self-rising flour 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs 2 cups pecans 1 package brownie mix and ingredients listed 2 frozen regular pie shells Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place brown sugar in a large bowl and work out lumps. Add flour and stir together until the flour disappears. Add corn syrup and vanilla. Stir until thoroughly until combined. Add melted butter. Fold into mixture until it disappears. Loosely beat two eggs in a separate bowl and fold into mixture until the eggs disappear. Stir in pecans and set aside. Prepare brownie batter as in-
structed on package. Remove two frozen pies shells from freezer and divide brownie batter evenly between the two. (Deep dish for fudgy version and regular-size for the brownie version.) Spoon pecan pie mixture evenly between the two pie shells. Bake for about 35-40 minutes. Place a large sheet of foil across the top of the two pies for the last 10-15 minutes to avoid pie crust from browning too much. Top with the pecan mixture you set aside earlier and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool before slicing.
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The Joys of the Little Table I reckon it’s time to get into the Christmas mode. At least according to the TV ads and the businesses that are already adorning themselves with the seasons temptations. It seems like every year they start a little earlier and every year I find myself saying the same thing,……“UGH“!!! If Christmas ads were punches, I’d be black and blue and even though they aren’t, I still feel like I’ve been beat up by the time Christmas day comes around. But as I’ve said before, it’s the day that makes it all worth while. “Having all the feet under the table” is moms description and it fit’s because it is one of the few days that we all get together in the old house. The place we call home no matter where we may currently live or have been away. But there is more than one table now at the Norton house. With all the kids, the grandkids and before long, I suspect some great grandkids, there just isn’t enough room at the big table anymore so out from the basement comes the little table. Yes, the little table, also known as the kids table or the “other” table. Almost always located in the adjoining room and within ear and eye shot of the big table where the grown up’s sit and laugh it up which only confirms the little table’s suspicion that their table was definitely not the “happening” place to be. I know this because I was a little table person many years ago. And even though it has been a long time since I sat in the wobbly hard bottom chair that was too tall so every
Charley’s Treasures by Charley Norton time I moved, my legs bumped the table and my tea spilled over, I remember how much I wanted to sit at the big table where if I wanted more green beans, I could just reach out and scoop me out some because at the big table they don’t have to get up for seconds, it’s all right there for the taking. And being at the little table, we knew we had to eat really fast because if we didn’t, the big table would eat all the good stuff and leave us with only cranberry sauce or the lettuce leaf with cottage cheese on it. But at the little table, there were benefits. Because we were outcasts, we decided to be outlaws. We all chewed with our mouths open, ate too fast, had our elbows
on the table, put too much in our mouth and showed each other what “seefood” looked like. We intentionally interrupted each others conversation, talked too loud (until told to “Settle Down”!!) and used the word “Ain’t” in just about every sentence. At the little table, we knew that the grown ups at the big table were talking about stuff that they didn’t want us to hear and because of it, we were determined to know what it was. We would take turns spying on them. Most of the time someone would go in for seconds of cranberry sauce or a remaining bread crumb and then hang around with their ears peeled until told to leave but then just hide behind the door on the way out. Personally, I preferred the commando method where I’d crawl under their table. But this usually proved unsuccessful because I would either get caught or would fall asleep from all the food I ate, then get in trouble when everybody started looking for me. So it is suffice to say that although we weren’t at the “cool” table, we all had a good time. And now that I’m at the big table, I make sure to appear especially happy so that the little table can watch, envy and aspire, as I did, to the day when they would ascend to the ranks of the big table where the food is endless, the conversation lively and no one ate the cranberry sauce or cottage leaf!!. Charley Norton is the co-owner of Norton’s Flooring with his brother Tom. The company was founded by his parents more than 35 years ago.
Holiday Traditions carry on from one Generation to the next I grew up in a large, chaotic, noisy, dysfunctional family in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. This area later came to be known as “Walton’s Mountain” in the mid to late 1970s after The Walton’s became an instant fan favorite on television. I actually grew up just a few doors down from Earl Hamner, Jr. aka “John Boy Walton”. Of course by the time I came along Earl was already living in California but his mom and dad still lived there. I guess you could say that our family was a cross between The Walton’s and the Heck’s from the current television show The Middle. That said, we loved each other and we always had each other’s back. We were a very close knit and family oriented bunch of people. My family was nontraditional in that my father’s family did not celebrate holidays but my mother’s side of the family did. Since my dad’s family didn’t celebrate holidays we spent most Sundays at my paternal grandparent’s house where the whole extended clan gathered in the 100 year old farm house for Sunday dinner which normally consisted of fresh home grown vegetables in the summer and usually fried chicken (sometimes from chickens my Grandma, aka “Big Mama” would kill that very day – can we say FRESH?) and always either fresh homemade biscuits or hot cornbread made from cornmeal my Granddaddy ground out in his shed. In the winter months we ate vegetables that had been grown the summer previous and that Big Mama and my aunts canned and
stored down in the dirt cellar. We spent virtually every Sunday of my early childhood at my dad’s parent’s house, so, the holidays would find us heading to my mom’s father’s house, aka Big Daddy. Yes, I know it’s confusing but for clarification, My dad’s par-
Holiday Traditions by Peggy Burke ents were Big Mama and Granddaddy and my mom’s parents where Big Daddy and Big Mama Lynder. My mom’s mother died when my mother was very young and my grandfather refused to remarry until all his children were grown at which time he married Big Mama Lynder. Big Mama Lynder never seemed to really like us kids very much but she tolerated us because she loved Big Daddy so
very much. The holidays at their house were always noisy and chaotic as my mother was one of 6 kids who almost all had several kids of their own and we all gathered in the very small clapboard house that seemed to defy the odds of splitting at the seams as all the children and grandchildren piled in. Easter wasn’t so bad as it was usually fairly mild weather by then and we could sit outside to play and eat but Thanksgiving and Christmas were always a challenge and kids and adults seemed to fill every square inch of floor space and we even literally sat on top of each other at times just to have somewhere to sit. It seems my most vivid memories are of waking up Thanksgiving and Christmas morning to my mom making oyster stew and ham biscuits so that we wouldn’t be ravenous by the time we got to Big Daddy’s and we hopefully wouldn’t embarrass Mama by scarfing down everything in sight once we got there – or as she called it… we wouldn’t “act like heathens”. She always brought deviled eggs, macaroni salad and potato salad to these occasions. I guess it was because they “travelled” better when we had six kids and two adults stuffed into our own van for the 20 mile or so trek through the winding back roads to Big Daddy’s house. My favorite trips were when it snowed, especially if I got a window seat in the van and then I could look out at the snow drifting down as we drove down the gravel country roads. I remember that most holiday mornings I would try to help while my mom prepare her part of the feast as my dad and
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mixed in. Now my mom makes “Charlie Bread” whenever there is a gathering and everyone always asks for it. She does still make her other “traditions” as well although I don’t get to eat them that often. I leave you with some of her recipes and maybe you can start your own “traditions”. Happy holidays!
will curdle the milk and cream). When the oysters are cooked, slowly add the hot milk mixture to the oysters, stirring gently. Season with Tabasco, salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Serve in warm soup bowls and garnish each bowl with parsley, chives, or green onions and a generous pat of butter. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Florence’s Famous Charlie Bread 2 C of self- rising corn meal 1 C creamed corn 1 C sour cream 1 C vegetable oil 2 eggs spoon of sugar.
brothers were usually out hunting. They would come trudging in and change clothes while my mom and sisters and I would pack the food up in boxes to put in the back of the van. I’d always try to sneak a deviled egg but didn’t always get away with it. They were my favorites but with so many people in our extended family I often wouldn’t get one. The rule was that the kids always ate last and being one of the youngest kids, there wouldn’t be a lot to choose from by the time I got my plate. The holidays, whether celebrated or not, always bring to mind wonderful memories of family gatherings and lots of laughter, love and hugs. Nowadays, I am still blessed with both my parents but don’t get to spend a lot of holidays with them. We live several states away now but when we do get back home there is always great food to eat and some new tradition
Combine all ingredients. Pour in 9 inch round cast iron skillet. Bake at 450 about 25 or 30 minutes until it looks done. . It's better in a cast iron skillet and if you have shortening, I grease the pan with shortening and put it in the oven while it's preheating. Can be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 glass Pyrex dish for larger gathering. Oyster Stew 2 pints small to medium-sized raw shucked oysters with liquid 4 T butter 3 cups milk or half and half 1 or 2 dashes of Tabasco or other hot sauce Salt and pepper to taste Minced parsley, sliced chives, or sliced green onions (for garnish) Drain the oysters, reserving their liquid. In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add oysters and simmer very gently for about 2 to 4 minutes or until the edges of the oysters curl (Don’t overcook or the oysters will be tough). While the oysters are simmering, in a separate saucepan over low heat, slowly heat the milk, cream, and oyster liquor (do not boil as this
Potato Salad 6 (2 pounds) medium potatoes 3/4 cup chopped sweet pickles or relish 1 small chopped onion 3/4 cup chopped celery 2 tablespoons green pepper chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds 1 teaspoon sugar ¾ cup Mayonnaise (My mom uses Hellman’s - to taste) 1 tablespoon Mustard (to taste) 6 hard-boiled eggs (chopped) Paprika In a large pan over mediumhigh heat, add potatoes and cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, approximately 12 to 15 minutes or until just tender. Remove from heat and drain. Chop and combine pickles, onion, celery and pepper and add to potatoes. Add the rest of ingredients and combine well. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
Decorating for Three Holidays
On the three tables pictured, you will notice three different centerpieces that share a common fixture. I was tasked with coming up with a decorating scheme for three holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s with the challenge of using the same centerpiece for each holiday. Never one to back down from a double dog dare or a simple decorating challenge, I decided to take the request one step further. Not only did I use the same centerpiece throughout, but I made it my personal mission to use only house-
Holiday Entertaining by Keesha McEwen hold items that I already had on hand. After all, in these uncertain times, it’s important to be thrifty whenever possible. Aside from upcycling household goods, my goal for the project was to make it fun and simple. Any time you experience a creative block, don’t be afraid to rely on Pinterest for inspiration, which is where the focal point of my centerpiece
originated. In fact, I love the shutter idea so much that it has been incorporated into a variety of other projects and included in other magazine shoots. An old shutter turned out to be the perfect backdrop to fashion an awesome chalkboard. The simple concept of a chalkboard can alter the tone of any setting when you pair an expression with a holiday theme or mood of your choice. The wooden stand was made using scrap wood and a candle stick from dollar general. The pumpkins were handcrafted by my talented hubby using recycled wood, an idea garnered from a craft fair. Because I am so in love with Mason Jars, I seize every opportunity to use them in a decorative display and always have a ton on hand. The Christmas ornaments and various glittered objects came from long forgotten storage totes as did the decorative dishes. Repurposing cake trays allowed me
to use the traditional blue, white and silver colors for the New Year’s décor and using leftover burlap fabric for a table runner was a bonus I hadn’t anticipated. The end result is exactly what I had hoped for – three unique centerpieces bound by a common
thread with the differing persona achieved by upcycling a few household items and using an awful of imagination. The table facades are festive, full of life, a little rustic and above all else, it didn’t cost me a single penny. Find a way to spur your creativity and let
your imagination run amok! Don’t let inhibitions stifle creative juices…just think, “what if?”! Make something that screams YOU! And remember, thrifty is the nifty way to change seasons.
Bonding over a few wild grapes
When I was young, I never liked any type of jelly or preserves that my grandparents made. They all looked gross or weird. But when I was about 8, my Grandmother made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some of their Muscadine jelly that they made ever year. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know it came from the wild grapes we always helped them pick off the vines in the trees. And if I would have known, I would have not eaten that sandwich. But from that day on I had a love for the art they practiced every year around fall time. First it was not a love for the process, but the taste. I loved PB&Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with that super sweet tasting jelly. Then it was the taste of that jelly on those homemade biscuits, toast and bagels. Every year after that I wanted to help gather the muscadines so they could make jelly for me! It was fun for me as a kid to see who could get the most in their bucket. We had some spots where we could climb up the trees and get them from the
vines that grew up into them. And to this day I can still remember climbing those trees with small gallon buckets and filling them up while my grandfather would watch from the ground. Of course it seemed to me that he ate more that he saved for jelly and now my daughter does the same.
Holiday Traditions by Chris McEwen So when I was 19 years old, I started to have an interest in the jelly making process. I would go to my Grandparents house around fall time and watch and try to help them make the muscadine jelly. My grandfather learned a secret process, I like to call it secret but its just a different way, of making his jelly so that each batch has a different color and slightly different taste. He would make anywhere from 3 to 6 different colors of jelly from the same grapes. So I watched and learned for a couple years, until I thought I was ready to make my
own. Of course I was good at gathering the muscadines, but when it came time to make the jelly I had to call my Grandparents several times. After that year it became a process that I loved even though its long and tiresome work. Ever since then I have been making the jelly every year as gifts for the holidays just like my Grandparents did. Since my daughter has been taking an interest in cooking I have been including her in the making of the jelly. My wife has also taken a liking to the jelly and jam process too. She made a wonderful apple butter this year and it was a total success. So our family has been taking the canning process as a bonding time and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that we would like to keep in the family for years to come. Hopefully the art of jelly and preserve making will not die off. It is easier to get jellies and jams from the store but the satisfaction of having done it yourself and being able to share that with others through food is something that I hold dear.
Creative Crafting By: Amanda Causey Christmas in Black & White A picture tells a thousand words, captures a moment in time and gives generations something to look back on. I enjoy seeing old photographs in black and white. My love for photography comes from my â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mama Lizâ&#x20AC;? who is rarely pictured in photographs I have since she was the photographer of the family. I wanted to find a way to display photos of loved ones during the holiday times. This basic evergreen wreath is decorated with ornate photo frames purchased at a local craft store. I used some scrap silver chiffon, cut them into three inch strips, and loosely wove them through the limbs. Add in some small elements that go along with your frames and a hint of color if you desire.
Photo Gift Tags Using photocopies of old photographs as gift tags is a great way to remember family members and a creative way to identify gifts under the tree. Use cardstock copies of photos and a gift tag paper punch. Loop twine/yarn through a hole punched at then end. Attach to the gift of the person photographed or make the tags part of the gift itself.
DIY
Reclaimed Wood Christmas Tree Candice Helton
What you will need: Old wood boards Paint in different colors tTinkets and old jewelry Nuts, bolts, etc Pearl garland Ribbon and lace vintage Christmas ornaments Screws Drill Hot glue gun Jig saw or table saw Tape measure Sander with 120 sand paper
Step 1 Your first step is to decide what size you want to make your Christmas tree. This one is pretty large and measures 4'9'' tall by 3'9'' wide. For this size you will need six boards cut the following lengths: center board 46'', five other boards 44'', 34'', 24'', 16'', and 6''. The center board for the trunk needs to be somewhat skinnier than the other boards. Since this is a reclaimed wood project you can really work with what you have. Once you have everything cut lay it out to make sure your pieces resemble the shape of a Christmas tree.
Step 2 If you are working with new boards or boards that do not have that chipped paint look don't worry. It's simple to create that yourself. You will need a small
piece of scrap wood for this part. Dip one side of the wood in your paint and slowly drag it across your boards. Don't worry about messing up...the messier the better. You will want to continue to layer colors until you get the look you are wanting. Be sure to wait for each layer to completely dry before you apply another layer or you will have a smeared mess.
Step 3 Now for the cute little star. I drew my star out with a yellow marker first and then filled it in with yellow paint. Again, don't worry if it is not perfect. You are going to sand and distress it in a bit when it is dry.
Step 4 Once everything is dry lay your tree out again. This time face down so we can attach the boards to the trunk. I attached a few of mine on a slant. This part is up to you. If you want them to be perfectly straight it will still look great. The one thing you do want to be sure of is that they are centered on the trunk or your tree will not stand or hang on the wall straight. When everything is in it's place drill two screws into each board to secure them to the trunk.
Step 5 Now it's time to distress. I lightly went over all of my boards with sandpaper. I concentrated on the corners and sides of the boards to add a worn look.
Step 6 Time to decorate your tree. Get creative! I used old tools and jewelry pieces for most of my ornaments and dressed them up with a little lace. I also had some left over pearl garland from another project that I purchased from a local craft store.
You can use a hot glue gun or pins to hang your ornaments. I just used hot glue because I didn't want to worry about any of the ornaments falling off. To attach your garland it's best to start at the top of the tree. Add a little dot of hot glue and press the garland down for about 30 seconds until it has dried. Then work your way down swooping your garland. Next attach your ornaments
Holiday Owl Wreath Amanda Causey My favorite part of the holiday season is making crafts with Christmas music blaring in the background. Holiday decorating can get kind of expensive...even if you are doing most of your décor yourself. You may recognize this wreath base from the last issue of Lake Wedowee Life magazine. It was used for our special feature collegiate section. I enjoy re using pieces I have made, taking them apart, repainting, or restructuring. These colors work great with Christmas so not a whole lot of changes will have to be
to the boards. I had several old nail wholes in my wood so that’s where I choose to attach mine.
Step 7 Your cute whimsy tree is now complete. If you want to hang on the wall you can attach a wire to the back side of the tree with two screws. I sat mine in a corner of the house, so I can put a few presents underneath it. made. I carefully removed the previous decorations from the wreath base. There are 2 “frosted berries” floral picks in the mix along with a small birds nest. I know, owls do not nest in a bird’s nest, but I did not want to purchase anything for this wreath. I wanted to make it with items that were already in my big box of Christmas craft junk. I had some leftover owl ornaments that I found in the bottom of the box, along with the nest and some little fabric snowflakes. Use what odds and ends you have to create a one of a kind wreath that can be used indoors or outside.
Measuring Tape Sharpie Scissors
Christmas Ribbon Tree Veronica Lovvorn Christmas in my family has always included making homemade ornaments, decorations, gifts, and treats that we share with friends and family. When I was little, my mother and I would scour the pages of magazines to find inspiration for our latest projects. One of my favorite DIY ideas that my mom and I crafted together is this Christmas Tree Tabletop Decoration. What You will need: 12 “ Styrofoam Cone 1” x 6” Fabric Strips Ribbons & Trim Straight Pins Glue Gun
First, begin by cutting out approximately 100 - 1” wide by 6” long strips of fabric. Next, pick out 4 ribbons or trims (you’ll need a spool of each) that are ¼” – 3/8” wide that coordinate with the fabrics, and cut 50 pieces that are 5” long and another 50 pieces that are 4” long. Carefully apply a small dab of hot glue to the end of one of the fabric strips. Press the ends together forming a loop. Do this for all the fabric and ribbon strips. Measure 3” up from the bottom of the Styrofoam cone and make a small mark. Continue marking 1” – 2” increments up the cone. Repeat this all around the cone so that you now have a grid for guidance in evenly placing the fabric/ribbon rows. Now cut 6 pieces of ½” wide white grosgrain ribbon to the following lengths: 12 ¾”, 11 ½”, 10 ¼”, 9”, 7 ¾”, and 6 ½”. These ribbon strips will be the foundation
for each row of the Christmas tree. Starting with the longest piece of grosgrain ribbon, lay out the fabric loops in the desired pattern adjusting the space between the strips as needed. Glue each fabric loop to the white grosgrain ribbon then glue the ribbon loops on top of each fabric loop. Complete each ribbon strip the same way. Now you are ready to assemble the Christmas tree. Starting with the bottom row and using the markings on the cone as a guide, begin securing the ribbon strip onto the cone with floral pins or straight pins. Continue pinning the ribbon strips to the cone so that the bottom edge of the new layer overlaps the top of edge of the previous layer. My layers are spaced roughly 1 ½” to 2” apart vertically. The final row should be even with the top of the cone. Now take 7 strips of fabric and cut them in half so that they are 3” long. Fold each strip in half and glue together. Pin each small loop around the top edge of the tree. Using the remaining uncut ribbon, make a bow and secure it to the top of the tree using pins. Add one more small loop to cover the center of the bow if desired. Now you are done!
Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments By: Whitney Baugh There is something magical about the holiday season- the chill in the air and the sparkle of the lights as they dance across a child's eyes. You don't have to break the bank to take advantage of this wonderful season. There are so many fun and frugal ideas to create new traditions and memories that will last a lifetime. 10 Fun, Frugal, & Family Friendly Ideas • • • • • • • • • •
• Make salt dough ornaments. • Bake and decorate cookies. • Check out light displays around town. • Drink cocoa and watch a Christmas movie. • Gather around the tree and read holiday stories. • Spend a day decorating the house together. • A gift exchange with only homemade gifts allowed. • Attend a local Christmas parade. • Assemble a gingerbread house. • Visit Santa.
Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments 1 cup all purpose flour 1 /2 cup salt 1/2 cup water Mix ingredients well, then roll out on a floured surface. You may have to add flour to your dough as you go if it becomes too sticky. Use cookies cutters to make shapes, then punch a hole through each ornament with a straw for hanging. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until completely dry. Allow ornaments to cool completely then decorate, attach ribbon, and hang. These are perfect for grandparents gifts from the little ones! Read Whitney’s toy review for toddlers in our Southern Holiday Gift Guide available on our website at SouthernHolidayLife.com
Merry and Bright Canvas Wall Art Amanda Causey This canvas wall art project is fun and easy! Start off with a 16 x 20 canvas (or whichever size you prefer) I used my cutting machine to cut vinyl letters and placed them onto the canvas. If you do not have a vinyl cutter there are several different options you can try. Vinyl letters are sold in the scrapbook section of your local craft store. Using stencils and paint is also an option. I will have this exact design available for download in our Southern Holiday Gift Guide that is available online at SouthernHolidayLife.com. Download and print to use as a stencil. Use white string lights and position them the way you would like them to look. Poke them through the canvas during the day you will not notice the clear bulbs. Light up and enjoy your custom wall décor that can be sat on a mantle or hung on the wall.
Creative Ball Ornaments Amanda Causey Each holiday season I enjoy making new handmade ornaments to decorate our tree and to give as gifts to friends and family. There are many different types of DIY ornament tutorials online, but these seem to be the easiest and most fun for any age. I like to use plastic ornaments instead of glass, only because I always let the children help out. These can be purchased for about $4 a dozen and sometimes less when you catch them on sale. For the “Peace on Earth” dove ornament I used natural jute/twine and wrapped it around the ball. The best technique when trying this is to use your glue gun (be ready to get burned at least once) and glue one end around the top part. Create an area that you draw a line down as you wrap and adhere the twine to the glue until you get to the bottom of the ball. I used some reindeer moss that I constantly have on hand in my craft supplies. Use hot glue to get it to stay. I had some cute little doves that I dug out as well. For the “Bingo” ornament, I simply wrapped some pink tulle around, tied it to the back and hot glued it. This particular ornament features vintage buttons that were from my grandmother’s sewing box. I used a crocheted white flower and placed a lucky number 13 bingo marker in the center. Enjoy making your one of a kind gifts and memories with your family.
A Disney Disney World. What picture comes to mind when you hear that name? Maybe it's Tinkerbell and fireworks over the castle from the Sunday night movies that came on TV when we were children. Maybe it's the Disney Channel that your children love now. Maybe it brings back memories of a trip you took as a child. Do you remember the first time you saw Cinderella's castle? Who was the first character you ever met? Do you remember the wonder? The magic? If there’s one thing that can make Disney even more magical, it’s Christmas. Each of Disney World’s four theme parks gets a complete makeover during the holidays. Even the castle in the Magic Kingdom gets an icicle overlay that makes the iconic landmark glisten and glow. Mickey and his friends break out their Christmas sweaters in early November, and everything has a festive touch. The Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party during select nights in November and December. This is a separate, ticketed event held in the Magic Kingdom. Guests at the party enjoy Mickey's Once Upon a
Holiday tive to their country, and cast members there will share the traditions of their homeland with guests. The highlight of the holidays in Epcot is the Candlelight Processional where a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, tells the true Christmas story. To finish your evening, there is a special Christmas add-on to Illuminations, the laser, lights and fireworks show held nightly at Epcot. Now, board a boat to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Christmas highlight here is The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Families love to look at Christmas lights, but Disney takes it to a whole new level. With over 3 million lights, the Hollywood stars are certainly shining. Animals are a part of the Christmas story too, and Disney's Animal Kingdom gets its own cup of cheer. The normal daily parade is reChristmastime Parade, complimen- placed with Mickey's Jingle Jungle tary cookies and hot chocolate. De- Parade. You will still see the amazing puppets, stilt walkers and spite the mild Florida temperadancers, but for Christmas, they’re tures, Disney somehow makes all dressed up in their holiday sasnow on Main Street. Hop the monorail to Epcot, and fari duds. All that extra holiday magic, you can enjoy Holidays Around the World. Each of the nine pavil- and we haven't even talked about the resorts. If you really get excited ions of the World Showcase are about Christmas decorations, build donned with Christmas cheer na-
Holiday Traditions
by Emily Beaird Roach
at least one whole day into your vacation to tour the resorts. During the holidays, you can’t go far around the Disney property without finding something built from gingerbread. There is a Christmas tree display made of gingerbread in the lobby of the Contemporary Resort, a two-story gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian and a carousel made of gingerbread at the Beach Club. In all the parks and the resorts, Disney magic and holiday wonder make a great combination. It’s a sight every true fan of Mickey and of Christmas should con-
sider seeing. As a Disney travel planner, I work to constantly educate myself on all things Disney, so I can help your family maximize the magic of the Disney parks while minimizing the expense and the hassle of travel planning—and all my services come at no cost to you. Whether you are looking to experience the wonder of the Christmas season in Disney, or giving the gift of travel for another time in the year, Your Disney Friend is here for you.
The Story behind ‘Osborne Spectacle of Lights’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Every Disney attraction has a story, and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is no exception. In 1986 in Little Rock Arkansas, Jennings Osborne's 6-year-old daughter asked her daddy to decorate their home with Christmas lights. That first year his display was a mere 1,000 lights, but each year he added more and more. By 1993, Mr. Osborne had gone full-on Griswold. He purchased the two properties on either side of their family's estate and his Christmas display included over 3 million lights. A few neighbors complained of traffic congestion, and long story short, the Supreme Court ordered
the Osborne family to discontinue their lights. With the story of their legal battle making national headlines, there were many offers to host the Osborne lights, but the one the family finally accepted was from Disney. You see, the Disney Company knows something about daddies that want to make something nice for their little girls: Walt Disney built Disneyland in California for his two daughters. Now the lights have their permanent home and are on display every year from mid-November to the first week in January. While
still using many of the original pieces from the Arkansas display, Disney has added their own touch, and set it all to Christmas music. If you’re a lover of lights, you can’t miss this beautiful true story, from Arkansas, to the Supreme Court, right down to the Happiest Place on Earth.
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67 47 54 37 7 11 67 69 41 15 73 10 57 6 37 49 84 49 37 9 51 49 35 65 41 19 65 35 55 9 17 32 63 55 57 71 41 37 71 67 25 59 3 23 39 53 23 13
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Marine Corps Christmas It was a rectangle box wrapped and marked with three names. One box for three kids, and in my opinion it was the best and the saddest gift under the tree. When they opened the box they saw three pillow type dolls. Matthew’s had desert camouflage fabric on the back, Savannah’s had woodland camouflage and Lily’s had pick paisley. On the front they each had a full length picture of their Marine dad in his flight suit. The Daddy Dolls had arrived and were a huge hit! The kids loved them and they were one of the best presents under the tree. And they were also one of the saddest gifts, because they represented the fact that in less than two weeks our Marine would be heading to Afghanistan for an 8 month deployment. As a Marine Corps family, deployment is a part of our life. And it is an especially hard part when it collides with the holidays. We have personally never spent a Christmas apart, but we have spent two Christmas’ knowing that goodbye was right around the corner. We tried to make every memory count extra those years. We tried to squeeze 8
cause of our own strength; we are strong because of what we believe in. We believe that duty to country is important and must be fulfilled, even if it means the only Daddy snuggled up to on Christmas Eve will be the Daddy Doll. We believe that we make beautiful memories for our children even with one parent on Skype from Afghanistan. We believe that while half our heart is away we can continue to build the life we share for when they return. We believe that our months’ worth of togetherness into world is a better place because a Mathe short winter break. We hung the rine is on Christmas Day watch. mistletoe, decorated the house with This Christmas as we are enjoylights, made delicious treats, had ing hot chocolate and cookies, we breakfast with Santa and went to the will also be helping our Marine pack for another eight month deployment. We will make every Christmas memory count. Every kiss under the mistletoe and snuggle on the couch will have to last us for eight long months. Christmas Eve church service. Most During this Christmas season, be of all we tried not to think about the sure to thank a service member and pink elephant in the room. Military their family for what they do. Their families are good at trying to be sacrifices help ensure that each happy and staying strong. I am American can experience freedom at proud to be a part of such a strong Christmas time and all the year group. And we are not strong bethrough.
Holiday Traditions by Julie Shirley