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for the holidays Guide to Holiday Entertaining 2014
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Home for the Holidays
Find more events in the online calendar at pal-item.com THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON, Anytime Monday through Sunday November 24 - 30, 2014. This is a personal, self directed and silent retreat to help individuals prepare for the Spirit of the Season. This event is free of charge however donations are gratefully accepted. Overnight accommodations are available, possibly some limited meal preparations for a group of ten or more. Come for a few hours or a few days. Phone 765-962-5741. “WHITE CHRISTMAS,” 4:45-6 p.m. Nov. 28, downtown Eaton, Ohio. This year’s parade includes police escorts, Eaton High School Band, the LaFrance fire truck carrying local officials as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus. About 300 first- and second-graders will ring bells and sing Christmas songs. The Eaton Community Chorus entertains downtown at 4:45 p.m. The parade begins at 5 p.m. at Decatur and Barron streets and marches to the courthouse for performances by the band, singing of carols by the children, official lighting of the white lights of downtown Eaton, and singing of “White Christmas” by the Eaton Community Chorus. Fort St. Clair open afterward for a “drive through,” with tests of all the lights of Whispering Christmas. CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, Nov. 29-Dec. 7, Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A St., Richmond. Decorations throughout the building, live music, dance, stories, doll tea, songs, history and more. Admission charged. (765) 962-5756 or www. waynecountyhistoricalmuseum.org. CRAFT SHOW, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 29, Senior Opportunities Services Craft Shop, 401 S. Fourth St., Richmond. To help with your holiday shopping, the S.O.S. Craft Shop will be open Small Business Saturday. Come and see many American handmade crafts and gifts. Regular hours, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. TuesdaysFridays. (765) 962-1010 SMALL BUSINESSS SATURDAY, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 29, Richmond Municipal Building, 50 N. Fifth St., Richmond. Featuring local small businesses, service providers, artisans, craft and jewelry makers, Internet merchants and not-for-profits. Prizes, balloons for children and a surprise guest.
Holiday Event Calendar
RICHMOND COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT, 3:30-5 p.m., Nov. 30, Carpenter Hall, Earlham College, 801 National Road W., Richmond. Free. Featuring a special medley of music from Disney’s hit movie “Frozen.”
“WHISPERING CHRISTMAS,” Dec. 1-31, Camden Road and Ohio 122 West, Eaton, Ohio. Features nearly 1 million lights in dozens of displays. Drive or walk through. Music. The park’s cabins are open from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 1-24 for visits with Santa, hot chocolate and refreshments. Admission is free and donations are gratefully accepted. (937) 456-4125 10TH ANNUAL OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16, Historic Depot District, Richmond. Along Fort Wayne Avenue and North E Street. Free admission. Free face painting. Live reindeer. Food, balloon artist, model trains and kids train rides, Santa and elves, ice sculptures, fireworks, English double decker bus, luminary walk and elves on stilts. Christmas Train Fantasy Land at Richmond Furniture Gallery. Horsedrawn carriage rides sold. Local non-profits are participating and benefiting from the festival. www. InHistoricRichmond.com. RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY BAND CONCERT, 6 p.m. Dec. 2, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. (765) 973-3350 FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONCERT, 6 p.m. Dec. 4, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. A CHRISTMAS VICTORIAN DINNER, December 4, 2014, Thursday, Time: 6:00 PM. Come to Quaker Hill and enjoy a taste of history. Our chef will be serving a five course authentically designed Victorian dinner. The setting will be Evans House, circa 1855, decorated for the Christmas Holidays; the staff will be attired in period dress. Guess are welcome to dress for the occasion or just as a casual evening out. Reservation Required. Cost $40 per person. Phone 765-962-5741. SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS
RADIO SHOW, 6-10 p.m. Dec. 4, Vivian Auditorium, Indiana University East, 2325 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Traditional memorial pledge hour 9-10 p.m. (765) 966-7791. WELCOME CENTER CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 5-6, Old National Road Welcome Center, 5701 National Road E. Richmond. Gift shop open house with refreshments and artists. (765) 935-8687 or jresh@visitrichmond.org
“THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS” SHOWS, 5:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5, Centerville Christian Church, 111 N. Morton Ave., Centerville, Ind. A fundraising event for Hope House. A fast-paced yet poignant comedy highlighting different perceptions of the holiday season. Written and directed by Shannon Nevels, featuring local favorites Jared Adamson, Andy DeHoff, Brian Jackson and Lizzy Walther. $10 ticket includes dessert and Starbucks coffee. Sponsored by the Nevels Family so that 100 percent of ticket price goes directly to Hope House. Gentlemen of Hope House will serve at tables. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Shannon Nevels shannon_ nevels@yahoo.com, Sally at Centerville Christian Church (765) 855-5176, or Trinity Gifts & Books, 4623 National Road E. WARM GLOW CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 2131 N. Centerville Road, Centerville. Free photos with Santa, live holiday music, book signings, local crafters/artisans, gourmet food sampling, Richmond Family YMCA’s live tree sale, wine tasting and more. Visit with one of Santa’s reindeer Dec. 7. (765) 855-2000 25TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Richmond. Starts at Sixth and East Main streets and ends at 10th and Main. Offered by Center City Development Corporation. Theme is “Celebrating Milestones.” Santa will appear. Free to spectators and participants. (765) 962-8151 or www.mycentercity.com. CHRISTMAS CRAFT BAZAAR, 9 a.m.2 p.m., Dec. 6, Hillcrest Baptist Church , 3469 Hillcrest Road, Richmond. Many craft vendors, wood crafts, crochet, food
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vendors, and direct sales companies such asThirty One and Scentsy with cash-and-carry items. Mini Christmas photo sessions offered. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR CRAFT AND BAKE SALE, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 6, Pentecostal Tabernacle, 480 West Eaton Pike, Richmond. Homemade baked goods, hand-crafted collectibles, soup and sandwiches, door prize drawings. Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE AMISH CHEESE SHOP, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 6, Amish Cheese Shop, 2001 N State Road 1, Cambridge City. Cheese tasting, warm cider, demonstrations, design-your-own gift baskets, meat and cheese trays, store-wide discounts. (765) 478-5847 or http://amishcheeseshop. com WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET, 11 a.m.2 p.m., Dec. 6 and 20, Elizabeth Starr Academy, 301 N. 19th St., Richmond. Local foods, arts, and crafts all winter long. Vegetables, fresh breads, meat, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, pickles, soap, home decorations, arts, crafts, and more. No resold items — all vendors grow or make what they sell.
ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR, noon-3 p.m. Dec. 6, Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St., Richmond. Browse through tables of charities. Purchase gifts for non-profits starting at $10, such as outdoor experiences for area classrooms, art supplies for after-school programs or food for needy animals. Twenty groups will be represented. Gifts are prepared in boxes or mail-ready envelopes while you wait. Free child care and chair massages, live music and refreshments. Pre-sale offered from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the library for those who can’t attend the fair. www. copeenvironmental.org or (765) 2772289 ROSEMARY WEIGEL FROSTBITE 5K, 5 p.m., Dec. 6, Glen Miller Park, 2200 E. Main St., Richmond. Registration 3:45-4:45, race at 5 p.m. New course this year. $25 day of race. Child discount available for those 11 and younger. Holiday music and hot chocolate. An all-weather event. (765) 983-7426 CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS, 6-9 p.m., Dec. 6, Glen Miller Park, 2200 E. Main
Home for the Holidays 3
Holiday Event Calendar
St., Richmond. Free. Luminaria will light the park for walkers. Carriage rides around the lake, a holiday movie playing for those in line, carolers, hot chocolate at the park concession stand. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit. CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE CRAFT BAZAAR, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6, Old Twin Valley South High School, 45 N. Main St., West Alexandria, Ohio. It’s on Ohio 503 just north of Dayton Street/ U.S. 35. More than 20 vendors bring their products. Food and entertainment. HOLIDAY MUSIC, THE OLD ARCANA EATING HOUSE & EVENTS, 109 W. George St., Arcanum, Ohio. Schedule: Dec. 7, Tommy Renfro (Christmas music); Dec. 14, Garcia & Scott (blues originals); Dec. 20, Melody Line (Christmas carolers); Dec. 21, Dul-CDaze (holiday dulcimer music). Doors open Saturday at 9 a.m. for breakfast. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Doors open Sunday at 10 a.m. for brunch, which is served until 3 p.m. Reservations encouraged at (937) 692-0068. www.oldarcana.com 170TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, 10:30 a.m.-noon , Dec. 7, St. John Lutheran Church, 501 S. Seventh St., Richmond. ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will be the guest preacher and special music will be presented. The Indiana-Kentucky Bishop William Gafkjen of Indianapolis will take part along with local pastor James Culver. Everyone is invited. (765) 935-2481
I Can’t Wait To See Dr. Rheuble
EATON AREA COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT, 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Preble County Performing Arts Center, Eaton High School, Hillcrest Drive, Eaton, Ohio. (937) 456-6608 GOSPEL REVELATIONS WINTER CONCERT, 7 p.m., Dec. 7, Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall, Earham College, 801 National Road West, Richmond. Join Earlham’s largest and most multicultural group at their end-of-the-semester concert for high-energy soulful gospel tunes. Free admission, no tickets required. (765) 983-1410
LYNN & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, 7-9 p.m., Dec. 7, First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. 10th St., Richmond. Featuring Rusty Ammerman, Ann Frost, Kim Giesting, Teresa Jackson, Lynn Kennedy, Cindy Oler, Brian Rodgers and Carol Lou Woodward. Free. All welcome. Wassail to follow. CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE, Dec. 7, West Alexandria, Ohio. Shop throughout the afternoon at local businesses. Lighted parade starts at 4 p.m. Visit the library first to get the map of businesses and the first stamp on the tour card to enter the raffle for door prizes. Stop at the Santa Villa in the Peace Park to meet Santa. Festivities end at 8 p.m. Return from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 to visit Santa. Gifts for Santa’s visitors are provided. (937) 839-4085 TOUR OF HOMES, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 7, Lewisburg, Ohio. Tickets will be on sale at the Lewisburg Community centers at
My Neck Hurts!
261 E. Clay St. from 1-5 p.m. Presale tickets are available. (937) 962-2190
SANTA’S ARRIVAL, 5 p.m. Dec. 7, Lewisburg Park across from the Community Center. At 6 p.m. the park will be brightened by thousands of light in the annual Lighting of the Park. Hot chocolate and hot dogs. (937) 272-6480. TEST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONCERT, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. RICHMOND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA CONCERT, 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. “THE FAMILY TREE: A CHRISTMASTIME CONCERT,” Dec. 12-14 and 19-21, Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St., Richmond. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Information or tickets can be obtained at www.goRCT.org or by calling the box office, (765) 962-1816. “THE HOLIDAY ICE SPECTACULAR,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Civic Hall, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. The stage will be transformed into a miniature ice skating rink utilizing a state-of-the-art synthetic ice product. Featuring classic and modern holiday favorite songs, figure skating, theater and humor. Reserved seats: Adults, $25; students $18. Presented by Las Vegas-based Rand Enterprises. (765) 973-3350, www. civichall.com or www.
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Find more events in the online calendar at pal-item.com holidayicespectacular.com. COOKIE WALK, 9 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13, Christmas Cookie Walk, Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church, Liberty, Ind. Choose homemade cookies and candies from a variety of approximately 450 dozen to fill the box you purchase. Some are made with Splenda or gluten free. Proceeds are used for local missions. Delivery in Liberty available. CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE, 8 p.m., Dec. 15, Stout Meetinghouse, Earlham College, 801 National Road W., Richmond. A combination of scripture readings, congregational carols and Concert Choir selections. The service concludes with everyone lighting candles and luminaria around the Heart. Following the service, everyone is invited to Earlham Hall lobby for cookies and hot chocolate. Free. RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CHORAL CONCERT, 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. CRAFTING WITH CONNIE, Noon-3 p.m., Dec. 20, Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1004 N. A St., Richmond. Must sign up one week ahead of workshop. For ages kindergarten and older. $10 fee includes materials and a snack. Send check, name and age to Connie Wood, 1311 Harris St., Richmond, IN 47374. (765) 966-277. If close to a holiday, some crafts will be associated with the holiday.
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Home for the Holidays
Four Ways to Celebrate the
Holiday Season Affordably (StatePoint) The holidays can be an expensive time for decorating, entertaining and shopping. Luckily, there are easy ways to save this holiday season, so you can spend more time celebrating and less time stressing over expenses. CREATE Typically, one of the largest expenses during the holiday season is gifts for friends and family. Instead of spending a fortune on store-bought presents, consider creating a DIY gift. For example, you can place dry ingredients inside a canning jar with an easy-to-follow recipe for sugar cookies or holiday pancakes for a creative, inexpensive gift. Gift cards dressed up with a festive greeting card also makes a great present. Another option is to look for an auto-renewal program that allows you to give a practical gift like diapers, pet food and more to a recipient on a weekly or monthly basis.
COOK
CELEBRATE
One of the best parts about the holidays is baking delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy. A holiday favorite is fruit cake, so bake up something tasty like date nut bread using simple ingredients like our, milk and eggs that can be bought from a discount retailer like Dollar General.
CLEAN The holidays are often about spending time with family and friends, which means you could be doing a lot more entertaining than usual at your home. Get your home holiday-ready by making a plan for house-cleaning.
Adorning your home with holiday decorations can really get your family in the spirit. Deals on dollar ornaments, festive garland, decorative trees and fun wreaths can help you to make your home festive without breaking the bank. For more tips on holiday savings and DIY gift and decoration ideas, you can visit your local Dollar General or go online to www.dollargeneral.com. By spending carefully, you can celebrate affordably and in style, without breaking the bank.
Straighten up before cleaning, so the process is expedited. To save on cleaning supplies, consider buying store brands, rather than name brand products. Be sure to also add the smells of the season with scented candles and electric warmers.
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Home for the Holidays 5
Give your Christmas as a country feel Christmas decorations can range from grandiose lighting displays to more subtle adornments. Some families may prefer more traditional holiday decor, while others might like the look of modern trimmings. Holiday decorations can also be used to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a certain type of locale, giving a home a holiday in the city vibe or a more rustic feel. For those who prefer a rustic look reminiscent of a country Christmas, consider the following tips. • START WITH THE TREE. The Christmas tree is the center of many a home’s holiday decor, and those who want to create a country Christmas can start with their tree. Instead of traditional holiday lights, choose lights that look like candles while adorning the tree with wooden ornaments and strands of popcorn.
in corners to further emphasize a rustic look.
past and present has recorded a Christmas song or album, so create a • CREATE HOMEMADE master playlist of country ORNAMENTS. Homemade ornaments Christmas songs on your can also give a home a more rustic digital music player and look come the holiday season. Spend play it throughout the an afternoon creating holiday crafts season to set the holiday with the kids and use these instead of store-bought ornaments. For those who are especially gifted craftsmen, put your woodworking skills to the test to create decorative wooden stockings that, if not functional, can be replaced with more traditional stockings come Christmas Eve. • DON’T FORGET THE MUSIC. Another way to create a country Christmas is to play country Christmas albums instead of classical or more traditional Christmas records. Nearly every country music star of the
• FORGO TRADITIONAL WRAPPING PAPER. Instead of flashy, store-bought wrapping paper, wrap presents in brown paper and put presents under the tree as early as possible. Instead of store-bought gift tags, create your own and attach a candy cane or another candy to the gift. • THINK NATURE WITH DECORATIONS. Items gathered from nature can give a home a rustic appeal during the holidays. Hang a homemade wreath on the front door and include pine cones and clippings from evergreen trees when adding decorative accents around the house. Tuck a few decorative woven baskets
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Home for the Holidays
Create an energy-efficient
Home for the holidays ‘Tis the season to be festive, and that usually means stringing up hundreds of twinkling lights to create a welcoming glow on dark winter nights. Some people view the holiday season as their chance to go all out with regard to decorating their homes with an abundance of lights, inflatable lawn ornaments and maybe even some mechanical figures. While these decorations certainly may be symbols of the season, it’s easy to forget just how much energy and resources they consume. A typical strand of lights uses around 300 watts of electricity. Multiply those figures by the dozens of strings of lights people use and it’s easy to see how quickly energy usage can add up. In addition to lights, lit candles, animated dolls, wreaths, trees, and scores of imported ornaments contribute to the energy consumption per household. Even so, environmentally conscious individuals need not skip the holiday décor and entertaining. Fortunately, there are various ways to be energy efficient with holiday décor this season. • Switch to LED lights. LED lights consume a fraction of the energy traditional incandescent bulbs do. While a standard string of 50 lights consumes 300 watts, LED sets only consume four watts. This not only saves energy, but also considerable amounts of money over the course of the holiday season. • Use fiber-optic decorations. Fiber optic items are lit by one light. The illumination carries through the fiber optic cables to the entire decoration. • Use a power strip and timer. Plug decorations into a power strip (be sure to follow the recommended power load for safety) and hook everything up to a timer so lights are not on when no one can see them.
• Check light strands. Always inspect lights for frayed wires and any damage. Frayed lights are less efficient and pose a considerable safety risk. • Enhance decorations. Use mirrors and reflective ornaments to give the appearance of more lights without actually adding more. • Turn off ambient lighting. Christmas tree lights or the lights framing a picture window should be sufficient to light up a room. Keep lamps and overhead lighting off while the tree is lit to save money and energy. • Lower the thermostat. When entertaining, turn the thermostat down a few degrees. Having extra people in your home will raise the temperature. Similarly, heat generated by the oven and other cooking appliances can warm up a home. Don’t waste energy by keeping the heat turned on high. • Invest in rechargeable batteries. According to Energy Quest, 40 percent of all batteries are purchased during the holiday season. To power those many gifts and devices, use rechargeable batteries which can be used again and again. • Change your cooking practices. Smaller appliances use less energy. Put those toaster ovens, slow cookers and electric fryers to good use. Only use the oven if you are cooking a large meal. • Wait until the dishwasher is full. Pack in the dishes from holiday meals, and only run the dishwasher when it is full. • Reuse items whenever possible. Many items around the house can be put to good use as decorations, holiday servers or gifts. Take inventory of what you have before you go out and purchase new decorations.
Decorative lights can consume a considerable amount of energy. Scale back or invest in LEDs, which are more energy-efficient lights.
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Home for the Holidays 7 6 Reasons to Host a
Holiday This Year What would the holidays be without gatherings of family and close friends? Everyone gets to reminisce around the dinner table, and distant family members get to meet face-to-face instead of through social media. In many families, holiday hosting duties are shared by one or two family members. Some host out of a sense of obligation, while others do so because they truly love providing a place for their loved ones to get together during such a festive time of year. Those undecided about whether or not to take on the role of holiday host should know there are a bevy or reasons to do just that. 1. No travel time: If you despise sitting in traffic or waiting in line at the airport for a delayed flight, hosting the holidays is your way around such
headaches. While you’ll certainly deal with a number of people in your home, it will pale in comparison to the crowds holiday travelers must deal with. 2. New traditions: Hosting the holidays presents an opportunity to try out your own unique ideas and establish new traditions for your family. Over time, traditions become integral parts of family celebrations. A new host can impart fresh concepts and breathe new life into the festivities. 3. Time management: Hosting the event allows you to set the pace of the day. You may find the holiday is less stressful when you know what is coming next and can exercise control over the schedule. You may not have to wake up as early to account for travel time and could feel more relaxed.
4. Give older relatives a break: Perhaps Grandma or an aunt has always hosted the big holidays. Over time, the scope of the event can prove too much for an older person, whether it’s physical or financial constraints sparking such difficulties. Stepping up to take over hosting will relieve someone you love of the work, allowing him or her to enjoy the festivities even more. 5. Sense of pride: Hosting a holiday is a significant undertaking, especially if you will be following in the footsteps of a successful party host or hostess. This can be your proving ground and a chance to show that you are up to the task. It can give you a confidence boost and the inspiration to try other things you may have thought were beyond reach. 6. Food: Hosting also allows you to
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customize the menu so the foods you and your immediate family like best make it on to the holiday menu. You may open others’ eyes to new culinary treats and show off your culinary skills along the way. Once the festivities have ended, you may even have enough leftovers to free you from cooking for a few days after the holiday, giving you a chance to relax and recuperate.
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Home for the Holidays
Keep Pets Happy and Healthy this
Holiday Season (StatePoint) The holiday season can mean new routines, new décor and new foods in your home. While these temporary changes can be exciting for people, they can be hazardous to pets. “The extended holiday season is no excuse to take a vacation from being a great pet parent,” says Dr. Jeff Werber, Hollywood’s Vet to the Stars. Keeping your dog happy and healthy this holiday season is easy, Werber says. He is sharing some seasonal tips. • Keep curious pets focused: Most pets will be curious about the tinsel, ornaments and ribbons of the season. Since most decorations are not petfriendly, keep them beyond reach and take necessary precautions and keep your pets focused on something they truly enjoy.
If your dog begs at the table every night, chances are they’ll be begging at the holiday dinner table. With new people over and different kinds of food falling to the floor, it’ll be important to prevent distractions during dinner. Use healthy treats, such as Greenies, as a training tool to keep your dog away from guests’ dinner plates. • Give recognizable gifts: A whopping 85 percent of pet parents buy their dog a holiday present, according to the 2014 Greenies: Dog Owners Survey. In order for your pet to be as thrilled about their stocking as you are, give them the same treat before the holiday -- so that it’s more familiar and better received. This year, consider giving a gift that promotes good health. While nearly
half of all dog owners have turned away from a kiss from a dog because of its bad breath, more than a quarter say they don’t brush their dog’s teeth at all. And bad breath isn’t just unpleasant; it can be a sign of poor dental health or dental disease. Consider giving your dog a dental chew that carries the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for control of plaque and tartar, such as Greenies Canine Dental Chews. They are the number one veterinarian-
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recommended dental chews and are available in special Season’s Greenies holiday packaging around this time of year. • Give your pet extra love: During the holidays your routine will likely change. Your dog will be able to tell, but not know why. As you are out shopping or attending a holiday party, your pet might be missing out on his usual attention. Show your pet some love by setting some time aside for daily play time or an extra walk. Or give them their favorite treat. More pet health tips and resources can be found at www.Greenies.com. The holidays are all about sharing time with friends and family. In the shuffle, don’t forget your beloved pet!
Home for the Holidays 9 Simple, Thoughtful Recipes Work Best for
Holiday Feasts (StatePoint) A holiday feast is one meal you’ll want to ensure includes flavorful, thoughtful dishes. Unfortunately, it’s one of the busiest times of year, and sorting through recipes, especially for dessert, may get pushed down the to-do list. “There are a gazillion recipes in the world, but the lifesaving recipe for when times are crazy, that’s priceless,” says Anne Byrn, food writer and author of the new, “Anne Byrn Saves the Day! Cookbook.” A collection of crowd-pleasing recipes from her network of friends and family, Byrn’s book features this recipe for Kentucky Brown Sugar Pie, perfect for a feast, as it takes only about 20 minutes to pull together, less time than a drive to the bakery and back -- and is more scrumptious than anything complicated to make or store-bought: Ingredients • 1 store-bought 9-inch pie crust, thawed if frozen
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar • 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2 cups whole milk • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • 1 tablespoon salted or unsalted butter • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar Directions • Let eggs come to room temperature, taking them out of the refrigerator half an hour before making the pie. • Transfer crust to glass pie pan if leaving it in aluminum foil pie pan. If it’s not a preformed crust, fit it into a glass pie plate. • Bake pie crust following package directions until light brown. Let crust cool on rack while making filling. Leave oven on, adjusting temperature if necessary to 400 degrees F. • Place brown sugar, flour, and salt
in medium-size saucepan and stir to combine. Slowly whisk in milk. Place pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until filling thickens and is bubbly, four to five minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking filling until completely thickened, two minutes longer. Remove from heat. • Separate eggs, placing yolks in a small bowl and whites in a medium stainless steel or glass bowl. Set egg whites aside. Beat egg yolks with fork to combine. Add 3 tablespoons of the hot filling to egg yolks and stir well to combine. Whisk the egg mixture into the saucepan of filling. Place pan over low heat and whisk until yolks are well combined and filling is thick, creamy, and smooth, about two minutes. Remove pan
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from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Pour filling into baked crust. • Make the meringue: Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites on high speed until frothy, one to two minutes. Add cream of tartar and continue beating on high. Gradually add granulated sugar. Beat egg whites until stiff and glossy and sugar is dissolved, four to five minutes. • Pile spoonfuls of meringue on top of filling. Using a spatula, push meringue to the edge of crust to seal in filling. Smooth the top of the pie. • Bake until meringue is lightly browned, eight to ten minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool about three hours before serving. More information about the book can be found at www.Workman.com.
10 Home for the Holidays Quick, Delicious
Holiday Entertaining Ideas (StatePoint) If you’re playing host this holiday season, skip the complicated recipes that take hours of prep time and serve your guests easy, Mediterraneaninspired foods instead. Whether you’re throwing a lavish party or a casual get together, the simplest foods are often the best crowd pleasers. Packed with bold flavors, olives are an essential part of the healthful Mediterranean diet. They also are the ideal starting point for party food. With pitted, seasoned, stuffed and jarred olives, you have the makings of a festive, ready-to-serve party plate. Here are six great ways to incorporate these good choice snacks into beautiful, no-fuss party fare: • To make a colorful antipasto platter, pair a variety of olives -- such as Greece’s famous deep purple Kalamata or giant
green Spanish olives stuffed with garlic -- with sliced salami and other cured meats, and two or three different kinds of cheeses. Add a jar of breadsticks for height or a pretty bowl filled with your favorite crackers. • Blend a jar of herb infused olives in a food processor for an easy tapenade. Serve alongside fresh bread, crispy pita or toasted baguette. A new line of California-Grown Specialties olives from the Pearls and Early California brands can help you get creative: Try zesty flavors like Garlic, Lemon & Thyme, Herbs & Sweet Pepper or Spicy Escabeche to shake things up. Expert tip: The herbed, tangy brine from the olive jar can be used as a dipping sauce for bread. • Make fun-to-eat pinwheel sandwiches using soft, thin, flatbread lavash or tortillas. First, spread cream
cheese or an herbed soft cheese on the bread. Then add sliced olives, baby greens, shaved onion and sliced red peppers. Roll, refrigerate until ready to serve, then slice. Pre-sliced olives and pre-washed greens help make prep a breeze. • Skewer whole, pitted olives, cubes of feta cheese and cherry tomatoes. If you make the skewers ahead of time, wrap them tightly in the refrigerator. When guests arrive, just drizzle the skewers with olive oil, put on a platter with some fresh herb sprigs and serve with fresh bread. • For the ultimate martini, garnish vodka or gin with Pearls Martini with Vermouth Greek Queen olives, which are rich and buttery. For dirty martinis,
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use the vermouth-infused brine for extra flavor. • Olives are delicious and satisfying all on their own. Pick a couple of olives with big, bold flavors, such as Pearls Pitted Medley and serve in a colorful serving bowl. Serving pitted olives means your guests won’t have to worry about disposing the pits. For more great entertaining ideas, visit www.olives.com. Preparing for your next party needn’t take all day. A bit of Mediterranean style is all that’s required for elegant and easy-to-prepare snacks and appetizers. Look for these, and other olives at Super Target, Walmart and grocery stores nationwide.
Home for the Holidays 11 Buffet Entertaining
Tips And Timesavers ers Buffet-style meals are often the best option for large gatherings of friends and family. Space constraints can make it difficult to sit everyone down for a formal meal, and buffets enable guests to mingle with one another while selecting only the foods they want to eat. These are not the only advantages to buffets, however. Plenty of dishes can be made in advance and stored in the freezer, providing hosts and hostesses a little breathing room. Meals can be prepared a few days in advance and heated up come the day of the festivities. Buffet service can work any time of the day and can include both cold and hot foods if they are kept at the right temperature. Explore these other tips for entertaining buffet-style. • Present food in an easily accessible location. Place food on a table or counter that will not be in the way of foot traffic. Arrange dishes and cutlery at the head of the buffet line so guests can move in an orderly fashion as they select their food. • Tie together utensils for ease. Group forks, knives and spoons with a cloth napkin and dish so guests can easily grab what they need for dining. • Practice food safety. Hot dishes need to be kept warm and cold dishes need to be placed on ice. Chafing dishes make this possible. Use chafing dishes and pans in combination with your serving plates. Heated elements or sternos under chafing dishes will keep foods steaming. Place crushed ice and water in a pan under cold foods to keep them chilled. Food should be removed if it has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours. • Experiment with meals that keep. Stews, casseroles, soups, baked pasta dishes, and similar fare can be made in advance and frozen. Thaw these dishes in the refrigerator the day before the party, then heat up foods and serve for the buffet. Prepared foods purchased at a supermarket or specialty retailer also work well for buffets. Simply purchase and then set out for even less work. • Weigh your catering options. Catering services can make easy work of
holiday hosting but not without expense. Caterers may charge by the person or by each tray of food. Some will include table settings and rolls with the price; others may not. Calculate the costs of using a caterer and weigh them against the cost of doing the work yourself. • Use plastic utensils for hot foods. Metal spoons and forks can quickly heat up when sitting in hot serving dishes. Use plastic utensils so guests do not get burned. • Keep dressings on the side. Salad dressings and other condiments can cause foods to wilt or get soggy. Have them nearby so guests can help themselves. Topless squirt bottles are easier to handle and can help limit spills. • Be mindful of food allergies. Although you may have various foods available to meet the dietary needs of guests, do not place risky foods next to others. Cross-contamination can occur from spills or if a person uses the same serving spoon to dish out foods. Label food options so everyone knows what’s available. • Ask a friend to help set up. Ask a close friend or family member to come over an hour or two early to help you set up the buffet and with any other lastminute touches. This will take some of the pressure off of you, and you can chat and enjoy yourself before your hosting duties begin. • Frozen foods should be thoroughly wrapped. Only use freezer-safe bags and containers to store prepared foods. Otherwise you may run the risk of freezer burn or freezing, affecting the taste of the final product. Keep in mind that many desserts, such as fruit pies, also can be frozen. It’s possible to make ahead just about everything for a holiday feast and simply thaw and reheat when the big day arrives. • Create a good side dish ratio. Buffets should include a variety of side dishes. Select one or two main dishes and then vary the rest of the selection with rice, pasta, vegetables, or other favorite side dishes. • Keep take-away containers on hand.
You’re bound to make more food than you need, so send guests off with their own goodie bags to lighten the load on your leftovers. Encourage guests to fill up a container and take some food home with them. • Lock pets away. An open, unattended buffet can seem like paradise
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to a hungry cat or dog. It’s not sanitary or particularly appealing for guests to catch a pet taking advantage of buffet fare. Keep pets in a bedroom or outside when the meal is being served. Buffets are a fine choice for big groups because they provide variety and the chance to mingle.
16 Home for the Holidays NoHoliday Celebration isComplete Until
EggnogHasBeenServed The holiday season is rife with tradition, from Christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with Santa Claus at the local mall. Families reunite come the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together and do a little catching up along the way. But the holiday season also is synonymous with parties. Whether it’s to enjoy an office holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and a main reason why this is such a festive and beloved time of year. As this is a season of celebrating, it’s good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has been served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung by the chimney with care. This year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press). EXCELLENT EGGNOG Serves 8 8 2¼ 8 8 4 1 garnish
large eggs, preferably organic cups superfine sugar ounces brandy ounces rum ounces bourbon quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for
1. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency. 3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well. 4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters). 5. Fold the egg whites into the yolksugar-alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours). 6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.