P. Allen Smith's
NATURALLY Nov/Dec 2017
Cake with a Surprise Inside
Decorate Your Own Wrapping Paper with Homemade Stamps
DIY Bath Bombs
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Give Back
The holidays have always been a special time. As a child, I eagerly anticipated Thanksgiving and Christmas to roll around. I would get to see all of my family members, play games with my siblings and cousins, and, of course, at Christmas, would finally to get to open the presents waiting for me under the tree. I still have a childlike wonder about the holidays and look forward to gathering with family and friends, but the real joy of the season comes from giving. I’m reminded of a quote from Maya Angelou, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” Giving can take many forms—providing a holiday meal to those less fortunate, making sure we keep our vegetarian friends in mind when preparing food (see recipes on pages 15-17), or finding ways to have a smaller environmental footprint (see our ideas for Christmas in Small Spaces on page 30). How are you giving back this season?
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P. Allen Smith's
NATURALLY PUBLISHER
SOCIAL MEDIA
P. Allen Smith
Sam May
ACCOUNT SERVICES DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jessica Jones ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Alexandria Cantrell EDITOR
Stephanie Matthews DESIGNER
Katherine Laughlin
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Beth Hall Mark Fonville Jason Masters Steven Veach STYLIST
Lori Wenger
Table of Contents
PiĂąata Cake 6
Meatless Dishes 10
Simmering Potpourri 24
Christmas in Small Spaces 32
Allen’s December Calendar 41
DIY Bath Bombs 42
CONTACT For advertising inquiries, email jjones@pallensmith.com. For editorial and general feedback, email smatthews@pallensmith.com.
pinata cake
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Pinata Cake
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Pinata Cake
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Hatchimals and L.O.L. Surprise! may be the big things when it comes to toys for the little ones. But, the “surprise inside” fun is not just for kids. Dessert-lovers of any age are sure to go gaga over Piñata Cakes, something sweet with a delicious surprise inside. This cranberry pecan cake from Kelli Marks of Sweet Love Bakes in Little Rock is filled with sugared cranberries. I encourage you to get creative with your own recipes. You can incorporate seasonal fruit, chocolate and candy pieces, and nuts in your Piñata Cake. You are only limited by your imagination!
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meatless holiday dishes Your vegetarian friends and family will have you on the top
of their “nice� list if you make sure to include some delicious options that they can enjoy at the dinner table too!
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Roasted Sweet Potato and Peppered Pecan Salad Recipe on Page 16 11
Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe on Page 17
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Carrot-Orange Soup INGREDIENTS 8 medium carrots, sliced thinly 1 cup leeks, chopped 1 teaspoon minced ginger 4 cups vegetable broth 2 Tablespoons butter 2 cups orange juice Salt and pepper Mint and sliced orange for garnish INSTRUCTIONS 1. Bring the 4 cups of broth and 2 Tablespoons of butter to a slight boil. 2. Add the carrots, leeks and ginger and cook over a medium heat until the carrots are tender. 3. Place these cooked ingredients in a blender and blend them until smooth. Return the mixture to the saucepan. 4. Add 2 cups of orange juice or as much as you want to create the desired consistency. 5. Add salt and pepper and bring just to a boil and then put it in the refrigerator to chill. 6. Garnish with a slice of orange and a few mint leaves.
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Roasted Sweet Potato and Peppered Pecan Salad CREOLE MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE 1 shallot 3 Tablespoons creole mustard 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Start by making the peppered pecans. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Spray a large heavy roasting pan with cooking
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
spray and set aside. Mix together black pepper,
1/2 teaspoon salt
sugar, and salt.
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
foamy, then add the Worcestershire sauce. 4. Drop in the pecans and stir to coat well.
PEPPERED PECANS
5. Pour coated pecans into a colander to drain off
Vegetable oil cooking spray
the extra egg white mixture. Return to the bowl
2 Tablespoons fresh cracked black pepper
and add the pepper mixture. Stir well to coat
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
each pecan.
1 teaspoon salt
6. Spread pecans onto the prepared roasting pan.
2 egg whites
7. Roast in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove the
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 pound pecan halves
pecans from the oven and stir. 8. Return the pecans to the oven and roast an additional 5 minutes. Then stir again.
ROASTED SWEET POTATOES
9. Turn off the heat and roast the pecans an
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
additional 5 to 10 minutes until pecans are
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
lightly browned. 10. Remove the pecans from the oven and turn the
SPINACH SALAD 8 cups baby spinach 1 cup pomegranate seeds
heat up to 425 degrees F to get it ready for the sweet potatoes. 11. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper and spread over a large baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and slighly caramelized. 12. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, make the salad dressing. Place the peeled shallot in a blender and pulse to chop. Add mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and sugar. With blender on medium speed, slowly add the oil to emulsify. 13. Combine the spinach, sweet potatoes, pecans, and pomegranate seeds. Toss with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette and serve.
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Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
2 acorn squash
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
1 cup apples, peeled and chopped
2. Start by splitting two acorn squash in half,
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
lengthwise, and remove the seeds and stringy
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
filaments with a spoon. Place the squash in a
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
baking dish and set aside.
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
3. To make the apple filling, melt the butter in a
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
skillet and sautĂŠ the onions for 3 to 4 minutes
1/4 teaspoon salt
over medium heat. 4. Add the apples, brown sugar, Balsamic vinegar, dried thyme leaves and salt and continue to sautĂŠ for a couple of minutes. 5. Remove the mixture from the heat. 6. Score the squash before filling so they absorb more of the flavor of the stuffing. Spoon the filling into the squash. 7. To help keep the squash moist while it bakes add about a 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of the dish, place the filled squash in the dish, and cover it with foil. 8. Bake for about an hour, until the squash are tender. 9. Remove and serve immediately.
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Coffee-Based Drink Recipe
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Spiced Orange & Maple Westrock Coffee I love sitting around the fire after a big meal, swapping stories with loved ones. Usually, a round of coffee will help to keep us all up instead of going into a food coma. This year, I’ve decided to add a few special ingredients to my go-to Westrock coffee for a festive, flavorful beverage.
Makes 4 servings Ingredients:
Directions:
20 ounces of Westrock Dark Roast Coffee, prepared
1. In small saucepan over medium low heat,
2 Tablespoons real maple syrup
combine maple syrup, orange extract, spices, salt
¼ teaspoon orange extract
and pepper.
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, and let simmer
pinch ground nutmeg pinch ground cloves
1 minute. 3. Remove from the heat and whisk in the orange
pinch ground white pepper pinch sea salt
juice. 4. When ready to serve, brew a fresh pot of
2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice Whipped cream for topping
Westrock coffee. 5. While coffee is brewing, fill 4 mugs with hot
Orange peel to twist for garnish
water to warm the mugs. 6. When coffee is ready, pour out the hot water and fill mugs with 5 ounces coffee and up to 1 Tablespoon of the spiced syrup. 7. Top with whipped cream, then drizzle spiced syrup over the top. 8. Garnish with an orange twist.
For an Adults-Only Version: For a little extra kick, add 1 ounce each of Cointreau and Frangelico to each cup of coffee in place of the syrup. Stir to combine. Drizzle the syrup over the whipped cream before serving. 19
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holiday lunch tours
MOSS MOUNTAIN FARM IN ROLAND, ARKANSAS
GET TICKETS 21
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“In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.” — Henry Rollins
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Simmering Potpourri So many of us have a favorite food or decoration that we associate with the holidays. But what about a scent? Instead of using chemical sprays, try a simmering potpourri. It’s so easy to do and you can create a signature scent that your guests will remember long after they’ve left for the night. Fill a small slow cooker or saucepan two-thirds of the way with water. Add fresh fruit, herbs, spices, and essential oils to create the scent you’d like. Put the slow cooker on the lowest heat setting. If using a saucepan, bring to a boil then reduce heat to the lowest setting. Check on it occasionally and add more water when it gets low. Some of my favorite combinations are: FRUIT AND SPICE One whole orange, sliced (or 3 drops of orange essential oil) One whole lemon, sliced (or 3 drops of lemon essential oil) 2 cinnamon sticks 1 Tablespoon of whole cloves EARTHY
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3-4 sprigs of fresh pine
3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary (or a couple drops of rosemary essential oil)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole nutmegs
GINGERBREAD MAN
2-3 Tablespoons of fresh ginger, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole nutmegs
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla
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NUTRITION FOR LIFE "Chickens were my first love. I give them care and protection, and they give me joy and laughter in return. I trust HomesteadÂŽ Poultry Feeds by HubbardÂŽ Life to provide the safest and highest quality protein, minerals and nutrients to meet the growth, performance and health needs of my birds."
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Crystal Bridges Ad
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Arkansas
Holiday Destinations
You Don’t Want to Miss
Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs November 18 through December 31 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days) 3-9 PM nightly Garvan Woodland Gardens is a majestic place any time of year. During the holiday season, the magic really comes alive when the gardens are illuminated with over 4.5 million lights as part of the Holiday Lights experience. Some of my favorite parts of the Holiday Lights experience are the luminescent Garden of the Pine Wind, the Parterre garden on the Great Lawn, and traditional holiday scenes in the woodlands. You won’t want to miss the 50-foot tall Rose Tree, which puts on a light show to the tune of your favorite Christmas songs. It’s a wonderful outing with family and friends, and you can close out the night with complimentary hot chocolate at the Chipmunk Cafe.
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Christmas Parade in El Dorado December 7 Starting at Northwest Avenue and Main Street Christmas parade in El Dorado
The annual Christmas Parade in El Dorado is fun for the whole family! This year’s theme is “Christmas Through the Ages.” Wander around the downtown streets, festooned with lights. Then gather along the parade route on Northwest Avenue. Antique cars, marching bands, and pageant winners are all part of the fun! Stay until the end to see which float takes home the prize for the best design.
Christmas parade in El Dorado
Lights of the Delta, Blytheville November 20 through December 27 Sunday - Thursday, 5:30 - 9:00 PM Friday - Saturday, 5:30 - 10:00 PM Blytheville, in northeast Arkansas, boasts “the largest lighting display Lights of the Delta, Blytheville
in the Mid-South.” Spread over 40 acres, this drive-through holiday lights extravaganza is sure to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit! Lights of the Delta features almost 50 major motion displays and 6 million lights. You won’t want to miss out on a hayride or getting your picture taken with Santa!
Lights of the Delta, Blytheville
Caroling in the Caverns, Blanchard Springs Late November through Mid-December, Select Nights I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been awestruck by Blanchard Springs Caverns. This “living cave” of formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones is constantly changing. During the holidays, Caroling in the Carolling in the Caverns, Blanchard Springs
Caverns allows you to take in the beauty of this natural wonder while listening to classic Christmas carols in an underground cathedral-like room. Book a tour of the caves while you’re at it so that you can take in everything the caverns have to offer.
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Check Off Your List! We have you covered on gardening gifts.
seed envelopes in jar
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bird key keeper
garden twine with cast iron markers
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Christmas in
small spaces
If you love the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree but don’t have a lot of space, you can still get in on the holiday fun! Or maybe you just want to simplify your decor this year. Either way, I came up with a creative way to make a statement while saving space (and trees!). 32
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By hanging wreaths—that you can make yourself from evergreen cuttings—in the shape of a tree on a wall in your living room, you’ll have a beautiful statement piece. Personalize it with decorations and a tree topper. Then go ahead and place your presents under the wreath tree. You may not even miss the real thing!
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DIY:
spud stamp
With this adorable gift wrap that you can make yourself, your family won’t even care what’s inside the box! With some potatoes, craft paper (or up-cycled paper shopping bags), and a little paint, you can make your own custom wrapping paper that’s sure to be the talk of the holiday party. 35
Materials Potatoes Knife Pencil or marker Mini cookie cutters (optional) Acrylic paint Craft paper or paper bags Paper plate
TO FREEHAND YOUR POTATO STAMP DESIGN:
1 Cut the potato in half. Draw any shape onto the surface of the potato using a pencil or marker pen. Using a knife, cut around the shape so that you end up with the raised design on the potato’s surface. (This step is for adults only!) 36
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2 Dip the stamp in acrylic paint and press onto your paper.
USING A COOKIE CUTTER:
1 2 Cut the potato in half.
Press the cookie cutter into the potato.
4 3 Leaving the cookie cutter in the potato, use your knife to slice and carve out the potato around the cutter. (This step is for adults only!)
5 Pour some acrylic paint in the color of your choice into a paper plate. Dip the potato stamp into the paint and press the design onto your paper. Blot the stamp on a piece of scrap paper if you end up with too much paint on it.
When you remove the cookie cutter, you should be left with the raised shape of the cookie cutter.
6 Once you’ve finished stamping your paper, leave it to dry.
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Click here to listen.
1.
COZY UP Toby Lightman
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THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ She & Him
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FROSTY THE SNOWMAN Fiona Apple
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SILENT NIGHT Sugar & The Hi Lows
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HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS Daniela Andrade
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THE CHRISTMAS SONG Catherine Feeny
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LOVE IS CHRISTMAS Sara Bareilles
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A LIGHT (FEAT. THE BRILLIANCE) The Liturgists, The Brilliance
9. THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME Pentatonix 10. MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING Carpenters 11. CHRISTMASTIDE The Brilliance 12. JOY TO THE WORLD Sufjan Stevens 13. APRIL COME SHE WILL Simon & Garfunkel
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“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” — Arthur Ashe
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december Allen’s
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Holiday Lunch Tour & Decor with Allen
Holiday Lunch Tour & Decor with Allen
1 Plant tulips with pansies and violas.
Add compost or manure to beds.
3 Add mulch or straw to beds with bulbs and perennials before a hard freeze.
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Cut branches from the farm’s magnolia trees to use in decor
4 Place all outdoor container plants in the greenhouse to overwinter.
11 Donate greenery and trees to the church for Christmas decor.
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5 Add daffodils to the 450+K that are already planted.
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Compost garden debris.
Holiday Lunch & Tour featuring Tammy Sue Pope
6 Make wreaths for the front doors and gates.
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Photo shoot with some of the animals on the farm.
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Holiday Lunch & Tour
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Move all terracotta pots inside.
Holiday Lunch Tour & Decor with Allen
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9 Annual Christmas party with the extended family on mom’s side.
16 Turn compost bin and remember to add water.
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Rel ax an d enj oy the ho lidays with fam ily and friends! CHR I S T M A S E V E
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C HRIST MAS
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bath bombs
If you thought a warm bath after a long winter’s day was relaxing, let’s take it up a notch! Bath bombs are fizzy little orbs you throw in the bathtub that slowly release wonderful therapeutic scents while you soak. You can make them yourself and incorporate whatever essential oils, herbs, dried petals, or fruit zests you’re in the mood for. They make great gifts too!
DIY Orange & Rosemary Bath Bombs Materials 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup citric acid 1/2 cup arrowroot powder 3 Tablespoons Epsom salt 3/4 teaspoon water 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted 8 drops orange essential oil
8 drops rosemary essential oil 2 Tablespoons dried orange zest 2 Tablespoons rosemary, finely chopped Bath bomb molds (for round ones) or silicone cupcake/dessert molds in the design of your choice
Directions: 1. Mix together the baking soda, citric acid, arrowroot powder, Epsom salt, dried orange zest, and rosemary. 2. In a separate bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil, water, and essential oils. 3. With a whisk, incorporate the mixture of wet ingredients into the dry mixture. 4. At this point, the mixture should stick together slightly. Take a handful and squeeze. If the mixture is too dry and falls apart, add a few drops of water to the mixture and stir. Continue to test and add water as needed until the mixture sticks together lightly. 5. Press the mixture tightly into the mold. 6. Allow the mixture to dry in the molds overnight. 7. Remove the bath bombs from the molds. They should be hard and dry. If not, allow them to dry a bit more outside of the molds.
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MEET
Princess Curlotta
I was thinking of the classic holiday song “12 Days of Christmas” and its mention of “six geese a laying.” So, I wanted to introduce you to my favorite egg-laying goose, Princess Curlotta. She may be the prettiest gal in Poultryville. Princess Curlotta is a Sebastopol goose, a breed known for its remarkable feathers. While they’re beautiful, they don’t lay flat, so Princess Curlotta and other Sebastopols get cold easier. Our girl is spending more time indoors these days to keep warm. True to her breed, Princess Curlotta is shy and pleasant. It takes a lot to get her worked up! 44
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