50+Living DECEMBER 2020

of Western NC

Make Time for Wine | Wrap it Up

| Sugar & Spice

50pluslivingWNC.com

December 2020

2 | 50+ Living | December 2020

Vallana Wines S

o here we are at the end of 2020. Finally. Most people seem to agree that this was a tough year.

It’s time for it to go! Let’s usher out the old by bringing in the new. Two wines from Vallana are a good place to start a new year and a new journey.

Antonio Vallana, the last of eleven children, had an immediate passion for the vineyard. His older brothers left home to find fortune abroad leaving, happily for us, Antonio to carry on his father’s work, family tradition and to expand the business.

In the early years, Antonio bottled grapes from each vineyard separately recognizing that each wine would have a different aging potential. Each hand blown bottle had a card tied to the neck with a string noting the vintage and the vineyard. Some of these bottles remain in the Vallana cellars.

With winemakers increasingly abandoning farming to work in the new factories, the demand for local wines grew and so did the Vallana’s business. In 1937, Antonio Vallana and his young son turned their small family business into a company, ”Antonio Vallana e Figlio” (Vallana and Son.) And that brings us to today. While the Vallana winemaking method is old, the grapes are probably new to you. The best of all possible worlds.

and more earthy.

And rather than the bottle being 100% Nebbiolo, producers in Spanna are allowed to blend in a small percentage of other varietals including Bonarda, Croatina and Vespolina.

By Gina Trippi

All grapes are monitored during each ripening stage to ensure the best quality and to set the best harvest date, usually in the first half of October. Vallana Spanna is then vinified in cement tanks to obtain a wine suitable for aging. The wine is released after two years of maturation. Ruby red in color, the wine presents deep aromas of spices and red fruit. Spanna is gentle and persistent on the palate with flavors of dried fruit and red and black fruits.

Robert Parker described Vallana wines as “intense traditionally made wines that ooze with character.”

We think you will agree. And we think Vallana wines will make good partners for moving forward into 2021!

First up is Erbaluce. This is a rarely encountered varietal, documented as far back as 1606, from Piedmont, Italy. Erbaluce is used to make dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Vallana Erbaluce is organic, dry, crisp, and zesty. A clear, pale lemon yellow in the glass, you will find characteristic aromas of apple and melon. The medium body contributes to a smooth palate expressing the aromas of apple and melon and adding just a taste of starfruit. Pair this wine with lighter dishes.

Next is a red from Vallana. Spanna is the most traditional Nebbiolo based wine in Northern Piedmont. Nebbiolo, like Pinot Noir, is a very soil specific grape meaning it reflects the soil from the vineyard where it was grown. Spanna is one version, one location, of Nebbiolo that is usually lighter

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A Note From the Editor Well, we’ve almost made it through 2020. I remember the start of this year. I had just placed as a finalist in the 2020 World’s Country Dance Competition, my publisher and I had just started laying out my new book, and I was finally feeling recovered from the injuries I sustained in the car crash. I was ready to start 2020 with good health, no pain, and the ambition to make this year the best year. Then, I got the flu. My first two weeks of 2020 were spent in bed. My neck started hurting again and I needed more therapy. And then . . . everything else that happened happened. Month by month and one at a time, all of the 2020 dance competitions were cancelled. Church was cancelled. Appointments to work on my book were cancelled. Therapy sessions were cancelled. A trip to see my family was cancelled. Sometimes it felt as though my life had been cancelled.

I made it through the first part of the year by going for long walks and by sewing up a lot of my fabric stash. I used fabric I had been saving for “someday,” because “someday” was “now.” When would I ever have week after week of being forcibly homebound again? Never, I hope.

My life is finally back to somewhat normal. I dance, I go to church, I’ve had therapy, my book will be here any day now, and I’ve visited with my family. “Normal” never felt so good.

After what we have all been through this year, I think it’s helpful and healthy to reflect on the good things that did happen in 2020, because in spite of all the awful, there were moments of joy. The only thing I know to do now is to wrap up 2020 with a big bow and move on to 2021 with confidence and faith that this year will be better.

By JeanAnn Taylor

4 | 50+ Living | December 2020

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December 2020 | 50+ Living | 5

50+Living of Western NC

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

PUBLISHER Tammy Sheppard publisherofsofia@gmail.com EDITOR JeanAnn Taylor

CONTENTS

GRAPHIC ARTIST Joan Hutt

3

WEB DESIGN Alphie Hyorth

8 10

Vallana Wines Taylor’d with Style It’s A Wrap

Ideas For A Festive Table Setting It’s Cold & Flu Season

11

10 Tips & Tricks for Building a Gingerbread House

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Mike Demos 828.273.0098 mikedemos@aol.com Trish Luzzi 828.423.0248 wnccreations@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Debi Manfre Gina Trippi

Musings of Mistletoe

13

Gifts for Children Christmas Tree Tips

14

Christmas Cookies

16

Bloom

17

The Classy Cook Creighton’s Bubblegum Cake

P.O. Box 18416 | Asheville, NC 28814 828.230.7537 50pluslivingWNC.com

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6 | 50+ Living | December 2020

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 7

Taylor’d with Style

It’s A Wrap

By JeanAnn Taylor

that featured bustles resembling genitalia.

Embellishments placed at certain points emphasized his intention. His version of a “wrap dress” had fabric spiraling down around the body and held together with only a clasp at the hip. The dress gave a first impression of sophistication and elegance; however, its underlying message was one of seduction.

James named the dress “the taxi dress” because a woman could easily slip out of it in the backseat of a taxi cab. This outrageous design gave James a lasting legacy.

During the Great Depression, women wore “Hooverettes.” Usually homemade, the dress wrapped around at the waist, had puffed sleeves and a slim profile. It was made to slip easily over a nicer dress when a woman had work to do. Around this same time, Elsa Schiaparelli came onto the scene and began designing her eclectic version of the wrap dress. In the 1940s, Clare McCardell designed a “popover” dress. This war-time frock made it easy for women to wear the same wrap-dress for various activities.

T

he Wrap Dress—defined as a dress with a front closure. It is worn by wrapping one side across the other and then wrapping the attached ties around the waist. The ties are then tied into a bow to hold the dress together. This simple design forms a V-shaped neckline. It can be sleeveless or have short or long sleeves.

It can be created simply or have flounces and frills at the seams. The wrap dress hugs a woman’s curves and offers a flattering silhouette for nearly every figure.

Although most of us consider Diane von Furstenberg to be the creator, the wrap dress actually originated long before she came onto the scene. Charles James, a designer in the 1930s, designed clothing considered to be scandalous by some people. James was obsessed with the sensuality of the female body. He designed garments that accentuated a woman’s shape. He even went as far as to create garments 8 | 50+ Living | December 2020

The wrap dress then took a back seat in fashion until the early 1970s when 26-yearold Diane von Furstenberg came to America from Italy. This ambitious designer brought a few dresses with her, just to see if they would sell—and sell they did. She was inspired by the type of sweater ballerinas wear and full, fluid skirts. Her version of the wrap dress was made with soft jersey fabrics in bold, colorful prints.

The collars, long sleeves, and a bow that tied at the waist made her design an instant success. “I made easy little dresses . . . I didn’t think I was actually designing them, and I didn’t think of them as a fashion statement,” she said.

DvF’s designs came at just the right time.

In the 70s, women were searching for a sophisticated way to be feminine, yet show their independence. DvF’s wrap dress proved to be the design that gave them what they were looking for. Although she didn’t invent the dress, she did perfect it—making this dress her signature look. By 1975, wrap dresses were

being produced at a rate of 15,000 per week. In 1976, home seamstresses could buy the wrap dress pattern along with DvF fabrics to make their own.

The wrap dress is worn by slipping it on as if you are putting on a sweater. Wrap the left side across the body and slide the tie into the buttonhole on the right side seam. Wrap the tie around to the front and tie a bow with the two ties. Since wrap dresses are often made with jersey or other soft slinky fabrics, lumps and bumps can be visible. Shapewear is the secret to smoothness. The V-shaped neckline of wrap dresses is flattering but can also be a little too revealing. To avoid unsightly gaping, you can wear a camisole or tank top under the dress. If you want to pin the neckline closed, take care to pin exactly where the layers cross each other, otherwise the pin may pull and create a very obvious attempt of modesty.

The iconic wrap dress continues to be a staple in many women’s closets. It can be styled with cardigans, boleros, or short jackets, and worn with ballet flats or boots. New styles have high-low hemlines—some shorter in the front and others shorter at the side.

They continue to be found in animal prints and other colorful designs as well as in solid colors. Some dresses are two-toned showing one side in one color and the other side in a complementary or contrasting hue.

Another new concept is the look of a double-breasted wrap dress.

Millions of wrap dresses have been sold through the years, and it’s easy to understand why. With this simply constructed dress, a woman can look proper or seductive or practical or feminine or professional or any fusion of any desired style. This dress fits the lifestyle of most women as it is appropriate for both work and play. The wrap dress is said to give the wearer confidence and panache.

As Diane von Furstenberg says,

“Feel like a woman . . . wear a dress.”

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 9

It’s Cold & Flu Season What to Know to Feel Better, Faster

Ideas for a Festive Holiday

Table Setting

S

etting the scene for your holiday event doesn’t have to take a lot of money or effort. All you really need is a little imagination and a few items you already have at home.

Start by picking a theme. Make a list of items that will fit with the theme. For example, for a winter theme, acorns, pine cones, holly branches, berries, and other nature finds make perfect decorations.

Use a tablecloth or placemats in a color that complements your theme.

For a sore throat,

gargle

with salt water. Stir a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, then gargle with the solution to reduce swelling. Repeat every few hours. Warm, herbal tea can also reduce pain and soothe a raw throat. Adding honey, which has a antiviral effect, will also help with

For an eye-catching centerpiece, use a glass cylinder and fill them with items that go with your theme. Twigs and berries may work for a nature theme; candy canes and peppermints for a candy theme.

A candy cane bouquet makes a whimsical centerpiece. Add glitter to make everything sparkle.

Don’t worry about everything being perfectly matched. It can be contemporary or eclectic to use table settings that don’t match. The trick is use complementary colors and to make your setting look intentional.

the pain.

For sinus pain,

use a saline

spray or rinse to clear out mucus and bacteria. This will help to reduce the pressure.

For a fever,

drink plenty of

liquids. A fever can cause you to sweat, even when you feel cold. If you don’t replenish those fluids, you may become dehydrated.

10 | 50+ Living | December 2020

The Musings of

10 Tips and Tricks

for Building a Gingerbread House 1. Create cardboard templates for the sides and roof to check for fitting.

2. Roll out the gingerbread pieces on parchment paper, then move the entire piece to the baking pan.

3. Before baking, cut out windows. Place hard candy in the hole.

While the gingerbread is baking, the candy will melt and fill in the space.

4. Gingerbread should be rolled out to 1/4 inch thickness. Use a pizza cutter to cut.

5. Decorate the pieces of the house before assembling.

6. Create “snow” with powdered sugar or shredded coconut.

7. Green-tinted rice krispies can become bushes and trees.

8. Sticks of gum, cereal, Lifesavers, or M&M’s can look like shingles.

9. Marshmallows make great snowmen.

10. Hold candies in place with a small amount of icing.

Mistletoe

M

istletoe dates back to the ancient Druids who considered the plant to be a sign of peace and goodwill. Warring parties would temporarily cease battle upon seeing mistletoe. In spite of its toxicity, Germans called this plant, Gut Hyl or all-heal. It was used in various potions as a remedy and fertility drug. It was thought to give strength to the athlete, hunter, and swordsman.

Mistletoe is best known for romance. In some European cultures, a kiss under mistletoe is a proposal of marriage. However in the United States, it is simply a sign of love and friendship—not a serious commitment. Both men and women are encouraged to stand under the mistletoe when hoping to receive a kiss.

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 11

Celebrate the

Winter Solstice

on December 21

W

inter is a time to be quiet and introspective.

Longer periods of darkness give us more time to rest and be reflective. When we stop to celebrate the winter solstice, we remember that our lives are always changing—just like the seasons.

To celebrate this day, watch the sunset or sunrise, go on a hike or walk a Labyrinth, make an evergreen wreath for your front door, sit by a bonfire or light a candle.

Whichever ritual or activity you choose, use this time to offer gratitude for the darkness that is here, and the light that is coming.

12 | 50+ Living | December 2020

Gifts For Children

— How much is Too Much?

Before beginning your gift-shopping, make a plan.

Decide on the number of gifts for each child—and a dollar amount you are comfortable spending.

Rather than buying a doll or game or some other toy, consider giving the child a day of fun.

Visit an aquarium, zoo, or museum together. You’ll make memories that last a lifetime.

A

s much as we love to spend our hard-earned money on our children and grandchildren, giving “too much” can have a detrimental effect on their well-being. It’s been found that when children are repeatedly given too many gifts, they can develop a case of entitlement, become unappreciative of what they have, and begin to equate “love” with “stuff.” For young children, too many gifts can be overwhelming and overstimulating.

Christmas Tree Tips

B

efore you brave the cold, read these tips to ensure you select the perfect tree.

Only purchase trees that have been kept in the shade or are wrapped in burlap. Pine tree roots can dry out quickly and will result in your tree losing needles too soon.

Consider giving ballet, horseback, or art lessons.

This gift will last all year—in fact, the lessons learned may lead to a marketable skill.

The easiest way to string lights on your tree is to go up and down rather than around and around. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, then back down.

If you don’t have room for a tree, or if your furry friend likes to pounce on or eat trees, consider hanging your tree upside down from the ceiling.

Place the tree on the roof of your car with the trunk facing forward. This will help minimize needle loss.

Give your tree a drink as soon as you get home. If needed, place the tree in a bucket of water and keep it in a cool place until you can set it up to decorate. Trees drink a gallon of water each day, so check regularly.

Place your tree away from the furnace and fireplace.

Hot air blowing on your tree will dry it out very quickly.

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 13

Christmas Cookies Christmas cookies as we know them today, trace their roots to Medieval European recipes.

Neolithic farmers would bake confections composed of grain and water paste on hot stones. It is believed that the modern day cookie derives from this creation. Dutch and German settlers introduced cookie cutters, decorative molds, and festive holiday decorations to America. Dutch New Year’s cookies were sometimes molded into fancy shapes. German lebkuchen (gingerbread) was probably the first cake/cookie traditionally associated with Christmas.

Sugar cookie type recipes descended from English traditions. Whatever the history is behind the delicious Christmas cookie, it is a treat I look forward to every holiday season. I love baking and packing up our family traditional favorites and sending them to family and friends. These are a few of my favorites.

BASIC COOKIE DOUGH I love this recipe because you can use it as a base to make up to eight different cookies. I am sharing two of my favorites.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 1/2 cup softened butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract �������������� 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS In a large bowl with mixer at medium speed, cream shortening, butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until well mixed.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Continue to beat at low speed until well combined, scraping bowl occasionally.

Wrap and refrigerate dough until well chilled. Skip this step if you are using this basic dough for the following cookie recipes.

14 | 50+ Living | December 2020

By Debi Manfre

PINWHEEL COOKIES Makes about 5 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS 1 recipe of the Basic Cookie Dough 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 2 squares semi sweet chocolate, melted and cooled DIRECTIONS Prepare Basic Cookie Dough as directed stirring in orange peel with vanilla.

Do not refrigerate.

Cut dough in half. Stir cooled melted chocolate into one half of the dough until well blended.

Wrap and chill both doughs for about 2 hours.

On a sheet of wax paper, roll out vanilla dough into a 14x6 inch rectangle and set aside.

On another sheet of wax paper, roll out the chocolate dough into the same size rectangle.

Invert chocolate dough onto the vanilla dough and peel off the wax paper. Lightly press the doughs together.

Roll jelly-roll fashion from the 14-inch side, peeling off the wax paper as you roll.

Wrap up the roll in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets.

Remove the chilled cookie dough roll from refrigerator. Cut dough into 1/4 inch slices. Lay slices onto prepared cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

VIENNESE BATONS

Makes about 6 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS 1 recipe of the Basic Cookie Dough 4 squares semi sweet chocolate (If you like, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead.)

3/4 cup chopped nuts of your choice. Colored sprinkles are a good option, too.

DIRECTIONS Prepare Basic Cookie Dough as directed. Chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookies sheets.

Divide refrigerated dough into 8 pieces. (Start with one piece at a time. Keep other pieces of dough refrigerated.)

Roll each piece on lightly floured surface into a rope about 1/2 wide. Cut into 2 inch pieces. Place on cookie sheet 1 inch apart.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes until lightly browned.

Cool on wire rack. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

Melt chocolate in a microwave proof bowl in microwave on low. Stir well until smooth.

Add chopped nuts into a small bowl.

Now comes the fun part. Dip one end of the cooled cookie into the chocolate, then into nuts.

Place on parchment paper to harden.

DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, cream margarine, butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add vanilla and egg yolks. Mix until well blended.

Mix in flour and salt until well combined.

Chill dough until firm, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets.

Remove dough from refrigerator. Roll into 1 inch balls and place onto cookie sheet.

Indent each ball with your thumb. Fill indent with about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. *Note: Do not substitute margarine with butter.

The cookie dough will be too hard to roll.

GRANDMA RUTH’S THUMBPRINT COOKIES Makes about 2 dozen cookies

I remember making these cookies with my grandma when I was a little girl. They are a traditional, family favorite at Christmas time.

INGREDIENTS 1 stick softened margarine* 1 stick of softened butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt �������������� Your favorite jam. I recommend strawberry, apricot and raspberry.

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 15

Bloom

Flowers have meaning and can speak to us when words are hard to find.

The birth flowers for December are holly and paper whites.

Poinsettias are also a flower of December.

Poinsettias

are sometimes called Christmas Stars or Christmas Flowers because of their star-shaped petals. They symbolize success, good cheer, and celebration.

The paper white is in the genus Narcissus which includes daffodils. The paper white is the winter-growing variety.

The holly plant with its bright red berries symbolizes cheer, happiness, and optimism. The holly leaves are prickly which also symbolizes combat. The overall symbol of the holly is a wish for domestic happiness.

16 | 50+ Living | December 2020

The Classy Cook

CREIGHTON’S BUBBLEGUM CAKE CAKE

Submitted by Linda Everidge Thomas

1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 4 eggs, separated 1 cup milk �������� 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt ��������������� Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add egg yolks.

Slowly add dry ingredients, alternating with milk.

Beat well.

Fold in stiffly between egg whites and flavoring.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes in a 9’’x13’’ greased pan.

FILLING

1 package gelatin 1 cup Big Red or ginger ale

Let cake cool, then poke holes in cake using a straw.

Mix gelatin and soda together.

Pour mixture on top of cake.

Refrigerate for 1 hour.

ICING

2 cups butter, room temperature ����������������� 7 cups powdered sugar 3 tablespoons milk Beat butter until smooth.

Mix in flavoring.

Slowly add powdered sugar and milk.

Mix well. Add a couple of drops of pink food coloring.

Frost cake and add sprinkles.

December 2020 | 50+ Living | 17