Tidings 2018 - Truro, NS

A MARITIME GUIDE TO ALL THINGS HOLIDAY

Oakridge Boys, lobster and fruitcake, oh my!

Cindy Day shares her favourite Christmas traditions

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HOLIDAY  2018 A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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That’s right, buddy

• JostWine.ca •

18 Find the joy in giving meaningful gifts Be thoughtful this holiday

A MARITIME GUIDE TO ALL THINGS HOLIDAY Tidings is published by The SaltWire Network, Custom Publishing Department Publisher: Sarah Dennis Vice President, Partner Solutions: Jeff Nearing Manager, Custom Publishing: Lindsey Bunin Senior Designer: Peter Ross Customer Relations Specialist: Jennifer MacLean Advertising Sales: Shawn Patterson, South Shore/Yarmouth/Valley Scott MacQuarrie, Cape Breton Tara Robitaille, Halifax Danielle Johnson, Truro & Antigonish Contributors: Cynthia McMurray, Cindy Day, Heather Laura Clarke, Baillie Saunders, Denise Surrette, Jane Veldhoven, Paula Bugden, Mark DeWolf

COVER STORY 4

2717 Joseph Howe Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2T2 Tel: 902-426-2811

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Cindy Day shares her favourite Christmas traditions

Photos: 123RF / unsplash Cindy Day Photos: Tim Chisholm Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Oakridge Boys, lobster and fruitcake, oh my!

DECOR 7

Decking your halls Holiday decorating ideas for the enthusiast

28 Get crafty this Christmas Simple projects that are fun and creative

GIFT GUIDE 10 ‘I completely forgot!’

Last-minute gift ideas

11 Find the joy in giving meaningful gifts Be thoughtful this holiday

12 Giving the gift of memories Treat your loved one to an Atlantic Canadian experience this season

26 ‘Tis the season for reading Snuggle up this winter with a great local book

FOOD & DRINK 19 Warm up with chowder and stews There’s nothing cozier than a pot bubbling on the stove on a cold day

20 A toast to holiday brunch Gather round the table and share a meal with loved ones

23 Give the gift of a local spirit Or beer, or wine or cider A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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COVER STORY

Oakridge Boys, lobster and fruitcake, oh my!

Cindy Day shares her favourite Christmas traditions

By Cynthia McMurray

W

hen it comes to Christmas and the holiday season, undoubtedly, everyone has their own favourite memory or tradition.

From our favourite food, drink, movie or TV show to a never-miss annual event or a die-hard tradition, Christmas holds a special place in many hearts. And Cindy Day, Atlantic Canada’s much-loved meteorologist, is no exception.

Like many of us, Day looks forward to the holiday season. “Christmas in the Maritimes is very unique,” she says. Originally from the Cornwall, Ontario area, Day has called

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Nova Scotia her home for almost 30 years.

During that time, she has not only become an expert on the ever-changing Maritime weather (which is definitely no easy task), but she is completely immersed in the many and often quirky traditions and culture that make this area so different from other parts of the country.

“I love the fact that Maritimers include lobster into their family meal. We always had lots of pork and beef growing up on a farm in Ontario where we raised animals, but the first time I experienced a Maritime feast and they rolled out the lobster, I was hooked,” says Day, who adds she now brings it back

to her family in Ontario every year, so it is something they have gladly adopted into their holiday festivities.

While lobster is certainly one of Day’s favourites, she admits one Christmas treat tops her list — fruitcake. Smirking, she says, “My goal is to convert all of the ‘non-fruitcake’ people in the world.” A lofty goal for sure, especially if you fall into the ‘I hate fruitcake’ camp, but Day assures that her tried-and-true recipe may be just the one to do it. “It is not your typical dry, white fruitcake. This one is dark, moist and full of bourbon and gooey batter.”

And by full, she actually means it is

COVER STORY regularly dipped in bourbon over a threeweek period just to ensure it soaks deep into the fruit and cake. “I found it 30 years ago and I have been making it ever since.”

In fact, if you are lucky enough to be on Day’s gift-giving list, you are probably already converted since she loves to give it to all of her friends and family this time of year.

Food aside, one of the big things that makes a Maritime holiday unique is music, says Day. “Maritimers have such a love for music. I am always struck by how much music is a part of Maritime life. I haven’t been in a home where someone hasn’t picked up a fiddle or guitar and started playing.

It’s a real treat.”

And when it comes to Christmas music, Day also has her own holiday favourite — The Oakridge Boys Christmas. “It just reminds me of Christmastime … it holds a lot of good memories. I also think of Suzy Bogguss this time of year, though” she adds.

“The first time I heard her was at Stanfest [The Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Casno, N.S.]. She is my boyfriend’s favoutite, so we listen to her a lot in December.”

For some people, the holidays are marked by a special event — one they look forward to all year. For Day, without hesitation, that event is the annual Christmas tree gift to Boston. “It is such a beautiful event that came out of such disaster,” she says, referring to the 1917 Halifax Explosion. “The holidays are about giving and this is a wonderful example of how giving Maritimers are.”

For any avid ‘Elf on the Shelfers,’ Day says she had not heard of this tradition before coming to Nova Scotia, but the tiny imp does hold a special memory for her. One year, a Grade 5 class decided to put Day’s children’s book (Grandma Says — Weather Lore from Meteorologist Cindy Day) on the shelf with the elf and the two were intertwined for the rest of the holiday season.

Day also prefers multi-coloured lights, a real Christmas tree (none of those fake trees for the Day family) and finding gifts for her friends and family at the Alderney Landing Farmers Market. But we saved the most important question for last — will we have a white Christmas?

“No, unfortunately.” For you snow-lovers, don’t worry, it is the Maritimes after all, and the first thing you learn here is to ‘expect the unexpected.’

Cindy’s Fruitcake Ingredients

Directions

3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour 1-1/2 tsp baking powder 1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease two large (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pans. Line bottom with waxed paper; grease the paper. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and flour mixture, molasses, coffee and bourbon. Fold in citron, red and green cherries, raisins, dates, orange and lemon peel and coarsely chopped pecans. Divide batter evenly between two pans. Bake on center rack of preheated oven for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Remove cakes from pans to wire racks to cool. Brush with currant jelly. Arrange pecans and cherries on top to form a pretty flower. Wrap in cheesecloth soaked in bourbon. Seal and store.

1 cup butter 1-1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup dark molasses 1/2 cup brewed black coffee 1/2 cup bourbon 1-1/2 cups chopped citron 1-1/3 cup chopped red-candied cherries 1-1/3 cups chopped green-candied cherries 3 cups raisins 1-1/2 cups dried pitted dates, chopped 3/4 cup candied orange peel, chopped 3/4 cup candied lemon peel, chopped 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 1/2 cup currant jelly, melted 24 pecan halves 1/4 cup candied cherries halves Bourbon for soaking Cheesecloth for wrapping

PS: “I like to make my cakes at least two months before Christmas. Then, every two weeks, I remove the cheesecloth from each cake, soak it in a bowl of Bourbon and wrap the cake up again.

I do this until Christmas.”

Enjoy!

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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COVER STORY

Memories of Christmas on the farm

By Cindy Day

C

hristmas is the most magical time of the year, but somehow, we manage to get stressed out over just about everything: what to buy for whom, if the house is clean enough for the guests, if there’s enough baking in the freezer, parties, calories, lights … the list is endless.

I’m no different than anyone else. It’s very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle but I have found a memory that takes me away from all of that — my walks from the farmhouse to the barn with Dad on Christmas morning. It wasn’t a long walk, but it was very special.

It always seemed to be quite cold on Christmas morning. The snow made a high-pitched squeak as we walked down the lane — sending music notes echoing across the fields. There wasn’t another sound for miles. More often than not, the sky was so clear you’d swear you could reach up and touch the stars that sparkled like diamonds.

musical

instruments

I remember wondering if I could ever find the star of Bethlehem? There was no time for that, we had to get inside and start feeding and milking. Dad would swing open the old barn door and for a brief moment we were wrapped in a puff of steam. I remember on one occasion, it was so cold that the moisture from the warm air rushing out to greet us froze into little balls on my eyelashes.

As soon as the steam cleared, we stepped inside — like we had done a millions times before — but things seemed different on Christmas morning. The barn was quiet, warm and peaceful. Dad had made sure to put extra straw under the calves before heading to the house Christmas Eve. I always felt that somehow, the animals could sense that it was a special day.

After chores, the walk back to the house was special, too. Dad and I would try to guess how cold it was. Dad had taught me to estimate the air temperatures by listening to the pitch of the squeak the snow made as we walked along: the higher the pitch the colder

gift

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lessons

the air. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree!

Back inside, Grandma was busy helping mom get the Christmas dinner ready but she took lots of little breaks in order to share some of her Christmas weather lore with anyone who would listen.

Grandma liked sunshine as much as the next person, but she was never too pleased when it was sunny on Christmas Day. Here’s her little rhyme: as the hours of sun on Christmas Day, as many frosts will be in the month of May. So, not too much sun but some snow was always welcome. Grandma believed that snow on Christmas night was a sign that the crops would do well the following season.

The crops were not always good and there were lean times on the farm, but we always had great food, lots of laughs, wonderful stories and each other.

My Christmas wish for you is to rekindle a fond holiday memory and share it with your loved ones … Memories make Christmas magical.

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HOLIDAY DECORATING

Five unique holiday gift wrapping ideas

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rapping Christmas presents often feels like a chore, but it doesn’t have to. With a little creativity, you can make gift-wrapping fun — not to mention cheaper and more eco-friendly.

Here are a few gift-wrapping ideas to inspire you.

Decking your halls Holiday decorating ideas for the enthusiast

R

eady to take your Christmas decorating to the next level? Here are some pro tips that can elevate your holiday embellishments from merely so-so to full out sublime.

Choose your palette The pro-decorator’s cardinal rule?

Choose a palette and stick to it. Make sure your ornaments, ribbons, lights, stockings, gift-wrapping and more are made up of hues from your chosen palette. Here are a few colour combinations to try: • • • • •

Traditional. Tried-and-true, red, green and gold make up the classic Christmas colour scheme.

Icy. A more modern option, this palette is made up of periwinkle, teal and silver.

Jewel. A vibrant palette of green, purple, orange and red.

Metallic. A glittering and regal palette of silver and gold.

Monochrome. If simple and elegant is more your style, consider a colour scheme made up solely of whites.

Choose your theme Next to palette, the most important decorating decision you’ll make is in regards to theme. The idea is to take an evocative word or phrase and let your imagination go to work. Here are a few examples: •

•

• •

Winter wonderland. Think white and lots of it. Include elements like snowflakes, tinsel and wintery animals such as reindeer and moose.

Rustic farmhouse. Use logs, sticks, pine cones, greenery and other natural materials. Plaid patterns are a fitting accompaniment.

Christmas cheer. Combine festive colours like red, green and gold with classic Christmas imagery.

East coast Christmas. Bring the charm of the seaside indoors with shells and starfish and a colour palette of soft blue and beige.

Once you’ve found your starting point — whether it’s a colour palette, a theme or both — you’ll find that your ideas start to flow. Happy decorating!

1. Use recycled materials as gift-wrap.

Wrap your gifts in recycled household items such as old newspapers and magazines, discarded maps, left over wallpaper and even gently worn clothes.

With some extra effort, your presents will look just as beautiful and far more interesting than if they were wrapped in plain old store-bought paper.

2. Go monochrome. For a sleek, stylish look, consider using shades of the same hue for wrapping paper, ribbon and gift bags. Or, choose two or three colours to theme your gift-wrapping around (pick a combo other than red and green).

3. Add natural materials as decorations. Try wrapping presents in brown Kraft paper, tying them with string and decorating the packages with sprigs of evergreen or dried flowers. If you’re decking your house with holly or other seasonal greenery, save some of the foliage to use as embellishments for your wrapped gifts.

4. Try using furoshiki. Wrapping presents in patterned fabric, or furoshiki, is a Japanese practice that offers an esthetically pleasing and eco-friendly alternative to wrapping paper. Fabric can be reused year after year so you don’t need to buy, and throw away, copious amounts of wrapping paper each holiday season.

5. Have your kids design the paper.

Have your kids decorate large pieces of thin, white paper to use for wrapping presents. The personalized drawings by your children will make the presents that you gift to your family members that much more meaningful.

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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FAMILY FUN

Family Christmas bucket list 20 ways to entertain your kids in December

By Heather Laura Clarke

D

ecember’s a busy month for just about everybody and there’s so much on our minds. In the chaos of shopping and preparing for the big day, it’s easy to get caught up and forget an important Christmas tradition.

Oops.

From card-mailing and tree-decorating to watching the classic Christmas movies, here’s a list of activities you might want to do before Santa Claus comes to town ...

6. Attend a Santa Claus parade and tree lighting ceremony 7. Find the perfect Christmas tree Whether you cut down your own or choose it in a magical grocery store parking lot.

8. Decorate the Christmas tree

9. Watch your family’s classic Christmas movies Every family has their own favourite PRE-CHRISTMAS LIST Christmas movies, but popular ones are Elf, 1. Bake classic Christmas cookies Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, There are plenty of different kinds of The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3, Home Alone 1 cookies to bake over the holidays, but a clas- and 2, Frosty the Snowman and the oldsic Christmas-y choice is thick, soft sugar school, stop-motion Rudolph the Red-Nosed cookies — either plain or decorated with Reindeer. a shiny glaze of icing and a few sprinkles.

If you’re looking for something fresh to They make great gifts for the neighbours and add to the lineup, consider the Christmas they’re perfectly festive to leave out for Santa movies you enjoyed as a kid. Today’s kiddos on Christmas Eve. might get a kick out of “old” movies like Hop over to AllRecipes.com to snag their White Christmas and Miracle on 34th recipe for “The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies.”

Street. Millennial parents (ahem) might Whip up the dough and stick it in the fridge enjoy re-watching silly, not-so-classic flicks for a few hours (or overnight) so it’s firm like I’ll Be Home For Christmas — Jonathan enough to attack with the cookie cutters.

Taylor Thomas forever.

Be sure to bake them for just six to seven 10. Make a gingerbread house minutes so they stay nice and soft. They’re The kits from the grocery store make it amazing with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. an easy project to do in an hour or two or you can make miniature gingerbread houses 2. Mail a letter to Santa using his special out of graham crackers. address: Santa Claus, North Pole, HOH OHO. POST-CHRISTMAS LIST 3. Mail Christmas cards Once the big day is over, kids might Kids who are too young to write can feel a post-holiday let-down — adults, too! help with stamps and sealing.

You’ve spent at least an entire month focusing on Christmas and suddenly, it’s all over.

4. Drive around at night to look at Here are a few ways to stay busy during Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate that cranky, post-Christmas period before 5. Make a donation to your local food bank school starts up again ...

If you call ahead, they can give you a list 1. Build a snowman of what they need most. Cash donations If there isn’t any snow, grab the Play-Doh are always appreciated since they’ll likely be putting together turkey dinner hampers and (or make a batch of cloud dough) and get them to create miniature versions. will need to buy fresh ingredients.

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2. Have a tree-takedown party Taking down the Christmas tree doesn’t need to be a depressing chore (often left to one of the parents to do alone). Put on some upbeat, non-holiday music, set out snacks and pack away the ornaments while discussing something else to look forward to like a winter trip or what you’ll do on March Break.

3. Play cards Maybe it’s time to teach them a new game? Go Fish gets old very quickly, doesn’t it?

4. Go sledding No snow? Hmm, how do you feel about them sledding down your stairs, Home Alone-style?

5. Head to a coffee shop for hot chocolate 6. Visit a local museum or science centre 7. Say yes to that sleepover they want to have 8. Walk to the park Fresh air is good!

9. Start reading a book aloud Older kids can take turns reading aloud as well.

10. Designate a screen marathon Does this sound familiar? You don’t like the idea of your kids spending too many hours each day in front of a glowing screen, but you’re also very ready for them to be back at school. Choose a day when you just need a break — maybe to secretly declutter their rooms of the old toys they no longer need — and declare they can have a period of unlimited screen time. Their eyes might be sore by the end of the day, but they’ll probably never forget their amazing day of freedom, and think of all you can get done while they’re busy.

A ROTAX-POWERED

SLEIGH

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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GIFT GUIDE

‘I completely forgot!’

Give the gift of something to sip No one can refuse curling up with a hot beverage in hand during those cold, blustery winter months. Does the person you are buying for enjoy a nice, hot cup of joe no matter what the season or weather outside?

Such a present will be sure to make you stand out at the staff holiday party.

Last-minute gift ideas for anyone on your list

Give the gift of reading You know what goes good with coffee?

Books! No matter who you got for your gift exchange, your local bookstore, Coles or Chapters Indigo will have something in store to meet their interest or hobby. Browse the Atlantic Canada book section to help narrow down your search for the perfect book. The best part? You’re scoring a book for your last-minute shopping and you are supporting local authors. Visit atlanticbookstoday. ca to get an idea of some books to purchase, that is, if you have time and haven’t already started running frantically to the car.

By Baillie Saunders

S

now is falling ever-so softly all around, houses are lit with the anticipation of another festive season to come, all around are signs of holiday cheer … which also leads to the guilt-riddled moment when you realize you may have left some last-minute shopping on the back burner. However, no need to fret, we’ve narrowed down some ideas to help you find a gift that will make you a superstar in the gift-giving department.

Give the gift of options Now, before you go into a frantic search to find the perfect present, you might want to take a stroll into your town’s grocery store that supplies gift cards. These little plastic

cards are a huge time-saver and can be the perfect gift for someone who you may not know what to buy for. Dinner and a movie?

Hit up your community’s local restaurants and ask if they supply gift certificates, then pair with a Cineplex gift card. The bonus?

It’s a full day/evening of fun that can all fit into a card!

Give the gift of an experience Just because the warmer weather has faded, doesn’t mean the fun fades, too. Hop on over to www.ticketatlantic.com for a list of upcoming events. Once you narrow down to which event best suits your special someone’s interest, order your ticket and then pick up a card on your way to your gift exchange and write a thoughtful note inside.

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Give the gift of sweets It seems like during the holidays, the baked goods coming out of the oven are never ending. This constant aroma of sweet-smelling desserts serve as a reminder of just how great the holidays are – especially for your sweet tooth. Grabbing a last minute to-go arrangement? Explore your options at your local bakeries, they will be sure to have some special holiday favourites baked and ready to go. Remember, bakeries are especially busy this time of year so call ahead to order your sweet or savoury treat. That way, once you arrive, you can just pay, pickup and head right to your gift exchange. Also don’t forget, you can always try your hand at baking some delicious delights yourself!

No matter who you are buying a last-minute gift for, you’ll be sure to feel confident with these thoughtful ideas.

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Greetings Season off tthe o he

We’re proud to serve this fine community and wish you a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2019

VI M

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www.mattatallvarnerfh.com • 55 Young Street, Truro • 902-893-3177

GIFT GUIDE

Find the joy in giving meaningful gifts Be thoughtful this holiday

By Paula Bugden

G

ift giving goes hand in hand with the holiday season for many people. And while some are easy to shop for, others are a bit trickier.

There’s the mom who insists she just needs a new pair of socks. There’s the dad who’s tired of getting the same old box of chocolates, yet only reveals what he really wants at the last minute. Or maybe you have a friend who somehow always manages to one-up you with an amazing present every year. The good news is that finding meaningful gifts for those you love doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Get crafty If you’re on a budget but still want to go the extra mile to let someone know how much they mean to you, write down whatever special thoughts come to mind when you think about them. Remember when you first met? What moments made you both laugh until you cried? What qualities do you admire most about the person? Use nice-looking notecards for each thought and place them inside a decorated glass jar. Place a tag on the lid with a note that reads: “Thinking of you.”

Get scrappy Take time to make a scrapbook that highlights your best moments together. You might have to do a little digging to find your favourite photos and keepsakes to include, but it’s worth it to see the joy on your loved one’s face and give them something they can treasure for years to come.

Out of this world Does the person you’re shopping for have an interest in astrology? Try looking for a gift that includes their zodiac sign, such as a nice mug, keychain or piece of jewelry that suits their style. If you have a bigger budget to work with, consider finding a local astrologer who does personal readings and see if they offer gift certificates. That way, the gift recipient gets to book the appointment for whenever it works best for them.

What a gem If the person you have in mind is an open book when it comes to their dating life, or is

seeking a new career opportunity or going through a difficult time, they might like to receive a gemstone that suits their situation.

There are many kinds used for a wide variety of things, such as love, prosperity, anti-anxiety and protection, to name just a few.

Give back What can you give to a person who enjoys volunteering and/or donates to a certain cause, non-profit organization or foundation?

If they have a special place in their heart for a local food bank, hospital, pet rescue, theatre or school program, for example, making a donation in their name can mean a lot to them and go a long way for others.

Merry Christmas from

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Colchester North 10653 Hwy. 2 Debert, NS B0M 1G0

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T: 902.641.2200 E: karencasey@eastlink.ca www.karencasey.ca **

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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GIFT GUIDE

Giving the gift of memories Treat your loved one to an Atlantic Canadian experience this season

By Denise Surette

I

t is said that memories last a lifetime, so instead of giving your loved one a sweater or a trinket that will fade over time, why not give the gift of an experience they will never forget?

Across Nova Scotia there are amazing experiences that travellers from around the globe come to savour. For an amazing experiential gift for your best friend, spouse, parent or for your whole family, look no further than your own province for an exciting activity to share.

Here are five ways to treat anyone on your holiday list this year.

1. Halifax’s Local Tasting Tours has made a name for itself as a way to taste-test your way through the city. Delectable tastings at a variety of downtown restaurants, bakeries and lounges are matched with a stroll through historic nooks of Halifax and tour guides who know all the juicy tidbits of local history. This is a great group activity or date that will keep you moving and entertained, as well as adding to your list of must-go dining options across the city. Evening and daytime tours are available and range from $44 to $61 per person.

2. Neptune Theatre never disappoints. For a night out of entertainment at one of Halifax’s most-loved institutions, a Neptune Theatre experience is a classic crowd-pleaser. Winter and spring lineups include gripping biographical stories, comedies and classics and offer a show for

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everyone’s tastes. Ticket prices vary depending on the seating. If you aren’t sure which production your loved one would enjoy best, gift certificates are available so they can follow their muse.

3. For the nature lover in your life, what could be better than a getaway to beautiful Cape Breton for a wellness and glamping experience you will never forget? Cabot Shores, a wilderness resort and retreat along the Cabot Trail, offers lodging in Mongolian yurts, geodomes and chalets, with a main lodge featuring local, gourmet dining experiences, as well as trails and hikes throughout the area.

A wellness package for two is $520 and includes a night’s stay in either a lodge room or yurt, dinner, breakfast, access to a cedar hot tub for two, an acupressure or acupuncture treatment and your choice of a guided hike or water excursion by canoe or kayak.

Morning meditation and qi gong is also available for a truly restorative experience.

4. There are no shortages of ways to please any wine lover in your life, but instead of a new bottle or glassware, a hop-on/hopoff wine tour through our own Annapolis

Valley might be just the most refreshing way to focus a whole day on new vintages. The Magic Winery Bus is a double-decker bus that runs a continuous loop through the Annapolis hot spots, offering wine and tours. Choose which wineries you want to see and how long you want to stay, as the bus stops every hour at each location. The wineries included on the stops are Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pre, Luckett Vineyards, L’Acadie Vineyards and Gaspereau Vineyards — where guides are happy to offer tours and tastings for visitors. Tickets are $50 per person, leaving extra cash to purchase your favourite takehome bottles.

5. If you are looking for something truly unique in Nova Scotia, consider the exclusive experience of dining on the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park on the Nova Scotian coast of the Bay of Fundy. The Flying Apron Inn & Cookery holds a series of experiences at the park during the warmer months, which includes a lunch meal with local seafood, a guided experience in foraging for and identifying local wild edibles, a tour of the ocean floor during low tide to see tidal pool creatures, then finish off with a three-course meal on the red cliffs at sunset while the tide fills the bay again. For 2019 tickets, check the website often as they sell-out each year quickly, even with a price tag of $745 per couple.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

13

HOLIDAY ORGANIZATION

Find order in the decor chaos Easy tips for storing your holiday decorations

By Jane Veldhoven

W

hen I first started organizing 15 years ago, the first few projects I did involved organizing holiday decor.

No matter how you celebrate the holiday season I am guessing you have some sort of decorative collection you like to put out to make your home more festive. Keeping it all organized can be a challenge, so here are a few tips for doing just that.

Brace yourself, this could get messy before it gets tidy. Start by pulling out everything, and I mean everything, from every closet, the storage room, the garage, the attic … need I say more? If any of the decorations are broken, damaged or just too darn ugly, let go of them. Don’t think about it too much, just do it!

Now start sorting by category. For example, I like to divide Christmas decorations into several categories – outdoor lights, indoor lights, tree ornaments, other tree-related items, wreaths, fireplace, stair railing, nativity sets, large items and so on. If you organize them by where they go it makes set up and take down so much easier.

Consider how much you have in each pile. Now ask yourself how long it has been since you used all that stuff. If you haven’t used something for the last couple of years you probably won’t use it again. Next, ask yourself if you even like the items you have.

As time passes you might find that older

items bring you a lot of joy and you should keep those. Or they start to lose their luster in which case you can pass them along to someone else.

If you are one of those people who buys new decor when it’s on sale at the end of the season, you may have forgotten what you have. It is so important to re-evaluate and each time you bring anything new into your home to see if you can let go of something old, especially if you have limited storage space.

Now that you’ve done the sorting and editing, it’s time to make sure you have the correct containers to keep everything organized and prevent items from being damaged while they’re in storage. There are a bevy of holiday-specific containers available for storing decorations. Try Bed

Bath and Beyond (www.bedbathandbeyond. ca) under holiday storage or The Container Store (www.containerstore.com). Or buy some inexpensive clear, plastic containers in various sizes. Be sure to measure and count so that everything fits in your new containers.

I like to purchase the fabric organizers made specifically for ornaments, wreaths, gift wrap, garland and more. There is a new container I haven’t seen before for tall decorations like nutcrackers. And it makes me happy when they all match. Somehow that just makes everything look more organized.

Next, you should label the containers according to the categories you have created.

You also want to be sure that everything fits back in the storage area you have designated.

If not, consider another round of purging.

You might want to purchase some sturdy shelving to take advantage of vertical space.

And some of the organizers, such as wreath bags, can be hung on hooks to save valuable floor space.

Finally, stand back and admire your hard work. Happy organizing! Or should I say happy holidays.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

17

FOOD & DRINK

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING Whether it’s a quiet affair with just the immediate family or it’s an all-out free-for-all with everyone you know and love, hosting holiday gatherings can be the highlight of the season. We’ve collected a variety of go-to recipes and drink pairings to help you plan your special event, while also reserving time to thoroughly enjoy yourself.

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FOOD & DRINK

Warm up with chowder and stews There’s nothing cozier than a pot bubbling on the stove on a cold day

By Mark DeWolf

T

he early winter air is brisk and the threat of a snow day always looming. As the fire crackles in the fireplace and the furnace brings warmth into the house, I often find myself at the comfort of my stove, cooking warming chowders and stews ideal for seasonal entertaining. There’s little better on those cold, winter evenings than curling up with a one-pot meal. They are easy to make, wonderful to eat and even better the next day if you make enough for there to be leftovers.

Beef Bourguignon SERVES 6 TO 8 2-1/2 tbsp butter 2-1/2 lb beef, cubed 1 cup bacon, diced 1 cup carrots, chopped 1-1/2 small onions, diced 1/3 cup flour 1-1/2 cups red wine 1-1/2 cups beef stock 2 cloves garlic, minced Bouquet garni* (parsley, thyme, bay leaf) Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup sliced mushrooms, cooked in butter

Directions: Place butter, beef and bacon in a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot set over medium heat. When the beef is browned, add the onions and carrots and continue to sauté. When all ingredients are browned add the flour. After a few minutes, add the wine, stock, garlic, bouquet garni and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper.

Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The cooking time will depend on the size of the cubes of beef. Add the mushrooms. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.

Brown Ale Chili with Smoky Chipotle Sour Cream

Seafood Chowder

SERVES 6 TO 8

Ingredients: 6 slices bacon, diced 2 large carrots, peeled, diced* 2 stalks celery, diced 1 onion, diced 1 bay leaf 3 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour 1 sprig thyme 1/3 cup white wine 1-1/2 cups milk 1-1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup yellow flesh potatoes, diced 12 scallops 1 salmon fillet, chopped 1/2 lb mussels 6 sprigs dill, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 carrot, peeled, diced 1 red pepper, seeded, diced 1 green pepper, seeded, diced 1 yellow pepper, seeded, diced 1 small onion, diced 1 jalapeño, seeded, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp cumin 3 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp paprika 1-1/2 lb lean ground beef 2-28 oz can diced tomatoes 1 can kidney beans, drained 1-4 oz can tomato paste 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 can brown ale 250-ml container sour cream 1/4 cup cilantro, minced 1 chipotle pepper in adobe sauce* 1 lime, juiced Salt and pepper to taste Shredded cheddar cheese, to serve *Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce come in a can.

It can typically be found with the salsa in your local grocery store.

Directions: Place large pot over medium-low heat. Add the oil, carrot, peppers and onion.

Sauté until the vegetables are soft. Add the jalapeño, garlic and spices. Sauté until fragrant. Add the beef. Stir, using a wooden spoon. When the beef is browned, drain to remove excess fat. Add the tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, sugar and beer. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer on low for 2 to 3 hours. Finish with cilantro and stir. Meanwhile, place sour cream, chipotle and lime juice in a blender. Blend until well combined. Season everything to taste. Serve chili with sour cream, accompanied by shredded cheddar cheese.

SERVES 6 TO 8

Directions: Add the bacon, carrots, celery, and onions and sweat until vegetables are soft and bacon cooked. Remove from heat and set aside. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour and stir to make a roux. When bubbling, return bacon and vegetables to pot. Add the thyme, bay leaf and white wine. Reduce until liquid is half its original volume. Add the milk and cream and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Add the diced potatoes and cook until soft.

Add the seafood and cover pot. Let steam for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure seafood is cooked through and mussels and clams are open before serving. Lower heat to low. Season to taste with salt, pepper and fresh dill.

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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FOOD & DRINK

Green Onion Pancakes with Smoked Salmon SERVES 6 Ingredients (pancakes): 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp salt 3 cups water 3 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped 4 green onions, thinly sliced Pinch pepper Vegetable oil

A toast to holiday brunch

Ingredients (toppings) 1/2 red onion, skin removed, thinly sliced 375 grams cold smoked salmon 1 cup sour cream 1/8 cup chopped chives

Directions: Combine all the batter ingredients and mix thoroughly. The mixture should have the consistency of a light pancake batter. Adjust the amount of water as needed. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to a non-stick frying pan. Place over medium heat. Fry pancakes in batches. Serve the pancakes on a platter accompanied with smoked salmon and individual bowls of sour cream, red onion and chopped chives.

Gather round the table and share a meal with loved ones

By Mark DeWolf

I

n my house, the anticipation of Christmas morning isn’t entirely focused on the presents under the tree — or at least not for me and my wife. Other than the sheer enjoyment of watching the kids open their gifts, my highlight is Christmas brunch, which is a tradition inherited from my parents that I have shared with my family. Despite the multiple decades that have passed since my first Christmas brunch, the timeline and key ingredients are remarkably similar.

At the heart of the meal are bagels and lox. There is an undeniably unique fragrance of Montreal-style bagels. I swear I can still smell the Montreal-style bagels my aunt Mary Lynn brought over every Christmas morning when I was a kid. Good bagels still are the foundation of our brunch, as is local cold smoked salmon such as Willy Krauch & Son’s and St. Mary’s River brands. Brunch in my house consists of a platter of bagels, smoked salmon, finely sliced red onion and capers, accompanied by a glass of bubbly and scrambled eggs, but you can put your own twist on meal with our recipes for potato pancakes with smoked salmon and chive scrambled eggs, green onion pancakes with smoked salmon or for a more substantial offering, consider serving our sausage strata.

After brunch, simply set out a board of locally cured meats and cheeses and you have grazing fare that is sure to satisfy everyone until the turkey comes out of the oven.

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Sausage Strata SERVES 4-6 Ingredients: 6 large eggs 2 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 2 tbsp fresh thyme 1/2 tsp salt 1 lb mild Italian sausages, casings removed 1 large red pepper, halved, roughly chopped 1 large loaf rustic French bread, cut in 1/2-inch thick slices 2 cups grated Gouda

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, Parmesan, thyme and salt and set aside. Place sausage and peppers in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté until the sausage is cooked through.

Use a wooden spoon or fork to break up sausage. Add half the bread to the baking dish. Pour half the egg mixture over the bread. Sprinkle half the Gouda and half the sausage mixture over the bread. Repeat. Let the mixture settle and then place in oven. Bake in an oven until nicely browned; approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

21

FOOD & DRINK

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

Wintery Whisky Cocktails

By Mark DeWolf

W

hen your G & T desires have flown south, it’s great to know there is a bevy of winter-inspired cocktails to warm your souls. Keep the vodka and gin in the liquor cabinet and bring out the whisky.

The rich, often spicy notes of a good whisky make the perfect base for seasonally inspired drinks.

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Christmas Sour SERVES 1

Sours are most often enjoyed during the spring and summer months but the addition of cranberry juice transforms this classic into a seasonal appropriate drink.

Ingredients: 1-1/2 fl oz Glenora Fiddler’s Choice Whisky 1 fl oz simple syrup 3/4 fl oz cranberry juice 3/4 fl oz lime juice 1/2 fl oz egg white Fresh rosemary

Directions: Add all ingredients, except fresh rosemary, to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously 10 to 12 seconds. Strain into an icefilled old fashioned glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

FOOD & DRINK

Give the gift of local spirit Or beer, or wine, or cider

By Mark DeWolf

T

he final countdown is on, but the last-minute gift or present for the person with discerning taste doesn’t have to be a challenge or sourced outside of our provincial borders. Nova Scotia’s ever-expanding local wine, beer, cider and spirits industries are producing world-class products that are sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Here are five picks I’d be happy to find under my Christmas tree.

2011 Blomidon Brut Reserve BLOMIDONWINE.CA, 750 ML, $45.00

A truly outstanding Traditional Method sparkling wine that is showing the complexity and character of bottle age as it exudes a wondrous mix of caramelized fruit, butterscotch, ripe apple, crème brulee, toast, hazelnut and lemony flavours. A truly spectacular wine that any oenophile would be happy to receive on Christmas.

No Boats on Sunday Cranberry Rosé Cider NSLC, 500 ML, $4.99

It’s Snowy Outside

Christmas in Guysborough

SERVES 1

This is our locally inspired little riff on a toddy. River John’s Caldera Hurricane 5 Years Old Blended Whisky adds spice and depth while the Amaretto and honey syrup provide a soothing sweetness.

Ingredients: 1 fl oz Caldera Hurricane 5 Years Old Blended Whisky 1/2 fl oz Amaretto 3/4 fl oz honey syrup* Strong tea*

Directions: Place whiskey, liqueur and honey syrup in a heated specialty coffee mug. Top with chamomile tea, leaving a 3/4-inch space at the top of the mug. *Combine equal amounts honey and water in a pot. Bring to a boil. When honey dissolves, remove from heat.

SERVES 1

Sometimes holiday classics are classics for a reason. We aren’t changing a good thing here as this is in essence a Manhattan substituting Glynnevan Double Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky for Bourbon.

Ingredients: 1 ½ fl oz Glynnevan Double Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky 3/4 fl oz sweet vermouth 1 to 2 dashes bitters Orange peel, for garnish

Directions: Place whisky, sweet vermouth and bitters in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake for 10 to 12 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel expressed over drink.

Full disclosure … my wife is a driving force behind the popular No Boats on Sunday brand. Regardless of any familial bias, this cider produced from 100 per cent local cranberries and apples delivers an authentic cranberry tang to balance the sweeter edge of its McIntosh applebased cider. Enjoy on its own, as a prelude to turkey dinner or as accompaniment to fresh cheeses, such as a locally crafted goats milk cheese.

Propeller Russian Imperial Stout NSLC, 650 ML, $6.50

It’s big, it’s bold, it’s beautiful. This gorgeous, big-boned brew has curves in all the right places with a robust mix of dried fruit, coffee and dark chocolate aromas and flavours.

A sexy brew that is sure to keep you warm on a cold day.

Compass Distillers Spring Gin COMPASSDISTILLERS.CA, 750 ML, $42.81

The first time I had this gin crafted from all Nova Scotia grown ingredients, I was simply blown away with its remarkable combination of juniper, pine-like and saline tones. This is a special product that is a pure and authentic showcase of its Nova Scotia roots. I hope a bottle is in my stocking this year.

Viva Nova Collection SELECT NSLC, 3 X 60 ML, $35

I simply love the cigar box-like packaging of this collection of local products presented by Domaine de Grand Pré winery. This incredible gift pack is comprised of three “carry-on” size friendly vials of their delicious Vidal Icewine, Pomme D’Or Ice Cider and Pomme D’Or, the latter a remarkable apple cream liqueur.

With wishes We're hoping your holiday is merry & bright Because serving you has been a delight!

Mayor & Councillors Town of Stewiacke

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

23

HOLIDAY Q&A

Home for the holidays Who knows Maritime Christmases better than some of our home-grown favourites?

By Cynthia McMurray

C

hristmastime will always be a personal experience since it is wrapped so tightly in emotion. The holiday can mean so many different things to each of us so we thought it would be fun to find out what some of the other well-known Maritimers think about the holiday season.

David Myles Originally from New Brunswick, David Myles now lives in Halifax where he is busy creating his unique brand of music. His folky jazz (sometimes R & B) leanings have garnered him international recognition and countless music awards, including a Juno Award for a rap collaboration with Classified and a number of East Coast Music Awards.

What is your favourite holiday tradition?

My favourite holiday tradition is eating seafood chowder on Christmas Eve. It’s the time, every year that we all get together, laugh, eat and relax together as a family.

It’s not super formal and the excitement of Christmas is right there, especially for my kids. It’s amazing. It’s something we always did with my family growing up and it’s been awesome to keep it going with my own kids.

What is your favourite holiday treat/ recipe?

My mother in law, or Nona, as we know her, makes the most delicious egg nog you’ll ever try. It’s insane. I challenge anyone who thinks they don’t like egg nog to try it and they’ll be an immediate convert. It’s so delicious, it’s dangerous. A real holiday treat!

David Myles photo credit: Hiep Vu

Jillian Saulnier Jillian Saulnier was a member of Team Canada’s under-18 national hockey team that brought home silver (2009) and gold (2010) medals at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. In 2015,

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Saulnier was the first Nova Scotia player to compete at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, capturing a silver medal and again in 2016. Saulnier and Team Canada brought home silver at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

What makes a Maritime holiday season unique for you?

I think what makes a maritime holiday unique is being able to reunite with everyone back in Nova Scotia for the holidays.

So many of my family and friends have ventured all over the world to follow their respective jobs, travel opportunities and other commitments, so being able to come back every Christmas and know that everyone will be there is an exciting time for me for sure!

Who do you love to buy gifts for?

I’ve been involved for a few years in programs that wrap up gifts for families that can’t quite afford to have presents under the tree. To be able to help chip in for that and to know that we can make the slightest difference in someone’s Christmas is a pretty amazing feeling and definitely my favourite gift to give!

Premier Stephen McNeil Premier McNeil attributes his core values and strong commitment to public service to his large, close-knit family (he is the 12th of 17 siblings born and raised in the Annapolis Valley). He became leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party in 2007 and led his team to majority election wins in

October 2013 and May 2017. Stephen lives with his wife Andrea in the house where he grew up in Upper Granville, Annapolis County and they have two grown children, Colleen and Jeffrey.

What makes a Maritime holiday season unique?

There are many traditions that make the holiday season so special here, and I always look forward to the events around the annual gift of a Christmas tree for the people of Boston. From the harvest to the send-off, it brings people together and reflects the spirit of giving and friendship that the holiday season is all about.

Families across our province also have their own traditions that make the holiday season unique. I come from a large family, and a highlight of the season for me is our Boxing Day gathering, when many of my sisters and brothers and their families come to our childhood home to celebrate the season.

What is your favourite holiday music, song, album?

I enjoy a variety of holiday music, but when I hear White Christmas, it always puts me in the spirit of the season.

Lesley Crewe Lesley Crewe is a writer living in, and loving, Cape Breton. Her meandering musings of a bored housewife whose ungrateful kids left her alone with a retired husband and two fat cats who couldn’t care less have endeared her to Maritimers everywhere. Her 10th novel, Beholden, is on bookstore shelves now.

What is your favourite Maritime tradition?

My favourite Maritime tradition is visiting neighbours and being welcomed with a hot cup of tea and a plate of squares, or Fat Archives or oatcakes. Is there a better way to spend the afternoon?

Who is your favourite person to shop for Christmas gifts?

My favourite person to shop for was my daughter, Sarah. After having two boys, I was thrilled to be able to buy dresses when she was little, but she soon put an end to that. She hated dresses and now hates everything I pick out for her. Ever so gently, she suggested gift cards were a nice idea. Sigh.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

25

LOCAL GIFT GUIDE

‘Tis the season for reading Snuggle up this winter with a great local book

T

his holiday season, give the gift of a local book. Publishers in Atlantic Canada are producing compelling and inspiring books that will be sure to delight every reader on your shopping list.

Spanning fiction, poetry, memoir, art, history, and stories for young readers, these 10 locally-published titles feature authors and stories from Atlantic Canada and beyond. You’ll have no trouble finding the perfect books to cozy up with by the fire when the snow begins to fall.

Beholden Lesley Crewe

(Fiction)

Beloved Cape Breton novelist Lesley Crewe’s new novel tells the story of Nell, the “spinster on the hill” living near St. Peter’s, Cape Breton.

Scarred by her own childhood, she swears she could never love a child and that she will never marry, denying herself a life with the man she loves. She’s proven wrong when a baby is born just down the road from her. Her love of little Jane, despite herself, propels us forward through generations trying to untangle their own traumas and secrets.

Nimbus Publishing $24.95

Viola Desmond: Her Life and Times Graham Reynolds with Wanda Robson (History)

Considered by many to be Canada’s Rosa Parks, Viola Desmond was a pioneer African Canadian businesswoman who became the pre-eminent Black beauty culturist in Canada. She established the first Black beauty studio in Halifax, the Desmond School of Beauty Culture, and created her own line of beauty products. This accessible, concise and timely book tells the incredible, important story of Viola Desmond.

Roseway Publishing $10.00

Christmas with Maud Lewis Lance Woolaver (Art)

When asked about his fascination with Nova Scotian folk artist Maud Lewis, author Lance Woolaver said, “Maud was simply the most interesting story of living and humanity that I’d ever come across.” Now in a beautiful hardcover gift edition, Christmas with Maud Lewis is charming a whole new generation of

admirers. Whether it’s animals at play, frosty skaters cutting across a silver pond, or a horse drawn trip across a snowy scene, these quaint yet impassioned paintings instantly fill the room with warmth.

Goose Lane Editions $24.95

150+ Canada’s History in Poetry Edited by Judy Gaudet (Poetry)

This unique new collection tells the story of 150 years as a country, recreating historical events through the vivid, concrete, human element of our poets’ responses to them. Judy Gaudet has collected poems that tell our story in a unique way: through the personal passions and concerns of artists who offer a range of encounters and attitudes. Poems come from significant Canadian poets, as well as some lesser-known and emerging poets and folk writers and is a must read for anyone interested in an alternate telling of Canada’s history.

Acorn Press $24.95

THINK GLOBAL. READ LOCAL. The go-to magazine about books atlanticbooks today in Atlantic Canada

Available at libraries, bookstores, cafés and newspapers across the region.

Sign up for our newsletter today! atlanticbookstoday.ca

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LOCAL GIFT GUIDE The Lady From Kent: A Story for Girls and Boys and Bees Dressed Up as Fleas and Crocodiles.

Also Elves Barbara Nichol Illustrated by Bill Pechet

Louisburg or Bust RC Shaw (Memoir)

(Children’s Illustrated)

A zany fandango from Juno-awardwinning recording artist and GG-nominated writer Barbara Nichol, this joyful, illustrated book tells the story of the Lady from Kent who refuses conventions of mainstream culture and does not feel limited by standards of behaviour.

“Barbara Nichol is an original — brilliant and entertaining. Her every page charms and entices. The Lady From Kent is a book to read and reread and then read again.” — Eleanor Wachtel, Best of Writers & Co. Pedlar Press $23.00

“This crazy beautiful quest narrative puts Don Quixote on a bicycle and sends him out to face history with a surfboard.

Half hilarious dream-adventure, half marathon nightmare, the end result is a madcap love letter to Nova Scotia.” — Ken McGoogan Louisbourg or Bust is RC Shaw’s spandex-free pilgrimage up a haunted coastline on a rickety surf rig on wheels. Fuelled by Hungry Man Stew and blind optimism, Shaw battles potholed hills and remote waves en route to the Fortress of Louisbourg.

Pottersfield Press $19.95

Sawbones Devonna Edwards

Banjo Flats Mona Knight

(History)

(Fiction)

Get hooked on a new series with Banjo Flats, the first novel in the Fortune Saga by Cape Breton writer Mona Knight. Fortune’s nobody’s fool, which lands her in trouble after killing a gunfighter when she arrives in Banjo Flats – the most lawless town in the Wild West. Now there’s a price on her head. Every outlaw with a gun thinks they can earn some easy money by killing the girl gunslinger. They’re wrong. Second Chance, the second novel in the series, will be published in 2019.

Boularderie Island Press $19.95

From the first hospital ship in 1749 to early military/naval hospitals, this book covers the evolution of civilian hospitals in Nova Scotia, including all four ‘Infirmaries,’ phases of the Victoria hospitals to the modern QE II, VG, and Dartmouth, and so much more.

Sawbones details the fight against ancient and modern diseases paralleled by advances in medicine and nursing, with bonus chapters on ‘temporary hospitals’ after the Halifax Explosion and hospital ships of the World Wars: an excellent choice for doctors, nurses, and history buffs.

New World Publishing $27.50

IKWE: Honouring Women – Indigenous Art Colouring Book For Adults and Children Jackie Traverse (Colouring Book)

“I had the privilege of going to Standing Rock twice. The strength and power that came from the women there inspired this book,” writes Anishinaabe artist Jackie Traverse.

In her new colouring book, IKWE, she features brand new works that celebrate the spiritual and ceremonial aspects of women and their important role as water protectors.

Roseway Publishing $20.00

The Collected Poems of Alden Nowlan Edited by Brian Bartlett (Poetry)

Governor General’s Awardwinning poet Alden Nowlan died in 1983 at the age of 50, leaving the world with a massive legacy of poetry. Widely regarded as a national treasure, Alden Nowlan wrote with astonishing emotional insight and a profound understanding of the human condition. This lavish hardcover edition of the Collected Poems of Alden Nowlan is an offering of the poet’s greatest poems — eclectic, revered and always relevant. Readers will be mesmerized by his unique voice and deft skill.

Goose Lane Editions $55.00

NEED A LITTLE GIFT INSPIRATION? Pick up a copy of The Book Lovers’ Holiday Gift Guide.

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Available at libraries, bookstores, cafés and newspapers across the region.

A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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CRAFT CORNER

Get crafty this Christmas Simple projects that are fun and creative for all skill levels

By Heather Laura Clarke

P

ut on the Christmas music, pour a festive drink and grab a handful of those yummy little After Eight straws.

Christmas is a time when many of us love to craft, whether it’s making something new to decorate our home or a little gift for someone else.

From wreaths and centrepieces, to tree ornaments and handmade gifts people actually want, here are five Christmas crafts perfect for making in front of a crackling fire ...

Simply stunning wrapping paper Anybody else have a closet full of old, semi-crumpled rolls of Christmas wrapping paper? It’s a weird thing, buying Christmas paper. You think you’re running low, but really, you just don’t want to use the sad, tired old pieces clinging to their rolls when the shiny rolls in the store are so much prettier.

That’s why I love the idea of buying one roll of wrapping paper, except it’s something I’ll never get sick of. Savvy crafters are buying bulk rolls of craft paper, except it isn’t plain, old brown like something a butcher would use. It’s matte black. You can order a massive 720-foot roll online for about $70

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that will probably do all of your gift-wrapping for several years.

This black paper is easily customized with a handy chalk pen. (Have you tried chalk pens? They are life-changing.) So, if you’re sick of the same old Santa-andreindeer wrapping paper, imagine the possibilities of making your own.

Wrap the gift up and get doodle-happy with swirls, candy canes or polka-dots around the corners. How about lyrics to a Christmas carol or a silly inside joke you share with them? You don’t even need to buy those sticky gift tags because you can write the person’s name right on the wrapping.

Kid-friendly tree ornaments I’ve been making salt dough tree ornaments with my kids since they were babies, but it’s a pretty imperfect process. The dough is so salty that it makes my hands feel gross and it isn’t easy to get them baked properly.

Luckily, Pinterest has come to the rescue with a new, no-bake version that smells amazing!

Mix together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of cinnamon (and any other delicious Christmas-y spices, if you’re good in the kitchen and understand what those might be?) and 3/4 cup of very warm water.

Mix it all up, roll out the dough on pieces

of wax paper (so it doesn’t stick to your counters) and let the whole family go wild with cookie cutters. I think gingerbread people shapes would be great since the dough looks like gingerbread.

Let the ornaments dry for one to two days until they’re nice and hard. Then you can decorate them with acrylic paints or puffy paints or just seal them with Mod Podge. Bonus: Mix a little extra cinnamon in with your paint so they smell extra delicious while they’re hanging on your tree.

A classic centrepiece Looking for a crafty way to jazz up your table for the holidays? Look no further than your recycling bin ... well, sort of. Start collecting matching glass jars that once held spaghetti sauce or pasta — they’re basically the same mason jars you’d buy in the craft store — until you have three to five. (Odd numbers are best in design.)

Once the jars are washed out and dried, paint them in seasonal colours using acrylic paints. Maybe you want them all white or cream or prefer the look of a row of red, white and green? If you want a rustic feel, you can use a piece of sandpaper and rub it lightly over any raised or depressed areas in the glass (where they might be lettering or a logo

CRAFT CORNER etched into the glass) once the paint is dry.

Line the jars up in the centre of your table and fill them with (real or fake) sprigs of holiday greenery, twigs, pinecones and holly. You could even go a step further and surround them with a string of battery-powered twinkle lights or candles.

Useful plus durable homemade gifts Instead of trying to draw on a Dollar Store coffee mug with a Sharpie and bake it in the oven to set the ink — it just isn’t effective, no matter how many tutorials you try — why not make a gift that actually can stand up to the dishwasher?

Creatives of all ages love going to paintyour-own pottery shops like Clay Cafe, but you don’t need to have exceptional art talent to make a beautiful gift there. They have hundreds of different pieces of bisque (chalky-feeling, white ceramic) there for you to paint from basic mugs, bowls and plates to picture frames, salt and pepper shakers and business card holders.

Once you’ve paid for your piece, you have unlimited access to the paints, stencils and tools and you can go back as many times as you’d like until it’s done. Make sure to do

three coats of each colour (to avoid a streaky finish) and sign your name on the bottom so the person knows you made it with love. They’ll be happy to receive something they can actually use — yup, even in the microwave and dishwasher — that’s also meaningful.

Hassle-free wreath Wreaths are usually one of those items that are actually cheaper to buy ready-made rather than make yourself. (As a serious crafter, I can attest that that’s almost never the case.) I think that’s because the base of a wreath, whether it’s Styrofoam or fake greenery, it is weirdly expensive to buy in a craft store and then you still have to buy a ton of items to decorate it.

I’ve already tried and liked several alternatives, like making those poofy, mesh wreaths and more recently, making a wreath out of two wooden embroidery hoops. This year, I’m trying something new: making a holiday wreath from an old picture frame.

Old frames are easy to find and often already sitting in our basements. Remove the glass and backing, wipe off the dust and paint the frame a nice, seasonal colour (hmmm, a deep forest green?). Then decorate just two corners — like the top-left and the bottom-right — using a big bow, sprigs of holly or wooden letters. You could spell out “joy” or “merry” or even do your family’s last name.

Not only will this wreath look great in your foyer, but you won’t have to spend a big chunk of Christmas shopping money on a dumb wreath form.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

29

GIVING BACK

Giving back during the holidays Six ways to support your community this season

By Heather Laura Clarke

C

hristmas is a time to show others how much you care, but that isn’t limited to your family and friends.

There are people in your own community who are struggling right now. While you can’t possibly help all of them by yourself, you do have the power to make a difference for some of them.

From making donations and volunteering your time to getting your children involved, here are a few ways to consider giving back during the holidays ...

YOUR TIME Christmas is a busy time of year, but it’s also a time to reflect on your blessings and find a way to help others. Without thousands of volunteers working across the Maritimes each December, there sadly wouldn’t be a Christmas for many families.

Think about your talents and how you might be able to lend a hand, even if it’s just one day for a couple of hours. Is there an organization in your community where you could help cook or deliver meals? What about collecting and sorting donations?

If you have skills in social media or marketing, consider offering to help a local charitable organization promote their cause.

If you’re a social person who enjoys meeting new people, what about visiting residents of a long-term care facility? A little kindness could mean everything to someone who doesn’t get holiday visitors.

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YOUR HOME It isn’t just strangers you can help over the holidays. There may be a friend, neighbour or colleague who isn’t speaking up. Is there someone in your life who might be spending Christmas alone, and would love an invitation to have Christmas dinner with you and your family?

FOOD AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS Ask your local food bank what kinds of donations they need at the moment. They could be overstocked on pasta and canned goods, but desperate for diapers, formula and peanut butter. Look through your cupboards to see what can be donated — nothing expired, please — and take a trip to the grocery store to buy the rest.

If you have children, encourage them to help you choose items to donate. Let them choose kid-friendly groceries like cereal and granola bars, and talk about how some children don’t have enough to eat at home.

CASH DONATIONS Cash is always a welcome donation for charities, especially at this time of year. A cash donation to the local food bank means they can use the money to buy fresh fruits and veggies, milk, bread, or even a turkey for a needy family. Cash donations to children’s holiday charities will buy new toys for children who need them. Cash donations are also critical to keeping shelters running year-round.

WARM CLOTHES Whether we have snow or not at Christmas, it’s still the Maritimes and it’s likely going to be cold. No one should spend it shivering because they’re underdressed out in the elements.

See if your community is running a clothing drive, and consider donating unused winter jackets, snow pants, boots, mittens, gloves, hats or scarves you no longer need. Homeless shelters are often happy to accept these items, too.

TOYS AND GIFTS Chances are, your local shopping mall is collecting donations of new toys and gifts for needy families in the area. Sometimes they’ll ask for general donations and pass them along to those who need them, and other times they’ll ask you to select a specific recipient (i.e., boy, age nine) and purchase an item with them in mind.

If you have children, bring them along to choose a toy for the child and talk about what they might enjoy opening on Christmas morning. It could result in an important conversation about gratitude and kindness.

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A Maritime guide to all things holiday •

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For life’s magic moments.

Enter to win!

Selkie Holiday Magic Giveaway at selkiewine.ca Contest rules at selkiewine.ca Please enjoy your magic moments and celebrate responsibly.

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