Heart of Texas Today Nov/Dec 2013

Heart Of Texas Today November-December 2013

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December

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Merry Christmas Ya’ll

5 Home Sales During The Holiday Season 6 What’s Safe-What Isn’t, While Pregnant?

9 Benefits Of Doing Business With A Local Vehicle Repair Facility 14 A Texas State of Mind…

A Short Story From A Tall Texan: The Best Christmas Tree Ever !

18 Kid’s Craft Corner 19 Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus 20 Kerrville Events 21 Christmas In Kerrville 22 Bandera Events 24 Comfort Events 26 The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League 28 Holiday Recipes

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The Opinions expressed in Heart Of Texas Today are those of the advertisers and writers. And not necessarily those of this magazine.

Publisher Alice Sadler Graphics & Production Golden Monkey Productions Contributing Writers David Blackburn Kelly Dooley David LeMeilleur Lainie Johnson Mary Gentry Marlene Heavner Karen Hensley Cover Photography William Kierce Kierce Photography

Home Sales During

The Holiday Season

By Kelly Dooley, Realtor® With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, buying or selling real estate may not seem like a priority to some. While spring and summer always bring the highest level of real estate activity, beautiful properties remain on the market in the winter months and there are buyers that would like to be settled in a new home by Thanksgiving or Christmas.

When a property is on the market during the holiday season, it is important that decorations be kept to a minimum so that potential buyers are not too distracted.

A decorated tree with gifts under it can give a “homey” feeling, while trees or décor in every room can cause a potential buyer to miss some positive points about a home. An abundant amount of décor can also make the rooms feel smaller or crowded.

Potential buyers should be especially considerate of property owners’ schedules by planning showings as much in advance as possible. Early appointments can ensure that a buyer is able to tour properties as planned, rather than missing a property that may be their dream home.

The real estate business, like other businesses, continues throughout the holiday season. With a few minor adjustments, sellers and buyers can enjoy this special time of year while also obtaining their real estate goals.

The contents of this article are the opinion of Kelly Dooley, a professional real estate agent with Sherman & Co., Realtors® in Kerrville, Texas. Other professional real estate brokers and agents may disagree or have other views. Comments and questions are welcome by email at Kelly@ShermanCo.com. Your comments and questions and/or Kelly’s response may be printed in an upcoming issue.

Direct: (830) 459-0452 E-mail: Kelly@ ShermanCo.com

Kelly Dooley

Direct: (830) 739-0056 E-mail: Ed@ ShermanCo.com

The team with over 60 years combined experience.

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WIDE OPEN SPACES WITH SOARING CEILINGS & DECORATOR COLORS AT PRESTIGIOUS ADDRESS. Immaculate estate home with impressive multi-level main living areas with 14 to 16 ft. ceilings, rock fireplace, wet bar. Large dream kitchen with island, sub-zero frig, breakfast area. Luxurious master suite on main level with his/her baths. Wine room.Sun room. 3-car garage. 3869 sq. ft. per KCAD. Priced to sell at $399,500. MLS #82370. Call Ed Hamilton or Kelly Dooley today for your private tour!

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Hoa Park GORGEOUS ROCK HOME built in 2008 on 2 acres close to homeowners’ park with lake.

Less than 15 miles from Kerrville or Comfort, closer to Camp Verde. Open floor plan with soaring ceilings, tile flooring, & windows galore. Fabulous kitchen sports granite counters, hickory cabinetry, breakfast bar, SS appliances. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus bonus room.

Luxurious master suite. Large covered back patio. 2-car attached garage, plus 30X21 man cave.

Call Kelly for a tour! Only $337,500! MLS#81291.

Hoa Park Hoa Park Wonderful 4.24-acre building site in Canyon Springs Ranch in Hunt, Texas! Small creek near back of property. Homeowners’ park on the Guadalupe River and 90+ acre “wilderness area” for hiking. Restaurants and convenience store nearby. No mobiles or hunting. Only $69,500. MLS #80285.

Call Kelly today!

SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS

819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028 OFFICE: 830-257-7588

www.ShermanCo.com

Heart of Texas Today | November - December

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What’s Safe – What Isn’t, While Pregnant?

It’s important to remember that we are parents even before our baby is actually born.

If you wonder about an activity that might be harmful to your baby, it’s best to hold off on doing it until youcheck with your doctor.

However, some activities are known to cause harm during pregnancy.

For instance alcohol … if you drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy the alcohol goes right to the babythrough your bloodstream … and it is at the same level you are drinking concentrated into a much smaller body(your baby).

Experts are not sure how much alcohol must be drunk to harm the unborn baby, so it is generally accepted that there is no safe amount. Experts agree that excessive amounts of alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.

The question remains; who is going to determine how much alcohol is excessive? What if you thought it was notexcessive but to your baby it was?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome causes babies to be shorter and lighter in weight than normal babies, and they do not catch up later in life, even if special care is provided. They have smaller heads, abnormal features of the face, head, joints, and limbs; heart defects; and poor control of movement.

They also run a high risk of being mentally retarded or having behavioral problems.

Also to be aware of is when the alcohol is consumed. Early in pregnancy when all the major body systems arebeing formed is particularly dangerous to the baby.

Alcohol also increases the risk of miscarriage.

The best advice about drinking while you are pregnant is DON’T DO IT, according to Heritage House who provides parenting class curriculum for crises pregnancy centers.

In future articles, we will cover some other practices that might not be advisable to participate in while you are pregnant.

To learn more, please contact us a www.thepregnancyresourcecenter.org We offer FREE parenting classes, on an individual basis to address whatever concerns you may have about your child – from conception to age 12.

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

Kora J Sadler

November 29, 2007 Happy Birthday To a Sweet Girl

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Benefits of doing business with a local Vehicle repair facility

by David LeMeilleur There is nothing more important than a family doctor when you are ill and a competent mechanic when your vehicle is sick, and you won't get to know your mechanic unless you go to an independent garage. Unlike the dealer the local mom and pop independent repair facility allows for direct communication with your mechanic. You get to know your mechanic (and key employees) by name. Once a relationship is established you build trust and the mechanic or owner will become familiar with your vehicle and anticipate issues or problems down the road.

There are other added benefits to you when you have your vehicle service and repairs done by a local independent repair facility. First off, the repair facility reports back to you...you have the final say about the repairs done to your vehicle. A good repair shop knows in a small community "Word of Mouth" goes a lot further to keep them in business than all the fancy frills, bells and whistles.

When they doing something right, whether it is a repair or customer service you tell others and when they don't get it you tell others also. The mom and pop shop knows they have to get it right every time, their livelihood and their employees rely on doing a good job for you, the customer.

Your local paper’s "Best of" poll is proof. Those businesses define our sense of place, but we often forget their survival depends on our patronage.

Secondly, consider the economic base they add to the community. Independent local businesses employ local mechanics with families to support. They utilize the grocery stores, schools, they shop in the community. Basically, when you use a local repair shop, the money stays local. The money you spend at a local repair shop creates a domino effect in the local community economy, usually three to four dollars for every one you will spend goes back into the local economy. This supports a healthy community with a viable tax sales base.

In addition, local businesses are much more involved in their communities. On average, local businesses provide over 300% more support to nonprofits than businesses with corporate headquarters somewhere else. Local businesses are also more likely to offer other types of community support—like sponsoring the 4H Wild Game dinner or the flag football team or buying an animal at the Stock Show in January. Local businesses’ community support doesn’t just come in dollars. Business owners are leaders and community members who are often active in city or county leadership. They are invested in making changes and enacting policies that are good for the community. They have a vested business in the community their business is located in as well.

If it is the local river walk, a fundraiser for a nonprofit, or taking a leadership role in the community of course they want their community to be seen in a positive light. This draws new people to the community where they will spend money adding to the local economic base.

When you choose the right independent auto repair shop in Kerrville, or wherever you are located, you know that your mechanics are professional and experienced. You can talk directly to them, learn about their ASE Certifications, and get a feel for their expertise. A majority of independent shop owners have been in the car repair business for many, many years, and are happy to tell you their tales. This is also beneficial because they have seen every make and model or car and every type of service or repair come through their garage doors! They don’t just specialize in one specific type of car, they have cross training and can provide excellent service and repairs on both foreign and domestic vehicles. The more variety they’ve seen helps them more quickly and accurately diagnose and repair your car.

There are definitely some great benefits to choosing an independent auto repair shop locally. With all of this being said, it is important to remember that you need to do your research and find the right repair facility with mechanics who are ASE certified, affiliated with a national service like Triple AAA and use quality parts. Check them out, get to know them and build trust with them, there is more at stake than just a repair, doing business locally impacts the whole community!

Thanks for shopping local!

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

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Mission Santa Fe Furniture Your furniture represents you, and we represent your furniture Heirloom furniture with the touch of the pass for the next generation

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

Microwave Salt Dough Ornaments

Here's a new twist on an old favorite - microwave salt dough Christmas ornaments. Just follow the simple recipe, cut out your favorite cookie cutter shapes, and microwave a plate of ornaments at a time.

Supplies: ◊ 4 cups of flour ◊ 1 cup of salt ◊ 1-1/2 cups of hot water ◊ holiday cookie cutters ◊ decorations - glitter, paint, beads, etc.

Directions: Half of this dough recipe is enough to make all the ornaments shown, plus extras. You will also need paint in red, green, white, and gold, plus green glitter paint, and trims such as iridescent stars, pom poms, mini candy cane erasers, and glitter chenille stems. Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut a variety of snowmen, Christmas trees and stars. Use a toothpick to make a hole for hanging, being sure to make the hole a bit larger than you will want as they tend to close when baking. Using a microwave-safe plate (not paper or cardboard), microwave a plate of ornaments for 1 to 4 minutes, increasing the time by 1 minute increments and keeping a close eye on the microwave as the ornaments bake. Microwave power levels differ, so use high power in a less-powerful oven, but lower if your oven heats things very quickly. You don't want to risk a fire! Let ornaments cool completely before decorating.

Hershey Kiss Mouse What you'll need Hershey's Kisses Pink felt Scissors Double-sided carpet tape Fishing line Self-adhesive googly eyes Curling ribbon How to make it Remove the tags from two Hershey's Kisses. Cut out mouse ears from pink felt, about 3/8-inch high.

Using double-sided carpet tape, affix the bottoms of the ears to the flat side of one of the Kisses.

Tape an 8-inch loop of fishing line behind the ears to form a hanger. With more double-sided carpet tape, join together the two flat sides of the Hershey's Kisses, with the mouse ears and fishing line loop pointing up. Add a pair of self-adhesive googly eyes. Slip a tail -- a 4-inch piece of curling ribbon -- under the foil. Now, see how they run (or disappear) from your tree!

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.�

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.

"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'

"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn?

Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Merry Christmas one and all!

November 2013 1st Friday WineShare 6pm-7:30pm Depot Square, corner of Clay St. & Schreiner St. 1st- 30th 14th Annual Texas Furniture Maker’s Show 10am-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ctr. rd

December 2013

3 Fanfare for the American Hero 3pm Cailloux Theater

2nd-19th Art Mart 9am-4pm The Gallery at the Point

8th-10th 10th Annual James Avery Hill Country Golf Classic 8am Scott Schreiner Golf Course, Comanche Trace Golf Course, Riverhills Country Club

5th Symphony of the Hills-Christmas Gift 7:30pm Cailloux Theater

12th Brown Bag Lunch & Learn 11:30am-12:45pm Riverside Nature Center 15th 19th Art Mart 9am-4pm The Gallery at the Point , Ingram 22nd-Dec 8th “The Christmas Spirit” FR-SA 7:30pm SU 2pm The Point Indoor Theatre, Ingram 22nd-24th Sleigh Bell Boutique FR 10am-6pm SA 9:00am-4:00pm SU 10:00am-3:00pm Breakfast with Santa will be Saturday at 9:00am-12:00pm . YO Ranch Resort & Conference Center 23rd Holiday Lighted Parade & Court House Lighting Parade 6pm Court House Lighting after the parade rd

th

23 -24 Texas Gun & Knife Show SA 9am-5pm, SU 10am-4pm Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center 28th Community Thanksgiving Dinner 11:00am-1:00pm.

Free Thanksgiving meal. The Salvation Army Kroc Center 29th-30th Kerr County Market Days 9am-4pm Kerr County Courthouse

5th-Jan 5th KACC Exhibit TU-SA 10am-4pm SU 1pm-4pm Kerr Arts & Cultural Ct. 5th Tree of Lights 5:30 p.m. downtown 6th Friday WineShare 6 -7:30pm Our Lady of the Hills High School 6th-8th “The Christmas Spirit” FR-SA 7:30pm SU 2pm The Point Indoor Theatre, Ingram 6th-21st Playhouse 2000-A Christmas Carol FR-SA 7:30pm 2nd SU 2:30 pm VK Garage Theater 7th Hill Country Swap Meet SA 8am-7pm Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center 7th Christmas Concert at Old Union Church SA 4pm & 7pm Union Church 7th Kerrville School of Dance White Christmas in the Hills SA 7pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater 12th-21st Herbs at Twilight, Herbs for the Winter 21st 6-8 pm 2 p.m. Walk the River Trail 14th Christmas at the Kroc 10am-1pm The Salvation Army Kroc Center 21st Kerr County Market Days 9am-4pm Kerr County Courthouse

For a more complete & detailed list of events. Go to : Kerrville & Visitors Bureau, 2108 Sidney Baker, Kerrville, TX 78028 www.KerrvilleTexasCVB.com 830-792-3535 Email: events@ KerrvilleTexasCVB.com Changes & cancellations of events do occur.

Please contact the event coordinators or website for updates.

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

Christmas In Kerrville November 23, 2013 Join us for a Hill Country kick-off to the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Enjoy a fun-filled day in Kerrville historic downtown area featuring live music, great food, games and other activities for children of all ages. Everyone loves a parade and the Kerrville holiday lighted parade is one of the best in the State. At sundown, stake you spot along Water and Earl Garrett Streets in anticipation of this renowned event now in its 12 year, featuring more than 90 entries representing communities, schools and civic organizations from all over the Hill Country. The evening culminates with the Courthouse lighting ceremony, where music and other entertainment activities set the stage for that long anticipated flip of the switch. More than 140,000 Christmas lights flood the area and are complimented by thousands of lights outlining the historic downtown buildings, Peterson Plaza and City Hall. Cap off the evening with dinner at one of downtown Kerrville’s superb dining establishments. The festival, parade and lighting ceremony are the first of many holiday events celebrated in Kerrville. Start a family tradition of your own . . . stay in one of Kerrville’s excellent hotels, dine in our restaurants, visit our merchants and enjoy all of your favorite Christmas activities in Kerrville.

Made possible by the Kerrville Christmas Lighting Corp., The Rotary Club of Kerrville, The Hal and Charlie Peterson Foundation, the Cailloux Foundation, Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce, The Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Kerrville Public Utility Board For more information contact us at 800-221-7958 or 830-792-3535 or info@kerrvilletexascvb.com

November 2013 1 51st Annual Hunters Bar-B-Que & Outdoor Expo 5-10 PM. Mansfield Park, Bandera. 830-796-3280 1 Classic Car Night 5 PM - ?

2 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM 2 Bandera Market Days 9 AM - 4 PM 2 Bandera Farmers Market 8 - 11 AM 5 Cowboy Capital Opry @ Silver Sage Community Center 9 Bandera Honors Veterans 9am-4pm Bandera County Courthouse 9 Cowboys on Main 1pm-4pm

7 "Christmas Like It Used To Be" The Cupboard CafĂŠ in the Pavilion at The Farm

9 Bandera Farmers Market 8 -11am

7 Bandera Farmers Market 8 - 11 AM

10 Frontier Times Museum Cowboy Camp 1-5pm

7 Bandera Holiday Parade 11am

16 Texas Street Customs Car Show 2-5pm

7 Cowboy Capital Camp Fire Christmas 4:30 pm Medina River at City Park to

16 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM 16 Indoor Flea Market 9am-4pm Bandera American Legion Post 157 16 Bandera Farmers Market Main St. 8 -11am 16 Bandera Walk for Diabetes Contact Susan Broa for info call 830-796-3448 22 4th Friday Jam 6pm Silver Sage Community Center 23 Cowboys on Main 1pm-4pm 23 Bandera Farmers Market Main Street. 8 - 11 AM 28 Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner Hosted by El Jacalito from 11am-2pm

8 Frontier Times Museum Cowboy Camp 1-5pm 12 Celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Stanislaus Church at 6:30pm 12-13 Las Mannanitas 5am at St. Stanislaus 13 Holiday Tasting Tea 11:30am-1:30 pm for St. Christopher's Episcopalinfo.

Church 14 Bandera Farmers Market 8 - 11 AM 14 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM 21 Bandera Farmers Market 8 - 11 AM 21 Texas Street Customs Car Show 2-5pm

30 Bandera Market Days 9 AM - 4 PM

21 Singing in the Saddle @ Longhorn Saloon for a Christmas Caroling Trail Ride leaves promptly at 1:00 PM Arrive for head count beginning at 11am

December 2013

21 Cowboys on Main 1pm-4pm

30 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM

3 Cowboy Capital Opry @ Silver Sage Community Center 6-9 23rd Annual Christmas in the Hill Country 10-am-5:30pm 6 Cowboy Capital Christmas & Shoppers Jubilee 6 Classic Car Night 5 PM - ?

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7 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

27 4th Friday Jam 6pm Silver Sage Community Center 28 Bandera Farmers Market Main St. 8 -11am 28 Cowboys on Main 1- 4 PM

Please go to website for more complete information www.CowboyCapital.travel 800-364-3833

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NOVEMBER 2 Comfort Town-Wide Garage Sale Businesses & residences set out sales on this day throughout town. Search for your treasure! Sponsored by Comfort Chamber of Commerce 19 Girls' Night Out - A fun evening of shopping for the ladies. Stores stay open late for holiday shopping. Music, refreshments, and FUN! 30 Christmas In Comfort sponsored by the Comfort Chamber of Commerce. One of the Hill Country's most popular events for almost 30 years. Over 100 arts & crafts booths are set up in streets of the Historic District. Day-long entertainment, food court, visits with Santa, petty zoo....more! That evening is the fabulous lighted night parade. For more info: www.comfortchamberofcommerce.com or 830-995-3131

DECEMBER TBA Christmas Light & Decorations Contest

Weekly in Comfort Fridays & Saturdays

Comfort Public Library's Backdoor Bookstore is open, selling gently used books and related items. Friday 1-5 pm, Saturday 1-3 pm. The Backdoor Bookstore is located on the corner of 7th & High Streets, with the entry on 7th Street. For more information call 830-995-2398 or visit www.comfort-library.txed.net.

New Year's Eve Casino Night - Dinner, Drinks, Dancing & Casino Games Marquardt Ranch 830-324-6599 for tickets & questions Benefits local Volunteer Fire Depts. Home baked items, jellies, jams, plants, herbs, lotions‌ more!

For more complete information on all events, Go to www.comfort chamberofcommerce.com Call 830-995-3131

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An 80-year-old rancher from Texas goes to the Mayo clinic in Rochester for a check-up. The doctor is amazed at what good shape the guy is in and asks, 'How do you stay in such great physical condition?‘ 'I'm from Texas and in my spare time I like to hunt and fish' says the old guy, 'and that's why I'm in such good shape. I'm up well before daylight riding herd and mending fences and when I'm not doing that, I'm out hunting or fishing. In the evening, I have a beer, a shot of whiskey and all is well.‘ 'Well' says the doctor, 'I'm sure that helps, but there's got to be more to it. How old was your father when he died?'

'Who said my Father's dead?' The doctor is amazed. 'You mean you're 80 years old and your father's still alive? How old is he?'

'He's 100 years old,' says the old cowboy.

'In fact he worked and hunted with me this morning, and then we went to the topless bar for a while and had a little beer and that's why he's still alive. He's a Texas rancher and he hunts and fishes too!'

'Well,' the doctor says, 'that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. How about your father's father?

How old was he when he died?'

'Who said my Grandpa's dead?'

Stunned, the doctor asks, 'you mean you're 80 years old and your grandfather's still alive?‘ 'He's 118 years old,' says the man. The doctor is getting frustrated at this point, 'So, I guess he went hunting with you this morning too?'

'No, Grandpa couldn't go this morning because he's getting married today.'

At this point the doctor is close to losing it. 'Getting Married??? Why would a 118 year-old guy want to get married?'

'Who said he wanted to?'

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 25

The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League

By Marlene Heavner & Karen Hensley The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, Inc. (C.C.P.A.L.) is a no-kill, 501( c )3, non-profit organization serving all of Bandera County, Texas.

Our primary purpose is to provide safe, loving, permanent homes for the county strays and for those already in foster homes. CCPAL seeks to reduce the enormous problem of pet overpopulation in Bandera County.

We promote low-cost spay/neuter programs; advise on basic health care and proper shelter for pets and offer excellent dog obedience classes several times each year. Our fostering program and training classes socialize pets and help make them more adoptable.

Through educational programs offered to school children we aim to create better future pet owners. We are in constant need of foster homes for these pets until we find them permanent, forever homes.

Since its founding in January 2002, CCPAL has rescued thousands of cats and dogs.

Our aim is to find every animal we take in a forever home as quickly as possible.

Every animal we receive is spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. You are sure to find that special friend for your family at CCPAL. We have many breeds, from pure bred to mutts.

We welcome volunteers of all ages to help care for the animals at the CCPAL Adoption Center, foster parents to open their homes to pets awaiting adoption and volunteers to help with fund-raising. We hold several different events during the year ie: Sweetheart Spaghetti Dinner(February), Dog Obedience Classes: Spring, Fall and Winter, Low-cost Vaccination Clinics: Quarterly, Dog Washes: May-October, Fourth of July Pet Parade and Pictures with Santa.

CCPAL promotes micro-chipping for your pets. Micro-chipping is a nearly painless permanent form of identification. A tiny numbered chip is embedded between the animal’s shoulder blades and the owner receives a tag for the animal’s collar.

If the animal is lost or stolen it can be identified by means of the chip. Any Animal Control facility, veterinarian, or rescue organization can scan the pet for a microchip. They can contact the manufacturer who in turn contacts the owner. Micro-chipping is routine at most animal rescue organizations and is the quickest and safest way of ensuring the returned to its home. The owner must always keep their location and phone numbers up to date.

CCPAL provides safe long-term sanctuary care for approximately fifteen dogs considered hard to place for health, social or behavioral reasons. They are happy and well cared for on our 8-acre site and are very bonded to their caretakers.

Some of these dogs are available for adoption to applicants who understand and can work with “a special needs “ pet.

Contact us at (210)867-1769, (830)510-9543 or (210)530-8243 if you wish to visit any of these dogs. Primary funding and support for the Sanctuary dogs come from our sponsorship program.

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

CCPAL holds regular adoptions on the first Saturday of each month at Old Town Helotes from 9am to 5pm. Adoptions can also be arranged by appointment onsite of our Adoption Center on FM 1283, 6.3 miles south of Hwy 16 South towards Lakehills. Other special adoption events are advertised on our web site, ccpal.petfinder.com, in the Bandera newspapers and on flyers posted in Bandera, Lakehills, and Pipe Creek. Our adoption fee is $125.00 for puppies/dogs which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations; de-worming; and microchip identification.

CCPAL has a Resale Shop which is located at 8469 Hwy 16 South in Pipe Creek, Texas. It carries an amazing variety of items including pet related items, ie: dog and cat food, collars, leashes and beautiful clothing for both cats and dogs, antiques, furniture, ceramics, collectibles, small appliances and almost-new pristine clother for adults, children and babies. The inventory changes with the seasons, so check it out often. The Resale Shop also features pictures of our adoptable pets and flyers about up-coming events. Our store hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. To donate to our store Margie can be called at (830)688-0635 and she will be happy to help you. All proceeds go to help feed and vaccinate Bandera County’s stray, abandoned and abused pets. For more information you can e-mail peakhills@aol.com or call (830)535-4989. Donations are always welcome at:

CCPAL, P.O. Box 2200, Bandera, TX, 78003

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Holiday Punch

INGREDIENTS 1 (750 milliliter) bottle Southern Comfort liqueur 6 fluid ounces lemon juice 1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate 3 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage 2 drops red food coloring 1 orange, sliced into rounds 1DIRECTIONS: lemon, sliced into rounds

In a large punch bowl, combine Southern Comfort, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate and orange juice concentrate. Stir in lemon-lime soda, and add a few drops red food coloring. Float orange and lemon slices for garnish. 30 servings

Melting Snowman Cookie Balls

MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 min.

Dip balls in chocolate; place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan, allowing excess chocolate to pool at bottom of each ball. Decorate with remaining ingredients as shown in photo.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Jalapeño Poppers 24 fresh jalapeño peppers (about 2 lb.)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese 8 slices cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crumbled 1/4 cup flour 2 eggs, beaten 40 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed (about 1-2/3 cups) 2 cups oil CUT lengthwise slit in top of each pepper; scrape out seeds and veins. Combine next 3 ingredients; spoon into peppers. ROLL peppers in flour; dip in eggs, then roll in cracker crumbs to evenly coat. Place in single layer in shallow pan. Refrigerate 15 min. HEAT oil in medium saucepan to 375ºF. Add peppers, in batches; cook 3 min. or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm. 24 servings

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

Warm Turkey and Spinach Salad This main-dish salad combines two likely holiday leftovers: turkey and cranberry sauce. Pancetta is uncured Italian bacon; look for it in the deli section of your grocery store. You can substitute bacon, though, if you prefer. Yield: 5 servings (serving size: about 2 cups) Salad: Vinaigrette: 2 small poblano peppers 2 ounces pancetta 4 cups chopped leftover 1/2 cup minced shallots cooked turkey 1 garlic clove, minced 6 cups prewashed spinach 1/2 cup whole-berry cranberry 2 cups torn Boston lettuce 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

To prepare salad, preheat broiler. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel and chop peppers. Combine peppers, turkey, spinach, and lettuce in a large bowl. To prepare vinaigrette, cook the pancetta in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove pancetta from pan; chop and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings in pan. Add shallots and garlic to pan, and sauté for 1 minute or until tender.

Stir in the cranberry sauce, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat 2 minutes or until warm. Pour warm vinaigrette over the salad; toss. Top with pancetta. Serve immediately.

Breakfast Casserole

1 tsp. butter 2 lbs. loose fresh pork sausage meat or 1 lb. bacon 8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed, cut into large cubes 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese 6 eggs 3 cups whole milk 1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1/2 tsp. salt Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 9" × 13" baking dish with butter and set aside. Break sausage into chunks and put into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage, breaking it up with a slotted spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer sausage with the slotted spoon to paper towels to let drain. Scatter bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Scatter sausage meat over the bread cubes and sprinkle the cheese on top. Lightly whisk eggs together in a large bowl. Add milk, dry mustard, and salt and mix well. Pour custard evenly over sausage mixture in casserole. Bake until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent casserole from becoming too brown and continue to bake until center is barely set, about 15 minutes more. Uncover and set aside to let firm up for 20–30 minutes before serving. Serves 8

Mini JELL-O Trifle Bites

2 cups boiling water 2 pkg. (0.3 oz. each) JELL-O Raspberry Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin 3 slices prepared fat-free pound cake (3/4 inch thick), cut into 24 cubes 1 pkg. (8 oz. ) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping 1 tsp. lemon zest Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Place 1 cake cube in each of 24 mini muffin cups lined with foil liners; cover with gelatin. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.

Beat Neufchatel in small bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in sugar. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and zest. Spoon into pastry bag fitted with star tip. Use to pipe Neufchatel mixture over trifles. 12 Servings

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2013

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Heart of Texas Today | September - October 2013

Luke 2:9-14 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Heart Of Texas Today wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year