Platinum December 2018

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WinterAction Bring natural beauty inside

Snowmobiling in the Northwest

Vancouver, B.C. DECEMBER 2018

Serving Spokane and Coeur d’Alene December 2018

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December 2018

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WINDOW DISPLAY CONTEST VOTE NOVEMBER 24 TO DECEMBER 19!

Vote and enter to win a night stay at the Davenport Grand Hotel

Find a map of participating businesses at downtownspokane.org.

To vote, pick up your ballot at the Davenport Grand Hotel or print online.

Votes may be returned to the voting drop box located inside the Davenport Grand Hotel. The business window with the most votes by 5:00pm December 19 will win the People’s Choice Award. One ballot will be drawn to win a night stay at the Davenport Grand Hotel.

Persons under 18 must have parental permission to enter, one entry per person, see official rules at www.downtownspokane.org.

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Volume 2, Issue 8

Publisher William Stacey Cowles

Director of Marketing & Business Development Kathleen Coleman Director of Sales Daniel Fritts

FROM

Managing Editor Theresa Tanner

Art Director/Designer Anne Potter

the editor

Some people can’t wait to deck the halls, while other have a strict “after Thanksgiving” policy for all things red and green. Can you imagine waiting until Christmas Eve to trim the tree, as was the tradition during Queen Victoria’s reign?

And, of course, there are the multitude of other preferences about the decorations themselves that can divide families. Do you get a real or artificial tree? Is the house covered in colorful flashing lights or soft and subtle icicles lights? Do you decorate your front yard with a team of understated reindeer or one big inflatable Frosty?

The holiday season is about much more than decor. Festive lights and carefully curated window displays are cheerful reflection of this time of year, making guests feel welcome as they join together to celebrate. And that’s what really matters: celebrating together.

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This time of year, families and friends are reunited from as close as next door to as far away as around the world, gathering to toast the new year, commemorate religious rites or maybe just relax and enjoy a few days off from school and work together.

Whatever your festivities and traditions may be, cherish the time with loved ones. And be on the lookout for those who may not have family nearby, remembering to be generous with your invitations. They’ll undoubtly appreciate the offer, and might even compliment your lovely decorations as well.

Contributors Sarah Bain Rick Bonino Joe Butler Leslie Kelly Staci Lehman Cheryl-Anne Millsap Dan Webster Tricia Jo Webster The Spokesman-Review Editorial Team Adriana Janovich adrianaj@spokesman.com Advertising Bill Davidson

Let us know what you think!

Contact Platinum/The Spokesman-Review 999 W. Riverside Ave. Spokane, WA 99201 509.459.5095 EMAIL platinum@spokesman.com WEBSITE platinum.spokesman.com Free Digital Archives Online facebook.com/platinumspokanecda

Theresa Tanner

managing editor

Supplement to The Spokesman-Review

PLATINUM BUZZ Get creative and have some fun while shopping for little gifts to fill your family’s stockings this year.

Is there a future scientist in your house? Kidz Labs gadgets fit in your hand, giving kids a literal hands-on experience as they learn about gravity, electricity and physiology.

Available at Uncle’s Games

Is that an Easter egg in your Christmas stocking? No, it’s a BeepEgg® – a floating egg timer that plays music when your eggs are perfectly boiled!

Available at The Kitchen Engine

Sometimes the fun of a stocking is the surprise of a BIG gift in a little package. How about a gift card for a round of golf, a delicious meal or a relaxing massage?

Available at The Coeur d’Alene Resort The hipster in your life will appreciate the pocket-sized trinkets from Trixie & Milo. Find multi-tools, mirror compacts, portable shot glasses and more with retro designs.

Available at Atticus

Reserved for adult stockings in Washington State only, a few Honu Chocolate Turtles are just the ticket if you really need to unwind over the holidays.

Available at The Green Nugget

December 2018

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2018

S PA C E

LOOK

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7

Festive hairstyles

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Pucker up for holiday kisses

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Best dressed kids

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Woodsy holiday décor

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Mattress shopping

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Get smart tech at home

LEISURE

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Rev up the snowmobile

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Winter reading

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New toys for playtime

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Finding the perfect RV

34

Visit to an Italian archipelago

38

Wintertime in Vancouver B.C.

FOOD

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Fun in the kitchen

44

Holiday cheer with local beer

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Roast chicken recipe

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Brussels sprouts hash recipe

December 2018

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PHILANTHROPY

SPOTLIGHT

A B

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YWCA Spokane’s 36th annual Women of Achievement Over 1,000 supporters attended the YWCA Spokane’s 36th annual Women of Achievement awards luncheon at The Davenport Grand on Thursday, Oct. 4. Sponsored by more than 50 companies and organizations each year, it is one of the area’s most prestigious award recognition events for local women.

Nine women were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions and leadership in the Spokane community. This year’s honorees were Sandra Olgard (Arts & Culture), Sharelynn Moore (Business & Industry), Sandy Williams (Carl Maxey Racial & Social Justice), Sally Pritchard

(Community Enhancement), Karen Winston (Community Enhancement), Lisa Taylor Laurier, EdD (Education), Lois James, PhD (Science, Technology & Environment), Rebecca Long (Young Woman) and Sister Celine Steinberger (Lifetime Achievement).

The event also featured an address from Keynote Speaker Gloria Norris, a filmmaker and author whose true crime memoir “KooKooLand” was included on NPR’s Great Reads of 2016.

The luncheon raised $315,000 to support YWCA Spokane’s services for domestic violence survivors and their children, including emergency

shelter, counseling, legal services, job readiness, child care, and Pre-K programs for low income children.

Photos by James & Kathy Mangis Photography A. Past and present Women of Achievement Award Honorees. B. YWCA Spokane CEO Regina Malveaux with luncheon guests Faith Washington and Anna Franklin. C. 2018 Young Woman of Achievement Award Honoree Rebecca Long with YWCA Spokane Board Member Kate Burke.

Upcoming Events Dec. 31 Jan. 26 Feb. 22

Puttin’ On The Ritz New Year’s Eve Gala Spokane Symphony Associates, spokanesymphonyassoc.org Leadership Lights the Way Gala Leadership Spokane, leadershipspokane.org Taste of Life Hopsice of Spokane, hospiceofspokane.org

If your local organization is hosting a benefit or gala that you would like to see in PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT, please email platinum@spokesman.com with event information (inclusion is subject to space).

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LOOK

DOS (AND DON’TS)

By Staci Lehman

December 2018

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Whether it’s your office party, a dinner with your significant other’s boss or a family get-together, holiday events mean extra special hair is in order.

But if creating elaborate styles isn’t your forte, no need to stress. No matter the length, texture or style of your hair, there is something that looks good on everyone this year.

Even for special occasions, today’s hair trends are more laidback and purposely a little messy.

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“Braids are huge right now,” said Frazey. “I just did a wedding party last week and all of them wanted one form of braid or another. But, unlike in the past, we pulled the braid so loose that you can barely see the braid itself.”

Frazey says that after 17 years of hair styling with requests for tidy, perfect looks, this trend toward loose yet styled hair is definitely something different for her.

“People want the beachy looks,” she said. “They like the waterfallstyle braids where hair looks like it’s flowing out of a loose braid.”

“A lot of the very loose more elegant knots and buns” are popular now, according to Katie Frazey of L Salon and Spa on Highway 41 in Post Falls. “Nothing like five years ago when everything was super tight and perfect. The messy bun look with the towers of curls is the thing now.”

Overall, Frazey says fishtail braids are probably the most popular design she is asked to create. Fishtails are created by dividing a ponytail into two sections then weaving them together with pieces of hair pulled from the outside of each section.

If you’ve been on Instagram or Facebook lately, you have probably noticed that braids of all kinds are also hot this year.

But once again, not the tight, clean plaits of the past.

If your hair isn’t long enough to braid, no worries! There are more alternatives for short, festive hair than you would expect. Loose curls pushed to one side are popular for shorter hair right now

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and finger waves from the 1950s and 60s have made a return recently.

Frazey does have some advice if you plan to visit a salon to get a special style for an upcoming occasion.

“People are amazed what we can do with short hair. And, Frazey added, “we always have extensions.”

“Girls want to come in about two days before their special event to get it (their hair) colored. I say ,‘No, don’t do that.’ Do it a couple weeks before so we know what we’re working with, then get it styled later.”

Short - or long - hair can also be dressed up for the holidays with accessories. Bows and scrunchies are coming back and, for a more sophisticated look, Frazey has diamond-looking gems that she twists into up-dos for an elegant addition.

“They’re on twisty wires so they look like they’re just hanging in your hair.”

When it comes to some of the new elaborate braids, Frazey says accessories really aren’t necessary.

She also advises against washing your hair right before coming in to have it styled.

“Do not wash your hair and come in soaking wet. Wash it the night before and put some gel or mousse in it. Hair that is just a little bit dirty is just easier to work with.”

Another thing Frazey discourages is tight shirts and tops for those having their hair done.

“The braid part of it is the accessory.”

With the Internet having become a major DIY resource, Frazey says salons don’t have as many women come in for up-dos or styling as in the past. Pinterest and YouTube have a lot of people experimenting with doing their own hair, although not everyone can accomplish the looks they see online. And others still just want to be pampered.

“I have these women come in wearing tight tank tops and other shirts and I think ‘How are you going to get this off without messing up your hair?’”

Her advice is to wear a loose fitting top, a zip-up hoodie or a shirt that buttons to the salon, so it doesn’t need to be removed over the head. Besides, no matter what you wear, it will look festive paired with your new style.

“We have homecoming tomorrow for six girls, one of them my daughter, and they all want their hair done because it’s a special day… They don’t want to be worrying about their hair. Whether it’s a Christmas party or prom, it’s the last thing people want to be worrying about.”

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for a Cool Time of Year

By Staci Lehman

There are at least two major winter holiday traditions that revolve around kissing – kissing under the mistletoe and kissing at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve – and probably several more obscure ones. If you think either of these traditions might be in your future, don’t forget your lips when you dress to impress this holiday season.

Along with holiday party staples of a sparkly dress and up-swept hairdo, don’t forget to dress your lips up too. That means lush, colored lips.

While red is the traditional color of holiday lips and nails, not everyone is comfortable wearing it.

“The berry tones are always very popular and a little less intimidating than bright red,” said makeup artist Evelyn Mauro, owner of Makeup by Evelyn Mauro.

“More people feel comfortable in these colors and they work with almost every skin tone.”

Berry tones include plum, cranberry (a little more blue than classic red), orangish burgundy, and raspberry (a pinkish red).

The first step to wearing any color is to have the proper canvas.

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“You have to start with an exfoliated lip,” Mauro said. “Color is always going to last a lot longer on an exfoliated lip, especially in the Pacific Northwest where it gets so dry.”

To keep your lips moist year-round, Mauro recommends drinking a lot of water and using a lip conditioner. While a lot of makeup lines offer conditioners, her favorite is Beautycounter’s Lip Conditioner in Calendula ($22, 0.4 oz.).

“I love the Beautycounter brand,” Mauro said. “It’s a non-toxic, fragrance-free line … and being that we literally eat a pound of lipstick a year, I like to use a brand with no parabens.”

Yes, you read that correctly: one pound. And since it is safe, Mauro says she is liberal with the lip conditioner, using it outside the lips as well to help reduce fine lines around them.

After that, she blots lips with foundation or concealer, powders the lips along with the rest of the face, and uses lip liner to keep color from bleeding or feathering.

Fading is another issue. To keep color looking fresh and vibrant as long as possible, Mauro recommends Beautycounter’s line of Color Intense Lipstick.

“The Intense line is more of a rich color,” she said. “The sheer line is less color.”

If, like many people, you have a problem keeping your lip color on throughout the day, using lipstick rather than lip gloss is generally your best bet for a longer wear.

“Lipstick is going to stay on longer and provide more color,” said Mauro. “That’s definitely due to the consistency and what it’s made of.”

Lipsticks are mostly made up of waxes like beeswax, candelilla or carnauba wax, along with various oils and heavy pigmentation that provides ample color, which stays on longer. In contrast, lip glosses are generally made of lanolin, petroleum or shea butter, typically with less pigment for a more sheer but less long-lasting finish.

If you are not sure which might be right for you, or which color, Mauro can help.

“I help customers choose their colors, determine what would go best with their skin tones and show them how to apply it.”

For a fun holiday look, Mauro suggests using a base layer of

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lipstick under a top layer of gloss. This effect lasts longer than lip gloss would on its own with a smoother finish than lipstick alone.

And speaking of drama, you can create plenty of it with colors other than hot rod red these days.

If you prefer a more subtle look, stick to one or the other. And traditionally, if you prefer subtle to dazzling, the rule is to play up one feature or the other. For instance, if you plan to wear dark, smoky eye makeup, generally you would downplay the lips. And vice versa. But Mauro says there are exceptions to every rule.

“Red is always fun, but is sometimes more intimidating … I think if you stay within those berry tones, they tend to look good on any skin tone. Berry tones and rosy tones are really pretty,” Mauro said.

“I think that’s applicable for day but if you’re doing an evening look – dressing up for the holidays – it’s OK to be dramatic and do both.”

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December 2018

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Grow & Change Keeping up with kids’ clothes

By Theresa Tanner

Among the many changes that come with the first year of motherhood (my first child was born almost one year ago), the one that continues to flummox me is clothing this little person’s growing body.

I expected the sleepless nights, the constant worry about his health and safety, the anxiety about returning to work; I did not expect that I would be continually dumbfounded about my child’s clothes.

THE RIGHT SIZE AND WHEN We received many lovely baby shower gifts from our generous friends and family, in sizes ranging from Newborn to 18 months, but as I sorted and organized clothes, I realized that some of these cute, cozy sweaters wouldn’t be as useful during the sweltering summer months when they would finally fit our little boy.

Will he be too warm or cold? How do I keep him from taking off his socks as soon as I put them on? Why does this onesie for a 3-monthold fit him at 6 months, as do these pants for a 12-month-old? And, ooops, we missed the window for this cute Easter onesie because it fit a newborn, but he was born in December. And what’s a reasonable price for a winter jacket that a child will outgrow in 3 months?

If you’re hosting a baby shower, include the due date so guests can know what sizes your baby will need when. Perhaps even include a little guide (Newborn - Winter, 3M - Spring, 6M - Summer, 9M - Fall) to make planning easy.

Not to mention my new “hobby”: laundry. It took less than a day before I realized that cleaning this endless pile of clothes would become a primary activity, and require much more planning than my previous routine.

Is it possible to keep a baby (or children of any age) in clean clothes that fit without throwing money down the drain – of the laundry machine, at least? I’m far from an expert, but I’m happy to pass on what I’ve learned in the past year.

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And just like grown-up sizes, different brands seem to have slightly different ideas of what will fit a 3-month-old. When shopping, it’s usually a good rule of thumb to size up, since babies grow much more quickly than you expect, but keep in mind if they will realistically be wearing that cute tank romper in February.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING Sometimes it’s hard to imagine spending good money on a few outfits that my son might only wear a few times, especially if they were going to be worn-out quickly with frequent washing (more on that later). But there are options if you’re looking to minimize your footprint, or at least justify the cost.

I was lucky to receive a good number of hand-me-downs from my sister’s son. I plan on storing my son’s clothes, either for our next child or for children of friends and family. Many churches and mother-baby groups also organize clothing swaps to make sure clothes are getting good use by those who need them.

If you’re short on storage space, or looking for extra cash, there are several stores that specialize in children’s clothing resale in the area. Once Upon a Child has two local franchise locations: Inland Empire in Spokane Valley and Northwest in North Spokane.

Another option is Other Mothers, located in County Homes.

PRE-TREAT STAINS. Blot the area to remove excess matter and rinse with cold water. Treat with a spot-stain remover and soak in a mixture of laundry soap and water for 30 minutes.

USE COLD WATER. Unless something is especially soiled, cold water will help maintain the integrity of an item; warm water will wear the fabric out more quickly.

USE A FRONT LOAD WASHER. The agitator of a top-loading washer can stretch and tangle items. A front-load washer, like a tumble dryer, provides a more gentle wash.

These resellers are operated individually and have their own standards and procedures for purchase, but the general idea is that you bring in your new or gently used items (clothes, toys, etc.), staff evaluates the items and they’ll offer you cash or store credit for selected items. These are also great places to buy quality clothes at a discounted price.

WASH INSIDE OUT. This helps to protect embellishments and screen printed designs that can get worn away or damaged while laundering.

KEEPING IT CLEAN This is an essential component if you want to keep clothes in good condition, especially if you’re hoping to resell items in the future.

But with the number of stains that babies seem to produce – and always only a few minutes after they’ve been dressed in a new, clean outfit, of course – you may need to rethink your laundry plan.

WHEN POSSIBLE, SUN OR AIR DRY. If you’re not in a hurry, hang drying saves clothes from the exposure to extra heat.

USE VINEGAR, NOT BLEACH. Vinegar is a natural brightener, and not as harsh on fibers as chlorine bleach.

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By Theresa Tanner

Maybe you love Christmas, but a bright red Santa Claus doesn’t quite fit your home’s design aesthetic.

Or maybe you aren’t particularly religious, but you love wintertime and want to bring some of the season’s natural beauty inside. Creating seasonal decorations at home is a perfect indoor activity for the snowy days of December, and they can be displayed well past the holidays.

Pine cones There’s no shortage of pine cones in the Northwest – Washington is the Evergreen State, after all. These little conifers are perfect accents for winter decor schemes on mantles and tablescapes. Get a string of battery-operated holiday lights to add some sparkle to a bowl of pine cones, or strategically arrange around candles to create a mini-Christmas forest.

Wooden trees Nope, we don’t mean that one big evergreen tree covered in lights and colorful glass balls. If you have a smaller space or don’t want to fuss with a full-sized tree this year, you can create a forest of miniature trees with plywood and a scroll saw. Hang the ornaments in a tree-shaped arrangement on the wall, or place 3D carved trees of various sizes on the hearth, so you’ll still have a designated place for presents under the tree.

Cinnamon sticks Not only does cinnamon smell like Christmas, but cinnamon sticks, like pinecones, are a festive accent to a number of holiday decorating schemes.

Hang bundles wrapped in twine from a tree, or use them to build a star for the top of your tree.

Along with decorating your own home, you can use cinnamon sticks to make festive gifts, like a fragrant candle holder.

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Brown paper packages … “tied up with string” and much more. Simply wrapped in brown paper (use the reverse side of a paper grocery bag, if you’re feeling thrifty), decorate gifts with colored ribbon and the pieces of natural holiday decor previously discussed. You can also decorate with paint or practice your hand lettering right on the paper. Kids will really love this activity too, and you can sing along with Julie Andrews as you craft.

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CLEANING PINE CONES You can buy a bag of pine cones at the craft store, but if you have a supply in your yard, they just need a quick scrub to remove sap, bugs and dirt. To clean, soak pine cones in a large bowl with warm water and ½ cup of vinegar for about 30 minutes. Rinse and drain in a collander, then bake in the oven at 200 degrees on a foil-lined cookie sheet for about an hour. Just watch them to make sure they don’t overbake and turn brittle.

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By Sarah Bain

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One of the healthiest things you can do for your body is get a good night’s sleep. In addition to helping you feel less tired, good sleep hygiene can make it easier to maintain a healthy weight, lower your risk for a host of serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, reduce stress and improve your overall mood, think more clearly and do better in school or work, and avoid injuries caused by making bad, sleep-deprived decisions.

Assuming you don’t have sleep-apnea or some other sleep disorder, one way to improve your sleep hygiene is to make sure you are sleeping on the right mattress.

Industry professionals say you should get a new mattress every 7-10 years (at least), but it really depends on your use and comfort. Is your mattress sagging in the middle?

That’s a good sign it’s time for an update.

For health-related sleeping issues, you should talk to your doctor. But if it’s just a matter of your mattress getting old or being uncomfortable, then it’s likely time to go shopping. Remember, you spend roughly one third of your life in bed. A comfortable mattress is one of the best investments you can make, and even a top-of-the line expensive mattress might be worth every penny if it gets you a good night’s sleep.

Shopping for a new mattress can be an overwhelming experience, especially with all the new styles and brands available both in-store and on the internet. Whether you prefer a mattress in a box or try-before-you-buy in the store, it helps to be prepared with some knowledge of the details of modern mattress construction.

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Unless you insist that the most comfortable mattress in the world is on a waterbed (yes, you can still buy them – try Furniture Row in Spokane Valley), most mattresses can be divided into a few major types with some variations to suit as many bodies as possible.

Foam People who suffer from back and joint pain often choose a foam mattress. Foam layers are generally made from polyurethane, though some might use latex, or a combination of the two.

The advantage of foam is that it softens as you lie on it, so it molds to the shape of your body. Some people say it’s like getting a “hug” from your mattress. Of course, if you’re the sort of person who tends to sleep hot, the foam hug may not seem like much of an advantage, as many foam mattresses tend to retain a great deal of your body heat.

Another disadvantage of a foam mattress is that it sometimes requires more effort to change positions.

If this sounds like an inconvenience, you might try a different mattress construction.

Innerspring If you’re of a certain age, chances are good you’ve slept on an innerspring, or “traditional” mattress. The fact is that even today, 60 percent of mattresses sold are innerspring mattresses.

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These mattresses are made of steel coils in a variety of arrangements along with some arrangement of layers of cushioning, possibly a pillowtop layer, and some even include infused gel. Hybrid mattresses include one or more layers of foam over the springs.

Changing positions on an innerspring tends to be easier, though they also tend to bounce a little more, possibly causing a sleep interruption for a partner. Some innersprings also may sleep a bit cooler, so take that into consideration when trying them out.

Adjustable Air This type of mattress allows you to inflate the mattress to your desired firmness with an electric air pump. These usually include additional layers, such as foam, and usually allow you to inflate individual halves of the bed to different firmnesses. Unfortunately the pumps are noisy, so make sure you’re dialed in before your partner falls asleep.

Smart Though not as widely available as some of the other options here, you can expect one of the next big movements in mattresses to be the smart mattress. The idea is that the more you know about how you sleep – the way you breathe, regulate your body temperature, etc. – the more optimized your sleep can be. Some smart mattresses can even adjust your bed’s temperature based on your sleep patterns or inform the coffee pot that it’s time to make java in the morning.

How to Shop Many mattresses sold in the major stores are exclusive to those retailers, so if you find a mattress you like at Macy’s, don’t expect to be able to find the exact same model at another retailer, even if they carry the same brand.

If you’re in-store shopping, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothes (if possible, something you would be comfortable sleeping in). And wear shoes that you can easily slip off and on.

As you’re probably aware, the mattress purchasing trend has been moving toward the mattress in a box, shipped to your front door. These are foam mattresses and one of the great pleasures in ordering one is opening the box and watching your mattress spring to life out of its rolled-up form. (Make sure you open it where you plan to place it... another feature of the foam mattress is that they can be floppy and difficult to move).

Online ordering from brands like Casper and Purple often comes with a sleep-on-it guarantee since you can’t test out their products in store. These companies also often give you at least 100 days to try it out before making your final decision.

Many store-front mattress sellers also offer satisfaction guarantees, so make sure you ask your salesperson what they’ll do if you find yourself with sleeper’s remorse.

Ultimately it’s a personal choice, and it’s difficult to know until you’ve slept on your new mattress for a few nights if it’s going to be the best one for you, but with so many choices out there, you’re bound to find one that you can sink yourself into for the night.

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Smart Home, Happy Family

By Joe Butler

Unless a loved one has specifically requested something, conventional thinking says to refrain from giving the gift of appliances during the holidays.

While some might appreciate the gesture with plans to put the device to good use, others might interpret the message as “Now you can spend more time cleaning or cooking things for me!”

But today, even the most mundane household appliances are cool, tech-forward gadgets that may get you excited about chores … or at least help you do them!

Take a peek at some of the coolest home tech out there that can be great to give or receive this season.

Smart vacuum While self-driven cars are still in the works, science has already given us self-driven vacuum cleaners. There are now at least four major brands that offer automatic vacuums that can either follow a pre-assigned route through your home or simply wander around and suck up any dirt or messes they encounter. Some styles are designed for specific needs, such as pet hair or for hardwood floors instead of carpet. iRobot’s Roomba is still considered the standard, with the 980 and 690 especially recommended, but Electrolux’s Pure and Neato Robotics Botvac are also popular.

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Smart bulbs Even the most unique and elaborate lamps and light schemes are pretty basic when it comes to color: bright white, soft white and intensity are the limit to your options. If you want certain decorative colors, like blue lights for your child’s aquatic themed playroom, you’ll spend time and money changing out lights.

But with Wi-Fi enabled LED Mini Color Smart Bulb by LIFX, you can change the color anytime with your smart phone or home voice assistants, like Alexa. The bulbs fit most lamps and fixtures, so you don’t need to buy special lamps either. You’ll find yourself changing your light’s colors and ambiance as often as you change your mind and mood.

Smart pet sitter Our dogs hate being separated from us when we go to work.

But it’s hard on us too, and more than one pup owner has wondered what they’re up to out of our sight or have even left an answering machine message so they can hear our voices.

If you miss your pets as much they miss you, Furbo Dog Camera lets you see, talk to and even feed your furry friends no matter where you are. Sound-activated sensors let you know if your dog is barking. It snaps photos of your dog and automatically uploads them to your phone and lets you speak to him or her. It’s also tied into a treat dispenser that you can activate remotely when you know he’s being a good, good boy.

Which is all the time.

Smart shade You can program your voice assistant to control a variety of tasks in the house. Why not let it open the curtains too? Available in Honeycomb or Roller styles with varying light-filters in over 150 fabrics, custom made to suit your style, Lutron Serena Shades can be opened and closed remotely. It’s perfect if you’re trying to maintain house temperature, or if you just can’t pull yourself out of bed before throwing the shades wide to let the sun in. Remote controlled shades are also useful for those who may experience difficulty opening or closing shades.

December 2018

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LEISURE

By Theresa Tanner

While skiers and snowboarders get a rush sashaying down mountains, some winter adventurers want a little more zip.

Snowmobiling is the perfect for solution for motorcyclists and motorbike enthusiasts who just can’t sit still for a long Northwest winter.

With 16 Sno-Parks in Eastern Washington, ranging as far north as Metaline and as far south as Dayton, and 7,200 miles of snowmobile trails throughout Idaho, local snowmobilers can explore a different trail nearly every weekend of the winter.

GETTING STARTED If you’re just getting into this new hobby – maybe you’ve never been on a snowmobile before – finding a local club might be a

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good way to get started. These groups are filled with friendly, experienced snowmobile enthusiasts who are happy to share their knowledge for first-timers.

Since the 1960s, the Spokane Winter Knights Snowmobile Club has organized group rides throughout the the area, ranging from family-friendly trail rides to expert level backcountry mountain rides. The club, which also provides Search & Rescue services for Spokane County and the surrounding area, focuses on safety and speciality training to make sure that riders are ready to tackle trails that match their skill level. They also host an annual snowmobile and ATV show on the second Saturday in November at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

Across the Idaho border, the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club meets monthly at the Coeur d’Alene Golden Corral on the first first Tuesday of the month (October through March) to preserve and promote winter recreation in Idaho by ensuring that riding areas remain safe and accessible for public use. The club also maintains three warming huts at strategic recreation locations in Idaho Panhandle National Forests; the group spent this fall rebuilding the Skitwish warming hut after a fire destroyed the building in 2016.

Polaris trail snowmobile (one or two seaters available), helmet(s), maps and instruction. Rentals can be picked up or delivered.

RENT, THEN BUY

Once you’ve made a few rounds on a rental and you’re ready to buy, there are plenty of snowmobile retailers in the area. Spokane Powersports on North Division sells Polaris and Timbersled brand snowmobiles, and Empire Cycle and Powersports in Spokane Valley is an Arctic Cat dealer. In Coeur d’Alene, Specialty Recreation &

While you’re still getting acquainted with snowmobiling, you might want to give the sport a test run. Summer Snow Outfitters in Coeur d’Alene rents paddle boards and scooters in the summer, and snowmobiles in the winter. For up to three days, renters can get a

Up north in Priest Lake, Crown Jewel Winter Sports rents Ski-Doo and Polaris snowmobiles, equipment and clothing to keep riders warm as they explore 420 miles of groomed trails around the lake.

Their snowmobiles are available for half day, full day or week long rentals.

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Snowbobiles

Marine sells Yamaha, Timbersled and Ski-Doo snowmobiles. They also have a changing selection of pre-owned trade-ins that might catch your eye.

SpokaneWinter Knights Snowmobile Club spokanewinterknights.com

As you’re shopping, tell sales staff about your experience and comfort level, so they can help determine which make will best suit your life.

Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club coeurdalenesnowmobileclub.com

HOT SPOTS OK, you’ve got your ride ready! Now, where do you go? The aforementioned clubs and businesses will undoubtedly have some ideas, but you can start your own research with some other helpful guides.

Northeast Washington Trails has put together a guide for all the trails in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, specifically noting which trails are approved for motorized vehicles.

Visit Idaho has a similar resource, showing you the best places to snowmobile by region; in the Sandpoint area, you’ll find five riding areas across three mountain ranges with 275 miles of groomed trails.

While you’re in the area, you can take a guided tour with Selkirk Powder Guides at Schweitzer Mountain across both groomed and ungroomed trails with plenty of stops along the way for scenic photography, snacks and information from guides about local and natural history.

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Summer Snow Outfitters summersnowoutfitters.com

Empire Cycle and Powersports empire-cycle.com Specialty Recreation & Marine specialtyrecreation.com Northeast Washington Trails newashingtontrails.com/findsnowmobile-routes/

Crown Jewel Winter Sports priestlakesnowmobilerental.com

Visit Idaho visitidaho.org/things-to-do/ snowmobiling/

Spokane Powersports spokanepowersports.com

Selkirk Powder Guides selkirkpowder.com

By Joe Butler Are you pro- or anti-books as gifts? You’re pro-reading, of course, whether it’s a hardback, paperback, e-book or audiobook. But do you take the risk and pick a book to give, perhaps imparting your own tastes and opinions on the recipient? Or do you play it safe with a gift card that merely encourages them to visit a local book store?

Whether you’re buying for yourself or a friend, who doesn’t like to get recommendations on the season’s hottest reads?

The Clockmaker’s Daughter Kate Morton (Atria Books) Archivist Elodie Winslow discovers an old satchel containing a photo and a 150-yearold sketchbook that leads to new information about an unsolved murder in Victorian London, unraveling a story of “murder, mystery, and thievery, of art, love and loss.” It’s a creative mystery that straddles two time periods and brings in plenty of excitement and suspense even if the actual crime happened long ago. The novel’s author uses a variety of points of view over time to show how some secrets are easy to keep and some eventually need to be told.

Girl, Wash Your Face Rachel Hollis (Thomas Nelson) Want some motivation to get a better you in 2019? In this inspirational guide to life, Rachel Hollis encourages readers to stop believing what society tells them they should be, and instead, focus on what they’re meant to be. The founder of ChicSite.com shares her own challenges trying to balance an imperfect home and personal life while trying to run a perfect business. Once she removed the insecurities placed by others, and by herself, she found exciting new ways to inspire herself to do wonderful and passionate things and get stuff done.

And you can too. Bonus: Hollis’ follow-up, “Girl, Stop Apologizing” is out March 2019.

A Winter’s Promise Christelle Dabos (Europa Editions) Looking for the next big young adult fantasy series? The first book in the Mirror Visitor Quartet series was recently translated from its native French for English-reading audiences. In a fractured world composed for many floating celestial islands, each ruled by the spirit of an omnipotent and immortal ancestor, headstrong Ophelia who can travel through mirrors is promised in marriage to Thorn, a reserved and influential resident of a cold, icy ark. But Ophelia learns she is part of a larger political plot and must hide her abilities to protect her future.

The Christmas Sisters Sarah Morgan (HQN) No holiday book list should be complete without something that warms the heart and helps you feel better about a crazy world. Curl up under a blanket as you enjoy the story of three sisters who are orphaned early in life and drift apart. When their adoptive mother calls them all home for Christmas, tensions among the women run high. But what better time than the holidays than to reveal old secrets and repair familial bonds?

This Is the Day Tim Tebow with A.J. Gregory (WaterBrook) If you don’t relate to Rachel Hollis, how about Tim Tebow? The former pro football (who also pursued a professional baseball career) encourages readers to build up the courage to remove whatever is holding themselves back and take some risks. Even when dreams seem unrealistic, Tebow provides advice through his personal life stories to help those who are “stuck” find the courage to make their dreams happen.

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JUMP FOR JOY and Toys

By Sarah Bain

It’s that time of year again when you’re trying to decide what toys to get for the kids for the holidays. We’ve got you covered for what’s trending in toys; we’ll help you sort out what’s new, what’s retro and even what will help kids learn.

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Unbox the Fun

Teaching Toys

The online popularity of unboxing videos, showcasing the opening of a desirable toy or product, is beginning to have an influence on the toy aisle. Toymakers are now talking about unwrapping a surprise toy from a blind bag or box as a kind of untapped play that is not just fun, but fun to share in person and online.

A perennial category of popular toys is in the “play with a purpose” segment, and toys in the STEM and STEAM category are now engaging kids in new ways by incorporating new technologies and enticing kids to get excited about learning.

Of course the blind reveal is not brand new.

If you’ve purchased a pack of baseball cards, Pokemon cards or even a box of Cracker Jack, you’re familiar with fun of the reveal. But sales of this kind of toy have grown steadily in the last few years, and toymakers are hoping to take advantage by offering their own brand of fun surprises.

One of the newest teaching toys out there comes from the most famous video game company in the world: Nintendo. With a series of cardboard building and learning toys, the Nintendo Labo is used in conjunction with the Nintendo Switch console. The Variety Kit includes five different projects: two RC Cars, a Fishing Rod, a House, a Motorbike and a Piano! When paired with the Switch, each creation comes to life in cool creative ways.

Just a few examples of new offerings in this category are the L.O.L. Surprise Pets, which offers as many as seven layers of surprise, and the Playfoam Pals Surprise Egg, where a toy is hidden inside playfoam inside a plastic egg. Playfoam Pals are great stocking stuffers for the whole family.

Another favorite in this category is the Turing Tumble, which teaches people (not just for kids!) how computers work with marble mechanics. It’s literally a mechanical computer that’s as much fun to watch as it is to build, and leads to real-world knowledge with hands-on mechanics.

Retro Millennial

High Tech

Moms and dads born between 1981 and 1997 are currently the majority of young parents in the U.S. Though often associated with high-tech gadgets and a focus on the “new,” millennial parents tend to believe it’s important to unplug and engage with their children so they are reviving an interest in classic toys and retro brands that are likely to appeal to many of the adults buying them as they do to the kids. This year, expect to see toys with a lot of nostalgia and traditional play value that parents will love as much as their kids.

Tech toys are always extremely popular, and as the tech progresses and become more affordable, the toy-ability of this category just gets bigger and bigger. A new and growing part of this segment is augmented and virtual reality. Some of this stuff is just really cool.

A few “reboots” you can look forward to are Polly Pocket, a 35th anniversary reissue of the 1983 original My Little Pony and Shrinky Dinks. And though it may seem too soon to be called retro, the Harry Potter series is commemorating 20 years since its American debut. To celebrate, kids can get their own Harry Potter Training Wand, which includes 11 spells to master. The wand recognizes movements and knows when you’ve cast the correct spell. Ten points to Gryffindor when you learn them!

Auntie’ss A and Merlyn's have been fixtures in Downtown Spokane for 40 YEARS. Both local and independent, our stores love serving the Spokane community.

We look forward to 40 more years of serving Downtown Spokane.

402 W. Main Ave. | (509) 838-0206

www.auntiesbooks.com

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www.merlyns.biz

One thing thrill seekers might love is the K’nex Thrill Ride Roller Coaster Building Set with Ride It! App. Once you build your roller coaster, you attach the VR goggles to your phone, put them up to your eyes, and away you go! You get to experience the ride as if you were actually riding the roller coaster.

Remember that 20th anniversary of Harry Potter we mentioned? Well, the Wow! Stuff innovators are working their own magic to bring Quidditch to life through technology.

Two officially licensed versions of the Golden Snitch are available: the Harry Potter Mystery Flying Snitch and the Harry Potter Golden Snitch Heliball. The former has realistic fluttering wings to create the illusion of flight (aided by invisible thread), while the latter actually flies through proximity sensor technology. Either one is bound to be a winner with the Seeker in your family.

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T R AV E L

The Journey to RV

By Leslie Kelly

“Maybe you’re just not RV people.”

We heard those words from a salesman at one dealership as we haggled over a vehicle during a shopping session last summer. He got impatient and finally decided to let us have it.

At first, we were insulted. Then it got us thinking: Are we really RV people?

We’re going to find out. We are now the proud owners of a 2017 Thor Gemini 23TB, purchased in late September from Camping World in Liberty Lake.

How did we come to this decision? Like all things in our lives, we debated the pros and cons endlessly, changed our minds daily, decided we weren’t going to buy after all, talked some more, and then finally took a leap of faith.

It has been a long shopping process. We’ve rented RVs to try them out throughout the spring and summer, finding a few that we liked, but none that we loved.

We took one out on a test drive and loved the way it handled. We were offered a great deal at Blue Dog RV in Post Falls, and we thought about it long and hard. In the end, the Hymer felt a little tight for us, and the fuel economy was a little less than we wanted.

What to do? We tried out a short Class C Itasca Spirit in Alaska and liked most things about it – except its gas-guzzling engine. That’s when we started to look at other short Class C vehicles with better fuel economy.

RV manufacturers seem to be addressing people like us. An array of short Class C vehicles are on the market that are slightly longer than vans, with slide-outs to open up more living space.

We looked at the Winnebago’s Navion and Fuse and were impressed.

Then we found the Thor Gemini, slightly used and at a great price.

We finally pulled the trigger, and three days later, we hit the road.

When we started on this road of RV discovery, we thought we wanted a van of some sort. We also wanted to stay small.

First stop: Walla Walla wine country, where we camped at the award-winning Dunham Cellars, known for its spectacular cabs and chardonnay. If you’re going to camp anywhere in Walla Walla, it’s a pretty great way to go.

We tried out Caravan Outfitter’s Freebird, a tight build-out on the Nissan NV 200 cargo van offered by Campell Nissan of Edmonds.

We liked it a lot, especially the fuel economy. While it worked great for short trips, we knew it would be difficult to live in full time, so we started looking for something bigger.

The winery, in Walla Walla’s happening airport district, has an RV hookup available for guests. No drinking and driving – you can stay right on site for a walking tasting tour in the airport district.

‘What about a tall van?’ we wondered. We looked at many, many models, from Winnebagos to Pleasure-Ways. We finally thought we

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had something when found the Hymer Aktiv, a gas-powered van built on the Dodge ProMaster chassis.

PLATINUM.SPOKESMAN.COM

Next we traveled to Joseph, Ore., amid beautiful fall colors. So far, it’s looking like a great adventure – and maybe we really are RV people.

Photo by John Nelson

Photo by Leslie Kelly

Photo by John Nelson

Leslie Kelly and John Nelson are on a great adventure to explore the West. Follow their RV travels at spokesman.com/blogs/going-mobile and instagram.com/ourgrandtour.

L I G H T S . FA F M I LY.

Our nightly fireworks show is bigger and better than ever!

Experience the magic on every Holiday Light Sho Journey to the North Pole cruise. Ignite your Show holiday spirit at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

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Starting at

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Includes overnight accommodations, two Journey to the North Pole Cruise tickets, $ 30 dining credit and a special milk & cookie delivery to your room by Santa’s Elves!

Based on availability.

40 nights. 1.5 million lights.

C DA R E S O R T. C O M 8 6 6 / 47 1 . 2 7 1 6

December 2018

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A Volcanic Arc of the Tyrrhenian Sea

By Dan Webster

From a distance, the island of Stromboli looked to be shrouded in clouds. Once we got closer, though, we saw they weren’t clouds at all.

And I thought, these volcano visits are getting to be a habit.

We came to the islands from Naples, where we’d spent the night at the hotel Exe Majestic and dined on pizza – obligatory in Naples – at Umberto. The six-plus-hour hydrofoil ride to the Aeolians was one of the most uncomfortable forms of travel I’ve even endured. My wife and I had come prepared for motion sickness, with Dramamine for her or Travel-Gum for me. Other passengers were not as well prepared.

Years before, we’d driven around Mount Etna, an active volcano located on mainland Sicily. And some years after that, we’d seen Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, which we had visited at midnight so we could better see the red glow of its open caldera.

The up side? Two things: We were able to watch a World Cup match on a big-screen TV (cue the trumpets), and we ended up in Lipari (pronounced, we learned, LEE-pah-ree), the biggest of the islands in the group.

Stromboli, though, was part of something every bit as special.

Set amid an archipelago called the Aeolian Islands, it sits in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off the northeast coast of Sicily. It is one of eight major islands in the chain, all of volcanic origin, though Stromboli’s volcano is the only one still active.

After we arrived, still regaining our land legs, we made a rookie mistake. Taking a cab from the port, we were deposited on a street that was maybe only about half as close to the hotel as the port itself.

Stomboli was leaking steam from its volcano.

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Turns out, Lipari’s main streets are closed to vehicles after a certain hour. So we had to walk. Ah, well, it was late, we were tired and mistakes were made. Even experienced travelers sometimes get confused.

Our basic plan ended up being sound, in the long run. We used Lipari as our home base, leaving our luggage in the room we rented at the Residence Alberghiero Eolie, which included a kitchenette and access to a terrace with a grand view of the neighboring hillsides.

This gave us the freedom to explore the other islands during day trips.

Lipari itself, which boasts a permanent population nearly 12,000, was ideal for our purposes. Though the island is a popular tourist site, attracting some 200,000 visitors a season, it never felt as crowded as any of Italy’s most popular cities – Rome, Florence, Venice and the like.

And there is plenty to experience in Lipari, particularly the food. It should come as no surprise that seafood is a specialty, which we took advantage of more than once, most notably at Ristorante Pescatore.

Maybe our favorite eatery was a street-side sandwich shop called

EnoPaninoteca Gilberto e Vera, which prompted a second visit during our trip. The panini were tasty and inexpensive, and the service was friendly and prompt.

To see the rest of the island, we hired a taxi driver to take us around (as we had done on the island of Ponza the previous summer). This gave us a feel both for Lipari’s smaller communities and for how elevation can, as the day progresses, affect the weather – the late afternoons were surprisingly foggy and cool.

Mostly, we enjoyed just walking the streets of the island’s main town center, which aren’t very long but do feature steep climbs up to the castle that overlooks the port. Like all of Italy, Lipari boasts a variety of museums that capture both its history and culture.

Our favorite was the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano, which revealed the natural history of the area’s volcanoes. Not only did we enjoy combing through the collection of artifacts, but we marveled at the view of the harbor the museum offers.

Even if you stay for a week, as we did on Lipari, you never find time to see everything. This is especially true in the Aeolians because the other islands – we visited three – are also must-sees.

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First, we took the hydrofoil to Vulcano (Vul-CAH-no, pop. 470), the island nearest Lipari, which turned out to be the start of a movie mini-tour; Anna Magnani starred in the 1950 film “Vulcano.” After strolling through the town, past the Sulphur mud baths that are a major island tourist attraction, we returned to the port in search of a guide.

Lucky for us, we found Santi (of Santi Tour), who quoted us a decent price and who spoke English well, in contrast to our mediocre Italian.

And while exploring most of what the tiny island had to offer, Santi gave us a virtual college education in Vulcan’s geology, geography and history while keying on the occasional volcanic eruption. The last major one ended in 1890.

After the tour, Santi recommended a restaurant, Malvasia Pane Cunzatu, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch that I would describe as Caprese salad on a pizza.

On another day, we caught the hydrofoil to the island of Salina (Sah-LEE-nah, pop. 4,000). Again, we hired a driver to see both that island’s scenic views and its three distinct towns, including Pollara, where Massimo Troisi’s final film, “Il Postino,” was shot.

We were most excited to visit Stromboli (STROM-boh-lee, pop.

500), namesake and site of the 1950 Roberto Rossellini film starring Ingrid Bergman. We’d booked an overnight stay in a seaside room at the exclusive La Sirenetta Park Hotel, where the echoes of the waves splashing on the nearby beach rocked us to sleep.

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They don’t allow cars on Stromboli, so the only way to get close to the volcano is to hike up the mountain (our aging legs nixed that idea). Or you can rent a boat on the gamble that you’ll be able to get a clear view of the lava flow from out on the water. But the boat-rental cost on Stomboli (as on the other islands) seemed a bit steep, and there was no guarantee that we’d see any more than what we’d viewed passing by on our initial arrival. So we declined.

Instead, we chose to take an evening passeggiata (or “stroll,” an Italian tradition), climbing up alleyways and stairwells, past little shops and the occasional open area where residents gathered to chat and otherwise pass the time. Ultimately, we arrived at the restaurant Trattoria Ai Gechi.

And then there we sat, on an outdoor terrace, our backs to an active volcano, drinking from a chilled bottle of Malvasia Bianca as night came on. We clinked glasses as we looked out over Stromboli’s countryside and onward to the blue sea beyond.

And I pondered: How many other volcanoes can we visit in the world?

Discover the history, cultures and art of the Inland Northwest and the world.

2018-2019 As Grandmother Taught: Women, Tradition and Plateau Art Modern Masters: Group f/64 Into the Artic RYAN! Feddersen: Phantom Lands The Inland Northwest and the Great War: A Centennial Commemoration of World War I

Photo by Dan Webster

December 2018

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in Vancouver, BC

By Cheryl-Anne Millsap

December is a busy month and with work schedules, school, family gatherings and social obligations, it can be hard to find the time to take more than a few days away. But it’s also the time of year when the idea of a quick city break – a jaunt to somewhere big and bright and full of holiday cheer – takes hold.

For most of us who live in this part of the Inland Northwest, a big city getaway usually means a weekend in Seattle. If we don’t choose to drive the snowy passes, the Emerald City is just a short hop on one of the frequent flights departing Spokane International Airport.

But there’s another destination that shines just as bright. Why not start your fun in Seattle, and then move on up the coast and across the Canadian border to Vancouver, British Columbia?

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Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with all the robust personality of the Northwest blended with old-world elegance and urban sophistication.

Getting There Via Interstate 5, Vancouver is a little less than a three hour drive from Seattle. Of course, there may also be extra wait time at the border crossing, as well as increased traffic on the roads during the holiday season.

A convenient alternative is riding the rails with Amtrak Cascades (amtrak.com). With fares that range from $32 to $77 each way, the Cascades skims along the coastline, leaving you free to enjoy the spectacular views, sip a cup of coffee and chat with your travel

Suzanne Rushton / Tourism Vancouver

(vanartgallery.bc.ca/), it’s easy to fill a day or a weekend wandering around the heart of the city. But in December there’s even more to love.

Each year from late November to Christmas Eve, the city celebrates the holiday season with a traditional Christkindlmarkt. Inspired by a centuries-old German tradition, Vancouver Christmas Market (vancouverchristmasmarket.com) is a treat for the senses. The air is filled with music, laughter and the unique personality of an Old World market as you stroll through the lanes between the more than 80 festive shops and huts.

Sizzling sausages, mugs of spiced Glühwein (mulled wine), sweet treats, pretzels and more encourage you to stop and taste. Authentic handcrafted gifts and collectibles make distinctive gifts for those on your list, and – of course – the perfect souvenir of your visit to the city just across the Canadian border.

Located at Jack Poole Plaza, this year’s Vancouver Christmas Market is open daily from Nov. 21 until Dec. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To make the 2018 holiday season even brighter, this year Vancouver has added another festival to its celebration lineup. The new Aurora Winter Festival (aurorawinterfestival.com/vancouver/) brings the magic of the North Pole to the city.

From Nov. 23 to Dec. 30, the Aurora Winter Festival will transform Concord Pacific Place into a magical winter forest filled with mystical creatures, illuminated gardens and a snow maze. Other attractions include ice skating on a frozen river, Santa’s Workshop, amusement rides and a village market with merchants and food vendors.

Clayton Perry / Tourism Vancouver

companions, and maybe even accomplish a few work tasks, thanks to the complimentary WiFi. Taxi service is available to take you downtown from the train station.

Amtrak operates daily round trip service between Seattle and Vancouver. Departing Seattle at 7:45 a.m. (check for updated schedules before you book), the train pulls in before noon. Return service leaves at 7 p.m. and arrives back in Seattle at 11 p.m.

Holiday Cheer Once you’re in Vancouver there is no shortage of fun available. From the beautiful waterfront to the artisan vibe of Granville Island (granvilleisland.com) to the outstanding collections at the Vancouver Art Gallery Rishad Daroowala / Tourism Vancouver

December 2018

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Capilano Suspension Bridge Park / Tourism Vancouver

You’ll find even more twinkling lights in North Vancouver’s Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (capbridge.com), where thousands of lights decorate the iconic suspension bridge, Cliffwalk over the Capilano River and Treetop Adventure (110 feet above the forest floor). The park remains open until 9 p.m. during Canyon Lights (Nov. 22 - Jan. 27; closed Dec. 25); tickets are required.

Sweet Dreams Vancouver is a city of sky scraping condominium and hotel towers, and there is certainly no shortage of options for your stay, but perhaps the most romantic way to celebrate is a night at the elegant and intimate Wedgewood Hotel and Spa (wedgewoodhotel.com).

A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, the luxury hotel sits on a tree-lined street in downtown Vancouver. Each of the

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83 rooms and suites has a private balcony, and the hotel’s awardwinning spa offers an array of luxury treatments and services.

Sip and Savor Vancouver is a foodie’s delight and I don’t even know where to begin wonderful dining options. It’s enough to know that with innovative cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs, a multicultural focus on eating well and a fleet of food trucks drawing crowds around town, it’s easy to find your new favorite place.

If you’re having trouble deciding, Tourism Vancouver (tourismvancouver.com) has put together several dining guides to help you find the perfect spot for a bite to eat on your holiday city break. They’ll help you find the best brunch, food with a view and the freshest seafood the city has to offer.

Rishad Daroowala / Tourism Vancouver

Rishad Daroowala / Tourism Vancouver

Suzanne Rushton / Tourism Vancouver December 2018

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KITCHEN FIX

FOOD

If it’s true what they say – the kitchen is the heart of the home – then the holidays afford a splendid time to make that heart happy. From frivolous finds to practical presents, we’ve scouted around to compile a collection of goodies meant to make time in the kitchen a little less taxing and a lot more fun.

NOSTALGIA ELECTRICS 3-IN-1 BREAKFAST STATION

Bring a retro touch to your morning routine with this cute-and-quirky appliance. Ideal for tiny kitchens, this little workhorse has everything you need to create a complete homemade breakfast all in one compact spot! The nonstick griddle up top is big enough to cook a couple of eggs and a handful of sausage links, and the multifunction toaster oven underneath has room for four slices of bread. Plus, coffee!

$69.99, Available at Kohl’s

By Tricia Jo Webster

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SQUIRREL NUT GRINDER

This little cutie is as fun as it is functional! Suitable for nuts of all varieties, this grinder makes easy work of chopping shelled walnuts, pecans, peanuts and almonds with just a twist. Simply tilt the critter’s head back to fill the grinding compartment with whatever nuts you need, then turn the tail and collect them in the detachable glass jar.

$14.99, Available at Cost Plus World Market

OXO SOFTWORKS 3-IN-1 AVOCADO SLICER

Wrap this one up for the avocado aficionado on your list. The serrated plastic blade on this easy-to-handle multipurpose tool is sharp enough to cut through avocado skin and reach the core, but it’s not sharp to the touch. The pitter at the center has three small stainless-steel blades, designed to remove the seed with one easy twist, and one poke from behind pops the pit right out. An incorporated fan blade simultaneously pulls flesh from the outer skin and slices the fruit into seven perfect pieces.

$10.79, Available at Target

CATAMOUNT POPCORN POPPER

Just in time for family movie night comes this charming microwave popcorn popper. The uncomplicated design makes it fast and easy to use, and its retro appeal earns it a place at the table. Just pour kernels into the heatresistant glass vessel, slip some butter into the silicone lid and in less than three minutes you’ll have a delicious batch of freshly popped corn covered with melted butter.

$22.50, Available at Williams Sonoma

GOTHAM STEEL ELECTRIC SMOKELESS GRILL & GRIDDLE

Here’s one for friends who love to grill year-round but aren’t super excited about standing outside in frigid temperatures. There’s no need for coals, fire or gas, because this grill is ready to go as soon as you plug it in. With almost 55 inches of cooking space, grilling dinner for two (or breakfast on the included griddle insert) on the non-stick titanium and ceramic cooking surface is a snap.

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December 2018

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DRINK UP AND STAY WARM

By Rick Bonino

While winter days grow darker and shorter, the season’s beers get darker and bigger. Strong stouts, malty winter warmers and robust barleywines are the liquid equivalent of bulky coats, hats and gloves to ward off the elements.

Here’s a look at what some local breweries are tapping this time of year to help you stay chill, but not chilled.

The annual Midnight Marmot imperial stout from River City Brewing may sound quintessentially Spokane, but its roots run back to England. While American interpretations of the style tend to be more bitter and roasty, says River City brewer Todd Grove, the Marmot is smoother in the British tradition.

“We use an old English-style yeast that really mutes the hops and boosts malts,” Grove explained. “There’s lots of dark chocolate and caramel, and it’s toasted around the edges.”

While River City doesn’t maintain a regular taproom, it opens the brewery for First Fridays and special events. For the winter solstice Dec. 21, a Darkest Day of the Year party will showcase several versions of Marmot – infused with such additions as vanilla, coffee and cocoa, and one blended with barleywine and aged in a whiskey barrel – plus other dark beers, against a brooding backdrop of horror movies and heavy metal music.

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And River City’s sixth anniversary celebration Feb. 1 will feature a double-strength version of the brewery’s standard red ale. “It will be rich as all get-out,” Grove said.

Elsewhere in downtown Spokane, other returning favorites include the roastier, more aggressive Goatnik imperial stout at Iron Goat Brewing, the big, malty Stack Frost winter ale at the historic Steam Plant and a strong, spiced Gingerbread Winter Warmer at Black Label Brewing.

Bellwether Brewing specializes in Old World styles, and in that vein, it offers a warm, spiced Hygge Mulled Ale (after the Danish word for “cozy”) on Sundays during the holidays. Several barrel-fermented and barrel-aged beers also are due through the winter – brewed with everything from frankincense resin to rose hips to juniper boughs – along with a rich, sweet stout, made with milk sugar and caramelized honey, inspired by the “butterbeer” of Harry Potter fame.

Bellwether has several events scheduled to celebrate the season, including a holiday market Dec. 8 with an assortment of local vendors, Old World Santa photos Dec. 9 to benefit Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary and traditional Christmas Eve caroling.

Twelve String Brewing takes a hoppier approach with its 12 Strings of Winter this year, which centers on piney, spicy Chinook hops.

“It still has a nice malt backbone,” said owner/brewer Terry Hackler. “A maltier IPA is what I call it, though it falls into the winter category.”

The same goes for Twelve String’s anniversary beer, which will be released for the brewery’s celebration of seven years in business Dec. 8-9. Hackler took a recipe similar to his Electric Slide imperial IPA and has been aging it in a bourbon barrel for the occasion.

Bennidito’s Brewpub features its Winter IPA again this season, using new hop pellets from this year’s harvest, along with the addition of hop “hash” – a concentrated form of the lupulin powder that gives hops their pungent kick.

The hearty Destroy My Sweater at Hopped Up Brewing is all about the malts, with a twist: the addition of homegrown spruce tips.

“The way I do it is very minimal,” said owner/brewer Steve Ewan. “You just get a little bit of evergreen from the oils in the tips.”

This year he’ll be serving a fresh batch alongside six kegs that have been cellaring since last winter. Since the spruce is so subtle, Ewan said, “I don’t know what last year’s will taste like, but we’re going to find out.”

As for the name, it borrows from Weezer’s “Undone – The Sweater Song,” but Ewan says it’s also a reference to an ugly sweater contest that turned even uglier when some people got upset that they didn’t win.

Bellwether Brewing 2019 N. Monroe St. bellwetherbrewing.net

Bennidito’s Brewpub 1909 E. Sprague Ave. benniditosbrewpub.com

Big Barn Brewing 16004 N. Applewood Lane, Mead bigbarnbrewing.com

Black Label Brewing 19 W. Main Ave., Spokane blacklabelbrewing.com

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Daft Badger Brewing 1710 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene facebook.com/daftbadgerbrewing

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Iron Goat Brewing Also in the Valley, Millwood Brewing is marking its first holidays with a Hookie Bob winter ale accented with seasonal spices, while English Setter Brewing is rolling out a winter warmer, a heavy stout and a porter brewed with Reese’s Puffs cereal.

In Green Bluff, farm-based Big Barn Brewing welcomes the snow with some of last year’s White Out Stout – spiced with cinnamon, clove, ginger and orange zest – that has been aging in wine barrels since February.

Over the state line in Coeur d’Alene, Daft Badger Brewing brings back the bourbon version of its Josiah’s Revenge imperial stout, conditioned on oak chips that are soaked in Maker’s Mark and then smoked. Compared to aging in actual barrels, owner Darrell Dlouhy said, “chips are a lot more predictable and manageable.” The brewery’s popular Kahlua Porter also is scheduled to return around Christmas.

And the seasonal Soul Warmer Porter is back at Trickster’s Brewing in time for its sixth anniversary party Dec. 1. On the way is a new batch of Christmas Stout, brewed with bourbon vanilla beans and cocoa, accompanied by some of last year’s version that’s been aging in French oak Bordeaux barrels.

1302 W. Second Ave., Spokane irongoatbrewing.com

Millwood Brewing 9013 E. Frederick Ave. millwoodbrewery.com

River City Brewing 121 S. Cedar St., Spokane facebook.com/RiverCityBrewing

Steam Plant Kitchen and Brewery 159 S. Lincoln St., Spokane steamplantspokane.com

Trickster’s Brewing 3850 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene trickstersbrewing.com

Twelve String Brewing 11616 E. Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley facebook.com/12stringbrewingco

December 2018

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A Crowd-pleasing Roast Chicken

Story and photo by Adriana Janovich Originally published in The Spokesman-Review

I chose this recipe because Food & Wine said it was Julia Child’s favorite for roast chicken.

But – during preparation, at least – it wasn’t the bird that stood out.

It was the butter.

The vegetables stuffed into the chicken are first sautéed in butter. Then the poultry is massaged all over with more butter. After 15 minutes of cooking, the bird is brushed with still more butter.

In all, the recipe calls for 2 ½ tablespoons. But by the time I was done, it felt like much more than that. Maybe that’s because I doubled the recipe – stuffing, rubbing down and roasting two birds in one pan.

Company was coming, and I needed chicken for 10: six adults and four children.

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I opted for roast chicken because of its versatility and approachability.

It pairs well with so many sides. And, in general, people seem to like it. It’s hard to go wrong with roast chicken, especially when you can say the recipe was Child’s favorite.

In her classic cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” she wrote, “You can always judge the quality of a cook or a restaurant by roast chicken.”

Similarly, in “Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home,” which she penned with the famed chef Jacques Pepin, she wrote, “A well-roasted chicken is the mark of a fine cook.”

Don’t let her words intimidate you. This buttery, citrus-scented chicken really isn’t too difficult to make. Pretty much the worst thing you can do, Child herself said, is overcook it and dry it out. Luckily, in this recipe, there’s plenty of butter, lemon, herbs, vegetables and pan juices to help keep that from happening.

On the “To Roast a Chicken” episode of her famed cooking show “The French Chef,” Child cut off the chicken’s “little elbow knobs” and snipped out the stubborn wishbone before roasting to make carving later a little bit easier. She called the wishbone removal a “useful operation,” but where’s the fun in that?

I didn’t bother with trimming the elbows, and I kept the wishbones – just in case a couple of the kids wanted to pull them apart while making a wish.

Child trussed her bird with a thick, big-eyed needle. In the end, it was all tied up, like a gift. A present of raw, stuffed, string-bound chicken.

Hers was going on a rotisserie. Mine was headed for a pan. So I followed the alternative option, simply tying the ends of the drumsticks together.

No matter which you cook the bird, “it should have a butter massage,” Child said on her show. This helps the bird to brown and gives it flavor, she explained.

In “Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home,” she further noted, “Not everything I do with my roast chicken is necessarily scientific. For instance, I always give my bird a generous butter massage before I put it in the oven. Why? Because I think the chicken likes it – and, more important, I like to give it.”

Her butter massage on the show was, to be sure, much more enthusiastic than mine. I approached this step a little more gingerly, washing my hands immediately after the task with extra-hot and extra-soapy water.

This leads to an important point. Also on the show, Child rinsed her chicken, and the recipe from 1997 includes that step, too. But these days, we don’t do that anymore for the same reason that Child did it years ago: food safety.

Rinsing poultry won’t kill the salmonella and other bacteria that are more likely on the raw meat – and all you do it spread that nastiness all over your sink. The way to make chicken safe to eat is to thoroughly cook it. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

That usually takes a half hour longer then the estimated time listed on a recipe, Child said on her show. She was right about that. Even allowing extra time for cooking two birds at once, the cooking time was longer than I expected – even after bringing both birds up to room temperature before placing them in the oven.

Good thing there were plenty of appetizers.

When it finally came time for carving, I recalled Child’s advice. “You start with the leg, and you nudge it off,” she said on her show.

She also recommended presenting the chicken at the dinner table, then carving it in the kitchen, if you aren’t particularly confident with the process. (That, of course, assumes a home cook doesn’t have an openconcept kitchen, like I do.)

Julia Child’s Favorite Roast Chicken Adapted from Julia Child in Food & Wine magazine, January 1997 Julia Child seasoned this roast chicken inside and out by packing sautéed vegetables, lemon slices and fresh herbs into the cavity, then rubbing the skin with butter. In typical French fashion, she trussed the bird to promote even cooking. Pair with a minerally, full-bodied CourCheverny – or, as we did at our dinner party, viognier from Walla Walla.

2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup finely diced carrots 1/3 cup finely diced onion 1/3 cup finely diced celery 1 teaspoon thyme, savory or mixed herbs, or 2 fresh thyme or savory sprigs 1 (3 1/2- to 4-pound) chicken Salt Freshly ground pepper Parsley stems Celery leaves Six (1/8-inch-thick) lemon slices 1/2 cup sliced onion 1/2 cup sliced carrots 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 3/4 cup chicken stock or broth Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a skillet. Add the diced carrots, onion and celery and cook over moderate heat until softened. Stir in the herbs.

For easier carving, cut out and discard the wishbone. Pull the neck skin up over the breast and secure it to the back with a toothpick. Salt and pepper the cavity and spoon in the cooked vegetables, a handful of parsley stems and celery leaves and the lemon slices. Massage the chicken all over with 1 tablespoon of the butter, then truss it. Alternatively, tie the ends of the drumsticks together and tuck the wings under the body.

Choose a flameproof roasting pan that is about 1 inch larger than the chicken. Salt the chicken all over and set it breast up on a rack in the pan. (Thoroughly wash all surfaces and utensils that have been in contact with the raw chicken.)

Roast the chicken in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, as follows: At 15 minutes: Brush the chicken with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Scatter the sliced onion and carrot all around. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

At 45 minutes: Brush the lemon juice over the chicken. If necessary, add 1/2 cup of water to the vegetables to prevent burning.

At 60 minutes: Baste with the pan juices.

Test for doneness: The drumsticks should move easily in their sockets; their flesh should feel somewhat soft. If not, continue roasting, basting and testing every 7 to 8 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees.

Spear the chicken through the shoulders; lift to drain; if the last of the juices run clear yellow, the chicken is done. Let rest on a carving board for 15 minutes; discard the string.

Spoon all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the juices in the pan. Add the stock and boil until lightly syrupy, 5 minutes. Strain; you will have just enough to bathe each serving with a fragrant spoonful.

After a couple hours of hors d’oeuvres, I gave guests the honors of being first to dig in, handing knives to two of them. We took turns carving. Kids got dibs on the drumsticks.

By then, it was the moist and tender meat of the two birds that stood out, not the butter.

December 2018

47

Hearty Brussels Sprouts Hash Story and photo by Adriana Janovich Originally published in The Spokesman-Review

Besides Brussels sprouts, it doesn’t really matter what you toss in there.

Apples, for a touch of sweetness.

Mushrooms, for an earthy nuttiness.

Roasted sweet potatoes for a pop of color.

Perhaps one of the best parts of this Brussels Sprouts Hash is it’s not only great for breakfast or brunch, but it can make for a filling dinner, too.

It’s fairly versatile. And it only requires one pan, preferably a cast-iron skillet.

Yukon gold or fingerling potatoes round out the dish. Depending on tastes, so could butternut squash, turnips, parsnips, even celery.

Alliums – a little minced garlic, caramelized onions or shallots – add flavor to the base of Brussels sprouts, which can be a bit bitter.

So does bacon or pancetta, which helps to

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balance the bitterness with saltiness.

On the day I made this dish – for brunch, for two, with leftovers – I subbed leaner leftover pork chops, cut into cubes.

Chorizo would work, too.

Vegans or vegetarians could, instead, add baked or crispy tofu. Vegans would also want to leave out the eggs.

I didn’t have any sweet potatoes on hand, but I did have some day-old homemade rye bread to use up, so I made seasoned croutons and threw them into the mix, too. This gave the hash an even heartier, stuffing-like quality.

Brussels Sprouts Hash 4 slices thick-cut bacon 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, diced 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, cubed 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, quartered 1 sweet potato, cubed 2 teaspoons dried thyme or rosemary, or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary Salt and pepper, to taste 1-2 teaspoons lemon zest and, plus freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste 3-4 large eggs Chili pepper flakes, for garnish (optional) Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional) Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed pan, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Cook bacon until crisp, then place it on a paper towel-lined plate. When cool, crumble bacon into smaller pieces and set aside.

Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest. Sauté garlic and onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes, Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Add thyme or rosemary, salt, pepper and lemon zest, and stir. Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over mixture, to taste. Add bacon back and stir.

Make three or four small wells in the hash and crack an egg into each. Bake in oven preheated to 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes.

Garnish with chili pepper flake and fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Yield: 3-4 servings Egg alternatives: Poach eggs and serve them atop the hash, or fry eggs and slide them onto the hash for serving.

December 2018

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