2 Subscriptions FOR THE PRICE OF 1!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
One as a gift – One for yourself OR Two gift subscriptions For more details ➤ see ad on page 5
Coweta’s Local Daily Newspaper, Published 5 Days A Week
Check Out the Classifieds on Pages 6 — 7
Thank you for picking up MyConnection. Look for your copy delivered free to your home from The Newnan Times-Herald each Wednesday. You’ll find entertainment and travel news, as well as upcoming events, easy-to-make recipes, and things that matter to you and your family. Family Features
A
ll hosts want to delight guests with delicious meals, especially during the holidays. The pressure often leads them to spend a fortune on ingredients or cater their gatherings. The experts at Campbell’s Kitchen have created a traditional holiday menu, proving that it’s possible to prepare a memorable, gourmet feast by combining affordable, quality ingredients. See page 6 for additional recipes that won’t break the bank.
Roast Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing
Roast Turkey with Mushroom Stuffing ➤ Additional Recipes on Page 6
Prep: 25 minutes Roast: 3 hours 30 minutes Makes: 12 servings 3 1/2 cups Chicken Stock (Regular or Unsalted) 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/4 cup) 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (about 1 1/2 ounces) 4 cups Herb Seasoned Stuffing 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds) Vegetable cooking spray 1. Stir 1 3/4 cups stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl. 2. Heat remaining stock, remaining black pepper, celery, onion and mushrooms in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove saucepan from heat. Add stuffing to saucepan and mix lightly. 3. Remove package of giblets and neck from turkey cavity. Rinse turkey with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Spoon stuffing lightly into neck and body cavities. Fold any loose skin over stuffing. Tie ends of drumsticks together. 4. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in shallow roasting pan. Spray turkey with cooking spray. Brush with stock mixture. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part of meat, not touching bone. 5. Roast at 325°F for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until thermometer reads 180°F. Baste occasionally with stock mixture. Begin checking for doneness after 3 hours of roasting time. Let turkey stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Notes: n Bake any remaining stuffing in a covered casserole with the turkey for 30 minutes or until the stuffing is hot. n Stuffing in the turkey should reach 165°F.
4 Easy Ways to Support the Troops During the Holidays StatePoint
Supporting the troops is an important thing to do — but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how. Here are four easy ways to thank those who keep us safe every single day — even if you don’t personally know someone serving. And with the holidays coming up, it’s the perfect time of year to do it, as many of service men and women are away from family.
Replace pulls or knobs on cabinet doors for an easy kitchen update.
Create a Fresh Look for Your Home METRO GRAPHICS
Before the holidays bring family celebrations and visiting friends to your home, give your home a new look and improve its comfort level. Check out the suggestions below and make your project list. "Put safety first," cautions Scott Phillips, host of The American Woodshop. "Before you begin your first project, make sure you have eye, ear and breathing protection available and then follow the manufacturer's directions for all the tools and products you use. Have a first-aid kit and a phone handy, and enlist help for the heavy-duty work." Entrance, Windows & Floors Give your entrance an easy update with a new door or add color and new hardware to your existing one. Install new windows that are attractive, reduce heating and cooling costs, and are easy to maintain. And consider installing a hardwood floor in at least one of your rooms — possibly the entryway and/or the living/family room. Kitchen & Dining Areas Apply stain or color to your kitchen cabinets and replace hinges and pulls or knobs to brighten your "home cafe." If your cabinets have seen better days, install new ones — either store-bought
or ones you build. For a wood table and chairs, consider using a stain or topcoat to enhance the wood's appearance or to match the color of your cabinets. Shelving & Lighting Adding shelving anywhere you have unused space (bedroom/bathroom closets) will help control clutter and provide display space for your favorite photos and collectibles in the living room, family room, and kitchen. Enhance cabinets and furniture with new decorative LED lighting. Living/Family Room Arranging furniture into "areas" will allow for varied activities simultaneously, such as conversation and watching events on television or playing games. Use plants, a bookcase or a divider to separate areas. Paint walls, hang pictures or stain wood furniture to add color. Warming Indoor Accents Just because Thanksgiving is a major holiday in fall, it doesn’t mean you should only deck your home with pumpkins and turkeys. There are plenty of ways to incorporate the look and feel of the season with textures, finishes
➤ SEe FRESH LOOK, PAGE 4
Care Package Ideas Pictures are one of the best things you can send to a troop. When you are away from a cherished one for a long time, it’s hard to remember what they look like. Send them a lot of pictures – but different pictures. You or your kids or friends making funny faces, serious, or making idiots of themselves. Also receiving an award or opening up a birthday present. Make up as many reasons as possible to take pictures. Try being in your soldier’s shoes. You would want to see everything that goes on during their day. That’s what they would like too. Not just prettied up. Even days when you are casual or not at your best. Take pictures of everyone in bed, at the dinner table, watching tv, playing volleyball, cooking, or dancing around the house. Every troop misses the abundance and variety of junk food from the ‘states,’ so be sure to pack some beef jerky, hard candies, and chips. Flavored powder drinks are also a big hit. Chocolates melt, so you might think twice about sending gooey candies. Travel games are good for entertaining. But when they get really bored, a cool media player already loaded up with all their favorite songs and movies will really help the time pass by. Volunteer Your Time Former service members stateside should also be recognized. Show your appreciation for those who have helped protect our country by volunteering at a Veterans Affairs hospital or nursing home this season, even if only for a few hours. You are sure to meet some fascinating men and women and you’ll be bringing holiday cheer to those who may not have many visitors. Give Blood Giving blood through an organization like the American Red Cross can actually help troops hundreds and thou-
sands of miles away. Military units may depend on rush shipments of blood during times of need, and maintaining an ample supply of all blood types is crucial. Be Vocal Encouraging others to remember our deployed troops is one of the most wide-reaching ways to support the active military during the holidays. By reminding neighbors that our men and women overseas may need a boost of holiday cheer, you could touch
hundreds of service members’ lives this season. Talk to people, post on Facebook, send out Tweets or include a reminder in your holiday cards. Although the holidays can be a difficult time for deployed service members and their families, there are countless ways you can show your gratitude and appreciation this season. Whether it’s a personalized gift, visit to a veteran, or blood donation, you can give back to those who give so much to our country.