Holiday Decorating Top Toys 2012 Winter Makeup Trends Christmas Cookies Yard Stick Ornaments Hot Buttered Rum Creative Wrapping Paper Stress Free Holidays Fun Party Themes Indian Corn Casserole Santa Handprint Card Caring for a Live Tree
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Christmas Review
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Holiday Decorating | Pretty Christmas Living Rooms
Pretty and Simple... Use a Simple Color Scheme A classic white living room can be holiday-ready in minutes with a few pops of red. Keep the decorating to a minimum and your living room Christmas cozy with a red-andwhite beaded garland strung across the mantel. For more no-fuss holiday accents, stack birch logs in the fireplace and set reindeer-theme accent pillows on chairs.
Make the Most of a Small Room For smaller living rooms without a fireplace, arrange the chairs around a central table topped with a simple display of holiday berries and flowers. Intersperse Christmas figurines among yearround decor on shelving units, string a simple evergreen garland, and hang stockings on the shelving doorknobs for festive cheer. Go with Bright Colors Give traditional colors a break and use the rainbow to inspire your Christmas decorations. Bright blue, pink, green, and gold orna-
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ments hang from this twinkling evergreen, giving new meaning to the term “merry and bright.� Wrap presents in brightly colored wrapping paper and hang a colorful beaded garland from the windows to round out the eclectic decorating scheme. Create a Kid-Friendly Room Create a winter wonderland with candy store inspiration and miniature trees. Fill large glass jars with classic Christmas favorites, such as peppermint sticks and ribbon candy. Accent the space with small tabletop Christmas trees decorated with candy. Choose a Smaller Tree Try a smaller Christmas tree to avoid overwhelming a cozy room. To give a downsized tree more prominence and height, pot it in a tall garden urn. Then outfit the tree with an out-ofthe-ordinary color scheme, such as the aqua and orange seen here, which can be incorporated into the rest of the room.
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Add Golden Charm A golden living room with a French limestone mantel showcases an antique console and rug. The lush Christmas tree, decorated in flowers, gold ribbons, and sparkling lights, makes the room glow. Mix and Match Patterns This room sports a medley of patterns, prints, and textures. Festive year-round, it’s especially cheerful at Christmas with a sparkling tree and a lush mantel. Try an Unique Color Scheme Punch up traditional red and green with a zing of an unexpected hue, such as fuchsia. Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages. Here, miniature white feather trees are bedecked all in pink to bring the color center stage.
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Hottest Toys for 2012 | BestToysGuide.com
Best Toys Guide 2012... To help ensure that the toys that parents will be snatching off the shelves this season match the letters kids everywhere are scribbling to Santa, BestToysGuide.com is cutting the ribbon on its much-anticipated list of the hot toys for Christmas 2012.
The web-based company began its rigorous toy review process back in January, and has worked hard throughout the year to compile their comprehensive list featuring 30 of the most sought-after toys that boys and girls of all ages are hoping to see under the tree this year. “Advancements being made in the toy industry this year are something to get excited about. New technology like augmented reality adds a new dimension to the play experience while fresh takes on classic toys bring favorites back to life,” said Alex Lum, President of BestToysGuide.com. There’s one thing for sure — the Best Toys Guide team takes toys very seriously. Unlike many toy review companies on the web today, they’re 100% devoted to providing genuine, honest reviews based off of their hands on experience with each toy. To give eager moms and dads a sneak-peek at its list of the 2012 top toys, Best Toys Guide has revealed a few of the hottest toys that will make the list this year. Some of their favorites were the LeapFrog LeapPad 2, NERF Elite Hail-Fire, Melissa & Doug Suspend, and Vtech Switch & Go Dinos.
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In honor of the millions of children across the globe who are hoping Santa gets it right this year, Best Toys Guide is also hosting multiple giveaways throughout the season including Giveaway Mondays, the Toy-a-Day giveaway, as well as the Ultimate 2012 Christmas Toys Giveaway which — much like the proverbial elephant in the room — is apparently too big to even discuss.
Social media has given the company a new venue for toy talk this year. Their Facebook page —Facebook.com/BestToysGuide — will be abuzz throughout the holiday season as Best Toys Guide’s dedicated team of reviewers share their insights, analysis, and toy-bytoy comparisons. Parents are encouraged to use the page to swap stories about their children’s latest requests, toy raves, and playtime mishaps. In addition, experts will be on hand to answer toy-related questions posted on the company Facebook page as the biggest toy day of the year approaches.
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“We’re striving to build a community,” Alex says. “We want to hear Nanoblocks from Ohio Art® feedback, and we want people to get involved.” NERF Elite Hail-Fire from Hasbro® Nintendo Wii U from Nintendo® Curious moms and dads can also view video demonstrations of the Playmobil E-Rangers Headquarters hottest toys in action on Best Toy Guide’s YouTube Channel located from Playmobil® at YouTube.com/BestToysGuide. Subscribers can view videos on the Razor FlashRider 360 from Razor® channel which features clips of interactive toy demonstrations and Skylander’s Giants from Activision® brief tutorials, as well as the highlights and distinctive features of Tegu Mobility from TEGU® each toy. Full reviews including detailed descriptions as well as the ThinkFun Roll & Play from ThinkFun® pros and cons of a product can be accessed at the company’s web- ThinkFun Stenzzles from ThinkFun® site. Tonka Tumblin’ Chuck from Hasbro® Twister Dance from Hasbro® UglyBuddies from Uglydoll® “30 Hot Toys For Christmas 2012” Vapor Delta 500 from Razor® Vtech Cogsley from Vtech® Barbie Photo Fashion Doll from Mattel® Vtech Switch & Go Dinos from Vtech® Bobble Bots from Innovation First® WowWee Flip Force from WowWee® BuckleyBoo from BuckleyBoo® Zing Z-X Crossbow from Zing Toys® Crayola Digital Light Designer from Crayola® Furby from Hasbro® Best Toys Guide was founded by toy-lover and self-proclaimed kidHEXBUG Warriors from Innovation First® at-heart, Alex Lum. Since 2007, the company has been providing Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle from Mattel® consumers with honest reviews based on hands-on testing. Since LeapFrog LeapPad 2 from LeapFrog® that time, the company has grown from a small, start-up website LEGO Lord of the Rings from LEGO® to one of the leading independent toy news resources on the web. littleBits from littleBits Electronics® Master Moves Mickey from Mattel® The company strives to help the “above-average” parent make informed decisions about their toy purchases and keep kids happy by MEGA Bloks World of Warcraft from MEGA Bloks® ensuring that the toys their parents buy are high-quality, and most Melissa & Doug Suspend importantly loads of fun. from Melissa & Doug®
Best Toys Guide:
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Winter Makeup | Trends for 2012
Oxblood Lips... OMG, we’re dying over this vampireinspired lip color that Camille Belle recently wore on the red carpet— and that we saw at Bottega Veneta.
Cobalt Blue Eyeliner Cobalt blue is a huge color this winter from eyeshadow to nail polish. Seen at shows like Prabal Gurung and Anna Sui, this shade is sure to boost your mood.
This burgundy to almost black hue is a fresh take on classic red hues for winter and requires a little attitude to rock. Oh, and don’t forget to swipe on blush, since this color can wash you out.
To avoid an I’m-a-child-of-the-80’s look, copy Nicole Richie’s technique and line your lash line with a cobalt blue khol pencil and smudge it out a bit. If that’s still too much blue for you, line the lower lash line with the same product for a pop of color.
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Brooke Shields Brows Bold brows, like Lucy Hale’s, graced the runways at almost every show. To get this look without giving yourself too-thick, too-dark arches, dip a slanted makeup brush into a brow powder one shade lighter than your brow hair color and create hair-like strokes to fill in any sparse spots. The result? Fuller brows that Brooke Shields would approve of. Crazy Eyeliner Geometric eyeliner was all the rage at fall fashion shows, like Antonio Marras, Lanvin, Giorgio Armani, and Zac Posen, but we love the way that Ginnifer Goodwin stepped outside of her beauty comfort zone and rocked it on the red carpet at the 2012 Emmy Awards. The technique? Lightly swipe a dove gray eyeshadow over you lids. Then, trace your upper lash line with your choice of liner, creating a winged effect at the outer corner of your eye. Lastly, continue the line along your crease until you almost reach the inner corner of your eye.
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Green With Envy Eyeshadow Deep green is a universally flattering shade, so it plays well with any skin tone. It’s as versatile as brown and gray, just cooler. To work it, lightly dust a mossy green shade all over your eyelid for a sheer wash of color and then add a shadow with golden accents to the inner “V” corner of your eye, like makeup artists did at Roberto Cavalli. Or, apply the emerald hue along your top and bottom lash line, like Kat Graham did here. Pair this look with neutral cheeks and lips to avoid overdoing it. Berry Pretty Lipstick This season’s take on pink lips makes it look like you’ve been eating raspberries all afternoon and the pinkish purple color of them has stained your lips. Case in point: Zooey Deschanel at the 2012 Emmy Awards—and at Rochas fall 2012 show. Couple this swipe of color with minimal face makeup and some mascara for a fresh–faced look.
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speed for 30 seconds. Beat in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until combined, scraping Looks like Frosty got a little overheated! Use homeamde frosting, sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until compeanut butter cups, and candies to add a cute snowman topper to a bined. Beat in the cocoa powder and as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. chewy chocolate cookie. Yield: 20 cookies 2. Shape dough into twenty 1 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches Prep 50 mins apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 mins to 11 mins per batch Oven 350째 3. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are just firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire Ingredients: rack and let cool. 1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup peanut butter 4. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Place cooled 1/2 cup granulated sugar cookies on prepared baking sheet. In a medium micro1/2 cup packed brown sugar wave-safe bowl microwave candy coating on 50% power 1 teaspoon baking powder for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until melted and smooth, stir1/4 teaspoon salt ring every 30 seconds. Spoon melted coating over each 1/8 teaspoon baking soda cookie to cover cookie and resemble melted snow. While 1 egg coating is still tacky, add a peanut butter cup for a top hat 3 tablespoons milk and decorate with sprinkles or other candies to resemble 1/2 teaspoon vanilla snowman faces (If using frosting to make snowman faces, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder add it when the candy coating is dry.) Let stand until set. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour from the test kitchen. 1 pound vanilla-flavored candy coating, coarsely chopped 20 bite-size chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped Note: Dough may be shaped into balls and then frozen until solid Brown& orange sprinkles or other candies and/or tinted frosting on parchment- or foil-lined cookie sheets. When frozen, transfer Directions: balls to an airtight container; cover. Store in the freezer. When 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat short- ready to bake, arrange frozen balls on cookie sheets and bake as ening and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high directed for 12 to 14 minutes.
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Christmas Cookies | Chocolaty Melting Snowmen
Christmas Cookies...
Craft Project | Yard Stick Ornament
Fun for All...
All you need is a yard stick, scrabble tiles, plastic snowflakes, ribbon and a hot glue gun. Glitter and paint are optional.
Have a family fun night and have everyone make ornaments with their names one them. They will be ones your family will treasure forever.
Have your children make gifts for their friends and family. These are also a great present for teachers!
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Ingredients 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup honey 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Pinch salt 3/4 cup spiced rum 2 cups boiling water 4 sticks cinnamon, for garnish Directions Using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup. Add the rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among 4 mugs. Garnish with the cinnamon sticks and serve.
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Holiday Cocktail | Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Rum...
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KIDS SHOES & TOYS
The Place of Growing Feet & Spirits, Life Long Toys & Shoes to Start The Journey.
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Christmas Review
So you have done your holiday shopping. So what’s next? For most people, the next big challenge is how they are going to wrap their gifts so the meaning and thought they put in those gifts are not lost in boring Christmas wrap. If you have neglected this part in the past, then it’s time you get creative in your Christmas gift wrapping this year. To get you started, here are a few fun and do-able Christmas gift wrapping ideas. These gift wrapping ideas will surely help you big time in coming up with gifts that stand out in a crowd. Make It Sparkle Metallic wrap and ribbons make any gift shine. Trendy metals such as gold, silver, copper and bronze add seasonal sparkle when paired with other colors or used alone for a monochromatic scheme such as the photo below. Cheap and Chic Recycled brown Kraft paper (which can be found in big rolls at your local craft, office supply or dollar store) is a great anytime gift wrap. Tie with twine and embellish with a pine cone and evergreen clippings from your backyard for gift wrap that’s easy on the environment and your wallet.
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Wrapping Paper | Creative DIY
Little Peds
Wrap It Up...
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Accentuate Your Decor Coordinate gift wrap with your home’s decor for a designer look that’s easy to achieve. When selecting paper, choose stripes, solids and patterns in the same color family for a polished and fuss-free look. Eco-Friendly Paper Gift Wrap Easy to find and work with, vintage and repurposed papers add pop to presents. Layer several colors and textures, or add vintage beads for a finished look.
Christmas Review
Potato-Chip Bag Gift Wrap Give a new life to empty potato-chip bags. Cut open a potato-chip bag along its seam to reveal the shiny white or silver inside of the bag. Flatten the bag, wash it with soap and water, and air dry. Then wrap your present and adorn it with ribbons and homemade cards. Japanese-Style Newspaper Gift Wrap If you’re still searching for that perfect gift wrap, look no further than your local newsstand. Add an unusual and memorable twist by wrapping your presents using foreign-language newspapers.
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The Crafting Chicks’ Newspaper Gift Wrapper This is simple and well executed. Wrapped presents in newspaper, bakers twine, and monogrammed tags. Pretty easy, environmentally-friendly, and super cute. Tin Foil- Not Just For Sandwiches and TV Antennas This material is the perfect fix for those odd-shaped presents, since it can be manipulated to hug whatever item you cover in it. Or even wrap your boxed gifts with this reflective foil for an eye-catching shine reminscent of Christmas tree tinsel.
Put Some Pants On That Wine Bottle! Dress up that bottle of wine you bring to your holiday dinner party with an old pair of slacks or denim jeans.
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Monogram It Stamp your kids’ gifts with their first initial (all you need are alphabet rubber stamps, ink pads, and blank rolls of paper). That way, they will have an easier time putting their presents in their “piles” and counting and comparing as most kids do. Embellish Bags with doilies, rick rack, old lace and jingle bells to wrap your Christmas gifts from Decor to Adore.
Christmas Review
He advises having a frank discussion with your family about the holiday rituals you enjoy and that are not working for you. For example, his family no longer exchanges holiday gifts, but during the year if he sees something that makes him think of his sister or mother, he’ll purchase it and send it to them. It feels less forced, he says, and he loves the feeling of buying them something they really like, rather than fulfilling an expectation to find the perfect holiday gift. Prioritize “You have to figure out what’s important to you,” said Domar. “For me, it’s important to set aside time so I can bake things. On the other hand, I’m not goRe-evaluate “The Rules” -- And Make New Traditions ing to go crazy if the house Szymanski, author of The Perfectionist’s Handbook: Take Risks, In- doesn’t look perfect. It’s vite Criticism, and Make the Most of Your Mistakes, sees the core of more important for me to perfectionism as “wanting to do something well,” but whether this bake homemade cakes and breads to share with my guests.” drive is healthy and works for you or against you is another quesIdentify the holiday traditions that mean the most to you and to tion. your guests, do them well, and let the rest go. “We have in our heads an ideal image of how Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays are supposed to look and we get so caught up Start Assigning Tasks in achieving that image that we forget what our intent was to begin “Make it easier for yourself: write down everything that needs go with,” he explained. “We tell ourselves, ‘I have to do X’ rather than to get done, then write down what you feel you absolutely need to
How to let go of Perfectionism During the Holidays...
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Holiday Stress Relief Tips | Rethink The Holidays
thinking of the holidays as a collaborative and social process.”
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and magazines and what you can produce at home,” Domar advises. “You have to take a step back and realize that there was a chef Then, start assigning tasks. It saves you time and makes your guest and food-tasters and stylists and everybody else involved in the feel like they are contributing, too. professional production process. ... The spreads we Don’t Refuse Help see in magazines are often “When people ask [to] help,” said Domar, women tend to insist, fantasies, not a standard by “’I’m fine, I can do it,’” but that’s not the best approach. Szymanski which to judge reality.” told The Huffington Post, “We become isolated when we try to take it all up on our own.” While those editorials can be a source of inspiraBoth of the experts we interviewed were clear: accepting help re- tion, it’s important to set duces stress for you and is another way to make your guests feel realistic goals for yourself valued and a part of the tradition you are building -- together. around the holidays and do what works best for your budget and the amount of time you Don’t Make Everything From Scratch have to allot to preparations. “Don’t be afraid to compromise in terms of preparation -Remember Why You’re Doing This especially if you are a woman The holidays are a time when we are repeatedly targeted by adverwho works,” said Domar. Your tisers showcasing aspirational gifts -- like the ads with a beribboned guests will notice if you spend new car waiting in the driveway on Christmas morning. As Szythe entire meal apart from manski said, “A solution for a lot of perfectionists is thinking about them in the kitchen, but they what will make your loved one feel good,” rather than focusing on aren’t as likely to notice that the pressure to behave in certain ways. the gravy was store-bought instead of made from scratch. Remember: The holidays are about connecting with the important people in your life, and only you can determine the best way to do Recognize The Fantasy, Then Let It Go “Be realistic about the difference between the things you see on TV that. do yourself and what you could use help with,” Domar advised.
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Christmas Party Themes | You Haven’t Thought Of...
The Ugly Sweater Party If you managed to go this long in life without acquiring some horrific Christmas sweater — you know, the ones with the puff paint snowmen and the mistletoe-patterned mock turtlenecks — from your great aunt Mildred, then you may have to run to the nearest K-Mart to purchase one for this party of holiday fashion faux pas. We promise they don’t cost more than $15, and the photos will most definitely be priceless.
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Reverse Christmas in July Christmas in July is a timehonored mid-summer party favorite. In the summer’s hottest month, people pretend it’s Christmas — complete with a tree, gift exchange, and hearty meal. Well, turn the tables on this tradition with a beachthemed romp in the dead of winter. Beach balls, mojitos, everyone’s favorite Christmas with the Beach Boys album, and ample sunscreen are a must. Bikinis — considering this happens to be one of the all-time worst months for six-packs — are clearly optional.
Christmas Review
The Wrap Party Wrapping gifts may be the single most frustrating activity of the season. Not only do you inflict paper cuts and nervous breakdowns (from inaccurately cutting the paper too small), but you inevitably watch the recipient of your wrapped masterpiece brutally tear it to shreds without a second thought. Throw a support-group style gathering for friends — where everyone brings some basic supplies and
Christmas Review
their bundle of gifts — to wrap together. You’ll be surprised who knows how to help you tie that bow to not look like it was crafted by a fifth-grader. For added synergy, turn up the rap music. Holiday Movie Marathon From It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street to Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and this generation’s classic A Christmas Story, it’ll be hard to pick which flicks have a place in your holiday film fest. Just keep it to less than five to avoid merry movie fatigue. And, if
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offs — a leopard-print Snuggie, an automatic-twirling spaghetti fork, or a hot-pink clip-on tie. Make sure everyone’s gifts are wrapped and then play a version of “White EleChristmas Carol Karaoke phant,” where people can pick from the pile or steal someone else’s new Night You may not be a fan of unso- acquisition. One person’s trash is licited carolers banging on your another’s recycling! door at night, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy an Christmas Costume Pub Crawl opportunity to bust out Mariah Halloween isn’t the only holiday Carey’s “All I Want for Christ- tailor-made for dress-up. Hit up a mas Is You.” Either hit up a ka- costume store and buy a Santa suit raoke bar with private singing (or sexy Santa suit, if you must) or an elf ensemble, and hit up a bar rooms or invest in a home karaoke set, and rock out to the holiday’s with some similarly dressed pals. In fact, dozens of cities across the best jams. Like the movie marathon, a complete Christmas playlist country actually have organized “Santa-con” events in which hunmay take all night, so consider sticking to a theme. Classics are fun dreds of people spend for the whole family, but sticking with pop reinterpretations by the the day bouncing from tragically disbanded ‘N Sync and just about every American Idol bar to bar in their white winner will help you stay on track. beards and red hats. To ensure proper particiChristmas Cast-Off Gift Exchange pation, award the best Re-gifting — the act of handing off one of your previously received dressed Kris Kringle and unwanted gifts to someone else — may be considered tacky in some Mrs. Claus with a free circles, but when everyone’s doing it, it can’t be that bad, right? round on you. Have all of your friends come over with one of last Christmas’ castjust watching hours of movies isn’t exciting enough for you or your couch guests, add some action with a drinking game. Take a shot whenever someone says “Christmas spirit” or whenever anyone in Santa garb is on screen.
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Indian Corn Casserole... Ingredients: 1 pound bacon 1/2 cup butter 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 red pepper, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups sour cream 2 pounds fresh corn (or frozen corn, thawed) Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the bacon, then chop it into bite-size pieces and set it aside. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. SautĂŠ the onion, celery, and peppers until soft. Stir in the flour, then the sour cream, until well combined. Add the corn and most of the bacon bits and season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish and sprinkle on the remaining bacon bits and the parsley. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until lightly browned. (Note: for a lower-fat version of this casserole, use half the bacon, butter, and flour). Serves 6 to 8.
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Christmas Review
Santa Handprint Card...
Put your personal stamp on homemade holiday cards with a Handprint Santa. What you’ll need: Red craft paper Glue stick Plain notecard or card stock Tempera paints Paper plates Googly eyes How to make it: Cut Santa-hat shapes (minus the pom-poms and white trim) from the craft paper, then glue one onto each card. Glue a pair of googly eyes a fingertip’s width below each hat. Pour white tempera paint onto one paper plate, and a dollop each of red, black, and pink (mix some red and white) onto another. Stamp white handprint beards, then use fingertips to stamp the trim on the hats, and a nose, mouth, and cheeks on each face. Total Time 1 to 2 hours Ages school-age
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Caring for a Live Tree...
Selecting A Tree Get a healthy tree - Don’t buy a tree that is losing green needles, or has dry, brittle twigs or a sour, musty smell. Excessive needle loss can be detected by vigorously shaking the tree, or dropping it onto the end of the trunk several times from a height of about 1 ft (30 cm). The loss of old dead needles from the inside of the tree does not indicate that there is a problem with the tree. Mechanical shakers can remove these needles, and reduce the potential for a mess inside the home.
up to $10 per ft (30 cm) of height, you will have to cut off a large section of the lower trunk, and possibly the lower whorl of branches. This might ruin the appearance of the lower part of the tree. Bottom of the tree - Note the location of large branches at the bottom of the tree. Be sure that the handle is long enough to allow display of the tree without cutting off the lower whorl of large branches. USDA grading rules specify trees should have a handle 1 to 12 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long per ft (30 cm) of height. However, some species are routinely sold without pruned handles, eg, Fraser fir.
Shaking the tree - When purchasing a tree from a choose-n-cut Size of the tree - Do not buy a tree that is too large for the area farm, have the producer mechanically shake the tree, if possible. where it will be displayed. Aside from paying more than necessary, This will eliminate dead, loose needles, especially in species such
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as Virginia pine, white pine, Scotch pine and red cedar. There is less Setting up the tree in your stand Cut off a disk of wood about 0.5 to 1 inch (1.25 to 2.5 cm) thick potential mess to reach the home. from the base of the trunk immediately before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Do not cut Transporting the tree Wrap the tree - If the transport time from the retail lot or farm to at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to the final destination is more than 15 min, it is best to wrap the tree hold the tree plumb in the stand, and reduces the amount of water in a tarp, or carry it in an enclosed camper or the back of a pick- available to the tree. Do not cut off too much trunk, resulting in up. Strong wind of 60 mph (100 km h-1) on the highway, especially a handle too short for the stand. This would lead to the situation described in (2) and (3) above. during warm weather, can damage a tree in a short time. Orientation on the car - Put the bottom of the tree aiming forward If no saw is available, get the retailer to make a fresh cut on the base of the trunk before departing for home. Assuming that the trip to protect the needles from being blown off. home is relatively short, put the tree in water as soon as possible. Tie it securely! - If the tree is carried on the outside of a vehicle, tie Species like Douglas-fir and Fraser fir can go 6 to 8 h after cutting, and still take up water. Do not bruise the end of the trunk or get it it securely.
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Christmas Review
in (about 2.5 cm) of trunk diameter. The stand should hold enough water to last 24 h. If the stand goes dry and is subsequently refilled, Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not affect water uptake. water uptake may stop or be severely limited, leading to premature The use of drilled/pin type devices to supply water directly to holes drying. Contraptions are available that maintain constant water drilled in the tree is not as effective as displaying the tree in a more level in the stand, working on the principle of a commode float. traditional type of stand. Cold water - Do not use hot water in the stand; it is of no benefit. Use a stand that fits your tree. Some stands have circular rings at the top, so the ring must be large enough so the trunk goes through the No chemicals - Do not use chemicals in the stand to prevent evapohole. Other stands are open, which allows more range in trunk size. ration. Water moves into the trunk at the lower cut end, and evenAvoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer tually evaporates (transpires) from the foliage. Evaporation from layers of wood are most efficient in taking up water and should not the surface of water in the stand is negligible, compared to the loss be removed. Use a stand with an adequate water holding capac- from transpiration. Do not use additives in water, including floral ity for the tree. Using stands that are too small is a very common preservatives, molasses, sugar, bleach, soft drinks, aspirin, honey, mistake. Fresh trees use about 1 qt (about 1 L) of water per day per or other concoctions. Do not apply film-forming anti-transpirants. dirty.
Christmas Review
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The products supposedly block the evaporation of water from the surface of foliage, but in reality have little benefit. Do not use water holding gels in the stand. They reduce the amount of water available to trees. Clean water is the only requirement to maintain freshness. Decorating your tree Keep away from heat - Keep displayed trees away from point sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow drying, resulting in less water consumption.
can knock down and break glass ornaments, then cut themselves on the pieces. Pets may also gnaw on electrical cords for Christmas tree lights. So hide them when possible, or help prevent injury by purchasing a pet-proof cover for the wiring. Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Use only UL-approved electrical decorations and extension cords, and check to be sure no cords have frayed since you last used the lights.
Watering your tree Always keep the tree stand filled with water. Dried sap will form a seal over the cut stump within several hours if the water level falls Lights - Use only UL approved lights and electrical cords and de- below the base of the tree. If this occurs, make another fresh cut vices on trees. Check electrical cords and lights for damage prior to in the butt-end and promptly fill the stand with water. Use hot tap placement on the tree. water which will soften sap and facilitate absorption. Placement of ornaments - Hang all ornaments that are breakable, have small, detachable parts or metal hooks, or that look like food or candy on higher branches where small children can’t reach them. Green floral wire, which can be twisted firmly around branches, is a great way to hang fragile ornaments. More durable Christmas ornaments like candy canes, knitted ornaments on higher branches where small children can’t reach them. Green floral wire, which can be twisted firmly around branches, is a great way to hang fragile ornaments. Pets - Keep pets out of the room in which the tree is placed, especially if you can’t be there to supervise. Cats are known for leaping onto Christmas trees, especially when pursued by another pet. Use a ceiling hook to keep the tree from toppling. Both cats and dogs
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How much water - A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the 24 hours after it is cut, and one or more quarts everyday after. Maintaining a steady water level prevents the needles from drying out and dropping off and the boughs from drooping. Water will also keep the tree fragrant. Do not allow the water pan to empty or go below the tree base Taking down the tree Monitor the tree for dryness. If the tree is dry, remove it from the house. Disconnect all electrical devices prior to removing them from the tree. Never burn a tree in a fire place or wood stove. Pine trees have a lot of sap which can flash and also create a chimney fire.
Christmas Review
Christmas Review
CHRISTMAS 2012
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CHRISTMAS 2012
Christmas Review