Nov dec 2014 - Holiday Issue

down home Vol 7 -Issue 1 Nov/Dec 2014

m a g a z in e

keeping it down home - from the Sandhills to the Crystal Coast

local flare

warms the soul for

the home

local flavors

local love

Our Top Local Picks

Holiday Pie What’s your flavor?

Traditions

BackRoads Carolina

FREE

“Holidays are a wonderful time of the year, yet it tends to be the time we put on the most weight and do more damage to our body with all the holiday foods.

Let me teach you how to take your health back! I would love to share with you how I lost 60lbs in one year (even through the holidays), by eating real, nutrient dense foods!

In our fast food world, I teach a ten minute habit that will add 700% more nutrition than the average American gets!�

Contact Kari Powell for details at 919-634-7334 or Kari.greensmoothie@gmail.com

www.mygsglife.com/healthmakeover

Coco’s Women’s Boutique

& Trendy Clothing Boutique for Women Coco’s Boutique is a trendy boutique offering clothing and accessories that reflect the latest style and fashion trends for woman of all shapes and sizes.

If you are looking for that perfect outfit for a night out, business meeting, or even a casual lunch with friends, Coco’s Boutique has what your looking for!

Our clothing is very select. We don’t order in mass quantities so when you order a piece, it is unique - Come by and see us!

1402 E Ash Street - Goldsboro NC 27530 - 919-731-2222 - info@cocodarlings.com

Parties - Showers - Event Planning - Candy Buffets - Dessert Bars - Playdates - Women’s Boutique

Boutique Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am. to 6pm. {Closed from 3 -4:30pm ea day} & Saturday 10am - 2pm

Dec 5th -- 6-8p.m. @ Coco Darlings Put on your comfy PJ’s & Join us for a Fun Filled Night of toy making, cookie decorating & movie watching.

Enjoy snacks and hot cocoa ! Kids will stuff a 15” plush Holiday Animal, decorate Christmas cookies, write letters to Santa and so much more ! $30 ( due at time of registration to secure your space) includes 15” stuffable ,Cookie decorating, and snacks

Call 919-731-2222 or info@cocodarlings.com to register

www.downhomemagazine.com

P5 - Letter from the Editor P7 - Holiday Pie P10 - Arts & Events P12 - Polar Express P17 - Shoutout P18 - Backroads Carolina P22 - DHM’s Top Picks

All Community Info and Events for Down Home Magazine should be submitted to downhomemagazine@yahoo.com - All rights reserved.

Down Home Magazine is not responsible for misprints unless under signed terms of agreement. The information included does not always reflect owners own personal beliefs or opinions.

staff Cindi Pate - Sr Editor/Publisher page layout & design Jarred Pate - Sales

contributors

Cindi Pate

Down Home Magazine is owned and operated by Cindi Pate, PO Box 901, Pikeville, NC 27863 - All inquiries can be made to this address as well as subscription requests. 1 year for $12 to cover postage.

Subscriptions start the following issue.

Tammy Peterson

The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising or content that is not in keeping with the magazine’s standards.

DHM is distributed where consumers are throughout the sandhills to the coastal areas- and can be found online at:

www.downhomemagazine.com

On the Cover Our Tiop Picks for holiday shopping.

All Local, All handmade, All worthy of shooping for the Holidays.

Jim Hinnant

dhm ’

Editor s Note

This issue is all about the Holidays - specifically the traditions we carry out from year to year.

From simple family traditions, to foods we eat and and the feelings we try to recreate.

For as along as I can remember, I have been drawn to ceramic Christmas Trees from the 1970s era. Every house had one when I was a child. I wanted my children to experience the beauty.

Last year, I set out to find one for our home. I was quite pleased to find a nice vintage olive green colored one with snow covering the tips of each branch. Filled with colorful lights, the tree was perfect!

I can’t wait to put it back on display this Christmas Season.

Cindi Pate - Editor/Publisher

thischicadee.blogspot.com www.pinterest.com/downhome www.facebook.com/downhomemagazine @thischicadee

page 7

“Traditions” Each Christmas Eve, all of my husband’s family gather at his parent’s home to celebrate Christmas.

tion is the reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible just before we open presents. Luke 2:1-20.

We each bring a dish and the gifts we are to exchange.

Each member of the family reads a verse each, around a circle of family members, until the entire story is unvailed.

We play fruit basket turnover and experience a number of other loved traditions to remember the season.

But, my most cherish tradi-

When I first married into the family, there were a lot less of us and we read a

few verses each. But, as the house began to be filled with grandchildren - sons and daughters and neices and nephews - our reading time has been shortened and we enjoy each new addition as they take their turn at reading a verse.

Cindi Pate

What’s Your Favorite Holiday Pie? We all have our favorites! Pumpkin, Sweet Patato, Cherry, Chocoalte and Coconut - just to name a few. You can’t have Thanksgiving or Christmas without pie.

Three pies in particular are most common choices around the holdiays - Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and Pecan! And we’’re sharing these three poipular recipes with you..

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Simple Pumpkin Pie

This pie is perfect for the season, the potatoes were just dug from the ground.

The single most requested dessert at our Thanksgiving table is pumpkin pie.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/3 cup light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice 1 tablespoon honey 1 large sweet potato, cooked and mashed 1/2 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 9-inch refrigerated piecrust Directions 1.Heat oven to 350째 F. 2.In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the butter and sugar for 3 minutes.

Add the egg, orange juice, and

honey and beat for 2 minutes. Add the sweet potato, evaporated milk, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg and combine.

3.Pour the sweet potato mixture into the crust. Bake until the filling is set, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Ingredients: 1 prepared pie shell 16 ounces canned pumpkin 1 cup lightly packed molasses cane sugar 5-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/3 cups vanilla rice milk or 1-1/3 cups soy milk 4 large eggs

8 servings.

Cooking Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 400째.

2. Combine pumpkin, cane sugar, spices and salt in a mixer bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined.

3. Transfer to medium saucepan and simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened slightly,

Rich Pecan Pie about 5 minutes.

4. Whisk in the milk and return briefly to simmer.

5. In separate small bowl, whisk the eggs together.

6. Return pumpkin mixture to mixer bowl and, with the mixer running on medium speed, add the eggs slowly.

7. Transfer mixture to prebaked pie shell and bake on center rack for 25 minutes, or until the edges of the custard have cracked slightly and the center is set.

Tip: Cover edges of crust with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from browning too much.

Cool pie on rack 1 hour before serving.

For Thanksgiving or Christmas, this Southern-style dessert is expected on many tables.

Ingredients: 3 eggs 1 cup white sugar 1 cup corn syrup 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups pecan halves 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie Directions 1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

2.Beat eggs slightly in medium bowl. Beat in sugar, and then blend in syrup, butter or margarine, vanilla, salt, and pecans.

Pour filling into unbaked pie shell.

3.Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes; the pie will be brown and slightly puffed.

Makes 1 pie

Ayden Anual Christmas Parade Thu., Dec. 11 Starting at 6:30 pm www.aydenchamber.com Downtown Ayden Ayden NC 28513

Stepping Into The Past with The Tobacco Farm Life Museum Every Saturday in November and December.

www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org

709 Church St., US Hwy 301 North Kenly NC 27542

presented by StageStruck: The Young People’s Own Theatre

Friday, November 14, 2014 at 7:00pm Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 7:00pm Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 7:00pm StageStruck kicks off its 25th season of The Young People’s Own Theatre with a retrospective tribute to the past 25 years of our musical premieres and dramatic presentations. StageStruck: The Story is an original musical revue showcasing favorite scenes and memorable musical moments from all 25 years of StageStruck’s history.

December 2 & 4:

Christmas Candlelight Tours Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 - 9 pm Come see open-hearth cooking, and enjoy a sample of apple cider, as we celebrate a festive Christmas on the Aycock farm, set in the late 19th century. Highlights include music performed in the Ida H. Williams Auditorium, and a Christmas “shadow play” in Oak Plains School. Costumed guides will explain common Christmas traditions of the post-Civil War era in North Carolina. Admission is free, and open to the public.

Charles B Aycock Birthplace Fremont North Carolina - Off of Hghway 117 South

e The Polar Express presented by Hubb’s Corn Maze

a photoessay of a wonderful tradition celebrated by many eastern north carolina families at Hubb’s Corn Maze in Clinton North Carolina.

10276 N US Hwy 421, Clinton, North Carolina 28328

e May I see your ticket, please?

e all aboard

Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one little boy - who’s not so sure, an amazing thing happens. Late on Christmas Eve, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. But instead, he hears a steam engine’s roar and whistle from outside his window. The conductor invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with other children still in their pajamas. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.

www.hubbscornmaze.com

Mighty Christmas from Down Home Magazine

Find an array of styles and sizes of ceramic Christmas trees - made from the old vintage molds at

Pet Village and Ceramic Shop 228 N Center St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 Phone: (919) 734-8100

Backroads Carolina: We Have a Tradition written Jim Hinnant photographed by Cindi Pate

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. As a kid, I looked forward to church Christmas programs, going to my grandparents’ homes, seeing Christmas lights and decorations, and opening presents. We were allowed to open one present at home on Christmas Eve. Of course, my parents wouldn’t put everything under the tree before Christmas morning, so the ones there were something they didn’t mind us having early.

Christmas can become so commercial that we often forget what it’s all about. We’re celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christianity. Even though the exact date may not have been December 25th, it’s the date most celebrate His birth in a stable over 2,000 years ago. I’m sure there wasn’t a Christmas tree or electric lights in the stable where He was born, but the low glowing lights from our trees reminds me of how the light probably was that night.

Today, my favorite thing to do during Christmas is to visit family, especially my grand-

children, and see them open their presents. We have a tradition of first reading the Christmas Story from the Bible, something my dad did all my life, and the responsibility is now mine. I also enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations and lights, and there are several special places in our area that everyone should see.

The Meadow Lights claim to be “The largest and oldest Christmas attraction in Eastern North Carolina,” and it just may be that. Meadow is located just off I-40 east of I-95 near Benson, and has been a big Christmas attraction for many years. There, you can ride the train to view the lights or visit the old country store. It’s better if you go on a chilly evening so that you’ll appreciate everything you see. This year, they’ll open November 21st for the season.

Mike’s Farm is another Eastern North Carolina favorite.

They offer a 30-minute hayride through the woods with Christmas Music and lights.

There’s also a live nativity scene.

Mike’s Farm runs this year from Thanksgiving through December 23rd and also December 26th and 27th.

backroads carolina A

backroad is a

secondary type of road, usually found in rural

areas.

In North Carolina, where they are also referred to as “blue

roads”, the

roads are often constructed of gravel.

Join us as we bring you the new seriesBackroads Carolina!

The Cliffs of the Neuse State Park holds an annual Christmas Flotilla on the lake. Last year, there were about 20 boats with decorations and lights, and Santa made his appearance. This year, the event is planned for December 5th.

Other places include the Lights at Lake Myra in Wendell, a flotilla in New Bern, Lights on the Neuse in Clayton, and all the cities, towns, and villages who decorate for Christmas throughout our area.

When you see them, let them remind you of the manger scene and Christ’s birth. Merry Christmas, everyone!

For more information, visit these web pages: MeadowLights.com MikesFarm.com NCParks.gov LakeMyraChristmas.com VisitNewBern.com LightsOnTheNeuse.com

WFosterDesign

www.etsy.com/shop/wfosterdesign Handcrafted jewelry, crochet, ceramics, paintings, etc.

wfoster3@nc.rr.com Dudley, NC

919.222.2390

Pikeville’s Hotdog Stand

202 S. Goldsboro Street - Pikeville NC Next to Pikeville Tire & Gas Monday - Friday 11am - 3pm dogs Saturday 2 Hot ink r 11am - 2pm &aD

$3

Melissa Vera

Blogger - Couponer Crafter - Product Tester rmmmgvera@bellsouth.net

www.adventuresfrugalmom.com

Hannah Naylor, Owner 910-627-3836 Natural Handmade Soaps, Lotions, Lip Balms, Body Butter, Bath Bombs, Shaving Soap & more

www.NCSoap.weebly.com

local flare

warms the soul for local flavors

local love

local love.

the home

Our Top Local Picks

We’re back by popular demand. Some of our favorite artisans - all with products that someone on your Christmas list will Priced to fit your budget and made by men & women right here in Eastern North Carolina.

www.downhomemagazine.com

Warms the Soul Our Top Local Picks

Super CUTE and stylish! Handmade chunky bubblegum jewelry for women and children. Our favorite: baseball, soccer and softball pendants for all you sports moms

That’s So Sara

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Goldsboro, North Carolina www.facebook.com/thatssosara

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Earth Muffin - no stranger to Down Home Magazine - carries a wide range of hand sewn merchandise, including purses, bags, totes, magnets, coin pouches, wallets, children’s clothing and other misc. textile items! Her line of plush toys caught our eye as a Top Pick and can be found at S&K Village Gift Box, WC Arts Council and Wayne County Museum - Goldsboro, NC

Earth Muffin Goldsboro, North Carolina http://www.earthmuffindesign.etsy.com

Simple yet decadent homemade chocolate candies & treats. Excellent for gift-giving, special events or that special self-indulgent moment. Available online for special order or at The Village Gift Box in the Brick Village in Goldsboro.

Chocolate Droppe Candy Shoppe u Goldsboro, North Carolina www.facebook.com/TheChocolateDroppe

Local Flavor Our Top Local Picks

Pork products processed the old fashioned way and packed fresh daily. Today, Nahunta Pork Center is the largest all pork retail displayer in the eastern United States. The country sausage is made from an old family recipe. The country cured hams are hand rubbed in salt and spices for curing and aged over several months to acquire a true country ham flavor. Two Eastern NC locations to serve you.

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Nahunta Pork Center Nahunta, North Carolina & Raleigh Farmers’ Market www.nahuntapork.com

Goodness Gracie Gourmet Foods specializes in Gourmet Toffee Cookies and Savory Snacks that are perfect for Corporate and Personal Gifting. .

Goodness Gracie

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Crispy, spicy, cheesy - delicious!

Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Cayenne pepper top these crackers that are baked to crispy perfection!

Peanut picking is a busy time in Bertie County.

Each fall farmers race to ensure the year’s harvest is coaxed from the sandy soils at the peak of the peanuts’ naturally fresh flavor.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Bertie County Peanuts pays homage to this nostalgic treat with our line of peanut snacks and treats. Our personal favorite: Candied Nuts.

http://www.goodnessgracie.com/.

Bertie County Peanuts Windsor, North Carolina www.pnuts.net

For the Home Our Top Local Picks

Lucky 3 Farm LLC is family owned and operated - located north of Raleigh - in beautiful Franklin County, NC. Owners, boldly believe that every animal that is sacrificed for the nourishment of our minds and bodies should be honored. One way they do that is to use all of the animal, not letting anything go to waste. Out of this mentatilty sprouted a skin care, household and pet care product line that is worthy of a Top Pick.

Lucky 3 Farm Louisburg, North Carolina www.lucky3farm.com

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Susan Palmer is a local artist from Pikeville, NC, who loves colorful, eclectic designs and beach themes. These whmisical ECU themed {Go Pire”ettes!”} wine glasses caught our eye. All handmade just for you. Pick your school or motife in time for the holidays.

Sunshine t Suzy’s Pikeville, North Carolina www.suzyssunshine.com

Local artisans, Tommy & Becky Evans, create custom - made to order - door hangers, wall plaques, monograms and decorated letters. Specializing in special order team door hangers. Perfect for holidays, game days or any day. One of our favorites, a Christmas door hanger painted in ECU’s team colors

Sawdust Designs Princeton, North Carolina www.facebook.com/SawdustDesign

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Wheel thrown functional pottery by Nancy Newman that is food, oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe. Available in a wide variety of colors using lead free glaze. We were attracted to her coastal themes - including sea turtles, crabs, shells and other oceanic symbols. You can find her work on her facebook page and in the Brick Villiage, Goldsboro, NC.

ExCLAYmations by Nancy Newman Jacksonville, North Carolina https://www.facebook.com/nancy.newman.7967

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For the Home u

Our Top Local Picks

Glass Creations Goldsboro ,North Carolina 919-778-2380 Beautiful handmade items - including rag quilts and this microwave potato pouch - ready to cook the perfect baked potato.

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Local artisan, Lois Capps makes beautiful creations from glass.

One of our favorites, her yard stakes. A variety of styles and themes to choose from, she makes tomorrow’s treasures today!

Allygator Monkey Goldsboro, North Carolina

Hackle Computer Service Home / Small Office PC Service www.HackleComputerService.com On-site, Drop-Off, Remote Support Options, Pickup & Delivery, Helpdesk Service Call/text (919) 429-9836 Email: service@hacklecomputerservice.com 1819 Friendly Rd Goldsboro, NC 27530

      

Virus Removal Repair Crashes & Blue Screens Tune-up/Cleanup Services Hardware repair/replace New system setup Wireless Networking And Much More

Wishing You and Your Family a Mighty Christmas & a Blessed New Year