Texas Hill Country Culture: Holiday Edition DEC 2020

y edition a d i l o H TEXAS

DECEMBER 2020

LOOK INSIDE:

CULTURE

★ Recipes for festive feasting ★ Made in the Hill Country gift guide ★ DIY yule log candle holder centerpiece

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DECEMBER 2020 Jeanette Eastwood Nash

@ txhillcountry_culture @ Texashillcountryculture

Carlina Villalpando

Assistant Managing Editor

Photo by Trish Rawls

Tom Holden

Though the holiday season may look a bit different this year with pandemic precautions still on our minds, viewing Christmas light displays is still a safe and festive family outing.

Learn where you can find the most dazzling scenes in the Hill Country on Page 18.

Photo Editor

Publisher

Courtney Cox

Nicole Crapps

Advertising Director

Creative Services Manager

Account Executives

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Brandon Baldwin, Luly Bliss, Valerie Tucker

Managing Editor

ON THE COVER

The Kerrville Daily Times, 429 Jefferson St., Kerrville, Texas 78028 www.dailytimes.com | Phone: 830-896-7000 | Fax: 830-896-1150

For story ideas: For advertising: For inquiries: news@dailytimes.com advertising@txhcculture.com info@txhcculture.com Copyright: Hill Country Culture is published by The Kerrville Daily Times under Southern Newspapers Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

’Tis the Season In spite of pandemic cancellations, the Hill Country remains merry and bright

W

ithout a doubt, it’s going to be a different holiday season this year.

Shopping malls, typically filled to bursting by this time, are sparsely populated.

Black Friday deal dashes have been canceled or altered. Parades and tree lighting events have been scrapped for fear of community spread. And even Macy’s Santa Claus, made iconic by the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street,” is staying home for the first time in almost 160 years.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected our holiday plans on a personal level, too. Many of us are opting not to travel and weighing whether annual end-of-year parties are worth the risk.

As a journalist, I’ve spent many a Christmas working, so I’m somewhat familiar with distant celebrations.

But when I think of cherished Christmases past, I don’t remember the shopping or the parties or the visits to Santa.

Instead, I think of my mom, painstakingly hot gluing Santa Claus jars (the perfect size to hold a handful of red and green M&M’s) for each of us. I’m sure she’s hard at work right now, crafting one for my new nephew.

I remember my dad army-crawling under the Christmas tree, arms looped with strands of lights, while Bing Crosby crooned in the background. Because even though it took more time and effort, the result was always better than a pre-lit tree.

festive light viewing, DIY instructions for a Christmas table centerpiece and more. Even amid a pandemic, we know it’s still possible to get in a merry mood.

After all, in the words of a book that was so important to the holidays of my childhood, “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!”

If you’re interested in keeping up with the magazine online, make sure to visit our Facebook page at Texas Hill Country Culture or scroll through our Instagram page @txhillcountry_culture. Remember to check out the e-edition at DailyTimes.com as well to find bonus photos each month.

— Nicole Crapps

I feel my grandma’s hand in mine as we visited baby Jesus in the Nativity scene at the front of the church after Christmas services, and taste the decidedly unseasonal lemon meringue pie she always makes, just because she knows it’s my favorite.

Most of all, I remember my grandpa’s voice, reading “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” each year to a crowd of wriggling grandchildren, and teasing us about stealing the Mistletoad (a much-beloved ornament by Hallmark circa 1987) from our tree.

Even though we’re far from each other this year, no virus can wipe out the love of these memories and traditions.

In the following pages, you’ll find enough holiday favorites from Hill Country residents to fill Santa’s sleigh: a delicious cocoa recipe, thoughtful gift ideas, routes for

204 Cully Dr. • Kerrville 830-792-0808 Erika Swanson Owner

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Table of Contents 10 HILL COUNTRY GIFTS

Local artisans offer unique choices

for holiday shopping season 22 CENTER OF ATTENTION Make your own yule log candle holder

30 SILENT NIGHT How to make the most of a holiday

to wow your Christmas dinner guests

spent distanced from loved ones

24 FROSTY FUN Fredericksburg’s Eisbahn lets skaters

33 MELLOW MORNING Easy, make-ahead breakfasts to keep

experience that thrilling winter chill

you out of the kitchen on Christmas

18 BEAUTIFUL SIGHT

Where to admire the most brilliant

26 FIGHTING THE FEAST Advice to keep celebratory treats

34 TOP-SHELF PRESENTS Books by Hill Country authors make

great stocking-stuffers for everyone

14 FAMILY FAVORITES

Residents share the decorations and traditions closest to their hearts

16 A CUP OF CHEER

Naughty and nice beverage recipes to toast the arrival of Christmastime

lighting displays in the Hill Country

from ending up on your waistline

STILL DYING FOR A CIGARETTE? Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that cigarette-smoking Americans receive higher doses of the most potent carcinogens than do smokers in many foreign countries because of variations in the way tobacco is processed for cigarettes in the U.S. American cigarettes are typically made from “American blend” tobacco, a specific blend that, because of growing and curing practices, contains higher levels of cancer-causing tobacco-specific nitrosamines. And a recent Kaiser Permanente Study found that heavy smokers had a 157 percent elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Think about that before you light up again, and call us instead – we can help.

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Magazine Contributors Kathy Sears Hall Kathy Sears Hall is a Kerrville native and graduate of Tivy High School. She is a Cooper Institute Personal Trainer and is licensed to teach Pilates and Zumba. She holds an accounting degree from the University of Texas and spent 27 years in the energy industry. She now enjoys being back home and working with her father, husband and staff at The Center for Fitness, which her mother started more than 40 years ago.

Megan Myers and Jessica Piña Megan Myers and Jessica Piña are neighbors and friends in the Texas Hill Country. Their Instagram account, @cocktail_tuesday, chronicles their newfound passion for learning classic cocktail recipes and creating new ones for every occasion.

Nancy Foster Nancy Foster has contributed to Texas Hill Country Culture since its beginning. She believes success is measured when readers tell her they’ve found another place to visit and enjoy. Nancy and her husband, Raymond, have lived in Kerrville for nine years. She heads Foster Tourism Marketing, a company that services clients in four states.

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Mia Church

Sandra Lane

Mia Church began her career in media at the Phoenix Newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts. Later, she was part of the team at Boston’s first country music station, WBCS, solidifying country into the northeast culture. She is an internationally published photographer and writer and runs her business, Mia Church Photography. She has two daughters and has lived in the Texas Hill Country for 15 years.

Sandra Lane has a long writing history and has provided support for newspapers, trade journals, corporate communications and tech publications. In 2019, she completed and published a book about the life of a former U.S. Congressman from San Antonio. A fourth-generation Texan, she holds a B.S. degree in Journalism from the University of North Texas, Denton.

She moved to Kerrville in 2013 from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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Stacy Whittemore Stacy Whittemore is a health/cooking coach and certified master preserver in the Texas Hill Country. Her cooking blog, wayfaringspoon.com, is dedicated to smaller-sized recipes along with home canning inspiration. Her passion is teaching and sharing the art of home-cooked meals.

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Gifts heart FROM THE

(of Texas)

Charcuterie & Cheese in a basket from Fischer & Wieser in Fredericksburg makes a great gift, or customize your own from select jams, jellies, sauces, wines and many other delicacies.

Another treat, Mom’s Soup & Mug in a crate is perfect for a delicious winter warmup.

By Nancy Foster As the holiday shopping season begins, residents and visitors will find an abundance of fabulous handcrafted gift items to choose from, all within minutes of home. The Hill Country is alive with talent and unique items sure to delight everyone on your list. No matter whether you’re planning to shop for a foodie, an art aficionado, a lover of nature or anyone with an appreciation for quality craftsmanship, you’ll find the perfect gift from Hill Country artisans. Support local businesses by choosing gifts made right here in the Texas Hill Country.

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1 1) Fischer & Wieser 411 S. Lincoln St. Fredericksburg jelly.com • 830-997-7194

Country 2) Hill Pottery 738 FM 473, Comfort hillcountrypottery.com 830-446-2957

Avery 3) James Artisan Jewelry 145 Avery Road jamesavery.com • 446-2947

2 For a gift she won’t return, buy beautiful jewelry created in the Hill Country with the finest materials sourced worldwide.

James Avery Artisan Jewelry is timeless and beautiful.

Hill Country Pottery offers handcrafted pieces for the dinner table and kitchen that make beautiful gifts.

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4 Gourmet food enthusiasts will thank you for this delicious gift from Turtle Creek Olives & Vines made with 100% extra virgin unfiltered imported Umbrian olive oil.

5 Shop JDS Leather for quality leather goods made in the Hill Country, including custom boots and purses.

6 Designed by Kerrville resident Collin Miller for his Eagle Scout project, these rustic wooden birdhouses come in a kit complete with instructions and hardware. They can be purchased at Riverside Nature Center for $10 each in sizes for Titmouse, Barn Swallow and Eastern Bluebird.

Creek 4) Turtle Olives & Vines 211 Earl Garrett St. turtlecreekolivesandvines.com 830-896-0010

5) JDS Leather

2002 Mack Hollimon Drive jdsleather.com • 830-896-4303

6) Riverside Nature Center 150 Francisco Lemos St. riversidenaturecenter.org 830-257-4837

7 For heirloom-quality gifts, choose Clint Orms Engravers and Silversmiths, where you’ll find handcrafted buckles, jewelry and accessories that embody a carefully preserved Western heritage.

Orms Engravers 7) Clint and Silversmiths 229B Old Ingram Loop, Ingram clintorms.com • 830-367-7949

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8 For the wine connoisseur in your life, order the Kerrville Hills Winery Holiday Box Special. The trio includes 2017 Tannat, 2017 Tempranillo and 2017 Sagrantino.

9 ABOVE: Wildgoose Manufacturing crafts quality luggage and leather goods that are made to last.

BELOW: Find one-stop shopping for boutique, handcrafted items at Blue Oak Trading Company.

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8) Kerrville Hills Winery

9) Wildgoose Manufacturing

3600 Fredericksburg Road kerrvillehillswinery.com 830-895-4233

3187 Junction Highway wildgoosetexas.net 830-367-5553

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Oak 10) Blue Trading Company 1834 Junction Highway botc.com • 830-315-2583

Buzzie’s Bar-B-Q famous meat rub makes a great stocking stuffer!

11) Buzzie’s Bar-B-Q

213 Schreiner St. buzziesbbq.com • 830-257-4540

12 Original bronze sculptures by award-winning Cowboy Artist of America and Kerrville resident, Jason Scull, are sold at the Museum of Western Art.

13 Tejas Hummingbird Feeders are created from glass and metal to last through the seasons.

These beautiful gifts are available for purchase at Kerr Arts & Cultural Center Gift Shop. * To check out more gift ideas from these local artisans, visit DailyTimes.com and click on this month’s Texas Hill Country Culture e-edition.

of 12) Museum Western Art 1550 Bandera Highway museumofwesternart.com 830-896-2553

Arts & 13) Kerr Cultural Center 228 Earl Garrett St. tejashummer.com • 830-895-2911

14) Fredericksburg Honey Company 409 E. Main St., Fredericksburg fbghoney.com • 830-456-0783

14 Order the Texas basket from Fredericksburg Honey Company for high quality honeys made throughout the Lone Star State.

15) Zanzenberg Studio 311 Center Point Drive East, Center Point bit.ly/2InV8VJ • 830-634-2451

15 Zanzenberg Studio sells handcrafted copper, brass and silver etched wall pieces presented in a low relief format.

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Family favorites

Some of the best parts of Christmas are completely unique to our own families. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind decoration, a heartfelt tradition or Grandma’s top-secret fruitcake recipe, the season just wouldn’t be the same without it. Here are a couple of festive examples from Hill Country residents.

“Years ago, my girls came home from Church excited about a craft they had completed. It was a miniature manger with a handful of straw. It was a bit wobbly and loaded with glue, but they beamed at their masterpiece and shared the story behind it. They explained, in preparation for Christmas Day, each straw represented a good deed done in secret. Throughout December, the goal was to fill the manger so that the Christ child would have a soft bed on the day of his birth. In the days after, I would pass the fireplace and smile at the pieces of straw that were accumulating. To this very day, my daughters still guard the secret deeds they did, but I know one of them wrapped a favorite toy to add to the giving tree at school. Another brought cookies to an elderly neighbor. I didn’t miss the dishes that were done without complaint and the extra chores around the house that were mysteriously completed. The manger still holds a special place in my home. I hope you will enjoy this tradition as much as my family.” – Stacy Whittemore

RIGHT: “This Barbed Wire tree has been in our family for many years, bringing holiday spirit to us in places where evergreen trees are scarce. It is decorated with a miniature birdhouse (for miniature birds).” – Dean Carroll LEFT: “Christmas of 1967 was special. Our first-born daughter was 5 months old.

We bought brass Swedish Angel Chimes, and she would sit on my lap transfixed at the candles and the angel chimes twirling around. As she grew, it became known as the “ding-a-ling,” and has entertained our family for 53 years.

I think we paid 69 cents for our favorite Christmas ornament.”

– Raymond Foster 14

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A CUP OF

CHEER Holiday sips leave body and spirits toasty warm

By Megan Myers and Jessica Piña

W

hen you’re getting ready for a holiday dinner, don’t forget the drinks! Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering with family or a small outdoor get-together with friends, these drinks will make you the life of the party.

We all deserve a little comfort and a little celebration, and the drinks we’re preparing this season will give you both.

Inspired by our grandmothers’ pecan pies in the winter and Texas sheet cakes in the summer, the Texas Pecan Hot Chocolate marries a cold weather classic with a Texan tradition. It’s perfect for the kids’ table — or, if your party has a more grown-up vibe, sneak some pecan whiskey into the batch.

Don’t let the pecan simple syrup scare you — a small pot and 15 minutes are all you need to whip up your own flavored syrup.

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Texas Pecan Hot Chocolate Ingredients:

Directions: Mix instant

(for simple syrup) 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 cup pecans

dry milk, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and salt in a medium bowl. Divide mixture evenly into four mugs. Add the pecan simple syrup to each mug to taste — we recommend starting with a few tablespoons. Pour 6-8 ounces of hot water in each mug and mix until dissolved. Garnish with whipped cream and chopped pecans.

(for hot chocolate) ¼ cup pecan simple syrup ½ cup instant dry milk ½ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips 4 pinches salt Hot water

Jolly Mimosas Ingredients: 8 cups spiced apple cider 2 cups cranberry

pomegranate juice 1 can frozen orange

juice concentrate ½ cup freshly squeezed

lime juice 2 cups spiced rum

The excitement of the holiday season is the basis for the Jolly Mimosa. This punch hosts a hearty serving of fruit and a deep rum base. Add a little bit of bubbly, and you’ve given this drink a holiday sparkle.

Even if you’re not attending or throwing many parties this year, you can mix up a big batch to store in a pitcher and drink it from Christmas all the way to New Year’s. (In fact, the punch tastes even better after an overnight in the fridge!) You can serve this punch in any glass your heart desires — we love it in a mason jar for casual occasions and in a champagne flute for an elevated affair.

Our favorite part of making a drink is always the garnish. It’s fun to make a great tasting drink, but a well-decorated one takes it to the next level!

For the hot chocolate, we recommend whipped cream with some of the pecans from your simple syrup.

Try chocolate or caramel syrup to give it some holiday ribbons. For the punch, stick with a cinnamon stick and the fruits from the recipe — an orange wheel, lime wedge and cranberry floaters were our favorites.

Whether your gatherings this holiday season call for hot or cold, festive or cozy, these drinks are sure to please all who get to enjoy them!

4-5 cinnamon sticks 1 bottle sparkling wine

Directions: Combine all ingredients except for the sparkling wine in a large bowl.

Chill mixture for at least an hour before serving. To serve, fill each glass ¾ full with juice mixture and top with sparkling wine. Can be served on ice if desired. Garnish with sliced fruit and whole cranberries.

Ho make w to simpl pecan e syru Bring p a c u po bo

il a fw to a s nd then tu ater to a im rn and s mer. Add down u g a r. Sim pecans 20 m in m heat a utes. Tur er for n of f nd tra the nsfer to a c p o syrup oling rack ecans .S aside to co et o l.

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A beautiful

SIGHT

Hill Country shines with festive flair

T

By Nancy Foster he spirit of the holiday season is once again upon us, launching a month of meaningful traditions, an aura of joyous optimism and an abundance of good will.

Hill Country towns and cities are gearing up to celebrate in their own unique ways, offering many events and activities that mostly are free of charge. Do make time in your busy schedule to pack the car with family or friends and enjoy beautifully lit trees, Santa parades, holiday music and seasonal décor.

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This year in Kerrville, thanks to the nonprofit Kerrville Christmas Lighting Corporation’s efforts, with the assistance of the Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) for installation, 44 gold 7-foot Christmas trees with LED-lighting will hang from utility poles on Sidney Baker Street from I-10 to Main Street. In addition, the Kerr County Courthouse, downtown and city buildings are sporting a festive look with lights and decorations.

Across the river at Louise Hays Park, take in the dazzling Light the Island at Tranquility Island, where dozens of towering cypress trees are adorned with red and green lights against the scenic backdrop of the Guadalupe River and the River Trail. Light the Island started shining on Nov 21 and is scheduled to stay up through New Year’s Day. Many area merchants also get into the Christmas mood. Right after Thanksgiving at the Cowboy Steakhouse on Junction Highway, the dining rooms are transformed with classic Christmas decorations, complete with a traditional fireplace mantle display. Many private residences decorate as well, including many at Riverhill on Bandera Highway, so drive through the neighborhoods and marvel at the front yards and homes adorned with holiday light displays.

BACKGROUND: Nearby Fredericksburg is a dazzling sight at Christmastime with a 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid and the Community Christmas tree.

Photo courtesy of Trish Rawls

ABOVE: Light the Island at Tranquility Island in Kerrville's Louise Hays Park will shine through the new year for visitors to enjoy.

LEFT: The Riverhill neighborhood is a great location to admire holiday lighting displays.

Photos courtesy of the city of Kerrville and Andy Magee

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After Thanksgiving, Kerrville restaurant Cowboy Steakhouse is transformed into a winter wonderland sure to delight and enthrall patrons of all ages.

In Ingram, the annual Christmas parade will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and start at Ingram ISD, run through Old Ingram Loop and end at the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department. Make sure to drop by Old Ingram Loop where many of the store exteriors are embellished with whimsical Christmas lights and decorations.

For out-of-town festivities, take a drive over to Fredericksburg. Running each evening through Jan. 6, enjoy traditional holiday music, a 5-minute audio program and history of the iconic 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid and Community Christmas tree. The city will also offer ice skating on Marktplatz at Eisbahn, the Christmas Wine Affair and The Christmas Journey, a 10-minute drive-through presentation of the Christmas Story presented by Bethany Lutheran Church. For info, go to visitfredericksburgtx.com/blog/post/ holiday-lights.

Holiday plans by many communities, churches and organizations have not yet been finalized, so check with your local chamber, city hall or convention & visitors bureau for updates before you go.

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Many storefronts on Old Ingram Loop get into the holiday spirit during the town’s annual Christmas parade, which is planned for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, this year.

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Center of attention DIY Yule log will brighten holiday table Supplies: 2 empty, rinsed and dried

46 oz. tomato juice cans Duct tape 6 cups plaster of Paris 2 - PVC 1" x ¾" coupler

STEP 1 22

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(needs to have threads) Felt or flannel Varnish color of choice Two candles Hot glue Decorations

T

By Stacy Whittemore his year we explored our inner creativity as we found ourselves forced to stay home. According to Smithsonian Magazine, craft sales increased 76%, and Etsy blossomed with new products.

With time on my hands and a need to reach back to a simpler crafting time, I thought of my mother. In the 1970s, homemade crafting was at its height, and she embraced it wholeheartedly. Thankfully, the plaster of Paris mushrooms knick-knacks didn’t catch on, but another craft holds a special place in my heart.

In the basement, she had a box where she kept empty tomato juice cans through the year. When late October came, she would start making Yule logs. She would clear our kitchen table and put down an old

vinyl tablecloth to prepare the logs. I loved helping her put the plaster on the cans and picking out decorations for them. They were gifts for neighbors, friends and the other teachers where she worked.

I lost my mother years ago, but I have no doubt she would have embraced the craft craze the pandemic brought.

The custom of burning the Yule log goes back to medieval times. Originally a Nordic tradition, Yule is the name of the old winter solstice festivals in Scandinavia and Germany. The first Yule log was an entire tree lit to burn through the 12 days of Christmas. Today it makes a festive centerpiece for holiday gatherings.

Directions: 1. Lay out newspaper to cover your workspace and tape the two cans together.

2. With a marker, draw a straight line across the top to position the PVC couplers. Measure 4 inches in on both sides of a mark. Hot glue a PVC coupler center over the 4-inch mark on the left.

Repeat on the right. Two total on top.

Let glue set.

STEP 2

STEP 3

3. Mix the plaster of Paris according to the directions. The mixture needs to be the consistency of thick pancake batter. Note: Plaster of Paris sets up hard fairly quickly. Make sure the PVC couplers are upright and level, so when the finished log is complete, the candles will stand evenly upright. With your fingers, spread the paster over the entire surface of the can, making sure you go around and up the PVC couplers, but not inside them. You want a fairly thick layer of plaster. Make bark patterns in the plaster. On the end of the cans, make swirl patterns to simulate tree rings. Run your finger around the base to make a uniform base. Don’t move the log, let dry for 24 hours.

4. After the log has dried, pull away the newspaper. Cut out a piece of felt or flannel to fit on the bottom to protect from scratching surfaces.

5. Lightly coat the log with two coats of varnish and decorate as desired.

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By Mia Church

Gliding into Eisbahn

E

isbahn outdoor ice skating in downtown Fredericksburg’s charming Marktplatz has been a cool part of the Christmas season in Fredericksburg and the Hill Country since 2008.

People from all over the Hill Country and even metropolitan areas come to Fredericksburg every Christmas season to enjoy this winter sport. Last year was the most successful year thus far.

The families at Heritage School in Fredericksburg manage, run and volunteer at Eisbahn every year. Without them, this great attraction wouldn’t be possible. A large part of the proceeds are donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (in honor of the efforts of the original founders of the rink) and this year, to Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg. In addition, Eisbahn contributes to need-based tuition assistance for qualifying families at Heritage School.

They offer concessions including pizza, candy, soda and cocoa.

A $15 stamp pass (includes skate rental) is good for one day, and you may go in and out as needed. On Tuesdays, they offer a $10 rate for all-day skating.

Eisbahn also offers 10-day passes for $135 which saves you $15. Gift passes can be purchased at the rink and are a great and unique stocking stuffer!

Outside of normal operating hours, the rink is available for party rental. The minimum charge is $350, which includes skating for up to 25 people and lasts for two hours. Once the rink opens to the public, you are welcome to continue skating. ​​E mail eisbahn@heritageschool. org or call 830-997-6597 to reserve the rink.

The outdoor ice-skating rink is open daily through the first weekend in January.

Eisbahn plays traditional Christmas music and upbeat seasonal music for skaters.

It will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all guests and workers will be required to wear face masks. The rink is limited to 33 skaters at a time, and guests are asked to social distance. There will be hand sanitizer available, and workers will sanitize frequently touched surfaces.

If you go: • WHERE: 100 block of W. Main St., Kinderhalle Pavilion, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 • WHEN: Daily through Jan. 3, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends; check Facebook for weekday hours, as these vary.

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LIVING

THE

BEAUTIFUL

LIFE

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE a publication of

CELEBRATING THE UNIQUE AND COLORFUL STYLE OF LIVING IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

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The Kerrville

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25

WHY DO SO MANY OF US GAIN WEIGHT OVER THE HOLIDAYS? Office parties, school plays, church concerts, and family gatherings are likely to include food and many of those nibbles and treats are loaded with sugar and fat. Couple the increase in consumption with a few skipped workouts, and you have a tried-and-true recipe for weight gain.

Another culprit we face during this time of year is stress. Trying to do too much in a short period of time is tough and may lead to lack of sleep. Being tired adds to the stress and food can provide needed comfort.

A unique seasonal stressor comes from feeling obligated to spend time with people that we don’t truly enjoy. Every family has some kind of challenge or drama that can easily get

exaggerated with the right kind of fuel and the holidays have been known to provide it year after year. Food can once again come to the rescue!

WHAT’S SO BAD ABOUT A FEW POUNDS?

Tipping the scales during the holidays means starting the new year with a little extra weight. Even if it’s just a few pounds, they don’t always come off that easily. For many, it eventually adds up over time and, before you know it, you’re carrying around 20-30 pounds of extra flab.

WHY IS THIS YEAR DIFFERENT?

Large events with big buffets will be infrequent as we close out 2020, but invitations to small family gatherings will likely come your way. We will have to thoughtfully decide which loved ones to spend time with and figure out how to do so while trying to stay healthy. The anxiety that comes from those decisions can add to your worries, leading us to search the refrigerator for something that will make us feel better.

Fighting the

FEAST

'T

By Kathy Sears Hall

is the season. The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are turning, and the holidays are upon us. Traditionally, this has been a time of gift-giving, party-hopping and desserteating, not to mention a sleep-challenging and stress-evoking frenzy! It’s a precarious time for health-conscious people and can throw anyone’s wellness routine off track.

While this year’s activities may not include as many parties and events as in the past, extra calories will still find a way to tempt us over the next couple of months. So, how can we enjoy the foods and drinks we love without overdoing it and then regretting our choices?

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So, how do I keep weight in check during the holidays?

RECALL THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

“F

igure out what works best for you and stick to your plan.

And if stuff gets in the way, just get back on track and don’t beat yourself up. Remember, the holidays are a time for joy!”

Focus on your spiritual beliefs.

Surround yourself with supportive family and friends, whether it’s in person or over the phone. Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, warm baths, or great music to elevate your mood.

FIND YOUR MOTIVATION Decide why you want to be healthy. Studies show that it doesn’t work to “scare” yourself into being fit. Instead, living a better life is what matters. Being more active can help you climb stairs, carry your groceries, ride bikes with your kids, walk around the block, and stay independent in your own home. Use these as motivation to stay on track.

EAT MINDFULLY The holiday season is meant to be savored, so instead of denying yourself of the experience, commit to maintaining your current weight and view that as a success. Enjoy each delicious dish to its fullest by chewing slowly and focusing on the experience. As a result, you’ll eat less food overall.

DRINK MORE WATER Add a sprig of mint or squeeze of lime juice to make it more festive.

Go easy on alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks and soda. Our brains aren’t great at recognizing that liquid calories contribute to fullness, so we tend to pack them on as extra.

CONCENTRATE ON PLANTS Focus on fruits and veggies while finding simple ways to trim sugar from the menu. Decorate a spinach salad with ruby-red pomegranates and toasted almonds. Feature fruit for dessert, like sliced strawberries topped with fresh mint. Try cutting the sugar in half from your favorite baked goodies and you’ll still enjoy the taste.

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MINIMIZE YOUR SERVINGS Use smaller plates and cups. This makes portion control easier and allows you to enjoy smaller bites or sips of all your favorites. Eating smaller portions means you’re more likely to finish what’s on your plate, leading to less food waste.

KEEP IT MOVING Build up your body’s fat-fighting defenses by increasing or at least maintaining your exercise routine. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. Getting in shape will also give you extra energy for juggling those holiday obligations. For most of us weight gain is a simple math equation: when you consume more calories than you burn, the extra energy is stored as body fat.

Medications and health conditions

can alter that formula, so it’s always a smart idea to check with your doctor before beginning any new physical activity.

MAKE SURE TO MEASURE Weight gain occurs gradually, so stepping on a scale either daily or several times a week is the easiest way to tell whether your holiday feasting has gotten out of control.

Weight gain around the waist is especially harmful because of its inflammatory effect, so keep track of how your clothes fit from week to week.

... AND STAY FLEXIBLE Figure out what works best for you and stick to your plan. And if stuff gets in the way, just get back on track and don’t beat yourself up.

Remember, the holidays are a time for joy!

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With public health officials cautioning against travel and large gatherings, many of us may find ourselves spending the holiday season alone this year.

But a solo celebration need not be a dour affair. Read on to discover how to light up your Christmas, even without a merry group of revelers to join you.

Silent Night

By Sandra Lane

T

his Christmas will definitely be different from Christmases in previous years. The corona virus has changed our lives and our customs. Many of us will be spending Christmas alone this year because of the risk in traveling and becoming exposed to the virus. The usual Christmas parties at churches and various organizations will be considered off limits to those who want to preserve their health and avoid the terrible effects of this disease.

However, all is not lost. It’s still possible to have a meaningful and joyful Christmas although you may be celebrating alone or with just your immediate family.

Decorations can still be put up throughout the home and

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outside, if desired. It’s fun to pull out decorations that haven’t been seen in a long time. Some people even have ornaments saved from their childhood that evoke happy memories of Christmases past.

Putting a very small Christmas tree with a few lights on a table can boost spirits and inspire some happy feelings. And don’t forget to hang your stocking somewhere. I even have stockings for some of my cats.

Mailing Christmas cards seems to be decreasing in popularity.

Years ago, I can recall spending most of December addressing cards and mailing them out, hoping I had not forgotten anyone. And, the cost was staggering. Now, I do the easy thing – I send electronic Christmas cards online to my complete list all in one fell swoop. And the cost is very minimal. I pay $20 a year for cards created for any

Holiday e-cards • Jacquielawson.com – $20/year for all occasions (also offer games, puzzles, advent calendars) • Americangreetings.com – $20/year for all occasions • 123 Greetings.com – Free for all occasions • Bluemountain.com – $20/year for Hanukkah cards and others

occasion. (See adjoining box.)

I’m also going to purchase one of the online advent calendars to play around with. I always enjoy the puzzles and other features included.

This year, I will definitely miss the Christmas Eve service at my church and getting together with friends for Christmas dinner.

However, I plan to visit with friends by way of Zoom or Skype.

Ingredients:

4 eggs 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup oil ½ tsp. nutmeg 2/3 cup water 2 tsp. soda 2½ cups sugar 1½ tsp. salt 1 can pumpkin ½ cup walnuts 3½ cups flour

Pumpkin Walnut Bread Directions: Beat eggs, add oil and water.

Add sugar gradually and then pumpkin.

Add spices, soda, and salt. Gradually add flour. Last, mix in walnuts by hand. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Makes two loaves. You can freeze one loaf to enjoy at a later date. (Note: If you don’t have time to make this recipe, you can buy a Pillsbury Pumpkin Bread mix to use. This is almost as good as the homemade version.)

Also, I will watch more than one Christmas Eve service online or through Zoom. One advantage of this method is that I can sit in my rocking chair sipping hot coffee while watching the services. Check your church’s website to see what online programs or services are being offered as well as other

churches in your area.

Just because we are home alone does not mean that we should not celebrate with a special Christmas dinner. For me, that always means cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, green beans, fruit salad (ambrosia), hot rolls, and probably baked salmon, since I

don’t eat meat. This is enough food to sustain me for the next several days.

For those of you who do eat meat, you might want to cook a small turkey and put part of it in the freezer. It’s great to have something to pull out and warm up or make casseroles from for the next few days or a week.

Also, don’t forget to save a few pieces of the turkey for your pets.

They will enjoy that.

Another item I like to make is Pumpkin Walnut Bread, which lasts for a week or so (maybe).

I’ve included my recipe in an accompanying box. It makes two loaves — one can be put in the freezer for future use.

Although you may miss seeing your relatives and friends, there are some benefits to spending some quiet, peaceful time at home by yourself. I can recall in my younger days preparing 31

Free Christmas Movies • Bells of St. Mary’s: Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman (1944) youtube.com/watch?v=APRNe_3tzdg • It’s a Wonderful Life: James Stewart and Donna Reed (1946) vimeo.com/280022699 • Miracle on 34th Street: Natalie Wood, John Payne, Maureen O’Hara (1947) dailymotion.com/video/x21b6ui • Home Alone: Macaulay Culkin (1990) youtube.com/watch?v=dmze6lF9iu0

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Christmas dinner for 20 people and then cleaning up the mess.

There is a lot to be said for getting older. This year, take advantage of the opportunity to plan a quiet and meaningful Christmas for yourself, one that you will happily remember.

As for me, I intend to light a candle, pour myself some coffee, and eat some of the treats I have prepared for myself while listening to some of the wonderful Christmas music on YouTube.

Then I may watch one of the classic Christmas movies from years gone by. (See list in adjoining box.) Viewing those movies reminds me that people still celebrated although they were facing many challenges such as fighting a world war and a great depression, among other events. It gives me inspiration to meet the challenges of today.

Another of my favorite activities is walking through nearby natural areas and parks to appreciate the color of the changing seasons. I enjoy picking up souvenirs along the way such as acorns, pecans, and large leaves. At home, I leave treats out for the resident birds and squirrels in the neighborhood and also prepare some special treats for my cats, particularly on Christmas Day. When you get right down to it, Christmas is really a celebration in the heart. It follows us wherever we go. All we need to do is just relax, let our worries go, and tune in to the heavenly inspiration and comfort that flows.

Whatever our faith or belief system, at Christmas or Hanukkah, we can all join in like a heavenly chorus to send healing feelings and messages of love into the universe.

May that wonder envelope each of us in its loving embrace as we celebrate the season in thought and feelings, although perhaps not in the same physical location.

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to each of you. May your new year be one of many blessings.

MELLOW MORNING Easy make-ahead treats let you greet Christmas with your whole family instead of in the kitchen

Eggnog French Toast

Ingredients: Butter, for dish 1 large loaf bread,

sliced 1" thick 4 large eggs, whisked 4 cups eggnog 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 cup maple syrup ¼ cup chopped pecans 4 Tbsp. butter

C

By Stacy Whittemore

hristmas morning is bittersweet for me. After all the hard work, the magical day has arrived, making the planning worth it — but leaving me exhausted! I am ready to enjoy a cup of coffee on the couch and watch the presents being opened, not worrying about getting a hearty breakfast on the table. Eggnog French Toast and Gold Rush Casserole are easy make-ahead dishes that give you time to enjoy the day!

Directions: Butter a 9x13 baking dish and overlap bread slices. Whisk eggs, eggnog, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Pour mixture over bread, making sure all pieces are submerged. Cover dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate three hours or up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake dish covered until cooked through, 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in small saucepan, melt butter. Add syrup and pecans, stir well. Keep warm to pour over toast before serving.

Gold Rush Casserole Ingredients: 3-4 cups frozen

hash browns ½ cup diced onion 2 Tbsp. parsley flakes ¼ cup butter 1/3 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt ¼ tsp. pepper 2 cups milk 1 cup sour cream 1 lb. ham cubed 8 eggs

Directions: Prepare potatoes according to package directions, drain well. Mix in onion and parsley. Place in greased 9x13 baking dish. Melt butter in saucepan; blend in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream. Pour half mixture over potatoes. Add cubed ham. Whisk eggs and spread over ham layer. Add remaining sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight.

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Top-shelf

PRESENTS

Works by area authors make for fantastic stocking-stuffers

By Sean Batura

E

ver wondered what it’s like to be an EMT? Well, even if you haven’t, Ron Cody’s book, "10-8 Awaiting Crew: Memories of a Volunteer EMT,” about what it was like for him, is a fascinating — and sometimes funny — read anyway.

Cody, who lives near the Camp Verde Store in east Kerr County with his wife, offers in this 152-page book detailed accounts of some of the emergency calls he responded to as a volunteer EMT on a rescue squad in rural New Jersey. The accounts are broken up into small chapters of about four pages: perfect

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for a low-time-investment bedtime story or two ... or three, if you can’t put it down, which admittedly is a big risk.

In the book, Cody recalls his experiences of EMT training and his research on pre-hospital care in the days when EMS programs were still evolving.

“It was so gratifying to be able to help people,” Cody said during a recent visit with The Times. “The first time I defibrillated a person — she was in her 20s — I brought her back completely intact. I was high for a week after that, it feels so great.”

By the time Cody decided to join the rescue squad in 1981, he was

already a biostatistician and professor at Rutgers Medical School. A CPR class inspired him to join the squad, and for the next 28 years, he answered calls for help from his community, including his neighbors, friends, and, on one occasion, his own son, according to the book’s dust jacket.

Cody said one purpose of the book is to encourage his fellow citizens that “ordinary people can be supermen.”

“I don’t like the sight of blood and bones any more than anyone else,” Cody said.

This is his first book of this nature; he’s written more than a dozen texts on computer programming or statistics.

He’s now working on a book about a free computer programming language, SAS. Cody’s wife, Jan, grew up in Kerrville; her parents, Preston and Marian Chambliss, both taught at Tivy High School. Preston coached both football and basketball and was famous for being a member of the 1936 football team that went to the state finals.

Cody hinted that more stories from his EMT days might make it to print. Some of them are very funny, he said, such as the time he was dispatched to a woman’s home to find her stuck in a wall.

“She was in the Murphy bed and it closed and she couldn't get out,” Cody said. “We were just laughing our asses off and she was too.”

Cody’s book has an average of five stars on Amazon.com, where it can be purchased for $9.95 in paperback, and it’s available on Kindle.

More great reads from the Hill Country • “Women Warriors – They Too Have Served,” by John F. Aceti • “The Tiger Snapped Back,” by Robert Ward • “Pancho Villa's Saddle at the Cadillac Bar: Recipes and Memories,” by Wanda Garner Cash • Romance novels by Kerrville resident Martha Hix, some of which are set in the Texas Hill Country • “Kerrville Stories: Collected Newspaper Columns: 1995-2012,” by historian Joe Herring Jr. • “Crises in Kerrville: A Jan Kokk Mystery,” by Roy F. Sullivan • “Welcome Home: The story of a Kerrville Folk Festival Romance,” by Don L. Williams • “Hill Country Historic Cook Book of Kerrville, Texas,” a cookbook by Naida T. Garvin • “Texas Hold 'Em: How I Was Born in a Manger, Died in the Saddle, and Came Back as a Horny Toad,” By Kinky Friedman.

• “From Forge & Anvil: Erich Riesel, Hill Country Iron Worker,” by Candace Leslie • Romance novels by Rhonda Lee Carver. Her “Letting Go” series is set in Kerrville.

• “Where Evil Cannot Enter: A Novel of Romantic Suspense,” by B.G. Kring • “The Sundowner,” by Joyce McKnight

• “Charles Schreiner, General Merchandise: The Story of a Country Store,” by J. Evetts Haley, author, and HD Bugbee, illustrator • “It Can Be This Way Always: Images from the Kerrville Folk Festival,” by photographer David Johnson • “Camp Verde: Texas Frontier Defense,” Joseph Neal Luther, a historical archaeologist and sixth-generation Texan who lives in Kerrville • “Hal and Charlie: The Texas Peterson Brothers Who Risked a Fortune for a Hill Country Foundation,” by Vicki J. Audette and J. Tom Graham • “The Door Closed and Windows Opened: My Journey Fleeing Nazi Germany and Building a New Life in America,” by Kerrville resident Inky Blumenthal • “Proud Promise: The Story of Schreiner Institute/College 19231998,” by Don Hedgpeth • “In a Special Light,” by Elroy Bode • “Freedom Ain’t Free: Remembrance of Central Texas Military Veterans from WWI to the War on Terrorism,” edited and compiled by Martin E. Parker and Francinn Parker • “The Gillespie County Fair,” by Marc Hess

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Book your company’s 2020 Christmas party NOW! • Multiple Room Options respecting Social Distancing Requirements • Festive Decorations • Full Bar Trace Comanche • Delicious Menus to choose from 3806

Contact Shanna Larsen, Event Coordinator (830) 895-8500 ext. 236 slarsen@comanchetrace.com