Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor Talia Uretsky, Assistant Editor Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Although this summer seemed to drag on for years, we have finally entered the blissful ‘My weather is better than yours!’ phase of Arizona life.
Up north, people are stockpiling supplies as if preparing for nuclear winter whenever the forecast whispers “snow flurries.” Here in Arizona, my biggest winter challenge is remembering where I stored my light jacket last March. That’s it. That’s the preparation. I remember how northern weather forecasts sounded like military operations. “Winter Storm Thor approaching! Expect 8-12 inches of accumulation, wind chills of minus ridiculous, and absolute chaos at every grocery store!” In Arizona, our severe winter warnings are more like, “Alert: Temperature might dip below 60°F. Locals may experience mild confusion about appropriate outfit choices.”
The financial differences are laughable too. My northern friends budget for winter like they’re financing a small nation: snow tires, heavy coats, heating bills that could fund a semester of college, and endless car washes to remove that mysterious gray salt crust that appears every winter. Meanwhile, I’m using my “winter savings” for golf rounds in January.
But perhaps the most satisfying moment is when I send them sunny selfies in February, usually featuring a pool or palm tree in the background. It’s petty? Perhaps. Enjoyable? Absolutely. The responses typically include colorful language and creative suggestions about where I can store my sunshine.
So here’s to you, Arizona winter, you beautiful, mildmannered season. You may not give me snow angels, but you also don’t give me back pain from shoveling, the existential dread of starting a cold car at 5 AM or the sweat inducing olympic level sport of shoving children into snowsuits they despise. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, The Hamlet Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com
623.398.5541
P.S. To my northern friends reading this - yes, I know I’m insufferable. No, I won’t stop bragging. Come visit anytime... preferably between November and February.
Cook With Zona
Oreo Cream Cheese Balls
The holiday season is all about creating memories with family and friends, and these Oreo Cream Cheese Balls are a fun and interactive treat to make together with kids or grandkids. Whether you’re preparing them for a Christmas gathering, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or a cozy evening by the fireplace, these bite-sized delights are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a dessert that feels special, without spending hours in the kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make a batch of these Oreo Cream Cheese Balls— perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring during the most wonderful time of the year.
If you have a recipe you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com to be featured in the magazine!
Prep time: 10 mins | Cool Time: 30 mins | Total time: 40 mins
Ingredients
1. 1 pack of Oreos - regular, not double-stuffed
2. 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
3. Semi-sweet/dark/white chocolate (your choice; this chocolate is for coating the balls)
4. Toppings of your choice: Candy canes, chocolate drizzle, crushed Oreos
Steps
1. Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. Use a food processor or mash them up in a ziplock bag.
2. Mix in cream cheese until combined.
3. Scoop dough and roll it into small balls.
4. Place them on a cookie tray, lined with wax paper or parchment paper and chill in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes.
5. Remove from the freezer and dip each ball in a bowl of melted chocolate.
6. Optional: Sprinkle some additional crushed Oreos, or crushed candy canes, or drizzle more chocolate on top before the chocolate sets.
7. Allow the balls to sit in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Enjoy!
We love to see our neighbors’ delicious creations, so send us a picture of your Oreo Cream Cheese Balls or tag us on social media @EstrellaPublishing.
Gift Giving
Giving gifts is all about showing someone how much you love and care about them, but picking out the perfect present is no easy task. Gift shopping doesn’t have to be stressful; and remember you don’t have to fork over an arm and a leg when holiday shopping for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for your mom or dad, kids or grandparents, teachers, or anybody else on your list, we have gift ideas for everyone. Whether that be practical or sentimental. We’re here to help!
Remember, it doesn’t always have to be a guessing game. When in doubt, ask them what’s on their holiday wish list!
Mom:
• “Mom, I Want To Hear Your Story” Journal - $12
• Tea Sampler - $20
• Automatic Wine Bottle Opener - $30
Dad:
• Meat Shredder Claws - $9
• Retractable Ratchet Straps - $40
• Fanttik Mini Electric Screwdriver - $70
Kids:
• Fidget Toys - $10
• All the Things: How to Draw Books for Kids - $10
• Karaoke Microphone Machine - $20
Grandparents:
• Framed Family Photos - $15
• Luna Bean Hand Casting Kit - $25
• Personalized Jewelry - $75
Teachers:
• Gift Cards
• Hand sanitizer - $5
• Personalized Spa Gift Basket - $20
All these ideas can be found on Amazon, happy hunting!
Holiday Plans
Here’s a guide to gracefully handling family holiday gatherings:
When you first arrive, read the room before diving in. Some relatives might be tired from traveling, while others are bursting to share their latest news. Start with light greetings and offer to help with any lastminute preparations – it’s an excellent way to ease into conversations naturally while scoring points with the hosts.
Master the art of the strategic float. Like a social butterfly with a game plan, move between different conversation clusters. When Uncle Bob starts his third rendition of the same political rant, suddenly remember you need to check on those sweet potatoes. If Aunt Linda begins probing about your love life, spot your cousin across the room who “desperately needs your pie-cutting expertise.”
Keep a few universal conversation lifelines handy. Ask about vacation plans, share a funny (but inoffensive) story about your pet, or bring up that new restaurant downtown. Think of these as your conversational escape hatches – when things get tense, deploy them like a social airbag.
Remember that food can be your friend. A full mouth is a perfectly valid reason not to immediately respond to probing questions. Plus, complimenting the cooking can instantly change the subject and make someone’s day. If you’re really stuck, offer to do a coffee run or grab more ice – instant escape plan!
Position yourself strategically. Sitting at the kids’ table might seem like defeat, but it could be a tactical victory. Children rarely ask about your five-year plan or why you changed jobs. Plus, they’re usually delighted to explain their favorite video games or show you their latest art projects.
When sensitive topics arise, deploy the gentle deflectand-redirect maneuver. “That’s an interesting perspective on cryptocurrency, Grandpa. Hey, didn’t
you have some amazing stories about your first job? I’d love to hear those instead!” Sometimes the best way to handle hot topics is to reach into the past.
If you feel overwhelmed, it’s perfectly fine to take short breaks. A brief “bathroom break” can actually be a five-minute breather in the spare room to scroll through your phone or do some deep breathing. Think of them as social intermissions – necessary for pacing yourself through a marathon of family time.
Remember, most relatives are just trying to connect, even if their methods are as subtle as a foghorn. Sometimes nodding along and saying “interesting!” while thinking about your grocery list is the wisest path to family harmony. After all, the gathering will end, but screenshots of your social media rants last forever.
Consider it anthropological research – you’re not dealing with difficult relatives, you’re gathering material for future stories. Sometimes reframing the experience makes it more bearable, even entertaining. Plus, there’s usually pie, and pie makes everything better.
The Doctor Is In
Ask Dr. Jen: The #1 Ingredient for Success, Part 3
As promised, this month we’re looking at how to tackle the fear behind your lack of confidence so you can stop using it as an excuse. When it comes to fear, you have 2 choices: Stay stuck in it or see it as a call to action. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between anxiety and excitement, so default to the latter and get moving!
When fear creeps in, I want you to ask yourself this question: “What is my fear telling me?” In other words, what does it mean, why is it here RIGHT NOW? Really think about what you’re afraid of, what’s on the other side of that door you’re scared to walk through, whatever that is for you.
Then, employ my “Fear to Action Approach,” which includes 4 ways to dispute fear and get over your dang self. There’s not enough space here to go into all 4, so I’ll talk about one of them and direct you to a source for the others.
Method 1: When fear strikes, let go of that “FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real” and instead use your fear as a REMINDER to “FEAR: Factually Examine Alternative Realities.” This means getting out of your feelings and looking at things differently. It means asking yourself, “What other ways can I see what’s in front of me?” You have to change the way the situation occurs to you to take the power out of it and see it as just another task on your to-do list, like getting gas or picking up the groceries. You can do this by playing devil’s advocate and presenting yourself with an alternative perspective, such as “Maybe I’ll actually succeed to some degree” or “Maybe it won’t be a complete and utter failure.”
You can also ask yourself, “What’s another interpretation of events?” or “How else might this play out in a way that’s not life-threatening?” That one should keep you busy for awhile! Very few things are life and death.
You just gotta roll the dice and go for it! Divorce the lie that you can’t do it and marry the truth that you can at least TRY.
Have a question for Dr. Jen? Email it to AskTheDoc@ EstrellaPublishing.com.
DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.
Submitted by Jennifer PaweleckBellingrodt, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist
The Bug Guy
Deck the Halls (and Protect Them Too): Pest Control Tips for a West Valley Christmas
As the weather cools and the Christmas spirit fills the air in West Valley, homeowners must also be mindful of unwanted visitors - pests looking to get cozy for the holidays. From rodents seeking shelter to insects hitching a ride on greenery, pest control is an essential part of holiday home preparation in the desert Southwest.
Top of the list are pack rats, a common problem in the West Valley. These rats like areas next to or under outdoor furniture and around the base of cacti, and even the BBQ grill to nest. It’s easy to deny roof rats a warm holiday home. Homeowners should also be on the lookout for rodent droppings and nesting materials.
Another yuletide nuisance, the Sonoran Desert termite, thrives in the mild winters of central Arizona. These wood-munching insects can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked. Regular termite inspections and proper treatment are crucial, especially for homes with wood-based construction.
Decorating with natural greenery also brings increased risk of pests. Spiders, and aphids can easily hitch a ride on live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands. Carefully inspect all holiday foliage before bringing it inside and consider opting for artificial options if pest problems persist.
While visions of sugarplums dance in residents’ heads, West Valley homeowners must stay vigilant against the realities of seasonal pests. Proactive pest control measures - from sealing entry points to scrutinizing holiday decor - can help ensure a festive and pest-free Christmas in the desert.
From the crew at Estrella Mountain Pest Control, we wish you a spectacular holiday season surrounded by friends and family.
Puzzle Time
This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. To solve this Samurai puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9 grid: each digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
