10 minute read
Lights, Santa Action: Kersey Valley Christmas
from FW December 2021
by Forsyth Mags
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Homestead Hills, an upscale senior living community in WinstonSalem. The smell of cinnamon and caramel fills each home, while common areas are adorned with twinkling lights on faux snow covered trees, red and white striped candy canes, and perfectly placed stockings above a crackling fireplace. Members at Homestead Hills are decking the halls as well with wreaths hanging from apartment doors, cottage homes decorated with colorful lights, reindeer, and bright red arrows pointing us to the North Pole. The joyful demeanor throughout the community and excitement among those who live and work in this magical place leads us to believe that there’s no place like Homestead Hills for the holidays.
Each year, the team at Homestead Hills goes above and beyond to ensure that Members are enjoying their favorite holiday rituals and traditions. Throughout the community, the culinary team is preparing hearty meals, the Social and Wellness Directors are putting on themed activities and events, while the facilities team is preparing the festive holiday décor. “It’s a great time of year. The celebrations are cheerful, the food is never-ending, and the memories are priceless” said Jay Matthews, Executive Director of Homestead Hills.
Spending time with loved ones and friends is the common thread sewn through all of the events and activities at Homestead Hills during the holidays. “The activities and events make the holiday season so special,” says Activities Assistant Sarah Bumgarner. “Getting to attend events that you’ve been looking forward to all year is very exciting. It also puts our Members in a joyous mindset, similar to a child opening presents on Christmas morning.” It’s easy to see why their events are something to look forward to. Throughout November and December, the community’s social calendar is bustling with a plethora of events. Members at Homestead Hills attend trips to view the Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights, get the inside scoop on cookies at Mrs. Hanes Cookie Factory, while in the community there is caroling, local holiday entertainers, DIY sessions for dessert, small gifts, and wreath making, holiday movie nights, and much, much more!
Of course, no celebration would be complete without a festive holiday spread. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the Homestead Hills Culinary Department is in charge of all of the traditional favorites for their Members to enjoy. “We focus on recreating that holiday feeling,” said Executive Chef, Michael Nasrallah. “We’re committed to making this time of year special for our Members.” The community provides flexibility for holiday meals based on preference. Friends and family can join Members for family-style meals in the Homestead Hills restaurant, have a full holiday meal catered into their home, or enjoy an intimate meal with their partner. Coming together to enjoy a freshly prepared meal from the community’s Culinary Team ensures that Members aren’t spending long hours on food preparation. They are able to sit down for a delicious meal, great conversations, and time with loved ones without the cleanup!
The Staff at Homestead Hills are committed to providing exceptional dining, social and wellness experiences for their Members. Homestead Hills is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on 37 acres just minutes from Wake Forest University. For more information on Homestead Hills visit Homestead-Hills.com or call (336) 814-2832.
Homestead Hills
Have Yourself a Merry Little Old-Timey Christmas BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON
The “COVID Christmas” of 2020 was anything but “old-timey.” We: • barely left the house…except for riding around and looking at the decorations • didn’t put up the tree…but settled for some outdoor lights • connected with family from our couch via Zoom and
Facetime...which was great, but a far cry from the real thing.
I have to say, it was a little dismal. And because the cloud of COVID hung over all of us, our spirits weren’t nearly as merry as they were in any other year. This season, regardless of where we are with COVID and its insidious variants, I am looking forward to embracing many tried and true Christmas traditions. The focus will be on fewer gifts and more gab while keeping things simple and familiar all the way around.
If you are longing for a meaningful, memory-making Christmas season while adapting as needed, consider the following ideas:
Cut down your very own Christmas tree. Was there ever a Hallmark holiday movie where that didn’t happen? Okay, but in the spirit of keeping it simple, you may want or need to change things up. So, gather the family and make a trip to a big box store where the options abound. Remember it is about the shared experience more than it is about the tree. But don’t stop there…
“Host” a tree decorating party. Back to the old movies, you rarely saw champagne or caviar at these parties. Instead, it was more like Alvin and the chipmunks having a good time and eventually managing to get the job haphazardly done. Have a few seasonal snacks on hand but keep it simple and casual. By the way, your “guests” may be your family or just as well your book club buddies, your neighbors - you choose. Bring back the traditional Christmas card. We’ve gotten all techy with our cards and it’s time to reconsider. I mean, don’t you love seeing those red and green colored envelopes in the mailbox? The ones with a Hallmark or Fringe card that includes an actual handwritten note? Pick a weekend afternoon in early December, put on some holiday music, have some cocoa and start writing your cards. You will bring a smile to the face of those who have grown used to getting your clever Shutterfly offering.
Cook or bake a family Christmas classic. Maybe it’s your own or one that goes back to your ancestors. In my family, my mother’s 1960s era pistachio cake decked out like a Christmas wreath is seriously old timey and maybe a bit tacky, too! As the children in the family grew up and had kids of their own, they continued to ask, “Aunt Jean, when are we having the cake?” Short on time? Don’t cook? Go for a nutmeg-sprinkled eggnog. Mmmm.
Organize a caroling event. I know, this may sound like a big deal, but it needn’t be. Gather whoever is game, have a list of songs you will sing, and start ringing a few doorbells. When people see you, particularly if you’ve donned a classic ugly Christmas sweater or a Santa hat, they will open their door and welcome the old-timey gesture.
Draw from your memories to reinstate a tradition. This approach is about as old-timey and genuine as it comes. In my family of origin, we opened presents On Christmas Eve, before Midnight Mass. You may have another tradition, a fond memory of creating homemade presents, watching “A Christmas Carol,” or reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Bring that tradition back!
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
With my type-A personality, I’m motivated by the thrill of setting and achieving goals. But I’m most motivated when I help other women on my Beautycounter team achieve their business goals. I love coaching women over the hurdles toward their goals and then celebrating their achievements. There’s no better feeling!
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Professionally, passing bar exams in 2 states within 2 years was a proud achievement. But I’m actually most proud of making the decision later to leave my law practice to strike out as an entrepreneur in direct sales. Leaving a “regular” job to work with a new, unproven company was a bold choice that has paid off in all aspects of my life. In my personal life, raising my 2 sons to be kind, confident, generous kids is my proudest achievement, and it is definitely a work in progress!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Beauty Counter
My favorite season is always the one that we’re in! Nothing compares to the excitement and nostalgia of the holidays, gathering with family and sharing special holiday traditions!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTYCOUNTER PRODUCTS?
The holiday offerings from Beauctycounter are always the best of the year! It’s a great time to snag value-priced gift sets with new products and classic favorites.
My favorites are the Ready, Set Makeup Trio ($39) for every on-the-go friend on my list and the Mini-Must Haves ($45), which includes my 3 anti-aging favorites--Overnight Resurfacing Peel, Tri-Peptide Radiance Serum and Allbright C Serum. At age 48, this combo is my daily go-to for glowing skin. Overnight Peel has skin-smoothing acids that work overnight for an even complexion (with no visible peeling). The Allbright Serum has 10% vitamin C which is magic for brighter skin, and the Tripeptide Serum packs an anti-aging power punch. I can really see a difference. Ask me for free samples if you want to try it for yourself! Find me on IG @ncjennifer or contact me via my website: beautycounter.com/jenniferertl. JENNIFER ERTL Founding Member & Managing Director
JODIE BRIM PHOTOGRAPHY
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Toys in ev’ry store, but the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door.” ~ Meredith Wilson
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”….seems it starts earlier every year. Since mid-summer, stores have been enticing us to start our Christmas shopping early. Try as I might, I don’t get in the mood to decorate or shop until a few weeks before Christmas. I know Christmas is coming when my neighbors decorate their homes; it is then I realize I had better get busy!
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is pull out all my Southern Living Christmas books that I have saved through the years and spend several hours just dreaming.
During the festive Christmas season and other seasons of the year, most of you like to decorate your front door with a holiday wreath. Here are a few good reasons to decorate your front door now or any time during the year:
• Door decorations can be fun and easy to make.
• Start with a wreath made of greenery or grapevine or use a flat-sided basket and add seasonal silks or dried florals. A pretty bow always adds a nice accent.
• It is a great way to say “Welcome” to those who pass by, to those who come to visit, or to the family who lives there; it can be a welcoming sight when returning home at the end of the day.
• A wreath adds curb appeal and dresses up the front of the house. When you buy or make a wreath, consider the color of your home….either brick, stone or siding or your door and select colors that compliment.
“May the prettiest site you see be the holly that will be on your own front door.” Merry Christmas to you and yours.
“Soon the bells will start and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart.” Every year I look through my recipe box and pull out recipes my family enjoys during the holidays. Many of these recipes were shared by friends who have enriched my life through the years. Just seeing the recipes brings back special memories of Christmases past. This recipe was given to me by Helen Bethea of Chatsworth, GA. Helen passed away a few years ago, and I have many wonderful memories of our times together and will forever be grateful for her friendship.
PECAN TASSIES
½ cup butter 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Cream together and shape in 1” balls. Press balls into a mini muffin tin. Makes 24.
Filling
¾ cup brown sugar 1 Tbs. butter, melted 1 egg ¼ tsp. salt ½ tsp. vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans
Mix together. Fill shells and bake for 25 minutes at 350.
Ava Lewandowski,
Interior Redesign Industry Specialist
Second Harvest Food Bank
