Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Friday, December 12, 2014
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holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
At the Beaudin house:
Cookie tradition to count on By Donna Rousseau Feature Writer “Together is a wonderful place to be.” The phrase adorns the dining area of Kim Beaudin and Nancy Girouard’s cozy home in Lewiston. Their love of family and friends, evident throughout their home, is perhaps the root of their family’s Christmas tradition, “Cookies and Cocoa.” Beaudin began the tradition in 1997 and since then, her family has hosted the event, featuring dozens upon dozens of homemade holiday cookies and candies, cocoa, and eggnog. Guests are invited to bring containers to fill and take home at the end of the evening. “The only rule,” said Beaudin, “is all guests must bring a child. If you don’t have a child, you can ‘borrow’ one,” she laughed. “One year we ‘broke’ the rule and let someone bring a baby doll because her kids weren’t home that night!” According to Beaudin, children must also be permitted to try whichever and however many cookies they please. After all, it is a special occasion made even more so by serving on fancy platters and using a crystal punch bowl for the eggnog. All the evening’s cookies are made by Beaudin with some help from Girouard, their children, and sometimes some of
Farm Toys
Children must be permitted to try whichever and however many cookies Submitted photos they please at the "Cookies and Cocoa" event held each year at Kim Beaudin Recipes come from everywhere, but Beaudin's favorite resource is her and Nancy Girouard's home. grandmother's cookbook. their children’s friends who just want to be part of the fun and preparation. Beaudin takes some vacation days prior to the event to make all the treats. Everything is freshly made; nothing is frozen. Her specialty is the baking; Girouard makes the candy which includes peanut butter balls, date balls, and dipped pretzels.
Beaudin said her youngest daughter, Eliza, now a freshman at Hebron Academy, makes better oatmeal raisin cookies than she does. Beaudin recalled the first “Cookies and Cocoa” featured 10 to 12 dozen cookies and welcomed eight guests. In recent years,
“The kids help decorate the sugar cookies,” said Beaudin, who admitted it is her least favorite part of the preparation. Her daughter, Sadie, was six when she first began to help. Today,
Cookie
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holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Cookie from page 2
3
SNOWMAN SOUP Was told you've been real good this year,
Beaudin and her crew have made more than 900 cookies for the evening. Ever y yea r f rosted suga r cook ies, date pinwheels, a nd pea nut butter blossoms make an appearance; “everyday cookies” -including chocolate chip -- don’t make the cut. Every year Beaudin tries new recipes. Some are hits, others are “f lops” she admitted. She has tried 50 to 60 recipes over the years including meringue chocolate chip and lemon coconut -- both f lopped -- and chocolate crinkles, now a favorite with Sadie, but a flop the first year. Two of the most creative but time-consuming creations were 3-D Christmas tree sugar cookies and gingerbread people in bikinis. According to Beaudin, the gingerbread people were so funny and well received that they’ve made t he scene ever y Christmas since, regardless of the weather! Recipes come from everywhere, but Beaudin's favor ite resou rce is her g ra nd mot her’s cookbook, “The New Hood Cookbook – A Modern Cookbook of Practical Recipes,” original copyright 1939. Well-loved, the book’s spine is ragged and its pages yellowed and dog-earred. T h e i n s id e c o v e r s f e a t u r e p e r s on a l , handwritten recipes including those of the true baker in Beaudin's grandmother’s home, the housekeeper, Louise Record. It is Record's pinwheel recipe that Beaudin uses every year. Beaudin's love for baking did not come from her grandmother who Beaudn said never cooked.
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Although “Cookies and Cocoa” is a tried-andtrue tradition in their house, it enjoys new twists each year. “One year we had an international cookies theme with recipes of cookies from all over the world. Other years, all the kids went home with the ingredients for “snowman soup” or a bag of “reindeer dust.” Taking center platter this December is an Air Force plane sugar cookie made in honor of family friend, Eagan Nadeau, one of the kids who grew up with “Cookies and Cocoa.” Although he is currently on an Air Force mission, location unknown, Beaudin hopes to send him some of the cookie “booty” this year. T he t rad it ion keeps goi ng st rong i nto Christmas season 2014. Beaudin is guessing “Cook ies and Cocoa” w ill ta ke place on Monday, Dec. 22, this year. All the family helpers will be on hand; they began asking for the date in October. The fun is infectious. Oldest daughter Sadie
Swiss Time
One year guests went home with the ingredients for “snowman soup” or a bag of “reindeer dust.” has a friend who is planning her boyfriend’s homecoming around “Cookies and Cocoa” so he can take part. “They wouldn’t let me do this without them,” laughed Beaudin. “I don’t think they will ever let me stop.” Eliza admitted getting very upset one year when her mom said she might not host the event. “We always have it,” said Eliza unbendingly. “You just can’t have a holiday without it!” She said she will take over the tradition when Beaudin decides to give it up. So the tradition holds fast despite the weather
"Cookies and Cocoa" is a special occasion made even more so by serving on fancy platters and using a crystal punch bowl for the eggnog. and time. Beaudin remembers the year guests came despite a blizzard and the leftover cookies were taken to Hope Haven. Another year, the last batch of cookies rolled out of the oven as the first guests arrived. Once they even hid the dirty dishes in the oven in order to greet their guests with a party-ready reception! In their home and among their friends and family, “Cookies and Cocoa” has become one of life’s constants, something you can count on. Among all the other holiday traditions and trappings, it’s heartening to know that the simple act of sharing a cup of cocoa and a cookie can bring such comfort and joy.
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holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Holiday gifts for the hostess By T. S. Chamberland Feature Writer/Photographer You may get invited to one or more holiday gatherings this year, and whether it’s one person, or many, each event or party is hosted by someone. While the origins of this gifting tradition aren’t clear, the purpose of the hostess gift is obvious to most people; gifts are a token of appreciation for welcoming others to celebrate an occasion. S ele c t i ng ju st t he r ig ht item might seem like a tall task, particularly if you just have no idea where to start. Considering how much time and energy goes into making a holiday party festive, most people want to find the gifts that say they recognize all the host has done. Great gift giving needn’t be too complicated to show that host or hostess you care.
Be personal! Hosts and hostesses deserve a warm gesture of appreciation and thanks The holiday season provides ample opportunities to show such as this wine gift set.
our appreciation to those
LAYAWAYS
who open up their homes to us. While the list of possible gifts can be long, Jessica Cote, of Auburn, said making a gift choice that’s personal, ensures its recipient will enjoy it. She gets her ideas from careful consideration. “I usually try to get ideas by t hink ing about my host’s home, and what sort of things they surround themselves w i t h ,” C o t e e x p l a i n e d . “Perhaps they are a w ine connoisseur, avid reader, or gardening enthusiast. If I don’t know my host well, Pinterest would be my go-to for ideas.” Tammy Randall, of Lewiston, also likes to put a bit of thought into choosing gifts for hosts and hostesses alike. “I think about the person, and things that are meaningful,” Randall said, adding, “things that are useful, and are not going to end up on a shelf, unused.” She’s come up with a number of ideas for people whose interests range from collectible knick knacks to sports, and she
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Themed gift baskets such as this essential oil aromatherapy gift set are available in local stores, particularly during the holidays. said some of her favorite giving moments come from themed basket ideas she’s created. One such themed basket is to think of “things families can do,” said Randall. “I buy some movie tickets, and throw in some candy, gift certificates to go out to eat to Pat’s Pizza or Sam’s, and that’s a night out for them.” If you think of creative and practical ideas, the hostess gift possibilities are endless! Shopping in a tough economy present s cha l lenges, but Randall believes that it isn’t impossible to find something for that special host or hostess, even on a tight budget.
that’ve happened in our lives, things that are meaningful to our connection,” Randall ex pla i ned. “If somebody knows me, and goes out of their way to find something they know I like, that’s meaningful.” Cara Sardella, of Auburn, agreed. “A friend of mine used a picture from my Facebook page, and had it printed out and framed for me,” Sardella said. Sardella has given hostess gifts of specialty dessert goodies, personalized mugs and wine bottles, and gift cards. Her go-to, no-fail gift of choice, however, is wine. Since the
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holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
5
Hostess gifts from page 4
chances that you know the host or hostess are fairly good in most cases, she says a bottle or two of their favorite wine is a safe and easy way to show your appreciation. And it isn’t hard to add a personal touch, Sardella added. “I once scraped the label off a bottle (of the hostess's favorite wine), and replaced it with a personalized one from Personalization.com.” Gift certificates and basket ideas. What’s the low down? Cote said her reason for opting for gift certificates is that even after the party is over, the hosts will get to enjoy something they might not do for themselves otherwise. “I like to treat a host to something they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves,” Cote said. “Some people think they’re impersonal, but I love gift certificates for any and every occasion.” Other ideas that Randall has used include filling a basket with items for a family meal, topping off her gift with knit hats and gloves, particularly in the winter months, and $5 gift cards to various places. “For a guy, beer is always great. You buy beer, stick it in a tub that they can add ice to later, and
Hostess gifts such as these decadent chocolate treats are a token of appreciation for welcoming others to Great gift giving needn't be too complicated to show celebrate an occasion. that host or hostess you care such as this quick Italian meal gift set. there you go,” Randall added. “Maybe add some hand towels: guys don’t always think about buying towels.” Spread holiday cheer, one hostess gift at a time A good host or hostess puts a lot of time and effort into ensuring their guests are enjoying themselves. From planning and decorating, to making sure their guests have everything they need, the perfect host, Cote said, is able to spend time with guests and makes their “visit feel special.”
Holiday Gift Ideas!
These individuals deserve a warm gesture of appreciation and thanks, and coming up with a gift that conveys those things doesn’t have to be difficult. Cote suggested asking yourself a few questions if you’re not sure exactly what gift will bring a smile to a hostess’s face. “Does your host have a special collection you could add to? Do they always have a fragrant candle burning when you visit? Do they have a
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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Gift giving for 10,000 moms By Dan Marois Feature Writer Kayt DeMerchant, of Turner, c om mu n ic at e s w it h her 10,000 moms ever y single month. She’s mother to her own three children ages 9, 11, and 13. Her mother, Susan Loughrey, lives nearby. But DeMerchant is a lso t he publ isher for Macaroni Kid Androscoggin, www.arv.macaronikid.com, a free weekly e-newsletter and accompanying website featuring items of interest for family-friendly events. DeMerchant estimated that her publication is read by over 10,000 busy mot hers t hroughout A ndroscoggin County who rely on her for items of interest for t heir families. “I know a thing or two about moms,” said DeMerchant, whose publication features a calendar of events of things happening in t he a rea. A
785 Main St, Lew
recent look at her website notes upcoming holiday fairs, craft fairs, karate classes, story time sessions, and play groups for kids and even a workshop on how to raise a bilingual kid. W hen it comes to holiday g i f t g iv i ng for moms, DeMerchant is an expert. “Moms are often the major, a nd sometimes, sole organizer of holiday giving. It is ea s y for sig n i f ica nt others to forget mom in the mix, especially if they are hands off in the planning a spects of t he hol idays,” said DeMerchant. “I think it is especially important for dads to help teach kids the importance of making mom feel special at the holidays. This can include making a special trip out with the kids to shop for mom, giving a hand with gift wrapping or even just giving a foot rub after mom has had a long day of shopping.”
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DeMercha nt believes t hat moms love a ny t hing homemade from their kids. She said they particularly like things that they can enjoy year-round like a pottery dish to hold jewelr y or coins, a frame to put a favorite photo in or something as simple as a drawing that has been framed. “I persona lly love getting out my box of orna ments each yea r a nd look ing at the ones my kids have made for me over the years,” said DeMerchant, whose oldest child is son, Ethan, followed by Jacob and Ava. “P l a n t o s u r pr i s e m om with something thoughtful and unexpected,” adv ised DeMerchant, who cited the website Pinterest as a great source of ideas. “Check to see if she has a Pinterest account and choose a gift from her wish boards there.” DeMerchant said that you can search Pinterest for a user by their email address. She added that many women have Pinterest boa rds for
DeMerchant's personal favorite for holiday gifts are experiences, such as trips to new places, rather than something you take out of a box. outfits or household gadgets they want or they might even "pin" do-it-yourself projects that interest them. “One way to really wow mom is to pick a project from her Pinterest board, grab the kids for an afternoon of project making and then watch as mom’s mouth drops open in
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delight and wonder,” said DeMerchant. When gift giving, DeMercha nt sug gested keeping in mind that moms u s u a l l y s p e nd s o muc h of t heir time, energ y a nd money on t heir k ids a nd spouses/partners, that they don’t of ten do much for
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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
7
Crafting with kids to create great gifts By Jackie Rybeck Feature Writer What child doesn’t enjoy doing crafts? So, why not bring out the imaginative artist in your child and turn those memorable creations into Christmas gifts. And, we aren’t talking paper ties and macaroni necklaces ... although lovely and very-much appreciated, they tend to get tucked away soon after being received. Issac, Lyra and Addison Raymond, of Auburn, spent a day making Christmas gifts and learning that the season is not just for receiving. “They love doing crafts,” said Sarah, their mom. “And what a great way to spend the day, having fun and saving money.” Addison made a handprint on a Christmas ball, turning her little fingers into snowmen. “That was fun!" she giggled. “Can I do it again?” Issac busied himself painting golf tees. “We are going to put them in bags and make a label that says: You are TEErrific!” Lyra, who could craft all day, and every day,
made bracelets by wrapping colorful cording around inexpensive bracelets and attaching charms to them. “These are going to be great for some of my friends,” she smiled. Not only did the kids make gifts, they decorated tissue paper with shaving cream and food coloring to wrap their gifts in. “And I printed my foot on a gift bag,” said an excited Lyra, “and painted it to look like a Christmas tree!” Charm bracelets, like Lyra crafted, can be made by buying bracelets and charms in the craft department. Have your child take colored cording and wrap around each bracelet, dabbing glue as you go. When finished add charms -- the more the merrier.
use like finger paint. Because they don’t blend in totally, the paper has almost a marbled look to it. Just be careful as it takes a bit of time to dry.
The tees, Christmas ball hand print, and gift bags were decorated using acrylic paints, as it dries fairly quickly and is easily washed off hands.
Here are some other ideas for useful gifts children can make -- grandparents, aunts, uncles and even moms and dads will enjoy receiving them almost as much as the child will be proud in giving them.
Decorating white wrapping paper or tissue was easy to do, just by putting dollops of shaving cream in kid’s hands and adding a touch of food coloring. They get to squish it all together and
Salt dough gifts. Recipe for dough: 1 cup of each flour and salt; add water till dough forms (about 1/2 cup). Roll out and cut or mold your project. Cook at a low heat for about 3 hours
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Addison Raymond used her hands to make snowmen on a Christmas ball. and let cool before painting. Use a heart or star cookie cutter then poke a hole at one end or push a small eye hook into one corner. Add child’s fingerprint and you have a key chain or
Kids’ crafts page 10 ‰
8
holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Brothers in arms: Christmas in the military By Deborah Carroll Feature Writer
years helping to run a Family Assistance Center Program called “Christmas Across Maine.”
From the perspective of a civilian, institutions like the United States Military Academy at West Point are places where traditions live forever.
“Christmas Across Maine,” he explained, “is a need-based program for military families, whether deployed or home [sponsored by] businesses and individuals from across the state.”
Army Captain Joseph Lapointe, whose primary ties to Maine exist in the heart of a proud aunt, graduated from West Point in 2008. According to Lapointe, “Freshmen [also called “Plebes”] would decorate each table in the dining hall, sometimes trying to outdo each other, in anticipation of the feast that would be served before they all left for Christmas.” At dinner, cadets would present each other with gag gifts and after dinner all would gather outside on the apron – an open space adjacent to the parade grounds – to smoke cigars. Outside of the historic walls of our military academies, however, and for those who began their military careers by other methods, the realities of life both on base and during war and peacetime deployments interfere with the old and are cause for the creation of new traditions. Retired Army National Guard Mark Cater started his career with the Army and finished it with the Guard. During the course of his career, Cater spent the holidays in both Germany and Colorado. “Being away from your family and your traditions is tough, [but] you make your own traditions,” he said. “Depending on the base, each unit or battalion would have a Christmas Party; sometimes it was a dress up affair and sometimes not.” Back in Maine with the National Guard, Cater spent several
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Sponsors anonymously adopt families, and each is given a wish list. Representatives from the Guard deliver the gifts to the families. “Sponsors throughout the state – from a small business owner in Houlton to a family in Brunswick -- are amazing,” said Cater. “In the last three years we’ve had well over 100 military families served,” said Cater. The “Christmas Across Maine” program has been a local tradition for 12 to 15 years and each year has served between 60 and 110 families. Anyone interested in sponsoring a family this year should call 1-888365-9287. “The United State Marine Corp,” said Retired Major infantry officer John Dulmage, “is steeped in tradition, and on November 10 of this year celebrated its 239th birthday,” he said proudly. According to Dulmage, “When we’re away, the person to our left and to our right is our family, [and] we celebrate the day with our brothers and sisters in the Marines.” Although, on Christmas, he said, “Headquarters made every effort to have Skype capabilities available so that those deployed could talk with loved ones” back home.
Cutting’s first Christmas in the Air Force occurred while she was away at basic training. “In the military, you’re working 24/7, and that first holiday wasn’t much of a celebration,” she said. “The lines between family and friends blur,” said Cutting, “and during the holidays, when we’re alone, we build new traditions.” She added that “the military realizes how important family is, and how important it is for recreation, and so the Air Force has a Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department” that, with the support of the community, provides tickets to events and other ways for servicemen and women to enjoy themselves during the holidays and other times of the year. For those who are deployed, said Cutting, “They get care packages.” Michaud, who was deployed as part of Desert Shield/Desert Storm during the Christmas season added, “It was fun getting
Carolyn Cutting and Ray Michaud are both retired Air Force. According to Cutting, “Like other branches, the Air Force is a very tight community.”
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page 11 ‰
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holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Candy Bark step 1
Candy Bark step 2
Candy Bark step 3
Candy Bark step 4
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Candy Bark step 5
Kid-friendly, Christmas-themed candy concoctions By Christina LeBlanc Feature Writer
Pretzel Hugs These bite-sized chocolate a nd pretzel snacks are easy to make and fun to eat. Kids and adults will love them, and they are perfect to set out at a party or to put in festive treat bags and give as gifts. Ingredients needed: • Square pretzels (not butter snaps) • 1 bag of Hershey’s Hugs • 1 bag of M&M candies (for the Christmas theme, get the holiday bags w it h on ly red a nd g reen candies inside) Directions: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and arrange the pretzels in rows. Unwrap and place a Hershey’s Hug candy on each pretzel. Place the tray in the oven for 3-5 minutes (long enough for the Hugs to be
soft and shiny but make sure to ta ke t hem out before t he Hugs melt and lose their shape). Once pretzels and Hugs are out of the oven, gently press one M&M candy onto each Hug. Place the tray in the refrigerator for at least five minutes for the chocolate to cool. Then serve as you please! Have some M&Ms left over? Use them to make candy bark!
Oreo and Candy Bark Peppermint bark is a holiday staple, but if you’re looking for a more kidfriendly, candy-centered option, here it is. (And this doesn’t have to be just for Christmas -- use any colors you like to make it fit any holiday.) Ingredients needed: • Oreos (about 12-15 ; get t he holiday-colored ones if you can) • M&Ms (about 1 cup in whichever holiday colors you’d like) • Pretzels (thin sticks or squares)
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Christina LeBlanc photos
Candy Bark ready to serve • White chocolate chips (about 1 pound) • Sprinkles (in holiday colors) Directions: Place wax or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Break up the Oreos,
spreading them on the cookie sheet. Next, break up some pretzels and layer them in. Add ¾ cup of the M&Ms into the mixture and gently pat down on the mixture so the top is fairly even. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips until completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the cookie sheet mixture, then add sprinkles and the remaining M&M candies to the top. Let it cool or refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Once it’s hardened, break it apart and serve as you like! It can be set out on plates at a party, or bagged to give with holiday gifts. This would also be fun to make at a holiday party. Set out a variety of cookie/candy bowls (including the Oreos, pretzels, M&Ms, and any other cookies or candies that might go well with white chocolate, like milk chocolate bits, almonds, KitKat bites, or peppermint chips). Give each guest a small plate covered with wax or parchment paper, and
let them pick their own mixture of cookies and candies, then pour some melted white chocolate on each mixture. Have each guest put a post-it note with their name on it next to their plate, and bag up their cooled bark for them before they leave!
Easy cookies or the holidays Cookies and candy are a staple of many holiday parties and a fun treat to have on hand during the snowy season. For a special treat, you can combine them to create delicious desserts that everyone will love.
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies W hat could make peanut butter cookies better? What if there was a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Candy
page 10 ‰
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10 holiday
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Kids’ crafts
a star shape. Press a caramel squares down onto the middle and spoon melted chocolate on top.
an ornament. Two handprints can look like a heart. Cutting a rou nd a ha ndpr i nt a nd curling up the fingers make a ring dish.
Nutter Butter cookies can be dipped in white chocolate to make snowmen, or dipped in chocolate, adding small pretzels for antlers and made into reindeer.
from page 7
Candy. Get lollipop sticks and have children stick them into Oreo cookies. Mom can melt white chocolate for dipping and kids can sprinkle crushed peppermint sticks on top. Chocolate turtles are easy to do. On waxed paper have kids lay four pecan halves, making
Candy from page 9
right in the cookie? Here’s how to make that happen: Ingredients Needed: • Peanut butter cookie mix
Icicle ornaments. Have little ones slide colorf ul beads onto long, silver pipe cleaners (twist at bottom to stop the beads from falling off). Then give them a spiral effect by curling them around a pencil. Loop the top to attach to the tree.
(and the ingredients needed to make it -- usually eggs, oil, and water) • 1 bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures Directions: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Mix the peanut butter
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Yarn bowls are super unique. All you need is some Modge Podge, leftover yarn (the more colors the better) and a bowl. To protect the bowl used for a mold and to be able to get the yarn bowl off from it, wrap with Saran wrap and tape it. Place the bowl upside down and put your yarn in another bowl with the Modge Podge. Gently squeeze the excess and wrap the bowl with the yarn. You can coil it and cover the entire bowl or go in any direct ion leav ing spaces. Allow it to dry for about three days. Ma k i ng g i f t s w it h y ou r
cookie batter as instructed, and then drop by tablespoons into a greased mini-muffin pan. Bake as instructed on the package (usually between 8 and 12 minutes). W hile cook ies a re in t he oven, unwrap the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. After removing the cookies from the oven, place a Peanut Butter Cup on each cookie and with your finger gently press it into the cookie. Let the treats cool for a little while before moving them to a cooling rack. Then, serve as you please! (They are deliciously gooey when served warm.) These would make
Jackie Rybeck photos
Issac Raymond painting golf tees for Christmas gifts.
Lyra Raymond puts the final touches on her decorated gift bag.
children can make memories for both you and your child. Children all love receiving gifts, but to see the looks
on their faces as loved ones receive the fruits of their labor is priceless.
fun party treats, or would be a great addition to a gift. This recipe makes about two dozen cookies.
consider adding a dash of cozy flavor to a basic frosting recipe. Think of how delicious your frosting would be with a hint of gingerbread or hazelnut mixed in. First, mix up a simple buttercream frosting, and then add your flavor.
Not a peanut butter fan? You can get the same effect with a different taste by switching out the peanut butter cookie mix for brownie mix or chocolate cookie mix, and swapping the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for pepper m i nt-f lavore d Hershey’s Kisses. Add a holiday touch to your frosting If you’re making frosted cakes or cookies this holiday season,
Giving
Simple Buttercream Frosting Ingredients: • 4 sticks of butter • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract • 2-3 cups powdered sugar • Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter for a gingerbread flavor or Nutella
dishes,” said DeMerchant. “Mom can relax in the tub, get in her pajamas and climb into bed with her book.”
from page 6
paid night out with friends (purchase gift cards to her favorite restaurant and the local movie theater) or a basket filled with a good book, a new tea mug and tea, and a coupon for a 'night off' when dad and/ or the kids are in charge of dinner and
Her personal favorite for holiday gifts are experiences rather than something you take out of a box. “My mother recently gifted me with an overnight trip. We headed to Ogunquit and did some shopping, we dined out,
Addison Raymond has fun decorating tissue paper with shaving cream and food coloring.
for a hazelnut flavor Directions: In a bowl, cream together softened butter and vanilla extract. One cup at a time, add in the powdered sugar, mixing after each up until you have the consistency you want. Lastly, add in a scoop of Cookie Butter for a delightful gingerbread flavor or a scoop of Nutella for a yummy hint of hazelnut. Mix well and voila! Either frosting would be delicious on chocolate cake or cupcakes, and their tastes evoke that warm and cozy holiday feel!
went to a show at the Ogunquit Playhouse a nd topped of f t he weekend w it h cooking classes at the Stonewall Kitchen Headquarters,” said DeMerchant. “It was truly a gift to remember. “Just remember that moms often plan many events and outings for the rest of her family,” said DeMerchant. “Gifting mom with a special outing, just for her, is extra special.”
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holiday 11
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
Holiday coloring fun!
O Little Town of Bethlehem O Little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in the dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee to-night For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the Holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven.
Military from page 8
c a re pack a ge s f rom f a m i l y a nd friends [in the States], and also from anonymous people,” including the entertaining cards they received from elementary school children. “ W h e n w e w e r e d e p lo y e d , t h e leadership was focused on keeping mora le up a nd so on Ch r ist ma s morning 1990, they had a ‘hash run,’ called ‘tough mudders’ in the States, with trails and obstacles. That’s how we started the day,” he said, “and at the end there was a celebration and ever ybody who participated got a T-shirt” with a drawing of Santa in his sleigh flying over the island of Diego Garcia, where they were stationed, that read “Run Your Jingle Bells Off.”
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“I had that T-shirt for years,” he said with a laugh.
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“After the hash run, there was a big meal in the dining hall and the base leadership came in to serve the troops. It was a nice touch,” he said, although “it was a tough time to be away [and] I knew what I was missing.”
Back at base, around the holidays, parties were “put on by the Welfare Recreation Committee, under t he Command Services Department, at a local hotel, and were always well attended with lots of door prizes,” he said. “People would get all dressed up, and families were welcome.”
John Wagner, Retired Navy, said that although “the Navy likes to schedule deployments around the holidays,” there were still things like Christmas trees sent for on board the ships. “We had a home port, where things [packages and gifts] could be sent for delivery to the ships, and the USO always had groups that went out to the ships.” During his deployments, Wagner got to see shows by several professional footba l l cheerlead i ng squads,
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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, December 12, 2014
A less traditional yet tasty take on a holiday dinner By MetroCreative Holiday dinners vary from household to household. Some might prefer a traditional meal of turkey with all of the trimmings, while others might want to try their hands at something new. For those among the latter group, the following recipe for "W i nter-St u f fed Pork Tenderloin," from Laurey Masterton's "The Fresh Honey Cookbook" (Storey Publishing), is sure to make a splash at your holiday dinner table this season.
Winter Fruit-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Serves 8 • 1/2 cup dried apricots • 1/2 cup dried cherries • 1/2 cup dried figs • 2 pork tenderloins (about 3 pounds total) • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 cup crumbled blue cheese • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 4 tablespoons butter • 1/4 cup honey, preferably sourwood honey 1. Mince the apricots, cherries and figs by hand or in a food processor. 2. Sl ice t he tenderloi ns lengthwise, almost all the way through. Open them up and lay them flat. Place each tenderloin on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and pound each piece of meat with a meat tenderizer until it is about 1/2-inch thick. Remove the top piece of plastic. 3. Season the surface of the pork with the salt and pepper. Divide the fruit mixture in half and spread evenly on the cut surface of each tenderloin. Top each with half of the cheese. Roll up each tenderloin, using
Winter Fruit-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin the bottom piece of plastic to help you, tucking in the fruit and cheese as you go. Tie kitchen string every 2 inches around the tenderloins, continuing to push in any fruit or cheese that may fall out. 4. Preheat the oven to 450 F. 5. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the tied tenderloins, turning as each side is browned. Be careful when searing the open side, as some fruit and cheese might fall out. You are just trying to seal in the meat juices, not trying to cook the pork all the way through.
bowl and microwave on high for about 20 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Drizzle the butter over the tenderloins. 7. Place the tenderloins on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 150 F. Remove the baking sheet and allow the tenderloins to sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will keep the juices in the meat rather than all over your kitchen counter. 8. Snip off and discard the strings. Slice the pork into 1-inch-thick pieces and serve.
6. Combine the butter and honey in a microwaveable
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Great gifts for music lovers By MetroCreative Finding the right gift come t he holiday season is not a lw ay s so si mple. Ma ny people on your list may seem as though they already have everything they could ever want or need, making it hard to find them a gift they will truly enjoy. A great way to find the right gift is to think of a loved one's hobbies and find something that fosters those passions. Ma ny people love music, a nd i f t here happen s to be a budding musician or someone who simply loves to rock on your list, then the following gifts may be music to their ears. Concer t t ickets : T he ultimate gift for many music fans is tickets to see their favorite performer in person. Concert tickets can sell out quick ly, so research when tickets will be going on sale and be prepared to purchase them as early as possible. Some credit card companies sponsor concerts and make special arrangements with venues to offer cardholders
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advanced deals or special packages. Find out if your cred it ca rd compa ny has such an offer available for the concert you are buying tickets for. Digita l gif t ca rd : G one a re t he days when music fans visit a record store to pu r c h a s e v i ny l r e c or d s , c a sset te t apes a nd even CDs. Many music fans now listen exclusively to digital music, so a gift card for digital dow n loads f rom A ma zon or iTunes makes a great gift. A subscription to a musicstreaming service also makes a great gift. T he ater t icket s : S ome people's love of music stems from their love of live theater. Even if your loved one lives nowhere nea r t he br ig ht lights of Broadway, touring compa n ies t hat per for m popu la r Broadway shows visit cities both big and small across the country. Tickets to such shows can stoke your loved one's passion for music and make for a great night out on the town.
Music lessons : Perhaps your loved one is a budding musician who can benef it f rom professiona l instruction? A great way to encourage their aspirations is to finance their lessons w it h loca l music or voca l instructors. Visit a nearby col lege or school for recommendations on local instructors. The franchise "School of Rock" has regional locations and offers musical training as well. Music store gift certificate: Musicians often need to repa ir or replace their instruments, so a gift card to a music store can ma ke for a much-needed and appreciated gift. Repairs and new instruments can be expensive, so if you plan to go this route, put enough money on the card to make a sig n i f ica nt dent at t he register. Gadget s : E ach yea r t he market seems to offer newer and better ways to listen to music, and these gadgets may be on your loved one's wish list.
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