Peanutbrittle 2014
Saves Christmas
Happy Holidays from the
NISQUALLY
VALLEY NEWS
A Supplement
to the
Nisqually Valley News
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
Wilcox Eggs are Key to Holiday Baking Success! Baked Egg Potato Cakes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes (cook sweet potatoes ahead of time Ready In: 30 minutes (including cooking time for eggs) Yield: Serves 12 (mini-cupcake pan) Ingredients 6 Wilcox Farms Organic Omega Eggs 3 cooked organic sweet potatoes, skinned and mashed 1 cup cheddar cheese 1 ¼ cup mozzarella cheese ½ cup milk ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp oregano ½ tsp salt & pepper or to taste 1 small organic tomato, thinly sliced
Deviled Eggs - a holiday mainstay Hands-On Time: 10 minutes Ready In: 30 minutes (including cooking time for eggs) Yield: Serves 12 Ingredients 6 large Wilcox Farms Eggs - hard boiled and peeled 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon prepared mustard Salt to taste Paprika if desired
Directions Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes for 1 hour or until soft. Oil cupcake pan with olive oil. Mash sweet potatoes in mixing bowl, then add eggs and hand mix together. Add cheese, milk and seasonings and mix well. Pour egg-potato mixture into greased cupcake pan. Top each “cake” with thinly sliced tomato. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Directions Cut each egg in half lengthwise and remove yolks to a bowl. Mash yolks well and blend with mayo, mustard and salt. Fill whites with yolk mixture using a spoon, a pastry bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Sprinkle with Paprika, if desired and refrigerate, covered, until serving time.
Here are a couple baking tips to help make your holiday baking a little easier… • Hold the Foam
Cream of tartar is a baker’s secret weapon for helping whipped egg whites maintain their fluffy height when mixed with heavier ingredients like sugar and chocolate.
• Egg Whites
It’s more effective to beat egg whites into a stiff foam when they are at room temperature? Warm egg whites produce more volume when whipped. If your in a hurry to cook, steep eggs in hot tap water for about 3 minutes before you whip them.
• Did you know…
You can replace 1 egg with two egg whites in recipes to cut down on fat. Don’t worry about the various sizes (medium, large, extra large). Unless you are cooking a large quantity of egg whites, just use whichever size eggs you have on hand.
www.wilcoxfarms.com
40400 Harts Lake Valley Rd., Roy • 360-458-7774 Farm Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
14-532023R.N
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Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
At the North Pole, Christmas Eve is celebrated by all elves big and small, young and old, as soon as
Santa takes off into the air with his sleigh pulled by his nine reindeer. Inside Santa’s workshop, it takes a lot of hard work throughout the year to build all those toys for good little girls and good little boys, put together the list of who has been naughty and who has been nice, get the list certified by Crowe Law Office, have them all wrapped with bright paper and colorful bows, and stack them high into Santa’s sleigh.
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Santa, by the way, uses a lot of businesses from Yelm to help him throughout the year because Santa has a soft spot for
Yelm with its Christmas in the Park celebration. Santa’s favorite time, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, is that magical first Saturday of December when Old Saint Nick officially kicks off the Christmas season with his annual visit to Yelm’s Christmas in the Park, where children come to sit on his lap, get their picture taken and whisper their Christmas wishes into Santa’s ear. Santa uses generators from J & I Power to keep the workshop humming even during the most blizzardy times when the power goes out. He fits his forklifts and other transport equipment — used to move the toy parts and toys about — using Les Schwab Tire Center’s wheels. And sometimes, because even Santa has upfront costs, he uses a business loan from TwinStar Credit Union to keep his workshop stocked. Santa even uses Yelm businesses to offer up benefits to his hardworking elves. They use Today’s Dental Center (Mrs. Claus, shhhhh, it’s a secret, uses them for a bit of botox to keep her rosy cheeks plump and round), Yelm Dental and Leavitt Orthodontics to keep the elves’ teeth shiny and straight. And when an elf finally retires, and they do, Santa sets them up to live out their years in the next best places besides the North Pole — Yelm’s Prestige Senior Living Rosemont and Easthaven Villa & Memory Care.
Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Claus gave Santa and his helper Tinytwinkle their traditional drink — eggnog
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made with healthy, organic Wilcox Family Farms eggs — and they waved goodbye to all the elves. The elves roared back a cheer of “Good luck, Santa!” With the swirling of merriment as Santa kissed Mrs. Claus with her rosy cheeks goodbye, it was the perfect cover for Peanutbrittle the toddler elf to sneak into the back of the sleigh and hide behind a bag stuffed with gifts. Peanutbrittle was worried one of the reindeer just might be feeling a bit ill. Because there is so much work to be done in Santa’s workshop, elves young and old are put to work where they can. For the littlest elves, their first duty — just shortly after they can walk — is to take care of Santa’s reindeer.
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Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph take a lot of care.
Peanutbrittle, being one of the oldest of the young elves, is in charge of making sure they have enough water and food. Next year, when he turns three, Peanutbrittle will graduate from the reindeer stall to Santa’s workshop, where he and those his age will start learning the craft of making toys. While it all seems like a lot of hard work, elves, by their very nature, enjoy their work. Why, they even whistle Christmas tunes throughout the year in Santa’s merry workshop. The night before Christmas Eve, Peanutbrittle had gone about his regular duties, checking on the reindeer when he noticed one of them had not touched her food served up hours before. He stroked Vixen, his favorite reindeer, on her forehead. “What’s wrong, Vixen?” Peanutbrittle asked. Vixen nudged Peanutbrittle and gave a worried look with her big brown eyes.
Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
The next day, Christmas Eve, Vixen seemed restless, a bit uncomfortable. She looked like she had put
on too much weight. Would she have enough energy to help pull Santa’s sleigh across the world delivering toys? Peanutbrittle knew the importance of the mission. What if Santa didn’t deliver his presents? How many children would be disappointed Christmas morning if Santa hadn’t come the night before? Peanutbrittle vowed to never let that happen. Peanutbrittle knew he had to help Vixen make it through the night. So as the elves celebrated and Santa, along with Tinytwinkle, readied the sleigh for takeoff, Peanutbrittle put together a batch of quality reindeer food purchased from Yelm Farm and Pet (just in case of an emergency need for extra reindeer power), wrapped it up in a bundle, with some extra for the other reindeer, and snuck into the back of the sleigh, behind the big bags of toys. Peanutbrittle hoped to remain as still as snow throughout Christmas Eve; he hoped he could sneak off the sleigh once back at the North Pole, with no one to know. Peanutbrittle would only reveal himself if Vixen struggled.
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Off they went into the cold winter night air. Vixen and the other reindeer pulled the sleigh swiftly over
the land. Peanutbrittle peeked out from behind the toys. Peanutbrittle wondered, is Vixen breathing just a bit heavier than the rest? Their first stop, as tradition holds, is in Yelm to visit the retired elves at Prestige Senior Living Rosemont and Easthaven Villa & Memory Care. As Santa started to land the sleigh at Easthaven, Vixen collapsed, pulling the sleigh hard toward the ground. The sleigh slammed into a tree, causing much damage. Vixen collapsed onto the snowy ground. Santa and Tinytwinkle rushed to her side. Peanutbrittle jumped from behind his hiding spot to hold Vixen’s face in his hands, surprising both Santa and Tinytwinkle. Santa, being not only a jolly old elf himself but a wise one, immediately recognized what was happening. Why, Vixen was pregnant and about to give birth. Santa asked Peanutbrittle if he knew. “I thought she wasn’t feeling well, so that’s why I came along with some extra food for her. But Santa, now it makes sense. We’re going to have a baby reindeer!” Peanutbrittle said.
Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
Would Christmas be lost? Would Santa be able to visit all those anxious boys and girls, making their morning merry
without Vixen? If not, it would be the first time Santa and his elves failed. Santa, sizing up the predicament and doing some quick calculations, said they could get by with eight deer pulling the sleigh, if they made it just a bit lighter and gave each reindeer some extra energy with the food Peanutbrittle had stashed away. “This would never even be possible, Peanutbrittle, if you hadn’t brought that extra reindeer food,” Santa said. Vixen would have to be left behind, along with Peanutbrittle, to do his best in caring for his favorite reindeer. Santa, when he does have the need to drive, of course buys a cherry red Chevrolet Silverado from Baydo Chevrolet. Santa pulled out his smartphone, it is, after all 2014, and called his favorite car sales manager, asking for a favor. Could you come pick up Peanutbrittle and Vixen and help them in their dire time of need? Could you take them to a doctor to assist in the birth? Baydo’s manager said, “Yes, where should we meet you?” “Meet me at T & P Auto Repair,” Santa said.
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One quick call to Kevin Downey’s State Farm Insurance Agency, and Santa knew just who to turn to for
a quick, quality repair and rebuild job. First he called B & H Towing. They were there in minutes. They loaded up the sleigh and drove straight to T & P Auto Repair, where the team of mechanics went to work, first pulling off some of the heavier parts of the sleigh, replacing them with lighter parts, and generally straightening out the sleigh runners. Due to the size of the sleigh — it is as big as a Winnebago — T & P Auto Repair called up R & M RV for a few large specialty pieces of siding. The folks at Jerry’s Color Center mixed the perfect shade of red and the sleigh was again shiny and bright.
Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
Santa rubbed his beard. “It just might work,” he said.
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But the night was getting along. Would Santa get his toys delivered before Christmas morn? Another problem emerged. When the sleigh slammed into the tree, it crushed the sleigh’s magic bells. Santa can’t properly navigate without them. Santa had one more favor to ask of Yelm and he knew just where to go to get magical sleigh bells fixed in a hurry — Elie Jewelers, which is known far and wide for its ability to repair all kinds of jewelry, even magic sleigh bells. As the sleigh was painted and repaired, Elie Jewelers went to work. Incredibly, in about an hour, the sleigh was ready to go. Santa gave a pat on Vixen’s forehead and a hug to Peanutbrittle. “I must go. I will return just before dawn, after I have delivered all the toys,” Santa said. “Christmas must go on. Peanutbrittle, I’m counting on you to help Vixen through the night.” And off Santa, Tinytwinkle and the remaining eight deer sped into the night just as the Baydo manager pulled up in the bright red Silverado. Vixen was carefully loaded into the back of the truck. Peanutbrittle rode with her in the bed. They went straight to Olympia Obstetrics. The doctors were a bit surprised to see a pregnant reindeer waddle into their office accompanied by a 3-foot-tall elf, but as they are experts in delivering babies, didn’t think of passing in helping deliver one of Santa’s reindeer.
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A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
The birth was as wondrous as a reindeer flying through the air. The baby was soon born, and
mother Vixen and babe snuggled together, with Peanutbrittle giving both a thankful hug. The doctors woke up Jared with a call at Sunbird Shopping Center. They needed some warm outdoor gear to swaddle the infant deer. Jared soon arrived with just the perfect little camo outfit and made sure the baby deer was warm and cozy. Peanutbrittle hoped upon all hope Santa would return in time and they could all fly home to the North Pole before dawn broke, as reindeer can’t fly during daylight hours, as we all know. Peanutbrittle knew he had to help Vixen get ready for that long trip back, and he had to work quickly. First Peanutbrittle woke up the folks at Yelm Gymnastics to help Vixen stretch out her muscles. Then they went to Living Well Chiropractic where Vixen got a much-needed back alignment. Finally, as Vixen had gone through quite a bit this Christmas Eve — and what new mother doesn’t want to look her best — they took Vixen to The Pet House for a pampered grooming.
Peanutbrittle ~ 2014
A Supplement to the Nisqually Valley News
This all took up much of the night. Peanutbrittle worried Santa wouldn’t finish giving out his
toys. Would some kids get missed? Just as the sky started to turn from dark to light, Peanutbrittle heard the most delightful of sounds — Santa’s sleigh bells ringing. Santa soon landed next to Olympia Obstetrics and with a joyful sigh said, “We did it!” However, as everyone knows, reindeer can’t fly in the light. They would have to spend the daylight hours somewhere in the Nisqually Valley. Santa knew the perfect place for a newborn reindeer, its mother Vixen, the rest of the reindeer, Tinytwinkle, and of course Peanutbrittle. They would stay the day in the comforts of Campbell and Campbell Events Center in Tenino. Somehow, word leaked out and all the communities of Roy, McKenna, Yelm, Rainier and Tenino gathered to make Santa and his crew as welcome as possible. Why, even the store JZ Rose heard of the gathering, and quickly loaded up all of its Christmasy items and decorated the hall, while the folks at Tim’s Pharmacy provided the perfect gifts for all.
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It was a grand Christmas Day, one to be remembered for years, with much exhausted laughter
and cheer. As people swarmed Santa, Tinytwinkle, the reindeer and especially the tiny newborn reindeer, Peanutbrittle yawned and smiled knowing he had a not-so-small part in making Christmas dreams come true for all good little girls and good little boys. The young elf crawled behind the decorations and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. We sure hope he gets on that sleigh in the evening and makes it back to the North Pole.
: r a e Y t x e N
Where are f l e e h t e l tt i r Peanutb e h t r e tt u b t and Peanu ? r e e d n i e r y bab
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Thank you to for sponsoring this holiday section and these participating businesses … B&H
Towing
CrowE
law office, P.S.
CHEVROLET
Women’s Healt JERRY’S
COLOR Women’s Health Sp
& Memory Care
Jewelers
CENTER
Power Equipment Inc. Living Well Chiropractic & Massage
Prestige Senior Living Rosemont
Kevin Downey Insurance Agency Inc.
TwinStar Credit Union is grateful R& M to have so many Service &members. Repair, Inc. great
RV
Thank you all for being part of us!
T&P
Auto
motive
The
Pet House T im ’ s
P harmacy & G if t S hop
bies Delivered 10,000 + Ba
bies Delivered 10,000 + Ba
360.413.8413 • www.oly
Come See Where Your Food Comes From…
Wilcox Farms offers something rarely available in today’s egg farm industry, which is more often than not dominated by large corporations. Wilcox local, sustainable, family farm provides production coupled with friendly service, Since 1909 and with this we are devoted to providing excellent quality local and fresh egg products. We offer local tours of our 1600 acre farm so our customers Family Farms can actually see where their food is produced. Also, being one of the only “working farms” that is left available to the public. The Wilcox family thanks Yelm and surrounding communities Come and see your Local, for all its support over the last 100 years. Sustainable, Family Farm.
Since 1909
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10 am - 4 pm • TWO Egg Hunts! 11 am & 2pm
Wilcox Omelets • Hay Rides • FREE Farm Tours To SEATTLE
Exit #127
Ave
LACEY W
Y
Y
HW
ROY
51
0
Red Wind Casino
McKENNA
HWY 702
YELM Y
HW
To TENINO & CHEHALIS
7
50
Harts Lake Rd/ Harts Loop Rd
Since 1909
Family Farms
7
50
SPANAWAY
HWY 7 Mountain HWY
H
8th Ave South
40400 Harts Lake Valley Rd., Roy
I-5
OLYMPIA
To PUYALLUP
Pacific
360-458-7774 www.wilcoxfarms.com
HWY 512