Holiday Nov 8 2011

Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011 2 Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011

Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

How can hosts prepare a holiday meal for people with different dietary restrictions? | by Jen Matteis

A Holiday Feast for Everyone

Preparing a holiday meal was never easy, but throw in the additional factors of an aunt who can’t eat gluten, a nephew who’s allergic to peanuts, and a vegan niece and you have a task of herculean proportions.

At least, that’s how it might seem at first.

However, given the high prevalence of celiac disease, lactose intolerance, and food allergies, you can find food substitutes geared toward almost any condition. With all the alternative foods on the market -- plus a little creativity -- you might start thinking about all the new foods you could include, rather than what you’ll have to leave out.

For starters, try mixing up homemade bean dip or tapenade instead of defaulting to cheese and crackers.

“Take a variety of different olives and chop them up and add maybe

rosemary and serve that with crackers,” suggested Emily Stimac, marketing coordinator at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op in Corvallis. “We also have different types of pate that are vegan.”

Hummus is another well-received option, and according to Stimac, it’s not too hard to make.

“Hummus is a really great, easy dip,” she said. “You can make that just using garbanzo beans, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can pair it with crackers or it also goes great with veggies.”

If your guest suffers from celiac disease, pick up a box of gluten-free crackers, such as those made by the Oregon Cracker Co. based in Corvallis. Dishes that normally include butter can work for vegans -- just substitute a non-dairy spread such as Earth Balance, or try a coconut-based spread.

“It adds a coconut milk hint to your mashed potatoes,” said Stimac.

For the main course, she recommended Tofurky, a vegan meat replacement filled with a wild rice mix. “Pop in into the oven and serve it alongside your regular turkey. That’s made up in Hood River; it’s an Oregon product that’s pretty popular.”

Another alternative is nut loaf, which consists of toasted nuts flavored with seasonal herbs.

“You can chop different kinds of toasted nuts, dried fruits, rice, and maybe bread crumbs and form it into a loaf and bake it.”

Nut loaf also works as a stuffing for squash, which can fill in for turkey as a centerpiece.

“You can bake it in a butternut squash; it almost has the shape of a turkey,” said Stimac. “You can also

take potatoes and carve them kind of like a drumstick and put them on the side so you have this really adorable little vegetarian turkey.”

For dessert, gluten-free cookies, cakes, baking mixes, and even ready-to-bake pie crusts are available. “Prepare your pie fillings as you normally would and pop it in a gluten-free crust,” suggested Stimac.

Overall, making a holiday meal for relatives with dietary restrictions isn’t too tough once you’ve familiarized yourself with the options.

“I would say that having a vegan Thanksgiving is definitely not going without anything; it’s just being aware of what your alternatives are,” Stimac said.

Dietary Restrictions Cheat Sheet

Baffled by the different types of vegetarian diets? Here’s a quick guide to help you out.

• Vegetarian: No meat

• Vegan: No meat, eggs, milk, or other animal products

• Lactose intolerance: No milk, butter, cheese or other dairy products

• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance): No bread, flour, crackers, or other foods containing wheat, barley, or rye (look for gluten-free labeling)

Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011 Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011 3

Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011

Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

How to be a courteous, responsible and interestingguest at this year’s holiday party | by Lisa Iannucci

Oh, Behave!

Put down the smartphone, close the laptop and bid adieu to that stream of Facebook updates for a few hours. When heading out to a holiday party, it’s time to focus on being a good guest – face-to-face.

First, being a great guest and having a wonderful party experience starts well before the day of the celebration. “No matter how you were invited, whether by regular invitation or by email, RSVP to it even if it isn’t requested,” says Daniel Post Senning, of the Emily Post Institute, great-great-great grandson of Emily Post and co-author of the upcoming 18th edition of “Emily Post’s Etiquette” (William Morrow, 2011). “Even if you were invited to a party or to see a holiday movie with friends through an event invitation on Facebook, make sure they know you plan on attending.”

Once a commitment to attend has been made, Post says to make sure to arrive on time. “It’s a small, but important courtesy,” he says.

Also, never arrive at an event empty-handed. “Guests should always arrive with a gift for their host, even something small like a bag of coffee, and then send a thank

you note after the fact,” says Leah Ingram, author of “The Everything Etiquette Book” (Adams, 2005). “You can send a thank-you gift if you’d like, too.”

Now that you’ve arrived, it’s time to mingle. If you’re a bundle of nerves and don’t know how to “work” a party, do not rush in and head straight to the food or bar area, says Dorothea Johnson, founder of The Protocol School of Washington and the author of “Tea & Etiquette: Taking Tea for Business & Pleasure” (Benjamin Press, 2009).

Instead, Johnson says that a good guest greets the host first but doesn’t take up much of their time. “You have to be considerate that the host has other guests,” she says. “Then it’s your duty to mingle with the other guests and make your presence known.”

Once you’ve greeted your host, it’s time to turn your attention to the other guests. Johnson says she learned a lot from watching former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at parties. “Kissinger would come in, move to the right and look into the crowd,” says Johnson. “I always thought he was looking for someone, but he was making sure everyone saw him. He would

greet people and move his way around the room until everyone was in the center with him. He made eye contact and never walked away without saying ’excuse me.’ It was brilliant, and everyone should do that.”

If you’re great at online chat, but talking face-to-face leaves you tongue-tied, Johnson suggests going straight to someone you know. “But don’t spend all evening with them,” she says.

“You should expand yourself and your knowledge by talking to people you don’t know.” While you’re enjoying the party, Ingram reminds you that you’re still a guest no matter how comfortable you are. “Understand that you are a guest in their house and don’t make demands of the host as if you were staying in a hotel – make my bed, turn down your music, et cetera,” she says.

If you’re the one hosting the party, Ingram suggests finding out ahead of time what food your guests like so you don’t find yourself in uncomfortable situations where the guests aren’t eating or complaining about the food (a no-no) because there isn’t anything they like. Together, a great host and great guests are guaranteed to create a great party.

How to Handle Cell Phone Addicts

No sooner do they walk in the door than your guests whip their cell phones out to check messages, text with their friends or call friends and family. It’s distracting to other guests and takes away from the mingling you were hoping for, so how do you handle the cell phone addict? Daniel Post Senning, of the Emily Post Institute, offers these tips:

1. The best line of defense is to model the behavior you want to see. Don’t have your cell phone in your hand when you answer the door or engage your company.

2. Ask guests to take calls in an area where there aren’t guests. In a restaurant, if someone is going to use their phone at the dinner table, it’s appropriate for a maitred’ to say something to them.

3. If at all possible, your guests should leave their cell phones behind. If they don’t see a pressing need or use for their phone and they are entering a social situation, lock it in the glove compartment.

4. Whether you are the guest or the host, take control of the cell phone device and don’t let it control you. “I know a doctor who told the hostess that he was on call. When he got a call, the phone was on vibrate. He looked under the table to see who was calling, excused himself and left the room to answer,” says Dorothea Johnson, founder of The Protocol School of Washington. “That’s the way to do it.”

Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011 5

Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

Know before you go | by Jennifer Rouse

Holiday Travel

It’s almost time for the holidays, and you’ve got your bags packed, your toiletries in clear quart-sized bags, and your slip-on shoes on your feet. You’re ready to hit the airport.

Or are you?Struggling airlines are cutting

back on the number of flights they carry. At the same time, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of passengers in airplane seats reached an all-time high this year. Throw in always unpredictable winter weather, and it could be a hectic holiday season at the airport.

Never fear--there are things you can do to make even the craziest of trips go a little bit smoother. Here’s a checklist:

Pack smartCheck your airline’s rules for bags

before you even start packing. Make sure you know exactly how many bags you’re allowed, what size and weight they are, and what you’re

allowed to carry on. You can’t carry on more than 3 ounces of any liquid, and those little bottles of stuff have to be in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag. Remind yourself that everything you can do to make those long security lines move a little bit more quickly is worth it.

Sidestep snafusHaving an airline lose your luggage

is a headache no traveler wants to deal with – but it does happen. Plan ahead to make sure that if this worst-case-scenario happens to you, oes come through, it’s a headache but not a catastrophe. Don’t put anything irreplacabable --the hat you knitted for your nephew or your grandmother’s handwritten cookie recipes--in a checked bag.

“I always tell people, if you check it, make sure it’s something you can live with losing,” said Marie Dodds, spokesperson for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

If you’re heading out of town to attend a fancy event, don’t pack

your good clothes in your checked bag either, or you could wind up driving around an unfamiliar city trying to find something to wear. It’s best to pack at least a day’s worth of clothes in your carry-on, as well as any medications you need, and things like contact solution and a toothbrush.

In fact, if you are going to visit friends or family, consider forgoing airline’s checked bag fees altogether and ship your luggage to your destination in advance.

“It can cost up to $50 or $75 to check a bag now,” Dodds said. “Check out UPS or Fed-Ex. You might be able to ship it to your relatives’ house for that.”

Stay informedCheck the weather at your airport

and at your destination before you leave. If airlines know about delays, weather-related or otherwise, they’ll post them online. In fact, many airlines offer text and email alerts that can be sent out if your flight is

delayed. It’s a lot better to find out about a flight change or cancellation before you’ve left home than when you’re already standing in the airport.

Expect the unexpected

Make sure you have enough time to get to your flight. Airlines recommend arriving at the airport three hours before an international flight, two hours before a domestic flight. If you are flying a red-eye and you’re pretty sure crowds will be minimal, you might be able to fudge those times a little bit. But during the holiday season, you might not want to take your chances.

“Ask yourself when you’re leaving, ‘Am I willing to risk missing my flight over this?’” Dodds said. If that does happen, go immediately to your airline and get started finding a new flight.

Continued on Page 6


Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

Join us for a Holiday Travel Festival

November 18, 2011 10:00am - 2:00pm

Drawings for fantastic prizes

Information about cruises and other great vacation packages

Last minute holiday vacation planning

Large selection of useful travel merchandise

Donation opportunities to provide toys for children over the holidays

Contact a AAA Travel Sales Consultant to plan your trip for the holidays

and beyond. 541-757-2535

AAA Corvallis Service Center1550 NW 9th, Suite 104Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Leave the planning to us.

RELAX

“If you’ve purchased a ticket, the airline

wants to get you on a flight,”

Dodds

said. “You’re not going to be the first person ever to miss a flight. They will work with you to get you to your destination.”

Bottom line: be prepared for

anything“We always tell people that

when you’re traveling, it’s an adventure. Expect that not

everything is going to go smoothly,” Dodds said. “It helps a lot if you

go into it with kind of attitude.”

Road travelWith cold weather and

stressed-out travelers, the holidays can be a hard time to

be on the road. In fact, Oregon’s worst month of the year for traffic crashes

is December, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation: the average is 4,267 for December, followed by November, with an average of 3,987 crashes.

What to do to keep yourself from being part of a holiday travel pile-up?

The No. 1 thing: slow down. Ten percent of all those crashes had “driving too fast for conditions” as the major factor, and speed was a contributing factor in others.

Also, be prepared for road conditions. If you’re going over the mountains, use traction tires or carry tire chains. Practice putting your chains on before you leave home so you’ll know what to do when the occasion arises.

Make sure your car is running well, don’t let your gas tank get too low,

and carry some extra food, water, blankets, and a cell phone in case of emergency.

You can visit www.tripcheck.com for current road conditions statewide, as well as live video of some locations so you can see for yourself what the roads are like. You can also get travel information by dialing 511, or 800-977-ODOT. Also, newspaper websites like gazettetimes.com and democratherald.com can be good sources for updated weather and road information.

Continued from Page 5

Happy Holiday Travels


Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

Be Creative, Safe In Light Decor | by Maria L. Kirkpatrick

Holiday Lights

“Go unique.”That’s the advice from Russ

Milstein about decorating the outside of your home for the holidays.

Milstein is president and owner of Crystal Valley Decorating, Inc. in Albany. Crystal Valley designs and builds commercial lighting displays for all holidays.

Recently, the company switched to using mostly light-emitting diode (LED) lights in its products.

“They are expensive but spectacular,” he said. “They use less power, are low maintenance and have a longer life.”

When decorating his own yard, Milstein likes to go with what he has and use lights in unique ways.

“Since we have rhododendrons, I like to take a strand and cluster it on the bush,” he said. “It looks like the bush is in bloom.”

He also uses rope lighting to outline an old wooden wheelbarrow,

into which he places pots illuminated with their own clumps of light. The end result is potted poinsettias.

Milstein said snowflakes are a big seller right now, both commercially and privately.

“It’s important to be non-offensive,” Milstein said. “Snowflakes give off more of a wintery feel. Everyone enjoys them.” The same can be said of lighted icicles and several of the new designs for this year.

Joel Shonnard, head of the lighting and installation division at Shonnard’s Nursery Florist and Landscape in Corvallis, is seeing holly leaves with berries, hard candies, traditional ornaments and starbursts in the catalogues. Shonnard’s offers a lighting design and storage service to customers in which Shonnard’s crew decorates customers’ homes.

Shonnard said when putting on a

Continued on Page 8

Mandy Forney decorated seven trees in her store, Emma Downtown. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Mid-Valley Newspapers, November 8, 2011

Come By Emma Downtown& Be Enchanted...

let all of your senses be delighted. We have beautiful items to embellish & decorate your home

& make it sparkle with the magic of Christmas.

Thousands of Ornaments...adorn our trees fi lled with twinkling lights.

The delightful smell of Christmas fi lls the air. Let us make your home be fi lled, with the

spirit of Christmas!

Come By Emma DowntownCome By Emma DowntownCome By Emma Downtown

DECORATE YOUR HOME, DRESS FOR THE OCCASION, GIVE WITH STYLE!

Call us: 541.926.1717email us: [email protected]

[email protected]

422 First Avenue. West • Albany, OR 97321

Mon.-Fri. 10-5:30 & Sat. 10-5

light display, safety always comes first. Ladder, weather and high peaks come into play when decorating a home. Also important is power and the proper wattage.

“Be safe and be creative,” he said.

Upgrading to new light strands and ornaments allows for safe and proper connections while reducing risk and defects.

Start with lower areas when doing your own decorating, Shonnard said. It’s easier

than the roofline. Then add luminarias and lawn ornaments.

He suggests using Linkables, lights already clipped to metal frames. Icicle designs still hang but they won’t blow, tangle and break in the wind. Linkables easily link together, go up quickly and store neatly in their own metal box. LED rope lights are great for outlining anything and may lead guests to your front door.

The inside lookInside lighting should be done in

layers, said Peggy Udolf, co-owner of Emma Downtown in Albany. Any

place lends itself to the addition of light and decor, Udolf said;

just spread it around. Look for empty and dark places around the room.

When you light the tree, start from the middle and

bring lights to the outside to add depth. As to whether to light the top of the tree, that is a personal and sentimental decision.

“I’ve been known to put baby shoes on trees to remind me of when I had babies hanging around,” Udolf said.

Udolf decorates her boutique for the holidays and she helps decorate home parlors for the Albany Downtown Association’s Christmas Parlour Tour.

She said manufacturers have been playing it safe the last few years and she hasn’t seen much in the way of new lighting designs; just a move toward safer and long lasting products. Many of the candle luminarias, for example, are now battery-operated for safety, which are great for use around greenery, parties and children.

If your house is safe enough, use taper, pillar and votive candles. There are all sorts of new shapes and scents that not only light up the room, they tantalize the nose. Float candles in bowls or place them on engraved glassware and in tin shapes. Surround them with floral accents from nearby trees and bushes, but be sure to keep the greenery safely away from the flames. Holly leaves and pine cones fill in around the candle base.

There are no set rules for brightening the indoors, but – again – use common sense and keep safety in mind. Keep flames out of the reach of children and watch for extension cords across pathways.

The final word of advice comes from Milstein: “Please, stop short of (decorating) your pet.”

Continued from Page 7‘TIS theSEASON

Holiday A Region of giving

November 2011

Collaboration is Key to Success of Local CharitiesTasteful GivingKindness and Goodwill

at Local businessesA Region Filled with Acts of Caring & Compassion541-926-2211 541-753-2641

Press option 3

gazettetimes.com | democratherald.com

Region of Giving Coming November 29th


for more information about CIBA, visit us online atwww.CorvallisIBA.org

for more information about CIBA, visit us online at

Shop your locally owned independent businesses this holiday season...and keep Corvallis

going strong all year long!

919 NW Circle Blvd., #E • Corvallis, OR 97330541-757-3170 • www.countryvitamins.com

Open 7 days a weekSupplement Specialists

HEALTHY HOLIDAY GIFTS!

215 SW 4th St. • CORVALLIS • 541-752-0040Hours: Mon.–Sat. 8–9 • Sun. 9–7

2012CalendarsUp to

50%offOriginal Price

C A L E N D A R S A L E

215 SW 4th St. • CORVALLIS • 541-752-0040Hours: Mon.–Sat. 8–9 • Sun. 9–7

Yummy holiday treats, fun holiday toys for good cats & dogs!

541-753-4559“Only The BestFor Your Pet”

Mon-Fri 9:30-7:30, Sat 9:30-6:30, Sun 11-6

INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS SINCE 1971

grassrootsbookstore.com

BOOKSMUSICCARDS

MAGAZINES227 SW 2nd541-754-7668

Best selection of Calendars in the mid-valley!

Order online 24/7: books, music, eBooks

AMERICANDREAMPIZZA

We DeliverCAMPUS757-1713

2525 NW MonroeDOWNTOWN

753-7373214 SW 2nd

HATS * JEWELRY * GIFTS ~Always Great Clothes!

2nd St. @ Jackson, Downtown * 541-754-1424

Christmas Trees Available Starting Nov. 24th

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1893541-753-5531

Robnett’s Hardware

Get All Your HolidayHardware With Us—

From Lights to Picture Hanging

Shop Local!

FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOOD

541-757-0694WWW.BIGRIVERREST.COM

Gift Certificates Available at The Restaurant& on Our Website


Creativity - and a hot glue gun - help | by Jen Matteis

Decorating on a Budget

As the holidays approach each year, my mom heads out into the backyard with a pair of scissors and a brown paper bag. The goal: greenery. Fragrant pine boughs and holly

leaves soon adorn the mantelpiece -- and the holidays have arrived, without spending a cent.

Decorating your house on a budget isn’t a difficult task, especially

considering the ubiquitous traditions of holiday cards hung in a line, paper snowflakes, oranges pincushioned with cloves, and other homemade creations.

According to Betty Malone, who runs Sunrise Tree Farm in Benton County alongside her husband, Pat, many items in your backyard can be turned into decorations with the application of a little paint, glitter, ribbons, or bows.

“It helps to have a hot glue gun,” Malone recommended. “Anyone who’s making decorations on their own will find it’s a handy tool.”

Pine cones such as the miniature, rounded cones of the Scotch pine or the seedheads of teasel make great decorations when spray-painted gold or silver and tied with red ribbon.

Dried Queen Anne’s lace, picked in August or September, can be pressed flat, laminated with clear shelf paper, and cut into circles to make decorations.

Even the spiky fruits of the sweetgum, painted red and hung with gold string, provide fodder for holiday decorations.

Dried garlic flowers, spray-painted

white and coated in gold glitter, are another unusual decoration that Malone has used in the past, with one caveat.

“They’re really nice-looking -- the downside is they still smell like garlic even if you spray paint and glitter them,” she reported.

Evergreens provide structure for wreaths and kissing balls, made by sticking sharpened sprigs into a Styrofoam ball. According to Malone, evergreens vary in terms of their longevity, color, and fragrance.

“Each species has characteristics that work in some decorating circumstances and just don’t in others,” she said, adding that you should check with the landowner before harvesting.

In general, the more fragrant types of greenery are short-lived. Some, such as white or princess pine, are easy to work with due to soft needles; others, like the bristly Scotch pine, may put up a fight.

All greenery benefits from daily misting and placement away from sources of heat, the same as with a Christmas tree.

“All the things we tell you not to put your Christmas trees next to also apply to greenery,” said Malone.

Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

Betty Malone of Sunrise Tree Farm winds ribbon around a piece of classic Oregon greenery. Photo by Jen Matteis

Teasel and pine cones join the festivities with a coat of spray paint and a twist of

ribbon. Photo by Jen Matteis


Holiday Entertainment Special:CHEESE PLATTER 101- Plan on 3-4 OZ. per person, per type

- Choose a cheese from each of these categories: AGED, SOFT, FIRM AND BLUE

- Include at least 3 VARIETIES that range from mild to strong

- Pair cheese with fresh, dried or candied FRUIT, NUTS & CRUSTY BREAD

- Serve cheese at ROOM TEMPERATURE for the best flavor

EVEN EASIER! Special order one of our gourmet party platters in advance. We do the work for you!

The BEST

CHEESE PRICES

in Town! Community owned - Locally grownwww.firstalt.coop

South Corvallis1007 SE 3rd St.541-753-3115

North Corvallis2855 NW Grant Ave.

541-452-3115

A Guide to GreeneryHere’s a guide to greenery that can help with your homespun holiday creations:

• Leyland cypress - Gorgeous emerald green color; lacy foliage

• White pine (Princess Pine) - Blue cast to the needles; long soft needles that are easy to work with

• Western red cedar - Drapes nicely; ideal for garlands or roping

• Scotch pine - Prickly and tough to work with, but long-lived

• Grand fir - Amazingly fragrant, but short-lived

• Douglas fir - Inexpensive, good for thickening wreaths; “Save your showy stuff for on top,” suggests Betty Malone of Sunrise Tree Farm.

• Nordmann fir - Workhorse for decorating; good for kissing balls

• Noble fir - Good material for kissing balls; lasts longer when taken from high altitudes where it has entered its dormant state

To stabilize a centerpiece, use either a vase of water or an Oasis,a foam that retains water once soaked, available at flower shops and craft stores. The Oasis can be cut down to size and placed inside a basket or bowl before filling it with greenery and imitation or live flowers.

“None of this is absolutely necessary, it’s just nice to have so you can stabilize your decorations,” Malone noted.

One more durable item is the old man’s beard lichen you see hanging from trees, which Malone wraps with ribbon -- it lasts for a couple of years, she reports.

Creativity is key when making your own decorations on a budget. Work with what you have, and create decorations that appeal to your own taste.

“It’s only limited by your imagination,” said Malone.


Karen Bussen, entertaining expert & author of ‘Simply Stunning Parties at Home’ offers tips to be the ‘hostess with the mostest’ under any

circumstances | by Matthew M. F. Miller

Party On... No Stress, No Fuss Required

Karen Bussen fell in love with parties at avery young age. “I have always loved celebrating,” says Bussen, author of “SimpIy Stunning Parties at Home” (Stuart, Tabori and Chang, 2009). “I think I naturally have a very festive personality, and I love to put people in a good mood. I am always looking for a reason to have fun.”

As a child, Karen was inspired by her mother’s love of décor, art and painting. After she left her childhood home in Ohio to become a magician’s assistant on a cruise ship, the idea of entertaining and decorating as a career locked into place. “We traveled all over the world, floating between continents, and I was overwhelmed by all the wonderful foods and colors and spices and environments I experienced. I wanted to bring that home with me.”

Today, Bussen makes her home in New York, where she fine-tuned her knowledge of food, wine and high-end hospitality working for Danny Meyer, a notable restaurateur, as well as styling flowers and creating party décor for celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. In 2000, she opened her events company and has spent the last 11 years looking at life as one big party – especially the holiday season.

“At the holidays, I like to choose a unique

color palette every year and let

that weave through the whole season, from gift

wrap to my tree decor, to my table settings,” Bussen says. “On a daily basis, I see inspiration all around me, in nature, in a beautiful design, in the fascinating people I meet, and I am constantly bowled over by how much inspiration there is around us everywhere.”

Here, Bussen shares her advice on

how to be a tip-top hostess, even when guests show up at the last minute.

Q: Why is the role of host/hostess so daunting for people? How do you take the pain and fear out of it?

A: I think it’s two things. The first is expectations. Home hosts don’t want to disappoint – they want their gatherings to be seen as stylish and sumptuous. The second is time. Especially around the holidays, folks are busier than ever, so just pulling together any kind of party on top of everything else can seem overwhelming. Then add to that fact that a gracious hostess may also

feel she has to ramp up all the details to be holiday-worthy. My solution is to take just a little time before it gets too crazy to get your party pantry together, and then to limit your offerings to just a few great things your guests will love, instead of making yourself crazy with endless options.

Q: What is the key to making your guests feel comfortable?

A: From a practical standpoint, space planning is important – if you’ll have a big group, make sure to clear clutter and place food and drinks in several spots so that as they mingle, guests will find a nibble and sip here and there. Also, I like to offer folks something as soon as they walk in the door. That can be as easy as placing a bottle of Champagne (or a pitcher of your signature cocktail) and some glasses on a foyer table. But more than anything, I think the host creates the vibe at any party. If the host is frazzled, the guests pick up on that energy. If he’s having a great time, so is everyone else.

Q: What is the first thing a host or hostess should do when they find out company is coming at the last minute?

A: Don’t panic! Instead of running out to the store immediately, take 10 minutes and make a plan. If you’ve stocked your holiday party pantry, you should have at least some of the core elements you need. Pick three food items you want to serve (and don’t be afraid of presenting high-


quality prepared foods from a good grocer) and check your quantities of drinks on hand. Make a list of remaining items you need, and stop off for the fresh ingredients like produce and cheese, that aren’t already in your party pantry.

Q: What are the little details that can make a last-minute celebration feel like a well-planned event?

A: It’s in the simple, thoughtful details. A warm, relaxed greeting, appealing presentations of food and drinks, even the little touches that make a dinner table so inviting. That doesn’t mean you have to invest in fine crystal – I like to use things I find around my house. An example: I’ll turn a mushroom upside down, cut a slit in the stem, and use it as a place card at my holiday table. This costs pennies, but all my friends think I’m a genius. Another detail that really makes a party – music. Music creates mood. And with all the online sources for creating great playlists, there’s no reason not to start making your holiday soundtrack right now. Then, when guests are on their way, just pour yourself a glass of Champagne and press “Play.”

A unique and inexpensive holiday centerpiece can be as easy as putting all your eggs in a basket,

so to speak. Baskets are useful as both organizational and decorative accessories. In December, when embellished with holiday staples such as fresh fruits, gift tags, ribbon,

evergreens, firewood or presents, they also can double as centerpieces for living rooms and dining rooms.

“The beauty of baskets is that once you decorate them, they give you a lovely holiday feel,” says Flora Brown, a professional gift

basket decorator from Anaheim, Calif. “In some cases, you don’t even need a tree, because you can build a large basket as tall as you want.”

Shirley George Frazier, author of “The Gift Basket Design Book” (Globe Pequot, 2008), says that decorative baskets are often used as gifts and have stood the test of time. Their appeal is their simplicity.

To create a decorative basket, Frazier suggests starting with a basket of any color and size with a sturdy wood frame. The basket should be smooth on all sides as well as on the bottom and the handle. When placed on the floor, a well-made basket sits flat and doesn’t wobble, she adds. A few coats of spray paint can give it some holiday color.

Brown says that the most important tip is to fill the basket so that whatever sits inside is raised high and positioned well. Once a foundation is established, the opportunities are endless. Here are some basic ideas for baskets as holiday décor.

Gift BearerUse a large, elongated basket to display

and collect the wrapped family gifts. Use real or artificial greenery inside and wrap battery-operated lights throughout the design. Depending on the size, the basket can be placed by the fireplace or on top of a coffee table against a wall.

Entrance GreeterFill a large, curved basket with greenery,

silver balls of various sizes and floral sprigs. Attach the greenery tightly to the basket so that additional ornaments and bells can be wired to it. Place in the foyer or near the front door for guests to admire.

Food CarrierSelect a basket with a flared-over handle

and decorate the edges with painted cones or artificial greenery. Line the bottom with paper. Fill with either fresh food that can be served immediately, such as fruit and cheese, or with dried items that can linger longer at the table. Holiday favorites for food baskets include fruit cake, nuts, cookies, jams, chocolate and wine.


Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s


Ha

pp

y Holidays

M

idV

al l

E y N

E W s p a p E R s

C asseroles are an omnipresent holiday staple, be it grandma’s chickenstuffed cheese concoction or a friedonion

encrusted green bean favorite. But getting comfortable with a casserole recipe can make it a forgettable presence on a holiday dinner table. “The best thing about casseroles is that you can be really creative,” says Stephanie Ashcraft, co-author of “200 Casseroles” (Gibbs Smith, 2011). Here are some ways to concoct an attention-grabbing piece that guests can really sink their teeth into.

Breakfast with a twistCasseroles typically are egg and cheese-

filled, but Ashcraft suggests trying other varieties to start a holiday party day right. “I love starting the day with a blueberry French toast casserole and a sausage-hash brown breakfast bake,” she says. Including spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice is a way to sweeten up a breakfast casserole,

according to Jennifer Bardell, who runs the cooking blog The Misadventures of Mrs. B.

A seasonal punch Adding bursts of fresh seasonal

ingredients is a sure way to give any casserole a flavor and texture boost. “Try dried cranberries, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, even leftover turkey,” says Maryana Vollstedt, author of “The Big Book of Casseroles: 250 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food” (Chronicle Books, 1999).

Ashcraft agrees. “Turkey and cranberries are my favorite holiday ingredients,” she says, also suggesting pecans as a way to add a surprising crunch to every bite.

Bardall uses squash, corn and green beans to thicken her recipes, and suggests frozen vegetables if your favorites are out of season. “Stuffing can also be baked into a casserole,” she says, noting it’s safer to prepare stuffing outside of the bird to prevent contamination.

Healthy bakesFor family members and other guests

focused on health and weight maintenance this year, crafting a casserole that is both satisfying and health conscious can be achieved by keeping a watchful eye on ingredients.

“Remember that you can always substitute low-sodium and low-fat products in the recipes,” says Ashcraft, who suggests plain yogurt instead of sour cream.

Vollstedt adds that managing and adjusting the amount of an ingredient can save room.

“Go easy on rich sauces,” she says, adding that sticking to local, fresh produce is another way to reduce additives and sodium intake.

For a traditional green bean casserole done healthy, Bardall suggests sautéing mushrooms instead of using canned soup, and toasting onions instead of

using the fried pre-packaged strips.

If a rich, decadent casserole is on your mind, try prepping two separate versions.

Mindful transportationOne thing that might get overlooked with

casseroles is the transport. Unless prepared at home, moving a casserole from place to place can be a messy endeavor, which can take away from the flavor and texture. Improper reheats can also ruin the dish.

“I bake my casseroles in a Pampered Chef stone pan, cover it with aluminum foil and place it in an insulated rectangular food carrier designed to carry a 9-by-13-inch stone pan,” says Ashcraft. “The stone pan retains heat longer than normal pans while the carrier holds the heat inside the bag, insuring hot food upon arrival.”

Vollstedt suggests wrapping pans in towels or newspaper for a less expensive means of insulation.

Whether hosting or attending, the casserole is a holiday mainstay. Turn the traditional up a notch with these innovative ideas | by Lindsey Romain

Get On A Casserole


Date post:	11-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	mid-valley
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Holiday Nov 8 2011

Documents