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Author: Megan Herren

Santa’s Whiskers

Megan HerrenBaking, Holidays

The holiday season doubles as cookie season. Indeed, there’s no shortage of baking opportunities in December. Various cookies make the rounds, and if you are tasked with bringing cookies to a function, you might be interested in something a little different.

“Santa’s Whiskers” likely get their name from the coconut on these cookies, which resemble Santa’s beard. Maraschino cherries add some jolly red to the cookies as well, making them perfect for Christmas. Try this recipe from “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes.

Santa’s Whiskers

20 to 24 cookies

1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 12-ounce jar pitted maraschino cherries, strained and stemmed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

  1.  In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or by hand, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
  2.  Add the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Fold into the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly but moist dough.
  3.  Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper onto the counter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the coconut on th center in a loose rectangle, making sure it does not reach the edge of the parchment. Place the cookie dough on top, flattening a bit with your fingers, and sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the dough.
  4.  Form the dough into a 12- to 14-inch log, about 3 inches thick. Evenly press the coconut around the log and roll to make the log an even cylinder.
  5. Roll the parchment up with the dough inside and twist the ends. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice cookies in 1/4- to 1/2-inch rounds, place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container.

Make Holiday Crafting A Family Affair

Megan HerrenCrafts, Holidays

Families gather frequently during the holiday season as everyone enjoys the feasts and festivities that are synonymous with this time of year. Families often bake and decorate together, as these activities are inclusive of people of all ages.

This time of year also is one for dabbling in creative pursuits. Now is a prime opportunity to bond with children over a table full of paint, glue, beads, and other crafty supplies. The crafts made during the holidays often become cherished mementos that will be regarded fondly for years to come. Here are some ideas to inspire holiday creativity.

Snowman family

Handprint crafts are popular among children. Adults and children can dip their hands into washable white paint and make a handprint stamp on a small canvas, wooden palette or even a terracotta flowerpot. Decorate the white fingerprints with black dots to look like the faces of the snowmen and paint on top hats and scarves. In the years to come, artists can marvel at how small their hand prints once were.

Wine cork reindeer

Repurpose wine corks by crafting adorable little reindeer. Two corks make up the head and the body, and four vertically will comprise the feet. Stick on googly eyes, and add a small red or black bead for the nose. Pipe cleaners can be bent to form the reindeer’s antlers.

Family garlands

This craft also makes use of handprints. Ask all family members to trace their handprints on different colors of construction paper or card stock. Cut out all of the paper hands, punch holes in the tops and then string a ribbon through. Decorate the Christmas tree or a mantle with this garland.

Miniature Christmas trees

Paint the tips of gathered pine cones with green paint and allow to dry. Add white glitter or paint as “snow.” Glue the pine cones to wine corks that will serve as the tree trunks, and attach a small wooden star to the top of the trees for the finishing touch.

Decoupage ornaments

Purchase wooden or plastic ball ornaments. Cover with small scraps of cut fabric or paper dipped in craft glue or Mod Podge®, and attach to the ornament in an overlapping fashion. Remember to add a string from which the ornament can be hung on the tree. Allow to dry completely before use.

Paper chain Advent calendar

Cut strips of paper to make a link for every day of Advent. Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024, and lasts until Christmas. The top link can be any design artists prefer, but those who need a little inspiration can consider a religious symbol, the face of a reindeer, a snowman, or a Christmas tree. Hang the chain and then children can take turns ripping off a link from the bottom each day as they count down to the holiday.

Popsicle stick snowflakes

Paint four popsicle sticks per snowflake in desired colors. Decorate with glue, pompoms, beads, or other trinkets. Add small looped strings to hang the ornaments.

Parents, grandparents and children can have fun crafting holiday decorations this December.

These Decorative Items Add A Lot To Holiday Festivities

Megan HerrenDecoration, Holidays

It’s easy to recognize the holiday season has arrived. Holiday-centric sights and sounds abound this time of year. In fact, the arrival of decorations in stores seemingly comes earlier and earlier each year, perhaps to accommodate people’s undying enthusiasm for the holiday season.

Decorating a home or business for the holidays involves some familiar items, but this is a time of year when people can truly make the holidays their own. With that in mind, here are some considerations for decorations and other trinkets that can add a lot of cheer to this already festive time of year.

Wreaths

Wreaths are one of the simplest ways to dress up windows, doors or other areas of a home. These decorative items can be made from various materials. Evergreen boughs are one of the more traditional, but there’s also colorful garlands, flowers or even ribbon that can be wrapped to make a wreath.

Lights

Lights are integral parts of both Christian and Jewish holiday celebrations. Lights adorn homes to represent Christ being the Light of the World. In Judaism, the lighting of eight candles for Chanukah represents how a small amount of Temple oil miraculously burned for eight days and nights. Filling a home with artificial lights or candles adds a festive touch to dark winter evenings.

Advent Calendar

While it is called an advent calendar and traditionally ties into the time preceding Christmas, anyone can utilize an advent “countdown” calendar as they anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day. There are different iterations of advent calendars, from chocolate calendars to decorative ones featuring doors behind which there are whimsical figurines. Kids may even want to get involved in making homemade calendars.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias come in a variety of colors, but red is the hue of choice for holiday decorating. Perhaps surprisingly. poinsettias are tropical plants. The “flowers” you see on the plants aren’t flowers at all. They’re modified leaves called bracts. If you take good care of poinsettias, they even can be planted outdoors for the summer.

Boughs and Branches

One of the easiest ways to add a festive touch to a home for the holidays is with items that likely can be scavenged from outdoors. Take a hike and gather some evergreen boughs, tree branches, pine cones, and holly sprigs, which can be turned into garlands, wreaths or centerpieces. With a little white speckle paint, you can give them a snow-covered look.

Decorating for the holidays is a popular tradition and one that can make spaces even more festive to enjoy. Various items can enhance the ambiance and set the scene for the joyous weeks to come.

How To Make Shopping Black Friday/Cyber Monday Pay Off

Megan HerrenBusiness, Holidays, Shopping

The holiday shopping season is a profitable period for retailers. So it should come as no surprise to consumers that many stores now begin stocking shelves with Christmas decor and other holiday-related items as early as September, reminding shoppers that the countdown is on until the holidays arrive.

Historically, Black Friday has been the busiest day for retailers, but Cyber Monday has increasingly become a go-to holiday shopping opportunity. Now largely known as BFCM, Black Friday Cyber Monday is undoubtably the busiest time of year for retailers. These days can be a make-or-break period for many merchants. According to Drip, an e-commerce customer data aggregator, Cyber Monday was the biggest shopping day in 2023, with shoppers spending $12.4 billion – a 9.6 percent year-over-year increase. The National Retail Federation reported a record 200.4 million shoppers participated in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in 2023.

As people consider their BFCM shopping plans for 2024, these tips can help them make the most of these unique opportunities.

Become A Price Connoisseur

Consumers who would feel right at home calling out correct prices on “The Price is Right” will have an advantage come the holiday shopping season. By understanding the standard retail price on many items, it is easier to know just how customer-friendly BFCM deals are. Consumers can look at the advertisements in newspapers or online and only shop the best deals to save money.

Pay Attention To Early Bird Deals

BFCM is a great opportunity to save, and many retailers have extended this exclusive price-slashing period to offer “sneak peeks” and “early bird” opportunities that precede Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Shoppers can keep an eye out for early BFCM deals to save even more money.

Explore Loyalty Rewards

Shoppers who are part of stores’ rewards programs, whether that entails earning loyalty points or having a store credit card, may be eligible for additional perks. Although one’s email inbox may be overflowing this time of year with promotions, individuals should double-check their accounts to see if they’ve been given early access to sales or special coupon codes that can bring prices down even further. Some retailers also may utilize digital coupons that need to be “clipped,” which is basically saving them to a loyalty account.

Plan The Shopping List In Advance

A complete shopping list at the ready can make it easier to shop for specific items during Black Friday or Cyber Monday hours.

Avoid Impulse Buying

It may be tempting to grab many different items because the prices seem so good. However, sticking to a list and only shopping for necessary items is an effective way to avoid overspending.

Don’t Forget Small Businesses

Be sure to check out the sales at local small businesses during BFCM as well as Small Business Saturday. Shoppers may find that deals at smaller retailers rival those at larger chains.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday present chances to save. Making the most of these shopping opportunities can translate to scoring holiday gifts at the lowest prices possible.

Pecan Pie

Megan HerrenFood, Holidays, Recipes

A Thanksgiving dinner table can be a sight to behold. For foodies and others who love the array of comfort foods on display comes the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is a day to circle on the calendar each year.

While a mouthwatering turkey and sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing garner the bulk of the attention on Thanksgiving, the dessert table also can be a tempting place to direct one’s eyes. Though no dessert is off limits on Thanksgiving, pie is a particularly popular option on Turkey Day. With that in mind, those tasked with crafting something for dessert this Thanksgiving can consider the following recipe for “Pecan Pie” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

Pecan Pie

Makes 8 servings

1 9-inch unbaked frozen deep dish pie shell, thawed

11/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon molasses

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Spread pecans along the bottom of the prepared pie shell.

3. In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and pour over pecans. The pecans will rise to the surface of the pie.

4. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes until the filling has set. Pie is done when the center reaches 200 F. Pie center when lightly tapped should spring back. Remove pie from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.

5. Serve.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Cooling time: 2 hours

Total time: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Tips To Choose Your Next Book

Megan HerrenAdvice

Avid readers are always seeking new material to whet their literary appetites. Reading can be an immensely enjoyable activity, and one with notable benefits. According to Basmo, a reading tracker app, a couple hundred thousand books are published each year. The sheer volume of material to choose from can make it challenging to find a good book.

Readers can pursue many avenues to find new books. The following are just a few ways to find the next book you won’t want to put down.

Visit the Library

With so much content at your fingertips, it may be tempting to turn to the internet to find a new read. Instead, go back to where many people first fall in love with reading. The local library has many great offerings and personnel who can help you find something that will prove a good match.

Visit a Local Bookstore

If you’d rather purchase a book, your local bookstore is an ideal place to get feedback on books. Whether it’s a chain store or an independent retailer, many bookstores employ individuals who are book lovers themselves. Ask for recommendations.

 Try an App

Options like Whichbook enable you to find your next book based on various qualifiers, such as emotion, geography or type of character.

Go with a Classic

Browse a list of classics and find books that you haven’t read yet or even ones you may want to reread now that you are older. There are reasons these books have withstood the test of time.

Ask Family and Friends

Query the people in your life who love to read and find out what they are reading. You may be introduced to an author that you weren’t familiar with or a book series that is right up your alley.

Join a Book Club

A book club will expose you to a rotation of new books for as long as you are a member. Since books tend to be suggested by members each go-round, you won’t fall in the trap of only choosing one genre or “safe” titles that you are used to.

Go with Authors’ Recommendations

If you like a particular author, research who he or she is reading. Some authors recommend others in the industry. While some of these recommendations may be for compensation or publicity, many are legitimate suggestions.

Let Your Reading History Dictate

Reading services like Amazon’s Kindle will recommend new titles based on your reading habits; otherwise, search for “books like (name title)” online to discover books that have a similar theme or style.

Reading is a popular pastime that can strengthen the brain and relax the body. There are many ways to find new books to read to keep one’s library fully stocked.

8 Ways To Honor Veterans

Megan HerrenAdvice, Holidays, Veterans

Millions of people make considerable sacrifices to protect the freedoms of their fellow citizens. According to the Pew Research Center and data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 18 million living veterans in the United States. The 2021 Census counted 461,240 veterans in Canada, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.

The term “veteran” refers to a person who served in the active military, naval, air service, or space service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. In the U.S., there are actually five types of protected veterans, according to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or Armed Forces service medal veteran.

Veterans deserve respect and admiration all year long, but also get their own holiday each November. Veterans Day celebrates veterans’ patriotism and willingness to sacrifice and serve. This Veterans Day, people can consider these eight unique ways to honor the veterans in their community.

1. Attend events. Organize or participate in local Veterans Day celebrations, such as parades and ceremonial events.

2. Get involved with veterans’ affairs. Support veterans by volunteering with organizations that assist them, such as the VA, local veteran’s groups, VA hospitals, or charities dedicated to veteran services.

3. Petition for veteran speakers. Reach out to schools, scout troops or other groups and arrange opportunities for veterans to share their stories and contributions. Learning about the sacrifices these men and women made can heighten individuals’ appreciation for veterans.

4. Support the families of veterans. Reach out to veterans’ families, who also must make sacrifices and concessions. Anything from shopping, babysitting, doing chores, or making a meal can help the families of veterans.

5. Make a donation. If finances allow, make contributions to reputable charities that provide services for veterans like those that offer mental health counseling or job placement services. If there isn’t a charity that fits with your vision, begin one.

6. Hire veterans to work. If you are a business owner or hiring manager, consider hiring veterans for open positions at your company. It can be challenging to re-enter the workforce after service, so make it known that your firm welcomes veterans.

7. Offer personal acknowledgements. Take the time to speak to veterans and thank them for their service. If possible, when dining out, ask the server if you can pay for the meal of a veteran who also is dining that day.

8. Don’t forget the fallen veterans. Although Memorial Day is designed to honor those who lost their lives through military service, people still can honor the fallen veterans on Veterans Day by sharing stories or placing flags at veteran cemeteries.

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, marking an opportunity to express one’s gratitude and support for the scores of veterans who have served honorably.

Raise The Stakes Of Family Game Night

Megan HerrenAdvice, Family

Getting the entire family together can take a little effort. There is no shortage of activities that pull family members apart most days of the week, from work obligations to sports practices to school events. The United Kingdom-based media provider Independent reported in 2023 on a study of 2,000 parents with children at home. The study found families are only spending six hours a week together, which is less than an hour each day. Furthermore, they only eat meals as a household four days out of seven.

Eking out more time for family may be as easy as scheduling activities that everyone can rally behind. Family game nights give everyone an excuse to gather at least once a week. These tips can make family game night a can’t-miss activity.

Start with Simple Games and Branch Out

The first step to a successful family game night is choosing the right game to engage all participants. This can be challenging when there are young children, teenagers, middle-aged adults, and even seniors participating. Visit an independently owned toy and games store and pick the brain of the proprietor. He or she will likely have some suggestions to get you started. As participants become more comfortable, you can branch out with games.

Make It A Recurring Event

Set a firm day of the week for the game night. This way participants will block out that date and time and make every attempt to attend. Treat game night like any other important appointment.

Consider Games With Movement

Game night doesn’t have to mean sitting around a board game, which young children who have trouble sitting still may characterize as a “bored” game. Games that get people moving, whether it’s charades, drawing games or a game such as Twister® can be more engaging. Game night also can take activities to a golf driving range or an arcade.

Gather For The Right Reasons

Game night should focus on having the entire family together laughing and competing in a good-natured way. It should not be a strict competition where winning is the only goal. Avoid the potential for sore losers who can sour game nights in a flash by letting everyone know that fun is the foremost priority of the night.

Offer Prizes

Encourage participation with the lure of prizes at the end. Prizes will not just go to the overall winner. There can be humorous awards, such as the player who messed up trivia questions the most, or the one who rolled matching pairs of the dice most frequently. You can customize the winning categories depending on the game played so everyone gets a fighting chance at a prize. Keep awards simple, like candy bars or other appealing treats.

Identify A “Game Master”

Every game night should feature a game master who presides over the rules of the game. The rules can be the ones strictly off of the information sheet, or the ones you customize for your own fun. The game master’s job is to make sure the rules are enforced, but also to determine when it’s alright to let things slide.

Family game nights are a vital way to bring everyone together at least once a week in a manner that is entertaining and fosters solid family relationships.

Safe Trick-or-Treating Tips

Megan HerrenAdvice, Halloween

Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats.

Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children’s Safety Network warns that it’s also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween, with two times as many child pedestrians dying on Halloween compared to other days. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.

Make Sure Costumes are Short

Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.

Trick-or-Treat in Groups

Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.

Improve Visibility

It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.

Stay on Sidewalks

Whenever possible, trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.

Eat Before Trick-or-Treating

A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.

Keep Pets Locked Away

Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.

Avoid Masks That Obstruct Vision

It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.

Test Out Makeup Beforehand

All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.

These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this year.

The Different Types of Breast Cancer

Megan HerrenLifestyle

The term “breast cancer” does not describe a single type of cancer, but rather several forms of a disease that can develop in areas of the breast. The American Cancer Society says breast cancer type is determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancerous. There are many different types of breast cancer, and the medical community’s understanding of the disease is based on decades of research and millions of patients treated.

In 2001, Dr. Charles Perou first classified breast cancer into subtypes based on genomic patterns. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation says breast cancer is broadly divided into two types: non-invasive breast cancers and invasive breast cancers. Non-invasive breast cancers are called Stage 0 breast cancers or carcinomas in situ. These are thought to be the precursors to breast cancer, says the BCRF. While non-invasive breast cancers are not initially life-threatening, if left untreated, they can develop into invasive breast cancers, which can be fatal.

Here is a look at some of the different types of breast cancer.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

This is the most common type of breast cancer, advises the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounts for 70 to 80 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses in women and men. This cancer forms in the milk ducts and spreads beyond.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

This is the second most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of diagnoses, says the BCRF. Invasive lobular carcinoma originates in the milk-producing glands of the breast known as lobules. Tumors that form due to invasive lobular carcinoma more commonly grow in lines in the breast rather than in lumps, so they present differently on a mammogram.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, fast-growing type of breast cancer. The inflammatory name comes from the appearance of the skin of the breast. It looks red and inflamed, which is caused by breast cancer cells blocking lymph channels in the breast and skin, says Breast Cancer Now, a research and support charity.

Tripe-Negative Breast Cancer

The NBCF says a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer means the three most common types of receptors known to cause most breast cancer growths are not present in the cancer tumor. These receptors are estrogen, progesterone and the HER2/neu gene. Since the tumor cells lack necessary receptors, certain treatments like hormone therapy and drugs that target these receptors are ineffective. Chemotherapy is still an option.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

This type of breast cancer is also known as Stage IV breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer originates in an area of the breast, but spreads (metastasizes) to another part of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, brain, or liver, indicates BreastCancer.org.

Individuals hoping to learn more about breast cancer should be aware that there are various types of the disease. Which type an individual has is an important variable doctors consider as they plan a course of treatment.

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