The Holiday Season
We have some yummy menu items for the holiday season that are sure to tempt even a Grinch.
Our traditional meals are perfect for corporate lunch events. Here is our special of the month…
The Harvest Menu
~ Smoked ham
~ Mashed potatoes and giblet gravy
~ Cornbread dressing
~ Buttered corn
~ Rolls (butter)
6.25 per person, plus tax.
Call Tracey at 444-8626 to schedule your event.
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Non-Profit Focus: LifeSource International
LifeSource International is a non-profit organization in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their mission is to give a hand up, not just a hand out, by using a holistic approach to help individuals and families in need. Their goal is to make a difference both now and for generations to come by assisting through programs and services such as:
~ Food storehouse
~ Clothing pantry
~ Counseling services
~ Educational services
~ Senior Saturdays
~ Medical care assistance
This holiday season, LifeSource is offering an alternative gift plan for people on your holiday gift list. For $25, you can help feed 100 meals to the hungry. Help feed a family in need for a week for $5. For each gift purchase, you will receive an insert stating the gift that was purchased in the recipient’s honor. The insert can be placed in a holiday card, mailed or sent via email attachment. For more information, contact Serina at 479.521.4000 or email at serina@lifesourceinternational.org.
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Trim the Tree Tips
I personally love the traditional Christmas tree with the same keepsake ornaments that we’ve had for years, plus my daughter’s pre-school creations. But sometimes, the look of a sophisticated tree makes me want to throw caution to the wind. Here are some ways to think outside the box:
~ Experiment with a color theme—shades of red, silver and white, amber and gold or green. Get inspiration from fashion magazines, department store sales, flea markets and vintage movies. An example would be a silver theme: silver ornaments, silver garlands, silver and white lights and gifts wrapped in silver paper. From the top of the tree to the presents underneath—a beautiful monochromatic look says it all.
~ Get organized first. Do a little at a time. Buy your purchases and then trim the tree at another time. Don’t try to squeeze it all into one day. The stress of holiday shopping can make this happy occasion a bit too much to handle. Better yet, have friends and family over for a tree-trimming party.
~ Choose the right tree. For a fresh tree, make sure it is truly fresh by pulling out some of the pine needles. If they are easy to pull out, the tree isn’t fresh. When you break the needles in half, they should be lively, green and very fragrant. Make sure you have plenty of water. You may prefer an artificial tree, and that’s ok too!
~ Have enough lights. There’s nothing worse than starting the tree trimming process and then finding out you don’t have enough lights. The general rule of thumb is 100 lights per foot of tree. I know that sounds like a lot, but it will truly transform your tree. Yellowy-gold amber lights are a new favorite or all white lights. Whatever color you choose should go with the overall tree theme and your home décor.
~ Trim the tree step-by-step. When trimming, start with the lights and work your way from the bottom up/top down, from the inside out, weaving strings of lights along the branches “inside,” then move to the outer edges of the branches. Next, place any garland you may be using followed by your biggest ornaments (7 or more per foot), filling in with smaller ones (about 10 per foot). Work from the outside in, using one type or size ornament at a time, and make sure they’re evenly distributed over the area of the tree that will be seen. Placing ornaments and other decorations inside your tree as well as on the branch edges, adds a sense of depth. And be sure to use a beautiful tree skirt to finish off your look.
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Shiny Savings ~ LED Lights as an Alternative
Did you know that incandescent bulbs are being phased out starting in 2012? LED bulbs are emerging as the new replacement. Here are some statistics:
Incandescent Bulbs
~ Will be completely phased out on the federal level in 2014.
~ Release 90 percent of the energy they produce in the form of heat and 10 percent as light.
~ Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, can create nasty work environments due to flickering, have very little warm color rendering or effective dimming possibilities. Their energy consumption is better than incandescent but not as good as LEDs.
LED Bulbs
~ Can last between 30,000 to 100,000 hours.
~ Contain no mercury and do not shatter like incandescent and fluorescent.
~ Do not attract insects.
~ Come in virtually all replacement styles and bases so they fit in existing fixtures; even fluorescent tube styles are available.
~ Produce less heat.
Expect your utility bills to decrease with this new wave of the future.
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Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Bites
Ingredients
1 (5-oz.) package shredded Parmesan cheese
Parchment paper
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup arugula, chopped
1/4 cup Caesar dressing
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons crushed Parmesan pita chips
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Spoon Parmesan cheese by rounded teaspoonfuls, 1 inch apart, onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets, forming mounds. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Cool on baking sheets 15 minutes.
Stir together chicken and next 3 ingredients. Stir in freshly ground pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture onto Parmesan cheese rounds. Top with crushed pita chips. Yield: 4 dozen
Recipe courtesy of www.myrecipes.com
