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We made my mom's Christmas cookies on Thanksgiving night while, outside, we were getting a light dusting of snow. (Dustings are fine... it becomes a problem when there are many inches and feet. You know what I mean.) It's amazing how the taste of cookies can bring back so many memories and, of course, when you make them the way mom tells you to make them, they do taste like they are meant to. For years, I stayed away from the Crisco, but from what I've seen, you just can't substitute. A fun and appreciated thing you can do since the recipe makes so many cookies is, after you decorate them, put a few on a plate and take them to a neighbor. (Unfortunately Al and Lill don't get their cookies anymore from us, but we do think of them when we make them. In the same respect, I don't get any of Al Dobbins' famous peanut brittle. Different place, new traditions.) Santa has asked the Sodus Chamber of Commerce to collect the addresses of the prettiest festooned homes in the Sodus area and publish them in the Sun Record on December 16. Chamber members will be driving around the area looking for homes and businesses that are decorated for the Holidays. To make sure your home or business is listed, call the Chamber at 483.7256 before December 9. This has become a tradition in the Sodus area. Many families enjoy the special times just gazing at all the beautiful lights and decorations. Family time spent together, maybe dinner out, and of course, cups of hot chocolate when you get home. The first 10 people to let them know they're ready to show off their lights and decorations will receive a free Chamber tote. Share the Holiday spirit with all your neighbors in Sodus. Happy Holidays from the Sodus Chamber of Commerce (and, of course, you will see the list here in my column). If you are looking at the Christmas wreaths, they are beautiful, but they can be pricey. Think about making one of your own. You can buy the grapevine wreath and use it for all seasons, adding and taking things off of it. You can find pine boughs at the greenhouses. Get the thinner branch ones. They usually come in a bunch for about $5 at the most. The Dollar Tree or Family Dollar stores have the flowers and decorations for a great price and, if you like a bow, they have ribbon as well. You will need some wire cutters ( I use my little trimmers I use in the garden during the summer), scissors and a place to work. Cut the pine bow branches down to the size you need to fit into the wreath. Find a spot and gently push the pine into the wood of the wreath. Work them in all around the wreath so now it looks like a pine wreath. Then keep standing the wreath up to see where you want the flowers, etc. to go. Push them in tight so on the first windy day the neighbors aren't using your decorations in their front yards. Take the ribbon and wrap around the bottom, then tie a pretty bow. (You don't need to have red all the time... there are a lot of pretty colors.) Sunday, December 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. is the Sodus Point Family Holiday Fest. (Sponsored by the Neighborhood Association of Sodus Point, the Village of Sodus Point, the Sodus Point Community Center, & the Great Sodus Bay Association.) Have pictures taken with Santa at the information booth between 1 & 4. The grand opening of skate park with open skating. CHRISTMAS CAROLING (Gatesingers may make an appearance - Church Choir to sing during Tree Lighting at 4.) ICE SCULPTURE DEMONSTRATION in the open area between Street of Shops & O'Riley's. (Vote for your favorite sculpture with chance of winning Holiday Basket) HORSE & WAGON RIDES: 1 - 4 in parking lot across from the information booth. TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: 4 p.m. with Cookies & Cocoa - Music and lights throughout the village.
Fun at the Kraft Shack: SNOWMAN SWEEPER Tues., Dec. 7 - 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This wooden snowman stands 4 foot tall and comes complete with his broom to swipe away the snow. $38 includes all. KIDS CHRISTMAS CLASS Thurs., Dec. 9 - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The kids will love to make this 24 wooden sled. There will be painting, rub-on designs and Christmas greenery. $12 includes all. Looking for a Chocolate cake recipe for a party? I found this one: Easy Chocolate Party Cake
16 servings (one 8-inch 2-layer cake) Fudgy Cream-Cheese Frosting 1. Make the batter: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a small brush, lightly coat two 8-inch cake pans with softened butter. Dust with flour and tap out any excess. Set aside. In a large bowl, using a mixer set at low speed, combine the flour and remaining 10 ingredients. Increase mixer speed to medium and continue to beat for 3 more minutes. 2. Bake the cake: Divide the batter equally between the pans and spread evenly. Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in the cake pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the cake layers from the pan sides. Invert cake layers onto the wire rack to cool completely. 3. Frost the cake: Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cake layers, if necessary. Line the edges of a cake plate with 3-inch-wide strips of waxed or parchment paper and place a cake layer, trimmed side down, on top. Place 1/2 cup Fudgy Cream-Cheese Frosting on top of the layer and spread evenly. Place the second layer on the first and cover the top and sides with the remaining icing. Remove paper strips and serve. Store refrigerated for up to 4 days. At the Humane Society: Annual Tree of Lights for the Animals - Each year, community members are encouraged to participate in the Tree of Lights for the Animals. The holiday tree is displayed at the shelter from Thanksgiving through the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons. All donations received from this event are used to purchase much needed equipment and supplies for the shelter. For a tax-deductible donation of $5 or more, a light will be placed on the tree. For $10 or more, a light and an ornament will be placed on the tree with the name of any animal you choose. The names of the donors will be placed in our book of memory. Pet-Friendly Holiday Ornaments Offered - The Humane Society is offering unbreakable holiday tree ornaments for sale. These durable, pet-friendly ornaments are 3 1/4 inches in diameter and made to last! Distinctively decorated with a cat and dog, the ornaments are perfect for the lower branches of a tree. No more worries about the dogs wagging tail or the cats curiosity! Ornaments are available from board members. They are priced at $10 each, or 2 for $18. For more information, contact Kim Hutchinson at 315.923.3569 (email: khutch878@aol.com). As always, all proceeds from this sale benefit the animals of the Humane Society. If you have any events for the Christmas season or maybe some decorating tips, please send them along to share. Recipes are always fun for people to try as well Sometimes we forget there are young people out there who are just beginning the fun of decorating and baking and are always looking for ideas, so if you have one you think everyone else knows about, chances are, we might not. Everyone is always looking for something new and different to do. Don't forget to check out all of the Christmas specials on TV. They are fun to watch with the family. Have a great week and enjoy your family and friends. Copyright
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