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Novemberâ€“ December 2018 | Page 1

Page 2 | November – December 2018

What’s Inside? • • • • • •

Simply Christmas Poem - Page 4 Drawing Winner - Page 4 Country Register - Celebrating 30 Years - Page 6 Holiday Gift Guide - Page 8 / Page 9 Robin’s Nest DIY Blog (Christmas Ornament) - Page 10 A Cup of Tea with Lydia (A TREE-mendous Holiday Time) - Page 13

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Editor’s Notes

Living in Gratitude, Practicing the art of Giving This time of year I often think of my first job. Though this year in particular it has special meaning and significance. At the ripe old age of 15 I started working for our small town gift shop, The Gift Gallery. The owner was/is a friend, and allowed an inexperienced young girl to come work at her shop.

This shop was pretty great. The kind of small local shop any adult loves to find when on vacation. Full of home décor, dishes, candles, toys, candy, balloons (with delivery) – anything you might need to shower a loved one with gifts. The shop was packed, too! It was like a treasure hunt and a fun shopping experience. You never knew what you Kelsey Ruzicka might find. It was there at that shop where I learned Publisher of a lot of things about life, friendship, business and the The Country Register art of giving. of ND, SD, WY,

The owner, Judie, really let me learn and do MT & N. ID just about anything. From helping with sales reps, designing displays, going to merchandising market, to training new employees and delivering balloons…I got to come along for it all. I quickly knew exactly what I wanted to “be when I grew up.” I had been bitten by the entrepreneur and business bug. That set me on a course through college and life to pursue the entrepreneur’s dream of business ownership. That is especially significant this year, because I succeeded in reaching that goal this summer. And, with November and the month of gratitude approaching, I’m truly living in gratitude for that opportunity each day. Living each day with gratitude and optimism for the possibilities a new day brings. Surely got to be some sort of formula for happiness, right? Another thing that this particular job instilled was the art of giving. When giving a gift to loved ones and friends, there is really only one essential element – thoughtfulness. What do they like to surround themselves with? Is there something they are putting off purchasing due to other priorities? What does that person enjoy doing? Those are just a few ways to start. But, you learn quickly how to help your customers find what they need by posing questions to them. Again, it is all about the thought. That was a valuable skill to learn at an early age. It taught me a lot about reading people, being observant and using thoughtfulness to help people reach their goals. The art of giving comes from putting the other person first and giving time to the thought. This issue is echoing those themes of gratitude and giving. May your holiday season be with both. Happy holidays!

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November– December 2018 | Page 3

Want A Unique Christmas Gift? Looking to Try Something New? Open Creativity Each Month with Creative Crate!

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern Idaho Kelsey (Snyder) Ruzicka, Publisher Produced by Moxie Marketing of the Midwest PO BOX 2015 • Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-568-0181 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.moxiemarketingmw.com Publisher’s contact numbers across the USA & Canada for The Country Register Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area: * Indicates these editions are available on–line at www.countryregister.com.

Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, info@countryregister.com, located: Phoenix, AZ

USA

* Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 405-470-2597, lenda@countryregister.com * California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * Connecticut: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD 21771, 866-825-2917, Fax 866-261-9641 * Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, florida@countryregisteronline.com * Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, tcrga@windstream.net * Idaho (N): Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Illinois: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com * Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, kansas@countryregister.com * Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Maine: Deborah Daney, 660 Country Club Road, Sanford, ME 04073, 207-324-7482 * Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Massachusetts: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211 * Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com * Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Montana: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* * Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 * New Hampshire: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822 * New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * North Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com * Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Pennsylvania: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319, Fax 800-609-0278 * Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * South Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com * Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Utah: Available * Vermont: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822 * Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com * Wyoming: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com CANADA * Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com * British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711 * Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net * Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812

FIND OUT MORE ON PAGE 14! The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains

November - December 2018 • Volume 8 Issue 6

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2018. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited by law. The Country Register is a registered business trade name. Moxie Marketing of the Midwest produces The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains. Subscription price: 1 year, 6 issues, $18.00. Single copies: $3.00. This paper is furnished free at each advertiser, highway welcome centers, tourism centers, shows, events, and other selected locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Northern Idaho. Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed from outside sources, express the opinions of their authors only and may not express the viewpoints of the management and staff of The Country Register. Such articles that are accepted for publication herein may be edited at the sole discretion of the publisher. Responsibility for products advertised in this newspaper lies with the advertisers themselves. Though The Country Register will not knowingly publish fraudulent materials or fraudulently obtained materials, we are not liable for any damages arising from the purchase or use of products advertised herein.

Index: See page 14 for advertiser’s index by name and by community as well as upcoming events. Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the Jan/Feb 2019 issue are due December 7, 2018.

Page 4 | November – December 2018

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SIMPLY CHRISTMAS Like The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains on Facebook!

$25 Gift Certificate Winner Lisa Pickford Won a $25 gift certificate to her favorite shop –

Quilt Connection, Etc in Rapid City, SD To enter the next drawing, fill out the form on page 14 or email

kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

By Roxanne J. Ferguson If I lived in a place away from the throng With Christmas not celebrated, not even in song… With no stores to shop in, no gifts to wrap, No cards to send, with no friends to chat… If I had no tree to decorate Or Christmas cookies I had to bake… If I had no choir in which to sing, If I had no last minute anything… What would I do to celebrate the day When our Savior was born and laid in the hay? The quiet around me, I’d think about Him, The Babe born long ago in Bethlehem. In the still of the night, the only sound I’d hear Would be the angel choir of yesteryear. My surroundings so plain, no gift would I bring, But only my heart to the newborn King. My fellowship would be with the Lord alone. I’d worship Him in this humble home. I think I would find in this simple way, The most joyous, wonderful Christmas Day. Roxanne Ferguson lives with her husband, Perry, in the Tug Hill region of New York State. They are the parents of three grown daughters and five grandchildren. She enjoys writing, gardening, and music. Roxanne is a retired elementary teacher and is active in her church and community.

Buffalo Berry

Barn Ranch

Sharleen Bergum 12309 Buffalo Berry Lane • Sturgis, SD 57785 605-423-8109 • jsbergum@msn.com

Wool Available For Spinning Mostly Black & Varying Shades of Grey Will Sell By the Pound or Possibly Carded Into Rolags From Columbia and Baby Doll Southdown Sheep

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November– December 2018 | Page 5

When What to My Wondering Eyes Did Appear

I am not ashamed to confess that I began to babble. It went something like this: “You’re here. I am so glad. I cannot thank you enough and this is why.” And I went on to explain about my mother. He listened patiently, his intent blue eyes never leaving mine.

By Kerri Habben

The only actual words he spoke were, “I hope she’ll be okay.”

Last year I met Santa Claus. Though I prefer St. Nicholas. I wasn’t seeking him. He was suddenly just there. It happened at two different grocery stores on the same day. An article I had written about dancing with Santa Claus twenty years ago at an Oktoberfest had just appeared in The Country Register. In it I described how one evening he wore his red velvet and the next a red cap and overalls. And he had a very white beard. On the 15th of November 2017, I was in one grocery store at the checkout. I had not found what we needed. Mom and I wanted a particular cut of meat for pot roast. It was to be our Thanksgiving dinner.

I reached out to touch his shoulder as we parted. Beneath my hand I felt muscle and bone. “God bless you, sir,” I said. When our world did indeed fall apart like the package of grape tomatoes, by the grace of God, it was reassembled. Only in a new and different way for us both. I have called this man St. Nicholas, but I also wondered if he was an angel. It doesn’t really matter because I know Who sent him. My customary letter to Santa Claus this year will not be asking for anything. It will need a few sentences. Perhaps this: Mom is okay. Thank you for everything.

If you have followed my recent articles, you will remember my mother’s illness and death. At this time, Mom had just finished radiation for brain lesions and couldn’t walk from muscle weakness.

And, as Tiny Tim sincerely prayed in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, God bless us everyone.

As I unloaded the groceries to pay, a package of grape tomatoes fell from my hand to the floor and scattered what seemed like everywhere. I froze. It was as if all my fears had suddenly just dispersed. Thankfully no one was behind me in line.

Kerri Habben is a writer, photographer and crochet instructor living in Raleigh, NC. An avid crocheter and knitter, she learned these skills from her grandmother and mother. She donates many of her yarn creations to those in need. Kerri has gathered a decade of essays she is working to publish. She can be reached at 913jeeves@gmail.com.

Until there was—a man with a red cap, overalls and a very white beard. He looked just like the man from the Oktoberfest two decades ago. I recovered enough to move my cart and the man gestured for me to stop with a wave of his hand. “Stay still,” he said softly. “You’ll squish them.” He proceeded to kneel on the floor and carefully retrieve every one of the grape tomatoes, all the while brushing aside my efforts to help. I’d barely been able to say thank you when he was suddenly backing his way out of the checkout line. I realized he had nothing in his hands and had not brought anything to purchase. All the way to the other grocery store that had advertised the meat we wanted, I wished that I could truly thank this kind soul and tell him why his gentle assistance had mattered so much to me. Upon arriving, I made my way to the meat department and was standing there with the bottom round we wanted in my hand. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear but the man with a red cap, overalls and an extremely white beard.

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Page 6 | November – December 2018

Celebrating 30 Years of Publishing by Barbara Floyd, Founder of The Country Register The Country Register has played a large role in the success and growth in the industries it promotes. One of the publication’s biggest strengths is forging bonds between shop owners, crafters, artisans and customers. It is distributed without charge at its advertisers’ locations as well as other ‘well-traveled’ sites.

A series of articles has been brewing in my head for months now as the time drew near to start celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Country Register Newspapers. The plan is to celebrate for a whole year and in each upcoming issue I will tell you a bit more about how this all came into being. I will also share, separately, favorite recipes from my kitchen where I still spend a lot of time. I have always been an entrepreneur at heart so it seemed only natural that, after raising four children, I would meld the business world with my love of handmade items. As a former art teacher and, next, a PTA mom, I got a taste of this combination by organizing one of the first, highly successful juried arts and crafts fundraisers in Arizona. When the school eventually phased out that event, this show moved to my Phoenix home creating an instant success. Soon home-based arts and crafts shows became popular all over. Then I opened a small gift shop close to home. Having a young daughter with the same talents and passions provided for a great lets-do-it-together project. Daughter Barbra-Jean eventually owned the shop, one of the first “country” shops in Arizona. Our mother-daughter team then opened one of the first combination tearoom and gift shops in the state. Gooseberries Tea Room had an over 25 year run in Phoenix with three different owners and is still well remembered and much missed. Needing an effective yet affordable means of advertising the shop, Barbra-Jean suggested that I put out a promotional newspaper. So, in fall 1988, with no publishing experience and no computer, I introduced The Country Register, which made its debut with eight black and white pages featuring twenty-four advertisers. Some of those original advertisers still in business continue as steady, constant supporters of The Country Register to this day.

Eventually, as popularity of the newspaper spread, people from other states approached for help in starting The Country Register in their own areas. Thus, a licensing agreement for the nationally trademarked name and logo was arranged. Michigan became the second state to have The Country Register and continues to this day with a very large publication. Currently there are thirty-one Country Register papers across the United States and Canada, several of them combining two or more states. To get a bit organized for this writing project, I spent two days sorting photos and finishing two scrapbooks that were partly done. One was about The Country Register and the other was about other business ventures over the past 40 years. I figured getting these in order would be a good reminder of memories past, finish these two projects and, at the same time, produce photos and ideas to share with you. Please visit The Country Register, Inc., on Facebook and see what is shared there as well. Until next issue…. farewell. Barbara Floyd enjoys her downsized lifestyle in Phoenix, AZ, and her visits to see children and grandchildren in Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, WA, Cumming, GA, and Ft. Wayne, IN. She created and volunteers to put together Love of Junk, Walla Walla’s Vintage Show on her oldest daughter’s farm in Walla Walla, WA, each June. She can be reached at barbara@countryregister.com.

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THE GIFT THAT ONLY INCREASES IN VALUE WITH EACH PASSING YEAR:

YOUR STORY.

Novemberâ€“ December 2018 | Page 7

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Country Reg. Dec Ad 10x6.5.indd 1

4/6/2018 11:09:00 AM

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2018 It can be hard during the holiday season to find the right gift, spend within a budget, and be creative while still trying to give a meaningful gift. Handmade gifts are definitely the best gifts. They require love, time and energy to create. They definitely check off the box on thoughtfulness. Maybe you have a group of coworkers or someone on the list you don’t know as well? Maybe you don’t have the time for homemade this year? Or maybe, you just want to try something new? Here are our DIY gift basket ideas for 2018.

Movie night • • • • •

Gourmet popcorn Gift card to the local theatre or amazon gift card for movie rental or favorite DVD. Shareable candy Poppable popcorn and popcorn salt All bundled in a cute microwaveable bowl

Spa Day • • • • • • • • • • • •

Candle Cozy socks Nail file Polish Epsom salts or bath bombs Face masks Eye mask Hair treatment Body scrub Makeup Robe Hair towel

Sip and Stay • • • • • •

Coffee mug Gourmet coffee Espresso truffles Wine Glasses Cork stopper

*Maybe pair either coffee and wine with a cozy blanket and good book?

Foodie Fun • • • • • • • • • •

Spatula Kitchen towel Kitchen hand soap Gourmet salt Gourmet olive oil Gourmet balsamic vinegar Gourmet seasoning Bread or pasta Gourmet chocolate Candle

Book Lover • • • • • •

Scarf Book Candle Gourmet tea Mug Cozy socks

Brew Enthusiast • • • • • •

6 pack of local brew house brew Two unique mugs Gourmet nuts Gourmet popcorn Coasters Bottle opener

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Kiddos • • • • • • • • • •

Rain boots Bubbles Magic sand Play dough Coloring book Crayons Chalk Animated movie Board games Stuffed animal

Older Kiddos • • • • • • •

Cozy socks iTunes gift cards Amazon gift cards Earbuds Stationery Poster Water bottle

Outdoor Types • • • • • • •

November– December 2018 | Page 9

GIVING ISN'T JUST ABOUT GIFTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS Though showering our loved ones with treasures at the holidays is customary, another custom is giving to charity during the holidays. Giving can also mean giving back to your community, giving of time and simply sharing warmth and light around you. Here are some tips to enhance a holiday tradition or establish a new tradition of giving back during the holidays. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Give to a national organization (Ex. March of Dimes, Red Cross, Breast Cancer Research) Give to a local organization Donate to a local fundraising effort Set up a scholarship Donate blood Volunteer time at the local nursing home, pet shelter or children’s facility Take meals to elderly neighbors Make cookies for your neighbors Donate toys, books, clothing to local shelters Sponsor a family’s utilities Sponsor a child’s Christmas gifts Give of yourself, money Pick up trash on a highway or littered lot or time. You can’t go Perform music for an elderly home or hospital ward wrong. Take a meal to ER nurses.

Water bottle Scent spray Headlamp Outdoor multi tool Hoodie Gift card to outdoor store Jet boil camping cooker

Other Tips • Let the budget determine the basket. • Shop at discount stores or clearance to maximize gift dollars. • Let the person and the relationship to you determine the contents. • Gift cards are hard to give because you feel like you really aren’t giving them something, or they won’t use them. Pair them with some smaller items to spark ideas! • Baskets can have 3 items or 10. Just depends on the context of the gift. • Themes help drive a basket. Pick a color, hobby or meaning - such as “pampering” or “date night.” • Maybe you don’t do a basket, but hopefully these lists helped you get some good ideas for your loved ones!

KEY TAKEAWAY

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Page 10 | November – December 2018

I am a DIY lover so check this out! If you are a crafter, you probably have all kinds of fabric lying around that you aren’t using but don’t really want to throw away. Try turning it into something like Christmas ornaments! The fun thing about that is it doesn’t necessarily have to be Christmas material. Everything from plaids to paisleys can be made into an ornament. There are lots of designs and patterns out there or you can make your own. Here is one that is very simple.

You will Need: Material, scissors, embroidery thread, embroidery needle, fabric marker, handful of fiber fill, decorative button, traceable object (such as a cookie cutter), heavy paper like card stock, twine, hot glue gun and glue

Step Two

Step four

Trace the cutout onto the fabric. The fabric should be doubled with the wrong sides facing each other. Cut out the object. Set this aside for a moment.

Step five

Stuff the ornament with the fiber fill. You can make it as fluffy as you want or just barely “stuffed”.

Step Six Step three Cut a piece of twine about seven inches long. Glue the ends together to make a loop. Set aside.

Step One

Now you will want to add the twine loop. I stitched right over the twine. The glued end is on the inside and prevents the loop from coming out of the ornament. Attach the button in the middle by simply sewing it on and tying it off in the back.

Trace the object onto the paper and cut out.

Step four Sew the two pieces of fabric together with the wrong sides together. I used embroidery thread that was a complementary color. I also used a running stitch. If you are familiar with cross stitch you can use any decorative stitch. You will want to leave open one part of the ornament (I left one point on the star open). The open part I chose is the top of the ornament where I will place the twine loop.

Now you have a darling Christmas ornament! Enjoy!!

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Novemberâ€“ December 2018 | Page 11

THANKFUL ROCKS by Kelsey Ruzicka, Publisher A project that has gained a lot of popularity is rock painting. But, not to just add a colorful drawing to a rock for no other purpose than to look at it, but to add joy and positivity to someone elseâ€™s day. Thankful Rocks are rocks that have been selected from nature, given a fun saying or beautiful picture and redistributed out in nature for someone else to find. The idea is that someone finds it and replants it to spread the smile and positivity around. Some even go as far as to get social media involved and write a note or hashtag on the back. Making it like a scavenger hunt and community of rock painters.

COLORING PAGE

Not only is it fun to add a bit of art to an otherwise normal and bland rock, but it is a great exercise in spreading kindness/positivity. Makes a great project and lesson for children and/or grandchildren!

Page 12 | November – December 2018

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CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE!

www.thecountryregister.com/nrgp Find past issues, other info and connect with us!

The Covered Wagon

Fabric, Yarn, Wool, Books, Notions Quilting, Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Cross Stitch We have every DMC color floss and variation colors “You never know what you’ll find!” Come and see all the new fabric for fall! Hours: Monday-Thursday 10-5, Friday 10-4 & Saturday 9-2 2006 Main Street • Torrington, WY

82240 • 307-532-1077

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November– December 2018 | Page 13

A Cup of Tea with Lydia: A TREE-mendous Holiday Teatime By Lydia E. Harris With the holidays around the corner, ’tis the season for family, friends, and festivi-teas. One of our holiday traditions is sharing a cuppa tea with my niece and family when they come to town in December. Here are some ideas from last year’s TREE-mendous teatime with the Stewart clan from Virginia. TREE-mendous Guests On a frosty December day, 12 relatives from three generations mingled in our living room. After warm greetings and hugs, I served sparkling cider mixed with mango nectar in punch cups. All of us, including the first and second cousins, were excited to see our “relafriends” again. (Relafriends is a term my nephew coined as a grade-schooler. It describes how we feel about each other—we’re not only relatives, we’re also friends.) Soon we gathered around the dining room table. Although this was a ladies tea, I invited my preteen grandson to help me serve. His reward was sipping all the hot chocolate with whipped cream he wanted. TREE-mendous Setting I spread a red-and-green Stewart plaid table topper, for the Stewarts, over the cream-colored cloth. In keeping with the tree theme, the centerpiece was a decorated small living tree, and the green cloth napkins were folded into tree shapes. (You can find tutorials online to fold napkins this way.) I loved using my mother’s sparkling silver from my childhood. And my treeshaped Spode Christmas serving dishes added to the decor. Beside each place setting, an unpeeled mandarin orange became a candleholder for the birthday candle in the center. Oregon grape leaves and pomegranate seeds were placed beside the orange to resemble holly with berries. With everyone seated, we lit the candles and my seven-year-old granddaughter, Anna, sang, “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” Then we blew out the candles and ate our oranges. TREE-mendous Food We had plenty of food to choose from: corn chowder, ham-and-Swiss cheese sliders cut into triangles, meat turnovers, and quiche made with and without crust (for those gluten-free). The foods all passed the taste test and are part of my cookbook, In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, coming out August 2019. We also savored gluten-free scones baked by another niece. Slathered with lemon curd, raspberry preserves, and whipped cream toppings, they tasted like dessert. The tree theme came through with pretzel trees that topped the layered dessert another guest brought. (Recipe for trees included.) In honor of my niece’s 2017 book release, Stars in the Grass, we also nibbled star-shaped butter cookies served in a basket with shredded paper grass. With several tea blends to select from, guests sipped their favorites from china teacups. (Online, you can order teabags that come in different shapes, such as trees, stars, and candy canes.) We concluded our tea with mini teacups of eggnog. Before the guests left, I passed around a basket with boxes of tea, and they could help themselves.

A Cup of Tea with Lydia: A TREE-mendous Holiday Teatime

Countryberries Designs Belsnickle

This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for commercial use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. This pattern was designed to be painted but can be needlepunched, hooked or appliqued. Have fun!

TREE-mendous Memories The tradition of inviting my niece Ann Marie Stewart and her girls, Christine and Julia for tea began when Ann’s children were preschoolers and held their china teacups with two hands. They looked so cute and angelic. Now they are lovely young women finishing college. I’m always thankful for opportuni-teas to connect generations and express love and friendship. Sharing tea bonds and strengthens relationships and draws relafriends closer together. This holiday season, I hope you’ll join me and plan a TREE-mendous teatime to warm the hearts of family and friends. Teapot is on, the cups are waiting, Favorite chairs anticipating, No matter what I have to do, My friend, there’s always time for you. —Author Unknown Lydia E. Harris, known as “Grandma Tea,” holds a master’s degree in home economics. She wrote the book Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting (AMG Publishers). Harvest House Publishers will release her new book, In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, August 2019.

Countryberries LLC Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden 330 North Road Deerﬁeld, NH 03037 603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com

Page 14 | November – December 2018

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Advertiser Directory by Name

Always Your Design • Dell Rapids, SD...........................................................................12 Betty’s Quiltery • Rapid City, SD....................................................................................16 Black Hills Visitor Center • Rapid City, SD.....................................................................14 Buffalo Berry Barn Ranch • Sturgis, SD........................................................................... 4 Coyote Creek HQS • Pierre, SD......................................................................................15 Covered Wagon, The • Torrington, WY..........................................................................12 Creative Closet • Townsend, MT...................................................................................... 5 Dakota Quilt Company • Spearfish, SD.........................................................................16 Fiber House, The • Sheridan, WY..................................................................................... 4 Friesens History Books • Canada..................................................................................... 7 Gail’s Flutterby Quilt Shop • Mayville, ND...................................................................16 Heartsong Quilts • Hot Springs, SD..............................................................................16 Lickety Stitch • Lusk, WY................................................................................................16 Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop • Edgemont, SD....................................................................16 Quilt Connection • Rapid City, SD.................................................................................16 Quilters Corner • Faulkton, SD........................................................................................ 4 Quilt Yard, The • Pierre, SD.............................................................................................. 5 Saturday on State • Belle Fourche, SD............................................................................ 2 South Dakota Quilter’s Guild • South Dakota...............................................................16 Wall Drug • Wall, SD.....................................................................................................14

Open Creativity Every Month!

Win a $25 Gift Certificate! The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to be used at YOUR FAVORITE SHOP!

Just fill out this form and send it to:

The Country Register P.O. Box 2015 Belle Fourche, SD 57717

November - December 2018 Entry OR visit www.moxiemarketingmw.com, click on The Country Register to sign up online Name________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ City_____________________________ State ____________ Zip__________ Favorite Shop Advertised___________________________________________

Every month inspire and grow your creative side. Get your craft therapy in the form of an array of projects from jewelry making to yarn art and everything in between. Be inspired to make a great handmade gift or just enhance your mantel for the season. Even adults need a little craft time!

Monthly Box Subscriptions Start at $25. Seasonal Boxes at $35.

Great Christmas Gifts! email: Kelsey@MoxieMarketingMW.com for more info! or call: 605-568-0181

This is My Favorite Shop Because______________________________________ My Favorite Feature(s) of The Country Register_____________________________ Found This Issue At_______________________________________________ Are You a:

Regular Reader or

First Time Reader

What stores would like to see in The Country Register? (include town) ____________________________________________________________

Entries received by Dec. 7, 2018, with all questions answered will qualify for the drawing. One gift certificate is given away each issue.

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November– December 2018 | Page 15

“Only by giving do we receive more than we already have.” ~Jim Rohn

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Page 16 | November – December 2018

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