The Courier News :: Lifestyles ::

Making the best of Turkey Day dinner disasters

BY LEAH A. ZELDES — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

The turkey�s still frozen solid. The gravy comes out lumpy. The guests arrive before the food is finished. Big holiday dinners can be tough to orchestrate. Don't worry. Most kitchen failures can be fixed with a little ingenuity and flexibility. If the buttered carrots morph into carrot soup or the cake becomes �pudding� at the last minute, no one needs to know that isn�t what you�d planned all along. The most important thing is to keep your cool.

ASTRO-GRAPH

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Today's birthday: Advancement of your interests, both personal and work-related, looks good in the year ahead. However, success is likely to occur in a least-expected manner and do more for you than some personal goals you've set for yourself.

Holiday bird: Forget fancy; bring on flavor

BY PERVAIZ SHALLWANI, The Associated Press — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

For tasty fowl on Turkey Day, the new thing can be the old thing: a classic one-two punch of an overnight brine followed by a quick morning rub before the bird goes into the oven for a slow roast.

These kids really deliver

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

You can learn a lot working at the post office. Especially if you're a fourth- or fifth-grader, and that post office is set up to deliver mail to students and staffers at Gary D. Wright Elementary School in Hampshire. "This is a nice way for them to work on real-life skills," reading teacher Jen Breeze said.

ASTRO-GRAPH

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Today's birthday: In the year ahead, you will get plenty of help from associates working hard to improve your lot in life. It's important to do all you can to help further the collective effort.

Sunset Acres farm family plows forward

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Most people in this rootless age can say they have moved at least five times in their lifetime. Bob, Alan and Nick Conro can say their family has lived on the same land in Starks Corners near Hampshire for five generations.

West Dundee artist puts paintbrush to work

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

While suburban subdivisions tend to blend together with their bland shades of vinyl siding, David Cook of West Dundee gives the interiors of area homes a fresh coat of individuality with his business. Cook operates D'Franco Decorative Finishes (www.dfrancofinishes.com).

ASTRO-GRAPH

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Today's birthday: In the year ahead, you might finally engage in a number of long-desired activities. The times ahead could be laced with many pleasurable adventures that will be quite memorable, leaving a big impression on you.

Countdown to Christmas with advent chain

By HOLLY RAMER,Associated Press Writer — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Advent calendars have come a long way since the 1800s when German families started marking chalk or paint lines on the floor as Christmas approached.

THE HEALTHY PLATE: Healthier holiday cookies

By JIM ROMANOFF,For The Associated Press — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

If the thought of holiday cookies already has you planning your diet for the new year, take a deep breath and remember that a cookie on its own is a relatively minor dietary sin (small and already portion controlled).