Festival of Trees

 Admission Tickets for Festival of available at the door

$5 adults.
$3 children – free for children under 2 years old.

Festival of Trees
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (FCPAC) – Dearborn MI
15801 Michigan Ave
Dearborn, MI 48126

Sunday, November 23, 2:00 PM -7:00 PM
Monday, November 24 10:00 AM to 7:00
Tuesday, November 25 10:00 AM to 7:00 (English Gardens Day)
Wednesday, November 26 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

CLOSED THANKSGIVING

Friday, November 28 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Saturday, November 29 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Sunday, November 30th 10:00 AM-4:00 PM event closes

Special Holiday Feature: Trenice's Tasty Tips

Turkey Safety Tips

TIP# 1 
By now, I pray that you all have placed your turkeys in the fridge for thawing, if NOT, STOP and do so ASAP. If you haven’t done so, PLEASE don’t place it on top of your counter to thaw. Your TURKEY will be susceptible to all types of bacteria. Trust me you don’t want your guests to be awakened up out of their sleep in the middle of the night with horrific stomach cramps, because YOUR turkey was improperly thawed. My suggestion to you is to leave that frozen turkey in the freezer for CHRISTMAS and buy a thawed or partial thawed turkey. BUT if you want to be HARD HEADED and most of you WILL, place that turkey, with its wrapping still on, in a CLEAN sterilized SINK, run COLD water over it and let sit for about 4 - 5 hours, insuring that water remains cool, then stick it back in your fridge. That will get it partially thawed and it will continue to thaw HOPEFULLY safely in your fridge. So GOOD LUCK!

TIP#2
Here’s the PART EVERYONE needs to pay CLOSE ATTENTION to because again, you don’t want to get sick behind THANKSGIVING DINNER. Please try your BEST to time your TURKEY to be done along with your sides. Please don’t get up and cook your turkey at 8:00am and by 12:00pm it’s cooked, and NOT one side dish is done. Once your turkey is cooked, let it rest for about 15 – 30 min, if your sides are not completed and dinner is still some hours away, place your turkey in a cool area or in the fridge. You can reheat, it will not dry your turkey out if you reheat with a lid or foil over the top, BUT DO NOT let your TURKEY sit out, AGAIN it will be susceptible to bacteria that ONLY like to show themselves in the wee hours of the morning, LOL. 

TIP#3
Look, the bottom line is this, maybe you haven’t gotten sick, BUT just because you haven’t does not mean that your guests won’t, especially the younger kids and older adults/senior citizens. Your hot side dishes should be HOT, and your COLD side dishes should be cool. Hope everyone has a blessed, YUMMY Thanksgiving!

Holly Dickens Festival

Now in its 41st year, the Holly Dickens Festival is officially the longest running Dickens themed event in the United States!
     Set in Historic downtown Holly, Michigan USA, the annual festival spans three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

More info 

Howell Parade of Lights

Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Fantasy of Lights Parade

begins at 7 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving

Don’t miss this traditional start of the Holiday Season in the Howell area!

This spectacular nighttime parade includes dozens of illuminated floats, marching bands, over 50 other entries, and, of course, Santa Claus.

More info here

The Nutcracker: A Classic

Take the family to see a real classic in holiday entertainment. Click here for more info

Thanksgiving Dinner with a Twist

From www.bhg.com

For a long time I have been trying to think of ways to spice up the normal Thanksgiving traditions. Here is how I imagine it! 

Pictorial Stuffed Cabbage Recipe

From www.paraleysagesweet.com

Santa Claus At Tiny Town !

Santa Claus is coming...

To Tiny Town!!

When: Saturday 12/13/2014 From 5-7pm
Where: Tiny Town Play Lounge
Details
Visit with Santa! Bring your own Camera and snap away!

Decorate and Eat your own cookie, and wash it down with a cold glass of milk

Make and Take Craft

Open Play

Cost: $10 per child

Call to Reserve your spot!
734-667-4965 
space is limited, call today!

www.tinytownplaylounge.com

Leg Warmers!

Hey! Keep your Baby's legs COZY, WARM, & COMFY this winter! Get 5 FREE pair of leg warmers, just pay shipping & processing! (It depends on your location, it was only $14.99 for me ) Get em while they last! Enter Promo code: 62fc53e6a at checkout. Make sure to tell Family & Friends about it! I just ordered 5 for Carrie! They are super cute for boys and girls probably up to a size 3T or 4T, up to 35 lbs. Click here

Cheese and Stuffing? YES please!

Cheesy Garlic Dressing with Herbs

Whisk plenty of grated garlic into a mixture of 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup melted butter and 1 beaten egg. Stir in chopped parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. Toss with stuffing cubes and crumbled goat cheese.

Wild Lights at the Zoo

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients
4 medium-size sweet potatoes
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 stick unsalted butter
Vegetable oil, for greasing roasting tray
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly scrub the sweet potatoes under cold running water. Place the potatoes on a roasting tray and bake until tender, 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the potatoes to cool slightly before cutting off the top third of the potatoes lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh using a large spoon (leave enough on the base so the skin holds its shape) and reserve bases.

Add the potato flesh, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and butter to a food processor. Process until the ingredients are completely combined and the puree is smooth. 

Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle a roasting tray with a little oil. Set the potato skin bases upright on the tray and fill with the mixture.

Combine the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and pecans in a small bowl. Sprinkle the top of each stuffed sweet potato with the sugar-pecan topping. Bake 10 minutes. Finish the potatoes under the broiler for the top to brown, 1 minute, if desired.

Recipe courtesy Guy Fieri
Read more here

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS - Part II

AUBURN HILLS

The Annual Auburn Hills Tree Lighting will take place 6p on December 5, 2014 at the MOMS’ WWII Memorial on the corner of Squirrel & Auburn roads in downtown Auburn Hills.

Free events and activities at the Auburn Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony include:

-  bonfire

-  horse-drawn wagon rides through Downtown Auburn Hills MI

-  Santa and Mrs Claus visits

-  keepsake photos

-  holiday crafts and s’mores

-  donate to local charities

-  make Christmas cards for the soldiers

-  Santa’s mailbox

All activities are free and within walking distance of the Auburn Hills tree lighting ceremony. For more info, call 248-370-9400.

BERKLEY

December 6, 2014

Free Vintage Trolley Rides from 1 pm to 5:00 pm
Trolley stops along 12 Mile Road from Greenfield to Coolidge Hwy. and on Coolidge Hwy. from 12 Mile Road to 11 Mile Road. Look for the Trolley Stop signs for passenger pick up locations.

Discounts, special activities and holiday treats at your favorite Berkley stores and restaurants.
Carolers, snow princess and other entertainment with free hot chocolate near some of the trolley stops.

Chance to win prizes with purchase at a Berkley store or restaurant.

Petting zoo, 2 pm at 12 Mile Road and Tyler.

In the Evening
Holiday Lights Parade, 5:30 pm 
Tree lighting ceremony sponsored by the Berkley Junior Women’s Club immediately after the parade at the Gazebo in front of City Hall.

Visit with Santa in the gazebo in the front of City Hall after the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Evening Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (corner of Rosemont & Coolidge). Ticket charge per person/family rate available.

Questions call RoseAnn at 248-239-0284 or e-mail roseann@nicolaievents.com.

NOVI
Light Up the Night

The annual Light Up the Night event will take place on the Novi Civic Center Campus on Friday, December 5, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Mayor Bob Gatt and a special visitor from the North Pole will light the holiday tree at 6:15pm.

Engaging activities will be held indoors and out and includes a craft show, kids’ crafts, marshmallow roasting, hockey skills competition, petting farm, ice sculptures, and more. Live performances from various dancing groups featuring Mexico Lindo Ballet Folklorico, Polynesian Dancers of Michigan, and other various dances will take place on the indoor stage. Attendees will enjoy free food samples from several local restaurants. A festive hay wagon will shuttle people to and from the Novi Public Library to enjoy two magic shows featuring Baffling Bill at 7:00pm and 8:00pm. The ever-popular Dan Dan the Choo Choo Man will offer miniature train rides from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

More info

Birmingham Santa Contest

Lucky Family Can Win Santa Contest in Birmingham, Entries Due by Nov. 19

(Birmingham Press Release, Nov. 8, 2014)

Families from Birmingham and surrounding areas are encouraged to enter the City’s popular Santa Contest. One lucky family will have the honor of helping Santa light up Birmingham’s 35-foot blue spruce, boasting more than 40,000 LED lights, on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 during the Holiday Tree Lighting event in Shain Park at 6 p.m.

The winning family will enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at The Townsend Hotel in downtown =Birmingham, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Holiday Tree Lighting event. Once there, the family will help Santa, Birmingham’s Mayor and other dignitaries with the official tree lighting ceremony. Topping off the evening, the family will be presented with a gift certificate to a Birmingham restaurant.

“The Santa Contest adds to the magic of the Holiday Tree Lighting event,” said John Heiney, executive director of Birmingham’s Principal Shopping District. “We’re looking forward to seeing the children’s faces as Santa lights up the tree for the first time this season.”

Families may submit their entry online at http://bit.ly/BhamSantaContest; all entries must be submitted by Wednesday, November 19. For more information, call (248) 530-1200.

Community Service

Life Hack - unclogging the drain

Did You Know??

Special Holiday Feature- Trenice's Tasty Tips!!

I am so pleased to introduce my very special sister Trenice, who will be a feature over the next few days to share some priceless tips to make your holiday meal extra special. 

First stop...

Mac and Cheese

TIP 1#: When boiling your Pasta for your Mac and Cheese, do NOT follow the instruction on the back of the Pasta Box. If you do, you WILL have mushy PASTA in your Mac and Cheese. If the BOX says cook for 8 - 10 Minutes, only cook for 4 - 5 Minutes. REMEMBER your Pasta will continue to cook once you add ALL your ingredients together and bake in the oven.

TIP 2#: Velveeta Cheese sodium is OUT the DOOR, and it changes the texture of your Mac and Cheese, puts you in mind of Stove Top Mac and Cheese. STAY AWAY from the Velveeta, especially if you or your guest have Blood Pressure issues. Colby, Jack, Cheddar (sharp and mild), American (NOT the SLICES!!!)

TIP 3#: If you USE evaporated milk, use either half and half, heavy cream, or milk along with the evaporated milk. Just using evaporated milk alone will leave your Mac and Cheese somewhat dry and dense.

Tommorrow come back for Turkey Tips! (hygiene, preparation, thawing) 

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS- PART I

The holiday season is upon us. Add some cheer to your family's celebration by heading out to one of these spectacular seasonal events. We have a list of the best glittering tree and menorah lightings, joyful music and many more events in southeast Michigan to help your family celebrate, from metro Detroit to greater Ann Arbor.

WESTLAND

Wayne County Lightfest

Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2014 (closed Dec. 25)

Address: Hines Park, Merriman Hollow Area, Westland; enter off of Merriman Road between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue

Times: 7-10 p.m. daily

Cost: $5/car

Phone: 734-261-1990

Four miles of twinkling lights are ready for you to drive through! 

The Wayne County Lightfest Grand Opening will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Merriman Hollow Park in Westland. 

This sneak preview will feature music, refreshments and fireworks!  After the ceremony, be among the first to drive through the Lightfest and check out all the new displays!

 afterward, visit until New Year's Eve. Pictures with Santa and concessions (Nov. 22-Dec. 23) provide even more Christmas magic.

WYANDOTTE 

Wyandotte Tree Lighting

Nov. 21, 2014

Address: downtown Wyandotte, Biddle Avenue

Time: 6 p.m.

Cost: free

Phone: 734-324-4502

Music and merriment await you and your family as this downriver city lights up its Christmas tree.

MILFORD

Event: The Big Reveal

Date: 11/20/2014

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Downtown Main Street in Milford 

Details: Come downtown and watch the kids "unwrap" the storefronts! Local merchants will wrap their storefronts on Tuesday, get busy, and reveal their holiday best on Thursday night. Come downtown for the fun

DETROIT 

Detroit Christmas Tree Lighting at Campus Martius, Detroit

Nov. 22, 2013

THE 11TH ANNUAL DETROIT TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK

5 PM - Midnight

OFFICIAL RINK SEASON OPENING!

Tree lights at approximately 7:45 PM

Spectacular Entertainment Featuring: Jena Irene American Idol Runner-Up | Plus: Second Ebenezer Mass Choir

Rhythm Society Orchestra with Paul King | Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir | MOT Soloist Corey Roberts | Corktown Popes | The Salvation Army Band & more!

Exciting Skating Performances By: Ekaterina Gordeeva Olympic Gold Medalist | Plus: Detroit Skating Club, Arctic Figure Skating Club, and Creative Edge Ice Theatre

SHOWCASE D’HOLIDAYS

Outstanding Food, Drink, and Live Music, All under a Big Tent in Campus Martius Park!

Holiday Hoof & FestivALE and Tree Lighting in Ferndale

EVENT DATE/TIME

Nov 22, 2014

12:00 pm until 12:00 am

DESCRIPTION

This event packs in music, an obstacle run and fun walk, 7:30 p.m. tree lighting and more fun.

COST Free/general, $60/adults race, $10-$20/kids fun walk

LOCATION

West Troy Street, downtown Ferndale

Ferndale, MI

ADDITIONAL INFO

PHONE 248-546-1632

WEBSITE http://www.downtownferndale.com

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Novi Equestrian

Get more info here http://noviequestrianexpo.mobilehippo.mobi

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPER ALERT!

And the deals keep rolling in:

Cabela's Outdoor Store
Lowe's
JCPenney's See the actual circular here
Kmart
Walgreens
Staples
Best Buy - This page takes a while to load and you have to scroll to the middle of the screen for the ad circular.
Sam's Club - This page takes a while to load and you have to scroll to the middle of the screen for the ad circular.

Be a Meal Planning Guru - DAY 5 - Bringing it All Together

Now it's time to put it all together! Using the lists you made this week, you can easily compose several meals with one item from each list (starch, veggie, protein) On 1-2 nights a week, integrate the one pot wonders. If you plan carefully you can make one pot wonders from leftover proteins and sometimes veggies. 

You can plan your weekly meals by first deciding what three major proteins you are going to eat for the week, then you can make them do double duty! For example, if I buy a rotisserie chicken, I prepare a salad one night and chicken tacos the next. If I’m making roasted pork loin with veggies and rice on Monday, I may use the leftover for pulled-pork sandwiches and sweet potato fries on Wednesday night.

Use combinations that your family enjoys but don't be afraid to change it up! If you always have mashed potatoes with meatloaf, mix it up and do couscous instead one evening. Or a different form of potatoes, home fries!

Here are some nifty combinations:

Speedy Tips 

Spend time each week looking for recipes...

Create a place to save recipes, and keep it SIMPLE...

Check the weather...

Keep a meal journal...

Start a calendar...

Go with theme nights (soup night, pasta night, beans).

Check these awesome templates to guide you along the way!

I like this one for posting on the fridge for the family to see what is coming up next.

This is a more detailed one that you may want to keep close by so that you can have a readily accessible grocery list.


THIS IS THE BEST GIFT I COULD GIVE YOU! There is an actual meal planning book you can put together. Print this pdf here Print page 2 several times and you have a beautiful meal planning journal. You can place this inside of a tradition report cover or have the front and back page laminated at a teacher's store. OR you can have all three pages laminated and you can use a dry erase marker to simply erase your meals after the week is over and start again. I like to keep my meal sheets because I can use them all over again next year or next month!

Be a Meal Planning Guru -DAY 4 Signature Dishes

To start, make a list of all the regular dishes you like to make. If you don't have a lot, we recommend checking out these 10+ dishes everyone should know how to make at home) This list should include one-pot wonders like lasagna and chilli. 

Thursday's MEAL PLANNING GURU HOMEWORK: Today decide what signature dishes will help to make your week pop! Create a list with the help of your family. You should have at least 6 to rotate throughout the month. If you need help building this list, this is a great place to do a recipe search for some of your family's favorites. For our final day tomorrow we will put this all together and you will get access to some great planning techniques and templates.  

Financial Aid Info Session grades 9-12

Register here 

http://www.detroitkappaleague.com/2014-financial-aid-awareness-program.html

Packing a Brown Bag Lunch

Check this awesome article online that gives some great tips on making lunches! 

http://www.superhealthykids.com/10-healthy-brown-bag-lunch-tips/

Be a Meal Planning Guru - DAY 3 - Proteins

High protein foods include meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans, lentils, yogurt, nuts, and seeds. Below is a more detailed list of items that fall within the meat category: Check out these links for a much more comprehensive list of proteins, including beans,  here and here.

• TURKEY
• CHICKEN
• FISH
• LEAN BEEF
• VEAL
• BISON
• PIG
• LAMB
• CORNISH HEN
• DUCK

Wednesday's MEAL PLANNING GURU HOMEWORK: Today identify the proteins that you will pack your plan with to make your meals filling and most satisfying to your family! When compiling this list, think BROAD. For example, I would list beef and not meatballs. As with Monday and Tuesday, ask your family for their input. Put an asterisk next to any family favorites and take suggestions. Maybe there is a great protein out there that your family has never tried. Be optimistic and add it to the list!

1.