Give the gift of reading this Christmas - TEAM Resources

I love books. And I love to give books as gifts. The following are some that I have come across this past year that would make good Christmas gifts.

Dare to Repair, A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home by Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet, HarperCollins Books, 2002. From adjusting a screen door closer to repairing a screen, bleeding a hot water radiator, replacing a shower head and repairing a running toilet, this book has easy to understand text and illustrations. The authors have also included a section on home safety, including a guide to when the repairs should be turned over to a professional.

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Saskatchewan Scenic Drives by Robin and Arlene Karpan is a new guidebook that will help you explore the scenic wonders of Saskatchewan – all by car. This book takes you off the major highways. We used a copy of this book on two of our driving trips this summer and found it useful with detailed driving instructions.

It is a good companion book to Saskatchewan Trails, A Guide To Nature Walks and Easy Hikes, also by the Karpans. It provides maps, historical information and detailed directions to enjoy Saskatchewan’s trails. Both books are available from Parkland Publishing, 501 Mount Allison Place, Saskatoon, Sask., S7H 4A9, 306-242-7731 or info@parklandpublishing.com or Parkland Publishing www.parklandpublishing.com.

The Prairie Gardener’s Book of Bugs: A guide to living with common garden insects by Nora Bryan and Ruth Stall. This book discusses 100 insects, spiders, mites, slugs and earthworms that frequent prairie gardens. With skill, insight and humour the authors encourage gardeners to stop worrying about bugs, and instead be delighted by them and learn more about their ways. This book can be ordered from The Great West Collection, 800-768-9499 for $16.
Cappuccino Cocktails Specialty Coffee Recipes and ‘A-Whole-Latte’ more! by Susan M. Zimmer of Calgary. The book has history, information, how to and recipes for coffee lovers. To order, call Zimmer at 877-888-8898 or order on-line at www.cappuccinococktails.com. Each book ordered also includes a CD on which chef Hegnauer of The Banff Centre demonstrates step-by-step how to make a basic cappuccino/latte without a machine.

Give the gift of reading to a child this Christmas. The Canadian Toy Testing Council, the leading authority on toys in Canada, has used its rigorous evaluation process to select children’s books by Canadian creators and publishers. For information on the toys and books evaluated, go to the council’s website at www.toy-testing.org.

Great books for children:

A Day with Nellie written and illustrated by Marthe Jocelyn, Tundra Books, 2002, ISBN 0-88776-600-5. Ages two to four.
Marigold’s Wings written and illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen, Key Porter Books, 2002, ISBN 1-55263-468-X. Ages four and up.
The Naked Lady written and illustrated by Ian Wallace, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2002, ISBN 0-7613-1596-9. Ages five to eight.
What a Story! by Paul Kropp, illustrated by Loris Lesynksi, Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2002, ISBN 0-7791-1355-1. Ages six to eight.

Ned Mouse Breaks Away by Tim Wynne-Jones, pictures by Dusan Petriéié, Groundwood Books, 2003, ISBN 0-88899-474-5. Ages seven to nine.
What? What? What? by Lyn Thomas, illustrated by Dianne Eastman, Maple Tree Press Inc., 2003. ISBN 1-894379-52-7 (paperback), 1-894379-51-9 (bound). Ages seven and up.
Ricky by Eric Walters, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., 2002, ISBN 0-00-639195-8. Ages nine and up.
Un joli mouton, tout rond, tout rond de Judith Hamel, illustrations de Angélique Depienne, Bouton d’or Acadie, 2002, ISBN 2-9222203-47-6. Ages two to five.
La symphonie du marécage de Nicole Daigle, illustrations de Denise Paquette, Bouton d’or Acadie, 2002, ISBN 2-922203-46-8. Ages six to eight.
Marion et le Nouveau Monde de Michle Marineau, illustrations de Christine Delezenne, Dominique et Compagnie, 2002, SBN 2-89512-240-7. Ages eight and up.

Je deviens astronome de Pierre Chastenay, éditions Michel Quintin, 2002. ISBN 2-89435-197-6. Ages eight and up.

Meaningful gifts

When selecting gifts for those folks who seem to have everything, consider giving a meaningful gift. That is something that is given to others in the recipient’s name. Such donations could be made to local charities like a hospital building fund or local museum.

Another option is to give to organizations that have programs in developing countries. Always check to be sure the organization is reputable and that you will receive a tax receipt for your donation.

Another idea is to give consumable gifts such as food items. Last year I received some pfeffernŸsse (hard peppernuts cookies). They were put in a small glass juice bottle and then topped with a piece of Christmas fabric and a twine ribbon.

Pfeffernusse

These hard peppernut cookies are a traditional Mennonite Christmas cookie that is a family favourite of Neta Ediger’s, a friend of mine from Rosetown, Sask.

1 cup lard 250 mL

2 cups Rogers golden 500 mL

syrup

2 cups white sugar 500 mL

1 cup milk or cream 250 mL

1 teaspoon cinnamon 5 mL

1 teaspoon nutmeg 5 mL

1/2 teaspoon ground 2 mL

black pepper

2 teaspoons baking 10 mL

powder

6 cups flour, about 1.5 L

Mix to medium soft dough or consistency of drop cookie dough. Chill thoroughly. On a lightly floured board roll a handful of dough into a long roll about one inch (two cm) thick. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Place dough rolls on a cookie sheet and return to freezer to firm.

Remove two length at a time from freezer and slice into 1/4-1/2 inch (1/2 to one cm) coins.

Place slightly apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 F (180 C) oven about eight minutes until peppernuts are golden brown.

These keep almost forever if stored in a tightly covered container.

Christmas nuts & bolts

21/2 cups margarine 625 mL

1 teaspoon (heaping) 5 mL

garlic salt

Lawry’s seasoned salt, to taste

celery salt, to taste

2 tablespoons 30 mL

Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons hot sauce 10 mL

1 box Shreddies 425 g

1 box Goldfish crackers 190 g

1 box Cheerios 650 g

1 can peanuts 300 g

1 can mixed nuts, 60 300 g

percent peanuts

1 bag pretzels 200 g

Melt margarine in a large roaster but do not brown. Add seasonings and mix well. Add cereals, nuts and pretzels. Toss to mix well. Bake at 250 F (120 C) for at least one hour, stirring often. Store in glass or tin containers in cool place. The mixture will keep indefinitely.

Source: Beta Sigma Phi International Holiday Cookbook.

Betty Ann Deobald is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.