Lifestyle

CHRISTMAS STOLLEN

• • 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast • 2.5 cups of bread flour • 1/3 cup of sugar • 1/3 cup of butter, softened • 1 large egg • 1/2 tablespoon salt • 2/3 cup diced candied citron • 1/3 cup currants • 1/3 cup golden raisins • 1/3 cup candied cherries, quartered • 6 oz marzipan • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon .

Read MoreCHRISTMAS STOLLEN

TURKEY ALTERNATIVES

While the holidays are a great time for tradition, spice up your holiday meal this year with these festive alternatives to the usual roasted turkey. TURDUCKEN This unusual dish was born on the bayou and is exactly what it sounds like: a boneless chicken stuffed inside a boneless duck inside a boneless turkey, usually with a cornbread or other traditional Southern-style stuffing inside.

Read MoreTURKEY ALTERNATIVES

CARING AT CHRISTMAS

Don’t forget about our less-fortunate animal friends during the holidays. Offering your help this holiday season is a great tradition to start. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters each year.

Read MoreCARING AT CHRISTMAS

CAT OF THE WEEK: MORTGAGE

Mortgage is a 7-month-old female domestic shorthair. She is a silly little cat who loves to play. She would benefit from a home that can offer her lots of scratching posts and toys to swat around. She has the sweetest little meow and leans into your touch when you pet her. She is an indoor only cat. She is litterbox trained and loves to cuddle. She can be a trip hazard because she likes to dance around your feet when you walk. She is microchipped but has not been spayed yet, but if you adopt her, we will make an appointment for her to be spayed and she will need to be brought in for us to take her. Text ECHS to 89871 to donate. For more information or to adopt Mortgage, contact the Erath County Humane Society at (254) 965-3247. Erath County Humane Society

Read MoreCAT OF THE WEEK: MORTGAGE

DOG OF THE WEEK: JAKE

Jake is a 3- to 4-year-old male pit mix. He is a very loving and playful boy who needs an active home. He is not good with livestock or small animals and best as an only dog. He is mostly house trained and will probably do well once he has a routine outside the shelter. He can be quite vocal so probably not good in an apartment. Jake is neutered, microchipped, heartworm negative and on prevention. Text ECHS to 89871 to donate to the Erath County Humane Society. For more information or to adopt Jake, contact the Erath County Humane Society at (254) 965-3247. Erath County Humane Society

Read MoreDOG OF THE WEEK: JAKE

Sweet potato pie makes an easy, pretty Thanksgiving dessert

In some areas of the country, especially the South, sweet potatoes make regular appearances at the end of the meal, yet for many of us elsewhere, it’s a surprise to encounter them in dessert form. But they are called sweet potatoes for a reason! This comforting, pretty and very simple pie makes a nice alternative to the more traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Read MoreSweet potato pie makes an easy, pretty Thanksgiving dessert