(Christmas News - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnections)

Dear friends and readers of my columns – I am sorry I failed to get my weekly article into the paper on time for publication. I want to thank you all for all the text messages, phone calls and concerns pertaining to no column last week.

As most of you know the annual United Way Christmas Tree display has once again turned the Blennerhassett Hotel into a winter wonderland with a decision this year to decorate the trees earlier than usual. It was rather difficult with the early decorating times because of my already busy schedule and presented a problem of trying to fit everything in. However, I enjoy decorating the trees and have done so for 30 years and still enjoy doing so and volunteering my time and helping to raise funds for the United Way.

Therefore with no hesitation I committed once again this year to rearrange my schedule to be able to enter four beautiful decorated trees. With the early decorating times it made it where last week was a run-run week to gather all the decorations and items needed. The positive thing was that this year the weather was beautiful and running to purchase items and to my storage buildings to get everything I needed was more enjoyable.

When I was younger I would enter six trees for the auction and then it went down to five trees and finally down to four trees.

With only three days and limited hours to decorate the trees it was time crunching but where there is a will there is a way and I was pleased with myself that I was able to make the deadline.

Thanks to my generous yearly sponsors that I appreciate very much and every year I try to do my best and to make them proud and to represent them and their businesses.

This year I am especially pleased with my four entries and the trees will be on display for all the public from now till Dec. 11 so be sure to stop in and enjoy all the wonderful decorated trees that will inspire your Christmas spirit and even pick up ideas for your personal tree at home.

Last year some people were telling me it was hard to find my trees, so this year I will tell you an easy way to spot them. Number one tree is located at the entrance of the hotel on the left with red and gold decorations. plus three red Nutcracker hats. Then turn right and go to the bar where you will see my Black and Hot Pink “Kate Spade” tree. Right under the Bar TV you will see my “Mannequin Tree” with teal wings and silver decorations. Down the hallway towards the Ballroom and on the right you will see my “Dog Tree” with dogs that talk and bark etc. plus to top it off the purchaser of the tree will receive a “free” live dog of their choice from the Parkersburg Humane Society.

Please stop in and see all the 60 beautiful decorated trees by many very talented tree decorators in our area.

A special “thank you” to all the sponsors, decorators, attorney Dan Marshall and to Stacy and Morgan DeCicco of the United Way and workers.

Till next week.

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PEAR CHIP PRESERVES

4 lb. pears

3-and-a-half cups sugar

2 lemons

2 inch square crystallized ginger

4 cups water

Peel pears, remove cores and slice paper thin. Make a syrup of the sugar and water. Add lemons, cut small, and ginger chopped small. Add pears and boil gently one hour. Pour into hot sterilized glasses and seal immediately. Makes 8-9 glasses.

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BLUEBERRY CAKE

1 cup plus some blueberries

1/2 lb. butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

One-half cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Have butter and eggs at room temperature. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add baking powder to flour. Add vanilla to milk. Add flour and milk alternately to batter in 3 parts, ending with flour. Add blueberries gently. Bake in greased, floured loaf pan at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until toothpick comes out clean.

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CINNAMON APPLE CAKE

3 cups all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 eggs

1 cup oil

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 cup orange juice

5-6 medium apples

Mix eggs, sugar and oil. Add dry ingredients then add vanilla and orange juice mixed. Mix 2 tablespoons cinnamon and 6 tablespoons sugar. Pare and slice 5 or 6 medium apples and stir most of the cinnamon and sugar mixture into sliced apples. Grease and flour a 12 x9 inch pan.

Spread 1/3 of batter, then layer of apples, etc. Sprinkle top with remaining sugar and cinnamon.

Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Test to see if done.