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Christmas 2011

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Did Santa Bring a Smartphone?

We hear that Santa left a lot of gadgets under trees this year. If you got a smartphone, we've got an app for you. If you got something else, tell us all about it.

Word on the street is that Santa left fancy gadgets under a lot of trees this year. If you were on the "Nice" list and found a smart phone, we have a suggestion for you. Check out either the Patch iPhone app or Patch Places for Android.  Patch for iPhone Patch for iPhone keeps you connected to the latest community news, weather, local business listings and events happening around your block. Patch’s app lets you stay engaged and mobile by delivering 24/7 coverage of your neighborhood. We’ve already got the scoop in over 800 towns and growing! Check out all of Patch’s useful features including: Plus, save anything from favorite stories to business listings direct to your iPhone for easy offline access. And we value all customer opinions, so…

Friday, December 23, 2011

Track Santa's Journey Right Here

Finally, the Internet reaches its potential - follow Santa's journey online in real-time.

For 364 days out of the year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) spends its time tracking airplanes, missiles, space ships—anything flying near the United States and Canada.  But on Christmas Eve, a team of volunteers spends the night tracking a very special pilot: Santa Claus.  "We are the only organization that has the technology, the qualifications and the people to do it," NORAD said on its website. "NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house."  Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west, NORAD noticed, meaning he moves from the South Pacific to New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa and …

Cora Rowe

4:00 pm on Saturday, December 24, 2011

Can't wait to see the jolly old fella! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.   more ›

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Let's Make Christmas Cookies

It's time to make like Betty Crocker and fill those cookie tins.

When people say they are going to make Christmas cookies, they rarely mean just one type of cookie. No, the term Christmas cookie covers a lot of territory, or at least it should. If you find that you're stuck in a cookie rut, here are some options that will add variety to your holiday cookie tins. Gingerbread cookies: Few cookies say Christmas more than a gingerbread cookie. There's something about pairing them with a strong cup of coffee that's really tough to top. This recipe from the Food Network's Alex Guarnaschelli produces great results with minimal effort. And don't forget, decorating them is half the fun! Snickerdoodles: This is a rich man's version of a butter cookie. A few extra ingredients take it to a whole different level. …

Monday, December 12, 2011

What Tops Your Child's Wish List?

Every kid has their own special list for Santa. What is at the top of your kid's wish list?

We're getting into the homestretch for Christmas gifts now. It's time to stop browsing and start choosing. For friends and significant others, that can be pretty easy. Even if you miss the mark a bit, they'll appreciate the thought. It's different with kids. If they've asked Santa for something special, they'll be crestfallen if it doesn't appear under the tree on Christmas morning. Way back in July, the folks at Amazon took a stab at what they thought would be the "must-get" list for this year. We'll see if they were on target or not, but Toys R Us has its own list and there are a lot of differences. Meanwhile, there are some video games coming out just in the (Saint) Nick of time. What is your child asking Santa to bring? What's the one …

Joe Hart

10:01 am on Tuesday, December 13, 2011

My boys want a new basketball net for outside the house because their old one got ruined during the hurricane earlier this year. Thanks Irene.   more ›

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Two Quick, Painless Holiday Appetizers

Both of these include shortcuts aimed at giving the cook a little more time to spend with guests.

The holiday season often means a hosting parties, get-togethers or some other sort of gathering. You can always just put out a veggie tray or chips and store-bought dip, but if you don’t mind investing a little time, you can offer your guests a little something special. Here are two options, both with shortcuts aimed at making things a little easier.  Simple Cheese & Crackers A little prep done well in advance makes these "heat & eat" 1 pound goat cheese (NOT feta!) 1 jar roasted garlic Your favorite cracker Fresh chives The goat cheese can get kind of pricey, but many wholesale clubs carry it in one-pound logs. Depending on the size of the group you’re expecting, you can portion it out to fit your needs. Also, you can roast your own …

Monday, December 5, 2011

What Are the Area's Best Light Displays?

Does someone in your neighborhood ring up a big PECO bill during the holiday season? Where do you point your sleigh to find cool displays?

There are plenty of great commercial light displays in our area, but there are also plenty of homes across our area that have creative, interesting and just plain fun.  So let's make each other's holiday a little brighter and a little more festive by sharing our favorite spots! For inspiration, we've included a slideshow of some of last year's great displays in Upper Southampton. If you have photos or video, please share. If not, no sweat, just include an address in the comments section!

krisann betts

7:10 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

Butler pike in ambler is very nice..nothing can be too tacky when it comes to christmas lights...they have a huge beautuful walking tour around thier front yard. Also terwood rd in upper moreland is very nice. It is between edgehill rd and greyhorse.   more ›

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Share Your Santa Photos!

Tis the season to have the big sitdown with Santa.

Call it a tradition, a routine or just a force of habit, but most of us go to THAT Santa for our annual picture. The reasons can range from personal - you just "like" that one more, to pragmatic - it's the one that's closest to home. Whatever your reason, we hope you'll share two things. First - where DO you go to see Santa and why is that YOUR Santa? Second - share your Santa photo and spread some holiday cheer!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Lighten Your Holiday Menu

Had enough heavy holiday foods yet? Here's a recipe for an easy-to-make soup that will add plenty of vitamin C to your diet - and it tastes great, too.

The holiday seasons tend to be a time when we overindulge at the dinner table – too many treats, too many heavy meals and way too many pumpkin pies. Here’s a way to lighten things up a little – a comforting soup that will get plenty of vitamin C into your system. This is a carrot & ginger soup that works well as part of a large meal or simple as a light bite. Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter 2 medium onions (Vidalia if you got ‘em), peeled and diced 2 clovers garlic finely minced 6 cups chicken broth 2 pounds carrots, peeled and diced Handful of shredded carrots 3 tbsp grated fresh ginger 1 cup whole milk (totally optional!) Salt & pepper to taste Parsley for garnish You’ll need your big stockpot and blender for this one. In your stockpot, melt …

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Look for Patch at the Hatboro Holiday Parade

Kick off the holiday season with this great Hatboro tradition and look for the Patch crew. We'll be handing out candy and Patch swag.

Thanks to some extraordinary hard work, we will all be able to enjoy the Hatboro Holiday Parade's 51st edition Sunday afternoon. According to the Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce, this year's parade will feature more than 100 entries - fire trucks, string bands, marching bands and Patch. Hey, we love a good party as much as anyone. A Patch crew will be walking the parade route and we hope you'll say hello. We'll be handing out candy and Patch swag - pens, magnets, maybe a few t-shirts - so flag us down. Two important tips. First, the chamber is expecting about 50,000 people, so get into downtown Hatboro early and find a good spot along York Road. Be patient, as many roads will be closed to allow parade participants like us to get …

We Have a Turkey Roasting Tip; Share Your Holiday Secret

If you're going to roast a turkey this holiday season, here's a way to make it the most juicy and flavorful bird you've ever made. What's your secret to a great holiday dinner?

The holidays include a lot of meals and while there are similarities from house to house, everyone seems to have that little something to make it special. It could be a special side dish or dessert handed down over the generations. Or maybe it's a little kitchen trick that saves time and effort. In the spirit of the season, let's share our collective wisdon, shall we?  We'll get things started with the star of many holiday meals, the turkey. Folks have tried many ways to add flavor and moisture, but don't be fooled. You need to rely on solid scientific principles, which lead you to one simple solution - brine your turkey. Most folks cringe at the idea of using a brine, because they think it will make their bird taste salty. Watch the video…

Liz Shockley

4:18 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I heard on Martha Stewart one time to brush the turkey with oil before cooking because then you won't have to baste it. Seems to work! Not really a secret since I saw it on tv but it's what I do.   more ›

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