Happy Holidays to all readers and advertisers! The holidays are upon us and all we can do is make a decision that we’re going to enjoy the ride. We know that our plates will be full, there will be extra demands on all of us but, hey—doesn’t it feel better to enjoy it all and instead of sweating all the small stuff?

One of the things that I enjoy the most at this time of the year is the cooking with my kids. We do Thanksgiving and Christmas together. I spoke about one of our daughter, Carissa’s, favorite recipes—Pumpkin Rolls, in this column last month. I’ve received a number of requests for the recipe on this Van deWalle tradition, so I’m going to share it with you. We’ve tweaked it over the years. It’s not as sweet as some that I’ve had, which is the way we like it! If you try this recipe out, I think it will soon become one of your traditions, too. Have a GREAT HOLIDAY, and we’ll talk in 2009—Yikes!

Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Cake: 3 eggs, 1 C sugar, 2/3 C pumpkin (canned), 1 t. lemon juice, 3/4 c. flour, 1 t. baking powder, 2 t. cinnamon, 1 t. ginger, 1/2 t. nutmeg, 1/2 t. salt.

Filling: 4 T. butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 t. vanilla, 1 C. powder sugar.
Beat 3 eggs on high for 5 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in pumpkin, add lemon juice and baking powder. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients.

Spread out a well greased and floured cookie sheet pan—15”x10”x1”. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Take a white dish towel and cover one side with powdered sugar. When cake is finished, flip cake onto the towel. Take the towel and roll it up and put in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take the filling and spread out over the pumpkin cake roll. Re-roll. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice into 3/4 inch slices. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.

SPECIAL NOTES

The holiday’s are upon us again. This month we have some great stories to help give you ideas for those on your shopping list you have yet to buy for. Look through the pages as our advertisers have some great offers and ideas for you as well.

Give yourself and your family the gift of cleaner air. Have the air that you breathe cleaned for a sweet price by Brad at Air Duct Cleaning of Iowa. See their ad on page 8 for more information. — Cameras to capture all your priceless moments and more are now at special pricing at HB Leiserowitz. See their ad on page 14. — Looking for a job? Is your business in need of additional staff? Katie and the staff at PorticoHR not only find great employees for great companies, but they also never charge a fee to for the employee looking for that great job. See their ad on page 15. — Make your New Year’s resolution to finally rid yourself of clutter in your home or office. Call Noelle Carroll at Simply Organized, Inc. for help with garages, closets, basements, offices and so much more! See her ad on page 15. — Women’s Edition welcomes Drs. Turnquist and Hagan of Premier Prosthodontics, specialists in Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry. See their ad on page 18. Call them for more information and ask how you can qualify for a free initial consultation. — Has all the holiday hustle and bustle left you with an achy back or other pain? Johnston Chiropractic may be able to help. See their ad on page 24 you can also read more about them in our Healthy Living column.

Positive Thought of the Month

“Nothing says holidays, like a cheese log.” —Ellen DeGeneres

Or, in the Van deWalle household, a Pumpkin Roll!