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These treats are tops for trimming the tree
EDMOND — When it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree, I love having helpers. And to keep all my holiday helpers happy, I like to bake up some treats we can enjoy while decorating.
For your tree trimming helpers, try out this delicious twist on gingerbread cookies — Chocolate Gingerbread Boys and Girls. The chocolate gives them an added sweetness that will bring a smile to everyone’s face.
• Frosting cookies
Use a pastry bag with tips, commercial frosting in tubes, or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off. If spreading frosting with a knife, thin frosting with milk to desired consistency.
• Special toppings
Use candy sprinkles, cinnamon red hots, chopped nuts, Nestlé Toll House Morsels, raisins, candy corn, turbinado sugar or colored sugar to adorn cookies.
• To use as a tree decoration, make a hole with a drinking straw at the top of the cookie prior to baking. After baking, tie a loop of nylon fishing line or pretty ribbon through the hole for easy hanging.
JENNY HARPER is Consumer Test Kitchen project manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com. Family Features distributes her column. For more tree trimming treat ideas, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com.
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Pets require proper dental care for health
STILLWATER — There may be cause for concern if pet owners notice their four-legged friends have yucky doggie breath.
If you notice your pet’s breath is offensive, it might signify a serious health concern, said Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.
“Responsible pet owners take care of their pets by feeding them, exercising them and taking them to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Unfortunately, some pet owners overlook the care of their pet’s teeth,” MacAllister said. “Proper dental care is just as important for pets as it is for humans.” -
Behavior modification for the bored dog
Q: We have a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd named Sally that is home alone for eight to nine hours every day. She finds something to get on or chew up almost every day. She gets on the window seat and chews on the blind cords or cushions, or on the coffee table and chews on or breaks whatever she can get to. I do worry about her getting bored during the day, but we both work. What would you recommend we do to help her pass the time without getting bored?
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Enough of all this winter weather
No more nice guy. My pansies and I have had all the global warming we can take. It’ll be a miracle if they survive another ice storm, and my own longevity’s not all that secure either.
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Retreat ideal for scrapbookers
If you’re a cut-up, have I got a place for you! The Scrappin’ Pad south of Tahlequah was created with scrapbookers in mind.
This is a bed and breakfast with a niche. Christi Bowlin caters to the gals who glue. (OK, I know most scrapbookers wouldn’t touch a glue stick, but that phrase was just too euphonious to pass up.) -
Teens don’t ring bells, they TOA (text on arrival)
NEW YORK (AP) — Planet Teenager, where I unfortunately live, is a busy and surprising place.
On this planet, kids come and go at all hours, but nobody ever rings a bell or knocks on a door. Nobody calls to warn, “I’m on my way.” Nobody beeps a horn to say, “Your ride is here.” -
No more saying no!
Dear Mr. Dad: I feel like when I spend time with my 2-year-old, I’m constantly telling him “no!” Is there some way I can enforce boundaries without being so negative?
A: It’s no wonder that one of the first words kids learn to say is, No. After all, it’s the word they hear the most — even more than mommy, daddy, or their own name. -
Officials urge caution on tree repair
The ice and snow has not yet gone away, but already state forestry officials with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have heard that out-of-state private contractors are on their way to solicit jobs pruning or removing damaged trees.
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Online directory targets eastern red cedar
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new directory for eastern red cedar, one of the most challenging plant species in Oklahoma, was announced this week.
The eastern red cedar is a native tree of Oklahoma, but the tree that was once limited to rocky bluffs, deep canyons and other fire-free areas has now grown out of control. -
Shelter dogs enjoy a romp in the snow
Edmond Animal Welfare employees and volunteers braved the snow and icy streets Friday to take care of the dogs and cats in the city’s shelter.
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Massage may help dog’s spinal injury
Q: Our dachshund suffered a slipped disc in her spinal column about two months ago, resulting in complete paralysis of her hind legs.
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Pets require proper dental care for health


