Wagner's cd and Hipster Chanukah

 

Wagner planning cd release party

Dwight Wagner says he mentions Jesus in a lot of his songs, but not all of them. Even so, he’s hoping to have a release party for a new recording he hopes will appear in January or February.

He says it’s some gospel, some inspirational and all positive.

Wagner sings City by the Sea, called the Port Arthur Song, and says he’s been invited to write a song to honor Jefferson County. This longtime Port Arthur principal is retired from the Port Arthur Independent School District.

And now, in other holiday news:

Hipster Chanukah

Sweaters can spark faith sharing this holiday season. The “ugly holiday sweater” trend is still hot. Most of these themes trend toward snowmen, Santas and tree bling. Carin Agimand was invited to one and hadn’t a stitch to wear. She created Geltfiend.com and came up with a line that’s far from ugly. This season I’ll be sporting a fine-quality acrylic/spandex blend adorned with driedles in blue and ivory. The gold model with the Star of David and menorahs in gold tones really rock. If you’ve seen me visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Port Arthur, you know I’m Catholic, but I’m loving the discussions my sweater are turning up. Look up the Hassidic Snowmen, you’ll want your own. I also love the festive postcards that came with, with lines such as “Too Thin? Try some Channukah, fattening Jews up since 165 BCE. Happy Holidays to everyone, and I mean everyone.

It’s all about “hue”

I wish I’d heard of Dermelect’s new Moon Kissed “shimmy off white with silver accents” nail polish before the Triangle Aids Network Paint the Town Silver benefit, but it’s a shoe-in for the rest of the sparkly holiday season. All th Envy, a metallic chartreuse and lust Struck, a coral cream opaque, are others in the Me Resort 2013 Collection with signature peptide technology. They fit into the season’s grend forecast and address fragile and weak nails. The peptide comes from New Zealand sheep’s wool and I’m telling you, this brand goes on smooth. There’s a real difference when you compare this formula to what other brands sold years ago. Even when you remove the product, you can tell Dermelect leaves nails in a better condition.

“Celebrating Home” by Christy Rost

An evening lighting ceremony of switching on small lamps makes the long winter evenings glow for Rost, who must make that myth that Texans and Coloradoans don’t mix dissolve. Her “Handbook for Gracious Living” shares how she sets tables, cooks and entertains in Dallas and Breckenridge. It’s both cozy and lavish and I’m sure every guest leaves with a lasting memory. Her husband is in on this welcoming attitude as they serve dishes such as Sea Scallops iwht tripel Sec-Orange Sauce and Mango Ponzu Salsa. Here’s the chutney she serves with Jumbo Prawns with Feather-Light Crust.

Spicy Mango Chutney

3 ripe mangos, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4 –inch cubes

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 cups sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped

½ teaspoon chili flakes

1 tablespoon cornstarch

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons tart apple cider

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons curry powder

½ teaspoon dry ginger

¼ teaspoon Saigon cinnamon

Preheat a medium saucepan over medium heat, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes or until it begins to soften; stir in the chile flakes.

Place the cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk in 2 tablespoons of the apple cider to form a  smooth slurry; set it aside. Stir in the remaining cider into the onion mixture and add brown sugar, granulated sugar, vinegar, curry powder, ginger and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir in the mango and reserved cornstarch slurry and cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently and the mixture thickens and reduces by one fourth.