NEWS photo Stuart Dovis JAY WILSON (left) and Danny Shoppe of the Christmas Tree Fac- tory give some tips on making your Christmas tree last longer. Wilson and Shoppe suggest warming up the tree before bringing it inside (for example leaving it on the balcony or in the garage), cutting half an inch off the bottom of the tree and setting the tree in a mixture of 25 - Sunday, December 21, 1986 - North Sicre News Entertaining can be easy with microwave snacks DURING the hectic Christmas and New Year’s season, many cooks just don’t have enough time for festive party snacks. Here are some quick recipes supplied by Micro Chefs Micro- wave cooking classes that make holiday entertaining a breeze. Bacon Sticks 10 thin bread sticks, any flavor 5 slices bacon, halved lengthwise Yo cup grated Parmesan cheese Dredge one side of bacon strip in cheese; roll it against the bread stick diagonally. Place sticks on a baking tray or dish lined with Paper towels and microwave on high setting four to six minutes. Roll again in cheese. These may be assembled in advance and stay crisp several hours after microwav- ing. Hot Mushroom Dip 4 slices bacon V2 tb. fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, mincet V4 tsp, salt 2 tbsp. flour Ve tsp. freshly ground pepper 8 oz. cream cheese (cut up} 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp. soya sauce Y2 cup sour cream crackers, chips & breadsticks Cook bacon in the microwave. jake Christmas safe NEVER USE electric light strings on metallic trees, warns the Canadian Standards Association. A current leak from faulty lights or wiring could result in an electrical shock for anyone coming into contact with the metal branches. Instead, shine a spot or floodlight for a colorful ef- fect, the CSA advises. Many people do not realize that the reflector which fits around the bulb also requires CSA certification. The reflector is often sold with the Christmas light string. To make sure you use the right size reflector, exam- ine the reflector or the pack it comes in. One or the other must indicate the size of the bulb the reflectar can be used with. To guard against shock hazard, let the metais of the reflector contact the screw shell of either the lamp or the socket. KK Jackets - Dacron Hollofill Reg. $99.99 § JP’s Clearance $§G°° dies. Stretch leans z Season’s & Lee fi Reg. $44.99 & Try Us At 3340 Ladies & Missy sizes 148 [ FASHION LEISURE WEAR 967 West 1st St., North Van. oR SiO SR SUR SUR SK Sd SUR Sg Sig SUK SB everyday prices ar retaliers’. sale prices! Men’s Dress Socks 100% Cotton Asst. Colours Other Reta Stores $7.99 JP's Clearance $399 MALLARD DUCK SWEATSHIRT Reg. $24.99 SALE PRICE 516.00 : {up the ramp half block west of HomeTown (Beaver Lumber)] Check to make sure the reflectors have insulation, consisting of either plastic or a non-metallic material, placed between the lamp and the metal part of the reflector. If you have an appliance with a polarized piug (one blade wider than the other), make sure the ¢xtension cord is also polarized. If the extension cord is not polarized slots will be too small to accep? the wider blade. If you find that a plug becomes hot or loose when plugged-in, this is an indication that the wall recep- tacle contacts are worn. This could be especially evident with plug caps on heaters or portable cooling appliances, such as frying pans that draw a lot of current. If a plug is unusually hot or loose, it’s time to replace the wall receptacle. Failure to do so could result in overheating or a potential fire hazard. Drain, reserving two tbsp. fat; set aside. In a small batter bowl, add mushrooms, onion and garlic to drippings. Cook one or two minutes until tender. Mix in flour, salt and pepper; add cream cheese, Worcestershire and soya sauce. Cook on medium (50 per cent) until cheese is melted. Creamy Clam Dip 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 (5 0z) cans whole baby clams, drained 2 tbsp. finely diced celery 1 tbsp. dried onion 2 tsp. prepared horseradish V2 tsp. seasoned salt dash Worcestershire sauce dash Tabasco 3 tbsp. milk or 2 tbsp. milk & 1 tbsp. clam nectar Beat softened cream cheese. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat on medium (50 per cent) for three to four minutes or until hot, stirring vegetables. Sprinkle with paprika. with crackers, chips or vegetables. Christmas Pudding 1 cup grated carrot 1 cup grated apple 1 cup grated potato 1 cup dark brown sugar Y2 cup butter or margarine Serve raw 1 cup raisins Y% cup sherry, rum or orange juice Legg - 1 cup flour 1 tsp. of each of baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Prepare grated carrot, potato and apple, all of which should weigh one pound. Place the raisins in sherry and microwave on high for one minute. Cream together sugar and butter, add beaten egg. Stir in grated carrot, potato and apple, raisins, flour and spices, mixing well. Spoon mixture into a greased two-quart mold or batter bowl, leaving a two-inch space at the top. Cover with plastic wrap. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Test with a skewer to see if cooked. Skewer should come out clean. Golden Lemon Sauce 1 cup water ¥2 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp. cornstarch juice and rind of 1 lemon 1 tbsp. butter Combine water, sugar and corn- starch and microwave on high two minutes. Stir, then microwave on high for one minute or until boil- ing. Add lemon juice, rind, and butter. Surprise Your Loved One With A Marlin Travel Gift Certificate 8 LYNN VALLEY CENTRE PHONE 984-4545 PARK ROYAL SOUTH § PHONE 922-9301 | ON cecedeececncecnceceeace clr lo Heusen Diess Shirts Reg. $19.99 Sizes 14%2-17 Compare $1299 i ; gy _ | LADIES’ 100% COTTON SWEATERS jj Reg. 69.99 § need 29% (fuchsia, purple, royal) “Where it pays to find us!”’ Open 7 days a week Christmas Hours: Monday-Friday until 9:00 980-8070 Bie Bir Bors Bless Bers rss Bers Bere Bers Bers, % e OEE DES : Jeon iz i c ate Ms Te & ecates u toe: ere oe «, Something Special <7) 2 ae ...For Somecne Special? a gift of silk by Adagio a # fa B E 18 e ep eH eB fH aah if a Upstairs at the Lonsdale Quay Market, 984-7243 & Ty Bort Deroy Bios Bers Brey Drs: Bors Bers Dace, Bere, Bere Bre Bre BA GRRE SSA a eS a