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Talk of the Town: Holiday food police patrol unmercifully

Photo by Mario Aguilar
Lola’s leather art
Lola Lee Loveall recently took a third-place ribbon for her piece pictured here titled, “It’s that damn white mule again” at the 2007 International Federation of Leathercraft Guilds’ show in Fort Worth, Texas.

By Regina Ford

Published: Saturday, December 8, 2007 9:01 PM MST

I do say “bah humbug” about some things at this time of year. I’m not talking about the crass commercialism and forced frivolity. I’m finger-pointing at the food police who come out with their badges beaming and their annual hints on how to get through the holidays without gaining 300 pounds.

You can’t pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday eating do’s and don’ts, many suggesting that one pass on second helpings, skip the extra glass of eggnog and take only a sliver of fruitcake.

“Fill up at the crudit/ platter with all those cut-up veggies,” they say.

Holy holly wreaths! Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a lowly carrot stick? I don’t think so. It’s not mine, either. Carrots were something you left for Santa’s reindeer.

I have my own list of tips for holiday eating during the festive season. In moderation, holiday fare is worth the indulgence. There is nothing wrong with a little splurge, just be aware of when to stop. When your pants don’t zip up anymore, that’s a pretty good indicator you’re eating a little too much figgy pudding (whatever that is).

Here are your hints of the day:

About those blasted carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

Drink as much eggnog as you can...and quickly. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s holiday time!

Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free...lots of it. Hello?

Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can’t leave them behind. You’re not going to see them again.

Did someone mention fruitcake? OK, so it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards, folks! (My dad’s fruitcake is worth a nibble, though. It is mighty tasty, and even die-hard fruitcake haters like it.)

Green Valley resident Lola Lee Loveall and her husband, Gordon recently returned from the 2007 International Federation of Leathercraft Guilds’ show in Fort Worth, Texas, where she had entered six leather pictorial carvings, taking home a white third-place ribbon for one of her Western genre pictures titled, “It’s that Damn White Mule Again.”

The International Federation of Leather Guilds is a non-profit organization whose main goal is to promote and foster the art of leathercraft. The federation has one annual show per year which rotates from member guild to member guild and so from city to city.

While at the leather show, Lola was also able to attend two classes by top leather artist Jim Linnell and Tony Laier. Earlier this year she attended a class by Chan Geer, as well as showing leather artwork in Wickenburg, Ariz. and in Sheridan, Wyo.

Lola studied basic art classes in Vallejo, Calif. in the 1960s, including clay and leatherwork.

After moving to Green Valley four years ago, she said, she was fortunate to study sculpting with Valerie James at Pima Community College and Myra Christeck, who conducted ceramic classes in the Villages of Green Valley.

Working from her home studio, Lola is now preparing to submit another leather art photos to an upcoming art show in Tucson.

She says that although leather is not generally considered an art medium as painting or sculpture are, it combines certain advantages of each.

“It’ possibilities are only limited by the talent and imagination of the artist,” she adds. “If painters can use canvas, wood, paper, etc., why not leather?”

Lola, 78, also belly dances and recently attended her 60th high school reunion.

The Christian Women’s Connection of Green Valley invites you to join them for an original, humorous monologue presented by Linda Freeman of Quail Creek Resort Community portraying Mrs. Mozart, beginning at 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Green Valley Elks Lodge #2592, 2951 S. Camino Mercado.

Tickets are $13 inclusive and reservations are necessary, and must be honored, cancelled or used by a friend. Call Suzy at 625-9882 or Ruth at 648-5737 or e-mail jlevi2@cox.net to reserve your seat.

Mrs. Mozart’s talk is a period piece, taking place in 1797 in Philadelphia. Freeman will be in costume from that time.

Marilyn Henry of Tucson, a former teacher and writer will be the speaker presenting, “Here Comes and Earthquake: Ready or Not.”

rford@gvnews.com


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