Christmas memories

Christmas memories can be fun. I grew up with 3 sisters and clearly remember all the fun Barbie doll stuff we got. One year it was a 3 story pink Barbie house we all had to share! What joy that was on Christmas morning, coming down the stairs to see that near the tree. One year it was a Barbie car, that was a lot of fun also.

And Christmas memories can be sad and depressing too. After my parents got divorced, those next few Christmas's were quite sad. Divorce is so hard on kids, who don't understand what is going on.

I have a hard time at Christmas still. Oh, I love the look of wonder and excitement on our children's faces. I love buying them just the right gifts, of decorating the house with their paper snowmen and making cookies to frost and decorate. We all love driving around at night and looking at the lights and displays. But my 3 sisters, Mom, Dad and I are all scattered in different states. No more of Mom's divinity candy (unless she makes some and sends it to us), no more going to church and hearing the sweet sound of Moms voice as she sings. Well, there are lots of no more's in my book. And I try not to dwell on the sad. So I wont continued to go down that road in this post. Back to the fun...

One year, we were able to get our then 3 yr old daughter a pink Barbie ride on jeep, the kind with the battery in it. You should of heard her scream of delight that Christmas morning. Her and older brother, and when younger brother was big enough, him too,had the best fun on that thing. They drove it till the battery would not work anymore, then they 'drove' it some more. Sometimes down a hill, sometimes with big brother pulling it. That jeep gave the kids at least 6 yrs of fun!

I mentioned divinity candy, and it IS divine!! I have yet attempted to make it on my own. I guess that is what makes it special, if Moms makes it and sends me some. But for myself, another treat that is made mostly just at Christmas is fudge. Both chocolate and peanut butter. These are a MUST at this time of year. Here are my recipes, I found them on the net about 5 yrs ago. I'm sorry, don't know where I found them or who put them out there. But they are scrumpious!

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

2 C brown sugar
1/2 C cocoa
1/2 C butter
1/2 C milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 C powder sugar

Put powder sugar in a large bowl.

In a medium sized pot, melt butter, add milk, brown sugar and cocoa. Bring to boil, and boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Take off heat, stir in vanilla. Pour over powder sugar and beat till most the lumps are gone.

Pour into round cake pan, pie plate, etc and let cool.

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

2 1/4 C brown sugar
1/2 C butter
1/2 C milk
3/4 C peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C powder sugar

Put powder sugar in large bowl.

Melt butter, add milk and brown sugar. Bring to boil, and boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter. Stir. Pour over powder sugar and beat till most the lumps are gone.

Pour into round cake pan, pie tin, etc. Cool

These fudge recipes are great to give someone in a pretty tin!

I hope you have lots fond, happy memories of Christmas past.

Enjoy the fudge!

Till next time....

Dorian