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A This special beverage setissavedfor This specialbeverage onepurpose: with hot cupsandsaucers letteredmatching on the sides withtheword we have a golden yellow and earthenwarea set of pitcher gigantic, teas,Christmas juices andpunches. fruit andwarmed At ourhouse, hot from a mug or cup: hotchocolate, , coffees, rich chai or from neighbors, mailcarriers, teachers, andbusinessassociates. chutneys; deliciousbreads are andpies—all sure togetresponses grateful boxes; incolorful goods wrapped homemade, jellies, canned jams, and on thestove. winter vegetables, andspecialbreads are from pulled theovens orsimmer , cream pieswithmeringue, mincetarts, turkeys, hams, roasts, Christmas. And kitchens are the place to gather, as , Christmas . has made its way to us via France is “chocolate ” over homemade soda be will a staple as well. A breakfast that favorite of the South ham and potatoes. For Irish descendants, potatoes are notoptional, and mixture),anchovy bread), (arye vörtbröd andlutfisktothetraditional menu, (aneggand gubböra familiesinsiston including whileSwedish roots while, at the same time, making each family’s celebration unique. have table, onto marched the Christmas right to our us back bringing isthegreat meltingpot; heritages truly ourvarious ofall thefoods merica love. Taste andsee!” tofamily,home tohome and family we tosay: findways is “Christmas sledding on thehillside. children froma meltingmarshmallow for who come inhalf-frozen Some of my favorite tastes of Christmas are tastesofChristmas thosesippedsteaming- ofmyfavorite Some oftheseason are thosefrom ofthebestgifts Some thekitchen. Baked mightbe, histories ourfamily ofWhatever isavitalpart food Italian familiesmay add pastasandfabulous saucestotheChristmas As Ithinkofit, isagiant, Christmas season-long tastingparty. From #

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a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas

Manhattan. Her mother was a famous ballerina, and her . We spent the night there and woke up the Taste See father was also in show business. next morning to coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls. What and Maria and I became best of friends almost immedi- a wonderful time we had! I will never forget that first ~ Calvin Miller ~ ately. She, like myself, was studying acting and was also Christmas. The memory is embedded in my heart forever. a folk singer. We began singing together in the dorm First, come with me to the wonder of . . . and continued when we went back to the city . . . and rustic shepherds we somehow landed a recording contract with Columbia kneeling in a shepherd’s cave. Records and started performing all over Greenwich Then come with me to Grandma’s house. Village. It was a very exciting part of my life—and the time when I first got a taste of Christmas. Literally! Here is a jar of raspberry jam The first Christmas I really experienced was when next to a loaf of her best bread. Maria and her family invited my brother and me to And there is Grandma, this wonderful, their home for a party. I will never aged lover of God, forget getting on a subway in the Bronx on the way to a kind of angel who wanted nothing Manhattan with my brother, Hy. It was already snowing more than to see her children and Christmas Feasting that evening, and it was extremely cold. Yet we were so excited that the cold didn’t mat- grandchildren love God. “Gifts of time and love ter. When we finally And along the way, while she prayed are surely the basic ingredients of arrived at Maria’s hour by hour a truly merry Christmas. “ family’s apartment, that all of us children would please Peg Bracken the smell of fresh the Christ of , bread and cider and Now, years after that first Christmas celebration, the Isaacs’ cinnamon put me in she stirred some of God’s rich raspberries Christmas dinner is always followed by this family tradition— Lily Isaacs a trance! We walked into pectin and , thinking My First Taste of Christmas taking turns reading the story of the first Christmas. in and saw all the time of her everywhere, along Now my favorite family Christmas tradition of ours is eing raised in a Jewish home, we celebrated Hanukkah Christmas Day breakfast. with and the reading of the real Christmas story—the birth of our rather than Christmas. This holiday has nothing to do with And while the glorious confection was and the Lord . First we have dinner, which usually consists BChristmas, but somehow it always seemed to fall at about the hot and red, most amazing Christ- of lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and hot apple pie. Then we same time of year. It kind of distracted me from feeling left out, she stirred the whole thing into a Mason jar, mas tree! It was over- gather in my family room. I have five grandchildren, and because we would light the menorah for eight days and exchange whelming, and they of course with my three kids and their spouses, there’s a sterilized the joy in boiling water— some gifts with family and friends. We also had —a made us feel so welcome. bunch of us! We sit around in a big circle, and all five of the rubber seal melting onto a glass rim— family favorite—and a special Hanukkah called rougallach, We met some other my brilliant grandchildren take turns passing the Bible and the jam cooled and waited. which my mother made. guests and ate a big meal around, with each one reading a passage of Scripture. Waited and waited. In college I majored in theater arts and took a summer Lily is pictured here with her dear with turkey and ham with Next, we all take turns and tell how grateful we are to college friend, Maria Neumann, who course one year at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, where I met my all the trimmings. After be together and how we praise the Lord for His gift of Continued on page 135 helped give Lily her first real taste roommate, a girl named Maria Neumann. Her family lived in of Christmas. dinner we were served life to us. We then get down on our knees in a circle and 126 127 a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas have a family prayer. This is the most precious time for 5. Add more pepper if desired (you are not likely to need Solveig Leithaug me. The meal, the presents—none of the hoopla even salt, as the dried beef is salty). Serve in a Christmas Christmas Dinner: comes close to the specialness of this time together. But tureen with stacks of hot, homemade biscuits. from Norway to Nashville it all started the year I was invited to the Christmas feast d of my dear friend and her family. Gloria’s hristmas was a season filled with traditions. Mom “When it comes to the tastes of Christmas, Perfect Biscuits would start her seven kinds of Christmas so much comes to mind: oranges from my sister in Florida, Every Time! Ccookies early in December. The was homemade caramels, eggnog, hot drinks like cider, tea, 2 cups always freshly cut and decorated on what we would call and flavored coffees, and Christmas morning brunch! Little , December 23rd. In Norway we 4 teaspoons baking powder I easily gain five pounds every year.” celebrate Christmas Eve as our “big day,” with the rice 1½ teaspoons salt Buddy Greene porridge served at lunch with a hidden . (Who- ½ cup shortening ever gets the almond in their bowl wins the treasured, (I use -flavored Crisco®) pig-shaped .) Churches all over the country “Carolers on our kitchen island make me smile when I’m working Gloria Gaither 1 egg would offer multiple Christmas services into the late Christmas Breakfast at the Gaithers’ at the stove.” —Gloria afternoon, then everyone, festively dressed, would eat he only time of the whole year that I make chipped their Christmas dinners and open up gifts in the evening. 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, beef gravy and biscuits is Christmas morning. The Dinner would then be served piping hot, right after and salt. Work in the shortening. Twhole family crowds around our big oak table by the Chipped Beef Gravy the church bells rang in Christmas. The traditional kitchen fire (which Bill keeps burning all night Christmas 2 (4.5-ounce) jars of dried beef 2. Break the egg in a cup and fill the rest of the cup west coast Christmas meal of smoked rack of lamb ribs (I use the Armour® brand) Eve), and there is much happy conversation and story- with milk. Pour milk and egg into flour-and- (pinnekjøtt) was served with the standard side dishes shortening mixture, and mix until all ingredients telling. With the gravy and biscuits I usually serve ¼ stick of butter of steamed potatoes, carrots, and mashed rutabagas, are just blended. Don’t overmix. fresh fruit (berries, melon, mandarin oranges, bananas) 1 cup scalding hot water drizzled with drippings of bacon as an added in glasses I’ve chilled in the freezer, and a big plate of 2 cups milk 3. Pour onto a floured cutting board touch. Mom always added a few raspeballer, or and gently shape with floured hands potato dumplings, as well—one of my all-time scrambled eggs sprinkled with grated cheddar. When the 2 heaping tablespoons flour until dough is about 1-inch thick. favorite dishes. children were home, this breakfast followed the reading pepper Cut with cutter and place is a traditional Norwegian of the Christmas story from Luke 2 and the opening of 1. With kitchen shears, cut beef in narrow strips biscuits in a greased, 9-inch pan. almond ring cake, which is a Christmas fa- gifts, but now that they open Christmas presents earlier, Keep gently tucking the into a large skillet. vorite but can also be used for other special in their own homes, they all come over afterward for edges of the remaining dough 2. Add butter and water, bring to a boil, cover, holidays. The most common for a breakfast around 10 a.m. The children bring favorite into shape, but don’t handle and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes Norwegian Christmas dinner is Multekrem, things to show us, and the conversation is about the any more than needed. to coax the from the meat. Add pepper. or cloud berries with cream in krumkake, great things that happened in their own houses when 3. Meanwhile, put milk and flour into a shaker, 4. Bake biscuits in oven at 350° a crusty, thin, rolled sweet wafer like a they awoke on Christmas morning. After breakfast, we until lightly golden brown. and shake until smooth. cone-shaped . Although Mom gather in the living room with our last cup of coffee or Serve hot with butter and 4. Gradually add flour mixture to meat mixture over honey, or with chipped beef juice and open presents from each other and the friends medium heat, stirring constantly. Have extra milk Kransekake (left) is a traditional or sausage gravy. we’ve added and, thankfully, great-grandparents and on hand to thin if gravy thickens beyond the Norwegian almond ring cake, and d cousins who drop by. consistency of a creamy sauce. also a Christmas favorite.

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would make Multekrem, she more often served us her the mashed potatoes and won’t even tell us what he puts fresh fruit salad with nuts and finely chopped pieces of Flavorful Mashed Rutabagas Big Chaff’s in them—probably because they are a heart attack wait- Norwegian accompanied by a dollop of va- ing to happen! Our oldest daughter, Dionne, makes a 2-3 pounds rutabaga, Holiday Cranberry Relish nilla ice cream or sweet potato and apple casserole; my nieces Alyson and peeled and cut in chunks 1 pound cranberries . Elizabeth make and roasted vegetables; water 1 apple Reading the Christmas sto- 2 teaspoons salt 1 pear ry from Luke ⅓ cup butter 2 oranges 2 in honor of ½ teaspoon 1 cup sugar our Savior’s freshly ground black pepper 1 lemon, juiced (optional) birth before 1. Put the rutabagas in a large saucepan and cover 4 ounces Cointreau® or Grand Marnier® enjoying our with water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil; 1. Very coarsely chop the cranberries in a Christmas reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes food processor. dinner is a or until tender. The photo from our Christmas dinner table in 2. Manually chop the unskinned apple and tradition I have Nashville: to the left are my sons David (18) 2. Drain and let dry in a colander or in the pan pear into small cubes. and John (10), then my daughter Kari (16) brought with me with the top ajar. From the oranges, zest as much of the peel and me. ( Jim is the photographer.) 3. from my Nor- 3. Mash the rutabagas with butter, stir in 1 tea- and squeeze as much of the juice as possible. wegian family. It’s something my children have grown spoon of salt, and sprinkle the black pepper. Add Sugar. up with—and something we have incorporated into our Serve immediately. 4. Mix all ingredients together in a glass bowl new life with my husband, Jim. (Serves 4 to 6) until sugar is dissolved. Mashed rutabagas is one of those dishes that we Options: 5. Allow to blend for a minimum of d Pictured here by the Christmas tree is the Gardner family (kids included) will A combination of rutabagas and carrots also works 12 hours in the refrigerator, and freeze whatever (left to right): Lauren, Landy, Joy, Dionne, and her husband, go back for a second well (2/3 rutabagas, 1/3 carrots). At times I add you are not going to use right away. Scott, and their son, Dyson. and third time, until 3-4 tablespoons of milk or half-and-half for a it is ALL gone. It is creamier consistency. and when my brother and sister-in-law are able to join d indeed a great ac- Instead of cooking the rutabagas in salted water, Joy Gardner us, they always bring a gourmet surprise. companiment to any chicken stock is a tasty option. Our Family Feast Lauren, our younger daughter, lived in France for meat or poultry dish. several months while she was in college, and ever since When paired with very year our entire family gathers at our house then, she selects fine cheeses, fruits, preserves, and im- cured lamb ribs, the The following dish is part of a new tradition of tastes for Christmas dinner. We each bring our favorite ported honey—a traditional French cheese-tasting—for combination is sim- that have found their way into our Tennessee home. Edish to contribute to what has become our traditional us to enjoy on Christmas Eve after all the preparations ply magic. It is Jim’s specialty, and it is a fresh, sweet and tangy Christmas meal. I make beef tenderloin, butternut for Christmas Day are complete. We usually conclude substitute for the processed, canned squash soufflé, and green beans with pine nuts. My Christmas evening with our family playing games, watch- Jim “Big Chaff ” Chaffee enjoying you get in the grocery store. It is also exceptionally sister, Joan, makes chocolate pies, coconut cream pies, ing the kids perform the plays they have written, and Christmas tasty on your turkey sandwich late on Christmas night. and chocolate éclairs from recipes that have been passed reminiscing about all the wonderful times we have spent d d morning breakfast. Bon appetit! down through our family. My son-in-law, Scott, makes celebrating the MOST wonderful time of the year.

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1. Combine ingredients and cook over medium heat, Joy Gardner stirring constantly, until boils and thickens. The Our Family Recipe 2. Add vanilla and beat well. Christmas Treats

If we could but look for a moment or two In all that heaven must be Chocolate Éclairs We’d find it eternally brownies and cream 1 cup water 1 stick butter Delicious and calorie-free. ½ cup shortening (Crisco®) 3 tablespoons cocoa Calvin Miller ⅛ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons milk “The Year-End Diet” 1 cup flour 1 box powdered sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla SquireChocolate-Covered Parsons Cherries 1. Put water, shortening, and salt into a pan and bring to a 1 cup pecans boil, making sure that shortening has melted. 1. Bring butter, cocoa, and milk to a boil and cook 1 hen I was growing up, we always got about four boxes of chocolate-covered cherries during 2. Reduce heat to warm and add flour all at once. Stir well minute. Gaither Welcome Wassail offers a warm and welcoming treat until it makes a ball around spoon. 2. Pour over powdered sugar, add vanilla, and beat well. Wthe Christmas season. In fact, I was always getting in after an afternoon of sledding. 3. Remove from heat and add eggs, one at a time, beating trouble for not leaving any for the rest of my family. 3. Add pecans. thoroughly after each egg. Today, when I see the store displays go up with boxes 4. Drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheet. and boxes of those chocolate-covered cherries, I know d Gaither Welcome Wassail 5. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Christmas has arrived! d 6. Reduce heat to 325° and bake 20 more minutes. In a 36-cup percolator, add: 7. Allow puffs to cool. 1 gallon Gloria Gaither 8. Cut tops off and clean out some of the inside before filling Gaither Welcome Wassail 1 (32-ounce) bottle cranberry juice with cooled filling. Replace tops, then finish with icing. d In percolator basket, place: othing smells better when guests walk in out of ½ lemon, scored and cut into pieces the December cold than the smell of apple cider Custard Filling Nand spices perking in the kitchen. And nothing tastes 6-8 cinnamon sticks Double this recipe if desired—I found I had to double so “welcome” as a sip of steaming wassail from a glass 10-12 whole cloves the filling to have enough custard to fill the puffs. mug with a cinnamon stick floating on the top. 6-8 whole allspice ¾ cups sugar I make this recipe in my big 36-cup silver percolator; optional: 1 teaspoon rum flavoring 1½ cups milk that way, a houseful of company can return again and d 2 tablespoons flour again for refills all evening. The kids love it too, after an Plug in and perk as usual. Serve with a cinnamon stick afternoon of sledding on the hillside or ice-skating on in each cup. 2 tablespoons butter d the pond. 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla

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kitchen counter, and all of us would just bust off a piece perience so vividly! And I still associate the taste of with d Ben Isaacs of the candy and eat it whenever we wanted. So every the start of Christmas! Taste and See Chocolate and Candy Canes time I eat chocolate or peppermint now, I think about ~ Calvin Miller ~ d those days visiting my grandparents for Christmas. think my favorite Christmas memory would be going JasonPeanut Butter Crabb Fudge Later the trees gave up their leaves, to my grandparents’—my dad’s parents—in Kentucky the snow came, Iand someone delivering a fifty-five-gallon barrel of Reggie Smith always call my mother-in-law, Shelta Reno, when we are and Grandma praised the Christ who had chocolate. They put it on the porch, and we kids would The Taste of Fudge going over to her house for Christmas: “Don’t forget the made her life whole, go out there with spoons and just break off chocolate I and eat it. I will never forget y dad was the music di- peanut butter fudge.” She makes the best peanut butter fudge who had sanctified the season of . it—it was good chocolate! I rector and Mom played on the planet! She always fixes us a big pan of it . . . like I need She lit the candles and waited Mthe organ for our church, so it! I’d do a whole lot better without it, but that’s one thing that don’t know where it came from. with a on her lips. we all participated in the an- I look forward to—a big glass of milk and that peanut butter My grandparents didn’t d And at long last, the day came. Deck the halls! have electricity, and they were nual Christmas cantata two fudge she makes. The raspberries were still as red as very poor. They were farmers, weeks before Christmas. On the church’s altar cloth— and I don’t ever remember re- Sunday night after the cantata, ceiving any gifts from them for we would join several other a testament of her love for her family. Christmas. Of course, when families and go caroling to She was singing “Away in a Manger” they died, there were over 100 the shut-ins who could not (it’s every grandmother’s favorite, I dare say) make it to the cantata. All the grandchildren! My dad was as she took the steaming loaf of folks we visited were so kind the baby of seventeen children, bread from her oven. so for them to get something and appreciative, but there And then she studied like that barrel of chocolate and was one particular house we the fruit of her summer’s labor. let us grandchildren enjoy it . . . would always save for last— You can imagine probably twenty the Norris’ house. Every Long months earlier, kids and the fifty-five-gallon bar- Grandma Isaacs year after we finished singing for while she’d hummed a summer hymn, rel of chocolate. It’s a smile in my had seventeen them, they would invite us inside She’d thought of this very day memory! children and more for homemade fudge! Mrs. Norris When her family, ever at the top of her prayers, Another thing my grandpar- handmade every flavor of fudge you than a hundred Would be gathered to read ents would do is bust up candy could ever want—chocolate, pea- grandchildren! the old birth story from Luke. nut butter, walnut, chocolate and canes. People would bring my She and Grandpa grandparents big old candy canes. pecan—along with Martha Wash- Then they would pray; When I was a kid, those candy Isaacs treated ington candy. It was incredible! The then they would laugh and enjoy canes looked as big as my leg, but them all to moment I tasted that fudge, I knew the season as God intended. they were probably five-pound chocolate and Christmas had arrived! candy canes. And there was al- candy canes at The Norrises have since passed Continued on page 142 ways a hammer sitting there on the Christmas. away, but I still remember that ex-

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he became an attorney and was able to live comfortably, Andy Andrews Anthony Burger our were ridiculous! They were full of toys and Old-Fashioned Potato Candy and games and wonderful things . . . It was actually a lot Homegrown Oranges about excess. And our family has carried on the tradition. nthony’s mom makes this candy every holiday d (It’s hard not to in these days of commercialism.) hen I was grow- season. A But one of the things that speaks most to me about ing up, Christ- Christmas is something a lot simpler—my grandpa’s Jell- Wmas Eve at our house O. Actually, my grandma made it for him. It was a green was always the time Old-fashioned potato candy Jell-O, and we had it every Christmas. It was amazing, for Jesus’ birthday Gordon Mote 1 small potato filled with pecans and cottage cheese and pineapples— party, complete with Aunt Martha’s Chocolate Fudge (the size of an egg all in a Pyrex pan . . . Yum! That Jell-O was a delicious a cake. This is still a or as close to it as possible) reminder that it was time to get out the tree and really tradition every year his recipe has been in my family for over thirty- 1 pound box of confectioner’s sugar, sifted d at my house. It keeps five years, and Aunt Martha still makes it every begin the Christmas season. The Andrews boys are d peanut butter, any kind TChristmas. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it. ready to deliver this basket of home- 1. Boil potato in water until completely cooked. Then, grown citrus fruit to their neighbors. while the potato is still hot, peel it and mash it in a large bowl. (You can choose to peel the potato prior Martha’s fudge to cooking if you wish.) 5 cups sugar 2. Immediately add all the sugar and knead 1 large can condensed milk into dough. Roll into either a thin circle 2 sticks of margarine or rectangle onto wax paper. 3 packages chocolate chips 3. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over dough. (1 , 2 ) Roll it up as you would roll a jelly roll. 1 large jar marshmallow cream 4. Wrap in waxed paper and chill in the refrigerator 2 tablespoons vanilla for 30 minutes. 2 cups chopped pecans 5. Slice and store in an air-tight container. (*more for Gordon, none for Samantha) (You may store in the refrigerator if you wish.) 1. Bring sugar, condensed milk, and margarine to a boil in a pan, then cook for 9 minutes on low heat, stirring constantly. 2. Remove from heat, and add chocolate chips, Mark Lowry marshmallow cream, vanilla, and nuts. Beat with Grandma’s Special Jell-O large mixer until hard enough to pour. 3. Allow to cool, then cut into squares. Makes hen I was a kid, Christmas was all about the approximately 5 pounds. gifts. My dad didn’t grow up with a lot—he Wwould get an orange for Christmas as a kid—so when

136 a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas our thoughts on the reason for the season. Adam (8) 1 cup buttermilk and Austin (11) really look forward to the party. We 1 teaspoon soda also always give our neighbors something from our house Christmas Cookies d ½ teaspoon salt that we have made or grown. 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon vanilla Icing JanetItalian Cream Paschal Cake 2 cups coconut Mix together: 1 cup pecans, chopped 2 cups confectioner’s sugar 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped 1 teaspoon vanilla Italian cream cake 3 tablespoons cold water 1. Beat egg whites in large bowl and set aside. 5 eggs, with whites and yolks separated 2. Cream shortening, margarine, and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, and cream well. ½ cup shortening ½ cup margarine (1 stick) 3. Add buttermilk alternately with combined Gordon Mote dry ingredients. Stir in vanilla. Neiman-Marcus Cookies 2 cups sugar 4. Add coconut, pecans, and cherries. Ernie & Lisa Haase Silver Bells t the Mote house, we always know Christmas is near 5. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. when Kimberly bakes Neiman-Marcus cookies. She 6. Bake at 350° in three- pans or Aonly makes them during Christmastime, and it’s usually while the rest of us are watching a Christmas movie like a 13 x 9 cake pan for 40 minutes. Silver Bells or Miracle on 34th Street. (We wait to 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened watch It’s a Wonderful Life until a time when she isn’t Frosting ½ cup confectioner’s sugar baking, because that’s her favorite Christmas movie.) ½ cup margarine (1 stick) 1 teaspoon vanilla Soon after we start smelling these cookies, she comes at room temperature ¼ teaspoon salt in with a big tray of them hot out of the oven. They’re 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese 2¼ cups all-purpose flour almost as big as your hand! We can hardly bite into them at room temperature without burning our mouths because they’re so hot—but d 1. Preheat oven to 375°. they’re so good we can’t wait! 1 cup pecans, chopped 2. Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir in flour. 1 pound powdered sugar Use hands to mix. 1 teaspoon vanilla 3. Take dough in small chunks and flatten on wax paper. Neiman-Marcus Cookies maraschino cherries, chopped Use a cookie cutter to create bell shapes in dough, (neimanmarcus.com) then place on cookie sheet. ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened Combine all ingredients and frost cooled cake. Cake freezes beautifully, too! 4. Bake 10-12 minutes, then let cool slightly before 1 cup light brown sugar removing with a knife or small spatula. 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

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1 large egg and even failures will refresh the memories of those who played a role in who they themselves have become. The Bill & Gloria kids can then choose the person they would most like to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Gaither knew these relatives, while at the same time helping the 1¾ cups all-purpose flour Setting the Table younger generation understand them as real people who have known and tell what they would like to have asked him or her. ½ teaspoon baking powder to Remember the Past Central to this celebration of “Christmas Past” is a ½ teaspoon baking soda discussion of the Christ Child and what He grew up to omeone has so rightly stated that those who don’t ½ teaspoon salt do for the whole world, and our families in particular— know where they came from usually don’t know 1½ teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder redeeming our failures, healing our wounds, and filling Swhere they are going. As we look to a new year and a 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips our days with life abundant. It is because of Him, after fresh start, Christmas is the perfect time not only to d all, that we are together around this table on this day. 1. Preheat oven to 300°. Cream butter with the remember together the birth of our Savior, who came to using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy clear up any misconceptions we might have about what (approximately 30 seconds). God is like, but to remember those who have preceded 2. Beat in egg and vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. us in our life and faith journeys. Mother’s soft molasses cookies 3. In a mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients and Simply framed photos of the matriarchs and patri- beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about archs of our families make intriguing Christmas dinner hese cookies are incredible with tea, milk, or good 15 seconds. Stir in espresso coffee powder and placecards, each with a short description of the subject’s coffee. chocolate chips. interests, hobbies, gifts, and T 1 cup natural dark molasses 4. Using a 1-ounce scoop or personality. A table center- 1 cup brown sugar, packed down a 2-tablespoon measure, piece of traditional Christmas 1 cup melted butter drop cookies onto greased greenery and ornaments can 4 cups flour (just a bit less) cookie sheet about 3 inches be made more meaningful 1 teaspoon each of the following: apart. Gently press down on and interesting by including baking soda dough with back of a spoon symbols such as small garden to spread out into a 2-inch allspice circle. tools, sewing necessities, art cinnamon supplies, knitting or crochet- 5. Bake for about 20 minutes or mace ing items, etc., that help make until nicely browned around cloves each ancestor “come to life” the edges. Bake a little longer nutmeg for the younger generation for a crispier cookie. Christmas is that might not have had a Yields 2 dozen cookies the perfect time not only salt chance to know them. The photos and symbols make to remember together 1 cup pecans or English walnuts, chopped Our Christmas Heritage table, irresistible story starters for the birth of our Savior… with a family picture at each place- table conversation. but to remember 1. In mixing bowl, slowly mix molasses, brown sugar, setting for recalling treasured and melted butter. memories. The centerpiece recalls Including tales of funny those who have preceded us vocations and hobbies of those incidents, along with the per- in our life 2. Slowly add flour and sprinkle in spices. Mix together. we loved. son’s quirks, accomplishments, and faith journeys. 3. Fold in chopped nuts.

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d Food in families in families Food through the years. is a sort of journal kept journal of is a sort ristmas h and the love of God will become so real to those kids God will so real of and the love become milk, we’ll tell the stories that tie us all to a bigger story, we’ll tell the stories that tie us all story, to a bigger milk, they can taste it. they can taste it. having had fresh-from-the-oven oatmeal cookies and and oatmeal cookies fresh-from-the-oven having had C

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taste e h t . Don’t brown or overbake. brown Don’t . 4 cups flour ¾ cups sugar 1½ cups butter Shortbread ood in families is a sort of journal kept through the a sortin families is ood the journalof kept through years. My children’s children will not have known known will children not have My children’s years. stirring constantly. stirring constantly. shortbread cookie press until about ½-inch thick.shortbread press cookie mixing as you go. mixing as you ready to serve. to ready in saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook 8 minutes, 8 minutes, Cook and bringin saucepan to a boil. nonstick cookie sheet. Press each ball with a detailed Press nonstick sheet. cookie powdered sugar. sugar. powdered vanilla. vanilla. Store in airtight in refrigerator until container Mix softened margarine, sugar, water, and dates water, sugar, Mix softened margarine, then slowly flour, add sugar and butter, Cream Bake at 325° until just done Shape or into 1-inch in coconut balls and roll Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies, nuts, and nuts, Rice Krispies, Add heat. from Remove Roll greased, dough into 1½-inch balls on and place I’ve added applesauce to her recipe. Maybe my daugh recipe. applesauce to her added I’ve

exuberant and sometimes reckless love for God, will will forexuberant reckless love God, and sometimes make. And maybe some of her delight in life, and her and her maybe of her delight in life, And some make. cookies—the best and first cookies I ever learned to to learned I ever cookies first and best cookies—the came to love God during the time my parents pastored came pastored God during to love time my parents the in the tiny farm community of Burlington, Michigan, Michigan, farmin the tiny community of Burlington, touch them too, because her enthusiasm so affected because her enthusiasm so affected touch them too, their grandmother. and as they discover; ingredient will some ters or son add Clela, but I love that this tall sprite of a woman who that this tall but I love who sprite woman of a Clela, will touch their lives in tangible ways, like these oatmeal oatmeal these like ways, willin tangible touch lives their on cold winter days after the fire all school, sit around we 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 1. 1. 1. 4. 4. F

ntainer between 1 cup sugar 2¼ cups flour tions and roll into logs about and roll tions ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon 1 cup shortening Pecan puffs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon 1 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon 2 cups Rice Krispies 8 ounces chopped dates 8 ounces chopped 1 stick corn oil margarine coconut or powderedcoconut sugar ¼ cup pecans, finely¼ cup pecans, chopped Crunchy date balls date Crunchy ½ cup pecans or English walnuts, chopped or English walnuts, ½ cup pecans christmas 142 cookie sheet and bake at 375° for 12 minutes. sheet and bake at 375° for minutes. cookie 12 layers of wax paper. of wax paper. layers chill at least 1 hour. (Dough may be kept longer.) (Dough may chill 1 hour. at least Slice dough in ½-inch thick sections and bake at 350°. Slice dough in ½-inch thick bake at 350°. and sections Roll hot cookies in remaining confectioner’s sugar. sugar. confectioner’s Roll in remaining hot cookies Divide into three por three Divide into Cream shortening and ½ cup confectioner’s sugar. sugar. shorteningCream and ½ cup confectioner’s Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on greased on place Shape into 1-inch dough balls; Cool and store in sealed plastic co Cool and store Add pecans and mix well. pecansAdd and mix well. Reroll cookies after they are cool, if desired. after cookies Reroll cool, they are 2 inches in diameter. Wrap each in plastic wrap each in and Wrap 2 inches in diameter. (Don’t overbake.) (Don’t Add vanilla. Mix flour and salt, then stir into mixture. then stir into mixture. and salt, Mix flour vanilla. Add

1½ cups confectioner’s sugar (reserve sugar 1 cup for rolling cookies) 1½ cups confectioner’s 6. 2. 3. 5. 1. 4. 4. These are beautiful giftsfor These are at Christmas. w w omecoming w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w H

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Continued on page 147 Continued on page ~ Then be still, very still, Then be still, shining through the glass shining through the myrrh kings. of ancient The sight of scarlet berries Taste in every corner their senses. of pried with a butter knife open Till your eyes see, Your ears hear, Your Till see, eyes your Can we so easilyCan we write raspberries like an alleluia rising from Lukelike an alleluia rising 2. from Senses hillside. an ancient meet on

Bring your soul to worship with me soul to worship Bring your a glorious Christmas ritual was born into the Nativity of the Son of God? The outrush of sugar and raspberries inebriated our senses like the incense, inebriated the incense, our senses like

like the scarlet pomegranates of Jordan begging the tongue to taste and marvel,begging the tongue The single seal of a simple Mason jar. . . jar. a simple Mason The single seal of While I celebrate all the Christmas gifts. as vivid as starlight on a shepherd’s crook. as vivid as starlight a shepherd’s on As this matriarch of her Christianfamily

Your tongue tastes the figs of a starlit tongue bush, Your

Open your nervousOpen your systemyour till of all five The sticky feel of red jam on a wooden spoon wooden spoon The stickyon a red jam feel of

Your fingers touch mystic locks of angel’s hair. touch fingers mystic locks of angel’s Your

Is anything not sacred in an old woman’s family? family? in an old woman’s Is anything not sacred

The vacuum pop of the jam jar greeted their ears jam jar greeted pop of the The vacuum Your nose can catch the whiff of heaven’s incense, nose can catch the whiff of heaven’s Your a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas

Clela’s IvanColonial ParkerPeanut Oatmeal Cookies WesThree-Sugar Hampton Cookies oatmeal cookies 1 cup soft shortening e have lots of fun making these. We cut out fun 1 cup white sugar shapes to decorate, omitting the raw coarse sugar. Colonial WThen we make in different colors and decorate 1 cup brown sugar peanut oatmeal cookies once the cookies have cooled. The kids love it. (And so 2 eggs 1 cup shortening d do Mommy and Daddy!) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup granulated sugar 2 cups flour 1 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon each: 1 teaspoon vanilla Three-Sugar Cookies salt Wes’s Three-Sugar 2 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour Cookies are almost baking soda 1½ cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon baking soda too beautiful to eat. baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 individual cup-serving applesauce or 1 large jar of 3 cups rolled oats ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed Junior baby food applesauce ½ pound salted Spanish peanuts 1¾ cups white granulated sugar 1 cup raisins (optional) 1. Cream shortening. Gradually add sugars, then 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 3 cups rolled oats vanilla and eggs, and beat well. 2 large eggs 2. Sift flour and baking soda; add to mixture. 1½ tablespoons pure vanilla extract 1. In large mixing bowl, cream together 3. Add rolled oats and peanuts. Mix well. Raw coarse sugar (optional) shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Royal Icing 4. Shape dough into small balls. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together flour, 2. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, baking soda, 5. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for about 7 baking soda, and salt, and set aside. There are several versions of Royal Icing. Some include and baking powder. minutes at 425°. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and white lemon flavor; others exclude the lemon. Here is one recipe 3. Slowly add dry mixture to egg, sugar, and sugar, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Add for Royal Icing. If you prefer a hint of lemon, add a few shortening mixture. Mix well. butter and continue mixing until light and fluffy, drops of lemon extract to the mixture after it thickens. scraping down sides of bowl halfway through. 3 cups confectioner’s sugar 4. Add applesauce and raisins (if desired). Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each one. With heavy spoon or by hand, mix in Add vanilla and mix until incorporated. ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar 3 cups rolled oats until well blended. 3. Gradually add in the flour mixture. 2 egg whites, beaten 5. Drop balls of cookie dough onto greased 4. Roll dough into 1½- to 2-inch balls. Roll in the 1. In a bowl, sift together confectioner’s sugar cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375°. raw sugar until thoroughly coated (optional). and cream of tartar. 5. Flatten dough balls slightly with the palm of your 6. Cool and store in sealed plastic container 2. Using electric mixer, beat in 2 beaten egg whites hand and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet or to keep moist and chewy. for about 5 minutes or until mixture is thick enough silicon mat for 13-18 minutes or until slightly browned. to hold its shape. 6. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool.

144 145 Too-Labor-Intensive Christmas M Cookies—and even though I pre frosting were andpiled-on jimmies andsprinkles ap they were old enough to start asking if they could were askingifthey they oldenoughto start that would last alifetime. When tradition together, side-by-side the three ofuscontinuing the tended tocomplain aboutwhat to give asgifts. Iusedmymom’s delicious jazzed them up with every kind kind themupwithevery jazzed plied so lavishly that it was often hard tomakeoutthe thatitwasoften plied solavishly painted on the icing and then ing adorable matching aprons— wear in thekitchen—perhaps imagine. known became They decorate cookiesdecorate too, madedozen anextra Ihappily along,came pictured Idreamily them.decorating Imeticulously cookies andanotherwholeday describes their decorating technique, theirdecorating describes asgreat gobs of making thekindsofmemories or so just for them.or sojustfor thanquality” rather best“Quantity decorationyou can of sugary all thecomplimentsall Ireceived! they were toproducean effort as Tori’sAlmost-Famous, Way- butter cookie recipe, andIwould every year,every LOVED Isecretly shape ofthe cookie. spend one wholeday bakingthe When Madi and Madi andCharlotte When I began a tradition of making Christmas cookies cookies I beganatradition ofmakingChristmas any years ago, ourfamily, andIstarted before Russ

Tori Taff Tori What’s inaCookie? - - decorating them. a …I would spend

one whole day H and another the cookies the whole day whole omecoming baking baking - 146 The girls, ofcourse, had aball. More cookies were eaten I’d downstairs tofinishmycookies, trudge up staying thankfully, didn’t the girls notice that their cookies even that peace reigned, prevailed . of Christmas thespirit . . and than finished, lostinterest they anddrifted eventually and until thewee hours, out toturn determined doggedly never quitemadenever ittotheholiday parties! plate andcover itwithfoil. themintobed, tucking After produce myminiature works ofart. I’m happy toreport coma, they’d place theircreations carefully on aspecial out of the kitchen, leaving me alone to painstakingly finally and eaten enough icing to put themselves into a sugar and eatenenoughicing to put themselves christmas

After the girls had thoroughly trashed the kitchen thekitchen had trashed thoroughly thegirls After

another batch of beautiful gifts for all my all for ofbeautifulgifts another batch friends toooh friends fun tradition ifyou’re akid.” Ouch. they neededtobejustsoandittookthey a with me. I bit my tongue as Charlotte on theones thatwe gave away because and as she turned toleaveand assheturned thekitchen, she ofcookieshertodecorate,a batch justfor but that only Mommy could really work Mommy couldreally but thatonly grown-up to do that. Her little face fell, said sorrowfully, isn’t “This a very really nation asideasIplastered on asmileand colors that clashed instead ofcomplemented.colors thatclashed clumped instead ofsprinkled,clumped and Iturned my head when Madi combined frosting and put my quest for world cookie domi world and putmyquestfor enthusiastically invited the girls to decorate todecorate invited thegirls enthusiastically explained that I would certainly make explained thatIwould certainly me. give meachance.”“Just Icarefully very good job,”very promised sheearnestly decorate the “real” cookies. do a “I’ll eight, sheasked if shecould help me So, thenextyear Irepented ofmypride One year whenMadi wasabout andaahover. -

Tori Taffwork asshedecorates at isameticulousartist incrediblecookie her with the heartwarming image ofmygirls’with theheartwarming sweet, raggedycookies masterpieces, which sheoften gives to away friends. for teenagerswerefor asitdidwhenthey small. It’s toomuch work; they’d much rather eat them than decorate them. Russ likesto they’d them. Russ mucheatthemthandecorate rather them as gifts totheirown friends.them asgifts to embracelife’s littleimperfections, andI’d love toleave you cookies aprons inmatching isnotone ofthem. cookies so my friends can gush over them and I can modestly modestly gush over themandIcan can cookies somyfriends reluctantly admitreluctantly thatthough the Taff doesindeedhave family many cherished traditions we’vemany cherished created over theyears, decorating or so just for their or ownso just for enjoyment—sometimes give even they alongside my fancy ones on a festive gift plate—butI’m ones onalongside afestive gift myfancy pretty annual cookie marathondoesn’t asmuch fascination holdnearly approach. of year outmakingtrays wear Istill myself But every and he’s ofIcing also abigfanoftheHeavy-HandedSchool get inon thattoo. Hecouldcarelesswhathiscookies look like, brush aside their praise.brush year decorate a dozen the girls And every sure it’s abigfatlieatChristmastime. asintotell instead, So I’ll As the girls got older, )thatthe As thegirls (much Irealized tomyrelief I guessifanyone lesson alife outof thiswhole haslearned I’d taleofhow Ilearned intoamorality thisstory love toturn t h e taste

147 o f

C h ristmas w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w than whenwe dinner. sitdown toChristmas and watch her create a holy Nativity inthe Nativity hercreateand watch aholy that we donotremember there are others The goodness of the Lord is never clearer Lord isnever The goodness ofthe Jesus’ inhabitsthecommon mercy things Christmas! Christmas! The things adoration of all The psalmist wrote,The psalmist “Otasteandsee Yet we are notsomuch inahurry The childrenThe taketheabbreviated And inthedelightofseason, that we can hardly say grace— hardly that we can our mouthswatersofuriously Taste a celebrationofthesenses. less fortunate thanwe are.less fortunate used upinthewaiting. that the Lord isgood.”that theLord ~ our best prayer effort our bestprayer effort Continued onpage 150 richness ofhergifts. richness as well asthegrand. way totablegrace: Let usthankHim

Calvin Miller a pailofberries Give Grandma great andsmall, For ourfood. God isgreat God isgood

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~ a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas thing, it’s probably Madi Rose and Charlotte. Maybe 2/3 cup butter, softened 8. I usually double or even triple this recipe. I make growing up with a crazed, cookie-making perfectionist for ½ cup sugar Royal Icing with powder to use as my base icing—dividing it among several styrofoam cups and a mother taught them a little something about tolerance, 1 egg, beaten patience, and forgiving one another’s faults. My fondest using food coloring to create lots of different colors. I ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla use decorating icing to add flowers, leaves, Christmas wish for them is that someday they’ll have ½ to 1 teaspoon almond extract lines, and textures. Add jimmies, sprinkles, colored sweet daughters of their own, and they can lovingly carry sugar, nonpareils, luster dust, sugar pearls, etc., while on our untraditional family tradition by shooing them 1. Mix flour and baking powder together. d frosting is still slightly moist. out of the kitchen too! 2. Cream butter; add sugar until well blended. 3. Mix in egg; add vanilla and almond flavoring. 4. Add the dry ingredients in two or three portions, Tori’s Almost-Famous, blending together until smooth. Charlotte Ritchie Way-Too-Labor-Intensive 5. Chill dough in refrigerator. Christmas Eve’s Christmas Cookies 6. Roll out dough to medium width—not too thick, not Delicious Traditions Landon Ritchie is pleased with the freshly decorated cookies he 1¾ cups flour too thin—and cut out with cookie cutters. and his family made as part of their Christmas Eve tradition. ½ teaspoon baking powder 7. Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes, checking often. hen Greg and I married, we wanted to incor- porate the of our families Connie Hopper Wbut also start our own. Every Christmas Eve we bake Chocolate Balls cookies together. Landon’s favorite are sugar cookies because he likes the different shapes and he loves Chocolate balls decorating them. 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs In the evening we eat dinner—usually some kind of 1 pound confectioner’s sugar soup or chili. Greg’s chili is amazing! Then we go look at 2 sticks butter, melted . Our favorite place is in Georgia. It’s a 2 (3-ounce) cans flaked coconut display called “Lights of the South.” The location is a huge (or 2 cups raisins, or 1 can/cup of each) farm that is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. 1 (12-ounce) jar crunchy peanut butter You start by taking a hay ride through the woods. There are lights and decorations of every kind everywhere. Next, 1 cup nuts, chopped you can drink or apple cider while roasting 5-6 squares semi-sweet chocolate marshmallows over an open fire. At the end, they have (or more as needed), melted a small cottage where Santa waits to speak to and take 1. Add sugar to graham cracker crumbs. Blend in but- pictures with the children. It’s such a fun experience! ter. Add coconut and raisins, peanut butter, and nuts. We then go home and open one gift, which is always Blend well using hands. new pajamas for everyone. Then we set out cookies and 2. Shape into tightly packed balls and dip into melted milk for Santa and read the Christmas story. It’s a tradi- chocolate. Place on wax paper to harden. d tion that really brings our family together.

148 149 w

a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas

he began singing bass after his voice lowered from the Taste and See Jeff & Sheri Easter Ronda’s Bits ’O Brickle Cookies tenor he had originally been. The area he was from was ~ Calvin Miller ~ known as Spook Mountain, and he told me it had been Double Delicious Cookie Bars 6 ounces Heath® Bits ’O Brickle toffee scary for him to walk those dark roads late at night as Christmas is that time of year when, 1½ tablespoons liquid shortening a boy. It calmed him to sing loudly as he walked back as the charitable collectors said to Ebenezer, 6 tablespoons self-rising flour Double delicious cookie bars home after his singing lessons in town. “Want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices.” ½ cup butter Many friends recalled their Rex Nelon stories to me ½ cup butter Abundance, 6 tablespoons sugar that day. Rex bragged about and looked forward to his abundance, abundance! 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs 6 tablespoons brown sugar mom, Marietta Nelon, making all his favorite dishes even Jesus was never stingy! 1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand® milk ½ teaspoon vanilla flavoring though she was now eighty-nine years of age. Later in the day, he loaded us all up to ride around the mountain. He fed the five thousand so abundantly 1 (12-ounce) package Hershey® chocolate chips 1 egg Suddenly Rex pulled the car over in front of a house and that there were twelve baskets of leftovers. 1 cup Reese’s® peanut butter chips 1¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons self-rising flour bolted up to the door alone. He went into this house All this from that great Messiah who said, 1. Melt butter and pour over 1. Preheat oven to 325°. without even knocking. “I have come that they might have life, graham cracker crumbs. 2. Mix together toffee, liquid shortening, and flour, Rex’s mother smiled: “We probably won’t be here long. and have it more abundantly.” Press into a baking dish. and set aside. Rex has just gone in to get his favorite cookies that Mrs. w 2. Pour Eagle Brand® milk 3. In large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, Knighten has baked for him all his life.” And sure enough, and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Christ is the founder of every worthy feast, over crumb mixture. in just a matter of minutes, he was back in the car with 4. Add egg. Gradually add flour. and perhaps we should remember the 3. Top with chocolate chips his tin of cookies under his arm. He reluctantly opened 5. Mix well, then stir in coated Bits ’O Brickle. the top and offered me one, warning, “And I mean just wisdom of Tiny Tim. and peanut butter chips. 6. Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet. one. These are mine!” He said he was crippled and 4. Bake at 350° for 7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. I learned that day that Mrs. Knighten’s cookies had he hoped people would see him in church, 25-30 minutes. for it might be pleasant for them to 5. Cool and cut into bars. remember on Christmas day Judy Nelon who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. Sheri Easter and her girls dig in to Rex’s Favorite Christmas Cookies It is a reasonable remembrance. their Double Delicious Cookie Bars before Jeff and Madison get to them. Jesus really is the reason for the season. t was Christmas the first time Rex invited me to And Jesus is the Lord of abundance. meet his family in his hometown of Asheville, North And Christmas Day is a day to eat our fill ICarolina. We were both shy and quiet as we drove up the Karen Peck-Gooch mountain to the place where he had lived until he moved and remember Him whose final banquet, Our Family Favorite to Atlanta to join his first full-time quartet: the LeFevres. the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, As we traveled up the steep, winding road, this usu- y friend Ronda gave me this wonderful recipe several years is still to come. ally shy man began to honk his horn to alert everyone ago. My daughter Kari and I especially love baking these that he was back home for Christmas. It was here in the Judy Nelon learned something new about Rex’s love for a certain Continued on page 154 M d cookies during the holidays. This is my family’s favorite cookie. Blue Ridge Mountains that Rex was born. Here is where Christmas cookie during their first Christmas together.

150 151 a Homecoming christmas the taste of Christmas been his favorite thing in the world to eat. Later I asked Mildred Knighten if she would mind sharing this special Jim Brady Snowball Cookies Ann Downing recipe with me. She was happy to, and now I would like Snowball Cookies Easy Crunch Bars to share it with you. Along with Rex’s mother’s cooking, ½ cup powdered sugar ne of my favorite holiday memories is when we kids it was something he looked forward to experiencing again 1 cup butter, softened love the combination of salty and sweet. This is one d would help my mom decorate the Christmas cookies each Christmas in Asheville. 2 teaspoons vanilla of the best recipes for that. Of course, chocolate is Oeach year. My job was putting on the sprinkles, and in my Ione of those “cravings” I have . . . and Christmas is no little-boy mind, it was an important job indeed! Having 2 cups self-rising flour d different. the right ratio of sprinkles to cookie was very important! Rex Nelon’s Favorite 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Now that Melissa and I are making Christmas Date Nut Cookies traditions of our own, I look forward to her famous 2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, and 1 (40-count) package dates Snowball Cookies. They’re covered in powdered sugar, vanilla, and blend well. Easy crunch bars 1 cup water and she makes them bite-sized, so you can just pop the 3. Stir in flour until dough holds together. 35 saltine or club crackers Shape into 1-inch balls. 1 cup sugar whole thing right in your mouth! If there are any left ½ cup butter or margarine after Christmas, they usually become breakfast. The 4. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar next morning, we’ll put on a pot of coffee and finish them ½ teaspoon salt d 5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until set but not off. Yum! 1 cup chips 1 cup brown sugar brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. 1. Preheat oven to 400°. 1½ cups rolled oats, uncooked 6. Cool slightly; roll in powdered sugar. 2. Place crackers in foil-lined 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan. ½ pound butter, melted 7. Cool completely; roll again in powdered sugar. 3. Place butter and brown sugar in saucepan, cook on ½ cup pecans, chopped medium-high heat until butter is completely melted 1. Cut dates into pieces and cook and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally. with water and sugar until 4. Bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes without stirring. thick. Set aside to cool. Then spread over crackers. 2. Combine dry ingredients, 5. Bake 5-7 minutes or until topping is golden brown. oats, and melted butter, then Immediately sprinkle with chopped chocolate, then let mix until crumbly. Add nuts. stand for 5 minutes or until chocolate is softened. 3. Layer crumbs in a 13 x 9 pan, 6. Spread chocolate evenly over ingredients in pan. Cool. reserving 1/3 of mixture for Break into pieces. topping. (Mildred’s husband, Gordon, says the secret is their fifty-year-old pan.) Finish top Jim Brady demonstrates the perfect with remaining mixture. pop-in-your-mouth goodness of his wife’s bite-sized Snowball Cookies. 4. Bake at 325° for 30-35 minutes. Cut into squares.

152 153 d ristmas Johnny Carson’s theory has only been was that there Carson’s Johnny To whom would you send your signature ? signature your send you would whom To h something for you to chew on”? What about the kid on to chew forsomething you on”? one fruitcake ever made. It’s been sent from person to person from been sent It’s fruitcakeone ever made. congealed magic to say, “Thanks, hope you can haul it hope “Thanks, magic to say, congealed in-law. Just give it to her in front of everyone of to her in front it tell and give Just her in-law. piece of holiday love with a note that says, “I my know says, with a note that love piece of holiday so here’s been exactly time lately, on payments haven’t person for decades, even centuries. Jerry Seinfeld calledeven centuries. forperson decades, memories.” “making I call it “regifting.” it know how it goes. it goes. how know jalapeno cake and watch the excitement begin. Let me jalapeno cake begin. and watch the excitement the kids made it especially for her. Tell her it’s a holiday a holiday her it’s Tell it especiallythe kids made for her. his bike who throws your newspaper in the neighbor’s newspaper neighbor’s the in your throws who bike his home.” Perhaps the best recipient would be your mother- be your would the best recipient Perhaps home.” yard day after day? Greet him with your own blend of own after day him with your yard Greet day? I have a few suggestions. Let’s start with your creditors. Let’s creditors. start your with few a I have suggestions. C Whybrick-sizeda mortgage send the not company

f o 155

Fruitcake taste

e h t inkle pizzelles with generously An Ode to the Fruitcake An Ode to the Fruitcake Kevin Williams

ell, the holidays are here again. My favorite time favorite My time again. here holidays the are ell, of the year. Time for family, fellowship, and lots and lots fellowship, Time for family, of the year. browned. Remove carefully Remove and cool with a fork browned. of the maker grid and close the lid. Within of the pizzelle grid maker and close lid. the manufacturer’s instructions. manufacturer’s powdered sugar. (They can be frozen up to for sugar. powdered three months without the powdered sugar.) without the powdered months three Continue until all the batter is used. until allContinue the batter is used. flat on parchment paper or a brown paper bag. paper bag. paper or a brown on parchment flat Once cooled, spr Once cooled, Preheat the pizzelle to the maker according Preheat Place the center of batter onto tablespoon a heaping Mix all ingredients together into a soft-textured batter. soft-textured into a together batter. Mix all ingredients Every for family and recipes traditions has its own 15 seconds, your first pizzelle your should be lightly 15 seconds,

generations to come?” to come?” generations and explore the concept of the Christmas fruitcake. of the Christmas the concept fruitcake. and explore of food. of food. memorable meals, so I would like to take a few so I would moments memorable meals, dates, and a whole bunch of raisins, and make a really really a and make buncha whole and raisins, of dates, what And so they can too. pass it on call our friends, if we teach our children how to make it so theyso it make to can how children our teach we if perpetuatewith their offspring tragedy this holiday for out of it, then pass it on to everyone then pass it on we heavy cake out of it, flour, sugar, maraschino cherries, walnuts, pineapple, pineapple, walnuts, maraschino cherries, sugar, flour, 2. From what country delicacy did this yuletide From originate? 3. Who was the first person to say: “Hey, let’s take some take some let’s Who“Hey, to say: was the first person 1. 4. W

3 eggs ⅔ cup sugar pinch ofpinch salt ½ cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla vanilla 1 teaspoon Italian pizzelles Italian 1 teaspoon baking powder baking 1 teaspoon 1¾ to 2 cups all-purpose flour 1¾ to Italian Pizzelles Italian Luann Burger Luann

christmas ( or lemon flavoring may be substituted) (anise or lemon flavoring be may favorite for many generations in our family. our family. in favorite for generations many hese traditional waffle cookies have been a Christmas a Christmas been have cookies waffle hese traditional 154 T generations in Luann Burger’s family. family. in Luann Burger’s generations These traditional waffle cookies have been a Christmas favorite for many been a favoritehave Christmas for many cookies These waffle traditional w w omecoming w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w H

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~ “God bless us . . . everyone.” . . “God bless us . Taste “Compassion is the best way is the best way “Compassion

Eat, drink and be thoughtful.” Eat, A day when we, the fortunate, the fortunate, when we, A day Then, sensing the wonder of it all,wonder sensing the Then,

to remember the season of My birth. the season to remember

For it is the Christ it is the of Christmas who For must set the table of the less fortunate.must Christmas obligation. of day is our high

Taste and see that I, your Lord, am good. Lord, your and see that I, Taste So, let us truly sense Christmas—smelling it, So,

listening to it, touching it, seeing it, tasting it. seeing it, touching it, listening to it, let us agree warmlylet us agree with the little Cratchit boy: the taste of Christmas

Keeping your favorite ½ cup candied pineapple chunks ingredients handy in festive Gloria Gaither Fruitcake That 1 cup walnuts or pecans, broken containers like Lori Phelps has done here is a simple People Actually Love . . . 2½ cups flour way to make holiday baking 1 teaspoon baking soda extra fun and convenient. here is nothing more nostalgic or traditional at 1. Grease and dust one 9-inch tube pan, two regular-sized Christmas than fruitcake or plum pudding. Trouble bread pans, or four small loaf pans with some flour. Tis, most people don’t really like fruitcake. They say it’s dry, 2. Combine eggs, mincemeat, sweetened condensed milk, or it’s too bitter with citrus. I kept experimenting with fruit, and nuts. ingredients and various combinations from recipes until I 3. Fold in dry ingredients. came upon this incredibly moist, delicious, and beautiful 4. Divide into pans. fruitcake. For starters, there isn’t much cake—it’s all fruit 5. Garnish top(s) of cake(s) with half-slices of candied (no citrus), nuts, and yummy goo. And, to top that off, pineapple, whole red and green candied cherries, it’s soaked with an elixir that only makes the ingredients and walnuts or pecans. grow more flavorful when kept wrapped in the refrigera- 6. Bake at 300° for 2 hours if using tube pan, about 1 hour tor for two weeks or more. So I make fruitcake early in for large bread pans, and about 40 minutes for smaller December, before things get too hectic, and when dear loaf pans. Check center with a baking test stick. When friends drop by unexpectedly or I run into my beautician, stick comes out without wet dough, remove from oven. Bill’s barber, or the UPS man (who are all old friends by Nectar Recipe now too), I have something to give that is from our own 2 cups apricot nectar kitchen, yet fit for the most elegant party. ¾ cup white Karo® syrup Of course, I have to hide these in the refrigera- tor behind the loaves of wheat bread, cartons of brown ¼ cup rum or brandy (if desired) eggs, and bags of fresh produce and grapes. If I don’t, Bill 1. While cakes are baking, heat apricot nectar and finds them in the night and whittles away at them “just Karo syrup in a saucepan until just ready to boil. a sliver” at a time. So I keep a couple where he can find Add rum or brandy and turn off heat and cover. them and bury the rest behind things. 2. When cakes are done, poke holes in cakes using a meat fork, and spoon nectar over cakes, allowing the liquid to soak in. Continue until cakes have absorbed Nectar-Soaked Fruitcake liquid and surfaces are glazed. Cake Recipe 3. Let cakes cool in pans. 2 eggs, lightly beaten 4. When cool, turn each cake upside-down on heavy 1 (28-oz.) jar canned Borden’s® plastic wrap; wrap and seal. Then wrap in foil and None Such Mincemeat with Brandy store in refrigerator for up to three weeks. 1 ⅓ cups (or 15-ounce can) sweetened condensed milk (like Eagle Brand®) For giving as a gift, tie with Christmas ribbon and tag 1 cup candied red cherries with handmade greetings. To enjoy at home, just slice d ½ cup candied green cherries and serve with tea or coffee.

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