Christmas Day… My Personal Favorite

Even though I should be really tired after only four hours of sleep in bed, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. And it was, Christmas morning! My parents have made Christmas special over the years and it was a day I looked forward to every year! This was the first year I was not living in a 50 mile radius of home and it made it that much more exciting! Before we even went upstairs, Chad and I had presents to wrap! We did that and got ready for the day. When I came up, my Uncle Ray was already here. He is my mom’s only brother. He doesn’t have any kids and his and my mom’s parents passed away many years ago. Ray being at our place for Christmas is part of what makes it special.

My mom was feeling under the weather, but she still managed to make all the food! The game this year was matching the date of coins that were in our stockings to the year that was on gifts. We had to finish opening gifts after we ate our noon meal because this is just how it works in our family! Opening gifts is a whole day process because we open one at a time and there is always a story to go with the gift! It is so much fun! In the mid to late afternoon, we play a board game or two. Then we eat leftovers for supper!

The food was what I needed. There is nothing better than your mom’s cooking, especially when you have as wonderful of a cook as mine! We had turkey, stuffing, The World’s Best Mash Potatoes, green beans, corn, lefsa, cranberries, and of course the most remarkable buns! For dessert there were Christmas cookies and bars that went on forever. Plus, the two traditional desserts at Christmas, Fluffy Dessert (This recipe is on the September 22, 2013 post titled “In case I don’t die tomorrow, I need to earn us money”  and apple pie. Another staple is Mom’s Remarkable Fudge. I think we all may sneak a little bite, but my mom and Andrew love it the most! It is smooth and succulent and chocolaty! The best part, it keeps for a long time, so even though you may want to eat it all in a few sittings, you can savor it over time. If wrapped in foil and then put in an airtight container, it can stay in a 0 degree freezer for up to three months. It keeps in the fridge for two to three weeks. This reminds me of Christmas, but if you need a chocolate fix, this is great to make and have around for a while. It isn’t hard, but needs your attention as you make it.

Mom’s Remarkable Fudge:

Prep Time: 30 minutes – Makes: 4 1/2 dozen small square ( I cut mine a bit bigger than my mom!)

4 cups sugar

1 12 ounce can evaporated milk

1 cup butter

12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 pint marshmallow creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

*1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

Butter a 9 X 13 inch pan. Butter the sides of a 3-quart saucepan. In it, combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Cook over medium heat to soft-ball stage (236 degrees), stirring frequently. Remove from heat; add chocolate and marshmallow creme and stir. Add vanilla and mix in. *(Next, add nuts of your choosing if desire. I did not use nuts. My mom usually does not put nuts in because my brother doesn’t like them. You may also top the fudge with nuts after you have it in the pan.) Beat with a wooden spoon until chocolate is melted and blended. Pour into the buttered 9 X 13 pan. Let set in the refrigerator for four to six hours or overnight. Here are some special notes on making fudge:

1. Use a candy thermometer

2. When the candy thermometer reaches 220 degrees, it climbs faster.

3. Beat the fudge vigorously until it cools to 110 degrees.

4. Don’t stop beating too soon and no resting!!! This may take 10 to 15 minutes

5. Pour fudge into the pan when it starts to stiffen and lose its gloss.

6. Score in squares using tip of knife while warm; cut when firm.