Monday, July 30, 2012

Candy Land Christmas Toy



I remember one of my first Christmas with a box wrap in red paper and a green bow tied around it.  I shook it hard to hear items moving around. I rip off the paper and there it was the game I had on my list Candy Land.  We played it for several hours before finally falling asleep on the floor.

Christmas Cake

Christmas Cake "This cake is a rich, dark, moist fruit cake, very flavorful at Christmas. Try icing with almond paste for a more festive touch. This recipe is started in October or November so as to let it mellow before the holidays. I remember very well my mother storing her fruit cake in an old butter churn that belonged to my grandmother and great grandmother. I wish that I had that old crock." Prep Time: 30 Min Cook Time: 3 Hrs 30 Min Ready In: 6 Hrs Ingredients • 2 (8 ounce) containers candied cherries • 1 (8 ounce) container candied mixed citrus peel • 2 cups raisins • 1 cup dried currants • 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped • 2 (2.25 ounce) packages blanched slivered almonds • 1/2 cup brandy • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground cloves • 1 teaspoon ground allspice • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 cup butter • 2 cups packed brown sugar • 6 eggs • 3/4 cup molasses • 3/4 cup apple juice Directions 1. In a medium bowl, combine cherries, citrus peel, raisins, currants, dates, and almonds. Stir in brandy; let stand 2 hours, or overnight. Dredge soaked fruit with 1/2 cup flour. 2. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease an 8x8x3 inch fruit cake pan, line with parchment paper, and grease again. In a small bowl, mix together 2 cups flour, baking soda, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and salt; set aside. 3. In a large bowl, cream butter until light. Gradually blend in brown sugar and eggs. Mix together molasses and apple juice. Beat into butter mixture alternately with flour mixture, making 4 dry and 3 liquid additions. Fold in floured fruit. Turn batter into prepared pan. 4. Bake in preheated oven for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean. Remove from pan, and lift off paper. Cool cake completely, then wrap loosely in waxed paper. Store in an airtight container. Nutritional Information Amount Per Serving Calories: 645 | Total Fat: 17.8g | Cholesterol: 110mg

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Grandparents Christmas

I remember the early times when we would have Christmas. We didn't have much money but there always seem to be something under the tree. I remember the night walking from next door at my grandparents house and hearing Santa's bells in the distance. My brother and I ran as fast to our house and sure enough there was Christmas gifts under the aluminum color tree. It was special times like that that made life so much fun.