I'm a Traditionalist

I'm a traditionalist.. and here is why.........

When I grew up, Christmas was the end-all-be-all holiday!  The whole family got together.  I remember I was giddy with excitement because I literally could NOT wait to see my Aunt Anne from Colorado.  She was always so much fun and always made me feel special.  From the moment she arrived, that marked the start of Christmas.  Plus my NaNa and Judy Baby had not one but TWO Christmas trees because there were too many presents for just one tree!  I could often be found under the tree counting presents!  (Yes I admit... I counted.. and that seemed to tickle my grandparents... my parents.. not so much)

Because we had such little Anne time, our evenings and days were full of looking at her as much as possible... this usually included food, drinks, more food and more drinks. (my drink was always a sparkling punch)  I loved sitting in the den watching Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer while trying to figure out what was so darn funny in the other room.

After Rudolf, we always had chili and tamales or gumbo for dinner.  That was after we had stuffed ourselves silly with all the dips and chips, shrimp and other yummies that were out for the taking! 
Our Christmas eve always included a family talent show.  (and no, none of us were talented - the only talent we had was loving each other) My precious NaNa would open up the talent show by dressing like a Christmas tree!  You knew "the program" (as it were called) started as soon as Judy Baby plugged NaNa into the wall!  Once her Christmas tree outfit lit up - she would bust into her favorite song, "Oh Christmas Tree".  We would all sing with her as she tossed tinsle at us if we weren't singing quite loud enough. 

Another one of my all time favorites was when my Uncle Karl did his version of stupid pet tricks - and I'm pretty sure David Lettermen had a spy at our house and copied our platform.  I remember laughing until I literally wet my britches!

As the years progressed, the talents got funnier and more elaborate.  One year, Jack, Charles, Letitia and I did a routine to the Nut Cracker.  Our program, was synchronized showering.  We put up a shower curtain and had cut outs of arms and legs, plus we wore shower caps....... good times...

The program always concluded with a wine tasting contest.  Every year the same result, drunk adults picking the cheapest wine as their favorite.  All swearing that had to be the most expensive.  Must've been the drunk taste buds.  Some years they would let us underagers have some wine that included 7-up.  I think they call that a wine spritzer now! 

Then it was off to bed..... ya right... what kid sleeps on Christmas eve.  Plus I could still hear the adults in the other room laughing, giggling and loving each other.

Now we are all older and have our own families, Anne doesn't come for Christmas anymore and my NaNa and Judy Baby have Christmas in heaven - it just isn't the same.

I guess you could say it is just different.  I miss those days - a lot - and I would give anything to have everyone together one last time.  The crowded house that wasn't crowded with people - just laughter and love.  Everyone would tell me - you are so lucky Jennifer to have a family like that.... and I knew it at the time... but didn't really know it..... now..... I know it....

So to all the people that were part of making me a traditionalist - I love you.. and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

The best cookie recipe of all time....

I must be high.... but I am going to share with you my grandmothers famous, never duplicated cookie recipe.... Act quickly, because if I come to my senses, I may delete this post!  Actually, I wouldn't!  My precious NaNa would love to know that others are gathered around the kitchen eating her cookies.

I can still see her winking at me as I ate the raw dough!  Sometimes she would act like eating the dough was a crime, but as she was scolding me, she too would be eating a bite of dough!  We would giggle and laugh. 

My brother Charles as actually mastered the art of NaNa cookies and he recently shared is secret with me..... its all in step one.... thats the secret to moist yummy cookies... oh and not over cooking these little jewels.

These cookies not only inspire bigger thighs and larger waists, but also giggles and good times... I hope you enjoy...

2C Butter melted

2C dark brown sugar

2C Grapenut flakes cereal

4 eggs

2t vanilla

1C chopped pecans

2C sugar

2C oatmeal – regular (not instant)

4C flour

2t baking soda

2t baking powder

1t salt

1 package semi sweet chocolate chips

Coconut is options (I never add it)

1.        Mix together cooled, melted butter, beaten eggs and both sugars

2.       Then add flour, soda, powder, salt, oatmeal, grapenut flakes – stir

3.       Add vanilla, pecans and chocolate chips

4.       Bake 10-12 minutes at 350

5.       Makes a ton!

Great to freeze!