|
|
|
Odessa, MO —
Since I have been spending a lot of time going through family pictures, I have had occasion to remember a lot of funny stories and to laugh a lot at the hilarious things that took place with children and grandchildren. Somehow, “Grouchy Bear” was always in the middle of each event and often the instigator of many of them.
Each of our kids not only loved and looked forward to Santa Claus, they became quite old with their beliefs. Our oldest daughter, Renee, was in fourth grade and still firmly believed in his visits to our house. It did not help a bit that “dad” always made sure that everything on their lists for Santa appeared under the tree. At Christmastime we learned she had gotten into some physical fights with some boys in her school who made fun of her believing. I felt that it was time to tell her something, but I was not sure what. It was very difficult to take her aside and try (as gently as possible) to tell her the facts. Well, my daughter got very angry at me, and she stayed angry during the entire Christmas season. When Christmas morning arrived, she got up, smiled and picked up a box. There was a large fingerprint on the box and she said, “Mom, you don’t believe in Santa Claus and I want you to know you had better change your mind because look at this box. There is his fingerprint, and there is a Santa Claus.” I think she is still mad at me over that event. Grouchy Bear took her side, and I was in trouble with him too.
All of our kids loved to make Christmas cookies and candy, and the girls still do a lot of baking.
Hershey’s Candy Bar cookies
2 packages sugar cookie dough
Hershey’s candy bars
Cut dough into thin slices and place them on a large cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees until they are lightly browned. Remove from oven and place Hershey’s candy bars on top of the baked dough. Side by side, cover the dough with the candy bars and press down lightly. Sprinkle top of candy bars with 40 percent bran flakes or crushed cornflakes. Press lightly and allow to cool. Cut into squares.
Candy Bar MeltAways
1, 18-ounce roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookies
13 Milky Way fun size candy bars from 13.3 ounce package, unwrapped and cut into 1⁄4 inch thick slices.
1⁄2 cup crushed Golden Grahams cereal
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or peanuts.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Break up cookie dough into ungreased 13 x 9-inch pan. Press into bottom to form crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove partially baked crust from oven. Arrange candy evenly over crust. Return to oven, bake an additional 3-5 minutes or until candy softens. Mix cereal and walnuts. Remove pan from oven and with spatula or knife, quickly spread candy over crust. Sprinkle evenly with cereal mix. Press lightly, cool 30 minutes and after completely cooling cut into bars.
Memories are made of days of baking cookies. See you next week.
Since I have been spending a lot of time going through family pictures, I have had occasion to remember a lot of funny stories and to laugh a lot at the hilarious things that took place with children and grandchildren. Somehow, “Grouchy Bear” was always in the middle of each event and often the instigator of many of them.
Each of our kids not only loved and looked forward to Santa Claus, they became quite old with their beliefs. Our oldest daughter, Renee, was in fourth grade and still firmly believed in his visits to our house. It did not help a bit that “dad” always made sure that everything on their lists for Santa appeared under the tree. At Christmastime we learned she had gotten into some physical fights with some boys in her school who made fun of her believing. I felt that it was time to tell her something, but I was not sure what. It was very difficult to take her aside and try (as gently as possible) to tell her the facts. Well, my daughter got very angry at me, and she stayed angry during the entire Christmas season. When Christmas morning arrived, she got up, smiled and picked up a box. There was a large fingerprint on the box and she said, “Mom, you don’t believe in Santa Claus and I want you to know you had better change your mind because look at this box. There is his fingerprint, and there is a Santa Claus.” I think she is still mad at me over that event. Grouchy Bear took her side, and I was in trouble with him too.
All of our kids loved to make Christmas cookies and candy, and the girls still do a lot of baking.
Hershey’s Candy Bar cookies
2 packages sugar cookie dough
Hershey’s candy bars
Cut dough into thin slices and place them on a large cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees until they are lightly browned. Remove from oven and place Hershey’s candy bars on top of the baked dough. Side by side, cover the dough with the candy bars and press down lightly. Sprinkle top of candy bars with 40 percent bran flakes or crushed cornflakes. Press lightly and allow to cool. Cut into squares.
Candy Bar MeltAways
1, 18-ounce roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookies
13 Milky Way fun size candy bars from 13.3 ounce package, unwrapped and cut into 1⁄4 inch thick slices.
1⁄2 cup crushed Golden Grahams cereal
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or peanuts.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Break up cookie dough into ungreased 13 x 9-inch pan. Press into bottom to form crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove partially baked crust from oven. Arrange candy evenly over crust. Return to oven, bake an additional 3-5 minutes or until candy softens. Mix cereal and walnuts. Remove pan from oven and with spatula or knife, quickly spread candy over crust. Sprinkle evenly with cereal mix. Press lightly, cool 30 minutes and after completely cooling cut into bars.
Memories are made of days of baking cookies. See you next week.
