The Festive Season

One of the biggest things that I've missed being overseas has been the decorating for different holidays.  It was never so obvious as it was at Christmas time.  Sure the occasional flower store would sell poinsettias (they were in season after all) and there would be Christmas cards for sale at the local grocery store, but it just wasn't the same.  I missed the lights on the houses, the big Christmas trees, and seeing Santa getting accosted at the mall by feisty four year olds.

I did give it my best shot to decorate my own place for the holidays.  I made snowflakes, candy canes, and evergreen trees out of origami paper for the windows, I bought some Christmas oranges, and hung a few lights.... but really it just wasn't the same!  I missed the tradition - and hanging lights on my sliding glass doors into my laundry room only seemed to highlight the fact that I constantly had clothes waiting to dry and be folded off the drying rack. 

Travis' Mom had sent him a Christmas tree, and my wonderful family had sent me a care package with lots of Christmas presents.  It was a fun Christmas and a unique Christmas, certainly one I won't quickly forget.

But tradition is a lot of fun too.  I was looking around my parents house today and I realized just how much I love all of my Mom's Christmas decorations.

 The miniature Christmas village that lights up.

 The mantle with our stocking that Mom cross stitched.  (Man I wish that was a talent I inherited... sadly we'll never know, as I certainly didn't inherit the patience to try. lol)

But most especially the tree.  It has all of the Christmas decorations on it that our family have been given, have made, or have purchased over the last 27 years of my parents marriage.  There are horrid little caricatures of things that the boys and I have made in school - Popsicle sleds and acorn Santas.  Mom always tries to get us to decorate it together, and we end up reminiscing over a few things at least.  It may be sappy.... but it's Christmas tradition, and in the end, that's the important thing, right?

One other thing that I'm looking forward to as part of the "Christmas Tradition" is a big ol' Turkey, some stuffing, and a bit of mashed potatoes.  After all.... last years Christmas dinner was the best I could do under Korean grocery store availability.

Ground pork quesadillas with cheese and roasted peppers.  Served with salsa.  Merry Christmas?  lol

Whatever the traditions are for your family during the holiday season I hope you enjoy them this year!  (Who knows, maybe pork quesadillas will catch on! :D  )

Nanaimo Balls

Don't those look yummy?  These are Nanaimo Balls - a take on the traditional (I guess...) Canadian dessert/square  Nanaimo Bars.

Mom and I have been making these over the last few days - mostly because we've been busy, and this took several steps.  You can put the balls in the fridge or freezer in between each step and leave them overnight if you want to keep the work down to a minimum.



Nanaimo Balls

Step One

6 Tbsp. Butter or Hard (NOT spreadable) margarine
2 Tbsp. Milk
2 1/4 Cups Icing Sugar

Mix and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Roll into balls.  (Keep the balls really small because you'll be adding two more layers, and you don't want them to end up being huge).  Keep in refrigerator or freezer while preparing:

Step Two
 
2/3 Cup Margarine (spreadable)
5 Tbsp Sugar
5 Tbsp. Cocoa
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (Optional, we used pecans)
1 Egg
2 Cups Graham wafer crumbs
1 cup coconut (Medium grind, chopped not strings)

Mix and add egg and crumb mixture, cool in the refrigerator.  2 tsp. at a time flatten with a tsp. into the palm of your hand.  In the center place a yellow ball (from Step One) and wrap the mixture around.  Freeze.

Step Three

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. Margarine or Butter
















Dip the frozen balls into the chocolate.

Makes about 50 balls.

Mmmhmmm.... Nanaimo Balls!