Mom's Christmas Candy Things

What is it about Christmas that makes us nostalgic?

One of my Facebook friends posted a question: if you could go anywhere in place or time, where would you go?

I thought about fabulous places in history or wonderful scenic beauties...but then I thought, "I just want to go home. Back fifty or sixty years to the time when I didn't know much outside my small world, just so I could give my mom a little girl hug."

The reality is that it is impossible - 

although sometimes I hope that in heaven we'll be able to fully live in the best memories from our lives over again...

But that's where nostalgia comes in. I was blessed with a happy childhood, and I know my mother had a lot to do with that. Christmas time is when I remember her the most. I find myself talking about her, looking forward to my annual jigsaw puzzle (which I've always disliked, but she and my grandmother loved!) and making the old recipes that we used to make together.

So today I'm sharing one of my mom's favorite Christmas recipes. I suspect it hit the favorites category because it is so easy!

One change though - our weather is different this year than it was back in 2012 when I first shared this post. This year we're still in late fall, with temperatures in the 50's. Quite a difference!

Enjoy!

Mom's Christmas Candy Things

Are you ready for Christmas? We are up here in the north where it's six degrees as I write this. Let me see if I can help you get in the Christmas spirit :)

Cue music...

Light the tree...



...add some ornaments...


  ...it's time for Christmas!!!!






I'm sharing a super-easy-peasy family favorite with you today.

This recipe has been around in our family for at least fifty years - from back in the days when our Christmas tree looked like this:

Don't laugh! Those were the good old days! 

(In case you can't tell, I'm the cute little kid on the right. This picture is from around 1961.)

Mom's Christmas Candy Things

Ingredients:

1 package white almond bark

1 Tablespoon crunchy peanut butter

1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts

1 cup Rice Krispies, or your favorite crisp rice cereal

1 cup miniature marshmallows

Melt the almond bark, following the directions on the package, but be sure you don't let the stuff get too hot - you don't want to melt your marshmallows.

Next, stir in the peanut butter, peanuts and cereal. Finally, mix in the marshmallows.

Drop by spoonfuls onto baking parchment or wax paper.

Decorate with your favorite sprinkles and let them cool.

Now is that easy, or what?

Cue more music: here

Back to 2020!

As we head toward the end of this incredible year, I find myself reflecting on the past twelve months. What would we have done differently last December if we had known what would take place? I have a feeling I would have hugged people a little more.

What would you have changed last Christmas?

Jan Drexler has always been a "book girl" who still loves to spend time within the pages of her favorite books. She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her dear husband of many years and their active, crazy dogs, Jack and Sam. You can learn more about Jan and her books on her website, www.JanDrexler.com.