A post-Merry Christmas rant from Debra….
Tis the Season for Self-Imposed Gift Giving
Do you remember the bunny costume you received from your crazy aunt when you were nine?
Now that you are an adult, do you still cringe when presented with gifts from certain relatives?
What will it be this year?
I predict a themed gift like a cat sweater.
(You own a cat therefore you should love all cat related items.)Perhaps it will be a political commentator/yeller’s latest book-rant against everything.
(You read a lot therefore you must love everything in print, no matter if the book in question goes against your known political beliefs.
I listen to NPR, not “talk radio.”)Perhaps it will be last year’s gift that you gave to said relative just to reciprocate.
(Yes, I received regifted gifts back from said relative.)And, that, dear reader, brings me to my point…let’s ban self-imposed gift giving.
Let’s not give gifts just to give.
Let’s work on enjoying each other’s company.
Let’s make homemade gifts from the kitchen or other homemade gifts that are useful.I am not nine and I need no more bunny suits. (Thank you, Aunt Clara.)
Thank you for listening (again if you are an avid reader you know I go on some sort of rant like this every year.)
This year’s rant was sponsored by Food ‘n Flix.
The holidays are over and it is time to think about putting up the Christmas decorations, composting the tree, and putting the Santa dishes away until next year. Although you now have had time to catch your breath between parties and relatives, after Christmas is the perfect time to re-watch A Christmas Story, this month’s featured film for Food ‘n Flix (selected and hosted by Heather at girlichef.)
What a classic! The Hubs can quote almost the entire film from memory. I have such fond memories watching this film at my mom’s house about ten years ago. Of course we had seen the film umpteen times before then (and since), but I think the memory of this viewing is etched in my brain. The eldest nephew was only four and was the only “baby” in the family at that time. Mom was still living in Oklahoma and her house was always so warm and inviting and cozy, especially at Christmas. The Sis and her family were there as well as The Hubs and I. We had just snuggled in with hot drinks (probably cocoa) into the den to watch A Christmas Story.
At this point in The Nephew’s development, he has extremely sensitive to sound, especially loud noises. He also did not like cinematic drama. Anytime Mother Parker would screech, The Nephew would run around the corner to hide. Anytime the dramatic music would swell with an impending bullying episode, he would run and hide. When Scary Santa appeared, he ran and hid. But, when Ralph opened up his long-sought after present on Christmas morning, eyes shining and bright, The Nephew stood his ground, mesmerized by the childhood experience. You know that I am not the sentimental sort (especially from the rant above), but I remember watching his own cherubic face with tears in my eyes. (He did run and hide when Ralphie “shot” his eye out.)
I was so excited when Heather posted that this would be our December Food ‘n Flix film. As soon as she announced it, I began pondering what to make.
I was initially stuck on Chicken Chow Mein inspired from the Christmas dinner disaster. Then I became obsessed with the “little piggy meatloaf” scene.
But, then as I was making the family holiday favorites this season, I had an epiphany….FUDGE!
Yes, I was inspired by “the word…the big one…the queen mother of dirty words….the F dash dash dash word.”
Oh, Fudge!
Our Family’s Christmas Fudge
4 1/2 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1/2 t. salt
1 can (13 oz.) evaporated milk
1/2 c. butter
1 pkg. (10 oz.) mini marshmallows
1 jar (7 oz.)of marshmallow cream
1 pkg. (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 milk chocolate candy bar (7 oz.), broken up
2 t. vanilla
2 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in heavy 5-quart kettle. Stir in evaporated milk and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Boil 8 minutes, stirring frequently. (Make sure it comes to a good rolling boil first, then time it for 8 minutes or it will not set right.)
Remove from heat.
Stir in marshmallows, marshmallow cream, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate bar and vanilla. Stir vigorously until smooth. (You will need to put some muscle into it.) Stir in nuts.
Pour into buttered 10 X 15 inch pan. Cool and cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Makes about 8 dozen pieces.
I posted this recipe four years ago at Christmas. It is a family favorite and always makes one appearance during the holidays. (It is so rich that we don’t dare make it twice in one season.)
This recipe is a classic that The Hubs’ family has made for years. Over the years of making it at our house, we have changed the recipe just slightly to make it a bit creamier. We further modified the recipe a bit this year and swapped the vanilla out for 4 T. of amaretto and added sliced almonds for the nuts.
We have found that this freezes well too for some Christmas-bites later in the year.
Please join Food ‘n Flix in January. Anyone can participate. (Click here for more details.) January’s feature is Bridgette Jones’ s Diary and is hosted by Cheap Ethnic Eatz.
These fudges turned out perfect, Debra. I must make a batch too..well, at least for next X’mas.
It keeps forever, too. Freeze it, or like this year, I’ve stuck it in the fridge to nibble on throughout the season.
I went with this scene, too (but was THISCLOSE to making Duck Chop Suey)! I’m so glad that I picked one that you associate with good memories…and enjoy. 🙂 Your fudge sounds dreamy…
Thanks so much for hosting, Heather. Loved your fudge-pops. Most excellent movie this month.
That’s a beautiful plate! Reminds me of one my Mom used to have. Wonder what happened to it. I go through spells where I get very tired of the commercialization of Christmas, the people running around out of breath and exclamations and tears of being so stressed and busy that they’re about to keel over … I mean really? It’s no one’s fault but their own. Don’t do it if you’re “really” that upset. Makes me exasperated at people. A Christmas Story is a tradition for us on Christmas morning. Such a great little movie and full of memorable scenes. And great choice for the “oh fudge” scene. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
The plate’s design is called Miss America (depression glass)). I have a whole set from my grandmother. Thankfully, I had a non stressed Christmas this year. Remember the reason for the season.
Never enough fudge recipes! thanks
Never, never enough!
I didn’t make fudge this holiday season. How did that happen? I still have time, right? Three days.
New Year’s fudge, absolutely.
I shared the ohhh fuuudge! inspiration this round. 😉 Too fun. I love all of your memories around this one and I agree with Lee Ann–love that beautiful plate from your grandmother. Great post!
Thanks, Deb. This was a classic pick! Your peppermint fudge sounded outstanding!!!
Fudge was definitely the winner for this movie and your version looks delicious.
Thank you, Wendy. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I loved the sound of your turkey meatloaf.
Love the rant, and the fact that you love the movie which is ALL about the gift lol. The fudge is amazing. Happy New Year!
Yes, it is all about the GIFT! 🙂 Loved your take on the smashed potatoes!
A couple of weeks ago I took my twelve year old granddaughter to the see the musical at the 5th Ave Theater in Seattle. So it was Broadway style. In fact it was that theater that converted the movie to a musical that did go to Broadway from Seattle and get nominated for several Tonys. It was a fabulous day for both of us.
Wondeful lunch. Wonderful production is a magnificent theater. Fun for her to see the orchestra half buried
under the stage and the glamour of the inside of the remarkable theater. We live 2 hrs away which includes an half hour ferry ride to get there. So it wasn’t an every day trip. I bought her the movie for Xmas.
What a special day, Carol. Love it. We saw an amateur stage production a couple of years ago, but I still think you can’t beat the classic movie!
Your fudge looks amazing! Great choice!
Thank you, Amy. I love this movie!