Christmas Traditions

[Blubayou]

We used to get together to make peanut brittle as a family for Christmas. My SIL was the peanut brittle expert, she built a couple of churches making it. Since she is gone we are without our expert, so I buy it every year and give it as gifts. I have several people who would be very disappointed if they did not get their peanut brittle.

[Margies3]

My grandfather grew up dirt poor. He had a father who was mentally ill and didn't live with them when he was growing up. They never got to have a Christmas tree until after people started throwing theirs out after Christmas. Then Grandpa would go and find one in an alley, bring it home, make paper ornaments and call that Christmas.

So when he had kids, it was a huge priority for him to make sure his kids had Christmas. He was so excited he would put them to bed on Christmas Eve, put their stuff and under the tree (around 9:00 pm) and go get them up to open it all!!

When I was born (the oldest grandchild), he would put stuff out and call my parents and tell them to get me out of bed and get to his house. It was time to open gifts. (this would be no later than 10 pm on Christmas Eve!)

Finally, Grandma just decided she might as well start hosting a party on Christmas Eve for all of their kids and grandkids.........And so the tradition was born. Every year of my life, we have the Hosler family Christmas party. All of the aunts, uncles and cousins come. Grandma and Grandpa are both gone now, but the tradition goes on. And now we do it a week or two before Christmas. And at a hall - you have to do that when you have about 90 people!!!!! This year we will have 4, possibly 5, generations of Hosler's at the party. We have a big potluck, a gift exchange for the adults (we play card Bingo to get our gift) and Santa comes for all of the kids 12 and under. We take up a collection to pay for next year's Santa gifts, the ham and the hall.

This year it's my turn to host the party. We're having it this Sunday afternoon. I am so looking forward to it. I made a DVD of family pictures to play on our screen at our church fellowship hall (where we are having it). It has almost 400 pictures in it!!

[Coffee99]

We have a low-key relaxed meal with immediate family and open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, everyone opens their stockings, an event to which everyone looks forward. There is always an orange, an apple, walnuts, a toy (no matter how "mature" you are) and small gifts. Then the entire extended family gets together for a wonderful, traditional Christmas dinner. Afterwards, we play games, sing, tell stories, and usually, eat some of the leftovers that have been carefully divided so everyone can take some home. Then we have dessert. Take photos. Play pranks. And, we laugh most of the day.

[Nahum]

After we put up the tree, our kids get to open a present on the day of our first measurable snow!


It snowed tonight!!!

And sleeted!!!!

And we had freezing rain!!!


They were happy to open....

Daughter: A movie.
Twin #1: Dart board.
Twin #2: A remote control helicopter.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

I love a Cookie Swap.I wish I were there.I am getting together tommorrow to help get treat bags ready for jail ministry.Each year I make pecan pralines for our friends and put them in clear jars.I like to drop them off on Christmas Eve so they can be eaten and apprieciated.I get alot of thank you's.We usually go to St.Anns each year and ride the train and drink hot chocolate.In Louisiana we used to go to some of the area light trails.In Pensacola there are alot of things going on.Christmas in old Seville is one of them.They have carols in the square and everyone brings their lawn chairs and buys hot chocolate or roasted peanuts etc.I am going this year.I also love the Christmas parade.

Do you give this recipe out? I would love to have a good pecan praline recipe!!!

[RandyWayne]

We go to my folks and have a very mediocre meal, followed by all the youngins tearing into their presents.
This year will be our LAST (here) however. I have a feeling that many will be flying down to Phoenix, AZ next Christmas.

[Jann]

When my 2 nephews were small tots I would buy each of them a gallon jar of dill pickles and a gift on their wish list. I began doing this as a "gag" because the 2 of them could empty a jar of pickles in a short period of time.
These 2 are now 26 and 37 and STILL expect their pickles at Christmas.
Last year after all of the presents had been opened and everyone was expressing joy over their received gifts these 2 let me know how disappointed they were because they had not got their pickles.
In the rush of things I had forgotten to put them under the tree.

[Trouvere]

Sister Sherri,
Here is it.Enjoy!



Sister Coopers Fantastic Pecan Pralines

I know the title is bragging but when I make these as gifts people rave about the buttery taste and since we have pecan trees in our yard I get to make them with fresh ingredients...yum
yum...but don't eat them alot or you'll end up not able to pass through the door and have to have your car and coffin special made.


4 1/4 c.Sugar...I use organic sugar..but you can use white if you can't get organic but honestly you will be missing that special taste because organic has a hint of molasses taste.

2 c.milk(canned evaporated milk is the best taste but make sure you cut it with water like the label reads or its too rich.)

1 stick butter(real butter not margerine)

1 tsp.REAL vanilla extract(if you can't get real vanilla in your area
take one vanilla bean and split it and place in (half pint)small bottle of burbon and let cure at least two weeks(wear a scarf and dark glasses when you purchase it..hehehe).This is what real vanilla is.The alcohol will disolve in the cooking)

2 cups Pecan halves.



In a large heavy pot, mix 4 cups sugar,milk and butter.In another very small pot, melt or brown about 1/4 cup or less of sugar(this is what gives pralines the brown color.We do not use brown sugar)

When large pot starts to boil, add the small pot of sugar, stirring
constantly.
Bring to a soft boil stage and immediately take off of fire.Add vanilla and pecans.
Stir until it starts to turn a dull color and you feel that it is getting hard to stir; you may hear a cracking sound!
Pour on waxed paper.

Note: When I make these I line cookie sheets with wax paper and turn them out on these.I use a large stainless steel cooking spoon and about a spoonful like this is enough for each praline.

They do not take long to cool.I store them in tins or give them away in glass jars.These are fantastic and this is the recipe the older Acadian women make.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Sister Sherri,
Here is it.Enjoy!



Sister Coopers Fantastic Pecan Pralines

I know the title is bragging but when I make these as gifts people rave about the buttery taste and since we have pecan trees in our yard I get to make them with fresh ingredients...yum
yum...but don't eat them alot or you'll end up not able to pass through the door and have to have your car and coffin special made.


4 1/4 c.Sugar...I use organic sugar..but you can use white if you can't get organic but honestly you will be missing that special taste because organic has a hint of molasses taste.

2 c.milk(canned evaporated milk is the best taste but make sure you cut it with water like the label reads or its too rich.)

1 stick butter(real butter not margerine)

1 tsp.REAL vanilla extract(if you can't get real vanilla in your area
take one vanilla bean and split it and place in (half pint)small bottle of burbon and let cure at least two weeks(wear a scarf and dark glasses when you purchase it..hehehe).This is what real vanilla is.The alcohol will disolve in the cooking)

2 cups Pecan halves.



In a large heavy pot, mix 4 cups sugar,milk and butter.In another very small pot, melt or brown about 1/4 cup or less of sugar(this is what gives pralines the brown color.We do not use brown sugar)

When large pot starts to boil, add the small pot of sugar, stirring
constantly.
Bring to a soft boil stage and immediately take off of fire.Add vanilla and pecans.
Stir until it starts to turn a dull color and you feel that it is getting hard to stir; you may hear a cracking sound!
Pour on waxed paper.

Note: When I make these I line cookie sheets with wax paper and turn them out on these.I use a large stainless steel cooking spoon and about a spoonful like this is enough for each praline.

They do not take long to cool.I store them in tins or give them away in glass jars.These are fantastic and this is the recipe the older Acadian women make.

Thank you, thank you,thank you!!!
I can't wait to try these. I just joined Weight Watchers this week though, so I will have to be careful and count my points!!! I know pralines are SOOOOOO fattening, but they are SOOOOOOO good. Eddie doesn't even like them; he's strange that way!

I did not know that about real vanilla! I knew it had some kind of alcohol in it though. I recently bought a bottle from Madagascar, just because I'm enthralled with anything African. When I opened that bottle, I nearly fell out (and NOT in the Spirit). It was the strongest stuff I've ever smelled!

[Trouvere]

Hey I am stirring up a batch of these now for my guys. I cannot wait to taste them. Last year when I met Brother Klein for the first time in person I gave him some. I think it helped..lol...

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Sister Sh:erri,
Here is it.Enjoy!



Sister Dana's Fantastic Pecan Pralines

I know the title is bragging but when I make these as gifts people rave about the buttery taste and since we have pecan trees in our yard I get to make them with fresh ingredients...yum
yum...but don't eat them alot or you'll end up not able to pass through the door and have to have your car and coffin special made.


4 1/4 c.Sugar...I use organic sugar..but you can use white if you can't get organic but honestly you will be missing that special taste because organic has a hint of molasses taste.

2 c.milk(canned evaporated milk is the best taste but make sure you cut it with water like the label reads or its too rich.)

1 stick butter(real butter not margerine)

1 tsp.REAL vanilla extract(if you can't get real vanilla in your area
take one vanilla bean and split it and place in (half pint)small bottle of burbon and let cure at least two weeks(wear a scarf and dark glasses when you purchase it..hehehe).This is what real vanilla is.The alcohol will disolve in the cooking)

2 cups Pecan halves.



In a large heavy pot, mix 4 cups sugar,milk and butter.In another very small pot, melt or brown about 1/4 cup or less of sugar(this is what gives pralines the brown color.We do not use brown sugar)

When large pot starts to boil, add the small pot of sugar, stirring
constantly.
Bring to a soft boil stage and immediately take off of fire.Add vanilla and pecans.
Stir until it starts to turn a dull color and you feel that it is getting hard to stir; you may hear a cracking sound!
Pour on waxed paper.

Note: When I make these I line cookie sheets with wax paper and turn them out on these.I use a large stainless steel cooking spoon and about a spoonful like this is enough for each praline.

They do not take long to cool.I store them in tins or give them away in glass jars.These are fantastic and this is the recipe the older Acadian women make.