Monday, December 22, 2008

I made your favorite Christmas treat today!

My Grandma Hardie knew the way to Mike's heart...through his sweet tooth! She made sure to make these Caramel Morsel Bars every year at Christmastime because she knew they were Mike's favorites.

They're now our favorites.

I just made these bars today and, of course, I thought of Mike.


Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:

14-oz. bag KRAFT Caramels
3 TBSP water
5 cups crisp rice cereal or toasted oat cereal (I use crisp rice)
1 cup peanuts, optional
One 6-oz. pkg. (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
One 6-oz. pkg. (1 cup) butterscotch chips

Directions:

Melt caramels with water in saucepan (or double boiler) over low heat. Stir frequently until sauce is smooth. Pour over cereal and nuts; toss until well coated. With greased fingers, press mixture into greased 9” x 13” pan. Sprinkle morsels on top; place in 200 degree oven for 7 minutes, or until morsels softened. Spread softened morsels until blended to form a frosting. Cool, cut into bars.

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 19, 2008

A Christmas Memory from Mom

As I sit here listening to Christmas music, I am reminded of a phone conversation I had with Mike years ago (He called me in September 1987 for my birthday). I had been asking him for quite a while if he would be able to join us in California for Christmas since most of the family would be here. When I asked him again during that phone call, his reply was "I'll be home for Christmas." So, whenever I hear the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas", I think of Mike and wish that he had been able to join us that year and all of the years since then.

The picture collage on the right are all of the pictures included in our family Christmas cards.



Below are more photos taken on Christmas Days gone by...