Grandmother’s Apron

I have been eagerly waiting to become a grandmother; however, since I do not have any married children, I should be rejoicing that I am not yet a grandmother.

My sister and I were talking last week, about how wonderful it is to have grandchildren. She has them; I do not. Yes, she tells me it is indeed a joy – you get to enjoy them, without all the responsibilities. The only sad thing is that they do not love you the most. As it very well should be, they love their mother the most.

We reminisced about the excitement we felt in going to our grandmother’s house. Only, we did not get to see her much, because she lived too far away.

Then she told me how her grandchildren do not get very excited about seeing her. They seldom run into her arms to be kissed and loved. So, she has resorted to bribing them – they kiss her and she gives them a bit of money. The littlest, who does not speak clearly hugs her and says, “where’s my dowher?”

What! I cannot believe it! Oh, she assures me that it is true.

Well, I decided if it ever comes to that, my grandchildren would have to give me more than a hug and a kiss! I shall have myself an apron that I wear when they visit. As long as Grandmother has her apron on, we will play a little game of “Happy Times at Grandmother’s House”. Only after I remove my apron will the performance be over, and they shall receive their actor’s allowance.

Yes, I can see it now…happy grandchildren around my kitchen table as I pass out the milk and cookies and collect the hugs and kisses.

Christmas at Grandmother's House

Enjoy the grandchildren!

~~~♥~~~

Diamond Eggnog ~ Just Right for the Holidays

 Everyone loves this eggnog!

Diamond Eggnog Ingredients
4 + 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs, separated
1 (125g/ 5 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
30ml (or approx 1 oz) rum
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon, ground

Diamond Eggnog Directions
Using a mixer, beat the egg yolks in a large bowl for 5 - 10 minutes; they need to be thick and resemble the colour of butter.
A little bit at a time, add in the milk, condensed milk, sugar and vanilla essence.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.
Slowly fold the egg whites into the rest of the mixture.
Add rum.
Stir gently.
Serve in cups and garnish with ground nutmeg or cinnamon.
Serves: 6. 

{Recipe Source}

http://artschilipepper.blogspot.com/2009/12/thats-not-so-bad-afterall.html

Caramel Popcorn

Caramel Popcorn

• 1 c. butter
• 2 c. brown sugar
• ½ c. corn syrup
• 1 teasp. salt
• ½ teasp. baking soda
• 1 teasp. vanilla
• 5 quarts popped popcorn

Preheat oven to 250°. Place popcorn in a very large bowl.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Boil without stirring for 4 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir baking soda and vanilla.
Pour over popcorn, stir to coat.
Place in two large baking dishes and bake for an hour (or less, depending on how chewy you want it) stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove from oven; cool.

Holiday Greetings

Hello dear blog Friends,

I will be away for the holidays and will not be back until around the last week in January.

I hope you all have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

♥Hope

The Gingerbread House

On Friday evening, my daughter wanted to go out and purchase a gingerbread house kit so that the two of us could make it that night.

This was a first time experience of me.

We applied the frosting and set up the sides. Next, we frosted the roof into place and began by decorating the ridge top.

After decorating the roof, the front, and the back, we realized the sidewall was slanting inward. I suggested just leaving it, but my daughter argued against that. I lifted the house, and she made the adjustment.

We set it back into place, but then the roof separated and the candies along the ridge began sinking. No soon than we had shoved the roof piece back together, then the wall fell in.

My daughter exclaimed, “Mother, this is ALL your fault!”

“Oh yes,” I said laughing, “how very convenient.” Then we both burst into laughter.

In a desperate attempt to salvage our project, we disassembled the house and rebuilt the sides. After giving the frosting sufficient time to set, we frosted the roof into place again.

Finishing our project, we sat back and basked in the wonder of our achievement. My daughter said, “It really was not your fault, Mother. I was my fault. I should have listened to you at the beginning when you said to wait before putting the roof on.” I knew she never really blamed me.

What fun it was to spend this time together. It was nearly midnight when we went to bed.

Overall, I think it turned out looking pretty good - for a near disaster.

24 hours later… the children ate the gingerbread house.