Thursday, December 13, 2007

Fruitcake - ick - right? Why do we keep traditions that we don't like or aren't even good? We are having a tradition change in our family this year. Ever since we got married, the holiday schedule has been this:
CHRISTMAS EVE
The shop is open until 1:00pm
We go out to lunch with JR's mom, dad, brother, sister, spouses and kids - usually to Wong's Chinese restaurant ( this bit was added about 5 years ago)
My mom and dad's house for presents and supper - it we are even hungry - with my sisters, inlaws, outlaws and nieces
CHRISTMAS DAY
Santa at our house, just us 4
Lunch with all JR's kin at the Martin Co. house. This is the one holiday when EVERYBODY shows up.
Evening at JR's mom and dad's for presents and snacks

This schedule has worked great. Everybody who wants the grandkids on the holiday gets them, no overlaps, easy. But this year, my mom wants to make a change. Her house on the 23rd for supper and presents. She thinks we are too full of Chinese food to eat all the stuff she cooks. (and she's right) She has added a chocolate fountain to this year's spread. It will be fine, but then we are left with nothing to do on Christmas Eve. Maybe we could go to a movie. The new National Treasure comes out 12/21 and the girls want to see it.

Here is one of my very favorite recipes. This is the cheesecake they served at the Woolworth's lunch counter when I was growing up. I am making one tonight to take to school tomorrow.

Woolworth Cheesecake
1 pkg. lemon flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 8-ounce pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 can Milnot, chilled
1 pound graham crackers
1/2 cup butter
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, cool. Cream together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Add gelatin and mix well. Fold whipped Milnot into gelatin mixture. Crush graham crackers (can use crumbs) and add melted butter. Firmly pack 2/3 of mixture in bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Add filling and sprinkle top with remaining crumbs. Chill several hours. Can be frozen.

1 comment:

katie said...

thank you for the sweet fruitcake tag :-) i haven't got any cards out yet - maybe it won't happen again this year, i've got the flooding for my excuse this time.

what is milnot? i'm intrigued... i've got many sweet memories of woolworths and the lunch counter in south dakota where i grew up. wishing you and your family a beautiful and joy filled holiday.