Holiday tradition

  Update on Get Your Mrs. Claus On:  An email from Richard "the Elf"..... The first delivery of doll beds and cradles went to St. Anthony School.  "The sight of all the blankets bowled her over. She was most appreciative. Thank you again on behalf of the kids."    A few more quilts arrived......and I got 6 more finished up.  I will get photos of the latest group this weekend.  Thank you again, to all the Mrs. Clauses.

 It's going to be quiet Thanksgiving here--no cooking! no leftovers, yay!... so I thought I would get a jump on the December preparations.
  There are always one or two things that bring back memories of past holiday seasons.  For me it is when I pull down---or rather ask Sir Old Man to get down ---my Mom's old dish pan.   It's an old enameled oval one with dings and dents, white with black trim, and the size of a turkey roaster.  It's just the size for a triple batch of a family tradition.....Chex Mix!  And you thought I was going to say cookies.

  This pan has been filled with cookie dough, snapped green beans for canning, strawberries we picked  for jam, and so on.  It resides on the top of a kitchen cabinet now.   But once again, this year is brings forth the memories it holds.

My mom used to make batches of her Chex Mix and give it to the neighbors, the mail man--he would wait each year for his bag--and then bring up  huge gallon size jars  filled for the family to devour over Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

  One year I made my mix and used Emeril's Bam seasoning and got it toooooo spicy.  I have since learned that  too much Bam is not a good thing. 
And last year, Remy was introduced to this snack.  He quickly figured out which pieces he liked best, the cheez it crackers,  and then he would try to put back the pretzels and nuts! 
My  triple batch version is simple:
1 box each of corn, wheat, rice, chex cereal
1 box of cheez it crackers
1 large can or jar of honey roasted peanuts  (slight sweetness to balance the salty)
1 bag of butter flavor pretzels
3 sticks of butter melted
7 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
3 teaspoons of season salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic
  Combine all the cereals, nuts, and crackers and pretzels.  Combine melted butter with seasonings.  Drizzle over the dry ingredients and toss well to coat.  Spread onto large cookie trays and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hours and 15 mins.  Stir every 15 minutes.  Cool and store in air tight containers. 

  Now it is time to wash the dish pan, dry it well, and store it back on top of the cabinet.   Do you have something that holds wonderful family memories?
  I am thankful for all the wonderful things in my life, and all the trials.  I am thankful for projects begun, and projects finished....and all those scraps.  I am thankful for sunny days, and misty mornings, and moonlit nights.  I am thankful for hands to hold, friends to call, and those who touch my life along the way.  These are the moments that take my breath away.   A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you all.