We once again enter the eve of Thanksgiving. Prior to working a shift this evening, I spent the day in the kitchen preparing the traditional platters of fresh fudge. I accomplished the task early this year, normally this all takes place under the cover of darkness and into the wee hours of the following morning. I am done and now mentally preparing myself for the consumption of my favorite foods, candy, pie, turkey and mashed spuds with giblet gravy.

To thoroughly prepare ourselves for the big feast, we did host a small get together for friends on Sunday evening. The prelude included all the ingredients except for the pre-dinner fudge. Family was not included, however, the only male member of the Bear Clan somehow caught wind of the "big feed" and showed up unannounced and looking for a free handout, according to him, "I just happened to be in the neighborhood".



Thanksgiving and Christmas always brings back fond memories of the past, they were always special days in our home when I was growing up and to this day many of the traditions continue. Last winter, while outside, my niece and nephew gave me a Cook Book that was in my mothers belongings. It was produced by the Homer Homemakers Club in 1967. Today, while leafing through the cookbook, looking at the names of the past, I came across two handwritten recipes on scraps of paper. I immediately recognized the handwriting of my mother. I do not know if any of you can recall having it at your grandparents home, it was always so good and I thought the recipe had been lost. It is as follows as she wrote it:
Fruit Cake (Unbaked)
"1. In a 3 qt pan heat 2/3 cup Pet Milk 2 cups miniture marshmellows 6 table spoon orange juice remove from heat.
2. Stir in 3/4 cups dates 3/4 cup raisens 1 cup nuts 1 cup mixed candied fruit mix 4 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 tsp cinnimon 1 tsp nutmeg
3. Press into a lined pan & chill 2 days Makes 3 lb"

Thanks for the memories mom!