Oh Fudge!

                                                                       

Its been a while since my last post...chalk it up to life! We've just received our first snowfall of the
season in Winthrop. I love snow...at least the first snow.... ask me again in a few months! Seriously, I strongly believe that if we choose to live here, enjoy it!!  Embrace it!!

I hope everyone is healthy and happy. I feel very blessed to have a close family, great friends, and wonderful co-workers to share my life with. My true anchor in my life is Jehovah God. He keeps me sane and grounded.

This quick, easy, and cheap recipe I want to share came from my friend, Paula. It is her uncles peanut butter fudge and it is DEADLY! The sugar coma has arrived!!!  This recipe isn't for those watching their sugar intake!! 

                                                   INGREDIENTS

                                                 1 stick of butter
                                                     3 c. Sugar
                                           2/3 c. Evaporated Milk
                                                  1 tsp. Vanilla
                                              1 c. Peanut Butter
                                          1 c. Marshmallow Fluff

In a medium sauce pan,  melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and wait for it to reach a bubbling boil stirring occasionally. Don't be afraid to let it boil, but once it does,  remove from heat and add the vanilla, peanut butter, and fluff. Stir vigorously and pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Refrigerate for an hour . The result is creamy, delicious fudge!  Chocolate lovers can add mini chocolate chips to the top right after pouring in the pan. Either way,  you'll love it.  Thanks, Paula!
                                                         

My mom made fudge pretty regularly when I was a kid.  I remember her love/hate relationship with it that often included trips outside on a winter night to throw the pan on a snow bank to speed up the setting process!!   Oh fudge!! No doubt, she would get distracted with all of us nagging her asking when it would be ready at least 100 times!  Poor mom, she didn't have it easy, but always tried to make the best of what she had. She's still that way to this very day. I learn more from her the older I get, as most people will agree regarding their parents. I'm very fortunate to have her in my life. She's still feisty at 88!!! 

I'm going to try to devote more time here again.  Like I said, life gets busy! However, we all need to take the time to do the things we love.  If only for a few minutes a day!!! 

Hope everyone will TRY this recipe!!  It will make you look like a pro!!!

How Sunday Was Intended To Be Spent

 

Times have certainly changed. Some change is welcome. Who wouldn't agree that technology allows families to stay connected despite being miles apart? However, the downside is we are finding more families see each other less and when they do reunite, there isn't much to tell that hasn't been disclosed on social media.

I recently had the privilege to read my grandmother, Ethel's, diary that was written a few months before her death and my birth over 50 years ago. I felt such a connection with her because our interests are pretty similar. Even though we never met, I could relate to her on many levels. It spoke of visiting family and her love of cooking. She wrote of her desire to have enough money to purchase yarn so she could entertain herself.  It made me think of how people today are going to convey to future generations of what their lives were like. What type of people they are. People no longer write letters, let alone keep diaries. Will our children be able to tell their children about us accurately? I am thankful I had a small glimpse into someone whom I've inherited many interests and traits.

Sundays were spent going to church services, having a nice dinner and then taking a leisurely drive to visit family and friends. Since every moment of their lives weren't documented on the internet, they  had things to share and converse over. Face to face CONVERSATIONS!! Young and old could gather together to listen and learn about their families and friends. Music also played a big part of those times. My aunts and uncles would haul their guitars and accordions around the table and sing their hearts out. They could care less that they weren't American Idol material . They enjoyed being themselves. People may argue they still do these things, but is that really so? How can that be when most are clinging for life to their phones, waiting for the latest feed update, selfie, YouTube video, etc., to upload? People can be in the same room, but still be miles apart emotionally and spiritually. 

I know I've been guilty of these things. While we can't live in a bubble and expect to turn back time, we can work harder to make the best out of the time we spend with the people we care about the most. Why not carve out a block of time to visit, bring a favorite dish, and unplug for the afternoon?

We experienced that recently when a few members of my husband's family came to see us. My sister in-law, Sharon and her husband brought up this gorgeous platter chuck full of goodies!!

While we did take a picture (who wouldn't want to remember this?), our time was spent together listening and being in the moment.

The other point I wanted to share from reading my grandmothers diary is her contentment with the simple things in life. A skein or two of yarn would make her day. She would make things for others while at the same time, keeping herself occupied.

My sister, Debbie, taught me how to crochet when I was seven. We are yarn junkies at their finest. To this day, I feel like my grandmother, though I never knew her, with my love of yarn. She would be alarmed at my collection.... its a bit more than a skein or two. However, I'm positive that if she were alive today, we'd be spending much time together.

This is the beginning of my latest project, an afghan for my granddaughter, Ashley. I've made one for her sister; Jaylin, because I want these girls to remember the times we spent together.

 

My goal over the spring is to try to spend true quality time with my family and friends. Allow our visits to draw us closer, educate, and refresh us. Insist that we step back and unplug!

 

Don't be afraid to call someone, even at the last minute, and see if they are up for company. Bring a simple dish, a plate of vegetables !! The Bible encourages it!! Proverbs 15:17

 

The best gift to give is the gift of our time.

 

Next Sunday, visit and enjoy the company of someone you love. You'll find it to be the best entertainment you can share in.