I grew up in rural Southern Alberta, Canada and every year around Christmas time we'd get these boxes of little, easy to peel oranges, wrapped in green papers. They were delicious and we'd eat boxes of them.
Whenever I eat them, it instantly takes me back to the Christmases from my childhood.
[ December 05, 2005, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: sweetbaboo ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
We always get those in our stockings. Although often we get a better kind of tangerine instead of clementines. Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
When I was growing up we would all get a box of our favorite cereal for Christmas. We could eat it when we wanted. It was what we had for breakfast Christmas morning.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
My dad would always put tangerines in our stockings. I did that last year, and my husband said, "Why on earth are there tangerines in the stockings?"
I guess they don't have that tradition in West Virginia.
--Mel
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I was born in Edmonton, so little oranges have always been part of Christmas for me. Yesterday at the grocery store a box of clementines was 50% off, so I got one. I also made Nanimo bars and munched on clementines and Nanimos all day yesterday. Yum!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I think it may be a cultural thing-- my dad got it from his mom, who grew up in England pre-WWII, where oranges were quite a treat and were the best part of the stocking, even better than the chocolate bar (which, along with nuts and small toys, was usually about what was in there.)
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
Mmmmm Nanimo bars....I haven't had those in ages!
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
I have a recipe if you want it . . .
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Had to look Nanaimo bars up-- they look a lot like the 7-layer bars my grandma used to make for Christmas. Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
Brinestone, I would love your recipe. You could email me or post it, either way.
I thought of another (and of course it's food related as well... ) We called them "Nuts and Bolts" (chex mix) My Mom made them with something for everyone, my sister loved bugels, I got the brazil nuts and my little brother got the cheerios. Very Christmasy to me.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Mine has gotta be gumdrop cookies (actually made with spice drops in my family.) I love them so much. And my mom only bothered to make them at Christmas, so they just scream Christmas to me. Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
I had some "Nuts and Bolts" today. I love them (except for the peanuts). It is definitely different from what you buy in a box at the store. My Mom also puts in extra garlic. I love the way the house smells when she makes it.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
(I don't, which is why she makes it there.)
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Have none of you had the red and white striped peppermint candy cane? I never celebrated Christmas, but in (public) school, we always got those.
If you suck on the straight end, it turns wickedly sharp. You could put an eye with that cool, minty sensation.
Posted by CRash (Member # 7754) on :
Oh yeah, we called them "candy swords" when they got all white and sharp. Around that time, the candy-cane giveout at my school changed from your average-sized crook to a pint-sized thing that always broke after you tried to fence with it. Coincidence? I think not.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Warning: This recipe contains inordinate amounts of butter.
Nanaimos
1/2 c. butter 1/4 c. sugar 5 Tbsp. cocoa 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla
Heat and stir until mixed. Remove from heat.
2 c. graham cracker crumbs 1 c. coconut 1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans usually)
Mix graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and nuts in a bowl. Pour chocolate mixture over and mix. Pack into 9" x 13" pan and put in freezer.
1/2 c. butter 3 Tbsp. milk 2 Tbsp. vanilla instant pudding mix 2 c. powdered sugar
Mix ingredients together to form a frosting-like consistency. When graham cracker layer is cool, spread cream layer over it. Put in freezer.
Approximately 15 minutes later, melt 4 squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate and 1 Tbsp. butter. Pour/spread over creamy layer. Freeze 15 minutes more. Cut into 1" x 1" squares and serve chilled. May be frozen long-term.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
Christmas music is what does it for me every year.
When I was younger my mom helped out a friend who ran a pet-sitting business (caring for pets, watering plants, picking up mail for people going out of town.) We'd make all these late night visits in her van with Christmas music blaring. Alot of our customers were really rich so we got to drive through the neighborhoods looking at the professional decorations on every home. Something about a car heater and a good Christmas cd in the stereo just takes me back to all those nights of talking and spending time with my mother.
Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
I LOVE CLEMENTINES! So easy to peel and so yummy to eat.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
quote:Have none of you had the red and white striped peppermint candy cane?
I've stopped trying to eat those. Once the candy cane gets sharp, I always end up poking my tongue. And it hurts!
My favorite Christmas item is eggnog! Eggggnogggggg! Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Alta Dena eggnog is the only eggnog for me. We tried to make it several different times and ways, and it never turned out.
So our traditional family recipe is:
Pour chilled or warmed Alta Dena eggnog or honey eggnog into glasses. Sprinkle with nutmeg if desired. Drink.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Hey sweetbaboo, I visited Taber, AB a few years back--any chance that's near where you grew up?
Brinestone, those Nanaimos sound wickedly good. Any idea what the origin of the name is?
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Oh, just answered my own question--Nanaimo is a place in BC!
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
They are wickedly good, and yes, it's a place in British Columbia. I feel it my duty as a Canadian expatriate to spread the joy of Nanaimos with as many non-Canadians as I can. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I love Nanaimo bars. Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
Uprooted, Taber is about an hour away from where I grew up. What took you to Taber?
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
I was there to visit an old friend from college. A whole different world from where I grew up in the East!
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
I just moved to Boston...so I understand in reverse
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) We called them "Nuts and Bolts" (chex mix) My Mom made them with something for everyone, my sister loved bugels, I got the brazil nuts and my little brother got the cheerios. Very Christmasy to me.
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