I could say that my husband is a "snoop"!

Ever since my husband was a little boy he has "snooped" into his Christmas presents. His parents had to send the Christmas gifts to the neighbor's house in an effort to keep him out of the packages. He didn't consider that a problem at all. He just waited until the neighbors were gone and then he "snooped"!  (No one locked their house doors in the old days... remember?) He remembers getting up in the middle of the night and unwrapping everyone's presents and wrapping them back up. I've asked him time and again, "Didn't that spoil the surprise for you?" He always answers with a laugh, a twinkle in his eye and a resounding, "NO!" I just think is so odd. I would never want to spoil a surprise for myself, but, as my aunt says, "That's what makes horse racing!"

(I am just now figuring out why my husband does such a good job wrapping presents when I request help. He's had lots of practice.)

Do you have a snooper... that you know of??

My First Christmas Cloche

My First Christmas Cloche

This is not as fancy as some I have seen, but it was a tricky one to do and I'm pleased. Wish this picture would show the glow from the glass balls. They are very, very heavy. I bought them in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, a "suburb" of Guadalajara. I had to hold my breath when I turned the glass cloche over with those heavy balls. I was worried the dome would crack. They are placed on a Mexican pewter cake stand.

Are you having a hard time calling it "quits" on the decorating and cooking? I keep seeing one more thing I could do. I have to stop that!

It's an unusual holiday time for us. My husband is at our business in Mexico right now and will hopefully be home on Wednesday. Just one of those things! I am definitely getting more done than if he was here, but I sure do miss him. Lucky man though... he is attending our granddaughter's Christmas program in Mexico, where our son and his family live. Hopefully I will have a picture to post at some point.

Santa - this one is enough to scare anyone!!

Santa - 1954

It's a wonder we were all tramatized by this Santa. When we would spend Christmas with my maternal grandparents, "Jean" and "Gumpy", we would be treated by a visit from Santa himself. This Santa suit dated back to the 1920's. The mask was incredibly bizarre! I remember getting so caught up in the moment of his arrival that it was perfectly okay with me that Santa either wore my grandfather's Aggie ring or my uncle's Tulane ring. What a cooincidence! In later years one of my brothers would dress in the same costume and entertain my oldest son and youngest brother. Great memories!

Christmas 1954

Christmas 1954

My mother and sister (left) and I all had matching "dusters" that my grandmother had made for us. That was such fun for us all to be dressed alike. You can barely tell but this is the Christmas that I had the mumps!

Feliz Navidad from Carmen and David

Merry Christmas from Mexico!

Carmen and David - 2009

My grandchildren live in Mexico... too far for a quick drive to Abuela and Pop's home. Thank goodness for iPhones and being able to send pictures back and forth. This Christmas tree is in Carmen's bedroom. I think it's beautiful!

How to make English Dainties and Mother B's Fruitcake

English Dainties

First step:

1/4 lb. butter

1 1/4 c. flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

Mix well and press into a buttered 8"x8" square pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until light tan color. (I doubled this recipe)

Second step:

1 egg

1/4 c. coconut

1 c. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. flour

1 c. finely chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix and spread over first part and bake slowly (325 degees) until moisture is all gone, about 15 - 20 minutes. Cool and ice with:

Final step:

Icing...

1/8 lb. butter

Juice of 1 lemon

Enough powdered sugar to make a spread

When spread, allow to dry well and then cut into squares.

Mother B's Fruitcake

makes 2 loaves

2 lbs. candied fruit

1 package shredded coconut

1 lbs. or less of chopped pecans

2 cans of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mix thoroughly fruit, coconut and nuts. Add milk and mix again. Grease (or use Pam) loaf pans and then line with wax paper. (I spray with Pam again.) Press mixture into the pans and baake at 250 degrees for 3 hours for a dark cake or

1 1/2 hours for a lighter cake.

English Danties and Mother B's Fruitcake