EVERYTHING ABOUT CHRISTMAS!

Please welcome Liz Austin, an as-yet-unpublished author. Leave a comment today to be entered in the Kindle Fire 7 Giveaway on Christmas Eve.

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Christmas Eve’s were the best when I was a kid. My whole family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone all gathered at our house for a big Christmas party. We had loads of food ranging from treats, cookies, and fudge to shrimp platters. We’d have a fire going in the fireplace, there was always a lot of laughter and fun, we’d exchange gifts. The next morning (Christmas day) we’d open gifts, then get ready and bundled up and go to my grandmother’s house for Christmas dinner. It was wonderful, just a really great time for a kid.

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

I love Christmas just as much as I did as a child. I think my favorite Christmas memories as an adult are the ones made leading up to Christmas day. The decorating, the music and movies, the festive mood, everything. My favorite memories would be the ones made at the Christmas Eve church service with the people I’ve known just about my whole life.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

A.   Secular – “White Christmas”

B.   Religious- “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” & “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

When I was child, we’d have a big Christmas party on Christmas Eve where our whole extended family would gather, then on Christmas morning we’d wake up and open presents, then have breakfast, then get all bundled up and go to my Grandmother’s house (she lived next door) and open presents from her and my aunt and uncle. She’d cook this huge Christmas dinner that we’d have sometime in the afternoon. Before the dinner we’d watch either a Christmas movie or a John Wayne movie, and then after dinner, we’d watch “The Quiet Man” (another John Wayne movie). Now that I’m an adult (and my grandmother is gone) we now split up the Christmas party duties among my mother and her siblings, they take turns hosting, and it’s usually not on Christmas Eve (if it is it’s earlier on the day). We spend Christmas Eve evening at church for its Christmas Eve service. Christmas day is now spent at home with my sisters (boyfriends, too) and parents. We have dinner and then watch Christmas movies the rest of the evening. J

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

I’m a Christmas freak, I absolutely love the whole season. My grandmother loved Christmas, it was her favorite holiday and she always went all out. Christmas was just so magical when my Grandmother was alive. I love the spirit of the holiday. The love and joy, and the fact that it celebrates the birth of our Savior, now that’s pretty magical ;)

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

I can’t stand when people try to sexualize the holiday or make it vulgar or obscene. Some of the Christmas movies and shows made today are absolutely appalling. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, I think people should treat it as such, with respect.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

Health, peace, love, and blessings.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food?

My mother makes this fantastic fudge every Christmas season and I just love it! 

Chocolate Fudge

Fudge

4 1/2 cups sugar

6 tablespoons butter

1 large can evaporated milk (12 1/2 oz)

1-12oz. package chocolate chips

1 jar marshmallow crème

Nuts chopped

1. Pour chocolate chips and marshmallow creme into a large bowl. [Mamaw used her mother's crockery bowl.]

2. Boil sugar, butter, milk together for 7 minutes after first bubbles come, or until soft ball stage is reached. Take it off stove and pour syrup over chocolate chips and marshmallow creme.

3. Stir until chocolate is dissolved. Add nuts if desired. Beat until cool and creamy. Pour onto a buttered pan.

4. Cool and cut. Keep with waxed paper between layers and store in airtight container until served.

Do you have a book you’d like to share?

Not yet! Hopefully next year!

I hope so, too, Liz.