HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-12-24, Page 28JOAN CALDWELL
Production
I guess I never really thought of
anything really traditional that we do
each year at Christmas other than
filling and opening stockings, having
breakfast and opening other gifts
before taking our Christmas meal
over to my mother-in-law, Gladys’s
so she can enjoy Christmas Day with
family. My mom, Helen, also joins
us. It’s a fairly quiet day.
It’s the weekend before that we see
the real tradition of Christmas arrive.
Each year the Caldwell family gets
together for their Christmas. It’s the
Saturday before that we go to one of
Gladys’s son’s places, Leslie’s,
Wayne’s, or our place (Stephen’s)
where the guys in the group take on
a yearly game of Risk. They even
have a plaque with the names of the
winners for each year.
The ladies usually arrive at
suppertime and we all enjoy a
potluck of casseroles, etc. to be
followed by card games, board
games, or just talking.
The following day we all go to
another son’s place for the main
Christmas dinner at 1 p.m. where we
light a red candle in memory of my
dear father-in-law Ralph. Everyone
contributes to the meal. This is
followed by the annual Christmaspudding which I make each year.The recipe was handed down to mefrom Gladys.We then follow the meal withmore games, some walks to wear offall the food and more catching up
with family. The day is followed by
leftovers after the guys get the
chores done.
It’s a busy weekend but Christmas
wouldn’t be the same without it.
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
3 cups shredded carrots
2 cups beef suet
1/2 cup + 6 tbsps white sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
1 lb raisins
1/2 lb currants
1/2 lb peelflour to thickenCombine all the ingredientstogether in a large bowl. Add smallamounts of all-purpose flour tothicken everything and so it holdstogether a bit. Turn into a greased
mold and cover with a lid or tin foil.
Steam for 3 hours. Keep checking
every 1/2 hour that there is lots of
water in steamer.
Sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
a little salt
Combine these ingredients and
add 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Cook
slowly until thick. Then add 1/2 tsp
vanilla.
This sauce serves 6.
All together
The family of Joan and Steve Caldwell, with sons, Eric, left, and Ben, (shown here December
1990) enjoy Christmas a variety of ways, from the long-standing games weekend held before
to the traditional family get-together. (Photo submitted)
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008.Fun and games highlight weekend before Christmas
(NC)—We all know that there's
always someone in the kitchen at
parties because people connect best
over great food. Whether they’re
sampling new taste sensations or
reminiscing over familiar favourites,
great food starts in the kitchen with
recipes just like this.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
All the flavours of classic Buffalo
Chicken Wings in a hot dip. Yes, it
says 1/2 cup of hot sauce.
• 1 skinless boneless chicken breast
chicken, about 6 oz/175 g
• 1 pkg (250 g) light cream cheese,
softened
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) hot sauce
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded
cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) finely chopped
celery
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a non-stick pan, add chicken
breast to heated oil; cook for 2
minutes per side or until well
browned. Reduce heat to medium,
cook breast on both sides until
cooked through. Let cool and finely
chop.
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Pour in hot sauce, continuing to beat
until mixed. Add cheddar, celery and
chicken. Spread evenly in 8-inch
square (2 L) glass baking dish or 9-
inch (23 cm) glass pie plate. Bake
uncovered for 20 minutes or until
heated through and bubbly at edges.
Serve warm with carrots, celery
sticks, and/or tortilla chips.
HAIR AND TANNING
SALON
• total family haircare • gift certificates available
519-887-8989
Holly Dauphin
687 Elizabeth St., Brussels
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
Thank you for your patronage
over the past seven years.
To Our
Friends &
Neighbours
Wishing you peace,
love and joy this
holiday season and
all year through.
It's been a privilege
and a pleasure
serving you.
Murray's
Barber Shop
Brussels
Closed Dec. 25, 26
& Jan. 1
The best part of any journey is the people you meet along the way,
and we’re pleased to say,we’ve never met a better bunch of folks
than you.Thanks for making the trip worthwhile.
Merry Christmas!
From all of us at
Brussels Agromart Ltd.
40486 B-Line Road
Wingham
519-357-1997
Season’s Greetings & Many Thanks
Royal Canadian Legion
Brussels Branch 218
Wishes to extend Christmas Tidings
and New Year Wishes to all its
members and faithful supporters
for all their work and support
this past year.
Best Wishes for a Happy 2009.
Great food makes a party