It’s Tradition – knitorious

For the first time this year, I chose to listen to Christmas music this morning. As I have for the past seven years (since its release), I turned to Leslie Odom Jr’s Simply Christmas album. And, as happens every year, I want to shout from the rooftops so everyone knows how great it is!!

(Picture that!)

I don’t have a picture of that, but I do have this one. I’m gonna say it’s Christmas 1968; I’m the one holding the guinea pig. Our tree was most often in the family room (where we spent more time), but this year it was in the living room (very formal & always ready should Good Housekeeping drop by). Behind us is the Christmas tree — loaded with TINSEL! I was reminded of Carole’s Holiday This or That post yesterday. My mother was adamant about each piece being hung individually… very tedious, but the effect was oh, so shimmery! I loved watching it move softly when a door opened or the furnace came on or someone breezed by.

Back to the music… I started the morning listening to The Christmas Album, a more recent release. My favorite track is Winter Song, which is on both albums, but this one is a duet with Cynthia Erivo. Fabulous.

Both albums are streaming on Spotify, and likely on whatever service you prefer. So good.

I cancelled next week's hotel reservation in Chicago. I briefly entertained the notion of not cancelling, but even a high floor at Sofitel wouldn't be balm enough.

Meanwhile, we're all rolling with the punches and moving on with holiday plans. For Kate, it means planning a holiday feast with her friends Blair & Judson (aka, Bludson), with everyone sharing their traditional holiday favorites. Thus, I had a request this morning for my mom's Heavenly Hash recipe; rare was the holiday table that this dish didn't appear, even if it was made the "day of" instead of begun the day before.

It is the world's most poorly written recipe card! One should not need to make notes such as "reserve juice," or to underline additional ingredients in the body of the recipe, or use asterisks to clarify directions. Not only are components missing from the list of ingredients, they aren't even in order!! GAH!

So I sent her the card, which she appreciated for the "archival quality" ("reserve juice" is in my hand, the larger note at the bottom is in my mom's, many spills and drips), but I also rewrote the recipe and sent it in a separate document. I'm sure it could still use some tweaking, but ohmylord, it is an improvement!

Heavenly Hash
(Begin to prepare a day ahead)

(1) #2 can pineapple chunks (20 oz.), reserve juice
½ lb. green grapes
½ lb. red grapes
½ c. mini marshmallows
1 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour (heaping)
4 Tbsp. cornstarch
½ c. water
(3) bananas
nuts (pecans), optional
1 pkg. Dream Whip

Cut pineapple chunks and grapes in half. Add to a bowl with marshmallows.

In a saucepan, bring reserved pineapple juice & sugar to a boil. Blend flour, cornstarch & water, and pour slowly into boiling juice & sugar. Cool. Pour over fruit & marshmallows. Refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, add bananas, nuts, and 1 cup whipped cream (prepared Dream Whip).

Category: It’s Tradition

12.12: Simply Christmas

Heavenly Hash