It’s Friday (whoo hoo!) and it’s random. Here are 5 random happenings from my world this week:
1 Office potluck called for my first batch of fudge of the season — this one uses only 4 ingredients. Ready? a) 1 bag of chocolate chips (or peanut butter or butterscotch), b) 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk, c) 1/2 bag of mini marshmallows (3 cups) and d) 1 1/2 cups of dry roasted peanuts (or walnuts). Directions: Melt chocolate chips and condensed milk in microwave – on high – for one minute. Stir. Continue for 15 min 15 second intervals until fully melted (mine took 1 min + 15 sec). Stir in marshmallows and peanuts and pour into well greased (9 x 13) pan. Pop into the fridge to set for 1 hour then cut. Take to office or family gathering, stand back, and watch these babies disappear.
2 Bought my first Christmas present this week – for the monkeys. They circled their “ideas” (translation = everything) last weekend. From that came THE list. The best part of this (free) exercise are their comments during the activity: Littlest one asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I replied I just wanted all of us together: playing games, enjoying each others company, yummy food and having lots of fun. So she replied “so you just want us?” and I said “yep, that’s what I really want.” Her reply, ” well put a bow on me, Nana, – here I am!” Kids!
an Emjayandthem (C) photo
3 Had my first touch of snow this week – last night – and more on the way today. Last year at this time we had 30″ of the white stuff. Not complaining … yet :).
it’s coming
4 You know those Hallmark holiday commercials with the cozy “normal” families? Yeah, that is so not us. Here are our boys as we try to take a birthday picture at youngest kid’s birthday. You can see why I don’t write Christmas newsletters … most of what they come up with is not fit for public consumption! But I never laugh as hard as I do as when I am with them :D.
an Emjayandthem (C) photo
5 Heard a quote this week that bears repeating, “The only way any of us can grow to be older and wiser is if we’ve already been younger and stupider.” Boy if that isn’t true!
The wise old own .. the big black crow .. flapping their wings singing go, birdie go …
What random happenings happened in your world this week? Are your family shenanigans suitable for a Christmas letter? Craving a little bite of fudge now?
** Thanks to my friend Diane H. who caught the 15 min error above – if you nuke your fudge for 15 min instead of seconds, your kitchen might be smoking! 🙂
Right now, I’m in a flutter getting ready for my niece and great nephew to arrive tomorrow and spend a week with us! So excited! And I think I’m going to make your fudge to have on hand. One question: what size pan do you use?
Love the comment made by your granddaughter – so sweet & from the heart!
oh how fun!! I used a 9×13 pan 🙂 enjoy!
I have tried for years to get a nice family picture with well, my family. That doesn’t happen because one boy won’t allow it, my hubby won’t smile and the other child isn’t around. I envy those wonderful family portraits. I will have to just enjoy those baby portraits I got at Olan Mills years ago…
that is so true, Diane. I miss those sweet days when everyone would pose willingly and happily! Now it’s like trying to corral runaway buffalo using a shoestring as a lariat!
MJ
I was just searching for easy fudge recipes and I will definitely try yours now!
It couldn’t be easier — but I corrected the instructions – microwave in 15 second intervals after the first minute – not 15 minute! Have fun! MJ
Not craving fudge but my mom’s kiffels. Loved her baking. Now I have to do it myself. It’s always a fun day but as the family is aging, there isn’t a need for large batches. Maybe that’s the good news. I have learned to cut my recipes in half!
I am not sure what Kiffel is but I’ll bet it was wonderful! And I make about 1/3 of the Christmas baking as I used to 🙂 MJ
Can’t wait to try your easy fudge!
It’s easy-peasy – my favorite kind of recipe!! MJ
Love your granddaughter’s response. 😀 How much that must have meant to her, to be the most important part of the holiday. Yours isn’t the only family photo that turns out like that. I’ve never done a newsletter, but my daughter used to. It was fun to read about the little things that make up a year that we miss living at a distance.
I loved her response, too, and hope she understands, from a tender age, that it’s not about the getting as much as it is the giving and the being – being happy, being silly, being together, being still, being grateful! – MJ
Your fudge looks tasty, and certainly sounds simple. (I am ALL about the simple stuff in the kitchen!)
Yep, our family photos tend to be much like the one you posted here. The biggest laughs when we’re together tend to be prompted by some form of bathroom humor, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
It is a very easy one, takes less than 5 min to make, and travels well. I like those kind of “bake & take” recipes 🙂
The boys are .. well .. boys. Loud, silly, clumsy and hilarious — like you, I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything 😀 MJ