Christmas Memories Part 2

13 days left to Christmas. I think that figures to about only 288 hours left to shop, if that many. I think that when Devin and I first met he would volunteer to work on Christmas and do all of his shopping after Christmas. I'm sure he got some great deals.

As I look at my Christmas memories, I have to take time to address foods. Today I am going to tackle making some of my Christmas treats. As I was sorting through my recipes I came across my Mom's recipe for Date Roll. If you grew up in the Knust family you would know that date roll is a holiday staple. I don't know if any of us would have ever chosen it as THE Christmas dessert. My Mom got it from Flo Slaymaker years ago. For years I felt like it wasn't Christmas without a bite of date roll. (See recipe below) The other item I associate with Mom and the Holidays is her shrimp dip. In fact she has to take it to the bank party every year or they ask her where it is or why she didn't make it. No when it comes to the goodies my thing is the Peanut clusters. We have no recipe written down for the peanut clusters. You just grow up knowing how to make them. Since I've lived here I've gotten at least one friend and her son addicted to the peanut clusters. I did let her in on our secret to making them. That's probably why they are addicted. Devin will be the first to tell you that my Mom's peanut clusters are the best and if I don't get the recipe right he points it out. This year I will be adding Dwayne Graham's fudge to my repertoire. I've had the recipe for years but haven't made it before. I'm not big into fudge but Steven loves it. In past years my Mom has made it for him and sent it to him. Spoiled? So what are your favorite Christmas treats? Kristen makes pretzel/kiss/m&m melts. I hear that my niece does this one too. So think of me today up to my elbows in goodies. Oh, here is the recipe for the Date Roll. I don't make it myself anymore. My kids just didn't fall into the 'it's only Christmas if you have Date Roll' mindset. And I don't want to eat it all myself. (Note to the Trost family: Keep those addictive Krinkles, Kringles, Kruckels...what ever you call them, away from me. You should never enable an addict! Love ya!)

Date Roll
1 lb dates, chopped
2/3 to 1 box of graham crackers, crushed
1 cup or more of nuts
1 cup small marshmallows cut up (great job for kids with clean safety scissors)
1 pt. whipping cream (enough to make it stick together)

Mix all dry ingredients (reserve some of the cracker crumbs maybe 1/4 cup?). Add cream and mix until clumps together. It will be sticky! Shape into a log and roll in cracker crumbs. Chill overnight. Serve with a big dollop of whipped cream. Merry Christmas!