CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS ASKED AROUND ST. JOSEPH What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
“Halo III pajama pants.”
What’s the best gift you ever received?
“My camera. I got it two years ago.”
What’s the best gift you ever received?
“Getting to visit my family.”
What’s on your wish list this year?
“I already got my present, my niece.” (who had to go through several surgeries but is doing well.)
NICK MERRILL
MEGAN DESHON
JACOB AIKINS
CHARLES FOX
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?
What’s on your wish list this year?
What’s on your wish list this year?
What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
“It was an ugly sweater from my grandma. I had to wear it around her, but I wouldn’t wear it outside.”
“I want all of my debts taken care of.”
“To give our kids everything they want.”
“I proposed to my fiancée in 2009. I gave her crappy earrings, and then surprised her with the ring.
KRISTAN BUSH
WILLIAM HALL
LAURIE HALL
BRETT PERKINS
student at Missouri Western
student at Vatterott College
St. Joseph
employee at Organo Gold
employee at N. Belt Walmart
employee at Organo Gold
student at Missouri Western
student at Missouri Western
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Christmas Morning Hash Brown Quiche Family traditions seem to be lost in this day and age. Even though my family may make a face or two, they would be very disappointed if I didn’t make my Hash Brown Quiche on Christmas morning and make them sit through the old movie “Going My Way� on Christmas Eve. Now I make four for our family (so they can have some leftovers) and six additional ones for our neighbors. Sometimes they are waiting at their door for the early delivery. I would be honored for this to become your tradition also. 3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes (thawed) 1/3 cup butter, melted 4 ounces hot pepper cheese (shredded) 6 ounces ham, cooked and diced, about 1 cup 4 ounces Gouda or Swiss cheese
(shredded) 2 eggs 1/2 cup light cream 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt Press hash browns between towels to remove moisture. Press hash browns onto the bottom and the sides of a 9-inch pie plate to form a crust. Drizzle melted butter over crust. Bake in a 425-degree oven for 25 minutes.Remove from the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Toss together the ham and cheeses, and place in crust. Beat the cream with the eggs and seasoned salt. Pour over the ham and cheese. Bake uncovered in the 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Will make six servings. Have sour cream with dill weed and chives to serve with quiche, if desired. Some individuals may want ketchup available. — Linda VanDyke, St. Joseph
Quick Skillet Peanut Fudge This is a family favorite. 2 cups sugar 3 tablespoon butter 1 cup evaporated milk 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1 jar (12 ounces) chunky style peanut butter (1½ cups) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk in electric skillet. Set oven to 280 degrees. Bring mixture to boil and boil for five minutes, stirring constantly. Turn off heat. Add marshmallows, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir until marshmallows and peanut butter are melted and blended. Pour into a buttered 8-inch square pan. Cool before cutting. — Versie Ann, St. Joseph
On the Web
Find plenty more holiday recipes at newspressnow.com/Christmasrecipes.
Salted Nut Bars First layer, mix and press into a 10 x 15 x 1 greased pan 2½ cups flour 1/2 cup quick oats 1½ cups brown sugar, packed 1 cup soft butter 1 teaspoon salt Bake this first layer 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Second layer, blend and heat until blended and chips melted. 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon water 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup butterscotch chips Pour 2 cups mixed nuts over first baked layer. Pour second layer (syrup) over nuts and return to oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes until bubbly. Cool completely and cut with pizza cutter into small bars. — Ellen, Camden Point, Mo.
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Pumpkin-Pear-Chocolate Pie 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup whole milk 3 eggs 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 unbaked 9-inch pie crusts
2 cans pumpkin pie filling 1 can pear halves (without liquid, mashed into desired consistency; smooth or lumpy) 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla extract
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Bake unfilled crust about 15 minutes until crust starts browning and bottom is firm. Stir in all ingredients except eggs and brown sugar well. Beat 3 eggs to a pulp and fold/mix well with the filling ingredients. Pour the filling into the crust. Lower the heat to 375 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove and sprinkle a little brown sugar on top. Return to oven for 10 minutes to melt sugar. Brush top lightly with a melted butter and brown sugar glaze. Makes two 9-inch pies — Ken Shearin, St. Joseph
Sugar Wafer Delight My mother made this for our family for different special times. All of the family and friends always looked forward to this great dessert. 1 large can Carnation milk, chilled 1 large can crushed pineapple (enough for 1 pint), drained
1 box of lemon or orange Jello Sugar wafer crumbs
Heat water to dissolve box of lemon or orange jello. When thick, mix in pineapple. Beat milk stiff and mix whipped Jello and milk together. Put sugar wafer crumbs in bottom of dish. Add mixture. Put additional sugar wafer crumbs on top. — Celia, Faucett, Mo.
Grandma’s Christmas Cookies This recipe, along with Grandma’s pecan cookies (see newspressnow.com/Christmasrecipes), is something that my grandmother made every year. It always seemed to be a limited amount, and everyone loved them both. You had to be quick (maybe even sneak some when no one was looking). I am carrying on the tradition. Finally, my dad asked if I could just make a couple batches just for him! 1 cup dark Karo syrup 1 cup molasses 1½ cups brown sugar 1 cup shortening 2 eggs 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 9-10 cups flour 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon nutmeg
5 teaspoons cinnamon 3 teaspoons ginger 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon cardamon Grated rind of one lemon 1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds 1/2 cup finely chopped citron Bring syrup and molasses to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool. Mix in shortening and sugar. Beat eggs and stir into syrup mixture. Dissolve baking soda in the lemon juice and add: Stir well. Mix the spices with the sifted flour and add to the mixture. Stir. Finally, mix in the almonds and citron. The dough should be very stiff. Place dough in a covered bowl and let stand for a few days in a cool place. Roll out on lightly floured board, but not too thinly. Grease cookie sheet. Bake at 340 degrees for about 10 minutes until light brown. Frost the cookies and store in a tight container. Store them with a slice of apple to keep them fresh. You can decorate with raisins, red hots, blanched almonds, chocolate chips or whatever you desire. — Ruth, Gower, Mo.
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Christmas Salad This is a nice alternative to traditional cranberry sauce. 1 package fresh cranberries 6-ounce package black cherry gelatin 1 cup hot water 6-ounce can of crushed pineapple, undrained 1 cup red seedless grapes 1 small can mandarin oranges, undrained Make cranberries into sauce by following package directions. Dissolve gelatin into water. Add juices to gelatin, then add all other ingredients. Chill and serve. Makes one large bowl. — Wardie, Gower, Mo.
Three Cheese Enchiladas This is absolutely one of our family favorites. One of our sons requests it all the time. Very filling! 1½ pounds ground beef with chopped onions 6 ounces softened cream cheese 1½ cups picante sauce 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese Tortilla shells Enchilada sauce Brown ground beef with chopped onions. In separate bowl using mixer, cream softened cream cheese, picante sauce and cheeses. Add additional picante sauce if needed. Mix in the ground beef to cheese mixture. Wet tortilla shell in enchilada sauce, covering both sides. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of hamburger/cheese mixture into a prepared shell and roll. Place the filled shells into a sprayed 9 x 13 casserole dish. Continue filling shells until all meat/ cheese mixture is gone. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the shells in pan and cover with additional shredded cheddar cheese. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until bubbly, heated through. — Terri, Stanberry, Mo.
Chocolate Fudge Cookies I love this recipe because of the ease of making it. Within 20 minutes, you have fresh hot homemade cookies. So easy your kids can help you as well. 1 Pillsbury Devil’s Food Cake Mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs
Mix all ingredients. Batter will be stiff, but just keep stirring. Mix in 1/3 cup of whatever mix in you enjoy (white chips, peanut butter chips, mini M&M’s, Andes mints, etc.). Shape into balls, and roll in sugar, place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes, if you hold the pan at an angle and the cookies run a little they are ready. — Rebecca, St. Joseph
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Minstrone This flavorful soup is just the ticket for holiday parties and pre-game festivities. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup) 2 medium carrots, diced (about 3/4 cup) 2 medium zucchini, diced 1 garlic clove minced 3 medium potatoes unpeeled and diced (about 3/4 pounds) 3 cups thinly sliced Savoy cabbage 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cans reduced sodium chicken broth 3 cups water 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Heat oil in large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion; cook stirring occasionally, until softened, about six minutes. Add carrots and celery; cook stirring occasionally, three minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except cheese. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer gently one to two hours. Serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serves six. — Tanya, St Joseph
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Holly Cookies This is a favorite activity with the grandchildren. 3/4 stick margarine 32 large marshmallows 1 teaspoon vanilla Green food coloring 4 cups corn flakes Red cinnamon candies (red hots) 1 or 2 medium sized children
Melt margarine and marshmallows together on medium heat, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and food coloring (make dark green). Gently fold in corn flakes. Drop quickly by spoonfuls on waxed paper. They set up fast, so three red candies must be placed on each one, no certain order. This is where another pair of hands, preferably the child or children, comes in handy. Makes 30 to 36 cookies. — Jeannetta, St. Joseph
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole I love sweet potatoes, and so does most everyone in my family. We have eaten the marshmallow topped variety for as long as I can remember, but ever since I started making these, everyone always requests that I bring them to holiday dinners. My dad even eats this cold with Cool Whip on top! 5 sweet potatoes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream Topping 1/4 cup butter, softened 3 tablespoons flour 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350, Grease a 9 x 13 dish. Bake potatoes in oven 35 minutes or until soft. Cool, peel and mash. Mix in butter, cream, salt, sugar, cinnamon and eggs until smooth and creamy. Pour into baking dish. In a bowl combine the remaining butter, flour, brown sugar and pecans. With a pastry blender or fork, combine the ingredients until they resemble coarse meal. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until top is golden and crispy. — Angela, St. Joseph
Hawaiian Cheese Ball This is an excellent tasting cheese ball. Serve with crackers. 2 packages cream cheese, softened 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained 1/4 cup chopped onions 1/4 to 1/2 cups chopped green peppers
1 tablespoon seasoned salt Dash of salt Dash of paprika Chopped pecans Mix first seven ingredients well. Shape into ball and roll in chopped nuts. —Terri, Stanberry, Mo.
Senior citizens share their Christmas memories at www.newspressnow.com.
A Minnis family Christmas For Doug and Marjorie Minnis, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most wonderful days of the year because they get to enjoy all of their family, from four children, and their spouses, fourteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter, together. I’m just one of the many people that celebrate Christmas at the Minnis home. Our Christmas begins with an early morning on Christmas Eve. All of the families meet at Nanny and Papa’s (my grandparents’) house to see each other. Uncles, grandchildren, and Papa drive over to a local gymnasium to play basketball while Nanny and the mothers prepare homemade cinnamon rolls and visit. After a few hours of playing, or once everyone starts getting tired, we all head over to Nanny and Papa’s house to eat lunch. It is a tradition to go to four o’clock Christmas Eve Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church. After Mass, everyone heads back over to Nanny and Papa’s house to take pictures. Once millions of pictures have been taken, all of the kids and parents dress into their pajamas. We gather around the Christmas Tree and presents are handed out. We open presents starting with the youngest, the only great granddaughter, and ending with the oldest grandchild, which happens to be her father. After all the presents have been opened, the birthday party for Je-
Submitted photo
sus begins. There’s always a birthday cake, replete with a candle, candy, and other varying main dishes and sides. Seven o’clock in the evening is one of the best times of the day, because this means that’s it’s time for the twenty-four hour special of “A Christmas Story”. The older grandkids know every line and scene, while the younger kids are just beginning to learn. Every year, it seems that Nanny walks downstairs right at the moment in
the movie where Ralphie says “Oh fudge!” and she questions if it’s really such a good movie for us to be watching. “A Christmas Story” is one of my most memorable traditions because that’s something that everyone in the family loves. While “A Christmas Story” is being played on TV, most of the adults and older grandchildren play dominos in the basement. There’s always the time of the night when everyone decides where to set their chair in the living room.
It’s a tradition, to set chairs out in a line for every person in the family. When Santa comes, he’ll put unwrapped presents on any person’s chair that’s been good that year. Or, if you’ve been bad, you’ll get coal, like my Uncle Stephen did one year when he was younger. Everyone also puts a stocking under their chair which is always filled with an orange and an apple. “The light is outside!” is what most of the younger children say once it starts getting late. The “light” is a candle that Santa leaves out to show that’s he’s already been there once, and if he comes again and everyone is still awake, he’ll pass over the house without leaving presents. The kids are always quick to set up a spot to sleep in the basement once they see the light outside. The kids usually pick a spot on the ground or a cot to sleep because they know that the couches and the reclining chairs are meant for the older kids. Once all of the kids are in their sleeping spot, Nanny comes downstairs to read “The Night Before Christmas” to all of us. “Jesus and his angels watch over you,” Nanny says as she kisses us and says good night. Papa comes down to say good night to all of us, too. Parents find their places to sleep, littler kids are tucked in, and the older kids wait for Nanny and Papa to go upstairs to turn “A Christmas Story” on again. — The Minnis family, St. Joseph
The magic of the holiday season It seems everyone is happier in the month of December, after Thanksgiving the decorating starts, lots of houses and businesses try to get it done before the weather gets bad. The lights get everyone in the mood. In St. Joseph and Kansas City, it’s quite a sight to be seen. The rural areas are really magic. We get cards in the mail, decorate in the house, get everything wrapped, and there are candy and cookies to make. Years ago when we made our own decorations, we enjoyed them just as much. My parents didn’t put candles on the trees because of the danger
of fire, but some did. The schools and churches had programs, and Santa would come and give all the kids a sack with candy and nuts and an orange on the top. Sometimes, in my generation, people would just have a tree at school and church, and the parents would take a gift for their child. Usually, the tree would be a cedar they had cut from their farms and they put it in a bucket of sand and watered it every day to keep it from shedding. They were quite sticky when you touched them.
We always kept them up until New Year’s Day. We would have a big dinner at our great grandmother’s. When New Year’s was over, it was slow in January. We usually had snow around Thanksgiving and it would be on the ground until the next March. During Christmas vacation from school, we would go sled riding, ice skating and play in the snow. We made our own games. — Phyllis Carrel Bond Maysville, Mo.
Doing for others creates warm memories Warm wishes have to be heartfelt ones to share. My wish list includes so many memories of the times and events that still remain in my mind. I would hope that young ones experience Christmas caroling to the shutins that have little joy surrounding them during the holidays. Standing in the crisp, cold air and singing “Joy to the World” and seeing the smiles and hearing the “Thank you” from the person standing in the doorway.
Taking a loaf of banana nut bread or other goodies to those not having much or able to get out to shop. Sending a card to someone who receives little mail on a daily basis. Sending a note of thanks to someone who stood by you all this past year. Take time during the holiday rush to remember Thanksgiving first. It is not all about the huge dinner at noon or the football game to be watched. Set a time during that special day to give
thanks. Be grateful for your life and family. Remember the soldiers fighting for our freedom and those friends lost this past year. Put your extra coins in the Salvation Army bucket. Donate a toy for tots. Share with your church and organizations that help others. Spend less on presents that will soon be forgotten. I recall getting a doll and a pair for socks to unwrap one year. Then Grandpa that lived with us handed
me a silver dollar, which I still have in my possession. In closing, I might add some song titles to sum up my memories of the holidays: “Make Just One Person Happy” and then you will be happy too. As well as “Little Things Mean A Lot.” Your warm wishes will make all the difference in some person’s life and yours as well. — Kathryn Lambright Cameron, Mo.
There’s nothing like a real tree for Christmas During my childhood, all our Christmas trees were cedars that grew wild on our farm. While they smelled wonderful, they weren’t the prettiest kind of Christmas tree, and they were sticky to decorate. Cutting down a tree was no great loss. There were lots of them growing here and there. However, my brother and I decided we didn’t want
to kill the trees. Our solution was to pick out a small tree, dig it up, replant it in a bucket and display it on a table. There were several of these trees over the years. Our Aunt Grace told us we could transplant our little Christmas trees at the edge of her yard, north of her house.
Aunt Grace is no longer with us, and her house is also gone. The cedar trees, now grown large, are still standing at the edge of the yard. They don’t serve as Christmas trees any longer or even as a windbreak for a house. They still serve a useful purpose now, for shade and shelter for a herd of cattle. — Carol Puckett, Maryville, Mo.
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It wouldn’t be Christmas without the gifts
Chicken made a memorable Christmas Christmas 2006 was my mother’s last Christmas with us. My son gave her a battery operated chicken that squawked when you picked it up by the neck. She had been having problems with being frustrated at times and had voiced that to our son when they talked at night. That is why he brought her the chicken so she could take her frustrations out on the chicken when that happened. She laughed so hard every
time she grabbed the chicken that we all had a good laugh. She even had the chicken on her lap for the Christmas family picture. Mom passed away the following March of 2007 at the age of 88 from staph infection, so that was our last happy memory of her and the squawking chicken. You can see by the picture how much she enjoyed it. — St. Joseph, Mo.
Christmas was always an exciting time when I was growing up. We would open our gifts on Christmas morning. Santa would come for my brother and me, and we would be up early to see what was under the tree for us. Later on we found out our folks would leave our gifts across the street with our neighbors, Ganyl and Hub Goodspeed. They didn’t have any children so they would be excited, too, when we would show them what we had received. Aunt Ester from Oklahoma would mail us gifts. We would talk our mother into letting us open one a night or two before the big day. We would hang our dad’s socks for Santa to fill, they were bigger. We would get peanuts, hard candy, orange slices and a few assorted chocolates, then the orange would be on the top. We didn’t have oranges very much. When our folks were children they would have a tree at school and church. Their folks would take a gift for each one so Santa could give
Hear Better for the Holidays!
it to them. Those trees would have popcorn and cranberry strings. Their ornaments would be some they made, also candles. Our tree had lights and ornaments. I remember the lights wouldn’t work if one was burned out. Our dad would have to find the bulb that was burned out. After Christmas one year the decorations would be on sale. They found some bulbs that didn’t do that. We thought that was great. They were bigger.
We loved to go to St. Joseph to see the downtown decorations in the stores and on the street lights. That was really a treat. After we opened our gifts on Christmas morning, we would go to one of our grandma’s for dinner and to open gifts. We always had cousins to play with, more boys than girls. Most of our relatives lived within 15 miles of one another. It was always a day to look forward to. — Phyllis Carrel Bond, Maysville, Mo.
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CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS ASKED AROUND ST. JOSEPH What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
“A $48 turkey we ordered from the Amish.”
LILA MOORE
Art teacher in Trenton, Mo.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?
What’s on your wish list this year for Christmas?
“I want a new job.”
“My Barbie Kitchen Center, when I was 4.”
SHAWNA LOBER Trenton, Mo.
ELAINE KNAEVEL St. Joseph
What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
“It comes every year: All of my family together.”
SSat., DDec. 10, 10 9 a.m.
Join Santa for a special storytime with Will from the St. Joseph Public Library.
...there will be a...
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Submitted photo
Wayne, Darell, Cheryl and Irene Hawley show their Christmas gifts as they sit by the tree at their grandparents’ home around 1955.
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Christmas Eve with grandpa and grandma
I
t was part of our family tradition to spend Christmas Eve with our maternal grandparents, Andrew and Opal Hansen. We always had oyster soup with oyster crackers, celery and pickles. After this healthy but simple meal we had oodles of candy which included homemade divinity piled in a tower of sugary sweetness and walnuts. On a few occasions we even stayed overnight. After eating we retired to the front room. The most exciting event of our Christmas Eve was that Santa Claus always came to the front door to give us our presents. Santa’s visit was preceded by a Christmas sing-along with Grandma Hansen at the piano. Santa would always appear as if on cue as we swung into a spirited rendition of “Here Comes Santa Claus.” We kids could hardly breathe as we began the song and waited for Santa’s heavy knock on the door. He would enter from outside, the cold December air wafting in with him.
It was rather difficult to understand what Santa said to us but we understood his loving custom of present giving. He seemed to know a lot about us, whether we had been good or bad, but he always lovingly gave us our presents. One year after Christmas I noticed that Santa’s coat and scarf were laying on the kitchen floor at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. No explanations suited me and Grandma finally had to admit that yes, it was our Grandpa who dressed up every year and stuffed his mouth with brown
paper so we couldn’t recognize his voice. This disappointment actually turned into a privilege because from then on I was allowed to go with Grandpa to the pantry and help him get dressed while everyone else was singing. After Grandpa died we continued all our traditions with the exception of Santa’s visit. By then Grandma had asked me to play the customary Christmas songs for our singalong. We continued to have a Christmas tree and Grandma and Aunt Alice would wait for me to come home from college to help them put it up and decorate it. The Christmas Eve tradition of oyster soup and a sing-along continued all through my son’s childhood with his Grandma and Grandpa Hawley (my parents) coming to our home to celebrate. To this day I eat oyster soup and play the traditional Christmas songs on Christmas Eve, always ending with “Here Comes Santa Claus.” In my heart and mind Santa Claus comes again spreading joy and cheer to each of us, his loving family. I catch myself almost holding my breath as I wait for his knock on the door. — Irene Alexander, Barnard, Mo.
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KIDS ANSWER HOLIDAY QUESTIONS at www.newspressnow.com What would you like What is your favorite thing What would you like for Christmas? about the holidays? for Christmas?
“Hero Factory.�
“Getting toys.�
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ELIAS KRAUSKOPF, age 5
KODI CLARK, age 5
ASHER HUFFMAN, age 4
What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
What would you like for Christmas?
What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
“Sliding in the snow.�
JOHNNIE HOGGATT, age 5
“Monster trucks.�
CAMDEN CORWIN, age 4
What would you like for Christmas?
“A Baby Pinkie Pie.� CAITLIN WOODROW, age 4
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ALEXIS WOODROW, age 4
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“I like making a snowman.�
ETHAN WILSON, age 5
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