One of my favorite "Christmas Goodies" memories is from a snowy, blowy evening when we got a huge tray of Christmas cookies and candy from Mrs. Kuhns.
Dad had just bought a snowblower for the back of his tractor, so he was regularly hired by Amish friends who needed their lanes cleared out before the milk man came.
Payment was usually in cash, but one evening, right around Christmas time, Dad brought home a big tray full of a variety of candies and cookies from
Roman and Martha Kuhns.
One of those scrumptious candies
was homemade caramels.
The caramels were Dad's favorite,
so Mom got the recipe from Mrs. Kuhns.
Since Dad celebrated his birthday on December 17, she "surprised" him every year with a pan full of caramels.
One of the funniest memories I have of the caramels was when Mom shoved the finished tray into the oven before Dad could see them.
She forgot that they were there,
and that evening turned on the oven.
Melted caramels are really just as good
as those that are all set up.
Spoon candy.
Here's what I didn't know about the caramels.
They take a tremendous amount of patience.
It seems that the first 220 degrees goes pretty quickly.
It's the last 20 that will test your patience completely.
They are so pretty when they start out...
Here we are holding at 225 degrees.
And holding...
and holding...
Finally!
We hit 240 degrees and get to add the vanilla!
Hi Carrie!
Ahhhh...gold!
Now we just have to wait for them to cool!
Unless you want to try them on some vanilla ice cream.
Hmmmm...
Patience, Jodi!
Enjoying Christmas Goodies,