Holiday Traditions

Our little family will be spending Christmas at home, just the three of us, this year. Kristin and I felt it was time for us to begin establishing our own traditions. Although Clara won't remember this Christmas, we're excited to make the day special for her, and in turn us. We even mentioned Santa Claus for the first time over dinner tonight.

One of the traditions we discussed is holiday baking. I mentioned today that it wouldn't feel like Christmas without Seven Step Bars and Haystacks, two treats that we always had each Christmas. Many people are familiar with Seven Step Bars (also called Magic Bars says Kristin), but Haystacks aren't as well known. Haystacks are a butterscotch candy combination made with Chinese noodles and cashews. I have many fond memories of my mom making them each year. She always put them in the same tin, wax paper separating each layer. The tin would sit on the washer or drier and I'd often sneak one or two when Mom wasn't looking.

After a quick call to Mom for the ingredients and a quick trip to the store, I found myself standing in front of the stove with a double boiler barely simmering, melting the butterscotch chips. I added in the Chinese noodles and cashews once the chips were melted, gently mixing them together. Once everything was coated I made the stacks that give the candy its name on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet. The first set were a little too big ...

But the second set turned out just like I remember them.

There's something special about taking the old to create the new. With a little from my youth and a little from Kristin's we'll create something for our family to look forward to from year to year. And thanks to Jeff, we'll be able to watch Christmas Vacation time and time again.

And Kristin will laugh at Cousin Eddie all night long.