Jack Daniels Fudge, Christmas Crack and Preparing for Christmas!

Just as soon as we were up and awake enough to know our names we got busy in the kitchen!

Louis Dean prepared the turkey for the roasting pan and then plugged it in outside on the kitchen deck where it cooked away all afternoon making the entire neighborhood smell delicious!!!

As soon as HE cleared out of the kitchen, I started my Christmas Crackers!

I don't always eat my own cooking but these are addictive!!!

I seriously love them!!!

It's like Cracker Toffee!!!

The last step is to sprinkle peanut butter chips over the top, melt and spread them.

You could use regular chocolate chips or whatever you like.

I copied the recipe from the Internet!

 Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (NOT margarine - original recipe calls for unsalted butter but I've used both)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 40 saltine crackers

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400.
2. Line 12x17 cookie sheet with foil and spray well with cooking spray.
3. Layer the saltine crackers on top of the foil.
4. Heat butter and sugar on stovetop and heat until gently boiling, stirring constantly.
5. Reduce heat to low boiling and cook, uncovered, between 3 and 5 minutes, until the mixture is thickened and sugar is dissolved. (Be careful to avoid burning the butter and sugar- that will ruin the recipe, but do make sure the sugar is dissolved and mixture is thickening. This is by far the trickiest part of the recipe ~ just make sure it thickens and dissolves but does not burn.)
6. Pour butter and sugar mixture over crackers and spread evenly.
7. Bake 5-6 minutes in oven.
8. Remove pan from oven and let cool 3 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over brown sugar mixture.
9. As chocolate chips melt, carefully spread into an even layer over the toffee layer using a knife. (Note - I pop the pan back in the oven for about 20 seconds after sprinkling on chocolate chips so that they melt faster.)
10. Refrigerate for one hour.
11. Break into bite-sized pieces and serve. . . yum, store covered in refrigerator.

After the crackers were done and set aside to cool, I packaged up the Jack Daniels Fudge!

It turned out GREAT!!!!

This tray will go to Fort Worth on Christmas morning while I kept a tin to serve here on Christmas Eve plus little bags to gift.

This is an 'Adults Only' Fudge as you can really taste the whiskey

I copied the recipe from Facebook for you!!

JACK DANIEL'S FUDGE - PERFECT for the holidays!!

5 cups sugar(2 pounds)
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
25 large marshmallows, ripped in half
11.5 oz Ghiradelli 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup Jack Daniels, or a whiskey you really like. You will be able to really taste it!

1. Whisk whiskey with confectioner’s sugar, and set aside.

2. Foil and butter a 9 x 13 (or larger) baking pan.

3. Put sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla in a large pot with a heavy bottom. Stirring steadily until mixture boils, continue stirring while letting it boil for 3 minutes (time it, this is important). Remove from heat.

4. Add the marshmallows and chocolate, stirring until all of it is melted and blended into the sugar mix.

5. Give whiskey mixture a quick stir, and add it to the pot, stirring until fully incorporated.

6. Pour into a greased pan, and chill. Let mellow for a day before cutting.

This afternoon I gathered up some goodies and visited my friend, Reaoma, in her assisted living home. Every time I go there, one of the nurses or staff ALWAYS tells me how wonderful and sweet she is and how much they enjoy her! Yes, that's my friend!!

The tree collage is from the place where she lives. Every public space was decorated and it all looked so pretty. I arrived during the evening meal and my friend was in the dining room.

I noticed a husband and wife eating together at a table next to ours.

Later as I was leaving, I noticed this same couple sitting in the big living area by the fireplace.

They were both well dressed and the lady had her hair fixed nicely and wore make up and jewelry.

I imagine they continue to live their normal lives and routine here in the assisted living place much as they did when they were home. It made me smile to see the couple still so happy to be together.

Made me think of dear blogging friends who are apart from their soul mates tonight. They are making the best of it - visiting and caring for each other even while living apart.

I came home to pick up the preparations for Christmas Eve dinner with a renewed sense of gratefulness that Louis Dean and I are doing this together.

I made the cornbread and he put the vegetables on to cook in butter for the dressing.

We are a team. None of us know how long we have here on earth nor how life might change for us in the future. All we have now is the present. It is a gift. A gift to be treasured right now.

I do not want to look back years from now and realize how happy I was. I want to experience that happiness NOW and that's exactly what I do!

The turkey is cooked and cooled. Cornbread is made. Vegetables are chopped and have been slow cooked in butter to add to the dressing. Then Louis Dean and I looked at each other and declared ourselves too tired to do anything more tonight!

We'll put the dressing together in the morning before he starts his cinnamon roll baking marathon!!!

We are both learning it's okay to say ENOUGH for one day!

We'll pick this up again tomorrow!