Christmas Goodies with Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Confessions of a Christmas Grinch

Sue-Ellen Welfonder

also writing as Allie Mackay

Season’s Greetings! As the title of my post reveals the state of my “holiday cheer,’ I’ll try to redeem myself a bit by sharing that I wasn’t always such a Scrooge.

Indeed, for many years I could’ve been mistaken for Mrs. Claus. My snowy garden could’ve been clipped from a Christmas card, my house was decorated with such care that it could’ve doubled for the best-ever gingerbread house. If you’d looked for me, you would’ve found me aproned and busy in my kitchen. Flour on my hands, a smile on my face, that was me, and happily so. Nothing store-bought would do. Savory or sweet, everything was made from scratch. Recipes were old, family favorites handed down for generations. I even made my own eggnog and ““ best of all ““ the most wonderful genuine English plum pudding.

A yule log crackled merrily in my fireplace, my house smelled of Christmas spices and pine, candles added ambiance, and the brightest stars lit the frosty night skies ““ a magical scene.

I loved Christmas!

Tradition mattered. And I embraced the festive season with gusto and delight.

So what happened?

A transatlantic move to Florida.

The above description ““ just a thumbnail of how wondrous my Christmases used to be ““ refers to the many years I lived in Bavaria, very near to the Austria Alps and Salzburg of Sound of Music fame.

With all due respect to the Sunshine State, Christmas in the tropics is an acquired taste. And I am sorry to say that I do not care for it. Soaring temps, humidity, and fry-your-eyeballs sunshine, just doesn’t say Christmas to me.

It sure doesn’t say Yule, which is how I celebrate, honoring the old ways as I do.

So it is always with a bit of panic that I agree to participate in these holiday blog rounds. The last thing I want to do is be a spoilsport and ruin everyone’s jolliness.

But, really”¦

“Ho ho ho!’ sounds hollow when belted out by someone in shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops. And plastic snowmen on lush tropically landscaped lawns just look silly.

The truth is, I am relieved when it’s all over and the flamingo-reindeer are returned to the attics.

Not everyone shares my aversion to Christmas in southwest Florida. Friends do come calling, and there are always invites to some really nice parties. Of course, I participate. I even have one or two super easy “holiday offerings’ that are guaranteed crowd pleasers. I whip them up for my own guests and take them along as my contribution to potluck holiday get-togethers.

I’m sharing them with you now ““ a wee gift, given with a smile and nod on Christmas Eve.

Sue-Ellen’s Grinchy Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups sugar

½ cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ cup peanut butter

Bring sugar and milk to a boil. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Pour into a buttered pan. Chill until solid, and then cut into squares.

Allie’s Mean Peppermint Bark

2 lbs. white chocolate

1 cup crushed candy canes

Peppermint flavoring (optional)

Crush the candy canes. Easiest non-messy way is to put them in a sturdy Ziploc bag to be crushed. Melt the white chocolate and then carefully stir in the crushed candy cane bits. Add a dash of peppermint flavoring if desired. Spread onto a lined baking sheet (parchment or waxed paper). Refrigerate until firm, usually about an hour. Break into uneven pieces and serve on a festive plate or put into a holiday gift bag or box.

Bonus meanie tip: to add extra cheer, use red-and-green striped candy canes.

~*~

I hope you’ll enjoy these super-easy, even-Scrooge-can-do-it recipes!

GIVEAWAY: Five digital copies of my upcoming collection, LORDS, LAIRDS, and LEGENDS: Magical Tales of Timeless Passion. The bundle will be gifted upon its Jan. 10^th release. The same five winners will also receive (immediately), a digital copy of my only holiday tale, ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS!

To enter, tell me which you prefer: a white sand Christmas or a white snow Christmas?

Whatever you love best, here’s wishing you a joyous holiday!