The Christmas decorations are in place, gifts have been wrapped and put under the tree, food has been prepared and now we wait for Dec. 25.
For many people, this is their favorite time of the year. I can't wait to get the mail every day to see cards with photos from friends and family.
Enjoying the special cookies and candies my Mama only prepares this time of year is always a special treat for me.
I make some of the same things, but they never taste quite as good as hers. She says the same thing about her mother's recipes she prepares. Mama's Chex Mix is even better than mine.
Steve and I have always been thankful that we live close enough to both our families to see everyone during the holidays. We spend Christmas Eve at my Mama's house and Christmas night at his house with the "Flemming Clan."
My house is relatively quiet with only six of us. Steve's house can have anywhere from 10 to 30 people depending on who is in town!
I have always told my son, who is an only child, that he has the best of both worlds.
On one hand, at my house, he has always been the center of attention. At Steve's house, he enjoys the excitement and joy of a house full of aunts, uncles and cousins.
This is the first year in the past 25 that Steven won't be here in our home when we wake up on Christmas morning.
He has his own home now with a beautiful wife and precious baby. They will start their own traditions that will blend in with ours.
After Santa arrives, they will join us here for Christmas brunch.
We can't wait for Leila Rose's first Christmas. I know from experience that we could have just wrapped up some empty boxes because all babies really care about is the boxes and paper! Steve and I, however, enjoyed being back at Toys R' Us - it was as if we had never left.
I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday. Enjoy your families and remember the reason for the season.
Today I am including the Christmas brunch recipes I will serve.
They can all be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake since nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen on Christmas morning.
Hope you enjoy them. As always, thanks for reading and Merry Christmas.
HOT FRUIT COMPOTE
1 package (8 ounces) dried mixed fruit
1 can (16 oz.) cherry pie filling
1 (11 ounces) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup apple juice
Combine the first three ingredients in a 2 quart casserole. Set aside.
Combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients until sugar dissolves.
Pour over fruit mixture and cover.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.
MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
6 slices white sandwich bread, butter and cubed
1 pound sausage, cooked and drained
3 cups grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Spray a 9-x-12-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Place prepared bread cubes in the bottom of the dish.
Evenly distribute prepared sausage over the bread cubes. Sprinkle evenly with the cheese.
Combine the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and hot sauce and mix well.
Pour over the bread mixture.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from refrigerator and allow to sit on the counter while the oven preheats to 350 degrees.
Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.
•Contact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes-.net.
