The Sounds of the Season

I’ve always loved Christmas music.  I love the hymns, the carols, the newer songs – I love them all. They lift my soul and fill me with happiness.

There are five CDs that top my list.  If I can have them in my CD player, then I'm happy for the entire season.

The Carpenters -- Christmas Portrait



Nat King Cole -- The Christmas Song



Amy Grant -- A Christmas Album



Tchaikovsky -- The Nutcracker



A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 1

That's my list of my favorite Christmas music.  What's yours?

The Perfect Christmas Fudge

From Thanksgiving to Christmas I love to cook and bake.  I especially enjoy making candy.  One of my favorite candies is fudge -- any type, and what could be a better selection for Christmas than this one?

Candy Cane Fudge

Ingredients

• 2 10-oz pkgs. white chocolate baking chips
• 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups finely-crushed candy canes
• red food coloring

Directions

Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and then lightly coat the bottom with butter.

In a medium size saucepan, combine the chips and the sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the chips are melted, or at least mostly melted.

Remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir until all of the chips are melted.  Then stir in the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.

Spread the fudge evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.

Dot the top of the fudge with several drops of food coloring.  Cut through the fudge and food coloring with a butter knife, making a swirl pattern.

Chill for 2 hours. Remove the fudge from the baking pan by lifting the foil from both ends. Transfer fudge to cutting board, and cut into 1-inch squares.

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