The Smells of Christmas Traditions!

Gary Sandy, as Scrooge

Four days until Christmas and the smells from kitchen continue to conjure memories of Christmas past. 

(Not to be confused with the Ghost of Christmas Past!- I was just in “A Christmas Carol Live Radio Drama” with Gary Sandy, from WKRP in Cincinnati, and he played Scrooge. And I finished my NaNoWriMo novel. So I’ve been busy, even though I haven’t been blogging)

The Christmas season comes but once a year , and in that single month we cram so much: holiday activities; decorating; shopping; singing; wrapping; visiting; partying;  ……you name it, we try to do it. Sometimes in all that hustle and bustle of trying to “find” Christmas, we can actually lose it. 

Scottish Shortbread

Two completely different factors need to be present for me to create the feeling of Christmas in my home....

1) church services through the Advent season. 

2) baking (I know…..very different)! 

In all fairness to me, depending where we lived influenced what type of church service we’d hear or participate with to some extent. 

Gingerbread Houses

And, climates, Christmas activities, and local traditions are very different in the various places I’ve lived-- England, Philippines, Cyprus, Italy, Sardegna, Spain, Hawaii, California, Florida, Maine, etc., etc…..  But one thing that was always constant was our holiday baking traditions-- as a child, an adult, and parent.

The kitchen was always the place to hang out during the holiday season from Thanksgiving through the New Year.  Special Christmas cookies – such as Linzer Tarts; Candy Canes; Peanut Blossoms; Sugar Cut-outs, Lebkuchen; Meringues; Chocolate Kringles; and, many others were baked early and placed in the freezer so that I could give as gifts. 

Gingerbread Houses were made by the dozens, decorated, and then given as gifts to friends. 

Pumpkin Bread is one of my favorites to bake and give away. 

Mini Pumpkin Bread Loaves 

And, of course it wouldn’t the holiday season without Fudge! Long before I ever made it myself, I would help either Mom or Dad as they tested the sugary mixture making sure it reached the perfect temperature on the stove so that it would harden as it cooled.  They must have taught me well, because I’ve never made a batch that wasn’t perfect! (smiles!)

Advent Calendar
filled with bones.

A tradition that my younger daughter started over ten years ago is the baking of doggie bones and giving them to our canine friends of friends!  Made from freshly crushed peanuts, they smell heavenly baking and cause our favorite paw-friend to wait patiently at the entrance to the kitchen for them to cool.

One of the greatest joys that I get during the Christmas week is filling beautiful baskets with baked goods and jams and delivering to friends.  Each year the baskets hold different items, but the intent is always the same—I want to share with them something that brings such joy to me.

                                                                                            Merry Christmas! 

Wordless Wednesday

We Wish you a Merry Christmas!

Yes, a Creature WAS stirring!!

The Precious Stable Animals

Kris Kringle

Snow really does taste delicious!

.... Who's Been Nibbling at my House?

A mini-sized one

For as long as I can remember, we have had gingerbread houses (Lebkuchenhaus) at Christmas time. Mom made them every year, only at Christmas, and they were a beautiful sight to behold. I know how Hansel and Gretel must have felt finding the Gingerbread House in the woods! Oh, how the aroma must have beckoned to them.


Each year just after Thanksgiving, Mom would begin her holiday baking. That always comprised of dozens of beautiful cookies that she would wrap to have on hand whenever guests would drop by during the Christmas season. But the one thing that I always looked forward to was the Gingerbread House. The smell of it baking and then the delicious aroma the decorated gingerbread house itself continued to generate for the next several weeks was intoxicating. The candies and handmade small cookies that decorated the house were so beautiful and delicate.


In those early years, we didn't help her decorate. She did it by herself, usually while we were at school, and then it was a gift to the family.  We would come home and ohhh and ahhh as we checked out all the little details that she'd incorporated.

A larger sized house not done being decorated

When I was a young adult, but before I had children, I continued the Gingerbread House making activity for my home.  Each year I would make them and have one for my home and then give others away to friends for Christmas gifts.

I still enjoyed everything about it, the baking, the decorating, the smell, and the nibbling at it several weeks later. I usually would just set it outside after Epiphany (January 6th) and let the birds, squirrels, bunnies, etc come and nibble away. I would pull the chocolates off it first and then place it where my golden retriever wouldn't find it.  (smiles)




Years later when I had children, the Gingerbread House tradition continued. We decorated them as a family. I also baked and assembled them for each of their classmates and they would decorate them during school and then take home to their families.  Each year I made at least 60 little houses--my home smelled glorious with all those baking!

Houses of all sizes beginning to be assembled.

Some years I even had Gingerbread House decorating parties with friends and extended family.  I'd bake and assembly one for everyone, but the decorating would be done by them.  Then I'd give out prizes of hand made ornaments to the winners.  Categories would be silly and usually invented so that everyone would leave with a prize ornament to hang on the tree as a memento of the celebration.

"This is the house that Jack   Mom Built"
She modeled it after Time Life's.

This year is no different from all the rest.  The gingerbread (Lebkuchen) baking has begun and the tradition is continuing!







I encourage you to give it a try.  You may even start a new tradition in your home.






** Please don't confuse the real thing to the prepackaged stuff they sell in the stores.  There is NO comparison.

Yup!  Gingerbread marks the season in my house.

As this season of Advent begins and you rush to the hustle and bustle of all that is demanded of you, I hope you can find a quiet moment or two to remember the true meaning of Christmas.


Love was born at Christmas.  Peace and Blessings to you so that you may have love and understanding of others.

NaNoWriMo - Completed!

The certificate that they give once the book
has a validated word count -- 50,000 words

I have completed the National Novel Writing Month challenge and am feeling good about it.

The month flew by and at times I doubted if I'd finish on time; but, I did. I love all the characters and their interactions with each other.


Since I'm pretty certain that most of my blog readers may never see the book, I thought I'd include a few passages from various places in the book without the worry of giving away the ending.

( Don't worry, there is dialogue in the book.  These excerpts are just descriptions....therefore, they take up less space for this blog!) Now remember, I have not edited yet....I just wrote, and wrote, and WROTE! I never looked back!!

Book Cover Photo

Synopsis: After 20 years of marriage, a middle aged woman suddenly finds
herself divorced and left to raise four children.
She sets out on a quest to discover new land and rediscovers herself in the process.

The Olive Branch

                As I wrapped my hands around the warm mug of herbal tea, I leaned back in my favorite chair on the small covered porch and let out a sigh.  The warm days of summer were beginning to become a faded memory.  I noted the early morning fog was able to linger a little longer because of the cooler temperatures. As I closed my eyes, my sense of sight gave way to the sounds of morning.  Birds fluttering and chirping in the shrubs and trees surrounding the house and porch interrupted my thoughts. The sounds of them busily preparing their winter nests seemed to momentarily chase away some thoughts while others came pouring in.  Winter nests- what a powerful visual. So many word associations come to mind: safety; comfort; food; protection; family.  I once had a nest.  It seems as though I had devoted my life to ensuring that those in my ‘nest’ felt safe and comfortable; that they were fed and nurtured.  After all, they were family.  My protective instincts would have had to have ranked high on a scale had they ever been measured.  So, to think that my ‘nest’ was ripped apart from within, from someone who I had thought was family,  was and is still too much for me to comprehend or accept.  

****************

My tea was cooling down and I needed to begin my morning chores, so I pushed back the chair and headed toward the porch door. As I grasped the knob and pulled, the warmth of the handle and the creak of the hinge brought a smile to my face.  This was my door, my house, my farm, and I had built it all from the bottom up, with the help of my children. As I glanced down at my hand holding the knob, I noted the difference in the appearance of my hands now compared with how they’d looked just a few years before. These were working hands. There were no rings, no nail polish, and no smooth palms. Instead, they were bronzed from the sun, calloused from the tools, and dried from the wind. But, these were good hands- hands that comforted my children; hands that cared for the animals; hands that reached out to help someone whenever they were needed. “I wouldn’t want them any other way!” I thought to myself as I stepped over the threshold alone.

*****************

While I poured each cupful of grain into the individual animal bowls, the noise mixed with the sound of a woodpecker in a tree not far off. I looked up to see if I could find him. The grass on the hills was lighter this time of year. Not the bright, thick green with spring, not the dark, bluegrass color that comes mid-summer. No, this was a soft yellow-green as if to say, “I’m leaving for a while. Try not to miss me. I promise I’ll be back.” As the days grow shorter, the leaves fall from the trees and the sky dims to a misty blue-grey, I find myself fighting to keep the winter-blues away. 

*******************

The wind blew across the fields. The crisp smell of the air brought my thoughts back to the present. The horses nickered for food. “Yes, it’s your turn,” I muttered. I raised the zipper a bit higher on my jacket and was glad that I’d chosen the heavier one this morning. Fall was definitely here and winter not too far away. I glanced across the fields and remembered how differently this looked when I had walked the property lines the very first time.

Long before I actually moved onto the farm, I had walked the land, mapping out where I wanted the house, the paddocks, the orchard, and the garden. As I walked, I fell more and more in love with the land; I thought I had never seen a more beautiful piece of earth.  Every time I looked upon the gently rolling ground, the lush green fields, the spectacular sunsets, and the massive spans of night sky that displayed incredibly brilliant stars, I felt I was blessed to be surrounded by nature in its raw state.

From those very first moments the land beneath my feet had achieved the metaphorical cornerstone that would not let me crumble.  I felt it challenged the fighter that lay broken within me and gave my life direction once again. Those grueling first months on the farm required so much physical work that each day I was pushed to the point of exhaustion. The physical demand required of me connected to the mental one and that’s how the healing began for us all. 

********************

We had opened the barn and had just gotten ourselves comfortable on a soft bale of orchard grass when we saw a light orange glow begin low on the south east horizon. As we sat there side by side and watched the sun slowly creeping higher and higher in the sky, Jeff put his arm around me and pulled me closer.

“There is no place I’d rather be or anyone I’d rather be with than right here, right now, with you,” he said softly.

I leaned against him and it felt as though it had always been like this. I felt his lips brush against my hair. As I turned my face to smile, I felt his lips find mine. It was a gentle kiss, but one that promised many good things to come.

Just twenty four hours ago the day had begun with a memory of the person who had destroyed my life and all that I had believed in. But I knew things would be different now. There was no going back. No returning to that place in my heart that was filled with anger. I had moved on and Jeff had helped me do that. It was as if he’d offered me an olive branch- a symbol of victory for overcoming the pain that I had endured.  I didn’t know what was in store for me or where my life path would take me next, but I did know that life can be good, and that when your heart is ready, it can move on.

Build it and They will Come.....Home!

A gorgeous day on the Farm.

         A Thanksgiving Tribute

 On this day of celebrating all that we are thankful for, I will do the same.  J 

My blog profile states how I was a Navy brat for years and then was a civilian living overseas after that.  I was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to London, England when I was only six weeks old.  I’ve lived in other countries such as the Philippines, Cyprus, Italy (3 different times), Spain and the US states of South Carolina, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and finally, Kentucky. 

During the early years on the Farm.

While all that was very exciting and I usually loved every moment of it, I never developed “roots”, but I always believed that – “home is where the heart is”.  During those years, I was either a child with my family, a wife with my husband, or a parent with my children. Either way, I was with my dearest friends and I did believe that home was where the heart was.  Through the years I have made many friends and left many friends in all corners of the world. And on nostalgic occasions, such as Thanksgiving, I think of each of them even more.  Fond memories are a wonderful function of our brain.  J

From living in so many other countries/places and being immersed in various cultures other than my own, I gained an understanding and acceptance of people being different from how I am. Traditions and holidays from around the world have always fascinated me, and my family has incorporated many of them into our own celebrations through the years. While this has made me feel connected to the world, I still was lacking that grounded feeling…that feeling of “roots”.

Gorgeous Wisteria growing larger each year!

When we were living overseas and would come back to the States to visit extended family and friends, I always felt a small tug of envy that the people we saw had “roots”. They could walk through their hometown and tell a story relating back years with all the same people. I could tell stories too, but my places and people always varied.  I guess they were as envious of my adventures as I was of their stability.

About 14 years ago, I decided it was time to finally be grounded.  No more moving from place to place; I wanted to make sure my children felt like they were from SOME  WHERE in particular.  Although it was a lifestyle change for me, I thought I was giving my children what I’d always been longing for.

We had owned homes other places, but when I bought in Kentucky, it was different—I bought a large tract of land. I like to think of it as our homestead!  J   The land had been farm land prior to my purchase.  I remember asking the owner what the land had been used for. Had it ever been a dump? What had they grown on the land? The list of questions was long.  And, I still remember his confused look while he simply answered that he had owned the land for over fifty years and before that it had been farmed.  J 

Imax, just hanging out under an apricot tree.

Perimeter fencing went up even before we moved on to the land.  This was more to keep our animals in than to stake my claim on the land.  Whenever I say “claim the land”, I get such a visual and not necessarily a nice one…..On this Thanksgiving Day, I will pause for just a moment to let you think of the contrast with how different the settlers had been from the Native Americans.  L

Our land was undeveloped grassland with a very slight gentle roll. There were no trees except at the very back of the property.  We had our work cut out for us; we built the farm from the bottom up. We put in paddocks, built run-ins, plowed a garden, planted an orchard, built the home and then landscaped. It has been a long progress and one that probably will never be completed – there will always something to do.  

My oldest daughter was joined by my youngest,
 and they hiked together for just a bit
on the Appalachian Trail.

But while the trees, shrubs, and all other plants were beginning to grow roots, and become established, I felt the same thing happening for me.  Finally I had a place that I called home. I had never had that before. In the past when asked where I was from, I just always said, “Well, I was born in Pennsylvania but left for England when I was six weeks old.”  Now, I had the farm. And the dogs, horses, llamas, and sheep living with us are all our pets.

Each new generation should go forth, learn new things, meet new people, see the world, and gain a richer appreciation of life. One daughter has hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail and is planning to hike from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail this next year to raise money for the research on Lyme Disease.  hikefor sponsor link      And, my other daughter is planning to go to graduate school in Europe.  

McAfee Knob in Virginia

Even though they are independent and long for adventure and to see the world, I know the farm, their homestead, and their mother will call to them and eventually they will return home.  J    Ah, yes, build it and they will come…..home. 

                                                                                           Happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday (Wild Winter Week!)

Northern sky was fierce!

Driveway looking pretty bleak!

Thought they wanted to eat hay outside the Run-in.
That only lasted for about 5 minutes.

Storm calmed for a short while.

He decided to stay out for a few minutes longer to show he was tough!
The others were sharing inside and he chose to stay out with me.
So I left some for him.
Don't worry, after a few nibbles, he ran back inside, too!

Mate (Sheep) having a little something to eat.
The round bales we put in the paddock as a snack.
I feed flakes of square bale hay to them morning and evening.

Pond was doing okay.

Can't go anywhere or do anything without Imax following me.
The fact that the snow is on his back shows how insulated he is.
Otherwise it would have been melted, like on the horses.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

As I mentioned before, I am participating this month with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

We’ve also been plagued with some Arctic temperatures this week. So, while I try to post something new every few days, November has made that almost impossible.

I thought I’d share a recipe for one of my favorite cookies for any time of year: Peanut Butter Blossoms

Candy Cane Hershey Kisses

When it’s Christmas I change out the Hershey Hugs for Hershey Candy Cane Kisses.

It seems pretty straight forth how it’s done, but for those who may not bake often I will give the recipes and directions what to do.

Unwrap candies while cookies are baking.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shortening (butter makes them flat, shortening makes them puffier. Puffier is better)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix sugars, shortening, peanut butter and egg.  Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Shape dough into 3/4 –inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until set but not hard, about 10 minutes.

Assorted cookies are fun to make and give as gifts.

While cookies are baking, take all the foil off of the Hershey candies. Line them up so you are ready to grab them and place them on cookie as soon as they come out of oven. Do NOT wait until they are cooled or candies will not melt and stick.

When cookies are done, remove cookie sheet from oven.  While the cookies are COOLING ON the cookie sheet, place a chocolate candy on top of each ball and lightly press down. This will make the chocolate candy begin to melt and attach to the cookie. I like the chocolate “kiss” to still have its original shape, but you may want to push down harder after a minute or two and the “kiss” will form a puddle of chocolate on the top of the cookie.  It’s your choice.  J

Horn of Plenty for All

One of the small bread cornucopia
I make filled with snacks to nibble on.

Thanksgiving has come in many forms at our house through the years. When I was a child, it was always a time of gathering folks together.  If we were living in the States, then we had our extended family join us or we joined them. If we were living overseas, it usually meant that my parents opened our house to those who were also serving the USA far from home.  Although the table was always filled with scrumptious foods on beautiful silver serving platters and fine china dishes, I was led to believe that the holiday had more to do with the camaraderie than actually "stuffing" ourselves.

I love the wheat motif as well as the cornucopia.  In analyzing this love, I have determined that it has to do with harvest and abundance.  Neither of which is pleasant to do alone.  So, the "horn of plenty" to me means, "plenty for all". So, SHARE!

Cornucopia nylon flag I sewed.

When you're younger, you're "encouraged" to eat whatever a grown-up has bestowed upon your plate. The worst Thanksgiving memory I have is of a vegetable side dish that was a navel orange hollowed out, filled with mashed sweet potatoes and brown sugar, and then topped with a few melted mini-marshmallows. (or something like that!) I think I was supposed to like it, but the smell made it difficult to even get to my mouth. I had a whole one just for me! Yay! I still remember the glare that was cast my way.

Later, as an adult living overseas, and before I had children, I opened my house to many friends who were also spending the holiday without family. That group of friends made the day special as we ate both American food and local cuisine favorites.

Bread Cornucopia I made then
packaged to give as a gift to friends.

Years later, when living back in the States with children of my own, we always saw extended family at Christmas time, but Thanksgiving plans were different year by year.  Even when we were in the States, we rarely lived near family, so it was always a road trip for someone in order for us to be together.


So, for Thanksgiving we started a new family tradition (this was so that holiday expectations wouldn't be a disappointment). We began camping! For many of those years, we'd lived in Florida, and November in Florida is wonderful for outdoor anything! We visited almost every state park throughout the year and at Thanksgiving would choose the one we liked best that year. With every manatee, wetland, wild horse, sea turtle, and starry sky we saw, we shared experiences and built memories to last a lifetime.

On Thanksgiving day, I still created a table of great food that had required some extra advanced planning by me, but brought joy to the family.

My oldest daughter who was away
from home one Thanksgiving, made
this Cornucopia to share with her friends

I hope as the years pass for you, that you change your traditions to suit your family's changing lives.  Sometimes when we hold fast to rituals that we can no longer do with ease, the holiday holds disappointment and that's not the intent.




                 


 My wish for you as this holiday season begins, is-
Please take time to count your blessings, and let the family and friends you love and people who make a difference in your life know that you Give Thanks for them.

NaNoWriMo

photo for book cover

I have been frantically writing my novel for the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge since midnight on November 1.

I have wanted to participate in it for several years now, but always had some excuse why I could not.  This year I decided to make the time and give it a go.

I had wanted to write a story about a woman at a particular time in her life.- Would she be old? Would she be young? Would she have children? If so, how many? Were they young or grown?  

(who will she be?)

I contemplated the setting. Would it be in the USA?  Would she be a traveler? Would she be lost at sea or shipwrecked? Would she be paragliding and gotten off course and had to survive? Would she be a ski instructor in the Alps? 

I contemplated her personality. Would she be kind? Would she be cruel? Would she be funny? Would she be intelligent? Would she be shy?

married/divorced?

I kicked around a few ideas, and finally came up with the plot that you’ll read an excerpt from in just a bit. I chose an idea and fitted the story around it. 

Unfortunately, divorce seems to be a sad but current trend of the times. So, my book is of a woman who is suddenly facing divorce after many, many years of marriage. I won't give you the synopsis, because it still may change before it's over!  

      I chose the title: The Olive Branch

To me an olive branch is symbolic of many things: victory, peace, promise, life

The Biblical dove carried the olive branch as a promise of land, peaceful followings, good times ahead.

Early Grecian war heroes held the olive branch as a symbol of victory.
In ancient times, brides wore it.

Without telling you the outcome of my book (because it's still unknown to me!) you can surmise why I may have chosen  The Olive Branch to be the title!

I had begun it in third person format.  This had allowed me to set the scene and describe the character. But in re-reading it, I thought it might be more dramatic in first person, and would allow the reader to visualize herself as the character.


I’m not sure that I will keep it like this, but the object is to complete the novel of 50,000 words before November 30^th.  I have written over 12,000 words at this point and am happy with the story line thus far.

                                                                   

The Olive Branch
(an excerpt)

                 As I wrapped my hands around the warm mug of herbal tea, I leaned back in my favorite chair on the small covered porch and let out a sigh.  The warm days of summer were beginning to become a faded memory.  I noted the early morning fog was able to linger a little longer because of the cooler temperatures. As I closed my eyes, my sense of sight gave way to the sounds of morning.  Birds fluttering and chirping in the shrubs and trees surrounding the house and porch interrupted my thoughts. The sounds of them busily preparing their winter nests seemed to momentarily chase away some thoughts while others came pouring in.  Winter nests- what a powerful visual. So many word associations come to mind: safety; comfort; food; protection; family.  I once had a nest.  It seems as though I had devoted my life to ensuring that those in my 'nest' felt safe and comfortable; that they were fed and nurtured.  After all, they were family.  My protective instincts would have had to have ranked high on a scale had they ever been measured.  So, to think that my ‘nest’ was ripped apart from within, from someone who I had thought was family,  was and is still too much for me to comprehend or accept. 

                                                                         ******

Life is Sweet!

Fudge ready to be wrapped

I wanted to let you know that November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).   From the 1^st November through the 30^th, I will be competing in the challenge to write a 50,000 word novel. The guidelines state you must not begin before the 1^st but it must be completed by the 30^th.  So, at midnight on November 1^st I began writing.  I haven’t done this before so I’m not able to gauge my creative time very well yet.

Also, I am running in a local political campaign. The election is Tuesday.  After that is over, whether I win or lose, my brain will be able to think a little more creatively!

Chose quality ingredients

Through my blog, I always aim to share sustainability tips for your household, comparative methods for animal husbandry, amusing farming anecdotes, and recipes. Because I am pressed for time and creative thinking today, and because the holiday season is fast approaching I’ll share a few tips on fudge making.

Cream and Butter blending together over heat

Fudge isn’t difficult to make if you know how to make it correctly.  The consistency should be SMOOTH- it should NOT be granular. Let’s begin with a few pointers.

Butter, cream, sugar now together!

Choose a good pot. It should be heavy duty with a thick bottom so that it won’t scorch the fudge. Make sure its handles are solidly attached/ screwed in and heat resistant.  I’ve used the same pot for years.  It is a 6 qt heavy duty enamel sauce pan.  However, I do not cook tomato sauce in it. I keep my jelly pot, pasta sauce pot, and candy/fudge pot all separate.

Stir until all sugar is dissolved and blended well

Next, make sure you use quality ingredients. This brings to mind a time a few years ago when I was asked to decorate a friend’s daughter’s birthday castle cake.  She had bought a poor quality expired cake mix.  The decorating was beautiful and everyone was so complementary…..and then we took a bite! UGH! How disappointing. So, be sure to use pure cane sugar, lightly salted or salted butter, and regular evaporated milk…NOT light or fat free!

I always melt the butter in the saucepan first so that I’ve “greased” it, so speak.  

Next I add the evaporated milk and stir that well.

Then comes the sugar and now the fun begins!

A full boil, stirring constantly, will help it achieve the
correct temperature without scorching

 While the stove is on medium heat, continue stirring. You don’t want it to stick and you want it to heat evenly. This can be anywhere from 5-10 minutes.  Now, this is the point that you may judge differently than I do.  I don’t have a candy thermometer and never have. I use the method of “soft ball” or “hard ball” stage for baking fudge or candy.

Chocolate is smooth and silky
Steam has fogged the camera lens

Fudge should be heated on the stove to the “soft ball” consistency stage. This will make it silky smooth! Less than reaching that stage, it may never harden. Continuing to heat it past that stage, it will be terribly hard and crumbling before it’s out of the pot.

Expedite the process from the time it reaches the softball stage to
the point that it is placed in its cooling pan.
Once it has begun cooling, it can't be reshaped.

To determine if it’s reached the “soft ball” stage, periodically while it’s boiling at a full boil dribble some of the liquid into a cool cup of water.  While you continue to stir the pot on the stove, have someone else (or you if you can multi-task) reach into the cup and try to gather all the “dribbles” on the bottom and form a “soft ball” of dough.  If you can’t form a ball and pull it out of the cup and play with it like playdough, it’s not ready. Give it another minute and try again. You may have to try this several times.  Change the water….it should remain cool to get the most accurate results.

Add peanut butter, walnuts, or whatever is your
preference to make each batch unique!

Good luck!!  With helpful hints and practice, your fudge will also be the one everyone reaches for!!