Aunt Karan & Uncle Dick 50th wedding anniversary

                                                                            1962

                                                                          2012

The first part of December my Aunt Karan and Uncle Dick celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  Family and friends stopped by Tuscany's to congratulate and wish them 50 years more.  We thought it would be pretty neat to recreate their wedding picture.  L-R front row.  Kathy Hawkins Pardi, Ronnie Hawkins.
back row Mary Jane Cunningham Dodd, Karan Hawkins Cunningham, Dick Cunningham, Bob Hawkins.  From what I can tell we haven't changed a bit.

                          One of my cousins.  Karla with my dad.

                              The in-laws and the out-laws.   Jim and Mary Jane Dodd,  Karan
                               and Dick Cunningham and Dad.

Letters to Santa

These are the funniest things you've ever read.  I was laughing out loud and had tears from laughing so hard.

Dear Santa,
I hope you have a safe trip.  What kind of cookies do you like?
For Christmas, I would like to have a baby sister, to feed other
kids that don't have food and to be with my family, coal so I could
sell it for money and some new shoes I hope you have a great
Christmas.

Your friend,
Kristyn Biggs
3rd grade



Dear Santa,
How's the weather up in the North Pole?  The weather is nice down here.
I would like some beyblades so I can battle people with them.  I would also
like Pokemon so I can trade them.  Finally, I would like an MP3 player so
I can listen to music.  I will leave you chocolate chip cookies and milk.

Love,
Braden Pardi
1st grade



Dear Santa,
For christmas I want a football, a viteo camera and a bayblade I think that
I deserve it and why because I helped move my trailer.  I took care of my
brother and I burned the trash.  The reason I want a football is because I
like football and me and my brother like to play catch.  The reason that
I want a diteo camera is so I can remember fun moments and so I can
record the baby that my mom is having at the hospital.  The reason that
I want a bayblade is so I can battle my brother.  I wonder how you make
all of those presents?  I also wonder how they fit in your bag.  Don't think
I forgot about you.  I set up my Christmas tree for you and I gave you
cookies and milk.  I wonder if you and Mrs. Clause fight any at all and if
the elves annoy you.

Clayton Pardi
4th grade

Peanut Brittle recipe

This is my great grandmothers recipe made famous by my mom and carried on by Ann Morgan and her girls.

I remember the days when we would have the whole kitchen, and when I say whole kitchen I mean it, covered in the sweet peanuty peanut brittle.  Peanut Brittle day's were days when "all hands on deck" was definitely a true statement.  Our fingers were sore from pulling it thin but it was soooo worth it. 

Mom even worked with someone once to try to market her peanut brittle but being so thin it didn't travel well.

For the past several years the tractor dealership I work for has ordered over 100 pounds to ship out as Christmas gifts to people that we worked with all year.

This is the first year in many we haven't had any peanut brittle sitting around on the table.  I called Connie to see if she and Pam were going to make any this year and they didn't think they could.  I haven't ever made it on my own, Mom was always there to help me or me help her which was actually the truth.  This July we lost both Mom (7-16-12) and Ann (7-4-12).  I am planning on making an attempt at making it next year we'll see how that goes.


PEANUT BRITTLE

2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Water
1 Cup White Corn Syrup

In heavy pan, cook until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees (hard boil).
Stir often.

Add:
1 package Raw peanuts
1 teaspoon Butter

Cook to 290 degrees.  Mixture will turn lightly brown and peanuts will smell roasted.  Stir constantly.
Mixture burns very easily.

Add:
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Stir vigorously until soda is completely dissolved.  Pour on to buttered cookie sheets.  As soon as possible using forks and your fingers pull until thin.

Cool and Enjoy.

Note:  Cookie sheets need to be buttered heavily so peanut brittle doesn't stick.  Stores well in metal Schwan Ice cream containers (mom's favorite).  But will also store well in a metal cookie can or zip lock bags.

Happy Candy making to you.