Happy Holidays and Welcome 2010!

I have found it harder for me to get into the Christmas spirit this year and I think it's because I am so far away from my friends and family and I have yet to see snow of course! When I lived in Boston, it was very convienant for me to drive home in just 3 short hours and enjoy seeing my mom's xmas decorations and taste test her yummy holiday treats! There is a fabulous woman at work that has decorated the rehab gym and xmas carols have been playing in the gym during therapy sessions with our patients, which has helped a bit, but it is just not the same. About a week ago, my wonderful Christmas Angel of a mother sent me a homemade xmas wreath from Maine and I became all nostalgic once I opened the box and smelled that wonderful country pine! And recently, I made a Rocky Road Fudge for a staff Christmas party which helped me a re-direct my attention back to the holiday season...but as I look around my apt now and do not have one ounce of Christmas decoration displayed, I am sad to be so far away. So, to fill my void, I ate fudge...comfort food always makes me feel warm and happy again! haha Above is a picture of my creation! It was the easiest recipe and may become one of my favorite for fudge. I have enclosed the recipe:

Rocky Road Fudge

*12 oz package semi-sweet toll house morsels

*1 can of carnations sweetened condensed milk

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*3 cups of mini marshmellows

*1.5 cups of chopped walnuts

Directions:

*in a microwavable bowl, melt chocolate and condensed milk in microwave for 1 min

*mix with a spoon and continue to heat up in 15 sec intervals until mixture melted and smooth

*fold in marshmellows and walnut and place in a 13x9 in baking pan lined with waxed paper

*refrigerate until hardened and ready to serve

Enjoy the recipe and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and exciting 2010 filled with a lot of love, happiness, and new adventures! I fly in from Texas this Saturday (19th) and hope to catch some of you while I"m home for a week...and I can guarantee you that by the time I step my foot off that plane, I will be in the holiday spirit!