A Hallmark Christmas Tradition by Kristin Wallace

Christmas is all about traditions. Every family has one, and it centers around Hallmark. We started collecting the Hallmark dated ornaments in 1976 and bought one every year since. I don't think we meant to start a tradition. My dad picked one up and then we got one the next year...and the next year...and the next. Since I’m not married I still get to decorate the family tree at my parents’ house.

The original 1976 ornament

A more recent addition

It’s always such a treat to open the boxes and take them out every year. There are so many memories to uncover. There’s a Santa carrying an Olympic torch to symbolize one of the Olympic games. Santa is featured is featured a lot, of course. There’s a Santa on a train, in a plane, in a hot air balloon, in a car. Santa is featured with his wife a couple of times, too. There’s one on an exercise bike because someone was trying to lose weight that year. We’ve got a few singing angels because my entire family sings. I have some personal ones featuring books because I’m always either reading or writing a book. There’s a “Baby’s first Christmas” from the year my niece was born.

2017 ornament

It’s my dad’s job to take the ornaments out of each box while my mom and I hang them on the tree. We always joke about how he stops for each one, marveling at how the early ones were so inexpensive, and of course, there are a lot of “Oh, I remember this one.”

A box filled with memories…literally. My favorite part of Christmas. Does your family have any traditions when it comes to decorating?

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). Look for her latest holiday romance, LOVING YOU AT CHRISTMAS, part of her Shellwater Key Tales series.

For info on all of her books, visit: Kristin Wallace Author 

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My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes by Kristin Wallace

Since it is Thanksgiving week, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite recipes that we make every year with my family. Both of my parents cook, but Thanksgiving has always belonged to my mom. Her family grew up in Kentucky so a lot of our Thanksgiving dishes have Southern roots. It is certainly the case with these recipes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

3 cups mashed sweet potato

1cup sugar

½ cup milk

1/3 cut butter softened

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Blend everything together until it is smooth and creamy. Pour into a oven safe baking dish.

Topping:

1 cup chopped nuts (Use pecans or almonds. I prefer pecans.)

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup melted butter

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until it is moist. If it’s too runny or goopy add a little flour to thicken. Crumble the mixture in chunks on top so it covers the entire surface.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes

Smashed Potatoes

What's Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? We make these in my house every year, and they are delicious!

Ingredients:

1 -1½ lbs. of Yukon Gold potatoes (unpeeled)

½ tsp. of salt

4 Tbsp. heavy cream

2 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. milk

Salt & Pepper

Boil potatoes in a large pot, with a little bit of salt. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until you can poke them easily with a fork.

Drain water and let the potatoes sit for a few minutes. Peel the potatoes, leaving some of the skin on as you go. Cut up potatoes and put them in a large bowl. Add the butter, milk and cream and beat until everything is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For Your Sweet Tooth - Kentucky Derby Pie

The last dish is a dessert, also courtesy of the Bluegrass State, called Kentucky Derby Pie. If you like chocolate you will love this.

Ingredients:

½ cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

½ cup flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ cup chocolate chips

¾ cup nuts (walnuts or pecans)

9 inch unbaked pie crust or shell

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into the pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the top is browned. DEVOUR!

I hope your holiday table delicious!

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). Her latest book, LOVING YOU AT CHRISTMAS, launched just a couple weeks ago.

For info on all of her books, visit Kristin Wallace Author