Treat time at Tramp's Camp

After a lot of thought, I decided that we just had to have a Christmas tree. So I gingerly climbed up into the attic to bring down our artificial tree. I wrestled the box down the ladder (did you know that you can use a boob as kind of a third arm if you have to?!). The box sat waiting in the garage. A few days later, I decided that the whole thing was folly and I dragged the boxed tree back up into the attic. I did string lights outside so we can see the merry glow from every side of the house, their colorful sparkle bouncing off the glistening snow.

While we can survive without the Christmas tree, we could not skip doing some holiday baking. The first thing I made were these easy and wonderful Turtle Pretzel treats.

Start with waffle weave pretzels, Rolo caramel candy and pecans.

Stack in the order shown above, adding a chocolate chip on top to help glue down the pecan half. Put in a 300 degree oven for just three minutes.

Remove from the oven and gently press a pecan half on top of each one, pushing down to squash the melted candy piece.

When cool, plate them up, take a picture and then hide them. They will disappear very quickly if you don't!

After making the first batch of Turtle Pretzel treats, we just had to keep on cooking...

Next came raspberry almond and orange marmalade shortbread thumbprints.

And Christmas isn't complete with out fruitcake - these are petite fruitcakes soaked in brandy.

This is a very simple to make treat - cranberry nut bark.

Called reindeer poop, these are chocolate covered peanuts.

From both of our childhood memories - toasty macaroons.

There are still several other items we are making - Basler Brunsli cookies, various brittles, pumpkin fudge and Irish cream liquor. And we have smoked four kinds of cheese, made jerky and handcrafted pastrami. Makes me tired just thinking of it all...

Tramp 1 update - He is doing better and will be consulting with the physical therapist tomorrow to start working his leg to regain strength. Therapy for his back has to wait for more healing time. He started telecommuting to work today and is quite tired tonight. Me, too!!