by Penny Bauer

This Christmas Eve, my sister Connie and I are remembering our mother June and what a creative and resourceful cook she was.

Our extended family always gathered on Christmas Eve to share the time together and enjoy the tree, lights and family decorations that came out each year: a line of small white houses with red roofs lit from inside and nestled in cotton along the window ledge, the rotund Snowman with black top hat and red scarf holding a liquid-filled candle stick with bubbles rising when heated.  It was a time to gift each other and eat very well. Over the years, our gifting went back and forth, from one or more gifts for every person to selecting a single family member’s name from a bag and surprising that person with a special gift the next Christmas Eve.

Each Christmas there were the regular treats that my mother made for us all: delicious fudge, mouth-watering divinity, peanut brickle, special rolls, cookies…and her Graham Cracker log.  Connie remembers it being made days before and carefully stored at the very back of the refrigerator until that night. When I thought of making something for one of the bowls, this log came to mind.  It is easy to make and lasts a long time.  Slices can be served with fresh whipped cream.  This year we found organic dates, if that helps in deciding to try this. It seems appropriate that these childhood memories and log are now held in this wonderful Winnie the Pooh bowl by Inge Roberts, accompanied by a poem by Judith Adams.

For me, the best part of this experience was again finding some of our mother’s handwritten recipes.  I am still amazed at how evocative these are…seeing lists for what was needed, a few of her favorite recipes, all reminding us again of just one of the many ways in which she loved us.

Wishing you all Great Joy!

Graham Cracker Log Recipe:

18 graham crackers, rolled fine
1 lb. dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 or less lb. whole marshmallows, diced in to small pieces
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Enough cream, so that everything will stick together

Mix all ingredients together.  Form into a roll and wrap in waxed paper.  Refrigerate overnight.
Serve slices with whipped cream.