chrissy

My Holiday Calendar
By Cheryl Demas

You've probably seen the calendars Martha Stewart publishes. She graciously shares her schedule with us so we can all use it to help us plan our holidays.

So in the same spirit, I thought I'd go back to last year's calendar and share my schedule with you all.

November 30, 2000
Have cleared spot on deck for new outdoor deep fryer. Deep fry turkey.

December 1, 2000
Replace deck damaged in grease spill.

December 2, 2000
Address Christmas cards, add personal note to each card.

December 3, 2000
Post office too crowded--will mail cards tomorrow

December 10, 2000
Begin sewing fairytale dresses for girls to wear to The Nutcracker Ballet.

December 13, 2000
Nutcracker Ballet today-nothing to wear. Rent National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

December 15, 2000
Make homemade sequin ornaments. Remember to keep them out of reach of the dog.

December 16, 2000
Take dog to vet to remove sequin obstruction from bowels.

December 17, 2000
Prepare and serve homemade roast beef dinner.

December 18, 2000
Take husband to doctor to remove roast beef obstruction from bowels.

December 19, 2000
Bake rum balls

December 20, 2000
Finally! Success in the kitchen. Rum balls are delicious! Make more today.

December 21, 2000
Anover succeth! Loooooove rum balls!

December 22, 2000
Horrible rum ball hangover. Consider adjusting recipe-too much sugar perhaps?

December 24, 2000 - midnight
Prepare magical Christmas morning scene for children - maybe catch a little sleep first ...

December 25, 2000
Overslept! Husband locks children in room while I toss presents under tree. Explain that Santa used Toys-R-Us bags as wrapping paper this year.

January 12, 2001
Find Christmas cards under car seat.

January 13, 2001
Add "sorry these are late" notes to all cards-mail.

January 14, 2001
Bake large batch of rum balls - it's never too late to start planning for next year!


Rum Balls


Whip up a batch (or two or three) of these sinfully delicious rum balls and the holidays won't seem so stressful.

RUM BALLS

1 3/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1 cup ground pecans
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1/4 cup light rum
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar (for rolling)
Mix all ingredients, except for 1/3 cup confectioners sugar. Roll into one inch balls and then roll in remaining confectioners sugar to cover.
Allow the run balls to refrigerate 24 hours or more to achieve its full flavor.