by Marianne Christy
Every once in a while I am surprised by an editorial by Jay that was not placed on a page prior to me throwing in the towel on production night.
Most currently it was his Thanksgiving piece inviting readers to send acknowledgements of appreciation to those who have made a difference in their lives to include in a Holiday Personals section of the paper.
So today, on the 59th anniversary of the day of “How the Baby Stole Christmas,” I want to express gratitude to the 14 people who have influenced me most in my life: my parents, my 11 brothers and sisters, and my grandmother, Mamie.
As Crangle legend goes, an early birth short-changed my siblings’ Christmas in a huge way in 1956…and those who were old enough to remember have NEVER gotten over it.
I, the eighth child, wasn’t expected until after the New Year, but alas it was not to be. Though I couldn’t wait, Christmas did.
Not wanting my mother to miss out on the joy of watching the kids open their presents, my father decided to put it on hold until she and the best gift ever were released from the hospital.
On Christmas Day they were allowed one gift from Santa—and they were none too happy about it.
To this day I am reminded every year when they leave messages on my answering machine… “Happy Birthday. Thanks a lot for ruining my Christmas!”
Jeez, tough crowd.
But despite that, I couldn’t love that big bag o’ mixed nuts any more than I do. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up in a household filled with so many personalities and talents and with parents who, to the end, stressed the value of family.
Though we weren’t a perfect family we certainly had—and continue to have—a whole lot of fun. Oh, the stories we can tell!
As for Mamie, she is the one who inspired me to write this column over 10 years ago. As a kid, our home kitchen was hands-off. It was easier for my mother to cook/bake herself rather than have a bunch of amateurs underfoot.
Totally different story with Mamie, who was always happy to tie on an apron and show us the way around an oven and stove. Cookies were her specialty…in particular her Chocolate Jumbles, the Crangle family signature cookie.
I am so thankful for her patience and guidance in educating me on the skill, most especially because it inspired my two-year-old granddaughter Claire to christen me, Grandma Cookie.
So, with all that said, I’m going to close with a tradition passed on by my father.
It was something that was said every night after he read us a story and we said our prayers: “God bless Mommy, Daddy, Barbie, Betty, Tommy, Charlie, Kathy, Bobby, David, Marianne, John Paul, Annette and Jeanette, and little Billy…”
Mamie’s Chocolate Jumbles
Ingredients
1/2 cup molasses
1 cup shortening (or 1/2 shortening, 1/2 softened butter)
3/4 cup powdered cocoa dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg (optional)
2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 Tbsp. hot water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
vanilla to flavor (about 1 tsp.)
Frosting
Confectioner’s sugar mixed with a little vanilla and enough milk for spreading consistency
Directions:
Mix together above ingredients and add enough flour to roll well (about 4 cups.) Roll out and cut with 2” Mohawk chopper (biscuit cutter.) Bake in 350° oven for 10 – 12 minutes. Spread with confectioner’s sugar frosting when cooled.