Gammy's Fudge Candy

This is my Grandmother's (Gammy as we called her) recipe.  She is the beautiful lady pictured above holding my mother.  She perfected this recipes over the years and was her favorite home made gift to give during the Holidays. It was also everyone's favorite gift to receive from her! That included me as well. One of my fondest holiday traditions is this fudge.  As I grew into womanhood I learned to make this fudge and carried her loving torch in gifting it to others.  It quickly became famous in my little circle of friends.  There are people I haven't seen all year or in years who still contact me at Christmas to know if they are getting their annual batch of fudge.  I like to think there is some Gammy, some of that beautiful loving woman inside of me.  At least I know I have her fudge making abilities!

Ingredients:
3 cups of Sugar
1/2 cup of Powder Cocoa (the kind you bake with)
1 cup of Evaporated Milk (regular milk will do if that's all you have on hand)
1/4 cup (1/2 a stick) of butter or margerine
4 tablespoons of Corn Syrup
Pinch of Salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy, large saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until the mixture reaches a soft ball consistency (235° - 240°).  Remove from heat.   Add 1 cup of chopped nuts if desired.  Stir until it cools a bit and starts to get a little stiff.  Either pour it into a buttered dish or drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Let cool completely before storing it in containers.

Useful Tips:
If you are a novice at making candy you should buy a good candy thermometer. This will help ensure you take your candy off the fire at the appropriate stage and that your candy will set properly.  If you are unsure about whether the candy has cooled enough but not too much to be dropped by spoonful, then pouring it into a buttered dish is much easier.  The candy doesn't have to cool as long to be poured and doesn't require as much accuracy in knowing the "feel" of your fudge.  If the candy has set too much and is too stiff to be poured or dropped, add a little milk to the pot and return it to a medium fire until its liquid again and then remove from the fire and stir again until the consistency is a bit stiff again.

Now for the best part, PICTURES!

Instant Spiced Tea

Spiced Tea is one of my favorite comfort foods when I don't feel well or when it's cold outside.  It soothes my sore throat and just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!  It's sweet, citrusy, and spicy.  Do you remember when we were kids and made the oranges with cloves stuck all over in them.  Well, that's what this tea reminds me of.  It smells a lot like that.  My mom made this for me every winter when I was younger and I loved it.  Sipping on it now brings back such wonderful childhood memories of feeling safe, warm and oh so loved.  I hope this brings you the comfort and joy it has brought to me.  This would be wonderful mixed in large quantities and kept warm in a crockpot or on the stove for your guests during your holiday parties.  It also makes really nice gifts for friends, teachers, co-workers, etc.  Just put in small decorated Mason style jars with a label or gift tag with the mixing directions. It's simple, affordable and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of Unsweetened Decaf Instant Tea
2 Packets of Orange Drink Mix (similar to Tang but sugar free.  The size packets that make 2 quarts of drink.)
4 packets of Lemon Drink Mix (The size packets that you mix with a bottle of water.)
1/2 cup to 1 cup granulated Splenda, depending on how sweet you want it.
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 - 6oz packages of Red Hot Candies

Mix all ingredients well and store in airtight jars.  Mix 2 teaspoons of tea mixture in a mug of very hot water.