Fa La Stinkin' La

Years ago we invested in an artificial Christmas tree. Yes, we’re those people. We did it as a matter of principle. One year Christmas trees cost an average of $16, and the following year they were $40. Maybe it didn’t happen that quickly, but that’s what it felt like.

Last year we were digging out the Christmas decorations and could not find the base for our tree. How does something like that go missing? It’s not like we said, hey, we don’t really need this anymore, or, gee, this is taking up too much space. But, poof, it’s gone.

Ironically, we still had a stand for live trees - $16 ones – so my husband rigged up a solution that involved wooden blocks, several people, and a lot of patience.

This year I decided that I’d surprise the family by getting the tree up, lit, and ready for decorating. I had forgotten about needing several people and patience, and so the unspeakable happened – I swore at our Christmas tree.

I didn’t just swear near the Christmas tree. I swore right at it.

This clearly had to be bad ju ju. So I took a moment and grabbed a Van Otis Gingerbread truffle. This was exactly the burst of holiday that I needed. I love the spiced crunchy coating on the outside of its dark chocolate shell. The center is so creamy and tastes just like a gingersnap cookie. Yum, yum, yum.

I quickly got back into the holiday spirit, apologized to my plastic tree, and successfully finished the task at hand. No one is allowed to walk too closely or briskly by the tree – just in case.

Find other holiday-ins truffles and candies such as Gingerbread, Eggnog, Dulce de Leche, Hazelnut Praline, Candy Cane, Champagne, and my kids’ favorite, Pomegranate truffles, at Van Otis’ Manchester retail store on Elm Street in Manchester or online at www.vanotis.com.

Snowball Fights

I’m sitting here enjoying a little treat of Van Otis Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds. These crunchy almonds are coated with a sugar-glazed crunch and surrounded by handmade milk chocolate. Each chocolate-covered almond is hidden by a layer of powdered sugar, making them look like tiny snowballs in a bag.

This reminded me of the snowball fights that we’d have in my childhood neighborhood. Everyone would run home from the bus stop after school, put on oversized parkas and moon boots, and meet outside.

There was always that one kid who delayed battle by spending all afternoon on a snow fort. It was proportional, fortified, the envy of the snow kingdom. The fort came complete with a stockpile of symmetrical snowballs, which were finished just about the time our moms called us in for dinner.

Then there was the kid who was ready for war. He’d burst out of the house and immediately grab anything resembling a snowball - snow-covered rocks, ice, a shovel left out from the day before - and immediately start throwing. This kid didn’t need no stinkin’ fort.

I was the kid with good intentions. Once my mittens got wet, I traded in my war paint for a warm house and cup of hot chocolate. To my defense, corduroys and wet snow pants are a cruel test of endurance.

Inspire a memory with one of Van Otis’ holiday treats found at their Elm Street, Manchester retail store or online at www.vanotis.com.

Bloggin' About the Log

Our family loves the holiday season. We’re rooted in our traditions but also seem to be competitively searching for the next sure thing. For example, Aunt Stacey’s sweet potato casserole is now a Thanksgiving staple, replacing traditional squash and sweet potatoes. Conversely, Papa’s stuffing with bacon bits made only one unpopular appearance.

In my search for a namesake tradition, I look to Van Otis Chocolates. Pecan Rolls are the perfect delicious and affordable holiday treat. Offered in chocolate, vanilla, and pumpkin, these thick logs of creamy fudge are covered in a layer of crunchy pecans. The vanilla and chocolate live up to Van Otis’ standards of making the best quality fudge. The pumpkin is my personal favorite. The creamy pumpkin fudge has the perfect amount of pumpkin spice, which compliments well with the nutty exterior.

I highly suspect Thanksgiving guests may be asking for another slice of log rather than another slice of pie.

Dip You'll Fall For

Here’s an easy recipe for a fall-inspired dip that’s great served with apples, Bosc pears, a spoon, or your index finger.

Cream cheese spread is recommended for easier dipping. Caramel dip can typically be found in the produce section, especially during apple harvest season.

Van Otis Almond Butter Crunch is toffee candy dipped in gourmet milk chocolate and rolled in almond bits. The candy comes in a traditional size when purchased in a box or at the retail candy counter. It is also available in a larger size from the prepackaged Temptations line.

The amount of candy used is really dependent on individual taste. You won’t ruin the recipe by adding too much Van Otis Almond Butter Crunch.

Ingredients
One 8 oz. container of cream cheese spread
1/2-3/4 cup of caramel dip
2-3 Van Otis Almond Butter Crunch candies, crushed
Apples and/or Bosc pears, sliced for dipping

Spread cream cheese in the bottom of a shallow serving dish. Cover the cream cheese layer by drizzling on approximately 1/2-3/4 cup of caramel dip. Sprinkle crushed Van Otis Almond Butter Crunch on top of the caramel layer.

Serve immediately with apples and/or Bosc pears for dipping.