Rudolph

Remember the Little Golden Book Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?  Perhaps you have read the book to your own children or had it read to you as a child and watched the TV special. The TV version of Rudolph was first broadcast in 1964 and has been on every December since. It has the distinction of being the longest running Christmas special ever. 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an enduring Christmas classic. It began as an advertising gimmick, but soon took on a life as its own with a holiday song and later a Christmas special. Rudolph teaches an important lesson about acceptance and loving yourself for who you are.
Rudolph was originally created as an advertising campaign for Montgomery Wards Department store.  Robert Mays was an advertising copy writer and created the story as a free pamphlet in 1939. It was given away at stores during the holiday season. Mays drew upon his own childhood experiences and the classic children's story "Ugly Duckling."  
After 10 years as a freebie May's brother-in-law Johnny Marks decided to turn the story into a holiday song. And today it is played over and over and over during the holiday season.
All this brings me to Magic Reindeer Mix.  Rudolph is sure to stop Santa'a sleigh at your house to snack on this magical mix. 

Magic Reindeer Mix 

Cook's notes: Cut a piece 10 x 7 of Christmas scrapbooking paper or cardstock. Fold in half. Fill a sandwich size plastic bag with equal parts of dry oatmeal and glitter. Staple sandwich bag to inside of the the paper near the fold. Type the following directions below and glue onto the front of the paper. Staple both sheets together with plastic bag in the inside and directions on the outside. 

On Christmas Eve sprinkle this 

magic reindeer mix on your lawn to guide

Santa's reindeer to your rooftop. While

Santa makes his delivery inside, Rudolph

and his friends can have a snack.

I taped on a small candy cane on front of package.

Spinach & Cranberry Salad 

And this is a salad  that certainly Santa will enjoy with his Christmas meal.

Cook's notes: Both recipes comes from  a book Christmas all through the house  by Gooseberry Patch

Ingredients:

• 2 TB. butter
• 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
• salt and pepper  to taste
• 2- 6 oz. packages fresh baby spinach
• 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled
• 1 -1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 2 hard boiled eggs sliced
• crumbled feta cheese
• warm chutney dressing

Directions:

• Melt butter in non-stick pan over medium heat add pecans and stirring constantly till toasted, about 2 minutes
• Remove from heat and drain on paper towels
• Toss pecans, spinach, bacon, cranberries and eggs
• Add crumbled feta cheese 
• Drizzle with warm dressing

Warm Chutney Dressing

Ingredients:

• 6 Tb. balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup bottled mango chutney
• 1 TB. Dijon mustard
• 2 TB. honey
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

Cook first five ingredients in saucepan over medium heat stirring occasionally about 3 minutes.  Stir in olive oil blending with a whisk and cook 1 minute. Pour into a blender blend till smooth and serve warm drizzled over salad.