I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Though she was never a Scrooge in any way about it, my Mother found herself a bit melancholy at times during the Christmas season. She had such fond memories of her Christmases growing up, until 1944.

That summer, with World War II in full swing, Mom and 3 girlfriends from Grove City, Ethel, Elaine and Dorothy, went to Washinton, D.C. to work as government girls. They made no plans to come back to Minnesota for the holidays that year since travel was nearly impossible those days. Mom and her friends were busy decorating their apartment with fresh holly and evergreen when a Western Union telegram arrived at their door with news that her mother had been hospitalized and could she please try to get home for the holidays. Their friend, Dick Daby, also from Grove City was a serviceman on leave with plans to head back to Minnesota on the 20th. He offered to escort Mom home. On the way to the train station, they stopped at Woolworth’s, bought an expensive wedding band and she posed as his wife, since Christmas week would be a difficult time for any unnecessary travel.

The miles clicked by and, despite the crowded, noisy, smoky train cars. Everyone seemed to be in a holiday mood, with laughter and singing all the way home, especially the old tune, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

When Mom and Dick disembarked in Minneapolis, the look on the faces that greeted her, her Dad, brother and sister, told the story. Her sister tried to break it gently but blurted out, “Mother died this morning.” Dick had learned the news in Chicago when they changed trains, but didn’t have the heart to tell her.

On the 27^th, the day of her Mother’s funeral, a box marked “Return to Sender” came for Mom in the mail. It was a big tin of homemade Christmas cookies her Mother had baked and sent to the Washington girls who wouldn’t be home for Christmas and would be in need of a taste of home that year.

It is 67 years ago today, December 22, that my Mother lost hers. But she always remembered the bulging cookie tins and passed those recipes on to me.

MOM’S FAVORITE CHRISTMAS COOKIE

1-1/4 cups shortening

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk (save white)

2 teaspoons cardamom

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 to 4 cups flour

Topping: Egg white, sugar, finely chopped walnuts

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs. Stir in spices and flour. Chill dough. Roll into small balls and then roll in sugar. Dip top of cookie in egg white, then into nuts, then into sugar again. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

SPRITZ

2 cups butter

1-3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 egg yolks

4 cups of flour (or 3/4 cup more if needed)

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter and sugar. Stir in all other ingredients. Knead in food coloring, if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 4 minutes. 

GRANDMA’S SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

3-3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup whipping cream

Colored sugar or frosting and sprinkles

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and baking powder, alternating with cream. Cover bowl and chill 2 hours. Roll out dough on floured surface. Cut into shapes. Sprinkle with colored sugar if frosting is not desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. If cookies are to be frosted, cool first.