It is that time of year again!

Last year I told you about the early Christmas prep that goes on in the Nagle5 household as a result of Superman's overseas work.  In order to get the goodies to the troops well in time for the holiday season (not just in time for Christmas day), we start in early November.  To that end, the first batch of goodies was mailed on Tuesday.  With the way the mail has been to the base lately, Superman will be able to share these right about Thanksgiving.

This first package had the pretzel treats and the peppermint bark that were most requested.  (Who knew that these simple treats would be so popular?)  Since they were so popular, I thought I'd give you some quick guidelines and you can whip up a batch yourself, if you're so inclined.  Seriously, everyone seems to love these...the kids were a bit pouty that I mailed this entire batch off!

Pretzel Treats

1 bag Rolled Gold pretzel sticks
1 bag mini marshmallows
Roughly 4 cups of Merckens milk chocolate buttons*
Mini muffin tin liners

Directions:
Take the time to break all the pretzel sticks into halves or thirds and set them in a bowl.

Using the microwave on roughly 2/3 power, melt the chocolate buttons in a glass measuring cup.  About 5 minutes at 2/3 power...stirring once halfway through.  Just don't scorch the chocolate.  (Yes, you can use a double boiler, but why?)

In a large bowl, use a spatula to combine the pretzels and the melted chocolate.  Add the pretzels a handful at a time.  (Don't just pour the broken pretzels in from the smaller bowl...you'll get all the salt that collected at the bottom of the bowl in your treats and that won't be good!)  Keep stirring and stirring until the pretzels are well-coated with chocolate and then pour in the bag of mini marshmallows and coat them with the melted chocolate.

Once it is all combined and everything is well-coated, scoop out spoonfuls and allow to cool.  (This year I skipped the waxed paper and just scooped straight onto the counter...it was simpler.)  Once they've cooled off, place each goodie in a mini muffin liner and you're done...ready to share them.

Really, you can do this with anything...I'm going to make a batch with dark chocolate, raisins, and unsweetened coconut...not primal, but still, a good compromise, don't you think? 

Tomorrow, I'll share with you just how easy it is to make peppermint bark!

Early Deadline and Homemade Candy

According to my post office, today is the last day for me to ship packages guaranteed to get to Superman for Christmas.  Are you usually ready for Christmas on the 6th of December?  Yeah, me neither!!

Add in that Superman is on a cot in a 25-man tent with no personal storage and you can guess what trouble I had coming up with suitable Christmas gifts.  I finally decided it all had to be consumable and that he'd love to have stuff to share.  I decided homemade candy would be perfect.

So, on Saturday I made candies, a lot of candies.  (This is the only time of year I can send chocolates and I know Superman misses them dearly.)

I made Peppermint Bark.

I made chocolate clusters with pretzel bits and marshmallows.

I made pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate and rolled in toffee bits.

I made pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and striped with dark chocolate.

I didn't stop there.  On Sunday, I made a batch of chocolate-covered oreo-type cookies.

Then, I fashioned my own almond-roca type candies.

Last night, I got it all packed, sealed, and labeled.  I've even filled out the customs form already.

Today, I will deliver it all to the United States Postal Service.  I did my part and now I expect them to do theirs and get Superman his goodies in time for Christmas.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Making all this stuff was super easy.  If you're at all interested, I'll share all the ingredients and instructions...just let me know.