A sad day

Today is a sad day. My wonderful husband had to return to work this morning. I LOVE having him home. He tackles projects that I don't want to touch (like putting away the Christmas decorations) and plays with the boys. Life is so much easier when he's here. Now we need to return to our regularly scheduled life and I'm feeling blue.

Before the new year is upon us, I thought I'd share some of my favorite holiday recipes. I have always found that people who have everything really like receiving home made and home cooked food for gifts. This year I made chocolate walnut fudge for neighbors and my mother in law. I also made Spiced Almonds for my father in law. The fudge and almonds have become a tradition and my inlaws look forward to taking their food on their long drive from Connecticut to Florida on New Years Day.

Here is the recipe for Spiced Almonds:

1 egg white
3 cups almonds
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger

Beat one large egg white until foamy. Add 3 cups whole almonds, tossing to coat.

In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and ginger. Toss with almonds to coat. Spread almonds on greased baking sheet in single layer. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Cool slightly and break apart clumps. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

I like to give these as gifts in large mason jars. They'll last a long time.