Our Family Christmas Foods

We have beef and noodles over mashed potatoes for Christmas. There are many vegetables, the dieting adults pick at a few of them. Rest of us gnaw on a variety of fudges, mints, and peanut brittle. Frosted sugar cookies are a hit too at many of our Christmas tables. When I was a child, we always had two or three pots of stew or soup. Oyster stew for the adults, potato soup, and chili. Lots of crackers too. Because there were so many of us, and soup spread around so fast. Fruit cakes are usually included, but the last thing eaten. We throw away almost no food after the family gathers. Leftovers are collected, taken to those who cannot walk so well now. Great grandma and great grandma, who are waiting for a quick visit. A bunch of food at their house too, for they have eighteen children. Great grandma’s table has turkey, chicken, beef, and salmon. Salmon is unusual in the Midwest at Christmas time. Everyone scoots things around to make room for the leftovers.