Most wonderful time of the year

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, we can officially start talking about Christmas (even though I started listening to Christmas carols a week before Thanksgiving).

I love the holidays for a lot of reasons, but my top two are family and baking!There a number of events during the month of December that provide multiple opportunities for both.

The first official family holiday event took place today: Christmas Tree Cutting at the Nutter Tree Farm. My family started cutting their own tree down in the mid 70s. Every year Mary, Nana, and one of the 6 kids would go to the farm and pick out their tree. Eventually most of us finally became members after years on the waiting list and on the first weekend in December, we all meet at 8:30am to venture out and pick a tree. 

Everyone has their own tree picking style (aka a few arguments over which tree to cut, one of the children crying because they are cold or want a different tree, and decisions about who is going to carry it back to the car). Some find their trees in a matter of minutes while others like to take their time (analyzing and comparing). Picking a tree is really a science, but it is worth it when you have a beautiful tree that could last until July!

The next few weekends are booked with a number of Christmas parties, but this weekend is nice and quiet! Matt is heading to watch the Oregon State vs Oregon football game (his Christmas) with some friends, so I baked up a recipe I found in Mary's recipe box for  Butterscotch Brownies:

Butterscotch Brownies
(written on large recipe card adorned with an ornamental slice of canteloupe)
1 cup margarine melted
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c chopped walnuts

Grease 11x7 baking pan
Pour melted margarine in a large bowl. Add sugar and beat well. Beat in eggs and vanilla
Stir in sifted flour, baking powder, and slat
Stir in nuts.
Spread mixture in pan
Bake @ 350 for 30-35 minutes. Cool pan for 10 minutes. Gently remove on waxed paper, cool, and cut into squares.