Friday Food Story

What time of year do you associate food with the most?  Personally, that is definitely the holidays.  All the treats, savory dishes, candy, cookies, cakes, giant turkeys, gingerbread houses.....I can go on forever here.  So when my hubby was deployed over the holidays, I knew I had to do something to make his time overseas just a little bit more like home, as well as for his soldiers at the time.

I really enjoyed putting together the holiday care package for my hubby.  Not only did he get a bunch of fun gifts, I sent all kinds of goodies.  I included all the stuff we would normally do during December.  I sent a gingerbread house kit, which surprisingly did not get destroyed in transit, along with additional candies for decoration.  With his soldiers, they assembled it and took pictures to send me.  I also tried out a new goody.  I've never made hard candy before, but I know he loves it.  His grandma makes it all the time and when we go there for Christmas he is always having some.  So of course I had to at least try it out!  I sent three or four different flavors, and funny thing is, I think this was the most popular among everyone!  (I always send enough to share.)  In fact, his Battalion Commander at the time, would always come into his office just to have some hard candy.  I think he was just as addicted to it as Chris.  And of course, what is Christmas without Christmas Cookies?!?  I have a homemade recipe from my Mom, and he loves them as much as I do.  It makes a huge batch, so I made tons of cookies to send.  Usually at home, he will make homemade frosting and do different colors.  Well, I really didn't think homemade frosting would survive the journey, so I got two containers of store bought just to be sure they would have good frosting.  I included two giant containers of multiple types of sprinkles, and he and his soldiers got to participate in some holiday traditions of decorating Christmas Cookies. 

While I certainly did not enjoy having my hubby away during the holiday season, it really warmed my heart to send him, and his soldiers, a little piece of home while they were away.  I'm so glad they were able to take part in a least a little bit of holiday tradition, and I know they enjoyed eating all those treats!! 

~Melissa