I grew up in a town of 350 folks where it seemed everybody knew my name and we all exchanged holiday gifts. I say gifts, but my mother called the smaller, homemade projects “happies.” From teachers to neighbors, from babysitters to mailmen, I carry on her tradition of homemade holiday happies. These gifts were DIY before we called it that and they were wonderful expressions of each person’s talents. Neighbors made pound cake, pickles, hot spice tea mix, pepper jelly, soup, banana bread, fudge, cheese straws, honey, cocoa mix, shortbread, and all kinds of cookies. My mother made huge batches.. Read More »