Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Where is the war on Christmas?

As usual the grinches have come out of their caves extolling their annual “there is a war on Christmas” anti-holiday spirit with their greedy attitude. They do this every year.
They are the people who always see the glass half empty and derive some kind of joy in tearing down the beautiful meaning of the season for others. I say to them, bah humbug, go back in your cave.
Last Saturday night, Christmas officially came to my house.
It was the night of the annual Christmas parade. It begins each year by lining up in front of my house and winding its way through the main street of town, so I’m fortunate to see it in its entirety from the vantage point of my own front porch. It always starts at 6 p.m. and lasts about an hour. Saturday night the weather cooperated to make it one of the best parades ever. The 50-some degree temperature brought out everyone in town with lots and lots of children.
When I took my viewing position on my front porch, the street was ablaze with floats of every description, mostly religious in theme… creches, manger scenes, Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Many of them played secular music and had decorated with more modern motifs. Up and down the street, as far as the eye could see, the line of brightly lit cars, floats, and marching bands extended. Everybody seemed filled with the holiday spirit.
That day, my young neighbors from across the street had decorated my front door with a beautiful wreath along with filling my window boxes with greenery and red berries. It was Christmas ready. They do this every year out of the goodness of their heart since they know I’m unable to do it myself. I know that near Christmas day they will be at my door with a basket of home baked goodies since they know my baking days are in the distant past. And it begged the question: is this what they call the “war on Christmas?” the grinches are always talking about?
Sitting directly in front of my house waiting for the parade to begin was the most beautiful bright red circa 1950’s Chevrolet that had been restored. It was the prettiest vintage car I had ever seen. Lined up on the sidewalk between the car and my house stood about ten children, all joggers, ages about 5 to 7 years old. They were dressed in white fleece jumpsuits with halos of fluorescent rings around their collars and ankles.
One of the children came up to the porch and asked if they could give me a private performance. I was delighted and said I would love it. The red Chevrolet then turned on its twinkling lights and began playing Christmas music to which the joggers began dancing to the beat of the music. As their tapping feet kept time to the music, the halos around their ankles moved in rhythm, making it a dazzling sight. When they finished, I thanked and applauded them. Some of them ran up my steps and gave me a hug. One little 5-year- old cuddled up to me for warmth. I didn’t want to let him go.
Other children jumped off their floats and brought me candy canes. “Would you like some candy….here’s some candy for you…” they said. Their sweet merry faces filled with the spirit of Christmas melted my heart. And I asked myself again, “is this what they call the “war on Christmas?”
I watched the parade until it was out of sight. Then I closed my front door and went into the kitchen. As I heated up some broccoli cheese soup and my mind replayed the events of the past hour,
I had a warm cozy feeling. Christmas is really here, I thought to myself.

They are very sweet, gooey and rich… but incredibly addictive. I love them with a hot cup of coffee. And, you can change them to fit your preference. Nuts, no nuts. Don’t like butterscotch? Use all chocolate chips… or vanilla, or white chocolate or peanut butter chips. M & M’s are good in these too.

Magic Cookie Bars

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional,

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 13×9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork.
3. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.
Makes 36 servings (small, as these are very rich)