On our street lives a family who shares a special holiday tradition with neighbors during this gift-giving season. Their thoughtful gesture has brought smiles to each of us for many years… 🙂
We don’t see this mom and dad and son often as they are busy like all of us, but their unique gift of sharing a family treat with their neighbors this time of year has definitely generated warm fuzzy feelings among all the good people who call this street “home.” In a strange way, their unselfish giving is symbolic of a “glue” that keeps us connected year round. What this family does is but one contribution to an enduring community of good neighbors.
So, here is the shared family tradition… Mom, dad, and son buy and make a yummy family treat they call “Butterscotch Haystacks” — a concoction of pretzels or chow mien noodles, peanuts, and some sort of butterscotch coating. They double bag these treats, include a note from them wishing us a happy holiday season, and on their early morning walk (before I even open my eyes!) they make their delivery to our front door mats. Then when you open your door to get the morning paper, Voila!, a happy surprise that no doubt makes the whole street like up in a smile as I do! Such a nice tradition, that was started when their son was just a baby. How lucky for that boy to grow up learning and practicing the importance of family tradition and ritual — sharing with and appreciating others…
The inscribed note reads: “Merry Christmas from our house to yours…”
This may not be the exact recipe that my neighbors use, but I found this one for Butterscotch Peanut Haystacks!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Haystacks/Detail.aspx?prop24=RD_RelatedRecipes