![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1mzGtmSum9xlCm7Hgwn89UyXJlcemIqjIW9Gy1MkRbuSuitCTT3VY2mjQrEs-qUAJVQx6YTnzlNFfLRb-T7PE0zU7jj34TOwWVguw4osxJMknmGr4_ScGCxjQGB4VXz04vHsRmISDfrY/s400/jeff's+family+christmas+here+2009afterfondue.jpg)
Sunday evening my local grandchildren came over to celebrate Christmas in a different way.
We started out having Pizza Fondue for supper. This was prompted by their father's fond recollections of enjoying it as a teenager. If the amount he ate was any indication his enjoyment hasn't diminished!
After dinner there were gifts to be opened. These were not the usual gifts you buy in a store for the most part. They were family treasures and memorabilia. Each child got one large bag filled with smaller boxes and objects. Each one also received a small notebook to write in. As they opened an item if there was a story to tell about that item I related it to them and they were able to write it down. They really seemed to enjoy the gifts and the stories.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLty-HnEIA36BOC6hULghkZxdu9ReByiCjQvoFVMTQ73stdehy3WddSXX7YmrFVm0mEtkohxl3w1RKvbm9fRo6XdR64_YceE6lwQSx8rpef06KlZL1zav9jkKsQGuNzs1F6-Jjc9JfjQSd/s400/jeff's+family+christmasheididoll+pin.jpg)
Here is Heidi showing one of the gifts she received. It was a precious doll pin I used to wear when she was less than 2. She was so attracted to it as a child so now she has it as a memory.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1L1r5muOFsaOvSKE3z0zCJTU3pUdfuPRWOR0MW1_kVklpgjAtkWRH5v06XfpU9Huq3gKgwJEmeqTiMkAFE8IlgcZji6X3khv6j7EpEvCk4cmbtQdFJvvrSDYpbI5xHD6P-WlycgzsAX6/s400/jeff's+family+christmassanasockbunny.jpg)
Dana has loved monkeys including sock monkeys. She was the recipient of a sock bunny that used to be one of the toys I would put under one of our Christmas trees.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsFtrNpQnRFuTuMhd8COwIWRNEwnuDlqFLSYx9i6hRbrlYgFXkF46fet_R-l42CNcZ_8nKIOf0gOuC-T_QpBDNf3quW9UncstLZwIVtpyArwq2AmJvg-Z474dxR97vMRoXdJ_ogw81WOf/s400/jeff's+family+christmasjeffjrornament.jpg)
Jeff Jr. is writing the story of Grandpa Jerry's golf ornament.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv_mj8GvuMcbmUzEDWuSav94VjnLotwHkBV2ce-Sx5_5G0z2GDKVHVCYCY0Sf4VPUpl1vxIy3_UygArEH7TbjWhtqX6u6y1xya6y1aouE1OHrFxZHiKoQuoNt7bPzwd7mMHrgzPYWXwI7/s400/jeff's+family+christmaskierstinradko.jpg)
Kierstin is reading the inscription I put on the bottom of one of the ornaments I passed on to her from my Christopher Radko ornament collection.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZxf2QneRE9RlKao86AmMCerkXFwTqkY3FFWjI8trOZGeRGgwT3Tqf3IMlrmPlLAlv20aAJju9dXF-PbtJZMn2Ey_lACbBsnyAnOpT8GR7UkpiTrg0gPF3zcPBTRebBv9Gw8Bx303hKkb/s400/jeff's+family+christmas+cooperpandaornament.jpg)
Cooper loves pandas. He is inspecting the Christoper Radko panda ornament. I had to hold my breath that he didn't crush it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFICKZSG5_e6SsHee1DKCn7nbADZu8qG15UM4duQrW4jJ3x1C1kH7bwSzTSjeb4Kx88m6DwP7-IokSt3UtKZ98Je3LTxqS0y8RCSQVfAThhKgdu3v42MwwaX8QM6d3t8jbkdOXKrXpqXkD/s400/jeff's+family+christmasJeff+String.jpg)
Jeff Sr. is showing how his father's ring that Jerry wore on his ring finger fits his thumb!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ28cy5hRhUPQOQ96pUsoYvNWYegjN7QpC-DFtjrtd-lVgoBQsJUPeAq_9OQ3MpBo97zvnCoupV6uPGdPkLrNWQQlG9qNxsySi7IGsuEur3rYGjGWWnys8ubc9L_pmLtCtAXnZhSUOXzHK/s400/jeff's+family+christmaskierstinslinky.jpg)
Always a favorite with this family is a Slinky. One of those toys that never goes out to style. Can you believe I NEVER had one as a child!
This is the first time I've included a recipe on this blog. Marcia asked about it and so did other friends. Hope you'll enjoy it. It is delicious. There was a tiny bit leftover and I am having it for lunch tomorrow.
PIZZA FONDUE
1 onion, chopped
½ lb. ground beef
2 T margarine or shortening
2 - 10 ½ oz cans pizza sauce
1 T cornstarch
1 ½ t fennel seed
1 ½ t oregano
¼ t. garlic powder
10 oz grated Cheddar cheese
1 c. grated mozzarella cheese
Brown onion and meat in shortening in Fondue pot at #9.
Mix cornstarch and seasoning into pizza sauce.
Reduce heat to #6 and sauce to mixture. Stir well.
When mixture thickens and bubbles, add cheeses by thirds, stirring well after each addition.
When all the cheese is melted, turn control to # 5 to keep warm.
Dunkers: Garlic bread cubes, toasted English muffin cubes, bread sticks
Serve over toasted English muffin for a luncheon treat.
Serves 4-6 as main dish
10-12 as appetizer