The holiday season is full of traditions. We plan family activities around those traditions. For example, we eat the same meals on special days. We use the same decorations on the Christmas tree. We visit friends and relatives. We sing familiar songs. We share the stories of our memories of past holidays.

Traditionally, my family eats pecan pie during the Christmas season. We don’t make pecan pie any other time of year. I have been known to order a slice when I am out to eat at other times of the year, but never at home.

We have used a couple of recipes to make the pecan pie over the years, and we find ourselves returning to one that was handed down from my great grandmother, Mrs. Shorthouse.

This recipe has stood the test of time and our family’s changing tastes. The copy I have is written on an index card in my grandmother’s perfect school teacher handwriting.

Pecan Pie

½ c. white sugar
2 T. butter
2 eggs
2 T. flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. white karo
1 c. pecans

Blend the white sugar and butter together. Beat the eggs. Mix all the remaining ingredients into the sugar and butter mixture. Pour into a prepared pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until firm. Check for firmness at 40 minutes, 45 minutes and 50 minutes.  A note at the bottom of the card says about the pecans cut up if desired.

Make it a meal:  Serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cup of coffee. My family tradition says this is the only way to eat pecan pie. If you have the coffee, life is good.

Variations: There are none. At least not according to my family’s tradition. I suppose if you wanted to be daring, you could add some chocolate chips or walnuts to the mixture. But don’t try that trick during Christmas and expect my family to like it.

Every family has its own traditions. Honor them and respect them, just don’t feel bound by them. There are times in life when we need to create new traditions. If you are family traditions are overwhelming you, then now is the time to adjust your thinking and find a new tradition. Perhaps you can eliminate a time honored but exhausting tradition. My Aunt Ruth says it is perfectly acceptable to have the big dinners catered by your favorite restaurant. Since Aunt Ruth is 95 years old, and the oldest member of my family, she has earned the right to change our traditions.

Reader Response: Thanksgiving leftovers and how to use them you can do anything you want with the leftovers. A reader suggested making turkey tetrazzini with the leftover meat. I think that is a great idea. Another reader said she sends all that leftover food back to college with her student children. That’s a fabulous way to make sure the food is eaten. We all know college kids will eat almost anything!

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