My family's tradition is for 'Santas' visit to be on Christmas eve. To give the Old Gent time to drop off his goodies, we had to leave home at dusk and not come back for what seemed FOREVER. So my Mom in her ultimate wisdom started a tradition. I and now my children keep it up yearly. Once our thanksgiving (Canadian) is over in October we start baking cookies and squares for platters which we deliver to neighbors, friends and a homeless shelter during our 'wait' time. Most of the cookies are frozen till assembly time (did you notice...most...). The squares and struddel have to be done in the Christmas week. Some off these are traditional Hungarian yummies and others are adopted favorites as the family is growing. Over the next few days I'll share the recipes with you, all my HUB-FRIENDS. Naturally it would be better if I could share the actual goodies but, I guess it will have to do.

Now I would like to ask a favor of all of you HUBbers. Can we all give a bag of food to a homeless shelter or a plate of goodies to the lonely senior down the road on Christmas eve. 'Hub-Land' is wordwide, and it would really spread well-being worldwide. If you don't celebrate December 24th or 25th let me know when your "Giving-Holiday" is and I will do the same at that time here in the name of 'Hub-land'. Seriously, how many member Hubbers are there? A couple of cans of food to the women's shelter, a fruit basket or like us a cookie platter, from each of us will make a difference, and it doesn't have to break the bank. Even bought cookies on a vintage plate (25cents at the thrift shop), wrapped in cellophane, tied with a pretty bow will look great and most of all would be appreciated so much by that lonely person down the road.

Thanks Gang...Now for recipe #1...My favorite!!!

MOCHA-WALNUT RUMBALLS

Ingredients:

10 ozs chocolate cookie Wafers 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 cups Walnuts, finally chopped and lightly roasted (good with almonds too) 3 tbsp instant coffee granules 1/2 + cup Rum (dark is best but white or gold are okay too) 3 tbsp light corn syrop 1 cup chocolate wormies or colored sprinkles (optional)

Methodology:

-Pulverize wafers to powdery crumbs -combine crumbs with 2 cups of sugar (save 1/2 cup for rolling) and walnuts in large bowl -Dissove 2 1/2 tbsp of coffee in 1/2 oz of hot water stir in syrop and rum -Mix in wafer crumbs so that they will hold together but not too sticky -let sit for 1/2 hour (just enough time to enjoy a cup of tea with rum) -Shape into 1" balls

ready now version: choose one or all -mix remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 tbsp pulverized instant coffee -roll rumballs in sugar mix, chocolate wormies or coloredsprinkles

freezer version: -remove rum balls from freezer let stand for 1/2 hour then follow method above (if rolled when too frozen wormies won't stick well)

Both versions will last well in airtight containers for two weeks, so I'm told at our house we're lucky if we get a week as they seem to have a evaporating habit. Depending on how big your 1" balls(ha-ha) get this recipe will make about 100 balls.

ENJOY