Making Hot Huh-Huhs.

'What's for breakfast?' . . . 'What's for breakfast?' . . . 'What's for breakfast?' . . . even in writing it's kind of annoying isn't it. The next meal question is a favorite of children everywhere. Which brings me to a funny family story. My father is one of seven children, including four boys. Needless to say it was a full and rambunctious household when he was growing up and one morning, the kids were asking the oh-so-important question 'What's for breakfast?' They either didn't listen to the answer, or my grandmother just got so fed up with the constant barrage of questioning that she finally shouted 'Hot Huh-Huhs'. And at that moment a Bokor family breakfast specialty was born.

It's really pretty straightforward, you make the Biscuits Supreme recipe from the classic Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, roll it out flat, slather the dough with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and then add your favorite toppings: raisins, walnuts or chocolate chips. Most people would call them breakfast rolls, cinnamon rolls or something really boring. Not my family, the second someone says 'Hot Huh-Huhs' our mouths start watering and we start licking our lips, eagerly anticipating breakfast.

Breakfast is served.

This week, the girls and I doubled-down on our Hot Huh-Huh recipe, combining two family favorites. There is another old recipe we used to make that we called 'Jack Muffins'. I think it may have been on the can of the Hungry Jack biscuits that come in the pop-open cans. You wrap the biscuit around a square of cream cheese, then dip the rolled up biscuit in butter and cinnamon sugar. So we took parts of that recipe and added to our Hot Huh-Huhs. We made the biscuit dough, rolled it out and then did the filling and topping as if they were Jack Muffins. What came out was a buttery, sugary, cream cheesy delight. The pan didn't last through lunchtime. We're still trying to decide what to call this new recipe. Maybe 'Ultra-Hot Huh-Huhs' or 'Hot What-the-Huh-Huhs', but whatever we end up calling them, they are definitely a new addition to our family recipes. Amazing that a simple recipe can contain so many memories, of a childhood, of a grandmother and of fun times together. I'm sure each of you have a special recipe that does the same for you. If not, feel free to borrow Hot Huh-Huhs. It's kind of fun to tell people that's what you're making and then wait for the strange looks you get.

You may also get some strange looks if you watch this commercial with others around you. Every time I watch it, I tear up a little. It's a pleasant reminder of what Winston Churchill said: 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' At Christmas it seems even more important to remember that.

From everyone at Kerby's, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas. At the bottom of the newsletter you'll find our holiday hours. If you have any last minute giving to do, we'll be open through noon on Christmas Eve. For the Christmas holiday, we'll be closed on both the 25th and the 26th and will reopen on the 27th at 9am. Have a great holiday and enjoy this special time of year.

Be prepared for frost or freeze.

Garden Tip
Protecting Plants from Frost and Freeze
Who knows what winter will bring this year. We've already had plenty of rain, and a few early cold snaps. The best thing you can do is to be prepared. Make sure you are stocked up on all of the essentials for protecting your plants, like frost blankets and anchor pins. Follow these easy tips to make sure your garden comes into spring looking even better than before.

Protection - When frost or freeze approaches, the best thing you can do is be prepared to cover your plants. Make sure that you have frost blankets and anchoring pins on hand so that you don't have to make a last minute trip to Kerby's for supplies and have a plan for covering up your most sensitive plants. Make sure that you cover plants all the way to the ground, resting the blanket lightly on the plant and then anchoring the blanket to the ground with the anchor pins. Not attaching the blanket allows cold winds to creep under easily and either blow the blanket off, or push out the warm trapped air that is protecting the plant.

Water Well - The day before cold comes in, make sure you give your plants a good soaking. A lack of water when cold, dry winds are blowing can cause double the damage to your plants. Water plants at the roots only. Water on the leaves doesn't help and can cause more damage for landscape plants.

Stop Fertilizing - By now, you should have done your fall fertilization on all of your plants. At this point, you want to hold off on any general feeding until springtime. Too much fertilizer right now may encourage growth spurts during warmer days, and this new growth is extremely sensitive to cold, no matter how hardy the plant.

Avoid Some Pruning - On sensitive shrubs, you'll want to avoid pruning unless absolutely necessary. Pruning stimulates growth which can lead to weaker plants. A plant that is a little taller or wider than you want can be a good thing, as it will provide a little extra insulation. The winter is a great time to prune roses, crape myrtles, evergreens, and any deciduous trees.

Double Protection - If you're a fruit nut and have exotic tropical fruit trees, consider doubling the protection by using multiple layers of frost blankets. For covering trees, have a few stakes on hand to prop the blankets up so they aren't pulling the leaves and branches down.

These are a few tips you can use to protect your garden this winter. The best protection is being prepared for whatever mother nature throws our way.

Store Hours
Monday - Saturday,  9am - 5pm
Sunday,  11am - 4pm
Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve, Monday, 12/24 - 9am - 12pm
Christmas Day, Tuesday, 12/25 - Closed
Wednesday, 12/26 - Closed
New Year's Eve, Monday, 12/31 - 9am - 12pm
New Year's Day, Tuesday, 1/1 - Closed