Easy Candy Making & Nana's Ham Ball for Christmas (I Tried Granny's Mints Again and it Worked!)

Come along as I enjoy a day in the kitchen making Christmas goodies for my family and friends.
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#CelebratingAppalachia #AppalachianFoodways #Christmas

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

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[@alexsettino9197]

It's nice to see that good wholesome families that respect their heritage, still exist. God bless you all.

[@smc130]

Matt, I think giblet and gizzard are cute nicknames for the boys!! You’re going to be having so much fun with them, makes me smile just thinking about it!

[@missouribroad978]

My grandfather used to call me Bertha to tease my mother. She told me she would get so mad. She said I had this beautiful baby girl with a beautiful name and your grandfather insisted on calling you Bertha. Thinking about it makes me laugh and someday your grandsons will hear about their funny nicknames and they will laugh too. ❤️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀

[@kathleenroberts7972]

My father in law called all the boys George and not one of them was a george!

[@coopie624]

One of my uncles used to call all his nieces and nephews “Slop Jar”! 😂😂😂😂

[@klm140]

Those goodies look so delicious!! I make the ham ball, too! I dust it with just a smidgen of smoked paprika and chopped parsley. It's very festive looking and gone in a flash...... just like the ones you made will be.

[@mamamode1312]

He really was complimenting your daughter. Knowingly or not. Bertha View all girl namesPlus Icon MEANINGS English Baby Names Meaning: In English Baby Names the meaning of the name Bertha is: From Old English beorht meaning bright. German Baby Names Meaning: In German Baby Names the meaning of the name Bertha is: From Old German berhta meaning bright, intelligent.

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

God was mercifully to you Tipper, allowing you and Matt to reap a double measure out of one pregnancy ❤❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

He surely was 😀

[@SweetSummerChild1967]

What a beautiful thought, and so true. Merry Christmas to you, friend.

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

MERRY CHRISTMAS @ Sweet Summer Child 1967 💖🎄 You are so kind 🤗

[@SuzieQ-lw2kp]

This was worded so beautiful

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

What a sweet complement 🤗 @SuzieQ

[@kls01013]

To make the cheese ball, line a small bowl with saran wrap then pack your cheese mixture into the lied bowl let it firm up in the frig then unmold

[@kbee6078]

My mom always made Haystacks, but we used butterscotch morsels, chow mein noodles and chopped cashews. So yummy, and they never lasted long! So glad your mints were a success.

[@islandgyaljay-cay6171]

Matt’s display skills are ON POINT 😂

[@matthewaper3716]

My mom always makes homemade Chex mix starting at thanksgiving and more batches all the way through Christmas. The smell of it always makes me think of the Holidays. We get tired of it after new years, but we're always ready for more by the time thanksgiving rolls around again.

[@marthakemp127]

So happy the mints were a success this time. All the goodies looked delicious!

[@SweetSummerChild1967]

Gizzard and Giblet!! 😅 What do the girls think of that? Too funny. I can't believe I missed you last night. But that's the great thing about KZbin. Your mints look great today.

[@janesmith1398]

My family has made the haystack since I was young as well. The recipe came out of a microwave cookbook from 1978. We used peanuts, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and chow mein noodles. Your mint candy looked delicious! Thank you. ❤ If you want to make an actual ball... line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Place the mixture in the bowl. Use the ends of the plastic to compress the bottom end of the mixture flat. Chill for a few hours. Then, unmold onto a platter. It's now a ball shape and chilled. We used canned ham instead of the ham slices. Love this with crackers or in a sandwich.

[@barbarasue7191]

The peanut butter cookies with white coating are my favorite cookie. We make them every Thanksgiving and Christmas. I thought only Katie was expecting. Didn't know about Corey. Congratulations both of you. Just think; your babies will grow up together. Super huge blessing. I didn't LOL til Matt stuck his face in the camera. I needed that laugh today. God bless your family.

[@alicevaughn7990]

My husband and I were laughing at Matt he is a comedian . Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

[@jonesstylecanninglawndalenc]

Momma always made the haystacks growing up but would lay 3 or 4 chocolate covered m & ms in top center to look like birds nest. Always an Easter treat my momma made ❤️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that 😀

[@bethmiller6827]

Great Easter treat!

[@AmyLouiseDens]

Ham balls remind me of my family's favorite: hamloaf. Like meatloaf but has a vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard glaze. 😋 I have the recipe written in my grandmothers hand.

[@Dougeb7]

It all looks so good! I'd weigh 300 pounds if I lived at your house, Tipper! Praying that you all have a wonderful Christmas. God bless!

[@johnnyerrington4605]

Makes me smile to see your family enjoying your goodies. ❤❤❤❤😃

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😊 thank you

[@bb-bu9vt]

I love you and your family! Thank you for sharing your home, your traditions and your values with us all! Merry Christmas!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much 😀

[@mamamode1312]

Those Almond bark reminded me "Chunky" chocolate candy. Do you recall those?

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

@@mamamode1312 I don't remember them but I bet they are good!

[@bb-bu9vt]

I remember Chunky. Those were great! Need to be brought back to the market. @@mamamode1312

[@lisab3th]

My biggest request every year from friends & family is the ritz/peanut butter treats. I use different Christmas colors of candy melts to make mine. I always put them on wax paper to cool. You can make these ahead of time. They freeze well. So good. Warning, once you make these for someone, they will be requested each year! lol

[@triciatinker9456]

I’m so sorry to read that they didn’t do the right scan for Granny. It’s so frustrating but there is a reason for this delay. Continuing to remember Granny, you, and your family as you wait on her results.. wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

[@robinchanteusedylan8326]

Everything looks absolutely delicious, Miss Tipper! All kinds of treats there! 😋 Granny's mints did turn out real nice. Now that would have been a good thumbnail with Matt right close to the camera like he did 😅 Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us 😊

[@s.c.2424]

I haven't been able to stomach much food lately but let me tell you, I'm making that ham ball for an appetizer for christmas dinner. That seems like such an easy and tasty treat especially for the kids. Tipper, you always have the best recipes.

[@mamamode1312]

I had the flu in November the week or so before Thanksgiving. My appetite is hardly even back.

[@s.c.2424]

@mamamode1312 oh no! The flu can really get you down. I have crohns disease and it got hold of me recently so I've been moving real slow. I hope you start getting that appetite back soon. That's never fun especially around the holidays.

[@batescave]

I admire your complete clean up after a task. I need to do that EVERY time! 😂

[@Deadcntr]

All of the candies look great. I love peppermint flavor. I miss the old days when families would gather together and make Christmas cookies and candies.

[@CarsonMichelleYoung]

Your Ham Ball is so much like mine! Softened cream cheese, a pkg of thin sliced beef or ham, and a 1/4 cup of Creamy Italian salad dressing. So darn good!

[@jeanniebeck2651]

Use your KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook to mix the sausage ball ingredients - someone shared that idea with me and it made making the sausage balls a breeze!!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Great tip!

[@bethmichaud3209]

Candy turned out perfectly !! Sweet tooth day ! Ham Ball BOWL is certainly appreciated !!! Tipper really knows what to serve for seeing SMILES ! Tipper's Magic Timing Tidy always captures my notice ☕Wishing you more hot choclet moments.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Gizzard and goblet… love it! 🥰 I still can’t believe you’re having two grandsons! So happy for yall!

[@KathysTube]

The candies turned out perfect! Thanks for sharing your recipes 🎄⛄

[@elizabethhamilton8388]

All your Christmas treats look so yummy, Tipper. With two pregnant daughters and a husband that is always becoming unfed, I don’t think you will have any Christmas treats left over at all this year! The nicknames for the grandsons that Matt picked are so cute. Hope y’all have a wonderful week and a very blessed Christmas. Hugs from the south east coast of Florida.😎🦩🌞🦩😎

[@dottiehildebrand3123]

All that candy and ham ball looks so good. God bless🇺🇸🌹💗

[@HHeirloomIA]

If you're using essential oil peppermint you really only need one drop or less because it is such a strong oil. I love all the molds including the turkey!❤

[@marybethbowers5620]

My mother use to do candy and mints (she made 300 mints for my wedding in 1977) I loved them all. I have to tell you the turkeys 🦃 are so cute!

[@kimgreene9241]

I love laughing pregnant ladies ❤ Tipper, I so admire your love of cooking and baking. That bug never bit me. 😢

[@heatherfoley4945]

I make a similar ham and cheese ball but use green onions which make it a bit festive color wise. I'm mixing some up to give as a gift to my neighbor =)

[@frankscarborough1428]

The candy looks delicious. Thank you Tipper and may God bless you and your family

[@elizabethd361]

My favorite part was Matt showcasing his cracker at the end 😂😂😂. Tipper, thanks for the great ideas!

[@FoothillsofAppalachia-nj6cq]

Everything looks so yummy! Our granddaughters have nicknames too such as peanut and hoss(because she’s so strong lol) thank you for the recipes!!

[@dianad4633]

Merry Christmas to your family. You all are a gift to us, your subscriber family. Many blessings for a wonderful New Year!

[@keelaeldridge8487]

Oh potato candy too! My favorite!

[@davidhensley76]

Haystacks are good made with chocolate-mint chips, too.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Yum 😀

[@emilytrainor5141]

Tipper, I am making your fudge this morning . Thank you for being “real” & showing us that everything we make doesn’t always turn out ( like your 1st try on the mints). I always love the bloopers!

[@cynderella3465]

Tipper, everything looks so delicious! I find your baking/cooking so peaceful. 🎅🎄☃️

[@wandagordon6453]

I can see right now that those boys are going to be plum rotten with Papaw Matt! Everything looks delicious. One of the things my mom made at Christmas was divinity. I sure do miss it. Watching you has put me in the mood to try and make it. Friday will be my gingerbread cookie day with my girls and their families. Love your sweet and precious family! God bless y’all! 😀❤️

[@rachelfrees1268]

Everything looks so tasty.👏👏

[@sheryladams1964]

Everything looked delicious! Will be nice to have Christmas treats! Laughed when Matt took the cracker closely and his face to the camera. I remember he didn't look comfortable to be on the camera at all! 🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄

[@MustangSally2.0]

I just love all of you! Wishing all of you the most blessed Christmas!🎄

[@fomo6789]

I absolutely love this video... it just makes me feel so Christmas cozy. Wishing you God's peace this year. ❤

[@cathyking8013]

Tipper I am so happy for you and your family. Watching your video's makes me feel like I am back home when my parents were living so many decades ago. God has surly blessed you and your family. So excited about the 2 new one's added to your family. Just ordered from Katies etsy store, really love her jewelry, wont be my last purchase. I so look forward to ALL y'alls video's. Just warms my heart, as I have adopted y'all as my family as mine have all passed away. I don't feel so lonely watching your video's. And listening to Katie and Kori singing, amazing. May y'all have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for sharing life in Appalachia. And forgot to say some of the things you are making today my momma and I would make. So thankful for your channel. May God bless.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much!! We are happy to be part of your family 😀

[@hazelbite]

Watching ya'll eating the ham ball, I honestly thought it was going to end with you all eating it all 😆 My family makes something similar with the addition of garlic powder as well 😋

[@HuberRhonda]

That’s the next cookbook you should do all of Tippers Holiday Recipes!!!❤️

[@ellenraguette4623]

We make our haystacks with 1 package semi sweet chocolate chips, 1 package butterscotch chips, 1 large package chow mien noodles, and small can of mixed nuts. Yum!

[@brendaleach-kv7if]

I make mine the same way!

[@denisemarchi6735]

Shredded wheat crumbled is another way to make also

[@larryjefferson2146]

Thanks again for the memories. We make something we always call Christmas Rocks. It’s the most expensive wreck of a cookie/ candy (blob lol) my wife’s family from far eastern Kentucky made. It has every kind of dried fruit and nuts in it. They also made something called muddy buddies. Merry Christmas to all of you!

[@gemigirl5521]

Gizzard and Giblet, lol. Now that’s going to stick! I had another idea for the grand babies- “the Goat Bluff Gang”. They need a onesie with that, lol

[@diannegrimes1471]

It all looks yummy. I'm glad you worked out the candy. It would be sad if you couldn't make it like you remembered.❤

[@pamsam8933]

I told my mom that if I had a girl, I was naming her "Ethel Claudine". The look on her face as she repeated it was priceless! 🤣 It was the 80's and "Amber, Tiffany, Bella, ect" was the norm back then. "Ethel Claudine" was as granny as it gets. I still laugh when I think about that.😅

[@AmynAL]

That was some serious kitchen time! Everything looked great and easy, even the rolls.

[@BrooksLMM1]

Tipper, your magic in the kitchen shows. What a beautiful family. God bless y’all. Matt your beaming since you retired. Merry Christmas prayers and blessings for granny and y’all.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

You are so kind-thank you 😀

[@brandic3612]

We just discovered this past Christmas to add pepper jelly to our cheese ball platter, and it was so delicious! I know it would be just as good with the ham ball. I remembered how much Matt likes pepper jelly; have him add a little to his cracker. Something magical happens!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Oh that sounds good 😀

[@gayleconroy4641]

It all looks delicious!!! Matt had me laughing out loud, though! Merriest of Christmases and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you all! Thank you for all the joy you bring!

[@debbieyzuel7887]

I so enjoy what a sweet loving family you have. You always seem to have so much fun.

[@anitatenney1975]

Tomorrow one of my grandsons is coming to my house to make Christmas treats.. I can't wait!❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Wonderful!

[@rhondabutler4172]

Everything looks delicious. I know your family appreciates all that you do for them.😊

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Rhonda!!

[@gailchurch194]

Dipping pretzels in the white chocolate is simple but really good too

[@brendawoods554]

Everything looks delicious.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you 😀

[@TeressaJ1960]

Tipper you've put me in the baking/candy making mood. It's a pretty good mood to be in. God bless you.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀

[@kathy.7475]

I made the Ritz peanut butter chocolate dipped treats the other day. I hadn’t made them in years. I gave them to my daughter and her family today. I’m traveling tomorrow so my Christmas baking is done until I get to my destination. I’m happy your mints came out perfect this time.

[@amaliacastanedo-rj6pk]

I really enjoyed seeing you make the mints my son asked me what do I want for Christmas I let him know your cookbook and I showed him the website and I told him please make sure you get her to sign my book. I am one of her biggest fans, he called me he says mom she’s not signing books anymore and I said what was just kidding she’s such a sweet lady. I actually got a message back from her and she said she was so happy that you enjoy watching her and she would be honored to sign your book. I’ve never seen her mom on TV but she is a very sweet lady and answered me right away, so I’m getting your book for Christmas. I am so excited. I also wanted to ask you do you still have any more calendars? I looked right now and I don’t see them. Online

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀 Thank you! I sure hope you like it! You can find the calendars here: blindpigandtheacorn.etsy.com/listing/1387744867/celebrating-appalachia-almanac-planting

[@sandrasmith7091]

Yummy. My aunt Shirley made one with cr cheese, chopped ham, crushed drained pineapple, shredded cheddar. Without onion might help heartburn ❤

[@leasaswartz6879]

I like how simple the recipes are but your family loves them. Great video.

[@SuzieQ-lw2kp]

I was having such a rough day and decided to come watch all of you so I'm sitting up in my bed just enjoying watching the love they are between you. It's so wonderful to know they are families still out here like this. To be in your family must feel like you have hit the lottery of a lifetime. I just wanted to say thank You for sharing as i sit here rewatching videos again it truly is a blessing. Smiling can really help with pain and i so appreciate all of you for that. 🕊️Sending Prayers and Blessings to you all 🙏 🕊️🙏Sending extra prayers for granny and for her test to be great news🙏🕊️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Suzie! I'm still praying for you!! May God bless you!!

[@SallyRace]

Love seeing you all together, enjoying one another ❤

[@Alicia652]

It’s fun to watch you get prepared all the “special treats” that each person likes. I do the same thing. And if I happen not to make something one year, I hear about. lol One thing that might help with the richness of the peanut butter crackers in almond bark, it to use the little bite sized peanut butter ritz crackers. They are much smaller and wouldn’t be so much to ‘get down.’ We also use milk chocolate for ours. I might try the almond bark with them sometime. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with all your family! Looks like ya’ll will have plenty of goodies to eat! ❤😊

[@as1973you]

I absolutely love your videos and family! Such a joy to watch!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much!

[@Needlewich]

Love this video!!! Thanks for sharing your Christmas cheer. Love your fam…God bless all of you! 💕🤗🙏🏻

[@patriciahubbard1553]

Everything looks so yummy.♥️♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@lanagonzalez3359]

Hi Tipper, my Mama made those, she called them tarts and she fried them. Mostly from dried apples she had cooked down. She made them using the same dough as her biscuits and rolled all the dough out like you would for a pie crust. Then use the top round lid from her loose tea canister to cut out each circle, the a good spoonful of the apple on each one, folded over and pinched together. Sometimes the juice would ooze out too, while frying, didn’t matter at all, was so good ❤️❤️. Thank you for keeping these old food ways around and from our different areas of the Appalachia regions including my state of Georgia. 🥰

[@brendastajkowski502]

My oh my! What lovely treats you have made. Everyone will need to go for a nap now.

[@kimberlylyerly2207]

Ya'll are having so much fun! Oh, the memories. ❤ I miss all our Holiday prepping and candy making. Everything looks absolutely delicious 😋 Thank you all for sharing with us. Hugs 🤗 and God's blessings 🙏

[@ixchelkali]

Thank you for bringing back a wonderful memory. My aunt used to make candy every Christmas and she would bring us a box with some of each. My favorites were the pastel colored butter mints and the semi-sweet chocolate covered raisin clusters. She did peanut clusters, too. After they grew a macadamia nut tree, sometimes she'd make chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Some years she made pralines. Candied orange, lemon, and grapefruit peel. I don't remember what all she made. Watching you, it occurred to me that possibly it wasn't as difficult and esoteric as I always imagined. They didn't live close enough for me to ever have seen her make them. I've never heard of a ham ball, but it sounds good. I've made literally thousands of cheese balls and cheese logs, though, because in the 1970s I worked for Hickory Farms, the cheese store. During the year I'd spend one day a week in the back room making cheese balls and logs from big blocks of cheese spread, 50 of each, but around the holidays it was nonstop. Yup, all those yummy nut covered balls of cheese were rolled by hand.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love all those memories! Thank you 😀

[@sandraskalnik2369]

My youngest son has called me Bertha since he was a teenager. He is 48 years old now and still sometimes will grin and say “I love you Bertha”.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So sweet!

[@debbiepalmer6295]

I make the same cheese ball I always cover mine with the ham. I love it it’s so tasty.

[@brendaleach-kv7if]

All the goodies look delicious! I’m starting candy making tomorrow. Tipper, I’m reading a book titled Light to the Hills by Bonnie Blaylock. It’s really good..

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for the book tip 😀

[@BlessingsfromNorthIdaho]

I have been in the kitchen all day too. Making cookies and cinnamon rolls. Your apron is adorable. Those nicknames crack me up! TeresaSue ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

That sounds great! Thank you 😀

[@kathygalford8922]

Did u have peanuts already in the bowl with the noodles when u made your haystacks? I use 1/2 Cup of peanut butter instead of peanuts. Concerning your candy molds that you tried to use, did u know that u aren't supposed to wash them with soap and water? Just wash them with water and dry. My mother told me that I would ruin the mold if I used soap on them. Great video you had today. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄⛄

[@blanfamily6026]

Everything looked so wonderful and delicious! You had a very busy day in the kitchen - those kind of days are fun!😊

[@melissalambert7615]

Congrats on the mints! I love doing things like the haystacks. You can make them without the nuts and make nests for Easter. Put mini jellybeans in them. This year I did white chocolate with craisins and put them in lined mini cupcake pans. Merry Christmas from Corvallis Oregon.

[@TexasGalOnTheHill]

So cool the mints turned out! Pretty too! Learned a lot with you doing this. Gizzard and Giblet---oh boy--lol I put a Rollo candy between the Ritz crackers and microwave...easy too. I was like you Tipper. I thought I should name my daughter Mylanta I drank it so much... lol I'll take a taste test!! I wonder if you can add a little crushed pineapple to the ham ball. Just sounded good too. Matt was sneaky! I would have done that too!! "Where's mine?" haha Yall have a great week!! Luv ya all ❤

[@gilbertlane4522]

So many memories. All of those are our Christmas favorites. My mother in law does the cream cheese, but uses chopped green onions. She then spoons the mixture onto the thin slices of ham and rolls it into rolls. She then slices them into about 1/2 inch slices. We call them ham and cream cheese roll ups. She sometimes adds shredded cheddar to the cream cheese mixture. ❤

[@bluebird218bn]

I made my candy and cookies last week. That ham ball looks delicious. I may have to try it out.

[@tonytherf-mb3dg]

You amaze me Tipper. Its nice seeing the four of you together. Sorry Austin ain't there though. Guess you now add taffy making to your repertoire of sweet things 😉

[@rebeccafreeman6623]

Tipper, those mints are adorable!!

[@patbarlen2764]

The haystacks took me back. Mom used to make that for Christmas.

[@lynnblair9297]

I been making candy since last week! Love that your mints came out right. The haystacks look like something my husband would like. Y’all are to much fun together. It’s been a merry Christmas already. Father blesses, for sure.

[@lindakoon8694]

i love it when you are tasting your candy and cooking.

[@tracysmith9546]

What a delicious and productive day.

[@billiep4338]

Looks great ❤Have a Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤️🙏🏻❤️

[@nancysparks6181]

It ALL looks Amazing thats alot of hard work ☃🎅 🎄

[@KathyFitz1113]

We subbed dark chocolate for the almond bark when dipping the peanut butter/ Ritz cracker sandwiches. OMGoodness! They are amazing!!! Thanks for the brilliant idea!!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Wonderful!

[@janetsmith8251]

Your ham ball looks delicious!!