What I Learned

Everybody should have an Aunt Clare.

I was lucky to grow up with her living right next door. She had four kids all younger than me, but she always seemed to have plenty of time to teach me something new or listen to my problems.

The only reason I can make pie crust and home-made candies is because of her. She also taught me how to knit and crochet. And along the way, I also learned some interesting card games.

She'd been an elementary school teacher, and when I first started school, my mother would show her my book report. Between them, they decided I would be a writer. This was first grade. Their support never wavered. Aunt Clare has read every one of my books before it was published.

Both my parents are gone, as well as my uncle, so Aunt Clare is who I call on Mother's Day and holidays now. I dedicated Teaser to her. That was my gift to her. Here is her gift to you:

Aunt Clare's English Toffee recipe (easy and delicious)

Ingredients

24 unsalted saltines

1 cup butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

6 ounces chocolate chips

preheat oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 13 by 9 inch pan

array saltines right side up in a single layer in bottom of the pan

melt butter and sugar in pan over medium heat on stovetop and bring to a boil.

Boil three minutes, stirring repeatedly.

Remove the pan from the heat stir in the vanilla

Pour over the crackers, spreading carefully with a spatula.

Bake five minutes.

Pull out of oven and cool one minute.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips and spread with spatula as they melt.

Let cool another ten minutes.

Cut them into pieces and remove.

If mixture gets hardened in pan, place pan in a larger pan of very hot water and candies will come out.

Enjoy!!!!