BUTTERSCOTCH CHRISTMAS

"Run lad, run, down the middle of Christmas at the centre of life.." - Ray Bradbury

The first time I ever saw Butterscotch Squares was at a wedding reception. I had been asked to sub for a friend. My stand partner was an elderly man.  I was told he was 85 . Hard of hearing.  He taped a list of  the songs we had to play on the back of his violin. He lost it somewhere between the fourth and fifth carol.

Afterwards, there was a spread in the main hall. Christmas goodies galore. And the Butterscotch Squares were flying off the plate. 

Tables were laden with  tarts, pies, candies, more candy, squares, fruit, and the Butterscotch Confetti. Ooey gooey , pretty to look at and left lots of sticky fingers in its wake.

The wedding itself was fraught with mishaps. My elderly violin partner, Mr. Higgins, fell asleep during the preachers's monologue. It had that Mr. Bean vibe . I think the rest of the band nodded of for a while as well. I had to tap his violin to wake him up. 

The ring bearer , all of 8 years of age, ran screaming down the aisle and threw the pillow into  the pulpit lined with fake daisies.  He then threw himself onto the floor in the middle of the aisle and wouldn't move.

Mr. Higgins had us play Gesu Bambino four times till someone dragged the  boy into another aisle.  He never moved after that.The groom walked down the aisle, barefoot, cause someone took his shoes as a joke.

Mr. Higgins frequently combed his long grey hair with his fingers. More out of nerves.The bride was late. And when she DID arrive and start down the aisle, her veil kept falling off.

The bride's  mother swooned in the packed church.The preacher perspired profusely, and Mr. Higgins tugged at his frilled shirt of his pale blue tuxedo. People sitting in rocking chairs at back of church could be heard rocking away. Squeak Squeak Squeak. Out of time. A lady with violent red Christmas bauble earrings sat right in the front row. They blinked off and on. Mr. Higgins waved his violin bow at her. She paid no mind and giggled.

 And  over it all we had to play the wedding march "Chariot's of Fire". Ad infinitum. The wedding party was huge. 

When the singer was primed to sing her solo " At Last" she kept moving her hands in a circular motion. Mr. Higgins, positively fit to be tied, poked her with his bow. She gave him a dirty look and warbled her way to the end of the song. Then grabbed her purse and huffed off the stage during the signing of the register. Her long skirt caught on the stairs and ripped. Mr. Higgins tapped his bow on his music stand. The sign that string players gave when applauding.

Mr, Higgins started playing a random fiddle tune. His bow whishing along the strings,  as if it could fly. "Join in" he shouted at the band. We did . But his fingers flew across the strings.Faster and faster. His microphone picked up his whistling and humming as he whizzed through his fiddle rendition . He may have been a million years old, but he could play us under the table.

"That's how it's done, girlie" he yelled. He stomped his way to the end of the fling. Everyone roared with applause.  Mr. Higgins  shrugged and dabbed his sweaty brow. It was party time.

At the reception, everyone hungrily chomped down on the treats. The butterscotch confetti was the highlight.  The Christmas lights sparkled and danced.And Mr. Higgins  played carols for ages. He was unstoppable.  And it was magic.Pure magic.

RECIPE: ( I double this) 1 bag butterscotch chips, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, 1/4 cup marg, or butter, 1 bag mini coloured marshmallows ( much more interesting than plain white ones)

Heat first 3 ingredients, till melted, stir till smooth. Cool down a bit. Dump in the marshmallows. Pile into wax  paper lined pan 13x13 and chillin fridge till set. YUMMMMMM

"Miracles happen on Christmas. Everyone knows that. " -Matthew Quick

Photographs 2020