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MOUNT STERLING, Ill. -- Michelle Hillyer is a little sweet on the holidays.

She takes a little bit of sugar, maybe a little bit of spice, and turns it into cookies and candies.

"It's something we always did when I was a kid, a lot of baking and cooking and candy making during the holidays," she said. "I make divinity. I make buckeyes. I make coconut bonbons and turtles, fudge of all kinds, peanut clusters."

What might sound intimidating just runs in Hillyer's family, with four generations -- Hillyer's Grandma Eva Little; her mom, Judy Dupoy; Hillyer and her daughter, Devon -- still busy in the kitchen.

"My grandmother was a cook at a community school. My dad's mother was a cook in a restaurant," she said. "I have recipes from both sides. It's kind of genetic."

Hillyer favors the from-scratch cooking from her childhood whether preparing meals with her husband, Brian, or getting ready for the holidays.

Source: Quincy Herald Whig

by Admin

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by Lindsey Nair

I hope everyone had a sweet weekend. I’m about to get our week off to a sweet start, as well.

Save the date this Saturday for the 6th Annual Blacksburg Chocolate Party to benefit the Blacksburg New School. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Mall in Blacksburg. It will feature Valentine’s gifts made by local artisans, lots of treats, including some gluten-free items, and the following fun activities for the kids: balloon animals, face painting, cookie decorating, play dough and gift-making activities.

As long as we’re talking sugar, how about a chance to win a big hardback cookbook dedicated to baking and candy making? It’s called “Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has a Story” by Kimberly “Momma” Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero . These women call themselves the “Sugar Mommas.” Reiner is the founder...

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