“We make so many cookies, we put together plates for each of us to take to friends, to work and for our families,” she says. “When the kids were little, we would save the sugar cookies until last and the kids would come decorate them.”

While at the senior lady’s home, the group celebrates her birthday, which is usually on a day near cookie-baking day. They also order lunch to bring to the Finch home.

“My mother-in-law, Becky Root, always makes an amazing lasagna dinner with homemade sauce the weekend before Christmas. This has always been so nice because it is time spent with just her and Pat, her boyfriend, and it also gives me a day off during the hustle and bustle of Christmas chaos.”

Christmas Eve is busy with two special activities, the first held at the home of her husband, Nathan’s, aunt and uncle.

A sampling of Oreo Balls and Puppy Chow. Photo by Beverly Kehe-Rowland

“We enjoy going to Aunt Darlene and Uncle John’s house to eat and do a gift exchange,” she says.

Afterward, they move on to the second event of the evening, which is again held at the Canfield home where they visit and often play games.

“Nate and I decided when we had kids that we didn’t want to take the kids from their Christmas gifts on Christmas Day, so I make a small breakfast and my mom and dad along with Nate’s mom and boyfriend come up around 9:30 AM and eat breakfast with us so they can see what the kids got from Santa.”

On Christmases when there is a lot of snow, the family’s home is a winter wonderland because it is surrounded by very tall evergreen trees. Twenty years ago, they chose a property that had once been a Christmas tree farm on which to build their home. After felling over 320 pine trees, they built their house in the midst of the remaining trees. Between the snow-covered trees and Mrs. Root’s outdoor holiday decorations, it is a scene fit for a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Giving is important to the Randolph woman, who also believes the love of family is invaluable.

Peggy Root’s sons have made gingerbread houses at the home of friends for many years. Photo by Beverly Kehe-Rowland

“Growing up in an environment where money was tight, I think has helped me see the value of giving,” she states. “The love my mom and dad had for us was unconditional.”

She feels strongly that her sons should learn the value of money and take pride by having jobs to buy the extra things they would like to have, including a portion of their first cars. Both brothers first jobs were on a farm and now Allen works at Peaches and Cream and David at Tops. They also help their father care for some livestock when needed.

“Hunting is very big at our house,” says the mom.

She goes on to tell how her late father-in-law’s family from Lockport came to hunt while staying with his family and how that man’s grown sons have continued the tradition at her house. She values them as role models for her sons. She told of a prank David and Allen pulled off at the recent wedding of one of the men. It seems that each year when the men come to hunt, the family watches the movie “Dumb and Dumber” together. The younger brothers found orange and blue suits and top hats like those worn in the movie and showed up at the wedding wearing them, staying in character starting with a sword fight in the parking lot when they arrived. The Bride and Groom and the guests got a good laugh.

The busy woman enjoys crafting. A group of her friends gets together in her garage around some of the holidays throughout the year to work on crafts. When she was unable to attend a Christmas tree craft project with her friends at Home Depot, the friends brought back the materials enabling her to make it at home.

She also loves to cook and bake like her Grandma Peggy, who taught her to make some favorite recipes.

“She would stay with us for a weekend and teach new recipes.”

She goes on a week-long girl’s trip with Jill each February to Marco Island, FL. She recalls that her children were little when she first went and how she left everything ready for her husband, including a clean house, prepared meals, a schedule and had even laid out their clothes.

“It (the trip) really did me a lot of good and taught me to let go and showed me they really would survive,” she says with a smile.

“And us poor guys have to fend for ourselves,” teases her husband.

She recalls another fun outing when several college friends registered at another friend’s business, Wreath Barn, each using made-up names. The owner was very surprised and happy to see her old college friends in attendance. They have since returned each year to make a new wreath.

She used to do a lot of quilting and scrapbooking and has always crocheted. Most recently, her friend taught her how to knit, but her favorite pastime is reading.

For 17 years she was the Village of Little Valley Treasurer, but chose to leave that job and is now a Program Administrator for Cattaraugus County. She also is a Norwex consultant. Her parents are Russell and Toni Harrison of Great Valley, NY.

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it” is a favorite quote she uses when referring to the times her mother has battled four different cancers.

Her husband, Nathan Root, is a Lieutenant in the Criminal Bureau of Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department and a member of the Randolph Town Board.

Mrs. Root wanted to share recipes that were favorites, not only with her family, but her friends, as well. She chose the White Trash recipe because she is asked for it whenever friends try it. Her version is modified from a recipe she received from Sharon John. The Oreo Balls recipe is often requested and was also acquired from Mrs. John. She takes them when the family goes to Aunt Darlene’s on Christmas Eve. David Root realized how much he liked them after trying recently. And then there’s the Taco Salad. Without hearing the name of the recipe, when overhearing his wife say how she is asked to bring it no matter the occasion, Mr. Root spoke up, “That must be Taco Salad.”

White Trash

4 c Cheerios

4 c Chocolate Chex cereal

1 c mini pretzels

1 c unsalted peanuts

1lb white chocolate

Mix all dry ingredients with melted white chocolate. Spread on cookie sheet and refrigerate until cool then break apart.

Oreo Balls

1 pkg Oreos

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1lb white chocolate

Crush cookies using a food processor. Combine with cream cheese. Roll mixture into balls and freeze. Melt white chocolate and dip balls. Place balls on wax paper-lined tray. Chill balls until ready to serve.

Taco Salad

1lb ground beef

1head lettuce

1small container grape tomatoes

1small red onion

1 bag shredded cheddar cheese

1bottle Catalina dressing

1 bag Nacho Cheese Doritos

Brown beef. Drain and set aside until cool. Chop lettuce, tomato, and onion. Crush Doritos in bag. Put all ingredients except Doritos and dressing in a bowl and mix together. Before serving, stir in dressing and then Doritos.