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Willie Nelson and Jim Nabors share holiday recipes

Willie NelsonWillie Nelson is an American musical icon. A poet in his own right, he has transcended countless musical genres. From country and blues to pop and reggae, Willie’s unique style has continued to attract fans of all ages worldwide. His commitment to humanity can be heard in his powerful lyrics and felt through his support of countless organizations, including Farm Aid, an organization
/ Source: TODAY

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is an American musical icon. A poet in his own right, he has transcended countless musical genres. From country and blues to pop and reggae, Willie’s unique style has continued to attract fans of all ages worldwide. His commitment to humanity can be heard in his powerful lyrics and felt through his support of countless organizations, including Farm Aid, an organization he started to support the independent farmer. Willie’s special ability to relate to his audience has taken him from the big stage to the big screen; he has appeared in countless films and television programs. In addition, he has written and been the focus of numerous books over the past four decades. He, along with his band — which features his sister, Bobbie, on piano — continues to tour the world. A living legend, Willie is truly one of the finest singers and songwriters of our time. — Told by Bobbie Nelson (Willie’s sister)

“Christmas was a lot different for us growing up than it is today,” says Willie Nelson. “We never had a Christmas tree and couldn’t afford presents. Instead, we decorated my grandma’s biggest potted oleander bush and called it our Christmas tree. We decorated it with whatever we could find, like popcorn balls and a garland made from red and green construction-paper links we made at school.

Sometimes people would bring us gifts. I remember one year someone gave me some little dishes, along with a small stove and refrigerator. They weren’t new, but it didn’t matter. Willie would use the stove to make our mud pies. The sun would bake them and we would eat them! I preferred the real food we got at Christmastime. Willie was a great playmate. He was very patient and would even play along with me and the paper dolls I made from the old Sears catalogs. But he could only take that so long. Eventually, we would put the dolls in Willie’s truck.

In particular, I remember my grandma’s buttermilk biscuits and chocolate gravy with hot chocolate. The chocolate looked like gravy but tasted like chocolate pudding. Grandma made hot chocolate like nobody else because it was all the old-fashioned way; she used Hershey’s cocoa powder. It was delicious! Christmas was simple for Will and me, but it was as rich as our shared chocolate recipes.”

Jim Nabors

Wherever he goes, people old and young run up to Jim Nabors, crying, “Say it, say it!” and Jim, smiling at each and every one, responds with his signature “Golleee.” The fans giggle with glee, happy that they have heard the famous and funny singer-actor fill their request. Jim has legions of friends from every walk of life, each one claiming to be his best. His easygoing demeanor and Southern-gentleman friendliness make everyone comfortable to be in his presence. So, it’s no wonder that Jim has touched the world with his comedic skills, making him one of the most well known entertainers the world over.

“Christmas in Hawaii always reminds me of how fortunate I am to have had a second home and macadamia nut farm in Hana on the island of Maui for the last twenty years,” says Nabors. “I have many varieties of bananas and other fruits as well as tropical flowers on my property. The soil is so rich that I often have an overabundance of bananas. Since I can’t eat or give them away fast enough, I’ve learned to bake a great banana bread with macadamia nuts.

The joy of preparing this recipe is a double treat during Christmas, because I serve this special bread to guests and sometimes send them home with an extra loaf. I grew up in Alabama and have wonderful memories of Christmas in the South, too. On Christmas Day, I enjoy watching my godchild and her parents open up their surprises. The best holiday gifts are those you can give.”