From getting things ready in my kitchen at home, to be packed up and transported to my son Jon and daughter-in-law Jennifer's home:
to Jennifer's pristine kitchen (but not for long):
The children played outside in the first snowfall of the year while
in the kitchen the cooks sported hats homemade by Judy (fourth from the left).
(Julie, Theresa, Mary, Judy and me)and got to work.
Daughter-in-law Jaime is laughing because someone complimented her on picking her nuts so well...(she was getting out bits of shell left in the black walnuts by my well-meaning but sight-impaired husband),
Everyone was busy making a mess...
Then the batter went into the pans...
Daughter-in-law Jaime is laughing because someone complimented her on picking her nuts so well...(she was getting out bits of shell left in the black walnuts by my well-meaning but sight-impaired husband),and sister Mary is happy because although she doesn't make fruitcakes she manages to get some of her Christmas baking done.
Everyone was busy making a mess...but then we got to the best part: mixing the fruit.
Then the batter and fruit are combined and everyone makes a wish as they give three stirs...
I can't help but wonder what Jaime was wishing!
Then the batter went into the pans...
and voila! We have fruitcake! 
Thanks for sharing that> It's so different from what I am used to (only one person at a time in the kitchen.)
ReplyDeleteGiant Crickets Invade Norway
I can't believe you all made 45 fruit cakes. I bet they're better than the store bought ones!
ReplyDeleteHow often do all the sisters get together? And which was the furthest distance?
ReplyDeleteI bet it is, Nessa! Usually in my kitchen it's just Larry and me so this group cook thing is quite entertaining :-)
ReplyDeleteJanet, store-bought cakes don't even compare. These taste nothing like those sweet bricks. Our cakes are dense and rich. I use light brown sugar and sorghum and black walnuts in mine. Others use dark brown sugar, blackstrap and pecans or English walnuts. Some use more of one fruit and less of another, and we mix and match and share ingredients as we go. There is no defined amount of flour. Last year we were trying to decide if we needed more flour. Theresa said "I think it needs another cup." Judy tipped up the bag to add a little, and out fell a cup measure! Obviously we needed a cup!
We get together in May for the family reunion, DGranna, and for the fruitcake making in November or December. Through the year one of two or more might get together for a day, or there might be a wedding or other event that brings us all out. We'll probably be together again the day after Chhristmas because Mary's son is being deployed to Afghanistan in January so we want to see him before he leaves.
ReplyDeleteI am the farthest away. Most of them live within 70 miles of Washington DC. One lives in southern Maryland, one is in Hardy County, WV, but other than that they're fairly close together, which makes it easier to get together.
That looked like a lot of fun! You are living the life Granny Sue!
ReplyDeleteSplendid! Thanks for sharing it!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful Christmas project! And I love your hats!
ReplyDeleteOh My! Didn't we have fun! I couldn't believe how many cakes we made! Now, mine are all ready, wrapped, brandied and I am waiting for Chrismas! I am so grateful to all my sisters who travel so far (and in bad weather as well!) to come to this. It means so much when we can see each other. tm
ReplyDeleteI could not believe you all came out in the snow. Nothing stops the sisters! I had a wonderful time. You're right, Theresa--that was a LOT of cakes! I ony brought 8 home though--Jaime took some and Jennifer did too so I have just what I need. I soaked them all with brandy and wrapped them before we left for home so theirs are all ready to go.
ReplyDeleteWe did have such a good time. Thanks, Sue, for travelling so far to be with us. What a tradition to look forward to each year. And, yes, you all made my hats look good!!! Judy
ReplyDeleteAnd what fun that was! And I do know what my wish was - I hope it comes true.
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