You'll think I'm crazy, but I've just finished my 8th batch of fruitcakes a couple of days ago.
Each batch has 9 mini loaves. So yes, that's already 72 loaves. 😂 I'll be making my 9th and final batch in another couple of days. I've given away 41 of them so far. And yes, Art has been eating some of it. He'll have enough for many months stored in the freezer once I'm done.
Which brings me to a happy thing that happened recently.
We go walking every evening after dinner for about a half hour. We pass many of the same houses. One evening several months ago, we met Alex who happened to be from the Big Island just like Art and they're the same age too. He'd joke with us every time we passed their house.
Eventually, we also met his wife, Charlotte who is also as friendly and cheerful as her husband. I told them once that we were late for our walk because I was busy making fruitcake. They laughed when I told them how many I'd made.
Then one evening, I asked them if they liked fruitcake and would they like to try one of mine since I was making another batch in a couple of days. Alex laughed and said yes.
We brought a loaf over but Charlotte had a surprise for us. She said, "You like to bake, I like to sew and quilt." She explained that this was a bag to use for carry-out containers. I was absolutely amazed.
The following evening, they told me how much they enjoyed the fruitcake.
I told them that mom used to sew for other people many, many moons ago and was totally impressed with Charlotte's craftsmanship. Mom said I needed to give them another fruitcake.
So I did. 😄
What a lovely exchange. You have made new friends and that's always pleasing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're crazy, but there is an old expression: 'as nutty as a fruitcake." 😊
ReplyDeleteThat's a LOT of fruitcake, Kay. I just love that bag!
ReplyDeleteI always try to send a little love towards all my neighbors. I have found it has come in handy in emergency situations over the years.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've made a new friend.
ReplyDeleteThey look delicious and perfect for gifting
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure who got the better deal - that bag is lovely but then I also love fruitcake. Looks like a win-win to me!
ReplyDeleteHello Sillygirl. Thank you so much for your comment. Do you know I don't eat fruitcake, but I love to bake and pass them out?
DeleteNice to make friends with the neighbors.
ReplyDeleteThat's delightful! I love random encounters that lead to friendship. That's a LOT of fruitcake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! New neighbor friends and handmade gifts enjoyed by all. Wonderful bag since our restaurants now have to tie up plastic bags without handles which makes it harder to carry.
ReplyDeleteWith new friends that like fruit cake, you can carry on making it, and now carry out with ease, in style. :-)
ReplyDeleteKay, you are like my sister-in-law who makes cannisters of cookies for all her neighbors at Christmas. She has to start baking about 2 weeks early. I do give out Christmas rum cakes to my neighbors and family, but only about 10... could never do as many as you. But it's fun and heart-warming to do things like that. And your new bag is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful exchange. Now I know where you learned to stitch such durable masks! So your Mom sewed and worked at the Japanese newspaper? Now, we just need to get Alex and Art working. Maybe those boys should write a book about growing up on Big Island. Bet they swam in the irrigation ditches too? Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeletePerhaps Alex did since he lived in Hilo in a sugar plantation camp. Art grew up in Honokaa and there's not much sugar cane there. Macadamia nut trees maybe. All the girls went to a neighborhood sewing class provided by the Buddhist temple when we were kids growing up in Waipahu. We had to sew our own clothes. It wasn't until high school that I bought a dress from a store. That felt so decadent. LOL! I did sew a couple of dresses for Tiffany when she was growing up in Illinois and I also sewed Barbie clothes for her dolls. Annnnd.... well.... I've had to sew pants for mom when I just couldn't find any that would fit her at the stores.
DeleteExcellent neighbors and a good exchange.
ReplyDeleteHaving good neighbors is the best things in the world. I live rurally and have some distant but very wonderful neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI walk the same route on a regular basis. You get to know some interesting people. This was a great feel good story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely exchange :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Sounds like a good ol' neighborly exchange! Your mom's comment made me laugh, though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of baking.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely story! There are so many good people in the world.
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten a fruit cake. The classic reputation isn't appealing
ReplyDeleteAnother fruitcake maker! I had not made any for a couple years, but dived back in this year. I do love a good fruitcake.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today from AC's blog.