I have this great memory of handmade Christmas candy so exquisite it had to be stored in special containers in the guest bedroom of my grandmother’s house. (The room wasn’t heated, so the candy kept well.) Fondant pecan logs, date loaf, divinity that deserved a capital “D”, fudge made with actual cream and butter.
My grandchildren will not have these memories.
Unfortunately, I’m not passing down any handmade delicacies. Except one. I call it the “Leon Thurman Special” in honor of the man who developed it. Or at least it was discovered at his house one long winter’s evening of my childhood. Back in the days before video games or television with more than three channels, we had to make up our own fun. For our family, that meant playing cards with Leon, Maxine, and their kids.
We didn’t have any first cousins in our family, because our parents both grew up as only children. So the Thurman clan filled that gap. We shared vacations and sports teams, classrooms and church pews. And, we played cards.
One night, we added a game called, “Who can create the most gross snack?” I really think Leon came up with this sandwich made from two saltine crackers, some spicy mustard, and a squished candy cream drop. I’m sure I ate it on a dare. And I probably kept eating it just to prove I was as tough as the boys.
But, for some reason, I’ve loved this strange concoction ever since. Maybe because it has only three ingredients and doesn’t require a candy thermometer. Or maybe because it is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and tangy in one perfect bite.
Or, maybe, just because it reminds me of Leon. And Maxine. And winter nights of fun with lots of people I love.
You should try it.
ummm… you know I have never said “eww” to anything you do Kathy… until now. 😉 Winter nights of fun with people I love included popcorn and a Bump board.
I think I would like that better than my Grandma’s “Chop Suey” cookies. They are like the worst fruitcake you’ve ever had in cookie form. Grandma wanted so much for one of us “girls” to pick up her tradition of making them every Christmas, but we all despised them so much we didn’t latch on to that. I made them last year out of nostalgia for my Grandma and my family loved them, but me…still can’t stand them.
I have those kinds of memories about candy making too. My aunt and uncle would come down from Wichita, spend the day, and the two couples would make ALL kinds of melt in your mouth candies; your simply can’t find anything like it in the stores. I tried it in my earlier years when Mother was still alive to coach me through the tough stuff, but I eventually gave up because I determined that the reason that they did it, and we all loved it was because the relatives were there for the entire day, and it was the fun of family that made it all taste so good. Fellowship can have that affect on mud pies I’m sure…so I just may try this “treat” you are raving about! 🙂
A bump board, Anna? I need details.
You are right, Carol and Andrea, it’s always about the people, isn’t it?
I have memories from Maxine and Leon’s house, too, although I have never tried this concoction of which you speak. I have something else sweet and salty you can make without a candy thermometer. You need small pretzels, rolos, and pecan halves. You lay out the pretzels on a cookie sheet, place a rolo on top of each one, and after warming them in the oven you stick the pecan on top. Easy peasy.
Yummy,Valerie! And just my style 🙂