Fudge, Divinity, and Mom
As I walked out into the lobby, there on a table full of Christmas goodies was a big plate of fudge.
Suddenly I was flooded with memories of Christmases with similar plates filled with fudge and divinity.
Mom always fixed both. The fudge was relatively easy. The divinity was tricky. But for her, and I think for others of her generation, making candy was part of the extravagance of celebrating Christmas. My mother-in-law always seems to do the same. Maybe it came from growing up in the depression, where such things were luxuries, where meat was only part of a meal once a week. My wife and daughter-in-law from time to time continue the tradition.
I hadn’t realized that it’s been missing in recent years until I saw the plate. Mom’s been gone almost seven years, and Reba has been coming for Christmas at our house for the last several years, although she sometimes brings candy.
Maybe I need to see if I can whip up some fudge and/or divinity this year. Everyone will be here, and there are some new generations that need to experience having some homemade candy sitting around — and to hear stories about grandmothers and great grandmothers who showed extravagance through making homemade candy.
DandyID
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Jim,
It never occurred to me that our grandparents and people of their generation made candy because it was an extravagance during the Depression. That’s an insight that makes me appreciate the chocolaty goodness even more.
My ex-husband’s grandmothers made fudge, divinity and peanut brittle. I have friends that make candy with their children but have never thought about making it with our kids until reading this. Sounds like a great activity for an afternoon of being snow bound. I’ll be sure to tell them stories that go along with the candy. Including your own.
Blessings this holiday my friend!
.-= Cheryl Smith´s last blog ..3 Must-Have Books to Understand and Use Social Networking =-.
I had never made the connection before either, but as I thought about it, the extravagance connection just hit me. We never talked about it, although we did talk about what life was like during the depression. Hope you guys enjoy the candy making and the stories! (I did buy the fixings — probably make some candy tomorrow when my mother-in-law gets here.)
Hope the Smiths have a great Christmas!
Jim-
I actually made candy this year for the first time with my great grandmother’s recipe. The first batch of peanut brittle burned, but the second turned out great. It was fun to do and remember family. The only thing about doing it with kids is that the molten sugar takes a long time to cool and can really burn. So have fun but be careful!!!
Hilary