Candy Making

Growing up around Christmas time my mom always made holiday candy. We looked forward to it every year and we would eat enough to last us the entire year as well. As I got older I paid attention in the kitchen and my mom taught me how to make some of her recipes. After I got married, for some reason I was hesitant to try the recipes on my own and would get together with my mom to help her makes the candy so it wouldn't get messed up. Well this year I decided to try it out on my own. I made fudge (which I have made on my own before, it is pretty easy) English Toffee and Homemade Caramels. I am proud to say they all turned out quite delicious. There is something about eating a homemade caramel, it puts all others to shame. Now my family will enjoy the product of this day for the next couple of weeks. As I was stirring and stirring and stirring my pot of sugar and butter, I realized that there is a lot more work put into making homemade candy than you realize. I especially didn't realize it when I was younger, but it does take a long time to get it to the right temperature and requires constant attention and stirring. Good thing I have been lifting weights! My kids were surprisingly well behaved and I was able to get all three things done in one afternoon. But cutting and wrapping the caramels took me a whole other day. If you have never attempted to try a new recipe or to make some homemade candy, you should give it a try. I think it is becoming a lost art and it is always so wonderful to give something homemade to the ones you love. I am so glad my mom, and her mom as well, started this "tradition" and that it is something that helps us remember certain times in our lives and reminds us of the people we love!! I am sure I will regret it when I step on the scale, but I am going to hit the gym even harder in January and the season only comes once a year, might as well enjoy it!!