Jenn McKinlay: There was a long running mystery in my house growing up. My grandparents received a fruitcake--the classic Collin Street Bakery fruitcake in the iconic tin--every holiday season. It was addressed to my grandfather John P. Norris but there was never any indication of who sent it. My grandfather passed away in 1962 (years before I was born) but the fruitcake kept on coming.
My grandmother would bring it to our house every Christmas and so I began to associate this tin and its contents with Christmas. In her later years, my grandmother moved to Arizona, leaving her house to my mom and still the fruitcake kept coming even while the house was empty.
The only person who enjoyed it was my brother so he ate the lion's share. I tried it every year but never warmed up to the taste, although now I'm wondering if I should try it again just for nostalgia's sake.
Eventually, my mom sold her house and downsized into the house her parents had built. And, yes, the fruitcake kept coming.
My mother, being a librarian, naturally tried to solve the mystery of who was sending the fruitcake. She could never track them down. But then, one year in the early 2000's, the fruitcake stopped coming. My brother was the only one who missed the cake while I missed having the holiday mystery of who had been so fond of my grandfather that he/she/they continued to send him a fruitcake every holiday for forty years after he'd passed. May we all leave behind such a positive impression when we depart this mortal coil.
How about you, Reds and Readers, any holiday mysteries to share? And what's your take on fruitcake? Thumbs up or down?
What an intriguing mystery . . . I'm a bit surprised that company that sent it out couldn't tell you who ordered it . . . .
ReplyDeleteFruitcake is a thumbs up, at least some fruitcakes . . . I'm generally inclined to make it myself if I want to have fruitcake.
Warm a slice in the microwave and slather it with whipped cream. Have it with your morning coffee.
ReplyDeleteI remember keeping our 45 records in one of those tins.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago received a mystery blanket in the mail. No clue.
That's an amazing story, Jenn. I'm not a fan of fruitcake - unless you leave out the fruit! A spice cake with nuts is the result and it's yummy.
ReplyDeleteNo Christmas mysteries here, except the mystery of the real reason my son and his very pregnant wife have decided to nest alone for Christmas instead of seeing the rest of the family (his brother, niece, s-i-l, me, and Hugh) tomorrow. I don't get it, and frankly my heart is broken.
Edith, a hug, from this only child who once needed to be alone for Christmas. Sending it to you because my parents and I healed the pain of that Christmas. I feel you will too. Elisabeth
DeleteI'm sure we will, Elisabeth, and thank you.
DeleteHugs, Edith. Sometimes kids need some space. Sending love.
DeleteI'm sorry, Edith. I hope the real reason is just his wife having no energy to clean house. I'm sure you would have assured them that no cleaning was necessary but such a reassurance would have meant nothing to me as an anxious young wife. Hugs. (Selden)
DeleteThanks, Judy and Selden. These two keep their house spotless, so it's not that.
DeleteEdith, you solved the mystery already in your comment with "nesting" and "very pregnant". Happy Christmas Eve!
DeleteI agree with Lucy. I would also add that each generation seems to believe that it is the first to experience the basics such as starting a family and is convinced they alone know how it is "supposed" to be. With any luck as they ease into the day-to-day realities of parenthood they will lighten up and come back into the fold.
DeleteI feel your pain, Edith. Hugs from Ohio. Older nephew and fam were supposed to come for lunch today. I've been cleaning like crazy and prepping lunch and wrapping gifts and stuffing stockings for days, then plans changed this morning. They'll 'stop by' tomorrow and maybe they'll have time to eat. Regrouping--I'll spend the day doing me things--sewing, knitting, watching archaeological documentaries (hey, I may have put down the trowel, but love to catch up on new discoveries in faraway places), and getting back to the WIP.
DeleteHow far do they have to travel to be with you? The year I was the very pregnant wife my doctor advised against it. That was a huge relief as it was hard enough to sleep in my own bed and I was afraid of going into labor somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteWe were going to go them (45 minutes by car) and bring food.
DeleteI’ve never had fruitcake. Based on all the jokes about it, people either love it or hate it. I’m guessing I would be in the hate it category.
ReplyDeleteThe only fruit cake in my life was made by my Grammy…ah, the intoxicating aroma in her pantry each day from midNovember to Christmas Eve when she removed the tin’s lid and gave the fruit cake its daily “dose”. The cake was served only to grown ups…a rite of passage in our family. ‘Tis the season for damp eyes and warm memories. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI would take a dose for myself, too!
DeleteWhat a great mystery, Jenn! How could the company not be able or willing to tell you who the sender was?
ReplyDeleteI probably would like but not love fruitcake. For me, there are more enticing things to binge on during this season so please pass the latkes.
The ones I made Saturday with Hallie's recipe were yummy, Judy!
DeleteMy husband adores fruitcake, and his mother sent him the doorstop Claxton bricks every Christmas until her death. His youngest sister has sent them in the 20-odd years since. In 1979 he was climbing Denali and the stove fuel leaked on his wrapped fruitcake. He still ate it. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteOMG Selden, that's astonishing!
DeleteThat's an amazing story and a mystery that will probably not be solved. Fruitcake--I've had it a few times and it's not my favorite, but I would try it again. It always sounds good in theory.
ReplyDeleteI think I might enjoy a warmed up slice of fruitcake for breakfast or mid-afternoon with a cup of tea--but a homemade cake, not those bricks you see in the store. And Jenn, wow! What a mystery! Your grandfather certainly inspired warm thoughts on the part of someone he encountered in his life! No such mysteries in my life--Christmas was always packed full of as much family and food as the house could hold without bursting at the joints.
ReplyDeleteThat really is an amazing story, Jenn! I haven't tried fruitcake in years, but when I did, I wasn't a fan.
ReplyDelete