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.
DeleteI concur with Lucy. Pregnant, chaotic holidays, hormones… sometimes a lady just wants to stay home and be cozy alone (written by an older lady who almost always wants to just stay home to be cozy and not deal with company or expectations. Some of us dream of a quiet Christmas on our own terms). In these cases (like myself/my own), I suggest to families to pick another day during the holiday season to gather together and allow some people to do their own little things on the actual holidays. It’s a win-win scenario. Old habits and traditions are hard to break, but once we adjust to the new plans, they can also be equally rewarding.
DeleteI am had to tap out of a family reunion when I was very pregnant. I know there was disappointment but I was just so exhausted. Sending you hugs.
DeleteThank you, Jenn. The framily (isn't that the best word for friends who have become family?) party is upstairs from them today, and they consented to swap gifts with our nuclear family outside on the porch. We'll do a pandemic-style zoom gift opening tomorrow afternoon.
DeleteShe may have early signs of labor and not want to risk being away from home. I’m sorry. Sending hugs
DeleteThanks, Rhys. We were going to come to them (and I used to work as a doula...). We are coping and supporting them.
DeleteEdith, give yourself hugs and be assured this is not the way it will always be. Christmas can be hard for many people for all kinds of reasons. Have a slice of fruitcake and a glass of wine and put your feet up!
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!
DeleteElisabeth, your Grammy's fruitcake sounds like my mother's. It was delicious and in a class by itself. Irene
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.
ReplyDeleteAnother great story, Jenn and a mystery to boot! Somehow that mystery must be solved. My first thought was that there was a glitch with the computer, but I doubt that was happening 40 years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's nowhere near as good a story but I once received a gift on my birthday, with no info on the sender. I called Amazon. Their policy is (or was anyway) that they could not give out that information. But if I gave them a name they were allowed to confirm or deny. I remember going through a list of almost everyone I knew and finally got it. I don't remember now why her name wasn't listed as sender. Either she forgot or was interrupted or something innocuous like that. It was a fun mystery.
Fruit cake. A good one can be very good , if it is well-packed with nuts.
Hi Jenn! I have a question. Did your grandfather like fruitcake? Wondered if it was a joke or something that he really liked. Lynn
ReplyDeleteThat is so strange Jenn. Is there anyway in today's information age and AI that you could contact the company and ask about it? You probably already have done that but maybe someone knew is working at the company and will take you up on the mystery.
ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteTo quote Google: (Could this actually be?)
"That annual Collin Street Bakery fruitcake delivery to John P. Norris was from his mother, Margaret Norris, a heartwarming family tradition for decades, though not widely publicized, highlighting the bakery's loyal, long-term customers, as the bakery itself is famous for its iconic mail-order fruitcakes sent globally.
The Tradition: John P. Norris received a fruitcake from his mom every year from 1962 to 2002, a testament to enduring family love and Collin Street's quality.
The Bakery: Collin Street Bakery, based in Corsicana, Texas, is renowned for its DeLuxe® Fruitcakes and has been mailing them worldwide since the late 1800s, creating many such traditions.
Why it Matters: This story exemplifies the personal connections people form with the bakery's products, beyond celebrity mentions, showcasing how their fruitcakes become part of family history."
What a great story, Jen. No holiday mysteries here. I'm not a fan of store-bought fruitcake, but I've been told the "real deal" kind is much better and I'm tempted to try it.
ReplyDeleteAwwww Jenn— that is the very best story! So many wonderful possibilities of what could’ve happened, and all of them hilarious or adorable. I think Santa sent it.
ReplyDeleteJenn, what an intriguing mystery! This could be in one of your future mystery novels. If you can look up obituaries in the papers of the time when the fruitcake stopped coming. What years did it start and end? Maybe a childhood friend? Someone whom your grandfather helped? There are many possibilities….
ReplyDeleteTrying to recall if there was fruitcake at Christmas? As I recall, we baked banana bread and Christmas cookies. I went to a holiday party where someone brought fruitcake. It was delicious.
Happy Christmas Eve and Yule book flood.
We did receive fruit cakes, but from Collin Street Bakery. My grandfather represented Marianne dried fruits so every Christmas received a box of dried fruits and the fruit cake in decorative tins. Since those cake often had walnuts, I didn't eat them but I actually love the cakes made without that pesky nut.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Hallmark holiday movie waiting to be written! Your grandma’s secret admirer? A hunky carpenter? The fruitcake that reunited estranged family members?
ReplyDeleteWe both love fruitcake, as did all our parents, including my still living mom. Steve's parents received or bought a Collin Street Bakery fruitcake every year, which was always moist and rich.
ReplyDeleteI found a recipe and started making it every year when Steve declared it equal to the famous, and spendy, one from Texas. My mother and my best friend always looked forward to their annual gift.
Fast forward to a couple years ago, when I could no longer find the ingredients. Sad faces all around. Until I found a baker at the annual arts show with the most delicious traditional fruitcake ever. She's local, but older than me. I hope she has passed her 80-year old recipe along.
We also had a mystery delivery that went on for years, but not Christmas related. Steve's dad was widowed for 15 years before he died, and had the habit of stopping by on Sunday mornings with the Sunday paper, because we didn't subscribe. After he passed we began getting the paper delivered, and it went on for several years. I tried to cancel, but the Cincinnati Enquirer could not tell me who was paying for it. One day the delivery just stopped. I like to think Karl sent it it to us, but we will never know.
I believe that only one member per family receive the gene of the fruitcake’s love and it’s me.
ReplyDeleteI’m curious. Does any of you knows about the friendship’s cake. It’s different than a fruitcake but it contains lots of fruits and it macerates with alcool for a couple of weeks before being cooked. I’m asking because one of my friends makes and gives me one at this time of the year, every year. A gesture greatly appreciated .
The first Christmas I spent away from home, I was feeling homesick. I was working in Washington, D.C. and a friend invited me to go to the New York Hilton with her for the holidays. I was very nervous about money, but decided I'd have to suck it up because I really wanted to go. We arrived to find that a suite had been arranged for us, along with a beautiful fruit basket, a FRUITCAKE and a bottle of wine. And we overlooked the skating rink. It snowed. It was fabulous. At checkout, I dreaded the bill. $0. Turned out her dad was the manager of the Chicago Hilton and he had us comped. Not only that, but every year my grandmother made one laced with buckets of brandy. So yeah, fond memories of fruitcake.
ReplyDeleteI love fruitcake. I used to make it with my Dad in November. We wrapped it in cheese cloth and foil and he would baste it with brandy every two or three days. Now, I make a Dundee cake with candied fruit and nuts which is lighter and doesn't require a curing time. I poke holes in the top and drip in a mixture of sherry and honey. I just made our traditional Christmas Eve ham with spiced cranberry glaze and Louisiana sweet potato and pecan casserole. Merry Christmas to all!
ReplyDelete