FREE CANDY

Did you ever see this episode? It is funny. I love the lady who yells, "FREE CANDY!"

Well, the reason this is appropriate for this post is that I'm about to start on my candy.

Every year, I make lots of candy....LOTS of candy. I make enough that I can take a regular sized plate and give some to all our teachers and several friends....about 10 plates FULL of candies.

This is the first year that I'm going to document it all. I will need my hubby's help...maybe take a few pictures of the candy, in process.

Now, when I start planning my candy making, I have to look at the calendar. The candies that I generally make are not things that I can start, step away, answer the phone, go potty then come back to. If I do...there is a DISASTER that would probably lead to my having to throw away some pots and utensils. SO, I look to when my hubby is off work. He also has to be free enough to run total interference for me.

Usually when I get into the holidays, I start buying stuff for my candies in November. I try to grab a few things during each trip. The candy is not cheap to make. One candy I make takes a full pound of butter, 2 pints of cream, 2 pints of Karo syrup and 10 cups....TEN CUPS of pecans. THOSE, my friend, are not cheap. (I used to be hooked up with 10 pounds of pecans every year from my grandparents, but they don't harvest them anymore, so my supply has been cut.)

Also, when looking at the calendar, I have to consider when my kids go on their Christmas vacation. Since we give candy to my boys' teachers and some of my other friends at the school, then I need to have them done before everyone scatters for their break.

This year, I will be doing my candies starting on Monday. It will take me at least 2 days...possibly 3. The thing that will make this really difficult is the fact that I'm getting new windows and siding STARTING MONDAY. AND another issue...a more troublesome issue...is the fact that we have an arctic front moving in on Monday afternoon and it is bringing rain.

So, as I type this...I'm wondering how it is all going to work out. I NEED to get this done at the beginning of this next week. My boys are out of school, as of Thursday at 12:30. I COULD do it all Wednesday, but that makes for a VERY long day on my feet. (It usually takes me 10-15 hours to get it all done.) But like I was saying, the rain is my concern. If you bake/cook at all, you know (or you should know) that high humidity can jack you up.....especially if you are making candies or something that has to reach and maintain a certain temperature. *sigh*

With any luck, I will have some stuff to post, starting on Tuesday. At the very least, I can put up some of the recipes. I will also try to remember to rate these in ease. (One of my candies, I have to stir the entire time, until it reaches temperature.....and it takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.)

Until then!