The Great and Terrible Fruitcake Project

[browngirl]

So, the wind is cool in the mornings, the sky clear and blue in a way only seen in the fall. As they have for several years, my thoughts turned to fruitcake.

But this year, I felt a certain... terror. I don't know if I have it in me this year to do the project like I have in previous years, especially around J. and E, but mostly just based on what my available energy currently seems to be. I know every year I talk about scaling it back, but this year I really must or risk promising more than I can accomplish, which would be utterly unacceptable. I could just take the year off, but I do love this project, and I'm afraid a hiatus will turn permanent. So.

For those who haven't seen me descend into fruitcake-related insanity before: I usually offer 4-5 different recipes/flavors of fruitcake (last year's are described here with recipes here), and a box of samples with 6 or 8 assorted bite-size cakelings. A gallery of cakes may be seen here.

[Poll #1457318]

Comments

[chillyrodent.livejournal.com]

So, if you took a hiatus it would make you less, rather than more happy? I recall that you've been struggling through this lean economy, and I can imagine that the expense of ingredients and postage would add to that struggle.

I don't think cutting back is chintzy at all. Cutting back keeps the spirit of the project (IF you prefer not to take a break), relaxes the financial stress and physical labor, and still lets your friends enjoy your generosity.

So, these "samples" ... are they the size of a cupcake? Because, if you're talking about those mini cake pans, that's a gift-size all on its own.