Saturday, October 29, 2011

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!! COME AND SEE!!

IF I HAD TOLD YOU I WAS SHARING MY FRUITCAKE RECIPE YOU WOULDN'T HAVE COME OVER.

SO!!
I HAD TO TRICK YOU!

Most of you know I have just recently gotten home from a wonderful cruise with my oldest daughter, Kim.
Since I got home I have been doing laundry (I will tell you about the lost luggage later), planting tulip bulbs, dividing and transplanting other bulbs and plants and cleaning house.  
I have made a futile attempt to catch up with blogging.  I love you guys so but you are a prolific bunch. I think I will just start now and try to keep up instead of catching up. 

 When Miss Goosey puts on her fall apparel it is time to make the annual FRUITCAKE, around here.

I know, I know!! Fruitcake is a time honored joke this time of year. I know we have all heard that there is only one FRUITCAKE on earth. It just gets mailed around the globe each year.  
WELL, let me tell you, those people have never eaten my FRUITCAKE!
The recipe states that you must use only "Bargain Corner's" especially prepared fruit cake material.
Bob sold the same thing to all his customers. Bargain Corner purchased in bulk and made a large annual display of the product with Mrs. Oglesby in pioneer dress.
This wrinkled and stained recipe is as least forty years old. Bob was a food broker and sold the glace` fruit to this large grocery market each year. Back then the art of making FRUITCAKE was a big deal. 
I had never really liked the store bought FRUITCAKE that I eaten as a youngster. Sorry Claxton, Georgia. Since Bob sold the main ingredients, we got ours free,  we tried Mrs. Susie Oglesby's recipe. Afterward we were hooked and the annual FRUITCAKE became a tradition.
The ritual starts at the end of October. Bargain Corner no longer exists. That is not the location of the Days Inn on Bay Street in Savannah. So,  Bob goes out and purchases the FRUITCAKE material - glace` fruits of pineapple and cherries. We don't use mixed fruits. that has citron in it and is a no no here. Of course we have  the new season's pecans.  Fresh moist coconut rounds out the extras for the recipe.
Isn't he just too cute. Another pic was clearer but I liked his smile here.
Sweet Ole Bob chops the cherries and pineapple into smaller pieces and breaks the pecans. It is less expensive if you can find the broken nuts. 
I gather the remaining ingredients and prepare the tube pan.

A major ingredient for now and later as you will see!


Miss Goosey watches over the process.

While Bob is chopping I prepare the batter.

While I am doing this I thought I would show you a little about how my kitchen works for me. This is the area I use for most recipe preparation. I can move easily back and forth to the island.
 My dishwasher is here so that I can easily place dishes straight into the dishwasher as I am finished with them.
My trash receptacle is just below me, for discarding butter wrappers, egg shells and etc. Handy, right? I know I did not invent anything but this works well for me.


The ingredients make a stiff cake batter that is then transferred to the fruit, coconut and nut mixture. 

 Back at the island.





This was a subsequent dose of Brandy.

Open and add additional Brandy about once a week until Thanksgiving and then enjoy. Just Remember ~ After one slice you shouldn't operate machinery.

If you are interested, Mrs. Susie Oglesby's recipe will be on my recipe page, with my minor adjustments.

Even if you don't like FRUITCAKE I hope you enjoyed joining us for the ritual. I pray that you and your loved ones have a great holiday season.

My daughter, Kim, and I will have a surprise announcement soon. Please stay tuned! 
NO! Neither of us is pregnant!



 One last picture of Sweet Ole Bob. Just cuz I think he is cute!
Join me for the following fun parties:


31 comments:

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Hi Ginger,
I actually love fruitcake! I've never made a cake myself, I've just made fruitcake cookies. I will definitely use your recipe to make my first fruitcake, cause I've got some brandy just sitting around, needing to be used!

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

I forgot to say that I think Bob's cute, too!

Honey at 2805 said...

Now I might just make your fruitcake because I believe you are trustworthy. If only I had cute ole Bob to do the chopping for me, I'd be good to go!

Sonia said...

Hey Bob is cute!! Actually I love fruit cake especially the ones my Aunt Leona used to make..her weren't spiked though! Looks wonderful!!

Miss Bloomers

Barbara F. said...

I love brandy in cakes, so I just might try this, but I don't like red or green cherries so I will shake up the fruit just a little bit! It is a miserable slushy night in the Big Apple! xo

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Yes, he is cute with that smile. How sweet of him to help out. That looks good and I am sure you shouldn't drive after eating much of that.

Unknown said...

Rather have a hug from hubby & you, ty but no ty for the cake ... chuckle.

Glad you had a great trip.

BOO-T-ful Halloween wishes ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Ginger not only is he cute but he's a big help too:) That fruit cake sure looks good! Martina

Shirley said...

I would probably like your fruitcake since it doesn't have citron it it. I enjoyed your pictures of your kitchen and you and Bob making the cake!

Jacqueline said...

What a wonderful trip and now you are preparing for the holidays already! How fun. What a cute holiday elf you have too!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

You make this look so easy I might have to try it- and it looks delicious too. I think your sweet old Bob is a handsome fellow-and so handy too. I have a sweet old Bob too and he is handsome and handy. I say we are two lucky girls.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh how fun to go on a cruise with your daughter!! What a great post, I love time honored traditions and your sweet helper, you lucky girl! I think you should copy that recipe and put the original way for future fruitcakers to enjoy! thank you for sharing this with us

Carol

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,

Yeah, show all bloggers how HAPPY Mr. Bob is for having his sweetheart back home! But indeed, the picture is great, aside from it being unsharp. Are those not always the best photos? Murphy's law... Great job you did as a team and I got the message for consuming one slice and you better stay over and don't drive...
Love to you,

Mariette

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I must say that looks like a really good fruit cake!

Tamara Jansen said...

I love your fruitcake tradition! I can just imagine the Big Guy and I making fruitcake together one day when we retire :)

annh said...

Oh! that fruitcake looks so special and I love the shape. I have been making Christmas Cakes and this year have made a Chocolate Fruit Cake. Check it out on my blog.
Also love the photograph of your helper.
Happy Halloween - the header photograph on my blog was taken at a house in Savannah two years ago

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness!!!! My mouth is just watering. My mom makes fruit cake as well, and we love it!

Debbiedoos said...

That sure looked like a lot of work Ginger, but oh so pretty and oh so good.

Anonymous said...

I am one of those people who likes fruit cake so do save me a piece of your yummy looking one. I like the addition of coconut which to me is good in anything!

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
I was just looking at your fruit cake so yummy. Im coming right over!! I see you had one just for me to take home.. Thank you Ginger I know NO Way... Bob is so sweet to help you with all the chopping.. I hope you have a great weekend.
XXOO Diane

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Ha! I've not heard that one about the same fruitcake making its way around the world. I've actually had some pretty good fruitcake in the past, but this recipe here sounds absolutely yummo! Hope your day is great. Tammy

NanaDiana said...

I have had that same fruitcake-or a very similar recipe. It tastes NOTHING like the store bought (which I can't stand). I will copy this recipe down-my one son-in-law loves fruit cake...I think it is the liquor in it!;>)

Can't wait to hear your announcement. I am thinking Etsy? xo Diana

It's Just Dottie said...

I love fruit cake.
I always have,but then I am a southern girl!!
Smiles,
Dottie

Lynn said...

Your fruit cake looks beautiful and sounds great! I'd love to try it with a nice strong cup of coffee-enjoy:@)

Dawn at Vintage Connection said...

The photos of the fruit cake have me in a baking mood! It's easy to see that you love to bake. You inspire me!!!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh Miss Savannah, what an icredibly yummy fruit cake, goodness I want a piece! Please tell us about your wonderful trip with the daughter, how wonderful! I love your white goose too, it's a beautiful arrangement. Thanks for sharing such a deluxe fruit cake recipe. Have a blessed week and stop washing clothes...can't wait to hear about the lost luggage!
FABBY

Farah said...

Oh Ginger... right now I am going to have my breakfast and I want a piece of the cake.... I must give it a try... it looks so yummy and yes So cute smile he has very lovely...I am going to right down the recipe... Thanks for sharing... Sure my kids will love it...
Happy if you come to see me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
with love from
Farah

Diann said...

I need t try this recipe. Fruitcake is my mom's absolutely favorite sweet of all time. And I agree, Bob is a cutie!

Jenny's Heart said...

I can say the only fruit cake I have ever liked is my late Mother In Law's. Hers was so good.
Thanks for sharing yours and bringing me a good memory.

orchidlanedecor.com said...

MMmmmm ... making me hungry! Fruitcake is my hub's fave. I love the old recipe you have, nice to have a piece with some history.

Suzy xxx

Unknown said...

Well this is my 3rd attempt to leave a comment on this post. Every time I've come over for the past 3 days, Neil needs something, someone calls or something else pulls me away.

I just love the picture of Bob being so helpful. You fruit cake looks delicious and magazine ready like usual. It reminds me of the ones my mama and grandma use to make. Sorry but I never like the heavy sticky Claxton ones either.

Your house must smell so good!
OX's...Tracy :)

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