The favors were in little wax bags with decorative tape closing them.
There was candy and a Clover seam ripper in each little bag. The candy was fun because some of it was to represent the childhood of the moms (sisters) that were there. We had a penny candy store just 4-5 houses down from us growing up and it was fun to have a penny or nickle to spend at the store. I put in marshmallow circus peanuts because my mom, Freda, loved them. It was a candy she knew none of us liked and she could keep to snack on when she wanted. I made my kids try the circus peanuts. They thought they were awful. But some of the girls liked them, not me.
The seam ripper was important because my mother, Freda, always had a seam ripper handy and would make us unpick if we made a mistake. Of course I hated to unpick and would cry but I learned a really valuable lesson. If I'm not happy with what I have sewn it is worth the time and trouble to unpick. I embrace the seam ripper. I hate using a dull one. I found this one is my favorite, the Clover brand ripper. If you have a dull seam ripper throw it out and get a nice sharp one that fits well in your hand. My mother liked good tools and she took care of them and saved until she could afford what she needed.
The cupcakes, I told you before, came from mom's favorite cake recipe. I've had a few requests for the recipe so I thought I'd post it. Freda preferred black walnuts but they are kind of hard to find. Leslie, who baked these for us, had to make a special trip to find them. I think they make a big difference in taste. Thanks again, Leslie.
Banana Nut Cake
Sift together:
2 1/2 cups cake flower (may need more for elevation)
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Add:
2/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/4 c mashed bananas
Beat for 2 minutes and add: 1/3 cup buttermilk and 2 eggs. Beat for 2 minutes. Fold in 2/3 cup chopped black walnuts. Pour into 2 9" cake pans. Bake 35-40 min at 350.
-nanette
17 comments
I agree with you and Freda. If one is not willing to rip seams then they should take up tennis. If I don't like something I've sewn now, I'm gonna hate it when the quilt gets finished. Clover is my favorite seam ripper also. I've given them to my friends in our small quilt group.
I have a Clover seam ripper like that and it's great! And I so agree - better to fix it now than regret it later...
That recipe looks good. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Hugs - Shari
Now that was a little challenging to read!
The cupcakes look Yummo!!
The cupcakes look delicious what kind of icing/ Looks like buttercream. The photo of your Mom is wonderful I wish I had one like that of my Mom.
Darlene
My friend, Sue, gave me a Clover seam ripper after I had to borrow one from her at a retreat. She said I should have one, too, as they are great. She's right and I have put it to good use several times in the last couple months since I received it. :-) Not a fan of those circus peanuts either but we also had a little store where we could buy "penny" candy. My favorite was a little chocolate bar that cost 3cents called a "Lunch Bar". It had a green wrapper and was the best milk chocolate with little bits of peanuts in it. I would love to have one right now but sadly they are long gone. Yum on the black walnuts. Real fudge with real black walnuts is one of my favorites. Generally, anything chocolate is "one of my favorites". LOL!
Clover is my favorite seam ripper too...in fact I should get another one to put in my traveling sewing bag! Thanks for the cupcake recipe!
I like hearing about 'growing up'
stories! At Christmas my grandmother always had those gooey
orange slices coated in sugar....we would sit and eat them and talk about how awful they really were....but we always ate 'em all up...go figure!
Great cupcake recipe too and oh yes....I didn't realize how bad my seem ripper was until my friend Gail sent me a new Fons & Porter one...oh wow....what a diffrence!!
I think blogger ate my comment -- how rude LOL! Love your pretty little surprise package. I never remember to use a seam ripper anymore -- I'd like to say it's 'cause I never make any mistakes (ha!), but I just usually use my little scissors. Thanks for the recipe!
well you already know that the clover un-sewer is my fave.
what a great idea to put some of your dear memories in a bag for take homes...
the cupcakes look fantastic.
a must try recipe for sure!
xx
lori
Good memories. Yours reminded me of a favorite of mine: There was an Arctic Circle around the corner from my grandmother's house. If we helped her with a chore she gave us a dime to walk down and get a soft ice cream cone.
I always tell people who are starting to sew that all they need is a seam ripper, I have two cause I keep giving them away. What a great idea for a gift!!!!
My mom liked circus peanuts too. I didn't buy them very often but the grandkids (including Jenny) learned to like them at Grandma's house. She always had a candy dish full of goodies. Thanks for bringing back happy memories.
I know how you feel! It felt great to get that quilt off to APQ last week. That recipe is just too tempting, dear!
What a fun little goodie bag. I am afraid if I get a new seam ripper, it will rip more than I want because it will be so sharp. LOL!!!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. And can I say you look like your mother. I hate circus peanuts to. There awful!
We had a penny candy store two short blocks from where I lived growing up...so your post brought back some fun memories. I loved the rolled up licorice and also those little candy buttons that were on strips of paper.
I love banana nut cake Nanette, my Mom used to make it as well. I icing mine with an icing made from crisco, very fluffy and wonderful!
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