It’s been awhile! I wish I could just take you along on the journey of my weekly creative enrichment programs we call “Kareen’s Kettle.” There are just so many magical moments, my heart can’t contain them all! Most recently during our March birthday party, I experienced a stunning moment with one of the birthday residents, a 94-year-old woman called Bettye. It was so much fun, I just had to share it with you.
ME: Is there a fun fact you’d like us to know about you?
SHE: I make a good fruitcake, but nobody likes fruitcake.
ME: So, how do you make it?
SHE: I’m 94, You can’t expect me to remember the details. The best ingredient is mincemeat. You can’t buy it in March and can barely buy it at all. Buy it at Walmart. Then six eggs, two cups sugar, one cup brown sugar, two teaspoons vanilla, two teaspoons artificial rum, two cups nuts, two cups raisins, two cups mincemeat, two cups flour, one teaspoon baking powder, one teaspoon baking soda. Grease a pan, put it in, and bake it at 325 for two hours. GOOD LUCK!
ME: Wow!
SHE: It’s much better if you can find black walnuts, usually from an old retired gentleman who picks black walnuts for a hobby. And if you can find him, take six pounds and put in the freezer.
ME: Good to know.
SHE: I lied about the fruitcake. I forgot to mention the fruit. I always put in extra red and green cherries and buy the candied fruit at Walmart on the shelf on the aisle. You have to put in extra cherries. Leave them whole because they are extra pretty when they’re sliced. Sometimes I put in candied pineapple.
And there you have it! :)