Candy Factory

Do you love sweets? Do you live in the Denver Metro area?

Candy Coal

If so, I encourage you to visit Hammonds Candy Factory. A few weeks ago Carrington and I ventured to the factory in search of red, white and blue hard candy. Hammonds didn't disappoint and I found red, white and blue ribbon candy, pillows and the always beautiful cut rock candy. You ask, what is cut rock candy? These are the art candies that you see at holidays that have pictures inside. Cut rock candy for the 4th of July has the U.S. Flag inside (see pics).

So the first of these images is the stacking process to 'create' the U.S. flag. The second image is right after the candy goes through the cutting/wrapping process and the last image is - you guessed it my dear daughter sticking her hands in the bin to 'fill' the goodie bag.

While C and I were there I noticed a recent change to the tours they offer. They offer the free delightful tour - this tour begins with a quick video and then a walk to the viewing area to 'see' what candy they are making today and ending at the sample bin. C loves the tour and it doesn't seem to matter how many times we go, she's always eager to go back. In addition to the free tour Hammonds has also added a behind the scenes (available at a cost) tour.

If you know C and I, well you can see where this is going - I'm reading about the tour and C is right there reading along. The next thing I know "Mom..." Okay, now I have to think about this. Fortunately, I had time - the behind the scenes requires booking in advance! Few, off the hook for today.



Fast forward two weeks --- this brings us to yesterday where you guessed it off to Hammonds we went. Mom, C and I were joined by great friends and together the six of us enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of Hammonds. Now I have to admit that making candy is a true art! We had our hand in making several batches of candy from the fresh off the stove and onto the cooling table to making lollies and candy canes. Regardless, my candy cane isn't quite straight; matter of fact it has bumps and dips where candy canes should be straight and my hook 'has issues', my lolly is round (this is a good thing) but it has a hole in the center almost large enough for my pinkie finger to go through (not so good). Now I know candy making is an art and not everyone is cut out for the job, but seriously a candy cane shouldn't be this hard, right? Trust me, it's not as easy as it looks.

Mom is making a candy cane

Oh and I should mention that today's candy canes were chocolate filled raspberry canes! Now I would have never picked this cane up, but after sampling the cane fresh off the line and sucking all the chocolate out of the center - there may not be anything better. Let's just say YUM!


Anyways, I have included several pics - please note that the always stylish and fashionable hair nets and aprons are required on the production floor and while I know this fashion trend hasn't quite caught on - I am sure it will and soon you too will be prancing around town dawning your own version :)

Carrington lolly making

All our wonderful creations




Note: I do not work for or in any way get paid for my views by Hammonds. However, if you would like more information on Hammonds, please visit there website at www.hammondscandies.com and be sure to let them know that I sent you!

Time Flies

Wow! I was just looking at the site and realized that I began the blog and then disappeared. I just had a brief thought about updating the blog with the usual: what the family's been up to, latest scrapbooking/cards that we've created and anything else that seems important. That thought left almost as soon as I came up with it as it seems to be a bit boring.

I guess the best thing to say is that we are all still doing well and are hanging in there and I am still enabling family and friends to enjoy this passion of mine - kinda like my own personal economic stimulus plan.

That being said, I have many new projects to share as well as information on upcoming classes so check the blog weekly (or more frequently is you like) as the blog is about to blossom.

~E~

December 2008

So I haven't exactly been shy about letting everyone know that I am lagging behind. What am I talking about? Well let me explain...

In December Mom and I took Carrington to Disneyland for her B-Day. I know its January and why is this just now being posted. Well two reasons --- first I just got the blog up and running and second I just downloaded the hundreds of pictures to the computer. I actually started the blog tonight because I was waiting for the pictures to download and then I got consumed by everything so here it is nearly 1:30 am and I am still up and posting to my blog.

Anyways, back to Disneyland! We had a fantastic time. I won't say that Disney was as magical the second time around as the first. Maybe that's because it was chilly, Carrington was a little under the weather, there was a part of us missing or a combination of the three. There were times when Mom and I looked at each other with that knowing looking just barely holding back the tears - yet then there were those times when those tears just seemed to naturally dampen our cheeks. (I guess we never forget and wherever we go Dad is 'still' with us!) Regardless of those few moments, there were moments of pure joy.

Some of those joyous occasions came with watching Carrington being told over and over "Happy Birthday", special presents from Mickey (delivered to the room - of coarse), riding roller coasters, meeting Mickey / Minnie, watching parades and searching for that perfect picture spot. It was a little sad that Carrington had grown so much from our last trip - she quite literally had to walk the whole park and wasn't able to piggy-back on the scooter with Grandma, but we managed.

Since the pictures are fresh to the computer - I thought I would put a couple up here. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.