2000 Caramels

One Spendlove family tradition is making and giving homemade caramels.  Over Thanksgiving weekend 2017, I made 2000 caramels, with the help of my daughter, Lisa.  Lisa stirred batch after batch, as I dashed around the kitchen, measuring sugar and butter and cream, chopping nuts, and adding food coloring and flavorings.  We made seven varieties--classic, rum pecan, maple walnut, orange, chocolate, licorice, and cherry pecan.  Even more time-consuming than cooking the caramels was wrapping them.  I assembled a team of grandchildren helpers--Bryce, Ezra, and Mia, with Rebekah as team boss.  Other grandchildren moved on and off of the line.