All the gifts that I make that I'm most proud of are edible. When my mother was still living, it used to be an annual tradition that she would make "nuts and bolts" and caramel popcorn for the four of us every year (my parents, my brother, and myself). Since she passed away, I've expanded the operation to include almost everyone on my gift list--and the list seems to grow longer every year as new people taste them and beg for a sample themselves! I go through a heck of a lot of butter in December because I also do my mother's famous whipped shortbread cookies (also used as gifts). It's the only time of year that I buy butter, and I'm always watching for it to go on sale... These things take ages to make because they all require a slow oven, so I'm glad that people appreciate them!
