If you're British (have British roots, or are related to someone who does), perhaps
you've heard of a candy treat called Dolly Mixture. The easiest way for me to describe
this assortment to you is to say that it's comprised of candies that taste like a
combination of marshmallow and circus peanuts, but a little harder. Then, lightly
sprinkled in the mixture are too few, elusive, tasty little gum drops...which I adore.
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| Don't let this fool you. The gumdrop to "other" ratio isn't even 10:1! grrr |
My Aunty Margaret (Uncle Dick's wife) was getting ready for a recent trip to
England to celebrate her mum's 100th Birthday, and asked me if I'd like her to
bring back anything for me. I told her that I love Jelly Babies and the gumdrops
that come in Dolly Mixture assortments. She immediately knew what I meant
because she loves the marshmallow-y bits and gives the gumdrops
(which she doesn't like) to Uncle Dick, who loves them as much as I do.
I asked her not to spend too much of her precious trip in search of packages
containing only gumdrops like those, but she is tenacious and before she came
home from England, she popped a package in the mail to me. When it arrived,
I couldn't wait to open it!
As soon as I saw the Royal Mail postmark, and Aunty's handwriting, I knew...
I opened the package to find multiple packages of the familiar Jelly Babies,
and a new confection! Jelly Tots! While they aren't shaped the same, the
taste is close enough to satisfy this girl's British sweet tooth. (I am choosy, too!)
I decided to make a little vignette for you to help show a whole bowlful of
Jelly Tots. I didn't check the packages yet, but I'm sure the Queen would approve.
Thank you, Aunty!
You found them for me and I truly appreciate it.
She and I spoke after they arrived, and we discussed that some time in the future,
she, her daughter and I might just make that trip together. I can pay her back then.
(Just in case you'd like to try a package of your own,
here's a link to them from my favorite Stateside supplier.)
