November 7th, found me at the Olds Legion, participating in the Christmas Farmers Market put on by the Olds Agricultural Society. Once again, it did not disappoint!! The Olds Ag Society does a wonderful job in advertising the market, and signs could be found coming into town from every direction. So, although only a 4 hour market, the people swarmed through. The Olds markets, last year and again on Saturday, are the only sales to have Eve’s Maple Walnut Fudge be the number one seller! Eve’s Macaroon Fudge, and Eve’s Black Forest Fudge were tied for second, and the bronze seller was Eve’s tried and true plain Chocolate Fudge.
I enjoyed seeing many repeat customers, and meeting new fudge fans! I’m already looking forward to next year!
It’s always fun to have fudge connoisseurs sample Eve’s Fudge at the markets, and pass their tests. One gentleman was quite discerning, and felt that my fudge measured up even to his Grandma’s recipe in smoothness!! Another discriminating palate compared Eve’s Fudge to fudge purchased in Chemainus on Vancouver Island all the way to the Chocolate Moose Fudge Factory in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I’m thrilled to compete in such company!
I’m always listening to consumers of Eve’s Fudge, and adding new flavors and variations to my line-up, and this year is no different. Eve’s Chocolate Orange Fudge contains real candied orange peel, but some people prefer a creamy smooth orange fudge. So, starting November 7th at the Olds Christmas Market I will have both the regular Eve’s Chocolate Orange Fudge, as well as a creamy Orange variety. And in reverse, Eve’s Creamy Hazelnut Fudge from last year was well received but some people felt it would be better with whole hazelnuts in it. So this past week-end I attended the Didsbury Christmas Market with both Eve’s Creamy Hazelnut Fudge and a chunky, nutty variation. Ask, and you may receive!!
Yesterday’s market was in Didsbury, our new home town, and it is wonderful to be supported by your community. I enjoyed seeing many familiar faces, and meeting new “neighbors”. It was my first Halloween/Christmas market and believe me, that’s quite a mix!! But despite the date, market goers must have been thinking about Christmas, as the number one seller was Eve’s Eggnog Fudge. The kids favorite, and not a surprise was Eve’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, while many adventurous adults tried and bought Eve’s Hot Chili Fudge. I know it seems strange, but it is very popular! Six days now to prepare for the Olds Market.
Saturday, November 7th
Olds Royal Canadian Legion, 5241 – 46th Street (highway 27)
11am-3pm
The weather today was frightful, especially for October, but Christmas is coming and I should be inside making fudge instead of frolicking out in the autumn warmth anyways. So the dump of snow today may just be mother natures way of keeping me on track! After a 10 month hiatus it’s back to the stove, creating hand-stirred fudge by the potful for your pleasure.
The “line up” this year consists of all your past favourite Eve’s Fudge flavours, with one NEW addition. Eve’s Fudge is proud to present Eve’s Irish Cream Fudge. Many friends and family were able to taste-test this one around St. Patrick’s day and I was given the thumbs up, amidst sighs and complaints on how hard it is to be on my official taste-testing team!
The 2009 Christmas season kicks off with Eve’s Fudge at the Didsbury Christmas Farmers Market, on Halloween of all days! October 31st from 10am-5pm. Maybe your friends would appreciate some quality chocolate this Halloween.
Even for the people who shower their sweethearts with gifts and appreciation all through the year, Valentines is a reminder to pause and esteem our beloved. And what better way than with a rich chocolate fudge?
Spice up your Valentines with Eve’s Hot Chili Fudge or stick with the tried and true Eve’s original Chocolate Fudge. Browse the list of flavours and you’ll be sure to find just the right treat for the 14th!
With the advances in technology and reasonably priced world travel, the globe is rapidly shrinking. What was in the past a cottage industry, can now “go global” in a matter of weeks. My wonderful website (Thank-you, Leland) has people finding Eve’s Fudge through search engines from all over the world. Google Analytics shows people browsing Eve’s Fudge from Canada, USA, New Zealand,the UAE, Argentina, Cypress, Holland, Mexico and even Russia. Over the holidays I shipped fudge to Canada, the States and Mexico and additional fudge travelled to New Zealand via luggage as Christmas gifts. It is a wonder where my fudge has travelled…..if only it was me!
I’m interested to hear where your Eve’s Fudge ended up.
December 6th was my last Christmas market for 2008. The Olds community welcomed me back, and a decrease in attendance didn’t seem to affect sales! Eve’s Maple Walnut Fudge was an overwhelming success, one gentleman told me it’s the first choice for grandpas, so there should be a lot of happy grandpa’s in the area! Eve’s Chocolate Fudge was designated to second place – a rare occurance. Eve’s Maple Fudge, Eve’s Chocolate Mint Fudge, Eve’s Chocolate Orange Fudge and Eve’s Black Forest Fudge battled all day for third place. I’ll miss the “market scene” but was happy to have a few “fudge-free” days at home!
The fudge season is truly upon us, and my house is overwhelmed with fudge, ingredients and packaging. This year Eve’s Fudge had to purchase a new fridge simply to house fudge, and even it has been filled to overflowing. This is our storage room prior to last weekends Artisans Market in Airdrie.
I thought I was prepared for the second annual Artisans Market, as I had attended last year and sold out. However, even with increased stock, it was still a bonanza. After 6 hours I had completely sold out of 12 flavours, and had only two blocks left of Eve’s Vanilla Fudge and Eve’s Mixed Nut Fudge. What a terrific day, and now I’m scrambling to stock up for this Saturdays Olds market. Have no fear, Eve’s Fudge Mecca will be restored to it’s former glory!
Today was my first Christmas market in Olds, Alberta. If you missed it, plan on attending the next one on December 6th, 2008 from 11-3. What a crazy day in fudge sales! Always an average seller, Eve’s Chocolate – Peanut Butter Fudge beckoned to little children today and was the leading flavour over the four hour sale. A draw for second place were Eve’s Black Forest Fudge and the newest addition to Eve’s flavour list, not even on the website yet, Eve’s Creamy Hazelnut Fudge. Nutella lovers were in heaven and yet another reason to visit me at the markets…you just never know what flavours might appear! Then in an amazing turn, there was a FOUR way tie for third place: Eve’s Chocolate Orange Fudge, Eve’s Chocolate with Mixed Nut Fudge, Eve’s Maple Walnut Fudge, and Eve’s Hot Chili Fudge. The word is getting out there about the spicy fudge, and I had several people seek me out for the Hot Chili samples -some incredulously! I also had a lady quote me Matthew 6:13 “… lead us not into temptation…” after having a sample. Now THAT’S good fudge!!
Passing into November seemed to heighten holiday spirit. Stocking stuffers were a hot commodity among shoppers, and Eve’s Chocolate Orange Fudge was the second best seller this week. Eve’s Chocolate Fudge out sold all the other flavours, as usual, and Eve’s Chocolate Mint Fudge came in a close third. I enjoy seeing familiar faces at the markets, and was surprised to see an old friend from college who I haven’t seen in 14 years. She tracked me down through the facebook group “We Love Eve’s Fudge“.
