Celebrating my birthday with a Malteser…or two. What’s a Malteser?

My American friends may not be familiar with Maltesers. I wasn’t either, until I started reading, The Laughing Housewife. 

Tilly writes from the UK. I’d tell you her real name but you need to read her awhile before you get that introduction. She’s very funny and oh-so-clever. And although her family faces some significant challenges, I’d read her blog for several months before I really picked up on that part of her life–she mostly shares a daily joke or stories that showcase her great sense of humor– and she LOVES Maltesers.

But before I tell you more…

I was performing a little spring cleaning and found this newspaper clipping from my childhood.

It tells the story of when I was 13 years old and in the 8th grade, chosen to be part of Pacific Telephone’s “Hello Around the World” demonstration, intended to show students how the phone company handled calls “around the world with modern technology and cables that stretch across the ocean.”

My paternal grandmother was born in Scotland and came with her family to California when she was in her teens. But her brother-in-law’s mother was still living in Aberdeen, so I was  to call and talk to her.

My Uncle Andy also came to the assembly to assist in the conversation. His mother didn’t know the call was to be placed, we had never met, and there was some concern that I wouldn’t understand her strong Scottish brogue.

I don’t remember too much about the conversation, but the reporter wrote,

“They didn’t talk about Vietnam or the Common Market or other matters of international importance. By the time her uncle, aunt and Miss Davis got through acknowledging the wellbeing of a host of mutual relatives both at home and abroad, the 17-minute, but free, conversation was over.”

I know the call was amplified on a speaker, but this couldn’t have been too interesting to the other 7th and 8th grade students, do you think?

On the other hand, it made the paper! I suppose I don’t fully comprehend what a “miracle of technology” this was.

We couldn’t have imagined the Internet. Impossible!

Remembering this occasion made me think about my grandmother.

I also think of her when I go into a local small grocery.

British supermarket giant Tesco opened Fresh & Easy stores, and this is one of my favorite sections.

The labels have changed, but some of these canned goods send wafts of nostalgia as I remember walking through a few import shops with her while she recalled favorite foods she rarely purchased.

When my sister-in-law, Heather, and I spent the day on the Queen Mary we made a stop in the Scottish Heritage Shop and I had to make just a few purchases.

The tea canister was an absolute necessity. And I love oat cakes. That was one “treat from home” my grandmother indulged in, although she’d be shocked to learn that I paid $6.95 for that little cardboard box! I recall how much it amused her that I enjoyed them as much as I did do.

But the real surprise, the sight that caused me to squeal out loud in front of the very quiet and rather somber Scottish proprietor was…

Ta Da! Maltesers! Tilly isn’t shy about her love of Maltesers. You can read some of her praise by clicking HERE.

And until now I haven’t had any idea what she was talking about. I’ve searched for them in the imported candy section at the World Market  and asked and wondered, even scouring the Internet for a hint of where to find them, so when these magically appeared I bought two packets…at $2.50 a piece. Imported candy isn’t cheap!

So today is my birthday, and tonight when I’m with my family we will break out the Maltesers and conduct our own taste test.

I’m quite the party girl, aren’t I?

My celebratory requirements are very modest. I’ll have to let you know how we enjoy the candy…but if it isn’t a home run, I don’t dare tell Tilly!  They mean so much to her!

Do you have a favorite candy? Why don’t you have a piece today as part of your midweek exhale. Celebrate with me!