In Dale’s family, Valentine’s Day is affectionately called “Cream Puff Day.” I still remember our first Valentine’s Day together, back in 1997. Dale and I used to meet at his house for lunch every day back then and he greeted me at the back door with a plate of cream puffs and the exclamation, “Happy Cream Puff Day, baby.” I asked him why we had cream puffs on Valentine’s Day and he said he didn’t know why but his mother always made them and it was a tradition.
Me being a librarian, I had to know the whole story so I walked next door and asked Dale’s mother, Ruthie, to explain the cream puff tradition. She told me that it dated back to Valentine’s Day, 1948. She and Dale’s father, Jack, who was in the Air Force, were stationed in Roswell, New Mexico (yes, that Roswell – but that’s another story) and she was pregnant with her first baby. They had no money to buy Valentines for anyone and she really wanted to do something special for the guys in Jack’s unit. So she turned to her cookbooks and looked for something she could bake to give as gifts to these men. She found a recipe for cream puffs and realized that she had all the ingredients on hand and they sounded pretty simple to make. And a tradition was born.
By the time I came along, Ruthie was making dozens of cream puffs every Valentine’s Day. She complained about how much work it was and how much time it took to make so many but I’m pretty sure she secretly loved the task. She made them for her and Jack plus their kids and grandkids. I was horrified when I realized that none of Dale’s kids even liked the cream puffs but Dale never told his mother because then she wouldn’t have given him as many. Then I tasted one and realized that sometimes a little deception is a wonderful thing.
During the last few years of Ruthie’s life, she was unable to make the cream puffs anymore. Jack, wanting to carry on the tradition, purchased them from a bakery instead but they just weren’t as good as Ruthie’s. So last year, on the first Valentine’s Day without dear Ruth, I made the cream puffs. I was a little hesitant to do this. After all, I’m not Ruthie’s daughter, I’m just her daughter-in-law and it seemed like I was maybe overstepping my bounds by taking on a family tradition as deep as this one. But Dale encouraged me to go for it and Jack said it would be okay – so I did it. I’ll never forget the look on Jack’s face when he tried one and said they were as good as Ruthie’s. And Dale’s sister Lisa’s eyes filled with tears when she took a bite of hers, so I guess I did okay by Ruthie’s cream puffs.
And now, somehow, this has become my tradition, too.
Manise Said,
What a lovely tradition! And how kind of you to take up the torch and continue it.
Manise Said,
Oh, and the last photo made me want to reach into the screen and dip my finger into the cream for a taste- yum.
Julie Said,
What a great story and a great tradition. I love cream puffs; I think you should make some more and bring them to SPA
Ann Said,
What a lovely story, Carole. And those cream puffs look marvelous!
Karen Said,
Those look delicious. I love the tradition and remember the most important thing about tradition is the memories it brings back.
Rachel Said,
Ok, now my eyes are filling with tears after reading this post. I think that it is wonderful that you are carrying on such a wonderful tradition. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Norma Said,
An excellent tradition to carry on! Mmmm, I love cream puffs, but I can’t even remember when I had one last.
Robin Said,
What a WONDERFUL Valentine/Cream Puff Day story! You are such a loving and thoughtful person to take on that tradition, I’m sure Ruthie is looking down on you with a big smile!
They look delicious…shall I send you my address??
Judy Said,
I love them when the are made with real cream. What a great tradition! C brought me canoli for Valentine’s day.
margene Said,
Oh my, they look so good. The story is wonderful and the tradition must live on. You do good work, as a family archivist and as a great d-i-l.
Laurie Said,
That’s a wonderful story. Carrying on traditions is a good thing.
Julie Said,
What a fantastic story and tradition! Cream puffs always make me think of Raggedy Ann and the time I convinced Mom to make me cream puffs just like in the story.
Cecily Said,
That’s a great story.
And yummmmmmmmy, too. 
Liz K. Said,
I love your food stories. And photos too. Yum!
Kim Said,
Oh Marthaaaaaaaaaa……..those cream puffs look FABULOUS. I’m coming to your house next year for Valentine’s Day! LOL
Karen Said,
Oh see, now you have my crying!!! I love the story and I so love that you are carrying on the tradition!!
Cheryl Said,
The famous creampuffs! What a great tradition!
heather Said,
Aw, that is the sweetest story!
I’ve never had cream puffs before. They look really yummy though!
susan Said,
OMG, those look heavenly!
Alison Said,
Beautiful tradition and well, *drool*.
The socks from the last post are gorgeous, too!
Mindy Said,
What a great tradition! The cream puffs look fabulous.
Kathleen Said,
Beautiful…I wish we had smellavision and tastavision. Those look gooood!!
Vicki Said,
You are amazing. Oh, those look SO good. ; )
gale (she shoots sheep shots) Said,
awwww, that is so sweet , in all ways! I love stories like this.
KnittyOtterk Said,
That is just the sweetest story. I’m glad you are having a good experience keeping this alive.
Your pictures are so yummy looking. Do you use her recipe or from somewhere else? Are you able to share it with us? (I totally understand if you can’t.) *hugs*
So were they stationed in Roswell in 1947? Curious Otters wanna know that story, please. ;^)
Wanda Said,
Oh, what a sweet (no pun intended) story Carole. You made my eyes well up with tears. Now that tradition is part of you as well.
Monica Said,
What a sweet story. The cream puffs look yummy.
Jan Said,
These traditions are the best thing about holidays. *Drooling*
Rachel H Said,
Dude. Well done.
Anne Said,
A lovely tradition and it makes me dayum sorry I don’t live next-door to you. (For many reasons….just sayin.)
Kate Said,
Beautiful story Carole!
See you tomorrow! I can hardly wait.
Kirsten Said,
A beautiful story – and a wonderful tribute to Ruthie.
They looks soooo delicious!
nova Said,
I am a fan of family traditions Carole, and that is a great one. I think it’s wonderful that you are continuing the tradition!
Martha Said,
Are they hard to make? Can I have the recipe? I looooovvvvveeee cream puffs.
hillary Said,
What a great ttradition. By coincidence we’ve been on a cream puff kick lately at my house but they’re the store-bought frozen variety. As my girls were eating them the other night I suggested that we make some and now that’s on our to-do list for this weekend. I hope they turn ot because I’ve never made them before.
hillary Said,
What a great ttradition. By coincidence we’ve been on a cream puff kick lately at my house but they’re the store-bought frozen variety. As my girls were eating them the other night I suggested that we make some and now that’s on our to-do list for this weekend. I hope they turn out because I’ve never made them before.
amanda Said,
what a great story carole! and good for you stepping up to keep the tradition alive, i’m sure it meant a lot to everyone in dale’s family!
Leslie Said,
What a great story! I love that you’re carrying on the tradition. And those look YUMMY!
Ruth Said,
You made me cry and you made me hungry! It’s a great tradition, thank you for sharing it with us.
Mindy Said,
What a sweet story. It made me tear up a little. The cream puffs look so good. Yum!
Annie Said,
My mother has the same tradition. We always had cream puffs every V-Day and she still makes them for my dad.
Beautiful post, Carole.
Beth S. Said,
That is a WONDERFUL story, and probably also the most delicious holiday tradition I’ve ever heard of. I share your appreciation for a well-made cream puff: they are to live for (‘to die for’ defeats the point–you want to stay around to eat them.)
I’m glad you’ve taken up the gauntlet. A tradition like that one shouldn’t dwindle away, you know?
Kristi aka Fiber Fool Said,
What a beautiful tradition!
Erin Said,
That is so sweet (literally and figuratively). I got teary reading that. What a nice tradition and so wonderful of you to take it on.
Kaitie Tee Said,
What a great story! I’m a sap – it brought tears to my eyes. I guess I’m hopelessly sentimental (not necessarily a bad thing though).
caitlyn Said,
What a wonderful tradition, Carole!
You know, if you have leftover cream puffs and you need help finishing them, you can always send some to me. =)
Lizzy B Said,
What a lovely tradition. Tasty too! Your story made me tear up a little. Thank you for sharing your Cream Puff Day tradition with us!
maryse Said,
what a fabulous story and idea. next year i’m making cream puffs. (because next year i wont’ be at a job that’s 2 hours away form home and i’ll actually have time to make cream puffs).
Ruth Said,
What a lovely tradition … the story brought tears to my eyes.
And the cream puffs look delicious.
Michelle Said,
What a truly wonderful tradition, and Kudos to you for keeping up the tradition. The cream puffs look delicious.
lisa Said,
You are such a temptress! Not one but MANY pictures, when just the first one made me think “I want to be at her house eating one of those!”.
Susan Said,
What a wonderful tradition!!! I love a good cream puff.
Cookie Said,
What a lovely tradition and a wonderful story.
Sylvia Said,
You are a splendid person. Thank you for sharing the story.
patti Said,
what a wonderful story. I am glad you kept up the tradition!!
Karen Said,
That is such a nice story! They look so yummy… my mouth is watering.
Adam Said,
What a great story! That’s such a fun family tradition, and I’m glad you were able to continue it!
And the cream puffs look amazing. Drool!
carol Said,
Thoughtful – caring! They look mighty dandy tasting.
Debi Said,
Oh great! Now I’m all verklempt!
You are an amazing woman Carole, thanks for sharing your spirit with me!
Deb Said,
Even more reason to love you tons and bunches!!
Sara Said,
Awesome story! Thank you for sharing it. The story and sentiment behind it brought tears to my eyes…what a special daughter-in-law you are!!
Birdsong Said,
Bless your little heart! You certainly brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely tradition to carry on.
Kim Said,
I was taken first by the scrumptious photos, and now by your family story. I think DILs are allowed to carry on traditions from all sides of the family. I might carry on your family’s tradition for V-Day…
Lucia Said,
Now there’s a tradition I could get behind. Yes, you are making me hungry again, but due to holiday hangover I forgive you.
claudia Said,
Mmmm. Cream Puff Day beats out VD any day.
Kathy Said,
That’s a great story and so terrific that you’ve picked up the tradition.
Katy Said,
So perfect. Someday your grandkids will tell stories about YOUR cream puffs!
Yesterday my kids and I made sugar cookies using my great-aunt Susie’s recipe (she owned a restaurant). They are the ones that my wonderful grandmother Mabel(Susie’s sister) always made for me, and every time I eat one I know that Mabel is with me. I hope my kids will carry on the tradition!
scoutj Said,
Damn you woman. I can’t see the keyboard.
Jessica Said,
That’s so sweet in more ways than one!
It’s so nice that your inlaws include you as part of the family like that.
sue Said,
What a sweet story. No pun intended.
Emily Said,
What a wonderful story! And now I’m so hungry……..
Shannon Said,
that is one of the sweetest stories I have ever heard! It was so great of you to do this for the family–it obviously meant so much to them. Good on you!
Sue Said,
Having just recently lost two very dear people who filled our lives with traditions and stories of simpler times, your cream puffs tradition makes me tear up (it’s a good thing I’m at work!). Thank you for sharing, Carole. They look absolutely delicious!
Chris Said,
That’s a lovely story – thanks for sharing, Carole!
--Deb Said,
Aw, I love it! And, do you know, the dessert I WAS going to make Mom yesterday for her birthday? Chocolate eclairs–pretty much the same thing, really. Yours look beautiful. What do you fill yours with? I can never find a filling recipe I’m happy with.
Joy Said,
What a wonderfully sweet story. Hope your V Day was as yummy as those cream puffs look!
Laura Said,
*sniff!* Awwwww. I think it will have to become cream puff day for us too. Maybe my kids will hate them so Jeff and I can eat them all. hehehe I believe if you can make a cream puff, dear Carole, then maybe I can too. My mom always said “they’re way too much work for something that’s not very good.” So I never tried it (despite how delicious the pictures always looked in my BHG cookbook). It’s time I stop listening to Mom and go for it.
Baubo Said,
*misting up*
thanks for sharing your beautiful story
Jen Said,
Awwwwww
Carol Said,
A beautiful story nicely told. What a gift to give your family in the spirit of Ruthie.
Teyani Said,
oh what a lovely story – traditions are so special – and you have a wonderful heart carrying this one on. lucky all who got to sample those beauties.
~Kristie Said,
Carole that was such a touching story! I wish our family had a neat tradition like that, but since we don’t, you’ve inspired me to start one. I wonder what would be as neat as cream puffs?
Kelly Said,
What a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing it!
Stephanie Said,
What a great story. I wish my family had traditions like that.
BigAlice Said,
That’s a wonderful tradition. Thank you so much for the story. And I hope you had a great Creampuff Day!
Frani Said,
oh Carole, that´s the sweetest story i’ve ever read/heard. I’m sure Dale’s mom is smiling at you right now.
love,
Frani
Sue4 Said,
My Great Aunt Rena made cream puffs for us too, it was such a yummy treat. She even made homemade whip cream for them. It’s a great tradition you have – to take what you have on hand to create something delicious and to make your valentine sweetheart plus men (& women) in the military happy – awesome! It brought tears to my eyes too because my Great Aunt passed last November (she was 101 yrs. old) – plus I’ll always remember her because she taught me to knit too!
Joanne Said,
What a sweet story – no pun intended. Such a wonderful and touching tradition when you hear of how it started and so great that you’ve carried it on.
Donna Said,
What a beautiful story, Carole. I know it must mean a great deal to Dale that his mom’s tradition is still going strong. The cream puffs look beautiful too. My MIL always made Bill an angle food cake for his birthday. I’m not much with the baking and haven’t kept up the tradition. Your story makes me wish I had.
(I had to move my blog suddenly, the new address is above.)
anne Said,
in my family, march 19th is cream puf day—that’s the feast of st joseph and the day the swallows come back to capistrano, italy. since we have a series of josephs in our male lineage, it is a very much celebrated feast day for us!