Homemade Kettle Corn

With Christmas quickly approaching, I have been trying to think of homemade gifts that I could make for giving.  I’m a huge kettle corn fan and up till about two years ago, I had to wait for summer fairs to come around so that I could buy my kettle corn.  I have tried several in the grocery store, but ugh, I just did not like them.  So I started looking on the internet and found this recipe on  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kettle-corn/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=kettle%20corn&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Reviews

Here is what you will need:

• 1 Large Pan
• ¼ cup of vegetable oil (or oil of your choice—I have used coconut and peanut with great success)
• ¼ cup white sugar (can use brown sugar—gives it a caramel color and taste)
• ½ cup popcorn kernels
• Salt

Pour oil and 3 kernels in pan and place over medium heat until you hear all three kernels pop. 

Once popped, add sugar and stir it around well, then add the remainder of the popcorn and cover it.  I then alternate every three seconds from leaving the pot on the burner to shaking it.

  Once the popping has slowed, remove from stove top and immediately sprinkle with salt. 

Let the batch cool a little, and enjoy!  WARNING---this is highly addictive! 

If I need to store (which rarely ever happens because I eat the whole batch), I will store in a glass container so that the popcorn stays nice and crunchy.  I find that plastic containers will soften the popcorn.  For gift giving, I like to use cellophane bags tied with a little piece of jute—very country looking.  Why not combine a bag of kettle corn with maybe a movie for a movie night Christmas gift! 

Enjoy….and blessings. 

Claudine

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/

Just Tell Someone...

Just Tell Someone…..

It’s that time of the year when most of us will reminisce on the memories of Christmases past.  For some of us, this will be a joyous Christmas that will be bursting with new memories and traditions……..however, for some, it may be a painful Christmas because we may have experienced the painful loss of someone dear to us  this past year.  As I personally reflect on Christmases of the past and also what has happened in my life this past year, I am thankful for the many blessings. 

Unexpectedly this year, my Dad who is 73 had open heart surgery- a triple bypass.  He started with chest pains near the end of the summer, and after a visit to the Dr’s, he was scheduled for a stent.  While in the hospital awaiting his stent, the Dr discovered more blockages and sent him directly (by ambulance) to a hospital that specializes in open heart surgery.  Needless to say, my family was a bit shocked that he went from having a stent to open heart!  Almost three months later, he is doing fine and getting back to his normal self.  This really got me thinking of how blessed I am that God has given me more time with my Dad. 

While visiting my Dad one evening, my Mom and were looking at old photos of my three siblings and me (where does the time go?).  What really caught my eye was that there were so many pictures of my brother and me (who are only 16 months apart) and the pictures depicted two happy kids!   I noticed that most of the pictures were taken at home because that is where we spent most of our time, and we were so happy.  It got me thinking about the life that my parents had given us.  They didn’t have much money raising four children and my Mom being a stay home Mom, but they gave us what they could, and we were always happy and well taken care of.  This is where the inspiration came for this blog “Just Tell Someone”.  After my visit with my folks, I went home and wrote my parents a letter thanking them for all they did for me growing up as well as thanking them for being such loving and caring parents.   I decided to put my thoughts on paper because writing allows me to list all the things I want to say (not forgetting anything) and secondly, they would have the letter in case they ever wanted to read it again. 

I also have been blessed with a very special Aunty (Rita) who is battling cancer for the second time.  I don’t recall when or how we became close; but I do know is that she is such a caring, loving, giving, funny and strong person who always showed up with her “big old heart” whenever I needed her.  I also sent my Aunty a letter telling her the reasons I love her.  

The purpose of these letters was not just to tell them all that I loved them, but why I do and how they have made a difference in my life.  As I began to think about all the other special people in my life, I thought that this would be the perfect time of the year to “just tell someone”.  Who in your life needs to hear or would love to hear how special they or how they have made a difference in your life by just being in it?  I think that this would make a very special Christmas present to the ones you love in your life.  I would love to hear about the special people in your life and what makes them so special to you!  Just tell someone……

Until next time....blessings....

Claudine

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/