The Popcorn Ball Incident

Autumn is slowly moving into winter. It's rainy and cold, and I've been in the mood to make some sweet treats for my boys.  A couple of days ago, in honor of Halloween, I made popcorn balls {recipe link for popcorn balls below}and candy apples. Both recipes turned out fantastic!

While making the popcorn  balls, I was fondly reminded of a Trick or Treat night long ago.  It was  Halloween night, many, many years ago.  I was trick or treating with my little sister and my friends. We were all about or 8 years old, give or take. We were escorted by two of my friends' older brother and sister. At one of the houses, they were handing out homemade popcorn balls! We all screeched in delight! This was a real treat! In my opinion, getting a popcorn ball for Trick or Treat was the best thing you could get!!

Huddled 'round the front door, reaching up as high as our little arms would stretch,  we held open our  pillowcase candy sack. The popcorn balls were dropped into the sacks one by one. I remember small talk and laughter between the home owner and our teen escorts. Everyone was happy. Everyone but one. One little girl who did not get her popcorn ball.

That little girl was me.

I knew I was accidentally overlooked, but I was too shy to say anything! I wanted desperately to say something but I just couldn't!

I was devastated!

Oh, I fancied Cracker Jacks, Reese's Cups and Clark bars...but a popcorn ball!! It was the CROWN JEWEL of Trick or Treat!!

As I stood there with a lump forming in my throat, I prayed silently that they would SOMEHOW notice my misfortune. Good-byes and good-nights were warmly exchanged, and we wandered back into the night. As we walked away, toward home....down the dark street lit by the white glow of street lights....I hung my head low.

Finally I spoke up.  "I didn't get one." My friend's big brother Steve said, "What?! You didn't get one?!" He reached inside his bag and pulled out his popcorn ball. "Here, you can have mine." Shocked and absolutely delighted, I was dumbfounded that anyone would actually GIVE UP a  popcorn ball...willingly!!

I was thrilled! I took his popcorn ball for my own and dropped it down into my pillowcase...all nestled between the Sugar Babies, Mallow Cups and Hershey Bars.

Wow, what an incredible, kind gesture from a teenage boy! How selfless! His parents raised him well. I can only hope that either one of my son's would do the same for a small child in a similar situation.

Recently, I have been reunited with my childhood friend. Her older brother is the one who gave me the popcorn ball. I mentioned the cherished memory to her, and she asked him if he remembered. No....he doesn't remember...but that's ok.
I remember!!
And to this day, I love popcorn balls!
It's one of my favorite Halloween treats!

The end!

*recipe for popcorn balls found here: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com

  

I've been out of town!

Momma has been busy! Momma left the nest for 5 days... Momma went to NYC by herself! Momma stayed with her sister Elaine, on Long Island! Momma ate some food....Momma took some photos. Momma rode the subway... Momma walked her butt off! Momma is tired,  but Momma is happy! Momma will be back to tell you more!  :)

Mousey Valentines

I just wanted to show you my son's valentines. They are so adorable. He has made these before and just loved them...so he made them again!

We cut out hearts from card stock, wrote from Easton on the inside...no valentine-y phrases so as not to be embarrassing for a 4th grade boy...and a chocolate lollipop on the inside creating the tail of the mouse with the stick.

The lollipop mold is a flat strawberry...it's all solid chocolate..he thought they would look like chocolate covered strawberries. I don't think kids like chocolate covered strawberries, but...solid chocolate that looks like a strawberry...well, I think they would love that!

chocolate covered Bugles

Here's a sweet treat's that neat! These are absolutely delicious! The salty, crunchy, crispiness of the Bugle, combined with sweet chocolate is just heaven! One bag of Bugles...one pound of chocolate. I use the round, real chocolate wafers that are meltable and shiny...I buy mine from a candy and cake supply store. If you have one in your area, I would suggest buying there. In my opinion, the chocolate is better quality. Also, they are usually independently owned and I love to support local businesses. I melt my chocolate in a double boiler. Just drop a Bugle in the chocolate...flip it around with a fork to get it all coated...scoop it out with the fork...place on a sheet of waxed paper...sprinkle some Valentines jimmies on top {jimmies are sprinkles...that's what we say here in Pittsburgh}...and you are done! Easy peasy! Warning, you can't eat just one!

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****Hey everyone! Stop by my Food Diary!! I've got some great new entries! I've decided to NOT date each entry because I don't always remember to take photos of what I eat...this way, I will just post what I can and give a brief description!****My food diary is located just beneath the header next to "home" and "the story behind the name".****