It’s the last day of prep for the big Halloween weekend! I hope your celebration is going well. Ours pretty much started yesterday with a costume parade at school, and a delightful Halloween party with our friends.
But first.
I have been so totally moved by other bloggers who have so bravely outed themselves, that I thought I’d follow suit.
I admit.
I like candy corns.
Maybe not like, kind of love.
And I find so much strength in others who’ll admit to the same thing.
And I’ll take it a step further. I also love the orange pumpkin taffy that has a black face in the middle. And finally, I LIKE CREAM PUMPKINS.
I know!!
I cannot explain it. But it’s true. And thus far this Halloween I have avoided purchasing all of them. But my trip to the grocery store for our annual carving pumpkins turned on me and I left with not one, not two, but all THREE (and possibly a bag of Red Australian Licorice….it was on SALE!! C’mon!)
I did buy them in the bulk section, so it was just a taste of each one. And now I feel happy.
But on to the last “LAST MINUTE Halloween project” for the season.
I posted once before about my cute little popcorn recipe. But it was one of my VERY FIRST blog entries. And I think about 10 people read the blog then. (and I’m related to half of them)
So, for all who missed it….
Here is the yummiest, easiest, go to, candy popcorn recipe of all time.
We call it “Mother Goose” in our family. Although I don’t know why.
Start with a large bowl. You will need an air popper. I’m gonna say it again….YOU WILL NEED AN AIR POPPER. This won’t work with microwave popcorn. It doesn’t absorb the coating right. I can’t explain it. But I’ve tried it lots of times. And it’s never successful.
Now I don’t have an EXACT measurement for you here. It depends on whether you like it really coated or lightly coated. I fill this bowl about 3/4 full. It’s about 1/2 cup uncooked kernels. You might have to experiment a little.
The yummy coating goes like this….
1 stick margarine
1 cup sugar
3T water
1t vanilla
- Put them over medium heat…stirring constantly.
- You can add any COLOR to it once the sugar starts to dissolve. (that’s one of the reasons I love this recipe so much. It can match any party!)
- Once the mixture starts to bubble. Stop stirring and boil for EXACTLY 2 minutes. Set your timer.
- When it’s done, pour it over your popcorn and stir until it’s all mixed in.
- Set the popcorn aside for now. You’ll need it to dry off. (yes, I usually eat it wet. I like it both ways. And I’m not patient.)
The next part was inspired by two amazing posts I’ve seen recently. One HERE at Whipperberry and one HERE at HWTM. (where she so generously shared the “how to”) I know this isn’t an original idea, and I’m sure others have done it too. That’s just where I saw it, and where I got my inspiration.
I started with a lovely box that my printer cords came in.
- (be on the lookout for cool shaped boxes. I save a few that I know would work as “risers” for table displays. When I unwrapped this one to open it, it had 6 layers of wrapping paper on it. It’s been loved SOOO much)
- Then I filled it with floral foam. I think styrofoam might work better, but this is all I had on hand.
Then I re-wrapped the box in it’s new dress. Probably my favorite wrapping paper of all time. Hobby Lobby wrapping paper…..I give you my allegiance forever and always!!
Next I took bamboo skewers and placed them throughout the box. The pointy side went right through the box and stayed very sturdy in the foam. But If I had to take it out, it wasn’t firm anymore. So you might want to plot it out with a pen first.
Next you’ll pick out some scrapbook paper for your cones. I cut some 12×12 paper to be 8×12 instead. That worked best for my display. But any size will work. The cones are NOT HARD but it did take me a couple of tries to get the hang of it. Just roll the paper over, and secure it with tape. I love this tape because you can’t see it. If you put it on dark paper, just run your fingernail over the tape and it will will disappear.
Fill your cones with your dried popcorn. (that only takes about a 1/2 hour or so) and then slide your cone (it will have a small hole in the bottom) over the skewer.
Quite possibly the cutest popcorn has ever looked. And I love how each guest can have their share without having to reach into a giant bowl (which is how I usually serve it).
And there you have it. My last project. Or not. I might have to spend today trying to decorate our trunk for the neighborhood “Trunk-or-Treat” tonight. (insert eye roll) Not that it’s not fun. But sometimes I want to just go to something that requires NO preparation. You know?
I think I know what would make me feel better…..
MORE CREAM PUMPKINS!
Linked to:
Oh how cute and how yummy looking too!
Special Note (if you don't mind): You can "air pop" popcorn in the microwave by taking a lunch sack and putting a 1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn inside. Pop for 2-3 minutes or until the popcorn stops popping with consistency. This would prevent you from having to use one of those new fangled air poppers that Ellie G has.
Hope you don't mind I shared Lara. Loves!
I was with ya until the cream pumpkins. Sorry gal. Awesome popcorn….I was one of the original 10 readers and we made it pink! (My girls call it Pinkalicious) Cute display too…mine will probably be in a bowl. In fact…for sure it will be…cuz I'm lazy. But someday in the future I hope to be an awesome party planner person my you.
Everyone at the office loved your popcorn display. I did have to explain to some what mother goose popcorn is. I do have one item however, the green bowl is not quite right. And you left out the part about putting the towel over the bowl and setting it on top of the fridge to dry. It will probably turn out OK anyway.
Love you tons.
that is so cute!!
haha.
and the popcorn looks yummy! mother goose??
jen
what a great looking display!!
Pretty popcorn…you have my heart!
Prettiest Popcorn display. EVER.
I love candy corn too.
Well, this basically just re-affirms that we were meant to be friends. I am a die hard candy corn and cream pumpkin fan. I even joked last year that my baby was going to be made of it because of the large amounts I was consuming. (Hey, I was pregnant, it was okay!)
And popcorn? Be still my heart….yet another favorite treat.
Happy Halloween!
Those are just darling. I LOVE them. And so so jealous that you have Hobby Lobby. I would have bought ALLLLL the wrapping paper they had. I love that print.
Get out!! That's to stinking cute! Thanks for sharing the "how-to" too! I hope you share these at the Pretty Packages Party starting Sunday.
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
smiles!
Wow! What a great idea!
Mmm. That sounds really good! And I love the display for serving. What a fun mix of prints. Jun darling!
I am smitten! Your display rocks. Must … find … cool … boxes. Oh, and love the Hob Lob wrapping paper.
This is SO cool! I wanna come over and eat some! xo
These are beautiful! I love all the pretty paper you used
If you get a chance, I'd love for you to stop by and post this on my Not "Baaad" Sundays linky. There is a weekly contest for Best in Show!
these are so cool! i love the bright colors! that's the way halloween should be
i'm a follower!
Love, love, love this! Can't wait to try it.
Kisses
Heather From WhipperBerry
Ellie – This looks delicious! I love the presentation too – simply fabulous! Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! I'll be featuring this today – stop by and grab a feature button if you like. Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
How long does this popcorn "keep"? I am thinking about making this as neighbor gifts in holiday colors, but would like to start it early. If kept in an airtight bag, would it stay good for a couple of weeks?
Great Idea. Iam going to include it in my blog.
Thanks
Nick
http://nicksposts.wordpress.com/