Get Your Fall On With Popcorn Ball Pumpkins

 

These Popcorn Ball Pumpkins are flavored with orange jello and decorated with mini Tootsie Roll stems and green leaves you flatten and shape from green fondant.pumpkin-popcorn-balls1

They are excellent for parties — young and old alike enjoy popcorn balls. The kids may enjoy helping you make these little pumpkins.

Let’s get this party going!

Popcorn Ball Pumpkins Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 12 cups of popped popcorn
  • 1 3ounce box of orange flavored Jello
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 1/4 cup of corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
  • mini Tootsie Roll candies for the stem
  • green fondant for the leaves

Directions:

  1. Pop your popcorn.
  2. Melt the butter in the microwave.
  3. Stir in the jello and corn syrup.
  4. Microwave again allowing it to reach a full boil.
  5. Mix in the baking soda and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Mix in the popcorn. I use a little bit at a time to get it covered evenly.
  7. Microwave the whole thing for about 30 seconds if you want it gooey and a bit longer if you prefer crispy.
  8. You can either butter your hands or use plastic bags with non-stick spray on them to use as “gloves” for the kids. You’ll be making this orange popcorn into balls.
  9. Add the mini Tootsie Roll stem and press in while the popcorn call is still warm and pliable.
  10. Add the fondant leaf.

There you have it, a delightful treat for the eyes and the taste buds.

 

Here are some handy links:

It’s a fun, but messy project. Please leave me a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Bleeding Candles

 Witches Brew Scented Bleeding Skull Candle by Wicked Wicks

The skull is filled with red wax, when lit “bleeds” out the eye sockets. This is truly creepy which makes it perfect as a centerpiece for your Halloween bash.

The candles are Flamable and should be set on a flat non-fammable surface. Be sure to trim the wick to no more than 1/4 inch. And be sure to keep the candle away from anything that could catch fire.

As always never leave a lit candle unattended. And keep out of reach of children.

I know I am full of warnings, but candles are not toys. This is a novelty item that would be good to light when your guests have arrived to give them the full affect of this creepy candle. Then snuff it out and enjoy your party. Safety first.

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Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment below.

Sharon

Random Thoughts For Fall

My internet and telephone service have been off and on for a week . . . and it may continue until the network server is back in service.roadsign2

I don’t mind the telephone service being off as much as I mind the internet being out. But the ideal situation is to have both services available.

You may have noticed I didn’t mention television. I’m one of those rare individuals who has been without television service for 10 years. I think television is wonderful for those who have it and love it. I have just found it isn’t for me. I do know I do miss out on many things, but it is a personal choice I’ve made to concentrate on my websites and interact with my affiliate marketing friends.

I do listen to the radio and I also get news from the internet.

I do seem to be blending the old with the new in a strange way. The radio may not be something many of you have, other than in your car, but I’ve found I don’t listen to it as much as I used to before learning I had WiFi in my house and getting my laptop.

Obviously, I’m no techie, but I’m pleased I’ve learned what I have to keep my websites up-to-date.

In many ways I’m still quite old-fashioned. I enjoy the modern conveniences of today, but there is something comfortable and endearing about the old traditions of holidays. I have my memories which seem to be even more special as the years go by with the loss of family. But, I’ve found I have created some new traditions and memories that are essentially mine.

Have you changed your traditions for the holiday season?

booktree11_edited-1It’s always nice to make your celebrations unique to you and your family. Some of the old traditions may still be enjoyable, but I believe we grow into our own unique comfort zone when it comes to how we celebrate holidays. It may have begun with a change of menu or some subtle decorating. It is always nice to find what works for you.

My neighborhood is quite traditional, generally. The Halloween decorating is done primarily by two families who get the ball rolling for the rest of us. Some follow suit and other ignore it. I began mine with the scarecrows way back during the spring when I was planting my vegetable garden. I even expanded into the front yard to shake up the neighbors a bit to wonder what I was doing and why.

It’s my way of proving I’m a bit of a recluse and perhaps a free spirit who does what appeals to me without regard to the season. I don’t expect others to conform in any way. Plus, I may not be on the same schedule with them to decorate for Christmas in particular. I don’t work on a schedule. I work as the mood strikes me.

What I do is what I enjoy doing. It’s not that I want or need to keep up with the neighbors.

It’s not like in the movies when the neighbors are in competition with each other and where they shame a person into decorating. I’m sure there are other variations on the theme. Books have also used this concept in their stories. I enjoy the concept in the movies and in books, I don’t need it in real life.

I guess I’ve done enough rambling. I just wanted you to know that my internet and phone services are in a transition mode until the network is repaired. I’ve been given no timeline. Right now they’re ringing my telephone every five minutes or so.

So, if there are large gaps between my posts, it’s not by choice but due to internet access.

Thank you for being a valued visitor. Leave me a comment with your thoughts about holidays.

Until next time,
Sharon

Le Creuset Signature French Dutch Oven

It’s always nice to have quality cookware for superior heat distribution.

Le Creuset Signature is quality and beauty you can proudly set on your table for serving.

WIN_20150702_160411 (2)This is a huge Dutch Oven that is excellent for large family dinners. I love mine. I can cook to perfection just about everything I put in it. It is important to heat the pot slowly as per the instructions. It is a beautiful piece that I like putting on the table.

It’s excellent for stew, soup, casseroles and braising large cuts of meat.

I would recommend getting a cook book so you can use it just about every day to make up some delicious meals. It’s excellent for pot lucks and various family and church functions.

It is expensive, but sometimes you do have to pay for quality.

You may also enjoy:

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment below.

Sharon

Mini Haunted Houses You Can Make

I absolutely love paper crafts. Ravensblight.com has a new collection of mini haunted houses that are fast and easy to make.MiniHauntedHouses1

The creator Ray O’Bannon has a creepy little tale about this trio of mini houses that stand about 5 inches tall. They can be tucked away nicely in any little area in the house.

I believe this would be a wonderful introduction to paper crafts for your youngsters who would love to create this little trio of mini haunted houses that have been abandoned, but remain to decay . . . they do have ghostly visitors who make themselves at home . . . I wonder . . . a mini haunted house neighborhood within your home . . . the concept gives me chills . . .

These truly get your imagination running over-time . . . No time for delay with chitchat. Here are the links:

I print them out on heavy card stock. The instructions are easy to follow and you’ll have this little collection of mini haunted houses completed and displayed in your house in no time at all. Browse the website a bit and you may like to have some micro monsters walking around this neighborhood. Something else may grab your fancy . . . Maxine1

How about Maxine? She’s a real beauty. Just click the image and you’ll be able to download this 1958 Plymouth Fury. Of course, Ray O’Bannon has a tale to tell about her . . . and you may have one or two of your own . . . there is mystery surrounding Maxine . . . and you may be able to undercover it.

And, as you browse around, you may find something else you’d love to make.

Have fun!

Please leave me a comment.

Sharon