Pop Til You Drop :)

A few days ago, Carter and I enjoyed a family tradition.

The making of the popcorn ball.

Watching all that popcorn pop :)

Well - I guess it depends how you would define 'tradition'.  We haven't done it every year.  Or even every other year.  It's been a while since we've made these ridiculously tasty treats.  But for some reason, in my mind, it's a special tradition.

Never had a popcorn ball?  Its a real treat - popcorn (basically, best snack food ever) and sugar.  Really, what could be better?!  And when the sugar is colored to look all Christmasy and special, well - it's a tasty tradition in the making.

All that yummy, sugary popcorn, ready to be shaped into balls :)

Watching my Grannie in the kitchen is like watching an artist create a masterpiece.  She moves from this counter to the stove, back to that counter, and over to the sink.  It's like she has it choreographed.  She knows exactly what to do (well, except when she stops and says 'when am I supposed to put that vanilla in, again?!') and she does it well.  Watching her in the kitchen - in her element - is like experiencing a little bit of magic.

Let me just insert - this said 'magic' does not happen in my kitchen.  Ever.  Sigh.

Showing Carter how to play with the sticky popcorn :)

We did a very scientific experiment with Carter - Jake & I have been suspicious that Carter doesn't like foods that are green in color.  Since coming home, he has refused pretty much anything green - peas, beans, etc.  Well - it was proved in our experiment.  Devoured the red popcorn, and wouldn't touch the green popcorn.  Okay, then.

The finished product - ready to be ripped open and eaten :)

After making about 50 popcorn balls, I'd say our popcorn ball making day was a success.  And now, it's a tradition.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

I found this photo from the last time we made popcorn balls.  I was a senior in high school, and little Jacob boy was 7.

Can I just say...my Grannie looks more beautiful now than she did then.
I think that's called 'aging gracefully' :)

Pretty cute, huh?!

One Thing I Know For Sure: I've had bits of red & green sugar stuck in my teeth ever since.  Nothing like it :)