Those Cream Pumpkin things...

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 12x12 paper to be 8x12 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.

And TAH DAH!!!!

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!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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