FCCLA Caramel Corn and a ghost story sort of......

It is cold windy and snowing today.  A perfect day to snuggle by a fire and watch football with some FCCLA Caramel Corn to snack on.  The best part is it is made quickly in the microwave, the worst part is it is very addictive!  But first, a kind of ghost story or maybe I should say an alien type story.

A few years ago Bob and I were driving down to San Antonio through New Mexico to visit Micah's family.  I think I must have mentioned we planned to spend the night in Roswell to Ozzie, Micah and Jim Shriver.  They all commented that we should watch out for space aliens and I said of course, laughingly.

We stopped in Raton for gas just about dark and I noticed while checking the map that there seemed to be a shorter route than we planned from Raton to Roswell.  Bob agreed we should try it so off we went.  We turned off the main road out in the middle of nowhere but at least the road was still paved.  We drove for miles without seeing another car.  Finally as we came closer to Roswell, I began to notice blinking red lights out my passenger window.  As I looked closer they seemed to stretch out for miles in a huge curve.  I jokingly commented to Bob that I needed him to stop so I could get a picture for Micah but I didn't know how to take a night picture with my new camera!  As we went on it seemed the lights were in sort of a big circle like a huge space ship!  I kept saying we really needed to get a picture of this but Bob never stops for interesting stuff.  His theory is you drive from point A to point B as quickly as possible with as few stops as possible.  Anyway, I kept commenting on what we were seeing until I was sure he would be telling me to "knock off the nonsense".

   About that time I finally realized what we were seeing.  It was a huge, miles and miles, windmill farm on top of ridges all around us!  The blinking red lights were on top of the windmills!  I still wonder what it looked like from an airplane.  Even after I knew what it was it still looked like a space ship.  I'm still sorry I couldn't get a picture of it but I never could have got the whole effect.  It was so cool!

Here is my latest recipe for Halloween.  I know you can't give out home made goodies for trick or treat but it would be great for party snacks or just plain snacking anytime!  This recipe came from the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America--the old FHA) at Elko High School. 

FCCLA CARAMEL CORN

Description:
This is the recipe Erin used every day to make caramel corn at school to raise money to go to Chicago.   They went to school at 6 AM every day and made a bunch of baggies full and sold them for $.50.   West Wendover also used this recipe to fund raise but no one wanted to come to school at 6 AM including me!

Here's all you need for a great snack

 1 C. popcorn kernels (or 2 bags microwave popcorn if doing at home and not trying to make $)

1 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. Corn Syrup (like Karo)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 stick butter

Directions:
1.   Spray the inside of a large grocery bag with Pam.
2.   Pop popcorn in air popper or Microwave which ever one you use. Pour into prepared grocery bag.

Ready for the caramel

3.   Prepare caramel--in a medium sized microwaveable bowl, place brown sugar, corn syrup,salt, and butter.   Do not stir.  

As you can see, I do cut up the butter and stir it a little.

Cook mixture in microwave for 4 minutes.   Stir in baking soda until mixture looks fluffy.

       After adding the soda, it fluffs up.      

4.   Pour mixture over popcorn in the paper bag and stir well with a wooden spoon.   Be sure to scrape the bottom well.
5.   Fold over the top of the bag and shake well.   Place in microwave for 1 minute and stir again.  Repeat this step once.
6.   Pour into a bowl, let cool or eat warm.   If you don't want it to stick together in a big bunch do the following:
 

I pick out the old maids and it's ready to eat!

Lay paper out on the table (like freezer paper or bulletin board paper) and pour out the popcorn on it and spread it out to cool.   Then bag it for snacks or sit there and eat it all up!
Warning this is very addictive!

Number Of Servings: Depends on how addicted you are to it.

Preparation Time:>10 minutes

Notes:  
1.  It's hard to find large paper grocery bags anymore so I have to use the kind of bag they put ice cream in at the store so it won't melt on the way home. 

2.  This is the basis for Meemo's Munch that I sell.  I add other home made ingredients to it and it is yummy.

I talked myself into it.  I'm going to make some right now!

Yep, it is addictive!