turkey feathers

Crunchy Maple Corn

 
Since we make most of our snacks, I'm always thrilled when I find a new way to make them even more healthy.  We LOVE caramel corn, but traditional recipes call for sugar + corn syrup, so I decided to experiment a bit and found a quick alternative made from real (organic) maple syrup instead.  And, it's super easy.  The hardest part---not eating it all at once after you make it! 

NOTES::  I also tried the same recipe substituting certified raw organic blue agave in place of maple syrup and it came out just as good, and has an even lower glycemic index.  Also, be sure and use a large sauce pot when you make the caramel, because the boiling syrup will foam up and increase in volume more than double when you add the baking soda.   It's a bit startling--however, kids may find this weird chemistry interesting and will be convinced you're a genius.  Another tip:  I use a hot-air popper positioned next to a large stainless steel roasting pan so that the popcorn falls into it as it pops.  I call this my, "one-step, one-less-bowl-to-clean method".  (smile)

This recipe is for the "light" version, you can double the amount of maple syrup or agave without changing any of the other ingredients for a more caramelized result. 

Crunchy Maple Corn

8 cups popped corn (1 cup un-popped)
1 cube butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda (reserve)
1/2 cup Spanish peanuts (optional)

Directions:  Pop or place corn into a large 11 x 15" baking pan; shake pan to sift "old maids" to the bottom and remove them.  Sprinkle nuts on top if desired.  In a large sauce pot, melt butter; add syrup, salt, and cream of tartar and whisk together until well blended.  Bring to a boil and whisk in baking soda.  Remove from heat and continue whisking for about 30 seconds.  Mixture will foam up.  Pour evenly over popped corn and fold lightly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to coat.  Don't worry if you can't coat all the popcorn at once, eventually it all gets distributed.  Bake in a low 200 degree oven for 30 minutes; removing the pan at 10 minute intervals to stir and re-coat.  Remove from heat and let cool before storing in tins or food-grade cello bags.  Avoid storing it in plastic bags or containors, popcorn will get sticky.  If you live in a damp climate, as I do, I find packing it up within 5 minutes of taking it out of the oven keeps it nice and crunchy. 

 
Or you can just eat it---immediately. Yum!

 

 

 

Box Art

I did a double-take when I passed by the coat-rack and saw all these big eyes staring back.  How cute are these, I ask you?  Grace whipped them up.  She's actually been making and experimenting with these folded paper boxes since she was about seven. Yes, they are that simple.  You can use almost any sturdy paper; these were made from a wall calendar from last year--great way to recycle, no?  Think: cute boxes for gifting.  A fun rainy day project for sure--and the rainy days are here again.  Evidenced by all the crafting, stitching, knitting, and baking happening around here lately.  Oh--and I have a new recipe for carmel corn that you will really appreciate, if not LOVE!!  I'll try and post it later this week.  Box tutorial here. 

Notably November

The colors illuminated by the morning sun are so pretty right now, and totally distracting me from getting any work done.  It's barely 36 degrees this morning, but as I opened the door even that cold blast didn't alter my course, as I simply had to get a few photos of this Japanese maple before it loses the rest of it's flaming red leaves.  The magnolia behind it is the perfect backdrop with it's glowing golden color.  It's all so dreamy.  Sigh.

Anyway...on to some crafty news:: 

1.    I am quite relieved to tell you, that the new free-with-purchase BONUS designs for November are finally done.  I was sitting here, in the middle of things yesterday, and realized I'd forgotten all about them.  oops!  There are supposed to be new designs at the start of each month.  I know.  See what I mean?  The colors out there?  Totally distracting.  And those turkeys!  (thanks for the turkey banner love, btw!)  Fortunately, that little drawing project was already on my table and nearly finished--only needed to be formatted for the website so I wasn't up too late stressing out about it, although it did lead to some inappropriate snacking on homemade peanut butter cups right before bed.  I do regret that.  But Grace made them and they were impossible to ignore.  Like the leaves fluttering outside my window now.  Must.  Stay.  Focused.  All in all I'm mighty smitten with that psychedelic squirrel.  I probably drew a dozen of these before I was satisfied. Hoping to have a little time to stitch one up now. 

2. Also, wanted to mention that "Sweet Surprises" has run it's course and is officially over. Another great idea, but alas, we are lacking sufficient time to keep it going at the moment.  The button will now be retired.  Sniff.

3.  And this just in...from my blog pal Pam, who's been a professional pattern designer for over ten years, with hundreds of published designs to her credit--and who also maintains a fabulous blog:: kitty & me designs where she shares some of that talent, has just added something special to her etsy shop!   The Backstory::  A little over two years ago, she immortalized my cat, Lily, with a pattern she designed (then published in the Christmas 2007 preview issue of The Cross Stitcher).  I initially blogged about it here.  It's all done in counted cross-stitch with amazing detail.  I get a little tear every time I see it.  It's so sweet and the resemblance is uncanny.

 

Lily would be so proud if only she knew.  Should I wake her up and tell her the news?

gobble gobble

Do you like my new November banner?  I find it funny, and somewhat bizarre though, that my blog should now have actual live turkeys on it.  Because, when I dubbed this cyper spot "turkey feathers", I wasn't seeing wild turkeys from the porch or out the window or huddled in my flower beds.  Neither did I have turkeys or feathers (in particular) on my mind.  In fact, I never thought about turkeys very much at all except on Thanksgiving.  Just why the name turkey feathers even popped into my head in the first place is still a mystery, except to say, the hour was late, and it was thought up and decided in under two minutes--which may have had something to do with it.  Oh, I'm sure it did.  But, I settled on it quickly because it conveyed an attitude that fit the premise, and that was that.  If I'd known then, that whatever I created, might *possibly* manifest, I probably would have taken a more thoughtful approach.  Certainly, "lollipop rainbows" or "chocolate butterflies", or something more glamorous or desirable would have been chosen.  Ya know, just in case.  What's weird is, turkeys don't generally hang around my house.  They've just shown up recently.  And I don't want to read too much into that, but I do believe in 'divine cosmic humor'; sometimes it arrives just when we need it the most.  To let us know, that every little thing, is gonna be alright...to quote Bob Marley, who so simply and beautifully put that mantra to music in three little birds.

 

You just have to look. 

Slip, Knit, Pass

This cozy little scene is making me so happy.  Watching as Grace puts the finishing touches on my scarf.  And the yarn.  Beautiful hand-dyed colors so perfect for the season--in a soft merino blend.  We found it last month in a sweet little shop  on the coast.  She caught me drooling over it and offered to make me something for my birthday.  (Oh--Be still my beating heart!)  The openwork stitch was a new one for her, slow going at first, but my, how those needles are clicking up a storm now.   Openwork Silk Rhapsody Scarf pattern from artyarns.com