Carmel Corn

April


1 c. oleo
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. corn syrup
1 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. vanilla
6 qts. popped corn

Combine oleo, corn syrup, salt, vanilla and brown sugar in a 2 qt. saucepan.\boil 1 minute. Add soda. Pour over popped corn. Place in a greased pan and bake 1 hour at 250*, stirring every 15 minutes.

This recipe came in my electric bill way over 20 years ago and is still the best to date that I make yearly.

Popcorn Balls

April


1 c. sugar
1/3 c. corn syrup
1/3 c. water
1.4 c. oleo
3/4 t. salt
3/4 t. vanilla
3 qts. popped corn

Boil sugar, water, oleo and salt until it is a hard crack stage. Add vanilla and stir. Pour over popped corn. With buttered hands, form into balls.

About Dandelions:
Pick dandelions before the bud opens. Dandelions are plentiful of iron, copper, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Avoid areas where weed killers and fertilizers have been used.
 They are free and you won't starve.

Chocolate Penuche

March 3, 1991


2 c. sugar
1 c. half and half
2 sq. unsweetened chocolate
2 T. light corn syrup
1/2 t. salt
2 T. oleo
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped

Combine sugar and half and half with salt in a 2 qt. saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook until mixture comes to a soft ball stage(236*) Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool to lukewarm without stirring. Beat candy until it thickens and looses luster. Quickly stir in nuts and spread into an 8" buttered pan. Cool and cut. Makes 1/1/4 lb.

Debbie and I are getting our chocolate fix and watching movies.

What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector?

The taxidermist takes only your skin.

Rocky Road Fudge

March


1 c. broken walnuts
2 c. sugar
1 c, evaporated milk
1/4 t. salt
1 12oz. pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 t. vanilla
2 c. miniature marshmallows
oleo

Spread nuts on a buttered 9" x 9" x 2" pan. Set aside. Butter sides of a large heavy saucepan. /in pan, combine sugar, milk and salt. Bring to a rolling boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Beat until chocolate is melted and blended. Cover nuts with half the chocolate,
cover with marshmallows, then remaining chocolate Chill 1 hour.

An excerpt from my diary, March 2, 1978

I had to wash all our coats from winter slush and my little Debbie said thank you mama.

We walked to TG&Y and bought socks, underwear, toothbrushes and candy and a jigsaw puzzle and paint for the front door.

Pralines

February


3 c. light brown sugar
1/4 t. cream of tartar
dash salt
1 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
2 1/4 c. pecan halves

In saucepan pecans,, mix sugar, cream of tartar, salt and milk. Melt over lo heat until sugar is dissolved. Cook to a soft ball stage, then cool to luke warm. Add vanilla and beat until creamy. Drop by spoons onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm.

There is a fine art to packing brown sugar. Simply add 2 tablespoons to your measured amount.