Big Bowls Of Snowy White Fluff!

Rasmussen Family traditions 101 would probably begin with this big, huge, giant silver bowl! Nearly every day for an after school snack, I would fill this bowl full of the snowy white fluffy goodness called popcorn. My kids loved it! They would put the giant bowl full of popcorn on the floor in front of the TV to watch Duck Tales, gather tightly around it, and start munching their way to the bottom. Usually a little tiff or two would ensue when someone's hand got in the way or someone tried to rub their popcorn across the bottom of the bowl to scoop up a little extra butter and salt... not to mention someone sneaking in and stealing the old maids (half popped kernels) that lie at the bottom of the bowl in all their glory. This was a fabulous after school tradition that gathered the kids in from a long day of school to just share a moment and be together. I actually think more popcorn ended up on the floor that in their mouths...it was a feeding frenzy! On Sundays the big bowl would magically transform the yummy white fluffy stuff, into a joyful treat dredged in caramel. It was one of our favorite Sunday treats! During the fall season we would add a few candy corns and even make popcorn balls to share with the neighbors. This yummy caramel popcorn ball recipe started back with my mom when we were growing up. Each week we would gather in our kitchen to make this yummy snack to sell at a local drive through called the "Pit Stop" If I remember right, I think we sold them during the summer for 10 cents each. Such a fond memory! Every time I make them the memories come bubbling back... I smell them, I taste them! Ahhhh, life just wouldn't be complete without them!

Here's the recipe for Stubbs Family Popcorn Balls "Pit Stop Drive Through Style"
2-1/4 Cups Brown Sugar
1 Cup Karo Syrup
1 Cube Margarine
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 LARGE SILVER BOWL FULL OF POPPED SNOWY WHITE FLUFFY STUFF (popcorn)

Combine brown sugar, Karo syrup,and margarine together in a medium saucepan. Bring to softball stage. Remove from heat and add sweetened condensed milk. Stir and mix well. Return to heat and bring again to soft ball stage (till it bubbles like the hot pots at Yellowstone Natl. Park!) stirring constantly. Pour over the large bowl of snowy white fluffy stuff in the big silver bowl. Eat right out of the bowl while watching Duck Tales or Looney Tunes Cartoons or make into popcorn balls, eat some and share some with your neighbors!