Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Let’s String Some Kettle Corn!

Ah, July.

July means we are half way through the year, and while in some places the heat makes it hard to think about Christmas, many places bring out their holly and lights and trumpet a “Christmas in July” sale. According to Wikipedia, the actual source of the holiday frenzy is attributed to many sources. Some say that it comes from an opera where children rehearse Christmas songs in July which prompts an astute observer to quip that when you sing about Christmas in July, you rush the season.

Others, probably closer to the mark, have attributed the “Christmas in July” to the simple fact that there are no marketing opportunities from July 4 in the United States and July 1 for Canada Day until September’s Labor Day for both countries. That means a long, hot summer with no promotional opportunities. So, let’s make one up!

For others, July means fairs, picnics and carnivals. Rodeos, street fairs, craft fairs and in Butte, Montana, Evel Knievel Days. No matter what your fair or carnival preference, one thing is certain, there will be cotton candy and kettle corn. As a new devotee of kettle corn, a found recipe is now a favorite of mine. Here is the recipe in its entirety and comes compliments of Allrecipes.com :

Kettle Corn

image

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ready In: 20 Minutes

Servings: 5

"White sugar makes the Kettle Corn taste like popcorn balls. Use brown sugar and it will taste like caramel corn."

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels

Directions:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the sugar and popcorn.

Cover, and shake the pot constantly to keep the sugar from burning.

Once the popping has slowed to once every 2 to 3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat and continue to shake for a few minutes until the popping has stopped.

Pour into a large bowl, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to break up large clumps.

For caramel corn lovers, substitute brown sugar for the white sugar.

Celebrate Christmas in July

Since we are celebrating Christmas in July, here are some awesome gifts that you should pick up now. When you buy handmade gifts, you need to buy them when you see them. Handmade gifts go quickly, and they are often not repeated by the seller, which makes them truly one of a kind.

PrettyGonzo

Red Coral Pearl Bracelet Crystals Swarovski, Handmade Beaded Jewelry

Red Coral Pearl Bracelet Crystals Swarovski, Handmade Beaded Jewelry

dianesdangles

Red Faceted Glass and White Snowball Holiday Christmas Beaded Earrings

Red Faceted Glass and White Snowball Holiday Christmas Beaded Earrings

jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Hand Knit Ruffle Scarf Ladies Elegant Red Victorian Style Neck Warmer

Elegant Victorian style Hand knit Harvest Red Ruffle edge Ladies Scarf

RockNBeads

Red Jasper Mini Cleopatra Collar Fan 13pc Bead Set

Red Jasper Mini Cleopatra Collar Fan 13pc Bead Set

Covergirlbeads

    Red Flint Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads Silver Jewelry Supplies 653gfs

    Red Flint Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads Silver Jewelry Supplies 653gfs

    hollyknittercreations

    Ravishing Red and Glittery Gold Hand Knit Specialty Scarf

    Ravishing Red and Gold Hand Knit Specialty Scarf

    postcardsintheattic

    Antique Postcard "Remember Me" Design Copyrighted Only 1912 by Heymann Rose in Gold Gild Frame

    Antique Postcard "Remember Me" Design Copyrighted Only 1912 by Heymann Rose in Gold Gild Frame

    SewAmazin

      Puppy Dog Paisley Coffee Cup Cozy, Cold Drink Wrap, Sleeve, Red White

      Puppy Dog Paisley Coffee Cup Cozy Cold Drink Wrap, Sleeve, Red White

      jnldesigns

      Red, White, and Silver Interchangeable Watchband

      Red, White, and Silver Interchangable  Watchband

      RSSDesignsInFiber

        Basket in Red and Green Geometric Stitch - Winter Color Decor OOAK

        Basket in Red & Green Geometric Stitch - Winter Color Decor OOAK

        ShadowDogDesigns

        Santa Christmas Earrings Swarovski Crystal Sterling Handmade Siam Red

        Santa Christmas Earrings Swarovski Crystal Sterling Handmade Siam Red

         

        BlueMorningExpressions

        Red Rose Bracelet with White Beads Swarovski Crystals Handmade Polymer Clay

        adorebynat

        Cute as a Bug Ladybug Birthday Party Banner in Red White Polka Dot

        Ladybug Birthday Party Banner in Red and White Polka Dot

        Wyverndesigns

          Black and Red Flower Stretch Bracelet

          Black and Red Flower Stretch Bracelet

          klassyjoolz

          Crystal and Lampwork Beaded Red and White Bracelet - Artisan Jewelry - Valentines Jewelry - Crystal Lips Bracelet

          Crystal and Lampwork Beaded Red and White Bracelet - Artisan Jewelry - Valentines Jewelry - Crystal Lips Bracelet Mickey Mouse - Minny Mouse

          KatsAllThat

          Moroccan Red Leather and Miyuki Red Mix Seed Bead Cuff Bracelet

          Moroccan Red Leather and Miyuki Red Mix Seed Bead Cuff Bracelet

          Thesingingbeader

          Stretch Bracelet Bright Dark Cherry Opaque Red Czech Small 6 Wrist

          Stretch bracelet bright dark cherry opaque red Czech small 6 wrist

          SolanaKaiDesigns

          Jasmine Nights Earrings with Clear Swarovski Crystals, Red and Black Glass, and Silver Plated Pewter

          Jasmine Nights Earrings with Clear Swarovski Crystals, Red and Black Glass, and Silver Plated Pewter

           

          Start your Christmas in July shopping now!

          Enjoy,

          Julie and Blu

          12 comments:

          1. That kettle corn sure sounds good! And the abundance of beautiful red items for sale will make Christmas in July shopping easy! Thanks so much, Julie and Blu. Sharing.... - Connie - The Singing Beader

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          2. Kettle corn is so delicious, lovely selection of gifts for this Christmas in July celebration, thank you for including my snowball and red glass earrings, Sharing!

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          3. These lovely gift ideas look even more delicious than your wonderful kettle corn popped corn! Beautiful selection and thanks for including my red flint lampwork beads.

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          4. RED!!!! My favorite color, so I'm reveling in all the fabulous items you found for this blog post, Julie. Thank you for including my Santa earrings (although I need to take new photos - I shudder every time I look at the wire wrapping - LOL!). Seamus says he would love to share some kettle korn with Blu, but only the kind made with brown sugar (: Thanks again. Will share far and wide.

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          5. Yum, that kettle corn with brown sugar sounds delicious! And all of these red items are delicious too! Although I'm with Catherine, I shudder looking at that photo of my earrings. It is one of the last on my site that I need to redo. Photography, the bane of my existence! But I digress. Beautiful blog, Julie. Thank you! Sharing!!

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          6. I love kettle corn and that recipe might tempt me to try and make some myself. Your choices for this Christmas in July post are wonderful. The reds really pop and are not only for Christmas. Thanks for including my black and red flower bracelet amongst the other fabulous items. Will share!

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          7. That kettle corn recipe certainly sounds good - and has me hankering for a treat! :) Thanks so much for this promotion, Julie and beautiful Blu! Such gorgeous picks. Thanks for including my bracelet with all these red beauties. Will be sharing!

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          8. Oh yum! Now I feel like some kettle corn. I'll save your recipe to try sometime. I like the red handmade goodies you've chosen to highlight for Christmas in July.

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          9. Hot hot red for Christmas in July! Thank you Julie for the great blog post and featuring my Moroccan red bracelet. Off to promote these hot reds.

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          10. Thanks for the great recipe, this great promotion of pretties and for including my bracelet...Merry Christmas in July!

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          11. Neat article, Julie! I totally agree with your point, "Handmade gifts go quickly..."! That is one of the reasons I think "Christmas In July" is a good idea - letting people know NOW what you have available for Gifts is a good idea - I know people who shop all year long for the Holidays and Significant Occasions in their life. -- And sometimes there is just not the time, at the last minute, to make something over for someone after they've seen something they would like to buy, but has already sold - I have had that happen! Thanks for featuring my Red and Green Handmade Basket with a matching Ornament!

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          12. Oh, I like kettle corn! I shall try that recipe.
            Thank you for including my ladybug banner in your great post!

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