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
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
dianesdangles
Red Faceted Glass and White Snowball Holiday Christmas Beaded Earrings
jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy
Hand Knit Ruffle Scarf Ladies Elegant Red Victorian Style Neck Warmer
RockNBeads
Red Jasper Mini Cleopatra Collar Fan 13pc Bead Set
Covergirlbeads
Red Flint Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads Silver Jewelry Supplies 653gfs
hollyknittercreations
Ravishing Red and Glittery Gold Hand Knit Specialty Scarf
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
jnldesigns
Red, White, and Silver Interchangeable Watchband
RSSDesignsInFiber
Basket in Red and Green Geometric Stitch - Winter Color Decor OOAK
ShadowDogDesigns
Santa Christmas Earrings Swarovski Crystal Sterling Handmade Siam Red
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
Wyverndesigns
Black and Red Flower Stretch Bracelet
Crystal and Lampwork Beaded Red and White Bracelet - Artisan Jewelry - Valentines Jewelry - Crystal Lips Bracelet
KatsAllThat
Moroccan Red Leather and Miyuki Red Mix Seed Bead Cuff Bracelet
Thesingingbeader
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
Start your Christmas in July shopping now!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
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
ReplyDeleteKettle 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!
ReplyDeleteThese 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.
ReplyDeleteRED!!!! 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.
ReplyDeleteYum, 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!!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThat 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!
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteHot 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great recipe, this great promotion of pretties and for including my bracelet...Merry Christmas in July!
ReplyDeleteNeat 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!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like kettle corn! I shall try that recipe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including my ladybug banner in your great post!