Salted Honey Butter Pop Corn

I guess we all survived the Mayan Apocalypse, which is good because I wasn’t looking forward to giving birth in a post-apocalyptic world…or dying. And hopefully everyone had a great Christmas, too! I know I enjoyed visiting my family in Idaho (even though I had to fly back to Ohio on Christmas Day). Two big things happened to me since my last post (and I contribute my lack of posting over the holidays to these two things.) First, I crossed a line in my pregnancy. That line between energetic with a cute round belly and completely huge and uncomfortable. I have had a comparably easy pregnancy and I haven’t minded being pregnant one bit, until I crossed that line. It seemed like almost overnight my belly doubled in size, I sprouted an insane amount of stretch marks, and my whole body aches. I only have 6 weeks left until my due date and I am now ready to face labor. I think you have to hit the point where you are completely uncomfortable and live with it for while before you are ready to face the fear of labor and delivery. I have hit the point where getting her out sounds much better than keeping her in.

The second big thing that happened to me is that I got a sewing machine for Christmas! This is a big deal. My husband picked out a really cool computerized Janome (DC1050) with 50 stitches, told me that he believes in me and my abilities to learn something new and be creative, and patiently took me to three different craft stores to pick out some fabric and special scissors. I was so surprised by this present and shocked that he would take such and expensive risk on me, because up until now I have only ever sewn one item with lots of help and supervision. Let me tell you, I have been obsessed with my sewing machine and haven’t even put a thought into cooking . I have been reading different blogs and tutorials online and planning out all the cool things I want to learn how to sew. Make It and Love It is a great blog full of tutorials for beginners. Yesterday, I proudly finished my first solo sewing project. A flannel receiving blanket. And although it is just two squares of fabric and the top stitch is horribly uneven in one section, I am incredibly proud of myself!!! Between my new sewing machine and my “new” body, I haven’t touched a pot or pan since Christmas. Thanks for being patient.

But I thought I should leave you with one final recipe for the year 2012. I consider it a proper New Years Eve recipe for a couple reasons. 1) Popcorn pops and explodes like fireworks. 2) Popcorn kind of looks like snow. 3) It’s a good treat to share at a party. 4) It is sweet, but far healthier than most sweets, just incase you are getting a head start on some of those healthy eating resolutions. 5) It tastes like warm corn bread drizzled with honey butter, which sounds so cozy on a blizzardy day like today. 6) You can stay in your PJ’s until right before tonight’s party because it only takes 5 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. pop corn kernels
• 2 TBSP. butter, melted
• 2 TBSP. honey
• salt to taste

Directions:

1. Air pop the pop corn kernels. If you don’t have an air popper, pop them on the stove. If you decided to use a microwave packet (only do this as a last resort), make sure it isn’t buttered or salted. You want to be in control of your own flavoring. If all you have it a buttered microwave packet, add the honey first and then taste to see if it needs additional butter and salt.

2. Melt the butter in a microwavable bowl. Add the honey and microwave for about 20 more seconds. Stir together. Drizzle honey butter over the popcorn and toss (I like to use salad tongs to toss around the pop corn) so all the popcorn is evenly coated.

3. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Stop salting when it tastes like warm corn bread spread with honey butter. If you add too much salt the flavor will be overwhelming and you wont be able to taste the honey. If you add too much salt, just pop a little more pop corn and add to the mix. You can also drizzle on more honey butter if you like.

Goodbye 2012. Welcome 2013. See you all next year!!!