the perfect popcorn ball

At times like this, I wish that Miss Kat could find my digital camera. It was last seen in her bedroom. It is probably laying next to my new tube of mascara and with my eyeliner. The three will probably never be seen again.

But, IF I had my digital camera, I would take a picture of my box of goodies that our friend, Sharon brought us. (And, by us I really mean me.)

Sharon brought us (me) 45-ish popcorn balls.

The day before she arrived, she and her parents had made 175. I'm not sure just why exactly I didn't get all 175. She said something about sharing them with her co-workers, but I think she really didn't want to make me look like a pig.

I know her parents were making several hundred more for trick-or-treaters, so there's no reason I couldn't have been the recipient of the first 175 popcorn balls.

You are probably wondering just what could be so special about these popcorn balls.

I'll tell you.

They are the world's best. Not to sticky, not to sweet, they melt in your mouth, they are chewy but not too chewy, firm, but not hard.

The ingredients include:

• popcorn--air popped
• butter--real butter, not margarine
• dark Corn Syrup
• sugar
• sour cream

Sour Cream is the secret ingredient. It cuts that super sticky sweetness and gives a hint of creaminess to the popcorn balls. I'm not positive, but I've been told that the Sour Cream also cancels out all the calories...

Being the nice person I am, I gave my Mom--who loves popcorn balls--13 of them. I've let my son, Andy, eat 2 or 3. That leaves 30 or so for me (cause Kev knows better than to eat one, and Miss Kat hates them.) If I ration myself, they'll last till Christmas. Who am I kidding. I'll be lucky if they last till Thanksgiving.

I have the recipe. Sharon's mom wrote it out once for me--on the back of a deposit slip, when we were both standing in line at the grocery store. I could make more for myself, but Sharon and her parents are professionals. They are popcorn ball artists. Masters of Popcorn ball college.

Besides, I don't own an air popper...

Thanks Sharon, Fritz and Denny...they are wonderful as usual and I'm enjoying every single one!