this pink rooster

I love fall, and have such lovely fall memories! Halloween was a very special time when my children were young, and we'll never forget the fun costumes I made for them each year. This year my grandson, Timothy, wore the very devil costume that I made for his Daddy so many years ago. It's a moment I truly treasure!
I have wonderful memories of watching my daughter in junior high and high school bands marching through countless parades and of cheering for my son's pee wee and school football teams. A Facebook friend posted recently about waiting for the local high school's homecoming parade to start, and I remembered like it was yesterday my husband and I driving football and and FFA "floats." What seemed like a million miles driving then are a million wonderful memories now.
I also fell in love with my husband during a beautiful fall more than 30 years ago. After several weeks of dating (which you know means you're in a serious relationship when you're 17) I was over the moon to be invited to his Grandparents' home for Thanksgiving dinner. I was so NERVOUS, and believe it or not I still remember what I wore! (I won't go into the dirty details, but suffice it to say it was definitely a reflection of 1979! hehe!) After an amazing Thanksgiving feast everyone gathered in the living room, and Grandma brought out a huge bowl containing her delicious homemade caramel corn. Oh, how I loved that caramel corn, and I still do. Each fall I make it at least once, and this year I'm sharing this special treat with a couple of good friends!  Here it is, all packaged up and ready to go, and you'll find the recipe below.

I had so much fun making this tag with PTI's Gobble, Gobble stamp set and the coordinating die.  I guess I kind of turned him into a "Button Bit" by putting the button on his tummy!  I cut the die with thin cork and added cardstock to make his feathers bright and fun.
I'm also sharing the wonderful card I received from Cindy Holshouser in PTI's fall swap.  I got this card some time ago and have just now been able to photograph it to share.  Sorry for the tardiness, Cindy, but thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful card!  I love it!

Grandma Plote's Caramel Corn

7 1/2 quarts (30 cups) popped corn
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

In large sauce pan bring to a boil brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt.  Boil , stirring constantly, for 5-6 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla (it will foam and bubble). Pour over popcorn and stir to coat well.  Bake on a large baking sheet (I use a huge shallow pan) for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes.  Cool and enjoy!

God Bless.

Supplies:

(All supplies are PTI unless otherwise noted)
Stamps - Gobble, Gobble
Paper - Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunset, Orange Zest, Distressed Dots
Ink - Chai Tea Dye, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunset, Orange ZestOther - Vintage Buttons, Cork, Tag Sale 1 and Gobble, Gobble Dies, Dark Chocolate Twine, booglie eyes (Michael's), Distressing Tool and 5/8" Real Red Ribbon (SU!)