May 23 is National Taffy Day

Does anyone remember taffy pulls? No? Actually I don't remember having any either. But I do remember reading about them and thinking how fun they sounded. My most vivid memory is the Taffy Pulling story from a Raggedy Ann and Andy story book. Boy did that sound like fun!

Well, here's your chance to make a few fun taffy pulling memories of your own.. May 23 is National Taffy day. 
What is taffy? According to Wikipedia:
"Taffy is a type of chewy candy. Taffy is made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and coloring until fluffy. When this process is complete, the taffy is rolled, cut into small pastel-colored pieces and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft."

An interesting video about taffy making and pulling.



Try this old-fashioned taffy recipe from the 1920's

• Two cups granulated sugar
• one-half cup water
• two tablespoonfuls vinegar
• one tablespoonful butter
• one teaspoonful vanilla
• one-half teaspoonful cream of tartar
• Cup of cold water for testing the candy
• Well buttered cookie sheet or platter
• Wax paper
• Scissors

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan with a heavy bottom, cook the first 5 ingredients.
2. Stir with a wooden spoon over a low heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Increase the heat, and cook without stirring until the mixture begins to boil.
4. Watch carefully so that it does not burn.
5. Test readiness by dropping a few drops of the mixture in cold water.
6. If the drops crack then the mixture is ready.
7. Take the taffy off the heat add the cream of tartar and pour onto the buttered cookie sheet.
8. Let the mixture cool before you start pulling.
9. When the taffy is cool enough, grease the your hands with butter.
10. Give each child a lump of taffy to pull or they can pull a piece between them.
11. Pull and stretch the taffy until it is light and slightly firm.
12. Using scissors, cut stretched candy into bite-size pieces.
13. When completely cool, wrap each piece in waxed paper.

Hmm....a recipe for Salt Water Taffy

Wow!! Today is Pacman's 30th Birthday!

Okay is there anyone who didn't loooooove playing Pacman when it came out?
Of course not!! I mean it was sooo cool and so much fun! I'm not into computer games but I really liked pacman. I don't know about you guys but I used to get so angry with those darn ghosts!
Oooo, I wonder what the birthday is of my other fave game.....Pong. Now that was a fun game.

Be sure to check out Googles homepage today. They have a really cool playable pacman game in the shape of the words Google. You can also find the google pacman game at this link.

May 14 is National Chicken Dance Day!!!

"There ain't nobody here but us chickens....."


I'll bet you didn't know this.....May 14th is National Chicken Dance Day!
That's right! It's the day officially, well maybe unofficially, put aside to do that ever popular at weddings dance... The Chicken Dance.

You say you've never done or seen the chicken dance??? Wow! Well, it's obvious that your dance education is sorely lacking. Never fear, I am here (ooo that rhymes) to help you! Well, okay, not just me. I have found a fabulous video made ages ago by , surprise, surprise....Lawrence Welks!
Yep, Lawrence and the gang show you how to do this marvelous dance so that you'll be ready for that next wedding or any other classy occasion!
Happy Dancing....cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck!

Happy Mothers Day and Happy Lost Sock Memorial Day, too

I hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day!!
And, no, I did not make up the Lost Sock Memorial Day....it was probably made up by a group of Mother;s who were annoyed by all of the socks that get lost in the washer and the dryer. I'm not sure which machine actually eats them.
Anyway, y'all have a good day!!

National Nutty Fudge Day

 Whoopee!!
Wednesday, May 12 is National Nutty Fudge Day.
Truthfully, I'm kinda so-so about fudge but still any day with a sugary dessert as the star is a good day.
I really don't know the mechanics of fudge nor the history of it. Thank goodness for Wiki!
If you want that kind of info here's the link: Fudge .

Okay, now that the educational stuff is out of the way, here are 3 delicious and varied fudge recipes......

Chocolate Pistachio Fudge (recipe is from Nigella Express/Food Network)

• 12 ounces 70 percent dark chocolate, chopped or 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 (14-ounce) can condensed milk
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup shelled pistachios

Directions

1. Melt the chopped chocolate, condensed milk and salt in a heavy based pan on a low heat.
2. Put the nuts into a freezer bag and bash them with a rolling pin, until broken up into both big and little pieces.
3. Add the nuts to the melted chocolate and condensed milk and stir well to mix.
4. Pour this mixture into a 9-inch square foil tray, smoothing the top.
5. Let the fudge cool and then refrigerate until set. 
6. Cut the fudge into squares.

Mocha Nut Fudge

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

 Directions:

1. In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, milk and corn syrup. 
2. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil; boil for 2 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips, vanilla and coffee granules with a wooden spoon.
4. Continue stirring until mixture is smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. 
5. Stir in walnuts.
6. Shape into two 9-in. logs; wrap each in plastic wrap.
7. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. 
8. Unwrap and cut into slices.  

Maple Nut Fudge

• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup genuine maple syrup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter, maple syrup, milk, and miniature marshmallows; cook, stirring occasionally, until the candy or digital thermometer reaches 235 degrees F. or until it forms a soft ball when a little of the mixture is dropped in cold water. 
3. Remove from heat.
4. Let cool to 115 degrees F; add nuts and vanilla extract. 
5. With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat until mixture loses its gloss and starts to harden around edge of saucepan. 
6. Pour into prepared baking dish. 
7. Cool completely.
8. Cut into squares.