Peanut Brittle and Movie Monday

I'm feeling Christmasy! We got the lights on the house hooked up from last year, and they look great! I put up a few lights inside, and played with chocolate while listening to Christmas music! Now I'm writing to you and watching the old stop motion Rudolph! Please tell me you have seen this! Yes, it's old, but it's such a classic! I can't do without it each year. I have to hear "Holly Jolly Christmas" (and maybe sing along), and see the island of misfit toys! If you haven't seen this, it's a must! 

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We didn't really watch many other movies this week. Just two.

Movie Monday

Better off Dead- This is a 1985 John Cusack movie. That should be all you need to know! His girlfriend dumps him, and he spends his time either trying to kill himself, or thinking of ways to get her back. It was pretty bad, but definitely funny, and very '80's. Fun to see once.

Princess of thieves- This was terrible. If we hadn't been so tired, I'm not sure that we would have watched the whole thing. Keira Knightley plays Robin Hoods daughter. She wants to show her absent father that she's as good as a son, so she dresses like a boy and follows him on his adventures. Terrible acting in general, less than fantastic costumes, very predictable and simple story line. I could have skipped this one, and you should too!

Ready for another candy recipe? This one just comes from good old Betty Crocker. My husband loves peanut brittle, so we tend to have it every year. I made a big batch to sell at the craft fair too! There's not much to it, and it has such a great flavor!

Peanut Brittle

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp water

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 cup light corn syrup

3 Tbs butter

1 pound shelled unroasted peanuts

Butter 2 cookie sheets (or use a silpat). Mix baking soda, 1 tsp water and the vanilla: reserve. Mix sugar, 1 cup water and the corn syrup in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over edium heat, stirring occasionaly, to 240* on candy thermometer (or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water). 

Stir in butter and peanuts. Cook, stirring constantly, to 300* (or until small amount of misture dropped into very cold water separates into threads that are hard and brittle).

 Watch carefully so mixture does not burn. Immediately remove from heat: stir in baking soda mixture (it will bubble a bit, so be careful!). 

Pour half of the candy mixture onto each cookie sheet and quickly spread about 1/4 inch thick: cool. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

You should probably taste some. Immediately. Not to say that's what I did...but it could be. Or I could have tasted a lot of it. Whatever. 

What was left after the tasting got packaged up for the craft fair.

It was one of my best sellers at the last one, and I'm hoping people will like it this weekend too!

Well, Rudolph just ended, and this post is over too! Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, and a good night!