Rainy day, popcorn day.

It has been raining on and off for a couple days and the ground is wet, the mood is high, and the air is soft. So I do what is right under those circumstances (as well as almost any other circumstance.) I make popcorn. Today it was plain popcorn cooked in light olive oil in my new Stir Crazy machine, a simple machine bought after being coveted for almost 6 years. A hearty sprinkle of fine popcorn salt and it was perfect. Popcorn is a food that never loses its appeal for me. Must be genetic since my sisters and son are the same - all popcorn, all the time. I've almost got my husband on the bandwagon, too. He likes his coated in caramel but is coming around to salted, buttered, or cheesed. Still raining, corn is ready. Anyone for a game of hearts?

A little ditty about summer festival food...

Oh, curly fries, how I love your greasy starchiness. Oh, funnel cake, your powdered sugar sticks to my fingers and your fatty batter sticks to my ribs. And speaking of ribs, pulled brisket, smoked chicken, bbq sauce, "Smoke Something" t-shirts, meat of all varieties on a stick - what festival would be the same without you? Snow cones, your red yellow green purple blue bright pink colors are shocking and delightful. Who can resist salty popcorn, sweet roasted nuts, cloud puff soft cotton candy, plastic delicious liquid nacho cheese? Not I. Damp fresh smell of roasted corn on the cob, charred smell of teriyaki sauce on a grill, sour pickle smell of hot dogs in their doughy gummy buns. Mmmmm, outdoor summer fair food.