This holiday season I decided to revive a long ago tradition for my family. Through most of the forties and into the fifties Amelia Reuschle of Detroit, Michigan would treat her four grandsons. The treat was homemade popcorn balls. She would bring a bag full to each of the five boys who knew her as Gramma. The image given by those who remember her is of a grand woman with steel wool hair who knew what love was all about. My kind of lady, I wish I could have known her.

This was her gift from the heart. Not from the pocketbook or wallet. (Or, these days, should I say credit card?) She made them with her own hands from inexpensive, readily available ingredients. Gramma would turn those ingredients into something special and I am sure it would bring joy to her heart to do it.

That is what I like about the holidays; the traditions and the memories which we hold dear. And it is food we weave in and out of all these traditions and memories. Food, and the aromas that go with our favorites, will stir memories better than many other things. Food also helps us to include those who can no longer be with us. By making a dish or casserole someone else used to make, helps us include them, like they have joined us in our yearly celebrations.

My hope for you my dear reader is for a wonderful holiday of whatever kind you choose. I am planning on having a great time with those people I love the most, my family. I am planning on cooking, sharing and eating a lot of good cooking, too!

Now a little bit about this recipe. I will be honest; I didn't have anything but microwave popcorn on hand. It is my favorite style called kettle corn; I used 2 bags to make this recipe. I know it is not the way Gramma would have done it but it worked well for me. Also be sure to get out the 'old maids' from the popped corn. You know, the un-popped kernels. Put the popped corn into a big bowl and shake well to let the clinkers settle to the bottom of the bowl. Carefully lift of the popped corn and discard the old maids.

You may also want to try adding some peanuts to this recipe!

Boil syrup, sugar and cream of tartar to the stiff ball stage. Add butter and baking soda and quickly pour over popcorn and mix. Cool enough to handle and grease your hands well. Shape into 15 balls. White corn syrup and white sugar make snow white balls.