Pediatrics is my professional world and we are on a medical campus so…it will be mixing business with pleasure!
Yes to popcorn balls! Back in the late 60s-early 70s our house was known for my mom’s homemade caramel popcorn balls. I remember sitting at the table and helping my mom unwrap all those tiny cubes of caramel, then helping with the wrapping of the finished product.
My mother used to make special treat bags for the neighborhood kids with popcorn balls and other candies in a little bag. That would probably get her arrested now…I just give the local kids a double handful of whatever bland treats I’ve purchased.
I wanted to be the “cool house” that gave out full sized treats until I priced them on my visit to Big Box Store yesterday. Mini treats it is, to the diminishing number of intrepid trick or treaters.
Pixie stix and fun dip
Are all your lawns and home entrances decorated? I had a coworker that turned his front yard into a cemetary for Halloween. I need to carve a pumpkin for a contest. Need to look up some interesting carving ideas.
A coule f weeks ago, I put up my Halloween flag. Also, some window decorating, and lots of witches and pumpkins on the furniture in living room. I don’t decorate like in former years, but the flag and front light lets families know I’m home. Carving a pumpkin is way too much work.
If we get 3 sets of trick-or-treaters that’s a big year. Started giving out bags of chips because then we have the rest of the 24 pack (or 36 pack) for lunches. We live in a traditional neighborhood but there aren’t a lot of kids and the ones we do have tend to go to parties or the malls or merchants.
When my kids were little there was a neighborhood set of shops by their school and EVERYONE was there. They started when it was still light out so everyone could see, with the street blocked off to traffic. Then we’d go to the nuns’ house and they’d give out holy cards. Then we’d go to the priest’s house and he’d give them free homework passes.
^^^^Homework passes - WINNING. 
Decorating. I have a “multilevel” grouping of mums, pumpkins and a couple of other still great looking flower pots on the front porch. A little on the back deck - really more fall decorating than strictly Halloween. Same for inside.
I’ll never forget breaking one sweet little girl’s heart by accident…
I was doing political canvassing in a nearby state on Halloween (which, as always, was a few days before the national election). I rang one doorbell and was greeted by a mom and a toddler of 2 and a half or 3 with a bowl of candy as big as she was. I thought it would be inappropriate for me to take candy meant for children, so I said “No, thank you,” and the little girl instantly burst into tears and started wailing. Her mom explained, “She’s been waiting all day for someone to ring the doorbell so she could give them candy.” I said, “Oh no! I’m sorry! Trick or treat! I’d love some candy! Would you please share your candy?” But the kid was already over the edge, sobbing.
I don’t think I helped my candidate at that house…
I had never heard of popcorn balls as particularly affiliated with Halloween, but the new The Middle show featured it, so it must be true. Missed out all these years. Never had a popcorn ball at Halloween. Christmas yes, but not Halloween!