Sunday, November 26, 2006

It's the little stuff.


I'm sure I've blogged about it before, but it really is the little stuff in life that matters most. Well, with exception of your faith and where you plan to spend eternity, that would be the most important thing, I believe.
But after that, it's really all little stuff; little stuff that's really important and matters- especially in the long run.
Here are a couple of pictures of Chip and the kids sitting around the new popcorn popper that we got. Chip and I had snacked on some popcorn- straight from the air popper a few weeks ago at a restaurant, and we started talking about the memories we had with our own families and popcorn growing up. Each of us recalled having popcorn most often on Sunday nights, with lots of warm, melted butter and salt. We talked about how our kids wouldn't have any idea that popcorn came from anywhere other than the movie theater and the microwave. I have fun memories of popping corn over a fire as a kid when we camped outdoors a couple of times. Or how it was cooked in the 'olden days' on the stove. It was a nostalgic and eventful moment for Chip and I to talk around the air popper that night.
A few days later Chip came home from the store with a new air popper and a bag of corn. I thought it was a terrific idea, and we saved it for Thanksgiving night. Maybe to start a tradition, but also because it was a great day to do a 'family thing'. The kids were all excited when we told them they could watch the popcorn while it popped. Ava was almost a little bit scared of it when it did start! It was fun to watch their eyes light up- over popcorn. Wyndham sat in her spot and signed 'popcorn' all the while it popped. {Funny side note...I am blogging while watching "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and just now, Audrey Hepburn's character was making popcorn and it exploded on the stovetop all over the kitchen counter and floor- while I was posting about popcorn. How's that for coincidence?!}
Anyway, back to my story...
The kids loved the popcorn maker and for sure made a memory of their first time seeing the popcorn pop. We pulled the air popper out again tonight and had popcorn and root beer. It makes me happy to have little memories like this in life- that don't cost that much, that didn't even take us away from home- but that created happiness and love among all of us as a family. I feel very lucky that I was part of a family that created good memories and shared many fun times. I know that Chip had a great childhood too and he appreciates all the lessons and fun he had as well. Now I hope that we are passing on this same good fortune to our kids. It really is the little stuff that makes the biggest difference in life.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have an old stove top crank style popper (like I had when I was a kid), we don't use it often, but our kids can smell the difference when it's being popped and love that popcorn so much more than the microwave variety!

Anonymous said...

What a cool idea! Making memoies for your kids is a very special thing and something to be cherished! We used to have an "air popper" back in the day as well. Before that the "old-fashioned" way. Mico-wave popcorn really doesn't have the same taste.
My memory from childhood is popcorn, but we would also have home-made fudge to eat with it. M-m-m-m-m-m-m/

Anonymous said...

We have an electronics store called Frys by my house. When you exit the store they have an automated air popcorn maker that you can get a fresh batch of air popped popcorn out of. I just had to show this to my kids and they were also amazed watching the popcorn pop and float out of the machine into our little bag. They also liked watching the butter squirt on to the popcorn. I think I will look for a popcorn popper and use it during family night. Thanks for the great idea and helping me rember that the little things really do count and to cherish my family each and every moment.

Anonymous said...

Aly loves to hear stories about what it was like when we were growing up. She thinks everything sounds like it was more fun back when we were kids. I remember the air popper well, and the big yellow bowl on popcorn night-fun, happy times of being together as a family and enjoying each other's company- thanks for the memories:) Will you air-pop us some popcorn when we come and visit? (Or, maybe now I'll have to buy one, too...)

Anonymous said...

You are right!

cara harjes said...

WOW! I never noticed how much Wyndham and your littlest (Ava?) favor each other . . . but you can really tell in these photos!!!
That's neat.

Also, I agree that simple things like popping popcorn will make deep-rooted, sweet memories for your kiddos! I still relish cranking the handle on our popper . . . and coming home from school to share a big salty bowl of popcorn with my mom while we watched Oprah! :)

Anonymous said...

We used to have homemade air popped popcorn and go to the drive in movie theatre with our family. I have great memories too. I would love to have a tradition with my kids to air popped popcorn on Sunday night's with my family. Thanks for the great reminder of what memories we are making or not making for our kids :)

Carrie said...

Popcorn was the only thing we were able to make for ourselves after school. I've been popcorned out for several years now, but seeing your air popper, which is just like the one that my brothers and I used to use, makes me want popcorn!