An Ode to Popcorn 1

An ode to popcorn

Because sometimes you just have to talk about something that you love that is light, crunchy and delicious.

As a kind of introduction to the silly season here is a silly post. All about popcorn. Because sometimes you just have to talk about something that you love that is light, crunchy and delicious.

I might have lived on popcorn a little bit when I was a student. I might still favour reading a book and eating popcorn as one of my go-to self -care strategies. My children might often beg for caramel popcorn and I almost never make it as it is deadly, people. Deadly. Once a year treat only.

But I will share my *Canadian friend Karen’s recipe here anyway…

Popcorn is ridiculously cheap for how much joy it brings. Except for when you buy it at the movies, in which case it’s the most expensive food purchase you could ever make because of the million rand markup. (Well, you know, almost).

I use popcorn from time to time in play therapy sessions. It is always wildly successful!

Warning: possibly a controversial, triggering opinion (fact) about to be expressed. Popcorn should be homemade from the kernels – not popped in a paper bag in the microwave, nor should it be purchased from the shops in a ready popped form, enclosed in a foil bag. Shiver me timbers!! (As my *Australian friend Jen would say). No!

How do you make it the old traditional way, you ask? Here’s my recipe…

If you want a snack to keep to yourself, unfortunately popcorn is not it because it smells delicious and goes everywhere. The lesson is, popcorn is for sharing so make enough!

Popcorn crafts!

This looks like a fun one to try for Christmas, a popcorn and cranberry garland. (Hang in there, the school holidays are almost around the corner!)

The popcorn games!

I don’t know what it’s called but have you ever had a contest where you try to see how many pieces of popcorn you can catch in your mouth – no hands! Either you play by yourself, throwing it into the air and catching it in your mouth, or you can get a partner to throw it to you.

See how long you can balance a piece of popcorn on your nose.

Play popcorn “chubby bunny”. See how much popcorn you can stuff into your mouth and still say “chubby bunny”. Warning: this is a bit gross to watch and don’t let your kids spray wet popcorn all over the place when they can’t hold it in anymore. Also, clearly not Covid friendly…

Hours of fun when the Summer rains are falling, as if often our reality here in the beautiful KZN midlands!

I hope you get to enjoy some popcorn, play and fun this weekend!

*Please read asterisked portions above in the appropriate accent. Thank you.

 

 

Endings

1 December 2024 It has been a week of lasts for our family as our youngest child finished primary school. I am struggling to process these words as I type them. We no longer have a kid in primary school. We will no longer be returning to Clifton Notties as parents. It’s crazy. Clifton Notties…

Read More

The ability to respond

23 November 2024 David Whyte, an Irish poet says that the word responsibility means “the ability to respond”. He says that we (adults) have made responsibility a heavy burden; all the things that we have to lug around and take care of, we think about work, home and financial responsibilities. We think about our responsibility…

Read More

Introducing a small project with mighty results.

15 November 2024 On any given weekday afternoon, you can arrive at Ethembeni’s Family Centre in Mpophomeni, the home of the Education Support programme (Ed Support) and find between 60 and 70 children ages 5 to 21 years engaged in meaningful academic activities. Facilitators are trusted, caring adults who lead small groups of about 15…

Read More

Good Enough

1 November It’s the first day of the second to last day of the year, how are you? Let’s all just take a deep breath. NICE! I admit to borrowing liberally from someone else’s post today, and it’s just too good not to share. Peter Gray is a Research Psychologist and neuroscientist at Boston College.…

Read More

Am I the problem?

25 October 2024 I don’t take lightly the fact that dozens of parents each year take the step to make an appointment with me and talk about the need for play therapy for their child. For some, this can be an incredibly vulnerable space. Perhaps because of the turmoil they’re going through. Perhaps because it’s…

Read More

Four Harms of a screen-based childhood: Learning from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

18 October 2024 As promised in my post a few weeks ago, I am unpacking some of my learning from reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In chapter 5 of the book he looks at 4 major harms caused by social media, online gaming and increased screen-based childhood in general. The four harms are social deprivation,…

Read More

Mental Health Awareness Month: Spotlight on Men

11 October 2024 It is Mental Health Awareness Month in October. The Masiviwe project has produced a video highlighting men’s mental health. One of the men interviewed states: “If you’re a man, you don’t cry. The question is; if you’re going through pain, where do you go? In your childhood you used to cry. Today,…

Read More

On Not Being Polite

4 October 2024   I have been telling my children recently when not to be polite. Don’t let people walk all over you – if sports is a metaphor for life… On the sports field, don’t be polite. You don’t say “please” when trying to get the ball away from your opponent. One hockey match, I…

Read More

Awe

27 September 2024 We spent part of the holiday in a cottage in a wood (literally) and got happily snowed in (literally), but only for 24 hours. For a family like ours, born and bred in mostly the sub-tropical parts of South Africa, the snow was a delightful, awe-inspiring experience. We saw the snow forecast…

Read More

Make PLAY your family heritage

20 September 2024 Hey South Africans, happy Michaelmas holiday! During this quick 10 day break, on Tuesday 24 September in South Africa we celebrate Heritage Day (also known as Braai Day!) On this day, we celebrate heritage and culture; who we are, where we come from and what we value. The South African braai is…

Read More