Popcorn Disaster

Hello
Firstly, welcome to Bridget and Jamex, new followers and Lancashire Food, Linda and Sally on Blog Lovin. I am really pleased to see you here and look forward to hearing from you.

Just before Christmas I thought it would be fun to make popcorn with YGD and string it up on the tree. BUT ... my hand-cranked  popcorn maker has broken ! The spindley thingy that stirs the popcorn and the coggy thingy that turns it have come apart irrevocably ( and believe me if they could be mended D. would have done it!)  It was bought for me by a colleague from one of those television shopping channels over 10 years ago and I love it. It is not dependent on electricity, so you can use whatever heat source you have and it makes some pretty mean popcorn. Looking on the interweb, the company Theaker is from Indiana and doesn't seem to deal with the UK.
Here is a picture  -

So, bloggy friends. Does anyone know who does a similar machine? There are plenty of electric popcorn makers out there, but I really don't want an electric one.

Also in the picture above is the last Crown Prince winter squash, some of which as gone into a cockerel curry with some passata,  potatoes and onions  - A  totally home grown meal, apart form the spices !

The last pathetic parsnips are there too, but nothing to boast about there.

One of the presents I received this Christmas ( and I reckon I will be talking about what I received until June, I had so many things bought me!) that was Brilliant was from EGD.. some large marker pins. She knew that I wanted some and that I had coveted some I had seen on some crafty blog ( wish I could remember where) I always use a pin cushion and felt that these needed there very own. I cut a circle of fabric and covered a lump of foam with it. I then shoved this into the old heavy cut glass inkwell base that I often use when working with small items, such as beads. I am so pleased with the result as it is very sturdy and serves to hold stuff down as well if needed. Aren't they beautiful little things?

Tonight we are having  paprika potatoes, turned into a stewy thing with some corned beef. We already had some with a lentil bake and there was lots left so it has reinvented itself tonight with the addition of the corned beef. With some cabbage it will be extremely tasty. The recipe is from Frugalmummy at "My Beautiful Life" blog. Thanks FM x

Enough for now dear fellow bloggers. Off to do the last three blocks of EGD's quilt and then... putting it together!!

Quite a few of you who read this blog come from the US. I'm sending you love and positive, warm thoughts. Keep safe and warm in those dreadful ice and snow storms you are having.

Nice to hear from you Lizzie. I haven't seen you in blogland for some time. keep safe x

Gillx