Exciting News for Popcorn and Nut Lovers

Right across the way from me at the Kane County Flea Market is a Nut Roaster. Not only do we compete for customers, we have competing smells too. One thing I have learned in the past ten years of selling my ReallyGoodPopcorn is that there is enough business for both of us. In fact, many Nut Lovers are also avid popcorn fans and vice-versa. We share many of the same customers - which is why I am so excited to tell you about a new appliance from West Bend, the Kettle Krazy Popcorn Popper and Nut Roaster.

Ideal for the family of snack lovers, whether you love to curl up with a bowl of popcorn and watch movies or roasted nuts to serve to friends on poker night or when watching the big game. This electric popper quickly pops up to 6-quarts of fresh, hot popcorn in minutes or can make up to 3 cups of mall-kiosk-style glazed nuts. Under $40 bucks on Amazon.com, a great Christmas or Hanukkah present.

Busy Weekend coming up!!

Join Sugar Momma's popcorn at the upcoming Chicagoland Antique Andvertising, Slot Machine and Juke Box show on Saturday & Sunday April 4th and 5th! At Pheasant Run resort, Mega Center, on North Avenue in St. Charles, Illinois. And, while you're in St. Charles, head further west on North Avenue to the corner of Randall Road for the Kane County Flea Market. A busy weekend! Fun for the whole family.

Humidity - the popcorn killer

Nothing makes my delicious freshly popped popcorn taste stale -- more than a hot humid summer day! Fortunately, this past weekend, we had beautiful weather at the Kane County Flea Market. Plenty of people stopped by to bring a big bag of Cheesey corn home. I always recommend that they keep their popcorn in an air tight container to ward off the humidity. I have found the Tupperware Impressions Classic Bowls are the best way to keep your popcorn (and other goodies) fresh. Your popcorn sealed up will last for a few days. However, most everyone will say, it doesn't last thru the night, they eat it ALL up in one sitting ....

If you find yourself at a summer concert, or ballpark on a hot humid night. You won't be able to eat your corn fast enough before the humidity will make it sticky and too chewy. If that is the case, keep your popcorn in a plastic bag (even a grocery bag will do), twist the top to keep the air from getting to it. This will keep it fresh throughout the night. If you can plan ahead, bring a gallon ziplock bag with you - a simple fix to a sticky problem.

Garage Sale or Flea Market?

Many people comment that the Flea Market is nothing more than a glorified garage sale. There is a distinct difference among the two. Here is a good rule of thumb for you to follow, if you're cleaning house.

A garage sale is a recycling center for new products that are in boxes that still have a useful life. Family heirlooms, children's toys, and items that predate 1960 are popular and should be on auction sites or flea markets, not in a garage sale. Now a days, if it predates 1980, it probably has collectible value. People today, especially the younger generation, buy back their childhood, the things they remember. Childhood items really have a nostalgic value that transcends garage sale stuff. (source Reuters 5/30/08 Patricia Reaney)

If you ask the young girls who commented on the train that "Footloose" was a classic, they would probably tell you anything pre-dating 1990 is an antique. If you're unsure if you have junk or an antique, your best bet is to do some online research before you toss it out or sell it. If you have an item of value, and don't want to deal on E-bay, many of the same dealers at the flea market, are also the best buyers. Negotiate your price so the dealer can mark it up to resell at his next event, and you'll be leaving the Flea Market with more money than when you came - don't forget to grab a BIG bag of Sugar Momma's Cheesey and Caramel popcorn on the way out!