When I was still working in the community I would carry my daughters former lunch bag to work.  You know the bag, the one which had to be had last year because of the cool thermos. The one that was used maybe ten times at most last year but now this year is “So last year” and needed to be replaced.  Anyways, so everyday I would take Spanish peanuts to snack on.  Now I have two bags, large at that, of Spanish peanuts.  Being adventurous, I decided to make a candy concoction of my own invention.  However, in grabbing the bags from the pantry, I see the recipe for Peanut Brittle and decide to stick with the safe choice.  In adding the corn syrup, I think to myself peanut brittle is good so I will make a double batch. So onward I go. 

The recipe says to work fast so I prepare ahead all the ingredients and the cookie pan for the solidifying and such.  I note the recipe calls for the a candy thermometer.  Don’t have one, O.K. I’ll make do as I crank the heat up on the burner to high and boil for thirty minutes adding ten for good measure.  Now for the introduction of the peanuts.  The bag of course folds over and I end up with double of the double amount of peanuts.  Oh well, we like peanuts don’t we?  Now per the bag we need to work fast and with the addition of salt the mix starts to pop, splatter and bubble.  Figures I am in a tank top and being burnt with each pop.  Oh well, we must suffer for our treats.  Yep, gotta work fast cause the stove is getting splattered with quick hardening corn syrup.  So what could happen next.  The doorbell rings.  O.K. open the door for my mom and return to the stove.  Next step… add the baking soda.  Now I am not experienced in the kitchen at all.  And in case you aren’t either, you may not fully appreciate but….

With the introduction of the baking soda….. is a full bubbling volcano.  All over.  The pot is overflowing.  Over everything.  The stove, the floor, the counter.  Quick thinking-I start to pour the bubbling mixture into the prepared cookie pan as boiling hot candy is covering the oven mitt.  Not good.  Quick thinking again, I place my mitted hand between my knees to pull off the mitt.  Now the hot mitt has melted hardening candy on my jeans holding my knees together.  Can’t get anymore exciting?  Wrong again.  As the cookie pan is overflowing I waddle to the cupboard to grab a second pan and pour the solid bottom peanut laden candy out.  Noting all the peanuts have a dark brown, black appearance.  I survey the kitchen, candy covered as it is.  Hmmm…. I think to myself, Not so bad for my first peanut brittle experience.  And that is just the beginning.