Visiting Grandma, there were certain things you could count on.
You knew, for instance, that there would be cookies in the cookie jar, and that she was going to challenge you to a game of rummy. Then somewhere, in the middle of visiting, cookie eating and card playing, she would break out a bag of pretzels and insist on making some popcorn in the hot-air popper.
Maybe that's why I am drawn to the Colonel Popper. For me, there's a bit of nostalgia molded right into the silicone bowl.
The Colonel Popper brings my grandma's hot air popper into the 21st century. To make a batch of popcorn, you add butter or oil—or none at all if you prefer to have a healthier snack—along with a scoop of popcorn kernels. Secure the lid and pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.
The Colonel Popper also is designed to go in the dishwasher, which should help with clean-up. Plus, it collapses for storage.
The Colonel Popper team offers the chance to kick up the flavor with a variety of popcorn recipes that help turn your healthy snack into a sweet and savory one as well.
Available in four colors—red, green, blue and gray—the Colonel Popper can be purchased through Amazon.
Erin Pustay Beaven is the online content editor for Rubber & Plastics News. She is an appreciator of life's littlest treasures, a reader of great books and supporter of the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Indians. Erin is an advocate for libraries, arts education and PBS. Follow her on Twitter at @EBeavenCrain.