Gazooey Balls

I'm sure that recipe title got everyone's attention. ;) I have no idea if this is what the recipe was originally called or not. I've had this recipe for years. I got it from my mother-in-law, Beth when the kids were itty bitty. It's a little bit of a pain to make in my opinion but the end results are so yummy and very much worth it!

1/2 cup brown sugar, well packed
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup white karo syrup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup water
pinch of salt
2 - 6 oz. packages of puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix sugars, syrup, honey, water, and salt in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook until it reaches the hard crack candy stage. Pour over puffed rice cereal and nuts. Mix well. Butter your hands and very carefully form into balls.