Caramel Popcorn

Caramel Popcorn

12 cups popped popcorn

2 cups of nuts of your choice

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup Butter

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon baking soda

Drizzle
1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 1/2 teaspoons shortening

1/2 cup white baking chips

(She uses the Wilton melting discs, they set faster)

Directions

Heat oven to 250°F. Place popcorn, cashews and pecans in large roasting pan.

Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.

Pour butter mixture over popcorn mixture in pan; stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven; place onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. (DO NOT BREAK INTO PIECES.)

Place chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening into resealable plastic food bag. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) for 30 to 45 seconds; knead bag. Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn mixture. Repeat with white baking chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening, microwaving on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power). Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let stand until chocolate is set (3 to 4 hours). Break popcorn mixture into pieces.

Store in container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag.

My Dream for America is...

My students were learning about MLK this week and they had to write down their own dream for America. Here are few of my remarkable ones!!

My Sunshine Wreath

I have wanted to make this wreath for such a long time -- I finally finished!!

Andrew & I collected a bag of twigs on Thanksgiving.
I cut a ring of cardboard to glue the twigs on using hot glue.



Choose a beautiful fabric and get upholstery piping. Cut the fabric into 1/2 inch strips.




Cinders wanted to help :)
Wrap the fabric around the piping.... using a simple fabric glue. Then spiral.




Time to add the berries and glue!!











My inspiration: http://yellowmums.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunshine-wreath.html

Home for Christmas: week 1

Sunday, December 18: I flew in to Minnespolis about 5pm. When my sisters and mom got to dad's house I couldn't help but give them their Christmas gifts right away!! We took some family pictures! About half way through, they made me change my sweatshirt because mom didn't like the 1922! haha :)

Monday, December 19: We met Nick, Courtney and Kingston for lunch at the MOA. Andrew had his first beer in an entire year - shock top! Kingston entertained us with his drumming skills! Kingston also experiences his first taste of hot sauce - his hand ended up in the mango habenero sauce at BWW and back into his mouth, you can only guess how he reacted.



































Tuesday, December 20: Jilayna and I spent our day making Pinterest projects (the crayon one we finally finished on Christmas)! I also got to meet her turtle Stanley... so cute!!! We made a gingerbread house and played Killer Bunnies with Aaron and Andrew. We then went bowling but stopped at Coyboy Jack's, Jilayna's work so I could see it!









































































Wednesday, December 21: I finally got to meet baby Avery. We met Amy and Trevor at Ridgedale mall so Avery could get her picture taken with Santa. She is a sick little girl today so she was awfully cute but not feeling so good. We had a good lunch at Red Robin and the pictures will tell you how much Avery loved Andrew!!

That evening, we went to mom's house and Amy E. joined us for make your own pizza night at mom's house!















































Thursday, December 22: Jilayna and I made Ritz crackers, filled with peanut butter and covered with almond bark... Amy introduced us to them yesterday! YUM YUM! Lana stopped by with Mitchell and we got to enjoy his cuteness!


































Friday, December 23: We went to the 5-8 Club for their famous Juicy Lucy. My aunt Sue and Uncle Mike, Cousin Anna and her husband RJ joined us. On our way home we stopped at the famous Christmas-lit tree that has a total of 39, 760 lights on it! That evening, we went to mysic and played bingo but with no luck.