Cinnamon Bear Popcorn

Last night I went to a cooking class. It was great to get new ideas, watch someone else  cook, and taste everything to see if I liked it. The cinnamon bear popcorn sounded a little scary but was really yummy and pink. If I knew about this recipe before Valentine's Day I would have made it with cinnamon lips instead.

Cinnamon Bear Popcorn

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. corn syrup

3/4 c. sugar

Cook on stove until boiling. Reduce heat to low and cook for five more minutes. Remove from heat.

Add: 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. mini marshmallows

red food coloring

Stir until just melted and add 3/4 c. cinnamon bears. Pour over 12 cups popped popcorn.

Pam's note: I would add more cinnamon bears next time. If you use microwave popcorn it is better to use light since there is already plenty of butter in the sauce!

Ode to Opal

Derek's Grandma Opal died today. It was time for her to go. She was suffering. I am happy that she is not in pain anymore. She is with people she loves and has wanted to see for a long time, so why am I crying? She was a wonderful cook, a hard worker, she was funny and kind. She loved unconditionally. She liked to crochet and embroidery. She made us laugh. Goodbye Opal. We love you.

The best part of my yesterday

Yesterday morning when Cassidy was ready for school Derek's car was parked behind mine so I took his. I found a new button that heated the steering wheel. While navigating the junior high drop off, I kept thinking "this has got to be the best part of my day so far". My behind was heated and now my hands too. A little later in the day I was at Derek's Grandma Opal's house. I was working on a blanket that I am crocheting and Opal was telling me a story about Derek. When he was little he loved yogurt but could not pronounce it yet so when Opal was babysitting Derek while his parents went on a trip around the world he was constantly asking for "Yogi". This made me laugh because I can never keep yogurt around our house for long because Derek is always eating it. At this point I thought never mind about the heated seats, this is the best part of my day. Then last night Alex had his first state playoff hockey game in Salt Lake. They were playing Brighton, who beat them in the state championships last year. Alex scored two beautiful back hand goals and the game ended in a 4-4 tie. The game then went into a sudden death shootout. Brighton shot first and scored. Alex was up next. If he didn't make the shot the team lost (no pressure). He shot high over the goalie's left shoulder and scored! Next Brighton missed and Timpanogos scored. It was such an exciting game. I strained my vocal chords yelling crazy things like "that's my boy!"It was definitely the best part of my day.

Boo the injured babysitter

Yesterday Maggie and Finn both came over to visit. It has been a while since we've seen little people at our house. Maggie didn't need any toys, Boo was enough entertainment.

 

Finn wanted Boo to get out of his way so he could move around the train. "Pam can you move him?" He also wanted me to draw faces on all of the train magnets so we got out the sharpies. He must get that from Thomas.

Last week Boo cut his foot. We had to take him to get stitches. After many ripped off bandages and a few less stitches we finally broke down and bought the cone. 

What's for dinner?

Tonight I tried a new recipe from The Pioneer Woman called the "Favorite Burger Ever".  My family really liked it. The caramelized red onions were my favorite. The boys had to add extra tabasco sauce for added hotness. After my son downed two burgers he said "Mom, that was your fourth great dinner in  7 years. I think that's a compliment.

What I'm loving today

On Saturday I went to a scrapbooking crop and they had this cute button bouquet at a silent auction. It is so fun. I love red, and there are some unique old buttons, the best thing is that these flowers will last a long time. Oh, and they also jiggle. Now I just want to make more.

without brownies...

I am not sure when or how it started, but every Sunday night I make brownies. I use my Mom's recipe because it is comfort food. These brownies are cake like, and usually taste better the next day. We have had a string of unsuccessful Sunday dinners around here (new recipes, bland, tough, generally unappetizing). None of that seems to matter if my family knows they can have brownies later. My saving grace!