Cinnamon Caramel Corn

This popcorn is so so so yummy!

 

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans & White Chocolate
Recipe by Our Best Bites

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)
1 C pecan halves, roughly chopped
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)
1 stick real butter (1/2 C)
1t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda
3 squares almond bark (about 4 oz)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees
Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside.
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a 2 liter capacity microwave safe bowl.  Mix well.  Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture.  Pour corn syrup over the top of everything.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine.  Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes.  Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more.
Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda.  Stir to combine.  Mixture will foam and rise.  Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so everything is well coated. 
Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. 
Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil.
Melt almond bark according to package instructions.  Drizzle over popcorn mixture.  When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

 

 

Thanksgiving Break

I really like Thanksgiving. There is something about it that is great.  I love all the yummy food and spending time with family.  So, I drove home on Wednesday night with my friend Clint...not gonna lie it was kind of a long drive.  But we did watch Mean Girls on my Ipod...the I-10 westbound was closed for a little bit so we just turned off the car and watched the movie. I LOVE Mean Girls!!! I spent Thanksgiving at my grandparents house and ate way too much food.  We have a family tradition of going to see a movie after dinner, this year it was Harry Potter.  Well, I have not seen or read the books so I decided not to go.  OK really I was forbidden by someone to see it, he told me I had to see the other movies first.  So, my cousin Erica and I set up the Christmas tree at my grandparents house while everyone was at the movie.  The tree looks amazing!

Friday, my grandparents taught how to make sourdough bread.  I was awesome, we used a starter for the dough and everything.  The bread turned out so yummy.  We also played a game of Shanghai...Shanghai is a must at EVERY family gathering.

Saturday I helped my mom and dad put away the fall decorations and get out all the Christmas decorations.  Everytime I touched something with glitter I thought about this statement...."Glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts; you can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try" -Demetri Martin  ssuch a true statement!

On Sunday, Clint and I drove back to AZ. And now its back to the endless days of classes and studying.

Halloween Treats

I know this is way overdue but I wanted to share these cute Candy Corn Cupcakes.

Emotional Rollercoaster

Yup, the title explains everything.  This pass week has been a week of emotions...one minute I'm doing great and feel that things will be OK and the next minute(i really mean the next minute) I have to fight back the tears. The worst is when that feeling in your stomach comes around, you know that empty pit feeling in the stomach. Ugh, that is the worst and its stuck in my tummy. 

OK, so for those that don't know...I moved to Mesa, AZ last Saturday for school. I moved into this cute little house, I have 2 roommates Leslie and Lindsey.  They are nice girls. I'm way excited to get to know them and hang out.  They both have love interest/boyfriends and well I don't really date much so that will be kind of interesting.  OK lets be honest its going to suck, the holidays are coming up and I'm single. 

School is going to kill me, I'm for sure of it.  Right now, I basically go Monday-Thursday 8am to 5pm then come home and study and read the next chapters. Seriously, the school load is out of control and I'm so so worried about this semester.  Yikes!  I have made myself go to FHE and some of institute (I left early to go to a concert, I know that's bad).  I like to move but I hate it at the same time, especially the first few weeks in a new place.  Its insanely scary and difficult for me to make new friends b/c I'm shy and insecure.  My dear friend Clint lives in the area and he has been great about inviting to activities and parties and my roommates invite me to things too.  So, I am trying to get out and meet friends but its hard and lets be real here...I need friends in my life.  Thank you Clint, Lindsey and Leslie for inviting to things! 

AZ weather is great!  And today it has been a windy rainy day, great Sunday napping weather.  Also, we decorated the Christmas tree in the house...loved that!

Well, here's to change....yikes