I just spent three wonderful days with my in-laws from Georgia!  We had a house full of loved ones, and it was awesome!

My sweet sister-in-law, Sarah, makes the most delicious caramel popcorn I’ve ever tasted!  It’s a special family recipe.  I asked her if she would make some while she was here, so I could share it with my readers.  She graciously said “yes.” 

This caramel popcorn would make the best snack for any type of get together.  I am going to make some for New Year’s Eve.

Here are the ingredients:

2 cups of brown sugar packed

6 quarts of popped popcorn {3 to 4 bags of microwave popcorn}

2 sticks of butter

1/2  cup of corn syrup

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

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Step 1:  Pop popcorn in the microwave and place in large casserole dishes.  Set aside.

Step 2:  Melt two sticks of butter in a large pan on medium high heat.

{See my beautiful sister-in-love?} 

Step 3:  Add two cups of packed brown sugar to the melted butter and stir.

Step 4:  Add 1/2 cup of corn syrup to the pan and stir.  {LOVE my new West Elm owl measuring cups from my Secret Santa, Melissa, from The Inspired Room!}

Step 5:  Bring mixture to a boil on the stove top.  Boil, while stirring, for 5 minutes.

Step 6:  Take off heat and add vanilla and baking soda.  Stir until it fluffs up.

Step 7:  Pour mixture over popcorn.

Step 8:  Toss popcorn to coat.

Step 9:  Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, tossing with a fork every 15 minutes.

Step 10:  Join Eli in starring at the popcorn goodness as it bakes.

Step 11:  Remove from oven, let cool, and

Enjoy!

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this special family recipe with me!  I had fun cooking in the kitchen with you! 

I am so glad I know this recipe, and I know I will be making it for my family for years to come.

If you decide to try it, you will not be disappointed.

Happy New Year!!

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I have a delicious low calorie dessert I want to share with you today!

A few weeks ago, you may remember that I shared with you an Ice Cream Sandwich dessert.

It was rich, indulgent, and border-line scandalous!

So in order to redeem myself, I decided to share with you this delicious low calorie recipe that was given to me by one of my readers, Leslie Rose. (She probably knew after I ate that ice cream sandwich dessert that I would be needing a “lighter” option.)

This dessert is not only delicious, but beautiful as well.

Here are the ingredients…

• 1 tub of light whipped topping
• 2 containers of light fruit yogurt (I used strawberry.)
• Graham Crackers for crust OR a pre-made graham cracker pie crust
• 

I would have used a pre-made graham cracker pie crust for this recipe, but can you believe they didn’t have any at Kroger’s when I went?!

So I just bought a box of graham crackers to make my own pie crust.

How to make a Graham Cracker Pie Crust from Scratch:

Ingredients:

• 12 to 14 graham crackers
• 1/2 cup of butter or margarine (melted)
• 2 tbsp of sugar
• 1/8 cup of water

Step 1: Crush up graham crackers into fine crumbs.

You can use a plastic ziploc bag and rolling pin or a food processor.

Step 2: Stir sugar into graham cracker crumbs.

Step 3: Stir in melted butter and water with a fork.

Step 4: Press mixture into pie plate.

Step 5: Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown. Let cool.

For the filling:

Mix together two containers of yogurt and thawed whipped topping, then pour into cooled pie plate.

Place in freezer to freeze. (I left mine in over night.)

Garnish with fresh fruit if desired.

Let dessert thaw for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!!

There are approximately 200 calories per slice!

Not bad!

Here’s how I figured that out…

I divided the pie into 8 slices. So I took the total amount of calories of each ingredient and divided it by 8.

Light Whipped Topping: 500 calories divided by 8 = approx 60 calories a slice

2 Containers of Light Yogurt: 200 calories divided by 8 = approx 25 calories a slice

Honey Maid Pre-made Graham Cracker Pie Crust: 900 calories divided by 8 = approx 115 calories a slice

60 + 25 + 115 = 200 calories per slice!

*Calories will vary if you make your crust from scratch.

The boys ate this dessert after dinner last night, and they loved it! It’s almost like eating strawberry ice cream, and the graham cracker crust is scrumptious!

Next time, I think I will make it with blueberry yogurt and blueberries on top. Yum!

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Here is a delicious and simple summer dessert using ice cream sandwiches!

My friend, Julie, brought this to our ladies Sunday School luncheon.  I told her that it was “blogworthy” and asked if I could share it on my blog.  She said, “Of course!  But I can’t take credit for it because I got the recipe from my friend, Kristen.”

So here is a great recipe that you got from me who got it from Julie who got it from Kristen!

This is SO, SO simple!

All you have to do is buy the ingredients…

• Ice cream sandwich bars
• Whipped topping
• Hot fudge topping
• Caramel topping
• Heath Bits Topping (or the topping of your choice)

Here are the SEVEN easy steps.

Step One:  Layer the ice cream sandwich bars in a 9×12 or smaller dish.

Step Two:  Spread a layer of fudge topping over the sandwich bars.

Step Three:  Add another layer of ice cream sandwich bars on top of the fudge.

Step Four:  Pour a layer of caramel topping on top of the sandwich bars.

Step Five:  Spread a layer of whipped topping over the caramel topping.

Step Six:  Sprinkle Heath Bits topping on the whipped cream.  {You can use oreo toppings, or butterfinger toppings, or whatever you want!}

Place dish in freezer and let it sit for several hours.  I prefer to let mine stay in the freezer overnight before serving.

This dessert is so easy and so delicious!  I hope you give it a try!

What is your favorite summer dessert?

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My mom was the first food editor for Home Life Magazine from 1993-96.

Every month, she would submit an article for the magazine. One of her favorite recipes that she submitted was “Easter Story Cookies”.

Photo:  http://www.mommysideabook.com/

If you “google” Easter Story Cookies”, there will be several links to other websites that mention Mom’s article as their source for this recipe.

Some people refer to these as Resurrection Cookies.

They are a great activity to do with small children to help them understand and remember the true meaning of Easter.

You will need:

Your family Bible
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole pecans
1 zip-lock baggie

1 wooden spoon
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
tape

Preheat oven to 300° F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

 

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they put a royal purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, and they hit him with their fists.

John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know we belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him

Psalm 34:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matthew 27:57-60

source:  rhid-baked.blogpot.com

 

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

John 16:20-22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

source:  recipezaar.com

What a fun and delicious way to celebrate the Easter Story!

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As a child, I loved Easter. The night before Easter, Mom would tell us to sit our empty Easter baskets outside on the front porch. While we were sleeping, the Easter bunny would “hop” down our street and fill up our baskets. Imagine our delight when we opened the door on Easter morning to see a basket full of goodies! I treasure those memories.

When I got married and our first son was old enough to enjoy this tradition, I was so excited to tell Jonathan to sit his Easter basket outside! However, my husband looked so confused?! He had no idea why I was putting Jonathan’s Easter basket outside. To my surprise, not every family puts their baskets outside the night before Easter. That was news to me! :0)

But now my husband just smiles when my boys put the Easter baskets outside before bedtime. He knows that it is a childhood memory that they will treasure too.

I also remember going to church on Easter Sunday. Mom always got us new Easter outfits, and sometimes she even got one for herself as well. :) Mom, my sister, and I also would wear Easter lily corsages. I loved wearing those corsages.

I could smell the scents of those fragrant blooms right below my nose all morning long. And as I sang hymns of praise during the worship services, my heart was overflowing with gratitude! My favorite song to sing was, “Up from the grave He arose…”

Oh, the celebration of Easter Morning!

The newness of life that we see all around us through the green grass, colorful flowers, and warm sunshine, are a beautiful reminder of the new life we have in Christ because of Easter morn.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Have a blessed Easter!

***This post was originally posted in 2010.

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