I'm Joining the Circus!

What happens when you need a day off and can't take one?

Well, my girls friends have been throwing around some great ideas and I have decided to take them up on their idea #5.

Ideas that SC gave in all her brilliance..


1. Lunch with someone who can really cook!

2. Hire a Maid so you can have bon bon time

3. Start planning a weekend away with your spouse

4. Declare a "Mental Health Day." Here are the rules. Cereal for breakfast, PB an J for lunch (or McDonald's?) and let Mrs. Dominoes cook dinner. You aren't allowed to do chores, or pay bills, or run errands. The only thing you have to do is make sure the kids don't die. Bring on the cartoons! When you have down time you are only allowed to do something you WANT to do. Like read a book, or watch something like "Ghost Hunters International." Screen phone calls. Power down the computer.

5. Run away and join the circus.

6. Call and commiserate while the children run amok.

7. Invite yourself over to someone's house for a play date.

May I add:
  • Have a tea party with cream cheese sandwiches!!
  • Drink Hot Chocolate and use lots of mini marshmallows
  • Snorkel in the tub


If I joined the circus I would want to be a fire spitter or an acrobat. Not being as young as some...I think I will go for the flames.

One of my favorite circus food is popcorn..in any form, but most of all caramel corn. I love cracker jack (history) and munch and crunch.

Here is a great recipe for some wonderful snackage.

Caramel Popcorn from cooks.com (source)
Ingredients:
  • 4 quarts popped corn (I used the left over giant tub of movie popcorn!!-filled up when we left)
  • 16 oz peanuts (didn't use...due to family allergies)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • 1/2 tea vanilla
  • 1/3 tea salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250°F degrees.
Measure 1 cup of light brown sugar into a medium saucepan (with high sides) and stir in 1 stick of butter, 1/4 cup of corn syrup and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly (set timer for 2 minutes).
Remove saucepan from heat and quickly stir in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and vanilla (mixture will foam up). Stir mixture down.
Using a pot or bowl which is large enough to hold all of the popped popcorn, combine popcorn and hot mixture, stirring and tossing to mix thoroughly using a large spoon greased with butter. Add peanuts (optional). When pouring liquid over popcorn be careful because the mixture is HOT.
When thoroughly mixed, spread the coated popcorn on a greased baking sheet. Do not overload the baking sheet; bake in multiple batches if necessary.
Bake 15 minutes at 250°F; turn over using a silicone spatula and bake another 15 minutes.
Allow to cool thoroughly and store in air-tight containers in a cool place.


Younger family members choose to be acrobats
I choose to spit fire

Everyone enjoys the popcorn

Comments

Sarah said…
Love your additions! Uh...is that photoshop magic? or are you really spitting fire?? making popcorn tonight. love you
That would NOT be photoshop. I repeat that is not photoshop. I had a big bucket of water next to me because I was afraid my hair would catch fire!!!
Amy said…
Thank you for this recipe and the brilliant idea for the bottomless popcorn. No wonder your hair was so fancy, had to avoid the flames.
Sonya said…
Awesome pic of you spitting fire!!!

Caramel corn is sooo addicting..love it:)
Stella said…
Whoa, I never realized caramel popcorn is so decadent. Thanks for the education, Virginia-no more digging my hands through boxes of gourmet caramel corn thinking 'It's mostly corn'!
Looks yummerz though...
Amy,
Let's go to the movie so we can make caramel corn sometime!

Sonya,
Thanks..it was fun.

Stella,
It is so easy and so tantalizing, even a witch such as yourself would become entranced.(;
Vicki said…
How did you did that???

I confess I love Fiddle Faddle. I have no idea if it's still on store shelves.
Vicki
I love Fiddle Faddle! Although I can only find crunch and munch lately. Now, I can make my own. and the secret...WD40
Zippidy said…
I knew you would pull through for me......
I have been wanting to make caramel corn for weeks now, and think I might finally have the chance. I thought to my self ....where should I go for a recipe.....look no further.
Miss YOU!!!!!
Oh, and thanks for the recipe.