I Heart Making Things

I love making stuff. It's a blessing and a curse. See, I don't want junk filling up my life but I need a tensional outlet and making stuff is often it. Because of this I find that for me it's usually better to make things that can be consumed in one way or another (but not always--I like making things for my home or my family too). I especially love making things that I can give to other people that hopefully won't junk up their lives too much either. Stuff like cinnamon bear popcorn.

 And Valentine bear cookies.

Last year's Valentines

And cards.

 

And occasionally I like to do something frivolous or cutesy for my own enjoyment like the banner I made to hang on my mantle last year.

So, would you like to make something? Here's the recipe for cinnamon bear popcorn. I got it from my mom maybe 10 years or so ago. I had it in my recipe box for years then we finally tried it out around Christmas a couple of years ago. I couldn't believe what I'd been missing. We made it again this Christmas when Target started carrying cinnamon bears (we couldn't get them around here before) and I've been itching to make it ever since. Yum

1 cup corn kernels, popped (yields about 24 cups)
2 cups butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups mini marshmallows (if you don't have mini marshmallows you can cut large marshmallows into quarters with kitchen scissors)
16 oz. cinnamon bears cut into thirds (kitchen scissors are great for this too)
red food coloring (optional--I saw this variation here and I thought this was a fun addition for Valentine's Day. I left it out when I made it at Christmas though)

Pop corn. Set aside. In a large pot melt the butter, corn syrup and sugar together stirring constantly over medium heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook and stir for five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, marshmallows and food coloring, if desired, until the marshmallows are melted and everything is thoroughly blended. Stir in the cinnamon bears. Pour marshmallow mixture over popped corn and stir to coat evenly. Spread the popcorn on waxed paper to cool. Enjoy within a day or two of making (if it lasts that long) or the coating will kind of turn to sugar and it isn't as good.

*Jamie at Jamie Cooks It Up sprinkles her popcorn lightly with salt before coating with the marshmallow mixture and that is yummy too if you like the slightly salty/sweet combination.


P.S. Some of these projects are re-posts from my blog last year. The cinnamon bear popcorn was made tonight though and it is delicious.

P.P.S. I didn't get a post up yesterday because I needed a break,  so the thing that I love for yesterday is having a day off (i.e. taking naps).