Dandelions and Daydreams

This is one of my husband’s favorite Christmas snacks. I only make it when we have a large crowd because there is an incredible amount of sugar. This carmel popcorn ring will satisfy the sweet tooth in your family.

• 1/4 c butter
• 1/4 c oil
• 28 caramels
• 2 1/2 c mini marshmallows
• 10 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 lb M & M’s
• 1/2 lb pecans

Melt butter, oil, carmels, and marshmallows in a double boiler. In a large bowl, mix popcorn, M&M’s and Pecans. Pour melted mixture over popcorn mixture. Stir to coat evenly.

Press mixture into a greased angel food cake pan.

Allow to cool before serving.

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Being an artist is about giving yourself to others, and giving creativity is a delight. Even though being creative and giving is wonderful, it is also draining. As an artist–whether you are a writer, photographer, painter, or just a person who loves to create beauty–taking time to fill yourself and recharge your creativity is a necessary part of creating and giving.

Julia Cameron, in her book The Artist’s Way, recommends “artists dates” to re-fill your creative tank. I have created a list of 50 possible artist dates to restore your creative energy.

1. Watch a Sunrise
2. Visit an Art Gallery
3. Walk barefoot on the beach
4. Call your best friend
5. Read your favorite book
6. Splash in a mud puddle
7. Build a snowman
8. Play on the playground at the park
9. Jump out of the swing
10. Watch a sunset
11. Snuggle with a special person
12. listen to classical music
13. take a nature hike
14. Learn a new craft
15. Take a walk in the sunshine
16. Buy yourself flowers
17. plant a tree
18. Try a new recipe
19. Go for a nature walk
20. Visit a museum
21. Take a nap
22. bake cookies
23. Meet someone new
24. Have coffee with another artist
25. Go to the zoo
26. COLOR–in a coloring book, with crayons
27. Take a bubble bath
28. Ride your bike
29. Drink Hot cocoa–with lots of marshmallows, AND whipped cream
30. Watch your favorite Disney cartoon
31. Skip
32. Wear your hair in pigtails
33. Buy a giant lolly pop
34. Buy a helium balloon and tie it to your wrist
35. When you get tired of the balloon, suck out the helium and sing as loud as you can
36. Blow bubbles
37. Make daisy crowns
38. Play with Play-dough
39. or Lego’s
40. or Lincoln Logs
41. wear your funky clothes
42. buy big fun jewelry and wear it.
43. Dance, even if you don’t know how
44. Learn to dance
45. Do cartwheels in the grass
46. play with buttons, sequins and plastic jewels
47. make a sun catcher
48. hang a prism or a crystal in your windows
49. try a new recipe
50. wear something reserved for special occasions

What do you do to recharge?

I’m excited about the new year. I confess that new beginnings always get me going. Resolutions, are like having a vision, knowing your goal, seeing the bulls eye. When you make resolutions, you know what you are aiming for, then you just keep trying to hit it until you hit it.

This is my plan for getting my home organized in 2008.

1. Finish Old Projects.
2. Make Monthly Drop offs at Goodwill
3. Invite Company over once a month
4. Start Cleaning Green with healthier cleaning products
5. Wash the Car more than once a year
6. Actually follow the FLYlady system
7. Clean my desk at the end of the day

photo: Wade Rockett CC-By-ND

I come from a family of cooks, and when I say cooks, I mean GOOD cooks! I’m not sure that I got the gift, but at least I got a copy of the family recipe book.

Today’s cooking gem comes from that family recipe book. I have always loved these spicy little sandwiches. I remember my mom making them for special occasions, and family reunions. She did not make them often, but I certainly remember them.

I think these little sandwiches would be great for a superbowl party recipe.

• 8 or 10 Hoagy buns
• sliced ham
• sliced swiss cheese

spread

• 1 stick margarine
• 1 small onion, grated
• 3 T mustard (I like spicy brown mustard, it adds a little extra zip)
• 1T poppy seed
• 1T Worcestershire sauce

Heat ingredients and spread on both sides of hoagy buns. Add sliced ham and cheese. Wrap each sandwich in aluminum foil and place on tray in 350° for 15 minutes.

Serve warm.

The only way I would change this recipe would be to find a healthier substitute for margarine. Maybe you could reduce the amount of margarine, or substitute some with water. I never have, I’m just throwing out ideas.