So Many Reasons for My Confusion

I’m fairly certain that when Alexis was born, she sought out a list of all of the things I don’t like and decided she would make them her entire world. Tiny little Alexis KNEW she wanted to be a cheerleader and a dancer and … more power to her. It’s a darn good thing that what makes me happy is seeing her happy because we don’t like any of the same things.

We disagree about books and movies and clothes and … all of the things. Somehow we co-exist just fine, probably because we have a mutual respect for how wrong the other one is about everything, but now she’s taken it too far.

Alexis has decided she legit likes to run. Like, on purpose. When there aren’t bears around. FOR FUN, EVEN.

I don’t understand.

When I was her age, I already knew I was slower than most everyone and I was completely okay with that fact. I was willing to run for the sake of chasing a basketball up and down a court, but THAT WAS ALL. Running ladders in gym class still, to this day, sounds like a form of torture. I hated it so very much.

Alexis loves it. She has been running ladders in the basement just because she thinks it’s some sort of fun. What’s even weirder is that she has been running distances. She’s not into super long distances, but she will randomly go run a mile or two JUST BECAUSE. She even comes home from dance and, at 10:30 at night, runs a quick half mile because apparently that’s somehow a good idea in her head.

It’s fine. I’m not going to do anything to discourage her.

Except.

Miss Alexis likes running with music to keep her company. She’s all about the fancy headphones. I get it. Totally. But … maybe it’s not all that smart for a young lady to run at night with headphones on her head and music blasting in her ears, especially at night when it’s dark outside.

Somebody needs to tell her. I don’t want to because it’s striking me that it’s about 17 kinds of stupid that a kid can’t run with music because of safety concerns because she should totally be able to run with music without having to worry about what some jackass might do.

And there it is – the point at which parenting a girl sucks.

Fashion Crisis Averted

Mila has always spent a decent portion of her time at her art table. It's a little Mila-sized table that lives in my family room and houses paper, markers, crayons, scissors, and glue sticks. There's probably two of those things that shouldn't be in the same time zone as Mila, but so far she hasn't made me regret her having access to them TOO much, so they stay. For now. Even though she went through SIX glue sticks this weekend.

How does one go through SIX glue sticks in one weekend, you may ask? That's a darn good question. The answer is that Mila was making an outfit, of course. What else would you need a pile of paper and glue for other than to make yourself a fancy dress?

At least it turned out to be a dress for Mila. There was a time, many times actually, when Mila informed me that she was making ME an outfit. She asked me to pick colors. She then asked for access to glitter (Yeah, I let her touch scissors without me watching closely, but glitter is a whole other level of NOPE NO WAY NOOOOO.). She cut and she glued and she twisted and PHEW, I DIDN'T HAVE TO WEAR IT.

I was seriously worried.

The kid spent a good four hours on the project, and I was really very close to trying to figure out how I could fake wear a dress made out of glued pieces of paper. If Mila hadn't twisted her thoughts and decided she loved the "dress" too much to give it to someone else, I'm pretty sure I would have had to go out in public not dressed.

CRISIS AVERTED.

For now.

She started on a second outfit just for me tonight. I really hope it ends up big enough to cover at least one butt cheek. It's questionable so far ...

Red Hot Popcorn

Reposting from seven years ago because I can. And because Mila foiled my Valentine's Day treat making plans today. She was cute while whe was foiling, so at least there's that.

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So, internet, how do you feel about these little guys?

Whether you call them Red Hots or Cinnamon Imperials or Those Little Red Things, I probably don't have to tell you that I'm a fan. I heart them, n'at.

I heart them even more when they're on popcorn.

OH. YES. I. DID.

It's Caramel Corn, but with a twist. A big twist because there is no caramel involved. Red Hot Popcorn is the perfect blend of hot and sweet. I made it this weekend to send with Alexis to school for her Valentines Party, but then I had to make it again because we kind-of-sort-of-maybe ate it all before I could put it in treat bags. WHOOPS.

Fortunately, it's really very easy to make. You start by melting one cup of butter in a pan.

And you add 1/2 cup of corn syrup. (I didn't say this was a "healthy" recipe. Ahem.) (Although, now that I do the math, the finished product comes in around 150 calories per cup. Not terrible.)

Pour in a bag of cinnamon imperials.

And I do mean the WHOLE bag. Go big or go home!

You're going to let that simmer over medium heat for a few minutes. Every once in a while, stir the good stuff up.

It's going to seem like the candy is never fully going to melt, but hang in there.

Because after about 8-10 minutes of simmering, you're going to have some cinnamon-flavored liquid gold in your pot.

Once it's melted, you get to pour the tasty stuff over some popcorn.

And then mix it all up.

It will be a little sticky at this point, but that's OK. Spread it out in the biggest oven-safe pan you can find and toss it in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour.

Every once in a while, stir the good stuff up. You'll soon be rewarded with not sticky Red Hot Popcorn that is just the right amount of crispy and OMG SOOOOO GOOD.

It freezes well, so you don't have to worry about making too much. Just split it up between a few freezer bags and you'll have a fantastic snack ready whenever you need it.

Red Hot Popcorn

8 quarts popped popcorn (it doesn't matter how you make it--microwave, stove top, whatever)
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 bag (14 oz) Cinnamon Imperials

1. Start by making your popcorn. Place it in a large bowl(s) and set aside. (I had to use 3 bowls because I didn't have one that was big enough to hold it all.)

2. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, corn syrup, and cinnamon imperials. Simmer over medium heat until completely melted (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

3. Pour the melted candy over the popcorn. Toss to coat evenly.

4. Place the Red Hot Popcorn in a large oven-safe pan and bake at 200 degrees for one hour. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes or so, breaking up any large clumps.

5. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

It's some seriously good stuff. You should probably be jealous of the kindergarteners who are each getting a bag of their own.

Especially since they're getting it mixed with some of the most perfect Caramel Corn ever. (You'll just have to wait for that recipe.)