Tasty Tuesday: White Chocolate Popcorn!

Thank goodness for Tasty Tuesday! Today I'm linking up with Ashley and Jessica to bring you two delicious foods. 

So as I'm sure you've noticed, I'm a fan of sweets...who isn't though right?? I promise from now on, I'll share some that are actual food!! Anyway  this first one is a family favorite. Made every single Christmas and is eaten so fast that if you snooze, you lose. White Chocolate covered popcorn. I'm not a fan of pure white chocolate because its so much sweeter than milk chocolate but I love it in this.

Disclaimer: if you're allergic to nuts, this isn't for you unless you leave the nuts out or find a way to substitute  If you substitute, let me know what you used!!

Ingredients:

3 bags microwave popcorn (I use light butter)

2 cups cashew pieces

2 packages (12 oz each) vanilla chips

2 tlbsp. Oil

*These are the ingredients from the actual recipe. We usually do two bags at a time and end up with four bags. I guess it truly depends on how much you want to make. As you can see in the above picture, we made four bags and put one bag in a bowl and then just tried to make sure the chocolate/nut ratio of each bowl was about the same Also, we usually go with only one bag of vanilla chips and split it: half of the bag for 2 bags of popcorn and the other half of the other two bags of popcorn. Like I said though, its really however you prefer to do it. Some people like alot of chocolate and some dont. 

Directions:

Pop popcorn removing any unpopped corn.  Mix with cashews. We honestly dont really measure out the cashews, you can put as much or as little as you want!

In microwave safe bowl, heat chips and oil on med/high for 2 minutes, stirring once.  Microwave on high for 10 seconds. Stir until smooth.

Pour over popcorn nut mixture and mix well.  HOT HOT HOT...seriously! Wait a second or two before mixing  

Spread on 3 waxed paper lined baking sheets.  Cool.   Break apart.  Yield about 5 quarts.

It's way too yummy!!!

So because I got a request or two for another recipe I will share that. I am fully getting these directions from this website. None of this is my own and neither is the picture. My mom pinned this on Pinterest.

Source: http://voraciousvander.com/

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 220 C/425 F

2. Cut your veg into 8-cm/3-inch sticks, making sure they are even in thickness.

3. Line a baking tray with baking paper and a light layer of olive oil.

4. SEASON – go with the usual salt&pepper and branch out to one or two of the following (Choose Your Own Adventure-style): paprika, cumin, cayenne, crushed red peppers, thyme, rosemary, sage – really, whatever takes your fancy and suits your meal. Using premixed spice blends is a great option too – Italian, Mexican, Old Bay – you know, just not all at once.

Lightly toss your vegetable batons with a tablespoon or so of olive oil (not too much) and the herbs and spices.

5. Spread your seasoned veg over your lined tray and roast, tossing halfway through, for about 20 minutes or until golden and slightly browned at the edges.

Weekend + family = perfect!

I am truly surprised. Truly surprised with myself. Why you ask? I've been blogging for two months and haven't really talked about my family much. I love my family and they mean the world to me so I'm kind of shocked I haven't really mentioned them. Although, I did do a post that kind of sums up my feelings for them and also for the cousin who I look at as a brother, here.

I have a big, crazy family. My mom is the middle child out of five (those poor middle child!). So on her side I have 8 Aunts and Uncles. For cousins I have 14 of them.  Plus, I have my grandmother. Dont even get me started on the second, third and so on of cousins or aunts and uncles...way too much. My dad is one of four. 6 Aunts and Uncles there. And 15 cousins. And many second and third cousins there too.

We only see my parents siblings and those cousins. We get together with my dad's family more though because there are birthdays and we go jetskiing in the summer. When we get together, watch out..we can be kinda crazy. It's nothing over the top but sometimes just things that a stranger would look and say "oh goodness". Ok I lied, one of our favorite activities is sitting by the fire, the guys drinking and getting drunk (my dad has a beer or two but is the only one not drunk), and well, doing stupid things. My mom's side is a little tamer than my dad's!

This was the part I didn't want to write because I was having a hard time coming up with the words. I've met alot of different people in my life. Some say their family is dysfunctional  or some say that they barely talk to anyone in their family because of a family agreement. These are the most popular I've heard but I'm sure there so many more ways to describe a family. For myself, I hate the question "how would you describe your family" or something like that. If I were to be truthful, the only thing I could say is that they are perfect and we get along wonderful. But If I were to describe it to make it sound like I wasn't bragging, I would say that we have our moments  It's so hard to decide which way to describe it. No family is totally perfect, but I feel my family is pretty wonderful. We've had a disagreement or two but nothing that sticks and we are always there for each other and so close. I always feel bad for Brian because while his family is wonderful, they've ad lot of downs, some goods, but alot of downs. So when it comes to my family, he gets sad sometimes just seeing how close we are. I don't rub it in or make it seem like a big deal by any means. I absolutely love his family no matter what.

This weekend proved to be another successful gathering. On Saturday night we celebrated my cousin's 8th birthday. His actual birthday was on Easter! Dad's family of course. My cousins rent a  very nice hall and this year they got an actual D.J.  This was probably the best party yet. By the end of the party, it wasn't a child's party. Some of the songs that were played, my goodness!! We slowed danced and, as the little ones said, "busted moves". So today, I'm bringing you a few videos. I figured that its Monday, the day alot of us dread and so we need some good laughs and excitement to get the week going!! I cant stop laughing when watching these videos. And I'm hoping that maybe, although they are personal instead of things any of you might have already seen, these will make you smile a little too.

This first video is from Christmas with my Mom's family. We get together every year. We used to have a tradition of singing Christmas songs but that stopped when I was a teenager. This year though was funny. We told my cousin's girlfriend (now his fiance..yay!) that we sing Christmas songs. She didn't believe us. So, we proved it to her. She was embarrassed. She was supposed to be a "turtle dove" with  her boy but didn't want to be part of it. In the video it shows three people standing in the kitchen. Two guys and a girl..she's the girl. Its funny to see her laughing. I apologize for the quality too!

Terrible singing!! A side note: the two little boys who get up to dance, have made up their own words to gangnam style. Probably not the greatest words that they came up with but you can blame that on their Papa :)

These next few videos are from Saturday. I took them from my phone so they aren't overly amazing or anything but its funny. It was hilarious to watch all the little kiddos dancing..some of them have amazing moves. 

As I"m sure you can see in the front of the Conga line, a card-board cut out. And yes, it's of Justin Bieber. My cousin loves him so that was the theme of the party, you should of seen the invite..hilarious!

I think this video has gangnam style in it...my family loves that song as you can see!

This was the last song of the night...we were all kind of crazy...but dont worry, no one was drunk!

So as I said, this post is basically for myself to be able to remember this fun family time. I hope you got a little smile out of it too!

Come back in the morning for the recipe for White Chocolate Covered Popcorn!

Favorites on Friday

Yay for Friday!! I hope you've all had a wonderful week. After yesterdays Statistics test I'm so ready for the weekend. I know I mention Statistics alot but seriously, this class is NO joke. For once in my college experience, I will actually be saying "thank goodness its over" at the end of the semester!!

Enough complaining though! Because I was in a tired-ish/bad moon when being done with the test< i decided to relax at home and do the one thing that cures bad moods (well, besides chocolate of course!). That would be putting on country music! I'm not from the south (which doesn't matter but still) and I'm more of a girly girl but I've been listening to country music for as long as I can remember. Granted the country music from the 90s is alot different than the music now! There's a local station that my mom loves to listen to. It plays just a variety of genres. I love this station. I especially love this lady:

Source: www.delilah.com

I'm sure none of you know who this is. She has a spot every weekday from 7pm-midnight and is AMAZING. While I love all the music, chit-chatting and everything a radio station is during the day, I find myself feeling calm and relaxed while listening to her. She's known as the "queen of sappy love songs" All night she takes calls and letters from different people around the US. Whether its dedicating a song to the love of someone's life, or just to say thank you for helping the person see clarity, Delilah has all the answers and plays the perfect song for that person. She gives advice, compassion, love and so much more. She has two books too which I have. They are full of her own personal journey through life and with the Lord and also talks about the people that call in. 

Ok I'm getting off topic but seriously, even if it doesn't stick, you need to listen at least once. I haven't done it and probably never will because i don't sit and listen to her every night, but a relaxing night, wine and her seems pretty perfect!

Anyway, back to country music. I love it because I'm able to connect to it. Alot of the other genres are hard to truly deeply connect too but country is different. I love that most of the songs I listen to relate to some point in my life. 

So because I can...last night I was loving these:

Lets talk about how much I love Blake Shelton. Brian and I went to see Brad Paisley in concert in 2011 and Blake was on first. Seriously fell in love with him. He's the funniest guy, we couldn't stop laughing!

What do you all think of The Voice? Have you been watching?!

This may be a few years old but I cant help but love it. The chorus is just a reminder to stop a moment and take each moment and day in and make sure you embrace everyone and everything in your life. Or at least, that's how I see it

I absolutely love her! Who used to watch One Tree Hill? If you did, you know she was on for 3 seasons and started her signing quest in the last season. I just adore her :)

She's just my favorite!! Every since she first won American Idol, she's been at the top of my list! She gorgeous and just overall a wonderful person and artist

Speaking of American Idol...who watches it and what do you think??? Our favorite is Lazaro. He's amazing in just the way he stutters while he talks but sings so great! Unfortunately, I have to say I feel that some people might just feel sorry for him. He hasn't had the greatest performances lately but I'd love to see him go all the way or at least to the top three!! Janelle is my other favorite. Country girl, gorgeous and is always smiling..cant get any better!!!  And Nicki Minaj...seriously? She's so weird that its funny. I actually enjoy watching her. 

Speaking of her, have you seen those two little British girls on Ellen? Brian and my Mom aren't fond of them but my dad and I die laughing every time. They are the cutest things, reminding me of my own little cousins. What they say is hilarious, honest and so innocent.

Seriously adorable!!!

So, those are my favorites for today!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)