Made by Moonface: Popcorn Cake

Moonface is a baker at heart; and she's very creative in the kitchen. Her music teacher sent her a lovely storytime video. 
At the end of the video she shared an easy and fun recipe for popcorn cake. When we saw the video, Moonface and I were drooling, and we knew - without saying a word that it would be on our To-Bake list. 

Have you ever heard of or made a popcorn cake? 
If you've never made a popcorn cake, well, you must, right away. It's fun, and delicious.
Thank you Mrs Miller! It was delicious.

Ingredients:

2 bags of microwave popcorn - remove all unpopped kernels 

2 cups M&M’s
1 bag Dare Gummi candy 

1 1/2 cups broken pretzel sticks

16 oz Dandies mini vegan marshmallows (8 cups) 

1/2 cup butter

Instructions:

1. Prepare a large tube or bundt pan by spraying with cooking spray.
2. You start with 2 bags of buttered microwave popcorn in a large bowl.
3. Pick out the kernels that didn’t pop.
4. Now mix in 2 cups of M& M’s and 1 1/2 cups broken pretzel sticks and gummies.
5. Now melt 1 stick of butter over low in a large saucepan or microwave.
6. When melted add in a 16 oz bag of mini marshmallows (8 cups)
7. Stir until melted and smooth and remove from the heat.
8. Allow it to cool for about 2 minutes, while stirring constantly and then pour it over your popcorn mixture.
9. Stir until all the ingredients are combined and then press into the prepared pan.
10. Cover with foil and let your cake set for at least an hour to cool.
11. When you are ready to serve the cake loosen sides of your cake from the pan by running a butter knife around the edges.
12. Flip your pan over onto your serving platter.
13. Your cake should come out pretty easily.
14. You want it to cool completely so it will cut easily.
15. Cover tightly and store for up to 1 day.

Have you created any yummy treats lately? We’d love to see photos.
Happy Baking!

Weekending March 13th, 2020

It was THAT kind of week. You know, the full week, the creative week, and the questioning week. The kind of weeks that many of us have been dealing with lately.

As time passes we are not sure exactly where we fit into this epidemic puzzle. We are striving. We are vigilant, but we are also unsure of what is coming.

At the beginning of the week we were ready and prepared for fun, laughter and learning. By the end of the week, however, with more confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus, we had cancelled meet ups/field trips, changed some policies and practices, and in 4 hours on Friday morning, I had taken the play space apart, emptied every basket, washed linens, silks scarves and costumes, pulled furniture from every nook, and disinfected 4 rooms that are used on a daily basis. 

The children have not been kept in the dark (although the delivery of information mattered).  I've been careful with my words. But truthfully, I don’t have that much information anyway. Let's be honest, talks about and of illness is still a bit taboo isn't it?  So we talked about health, and wellness hygiene - and community- which is not a conversation reserved for COVID-19. In essence, these  are the basics of every day life.

The children in my care are loved and honoured. They are also treated as individuals with agency.  Some of the solution lies in what they learn about themselves and the world. That’s what matters. It's how they begin to shape themselves inside a community. It's a little bit about knowledge and responsibility. 

AHS strongly urges anyone who has symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, fever or sore throat, to self-isolate for 14 days.

We are giving each and every family the power to choose what is best for their family. There are no guarantees. We will get past this, but in the meantime we have some work to do. Take care and happy new week.

cleaning day...