Popcorn Balls---mmmmm!

For my friend's birthday last night, we watched a movie. Decided to invest in the bottomless popcorn bag and before leaving got it refilled. We could only really handle so much of course, and not everyone likes cold popcorn but I had a plan...

Here we have about 8 cups of popped popcorn (complete with butter and salt), caramel ice cream sauce, almonds, and toasted coconut marshmallows.




I made sure to chop my almonds first thing finely and mix them with the popcorn in a large bowl. Then I melted my marshmallows (15 full size) and about a Tablespoon of the caramel sauce. It only takes about a minute in a microwave safe glass dish, stirring every 20 seconds. Mix thoroughly and once slightly cooled, form into popcorn balls.




Additional tips:
Make sure to rid all of the old maids (unpopped kernals!)
To me this had the right amount of sweet and salty. However none of the flavors (toasted coconut, almond, caramel) jumped out. Feel free to adjust as you would like it!


Ratings:
Flavor 7 out of 10
-could have used more of a flavor punch

Appearance 9 out of 10
-maybe mini m&ms or something for color?

Cost 5 out of 10
-sure, the popcorn was pretty much free, but I bought the marshmallows, almonds aren't cheap, and if you don't have the caramel sauce you may want to improvise.

Time/Ease 10 out of 10
-Like 4 minutes?

Clean up 5 out of 10
-2 large bowls, chopper, stirring spoon, tray for finished balls. Marshmallow stickiness.

Healthiness 3 out of 10
-well...it has almonds right? lol

39 out of 60 pts.

65% recommended.

Leftovers Remade-Tonight's Dinner :)

About me: I have a culinary arts degree. I cook a real meal about 1-2 times a week-I'm too busy or too lazy most of the time. I am also a "bigger" gal-I'd love to study and teach nutrition but I obviously have to find the self control to fix myself first :P

Tonight I was starving after church and decided to cook up a real dinner. (I ate the last of the cold cereal for dinner last night anyway, so that wasn't an option.) Here's what I came up with:

Chicken Zuchini Boats served over Pine Nut Couscous

The Zucchini Boats: I took a zucchini, cut off the tops and botoms, and cut in half the long way. I then scooped out the inside (seeds/meat) of the zucchini and chopped it up. I started frying the zucchini halves while I mixed together the filling.

The Filling: I had cooked up some chicken in the crock pot, shredded it, and mixed it with some italian dressing yesterday. I took some of this chicken and put it in the frying pan with the zucchini and zucchini innards to get it warmed up. Warming the oven to 400 degrees F, I then placed the partially cooked zucchini boats in and tossed the chicken filling into the boats. Cover with grated cheese (because everything is better with cheddar), and tossed in the oven while I prepare the couscous.

The Couscous: Couscous is very easy and extremely tasty. It can be found near the pastas or grains. It's like rice but smaller and is actually a pasta. I usually go the lazy route and get the kind that has a seasoning packet. Just bring water to bowl in the frying pan you just started the boats and filling in (deglazes to add extra flavor) and add the couscous to the boiling water. Gently mix in, turn off the heat and cover with a lid. In 5 minutes, the water will be absorbed and you just lightly fluff it with a fork.

Presentation: Scoop up some of the tasty couscous and place the zucchini boat(s) on top. Eat with a fork and knife.


Ratings:
Flavor 5 out of 10
-not the best combo. There was plenty of flavor but maybe too much competing flavors. Has potential, but I don't plan to make this the same way again.

Appearance 7 out of 10
-got some different colors, fun presentation.

Cost 9 out of 10
-any time you can use leftovers is great. Zucchini is also cheap.

Time/Ease 10 out of 10
-took maybe 10-15 minutes, super quick!

Clean up 9 out of 10
-Used an oven bread pan, frying pan, measuring cup (clean-only for water), fork, spoon, knife, and plate.

Healthiness 9 out of 10
-better than a cheeseburger, that's for sure!

49 out of 60 pts.

82% recommended.

Projects in the Pipeline!

Things have been ever so busy and I have come to accept that there's just no slowing down in life!

I wanted to share some of the 20 teams (yep, 20! I'm a woman of many interests!) that I've joined on etsy.com as well as another promissing site and personal news.

Again, here is a great team for coupons and discounts, lots of opportunity for sellers and buyers alike *Team Link*

A team for Self Taught Artists- *Team Link*

A great one for treasuries, helping get your products out there-no strict requirements! *Team Link*

For those of us who take our creativity and mush it with upcycling *Team Link*

And last, but not least, of my most visited forums, is the CUSTOM ORDER CORNER. This team was created because etsy chose to shut down the alchemy section for people to order custom items. Terrible, terrible choice if you ask me or the 300ish other people that have joined the team! Please feel free to join and point people in this direction! *Team Link*
>>>>Similarly, I've joined a group on Facebook called Artisans for Hire, a group, which inspired by Etsy's lack of custom order inspiration, is starting its own venue. You can find it and sign up for free at uniimi.com. It is in its alpha phase and is not yet fully operational. Once it is, we'll get the word out-so much potential there!

Lastly, I've just turned in my application for a Masters in Teaching. Scary and exciting! It has been 6 years since I got my bachelors degree and I'm a little scared to go back to all that studying which I'm sure I've forgotten how to do, and to rack up several thousand more $$$ in debt! But wish me luck and buy my stuff so I can pay for books, lol! Hopefully I'll find time to at least keep some items listed on etsy as supplimental income. In case you forgot, here's my main shop ;) JollyJennifer.etsy.com

Great Teams on Etsy, please check them out!

With all the recent changes on etsy, I realized there's a time when you just have to accept change... I've created these 2 groups that I really enjoy (and joined many others) Firstly is http://www.etsy.com/teams/7466/coupons-sales-discounts-destash-shop . I'd love for it to be a resource for promotion and sales, if you have a sale, discount, destash, anything that qualifies, please join! Also, my Dabbler team- http://www.etsy.com/teams/7503/jacks-and-jills-of-all-trades-dabbling

Capture the gifts of 2010, Big plans for 2011

2010 was a nice year for my Crafting4Causes shop, ended up donating $90 to 5 different charities. Sad though, that I didn't get any December sales to donate.

My JollyJennifer business has been picking up. On and offline. I've been getting into wool work (spining, felting) and also resin and carving rubber stamps. I'm going to be shifting a lot of my focus away from the general jewelry I've made and over to more specific types of jewelry and other items. Be on the lookout for more changes soon, including giveaways hosted here to clear out some inventory!

Last donation from 2010 sales:

My first 2 craft shows, coupon code, and donations!

Oh me, oh my, so much to do!

First of all I want to mention that I participated in my first 2 craft shows ever and they went well. Didn't become a millionaire by any means but I take them as learning experiences. Other vendors seemed bummed by how slow and few sales there were. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon! I was a little occupied running around and making sure everything was in order so a friend has the pictures on her camera :P

Also, I'd like to mention that etsy.com now has coupon codes for those who weren't aware. I was one of the first lucky 5% to get the capability, though it seems that most of us either have it or will have it soon. To get 25% off your order at jollyjennifer.etsy.com just use the coupon code "assomepossum" at checkout! No need to wait for a refund :)

Lastly, just getting caught up on donations from my Crafting4Causes.etsy.com shops. Some proceeds were made via trades, others sold online :) I got behind in part from the craziness of craft show preparations and in part because I lost my debit card, and had to wait for the bank to send me a new one so I could donate!!! Early New Year's resolution: get organized. stay organized. lol. Well, here are donations for the last 4 months. $32 to the American Diabetes Association and $12 to the American Red Cross. This month's proceeds go to Toys4Tots and we haven't made much yet :( You can change that! :)

Online Craft Parties with JollyJennifer

Want some extra cash or free products?-it's simple!

The method is simple - set a date with me for your craft party to occur. I'll get you your very own 'code'. Pass around the date, and code to all your family and friends (and anyone you'd like to 'invite'). When they make their online purchases, and use their code - you start earning money/free products!

Here's the $ or product value you will earn from your online spa party (not to include shipping charges):

Gross Sales from your friends = Your $ Amount Earned OR Product Value Earned
$100 sales+ = $10 OR $12 Product Value

$175 sales+ = $20 OR $24 Product Value

$200 sales+ = $30 OR $36 Product Value

$250 sales+ = $35 OR $45 Product Value

$450 sales+ = $40 OR $50 Product Value

($1-$99 gets you a complimentary gift as a thank you for your time and effort)

In addition, each of your 'party-goers' will be entered to win a FREE pair of earrings to be shipped with their order. You may chose to be paid via paypal OR check. Your paypal payment (or check in the mail ) will be deposited within 24 hours after your online spa party is complete. Product Value is the amount of credit you get for free items from my shop. If you earn $12 product value, then you can get any item worth $12 or under FREE! Likewise, you can apply that value to any larger purchase as a discount.

This is a fantastic (and quick) way to earn some money, and you don't have to worry about getting out of your pajamas, cleaning your house, or preparing food.

*At this time all sales transactions are being done via etsy.com or through email and billed through paypal.com. Etsy is a free and simple venue that "party-goers" would register for. If they don't want that fuss, they can contact me directly via email during the party with the discount code and I will bill them directly via paypal. All sales must be complete and paid for by midnight the day of the party to contribute toward the total.

Please contact me at: feelin_gr_8@yahoo.com to register your party!