pops...

this past weekend I had the chance to be apart of a wonderful baby shower for a wonderful lady who is due this coming week with her second baby! There were about 4 of us who got together to make the simple shower happen, and we had a blast. We decided to go with the theme "ready to pop"...I know you've all seen it around on Pinterest, right?! We definitely took the simpler approach to this shower idea, but it turned out absolutely amazing!    

 

 

recipe: [adapted from Mrs. Schwartz's kitchen]

 3/4 cup unpopped popcorn,1 1/2 cups melted white chocolate almond bark, 1/4 cup shortening, 1 1/2 cups, white or yellow cake mix, Sprinkles (your favorite), Pop the popcorn into a big bowl. Set aside.
Melt the white chocolate almond bark over a double-boiler or in the microwave. Add in the shortening and stir until melted and smooth. Add in the cake mix. Stir until smooth. Pour over the popcorn and coat evenly. (I used 2 forks and tossed it like a salad). Pour the popcorn out onto wax paper to cool/harden. Sprinkle immediately with your choice of sprinkles. Wait until fully hardened (if you can) to enjoy!

 recipe: 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. dried basil, 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 3 quarts popped popcorn. In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; set aside. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium for 1 minute; add seasonings. Cook and stir over low heat for 1 minute. Place the popcorn in a large bowl; add seasoning mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

 recipe: [adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up!]

 1 cup unpopped popcorn, 4 cups mini marshmallows, 1 16 oz bag cinnamon bears,1 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 t. vanilla, Red food coloring (optional)
1. Pop the popcorn. Sprinkle with salt. Add in the marshmallows.  2. Cut up the cinnamon bears into bite size pieces with a knife or kitchen shears. Add to the popcorn and marshmallows. Mix it all up.
3. In a medium sauce pan, combine the butter, corn syrup, and sugar. Heat over a medium to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook and stir for 4 minutes. 4. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and a few drops red food coloring, to get the shade of pink that you want. (I used 3 drops) 5. Pour over the popcorn mixture, stir to coat. 6. Spread out on wax paper and let cool.

recipe: 1 c. sugar, 1/3 cup corn syrup, 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp. vanilla,

2 - 4 ounce boxes of junior mint candy, 6-8 quarts popped popcorn
Mix all ingredients except for vanilla and junior mints. Cook until candy thermometer reads 250 degrees. take off heat immediately. Add vanilla and junior mints. Pour over popped popcorn. mix well and enjoy!

And of course I couldn't pass up the chance to make cake pops again! I may not have been thinking it was such a good thing throughout the week, but in the end they were so worth it!

Now all we need is for little man to arrive!

[yeah, doesn't she look absolutely amazing!]

Anyone have any amazing baby shower themes?!