Jeremy's Share-me-not Mints!o

If you know Jer, you know he loves, loves, loves butter mints.  I learned how to make them early on in our marriage and will make them at Christmas time or other special occasions.  They have come to be affectionately known as Jeremy's Share-me-not Mints from his siblings.  The story is different depending on whose side you hear so I will set the record straight with the "right" side of the story.

When Jeremy was younger the family would all pile in the car to take a family vacation.  Along the way, when they would stop at the gas station, Mom and Dad would ask if any of them wanted to pick out a treat.  Jeremy would jump in and say yes, pick out his butter mints and be in the car in a flash.  Siblings - chose no treats or at least not very good ones.  Then as they got back on the road they all wanted Jer's butter mints and of course, he, loving them so fondly, never wanted to share!  Hence the name Jeremy's Share-me-not Mints.

Now I make two batches, one for his very own and one to share.  So in case we haven't shared some with you, I will share the recipe so you can make your own!

Jeremy's Share-Me-Not Butter Mints

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. mint extract

food coloring

Heat water and butter until melted.  Add sugar and stir with a WOODEN spoon until dissolved. After this point, DO NOT STIR!  Cover and bring to boil.  Remove lid and scrape sugar crystals off side of pan with a wet pastry brush.  Continue cooking until it reaches 260 F.  Pour onto a cold buttered marble slab.  DO NOT scrape pan.

Sprinkle mint and food coloring over mixture.  Right away start to fold sides over into the mixture and as soon as it is cool enough to handle (you can't be a wimp or it will set up too fast, you have to pull it while it is still really hot.  I always get a little burned) pull it like you would pull taffy until it is firm but elastic and looses it's gloss.  Then pull it into a long snake and begin cutting it into pieces.  You can use kitchen scissors or a knife.  It will go really hard (sucker like) but just keep going.  Put in an air tight container and wait at least a day for them to cure.  If they are still hard, keep waiting a day or two and they will soften up and melt away in your mouth!

Like all candy making these are temper mental.  I think it all has to do with humidity, temperature of kitchen, accurate thermometers, etc.  But usually they will always turn out eventually.  Sometimes I make them and they are perfect the next day.  Other times I have to wait a few more days for them to become soft.

Good luck and don't forget to SHARE!

My Joy!

One of my very favorite things at Christmas time is hearing from those that we love.  I love to see what everyone is doing from year to year and have kept in contact with some people for a long time.  One letter I look forward to each year is from a friend I have had since elementary school.  I haven't seen her since  the fourth grade but we have always stayed in touch at Christmas time! As I receive Christmas cards and letters I put them up on my pantry door so I can see them often throughout the season.  I took down our Christmas last Saturday but just can't seem to bring myself to take down the cards and pictures yet!

Christmas

Nikki and Clint waiting to open presents.

Jeff and Richelle got to open first!

Circe and Ruby waiting patiently!

Ryan and Jennie running out of patients!

Santa Scott

Kayla and Daddy looking at Santa in disbelief!

Neeley and I having a good laugh at Santa!

Christmas came and went so fast, I still feel my head spinning.  Like Grandpa said on Christmas Eve, the older you get the faster the year flies!  It was fun to get together on Christmas Eve to open the mountains of presents Grandma Marlene always has for us and eat all of the yummy treats.  This year as we were waiting for the event to begin, in walked Santa.  Neeley knew in an instant that that strange talking Santa with the square belly was not for real and said, "Who the heck is that??"  We had to quickly explain that it was uncle Scott playing a joke.  Most kids figured it out but I think Cade still thinks it was the real Santa!

We had fun celebrating Christmas this year with the girls.  You can just feel the magic over again as if you are a child when you see it through your kids eyes.  We loved driving around looking at Christmas lights, going to Layton park with our popcorn and hot chocolate to walk around the lights, sitting on Mrs. Clause's lap at the ward Christmas party, going to Grandma's house to help make Christmas treats, going to Aunt Janell's house for the annual Neeley Christmas party (forgot the camera so if anyone wants to share pictures!), going to Grandpa Greyhair's Christmas Concert, Neeley's tumbling recital, making Daddy's butter mints, putting up the tree together and of course watching the girls as they checked out their loot on Christmas morning.  Oh, how I wish time to fly again to next year.  I am sure it will!

Santa Came!

It is 9 p.m. and Santa has already made his delivery at our house.  I guess the girls were good this year because... Kayla got her dolly that opens and shuts her eyes.Neeley got her 'real' camera.

Santa was really glad that we sprinkled oats and glitter in the driveway to twinkle and add an in'sent'ive for the reindeer  to stop at our house.  He also loved the magic glitter key we put on the front porch so he didn't have to shimmy down the chimney!  And those cookies, he knew in an instant they were Grandma's special sugar cookies.  He gobbled them down so fast he left a few strands of his beard on the plate!

I just love all the magic!

Sleep tight little ones, at least until 4 a.m.!

Nothing done!

I just haven't been able to figure out why I can't get anything done lately.  THEN, it 'drooled' on me!

NO WONDER!

And where are the toys? Neatly in the basket, never been touched! I guess I'll just tell Santa to bring me more stuff because that's all she likes to play with anyway!

My little Sunshines!

Neeley and Kayla have loved performing with the Sunshine Generation group.  They both enjoy singing and have become quite the performers!  I wasn't sure if Kayla would even get up on the stage but she did.  She missed her solo the first two performances (partly due to the little girl who went before her) but she finally got it on the last performance for Christmas.  Her part was "a game for brother Dan" from the song Santa's bag of toys.  Neeley on the other hand never missed hers.  She belted it out each time with such a cute little cracking voice.  She had the part of "Me I want a hoola hoop" from the Chipmunks song and she really stole the show with it!  Neeley also introduced the song with this: "Christmas, Christmas, don't be late.  Waiting is such a difficult game.  So here's a song that says it best, from Alvin and the Chipmunks (she said chickmonks) fame."  She never thought she could learn the part when she first heard it but soon learned it and introduced the song with style.  

It was so fun to have grandparents there to cheer them on!

Keeping Lilah off the stage was difficult, she is ready for her turn!

Another Obsession!

I have fallen in love with this cute pink little vac!  I know it looks like a kids toy but it really works good!  The greatest thing about it is that it is small enough for the kids to use.  I have a freshly swept kitchen floor all the time now!  I love it!  We got it at our family gift exchange this year and nobody stole it from us.  Bet you wish you had now that you hear how cool it is!! Too bad, it's all mine!