Friday Things #398
1. This sweet girl has finally started asking for a blanket at bedtime, but by the time we say goodnight, she ends up wanting it off and out of her crib. I still love seeing her all tucked in and cozy for a little bit :)
2. Ever since Joseph was three years old, he’s has said that he wants to be a race car driver when he grows up, no wavering. However, earlier this week, out of the blue, he told me that when he grows up he wants to be a teacher. When I asked him why he’d like to be a teacher, he said, “I want to help little kids sound out words and learn to spell.” ❤️️ A wonderful testament to the amazing teacher he has!
3. Dominic had his first preschool assessment via Zoom earlier this week and he just blew through everything and was SO incredibly proud of himself. It melted my heart to watch him answer her questions, then get a big smile, look at me and say, “I got them all, Mommy!”
4. The entire inside of our house is completely decorated for Christmas! It’s the earliest we’ve ever done it, but the kids are ecstatic and my husband and I are enjoying the glow of the lights and we are all rocking out to Christmas music.
5. Putting the tree and the stockings up prompted the kids to start thinking about what they want from Santa. The other night after dinner, they all took paper to their table in the playroom to make lists and it gave me total nostalgia of being hunkered over the JCPenney Christmas catalog as a kid.
6. If you’re planning to make any meringue-topped pies next week, I did an entire tutorial over the summer that might be useful >> How to Make Meringue: The Ultimate Guide
7. I’m totally intrigued by this popcorn-popping bowl.
8. What are your favorite cold-weather meals?
9. We finally watching the last season of Homeland and oh my gosh, it was so well written and reminded me of the first few seasons when I was on the edge of my seat with every single episode. Although, I’m still unsure how I feel about the ending. Two nights ago we started the new season of The Crown, which I didn’t realize had been released until we saw it pop up on Netflix!
10. TGIF! I hope you have a great weekend!
I bought a similar container at Sur La Table for popcorn (it was a 2-pack). It pops enough for 1 or maybe 2 and I love it. I thought it might be a gimmick when I saw it at first, but it’s great.
Ok, a very cute girl in a beautiful blanket. Love your cute baby doll. May you live long and be happy in your life.
Hi! Is there a pattern available for that beautiful blanket? Would love it!
I bought the “Original Popco Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper” last year on Amazon and absolutely LOVE it! The variety of colors is great too. Like most of the others I pop my popcorn dry then add the butter spray and salt afterwards – it keeps the popper clean (just wipe it out) and you don’t have to worry about anything from the silicone bowl potentially leaching into your food. If you like popcorn these things are a great investment!
Hi. I recently bought a silicone popcorn bowl (probably not the same brand as the one in your link) because I wanted to make gourmet popcorn and didn’t want to cook on the stove, buy an air popper, or use microwave bags. I’ve used it a few times and it works great. I spent under $10, which is perfect since I won’t use it very often.
I purchased a similar popcorn bowl from Amazon and it’s super easy to use. I sprinkle some salt and spray butter ghee (from Trader Joes) onto it once I move the popcorn to a regular bowl.
Awhhhh, Duke looks so handsome and distinguished. Sweet boy.
Love Isabelle’s afghan. Just thinks it’s wonderful how sweet your kids are with the pups.
Ahh, i think she is a little beautiful doll.
Having taught kindergarten for many years, Joseph’s comment makes my heart melt. As you mentioned, he certainly must have an amazing, inspiring ,engaging, dedicated teacher. I can only imagine how challenging teaching in the age of Covid must be…especially kindergarten. Kudos to her and all teachers.
That said, I am guessing Joseph is a dream student to work with. I think the thing I loved most about teaching kindergarten was the excitement and joy the children had for their own learning experiences. They were like little sponges, soaking up everything, exploring with abandon and marveling at a success. I swear, sometimes I literally could see the instant a child “got” something…when an idea or concept “clicked” and he/she understood in the moment. It never grew old for me and I can still appreciate those times.
Yay for Dominic sailing through his assessment. Seems like you have a three smart littles in house.
On another topic, I purchased another brand of that silicon popcorn maker and was not all that impressed. I have an odd aversion to cooking/baking in or on anything made of silicon so maybe that is why I was less than impressed and eventually gave it away. I used a glass popper I purchase at Crate and Barrel.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We’ve been using a version of the silicon popcorn bowl for years. We LOVE it!! We have a big pottery bowl to dump the popped corn into for adding butter and salt. You should definitely give it a try.
Hi Michelle,
Just love getting your emails everyday and pictures of your children and your dogs. It makes me smile. :)
Where or who made that BEAUTIFUL blanket that is wrapped around your adorable daughter?
I’m surprised you didn’t talk about it. Just LOVE, LOVE it!! Can you scan and send to me too?
Happy Thanksgiving to you all,
Kind regards,
Dyane Guardino
I love the blanket! It is so adorable!
I bought this in January, and still love it.
Collapses flat, works great.
Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Bo… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G7SGOL2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_fabc_UZ8TFb7S2E6H0
This is the one I have too, we love it!
What a fabulous head of hair she’s got! Beautiful!
The microwave silicone popcorn bowl is excellent. I purchased one exactly like the one in your link from Weight Watchers and liked it so much I bought a couple more to give as gifts with the popcorn. Highly recommend it!
I have a similar popcorn popper I got off Amazon. LOVEEE it.
I love her blanket! Is there a pattern available somewhere?
Hi Kathy, My aunt made it for her and she shared her afghan books with me awhile back. If you email me, I can scan it and send it to you!
I would also love it! I commented above bfore I saw this request.
voxhumana711@gmail.com
I love your daughter’s blanket. Did you make it?
It’s cooled off a bit here in Florida and I’m making Jambalaya in the slow cooker today.
Thank you, Susan! My aunt made it for her :)
I have a popcorn bowl similar to that. Works really well
I have a similar popcorn bowl (mine is collapsible; the brand is Popco from Amazon). I love it!! It doesn’t taste the same as making it on the stove in my pot, but it’s convenient and cleanup is easy.
In the past I used a microwave popper made by Nordicware that did a great job. I have since switched to glass microwave popper and it’s my favorite by far. I have concerns about any plastics/silicone and heat.
I have the Nordic ware popcorn microwave bowl and love it so much.
They have a bowl like that on Amazon already for half the price. My mom in law LOVES it, she pops it in the microwave, all healthy with no oil, then douses it in half a stick of butter! ;)