We've Moved!

Modern Molly Mormon has a new look and a new address!  Please come and join us at our new home at modernmollymormon.com  

That's right, no more blogspot in the address.  All the same wonderfulness--and even more--plus the ability to read and enjoy the hundreds of amazing posts in our archives.  

We're getting ready to grow and we want you to come and grow with us.

We'll miss you if you don't come visit.  Please come by and check out the new site, let us know what you think and let us know what you want to see.

And, if you have something to say--we'd love to have you write a post or two.  Just click here to find out how.

Give Me Something Good to Eat!

Trick or Treat!

You remember that childhood rhyme, don't you?  Well, I definitely won't ask you to smell my feet, but I will share something good to eat.  After all, it is Halloween.  We've stocked up on the trick-or-treat candy, carved the pumpkin and sorted out costumes.

Now that the essentials are out of the way, it's time for the really important stuff: Halloween treats for those of us who don't go trick-or-treating.

At our house this year, it's going to be Caramel Popcorn.  But not just any caramel popcorn--caramel popcorn in the microwave.  No, I'm not talking about microwave caramel corn that comes in a box at the grocery store.  This is real, made from scratch caramel corn and it is just about the easiest and tastiest caramel corn I've ever had.

I. love. popcorn.  If I had to choose between the goodies in the trick-or-treat bowl and popcorn, popcorn would win every time.  Even over chocolate. Really.  I'm pretty much a popcorn purist.  Salt and butter makes popcorn perfect.  Until now.  The only reason we don't make this more often is because we keep running out of brown bags.  I have to remember to say "paper" at the grocery store so I can make more caramel corn.  On the other hand, running out of brown bags may not be a bad thing--for my diet.

So you're probably wondering if I'm going to share the secrets of this marvelous treat, which I guarantee will disappear even more quickly than your Halloween ghosts.  Yes.  Here are the instructions.

To make this, you need a microwave oven, a large brown paper grocery sack, about 6 quarts of popped corn (so who decided popcorn should be measured in quarts anyway?), brown sugar, butter, a little corn syrup and baking soda.

First, spray the inside of your grocery sack with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.

Make your popcorn and dump it in the bag.  I am a huge fan of making popcorn in the microwave these days.  We have lots of popcorn poppers.  I have been on the hunt for the perfect popper even longer than I've been married.  We've had hot-air poppers, stove-top poppers, electric poppers.  Currently, we have an oil popper with a nifty stirring thing in it, we have a popper that looks like it should be at the theater and we have an awesomely cool microwave popper that I found at the Goodwill that makes popcorn with or without oil (we use it without oil).  In case you're wondering, it works--really well.  We no longer buy any kind of microwave popcorn.  Two batches from the Presto microwave popper are just about perfect for this recipe.  Oh, and just in case, I forgot to mention it, neither Presto nor Orville Redenbacher gave me anything for including them here--they just happen to be a match made in heaven at our house.

While the popcorn is popping, measure one cup of packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup of light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 butter or margarine into a microwave-safe covered bowl.  Microwave this for two minutes, stir really well and then microwave for one minute more.  Add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and stir really well.  It will get kind of foamy.

This is what it should look like
after you stir it the first time.

And this is what it should look like
after you stir in the baking soda.

Pour the caramel mixture into the paper bag and stir with a wooden spoon or large rubber spatula.  Fold the top of the bag over (you did use a full-size grocery sack, right?), shake well and put in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes on high.  Take the bag out, shake it really well and return it to the microwave for another minute.  Shake it well and then pour it out onto a cookie sheet or foil to cool.  The whole process takes about 20 minutes, start to finish.

And to answer your next question, no, I have never caught the bag on fire in the microwave.  Ever.

Caramel Corn In a Bag

1 large brown grocery bag
4-6 quarts popped corn
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup (like Karo)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Spray the inside of a large brown grocery bag with non-stick cooking spray. 

Dump the popped corn into the bag. Set aside.

In a one-quart microwavable bowl, combine, born sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt.  Cover and microwave on high for two minutes.  Stir well and return to the microwave for another minute.   Add baking soda (it will be foamy) and stir until well blended. 

Pour over popcorn in bag. Shake well. 

Fold over the top of the bag loosely and microwave 1 1/2 minutes on High. Shake well; microwave 1 minute on High. Shake well. 

Pour onto baking sheet or foil to cool.

___________________________________

So what's the favorite Halloween treat at your house?

As [Modern] Mollies in Zion. . .

It's been an interesting week.  As many of you know, Modern Molly is getting a new look and a new home (we're not going far; she'll have the same name--we're just moving from Blogger to Wordpress because Molly's getting ready for a growth spurt--more details will come this week).

As part of that move, I have spent the last week reading through nearly all of Modern Molly's 970 blog posts.  Did you know there were that many?  I didn't.  I remember reading a post by Jia about how she reposted the archives and there were more than 300 posts.  She was right.  There are more than 300--a lot more.

And those posts contain some great wisdom, some thoughtful insights, heartbreak and joy, tears and laughter, trials and testimonies, and most of all--you.  I have had the privilege of getting to know my amazing sisters who have contributed to this blog, both as bloggers and as readers and commenters.  I feel so much closer to my Modern Molly sisters than I have before.  One of the reasons for this upcoming makeover and move has a lot to do with those 970 blog posts. I want them to be more easily available to all of you.

One of the reasons I read all those posts is so I could categorize them and make them easy to find in their new home.  The archives will be more easily accessible.  You'll be able to go back and search for many topics in different ways.  At first the task seemed overwhelming (ok, it did all the way through because I've read them all in the last three days), but as I read and learned and was inspired and uplifted, I knew that this was an important part of the growth process for me.

I would encourage you, for now, to use the labels at the bottom of these posts, to go through and read about subjects that are on your mind.  If there's something on your mind, you can probably find a sister here who has had it on her mind as well.

A few weeks ago, I posted a poll on our Facebook page asking you all to tell me what you'd like to see here.  I've popped it back up, so if you haven't had a chance, please go and take it--or leave me a comment here with your ideas.  You can also email me privately to marie at marieleslie dot com.  Just be sure and put Modern Molly in the subject line so I know which blog you're talking about.

Also, I am actively seeking contributors.  Whether you've written for MMM in the past or whether you're completely new, I'd love to hear from you if you have something to share.  Whether you want to be a regular contributor, an occasional contributor or just share something once, let me know.  If there's a topic we haven't covered, you're invited to cover it.  Help me start the discussion, continue it and move it along.

And I realized, too, as I read that I haven't shared my testimony enough here, so let me close with that this Sunday morning.

I do have a testimony of the truthfulness and divinity of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have a testimony of the importance of our sisterhood.  We are all daughters of our Heavenly Father and that truly makes us sisters.  We are all here for a purpose, and one purpose that we all share is to lift and strengthen one another and help one another successfully navigate the journey through this life and back to our heavenly home.  I am truly grateful for the sisters who have lifted and helped me, who have strengthened my testimony and my resolve to keep on the path.

Most of all, I am thankful for the amazing love and sacrifice of our elder brother, Jesus Christ.  I have a testimony of His divinity, of His purpose and of His gospel.  I know that He died for us and more importantly, that He lives for us.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Safety in Baby, Toddler & Kid's Bedrooms

Each year hospital emergency rooms treat thousands of children injured in household accidents, many of which could have been avoided. While safety is important at all ages, following a few basic guidelines can help parents more easily protect their babies, toddlers and children from injury.

Any Age Child, Any Room

§  Properly assemble furniture, periodically checking for loose nuts and bolts.

§  Install childproof locks on drawers and cabinets.

§  Install smoke alarms.

§  Securely tack down all carpet; place non-slip pads under area rugs.

§  Never run electrical cords under rugs, instead keep all cords hidden from view behind furniture; never use frayed or damaged cords.

§  Cover unused electrical outlets with childproof caps.

§  In children’s rooms, use wall sconces instead of lamps and never use halogen bulbs due to extreme heat they generate.

§  Keep fabric away from all lights, even night-lights; all lights should bear the UL seal.

§  Examine all accessories for sharp points that can injure or small parts that can be loosened.

§  Secure all blind and drapery cords well out of reach; avoid looped cords.

§  Place safety locks on windows to prevent kids from falling or climbing out.

The Baby’s Nursery

Most of your baby’s time in the nursery will be spent in the crib or in your arms so creating a safe environment here is easy in the beginning. But, babies grow fast becoming busy toddlers before you know it, so you might as well prepare for the “age of exploration” when designing the nursery.

§  Install crib rail protectors to protect teething babies from swallowing paint or varnish chips.

§  Once the baby can stand, remove the mobile.

§  Keep the crib far enough away from windows, draperies, decorations or other items they can grab.

§  Remove all small objects that can be swallowed and frequently check toys for loose parts.

Toddler’s and Kid’s Rooms

Before they begin to crawl, then walk, (mine skipped walking and went straight to running!) you should get on your hands and knees to survey each room. From this vantage point, you can determine dangers lurking you might not otherwise notice.

§  Use slide-locks to prevent opening and closing of bi-fold doors.

§  Install doorknobs without locks; use Digit Savers or foam doorstops to protect fingers from slamming doors.

§  Safety hinges on toy chests and guardrails on beds.

§  Secure heavy furniture to walls with straps or brackets to prevent toppling by little climbers.

§  Make toys in view accessible instead of placing on top of high shelves.

§  Keep floor area cleared of toys at night.

§  No furniture placed under windows; for furniture large enough for a child to get into, dismantle or remove locks.

I know some of these are no-brainers, but sometimes we need reminders of the obvious….and some of you may be grandparents who have forgotten how to childproof a home! Children differ in physical abilities and inquisitiveness so effectiveness of safety gadgets will vary but are never a substitute for adult supervision. No matter how old your child is, take the proper measures to ensure their environment is safe.

(For more on kids’ room safety, see the October posts on KidSpace Stuff Blog.)

Watch for next month’s post: Using Room Décor to Teach Kids Gratitude.

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Jeanette Simpson, ASID is an Interior Designer and owner of KidSpace Interiors where she specializes in commercial and residential design of children’s spaces. A graduate of Brigham Young University, an author, and furniture designer, Jeanette is mother of six, stepmother of five, and grandmother of 17. Read more of her articles on her KidSpace Stuff blog.