Salted Caramel Snack Mix

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1 can roasted and salted mixed nuts

2 c. corn or rice Chex cereal

3 c. original Fritos corn chips

1 c. pretzel sticks

1 c. crunchy chow mein noodles

6 c. plain popcorn

*place above ingredients in a large paper shopping bag*

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1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. Karo light syrup

1/8 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. vanilla

preheat oven to 250 degrees

bring butter, sugar, and syrup to boil over medium high heat.  

reduce heat to prevent caramel from boiling over, but keep high enough to maintain slight bubbling, stir constantly for 5 minutes

remove from heat and carefully add baking soda and vanilla  

Pour half of sauce into bag with dry ingredients and shake, shake, shake.  pour in  remaining sauce and shake some more.

Spread onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 hr, stirring every 15 min

cool on wax paper 

store in an airtight container for up to 1 week

A note from the mom of a sweet little girl...  thank you goes to all of you who help us brighten theses sweet girl's hospital stays!

Hi there,
My three-year-old daughter has been undergoing chemotherapy at Dell Children’s hospital for close to a year now. She used to have an amazing mop of curls that everyone cooed over. As you might imagine, the chemotherapy knocked that out in a few months. Now she wears hats all the time. We’ve picked up a couple of your hats during her numerous hospital stays. She really loves them and we do too. Everyone comments on how cute they are, they help protect her head from the sun and they make her really happy. Her hair should begin to grow back in another few months, but I have a feeling,
she'll continue to wear hats whenever possible.  Thought you might like to see how they truly do bring joy.

Thanks so much for everything you do.

Best,
Deborah

Need a good laugh?

whoever said laughter is the best medicine was on to something... 

here is a post from a blog brimming with fun things to do with your kids,  Childhood Beckons  (skip on over there and browse the comment section for even more great jokes!)

Miss Gene's Sticky Sticks

  This craft is a great way to entertain and educate your little one at the same time!  It is a wonderful, creative way to work on shapes and letters.  It is super easy to make and a great gift idea as well.

Bathtime fun for everyone!

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