Favorite Recipe: Chunky Caramel Popcorn

You may not see a pattern to it yet, but today is the Favorite Recipe day.
I was just telling my friend about this Chunky Popcorn recipe shown below and how you make the caramel from scratch. It is so easy to make and really yummy. I actually got this recipe for free in the mail after signing up for recipes from Land O'Lakes.  Good ol' butter!

 via Land O'Lakes

Chunky Caramel Popcorn

12    cups popped popcorn

1     (9.75-ounce) can (2 cups) whole cashews
1     (5-ounce) bag (1 1/2 cups) pecan halves
1     cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4  cup LAND O LAKES® Butter
1/2  cup light corn syrup
1     teaspoon baking soda

1        cup dark chocolate chips
1 1/2  teaspoons shortening
1/2     cup white baking chips

Heat oven to 250°F. Place popcorn, cashews and pecans in large roasting pan.

Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil (7 to 8 minutes). Continue boiling 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.

Pour butter mixture over popcorn mixture in pan; stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven; place onto waxed paper or parchment paper. Cool completely. (DO NOT BREAK INTO PIECES.)

Place chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening into resealable plastic food bag. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) for 30 to 45 seconds; knead bag. Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn mixture. Repeat with white baking chips and remaining 1/2 teaspoon shortening, microwaving on MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power). Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let stand until chocolate is set (3 to 4 hours). Break popcorn mixture into pieces.

Store in container with tight-fitting lid or resealable plastic food bag.

Owl Ornaments

via Crate and Barrel

These Patchwork Owl ornaments would be perfect for a little child's Christmas tree.  I love them, but they are a bit pricey at $23.95!  You can find them here.

Handmade Etsy: Decorative Tiles

via Paloma's Nest

Wouldn't these be cute on presents for Christmas?  These white porcelain tiles is handmade and fired in a kiln.  I love everything about these tiles from their soft white color to their silky soft texture.  You can purchase them here.

Created for You- Christmas TV Schedule

I have created a Christmas TV Schedule that you can access at all times by clicking the link at the top right with with same name.  Call me crazy, but I create this list every year.  I love Christmas specials and movies and I get disappointed if I miss one.  I decided to share my list this year, but be warned as the times are listed for the Central Time Zone for my convenience.

The schedule is pretty full as I am including TV sitcoms and Made-for-TV Movies as I find them.  I don't watch Lifetime movies, but maybe you do.  I'm including them this year just to make the list as complete as possible, but that may change next year.

This schedule will be updated on a weekly basis as I get more information and as dates pass.

Family Chore Chart

via ModEco Kids

Through my morning blog wanderings I came across this Chore Chart located on a blog called ModEco Kids.  I think it's a great time to start thinking about how you will get those extra chores done for the holidays.  I like to make lists and check things off (just like Santa!) and this chart can get the whole family involved.  You can download it and customize it for free, simply click here and you can start teaching your family the joys of cleaning?!

Jars of Candy

via Martha Stewart

I keep magazine clippings of ideas that I really like.  These Candy Shop gift ideas from Martha Stewart's Living magazine were showcased as a good things in the December 2003 issue.  The idea is to display holiday candy in pretty ways as gifts to people.  Martha suggest saving old jars and spray painting the metal lids in a festive color.  A simple and elegant method of gifting.

Over the years, Martha's web site has really expanded to include ideas from her many publications.  The amount of information and ideas is amazing on this site and I probably don't need to be saving these clippings, I can just jump to the web.

Favorite Recipe: Oreo Truffles

photo via Flickr

Kraft Foods has a great selection of recipes and a friend alerted me to this one a few years ago.  It is really easy and fast to make.  I added it to my annual holiday cooking immediately.  Any leftoever chocolate can be used to cover pretzels or other treats.

Oreo Truffles 
1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed, divided
1 pkg.  (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened 2 pkg. (8 squares each)
Milk Chocolate chips, melted

1.    Mix 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls.
2.    Dip balls in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.
3.    Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store any leftover truffles in tightly covered container in refrigerator.


 Do you have any favorite holiday recipes that you make year after year?

Handmade Etsy: Christmas Stockings

I purchased these stockings from Ahna Holder's Etsy Shop last year.  I loved that I could mix and match and get a more contemporary feel with my stockings.  The color selections are inspired.  A little photo frame is attached to the keep the stockings straight, as well.

Welcome to Modern Mantle!

I am an architect in the Midwest with a passion for design, planning anything, and the holidays.

I have been looking for a one-stop blog about the holidays with a modern twist for a few years now.  I never found what I was looking for, so I have quit looking and am starting my own.  This blog will include more than just design; It will discuss a number of topics like traditions, entertainment, and planning for the holidays.

Christmas TV Schedule- 2010

All times are shown in Central.

11.25    

8:00am                 NBC                     The 84th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

10:00am               ABCFam               Full House: The Miracle of Thanksgiving

12:00pm               WE                       Home for the Holidays

1:00pm                 NBC                     Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

2:00pm                 WE                       Home for the Holidays

3:00pm                 Hallmark               An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

5:00pm                 Hallmark               A Family Thanksgiving

7:00pm                 ABC                     A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

7:00pm                 Hallmark               The Town Christmas Forgot 

8:30pm                 ABCFam              Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

8:00pm                 USA                     Elf

11.26

12:00pm               COMEDY            National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

7:00pm                 USA                     Elf

11.27    

3:00pm                 COMEDY            National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

8:00pm                 USA                     Elf

8:00pm                 ABCFam              Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

9:00pm                 Hallmark               Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle

11.28    

8:00pm                 CBS                     Hallmark Hall of Fame: November Christmas

11.29    

8:00pm                 HIST                    The Real Story of Christmas

9:30pm                 ABC                    CMA Country Christmas

11.30    

7:00pm                 NBC                    13th Annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" 

7:00pm                 ABC                     Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)

7:00pm                 CBS                     Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

12.1       

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

9:30pm                 ABCFam              Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

12.2       

5:00pm                 ABCFam              A Flintstones Christmas

6:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause

8:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause

12.3       

5:00pm                 ABCFam              The Polar Express

7:30pm                 ABCFam              The Polar Express

9:00pm                 TCM                    It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

12.4       

6:00am                 ABCFam              The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation

8:00am                 TCM                    A Christmas Carol (1938)

7:00pm                 NBC                    Merry Madagascar

7:30pm                 NBC                    Kung Fu Panda Holiday 

8:00am                 TCM                    A Christmas Carol (1938)

12.5       

7:00am                 LifeMN                Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus

11:30am               TCM                    Holiday Affair (1950)

5:00pm                 USA                     Elf

12.6       

5:00pm                 ABCFam              Jack Frost

6:00pm                 ABCFam              Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys

6:00pm                 USA                     Elf

7:00pm                 HALL                   Martha Stewart 

7:30pm                 ABCFam              Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

12.7       

6:00pm                 ABCFam              Mickey's Christmas 

6:30pm                 ABCFam              Cranberry Christmas

7:00pm                 ABC                     A Charlie Brown Christmas

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Frosty's Winter Wonderland

7:30pm                 ABCFam              Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

12.8       

5:00pm                 ABCFam              Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

7:30pm                 ABCFam              Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

12.9       

5:00pm                 ABCFam              Rudolph's Shiny New Year

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

7:00pm                 ABC                     Shrek the Halls

8:00pm                 ABCFam              The Year Without a Santa Claus

9:00pm                 ABCFam              A Miser Brothers' Christmas

12.10    

4:00pm                 USA                     Elf

5:00pm                 ABCFam              The Year Without a Santa Claus

6:00pm                 ABCFam              Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

7:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause

7:00pm                 TCM                    A Christmas Carol (1938)

9:30pm                 TCM                    Scrooge (1970) 

9:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause 2

12.11    

2:30am                 TCM                    Santa Claus (1960)

4:15am                 TCM                    Visit to Santa (1963) Short Film

6:00am                 ABCFam              I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

8:00am                 ABCFam              Snow  

10:00am               ABCFam              Snow 2: Brain Free

2:00pm                 ABCFam              Jack Frost

4:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause

6:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause 2

7:00pm                 CBS                     Frosty the Snowman

7:00pm                 NBC                     It's A Wonderful Life

7:00pm                 AMC                    White Christmas

7:00pm                 TCM                    Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

7:30pm                 CBS                     Frosty Returns

8:00pm                 CBS                     The Flight Before Christmas

8:00pm                 ABCFam              The Santa Clause 3 - The Escape Clause

9:45pm                 AMC                    White Christmas

12.12    

12:30am               AMC                    Holiday Inn

 6:00am                ABCFam              Frosty's Winter Wonderland

 6:30am                ABCFam              Twas the Night Before Christmas

 7:00am                ABCFam              Once Upon a Christmas 

 9:00am                ABCFam              Twice Upon a Christmas 

 9:15am                TCM                    The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

 11:00am              TCM                    The Bishop's Wife

 11:00am              ABCFam              The Santa Clause 3 - The Escape Clause

 1:00pm                ABCFam              Santa Baby

 3:00pm                ABCFam              Santa Baby 2

 5:00pm                ABCFam              Holiday in Handcuffs

 7:00pm                ABCFam              Christmas Cupid

 7:00pm                AMC                    White Christmas

 9:00pm                ABCFam              Christmas Cupid

 9:45pm                AMC                    White Christmas

12.13    

5:00pm                 ABCFam              A Flintstones Christmas

6:00pm                 ABCFam              Christmas Cupid

8:00pm                 ABCFam              Holiday in Handcuffs

8:00pm                 ABC                     Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You

12.14    

7:00pm                 ABC                     I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

9:30pm                 ABCFam              Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

12.15    

6:00pm                 USA                     Elf

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Disney's Prep and Landing

12.16    

7:00pm                 ABC                     A Charlie Brown Christmas

12.17    

7:00pm                 TCM                    Holiday Affair (1950)

7:00pm                 TNT                     Christmas In Washington

7:00pm                 CBS                     Yes Virginia Neil Patrick Harris

7:30pm                 CBS                     Frosty the Snowman

8:00pm                 CBS                     Frosty Returns

8:00pm                 USA                     Elf

9:30pm                 ABCFam              Mickey's Christmas 

12.18    

2:45am                 TCM                     Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

4:15am                 TCM                     Visit to Santa (1963) Short Film

6:00am                 ABCFam               Little Drummer Boy Book

6:30am                 ABCFam               Little Drummer Boy Book II

7:00am                 ABCFam               Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey

7:30am                 ABCFam               Twas the Night Before Christmas

8:00am                 ABCFam               PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS

9:00am                 ABCFam               Jack Frost

10:00am               ABCFam               Frosty's Winter Wonderland

10:30am               ABCFam               Cranberry Christmas

11:00am               ABCFam               Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July

1:00pm                 ABCFam               Rudolph's Shiny New Year

2:00pm                 ABCFam               The Year Without a Santa Claus

3:00pm                 ABCFam               A Miser Brothers' Christmas

4:00pm                 ABCFam               Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

5:00pm                 USA                      Elf

9:00pm                 ABCFam               Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

12.19    

6:30am                 ABCFam               Richie Rich's Christmas Wish

8:30am                 ABCFam               Dennis the Menace Christmas

9:00am                 TCM                     It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

10:30am               ABCFam               Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

11:00am               TCM                     Scrooge (1970) 

1:00pm                 ABCFam               Home Alone 4

3:00pm                 ABCFam               The Year Without a Santa Claus

4:00pm                 ABCFam               Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

12.20    

11:15am               TCM                    The King of Kings (1927)

6:00am                 ABCFam              Christmas Do-Over

8:00am                 ABCFam              THAT '70s SHOW "The Best Christmas Ever"

10:00am               ABCFam              THAT '70s SHOW "An Eric Forman Christmas"

10:30am               ABCFam              THAT '70s SHOW "Christmas"

11:00am               ABCFam              A Carol Christmas  

1:00pm                 ABCFam              Snow  

3:00pm                 ABCFam              Snow 2: Brain Freeze

5:30pm                 ABCFam              WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO

6:00pm                 ABCFam              Phineas & Ferb Christmas Vacation

6:30pm                 ABCFam              Disney's Prep and Landing

7:00pm                 ABCFam              Santa Buddies - ABC Family Premiere Event

9:00pm                 ABCFam              Santa Buddies - ABC Family Premiere Event

9:00pm                 TCM                    The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

12.24    

8:15am                 TCM                    Tenth Avenue Angel (1948)

9:30am                 TCM                    Holiday Affair (1950)

11:00am               TCM                    It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

5:00pm                 TCM                    Scrooge (1970) 

7:00pm                 NBC                    It's A Wonderful Life

7:00pm                 TCM                    The Bishop's Wife

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S

12.25    

1:00am                 TCM                    Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

7:00am                 TCM                    The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

10:45am               TCM                    A Christmas Carol (1938)

4:00pm                 TCM                    King of Kings (1961)

7:00pm                 USA                     Elf

8:30pm                 USA                     Elf