I'm a Mom spending more time making Christmas "treats" for her kids.

This Christmas season I've been trying to spend more time making treats for and with my kids. Yes, I've taken shortcuts on a few of the treats, but the kids have loved them just the same. I don't know if I will make my Spritz cookies this year, but I am going to try to make a few new things to make up for it. In fact, I made something I've never made for my kids before. Caramel Corn. My Mom used to make it for us, or for neighbors for Christmas gifts. It would take her a long time to make it the way her Mom used to. She'd pop the popcorn, make the caramel, mix the two together and bake. She'd bake for like 15 minutes, then stir the caramel corn. Then she'd bake for 15 more minutes and stir again. That would go on for an hour or so, and in between breaking up fights between us kids, and trying to do other things around the house, it would take a lot of time. Time I just don't have right now. Time that would take away from the time I have been trying to spend on my son. Luckily I have a great friend that has an easy peasy way to make caramel corn (Thanks Holly!). She sent me the recipe, and it has taken me days to get the chance to make it. So I'm sharing the recipe with you, so you can make some easy yummy caramel corn for your kids, or maybe for just for you! Microwave Caramel Popcorn 1/2 C. Margarine 1 C. Brown Sugar 1/3 C. light Karo Syrup Dash of Salt 1 C. un-popped Popcorn 1 tsp. baking soda Air Pop popcorn into a large bowl. Cut margarine into 1 qt. microwave proof dish. Add brown sugar, Karo syrup, and salt. Cook on high for 5 minutes. Mixture will boil. Remove from microwave and stir in soda. The mixture will expand when the soda is added, so make sure you don't go for a tiny bowl. Pour mixture over plain air-popped popcorn. Stir until popcorn is evenly coated. I also like to add cashews and drizzle with melted chocolate if I'm feeling fancy. :) It was so easy to make this, and I was even really tempted to add a cup or so of M&M's to the popcorn for a little bit of a chocolate kick! Can't wait for my kids to try some!