Hmmmm.... I wonder what this post could possibly be about...? I'll give you ONE guess!

wowitsabeeeeey.tumblr.com
That's right. Homemade Tootsie Rolls! I bet you didn't even know that you COULD make Tootsie Rolls from scratch! BUT YOU CAN! You were sadly misinformed.

So here are the directions in case you want to ever make these as a family type activity. It is AMAZINGLY fun! I am thinking that someday when I have a classroom, this will definitely be one of the activities that we will do. The recipe is from the "World Wide Ward Cookbook" compiled by Diana Buxton. BUT! Contrary to the index, the recipe is on page 300 (I mean, really Editors? 291? And yet, I fall for it every time...)

Easy Homemade Tootsie Rolls
2 T butter, softened
1/2 c. baking cocoa
3 c. Powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 c. Instant powdered milk
1/2 c. white corn syrup

Mix all ingredients together. Knead like you would for bread. Roll into rope shapes and cut into desired lengths. Makes 2 dozen.

The above picture is what it looks like before you knead it. We were very puzzled, but with a little kneading, BAM! You've got Tootsie Rolls in your hands! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!?! It's like MAGIC!
Ms. Clavell, Ju, The American, West Side, and ktln as the Tootsie Roll Brigade (TRB).
Among other things, the little bear is made of Tootsie. It is what is lovingly referred to as a Tootsie Bear. (One of my more clever moments...) I can't bear (ha ha ha) to eat him!! HE EVEN HAS A BOWTIE (not pictured...) So he's just chillin' on our counter, daring someone to eat him. Don't get cocky, buddy boy-you know what always happens next!

GET IT?

CHINESE FIRE DRILL, BABY! One thing to do before I die was a Chinese Fire Drill. See, whatcha do is park the car on a street, everyone SCRAMBLES out of the car, RUNS all the way around the car, DIVES back into the car and DRIVE away without being hit by a car, caught by the police, or getting hurt in the process.

Success.

KTLN, Ms. Clavell, and I (after riding the "rollercoaster road" in Orem) accomplished this feat without so much as a scratch on ourselves, our permanent records, or the car.

Though looking over our shoulder as we were driving off, a car was following close behind- no worries. WE LIVED!!!

Follow-up on the Sardine MADNESS!!!

Santa got me the most amazing present this year! HOW DID HE KNOW!?!?!?!

He's Santa- that's how!!

It's a tin packed full of SARDINES!!!!!

Chocolate Sardines that is...

Additionally, I found this AMAZING book called Arlene the Sardine by Chris Raschka. It is about a little brisling (the sardine predecessor) who wanted to be a sardine. So that's just what she did. Which meant that she died... within the first 7 pages....

It was a thoroughly bizarre book...BUT I LOVED IT! So morbid... BUT SO AWESOME!

Anyway, here is a link to the Amazon page-- click on the picture to look inside the book. There are only a few images from inside the book, but I think you get the picture. Anywho. Great story :) But don't take my word for it! Check it out at your local library!!