Seasonal Sensations: Jolly Rancher Lollipops and Lemonade

Yup you read that right. Jolly Rancher Lollipops. Just when you thought things couldn't possibly be any better, I throw that one at you. To me this sounds like the best thing ever. I always to a blog post about something good to eat/make according to the season and I think this one is my favorite. I found this idea originally on Pinterest but I've only tried it once. And that didn't really work out for me... I'm not quite sure what happened but I think I might have used the wrong type of paper underneath it because when I tried to peel them off, the paper came with. :( It was a bummer. 


Ingredients:

Photo Creds: ModernMom

- Jolly Ranchers (paired into threes)
- Sticks (Lollipop Sticks can be found at Walmart)

Equipment:

- Cookie Sheet

- Parchment Paper

- Non-Stick Spray

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 275º

2. Unwrap all your Jolly Ranchers

3. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper and your non-stick spray

4. Lay your candy out in groups of three (usually in a line)

5. Place in oven for 7-8 minutes. Watch them, they should melt together

6. Take them out of oven IMMEDIATELY add the sticks

     - Turn stick once to coat 

7. Let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes

to harden

And that's how you make your own Jolly Rancher Lollipops. My spanish teacher makes them every quarter for the Student of the Quarter but I've never gotten them. That's ok though because now I can make them myself and have all I want! So ha. That was kind of a short recipe so here's another one just because! i've never tried it but it looks SO good! I'll have to try it later this summer. It's not just any normal, boring lemonade. It's raspberry peach lemonade! Does that sound good or what?! Here's the recipe just for you!

Photo Creds: DamnDelicious

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup agave nectar

-  6 ounces raspberries

- 3 medium peaches, sliced

- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water and agave over medium heat until the agave has dissolved (about 1 minute)

2. Add raspberries and peaches, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until raspberries have broken down (about 5 minutes)

3. With the top cap removed, combine raspberry peach mixture in a blender until smooth, (about 1 minute)

4.  let cool completely before straining through a cheesecloth or fine sieve.

5. In a large pitcher, whisk together raspberry peach mixture, lemon juice and 5 cups water. Place in the refrigerator until chilled.

5. Serve over ice and raspberries, if desired.

If you have any more questions about this lemonade look on: DamnDelicious Sorry I couldn't really help much, I haven't ever made it! But have a fun summer and maybe you'll find a day when you can make these!

Spring Break 2k15

Finally! Everyone needed a break from school, especially because we haven't had one since February. My family is really indecisive so our destination changed from Chicago to Hawaii to Florida and Finally to Paris!! Unfortunately, my uncle died so that means that we have trip to Wisconsin. But that was just a small detour because the day after the funeral we were headed to France!!! 

We left for Paris at around 10 on Easter morning and we finally got to the airport and had to wait for about an hour... 

AHHHH!!

We finally got on and SURPRISE we got first class! Ahhhh!! I walked onto the airplane only to find out that they were lay-flat seats! This was gonna be a pretty fun 9 hour flight. The first thing they did when I sat down was offer me something to drink and some candied almonds. I got settled in as the flight attendants handed us our menus for the flight. There were 6 courses. SIX!!! First there was shrimp, then the soup and salad, then the main course (mine was steak), then dessert (I had an ice cream sundae) and then it was time for bed. During all of this of course I was watching movies on the TV screens this whole time. But then I got tired so I decided to go to sleep. If you were awake for the midnight snack you got cookies but if you weren't then your next meal was breakfast. You have an omelet or some oatmeal. Ya, I wasn't awake for breakfast so I just woke up and watched another movie for the last hour. And then we finally landed in Paris! 



It took a while to get past the passport check and out of the airport but we finally got out to the bus stop and in route to our hotel. We stayed in a cute bed in breakfast only a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower. And because it was about 9 in the morning in Paris, we still had a whole day of touristy things to do... And then after that 3 more days!!

Day 1: Please notice the guy in front.

Day 1: After we were settled into our hotel we were off to see the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysée. I think everyone knows about the Arc de Triomphe, but the Champs-Élyséé is the big shopping strip in Paris with lots of fun things to do. Since I forgot a jacket, we had to stop in the H&M and get me one which I certainly didn't mind. Then we just walked around and kind of explored. We got crêpes on the street and ate them while we walked. We walked around the Eiffel Tower and just soaked in the paris vibe. Oh did I mention it was my birthday? Well ya it was, so we went out to a fun restaurant, had some pizza and then called it a day. 

Day 2: Daddio and I at the
Palace of Versailles 

Day 2: We were up bright and early because we had a bike tour we had to get to. We were touring the city of Versailles. This was by far my favorite day because I would much rather bike all over than walk! Duh. So we got our bikes and off we went. Our first stop was the market. Our guide told us that this is where we're getting lunch to eat for later so he sent us off. We got fresh baguettes, cheese, fruit and salami and then we just walked around while we waited for everyone else in our tour. Then actually went to the grounds and learned a lot of history. So we rode and stopped, the rode more and stopped again for a few hours. We went into museums and to historical sites and before we knew it, the day was over. :(   So we walked home past the Eiffel Tower to take a few pictures, and then home so we could go to bed!

Day 3: Too Much Walkin

Day 3: This was our busiest day by far. We barely stopped moving! First we went to the museum where Marie Antoinette was held before she was killed. Then we walked to find a cute little restaurant for lunch. Then after a quick bite to eat we were off the see Notre Dame. It was beautiful and a lot of fun to see. After that we stumbled upon the lock bridge so we took a few pictures and moved on. We walked around a little bit more, enjoying the city and all it had to offer but then we went to the Louvre. We didn't go in, but we took some pictures and we happy with that. We kept going on a walk into the gardens in front of the Louvre and out of the caos.  Oh, at some point in this mess we managed to go to a different art museum that I had absolutley no interest in but whatevs. We went to get some snacks at the grocery store and then went back to the Eiffel Tower again at sunset. Then after the sunset we went out for dessert and talked. Then walked back to our hotel jumping and giggling but sad because this was our last night.





Day 4: Another early wake up, to get to the airport. We called a taxi and said our good-byes. Then we got back on the plane and took the 11 hour flight back home! I was sad, but at the same time super excited to get back on the plane!


Over all, this was the best trip I've ever been on. Paris is my new favorite city and I wish I was there right now. Oh well, i've got pictures and I'm sure we'll go back sometime soon!