Popcorn balls and Hobo Dinners...

Would you believe that I was having such a good time with my granddaughters last night that I only took two pictures! Well, it's true. Emily, Morgan and Issy came over to spend the night and we just had a lovely time.

Before Morgan arrived Joe got to stay with Em, Issy and me, while his mom went for a run in our neighborhood so she could experience some different scenery. We took advantage of the time and made POPCORN Balls! They were about as much fun to make, as to eat, and the girls did a great job following Joe's lead making them uniformly the size of baseballs.

Later that evening, I called the girls up from the basement, where they were playing on Morgan's new Christmas mini laptop, to help with dinner. I cut up chicken and vegetables and the girls put together hobo dinners. Another great job! Not only did they make them perfectly, but they enjoyed eating them as well. My grandchildren love to make their own dinners!

For Beth: Recipe for HoBo Dinners...

Ingredients, per dinner:

hamburger patty (we used chicken strips)

potato slices

baby carrots

canned green beans

squash slices (optional)

sliced onions (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

cream of mushroom soup

Lipton Onion soup mix

If using lean meat, butter the center of a sheet of foil (about 25"long)

Place meat in the center and surround it with a serving of each vegetable.

Salt and Pepper generously.

Dollop the top of meat with (maybe an 1/8 cup) cream of mushroom soup.

Sprinkle about a tablespoon onion soup mix on top of mushroom soup.

Loosely, bring up the long ends of foil together, fold slightly, then crimp sides to seal package.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

(The soups should mix together with the juices from the meat to make a tasty gravy.)

Originally these were cooked over an open camp fire with just meat, onions, potatoes and carrots, therefore, Hobo dinners!

I feel very special to have my own built-in slumber party guests. They are such great kids that I want to do it again and again!