I used to take regular pilgrimages to NYC before the kids came along, and back then, there was a Popcorn, Indiana store in Times Square. I’d go there and order popcorn slathered in chocolate, have them pack it up in a big bag, and eat it on the train ride home.

Like all great stores, that one closed down, but I learned my lesson: always dress up your popcorn as much as you can. This one is covered in chocolate, mixed with Reese’s minis, and finished off with dollops of melted Reese’s chips. No trip to New York necessary for all of this madness!

Spring is such a transitional season. It’s when we feel the itch to do new things, see new places, have new experiences. It’s when we see hope that we can rejuvenate and find ways to make our lives even more meaningful. Or is that just me?

This time of year, the world looks totally different. The dark skies are light by 5:30 in the morning, the breezes are gentle, and people begin to daydream more, looking forward to beach getaways or lazy afternoons by the pool.

Maybe it’s just that I work in a school, but the focus here is definitely shifting. The same things that would have bothered me in October aren’t getting to me nearly as much right now. It’s the magic of springtime!

I wish I were as easygoing at home. It’s almost like an opposing force is at play. Yesterday, I walked by the backpack that I’d asked my daughter to put away five times. It was still in the middle of the hallway in a place seemed almost designed to make someone sprawl face-first onto the floor. Gotta be honest here: I didn’t use my patient voice this time.

But then I made it up to her by giving her some of this popcorn, and all was right with the world again. See? #goodparenting

The best part about making blinged-out popcorn is that it takes almost no time. Typically, I like to use kettle corn because it’s both sweet and salty, which gives the end result more dimension. You can use a microwaveable kettle corn, or many groceries sell really good ones as well. Popcorn, Indiana makes the BEST kettle corn. And no, they’re not sponsoring this post. I wish.

Once you have the popcorn, you mix chocolate candy melts and Reese’s minis into it, which melt ever so slightly. And don’t forget that thick ribbon of melted peanut butter chips!

Spring is here and everything is in transition. The only constant is change, but this time, the change is warmer weather and green leaves on trees. I’ll take it!

You know, the ones that don’t have eyeballs or gummi worms all over them. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I saw a spiderweb chocolate tart a week or two ago that was so gorgeous it made my mouth drop open.

These truffles are easy and a perfect Halloween party treat. They’re simply marzipan dipped in chocolate with some orange flair! Orange is the new black and all. At least, this time of year.

The onslaught of holidays between October and January makes the descending temperatures more bearable. I mean, we’re distracted, making cute crafty things and getting our inner Martha Stewarts on. It’s fun. But what happens January 2nd? Ever thought about that?

Pure freezing sadness, people. Seriously. It’s cold and bleak, and the winter stretches on through the next two and half to three months. Maybe Valentine’s Day helps a bit, but there’s just no way to love February.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this, except to tell you to get your holiday on while you can. Because after that, it’s all about those sad trees with no leaves. That’s why the yellow, orange and red-leafed trees give me pause. Beautiful, yes. The beginning of the end, also yes.

Okay, now that I’ve depressed you, I’ll lift your spirits with these truffles. I dipped them, but my kids helped with the piping. Can you tell? I decided to sacrifice straight lines for happy children. Besides, they look more Halloween-like this way anyway, with all the twisted lines. Right?

These could not be easier to put together. Buy marzipan at the store, check. Dye it orange with food gel, check. Roll into balls and dip into melting chocolate, check. The orange candy melt flair is optional. Just use a chocolate melting candy you like. Ghirardelli is my favorite, since the quality of their melting chocolate is pretty great.

The best thing about dipping marzipan is that it doesn’t want to fall apart in the chocolate melts. It goes in and out like a charm. No worries, mates!

When all’s said and done, you have yet another Halloween treat, and this one is cute and snazzy. It would be a welcome addition to any grown-up costume party, so if you’re lucky enough to have plans, take these along! If not, join me. I’ll be cowering behind my front door, avoiding trick-or-treaters and thinking about summer. Because those cold months, they’re a-coming!