Caramel Apples

Thursday at DUP one of the gal's came in and told me that she had met a friend of mine and had spent the day with her.  She was talking about Lisa Schneiter.  I immediately text Lisa and she replied that we should get together sometime.  I told her that I agreed and reminded her that I still wanted to learn to make caramel apples.  She sent me a cute picture of some faux ones that she had made and said we really should get together.  She told me she had all the stuff and invited me to her house so I could "make and take" one.  She wasn't busy Saturday and so we set a time and I was beyond excited. I love learning new things and I was excited to learn from Lisa.  I call Lisa, Martha Stewart because she is so talented and likes doing creative things.

(these one's aren't real)

Lisa had everything on her counter ready.  She explained everything to me and told me why she likes it and where she buys it.  To make the caramel apples today we used Granny Smith apples. We used Peter's caramel, white and chocolate melting chocolate, sprinkles, crushed butterfingers, cinnamon sugar, wooden sticks, big paper cups to put them in after, along with ribbon and tags and a clear bag.  We had wax paper on the counter to catch the extra things we sprinkled on the apples.  Lisa has decorating bags of hard chocolate that she reuses.  I didn't know you could heat it up again and thought that was cool.  We spread out the extra chocolates from dipping on wax paper so it could dry and  harden and then Lisa just breaks it up and puts it back in the original bag.  One trick that she told me but that we forgot is after you use the melted chocolate that are in decorating bags is to push the chocolate away from the tip.  I think that just makes it less messy when you reheat it to use again.  We wrapped the apples in caramel instead of melting it and I liked doing it that way.  To prepare the apples she let them soak a little in hot water and vinegar  (3 parts water and one part vinegar) to help get the wax off the apples.  After the apples were wrapped we melted the chocolates and dipped the apples.  Lisa uses glass measuring cups.  (the taller ones are nice)

I learned that as soon as you dip your apple it is important to sprinkle the topping on it before it dries. ☺  The last step was to melt chocolate in the decorating bags or put the chocolate you already melted in a bag so that you can drizzle it across the top of the apples.  Again, have sprinkles ready to sprinkle over that.  The apples are finished unless you are planning on giving them away.  Lisa showed me how she cuts them and we shared her cinnamon/sugar one.  It was yummy.

If you are wrapping them there are big cups that you can get to sit the apple in.  Then use a clear bag to put it in.  Tie it and add ribbon.  Lisa had some little tags that we used.  I would have just used the tag but we backed them with another paper.  (it looks better but the tag I had on a little gift for Lisa didn't have a back ☺) It is cute with just the tag and yarn but it's cuter to add a few different ribbons and really doesn't take that much longer.  I was thrilled with the results!

Now I need to go shopping and get my own little supply of everything I need to make caramel apples.  Lisa keeps everything in a closet in drawers so it is handy and organized.  I could do that in my pantry.  I love this cute friend and I'm so glad she was willing to have me over and teach me some of her tricks and share her talents.  I think Lisa is awesome!  Larry liked the apple...we sliced it after his first bite and shared it with Kimi and Jared.

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday! 

A little feast without the calories!! 

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go HERE to JOIN IN!!! 

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GRATITUDE 

Breakfast ~ What are you most grateful for right this very MINUTE? Some down time...it's quiet and I don't need to be doing anything else right now.

Lunch ~ What are you most grateful this WEEK? This week has been very busy and I am grateful for a full life.  I love having lots to do even though I truly enjoy quiet time but I think that 's because I usually don't have it  but, I do like it that way. ☺

Dinner ~ What are you most grateful for this MONTH? A calendar so I can keep track of everything going on.  Of course I'm always grateful for my cute family.

Midnight Snack ~ What are you most grateful for this YEAR? probably my good health and my blessed life.  When I get a "hiccup" I remember just how very blessed I am.  I am so grateful for the Temple too.  I love going every week and I feel so much peace and love.  I'm so grateful to have Temples so close to me.
Recipe for the Week ~(instead of your recipe for life, what is it for just this week?) Be Kind and Considerate to Everyone....We all deserve that!

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Busy Thursday

As soon as I woke up today I went to the kitchen to start a jello salad I was making for Special Needs tonight.  It's an Orange Salad that requires you to bring the jello mixture to a boil and to let it cool before finishing it.  I had a busy day planned and so it needed to be done before I left for bowling.  While the jello was cooling I hurried to the store to get the pudding I forgot to get for the pies.  I just use cook and serve because I think it's great.  I made the pies and then started making the instant potatoes.  I needed to make enough to serve 100 people. I made up a few boxes before leaving for bowling.

Bowling was fun even though my team only won 1 out of 4 games.  We needed to spot the other team about 100 pins and then they bowled good so there was no way for us to catch them.  I really don't care if we win or lose though.  I just enjoy being with all those fun ladies.

After bowling I went home and finished filling my roasting pan with potatoes.  I loaded everything that I could in my car for tonight. (paper goods, etc)  Then it was time for me to go to Daughters of Utah Pioneers.  I really enjoyed the lesson and the history today.  Connie Harris told us about one of her ancestors and it was so good.  Her great, great grandmother's parents named their children by using the alphabet.  The first son's name started with an A and his middle name started with a B.  The next child was a C and D and so it went all the way through the entire alphabet.  Connie's grandmother was T/U.  The lesson was on keepsakes and how people us to break parts of artifacts off for a souvenir. That's why souvenirs were started...to keep people from destroying things.  Kind of fun information.

I had about an hour to make sure I had everything for tonight loaded in the car.  My car was packed.  Kimi and I went and picked up Larry from his shop.  I am so glad that they went with me.  Many hands make work light.  We set up six long tables and ended up getting that many more out.  Our turnout tonight was outstanding.  I think it's because there are a lot of caregivers that we don't usually notice so much.  Plus...free food tends to bring people together.  We served over 100 people tonight. (we usually only have about 50 participants)

Our leaders are some of the best people around.  Everyone showed up tonight and helped with everything.  I was worried about getting worn out tonight but as it turned out, we all just helped and it was easy.

Everything flowed so perfectly.  If something needed done someone would notice and just do it.  I prefer that instead of being asked what they should do.  Our friends were all so excited and looked so nice.  They were so grateful for us leaders and really appreciate us and all that we do for them.  I got so many hugs.  Jared, the second counselor of the Young Men's opened up to me tonight.  He usually stands back a little and tonight he shared some of the reasons why he does.  It was interesting talking to him and cool.  I started off standing in the serving line but we had so many leaders helping and I wanted to take pictures and so I went and mingled.  I was able to help a few friends get their meals which made me feel good.  I listened to many tell me some of their exciting news.  I am so thankful I was able to serve them that way.  When everyone had eaten the leaders fixed a plate and it took me way to long to finish...in fact, I didn't finish.  I kept getting interrupted by someone's exciting news or maybe a problem or concern.  Two of our gals needed Priesthood Blessing tonight. One was having a hard time of getting Satan out of her head.  The other has some major back issues.  I am thankful that we have the Priesthood to bless our lives.  I am thankful for worthy, willing men to give those blessings.

Everything was cleaned up quickly.  We all felt like tonight was a success.  Some of our friends suggested that we make it a tradition. ☺  I'm thankful for this group of people.  I love them all so much.  It really is such a blessing to me to serve with everyone.  I'm so blessed!

Wonderful Wednesday

This is my favorite "White House!"  On the way to the Temple today we discussed the election.  I heard some things I hadn't before.  I am thankful for the House of the Lord and the love and peace that abounds there.  I was told again today by one of the Sealers that I was the favorite daughter.  I think everyone knows I just love being proxy for daughters because I know how wonderful it feels to finally be sealed to parents.  Today a funny thing happened.  I was a daughter and was being sealed to a mother that the Sealer called Unk.  After the sealing Lisa (who was the mother) asked where they were from. The Sealer said they were from Ireland.  I smiled and said that maybe Unk was a pretty name in Ireland.  That's when the other sealer and one of the sisters we were with both said "unkown".  The name was unknown not Unk. ☺  It gave us all a good laugh.  I hope Sister Unknown thought it was equally as funny.

When I got home from the Temple I changed and picked up Kathy so we could meet Jodi in Kaysville.  We met Pam and Lisa at City Creek in Deseret Book!  We love that store and spend quite a bit of time there.  Whenever we meet, we pass out little treats to people that we feel might need them.  I started it the first time we met and we have been doing it since.  I put some little treats in a cute bag and then stabled a quote about Gratitude on each  bag.  We each had at least two bags that we were to share.  Doing this is not really in any of our "comfort zones" but it sure makes you feel good thinking you might have brightened someone's day.  Kathy brought smiley pins that we wore and shared as well.  One lady cried when a bag was given to her.  (the spirit knows who needs them)

We went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.  We were seated in a booth and we had a really cute waitress but ended up moving because the sun was shining directly in my eyes.  Because of our move we got a different waitress and so we shared a bag and a smiley pin with our original waitress.  She was so cute and came over to our table a few times to tell us thanks and that she had shared a pin with another worker who needed a little pick me up.  I ended up giving her a little tip because I really liked her.

 I really like my friends too!  I'm sure it wasn't a coincidence that Pam's boy and my Braxton served in the same mission and thought their mommy's should be friends.  From the very first time I met Pam I felt like we knew each other.  Our souls connected right off.  I think it's cool that she lives in the same ward as Lisa, who just happened to go to school with me.  It was fun when we all found out that we knew each other and had our connections. It's a wonderful world we live in.  Since I like to bring treats to share with others, Lisa decided to bring me a treat.  It was a box of "BOOGERS". I think it's funny but I already know I will not be eating them. On the box it says they look and feel like real boogers! Gross!

We all needed to leave after enjoying each other for about 3 hours.  We planned another get together in February and we are going to give out Valentines!  It really does make others happy. ☺

Tonight was Jared's Eagle Court of Honor. All the kids came and supported Jared.  Justin's family had dropped off a little treat earlier since they had obligations but they still showed their support.  The other kids came when they could. I love how supportive our little family is.  The Harris's came and it was nice having them since Pat had been our Home Teacher and had encouraged and checked on Jared every month while he was working on completing his Eagle.  Carla and Roger also came because they love Jared and our family. 

We had it at our house and it turned out really good.   Weston Turner and Preston Taylor also received their Eagle Scout Awards tonight.  It was nice having these three boys together.  We all just wanted this evening to be casual and easy. We had sandwiches, salads and cinnamon rolls at the first while we all visited with each other.  Our Stake Scout Representative, Brother Hull came about an hour later to give the boys their awards.

Brother Hull was awesome and made this evening really special.  He had scarfs and pins for the Scouts and pins for each parent.  I checked later and I only have four Eagle pins and that's because the guy who presented Jaydan with his Eagle didn't give us one. I liked that Brother Hull said they weren't fully Eagle Scouts without their smiles. ☺  I also liked that he gave the boys the choice to kiss their mom's or him.  All the moms got kisses. ☺

Karleen's dad is a glass blower and so we had him make each of our sons an Eagle.  They were so pretty and awesome.  I know Jared loved his.

I love that he had all the Eagle Scouts in the room stand and repeat their promise again.  I was proud that I had a couple boys there to do this with Jared. (Kevin had to leave before this)  It was really cool!  

Tonight proves that you don't have to spend a lot of time or money to have a really nice program.  I give all the credit though to Brother Hull and our stake. It was so simple for us.  I think the most stressful thing was that Jared had to find a scout shirt to borrow since he grew out of his.  (that wasn't very stressful)  I enjoyed tonight and I am really proud of each of my sons for earning their Eagle Scout.

2016 Presidential Election

This has been the craziest election in all of History!  There was more finger pointing and cruelty than ever before. It seriously was a "fight".  It seemed that no one was happy with the two candidates for President but the funny thing is that "we" as a country chose them.  Both these candidates are strong, opinionated people.  They have strong beliefs and would not be swayed. I had a hard time watching their debates because they are also both hot heads and would lose their composure and it seemed ridiculous to me.  For most of the campaign I didn't know what to do as far as voting.  I never wanted Hillary because of her strong belief in abortion.  An innocent child should not suffer the consequence of others behavior and lack of responsibility.  Abortion should not be a form of birth control!  I think Hillary has so much that is hidden.  I don't think she is honest or trustworthy.  However, then there's Donald. Donald is about as arrogant as they come.  He has confidence though and believes in himself more than most people do. Donald is more of an "open book" kind of guy.  What you see is what you get.  Not the same for Hillary...she's more of a mystery.

I did a lot of praying and listening.  I paid attention to my gut and my spirit.  At one point another candidate was brought into the picture and at first I thought he might be someone I could feel good about voting for even though he had no chance of winning.  That thought and feeling of this other guy didn't last long. I felt like there is also more to him than we see.  I had finally decided I was going to vote Republican which was for Donald Trump.

The media had already chose our President.  The media was for Hillary Clinton the entire time and I believe they thought they would influence the people to go that way too.  I was like most of my friends and believed that Hillary was going to win because that is what was heard over and over.  We voted and waited and then watched the news as the results started to come in.  Hillary had the lead.  At this point I need to share a post that Jaydan had shared earlier on face book.  It said:   "the Democrats take an early lead in the votes today, but that should change when all the Republicans get off work."  ☺ Funny but that is exactly what happened.  As the night progressed Donald began to gain ground.  The votes were close the entire night.  This was not a blow out by any means.  It went back and forth all night but  then Trump took the lead.  America was in unbelief.  The people were making a statement.  We as a people want change and change in the right direction.  I found myself smiling and happy with the results being shown.  I forgot about the negative feelings I had towards Mr. Trump.  I really wanted him to win.  We needed him to win.  The battle continued all night but in the end Donald Trump won the votes and will be our President. It's a miracle!  Hillary Clinton fought hard and paved a path for another women to have the opportunity to be the first women President.  When I went to bed tonight I can honestly say "My soul felt peace".

My soul was at peace but the country was not!  Everyone was so certain that Hillary would win and all her followers were more than ticked.  I can't blame them...anyone in that position would have been.  But, this country is great because of the people and we need to unite and support each other.  It's up to all of us to make and keep it great not just the President.  

Since Donald Trump has been elected I have watched and read things about him that make me believe in him.  I seriously believe he ran for President because he truly cares about America.  Donald is a successful man and knows about business.  From the things I read he is also a caring man, and that has never been portrayed.  I don't think Donald even cared what was being portrayed.  He knows who he is and what he is about.  

No matter who would have been elected there was going to be change.  I'm glad we wont have to deal with some of the change that Hillary would have made.  Standards of this country would have been lowered.  I'm hoping that with President Trump the things that were changed by President Obama will be reestablished.  

Through it all though, no matter what comes our way, I will have faith in our Heavenly Father and older brother, Jesus Christ.  I believe in Them and I know They will continue to guide and direct us.  One Nation Under God!

Kathy's Birthday Breakfast

My cute neighbors met for breakfast this morning to celebrate Kathy's birth!  I'm so glad all of these sweet ladies were born and that we ended up being neighbors.  I admire them all so much and learn so many good things from them.  I am thankful for Kathy and do count my lucky stars that we are friends. (I gave her a gift that said that) Kathy has been a wonderful friend and one of the first ones I had since moving to Hooper.  We have so many fun memories together...all involve lots of laughing.  I'm blessed to have these women as my friends.

The hours quickly passed and we needed to hurry out because Susan works in the Temple and Robin had appointments.  We discussed the election and expressed our concerns and feelings.  We talked about the Book of Mormon and how the cycle is just happening again.  We talked about all the good things happening in our world as well.  Tonight a new President will be elected and no matter who wins this election the result won't be good.  Neither of our candidates are good people yet they are the ones "we" chose.  That's a scary thought that we are becoming so desensitized as a nation that we actually voted for these two remaining. (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump)  The one good thing though that I can think of is more people will likely turn to God.  We are going to need God more and I think with all the good people in this world more will feel that need and change their lives to follow Him.  I think the Gospel is going to flourish and bring peace to everyone that chooses to follow the Savior.  That thought alone brings me peace and comfort that maybe all this is just part of the big plan.

Family Night

We decided that since Amy works on Monday nights only that we would go to dinner with the kids for our family night.  We love this girl.  Amy is bold, direct, honest, kind, funny, and a really hard worker.  This  weekend she went to Trichelle's home that she is fixing up to sell and did a lot of the odds and ends.  She cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed all the floors again and cleaned the windows inside and out.  She wanted to help Trichelle out because she is a great friend.  I have always loved Amy.  When her and Trichelle moved out on their own just after graduating I didn't worry as much about Trichelle because I knew Amy would.  I knew Amy had her best interest at hand and that made it a lot easier for me to let my child go. I love that when we asked for her take our picture that she also took a few selfies.  Amy is so stinkin cute!  We had a good time and a wonderful dinner.  I love these times with our kids.

Amy gave her discount so we gave it right back to her.  We didn't expect a discount and it's kind of funny that Larry even noticed.  He usually doesn't check the bill so closely.  Maybe since Amy brought us all ice cream too he decided to check....not that he would think we'd be charged for it. Amy is just a sweetie and she was going to get a good tip no matter what because we love her.  When we left we were surprised with a parking ticket.  Oops!  We parked between two cars on the blvd and obviously those cars were illegal too.  We should have paid more attention to the curb and the paint on it.  Oh well....it was a good place. haha!