Power Tool

 

My mom gave me this handy apple corer/parer/slicer a couple of years ago.  I hadn't had an abundance of apples since then and I even forgot I had it! 

I pulled it out this morning and Nathan said he just how to use it because that's what Mrs. Mitchell used to make applesauce in their class last year!  With the boys' help, we had it up and running in no time.  They helped me make an apple crisp and another batch of crock pot applesauce.  For payment, they got all the peelings they could eat!

They were so excited at lunch time to show Dad the new apple tool and how it works. 

That works for me!

An Apple (or Two) a Day

It was Apple Week at our house!  We were blessed with some friends' abundance of apples.  We enjoyed fresh apples, an apple pie, two batches of crock pot applesauce, and an apple cake.  My first experiment with hot water bath canning apple pie filling was a success, although I only tried four pints.  I also baked an apple crisp and stuck it in the freezer for later. 

Even with all of that apple baking, I still had enough left to fill this basket.  My intention is to make one final batch of crock pot applesauce, but other things have to get done, too, so they are still waiting for me!

It was only a matter of time before our curious little turtle found them.  While I was working at the table this morning, Rachel was behind me eating her first apple "like a big girl" as Teresa says. 

See all of those bites out of the apple she's holding?  Yep.  She did that all by herself with her 8 chompers!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday David turned the big 3-5!  We had the usual birthday birthday coffee in the morning with some aunts, uncles, cousins and his parents.  Then he spent the rest of his day finishing up Harvest 2012! 

We all went out for prime rib last night, so we got home too late for cake.  Teresa couldn't wait for Daddy to have his cake after lunch today.  As I was getting my camera, she said, "This is so exciting!!"   

In this photo, the big 3 are singing, "Have you ever been kissed by a slimy old fish?" 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Monster Cookie Dip

This is another recipe I made for the Open House.  My friend Tonya shared this with me last summer and it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted!  A friend of hers found this on Pinterest.  I have not yet jumped into Pinterest.  I leave the searching up to others and glean my favorite ideas and recipes from them! 

You will also be happy to see that this dip is nearly fat and calorie free!  :o)

 

Monster Cookie Dip

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 T brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup mini M&M's (3 tubes from the candy aisle)

1 cup mini chocolate chips

 

Mix together and enjoy.  Serve with graham crackers, pretzels, or eat by the spoonful.  Store in the refrigerator.

 

(Sorry . . . no photo again!  If it turns out looking like cookie dough, you've done it right.)  :o)

Almond Joys

The 2nd Celebrating Fall Open House was a success!  We were blessed with a beautiful day outside and in and many wonderful guests joined us for the afternoon.  My main goal for the day has always been for area women to come together to visit, eat, and shop if they wish.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and there were guests from all age ranges--even one tiny guest who was not even a week old!

After I line up the vendors, my main focus becomes the refreshment table.  I love to bake and the open house gives me the opportunity to try real things.  One of the treats I featured this year were Almond Joys. 

 I unfortunately do not have a photo to share.  There was just one left at the conclusion of the day.  Just as I was about to pluck it off the tray and pop it into my mouth, Landen came around the corner and asked if he could have it.  Oh, the things we sacrifice for our children!  :o)

Even though I don't have a photo, I did promise that I would share the recipe.  I tweaked one I found online and this was the result:

Almond Joys

1 bag sweetened coconut (in the baking aisle)

1/2 can sweetened condensed milk

about 1/2 cup powdered sugar

whole almonds (about 24)

1/2 bag chocolate chips

1 tsp shortening

Mix together coconut, milk, and sugar and roll into balls.  Place on a cookie sheet or baking pan.  Put an almond on the top of each one and press down slightly.  Then melt 1/2 bag chocolate chips with 1 tsp. shortening.  Stir until chocolate is smooth and drizzle on the top of each almond. 

Enjoy!