Caramel Apple Dip

I emailed the blog owner where I got this recipe and have not heard back from her.. so I'm going to post.. The blog is Triedandtrues.. (http://triedandtrues.blogspot.com) She has a a ton of easy recipes that look good.  Check it out.

"Caramel” Apple Dip

Another recipe from my mom. It's easy and good- everyone loves it.

½- 1 cube butter
¾ c. brown sugar
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt
8 apples

Heat butter & brown sugar in microwave on high (covered) for 3 minutes. Stir in cream cheese. Add vanilla and salt. Cool. Slice apples & serve.
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Patience

I got this quote from Clover Lane (http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/)

Patience is not passive;

on the contrary, it is active;

it is concentrated strength.

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

 

 

Years ago I asked God to give me patience and boy did he give me lots of lessons.  They say be careful what you wish or ask for.. At times I was sorry I asked for patience.. but now I'm glad I did.  I still have my moments but usually I'm patient and fairly laid back.. and when I'm not I have to stop myself and think about being patient, giving a second chance to someone.. I think the same is true about happiness.. it's a choice.. we can be happy and cheerful or we can find wrong in everything in the day..I chose to be happy and hopefully, patient!

 

The picture if is of my 2 year old Erin 30 some years ago... she had to go to her room for some time out.. a few minutes later when I opened the door she had spread Desitin all over herself, the carpet and the door.. how she could even get the jar and open it is beyond me.. Instead of being mad I just laughed.. what a sweet, dear girl.. This was before digital cameras.. and I didn't have any flash bulbs for my camera.. so I took her outside and took this picture.. It took days to get that out of her hair.. She says she remembers doing it and we always laugh about it now.  I'm glad I was patient.. and I'm glad I took the picture :)

 

Snacks and Cooking

A while back I decided to make an after school snack for Max everyday.. I haven't lived up to it as far as making something and having it on the table for him every day.. but I make sure there are things in the house for him to eat.. I've been trying a little harder to actually have something waiting for him.  I remember going to my friend, Gail's, house after school.  Her parents worked but her grandmother lived with them.. when we would come in she would have a snack and a glass of milk on the table waiting.. then we would all sit down to visit about the day.. I always thought that was heart warming.. Sometimes I did that for my kids and sometimes not.. I was always available for them though.. lots of times we would all pile into my bed and watch something on TV.. like the Golden Girls..

Yesterday, I made a caramel apple dip.. so good.  I didn't have apples so I used clementines and grapes for dipping.. checking to see if it's ok to post the recipe giving credit to the author.. Today I'm making caramel corn.. been wanting to do that for a while but just haven't gotten around to it.  There are a ton of recipes online for this and they seem pretty similar.

The picture is of my girls long ago.. we used to have a baking day once a week.. it was so much fun.. we made pie crust, cookies, bread.. they are showing off the little quiches they made..  We always made a big mess but it was sweet time together and good memories. The girls still love to cook.. and of all things.. my son works as a gluten free baker.. all the while in school to become a mathematician..who would have ever known??

Happy Thanksgiving

Thinking of all my family and friends today.. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

Why do kids lie?

This has been a worry for me for many years.. I know that my kids lied to me.. hid things and so on.. I'm over that now.. and they have all turned out so great.. Now I have one boy at home.. for the most part he is really good.. he's a good kid.. but then I find out he's lying about things.. nothing big.. but it still bothers me.. did you clean your bathroom.. yes.. do you have soap and shampoo.. yes.. did you wash your hands after taking the dog out and then before making her food .. yes.. All of those were lies.. Why?  When it would be just easier to tell the truth?  He has to know I'm going to find out.. and then what?  I'm the full time stepmom.. I don't want to be mean but this stuff really bothers me..

Halloween

Tigger and friend

Organizing!!

I'm going a little nuts with getting things organized.. Even living in a smaller space it seems that things pile up.  Plus when we moved we had tons of stuff that had to be put in our second garage and in closets.. I would love to have the garage cleared out so we can park in there.  Would be nice to have it done before it starts snowing.. Also some closet space for things that we really use.. I'm doing the timer cleaning/organizing.. I don't take out more than I can get finished at a time.. After I work for a while I use the timer to take a break and then get back at it.. the next work time I have to deal with the stuff I've pulled out.. then start on the next batch.. it's kind of fun.

I have been feeling so much better lately.. I guess that's why I am getting so much more done.  I'm not sure what it is.. but I've been taking Juice Plus.. My Mom, Sister and her husband and some friends take it and swear by it.. so I'm trying it..  I've felt so sick for such a long time and now I'm getting better.. could this be the answer?  If anyone is interested I have a wonderful consultant who would be happy to talk to you about it.. her name is Susan and if interested just let me know and I'll get you in touch.. Amazing!! She is trying to grow her business and is so enthusiastic about it.. has learned so much going to seminars etc.. She says her health has improved and she's lost weight.. even though I don't think she needed to.. but then seems like everyone wants to.