What to Make

I like caramel, especially in apple cider, so when I saw a recipe for cookies that involved both (here), it caught my attention.  I've been wanting to make them for over a month now.  There are lots of ingredients on their list and I thought "I can make those much easier!"  I keep telling myself I'll make this and then something comes up.  At first I didn't have caramels, then I didn't have time, then I didn't have time again...and again.  Today there was no school (make up for lack of snow days) and I had cleaned the kids room and done the laundry and dishes and the kids and I played for a couple hours and I needed a moment, just ONE moment in my day to add to my blog and my daughter ran in to the office crying "HE won't leave me alone!  HE wants me to play with him!"  Then right on cue, my son ran in to the office crying "SHE won't play with me!", "I already played with you!" "No you didn't" "YES I did, with mommy" "That doesn't count" "Yes it does"....

And then I remembered the recipe I've had saved on my bookmarks for a month.  Oh, and I also remembered I had the ingredients!  YES!  I bought them with forethought for my sanity.  I love it when I do that.  Ah cooking, the great peacemaker.  This was so easy that my kids did everything but cut the caramels, and by the end they were on peaceful terms again and my house smells like cider and cookies.  All is well in the house, and I am blogging.

Here's the miracle recipe:
Take premade sugar cookie dough (or make your own if you HAVE to be Betty Homemaker, which I don't) and scoop it out and flatten in your hand.  I don't know how much - bigger amounts make bigger cookies.  Take a caramel (I bought werther's chewy ones and cut them in half, but I figure any will work).  Bury it in the middle of the cookie dough, wrapping the dough around the caramel, thus making a small ball of dough with caramel in the middle.  Roll each ball in apple cider mix and set on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Cook them in a 350 degree oven until their lightly browned (about 13 minutes, they'll be flat & tan).  Take them out and let them cool slightly.  Once you can lift them, flip them over and let them cool completely upside down on a cookie rack so they aren't soggy.

Voila!  You have carmel centers in your apple-cider-flavored-snickerdoodle-type cookies.  They are delicious and easy and cause momentary peace.  I just heard something break...okay, the moment's over.

The Best Watermelon smiles EVER

Some friends came over to spend the afternoon with the kids yesterday and luckily I had made a treat the night before that they could all enjoy.  Here's what you do:  Buy a mini watermelon (on sale now for about $2).  Cut it in half and hollow it out, using a spoon (I used a melon baller).  Do whatever you want with the melon center, you don't need it.  Then measure out how much water it takes to fill the watermelon.  Mine were about 2 cups, which was perfect for my half.  Make jello according to the jiggler recipe on the box and pour it into the hollowed out rind.  Let that sit in the fridge until firm and serve, sliced as you would a normal watermelon.  It was a huge hit with my 4-6 year old crowd. 

The Wild Blue Yonder

I love me some soldiers.  I love that they risk their lives to protect a way of life that most people take for granted (including me sometimes).  I love that my dad was in the Navy and that I have family now serving and that my son wants to be a soldier when he grows up.  It is no wonder then that when I get a chance to attend a military air show that I attempt to make time if possible.  This year we got to go to the March Air Reserve base's airshow with some friends and it was awesome.  We showed up just in time to see the Patriot jets fly in formation all over the skyscape above us and also got to see a plane that can hover in mid-air, a water drop demonstration, lots of trick fliers and the culmination was an impressive show by the Thunderbirds.  It was sunny and warm and we a perfect day spent with family, exposing our kids to the lives that protect us on a daily basis.

Mutton Bustin'

We went out the Phoenix recently and got to catch a little professional rodeo while we were there.  In between the bull riding, they had a kids' show of mutton bustin'.  On the drive out we were skeptical about letting the kids do it if they wanted and decided against it as we hadn't seen the show before.   After seeing it though (and the 2 year old girls out their with their daddies), I would absolutely let the kids try it out.  When we asked them if they were interested, we got mixed reviews.

Here's my son with his reply (not just "no") - OH HECK NO!

My daughter on the other hand was a definitive YES! NOW! PLEASE?!?! AWWW, why not?

YUCK

There are people in this world who don't know a salmon from a trout from a goldfish.  They would look at this picture and say "WOW, that's a big fish".  I, however, am not one of those people.  Although I can appreciate the skill necessary to catch this monster and the strength necessary to fight it to the shore, my response is more of a yuck than a wow.  People DO eat them though.  Not me, but someone does.  I suppose one man's trash is another man's treasure.  Nice catch daddy, even if it IS a carp.

Skitter

I would like to preface this blog by stating that it was not my idea.  In fact, in my eyes, hamsters are mice without tails - EW.  But my daughter loves her new hamster, "Skitter".  As it turns out, she picked a roborovski hamster.  Little did I know at the time, but they are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters.  So now it has somehow become my job to retrieve little Skitter from his cage since no one else can catch him.  My daughter has been holding him every day and he is slowly becoming more comfortable in her hands and will sit still for short periods of time before jetting off in one direction or another, at which point it is my darling hubby's job to retrieve Skitter for her.  At least it has given them another bonding activity and for that I am grateful.  Bonding - yes, hamster food in the carpet - not so much.

Cowgirls

Once a year, some friends join us for the Stagecoach festival out in Indio, CA.  There is lots of sun, singing and swimsuits and a good time had by all.  This year was no exception.  I shall not elaborate further so as not to incriminate myself in any  mischief.  We are some purty cowgirls, if I do say so myself.

My Bad Investment

Last year my hubby mentioned that he'd like to have another boat.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have just let him stew on it until he found one that he was happy with.  But no.  Of course, almost immediately I began perusing craigslist for things that might interest him.  As we had sold our previous pontoon boat the year before, we were considering the idea of buying another one.  When one came up locally for $2500 I took the opportunity to go check it out.  I mean, they're usually in the $7000-$10,000 range, who wouldn't go look?

Well, the guy sold me on it and I bought it (due to my smooth talking) for $1500!  Woo Hoo!  Oh wait, I don't know the first thing about boats.  But it had a new canvas shade/top.... Of course, the first time we took it out it broke down and my husband wanted to sink it to the bottom of the lake.  My brother talked him out of sinking it and the boat sat, untouched, next to the house all winter long.

Once spring rolled around I fixed it up, painted and re-carpeted it using supplies already around our house.  Hubby (reluctantly) fixed the broken starter and rewired a couple items and I was able to sell it for $2400.  I've got to say though, for the $900 profit I may have accumulated off of the deal, I consider the whole transaction a loss.  Don't ever buy in anything that may cost your marriage more than your pocketbook.  I'd pay the $900 back not to have had those arguments about the boat or feel my hubby's resentment for 6 months.  Some investments just aren't worth the profit.

What to Make

Here's an easy-ish one:

I made 24 of these for my daughter's class recently. Buy vanilla pudding and prepare it according to the directions on the box. Split it into six seperate ziplock bags. Put a different food coloring into each bag, seal it and squish it around until it's all one color. Then squeeze each bag into clear plastic cups in layers to make a rainbow. Top it with a cool whip cloud. Easy and fun all in one!

Brave

We have been working with our little guy to try to get him to be less timid and more brave in everyday situations. As a general rule, we have tried to encourage him to do one brave thing every day. We are emphasizing that being brave and having courage doesn't mean you aren't afraid, in fact, it means that often times you ARE afraid and just don't let it keep you from doing something that you would otherwise enjoy. Case in point, playing on the bounce-house slide recently. Although he was afraid at first, he conquered his fear and went down the slide, only to realize how fun it was and want to immediately go again...You will see from the following video, that we haven't had to have this talk with his sister...

Happy Easter!

May God's blessings and promise sink past your brain and into your hearts today~
Click here for one of my favorite Easter Songs

Gentlemen Start Your Engines

We did loads of fun things in the last five days. One of which was taking my hubby to drive NASCAR cars at the Fontana Speedway with his brother. He got to drive the Dale Jr car and his brother was in the Jimmy Johnson rig. We all went and watched to cheer them on...

Six...UGH....S.I.X!!!

I am super duper uber excited to have a six year old!
We can go to movies together, get our nails done, she likes shopping with me, we can play all sorts of "girly" things together, she is still at the age that she listens to me and asks my opinion...and yet....she's SIX - already. Okay, maybe "super duper" but not UBER excited for her to be six...[sigh]

Here's some pics of us having our "girls day" for her birthday this year. We got our nails done with 4 of her girlfriends and their mommies:Then we went out for a "tea" for lunch in our fancy dresses and hats:She even got to have her first sleepover:Yep, six is pretty awesome. But then again, it IS six, and 1-5 were pretty awesome too.

My Little Lunatic

Did you ever get that itch to do something just wildly insane in the freezing cold?
Yeah, me neither.

Well one thing is for sure - She didn't get her mommy's "Stay warm and dry" gene. In case you can't tell what you're viewing, that is my daughter, in her swimsuit and thongs, dancing a jig on the deck while the hail pelts down on her from above. You will notice that mommy took pictures of her from INSIDE the house. Mommy is crazy for many different reasons, liking the cold is not one of them. I guess if that's what puts the wind in her sails though, more power to her. Rock on little lunatic, rock on.

Captain Underpants (the superhero)

I have one word for you - BLACKMAIL. In 12 years when he is being a brat and won't listen to me or do what I ask of him and he thinks he's too cool for his mom:PS, thanks Jill for hosting the superhero birthday a while back. This cape will someday prove invaluable.

Ice Cream A'la 6-year-old

For her 6th birthday, we took our little princess to where every little princess wants to go on her birthday, Famous Dave's Barbeque. What? Yes they do. You don't know what you're talking about. Well OUR LITTLE PRINCESS wanted barbeque, so THERE.

Ahem, although she and her brother (and mommy and daddy) loved the barbequed meats, her favorite part of the meal was dessert, when the waiter brought her a HUGE plate of ice cream for her birthday. She and her brother proceeded to eat their ice cream as any princess would....

Our Little Daredevils

What better way to spend a friends' birthday than a party around and in airplanes? Thanks Cole, for inviting us to share in your big 5th birthday party. Here's a shot of everyone practicing their skydiving initial jump technique. Psssst, I don't know WHAT my little man in the red shirt is doing, I think he jumped out backwards or something....crazy kid.

Oh How I've Missed You.

My darling NASCAR,

I know it's been a while since we've seen each other. I have been lax in my visitations and I truly regret the time we have spent apart. I have only myself to blame. I have found myself a higher calling, as a mommy, and this has caused me to put you on the back burner for quite some time now. I hope you understand. It's not you, it's me (and them).

But wait! There is still hope for us! I have introduced my beautiful darlings to your western track, Fontana, and they hit it off right away. Was it the snacks? Was it the headphones? Maybe the high speed action? I don't know. But whatever it was, there was chemistry and I like where this is headed. I am including a photo of our latest trip to visit in hopes that you will be understanding of the past absences and look forward to our next meeting, hopefully very soon.

What to Make

I have discovered mini-canning jars! They - are - AWESOME.
Here's a quick and easy mini pie recipe for you to try too. Buy pie crusts (sold by the butter in the supermarket), don't make it, it's too hard and who wants that? Then buy pie filling. Don't make it either, see previous comment. Coat the inside of the jar with the pie crust (no, you don't have to butter the jar or measure the crusts). Just push it with your fingers. My 4 year old did half of these. They really are that easy.Fill the inside of the jar with the filling (I used peach, cherry & wait for it...

caramel apple!)

and put a little dab of butter on top. Yep, see? easy. Each can makes about 3 jars worth.Then cut out a little circle from the crust using the ring from the jar top. Cut a little vent out (I used a cookie cutter but you don't have to, use a knife if you want, see if I care). Spray with oiil then sprinkle the top with a little sugar if you're feeling sassy.Now bake it until it's golden brown at about 350 degrees. No, don't complicate it, really, it's THAT EASY. If you are not feeling sassy and really not feeling like eating pie at all then you can give these little darlings as gifts or *GASP* freeze them! Yep, right in the jars. Just like that. I swear. Then when you want to cook them just toss them in the oven like you would have if you were feeling sassy right now. No, you don't have to pre-thaw, no you don' t have to adjust the oven temp. They're canning jars, they're meant to go from hot to cold and back again a zillion times. See, I told you so. Mini-canning jars - are - AWESOME.

What to Make

This one only works if you have a fireplace....and it's pretty self explanatory I think.... camping dessert, not just for dirty people anymore...