Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Caramel Apples

 Stop by the Toy Store this Saturday for
some homemade caramel apples!


 Locally grown apples from Showalter's Orchard.


Multi-tasking Wes.


Dipped in deliciousness.


Men in the kitchen- watch out!


Bagged and ready for Saturday. They will be $2.50 a piece.

Caramel Apples

2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup dark corn syrup
1- 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
16 small apples

Combine first five ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over
medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and cook,
stirring constantly until mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy
thermometer. Remove from heat, cool to 200 degrees.
Dip apples and place on greased, wax paper.
Set in freezer until hardened. Place in bags.
Store in refrigerator. Good up to 1 week.

Tips I forgot to add!

Locally grown apples work better because they are
not waxed like your store bought apples.

Wash them and dry well so the caramel will not slide off.

If you are bagging them, lightly spray the apple with pam,
this makes them slide in the bag.
Otherwise, it's tug-a-war with the caramel and your bag.
Have one person hold the bag and
the other quickly slide it in.

Blessings,
Hope

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Wedding

Hannah and Mike's wedding was gorgeous.
They are such a cute couple
and I am glad Mike is a part of our family.

I was privileged to help Hannah
with some of the wedding planning
and decorations. We merged ideas
and poof it all came together.

Here are some photos I took peaking over
the real photographers shoulder.

























































And they lived happily ever after.

The End,

Hope

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Todd Lake 2011

We headed to Todd Lake Friday afternoon
for our annual camping trip with the Noel Farm Kids.

It had rained for the last 4 days and we
were worried we would have to cancel our trip.
But... the sun came out and we had beautiful weather.
We were chased in the camper once with a shower,
but nothing to ruin our trip.

My sister, Charity, and her husband, Wes, were
along with us this year. We had a wonderful
time together, watching the children play
and catching up on things.


The Lake.






Dad and Mom.



The children playing bubbles.


Fun in the sun.


Our campsite.





Uncle Josh showing Sawyer how dangerous fire is.


Cajun grilled shrimp.


4 packs of bacon, and every piece vanished.

Now back to work, this week will be a busy one!

Blessings,
Hope


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Hannah's Bridal Shower

We had a shower for my dear,
sister-in-law, Hannah last evening.
She was showered with many useful gifts
to help start her and Mike's new home.

The ladies from her church planned the
shower and did a wonderful job.
I helped out a little with arranging the
flowers and making a relish tray.

Here are a few photos for the Aunties
and family from out of state.



The gifts.


The blushing, bride to be.


More folks and Hannah.


The wonderful food prepared by different ladies.


The flowers.










Mike, her fiance, drove here last night.
It's less than two weeks until their wedding.

Can't wait!

Hope