Jason's Photos
Mama of Many - The Williams Family - Wait! Where did all these people come from?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Elder Larry R. Lawrence - Courageous Parenting
This talk is from my past Stake President, this was the counsel we received many years ago when my oldest was 11 years old. (she now is 25) President Lawrence and his wonderful wife held a fireside for Parents with children under the age of 12. The words rang so true to me, we had already had two bad experiences with our oldest daughter staying the night at others years before and had already made the decision not to do sleep overs.
I knew what he was saying that night was right and it was wonderful to hear it. Donny and I as parents took this counsel to heart. We faced much opposition through out the years, even from our extended family. But I knew may first and primary concern was the health and well being of my children.
My nine children now range in age 5 to 25, two of them are married.
It is still a battle at times, but now the world has heard it and I hope we will all support each other.
Thank you Elder Lawrence
Friday, October 15, 2010
Cornbelly's
I love the season of Fall. I enjoy each season but would have to say I enjoy winter the least (I do love Christmas snow). There is something about the colors, pumpkins and the nip in the air. I am not a big fan of Halloween all the scary witches, ghouls and blood, to me there is an evil to it that I just do not like.
But when it comes to celebrating Fall I love it!! Pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, hot cider, the changing of the leaves on the trees, corn stalks, apples and hay rides.
But when it comes to celebrating Fall I love it!! Pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, hot cider, the changing of the leaves on the trees, corn stalks, apples and hay rides.
The corn maze for 2010
This year I took the kids to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point, I had never been there before. There are fun activities for everyone to enjoy. We watched pig races, went on a hay ride and walked through the huge corn maze. The had fires burning where you could sit and cook s'mores.
Lindsay on the Jumping pillows
It's a Cow Train?!
An ol' favorite, no visit to Cornbelly's is complete
without a ride on our cow train.
Squeeze Lindsay
You have to pump the water to make the ducks race
on the Hay Ride
on The Grain Train
Okay, Devin belongs on the other bus! Not on the Cool Bus
Princess Lindsay looking off in the distance
This is a great chair!
I need some of these!
Spooktacular Jack-O-Lanterns
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Caramel Apples!!
Easy Caramel Apples
Every fall I look forward to making caramel apples. What great memories I have buying a caramel or candied apple at the Fresno Fair every year. It's funny growing up in California where so many things grow, I had never seen an apple growing on the tree until I was married with two kids. I was in Ohio where Donny's parents had an apple tree growing in their back yard. I guess it is like when people see oranges or lemons on the tree for the first time, when you grow up with it you don't realize how cool it is.
So Yummy!!
5 Granny Smith apples - washed, well dried . We used Golden Delicious apples: golden skin, firm, sweet, the Granny Smith are a little to tart for us. Choose smaller apples - they'll be easier to make, easier to eat, and will give you a better caramel to apple ratio! Yummy
5 wooden sticks
1 (11 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped (the kids love unwrapping them)
2 tablespoons water
With a family our size we have to double and even triple this amount
Directions:
Insert wooden sticks 3/4 of the way into the stem end of each apple. Place apples on a cookie sheet covered with lightly greased aluminum foil.
Combine caramels and water in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until caramel melts and is smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Dip each apple into the caramel and gently run apples around insides of saucepan to scrape off some of the caramel. Scrape excess caramel from the apple bottoms using the side of the saucepan. Place on the aluminum foil and chill until ready to serve.
Kraft vs Brach's
Our experience: The Kraft caramels were creamy, light in color and stayed on the apples. The Brach's caramels were creamy but created air bubbles (so they didn't look as nice), the color a little darker but the caramel did not stay on the apples. So the outcome, we will use Kraft for now on.
Tricks and Advice
You can use a combination of different colored apples: red, green and yellow.
Choose uniform-sized apples--small apples work best.
Before dipping apples in caramel, set them on an even surface and cut half-inch slices in the top of each apple to ensure that the sticks poke straight up.
Dip apples in one quick motion; let excess caramel drip off. Holding apple upright, press toppings into caramel to hold them in place.
Use latex/vinyl gloves (available at drugstores) when pressing on toppings.
Use a pastry bag with a small tip and melted chocolate to make polka dots.
Set dipped apples on wax squares or parchment paper.
And remember: caramel apples are always best eaten the same day they are made!
Ingredients to Make Your Own Caramel
Recipe without Corn Syrup
Makes enough caramel to coat 6-8 apples.
Brown sugar (1 and 1/2 cups)
Butter (1 and 1/2 tbsp)
Milk, cream or water (6 tbsp)
Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon)
Recipe with Corn Syrup
Makes enough caramel to coat 6-8 apples.
Brown sugar (1 cup)
You can use regular sugar, but brown sugar gives a deeper caramel flavor.
Corn syrup (1/2 cup)
Use either light or dark corn syrup. Dark corn syrup has a stronger flavor.
Milk (1/2 cup)
Cream (1/4 cup)
Condensed milk (1/2 cup)
Butter (2 tbsp.)
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
More Ways to Make Caramel Apples
If you want to give your caramel apples an extra kick, here are a few ideas:
Flavored Caramel
Flavor your caramel for an interesting twist on your caramel apple.
Vanilla extract goes perfectly with caramel; double your vanilla for more vanilla taste.
Add maple extract for a fall-like flavor.
Add peanut butter.
If you're melting caramel candies, melt chocolate caramels instead of regular ones!
Caramel Apple Variations
Re-create a popular flavor combination:
Turtle Caramel Apples: Add pecans and chocolate on top.
Rocky Road Caramel Apples: Marshmallows, chocolate, and pecans.
Peanut Butter Crunch Apples: Peanut butter cookies and chocolate drizzles
S'Mores Apples: Marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.
Seattle Caramel Apples: Trail mix and chocolate chips.
Cherry Almond Caramel Apples: Almonds, cherries, and chocolate.
Sweet and Salty Caramel Apples: Chocolate and sea salt.
Chocolate Caramel Apples
You can always dip your apples in a second layer of milk or dark chocolate. If you're not a fan of chocolate, use white chocolate for your coating instead. Then, if you wish, add a third layer of crushed nuts or candies.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
MyGetTogether - Chex Mix Party
It is always fun to be asked to give your opinion about a product. I was chosen to be a MyGetTogether host for their Chex Mix Snacks “Game Day” get-together. I was sent bags of the Traditional, Honey Nut, and Turtle flavors. I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE to make Chex Mix at holiday time every year and we have tried the prepackages before. It was good (but in my opinion, not as good as the homemade traditional mix) But it was an overall hit, it is easy, fun and there is something for everyone. Great for party's, picnics and on road trips. (plus there are box tops on each bag)
Disclosure: MyGetTogether provided several bags of Chex Mix, the football bowl, coupons, plates and napkins. The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.
The host kit, a box full of goodies, plates, napkins, a fun bowl and coupons to share
It is always great together with family and friends.
What is great about Chex Mix is it has 60% less fat than regular potato chips
and there are flavors to satisfy everyone!!
Disclosure: MyGetTogether provided several bags of Chex Mix, the football bowl, coupons, plates and napkins. The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wordless Wednesday - Earl
This is a great shot of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
with Hurricane Earl passing by.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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