Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Yellow Stripe Celebration
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Silver Tray Kitchen Chalkboard
I really have to restrain myself from spraying random objects with the chalkboard paint. I'd love to do a little table top for the boys, or maybe an area on their bedroom wall.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake
I'm going to go ahead and call this "cake", rather than squares, as the recipe produces a very light cake with a delicate crumb. For me, squares or bars are much more dense, but I digress.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dreaming of the City
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_35VHlhQO-Ew/SuCDN5C745I/AAAAAAAADEc/HH1Lkof5uKE/s400/new_york_city.jpg)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Derailed by the Swine Flu!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Best Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting. Ever.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_35VHlhQO-Ew/StUM0czqacI/AAAAAAAADDs/KazsqjUpb24/s400/cupcake.png)
*Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the cake, so I had to rely on some cupcake clip art!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Nothing Says Autumn Like Apple Cider Donuts
I prepared half the batch using the cider glaze with cinnamon and sugar, and then the remaining half we just rolled in cinnamon and sugar. The boys just loved the end result, and I'm pretty sure Camden and Griffin have consumed more donuts in the past 24 hours than they have in their entire lives. I'd say that's a sure mark of a successful recipe!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Crock Pot Applesauce
We live in a quaint little town (okay, technically it is a "city", but if you've ever been here, you'd agree that there isn't anything "city" about it) that is well-known for its orchards. Peaches, plums, apricots, apples, and of course, cherries. I can't tell you how many there are still standing - - I think we drove by 5 or 6 different orchards before settling on the Anderson Apple Ranch on Saturday. In the 8 years that I've lived here, I've witnessed the sad sight of orchard trees being chopped down and fruit ranches closing. Luckily, though, there are still a bunch in operation.
So, on Saturday, we headed out on a little drive, in search of some apples. It is late in the season, but we managed to pick 10 lbs. of red delicious. Camden had fun filling the bucket....
...and Griffin had fun running through the orchard trees...
I looked at some recipes on line, but quickly realized that I didn't need a recipe. I am one of those cooks who thinks I need a recipe that I have to follow to a "T" whenever I make something, but I am trying very, very hard to loosen up in the kitchen and be a bit more creative. While I wouldn't really call making applesauce in the crock pot being creative, at least I didn't freak out and start hyperventilating while I threw my ingredients in. So, progress is being made, my friends!
To the chopped apples, I added one cup of water, the juice from a half of a lemon, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and probably about a tablespoon of granulated sugar. I only ever buy natural applesauce, so I'm not sure what compelled me to add sugar - - next time I will leave it out. Live and learn.
Then, I threw on the lid, set the timer for four hours, and went about my business.
Next, I took my handy potato masher and did some mashing. The result: delicious, homemade applesauce. I think I used approximately 5 lbs. of apples to make this, but of course only ended up with about 3 cups of sauce. I used one cup of it to make some Apple Pumpkin Butter (that's a recipe for another day), so I'll serve the rest as a side dish during the week.
Friday, October 02, 2009
A Wonderful Week
Meeting Pluto
Nana and Camden on Dumbo
Meeting Lightening McQueen and Mater
Relaxing by the pool
Evening appetizers and cocktails
Rachel, Violet, & Kevin
Cousins
Great Britain - World Showcase
Camden's brain short-circuiting at the Lego Store, Downtown Disney
The end!