Try-it Tuesdays Caramel Apples

My family and I love caramel apples. Such a fun treat to make for a sleep-over, birthday party, Halloween, you name it and anytime is a good time.
I have tried several recipes and found this one to be the best for caramel apples. Try them, you'll love it.
Caramel
2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
pinch of baking soda
1 stick butter
1 (12oz) can evaporated milk

In a heavy 4 quart saucepan, combine corn syrup, water and sugar. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes to a boil. Add soda and stir well. Clip on Candy thermometer. Add butter and stir well. Stirring constantly and without allowing mixture to stop boiling, slowly add milk.. Continue stiring yo keep mixture from scorching. Caramel is done when it reaches 242F. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 200F. Dip apples until thoroughly coated. Place on a bed of nut, chocolate chips, m&m's, etc., Hint: Silpat's work great if you only want a caramel apple!

Monday Gratitudes

Ranleigh and I had such a nice weekend. We were able to attend Mike and Karen's wedding in Detroit. Everything was beautiful. Mike and Karen are such great people. I'm grateful to know them.
This weekend also gave me time to reflect on my relationship with my hubby. I'm grateful for him, he is such a good man. He is kind, loving, great with our kids, smart, funny and very handsome.
I'm grateful for our marriage.

Monday Gratitudes

I am truly grateful for all the wonderful canners in my church family. This past week the kids and I were able to snap a ton of green beans at the home of our wonderful Sister Bridges. She was so kind to help us and take the time out of her busy schedule. We were able to can 14 jars! Good experience.
I'm excited to can peaches next. Love it.
I'm also grateful that my children start school this week. I wish that the summer was a little longer but I think it's time for them to make new friends and hopefully renew the friendships they made last year.
I'm also grateful to be on this earth and alive. I know that I've said it before but I'm so glad to be here for my family. These past several months have been pretty hard for my kids. I know that we are blessed.

Monday Gratitudes

Today was so hot and humid that it was hard to see any reason to be grateful for this time of year. But as the scriptures say there must be 'opposition in all things'. Were it not so, then value would cease to exist. I know better than to complain about the humidity and the crazy things that my hair does-the fact is- that this is going to happen over and over again. Hey this is the midwest -where the corn grows as tall as en Elephant's eye. So I must learn to accept the humidity and try to be thankful for it. Which leads me into truly looking forward to crisp fall days.(picture of Noah)
All kidding aside, I am thankful to live in this part of the country. It truly is a beautiful place.

I'm also grateful for my brother Matt (picture of him lighting our bonfire) who is serving in the military. He has a beautiful family in Utah and this is his third deployment to Iraq. My sister in-law is raising 4 kids by herself, while he is away, and she has a positive attitude. Makes me even more grateful for my hubby being home.
I am grateful to have all of the kids school shopping done. This is their last full week of summer vacation so we're going to plan a fun weekend for them.

Up town girl give-away link -Darling

This is the photo from the cover of the ‘up town girl’ pattern created by the incredibly talented and gifted Aussie designer and blogger Toni from Make it Perfect.
It’s the next piece of kids clothing that I want to make. I need a pattern for a coat. I can wing it for a skirt, …but a coat. A coat I need a pattern for.
If I’m lucky I might just win one! Pop over to Handmade Kids and have a look. Leave a comment and you could be in the running as well. Just make sure you don’t win though okay…because I want to!

Try-it Tuesdays Spinach Salad

THis is such a fabulous salad and the dressing is absolutely yummy. If you like mandarin oranges you can add those too.

10 ounces fresh spinach
1 cup sliced celery
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced

Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dry mustard
2/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
14-1/2 red onion
2 cups oil
3 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

Combine sugar, salt, mustard, vinegar, and red onion in blender. Blend and slowly add oil. Add poppy seeds. Refrigerate.

Caramelized Pecans
1 cup sugar
1 cup pecans

Place sugar in a heavy pot. Once sugar begins to melt add pecans. Slowly cook until the sugar is melted onto the pecans and they are browned a little. Immediately place on wax paper. Cool.