"I knew I'd been good this year..."

What Sadie said to Brian on Christmas morning. One of those ahhh moments that you get to have as a parent.

The Mom Test

I don't know who to credit this to...it was one of those random e-mail forwards (most of which I detest...which is why this funny one is here on my blog instead of in your inbox.)

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart." I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad. ''Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

and my fire is so delightful (that's my new gas stove--I'm referring to). So I'll just stay inside today and have "Christmas Kitchen" day. My friend Kaylene passed on the recipe and her expertise for these awesome caramel apples. The caramel is delicious and these have become a traditional Christmas treat around our house. Lisa came over today and we made a lot of apples! My personal favorites are the caramel dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Yummy. So, if you are feeling inspired here is the recipe to have fun in your own kitchen....

Caramel Apples

2 cups butter
2 lbs. brown sugar
Dash salt
2 cups light corn syrup
2 15 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter, add brown sugar & dash salt. Add corn syrup. Mix. Combine over medium high heat. (7 on electric stove) Add sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly to about 235-238 right between soft and hardball stage. Stir in vanilla at the end. Start dipping apples after caramel has had just a minute to set. (if the caramel is too hot it will slide off the apples.)

For ice cream-less than softball stage 230
For carmels hardball 245-250 hardball stage

Tips: de-wax, insert sticks and chill apples prior to making caramel. Wax will prevent caramel from sticking to apples, inserting sticks and chilling will make apples ready to go as soon as caramel is ready.

½ this recipe will do about 12 apples, 10 pretty ones and 2 with not so smooth caramel…

Turtle Shortbread Cookies

When December comes, I keep my sanity by spending time in the kitchen. It is one of the things that I love to do, and on Sundays when I put all the other projects aside baking doesn't feel like work at all. This was yesterdays project for a cookie exchange with my recipe group. Check out the recipe at our Saucy Cooks blog. Next edible??? Caramel apples on Wednesday...want to join me?

Isn't this absurd?

Brian and I were greatly entertained yesterday when we looked outside and saw this at our neighbors house...Now we understand that the fall is a good time to lay sod but if you have to rake the snow first...