More Pics of Northern Wisconsin!

More pictures from our hike.

I think Grahm caught 3 or 4 toads - yuck!

This is the pile of treasures the boys collected. We have fungus in many varieties, pine cones, moss, acorns, leaves, twigs, birch bark, flowers, feathers and more...

Fall in Northern Wisconsin!!

The first weekend of October we were invited to go north for the weekend to enjoy the leaves changing color. It was beautiful.

The first morning we went for a boat ride!!

Then a nature hike - gorgeous!!

Then the boys went for a swim - did you notice the jackets and sweatshirts - YIKES!! Count the ribs!!

Sunday morning I was talked into a dip in the lake before church. Jason went right in and under! We girls took our time getting all the way in (I was not washing my hair - that would mean I would have had to pack blowdryers and curling irons). Side note - I have done the Polar Bear swim in RI - so I am not a complete wimp.

Lament

Oh - I wish... I wish I could....

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. . . .Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. . ."
~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sometimes, I just feel ready to burst with something. I feel like there is something original inside of me, that I can make and share... but - it is stuck. So, I copy..

Love that quote.

Consequences of Red Velvet? You Really Don't Want to Know!!

Have you ever enjoyed too much Red Velvet Cake or Cake Pops?

Grahm called me for assistance the evening after his party. He quickly informed me that he had "had way too many cake pops".

I could only agree and reply "Yes, You Did!!"
(And worry about the other mothers reactions while I chuckled)

Grahms Birthday. Part 2

The Friend Party - A Harvest Party



We invited a few of Grahms friends from church and younger siblings of kids on Jayce's soccer team. All week I stressed about rain, the night before I couldn't set up because of the rain. That morning I nervously watched the rain clouds hanging over us, I crossed my fingers. The rain held out for us, we had one little sprinkle that I started to worry about.





As the guests arrived we played the old game of a cotton ball on a spoon. I have learned from previous parties that it is very hard to get children that you are not around that often, boys, and young to listen and actually play games. They are too easily distracted. So I had them line up, handed them their spoons and cotton balls and told them to run to the fence. They ran back and forth (I had to give them new cotton balls, because when they fell on the wet grass they would stick to the spoon - Cheating!!!).

After everyone was there we decided to bob for apples. I used warm water because we had a chilly fall day. Grahm went first and grabbed the apple by the stem (oops - I forgot). Charlotte appreciated the stems!!! After that I realized I needed to have a brave boy show them how it is done, so Jayce stepped up and stuck his head all the way in to get his apple. The other boys ended up a little wetter. Grahm was determined to get wet and do it right, except he does not like to get his ears wet (or his face). So he kept dipping his face in for a few tries, he was so determined!!




Next, we painted mini pumpkin gords. I used washable crayola paint. I squirted different colors into the bowls and gave them their paint brushes. I was invisioning pumpkin faces. They decided mixing the colors and painting them solid black was better - Boys!!


Then, we bobbed for Doughnuts. This is my boys favorite thing to do. You get to eat doughnuts, get messy and be silly. This time they actually stuck to no hands for awhile. I helped the little ones by holding the string still close to their doughnut, so they could get one bite before they used their hands. These are my favorite pictures.






Finally, we played pin the face on the Pumpkin. I had them draw their own faces on paper. I cut it out - blindfolded them, spin, spin, spin and handed them the pieces for them to assemble the face. They got a kick out of it.



Then we opened presents. Drank more hot cider, ate candy corn, and enjoyed Cake Pops. It was almost time for parents to come, so I had them play another old game to keep them busy. You stand on a chair - in this case a hay bale. Hold a clothes pin to your nose and try to drop it into a container. I had to get smaller mouthed containers after a minute - they were hitting it every time.



I sent everyone home with a popcorn ball, apple pie caramale apple, stickers, and their painted gord all tied up in a bandana.

This was such an easy laid back party, fun games, yummy food, and happy five year olds!!!

Grahms Birthday!! Part 1

On the actual day, the only celebrating we did was allow him to open his gifts from us and his grandparents. I like to do it in style on the weekend when hopefully life is a little less hectic.




I did want to say I just love this little guy. When he smiles the world smiles with him (when he is mad the world, well - just sayin'). He can melt my heart with his big blue eyes. I love to experience the world with him, he has such a great view of the world. Just stop growing, please - I just can't keep up.

Apple Pie Caramel Apples!!! UPDATED

Have you ever had an Apple Pie Caramel Apples? You Should!! Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory makes them. They are well worth the $5. However, I live about an hour from the nearest store. So my cravings go unsatisfied more often then not.

As I was getting ready for Grahm's Birthday Party (more to come) and trying to decide what to do. I decided to make caramel apples and then thought I should make them super caramel apples. I hunted online for a recipe or how to - but no one was helping.

So, based on my last memory of the Apple Pie Caramel Apple I went to work.

First - you need crisp apples (mine were not - still good - just not to die for!!). I like Granny Smiths.

Second - you need dipping caramel. I usually make my own, but for speed and kids - I grabbed the Kraft Caramel squares. Just follow the directions. I did encountered problems, but disaster was averted (see the caramel decided to keep running even after being cooled!!). Any hints on dipping apples in caramel?
POST EDIT: I was helping a friend make these and we added less water then the package of Kraft Caramel squares says and it worked much better.


Third - you need white chocolate for dipping. Do not use vanilla flavored candy coating - must be chocolate.

Fourth - you need apple pie spices and sugar. I used my apple pie recipe as a guide.
3/4 C Sugar
1tsp Cinnamon (I added a little more)
1tsp Nutmeg (I used fresh, so I used a little less)

UPDATE:  Use Brown Sugar and Cinnamon (I still think a little nutmeg is fun).


After dipping the apples in caramel let set (I did not cover the entire apple in caramel). Dip the apples in white chocolate, let excess run off (I did not cover all the caramel). Then roll in sugar and spices before the chocolate hardens. Sit on wax paper.


Refrigerate until ready to serve. YUMMIEST APPLES EVER!!!!