Pumpkin Baby

Cheesy? Yes. Adorable? OF COURSE! Benson was not in a smiling mood. But, the pics are great nonetheless.

Happy Halloween

Family of doctors!

Tagged!

My Darling sister in law Haley tagged me on her blog. Yes, Haley, I do read your blog. And often. I just am the most horrible comment writer in the world. So, to let her know that I think of her and her family often, here are the answers to the questions she posted.

1. If time could stop for one day, and you could travel to anywhere in the entire world and have no consequences (as in, you could leave your kids and no one would even know you were gone), where would you travel?

New York. I would see every Broadway musical that I could and then go to the Sacred Grove. But then again I want to go to Ireland. Because what girl doesn't want to go to Ireland?

2. If you could choose one season to have all year-around, which would it be? (summer, fall, winter, spring)

Fall! FALL! I love the fall. I love the leaves and the crisp air. I get all giddy watching the school buses drive the kiddies to and from school. The colors are so lovely I can't help but grin at Mother Nature's genius. I especially love the anticipation of the holidays. I think I just might enjoy the months leading up to the holidays more than the holidays themselves. I can't contain my self from baking every pumpkin recipe I come across. And I don't even shed a tear when I say good bye to shorts and short sleeves to say hello to sweaters and fluffy socks.
*SIGH* Fall, you are my favorite thing.

3. What is the grossest food you've ever eaten?

I'm not that brave as far as food goes so I pretty much each what I know is going to please the old taster. But, if I think hard enough I do remember eating some chewy calamari that really turned the tummy.

4. What is your favorite dessert recipe? (please post the whole recipe if you can, then we can all make it too!)

OH, what I terrible question. I have a love affair with desserts and I can't choose just one. How do you think this will make all of the other delicious recipes that I adore feel. BUT, since it is October, and we all have orange on the brain, I will post my favorite pumpkin pie recipe. It really is the best pumpkin pie you have ever had.

Aunt Laurie's Pumpkin Pie:

1 unbaked pie crust (for an oversize pie pan)
1 30 oz. can pumpkin (I usually use about 3 cups fresh pureed pumpkin)
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (don't you dare get fat free)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup brown sugar

Make your crust first. Here is my Mother's crust recipe and it will never let you down.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 tablespoon sugar
ICE COLD water to form ball (2-3 tablespoons)
*Cut shortening into flour, salt and sugar. Add water gradually and fold gently until mixture forms a ball. Roll out using generous amounts of flour.

*Onto the pie instructions: Preheat oven to 425. In large mixer bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well on low speed. Pour into pie shell. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temp, to 350 and continue baking for 35-45 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Cool and serve with whipped cream!

5. Would you rather... have to keep your pointer finger in your nostril every time you enter a restaurant (for the entire time), OR have to slap everyone's bum every time you get in an elevator? (I love making up questions like this! Bahahahaha!)

I think I'll choose the bum smacking. Who doesn't enjoy a nice juicy piece of bum every now and again on an elevator ride.

6. If you could have a magic power for one day, what would you choose?

READ MY HUSBANDS MIND! That man doesn't talk feelings or thoughts to save his life. I would love to hear what actually goes on in that head of his.

7. Open your picture file on your computer, count across or down 10 pictures, and post that exact picture for all to see! I better see some good embarrassing ones, no cheating!!!
I totally cheated. I don't have that many pictures on my computer. They are all here on the blog or on the camera or on my other computer that is currently infested with a nasty virus and won't work. So, here is the closest to 10 across and down that I could come up with. Everyone is invited;)

8. If time travel were possible to you, and you could go back to any age for one week, what age would you choose and would you change anything that you did?

I think that I would want to go back to say . . . 7 or 8 and take piano lessons. I really wish I could play the piano.

I now tag . . . my Mom, My sisters three, and Char.

Its a Baby Shower . . . Cake

I volunteered to do a cake for a friends baby shower this weekend. I had a blast. I got a little obsessed. Now I can't wait to make another cake. HALLOWEEN CAKE HERE I COME!

Side view

rear view

Front View! FUN STUFF. I will now have my own TV show on TLC called . . . well I don't know what the name will be, but it will be awes.

A is for Apple

Seeing all the red, yellow, and green fall colored apples at the market (yes I called it a market. it just seemed appropriate) made my little mouth water with desire. I finally gave into the desire and uncovered this little jewel. The process of making the apple of your dreams is time consuming but, oh, what a treat. Plus, it kinda looks pretty too!

And yes, it was as divinely yummerific as it looks.

Make it Yourself:

Yields 5 Caramel Apples

5 Granny Smith Apples
Wooden Craft Sticks
1 (14 oz) bag individually wrapped caramels
2 T water
Milk and White Chocolate chips (or whatever feeds your fancy)
Chopped Nuts

1: AND THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT - believe me- Boil a large pot of water on the stove top. Using slotted spoon, dip each apple momentarily in boiling water. Removed promptly and quickly dry with clean towel. This removes excess wax and caramel will not stick well to apples this step is omitted.
2: Unwrap caramels and place in large microwave safe bowel. Add 2T water and microwave for 1 minute. Stir. Continue melting in microwave for in 30 second intervals until caramels are smooth and drippy. Let cool for a few minutes so it give the apple a nice thick coat of caramel.
3: Stick wooden craft stick into core of apples and dip into caramel. Place on cookie sheet lined with greased wax paper. Roll in chopped nuts to coat. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
4:In the mean time, melt chocolate chips in microwave the same you the caramels were melted. (but without water) I also like to use a small Corelle bowl placed over a small pot of boiling water on the stove to make a double boiler. I can make sure the chips don't scald this way.
5: Remove apple from fridge and, using fork, sprinkle apple with chocolate. Refrigerate after each type of chocolate to prevent dripping and melting.
6: First take pictures of your beautiful creation and then . . . DIG IN! You deserve it.

Rice Cereal

Benson has been eating rice cereal for a few weeks now and he LOVES IT! He has never been that good of an eater and that has always made me a little nervous. But, since we started cereal he has been eating like a pro and getting bigger by the day. They say that starting solids too early can lead to obesity, but who the heck are "they" anyway. My guy is so much happier now during the days because of eating solids. He sleeps longer at nap time and at night. I think it is because he is more full and he is content not to eat every two hours.

However, it is a messy business. Thank goodness for bibs, the bumbo, and a couch that wipes clean easily.

Benson arches his back and tries to get out of the bumbo. He is an active little critter. He can actually get out of the bumbo now so I never leave him unattended while in his little green seat.

Try as I might, I can't keep his hands away from his mouth while eating. So, he gets double messy. Whatever right. It sure is cute.

Awww. Look at that adorable ragamuffin face.

He finally got a hold of the bowl and licked it clean, so to speak;)

I Should Be...

I should be doing the dishes . . .

But my bed looks so inviting and cozy.
Just a few minutes.

I should be sweeping and vacuuming.

But a nice warm bath sounds so relaxing.
I have to get ready at some point, right?

I should be making the bed. . .

But I haven't looked at friends blogs forever.
I'll only post one more comment.

I should be finishing the quilt I started ages ago. . .

But I haven't watched Price is Right for who knows how long.
Just one more contestant.

I should be doing laundry . . .

But I want to try out this new cookies recipe.
Just one batch.

I should be exercising. . .

But my shoes are way over there and the couch is way over here.
Just settle in a little longer.

I should be making dinner. . .

But...Oh heck I just don't want to make dinner.
No real excuse.

I should be . . . I should be . . . I should be . . .

BUT . . . I need a break from all those silly I should be's.
And by gingo! I deserve one.