Make Them NOW.

I fixed these delightful little creatures the other evening and definitely exceeded my goal of only eating one and sharing the rest with my co-workers.  They are wonderful with a cup of tea! You don't understand. THEY ARE PERFECT. Plus, you porbably have most of the ingredients already in your pantry....all you need to go grab is the cider packets and the caramels. So, go! Get what you don't already have, and make some baked Autumn goodness!

Caramel Apple Cookies

Ingredients

1 t ground cinnamon

1 c softened unsalted butter

1 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t ground cloves

1 c organic granulated sugar

1/2 t finely ground kosher sea salt

1 box of your favorite apple cider mix  packets (I bought Alpine Spiced Apple Cider)

2 eggs

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t baking powder

3 c unbleached all purpose flour

1 t baking soda

1 bag Caramels (I used the square ones made by Kraft)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Line cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment
• In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Cream (mix vigorously) together butter, sugar, salt, and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Add vanilla and mix well.
• Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
• Refrigerate for about an hour - this is not neccessary, but does make the dough easier to work with
• When you are ready to bake, unwrap your caramels.
• Scoop out cookie dough balls the sixe of a Tablespoon.
• Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on your wax paper about 1-2 inches apart.
• Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. Don't over-bake! Once the cookies are done, pick up your wax paper and lay it on the counter so cookies cool for about 10 minutes. You want to take them off the was paper before they cool completely or they will stick.
• Yield: about 3 dozen.

Help!

Hello Friends,

The other day, I mentioned our new journey and how we just may have some children staying in our home soon. Well, we attended our second I.M.P.A.C.T. class yesterday and learned a lot! We also realized that taking in foster children means we will need to keep some items available for when the need arises.

Our coordinator explained that we may get children ranging in age from 1 day old up to 12 years old. There may be times we get a sibling group with an infant and also 1 or 2 older siblings. So here is the deal: we have to have furniture and many other things accessible for a variety of ages. Here is where you come in!

Maybe you have some of these items and could donate them to us. I promise to put them to good use caring for orphans and little ones who have struggling families. If you cannot donate the items, maybe you have them and could sell them for a very low price. If so, please let us know!

Furniture/Car Safety:

• Crib/bassinet
• Car seat
• Booster seat
• Bunk beds (hoping to find one with a full bed/futon on bottom and twin on top; we already have mattresses)
• High chair
• Changing table

Miscellaneous Household:

• Baby monitors
• Baby bottles (glass if possible)
• Baby gates (need 4)
• mattress pads/crib liners
• sheets for crib/bassinet
• toddler/baby toys
• bibs
• baby blankets
• burp cloths
• Diaper can
• Diaper bag

We would also really like to accumulate clothing in various baby/child sizes. If you have anything you would like to ship us we will gladly pay the shipping. Thanks in advance for your help and support!

As soon as I get the time, I plan on registering at Wal-Mart and Kids-r-Us just so people have an idea of what we are looking for. We look forward to seeing God use His Church (not just us) as we endeavor to care for children who need His love.

He Clothes the Birds

Green paint. My favorite color for a home.
Large, open kitchen. All appliances for just $125.
Quaint spaces.
Sunken garden jet tub. I've wanted one for years.
Whimsical wooded lot. Perfect for laughing children and big dogs.
Earnest money turned in.
Contract executed.
Underwriting file complete.
Appraisal submitted.
Appraiser changes her mind.
Changes the appraisal to reflect a different type of property.
No loan. Requirements for house not met.
We keep renting.

BUT GOD is still faithful.
He is quiet today.
I can't hear Him whispering creativity to my heart.
I cry a lot.

How many day dream debuts did the master bedroom make in my mind?
How many times did I redecorate the hallways, bedrooms, and kitchen?

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

- Jesus  

I.M.P.A.C.T.

Tonight Jonah and I start a new little journey. Well, actually the journey began in our hearts several years ago while we were still courting. I remember laying in a field on our backs, looking up at puffy white clouds and a blue sky, both of us dreaming about the future and speaking about what it might look like. We discussed having 8 kids (lol, NEVER going to happen), buying a cute house, hiking all the time, never falling out of love....we poured out our hearts talking about orphans, America, kids in America who need families. We talked about fostering.

Today must be "the future". After being house parents for 6 months this past Spring, Jonah and I cannot stop thinking about what part we are supposed to play in the lives of children who don't have a family. We cuddle in bed at night and whisper about "the boys", the ones we had to leave at the childrens' home because our season there was up. We tear up as we discuss what their futures may hold and who they might become one day. We reinvent programs and make plans for the group home every night.

A couple nights ago, upon returning from church, we ran into the police, well actually 4 police officers. We were going up the steps with a little girl who we have been taking to church with us, thinking we were taking her back to her grandmother to get ready for bed, but the police were in their "apartment" (if you can call a 10x10 bedroom with a closet an apartment) searching the room. We had to leave her there, despite her asking to please come home with us. The fear in her eyes scared me. What must be going through her mind? 8 years old and the police are searching through your most private possessions. We got home and the police came by to speak with us about 30 minutes later. Allegations of abuse had been made. Could she stay with us if neccessary? Of course.

We haven't seen her since Sunday night. She does not come running to our house as soon as we get home. She does not peer out the window when we walk our dog. She does not laugh and call us Crazy Jonah and Miss Sarah. She does not come over hungry and eat our PB&Js. She does not jump on our beds. We haven't seen her since the police left her in that room with her grandma.

At home, I cry. I ask my husband what we are supposed to do. I blame the government. I blame the Church. I question God. I wrestle with guilt as I eat and live and feel comfortable and safe.

Tonight we begin classes to become foster parents. I am not sure if this is just to remedy our own shame at living so joyfully. I am not sure if we can really help any children. I am not sure I can be a good mother. I am not sure that I can wake up at 2am and care for a sick little one. I am not sure we have the money. I am not sure we are worthy.

Autumn Apples!

As a girl, my elementary schools in New York and Pennsylvania took us apple picking each year. Early Fall is one of the best times for joy-filled walks in an orchard. I remember with delight the crisp air and smile on my face as we raced off the buses and into the orchard! I would bite the first apple I could find and savor the sweet, enchanting fruit. Eve and I must be related.

Anyway, everyone knows that apples are one of the very best fruits for cooking! I like them with just about anything. I even cook apples in stews!

Below you will find the simplest applesauce recipe (and it all gets made in your crock pot)! I have been using it for years and it is so wholesome and tasty.

Spiced Applesauce

• 10 medium-sized cooking apples
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/8 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup regular sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 Tablespoon ground cloves

Peel, core & slice apples into 6 pieces each. Place in crockpot. Add your water and brown sugar, and then add your spices. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 3 1/2 hours. Once cooked, your applesauce may need a little mashing with a fork or potato masher....then, smile and divulge.

Keurig in my cup!

Recently, I decided to forego washing my hair (but that story is for another day)! This morning I wanted to share my recent success in completely eliminating processed, store bought coffee creamers from my coffee regime. I feel a great sense of pride in this victory as I have pretty much been addicted to coffee since my mom first put her stainless steel Puerto Rican coffee pot on our stove when I was 10 years old! Cafe con leche is more important than food in my book!

Anyway, for the past week and a half I have played with several variations of homemade flavored creamers....and they work! Oh my goodness they are delicious! Enough bragging, I know you are ready to concoct your own milky delightfulness!

Pumpkin Spice Creamer

1 Cup Whole Milk                   4 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Cup Heavy Cream                1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon (or 3 cinnamon sticks)
3 Tablespoons pureed pumpkin (you can use canned if you want)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract     1 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (I use McCormick)

Whisk together all ingredients except vanilla extract. Pour into a sauce pan and heat on medium low until the mixture begins to let off steam. Then pour it all through a stainless steel strainer or a mesh sieve. Use a funnel to pour it into a glass bottle, and refridgerate.

Anna's Peppermint Mocha
(in honor of my good friend, who usually waits all year for her holiday favorite)

1 Cup Whole Milk                   4 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Cup Heavy Cream              3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract    1 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract

Whisk together all ingredients except vanilla and peppermint extracts. Pour into a sauce pan and heat on medium low until the mixture begins to let off steam. Then pour it all through a stainless steel strainer or a mesh sieve. Use a funnel to pour it into a glass bottle, and refridgerate.



I hope you like these as much as I do!

CHEEburger CHEEburger!!!

You asked for it....CHEEburger Casserole, Crockpot style!
1 Pound ground beef - (to 1 1/2 lbs)


2 onions, coarsely chopped
5 red potatoes, chopped into quarters
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
1 can of ro-tel
1 garlic clove finely chopped
2 Tablespoons of worcestershire
1 bag of fresh frozen peas
1/2 bag of baby carrots (chopped into 1 inch pieces)
8 large slices of sharp red hoop cheddar

Brown your onions and beef with the garlic, black pepper, and worcestershire. Toss your meat, onions, and garlic into the crock pot. Pour your can of ro-tel in before adding any other ingredients. Then, layer your veggies (without mixing) on top of your meat. I like to put the potatoes second to last, then the peas (keeps the peas from getting soggy). Turn your crock pot on low and let cook for 5-6 hours. Add the hoop cheddar about 2 hours before you are going to eat! Tasty, tasty.


Let me know what you think!

Super Crock Pot Saves Starving Husband!

Have I mentioned that I have a crock pot? Yep, and I love it, let me explain.

Well, you see, my husband has gained 30 pounds since we got married....seriously. Not to mention that he regularly tells me there is nothing to eat in the house! Oh, and I recently accepted a job working in an office with office hours (so I don't get home until after 5:30 every day). All said and done, I have been desperately trying to struggle the demands of a hungry husband, a new job, housecleaning, purchasing a new home, and reaching out into our local community. Here is where the crock pot comes in....what better way to save time and feed my growing boy? I have a myriad of recipes thanks to some cook books and my crazy foodie brain. Over the past 2 weeks I have chopped, browned, and tossed ingredients into one pot for several hours, only to discover a scrumptious meal waiting for us at our house upon return home! Below, I will share a recent favorite and if I get lots of happy comments I will share more soon.

Keep in mind that my measurements are approximate as I never measure anything, I just throw it all together. This is probably why baking sweets is my least favorite form of cooking!

Oh, and another note on ingredients: I always try to buy organic and local. I won't add "organic" as a word before each ingredient, but you can assume I either bought it local or used organic.

Apple Cider Stew (awesome Fall stew)

1 pound beef stew meat
2 Tablespoons of real butter
1 bag of baby carrots
4 small sweet potatoes, sliced (the smaller they are, the better flavor they have)
3 of your favorite type of apple (I prefer washington or sweet green), diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
crushed, fresh thyme
1 large onion, chopped
4 cups apple cider
1/2 cup golden raisens
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup celery, chopped into 1 inch pieces
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
dash of nutmeg
dash of allspice

No need to brown your meat for this recipe, just toss all of your ingredients into the crock pot and put on low for 10-12 hours! This savory-sweet stew is one of my VERY favorites!


Please let me know what you think! If I notice people are using these, I will continue to add more!