Baby it's cold outside!

But it's warm inside with just my diaper!

I could not peel my kids eyes away from the windows this week! We got our first snow storm and were snowed in for 2 days! With the exception of running out of toilet paper, ( the first day, I might add!), it was a wonderful time! Baking, playing games (not uncommon in our home!), and playing in the snow! However, the idea of not having the ability to go out, was calming to me! My hubby could not even get into work! So, for a couple days, we did not think about where we had to go or what was waiting for us outside of our 4 walls! And I liked it that way! But now, it is back to running errands, buying toilet paper :) and piano lessons! And I like that too!

Brainwashed!

See what happens when you are almost 6 months old in house with 8 boys (well, 9 including daddy!)

However....

He does not seem to mind!

Melt in your mouth recipe

Melt in the Mouth Caramels:
(Makes about 2 1/2 pounds)  You can cut it in half!

1 cup butter or margarine

1 pound brown sugar

Dash salt

1 cup light corn syrup

1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add brown sugar and salt. Stir until thoroughly combined. Stir in corn syrup and mix well. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.

-Cook and stir over medium heat until candy reaches firm ball stage. 245 on candy thermometer. about 12 to 15 min.

-Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour into a buttered 9 inch square pan. Cool and cut into squares.

*Recipe from a 1974 cookbook
http://oldrecipebook.com/caramels.shtml


Note:  We cut the pieces with scissors and wrapped each piece in wax paper.

You asked for it!

You asked for the recipes so here is the first one!

My  EASY recipe for my infamous English toffee!  (okay, maybe just infamous to our family!:)


ENGLISH TOFFEE CANDY


1 c. sugar

1 c. butter NO SUBSTITUTES!

2 c. finely chopped nuts (optional)

4 plain Hershey bars (I use a bag of Chocolate Chips instead of the bars!  Melts more evenly!)

Melt butter over low flame (use a heavy pot). Add sugar and stir until butter is absorbed by butter. Turn heat on high and stir constantly until mixture turns light brown  (about 300 degrees). Grease a 9x12 inch pan well, put chopped nuts, 1 cup on bottom of pan. Pour mixture over them. Place Hershey bars on top and allow them to melt. Then spread and sprinkle rest of the nuts on top. When cold, break in pieces.

Wasn't that easy!  And ohhhh so yummy!

What are we going to do?

This week in our town, we are going to get our first taste of winter!  Snow and COLD!!!  So what are we going to do about it?  Stay inside and bake! 
Here is the list:

• Monday- Christmas Cut-outs
• Tuesday- English Toffee and party mix
• Wendesday- Caramels and Divinity
• Thursdays- Chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz  (My ABSOLUTE favorite)
• Friday- Fudge and Puppy Chow
• Saturday- A BREAK!  And maybe some fasting! :)

And no, we will not be eating all of that, it will be going into the freezer for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!  However, I am sure some tasting will be going on! :)

What are you baking in your kitchen to prepare for Christmas? 

"Tell me big brother!"

"So just how many brothers do we have?"

"I have to use more than just one hand! I know it takes lots more fingers to show you!"

"I will show you as soon as I figure it out, okay?!"

Do you know who you are?

 
I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

Getting ready for.........

...CHRISTMAS!