Tuesday, September 22, 2009

How I Spent My Birthday (which was 9-16)

We awoke in our cabin and David crawled out of the warm covers to build this:

Yes it did make the cabin nice and toasty, and a perfect place to sit with David, drink our morning coffee, and read the day's readings out of Treasury of Daily Prayer.

Later that morning, the kids took us on a hike. They wanted to show us:

Down the trail we went,
until reaching the peaceful lake.
At one point someone looked up and said, "Look there is an eagle!"

And then we saw two (they really are there, but were flying so high they look so small):



That evening we had a cookout in one of the camp's outposts.


Sam roasted the perfect marshmallow for me to enjoy on my graham cracker.

And then the kids gave me their gift, I thought it was perfect.
As we walked back to the cabin, the sunset over the lake was beautiful. A nice end to a nice day.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

So Long For Now

I will be internet free for a week, therefore blog posts will not be. But once I'm hooked up again, I'll be ready to write and share and get back to my addiction.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

The Best and Most Evil Dessert

Don't these look delicious?


A long time ago I got the recipe from my mother-in-law. I made them and loved them, and I ate them, and I ate them, and I ate them, and then they would be gone. But I would still remember them and would want one and so I would bake them once more and the vicious cycle started all over.

Finally one day, when I could no longer stand that I had *no* control over myself when caramel bars were in the house and I would eat, and eat, and eat, and eat them until they were gone, I took the container and put them in the freezer.

Whew, now I couldn't go and get one - they were frozen.

But I knew they were there, and after a few days, the craving could not be held back.
"I'll go get one, let it thaw, and then eat it," I thought to myself. Once I rescued the bar from the freezer, I couldn't wait for it to thaw I simply had to try it, so I did, that's when I discovered just how evil this dessert is.


It tastes even better frozen! Aaacckkk! Now there was no holding back, even the freezer couldn't keep these wonderful bars from me.


I'm a few years older now, and a smidgen wiser, but I still love these bars. But now I only make them at certain times, at special occasions, so as to have some control. Our upcoming vacation is one such certain time. Why? Because I've shared these wonders with our friends, and now they request them. Because once you've had them, you will always want to have them. Simply for my friends (yeah right) I make these.

And now because I want you to know the goodness (and I might be a little evil too), I share the recipe with you. (Note: those of you who attended the last Feed My Lambs Retreat - 2006 in WI, will remember I brought them and shared them with the adults)

In a saucepan melt 42 caramels and 7 Tbsp milk (I doubled my recipe so all pictures reflect a double batch).

In a bowl, combine: 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup brown sugar, 3/4 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup butter.


Abby helped mix.....

And then I finished. It should look nice and crumbly.



Now pack 2/3 of the mixture into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degree for 10 minutes.



Remember your caramels? Are you remembering to stir them so they don't stick? It should be looking like this:

After 10 minutes, take out of the oven and sprinkle over 1 cup of chocolate chips,
then pour the caramel mixture on top.




Now sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture all over the top and bake for 15 minutes.





Once cooled, cut them into 24 squares and try one.





Put the rest in a container (wax paper between the layers) and stick them in the freezer, and then try one tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

Here are mine, all ready for the freezer. 48, oops (David and I each ate one) I mean 46, lovely caramel bars waiting in my freezer for vacation.

I hope they survive till then.
I hope I survive till then.

"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them alone and save them for vacation."
"I will leave them....."

The author of this blog will not be held responsible for the actions of any who try this recipe. Addiction may follow and ridiculous means to feed said addiction may occur. All should try this recipe at their own risk!

Caramel Bars
1.Melt 42 caramels with 7 Tbsp milk in a saucepan.
2. In bowl, combine: 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup brown sugar, 3/4 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup butter.
3. Pack 2/3 of mixture in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 10 minutes
4. Take out of the oven and sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips over, then pour caramel mixture on top. Sprinkle on reserved crumb mixture on top and bake for 15 minutes.

Friday, September 04, 2009

School is in Session

Well, we are nearing the end of the second week of the 2009-2010 school year here at MLLA (Mumme Lutheran Latin Academy), and it has mostly gone well. We are still waiting on the last shipment of books, but for the most part we are getting into the groove of putting our brains to work more than the, "what do we do today?" thinking that has occurred during the summer break. There are scheduling problems to work out, as I can never figure out how to teach everything in a day that I would like. We have done the important things each day, Catechesis, Latin, Math, History, Spelling/Reading/Grammar, and Science (everyday for the oldest two, and twice/week for the younger three).

I like starting early and getting a jump on the year, especially since we leave for our much anticipated fall get away with our good friends real soon. This also gives me time to see what is working and what isn't and I can think about that while on vacation in hopes of making improvements where possible. Once home from vacation, we'll also start the monthly goals and rewards that worked so well last year.