Apple treats

I had an enrichment meeting last night and decided to try some new things for refreshments and thought I would pass along the information because they turned out really yummy!

For the drink I made the Starbucks apple cider (thanks Mike for telling me how to make it!!!) It is really simple. First you buy the cinnamon dulce syrup from Starbucks. Then you heat up apple juice then add 4 pumps (1 Tbs) of syrup to every 2 cups of hot apple juice. Top with whipping cream and drizzle with caramel topping. ( I added a drizzle of caramel to the drink before adding the whipped topping, just to make it a little sweeter.) I haven't had the Starbucks one for a while but everyone said this tasted even better than Starbucks.

Harvest Apple Streusel Squares

I got this recipe from Eagle Brand. Check out their site

for some other yummy recipes like pumpkin pie bars

and deep dish pumpkin pie.

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAN Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 eggs
1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup cold butter or margarine
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped pecans

In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter

and finely chopped pecans. Press evenly into a 13x9-inch

baking pan. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.

Add sweetened condensed milk and eggs. Pour over prepared

crust. Spoon apple pie filling over cream cheese layer.In

medium bowl, combine brown sugar, flour and cinnamon.

Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Stir in cranberries and pecans. Sprinkle over apple layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden.

Do not over bake. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

I should mention that I have a box of apples that I was trying to use up and that is why I went on the apple kick, but as you can see I didn't use any fresh apples...

Friends

I have been thinking a ton about how grateful I am for making so many new friends since moving to Calgary. Looking back I realized that I have made very few new friends since high school and although I still count my high school friends among my closest friends I am not the best at keeping in touch with them other than through blogs and facebook.

When we decided to move to Canada I was very worried about not having a support group or people to turn to when I needed help. I knew Wes would be working long hours and that Lauren and I would be on our own. In Vegas I knew that even though I didn't talk to my friends every week or even every month that they would be there for me if I needed something, plus we had family there. In Utah I relied on my Dad to be my support and didn't put myself out there to make many friends.

I decided that when we moved I would go outside my comfort zone and introduce myself to people rather than wait for people to introduce themselves to me and made a conscious effort to smile at people. I was given some amazing Visiting Teachers that quickly included me in what was going on and made me feel incredibly welcome. They were great at introducing me to people in the ward and are always more than willing to help me when I need it no matter how busy their lives are (they are both teaching classes for me at Super Saturday) I have in the short time we have lived here made more friends than I have made since high school. I am surrounded by amazing women that care for me and are incredibly supportive of me. I have made friendships that I know will last, and I have gained something from each of the women I have interacted with. I hope that I will never go back to waiting for people to make the first move and will continue to make new friends. There is nothing better than having a group of people that you know care about you!

Lauren has also made lots of new friends since we moved. I know how important it is for kids to be able to interact with other kids and am grateful for all of the playdates we have been invited to.

I also want to mention how grateful I am for being able to get to know Wes' family that lives up here better. We have been able to spend more time with the Start side of his family and have had lots of fun with them. I have also been able to get to know the Cairns side of the family better and have loved spending time with Rebecca. We have gotten together almost every week and done fun things with the kids. Lauren loves to play with Marlowe and I enjoy hanging out with Rebecca.

I know we are suppose to be here, and I have learned and grown so much in the past few months. I really love it here and love the people that I have met here.

Help Baby Mia

My friend Stephanie Larsen is doing a quilt giveaway in order to help Baby Mia get a new heart. Please check out her blog for more information and to sign-up to win the quilt.

Help Baby Mia (click the link to take you to her blog)

Pre-Halloween Fun

We have had lots of Halloween fun lately! Last Monday Lauren had a playdate at Emma's house and they got to make sugar cookies!

Watching the ingredients mix together

Rolling out the dough


Concentrating on decorating the cookies


Don't their cookies look yummy!

(For the past few weeks when you ask Lauren what her name is she tells you it is Emma. She even tells strangers, it is pretty funny!)

Tuesday we went and played at Marlowe and Gabe's house and they got to make rice crispie treats. Then Wednesday we went to the park with the Schow's to take advantage of the perfect weather we have been having. Then Thursday we went to the Clark's Cottage (Wes' cousin Rebecca's art classes for kids) for their open house and Lauren got to play with Walker and Aiden, do some fun crafts and eat yummy snacks! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of all of our fun...

On the way out to Clark's Cottage, Aiden and Lauren pointed out all of the horses and cows. On the way back home we stopped to look and pet some horses that were along the road. Lauren wasn't to sure when it came to petting the horse. The horse ended up petting Lauren, and rubbed his nose on her.

Lauren has also taken to saying "beep-beep" if she wants you to move or wants something to move. Lauren and I took Gram to her cardiology appointment Thursday morning and Lauren wanted to get in between two chairs so she started telling them "beep-beep" in a loud voice, she got lots of giggles.

Updates are coming...

Wow, I just looked through my recent posts and I have a ton of catching up to do! Life has been busy and great! I promise to start playing catch up soon and get some pictures up!

Awesome Giveaway

Go check out Crafting in Laymon's Terms awesome giveaway and enter to win! Click here!

This is my sister-in-law's blog she just switched over to this blog but she has had some great tutorials and has adorable crafts for sale! Go and check it out!