My recent project

Today I made some little backpacks for Heidi and Lars. (I didn't make one for Molly 'cause she already has one.)
I made them from some denim pant legs from some old jeans of mine. then sewed on some decor from rags or scraps of materiel I had on hand. Than for the straps I used 550 cord.

Derek's recent project

This past weekend Derek made a Banjo type instrument from a coffee can and some wood we had in the garage.
Isn't it really cool?!

At last

This is Derek with his Fiddle! I am so glad we got it. It is so nice to hear him play it again.

Just like Papa

Not too long ago we bought a light weight hammer for Lars. He always likes to help make stuff and now it will be a little easier. :D

A Homemaker's Blessing

May you as a busy young mother,
Have these blessings all come true.
May the Savior's grace and love
Guide all you say and do.

And while you're working in water-
I hope your nose doesn't itch.
May you always have full bobbins-
Especially to topstitch.

May your pleats come out even,
May your drains never clog;
When you come in from the cold-
May your glasses never fog.

May your wringer never jam,
And your honey always flow.
May your toddlers always tell you
Before they have to "go."

May you never find a Lego block,
While walking with bar feet.
May your windows be full of finger prints,
Happy, sticky, and sweet.

May the wind blow all your leaves away,
Before the snowflakes land.
And may our heavenly Father
Hold you always in his hand.

And when your busy day is over,
In spite of all that's left to do-
May you smile up at your creator,
The way your baby smiles at you!
-EVC

He's Home!

~Caramels!~

1 batch makes 180-200 pieces. Pre-cut waxed papers can be purchased at Maid of Scandinavia .
Required: 6 quart sauce pan (bigger pan than I used!)
Candy Thermometer
Jelly roll pan
Ingredients: 1 lb. butter
2 lbs. light brown sugar
1/2 Teaspoon salt
16 oz. light Karo syrup (brand is important b/c of water in others)
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugar and salt until well blended. Add the syrup and mix well.Add the milk. Stir constantly! Bring mixture to a full boil. Bring to 245 F. on the thermometer.

From the time the mixture boils and reaches temp will take around 25 to 30 min. Depending on room temp and humidity, 245 is not always optimal.

Once the mixture reaches temp drip a little caramel into a glass of very cold water. Test to makes sure it is the consistency you desire.

Remove from heat and add the vanilla. It will sizzle.:)

Pour into buttered pan sitting on a cooling rack or wooden cutting board. As you pour move the pan around to prevent sticking.

cool thoroughly.

Peel the caramel from the pan and cut into desired sized candies. Cutting IS the worst part.

I made just a half batch and it turned out great.

A fun read

I just got this book from the library and I have been enjoying it a lot. It not only has some good recipes it tells all about the making of chocolate. It also has lots of really cool pictures of cocoa trees and even inside of their factory where they make their chocolate.

How my garden grows

Caramel Apples

This past week we made Caramel using a recipe that Jenny gave me last winter.
My pot was almost too small.:) It turned out very yummy. It was not very hard to do ether.
I saw the idea for mini caramel apples in a magazine at the dentist office. They made it a lot easier for the kids to eat. And we did not waste any apple since we all we happy to eat whatever was left on the core.
Tis the season for APPLES!

Taking care of his baby!

Lars has been enjoying playing with Molly's doll lately.
and I tried to put the video on here of him but it took 3 hours and it still wasn't showing so I quit.

Napping

One afternoon this week Lars fell to sleep on my lap. I laid him down on the couch and when I looked at him a little later he was sitting like this!