October 2008 Archives

(Bella as Blessed Jacinta.)

If you are looking for some ideas for a saint costume, check out Danielle Bean's post at Faith and Family Live: Easy Costume Ideas.

Also, check an old RoL article: Costume Ideas for All Saints' Day

Have fun!

This morning I saw Alex make a recipe for an Apple Brown Betty on Food Network's Cooking Loft and it looked so tasty! Guess what we're having for dessert tonight?!

Apple Brown Betty

Ingredients
6 apples, Granny Smith or Braeburn, peeled and cored
3 lemons, zested and juiced
1 1/2 cups unseasoned bread crumbs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 additional tablespoon for greasing the baking dish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Equipment: 5 creme brulee dishes, shallow and oval
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the center of the oven.

Place the apples on a flat surface, cut them in half, and then into thin slices. Put them in a medium bowl and coat them with a light layer of zest from 1 of the lemons and all of the lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and bread crumbs. Season with salt. Set aside.

In a third bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Mix to blend and add the apple slices.

Grease each baking dish with the remaining butter. Layer the bottom with the apples and cover with the bread crumb mixture.

Cover the dishes tightly with aluminum foil and place in the center of the oven. Bake until the apples are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil, raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and bake until the top browns. Serve immediately.

Having just completed an 800 mile round trip with countless hours of kid's music being played, we have chosen a number one band in our house right now - The Imagination Movers!

We've been fans of the Imagination Movers for awhile but since their new show on Disney, Bella AND Andrew are loving them and we've been OD-ing on their music. And I've got to make my own confession - I like them too! The Imagination Movers show can be a bit corny (hence the genre - kid's show) but they've got a great sound, kid friendly lyrics, most are fellow parents (Scott & Dave each have two kids and Rich has five) and they've overcome tragedy in their personal lives (when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana they lost their studio and three of the guys lost their homes.)

So before you start your next road trip or if need an upbeat album to get you and the kids moving, give a listen to Rick, Scott, Dave & Smitty. (If you don't have anything of theirs yet, start with Juice Box Heroes.)

It's been awhile since I've done the Friday Fill In, so here it is.

1. Follow the yellow brick road. (Cuz there's no place like home.)

2. Too much stuff is something I always take with me on vacation. (At least that is what my fellow travelers tell me.)

3. To achieve your goals, you must know what they are first. (Makes sense.)

4. My random thoughts are/is something I'd like you to know about me. (Hence this blog.)

5. I have a great need for some sleep. (Or at least a chance to relax on the couch.)

6. Root beer floats. (Yum.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the end of a busy week, tomorrow my plans include spending some alone time with Brian and Sunday, I will be going to my in-laws for dinner.

Hey guys. We've been out of town for the last week and we had a great time in So Cal with my family. We made our annual trip to Disneyland but this year we went in Fall instead of during the Christmas Season. It was warmer (for those of us used to fog - it was hot) but we had lots of fun!

Now we're back and trying to catch up on everything. I'll be making posts again in another day or two. In the meantime, have a blessed day and enjoy the photos. :-)