Caramel bites and Sunday Delights~

So I made these caramel bites tonight, I shared the recipe on Facebook and they looked amazing. I started out with some sugar and cinnamon. Mixed those two ingredients together. Set aside.

Take your croissant dough (Pilsbury) and unroll them, pop a caramel square onto each triangle. What I would do differently here is cut away some of the dough. My bites were big, they grew quite a bit while in the over and the caramels really melted out of them. They were still good, but there was more dough than necessary.

Yes, below you can see how much dough is there. You really don't need that much.

Fold the dough around the caramel...

Roll the ball until its smooth and easy to cover in the sugar/cinnamon mixture

Here we are adding the sugar....

I tried to get a good picture of the caramel bite

 

Roll them all up, put down some parchment paper and pre-heat oven too 350 degrees

Bake for 12 minutes, I left them in for an extra couple minutes. I just felt there was a lot of dough. Like I mentions, trim away some of the dough before rolling them.

 

I opened one up so you can see the gooey goodness.Honestly they were really good, I think they'd be best served with some vanilla ice cream. YUM!!!

 

Well my lovelies, hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I did! Absolutely loving the weather, so excited for summer~

Until tomorrow good night and god bless

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter #77 Pay close attention to those who don't clap when you win

 

 

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter~

 

#77 

 

 

 

My dearest Freckled Fox, this one is important. It's something you might not need or realize until you are a much older version of you.

It's pretty self explanatory fox, and I think when you are older it will make much more sense. This speaks for itself, I don't have much more to say. Be careful of those around you, pay close attention. If someone isn't clapping and showing their support when you are winning they are not a true friend.

Its not difficult for anyone to show support by a simple pat on the back, a Facebook like or a retweet, quick text, telephone call or a coffee date to celebrate an accomplishment. When you notice those things are not existent in a relationship, then its time to move on.

 

This post is intended for a much older, more matured, seasoned fox. SO re-read this when you're in your 30's. It will all make sense then.

Ollie's Birthday & and homemade dog cake~

 On April 10th a little tiny Morkie was born into this world and I had no idea on that day somewhere he was squirming his way around some tiny litter of puppies. He is the light of my life, and I truly do believe he was sent to me as a calming presence. My friend Colleen pointed it out once, she said Ollie is like a "therapy" dog for me. You know what? I had no idea that is what he was, but she's right. That little boy is by my side every waking hour of the day. When I get upset, frustrated, sad or angry he pops his little head somewhere into my personal space and I realize I am upsetting him. So then I calm myself. I don't like to see him upset or worried, so I immediately calm down. His presence in my life is like something I have never had before. It is probably not a healthy relationship. I do rely on him, I don't like being away from him (although I do) and his happiness makes me happy. All of my dogs do...but Ollie has a bond with me. I love that yittle boy~

 

Here is the recipe and instructions to his birthday cake:



 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 T. baking powder
1 ripe banana, smushed
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 T. maple syrup
1 cups water

1/2 c. organic natural peanut butter for icing~

 

 

 

 So i'm not going to explain the stages here, you can tell by my photo's how I made them. So easy to follow the directions. I made one big cupcake for Ollie's birthday cake and then I made a bunch of tiny ones for the rest of the pups. It was a wonderful birthday for a special boy~

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*. Grease a cupcake tin with coconut oil.  This recipe makes 6 pupcakes.
In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder.  Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the applesauce, banana, and syrup.  While the mixer is running, alternate adding the water and flour mixture.  Do this until everything is combined.

 

 

 



 

 Here is Ollie's finished cupcake, then I just needed to add the icing!

 

 

 

There is a few of the tiny ones. I added little dinosaur sprinkles cause Ollie is a little boy and loves boy things lol

Here he is trying to get a glimpse and taste of his cake.

Some of Ollie's guests Included Parker pictured above and Mac below. How cute are these two boys!

Finn is the best present opener ever...she dives in there and opens all the presents! She loves birthday parties!

 

Parker got Ollie the biggest cookie ever...he was in heaven!!

 

Check out the size of this cookie.

 

Ollie gave out some treat bags to his guests. I made homemade dog cookies and chicken jerky for the pups to take home.

I cannot believe Ollie is 6 years old.

 

Here he is in all his glory. Its all about him!!

You can say having a birthday "party" for your pet is crazy. I did a post about this topic awhile back. But let me remind you.
Through the years, we have missed one to many parties, functions, get togethers, play dates and holidays due to illness, hospitalizations or tests and appointments. When you spend a lot of time during your childhood attending appointments and missing fun times...you quickly learn that "celebrating" is a state of mind. Its up too you to turn any excuse possible into a family dinner featuring a birthday cake with funny hats. Celebrating our dogs birthdays started with Harley. Again, we had missed friends birthdays due too illness. So as a mother, I grasped at whatever I could to give my kids a celebration to make them smile. To this day, we still celebrate the dogs birthdays. Not so much for the same reason..lol..now I',m a crazy dog lady who literally loves her dogs as much as her own kids. Technically I don't care what you think of my "celebrations". I have my whole family together, we are singing, laughing, eating cake and happy with life in that moment. Who wouldn't want that?!
Well my lovelies, until next time good night and god bless~

Guest blogger today..Featuring Braden Martz

I am very honoured and proud to be sharing one of Braden's writing pieces with you today. I asked him if he'd mind writing for my blog and he happily offered up this piece he wrote a few years ago.
He is a very deep soul who has conquered a lot in life thus far. I am seriously so very privileged to have this opportunity to share his writings, thoughts and feelings. Braden is a very private individual who doesn't let many inside his thoughts. He has so much to share, so much to teach and I am looking forward to all things he will contribute to this world.
Thank you Braden for this post. I love you so much xo


I just got through the tough years

I know it took a couple of beers but hey

That shit helps when I'm dealin with fears

Seeing what I've done

Seeing who I've hurt 

Being selfish when I threw it all in the dirt

But what is it worth I would ask

I'd sit back and bask in a ultimate relapse of what I was becoming

Hannible lectar without his leather humming

I would crave drugs I've never done before

Wanting something else to stop the dangers I lay before

Or stop the thoughts i can't help but think of

Like how I feel of rotting below while I look at the world above

But that was the past 

My future is vast and its moving fast 

Was like getting through war with no bullet proof vest

I found my zest

Now I'm doing my best

But I just wanna say mom

I'm doing ok I just gotta look back and see what I did

Look at my scars and cover them in ink

My thoughts are clear as I jot them down in ink

Cause it's all in how I think

I could be on the brink feel my pride shrink as I work out the kink

Then build up from there and rip a problem up and create fear 

In the end I'm still here better than ever

Using my voice to tell a story

Of how I made it through 

And now I'm just sailin~

 

Lemon Merignue Cupcakes

On Sunday I made these most delicious Lemon Meringue cupcakes. I do try to make different desserts each Sunday. As most of you know Sunday's are our family dinner evening. This dessert I kept very simple, and I am sure you can even make it. ;)

Below is just a basic lemon cake mix:

I let the cupcakes cool, and moved on to make some lemon pie filling. I also let that cool~

Once the cupcakes are cooled I cut a hole in the top of each one, this is where I will fill them with Lemon pie filling.

Don't forget we have to make the meringue, that is easy peasy. Two egg whites whipped until peaks form and add 1/4 cup of white sugar.

Below I have added the Lemon to fill the cupcakes.

 

I actually put the meringue into a ziplock bag with a piping tip. That way I could swirl them and it would look pretty.

Now you can put them into the oven under the broiler, but I have one of these heating guns. (The name has escaped me) Anyways, I just cooked the outside of the meringue with the gun and flame. Made it look all toasty.

Finished product, and I have to say they were really good.

Well there you have it friends, I thought I would share this easy idea with you. They do make a really nice treat on a Sunday. Little different from Lemon Meringue Pie, but still has the sensational taste~

I hope you are all doing well, so until tomorrow good night and god bless~

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter #78 "Ignorance is the root of Misfortune"~

100 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter~

#78 Ignorance is the root of misfortune

Pretty deep eh?..But pretty simple. In the short of things, never stop learning. Never stop listening, keep your mind open to possibilities. When someone is ignorant to change, or to learning at times hard headed to growing they will never reach fortune. I'm not talking about monetary fortune, I am speaking of knowledge.

When someone is ignorant they are unable to open their mind to new possibilities. They feel they have it all figured out. My darling we never ever have it all figured out. Don't become one of those people who don't except help, knowledge, advice or education as everyone has something to learn from someone.
Keep your mind open always to learning, those who seek knowledge will advance easily in life. You can never know too much. Continue to better yourself, put your energy and time into things you love. Learn a new language, travel un-prejudicially, take night classes, spin classes and cooking classes. Always aspire to be a better you and I promise you will be happy~

The nonsense that others can and will try to bring into your life will be draining. So keep yourself so busy, loving your own life that you don't have time to worry about others.
I'm not saying to overwhelm yourself, down time and relaxing is just as important as hobbies and activities. Balance your life, keep an open mind. In times of uncertainty trust your intuition.
Listen more than you speak.

 I have always been aware of becoming a better me. It has taken life lessons to help me realize the importance of growing as a person. Becoming a nurse was one of those things. I was at my maximum potential as a mum understanding the medical demands of Braden's condition. I knew I had a lot  more to learn, I wanted to become the best possible resource and advocate I could be. I brought myself to the next level, education my darling is something no one will ever take from you. It doesn't matter to me if you choose to mop floors at MacDonalds for the rest of your life. If you are truly happy with what ever you choose to do, then I will be happy for you. BUT do not for one moment sell yourself short of what you are capable of learning and experiencing. Having an education doesn't always mean sitting in a dull-lit classroom Monday and Wednesday evenings...it could be taking a Botany course at your local garden centre. Knitting classes at Michaels with Colleen, ;) or pilot lessons in Breslau.
Fox, life is filled with so much to see and do.  Promise me you will always seek knowledge, do not limit your life. Always remember that those who shut themselves off from the world, sit in their homes believing they have it all figured out. Those who don't take advice, classes or education are only leading their lives into misfortune. They will never advance, they are difficult to talk too and hard to understand.
The best gift you can give yourself is education, you are never too old~ People can take away your possessions, jobs, relationship status and even sometimes your sense of certainty. They can never take away your knowledge. That's your's forever~

Well my lovelies, until next time good night and god bless~

Easter Treats!

Every year we dye eggs. I don't care how old my kids get...we always find time to dye easter eggs. I always will. Some years its just Paul and I having fun with the dying of the eggs. Most years though..one or both of the kids will join us.

This year Kailey found it in her heart to entertain me and join us for the dying. I set it up as seen below. We had lots of fun, we ate chocolate and candies the whole night.  Can't get any better than that~

 

Of course Paul got in on the action...I can always count on him to have fun with me.

 

Here they all are pictured below..aren't they pretty?! We enjoyed them with our easter dinner the following day!

 

I was so wanting to try this easter cake this year...so I decided to share with you how it went down.

So I just baked a regular chocolate cake. Let it cool...

Then you ice the cake with white or vanilla icing. Add your peeps around the outside of the cake.

 

I had prepared the coconut before I baked the cake. I literally put sweetened coconut in a ziplock bag and dropped a few shots of green food coloring in. I just mushed the coconut around the in the bag until it was all green. Easy peasy~

Then I put the coconut ontop of the cake, and added some easter eggs. It was so cute, and tasted delicious. It was a big hit at dinner, everyone enjoyed it!

Well friends, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We certainly did...was probably one of my favorites.

Until next time my lovelies, good night and god bless~