Apple Walnut Caramel Syrup

I made this recipe for my parents when Brandon was in Iraq and we all loved it but then it got put away and forgotten about until today. It is great over pancakes, which is the only way I have ever eaten it but I'm sure it'd be delicious over ice cream too or even to eat by itself.

Apple Walnut Caramel Syrup

2 or 3 medium apples (I prefer to use three)

4 Tbsp butter

1 heaping tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

1/3 - 1/2 cup walnut pieces (can be omitted but I don't recommend it)

1. Peel, core and thinly slice apples; set aside

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in the cinnamon, cornstarch, and brown sugar all at once. Immediately add the water and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Add the apples and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the apples are nearly tender and the syrup is bubbly. While apples are cooking make pancakes.

Privacy at last!

We tore down the fence that was around our backyard quite some time ago because it was beginning to fall over in some places. So needless to say, we have been exposed! I do not like the lack of privacy! I have a garden in the yard and whenever I tend to it the whole world can see me! AND the bunnies come in and eat my veggies! I did not once get to eat lettuce out of my garden this year. We have been wanting to put a new fence up but had to wait until the garage was done being built and concrete poured between it and the house for a patio area. The time has finally come for our fence to go up! We ordered a six foot vinyl privacy fence and they began putting it up on Friday! When I got home from work I went out and stood next to one of the posts smiling because I am so excited! Next year when Baby is here we can play out in the yard without a care in the world.

Painting is done, once and for all!

My dad finished painting the baby's room! We still need to go buy the molding and get it on the walls but that is pretty much the last of those "big" details. I have started moving the crib and changing table and such into the room and it's been a blast! I will be posting pictures of Step 2 soon. AND, best of all, only 1 1/2 weeks until we have our ultrasound!!!! Then I can really start decorating!

Decorating the Laundry Room

Our laundry room is also the entry way as you come in our back door. We hadn't really done anything with the area yet and it really needed something. We got to work hanging things and cleaning the room up and it looks so much more comforting when you walk into our house. It's funny how hanging two things on the wall can cozy a room up as much as these did. I feel much better about people coming in through that door.

This one here I ordered at an Uppercase Living party my friend Katie back in April or May. Once I saw it in the catalog I knew the perfect place in my house and I HAD to have it. Ha! It took us until this past weekend to get it up. How long is that? Five months?! But just like I thought, it's perfect in that spot right above the washer & dryer.

We hung this one right above the stairs and it's pretty much the first thing you see as you walk in the door. This was a gift from Brandon for Valentine's Day about three years ago. He is absolutely the best at picking out gifts! Here is a close up so you can see the pictures better.

It feels so cozy in there now! I love it!

The Room!

We got the walls in the baby's room painted. It looks AMAZING!! I am so happy with it; the color turned out exactly what I wanted. We just have to get the trim and the closet painted white. I'm going to be doing a step by step display as we get things done.

I can't wait until we find out what we are having so we can start getting things to decorate for either boy or girl. Our ultrasound is October 8th! We are so thrilled! I am able to bring two people with me so of course Brandon is coming but we have also invited my mom along. She is probably about as excited as we are, because you know, back in the day when she was pregnant with my sister and I they didn't do routine ultrasounds like they do now; they only did them if they knew something was wrong. We are counting down the days...three and a half weeks left!!

More to come...

I just wanted to put a quick thing on here to let you all know that I will be posting some pictures of the baby's room in a day or so. My dad came over this past weekend and painted for us and it looks fantastic! So stay tuned there is MUCH more to come!