Caramel Apples!

Okay, so today was my very first attempt at making caramel apples. Well, actually I made Caramel and Chocolate covered apples with toffee bits! I can't tell you how they taste cause I was a good girl and didn't eat any, but they look amazing! It was pretty easy to do....actually, very easy.

To make 1 batch you need 5 unbruised granny smith apples, 1 package of caramels, 1 package of Heath Toffee Bits, 1 package of semi-sweet chocolates, and popsicle sticks. Then you need a baking sheet lined with parchment paper that is lightly sprayed with pam.

They come with a wax coating on them that you will need to wash off. just use hot water and rub with a towel. A little trick I used was to gently sand them with sand paper. I know it sounds strange, but it will help the caramel stick to the apple. This is what the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory does. A friend actually called them to ask what they did to help the caramel stick to the apples. Well, I did it and I had no problems at all! Worked like a charm! (just rinse the apples after you use the sand paper!)

Next, take the stems out and push in the popsicle sticks. Stick them in about 1/2 way cause these suckers get heavy!

Melt the caramels over low/medium heat.

 Dip and roll your apples in the caramel. Shake off extra caramel and hold apple upside down for a minute to help set the caramel. This also helps with the caramel pooling when you set the apple on the parchment paper. 

Melt the chocolate plus 2 tsp of crisco.

Dip and roll the apples in the chocolate. Then quickly roll the apple in the toffee bits. This part got a little messy, so I have no pictures for the step.

Transfer the apples to the fridge to set up and harden! If you are giving as gifts, simply wrap in cellophane!

Another variety I would like to make is caramel, white chocolate, then sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over. Kinda like an apple pie!

It's Been A Looooooong Time

Okay, so I'm not the best with keeping up with things like this. What can I say....I have a toddler I am chasing around all day! Well, the little guy is down for his nap and I thought I would catch everyone up on the latest!

My daycare is going great. I am taking care of some AMAZING kiddos. I am watching 3 kids plus Aiden. The plan was to watch more kids, but taking care of 3 toddlers and 1 infant is a LOT! So for now I don't plan on taking any more kids. I thought Shawn would not be happy about the fact that I didn't want to add more kids, but he surprised me once again! He said, "Baby, you contribute so much to our family anyways. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. As long as you keep doing what you are doing, I am fine with it." Can I just hop on my pedestal and say, "I have the most amazing husband!!" I was worried that he would be hung up on the financial aspect of the situation, but he isn't.

Shawn and I have been attending a new church and we are very happy with it. Several month ago, my neighbor/friend called me to tell me that she would be leading a women's small group bible study and invited me to be a part of it. I have been waiting for this to come my way. I don't really know why I didn't actively seek a group on my own, but God led me to this group at the right time. I had called myself a christian but never walked in the light. I lived my life as a 'good person' thinking that was enough. It isn't enough. I was living my life in a selfish manner. It isn't MY life, it is HIS life. He gave it to me.  I am here as a vessel and I plan on living each day as just that. I am not going to hide who I am. I am a daughter of Christ!

Now, I last left off on this blog talking about losing weight. I must say that I failed miserably! That was in the beginning though. I am happy to announce that I have successfully lost 50 pounds! Let me just say that again, "I HAVE LOST 50 POUNDS!!!!" (Okay, I shouted it!) I just can't help myself! It feels amazing! I don't even know how to express it in words. Now I am going to be completely transparent: I literally was to the point where I had given up completely. I needed to just except myself as being fat cause it will never change. My mother was overweight, so I guess I will be too. Then one day I looked at my beautiful son and said to myself, "Enough is enough!" My husband deserves a wife that he can be proud of, but most importantly, my son deserves a mommy who is happy, healthy, and active. I need to be a good example for my son.  Just because it is 'in the genes' doesn't mean I have to fall victim to it. I can break the cycle by having a healthy relationship with food and teaching my son (and future kids) good and healthy habits.  So, for now I am continuing on this weight loss journey. My goal is to lose 75 pounds by Christmas morning. That is all the gift I need!

Well, that's it for now. I am going to try and grab a quick nap while Aiden is napping!