Grandma Reula's Birthday

My Grandma is famous for her rose bushes. Hopefully this brought a little spring into the dead of winter. Happy Birthday Grams!

FIRST SNOW!

They broke in their snow gear! It took 15 minutes to get on all of the gear and couldn't help but giggle as Robbie waddled out (Mom! I can't move my arms). Once outside, Robbie lasted about 2 minutes. Ami lasted a lot longer and had a scream. They aren't going to have a shortage of snow playing opportunities. They are thrilled. Me, not so much.

Halloween!!!

And, here is the crew. Nick was a classy wolf (he he), Ami was a kitty and Robbie was a puppy. I was the Vet to keep everyone healthy. We had a scream.



And, here is the end result. I put the blurry images in so you can get the full effect of the sugar effect. I couldn't get a non-blurry picture. He he.

And the end of the sugar rush. Ha ha. I love Halloween.

Halloween Goodies

Yah, I know. Late post. But who doesn't love soft warm pretzels?

I love Halloween goodies. They are so awesomely gross. These are witches fingers we made for my Mom's work party. The pretzels were delicious and would for sure make them without the icky apperance.

Ingredients.

24 Sliced Almonds

2 C Warm Water

3 Quarts Warm Water

1 Tbs Warm Water

1 Tbs Sugar

1 Tbs Active dry Yeast

Cooking Spray

5 C Flour

1 Tbs Coarse Salt

2 Tbs Baking Soda

1 Egg

Sea Salt

Pour 2 Cups of Warm water in a mixing bowl with dough hook attachment. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with yeast and let proof for 5 minutes. Beat in 1 Cup of flour until combined. Then beat in the coarse salt and add 3 1/2 Cups of flour. Continue beating until dough pulls away from bowl, usually about 1-2 minutes. Add 1/2 C flour and beat for 1 minute more. If the dough is sticky, add up to 1 cup more. Transfer to a lighly floured surface and knead until smooth, 1 minute.

Coat a large bowl with cooking spray and transfer dough to bowl. Let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. After boiling, add baking soda. Lightly coat pans with cooking spray. Divide the dough into quarters. Work with one quarter at a time (cover unused quarters with plastic wrap). Divide first quarter into 12 pieces. On a lightly covered surface roll the pieces into a finger form about 3-4 inches long. Pinch the dough in 2 places to form knuckles. When the 12 fingers are formed, poach for 1 minute in the boiling water. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fingers to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, blanching each set of 12 fingers before making more.

Beat egg with 1 Tbs Water. Brush pretzels with egg wash. Using a sharp knife, lightly score each knuckle about three times. Sprinkle with sea salt and position almonds on each finger. Press firmly so the almond doesn't come off. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Let them cool on a wire rack.

They are SOOO tasty and deliciously creepy!

Carving Pumpkins

Ahh, carving pumpkins. Obviously, from the look of disgust and horror, Ami doesn't like the guts part. I stuck Robbie's hand in the pumpkin and he pulled out the slime. He looked at me, shrugged, threw it across the table and put the sucker (that he had in the other hand) in his mouth. Such a boy.

Both artists concentrating hard at their work.

And, the end results with the happy faces!

Grandma's 80th!

GUEST OF HONOR!

Not part of the party, but...super cute.

Here is Great Grandma and Ami in front of the cake. Ami loooves birthdays and so loved being part of Great Grandma's big day was super fun.

For the cake, I really pushed my skills and tried making a bunch of different flowers with gum paste. I was reallly pleased with the results and learned oodles.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is something everyone needs to go to once. We had a great time. We drove into Maryland and when we arrived I had NO idea what a big deal it was! It was a whole city in a different time!

I LOVE funnel cakes and I found out that there was such a thing as funnel cake FRIES! Needless to say I endulged.


Ami the Princess. She loved pretending the whole time. She asked us afterwards if she was "Princess of the World." Yes, sweetheart, you are.

The kids even went on Pony rides. Robbie was in HEAVEN.

And the infamous turkey leg. Yah.