Date Night

We had a family date last night. Yes, technically you could say we go on family dates all the time, but this time it was like a date. We took her to her first dinner and a movie. We went and saw Frankenweenie (yes, I cried). She did really well (she liked to stand and rest her arms on the seat in front her, which wasn't a problem because the theater was empty), so as long as she could stand she was good. And it was only 1 hour and 30 minutes (she did get antsy near the end).

 

I look forward to more. I love the guts out of this girl. 

Fall Twenty-Twelve

Brad loves raccoons so when my SIL, Andrea saw this raccoon costume she texted me that she found B's costume. It was a "boy" costume, so she thought we could add a bow and make it a girl raccoon, (though I think it needs to be a bright pink bow, she got mistaken for a boy quite a bit :)

 Thanks to Janna, we found a cute pumpkin patch. Our plans changed this morning, so we decided to make a last minute trip out of it. AND they even served applecider donuts!! They were devoured before I could get a picture. The place had a big slide (and it was a fast one). Our little Apple LOVED it. We had to go down it again and again and again. Which was fine, because it was fun for the adults too.

Yesterday, we kicked off our weekend early. We picked up Katie (friend's little sister) and headed to a Scarecrow festival. It was surprisingly fun. I think it will become a tradition.  They had the most delicious kettle corn which we ate to our hearts desires.

Then, you know, the typical fall festivities. Apple picking, raspberry jamming, canyon exploring. We headed into the "Big" city to the office and we met up with Grandma.

 

I know I often grumble about fall on here, but once again it was another delicious and wonderful autumn season. Or maybe it's I actually get to enjoy the fall instead of enjoying it sitting in an office staring at a computer screen watching my days get shorter? Maybe? :) 

As of Late...

 My childhood friend's little sister is out here for school. She is here a semester early, but she is trying to find a job, so in the mean time we've been hanging out :) We did some hiking and cave exploring. Something I have never done since living here. It was a beautiful autumn morning. Good thing too I was carrying 22 pounds on my back.

 Our little Apple takes after her Aunt Andrea by sticking metal objects into electrical outlets. My fault for not having it covered, but she stopped showing interest in them, so I thought I was safe. PS she is fine. Funny thing as soon as she did it Andrea was calling me.

 

 We  started the great art of coloring. She doesn't eat the crayons... as much. Just in between bites she colors now. 

  

We've had some awesome October weather, so we have been savoring every last bit of sunshine and warmth. 

 B, has learned she can add to her outfits. The above outfit for example. Darling dress and salt water sandals which I topped off nicely with a cute white bow in her. Which she immediately tore out of her hair to put this hat on.

 Again, accessorizing herself.

And finally, we are teething. (Did I mention she only has 8 teeth? - Her top and bottom 4). So you know, anything goes.

Ummm... yeah...

Brad is giving a presentation today. It is on virtualization storage arrays... technology stuff. As he was getting ready he is was looking all around for his laptop charger. He found it. I was using it. He said, "I could have gotten there and during my presentation the laptop would have died and I wouldn't have a charger." I looked at him for a minute. He was serious (maybe a little nervous?)
Me: In a room full of hundreds of nerds, I am fairly certain one of them would have a charger.
Brad: That's not the point.
 He's right. He would have been (extremely) embarrassed that he wasn't prepared AND this is a room of potential clients. Brad, my over prepare-er. And thank goodness one of us is. :) Tonight is one of his favorite meals, crepes with nutella. I think he deserves it. 

My Current Fave. Have you heard it?

 "But just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die." 

A Little Sprinkling

 My co-worker/friend, Courtney.

Our office is so kind to throw a shower for your first baby, which we had for Court when she had her first baby girl.

But now she is pregnant with her second and she is having a baby boy. 

And although, she doesn't need the big stuff, clothes and diapers are still needed, so her team threw her a little "sprinkle" since you know she didn't need a full shower :) And because we love any excuse to get together.

 

Her theme for her nursery is vintage baseball, so the sprinkle was themed as such.  (I even used the vintage-y look - how exciting)

 

 My sis-in-law was so kind to let us have it on her beautiful deck amongst the trees.

My sis-in-law, Aubrey with the little Miss.

She even took on kid duty, so the moms could relax.

 The girlies playing.

Applecider Spice Donuts

I have a sister-in-law who every year makes me drool with jealousy when her family heads to the local pumpkin patch and eats their little hearts out of apple cider donuts. And every October when I read about her annual pumpkin patch tradition I am reminded that I need to try these. Because in these parts I have never seen them. Well, I took a group of 11 year old girls to a local apple orchard to tour and learn about the whole process. As a treat I thought I would make Apple cider donuts. I found a recipe that didn't seem to imitating from Our Best Bites.

Since the recipe is so long I will give my verdict before you read. They were delicious, very autumnesque. The girls LOVED them (and were pretty impressed with my homemade donut ability if I don't say so myself) However, the recipe says it makes 24-36. I don't know what I did wrong but I only got 9 good ones and 4 that completely broke apart, (luckily, only 7 girls went). I have no idea how she made that many from that amount of dough. 

Second, I think next time I will do half with the sugar/pumpkin pie spice mixture and the other with a sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Here is the recipe:

Apple Cider Spice Doughnuts

1 c. apple cider, preferably fresh apple cider or something high-quality like Simply Apple

1 c. sugar

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 c. butter-flavored shortening

2 eggs

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 quart canola or peanut oil (for frying)

Spiced Sugar

Shake or whisk to combine:

3/4 c. white sugar

1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the apple cider to a boil. Continue to cook over high heat for about 7-10 minutes or until it’s reduced to 1/4 c. Remove from heat and allow to cool (you can transfer it to a heat-safe cup and place in the refrigerator or freezer to make things move a little more quickly. Also, if you’re in a pinch, you can use 1/4 c. of undiluted apple juice concentrate).

While the cider is reducing, combine shortening and sugar in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer on high for 2-3 minutes or until it’s light and fluffy (if you’re using a KitchenAid mixer, use the paddle beater). Add eggs one at a time, beating completely after each addition. Add reduced cider and buttermilk and beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Add flour mixture to the liquid mixture and beat until just blended. The dough will be very soft–it will be about the consistency of chocolate chip cookie dough (minus the chocolate chips, of course! :) )

Carefully lay a sheet of plastic wrap on top of a baking sheet. Transfer dough to the plastic wrap. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll dough out to about 1/2″ thick. Top with another layer of plastic wrap and transfer the pan to the freezer for about 20 minutes or the refrigerator for 1 hour. While dough is chilling, you can prepare the spiced sugar topping.

When the dough has chilled, remove from the freezer/refrigerator. Using a round cookie cutter, cut circles out of the dough. Using a smaller cookie cutter (I only had a tiny heart or a tiny shamrock, but c’mon, aren’t these the cutest things you’ve ever seen??), cut the centers out of the circles and reserve the “holes” for little bite-sized pieces of apple-spiced goodness! Place cut dough pieces on a lightly floured baking sheet. When all the dough has been cut out, place the pan back in the refrigerator while you prepare the oil for frying.

In a large, deep saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 1 quart of oil over medium heat. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, go buy one–they’re not just handy for this recipe, but they are also a) fabulously cheap and b) ALWAYS useful. Anyway, using a candy thermometer, heat oil to 325 degrees. While oil is heating, line a plate or baking sheet with paper towels.

When the oil is hot, carefully place a few pieces of dough into the hot oil (don’t crowd the pan, but you can probably get away with cooking 3-4 at a time, at least). The dough will sink down and then rise to the surface. Check the bottom side; if it’s golden brown, flip the doughnut. If it’s still a little pale, give it another 30 seconds or so and then check it again. After you’ve flipped the doughnut, the other side will cook significantly faster, so keep an eye on them. All in all, they should take about 90 seconds-2 minutes to cook completely.

Remove doughnuts from hot oil with a heat-proof slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels, followed by a baking rack (if you need the paper towel space for more doughnuts).

What can I say, I couldn’t resist!

Repeat frying process with remaining dough and then with the holes–the doughnut holes will cook EXTREMELY quickly, so be careful not to burn them.

Place spiced sugar mix in a large Ziploc bag and then shake a few doughnuts at a time in the mixture.
Makes about 24-36 doughnuts

Pretty Little Confessions

I am a little addicted and I am ashamed. I started watching it while I work because it is background noise and I can take my eyes off of it. I find it completely and utterly ridiculous, and I have no idea why this girl Alison was a queen bee when she is a complete and total meany head (yeah, like my childish words? That's what this show does to me). But I just keep watching, because I want to know more. Who is A? Who killed Alison? Why do these teenagers kiss so well, what about the awkward teeth bonking (or was that just me?) Is Alison even dead? Is Jenna really blind? Do teenagers really drink that absurd amount of coffee? When I can get past the ridiculousness it is mysterious.

Kisses

East Coast

 

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