Noshing on Gum & Wearing Pretty Pink Robes

(photo from a great site called  The Chihuahua Clothes Blog http://chihuahuathreads.com)

I sit here still in my bathrobe feeling guilty and lazy.  It was one of those nights and although I got up at 8 I still have not gotten into the day.   I wonder why.  I am noshing on gum, until lunch so I won’t eat the refrigerator clean. 

It’s not that I haven’t been busy.

I turned the kitchen table around, only to realize I liked it the way it was.  I had some quality time with the pets, always a good thing right?  Well, I am convincing myself that they love their “mummy” in a flowing pink bathrobe that makes me feel like someone out of a Harry Potter film.

I’ve let the dogs in and out three times already.  The sun is out, and they know it.  It is a dirty little secret that even when it is only 50 degrees in the sun, they feel constricted by the house too.  My only regret is the in/out of it all.  I stare out before I open the door because it would be a horror if the neighbors caught me in my jammies and big pink bathrobe.

One dog pounces out to take on the world, the other in a daze of confusion stands and wonders where the heck she was going.  She is our dear one with “doggy Alzheimer's”.  She often will go in a room and stand, as if to say, why am in here?  Or will circle around the large coffee table, not being able to go backwards or turn around and insist you move anything in her path so she may continue on her routine and journey.  Or the fact that she get's herself into these situations she is not sure of.  LIke the time we opened the dog gate, where she was standing on the end with the hinge.  She could not figure how to get out of the corner when the gate was opened and just looked helpless as to say “why am I in this prison?”

I don’t do this often (spend the morning with my jammies), well at least not often enough that I don’t feel guilty about being in a big pink flying robe.  The idea I might eat lunch this way gives me the heebee geebees.  What person eat’s lunch in their big pink robe? 

I can remember years ago (yea I am that old) that my mom always wore “house dresses”.  Another word for casual, I don't care who sees me but this is acceptable behavior.   Basically they were dresses that were usually made of cotton, often with short sleeves and buttons down the front.  Although, in the summer the sleeveless ones were acceptable too.  Now, she would go from her jammies right into this dress and wear it for days!  She was of a generation that didn’t waste anything.  Time, clothes or soap.  Not that she wasn’t clean, she was, but it was not unusual for her to wear only two dresses a week.  So, what is the dif?

The difference is no one wears house dresses any more.  Ah, it was like rolling out of bed, literally.  Take your dress into the bathroom with you and viola! You are ready to face the day! 

Sweats are always a great alternative.  Yea I could get a pair of sweats on, but then I would have to change before this evening because hubby and I are going out...people see me in sweats???  I don’t mean the cute ones, no the fleece warm as I can get ones.  The ones with paint stains on them.....

The gum noshing is going good.  It makes me realize I am getting a bit board.  “does your chewing gum loose it’s flavor on the bedpost overnight?  If your mother says don’t chew it....” Awe, gee, that is going to be in my head all day.

A quick sniff to the pink sleeve... yea it doesn’t smell yet.  Robes actually fight not to be washed, did you know that?  Yeah, they fly all over to avoid the brutal and harshness of the washing machine.  But, it got a good washing just last week, even with the terrible fight to get it all in the washer with the towels. Robes and towels, they actually hate each other.  At least that is what I tell myself to avoid washing the “big pink thing” all too often.

Well, I guess it is time to shower and wake up.  Put the body and mind in gear.  I will let go of my robe with a flare before then, hang it on the knob in the bathroom for this evening and wonder what would I ever do without it.  Now where can I spit out this gum???
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Easter, a Season of Surprises

Every year I look at the time of Lent as a time of renewal, reflection and renewal.  Easter for me is just not candy eggs and little girls in pretty frocks and women in flowered hats.

I have been brought up to believe in the wonder of Christmas, but as an adult I realized the power of Easter, when we are ALL born again.

It is easy to find yourself engulfed in the power of Christmas.  It is a season of hope, faith, peace.  It was through this birth that we Christians have become a “people”.  All is calm, all is bright.  But, it is during those tender times I remember the phrase about Mary, Jesus’ mother.  “she took all these things unto her heart and pondered them”.  Did she know of Calvary?  Did she know that she would loose her son, in order to gain a Son?

Every Christmas I shed a tear...... I cry sometimes because I realize I am the last of my immediate family.  I cry sometimes because I feel like an orphan.  But, I always cry because I know the fate of this little boy, all for the sake of me.

Easter is not one day, it is a season.  Lent.  Have we wrapped our heads around this?  In my younger years I practiced the discipline of denial.  Oh, how I held off on sweets until Easter and then gobbled up every one of those chocolate eggs!  Now, as a person of mature faith I find that Easter is a perfect season to give, to change, to pray what direction God wants my resources to go?  Can I not bring some sunshine?  A phone call, a card a kind word or two.  Make a donation to something or someone.  Invite someone to lunch?  This, for me, is sharing God. 

How do you explain the God who loves me like no other?

The only human thought I can connect Calvary with is one of a parent and child.  Would you not give all you have to save your child?  Would you not demonstrate your love in appreciation?

Surprise yourself this Season of Lent.  Take quiet time and reflect.  I mean really reflect.  Take the fullness of the season and pray for God to reveal how he wants you “walk the walk”.  During this time of self reflection, touch another with the power of the Holy Spirit that walks within you.

I lead a lot of Bible study classes and one of my favorite questions “are you a Christmas person?”  I am not speaking of the obvious, but hinting toward the spiritual.  Even more so, I ask of myself “am I an Easter Person?”  How do you thank someone for a sacrifice such as this?  You can’t.  What you can is do things in the spirit of love, faith, and peace.

All I ask is that you look into your heart and remember that Easter begins with Lent.  A season to cry, change and yes celebrate!
How can you share this?  Anyway you can.  Big or small.  Taking small steps of kindness to others, while wondering where God is going to lead you.

On Easter day I stand in the pew and during the fist chorus of “Christ the Lord Has Risen Today” I use to cry because of the harshness of mankind actually killed the Son.  Now I cry in thankfulness.  I will be with Christ in eternity.  God’s gift to man, that we should love for an eternity and be loved.

My, my what a surprise.  How can you not feel blessed?

What is it with Women and Their Purses?

What is it with Women and Their Purses?

Can anyone tell me?  I use to be quite the hound when it came to shopping for purses.  I was always looking for the one which spoke to me.... here pick me....I can hold your sunglasses in a very special place..... your phone will never get lost in me..... come to me.......


It was 4 purses a year before I started spending some good money at LL Bean for purses and some trendy purses (with pockets for everything) called Baggallini’s  Yes, they are wonderful for traveling, strap them over the shoulder and you are stylin' girl!!!  If you are on the lookout for them try AAA. Of all places, they have a small selection of them and they are reduced in price for about 20% less.  

I picked out a wild lime green Baggallini for my last cruise, which my hubby claimed to be as bright as a neon light in the dark.  My next one was a larger one in a dusty blue, much more to his liking (like I really cared....when he starts carrying one he can have a say! LOL)  I did get him back recently by buying a new wallet...in neon green although a friend calls it "frog" green.  It is very easy to spot in the bottom of my purses!



I pretty much was settled into my LL Bean kidney shape, good for the back, lacking any great colors and costing way too much.  But, still not being a slave to fashion (just purses) I was in the mood to brighten my day!  Then I figure, take a ride to "see what's out there".


Not one to turn away a bargain I spotted a leather $40 purse at Kohls.  I had some discount tickets and that puppy ended up costing me a grand total of $7 when I was done.  It is neutral and will take me into the spring and again in the fall.  Okay, I have never been a clothes trend setter but I am a purse snob.  I am willing to pay $70 for quality, but $7 for a leather purse... that sucker was calling my name from the front doors...... come.....come....come......I'm yours....


Hubby was surprised (pleasantly he didn't moan because I was "buying" something I really didn't need) but wait....who uses a black purse when they are just aching for spring??  Tell me???  I am so ready for spring.  The past winter here in New England has been sloppy, cold and long!  I needed a little something to infuse HOPE!  Yes, those crocuses will come up by May (that is an exaggeration) and I will see grass again someday.  Like a good husband, he caved.  "It's rather nice" was my approval and a virtual pat on the back for a job well done in being so shopping savvy.


So my big old backpack is upstairs for next year.  It holds the world, just not my heart...at least for the moment.


Yes, shopping for purses can be a defining moment.  Are you making a statement?  Going for function over style, or does style trump everything?  Is it a large purse (very popular now) or something big enough only for a cell phone and loose change?


Ah the dynamics of women and purses, pocketbooks, wallets...  Who knew there was a science for each and every one of us.  Function?  Maybe that is important during the day, but give me a shimmery me happy purse for the evenings out.


To each their own, and I own plenty.

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Photos of the Fur-Kids

This is my little man Woody.  Woody with the "old lady" Cuddles and then Woody being a camera hog as we try to get a photo of the cat Amanda (the child I never had! LOL).  Then there is Treeny, another story in itself!

Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes

Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes

He is so handsome!  The first time I saw him he was a face in a crowd and although his manner was kind I never realized how sweet.  I am not talking about the man in my life, although Chris would like me to do so; maybe... I am talking about my dog Woody.

Right now our fur babies number four.  All except one has been adopted a little later in life.  The one we’ve had since a baby is a cat, which I affectionally named Amanda, after the child I never had. LOL

No, we are rescuers in a sense, not because of anything deliberately we go after, but because of circumstance.  It is like we are the stopping place for the ones who need us, and maybe we need them too.

Woody was sort of a unique adoption.  We had loss the last of our “chosen” pets, meaning we bought her as a puppy.  Her name was Darcy and as it turned out she was one of those pets who leaves an indelible mark on you.  Actually both my husband and I contend there will never be another like her and she was the dog of our “lifetime”.  In fact I still have dreams of her and I still smile wildly when I think of her and her antics.  She was a “princess” in all the senses of the title.  And for my husband she was even more special.  After having had a terrible painful time of it she was released from it all.  I was the one who thanked her and told her to run into her next life, for I felt she would be waiting for both my husband and I when our time would come.  For him, it was too painful, for me it provided peace.

After several years I was wanting another dog.  MY dog.  What can I say, my husband is an animal magnet.  All our animals (save one cat and now Woody) tended to bond with him. 

It was what seemed ages I kept hinting and asking, but my husband just did not budge.  Weather he had been too hurt by the loss of Darcy or was worried financially managing 4 animals (and vet bills) or the care and upkeep I don’t know, he just wouldn’t budge.  I finally just stopped asking.  Then there was Woody.

Our groomer was starting to have trouble with our eldest pet, a mini schnauzer who needed regular grooming and she had requested that one of us stay while she groomed her.  A just in case she became too unruly.  At the time the groomer had her own pack of dogs there with one new one.  He was the smallest of her brood.  Chris asked about him.  He was a very strange mix.  Looking like a basenji (but without the almond shaped eyes) he was told Woody was a mutt with Rat Terrier, Pom and Doxie mix.  Turns out she had an opportunity to buy him off of Craigs list (she was always suspect of small dogs on Craigs list ...dogfights you know) and she had a customer looking for a smaller dog.  Well, the other customer fell through.  On that faithful day she was talking about Woody and how he already had 3 owners and was still a sweet dog.  Chris was smitten.  Woody was warm and friendly and took to Chris and Chris took to him.  Next thing I get a phone call from the groomer asking me to come “meet” Woody.

I was stunned!  “Who’s idea is this?” at this point she assured me it was Chris’ and that he knew I was wanting another dog, to call my own.  I hopped into my car and went to introduce myself to Woody.

He was tan, with black and one paw that was white....shades of Michael Jackson.  I can’t say he was good looking but he the most soulful eyes.  He had a way with those ears, which by all that is natural and gravity driven, should be folded over.  But those ears stood straight up and had as much expression as his eyes.  His coloring was that of a shepherd, his nose cold.  The groomer had grown attached to him and her brood of pooches had grown use to him.  But, she with two Mastiffs and two Boston terriers was ready for Woody to find his forever home.  She had him tagged, fixed and all up to date with shots.

I went to the back of the shop where Woody could meet me.  He jumped on a chair and sniffed at my face and then  gave me a quick lick.  The groomer seemed surprised.  “he never licks anyone”

It was love at first lick.

She agreed to let us “try him out” after he had healed completely from his surgery (he had just been fixed the day before).  So, a week later we had our two week try out and Woody never left.  Our groomer check on him often during that time and could see that there was “something” between he and I.  We had not yet set a price (and we thought we would at the very least pay for the last vet visit) when she called two weeks before Christmas and said Woody would be our Christmas present and that she wouldn’t  accept anything for him.  This was such a gift.  She had paid $300 on Craigs List for him, and probably that much in vet bills.  We took him over to visit when we took our schnauzer in for grooming.  It was working out great.

Now, how do we stop the “every animal falls for Chris” spell.  Chris was not to pay much attention to him for a month, while I lavished it.  It was so sweet to have him follow me from room to room, tuck himself under my blankets and look soulful at me when he wanted “lov’in dov’ins”.  His ears were like silk, his sweetness was sincere and to think people didn’t want him!  He was meant to be with us.

After a period of time Chris came into the attention picture and we were complete.  My longing for another dog had gone.

It was after an article Chris read about dogs toes smelling like Frito-Lay Corn chips that the final tag of Frito-toes came to be.  Smell them, go ahead smell them.... maybe your dogs toes smells like the corn chip too!

It is funny how things work out.  There was a time that a little fellow needed a love that would be forever.  There was a time that a gal needed a little boy to call her own.  Under some strange and unusual odds they came together.

Now life is all hugs, rubs and Frito Toes.  Oh, what a lucky girl I am. 

Although I still sometimes dream of Darcy, my heart isn't as achy and if it is I look to my side and see a set of ears rising from the blankets and a cold nose waiting to touch my hand as he accepts a soft caress on his head.  Darcy may be with me forever, but for now I have love enough to share for dog who had quite a journey to come to me.  His paw comes to my face looking for more attention and I wonder what a wonderful joke life gives you and think, where is the dip??

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LAZY TURTLE BARS - It's been a long time baby!

Okay, can I say I am sorry for being away so long?  It was really very hectic around the holidays and I was working on home made goodies, and hand made goodies.  Problems with one of the furry kids too. 

Since I have ignored you terribly I feel I must (oh I MUST) give you my latest easiest confection recipe that I gave out this Christmas.

It was sort of odd the way it came about.  I was going to make turtles and I was having a terrible time getting those wrapped caramels.  Even my dear hubby Chris was searching for them every time he had to go into a store. 

He hit pay dirt with these new caramel melts.  They are round little balls that actually warm up quite nicely in a double boiler or a heavy bottom pan.  So, if you find these pick some up.  They were so easy to use, I didn't spend an hour (okay, it didn't take an hour, it just felt like it) unwrapping caramels, getting a sticky mess on my  fingers.  Now...I had all the ingredients I needed!

But, it was right before the giving of our goodie baskets!  I wanted to do something since I had the ingredients, but it had to be something quick.

So, here is the recipe....in time for Easter, yeah, that's the ticket...Easter!

LAZY TURTLE BARS

Take a sided cookie sheet (one of those sheets that can also be used to make a jelly roll) and cover entire pan, including going up all the sides.  Spray the foil with a butter flavor non stick spray.  Do not skip this part, otherwise you will have a dickens of a time getting these bars out of the pan!!!  Remember foil, non-stick spray a must.  If you do not do this, you will have to put your cookie sheet over a top of boiling water to get the bottom to loosen (and get sticky) in order to get them out...and they don't look pretty!!!  Learn from my experience.

2 bags of caramel melts
1 bag of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) 12 ounces
3-4 cups of pecans (the more the better for my liking)

Melt the caramel over low heat until smooth.  If it get's a little too thick add a bit of cream

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, it tells you how on the packages (only if you are comfortable with that, or else use a double boiler)

In prepared pan, line the bottom with a boat load of pecans.  If you want to press them down to break them a bit to get good coverage, go for it.

Next, spread the caramel over the pecans.  You do not have to wait for the caramel to set up, because believe me it will set up as soon as you stop spreading.

Finally, take the melted chocolate and spread over top, making swirls and curls along the way. 

Now this is a trick I use to help me cut.  Once the chocolate is a bit solid, but not completely, I will score the chocolate so I know how to cut.  It helps me keep the pieces nice and even and I am not guessing as  I lay the knife down.  What can I say, what may look good before I cut can look terrible after the cut.  So, this is a cheat which also allows me to see how many pieces I am getting out of the batch.  I usually cut in a about 1 inch square, using a ruler as my scoring guide.

Take the pan and put it in either the refrigerator on in a dry cool space until it is completely set up. Here in New England, our 3 season porch becomes the "cold storage" room up until Christmas.  Candy making day, the porch is covered with confections galore.

On a cutting surface flip the pan over, remove the foil and turn it right side up again.  This can be a bit tricky, but it does look nicer.

Lay a large knife down in the scored chocolate (one of those Pizza rocker knives works well too) and press firmly, cutting through all those delicious nuts.

Keep in an airtight container (I always use tins, which I hoard just for my candy making projects).

I wrapped them in a tower using those candy bags you can get just about any where that Wilton products are sold.  I also tie up in a string.  If you are more festive curly ribbon looks very nice too.  They stack well because they are pretty solid and not messy until they are in your hands for a minute, but in this house they don't stay in your hand for a minute! ;-)

Because you scored so nicely, they stack beautifully.

These are so easy to make and so yummy.  Enjoy!

Until next time stay warm, stay safe
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Those Bloody Pomegranates

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Okay, so I have never had a pomegranate.  This time of year I see them everywhere.  Strange and somewhat mysterious, I had an adventurous moment while shopping and picked one up. 

Now I love the taste of pomegranate, but to eat a fresh one, I was in for a surprise.

The fruit was huge.  It was about the size of a soft ball.  Smooth and although its skin is peel-able (who knew) Chris and I decided to take a knife to cut it in half and then figure out how to attack it.  What a mistake.

On a white cutting board, we cut the strange fruit into half, meanwhile creating a splatter of about five feet.  All the while the red juice began to flow freely on the cutting board.  It looked like we just massacred a living thing. 

It became clear that the “seeds” or what ever they are called held all that fruity pleasure.  Armed with paper towels we stared to break apart the fruit.  What was revealed were little “bags” about the size of corn kernels.  Inside each kernel was a seed.  It was like eating crunchy corn on the cob.  A strange sensation of sweet, sour and crunch.  Not that I totally disliked it, the red juices continued flow down my arms as I was still trying to figure out the best way to eat this.

Should I dig in like an orange?  Well, that produced loads of juice, which flowed everywhere.

Finally I realized that popping each kernel out was much cleaner.  So, we began to break away pieces and chew, and chew, and chew.  My poor jaw was sore by the time I was finished with my half!

Now this may be the nectar of the gods, but the work of it all was just plain embarrassing.  Finally, after about a half hour we had finished making a mess, I mean eating.

The next day I found spots of juice everywhere from the plants to my collection of cows.

I now appreciate why the juice is so expensive.

For this adventurous gal, I will leave eating the pomegranate to those who cherish the experience.  As for me, give me a bottle of Pom and a couple of ice cubes...now that is my idea of nirvana.

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A Christmas Goodie! GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES

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 GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES- can you say YUMMY!!!!!

Back in 2004 I won second place in Hershey's "I resolve to eat more chocolate" contest and I thought I would share that recipe with you.  Now, these are easy to make but I do have one change.  Back when I made these Hershey's had raspberry chocolate chips you could buy.  They have been harder and harder to fined and now even on the company website they are not in stock.  My resolve to continue is to use Raspberry Flavored Oil.  DO NOT USE EXTRACT.  You can just use milk chocolate chips without the flavoring, but it does make a taste difference.  So, if you plan on making these, a couple of things.

1.  Plan to make them at least one week (two weeks are better) before giving, so that you can let them "mellow" if you use the liqueur. 

2.  DO NOT USE EXTRACT.  Extract has water in it and it will make the chocolate seize, (make it into one horrendous lump) and will not be able to be handled properly.

3.  Raspberry oil can be find in better cake supply places and always at candy supply places.  It is a candy flavoring, which makes it safe to use.  A little goes a long, long way.  So, for a $3 investment you have quite a few batches.

All that being said, the recipe is very easy.


GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES

2 cups HERSHEY'S® Milk Chocolate Chips

1 2/3 cups Hershey's® Raspberry Chips (or substitute semi-sweet chocolate and use raspberry OIL)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 (10 ounce) jar seedless raspberry jam

2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur OR 1 teaspoon raspberry candy flavoring (Raspberry OIL)

5 tablespoons whipping cream,or as needed (humidity is the factor for the "as needed")  You really want to make them hard, but pliable enough to handle and roll without melting too much

Coatings (powdered sugar,cocoa, toasted coconut or chopped nuts) I LOVE chocolate or white jimmies (sprinkles for you non New Englanders!)


DIRECTIONS

1  Place chocolate chips, raspberry chips (or semi sweet chips and Raspberry oil) and butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in jam, liqueur and 4 tablespoons whipping cream. If necessary, add additional whipping cream, one half teaspoon at a time, until mixture is well blended and smooth.

2  Cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight until chocolate mixture is firm enough to handle. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls; while still tacky roll in your choice of coating. Place coated truffle on cookie sheet to set. Refrigerate several hours or until completely cold; transfer to airtight container. Store in cool, dry place. Candy flavor is best after storing for about 1 week. Truffles also freeze well.

Enjoy!  Many do! LOL

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Starting Early, Amen!

Well it is now officially November and I feel a bit better about my confessions.... I've been listening to Christmas music and picking out my Christmas crafts since the beginning of October!

I wanted to take a moment to share a favorite website which has a ton of ebooks you can download (just but ebook in the search).  At http://www.favecrafts.com/  you will find so many crafts you can never say there isn't something that you cannot "make" for the holidays!  I like to do easy crafts for our church fair and in past I have also done a Christmas craft with the children at the church.  I have to plan on two levels... the very young (which I learned last year NEVER give a child a glitter glue bottle!) and the older ones which range from 10-13.  I've even done things with the youth (a button wreath) which has proved fun.  They can easily use glue guns and can take directions well.  Well, at favecrafts.com you can find it all!

I am planning on making several homemade gifts this year.  I have made November my painting month (I am a decorative painter) and December is my baking month.  It just seems right this year.  Buying gifts is fine, but sometimes I like to give a little more of "me" and this year is the year!

My second "confession" is listening to Christmas music.  I have already gotten three new Christmas CD's.  Some I like more than others.  Here is my humble review of the three I've gotten so far.

1.  Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony.  I was thrilled to see them do a new CD.  I was big fans years ago when they were together.  I liked most of the music on this.  Their voices were wonderful (as usual) and they had a nice selection of old tunes.  The arrangements though were a little off for me.  But, I don't regret the purchase.  The Beach Boys was certainly an influence

2.  Point of Grace Home for the Holidays.  I love their harmonies as well!  They have another CD Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection, which I did like more.  I tend to be a traditionalist.  The one song that I was intrigued with was Not So Silent Night.  It was lovely and like a poem.  Labor of Love was well, a bit different.  The second verse mentions blood on the ground.  It caught me a bit off guard.  Although I have to admit I did listen to every word after that. These ladies are great; Christmas music and their other CD's as well.

3.  Celtic Thunder Christmas.  Of the three I was disappointed in this.  I have come to love the harmonies of all the voices but in this CD they played up the individuals.  Not that they have bad independent voices, but I really wanted to hear ALL the voices. 

I am expecting Susan Boyle and I will review that when I get it.  Also, I am planning on writing about my recent trip to Savannah Georgia!  It will take a bit to get that one together, but I will post it. (between painting and such!)

Well, that is it for the moment.  Enjoy the autumn season.... although I love the "feelings" of Christmas, ice storms I do not! LOL.  After Christmas I have no use at all for snow and I am ready for spring by the end of January. 

I must start practicing being in the moment and treasuring each moment more!!!!

Autumn "Nesting" and Apple Caramel Focaccia

 I love this time of year!  I seem to want to settle in and cook, bake and experiment with new recipes.  I go through the thousands (I am not kidding) of cookbooks I have at hand and I try new "old" recipes (from my vintage collections) and new "new" ones from the likes of Taste of Home. 

Something about when the weather starts to chill, but isn't cold.  You sort of nest and you begin to think about harvest.  Maybe it is my good old New England roots, but it comes naturally around autumn for me.  All the smells of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon gets my mouth to watering and my mind to working.

Always on the prowl, I find many recipes that I keep to prepare later.  Drives hubby crazy!  Sometimes I get to them, sometimes I alter them to being unrecognizable in their original form.  But, that is what I do as a creative cook and recipe developer.

You will get a taste of that from me here at this blog.  One of my many interest, as well as painting and writing.  You could say I am "full brain" dominant... for another time .....  Anyway.
  
I came across this recipe and it looked so fall like!  Something a little special but oh-so-easy to prepare.  I have adapted to my own flavors (like any good cook) So, I share! ;-)

Apple Caramel Focaccia  Serves 12

1 frozen bread dough, thawed (1 pound)
1/4 cup of melted butter
2 cups of THINLY sliced apples that have been peeled and cored.  I think Mac's are a little too soft, so Cortland is often my apple of choice, particularly when there is loads of sugar elsewhere in the recipe
1/8 cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 cup of white sugar
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon each nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves
1/4 to 1/2 small chopped nuts now the recipe called for walnuts but caramel and pecans???? yumm
1/4 cup of jarred Caramel Sundae topping


Preheat oven to 350

Spray a large baking sheet with Pam, set aside.  On a floured surface work the thawed loaf into a circle (or the best you can) to about 12 inches in diameter.  Transfer to the baking sheet.

In a bowl mix apples slices with sugars, spices and nuts.

Brush dough with melted butter (save some butter, as when it comes out of the oven you will brush MORE butter...can you say Paula Deen????... on the top.  Spread the apple mixture over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the apples seem tender and the dough is browned golden.  Remove from oven and brush with remaining butter.

While warm, drizzle a bit  of the caramel topping over the Focaccia, cool a bit more (20 minutes)on a wire rack, (and put jar of caramel in refrigerator for about a half hour too) and drizzle MORE caramel on top.  The double layering is yummmmmmy.

Slice and serve!


JUST IN CASE YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT FOCACCIA

 From my favorite folks at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Focaccia (Italian pronunciation: [foˈkatʃːa]) is a flat oven-baked Italian bread,^[1] which may be topped with herbs or other ingredients.
Focaccia is related to pizza, but not considered to be the same.