Apples!

So last weekend, we had the chance to pick apples at a local farm. I called my mom and my sister and told them to get up here and lets pick. We ended up with about 200+ pounds and so now I get to figure out what to do with them. Haha.

 There were several different varieties to pick and they are all so good even if they are small. 

 The tiny red ones are my favorites so I think I will save them to eat.  For me.  One really good thing is that there are next to no worms.  Yay.

 First stop is a batch of dried apples.  I just pealed and sliced them and then put them in a cold water/citric acid bath and then layed them out in a single layer.  Now the waiting game.

  And last but definately not least for todays apple activities is this awesome apple cake I found on pinterest.  Mmmmm.  I used my homemade caramel sauce to make an icing on top.  Delish.

Menu Planner Board

 Alright, here I go with my very first post.  Yay.  I am the kind of person who has to have certain aspects of my life organized.  I do lists, bulletin boards, chalk boards, chore charts, notes, and calendars and I have them pretty much where I can see them all the time.  I feel a little bit better in control if I can see what's up and what I need to be doing and where to be going and when.  You get the idea.  With all of the kids in all day school now and myself returning to school soon, I have been brainstorming ideas on how to get things under control and ready for some craziness.  I love a menu because I love to not have to contemplate dinner all day long.  Here goes.

 I only did one week because much longer than that can get a little overwhelming.  I found the backboard, the little wood cutouts, the cute mini chalkboards, magnet rolls and fat sticks at JoAnn's.  The other stuff I had on hand; paint, mod podge, buttons, scrapbook paper, and some ribbon and lace.  Oh and I don't want to forget one empty pudding box to make a holder for the menu items.

 I made the little box from an empty pudding box that I cut in half.  The menu sticks go inside for storage.

 These are the menu item sticks.  I cut the fat popsicle sticks in half and then painted and mod podged them. Stick a little magnet on the back and write all of your favorite dinners on the back.  I used about 32 sticks but already I've remembered somethings I missed.  Don't forget to add some "Yo Yo Nights" and "Order In" and "Out To Dinner" sticks.  

Hey there!

Hey there, my name is Michelle and I'm starting a blog about all of my adventures in baking, cooking, crafting, and just about anything else having to do with taking care of my family, my house, and myself.  I'm married to Mark Barnett and we have 3 awesome kids, ages 6, 8, and 13.  All of them keep me laughing everyday.