Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I'm so excited about the upcoming year.  With the economy and job issues and other challenges, 2010 started out a bit rocky but ended up being great.  So I am looking forward to what 2011 brings to our family.  One big thing is that our oldest will be graduating college (gulp) and will be looking for a job (eek!). 

I was thinking about how a change in attitude makes life better (or worse).  Sometimes you can't make yourself think positively because you have some hormonal or neurological reasons that are affecting your neurotransmitters, and you need some form of medication.  Sometimes it is simply a change in your surroundings that induces positivity.  Sometimes it is the need for positive habits.  Or faith.  Or all of these and more.  The amazing thing is that your attitude can change and then change your life.


Some FUN changes are going on at our house!!!

We are choosing new appliances for our kitchen.  I have not had a dishwasher for 8 years and I am so excited to finally buy one!  Funnily, this appliance was on my 13 year old daughter's Christmas wish list. 

We've looked at all of the brands, though, and the reviews continue to be negative for all of them.  I guess I'll have to break down and get the Consumer Reports information on the subject.  No rush, though, since my fridge is 30 years old and my stove is 15 years old.  I can wait a few more months.

The last day of vacation is tomorrow, so I would like to share another recipe that I made this week.  It seems that we cooked a lot more than crafted in our kitchen this week!  Yum!

This is an old family recipe from the 1968 Pillsbury cookbook entitled Pillsbury's Bake Off Dessert Cook Book.

Caramel Apple Pudding

3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup coarsely chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped almonds (I don't add these because I am allergic to them)

Sauce:

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margerine
3/4 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Serves 6.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, milk, apples and almonds; blend thoroughly.  Spread in greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.  Pour sauce over batter.  Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown.  Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

For the sauce:  Combine brown sugar, butter, and water.  Stir until butter is melted. 

I have put this in an electric cooker and its great.  When I make it in the oven I don't like it as much.  I think this would also cook well in a crock pot.

Happy New Year!