Caramel Apples

My family and I love caramel apples and every time we go to Tanger outlet mall near our place, we make sure we get some o take home or eat there at Chocolates Factory; they are so yummy and the cheapest among all sweet they sell at that store. Satisfy your craving for sweet yet healthy fruits by making some of this food.

Caramel apples or taffy apples are created by dipping or rolling apples-on-a-stick in hot caramel, sometimes then rolling them in nuts or other small savories or confections, and allowing them to cool. Alternately, can be wrapped around the apple, followed by heating of the apple to melt the caramel evenly onto it. This creates a harder caramel that is easier to transport but more difficult to eat. Caramel apple production at home usually involves melting pre-purchased caramel candies for dipping, or making a homemade caramel from ingredients like for the high-volume production of caramel apples, a sheet of caramelbrown sugar, butter, and vanilla. Homemade caramel generally results in a softer, creamier coating.

In recent years, it has become increasingly popular to decorate caramel apples for holidays like Halloween. Methods used to do this include applying sugar or salt to softened caramel, dipping cooled, hardened apples in white or milk chocolate, or painting designs onto finished caramel apples with white chocolate colored with food coloring.

Classically, the preferred apples for use in caramel apples are tart, crisp apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji apples. Softer, grainy-textured apples can also be used, but are not preferred. Caramel apples are usually consumed as treats at autumn festivals such as Halloween or Bonfire Night, in the wake of the annual apple harvest.

Nostalgia: Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

My entry for this week's Nostalgia is my wedding and engagement rings. I wear these jewelry everywhere I go. Of course my most fave of all the jewelry hubby gave me.

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Jacob' Class Presentation

Before the end of school year, Jacob's class performed a sing and dance during the school ceremony or should I say, graduation. It was his first time that is why he was very shy; but I am so proud of him. I think he did a good job as a first timer. After their presentation, certificates and awards have given followed by a light snack. He had fun, he said. Anyway, here is a short video of the said presentation; short because my phone had run out of space :-( and my camera needs to be charged....what a bummer!

Nostalgia: Trip to Washington DC

We miss living on the east coast...and regretted of not being able to go to New York to see the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and etc....good thing we were able to see some great place like the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and more before we moved back to TX. Who would have thought that six months later, we would be living the east coast? Hope we could go back there again someday. For the meantime, please enjoy the photos we took during our trip to Washington, DC before Christmas of 2008.

Leaves were still falling on winter time :-).

Jake posed overlooking the giant Christmas tree in front of the White House and the Washington Monument.

Us inside the Lincoln Memorial.

In front of the White House; too bad that civilian are not allowed to get inside anymore.

Jake and I ...behind us is the Washington Monument.

With Daddy at Korean War monument.

My men :-)...love this photo.

and here is my little pumpkin walking towards me. Nice view of the Washington monument.

Caring for Your Laundry

We spend time and energy picking out the fiercest fashion we can find, but what good is it if we don’t learn the right way to care for our prized possessions? So, here so here are the answers to our questions....find out the best way to keep colors saturated, jeans from fading and how to avoid needing to iron.

I am not obsessed with laundry.... but as a stay at home Mom, this is one of my job... I don't like folding and ironing either, but what can I do :-)?

Here are some of the answers to questions that you, guys and I wanted to know. I got this on the internet and decided to share it here:

Q: If a garment says "dry clean" on the tag, can you throw it in the wash anyway?

A: Silks and satins must be dry cleaned, but cottons, wools, even some cashmere can be hand washed in cold water. Use drying screens for sweaters— never put them in the dryer.

Q: How can you keep a favorite pair of jeans from fading?

A: Turn them inside out before washing, use cold water and Tide Total Care to protect the fabric. Never put jeans in the dryer.

Q: What is the best way to store clothes you’ve just washed?

A. When they’re fresh out of the dryer, immediately put them on a hanger so they won't wrinkle and you won’t have to iron. One exception: never hang sweaters as the shoulders will stretch. Always store them folded.

Another great tip from Katy, you can minimize the number of times you need to wash an item by using a steamer to freshen it up or a sprtiz of Febreze.

Nostalgia: Jake's First Visit to the Philippines

These photos are very memorable to me since it was taken during Jake's first visit to the Philippines and my first time after 7 years. Jacob was 4 months away from turning 3 then. It was the hardest flights I had since he was still too young and needs to be carried all the time. I will never forget that experienced at the plane and airport with him. Hubby didn't go with us for he was waiting for a job interviews. Yup, he was jobless that time because he got laid off by T.I. Anyway, with all the luggage I have to carry and a child crying while seating on his stroller I was upset that Matt changed his mind and decided to stay. I remember many Pinoy offered some help. The same scenario happened on our way back. So when hubby fetched us up at the airport, I told him that I will never travel again without him especially if it is overseas.

Okay here are some of the pictures I took during that visit....

At the airport on our way back home....he was waving bye, bye :-)
On the laundry basket.....
with my brother and his wife.
Here is with Lolo in front of our house....waiting for some ducks that roam around every morning :-).
With his cousins before the recognition day.
Last shot with Lola before we left.....
and with his cousin (my cousin's daughter).
Jake's enjoying his bath on the big laundry thing (batya, no idea what batya in english, lol)
and last but not the least, playing with a toy guitar.

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To A Good Friend, Umma

Have you guys noticed that finally, I have badge for this blog? If you do, I'd like you to know that the person who made them for me was no other than Umma, a generous, kind, pretty, humble and smart friend Umma. I have known her for almost three years now if I am not mistaken and she is still the same person....she never changed...that is why she has plenty of true and faithful friends around her.

Thank you so much again Umma dear....i love my bagdes so much...they are so cute! To all who wanted to get to know her, visit her very informative and interesting blogs by clicking the badges below.