Kristin gave me this idea and I have wanted to try it for the longest time, OH, oh, oh for the longest time- oops got off track, anyways, I am going to post recipes that I have found and tried and liked. I will probably tweak them, as I normally do and as I did with this first one. Hope you enjoy. Love you all.
One of the many things that Ally and I like to do together is to go to the Noblesville Farmer's Market. Sometimes we even get Dad to go. It starts in May and ends the end of October.

All the wonderful fresh produce- the best corn on the cob, state produced honey(where you can even see the bees working and the queen bee just lazin' around)- plants, crafts and our favorite----- KETTLE CORN- fresh and hot. The booth is near the end of the line (though there is still a whole other side to go by) and we make sure each week that we are able to go to the Market we buy our bag of KETTLE CORN- now those of you who have never tasted fresh, hot, right off the whatever it is they make it in- oh right out of the kettle, you don't know what Kettle Corn is suppose to taste like. So one day as I was looking at a food blog that Anna introduced me to I found a recipe for: you guessed it, KETTLE CORN- I found it several weeks ago, but last week decided to give it a try- can we say Ummmmmm, Ummmmmm, Ummmmmm. So far, Ally has made it at least once a day except on Monday, when I made monkey bread. So I just knew that this had to be my first recipe entry. So give it a try, I promise you it is good and is easy to make.

STOVE TOP KETTLE CORN

3 TBLS. canola or vegetable oil

1/3 cup popcorn kernels

3 TBLS. granulated sugar

salt

The recipe for kettle corn isn't complicated-- it's the little tricks that matter. So I'm going to teach you all the little tricks!

1. Place a large stock pot on the stove top. Set heat to medium-high. Add oil. While your oil is heating (it won't take long) measure out your popcorn into a small bowl. Add sugar to the kernels. When it's time to cook, everything moves very quickly, so it's important to have it all ready to go.

2. Wait until you see your oil smoke. This is one little trick that a lot of people overlook, but it's important. The smoke is very faint, but if you just stare at the pot (it helps to get down parallel to it), you'll see little billows of smoke coming up. That's your cue!

3. Pour popcorn kernels and sugar into the pot. Immediately stir using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, scraping sugar from bottom of pan. This step should only take about 10 seconds because I don't want a lawsuit from someone who got pooped in the eye with a popping kernel. That is your first disclaimer. ONLY 10 SECONDS!

4. Cover the pot with the lid. You will need to shake the pot with your hands and you'll want to make sure the lid stays on, so get a dish towel and drape it over the top of the pot and the two handles.

5. Hold the pot by the handles in a way that you're securing the lid on as well and shake the pan side to side in all directions and up and down a few times. (Ally takes the pot away from the stove as not to break the stove top) Then place the pot back on the burner. Do this every 20 seconds or so. It will keep the sugar from burning on the bottom and help the kernels to be evenly coated.

6. After a few minutes you should start hearing the pops. (if it doesn't start popping after a few minutes, crack the lid to let some of the pressure out. Chances are when you put the lid back on, it will pop away). Continue the shaking every 20 seconds or so until you can tell almost everything is popped. Remove from the heat, remove the lid and stir immediately.

7. Sprinkle salt to taste and then keep stirring. You can eat it warm right out of the pan (Disclaimer #2 caramelized sugar is HOT so don't eat it right away.) or let it cool completely. It's great either way!

We use our largest pot, the first two times we made the recipe as is- but found that if we halved the recipe and added it to the first amount that it made more and was a good amount for that size of pot, I haven't tried doubling it yet, but since so far it's just Ally and me eating it, we really don't need any more- so here is the amount so you don't have to think:

1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. canola or vegetable oil

1/3 cup plus 3 TBLS. popcorn kernels

1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar

salt to taste

ENJOY!!!!!!

It's fall, though these pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago before peak and now that they say it's peak, we have no leaves. But I had to show this picture it is one of my favorites. I woke up one saturday morning (one of two days I can sleep in and wake up to daylight. As the sun was coming up, it shined through the trees and created this. A thing a beauty. Now that the trees are bare it's another kind of beauty, I will try one day to capture that.

This is one of two trees in our yard that we have with leaves, it is one of my favorite trees because of the color. Two bad it can't be that way all season long.

Before the leaves were blown out of the gardens and the hammocks were taken down.

That touch of red in this picture is a Japanese Maple. A friend of mine is remodeling her house and she had two of these trees that needed to go. I took the smaller of the two. (The other one bit the dust as the workmen didn't know how to transplant a tree, let alone even dig one up.)Never did I realize that it would turn red in the fall. Sure hope it grows a lot next year and fills up that space. (I can dream can't I?)

Chestnuts roasting on a open fire- It's time of the year. The time to finally start playing Christmas Music- well at least for one day while the kids carve their pumkins. Yes we did it late this year, and only picked out the pumpkins yesterday. We have found as the kids get older, harder to get them all together at the same time.

Jordan ever so thoughtful- if you can't tell he carved Obama with the words HOPELESS underneath- I told him "if we get egged- it will be your fault"- Danny believes there is no teenager around this area that would do it as they really don't care for the man. (not in his words)

Danny has guts coming out of his month and will have more out the top or in this case the side tomorrow night on Halloween when the Pumpkin is lying down in it's postion.

Todd did carve his, two lines, only able to see them when it is one its side

Ally more traditional with the face- though I told her my faces would be the triangle eyes, nose and a smiley face with a couple of teeth. So scary.

This is from our trip to Atlanta and Erie, see I got it right this time and put the last ones on first. Sort of, the reunion should of been before Lake Erie. Oh well, maybe next time.

Brynley is so much fun or at least as much fun as a few week old baby can be. It was just wonderful to just sit and hold her. She has the longest fingers and toes that I have seen on a baby, and her feet reminded me of when I was carrying Kristin and how I could feel this body part go across the top of my stomach, I kept thinking that couldn't be her feet- it was, but she definitely has grown into her feet, just as Bryn will grow into hers. Her arms remind Dad and I of Nathan's when he was this age- he seemed to be all arms. But she is a cutie and we can't wait to see her in less than 2 weeks.

Ally walking on the beach of Lake Erie, I think after walking the beach on a Sunday she wishes we had one more day so she could go swimming. It was a pleasant day- at least it became a pleasant day as earlier it had been raining. But the sun came out and it was great.

A picture of the two of us walking on the beach- not shown is the picture where this man tried to throw this lady into the water. Who would dare to do something like that.

Dad pouted at the reunion. That's just like him, always pouting to get his way. The reunion was great. I didn't know more than three fourths of the people there. I think the ones I know best are Aunt Carol's kids and Aunt Gerry's (mispelled maybe) kids. It was great to see them and the Uncles and Aunts and of course Grandma and Grandpa Kohl, Aunt Trish, Aunt Margie and her family and Uncle Ken and his friend Maria.

This is a nice picture of Aunt Trish, Dad took one of when she bent over, not very becoming and I don't think she would of wanted that pose here.

I did get my haircut while we were there. I had asked Aunt Margie if she had brought her scissors (sp?) and she told me no and asked why, I told her I told her I felt like I had a mulet, she told me she didn't need scissors to cut hair she could cut hair with a butcher knife if it was sharp enough. We all had a great laugh, but then she tried to, but the knife was to dull, luckily I had my sewing scissors in the car and she did cut my hair, I have liked it ever since.

I love the fact that the last pictures you pick are the first to go on the blog- I don't think I will ever get this down. And I'm sure that I have already posted most of these. Which I say "so what" at least I'm blogging. And I want to remind all those you have commented about my lack of blogging- let me just remind you just who started this blog- it wasn't me, ok, now that that is over. I am finally home, not going any place until a week from Friday when we head down to Atlanta to see Brynley blessed. I had the realization (is that even a word?) that Dad and I will have seen all of our Granddaugthers blessed this year, that is so cool. Anyways- I love this picture of Ezra, he is so intent in what he is looking at, I'm sure it is the watermellon as that had all the kids looking. At this time we had the Maten's staying with us. It was hard to keep all the kids away from the little watermelon.

Alas, it really hasn't grown much more than this and some animal even ate one. Hey it's our first attempt at growing watermelon, the tomatoes are doing well and providing us with enough for every day eating- got loves those BLTs.

Swimming at our Pool at the hotel when we took Jordan to the MTC. Out to eat for Jordan's last supper.

Oh my, has Ashlyn grown since this picture, she now has what we affectionately call Thunder Thighs. Why is it so cute on a baby and so NOT on me.

MTC

Wednesday Noon July 1st. After we had a last meal at the Brick Oven, We are in front of the MTC, taking our pictures as this supposedly is as close as we can come, because of the "Pig" Flu. Jordan sure looks like a Missionary. Though still need to work on the hands in the pocket approach.






Jordan the new Missionary is now surrounded by "Babes" he looks like he is enjoying himself. Shelley is wishing she could go with him. She is so excited for him.













Then a family shot, well 3.33333333 of his family. Shelley is taking the picture, thanks Shelley.

Jordan and Dad- yes he now has hair, get use to it. I believe it will not go away with a razor again.

The last hug for two years. We are at the drop at the curb, take out bags and missionary and then drive away. They first told us that we had to say our goodbyes in the parking lot as no one was to get out of the car except the Missionary, but when we drove up to the curb, my door was opened and they told us to say our last goodbyes, we will say that it was much easier this time, not the long drawn out, tearful goodbyes in times that are past. We will miss Jordan, but excited for the growth in him that will take place in the next two years. Serve well

Early July in Utah

Yeah, so much for my weekly pictures of how does your garden grow, man where did the last two months go. Anyway we went to Utah to take Jordan to the MTC here is a few pictures.

Jordan felt bad that he had given his Germany blanket to Liam and had nothing for Gavin, so he gave his BYU hat to him, Gavin proudly worn it for at least a few mintues. It was so good to see everyone, we sure miss you all.

This is our first day in Utah. The boys went swimming and I took pictures of them and Ashlyn, Ally took some too, but she was in the pool also at time. Ashlyn continues to grow as do all babies do, wow she is sure cute.

The boys acted like they were fish in the water, it was fun to see them, glad we had a pool at the hotel, next time Grandpa and Grandma need to bring their swimming suits so we can join them. Sure glad Ally brought hers.

The First of the weekly pictures of the gardens- I like to see the difference of the growth, now granted the spring flowers will go away, but I thought they looked pretty. Just wanted to share.

Last week we had a few days of warmth-it was great and things really started to come up. Now if I can keep the animals from pulling up the newly planted hostas that I split from others. I think things will really be filled in this year.

The hamocks came out on Saturday and Dad and I both took time to enjoy them. Always need to take time to smell the roses by laying and just listening to the sounds of nature.

Goodbye Tramp

YESSSSSS!!!!!! After many tries and much inpatience I finally succeed in down loading pictures from the camera to the computer. We had wanted to show the pictures of what happened to the Trampoline during a major storm.

There were marks on the swingset and the wood around the play area where the Trampoline was dragged and tried to resist the power of the wind, but the wind won. It finally ended wedged in between the trees. It took some work but Dad and I were able to get it freed from the trees. We gave the mat and springs to the Larsons. The net went into the trash and all the metal we sold to a metal salvage place for 3 bucks Whahoo!!!!!

We shall miss the trampoline, hopefully we will replace it. Ally, when she is better likes to jump, as does her friends.

Dad suggested that we buy a 10ft tramp put in in the ground in front of the swings so kids can swing, jump off onto the tramp and then do a flip onto the ground. I believe Dad thinks we are all gymnasts. I'm sure in his youth he would of loved to try that.

March - a little bit of this and a little bit of that!

Really warm one day, cold the next.

Sunny then dreary.

Windy then REALLY windy.

Crocus's blooming.

Hasta's curling.

Windows open in the evening and closed in the morning.

It's my FAVORITE time of year!!!

Snow

Snow- Anna told me to take some pictures of our big snowfall and put them on our blog. Well it has taken me over a week to do it and now they are saying we could get even more snow than what we got in this snowfall. I'm hoping for a 2 hour delay. Please not a snow day. It just takes away a 3 day weekend and that's not fun. But anyway, here is our "big snowfall" a big 4 inches.







But of course I couldn't resist and I took a picture of one of my favorite bird. Just second to the colorful Cardnial. This is the Pileated Woodpecker. It is our largest Woodpecker, it measures about 19 inches. It is so cool to see it in the yard and even better at one of the suet feeders, When we had small suet feeders it would wrap it's tail up over the bottom of the feeder up to the other side as it enjoyed the suet. It was fun to watch. When it makes its sound you feel like you are in a jungle, almost like a monkey. But you'll just have to come here in the summer to hear it's unusual sound. Here it is on a tree, looking for some frozen bugs.









Here is Ally coming home from school. The snowflakes were really big. Can you see that she is wearing flip flops? That's my daughter, or better yet she is her father's daughter.