Caramel Apple Cake With Caramel Topping

2.5 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1.5 cups of vegetable oil
3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
2.5 cups diced apples

**preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream together sugar, eggs, and oil.  Add flour; mix together until well blended.  Add vanilla, nuts and diced apples.  Spread into a lightly greased and floured 13 x 9-inch baking dish; bake for 45-60 minutes.  Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  When cake is done, punch holes in it with a knife and pour topping over.

Caramel Topping

3 sticks of butter ( I use two and it is plenty)
2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup milk

Heat all ingredients together over medium heat.  Bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Let boil about 2 minutes.  Pour over warm cake.

**The Lady and Sons-Savannah Country Cookbook**

Weekend Sweetness

Betty Walker's Congo Bars........

1 1/2 sticks melted margarine
1 box light brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/1 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts
6 oz butterscotch chips                                     
**Blend butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs.
Add dry ingredients and vanilla.  Blend in nuts and chips.  Pour in greased 13 x 9 pan.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until done.  (I usually bake mine 30 minutes).

It is hard for me to chose just one (1) favorite dessert, but I will say this is one of my all time favorites.  I think of  Ms. Betty each time I make them.  She is such a sweet person.  I hope you give them a try!

Changing, Updating and Moving on..

I am updating and changing my direction.   I hope to share more of my interests and hopefully others will share with me.  So I will be a work in progress for awhile!  Have a great weekend.

Thursday's thought

I have been reminded of several friends that are facing difficult decisions.  So many folks are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I am very blessed and just when I think I am experiencing some winding roads, I know I don't have any real problems compare to others.  I think God reminds me to let go and let Him.  But, I like being in control (thinking that I am) and then I often fail and guess what.. I let go and let God.  I can't understand this..if I KNOW I can't do just simple tasks alone why won't I just let go? 

So I am trying to slow down, enjoy more, do less and thank God for everything in my life.  I have a wonderful family, great friends and a good life.  Tonight I am thankful for GRACE=God's Riches At Christ Expense.  It is comforting to know HIS grace Reaches me.

love and peace all

Friday night, stormy night, ahhhhhh rain

After work today I had BIG plans.  My mind raced all day @ work about all the stuff I wanted to get done, or needed to do.  Well, I made the mistake of sitting down telling myself it would be only for a little while.  Well, I did manage to give the dog a bath and do some laundry..but that is it.  Oh well, I have enjoyed watching the sky light up, and hearing the rain and thunder.  Something about storms make me think of when I was a little girl.  I use to love to go to my grandmother's house and play.  I thought of that and her tonight.  She was a pretty lady, and so funny.  I love you Nun Nun's.  I also remember going to my Pape Garrison's house and playing in the barn and @ this time of the year picking the BEST grapes from his vines in the garden.  I can still hear him calling the pigs....good memories.  Everyone have a good weekend...do something you enjoy and take the time to take it ALL in.  love and peace to all :)

Pool update.....

As usual we thought we were prepared for the pool installation.  I only wanted to Keep one tree, it is a river Burch, sometimes called a toilet paper tree.  We had planted it not long after we moved here.  Well, the pool had to be moved over from where we wanted it, and guess what, yes the river Burch had to go.   I was sad, but it did turn out better, we can now connect our pool deck to our house deck.  Everything happens for a reason!!!  I have mellowed the older I get, I would have previously wanted the water in ASAP, the landscaping even quicker and the deck built that night!  But now, I am just happy to have a pool and the rest will come in time.  We are off to the beach so, the pool will be here when we get back.  I am excited about going to the beach, our buddies D & D are going and we ALL need to get away.  We have friends there now and say it is beautiful, no oil, no smell, so we will see.  If there happens to be oil there when we arrive, I will be on CNN, the hysterical southern woman, saying, "It sounded like a freight train when it came in"!, why does everyone say that when they are interviewed??  love and peace to all.

What have the Haley's Been Up to......

I have been a bad blogger..but if there is anyone still out there...We have been just doing the daily routine.  I am thankful  for routines though. 

Kallie is moving to Cookeville this fall for school so that has kept me busy buying things for her apartment.  The older I get I don't like to hurry, so I have gradually bought things and we are almost prepared for her move.  We have things all over the house, using it for storage, but has been fun.  I am excited for her. :)

Kyle turns 16 next week!!!  Sixteen is a BIG birthday!!!  I can remember (believe it or not) it bring some independence and some freedom.  The best days ---school, (whether they think so or not) friends, hanging out, NO worries!!!!!!  I am happy for my kids and thankful for our health.

We sold our boat.......we became tired.....loading.....dragging.......so we are moving on..Mark explains as been there done that, I guess that is right.

So we are putting in a pool!  Poo is excited which makes me excited, and the kids are happy!  Progress pics to follow-Have a great weekend.  love and peace to all