Almond Toffee

Now that we are on winter break, I have been in the mood for Christmas baking and treat making. I enjoyed trying all new recipes (to me) this year - peppermint meltaways, surprise crinkles, peanut brittle, chocolate caramel pecan bars, butter pecan fudge, and almond toffee (like a Heath bar). Probably the simplest and my favorite is the almond toffee. I didn't intend to make it originally, but found I had enough leftover ingredients to make it. It's probably a good thing that I didn't know before now how easy this is to make!

Almond Toffee - From Women of Great Taste
1 cup butter (no substitute)
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 cup coarsely chopped almonds, toasted
1 bar (7 ounces) milk chocolate
1/2-3/4 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted

Generously spray or butter a half-sheet cake pan. In a heavy saucepan over medium high heat cook butter, sugar, salt, water and corn syrup to hard crack stage (290 degrees) stirring constantly (I stirred frequently, not constantly) with a wooden spoon. Immediately remove from heat and stir in almonds. Pour into prepared pan and spread mixture to the edges. Cool for at least a few minutes. Microwave chocolate until melted. Spread over toffee and sprinkle with remaining almonds. Chill for one hour. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Makes 2 1/2 pounds

Pregnancies

When I was pregnant with Tyler, I felt pretty great. Granted, I had morning sickness, and had some food cravings. I needed naps. But, I remember feeling comfortable until I was about a week overdue. I really enjoyed the whole pregnancy experience. My favorite part, both times, has been feeling the baby move - it's the one part of the experience that I know I'll miss.

This time, things have been a little...harder. Morning/all day sickness, heartburn, congestion, sleeping, and contractions (and some other things) have all been more ... difficult or intensified this time around. She feels low, and heavy and I feel like it's harder to get around. I did find out that she is head-down.


My sister-in-law, Carrie, has told me that she had a similar experience (with her first being easier than her second) but that her third pregnancy was not as difficult again. Another Mother of 3 told me the same thing. It has made me curious whether this is more common, or whether I have just found a few moms with similar experiences.

I don't mean to complain - I mean, don't get me wrong, I feel like I have been doing plenty of that lately - but that's not what I'm getting at. But, I wonder whether anyone else has had a similar, or very different experience with their comfort level and the order of their pregnancies. (By the way, we are definitely not having a third).
As Tyler would say, I'm just so curious.

Christmas Program

I'm not sure anyone is interested in the entire preschool Christmas program, lasting a whole 9 1/2 minutes, but if you are, click on this link.

A clip from Tyler's Preschool Christmas Program

Tyler's Preschool Christmas Program was on Friday. It took lots of encouragement, and the promise of a new puzzle, for him to practice and perform the songs. He looked nervous, especially on the first song, Jingle Bells. He was a sheep in the Nativity, and didn't really do anything but stand on his hands and knees the whole time. This is the last song. We got a kick out of his subdued hand motions.


To show you how much he loves singing, here's the conversation we just finished...

I told Tyler that we should go Christmas caroling.

Tyler, "What's that?"

Me, "You go sing Christmas songs to people."

Tyler, "That sounds horrible!"

Olive's CT Scan

Our little cutie. :)

Little Olive

Lynette posted a very encouraging update.
Olive's infection has cleared and she is back to breathing room air. She also had a strong sucking reflex for the first time, so they may be able to begin trying to breastfeed later in the week.

Thanks for all of your prayers, love and support! You all are so amazing!

A little more on pregnancy...gagging

If you are easily offended or grossed out, stop reading right here.

I know that I gag easily, but these days it can be a bit ridiculous. Don't misunderstand- I don't feel ill like at the beginning of this pregnancy, but lately, my gag reflex is almost embarrassing. Snot, (even my own), can make me gag. This week at school, I gagged and had to leave a classroom after a student ... passed gas. And, I threw up in the bathroom sink because someone before me left a ... smell. I know, lovely things to discuss. This morning, on the way to the YMCA, I had to do some deep breathing in the car to stop gagging because...I drank OJ and water before I left?? Then, at the Y, I gagged when I saw someone who was very sweaty. WHAT!? I don't have any idea what that was about. Anyway, I was telling Wayne about my weirdness (who just rolls his eyes and laughs at me) and decided I'd share it with you. Because, what is better to discuss on Thanksgiving than gagging?

OK, I'll get back to putting up Christmas decorations and leave you be. Hope you're having a wonderful holiday :)

34 weeks

I signed up for a few weekly emails that give me information on each week of pregnancy. This week's email from babycenter seemed especially timely...

"Most of the time, your cardiovascular and nervous systems are able to adjust to the many changes taking place in your body, but occasionally they can't, and it can make your head spin. Dizziness or lightheadedness can be caused by a variety of things, such as standing up too fast, lying on your back, low blood sugar, anemia, and overheating."

Tuesday, for the first time, I did feel dizzy and light-headed throughout the morning, and I thought it was really weird. Then, my weekly email came yesterday. Aha! Oh the weirdness that pregnancy can cause.

Along with the same email was a little bit about the baby getting hiccups. Good timing as well since I've felt more hiccups this week. They feel very low and I'm hoping this means she is head down. We shall see.

:( Olive

I realized this morning, that I never posted the latest update from Lynette and Rusty. They received very disappointing news that Olive's infection made it inadvisable for her to fly home to the states yesterday. This was quite a blow. This presents lots of challenges - the flight there for them and their doctor/nurses was arranged, and return tickets for the medical staff had already been purchased. There are also emotional challenges as they remain far away from family and friends, and financially as their insurance either has or soon will run out. So, it has been heavy news...please keep them in your prayers as they wait to see what is next.

The auction

The Auction for little Miss Olive Hope begins today!

http://auctionforolive.blogspot.com