Cooking Thursday

Last week I needed to make some bars for something, but found myself at work late.  I decided to make these bars which are so quick to put together, but are sooo good.  I'm frequently asked for this recipe when I bring these bars somewhere.  I've shared this one before, but it's one that is worth a repeat!

Cream Cheese Crescent Bars

2 cans crescent rolls (I use the recipe variation which is a sheet without perforations)
2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread a package of crescent rolls into a 9x13 pan and press into corners.
Mix cream cheese and sugar, spread over uncooked crescent rolls in pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over cream cheese mix.
Place remaining crescent rolls between 2 sheets of wax paper and roll them out to fit into pan.  Place over chocolate chips.
Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon sugar over top to give it a nice finish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
These keep best if stored in the refrigerator.

Wordless Wednesday

Fun Fall Craft!

When the girls stayed over this weekend, we did a fun scarecrow craft, using popsicle sticks.

 First, you take 9 popsicle sticks, put them together and then use hot glue to put two sticks on the back to hold them all together.  Then you paint the bottom flesh colored, and the top orange .   I painted and glued these ahead of time, to save time and mess!

You paint another popsicle stick orange and glue it along the flesh colored/orange paint, placing it at an angle.  This makes the brim of the hat.  Googly eyes are then glued on.

A triangle shaped piece of  orange felt makes a nose, and a silk flower is glued to the hat.

 Glue on some raffia for hair, draw on a smile and then glue a magnet on the back.

The girls liked their finished product!

Pumpkin Walk

Every Fall, a church in our town hosts something called The Pumpkin Walk.  They have a wooded area behind their church with a path in it.  They line the path with carved, lit pumpkins, have some large displays and even have some hanging from the trees.
They do this for 3 nights; Thurs-Sat in the end of October.  It seems to get bigger every year.  We took the girls on Friday evening and that night 3500 people went through!

 While waiting in the line, they had cute things set up to take pictures.

We're getting close to the entrance here.  It was quite a line!

 A Ruby Scarecrow!

 Here we are - finally ready to start the walk.

Here's a big display near the beginning of the walk.  This one was patriotic, with carvings to depict the different military branches.

 So many pumpkins lining the path!

 A big display of fancy designs.

The girls checking out some pumpkins.

 Here's a few close-ups of some of the carvings; cupcake, candle, Michigan, unicorn, bee, motorcycle, sea horse, rooster and tractor.

It's hard to see in this photo, but this was a whole Nativity display.   It says "Oh Holy Night".  There were wise-men, shepherds, angels, sheep, and of course Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

 The girls liked these cats.

 At the end of the walk was this tent with cider and cookies.  Everyone enjoyed it!

Friday Funny

Cooking Thursday

I made some bars last week for Bob's work. It's an old recipe, but those seem to be the best most times!  Everyone liked them, and I thought I should share this old recipe with you.

Caramel Chocolate Bars
11 ounce package caramels bits
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 german chocolate cake mix
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup softened butter
6 ounces chocolate chips

Combine caramels and milk; microwave, stirring occasionally until melted and set aside.
Combine remaining ingredients except chocolate chips. Stir together until dough is crumbly, but holds together. Press half of dough into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Spread melted caramel over all. Sprinkle reserved dough over all. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Alaina!

I can't believe it!  Our Alaina is turning 7 on Wednesday! She introduced us to the wonderful world of being Grandparents and we have enjoyed every moment.  She's growing up and changing so much.  We love her sweet, caring nature and are so proud of her.
Happy Birthday Alaina!  We love you lots!

Historic Charlton Park

Last weekend we took a drive to visit my niece Katelyn and her husband Nathan.  They live about an hour from us and we've been wanting to see their place.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, just perfect for a drive.
Katelyn and Nathan live in such a nice location - it's about 10 minutes from town, but it feels like it's out in the country.

 Here's the view from the back of their yard.  I think that old shed is full of charm.

And look at the side yard!  Katelyn says she loves to sit and read out there.


After we visited for a while, Katelyn took us to a nearby park that she's told me a needed to visit for some time.
Historic Charlton Park sits on 310 acres on the Thornapple River.  The village is made up of buildings that have been brought together to recreate a Michigan village from the turn of the century.  There is a lawyers home, blacksmith shop, bank and insurance office, barber shop, inn and stagecoach shop, church, carpenter shop, carriage house, general store, hardware store, schoolhouse, printshop, cabin, sawmill and the original township hall from the area.  I love history and old buildings so this was very interesting.
There are days throughout the year that these buildings are open, and have people dressed in period clothing working in them.  On the day we were there, everything was closed and we just looked in the windows to see what it looked like.  Some day I'd like to go back when it's all open.
Here's a few pictures:

 Here we are walking up to the village.

 This home was originally owned by Dr Upjohn, who founded Upjohn Pharmaceuticals.

Isn't this a cute barber shop?

This is a museum.  Such a beautiful building!

 Katelyn and Bob standing in front of the museum.

The sawmill.

 The Thornapple River.

 The schoolhouse and the town hall.

The General Store, Hardware store and print shop.

 Looking into the General Store.

 The Carpenters shop

A beautiful old church.

The drive heading out of the park.
What a nice day.  Thanks Katelyn and Nathan!

Friday Funny

Cooking Thursday

I made one of our favorite pies the other day. It's really one of the easiest pies I make, and is always good!

Peach Pie

Pastry for 9 inch, 2 crust pie
5 cups sliced fresh peaches
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry, and place one crust into 9 inch pie plate.
Mix peaches and lemon juice.
Mix 1 cup sugar, flour and cinnamon; stir peaches into mix.
Turn into pastry lined pie plate. Cover with top crust, and place slits in crust.
Seal crusts and flute edges.
Brush water over top crust and sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar on it.
Cover edge of pie with 2 inch aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.
Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes or until crust is brown.

Wordless Wednesday

Signs of the Season!

We're seeing some color changes around here.  I'd say things are mostly green, but there are splashes of some nice color.  I was out driving on the country roads Saturday and here's a few photos of what it looks like in West Michigan.

I'm thinking things will be much more colorful in one week!