Tiny Hippo Decorates Christmas Tree
What is this?
A delicious tree just for me?
Ick, why would it taste so nasty?
I must season this tree, a sting of popcorn will be the perfect start!
Even distribution of the popcorn is key.
Oh dear, but a tiny hippo must have no fear!
Some candy canes and gum drops will go nicely with the salty popcorn.
Some of my expertly decorated gingerbread cookies go on next.
Lastly, top it all off with a sugary star!
What a delectable treat, I mean tree, just for me.
With all the homes I visit during the holiday season it is great to have a delightful treat to offer my hosts. There is no better sweet treat than these homemade apple cider caramels!
Behold! These lovely caramels are a hit for anyone who tries them, and they look so cute in a little bowl or a mason jar with a twine bow.
This awesome apple cider caramel recipe comes from a great blog, Blondie’s Cakes and Things. The recipe is easy to follow with no alterations or additions needed, be sure to wear your protective goggles while stirring the bubbling candies. When you select an apple cider for making these little gems don’t buy the cheap stuff. I used apple cider from our local orchard because Wilson’s Apple Orchard makes divine cider, and it is a great place for a family outing, see my Tiny Hippo at the Apple Orchard post.
Once your awesome caramels have cooled its time to turn them into perfect little presents that all your buddies will love!
Alright, remove the caramels from the pan using the parchment paper. While you may be tempted to wrap this huge block up and keep it for yourself willpower must prevail.
Instead of scarfing down the whole block of caramel, divide it into even rectangles or squares using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter
Now for the fun part! Set up a work station for the caramel wrapping extravaganza. You will need the cut caramels, rectangles of wax paper, and a neat surface to roll up the caramel in paper.
Once your lovely caramels have been wrapped up safe and sound, all that is left is for you to take them to all those fancy parties where it is only proper to give a great gift.
I hope that you try these great caramels and take them with you when you visit friends and family this season.
Halloween is a very fun time of year and nothing adds to the spirit of the season like a good pumpkin carving. However, to properly create the best jack-o-lantern, one must follow some key rules of safe laboratory etiquette.
First off, sterilize all your instruments.
Carefully lower your instruments into the cleaning fluid
Oops, too many bubbles!
Lay out all your clean tools, an organized scientist is a good scientist
Prepare the patient for the operation
Now, don your protective eye ware
Make the incisions for opening the gourd
Excavate the subject, this will be messy
Now, carefully make your cuts
Next, set the experiment aglow!
Finally, bask in the splendor of your creation
There is nothing better than an experiment well done, and a new friend to show for it
September is the perfect time to visit the local apple orchard. The air is crisp and clear putting one in the mood for long walks and tart apples!
So off I went to Wilson’s Apple Orchard, to partake of deliciously fresh apples. Of course, there are many distractions at the orchard, other than apples.
There are several pumpkin patches that are ripe for exploration
While I am not a huge fan of actual pumpkins…
I do love a good pumpkin flower!
Enough with delightfully tasty flowers, at the orchard, apples are my ultimate objective
Getting the best apples is always a bit of a challenge
First, develop a battle plan, you don’t want to get half way to your dream apple only to be foiled at the last-minute by poor planning
I like to use a sturdy rope with knots in it to reach the apples
Now then, once I secure my climbing rope in the tree it is time to climb!
Tiny hippo tree climbing, some would say an extreme sport, is certainly not for the weak of heart
Ah, at last I reach my lovely apple, how crisp it looks!
My apple picked, I put it in my red wagon, it is the perfect size for such things
My hard work has paid off, I can go home with my prize, after I show it to a few friends, of course
A trip to the apple orchard is a great way to spend the afternoon, and there are so many things that you can make with your freshly picked treasures. Check out my spicy apple chutney recipe, or my red rice salad with apricots, and try substituting apples in place of the apricots.
Advice from a Tiny Hippo: Things to do When the Power Goes Out
There are plenty of activities that you can do when the electricity goes out, so don’t fret.
First, find your emergency rechargeable mushroom , and turn it on
Using some yarn, tie your illuminated mushroom to your back. This will help you find your way in the dark.
Now that you have a mobile light source, hunt down all the candles and flashlights in your house
Don’t be frightened by the strange creatures that your flashlight will create
It is probably just an adorable kitten
Instead of being frightened by the shadows, have yourself a puppet show
Enjoy an ice cream sundae, the ice cream is just going to melt and go to waste
While you’re in the kitchen, make yourself a delightful drink like my Spiced Whiskey Sour
End the evening with a nice cuddle
Electrical outages provide you with many opportunities for fun and adventure! So don’t be the grump when the power goes out for a few hours.
Meanderings Abound 