Baked Apples

Hello (:

I'm not really 100% sure what to write today, but I thought I should write something. Usually I come to this page with a plan for what I will be telling you...but today is not that day. I suppose I will start with some news.

Charlie is a little girl...(: Everyone is thrilled.
Her name is Charlotte Jayne Falk, after her Papa Jay.
My darling only listens to her daddy...but does absolutely everything he tells her to.

I haven't been getting many hours at work lately, so I have decided to finally start using my photos to start a business. (If you're interested in looking, everything is online at Bonanza.com) I've sold one and a half things, given a few away, bought one for myself, and am currently at somewhat negative profits. Hopefully things pick up a little and it goes positive...

This is a sample of something I am selling on my Bonanza shop.
I made this one for us...for Charlotte. Isn't she beautiful?

Today is a rainy and cloudy, chilly spring Friday. Since it's nearly May, however, there are a million garage sales. And I'm pretty sure that's not an exaggeration. Mom and I are going out to see what we can find once Benjamin goes to school.

Oh, this is probably the best thing that happened this week. I made baked apples. They were seriously amazing. Here's the recipe.

6 Granny Smith apples, cored (be careful not to break the skin on the bottom because you don't want the filling to come out.)
1/2 cup of white sugar (you could probably use any kind... I used white.)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (I used more)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (I used more)
Butter
Apple juice

Mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Fill the apples with the sugar mixture. Top each apple with a teaspoon of butter. Place all apples in a casserole dish. Pour in apple juice about 3/4-1 inch deep around the apples. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes (up to 1 hour) at 325.

Super easy. Amazing. We ate ours steaming out of the oven with ice cream on top. It was quite possibly the best dessert I've eaten.

Well, I think that's all for today. Thanks for reading while I rambled (:
See you soon.

Charlotte!

Hello, all! I forgot to write... Well, actually, I became preoccupied with sunshine and the beach. Also photos and businesses. 

But Charlie, as I promised I would tell you, is a beautiful baby girl! She already has Mama gushing about how proud I am... Daddy is wrapped up around her tiny little finger... Papa thinks she looks beautiful in royal blue... Auntie is already trying to buy EVERYTHING off the registries... 

She is a special little girl. 

One thing though, the doctor is concerned about a small spot they saw in her heart. If you would all join me in praying for God to keep my little miracle healthy and strong I would forever be indebted to you. 

Thanks! More posts soon, hopefully...and eventually pictures. (:

This Must be Charlie's Blog...

Hello, all! Good to see you again. 

I thought it was about time to write... It has been a while. 

Joshua and I just came home from a Family Life Weekend to Remember marriage conference. It was such a blessing for us. We learned so much about each other, about men(me) and women(him) in general, and how to better handle our relationship. In just 3 days we watched it go through a wonderful growth spurt. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is married or about to be married as an amazing tool to grow who you are as a couple. 

That being said, we are home now... and I'm exhausted. I'm definitely not used to going to classes/lectures all day like I used to be! 

Charlie is growing nice and strong. I felt a little kick with my hand this morning! This Mama was so proud.... (: Soon Daddy will be able to feel it too, and he is super excited. 

Friday is our 20-week ultrasound, and, providing Charlie behaves and doesn't decide to play hide and seek, we will finally know if we get to have a daughter or a son!

According to the tiny prints gender predictor quiz, Charlie is supposed to be a boy. Hmm... This Mama doesn't agree. But we will see. Friday. Oh, so thrilled!

Baby showers are being planned--I am so blessed! A friend just offered me newborn clothes if I have a baby girl. Another friend wants to help me make all kinds of decorations for the nursery. My sister crocheted a GORGEOUS star afghan for the baby, and Joshua's grandma gave us a lovely crocheted ripple afghan as well. My mom, Grandma to be, can't keep away from baby clothes and only recently stopped buying. I think she is finally waiting to know girl or boy--but that didn't stop her before. I have a handful of lovely outfits for each gender in my closet waiting. My daddy, Papa to be, is maybe the most thrilled of all, Joshua and I excluded... I don't often see him get excited--but my oh my is he excited about this grandbaby!

It's so cool to see how God provides. Charlie doesn't even have a (known) gender yet and people are already helping out and giving generously.  

I'll try to update everyone on Friday after we see our baby again(: