Warm Cinnamon Apples

Good Tuesday morning!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!! Today we start the official CAMPING COUNTDOWN... only 7 days until "How to Camp With Your Family (and Survive)" begins. That's next Monday, January 19. Each day I will tell what I have come to believe is a humorous camping story. Some of the stories have taken years and years to become funny -- meaning it has taken that long for me TO BE ABLE to laugh. Yes, some of them have woodland animals in them. And not just any old woodland animal. We're talking wild coyotes!

That's right. It's going to be a humdinger of a week as I regale you with story after story (after story after story) of our family's camping successes and failures. If you've never camped before, I hope it lights a fire under you to want to begin. There is no better way to spend time with the "family unit!" And if you have camped before... well, you'll know exactly where I'm coming from.

We'll go over how to get started from the most basic one night camp-out at a local state park, to a three or four-nighter in another state. I'm not an expert, but in the 12 years we've been camping as a family (anywhere from one to three times annually without missing a year -- in a tent), I have learned a few things I'd like to share... especially if you and your family are ready to start having this type of affordable adventure with your own kids.

I'm aware it is January, and "Baby, it's cold outside!" However, camping weather is right around the corner (March, April and May), so we've got a lot to do to get ready.

Also, I have a story I'd like to share about friendship tomorrow. True friendship. The kind of friendship tale that warms your heart. Actually, you probably will not want to read this story while you're eating. Is it just me, or am I getting good with this "blog teaser" thing?

WOW! Are there any 24 fans out there? Did it deliver, or what? Two nights in a row can't be beat either. The only thing that's going to improve this scenario is when Lost starts January 21. Josh and I caught up on Season 4, and we are eagerly awaiting the beginning of Season 5. The only down-side of watching a regular season is we have to wait until the next week for the cliffhangers to be resolved. Austin and I are used to watching two or three (sometimes four) 24 episodes on DVD. It's the same with me and Josh. I think this season is going to teach all three of us to have a little more patience... or make the three of us even more whiny!

And, of course, we cannot forget Jon & Kate Plus 8 on Monday nights. I don't think they've had a break in their show in over two years. Every Monday there is a new one. But let's face it... the only cliffhanger in Jon and Kate's show was waiting to see if the boys were going to be potty-trained by the next Monday night... and they were! WHEW! I lost a lot of sleep over that one.

You may or may not count these as dates with your kids, but with each of my children, this is time spent one-on-one, just us. And not that we don't have things to talk about, but it does add conversation starters at dinner time.

I don't want you to think Mikie is left out. We like to watch Frazier at 11:00 two or three nights a week together. (That's right. I stay up until 11:30 several nights a week.) Mike's the night owl, but I've adapted, and sometimes when you have kids, late at night is the time you get to reconnect with the "spousal unit." (Mike loves it when I call him that!)

Okay! Let's bake.

Warm Cinnamon Apples

You will need the following:

4 McIntosh apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon butter

1. Toss together first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, tossing to coat apples.

2. Cook apple mixture, 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes or until apples are tender.

3. Serve warm over vanilla ice cream.

NOTE: Easy, delicious and it makes the house smell great!

Tomorrow I have a very chilly seasonal tradition. Get ready to bundle up and have some fun. Have a great, productive and blessed Tuesday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.