SWEET SOPHIE TURNS TWO

"Scorpio children are strong-willed, passionate, and intense, and the need to feel secure drives them to control themselves and others." ~Babycenter

That sentence pretty much sums up my little Sophie. My fiercely determined little one knows what she wants and knows how to get it. I know that trait will allow her to reach all her dreams one day. It is impossible for me to believe how completely different my two kiddos are...night and day! 

Sophie Bella (my wise & beautiful one), you are the gorgeous little girl I never expected to have. You try my patience and make my heart melt at the same time. You keep your brother in line and make us giggle. Dogs and trains and stuffed animals are your first loves. Your Daddy's eyes sparkle when he looks at you. Depending on the day, you think your name is Mommy, Sophie, Strawberry or Baby. You are incredible.

I love you with all my heart, my little October baby...

caramel apple cheesecake bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

photo & recipe via Zoom Yummy

DOUGH

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter, room temperature

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

APPLE FILLING

2 larger apples (Golden Delicious)

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp granulated white sugar

CRUMB TOPPING

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour

TOPPING

3/4 cup caramel topping

Preheat the oven to 350° F.

In a bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender (or a fork) until the mixture is kind of crumbly. First with your fingertips, then with the bottom of a cup (or a glass), press the dough evenly into a 13 × 9-inch baking pan or a cookie sheet with edges. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In the meantime, in a larger bowl, beat the cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time (beat about 20 seconds after each addition). Next add the vanilla and mix until combined. Make sure not to over-beat the cheesecake batter as this will lead to excess air being incorporated in and may cause cracking later on. Pour the cream cheese batter over the warm crust.

Peel the apples and chop them into 3/4-inch (2 cm) chunks. Mix the apple chunks with the cinnamon and two tablespoons white sugar. Spoon the apple chunks evenly over the cream cheese mixture.

In a smaller bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar and flour for crumb topping. Cube the butter) and using a pastry blender (or a fork), create a crumbly mixture. Crumble over the cream cheese mixture.

Bake 30 minutes, or until the filling is set. Reduce the temperature to 300° F for the last 5 minutes.

Cut into bars. Drizzle with the caramel topping. YUM!

Newfoundland (Newfie)

While I realize that it is WAY better to get a doggie from an animal shelter, I can not help wanting one of these guys! And please know, this is coming from a country girl who had SEVERAL pets that were considered "rejects" by their owners who not so lovingly dropped them off in the country. 

I have a fascination with huge, fluffy dogs that my kiddos can cuddle with and feel protected by. My favorite dog of all time was Bup (not sure why my Grandpa Dow named him that?), he was an amazing mix of St. Bernard and German Shepherd (LOVE them too!!!) and he was LARGE! Known also as a small pony by my little brother and sister, Bup was the most gentle, loving dog ever, who let kittens lay on him when it was cold. But who also knew how to scare the begeezus out of strangers by standing on his hind legs and peering through their car windows! So, this is why I adore large dogs and want one. Now!

Saint Bernard

Labradoodle

Bernese Mountain Dog

photos via Pinterest, Puppy Petite Boutique, and About Zoo

SWEATER TIME

Okay, well it's not sweater time just yet...it's 90 degrees here in CO this weekend! Didn't expect that in October. But I really want this Free People Love wrap sweater. Hurry, someone give me $168! Please?

image via Piperlime