Not Your Ordinary Candied Apple...

My favorite apple treats are made by The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I first discovered them in Seattle at Pike's Place Market, but then discovered there are locations right here in my own beloved Houston! Galveston too! Go figure. A few years ago, before I knew they were here, I decided to try to make some of my own & it was a fair success. My friends loved receiving them as holiday gifts. I recently found the inspiration to try it again, this time with less success, but success none the less. There is no recipe, just your personal preference. I like the chocolate & the pecans. What do you like best? Anything can be used; try ground up candy bars, or different nuts, etc... I usually heat the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove, but this time I messed up the consistency. It still tasted good! The carmel foundation is layered over a clean, dry apple, then everything else should stick to that in layers of your choosing. For these I chose to add powdered sugar & drip fudge topping. Add a pretty wrapping & you have a wonderful homemade gift!

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear about your own attempts at this wonderful treat! Did I tell you it feeds several people? It makes a great desert at parties, just slice it up & serve!

This one went to my theatre student who had her performance ready first in my Shakespeare class. Later, at her house, she posted a picture of her eating it. It came to me on Facebook as a sweet thank you.

Opening gifts & closing nights...

I started off my Saturday at a baby shower for our cousin Rhiannon. Her little guy is due in December and the party was a refreshing change from my recent weeks of heavy overtime at work producing the musical. She has a beautiful house, and her friends made a wonderful fall party atmosphere. 

Rhiannon chose a nautical theme for the baby room, and it is adorable!

The food was excellent, the company was enjoyable, the gifts were splendid, and the day was off to a great start!

I moved from that refreshing afternoon full of hope and excitement to a very satisfying evening with my drama students as we gave the final performance of our musical, Les Miserables. The traditions of closing night include the crowning of the new freshmen girls as the "Freshmen Princesses" by the junior girls. Watching this sweet and crazy moment before we began the show was a delight.

Another tradition, every night before we raise the curtain, is to circle up in the actor's waiting room where I give my director's pep talk, and we take our moment of personal spiritual reflection. The rule that MUST be adhered to at all times is to hold hands with the right arm over the left one. Call it superstition, but we performers can rival the baseball players of the world when it comes to superstitions and traditions!

Finally, as we say goodbye to our final audience for this show, take our bows, and tear down the set we are already thinking of two things: the cast party & the next show!

We took the cast photo, missing a few members of the company, we began "strike" (taking down the set), and we said goodbye to Les Miserables.

Like I said, when one door closes, another opens!

Please leave a comment so I know you stopped by. Share with me your stories of life's doors opening & closing.