The Best Fall Cupcakes EVER

TOASTED ALMOND CUPCAKES
with caramel frosting

Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp almond extract
3 eggs

Caramel Frosting
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar

1. Heat in oven to 350 (325 for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular size muffin cups. In shallow pan, bake almonds 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup almonds for garnish. In food processor, process remaining almonds until finely ground.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. (Batter will be lumpy.) Fold in ground almonds. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.

3. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick insterted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. In 2-quart sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; boil and stire 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm, about 30 minutes.

5. Gradually stir powdered sugar into brown sugar mixture. Place saucepan of frosting in bowl of cold water. Beat with spoon until smooth and spreadable. If frosting becomes too stiff, stir in additional milk, 1 tsp at a time. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle reserved almonds lighlty into frosting.

*so delicious! give them a try and let me know what you think!

Spin Spin Spin

So, my very dear friend, Melis inspired me to try a new class at the gym... spinning! I have wanted to do this class forever, but have been way too nervous. I guess when it comes to trying a new class, it usually takes me a while to build up the courage to go. I am so affriad of looking like the biggest idiot. And especially when it comes to cardio beacuse, my endurance level is pretty much "next to nothing". But I did it, and it was awesome!
First of all, the class instructor was way too cool! He was an older man, with a gut and all. We listened to alot of oldie music, yes, this included alot of Elvis. He also pulled out a few interesting songs: The Mocerana (sp?), that a few people actually started dancing to and a U2 song he called the goosbumps song, because he actually gets the goosebumps when he listens to it. Wait, this gets better, at the very end... he played a song that we spun along with the beat. It started out really slow, and then got extra fast at the end (this was a major killer)... and as we got faster and faster, he would blow a train whistle! Yes, a train whistle!

It was hilarious. He really kept me entertained through out the workout. I loved this class and have already scheduled daycare time during it next week so that I can continue to attend. Thanks Melis for the courage and inspiration!

Anyone who has not yet tried it out... get out and do it, It was so fun and gives a great variety to the everyday workout.

10 Things I Love About October

I love the month of October. If anyone feels differently than me, read my list - hopefully I will bring a few smiles to your face and you will see the happiness in this time of year!

1. Beautiful fall leaves. The mountains are incredible. I love driving to Heber to visit my parents. Provo Canyon is breath taking!

2. My wedding anniversary... October 18, 2003 !!! Congratulations to me. 4 years - and many more to come.

3. Fall scented candles. What would fall be with out the scent of candles in my home?

4. The crisp air. Getting out for a walk, a run, and yes rollerblading (i know it is so 90's but i still do it) feels so so so good. Its not too hot but not too cold, you still pick up a sweat but it actually feels good when the cold air hits it.

5. The unpredictable Utah weather. I love being able to wear t-shirts one day and big coats the next. Weird?

6. Halloween Candy. This is a love / hate relationship. I am a candy addict. Just ask anyone who has been to my house this month... It is everywhere! I can't help but buy it at the store, but I hate myslef everytime I take that 5th handful for the day!

7. The fact that Christmas is right around the corner! Christmas is by far my most favorite time of year. Everyone is so happy, and therefore I am always happy.

8. General Conference. This month was incredible. I love the spirit I feel, and the lessons that I am left with. We are so blessed to have living prophets, I love their wisdom and knowledge.

9. Baking delicious cookies! It is so much more fun to bake something new when it is cold outside. I love trying new recipies... even when my husband says its "not his favorite", meaning... that was pretty nasty! ha ha

10. The first snow fall. Usually the first snow fall comes sometime in the month of October. I love it! I love the beginning of winter: drinking hot chocolate, dressing warm, staying home all day in cozy sweats and watching movies... its all so comforting to me!

Party Party Party

What a weekend! Saturday we had 2 parties requesting our attendance! ha ha ha. Saturday afternoon was my 2 little neices birthday party. It was so much fun. They are so cute... and wow... they got so spoiled! Presents presents presents!
That night I went to a party that Melis threw for Steph. I love these girls to peices! I was so so so excited to see both of them, they are so fun and spunky! Steph - you are amazing! Melis was here for the weekend. It was so fun to have her in town and beable to spend time together. I hope you still like your face... (i did micro on her). You are so cute! Hopefully it will not be too long before I see you again.

Sunday Morning = SNOW!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is what we woke up to sunday morning! SNOW SNOW SNOW!!! Jackson loved it... he calls the snow... nows (sounded like knows)... he puts the "s" at the end. Good thing he has his mom and dad to decipher what he is always saying! I taught him to eat the snow... ha ha!

Happy 4 year Anniversay!

Today is my 4 year anniversary! Its so funny to think that 4 years ago I was...

1. Getting ready for the most important day of my life

2. Driving to the temple with my parents... so incredibly nervous yet sooooo anxious and excited
3. Being sealed to the most amazing man in the most beautiful AZ temple!

4. Walking out of the temple... a married woman!

5. Celebrating with my closest friends and family at our wedding dinner!

6. So nervous for that night (you all know what goes on that night)... I could not eat a dang thing, which was so depressing because the food "looked" soooooooooo goooood!

7. Leaving the party, saying goodbye to friends and family... hugs, kisses, and tears...

8. .......................

9. .....................................

10. ...................................................

The past 4 years has been a journey for us. We have been through good times and bad. We have had our ups and our downs. But through everything it all comes down to this: Love. He loves me and I love him. We would do anything for eachother, anything to make the other person happy, anything that brings our family together... to eachother and to the lord.

How blessed we are to have the gospel. Every marriage needs the Lord in order to survive the world today. It keeps us focused on the important things in life, strengthens our relationship, and guides us as we learn to be husband and wife and father and mother.

Quote:
"Love is a journey not a destination."

- Unkown

I think we all would agree. When we take on the journey, the trials, the ups and the downs... at the end of the day, we realize... because of everything we have been through - I love you that much more.

Happy 4 Year Anniversary!

Halloween Fun

Friday night we went to Gardner Village. I had not been for a very long time and I have never been there during Halloween. But, I have always heard so many fun things about their witches display... so Jaime and I packed all the kids out, waited for Scott and Brad to get off work, and headed out for a fun Friday night with the family.
It was sooooo fun! Its a little village, and they have fun little shops and boutiques to walk through and shop in. And along the "streets" they have witch displays... stuffed witches that are acting out a variety of things. Some of them were: brewing in a black pot, hanging upside down, playing baseball, in a boat on a pond, flying through the air on a bicycle... and more!
Jackson loved to look at the horses and make really loud "neighhhhhhh" noises!
We went on a horse drawn carriage ride with a witch. She told us some really fun stories and put a spell on Brad... Abbie was pretty worried about that.
We had so much fun, I think I will make this a Halloween tradition for my family. It is fun for adults and kids and of course... puts you in the Halloween spirit!

What have we been up to?

We have had some fun things happen in the past couple weeks. About 2 weeks ago, Brad and Jaime did a get-a-way weekend with just the two of them. Scott and I were the lucky babysitters. Abbie and Lillie are so fun to have over at our house, and Jackson absolutely adores both of them. Here they all are in the bath tub. They were so funny to watch and listen to I had to get a few pictures. Jackson was splashing so hard and Abbie and Lillie thought it was so funn, and of course if they laugh - Jackson laughs too! The weather has been sooooo unpredictable! One day it is warm and sunny, the next day ... snowing! The days often start out cold but my mid-day it is warm. So we have been getting creative with the layers. Jack looks pretty funny here with a beanie on his head, long sleeve under the short sleeve and shorts.... ? Oh-well, better prepared than not, right? Saturday night we stayed in Heber. My little sister just moved to Denver. She is living with my sister Melissa and will continue her massage therapy classes. We all headed up to my parents to spend her last night together. I hope she loves Denver and has fun living with our older sister. I will miss her not being here in Utah.

Jackson is always so excited to see his papa. When we got to the house he went right to the couch, cuddled up next to him, and helped himself to the bowl of popcorn!

Conference weekend wasn't the best weather. Saturday it was cold cold cold! It rained and snowed all day long. Sunday morning the mountains were covered. Inbetween sessions we went up the Alpine Loop for a drive with Brad and Jaime. It was gorgeous! The snow mixed with the beautiful fall leaves was awesome. We stopped and hiked/walked along a trail for a little while. Everyone had so much fun in the snow, they even built a mini snowman!
Scott thinks it is so fun to look "white-trash"... WHY? What is so apealing about looking this way? Please, are there other guys out there that do the same, or am I alone in this?


All-in-all... its been a fun couple of weeks. I can't wait for the real winter to get here. I love the snow. I love bundling up in big coats and hats and drinking hot chocolate! I love snow activities! I love waking up to a fresh coat of snow! I love Christmas time! There is so much to look forward to at this time of year, it makes me so happy!

Privacy please.

Like alot of others out there, I am making my blog private. Please let me know what your e-mail address is so that you may always beable to read about my "oh-so interesting life"! If you would like to e-mail me, that is fine too.

mccallrandall@gmail.com

Thanks!

SKIN CARE... anyone?

So, for those of you that do not know, I am an esthetician. I specialize in microdermabrasion. For those of you who do not know what microdermabrasion is... let me explain:

Microdermabrasion is a mini procedure that involves the skin being exfoliated by a very fine type of crystal to remove the top layer of the skin... all the dead skin cells. It helps to clean your pores and prevent any futreu breakouts when done on a regular basis. It also helps to even out the skin texture and and the overall appearance.
Afterwards, your skin will feel lighter and healthy, you will notice an immediate difference in texture, it is incredibly soft! There is no downtime, your skin may appear slightly red, but you can return to any prior activites. A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and blemishes caused by sun damage.

Questions anyone?

The reason I have decided to post about this is because, I know there are so many people out there that are needing and wanting help with their skin but don't know where to start. I love skincare and I love helping people learn about how to take care of their own skin and to feel good about themselves.

I can do treatments at my house or if you are a "party" person, I also do microdermabrasion parties. Basically - you invite 5 people to come to your house at different times and in return you get your treatment for free... killer deal right?

Prices?
I like to keep my prices affordable. Microdermabrasion treatments can get extremly expensive - and right off - you might think my prices are up there too, but check it out online... you will see I am not that high.
Basic Treatment $60.00
Advanced Treament $80.00 (includes mask and shoulder/neck/chest massage)

Other treatments...
Chemical Peels (priced the same as micro)
Waxing (prices vary depending on the area... I love shaping eyebrows!)

So - please feel free to let me know if you are interested in any of the above. I promise you will love the results! Every woman deserves and NEEDS to feel beautiful in their own skin.

my e-mail: mccallrandall@gmail.com