Windmill City Fest and taffy apple salad
This week's been a little crazy. I worked four days--in a row (gasp)--and today I have not one but two activities. Wow, it's almost like I have a life! :P
Mom and I already went to Windmill Fest today, although she left before I did (she has a Red Hat thing going on now). I met her at 9 at the book sale. She was ready before I'd even had breakfast, so she went off to the farmer's market (/bake sale?) and picked up a blueberry apricot cake. At the book sale, she also got five books. I am not in need of books, so I didn't buy anything, but I did find something intriguing in the music book box. There was a trumpet trio with my friend Carrie's name on it! :) Oh, too bad I've lost touch with her. Mom was almost tempted to buy it.
After that we went around the Riverwalk. It was only 9:30 then, so things were still pretty quiet. There were a number of fishermen on the river but that was about it. We made it around the walk by 10, just in time for the pet parade. Mom wasn't able to stay for too much of it, but some of the funny critters included two dachshunds, one dressed in prison gear and one literally as a wiener dog; a chicken, which surprisingly didn't win Most Unusual Pet; a hedgehog, which *did* win MUP; a boxer that reared up on its hind legs and batted its front paws in the air, then bounced a balloon for the judges, winning Most Talented; two girls and two dogs dressed in hula skirts; a girl with a cat and a wagon who tripped and went head over heels, then couldn't stop laughing; and the Laidlaw Bus. Yes, we have this miniature bus that joins in the pet parade. Well, it *is* on a leash. I got a picture of it, so if you're royally confused, perhaps when I get the film developed I'll put that one up.
When the parade ended I took a walk around the river, this time heading south. The south end of the path ends up at Clark Island, with three bridges that take you to the southern part of downtown. I ended up south of the library, which was fine. The only bad part was hiking up that last block to get to my car. Everything else around there is pretty level; the library, where I'd parked, has the hilliest part. Bah. :)
Next: I leave in about an hour for Mr. C's pre-camp party. He sent a second email saying only four or five people had RSVPed, so I have no idea who is coming. Consider there's usually about 35-40 counselors each year. But I still made my taffy apple salad. I first made this for a potluck housewarming party where girls were to bring a dessert or a salad. This is actually both. I got rave reviews, and for that couple's subsequent housewarming parties I *had* to bring it--I don't think they'd have let me in otherwise. ;) It's fairly easy, if a little time-consuming, and people tend to lick the bowl clean.
Taffy Apple Salad
1 (20 oz) can chunk pineapple
2 c. mini marshmallows
1 (8 oz) Cool Whip
2 c. diced apples
1 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
Combine juice from pineapple, vinegar, sugar, flour, and egg; cook until thick. Chill and then fold in Cool Whip. Combine with the rest of the ingredients. Cool for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
Notes: For the apples, I'll grab two Granny Smiths and dice them up. It's probably a little more than two cups, but it's fine. And if you add a few extra marshmallows, nobody will care. Because I don't like to dirty too many dishes, I won't follow the cooking directions exactly--dump the pineapple, apples, marshmallows, and peanuts in a large bowl and stir together while you're waiting for the cooked mixture to chill (put that in the fridge for a half-hour once the pan has cooled a little). Then pour the cooked mixture over the fruit mixture, stir, then fold in the Cool Whip. That seems to be okay. It is better to let it sit overnight, as the flavors meld and it just seems to taste better that way.
Mom and I already went to Windmill Fest today, although she left before I did (she has a Red Hat thing going on now). I met her at 9 at the book sale. She was ready before I'd even had breakfast, so she went off to the farmer's market (/bake sale?) and picked up a blueberry apricot cake. At the book sale, she also got five books. I am not in need of books, so I didn't buy anything, but I did find something intriguing in the music book box. There was a trumpet trio with my friend Carrie's name on it! :) Oh, too bad I've lost touch with her. Mom was almost tempted to buy it.
After that we went around the Riverwalk. It was only 9:30 then, so things were still pretty quiet. There were a number of fishermen on the river but that was about it. We made it around the walk by 10, just in time for the pet parade. Mom wasn't able to stay for too much of it, but some of the funny critters included two dachshunds, one dressed in prison gear and one literally as a wiener dog; a chicken, which surprisingly didn't win Most Unusual Pet; a hedgehog, which *did* win MUP; a boxer that reared up on its hind legs and batted its front paws in the air, then bounced a balloon for the judges, winning Most Talented; two girls and two dogs dressed in hula skirts; a girl with a cat and a wagon who tripped and went head over heels, then couldn't stop laughing; and the Laidlaw Bus. Yes, we have this miniature bus that joins in the pet parade. Well, it *is* on a leash. I got a picture of it, so if you're royally confused, perhaps when I get the film developed I'll put that one up.
When the parade ended I took a walk around the river, this time heading south. The south end of the path ends up at Clark Island, with three bridges that take you to the southern part of downtown. I ended up south of the library, which was fine. The only bad part was hiking up that last block to get to my car. Everything else around there is pretty level; the library, where I'd parked, has the hilliest part. Bah. :)
Next: I leave in about an hour for Mr. C's pre-camp party. He sent a second email saying only four or five people had RSVPed, so I have no idea who is coming. Consider there's usually about 35-40 counselors each year. But I still made my taffy apple salad. I first made this for a potluck housewarming party where girls were to bring a dessert or a salad. This is actually both. I got rave reviews, and for that couple's subsequent housewarming parties I *had* to bring it--I don't think they'd have let me in otherwise. ;) It's fairly easy, if a little time-consuming, and people tend to lick the bowl clean.
Taffy Apple Salad
1 (20 oz) can chunk pineapple
2 c. mini marshmallows
1 (8 oz) Cool Whip
2 c. diced apples
1 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
Combine juice from pineapple, vinegar, sugar, flour, and egg; cook until thick. Chill and then fold in Cool Whip. Combine with the rest of the ingredients. Cool for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
Notes: For the apples, I'll grab two Granny Smiths and dice them up. It's probably a little more than two cups, but it's fine. And if you add a few extra marshmallows, nobody will care. Because I don't like to dirty too many dishes, I won't follow the cooking directions exactly--dump the pineapple, apples, marshmallows, and peanuts in a large bowl and stir together while you're waiting for the cooked mixture to chill (put that in the fridge for a half-hour once the pan has cooled a little). Then pour the cooked mixture over the fruit mixture, stir, then fold in the Cool Whip. That seems to be okay. It is better to let it sit overnight, as the flavors meld and it just seems to taste better that way.