<p>On Day34, I originally planned to attend a Pumpkin and Chili Festival on a local farm.  And then…Life Happened When I Was Making Plans.  Again.  Are we in agreement that this was the theme for the week??? </p>

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<p>This case of Life Happens involved a girlfriend-in-crisis.  The last thing a girlfriend-in-crisis needs/wants is festivity.  She needs/wants “nesting”.</p>

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<p>Plan B included a nesting night of tea, talk, tears and caramel apples.  The Portuguese always default to food to solve the problems of the world and girlfriends-in-crisis. </p>

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<p>I had never made caramel apples before.  Have you?  They are super easy to make, although a bit messy.  A shout out to my friend Yovani aka Yo-Yo who made this culinary adventure a little less sticky for me. </p>

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<p>Here’s how: </p>

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<p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p>

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<p>1 14 oz bag of caramels</p>

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<p>5 medium apples (granny smith are best)</p>

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<p>2 tbsp water</p>

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<p>Nuts (optional)</p>

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<p>Crushed Butterfingers or other candy (optional)</p>

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<p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">You will also need:</span></strong></p>

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<p>5 popsicle sticks</p>

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<p>Parchment paper</p>

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<p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Directions:</span></strong></p>

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<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Important first step for sanity from Yo-Yo:  Spray ALL utensils and pans (yes, ALL) involved with cooking spray before you get started.  You’ll see…</span></strong></p>

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<ul>
	<li>Wash those apples well so you’re not polluting your treats with pesticides.  If you are using organic, wash them well because who knows where those apples have been!<br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Insert the popsicle sticks.  You may need to pound them in a bit which helps in getting rid of any residual aggression that you did or didn’t know you were carrying around. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Cover a large plate with the parchment paper.  SPRAY!<br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>SPRAY a large saucepan. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Open the bag of caramels.  Realize that those are a whole lotta caramels that you need to unwrap before you can melt them.  Greaaatttt..  Tell yourself that this is an opportunity for a mindless little breather.<br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>SPRAY the stirring spoon.  SPRAY a ladle. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Melt those puppies (with the 2 tbsp water) over a medium-low heat.    Stir constantly.<br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Dunk the newly non-toxic apples in the caramel.  Ladle the caramel over the apple to cover. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Roll the caramel apple in the crushed nuts or candy now while still warm.  (Yo-Yo never mentioned this, but you will find that the nuts or candy don’t stick very well.  This portion of our culinary adventure now evolves into an art project where you are mashing bits of nuts or candy into the apple with your hands.)<br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Place your apples on the SPRAYED parchment-papered plate. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Remove for at least 15 minutes prior to serving.  Store the rest in the fridge. <br class="spacer_" /></li>
	<li>Eat. </li>
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<p><span style="color: #ff6600;">The great thing about caramel apples is that the nutritional potency of the apple offsets the effects of the candy coating.</span>  I am not sure if you were aware of this.  I am always happy to be of service. </p>