Apple Butter in the Crockpot

Apple Butter in the Crockpot.

16 cups of cubed apples (they can be large)
2 cups apple cider, apple juice or water.

Cook in Crockpot for 10 hours on low.  I do this the night before and it is ready in the morning.
I use a blender stick straight into the crockpot. Add 2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cloves.  Blend in apples. Cook in crockpot 1 hour on low. Then you are done. Just try not to eat it all! :)

Sugar Free Version
1 1/2 to 2 Teaspoons Stevia instead of sugar.

I got 2 qts. from the Stevia sweetened and 3 qts. from the sugar sweetened.

Sugar Free (Stevia) Iced Chocolate Drink

 

This is so simple. But so delicious. This is my hot chocolate recipe. Summer edition.

8 oz milk

3 Tablespoons Baking Cocoa

sprinkle of Salt

2 packages Stevia

Splash Vanilla Extract

Blend together in a hand blender until cocoa is thoroughly blended in. Heat in the microwave (1 m. 40 S. on my 1300 watt)  or on the stove-top until very warm. *This is important to heat it because it makes it very creamy. Then add tons and tons of ice. This would ROCK with Sonic ice! But I'm in the middle of no where. So I use a whole tray of ice-cubes. 

My Granny is In Glory

You lived an amazing life and were very loved. You will be missed. But we won't wish you back because you are finally home with our Lord!

Loving Granny Before she Goes to Glory

I got to spend several hours with Granny today. Mostly just holding her hand.  I gave mom the choice of taking a nap or spending time with grandchildren and she chose children. :) Sometimes it helps to see life at a different stage of life. Especially adorable 1 1/2 year stage! LOL

Granny was pretty much unresponsive the whole time I was there. J...ust moaned a lot. At one time when my dd 9 was hugging her she said why are you here. And I told her to love on my Granny then she drifted off to sleep. My little guys 3 and 6 first just came and sat in my lap. They were asked if they wanted to watch the movie they were watching, and they said no we want to stay with Granny. Then slowly they got brave and said HI Granny! Then they would run down the hall to watch some more movie. Only to come back a little later and say HI Granny, this is _____ and a few I love you's thrown in! My 6 year old son came at one point and said if Granny dies tomorrow she's going to be dancing with Jesus! And I will get to see her and Grandad again in heaven.

But before I left I hugged and kissed her and told her I loved her and she said I love you too! Which was a gift I will always treasure!