Homemade Totally Nuts

I was happy when I have found this recipe on the net. My mom and I did a slightly different variation on this recipe. The original recipe is this:

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole toasted almonds.

1. Preparation: Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon, sugar, and cream of tartar over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 246 degrees on a candy thermometer.
4. Once the mixture is at the proper temperature, remove immediately from the heat and stir in the Vanilla. Add the nuts all at once, and stir with a wooden spoon until they are completely coated with the sugar mixture. Continue to stir until it becomes difficult to stir and the syrup turns opaque.
5. Quickly turn out onto the prepared baking sheet. Separate the nuts and allow them to cool and harden at room temperature. Nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.

Ok, so that is the original recipe. As my mom and I found out we can and needed to do something different. This is our recipe:

1 cup of granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon OR 1 and 1/2 tsp of ground cloves
1/8 tsp of cream of tartar
1/4 cup of hot water
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cup of whole raw almonds

Preparation:

1. Baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. (the aluminum foil ripped and bits of foil was sticking to the almonds. So I got rid of the foil)
2. In a small saucepan, combine the water, cinnamon/cloves, sugar, and cream of tartar over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
   
3. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 246 degrees on a candy thermometer.
4. Once the candy is at the proper temperature, remove immediately from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the nuts all at once, stir with a wooden spoon until they are completely coated with the sugar mixture. (I didn't continue to stir until the nuts became opaque the second time. The mixture cools fast and it became hard to clean the saucepan of the nuts that was stuck to the sides.)
5. I just coated the nuts with the mixture then pour onto the baking sheet. The sugar coated nuts will still turn opaque while you are separating the nuts on the baking sheet. Cool at room temperature. Nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.

By using ground cloves instead of ground cinnamon, creating a different unique taste. Both ways are equally good. Enjoy!
Cheers Everyone!

The Dickens Theater Company

I know that I have always said:

"I'll never do theater again."

Yeah, well "never say never." So now I'm apart of "The Dickens Theater Company" for Christmas. We are going to put on Oliver, Scrooge, and street theater. The performances are at the Utah State Fair Grounds, December 8,9,10-15,16,17. The Saturdays performances are pretty much all day long for me, because of the street theater that I get to do.

• Oliver time during the week is 6pm. Saturday matinee is 1pm, again at 6pm
  
• Scrooge time during the week is 8pm. Saturday matinee is 3pm, again at 8pm
  

The picture above is part of a element in the choreography that we are doing in Oliver; Oom Pa Pa. We were all thrilled that all of the girls got up. I feel so bad for the boys who need to lift us up. I'm trying so hard not to put all of my weight on their arms. The boys *bump* us off, and I can't help but think:

"A tone of women, coming down all at once!"

For a while now I have been trying to get away from theater. The more I fight, the more people have asked me to direct a play, or be in it. So really this is the first time that I am on stage for a very long time, a very, very long time. I was actually shocked that I was chosen to be apart of both plays. I didn't think that I'd get into any of the plays, I mean it's just been so long that I have been on stage. It's been a challenge for me to *dust off* my acting skills. Yep, I think I stink on stage.

I'm so used to putting together a play in about a month, putting it on, and then moving on. We have been practicing more then a month so now I am getting bored, well.....I have been bored sense the first of October. I am trying so hard not to show that at all, it's been a challenge.

So far this has been an experience, I have learned a lot. Not only have I learned that I THINK that I stink on stage, but I have learned how to tape Shin Splints. By taping my legs I can dance on them, hmmmmm.........the things that I have learned.

Cheers Everyone!