Living in the University Village has a lot of advantages and disadvantages, much like living anywhere I suppose. One of the advantages is that we are close. We get to know each other. We take our children out into the court and visit while our kids play together. We say hi when we pass each other in the parking lot, or at school, and we don’t hesitate to borrow milk or butter when we are a little short. Even when someone leaves after graduation, we keep in touch on Facebook. One of the disadvantages, however, is that we are close… literally. We are stacked on top of each other with cinderblock walls. The pitter-patter of feet, the screeching sound of chairs sliding across the kitchen floor, and the occasional bang of something falling are all transferred above and below. Because I know my neighbors I am extra careful about the noise. I don’t know if everyone feels this way, but I do. When you don’t know your neighbors it is easier to ignore the noise because you have no idea who you are annoying, but when it is a friend, I hate to be obnoxious. This afternoon, I was making a deliciously yummy, caramel-apple salad. I almost felt like I needed to post apology notes on my neighbors’ doors. To make the aforementioned, deliciously yummy salad, peel approximately 4-5 apples and dice them. That isn’t the noisy part. The next part is. The night before, place 3 Snickers bars in the freezer. When it is time to make the salad, unwrap them and place them in a Ziploc bag. Take a hammer and pound them into small pieces. I’ve tried everything to smash frozen Snickers… cans of veggies (they dented), a rolling pin (obliterated the bag, not so much the Snickers)… and, trust me, the hammer works best. It is just very noisy. As I sat pounding Snickers (and I was making a double batch) I knew that every hammer strike was being heard by my neighbors. The final product is worth the noise, though. Next time, I’ll make a triple batch and share with them to show my regret for the noise it takes to make this deliciously yummy salad.
Caramel Apple Salad
4 – 5 apples, peeled and diced
3 Snickers bars, frozen and bashed into bits with a big hammer
1 small tub of whipped cream

Mix all together and enjoy!

By the way… if you make it in my building, I’ll hear you, and I’ll expect my share.