Apple Recipes

While being on Twitter (when I should have been working), I saw that the lovely Leonora from Yellow Heart Art asked for some apple recipes.  YUM.  I love apples and I've been meaning to post more recipes lately anyway.  So here are 3 recipes that are fairly easy and great for using up apples you may have! 

Apple Pie

*I don't remember where I actually got the recipe for these. 

DOUBLE PIE CRUST

2 1/4 c all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c shortening, chilled

1/2 cold butter, cut into slices

6-8 tbsp ice water

***When making pie crust, it's helpful to have all of your ingredients and bowls chilled***

In a large bowl, mix the flour & salt together.

Cut in the chilled shortening & butter using 2 knives (I never actually do this, I always just use a spoon). 

Work only until course crumbs (resembling peas) form.

Sprinkle with 4 tbsp ice water & gently mix together.

If dough seems dry, add more water 1 tbsp at a time. (Only add enough water to make it hold together between pinched fingers).

Divide dough in half and roll out first half and place in pie pan.  (Place second half in freezer until ready to use)

Apple Pie Filling

5-7 peeled apples

1 c sugar

2 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cider vinegar

1 tbs lemon juice

Peel and slice apples.  Soak in water with lemon juice to prevent turning colors.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt and vinegar.

Drain water from apples and mix with coating.

Poke holes in bottom pie crust to release air. 

Pour apples into pie crust and dot with butter.

Roll out second pie crust and place on top.  Pinch edges together (mine never looks pretty, however they're always eaten =D ).

Place tin foil around the edges.

Bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes.  Remove foil 10 min before pie is done.

Enjoy!

Apple tree in Aaron's dad's yard! :) 

Apple Bars 

From the kitchen of my friend Sally 

1 c sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt (she probably doesn't add this, but I do) 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 c oil

1 tsp baking powder

3 c flour

2 apples, peeled & chopped (I use 3) 

(Can add optional nuts, raisins, crushed pineapple)

Mix all ingredients well.

Spread in a 9 x 13 pan. 

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. 

Let cool.  Can cover with thin frosting or eat as is.

So simple, right???

Perhaps there will be more recipes later this week. 

Guest Posting: The Young Retiree

Today I'm posting over here for Elizabeth!  She's right now busy making the move from VA to CA.

Stop on over and check it out!

There may be a coupon code over there ;).

25.5 Weeks

This last week we celebrated my Mother-in-Love's birthday.  We visited her and took her some nice wool slippers.  YAY!  We also bought donuts and cider to have for breakfast the next morning.  We also celebrated my sister-in-love's birthday that day since we hadn't seen her on her birthday. 

On Thursday we went to Mead Park (a favorite place of mine) and took some bump pictures.  How EXCITING!!! I loved having my MIL take them so Aaron could be in the pictures with me.  Here they are.

Like our prop??? Her name is Meg or Blue or Crazy Eyes or MEGMEGMEGMEGMEG! HAHA she's a sweet dog, just slightly crazy. She tries so hard to be good! :) 

I think this one may be my favorite.  I love this little place in Mead Park.  It's a little outdoor amphitheater.

Do you see that bump??? I love it.  It's so fun!  It's growing so much!  Everyone says I'm still tiny, but I feel like I'm growing a ton :).

How was your week?

Project Hope

Hello Friends!!! I hope you are having a terrific Saturday!  

Recently, I started to follow Laura's blog, Splendor.  My heart broke as she told of her story of infant loss.  And then, she posted this: Project Hope.  This is a project that joins up with Threads of Love (a national program) that provides mothers with little care packages when they are going through infant loss.  Laura describes Project Hope this way, " Project Hope is meant to reach out to and minister to other moms in the moments of their greatest loss. "


At that time, I started praying.  I knew that I needed to help.  I've had friends that have been affected similarly recently and it's been breaking my heart.  So I have to help.  I've been praying about it for about a week.

So here's what I've decided.

10% of ALL Sales from Toaster's Transformations will go to Project Hope.

Please help me to get the word out!

Little Things: Working Hard and Enjoying Fall

Today I'm linking up with Lindsay for 

This week has been crazy!  Since last Wednesday, my husband and I have been back and forth between his dad's house and work/church events.  My husband worked very hard staining the deck for his dad.  I love that my husband is willing to work hard with his hands.  

Yup, my husband worked hard and I sat outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather.  Rewriting recipes onto index cards instead of hundreds of different sized papers. 

I love visiting Aaron's Dad's.  His dad lives out in the country.  Just take a look at some of these beautiful fall photos. 

The view from his front yard.

The view from his back yard.

The view of the old horse pasture. 

Isn't there something just so charming about the old wheels and fence??? Love it!

Oh and then I drove up the road to get some GORGEOUS photos as well

I took this photo and came home and needed to make it into a desktop wallpaper.  Please feel free to download it and use it for your own computer if you'd like!  Perfect for fall. 

So this week I'm enjoying Fall!

100 Days?? Really??

Um, our due date is just 100 days away.  Which means in 100 plus or minus 14 or so days, we'll have a little one that we will be holding, snuggling, cuddling a little one.  Oh and probably not sleeping.  However, it will so be worth it.  Is it January yet???

Tickle Me Tuesday Random Etsy Finds Ok and one Joann

Once again I'm linking up with Sarah from Yes, Teacher Crafts for Tickle Me Tuesday. 

This week here are some things I've had my eye on.

This awesome set of thread that was on sale at Joann Fabrics. Would love that so I had more thread in various colors. 

Then there's this completely unrealistic pining:

365 Days of Happiness V

Is it not GORGEOUS!!!????!!

I am also loving this painting by Lindsay

Give Thanks

And I love almost everything in Sarah's shop, but I love this Steelers necklace. Ok, Ok, it's not specifically Steelers but I know she designed it with them in mind right?

Team Spirit Black and Gold

So head on over to Sarah's blog and see what's tickling others' fancies!