Mums The Word...

... well, actually autumn is the word; the chrysanthemums have been planted and there's most definitely been a change in the weather; cooler, breezy days have replaced the heat and humidity for a refreshing new perspective. 

I baked an apple pie this past week from the fruit that I picked while visiting New England the week before. It turned out great, no so with the InstantPot recipe for baked apples that I found. Even though I followed that recipe to the letter (the accompanying photo looked so enticing) the apples EXPLODED! Groan. After fishing all the peel out of the blown-up apple debris, I placed the remaining mush into a strainer; what was salvaged might just have been the best homemade applesauce that we've ever had- making the very best out a complete mess! 

We had a few friends for a socially distanced porch dinner and the kitchen table became a Little Free Lending Library, there was something for everyone. 

The advent of fall marks yet another birthday for me, they just keep coming faster and faster each year!

A new addition to the back of one of the chairs in our bedroom is this Bull's Eye quilt. My mother insisted that I have it. With much encouragement she began piecing it after she had suffered a stroke in 2000, I cheered her on for several years as she gained back dexterity and confidence; after she got that top together (and went on to piece many more) I quilted it for her. Sadly, her macular degeneration has reached the point now where she can no longer sew. Receiving this quilt was bittersweet, but I will treasure it because of all that it represents. I believe that it looks right at home in its new setting! 💗

Life is Good!

Sisters Under The Stars (and Beyond!)

While we were visiting family last week we had the privilege of being front and center at an outdoor movie! My sister always thinks of the most fun and creative ways to spend time together. We don't get to do this nearly often enough, and with the current state of this upside down 🙃 pandemic world it's been even more difficult. Leave it to her to propose an outdoor movie in the back yard! She gave her husband an inflatable screen and DVD projector earlier this year. She introduced us to The Princess Bride too; what a great time we had, she thought of everything. 

She even came around with a concession tray filled with beverages, candies and popcorn.Yes, please! 😊

Under the stars and into the the next day-- she had the idea of another outdoor activity; apple picking at a local orchard. Masks were required here, even outdoors. (Clearly, we removed them for the photo). 😉

The apples were truly picture perfect and delicious, but the time spent together was priceless. 

She had yet one more surprise following our apple haul, a delicious outdoor lunch experience, and one with a magnificent view at that!

Undoubtedly, she's the dancer in the family! 

I'm beyond grateful to be the watcher and revel in the joy she brings not only to my life, 

but to the lives of all of our family and those who know her as their friend. 

I am lucky enough to call myself both.

💗

Life is Good!

Best Ever Apple Pie

I baked an apple pie on Saturday, the first of the fall season. I've had this recipe for at least 20 years and it never fails to live up to its name. I forgot to drizzle the glaze on top of the streusel after this pie cooled; maybe my forgetfulness was due to the fact that just after I popped this pie into the oven I knocked over a just opened five pound bag of flour! Yes, it's true... I got a little busy after that cleaning up from the impromptu "blizzard"!  Anyway, back to the pie... it tasted wonderful even without the drizzle (although I do recommend that!) topping. I have always made my pastry crust according to the recipe; my daughter buys her pie crusts in the dairy case and claims that she can't tell the difference, so that's an option too. If you want to indulge your senses in a true fall experience, here you go (if you're not feeling all that ambitious you can skip the flour dumping, the pie will be just as good without the added activity):

Best Ever Apple Pie

Pastry:

2 C. + 2 TBSP flour

1 TBSP granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 C shortening

3 TBSP + 1 tsp water

Pie filling:

6 Granny Smith apples

3/4 C packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Streusel topping:

1 C flour

1/3 C granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 C butter (NOT margarine)

Glaze:

1 TBSP XXXX sugar

1 tsp water

For pastry: mix together 2 C flour, sugar and salt.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Gently stir in 3 TBSP water.  Form into two balls, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap and refrigerate larger ball.  Roll out smaller ball into an 11" circle on floured waxed paper. Invert into pie plate, remove paper, and refrigerate while preparing filling and streusel topping.

Prepare streusel topping: mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Cut in butter, rub between fingers to blend well.  Set aside.

Peel, core and chop apples. In large bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon and remaining 2 TBSP of flour with apples and mix well.  Transfer to pie plate lined with w/ pastry, slightly mound apples in center.

Heat oven to 375F.  Place foil over lower oven rack.  Roll remaining pastry ball into a 12" circle on floured waxed paper and invert onto apples, seal and trim edges of crust.  Make slits in the top for steam, approximately 8 - 1" slits.  Brush pastry with w/ milk and pat crumb topping onto top of pastry. Bake for 30 minutes; reduce heat to 350F, loosely cover pie w/ foil and make for an additional 40 minutes.

Cool on rack for at least 40 minutes. Combine XXXX sugar w/ 1 tsp. water and drizzle over baked, cooled, pie.

Life is Good!

...and oh, so delicious...

Honey Crisp Apples

We're back from Michigan, with our car trunk filled full of Honey Crisp apples to share with family and friends! This might be the best apple I've ever tasted, we learned about them while visiting a winery owned by Madonna's father (yes, THAT Madonna!) in Leland, MI last Sunday. The weather along the 45th parallel is perfect for growing this apple, that's what we were told... and it is certainly one perfect apple grown there; sweet, tart, and crisp all at the same time! We had great adventures while we were away, even some quilt-y ones! Stay tuned...

It sure will be good to sleep in our own bed tonight, Hannes agrees, he's happy that we're home too!

Life is Good!