More Apples

We are down to our last jar of apple butter, ahhhhhhh!!! So we ran to the apple orchard this afternoon. We know there aren't too many apple picking days left :). It was gorgeous as always and tons of fun for the kids :)








I am in love with these three little faces!






I am going to try less cinnamon this time so that the true flavor of the apples comes through. I am also thinking 6 more pies in a jar are in order :). I was also going to try and make those apple pop tarts again and freezing them. They should freeze quite well.

It is supposed to get colder this week and I am so excited about it. As much as I adore 70 degree weather and the turning trees, I am ready for sweaters and chili. I am ready for snuggling on the couch with a fire going. I hope everyone has a great week :0)

Photography Fun

I am always wanting to try anything that deals with photography. A visit to my parents log cabin in the middle of Heaven the prarie is perfect to try anything. I wanted to try sunflares. These are those pictures you see that have someone standing or sitting with the sun shining behind them in such a gorgeous way. It doesn't obstruct them or cover them but just adds an element to the photo. I tried this. It didn't go so well. But I think it wasn't early enough (the sun was too high at this point) and my subject was less than cooperative. Oh well. The pics turned out cute :) sun flare or not.









Why hello caterpillar soaked with morning dew, how are you?


My mom's garden is gorgeous and overflowing even at this time of the year.


See I tell ya' it is Heaven up here. Quiet, peaceful, and so full of life.

Being at mom's house means lots of nature and wonderful cooking. Ella got in on the action this time.


She does not disappoint when it comes to meals:


Here is some my families creativity being put to great use. My mom makes the most beautiful stuff out of handknitted, handfelted felt. I guess that is what you call it. Anyway, she made this beautiful purse. The purse is made of the felt and then each flower is handmade by her. She is then embellishing the purse with jewels. It is gorgeous and one of a kind.


Now comes my younger sisters part in this purse. My sister is a great fabric designer that I know will be famous someday for something, I don't know yet but she is amazingly talented. She took my mom's drawing for this purse and made custom fabric for the lining. This is not material she bought already like this. She made it/ designed it. I am sure there are word to describe this process but I don't know them. All I know is it is awesome. I got a scarf last year from her that she had done the same thing. I love knowing it is one of a kind, no one else has one!! Back to the purse, here is the fabric and purse together. SUPER CUTE!!


I am going to leave with my favorite practice pic from this weekend. My sweet baby is growing up way to fast. I just adore her whipsy hair and her precious cheeks. Happy Fall!!

Mmmm!

I made these little pockets of heaven yesterday for an after school snack:



They were so delicious and so easy to make!! The pastry dough was super flaky and I am excited to try various different fruits in these little pockets. Another bonus, the kids loved them!! And so did Ryan!

Here is the recipe and directions. It is a blog from Sydney, so some of the measurements are in grams but just looking at the box of butter I figured it out - 2 sticks or 1 cup. I also substituted vanilla extract for the vanilla bean and I didn't add the geletin powder that she talks about.

Homemade Apple Pop Tarts

Tonight I am trying yet another Pioneer Women recipe for Beef Bake. My parents so graciously have restocked our deep freeze with a variety of red meats: stews, steaks, roasts, and hamburger. Thinking that Pioneer Woman probably has lots of beef in her freezer, she must also have a ton of recipes for beef. She didn't disappoint! So tonight, it is Beef Bake. I think it will be delicious, what do you think?

Happy Thursday!!

Crazy Homemaker

Yep, that's me, crazy homemaker. I found a new blog to read and I have been in the kitchen ever since!!

The new blog is called Kiss My Spatula, you can go check it out HERE. She has some lovely photos but if you check out here eat and pantry tabs at the top of her page,  you will find all sorts of yummy recipes. The ABSOLUTE BEST thing about this blog is it is SOOOOOOO simple with such simple ingredients. Now, if I had lived back when wagons roamed the western plains I might know these recipes. But I didn't so when I stumble upon these I get awefully giddy!  I have already made her homemade peanut butter, fig jam, and granola!


Photo from Kiss My Spatula
The granola has to be my fav!! And the peanut butter is a learning process. I think I might need a better, more powerful, food processor and for sure will be roasting my peanuts in the oven to give it a much better flavor. Her fig jam is heaven for those of us that LOVE those little green fruits:

Yes I realize that I am a nerd when it comes to some things...yep I label my jams and jellies because you never know when you might need to give them away :)

But overall, her recipes are so easy to follow, I just love that!!


Photo from Kiss My Spatula
I am on a mission to try her homemade goat cheese - Chavrie is a well known brand in the store. This cheese is so incrediably smooth and has just a bit of tang. It is phenomenal on flatbread pizza's and on a sliced baguette with some tomato. It is super easy to make....now if I only had a goat!!


We have also been learning all about fall these past few weeks. My girls are in love with the turning of the trees and there hasn't been an outting yet that Ella isn't ohh and ahhing over the pretty trees. It warms my heart. We have created a few crafts and eaten a few new yummies! I am anxious to make these: Smore Pops , for a very special after school snack :).

Here is a grown up craft for the house:

Halloween and a Christmas countdown block set. Super easy to make and super functional!! If I had a fancy smancy vinyl cutting machiney thingy it would look even cuter, but my children and my husband may never see me if I had one, so I go without. For their sake :)


We have a busy weekend of more football and some traveling. Now, it's time to get out and enjoy that fall air!!