Apple Pie Kit

A friend of ours gave us some apples, a big bag of tart green apples, perfect for apple pie. I used some in baked oatmeal but there were too many to eat all at once. I decided to try out a trick another friend told me about, apple pie kits to go in the freezer. I prepared the apples as I normally would for an apple pie but instead of baking them right away I put the pie filling into freezer bags. I now have two apple pie kits in my freezer, ready to go. I just have to thaw, put into a crust and bake.


I'm lazy and don't peel my apples when I bake a pie! I slice and core them. This time I decided to chop the apples into smaller pieces.


I don't use a recipe when making pies, I just do everything to taste. In this case add enough sugar and cinnamon to sweeten the apples and a little flour to thicken the juices.


Place each bowl full (about 2.5 to 3.5 apples) into a freezer bag until you are ready to use. Thaw, place in pie crust and bake.

Scrapbooking

I mentioned in my last post that I got to spend a weekend out at the coast scrapbooking with friends. I wanted to share with you what I got accomplished that weekend (besides laughing and eating WAY TOO MUCH!) :-)

I'm still here!

I just wanted to say "HI!" I got to have a weekend away two weekends ago to scrapbook with friends at the beach, what a fun time!


But since I have been back it has been go, go! Getting ready for Halloween and keeping up with the family. I have lots of things I want to share with you. Will post them as soon as I can or rather, when the family will let me! :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

My girls and our red chair

This summer my dear friend Heidi over at Blue Eyed Blessings took some wonderful pictures of our girls. You can hardly tell but we were just in our back yard and used one of my favorite red chairs.







Today I'm participating in Wordless Wednesday and Rednesday!

Grace's 9th Birthday Party

Time goes too fast! The girls' had their birthdays in JULY and I have yet to have the chance to share pictures! Their birthdays are TWO DAYS apart, the 16th and 18th. Since Grace's party was first, I'll share hers first. Better late than never...I guess...

Grace wanted a water party for her birthday and as I have mentioned before, she picked the theme, colors, made her invitations, planned the games and did most of the decorating. It was fun to see her take an interest and I'm happy she has the creative gene! Although it was a little hard to let..go... :-)

Grace preparing the snacks

The favors, a package of water balloons and gum

It was an outside party, (obviously there was water involved!) so we decorated the deck.

I was so excited when I found these tins in the $1 section at Target!

The night before I got this idea for the table. The flip flops and "splash" matched her invitations.

The games! Wet sponge relay and...

water balloon toss...turned...

water balloon fight!

Water slide

Build your own sundaes

Presents..presents.. she's girly! Lots of nail polish, lotion, nail stickers, lip gloss...

Grace with her friends

It was a great party and Grace had a blast! I'm still in shock that she is nine years old!!

My sweet, little, RED tomatoes...

FINALLY after asking my husband (who is a carpenter) for YEARS, to build me a planter box, I FINALLY :-) got one for mother's day this year.


I was SO excited to have a garden of my own and especially to have fresh tomatoes. I love tomatoes and fresh are the best! BUT mother nature had another plan. This summer was strange here in Oregon and very few people had successful gardens. Me being one of them...who did NOT. I did get some tomatoes (and am slowing getting more). I wanted to share my first bowl of cherry tomatoes. Aren't they cute?


I'm participating in Rednesday over at It's A Very Cherry World. Be sure to visit for other fun RED things! Happy Rednesday!

Cookie Cutter Sandwiches

I don't even remember where I first got the idea to use a cookie cutter on a sandwich (probably Martha Stewart!) but it is now one of my girls' favorite things. They often make requests for food in shapes! "I would like a butterfly sandwich" or "star toast". It is quick, easy and fun! The little touch makes them feel extra special. And if you have a no crust eating kiddo, takes care of that in a snap!

Today I made Grace a pumpkin shaped turkey sandwich for lunch. I make the sandwich and then cut out the completed sandwich. If there is a lot of extra cheese or meat around the edges I will add the little pieces in so it doesn't go to waste.