The all American Apple Pie

I just got around to making apple pies with the apples we picked a couple of weeks ago. I managed to bake two pies. I even brought out my handy-dandy top crust cutter thing, yes I know a very bad description. Actually now that I think of it, it's like a very large cookie cutter that cuts out apple shapes on the top pie crust. What would call it??? As I was cleaning up my mess I remembered a funny story.

This story goes back about 19 years ago when I was living in an apartment with my big brother Mike. We had gone apple picking apple picking together. I decided to bake an apple pie. So I gathered all the ingredients together for the crust, rolled it out and put the sliced apple mixture into it. Threw it in the oven. I was so proud of myself. This pie was looking like a Mile High Apple Pie. It had a gorgeous color on the crust. So after the appropriate amount of time I took the apple pie out of the oven. I was smirking to myself while patting myself on the back. After it cooled we went to cut into the pie. Let me tell you how fast my happiness to sorrow. The crust was hard like paper mache when dried. Then after sawing through the crust we realized all my apples baked down to applesauce. I was in tears. My brother thought it was hilarious. It is now for me but not back then.

So I hope everyone gets a chuckle out of this as I do, now.

Ghoulishly tasty treat boxes

I just love Halloween and any other holiday that I can make neat things for the boys to take to school. (well Kyle is a little too old to take treat bags to school). I was planning on making a Fry Box, yes like the french fry containers from the fast food places. Then someone on Splitcoast had posted a link to Martha Stewart Coffin Boxes. That got my attention. So I checked it out and changed my mind instantly. They are very easy to make and fun to decorate even though I kept mine simple.

Here is the link to the Martha Stewart Coffin Boxes. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/coffin-treat-box?lnc=07a19db8cdcee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=collage_crafts_gift-crafts

Enjoy.

Technique Challenge 192 - Paper Napkin Transfer

Today's Split Coast Technique challenge was Paper Napkin Transfer.

Directions from Split Coast Stampers - Today's technique will show you another way to make your own background papers from some of those left over napkins we all seem to have. I'm referring to the decorative themed napkins left over from birthday parties, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dinner, and of course Christmas. All you will need for the basis of this technique are:Decorative NapkinFreezer Paper (the white stuff with a waxy coating on the backside)IronA piece of scratch or copy paperOther cardstock and supplies you would like to complete your project.

First start by unfolding your napkin and if it is a multi-ply napkin, carefully pull the layers apart so that you only have the top decorative layer for your project.

Cut a piece of freezer paper a little larger than your napkin (about 1/2 to 3/4")

Heat your iron while you first lay your freezer paper, shiny side up, on your ironing board. Next, lay your decorative napkin (pretty side up) onto your freezer paper, then lay your copy paper on top of your napkin.

Heat with your iron (set on medium - no steam) for about 15 to 30 seconds, moving your iron over the copy paper, applying gentle pressure until your napkin is adhered to your freezer paper.

Now just apply your pretty napkin to your cardstock, (just like you would if you were using patterned paper) and complete your project as desired.This is not only a way to create some beautiful background paper, but a fun and creative way to use up those left over napkins that are just too pretty to toss away. I can't wait to see all the fun creations from this technique.

I was hoarding some pretty napkins a while back and decided to throw them away when we moved 2 years ago. Why Oh Why!!! So today I had a couple of errands to run and found some cute ones (well at least to me they were cute).

Virtual Stamping Night on Split Coast Stampers

Last night was a mini VSN. I managed to complete one of the challenges this morning. The first challenge was to "Frame Your Star." The first photo I thought of was this year's school picture of Kyle. I love the pose, what he was wearing and the background. I love all my photos of my boys but this one has to be up there near the top. Kyle's undershirt is from Aeropostale. It's a cool looking shirt, kinda like a weathered grunge style. Since both boys like this style of print I knew I had to make something similar. I found a stamp set by Inkadinkadoo called Rock Star and had to buy it. So the challenge was posted for "Frame Your Star" I put two and two (Kyle's photo and the stamp set) together and came up with this frame.

It's Halloween Time

Well like I said a couple weeks ago I was getting ready to make Kyle's Halloween costume. He decided to be a gladitor. So I bought the pattern and the fabric and have been working on it for two weeks (well off and on). I just have a one button to sew on, the boa for the top of the helmet and velcro to hold his leg coverings closed.

I can not tell you how many times I have poked my fingers. They are sore from all the hand stitching, but I absolutely LOVE making the boys their Halloween costumes.

What's on the menu for tonight??

I'm glad you asked.. hehehe... Tonight's meal was Mushroom & Spinach ravioli. A couple of months ago I was chatting with my friend Melissa about making homemade pasta/ravioli. So we both ended up making it that same weekend. I made the basic ricotta filled ones. She on the other hand made mushroom ravioli.. So this morning when I was thinking of what to make for dinner, I will be honest I had something totally different out for dinner and realized I didn't have all the ingredients, I thought of ravioli. As I was mixing the ricotta I remembered I what Melissa had done. So out came the mushrooms from the fridge. While the mushrooms were "sweating" I remembered I had frozen spinach. After a little thawing in the microwave, I chopped a handful of the spinach. I then placed the spinach, mushrooms and half the ricotta in a small food processor to mix it together.

With everything set aside I set out to roll the ravioli. Boy, is this some work. After about 1 hr from start of the roll to the complete fill I threw the ravioli into the freezer until dinner.

Every pasta dish has to have a sauce. I ended up making a Garlic Alfredo Sauce. Supper easy and delish, if I must say so..

Garlic Alfredo Sauce:

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons butter
8 fluid ounces heavy whipping cream
salt to taste
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Stir in salt, nutmeg, grated Parmesan cheese, and grated Romano cheese. Stir constantly until melted, then mix in egg yolk. Simmer over medium low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Fall Tradition

Like I have said before I love fall. Every year Steve and I take the boys apple picking. We found a beautiful orchard in Amesbury MA called Cider Hill. We have been going to Cider Hill for the past 4 or so years and every year it is packed. There is usually a Hay Maze, Corn Maze, hayride up the hill to the larger orchard, a beautiful barn style store and the best of the best cider donuts. If you are lucky and time it right you can get the warm ones that just came out of the oil. But there is a downside to these donuts, the waiting line.

This year we picked Gala, Brauburn, Fortune and Mutsu. This year the apples are very large. Nick was holding one that is as big as his hand.

After we were done the boys wanted to check out the chicken and the goats. They had 5 goats and the largest one had his head stuff in the fence. Well I guess I shouldn't say stuck, but his horns were not long for the fence so he would have to twist his head the right way to get it out.