Apple Pie

I don't really make pies; I am not a pie person, but last week I made 2.

Little C had never had apple pie and had been asking me how it was made.  Well, there was only one way to educate her on the All-American dessert.  We made it together, based on the Perfect Apple Pie recipe from the PA Grange Cookbook.  I didn't make my crusts - I bought them to save time, but I think I will go back to making my own because that's like using a cake mix - I don't like to do it!

The pie was very good and it made me want to make another apple pie.

I made a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, using the Libby's recipe.  It was good, but did not turn out as pretty as last year's.

Below is the recipe for the Apple Pie:

6-7 Tart Apples - I used 5 or 6 large Jonagold Apples
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Milk
Dash Nutmeg
2 Tablespoons Butter

Pare and slice apples thin - I cut the slices in to 1/2 inch pieces.
Add the milk to the apples and toss to coat.
Combine sugar, cornstarch, and spices; mix with apples.
Put in a 9 inch pastry lined pie pan; dot with butter.
Add top crust and sprinkle with sugar (Oh dear! I forgot the extra sugar)
Bake at 400 for 50 minutes.

As the picture shows, I put mine on a foil lined baking pan to catch any overflows.

Several people have mentioned that they wanted to see what I did for Thanksgiving.  There was really nothing out of the ordinary.  I made homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn pudding and the pumpkin pie.  Mr. SBQ made the turkey, stuffing/dressing, gravy and Brussels sprouts.  Our neighbors that joined us brought ham, and pecan pie bars.  It was a very good feast, but I didn't try out anything new this year.  I figured there was only so much food 7 people could eat; especially since 3 of them were little people. :)

I am working on my inspiration for Christmas.  I am still not sure what my new treats are going to be this year.  I have a few ideas, but am still searching.  Maybe I will make some pies! ;)

Apple Pie

Apple Pie Slice

Pumpkin Pie Slice

Halloween Part 3 - Trick-or-Treat

We had decided months ago that Little C would be a French Girl for Halloween this year.  It started when I told her that I had made myself a wig and dressed up as a Cabbage Patch Kid the last year I went trick-or-treating (mid 80's - yikes).  She didn't care what she was, she just wanted a wig for her costume.  I made the wig out of brown yarn in 4 sections which I bobby pinned to her real hair.  The beret was anchored to her head by her forehead and the bun of her real hair.  She wore a black striped shirt and slim black pants.  I made her trick-or-treat bag out of a plain tote bag.  On one side I ironed-on an Eiffel Tower and a French Poodle, and wrote French words all over.  On the other side, I made a Pink Bling Eiffel Tower.    She said Bonjour and Merci at each house! :)

Since we were walking around with Little C for trick-or-treating, I made a box for the candy and sat it at the front door.  Surprisingly there was some candy left - honest little trick-or-treaters!  I covered a box in black paper and orange polka dots.  The sign on the front has 2 eyes and says to please take one handful only.  I was happy because the box matched the candy - Tootsie Rolls and Sixletts.

The Jack-O-Lantern was the best I think I have ever done.  We designed it based on a stencil book, but I didn't use the stecil - I like to make my design and draw it on myself.   We had such warm weather that Jack didn't last very long, but he was good for Halloween.

I got to do lots of creating for this Halloween and it was fun!

Candy Box

Jack-o-Lantern

French Girl Costume 

French Girl Costume

Halloween Part 2 - Nancy Drew Costume

On the day of the pumpkin party at Little C's school, the children could dress up as their favorite book character.  While the rooms were being set up for the parties, the children had a book parade where they marched around in their costumes with their books.

Little C loves Nancy Drew books, so that is who she wanted to be for the party.  This was a bit of a challenge at first, but I came up with a costume that she was super excited about and was easy to wear at school all day.  I started with the shirt - I used iron-on letters on the front to spell out Nancy Drew (kids still asked her who she was); I used paint markers on the back to write things like mystery, clues, Nancy, Bess, George, who did it, and lots of ???'s.  I said I need a fat 80's type belt for the detective belt and to my delight I found an "80's style belt" in the costume section at Target!  The belt had a cell phone, lock picking kit, magnifying glass and finger print kit.  I tied the magnifying glass on with it's attached cord, and attached everything else with Velcro.  The cell phone was an old one that has been retired for some time.  The lock picking kit was made out of the sleeve that the magnifying glass came in, bobby pins and credit card (an old club membership card covered in pink duct tape).   The finger print kit was in an Altoids box - I cut a small paint brush, used a cap from a small make-up sample, and cut pieces of a plastic envelope for the slips to lift the finger prints with.   It's good to know that my Criminalistics Class from college has finally paid off! ;)

Nancy Drew Costume

Nancy Drew Shirt - Back

Detective Belt - Right

Detective Belt - Left

Finger Print Kit

Halloween Part 1 - Pumpkin Party Cupcakes

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I figured I better make some time to blog about the Halloween things I did this year.

I made the cupcakes for Little C's Pumpkin Party at school.   I made the Bakery Style Vanilla Cupcakes and the Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cupcakes, frosted with either vanilla or chocolate icing and topped with a candy pumpkin.  I was just as happy with the vanilla cupcakes the second time around.
The children seemed to like the cupcakes, although it was slightly torturous to watch the different ways 3rd graders eat cupcakes. :)

Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween Cupcakes - Chocolate with Vanilla Frosting

Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween Cupcakes - Vanilla with Vanilla Frosting

Mini cupcakes with the extras