Monday, November 8, 2010

A Day For Cooking

This cool autumn morning has me thinking of my Grandma and how she loved to cook. I remember her always in the kitchen and that she never had her apron on without her pearls!
Everything she did was lovely and beautiful and everything she made was absolutely scrumptious!

Thinking of her has made me miss her and my tummy homesick for her cooking...and so, without further ado, I am going to make My Grandma's Apple Pie!..out with the rolling pin and apples and on with the pearls and the "Cutest Apron Ever"!




You can find Your Very Own Perfect Apron at... 
The Best Kitchen Shop Ever! 
The Kitchen Sync                                                     http://thekitchensync.com/
 

My Grandma's Apple Pie
   Crust 
2 sticks of butter 
2cups of flour 
3 tbsp brown sugar 
bit of salt 
1/4 teaspoon baking powder 
4 tablespoon ice cold water with 1 tbsp. vanilla

Stir flour, salt and baking powder together cut in chilled butter with fork or pastry blender until crumby, (I use the food processor). Add the vanilla ice water mixture one tablespoon at a time, stirring with fork until dough sticks together but not really wet.
Make two balls and chill for a while before rolling it out.

   Filling
10 apples sliced thin
1 1/2 cups of brown sugar (a little less if apples are really sweet) Honey Crisps...if you can find them are wonderful!
2/3 cup water minus 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons of flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of Brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the brown sugar and water in saucepan add lemon juice and apples. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until apples are starting to get tender. Using a slotted spoon, put apples into a bowl and set aside. Add flour and granulated sugar to saucepan, stir and cook until it thickens...then add butter, salt, vanilla, brandy, apples and cinnamon. Cool a bit, add to rolled out bottom crust in pie dish.
Roll out the top crust and place over apples, cut vent slits. Brush with beaten egg white  decorate with leaves cut from left over dough and sprinkle it with raw sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 35 to 45 minutes
or until crust is perfect. If browning too fast reduce heat to 375 degrees and cover edges with foil.

My Grandfather loved his pie with a huge slice of sharp cheddar cheese...I prefer mine with vanilla whipping cream.
I promise that you will want to lick your plate!


My Beautiful "Incanto" Dinnerware by Vietri at...    
The Kitchen Sync

Does Your tummy ever get homesick?
Is there a recipe that makes You think of someone You love?...or maybe You just might want to try...
My Grandma's Apple Pie!

Happy Cooking Day To You!







Thursday, November 4, 2010

A Gift

On the sunlight path to my studio...A Gift!
The most beautiful nest and perfect blue eggs!

Why was it on my path?

I love nests! I am always pondering...how on earth can one tiny bird, with no hands, build such a perfect home for something as fragile and delicate as teeny eggs and babies without feathers?

"A nest is a perfect home, one without any nails"

Marveling at My Gift, I began to think of Our Nests and that this time of year always makes for "cozy-ing" them up.
and so...a precious reminder to me to make My Nest cozy and warm and soft and wonderful for a winter season at home with my loved ones.
 
I made an oil painting of My Gift to be always reminded of how important Our Nests are and what a Gift it is to have one to make wonderful!

Is there A Gift on your path?

or...has the smell of Fall in the air touched your heart and inspired you to start "cozy-ing" up Your Nest to make it warm and wonderful for your loved ones?

Happy Nesting, Loves!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Forever Leaves

The ground is covered with the most beautiful color and light this Fall, and there are leaves everywhere! Not just gorgeous normal leaves, but amazing enormous ones! Our Chinese Empress Tree is their mother and...


every year when they begin to fall, I am so inspired!
Doing lovely things with them is very fun. One year I ironed them and they were our Thanksgiving place mats. Another time they were so wonderful decoupaged onto a dressing screen, but this year..."Something Forever" is what popped in my little head!

And so...from Leaf...to Forever...became a Platter!

Making them... as each leaf falls, (before the frost) is quite a challenge, but I have been smiling the entire time!

Does the beauty of this Fall catch your eye in a special way, Loves?
Is there "Something Forever" you can create this year?

Whatever it may be....Keep Smiling!!!


Monday, November 1, 2010

Five Dollars In My Pocket...

My new studio is really wonderful and finding sweet things to use in it is so much fun!
I stopped at the thrift store yesterday, with five dollars in my pocket, and guess who came home a happy girl!

one broken lamp....1 dollar
one torn shade....25 cents
one dirty lace dresser scarf...50 cents
one dented silver champagne bucket...2 dollars
one rusted frame...25 cents
one ugly brass tin...1 dollar

Transformed into...

one, very cute, rewired lamp
one shade covered with clean lace dresser scarf...tied with ribbon
one polished champagne bucket...filled with paint brush bouquet 
one frame, painted...with a new mirror
one brass tin sprayed cream...filled with erasers

Perfect!
A darling arrangement of usable things for my work station!

What corner of YOUR world are you going to transform?
You could be surprised, you may just have some treasures right under your nose...or a stop at the thrift shop (with five dollars in your pocket) might be a treat after your morning coffee!

I hope you have fun creating something new today, Loves!