An Apple Harvest & Sour Cream Apple Pie

One of my most favorite things about living on this piece of property, is the apple trees out the kitchen window.  Here, as I sit on the couch, I can see tree limbs weighed down by golden bursts of fruit, and it near sends me into a frenzy as I don't want any one of them to go to waste!!

Last week we had just the opportunity to use said apples.  We made last-minute dinner plans with friends, and because the days have felt short and crazy lately, I opted for this slow-cooked meal and decided it was time for an apple dessert or bust! 

{Insert heaven in a pie pan.} 
{Insert another reason why I need Crossfit this holiday season.}

So upon Husband's return from work that day, I sent him and Uncle Tim to the trees with the golden bursts of fruit, and told them dessert was in their hands, and they did not disappoint.  Nor did the littles.  Which is why we made two pies!

Adapted from All Recipes 
INGREDIENTS:
1 unbaked 9 in. pie crust                              2 1/4 C. diced apples
3/4 C. sugar                                                          
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour                               TOPPING:
1/8 tsp. salt                                                  1/3 C. sugar
1 C. high quality sour cream                          1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract                                   1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 egg                                                         1/3 C. chilled butter, diced

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Press pie crust into and up the sides of a 9 inch pie pan OR use Marie Calendar's ready-made pie crust like I did.
2.  In a medium bowl, stir together 3/4 C. sugar, 2 Tbsp. of flour and salt.  Mix in the sour cream, egg and vanilla until smooth.  Add apples, and stir to coat.  Scrape the mixture into the pie shell.
3.  Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue baking for 30 minutes more.
4.  While the pie is baking, prepare the topping in a medium bowl.  Stir together 1/3 C. of flour, 1/3 C. sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
5.  After the 30 minute bake time has passed, cover the top of the pie with the crumb topping, and continue to bake for 15 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned.  Allow the pie to cool, then refrigerate until chilled before serving.   Serve a la mode with vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.  

Do you have any apple recipes that I should know about?  Do share!

 

Around Our Neck of the Woods Last Weekend

 1. a boy in his boots.  2. a kitten and the girl who changes the kitten's name everyday.  3. the boy and the kitten.4. handpicked flowers.  5. one fierce mama Welsummer chicken  6. eggs o'plenty.  7. one crazy dog named Jet, who tangles his runner around anything on the porch and drags it into the yard,on the regular.  Including a rod iron chair (and once, a picnic table).  What good is a watchdog if he's all tangled up?

It was a long, slow weekend, and the kids and I didn't even leave the house till today.  Partially because I wanted to be conservative on gas, and mainly because staying home and being nice and cozy are the best parts of this time of year.  I watched two movies--Machine Gun Preacher--it came highly recommended by Husband who watched it Friday night while I...I'm not sure what I was doing, so I watched it on Saturday while he was working.  It was raw and heart-wrenching, and is a true story that people need to know.  Most people have heard of KONY 2012, but not ex-gang biker turned preacher/African child defender, Sam Childers.  An excellent flick.  To make this weekend truly out of the ordinary, I watched another movie with Husband that very same day called, People Like Us.  Two movies in one weekend, is big deal for me, while two movies in one day is a miracle!  The relaxation was just what I needed.

Am I the only person who feels like Monday is makeup day for the weekend?  Man.  My family knows how to turn a house upside down, and it's always during the weekend that the most destruction takes place.  

Did you catch the chili recipe I posted?  It is my favorite chili recipe by far, and we ate it both Friday and Saturday.  Leftovers sure make a girl happy!
I hope to post another favorite soup/stew recipe soon.

Hope your weekend was swell!

Once upon a time, there was a heart-shaped tree...

Months ago, I spotted this chopped tree trunk in the far end of the yard. 

Giddy, is just one word that describes the way I felt
when happening upon this natural treasure. 

Oh, the many things that I've considered doing with this piece of tree! 

Cake platters, wall art, a photo prop for an impromtu photo session...

Love, in the most peculiar of places.

P.S. I'm still trying to figure out how the crayons and hair brush ended up outside,

and in case you were wondering about the pink shoes...that happens every so often.

P.P.S. The murder mystery party was a hit! 

Once I get my hands on the pictures, I'll share more about it!

xx

Little Things Around the Property...

Today--

It's the quiet during nap time.

The kind customer service agents on the other end of the line.

The sun that keeps poking its beams out.

Crossing off my list of to-dos.

The calmness that God has given me today, even while dealing with what could be stressful scenarios.

Brooklynn's creativity and the book she is illustrating.

My new yellow 'honey pot' drink dispenser that my dear friend surprised me with because she said it screamed my name!  She is so thoughtful!

Margarita Pizza with fresh basil from my basil plant--one of my favorite happenings this summer thus far.

My new Nikon D90.  Since Best Buy couldn't fix my camera, they credited me and I upgraded a bit. 

Camera love--it's a wonderful thing.

A few more recent little things in pictures...

It's rusty, was here when we moved in and I'm loving it.

I think it's an old swing set with additions. ;)

It carries this lovely box that I can't wait to plant more flowers in.

Under the canopy of the trees in the front yard.

Husband and Uncle Timmy just hung a tire swing.

The kiddos are sure loving this place.

Another rusty yard piece.  I think it's some sort of old tractor...

And our puppy, Jet, looking awfully curious.  I just love him!

Would you like to join The Little Things series?

I host every Thursday and would love to have you join!

You can link up on my right sidebar, and please do visit the others who share their joy!

xx, Cassie

Country Living & Reclaiming My Femininity

When Husband and I first started dating, he made the comment that I was always "dressed to the nines."  I remember this, because when he said it, I looked at myself and didn't see the way I was put together as anything extravagant, but the norm.  But for a country boy who wears camouflage and Carharts many days of the year, my accessorized outfits were something different than he was used to.  I have to laugh at what I wore on our first date to Motocross--pretty much bangles and a lace cami at a dirt convention.

Fast-forward six years and you get this:

It wouldn't be an understatement to say that some things have seriously changed.

Here is more proof:

1.)  I spend more time in my tennis shoes than I ever have in my life.
2.)  I have only worn jewelry about five times since we moved in. 
3.)  I haven't painted my nails in quite sometime, and often have dirt under my fingernails.
4.)  I've caught my first frog and garter snake for the kiddos amusement--not mine.
5.)  I'm now going on almost eight months since I had a haircut.  I don't know how it happened, but it did.

The truth is, I've been getting a wee bit concerned.  Just the other day, I asked my brother-in-law, what has happened to me?  He had no words.  I asked my girlfriend the same thing, and she blamed it on country living.  It is true.  It is true.  I've let country living take over my femininity and what I love about being a woman.

So today, I'm reinventing what's been lost for a while now. 

I'm getting ready to the nines, just like old times.  I'm making a hair appointment and painting my nails, and I'm going to leave the weeds in the garden for tomorrow and treat myself to iced tea and a magazine on the back porch.  I may live in and love the country, but I love all that goes with being feminine most. 

But you wont see me wearing wedges as often as I used to. 

It's still about comfort in the country--hence the flip flops.   

At least I haven't traded in my Sevens for Carharts?

Mom?  Did I just hear you let out a sigh of relief?

xx

10 Things I've Learned in Two Weeks of Country Living

1.    If my son goes outside, expect him to return muddy.
2.    Each person in my family should own a pair of rubber boots.
3.    Weeding and bike riding are perfect activities before dinner.
4.    Trips into town take precise planning--especially with the rise in gas prices.
5.    If Husband wants to show me his latest yard accomplishments, and insists that I come now, there is no need to hesitate, even if I am in my towel. 
6.    The words "I'm bored," are not allowed in this home.
7.    Windows without blinds are not frightening.
8.    Skylights are refreshing, and so is the rain when it hits their panes.
9.    Husband is the ultimate fixer, and possesses skills that I am sure I still don't know about.  He is truly awesome.
10.  There are plenty of natural resources for projects on this piece of property.
And one more...
11.   The noise of life is drastically reduced with a little country living.

You may have noticed less and less of me lately.  I've been soaking in what it means to be not of the city or the suburbs, but one living in the country.  I've been keeping my electronics at bay, and it seems appropriate and natural. The sensations that come with this new life have me taking into account many of my past everyday movements, and have me filtering them either in or out of this new life. This transition is precious to me, and I find myself wanting to protect it, to plant positive seed and to cultivate what has already been given in this new space. I feel renewed, yet I'm thirsting for more of the quiet that stands around me. 

It's been a good new beginning.  So, so good.

weheartit

Settling In With More of The Little Things

It has been quite a week! 
Thank you for all of your warm wishes regarding our move. 
I appreciate your kind encouragement.  Seems you've been there before, eh?

In the last week, we've packed, moved, been hit with the biggest winter storm of the year yet, and been trying our best to get our home life and business back into routine.

But I ain't going to lie--there are boxes to be unpacked in every room, toiletries on my dresser, and mass amounts of laundry to be done. 

But we are here, beginning this new phase of our lives in the place
we've looked forward to for years. 

We love our piece of country, and I can't wait to show you around.

Because I haven't had the chance to take many photographs since the move, here are a few from my iPhone during the recent winter blast. 

Follow the bend in the road and take your next right. 

The coffee is on.

I love our neighbors white fence. 

They also have the most perfect rows of trees in their front portion of property.

After our second night, we woke to this.  Fluffy white snowflakes the entire day long. 

It didn't let up until late in the evening.

This photo is looking out my kitchen window. 

We have a deck that wraps across the front of the house to the back, and I just love it.

I keep imagining me, with my book and a tall glass of iced tea, lounged on the porch with a good read--Dandelion Wine, perhaps? in the afternoon summer heat, while the children run around the yard. 

I can't help it.

Last night was the most mysterious, thick with haze, dusk sky.

But it didn't stop Husband from taking the wee ones out for a sledding adventure.

Husband is such a good Daddy and brings so much spontaneity to our home.

Now, they're all set for the bunny slopes.

It's all these little things, that make each day an adventure, and truly, a blessed life.

What are your little things this day?

Please do share and link up on the right sidebar! 

Can't wait to visit!