Happy 4th of July! Apple Cobbler recipe

Need dessert tonight?

Apple Cobbler

This recipe is a little different than my usual cobbler.

But it was a definite winner at our house today!

Whipping Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream is perfect a few  minutes out of the oven,

and, also the aroma of all the ingredients cooking for 30 minutes in the oven will please the crowd!!!

~~~~~~~~and it will definitely go fast so prepare in a 3 quart long oval casserole dish.

The cinnamon, vanilla and butter are awesome.

You will need to preheat the oven to 350 degree F

Take about 8 medium size apples or enough for 2 cups here or there chopped in medium pieces after peeling.

Sprinkle a good 1/4 cup of brown sugar all through the cut up apples and stir and let rest for a few minutes.

Grease a 2-3 quart glass long baking dish with olive oil

Take all the cut, brown sugar coated apples and place by hand in the cassserole dish.

Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of cinnamon over the apples.

Then, with a mixer combine 1 egg and 1 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of milk well.

In another bowl, put dry ingredient of 1 cup of self-rising flour

Melt 2 tablespoons of stick butter in a small cup 

With the mixer and sugar, egg, milk combo, mix in flour, melted butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Continue mixing the batter. This batter will be thicker and will produce a cake-like moist cobbler.

Pour all the thick batter over the apples evenly. Do not worry if apples are still seen. The crust will rise around them.

Put in oven to cook 30 minutes.

Take out of the oven and let rest 5 minutes or 10 before serving warm.

Top with ice cream or whipping cream.

In this recipe, I substituted Lactaid milk with no problem or detection of tasting differently.

We are having barbeque chicken in the crock pot, 3 color spiral pasta/egg salad with fresh veggies, corn on the cob and biscuits!

I hope you enjoy and have a safe 4th!

Jennifer

A Super Sweet December weekend

When I was a wee, little girl, Christmas time was always the best. We struggled like many folks and I remember that all our trees were "real" and several times I went with my dad to go out in the woods somewhere and we would pick out a tree together. If I liked one bigger, he would climb way to the top and cut the top of it off for the tree. As I grew older we bought trees or an artificial one but never would they replace those wispy ones from the woods we put in a bucket inside.

 

This is me. All giddy on Christmas Eve with my brother in matching pjs. I used to think that was so neat. We got one pair like that right before Christmas for a pic under the tree. I was 5 years old here and had made a Santa and proud to put his limp self with cotton balls and all right under the tree for Santa to see when he came to put the presents around!

 

Of course back then, mama put alot of icicles on the tree and as I grew older, she let me put them on there. I think then she would go back and even them out. :o

 

Those were the simple times.

 

 I guess my love for crafting came very early in life even way before this when I got put in the time out chair in kindergarten for playing with my crayons when I was supposed to be listening.

 

This weekend, Mr. Darcy and I went to a lovely, huge Christmas party and danced till we couldn't anymore. We had so much fun. The food was overflowing, the music was good too.

 

So, today I've been getting a little out of the village and decorating a bit. I'll show you some pics later but here are a few sneak peaks. We even got a pic with Santa but I don't have it with me right now.

 

 

 

more of the village when I get finished with it. It honestly takes a good 2-3 hours of set up.

I used a different "snow" this year. I so miss the other kind but couldn't find it in stores so I basically used the poly stuff.

 

 

 

On the baking front, Mr. Darcy likes yellow cake with chocolate frosting so in between decorating,

I made up one. The frosting recipe is from a Better Homes and Garden cookbook.

It's a Chocolate Butter Frosting.

 

simple to make and oh so rich!

 

it made enough for extra cupcakes if you whip it up though....I was licking beaters and bowls until I was about sick.

The one piece was mine till he gets home. Yes, I'm a pig. :P

 

 

Our Hoosier cabinet makes a great place to put sweets for the week.

 

the recipe for the frosting is:

 

Chocolate Butter Frosting

 

takes about 30 minutes to make, 20 if you are quick

 

this yields 4 and 1/2 cups of frosting!!!!!!  They say enough for one layered cake. I say enough for 2.

 

3/4 cup of sweet butter softened

 

2 pounds of powdered sugar (in a 2lb large bag)

 

1/2 -3/4 cup of milk ( I used canned evaporated milk as I was out of regular)

 

2 tablespoons of vanilla

 

3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey's and a bit more to taste)

 

In an extra large mixing bowl beat butter (softened) with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Add the powdered cocoa. Beat in 2/3 cup or so of milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining sugar ( LOTS). Beat in additional milk to reach spreading consistency.

To frost a 13 x 9 inch flat cake, halve the recipe.

 

Then try to refrain from licking all the icing and spread generously on the bottom layer and sides. Then plop out the 2nd from the baking pan and load up the top and ice and lick until your heart's desire. :0

 

 

So what else is on the stitching front???? Well, lots of cleaning and sorting into new cabinets downstairs in my sewing area. (didn't get it today) but in the process I pulled colors for the freebie previous to this post for Mr. Darcy and my first Christmas ornie.

 

I was about to pull the colors and then I found this in the mounds of stash.

 

 

so I decided to use these silks I got a couple of years ago and the ones I selected from the box for the sampler are here. Silks stitch like BUTTAH!

 

 

yep, with some small piece of 32 count antique white linen

 

 

Obviously this was in between the village decor and the chocolate mess I made. :P

 

My other things I gathered are a small wooden hoop I've had from the Scarlet Letter for 5 years or so and these scissors.

They are 7.99 including free shipping from Speed Factory Bike Ebay store. They are antiqued with titanium planting over stainless steel. They are razer sharp and 4 inches. They have several about 7 or 8 other vintage style scissors. Great for gifties for stitchers.

The seller for these on EBAY is:

 

hsuan05

 

 

Along with this small clip on Mighty Bright light and a pair of magnifying glasses and I'm good to go!

 

 

 

Well, best get back to decorating and cleaning up.

 

 Soon bedtime will be here and yes, I'm watching the 2 hour special of the Walton's wedding tonight if I can stay up late. Late to us is 10pm here on Fox Mountain. 

Soon to get out my Christmas cards.....

 

 

oh what a list of things to do in December! 

Till our threads entangle again,

 

Jennifer

Treats at the Homestead

There's a really, wicked, cool vintage/thrift store called Velvet's Vintage. Velvet is a sweet lady and the nicest person you'll meet. She has a neat place and also had a small auction this weekend of which was some me time for my introverted self. You know when I saw old cotton batting quilts of years gone by, flapping on the porch rail, I had to stop!  If you Facebook, like Velvet's Vintage and you will be able to see her latest updates on her house of the shop and any auctions.

 

I really was looking for a chest of drawers but found other things instead. Many things went for only 5 bucks, I'm talking, exciting good. I absolutely didn't need 4 quilts but as I love old, old homey, vintagey linens and such, they were calling my name in the wind and sun so I got them for a little of nothing to change out at the homestead here in the mountains.

 

I haven't measured them but my favorite is a smaller one, probably for a twin bed but I'm using it now for a quilt change on the sofa by the fire. There are very few fray spots on a couple here and there but  all handmade with the back of the quilt made of 15 lb bags of white flour sack cloth from Athens, Ga on one of them.

Interesting indeed.

 

Besides quilts, I got 2 old, steady chairs painted in a cream color for 7 bucks.

 

 

It was perfect because it replaced my others I had before and the best thing is I like these alot more.

 

 

Sometimes when the weather is nice, I like to eat outside with Mr. Darcy.

 

 

 

 

This quilt is the largest one and probably would fit a double bed. It's bright and cheery and I could only think of Christmas and Valentine's decor when I saw this one.

 

 

 

 

 

The backing is all old calico red cotton.

 

 

This is the second quilt and it's light and airy for the Spring months.

 

 

 

It's old and the backing you can tell was all handstitched.

 

 

 

This is the next one, it's the smallest, probably for a twin bed. It now graces the sofa by the fire.

This one is my favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

It's the one that has the old 15 lb flour sack cotton printing on the back.

 

 

The last one here is also an old, pretty design.

 

 

Fits a double bed which is what I prefer to sleep in anyway.

 Life is way too short not to sleep cozy.

 

 

 

 

 

It's amazing how we can repurpose old quilts. When I first saw them I thought that when I unfolded them, there would be holes and damage but very few worn frayed areas, not even noticable.

There is lots more life to these quilts.

 

And they will grace the homestead in some way or form. I'm sure they were loved by some other folks somewhere as well and whoever made these quilts with their loving hands probably had no idea they would end up in this home. The designs on the quilts I'm sure all you quilters would know, I don't, but I do love them all and yesterday was a wonderful day out.

Sadly, we wanted to leave church this morning and go for a ride for some Fall pics but the wind has been quite breezy and cold here and the leaves and acorns are falling fast with  a rainy cloudy day. 
The sun came out for about 30 minutes and it's already getting near dark. But in spite of the weather, the fellowship and worship service was good and the message was very good this morning.

So after church I put a pork roast in the crockpot for tomorrow's supper along with some fresh veggies and while that was on the way and started, cooked a 2 layer yellow cake with chocolate icing which definitely hit the spot!

I vacuumed lots of Abbie hair and cleaned the kitchen and family room while the warmth of the fire place is radiating nothing but COZY. I sorted out some stash and fibers and put them back where they belong and found the ottoman again. :)  I couldn't believe how many threads, needles, hoops, frames, and patterns to stitch was piled up on the ottoman!!

I sat down a few too many minutes now and could definitely take a nap but instead going to finish the last episode of Downton Abbey, Season 2--the Christmas episode with Mr. Darcy. I'm all giddy about this episode and can't wait until January for Season 3 here in the US. We just decided we are going to restart and watch both seasons again in the next few weeks.

This Abbie is all cozy now on her pillow and soaking up the warmth from the fire.

 

 

 

She has her "Baby, it's cold outside" hoodie on. She's a hoot!

She is in a pensive mood as she doesn't particularly like this hoodie. Some she likes and some she pouts for hours at me for putting on her. She even refused a treat, a bacon one. But she finally forgave me for the hoodie and is now considering keeping me.

 

 

Have a great Sunday evening!

I'm fixing to have another piece of chocolate cake with a cold glass of milk.

Downton Abbey is about to start here.

 

Jennifer

The Winner of the Gingher Ella give-a-way for Caylee and other stuff

First, I want to thank each of you for participating in the give-a-way. I do this from time to time in order to pay if forward to the sweetest stitching friends all over the world.

 Way back, when the Caylee Anthony case was going to trial, I thought how ironic that her birthday was August 6th and she would have been 6. How ironic that her birthday is 10 days different from a child I lost, Aaron, who this year (can't believe it) would have been 26 years old. So much in the news about Casey and not many focusing on Caylee. Nothing will bring Caylee back but I hope that she will be remembered every year on her birthday by those who remember and loved her. In rememberence this year of her, I drew the winner of the 195 comments left on the July 6th posting!

The winner is Loraine from Utah!!!!  She also has a beautiful  blog to enjoy as well.

Yep, I had to look twice when I put in the numbers through the Random Computer Generator as it picked number 195, the last person. Most of the time hardly ever does it pick first or last numbers, so Loraine enjoy and send me your email so I can get your snail mail address. Congrads!

Tonight I finally cooked after a long time of eating whatever. I decided and thankfully had the ingredients perfect for a pumpkin pie. If anything, it made the place smell pretty good while it was cooking and there for a minute, I turned up the AC and pretended it was Fall :O

The crust may look weird. I usually use the frozen kind but instead I tried the rolled up Pillsbury ones and the only pie pan I had was perfect for it. I crimped the edges in any kind of way and poured in a mixture of:

Pumpkin , 15 oz can

2 eggs

1 tablespoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tablespoon of cinnamon (optional, I love cinnamon)

1--14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

and a slow handheld mixer from Walmart that has only one speed---High--spattered remains on the refrigerator afterward but doggone good.

Combine all from what was not spattered on the refrigerator during mixing at high speed into a pie crust and cook at 425 for, I don't know, I just watch it. Probably about 30 minutes.

I almost cooked it too long but still was really good. Just missed the cool whip or ice cream part!

Hope your weekend went well. Mine was full of reading and watching a couple of free movies.

 With the exception of a LDS prophet at the doorstep banging on it to convert me to this religion, it was pretty quiet. It didn't set well with me as I had just watched the news about Warren Jeff and pedophiles are one of my pet peeves. No, I didn't answer the door.

 Everybody has their own religion, but by age 48 I think I'm comfortable with mine and I hope the brave man does not come back or Annie Oakley will show her belief system at the door, pamphlet or no pamphlet this time. ;)

 Keep calm and carry on......

Jennifer

Still some works in progress.........

I'm still working and tweaking this sampler for Abbie's summer. So far.......with some other items I've pulled to work with as well, here it is pulled out of my bag, still unpressed and needing a few more details.

 I'm on the last row and I found this fringe that was perfect for it this week. This will probably be a pillow instead of framing and will blend perfectly in the guest bedroom/studio.

I love this shade of pink with dark brown, a chocolate brown.

Totally unrelated is this long large piece of serged pink flannel and chenille that was rolled up and in a remnant basket for 2 bucks.

I have some pink flannel just like this darker shade and hope to make Abbie another blanket with this piece in some way, maybe by the time we take our trip.

the back is serged well.

Tonight I took a plain grapevine wreath and added some flowers and cut some "late summerish fabric"  for the bow and put on the front door.

I'm so ready for that drier air and cooler nights. Usually, by the first week of September here in the mountains, we can feel just a bit of  it in the air.

Speaking of outside, Body Guard brought THE best, juiciest peaches home from somewhere??? by the road and they are wonderful. I peeled 3 or 4 tonight after supper and made this:

Peach Cobbler

This time I added some vanilla and cinnamon and it was lovely with Cool Whip. I sat in the front porch rocker and fed the mosquitoes a while and then took a walk around on the porch near sunset to see some pretty shadows of trees across the pond.

It's hard to see where the reflection and the trees begin and end

a close up shows ripples from something down there. I may not want to know what it is! :o

And soon the different shades of green will debut the most beautiful Fall colors imaginable. I can't wait!

 Fall is my favorite time of year.

Well, off to watch the news and catch up. Glen Beck has an interesting segment tonight. Then I flip over to Nancy Grace and watch the latest court cases and can put some things in perspective....LOL

Till later,

Jennifer