My First Apple Pie!

I have a confession! I am 54 years old and I have never made a fruit pie or my own pie crust.  I have made plenty of  pumpkin and pecan and even a few meringue pies but, I have always bought my pie crust.  I have been researching apple pie recipes and now I can say I have made an apple pie! It didn't turn out perfect but I will try again and I plan to make my own pie crusts for the holidays! 

My finished product!

I used Ina Garten Perfect Pie Crust Recipe it was very easy and turned out flaky and delicious.

I made Perfect Apple Pie recipe From My Tiny Kitchen, my filling was a little dry.
 Don't know why, but it was a good warm with vanilla ice cream.

I have even made these for a number of years but, again I bought my pie crust.

I will be posting this post to these Blog Parties:
Wow Us Wednesday
Foodie Friday
Skip to my Lou
Handmade Tuesdays
Treasure Box Tuesday
Sweets for a Saturday

Crock-Pot Hot Sauce

With the abundance of  cherry and Roma tomatoes in our garden this year I wanted to make hot sauce. My sister gave me the idea to make it in my crock pot.  It uses the tomatoes, cooks while I do other things and keeps me from standing over a hot stove. Which is a win, win situation.

Fresh ingredients are the best and nothing beats tomatoes straight from the garden.

I have one cherry tomato plant and one roma tomato plant and I am able to make this once or 

twice a week. 

We also grow jalapenos and bell peppers.

 I cut the stem end off and cut the tomatoes in half, using a scale I measure 3 pounds of tomatoes. I would guess it would be 3 1/2 pounds before you cut off the stems. Be sure to wash your tomatoes first. 

Put tomatoes in crock pot.

Add:

 one medium onion cut into big chunks

3 jalapenos (not seeded) cut into fourths (this is not an exact science, I have found the bigger the

 jalapeno the hotter)

 Always wear gloves when handling jalapenos!

2 medium bell peppers cut into big chunks

4 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 Tblsps chopped garlic (I do buy jars of garlic already chopped)

Cook 3 hours on high

Turn off the crockpot, take the lid off and let it cool.

Using a colander drain your tomato mixture. Reserve the liquid, it could be used for stew, gumbo etc.

Using either a blender or food processor puree the mixture. If you are using a blender you may 

need to do it in batches.

This recipe makes appox. one quart and it freezes well.

I will be posting this recipe to these blog parties:

Wow us Wednesday
Foodie Friday
The Homestead Barn Hop
Made by You Mondays
Full Plate Thursday
Handmade Tuesdays
Treasure Box Tuesdays

Chuck-wagon Quillo

I made this recently for my grandson's birthday, I wanted it simple and washable. Sorry, I didn't take specific measurements. The fabric was bought at Hobby Lobby and washed and dried before I started sewing.

I cut out panels and laid them out on my dining room table to decide on the pattern. Once my decision was made I assembled my top. I used a coordinating fabric and batting to make the quilt, I sewed everything together with sitch in a ditch, which worked out well. For the binding I over lapped my backing and hand sitched it.

To make the pillow I made a square that was appoximately third the size of the quilt by width. The size I experimented with until I got the size that work. I sewed the sides but left both ends open.

To make it into the pillow, fold the quilt 1/3 over and the other 1/3 over.

Start at opposite end of the pillow top and fold over twice.

Put your folded over layers in the pillow top, reach thru the opposite end to pull it thru and straighten.

I will be posting this to these blog parties:

Made by You Mondays

Wow us Wednesday's

Frugal Friday

Weekend Wander

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop

Sundae Scoop

Quinoa Banana Muffins

I developed this recipe for a healthy muffin for my grandchildren. They are made with quinoa, bananas, and an apple, carrots and pineapple Gerber pouch. I am happy to say that they liked them!

Using hand mixer cream together

 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup sugar

Add

1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla 

Add

2 smashed ripe bananas

1 apple, carrot, pineapple Gerber pouch  

In separate bowl, mix

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

By hand mix flour and banana mixture together

 add in 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 cup chopped pecans are optional

Bake 350 degrees 15-20 minutes for the minis.

Makes appoximately 36

Classic Romantic Movies

Wanting to have a "Girls Night Out" movie night or watch a movie for Valentines Day? Here are some movies that focus on romance and not sex.  I have rated them for how many Kleenexes you will need to watch them, from one to five!

This movie stars Jimmy Stewart and is the original to "You've Got Mail" except in this movie they are pen pals. Delightful movie! Kleenex rating One!

Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in this love story. This has a Kleenex rating of Three!

For me this is Audrey Hepburn's best movie! Such a sweet story! Kleenex rating Three!



This movie with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne shows love at first sight! Kleenex rating Five!

Cary Grant and Betsy Drake star is this wonderful movie about sharing your home and heart with under- privileged children. Kleenex rating four!

This is one of my favorite movies of Thelma Ritter's, very cute movie, witty and sweet! No Kleenex needed!

No list would be complete without a movie with Doris Day and Rock Hudson, it also, stars Thelma Ritter! No Kleenex needed! I love the Doris's clothes and apartment!

These are just a few of my favorites, so pop some popcorn and enjoy!