March makes way for April

I had all intentions of posting this image around St. Pat's day but life got in the way, as usual!  So...even through it is the 2nd of April, I'm posting it anyway.  I loved this rock pot and there was a sign in the plant that said "Leprechaun Toes" ...its really baby tears but the idea was cute....and the sun shining on it all just called to be photographed. 

Only in Missouri

It was 68 degrees yesterday afternoon...73 the day before and last night we had high winds, rain, sheet and then snow....that is one thing this state is completely certain of...if you don't like our weather, just hang around a bit, it WILL change!  LOL....

So, I was sorting through some pictures and came across this one....figure I had it ready for the blog, but never posted it...if I did, I guess we will just have to re-visit it...LOL...

 

Enjoy!

 

Granny Smith's

Good afternoon!  I spent a few moments in the kitchen this morning.  I had some Granny Smith's that were just begging to be put into a pie, so I put them in two pies!  LOL...they are not pretty but they sure did smell exceptionally good baking.  My mom picked up 2 pie pans for me at the flea market. All I've been able to find were 9 inch pans and this recipe calls for an 8 inch pie plate and trust me, an 8 inch pie plate is about as far as you can make the pie crust go once you divide it in half. The first pie I made like the directions and made a two crust but on this second pie, I decided to attempt a lattice top...don't laugh....it is not very pretty!  According to the directions, you roll the pie dough out onto wax paper but I found it much easier to use Parchment paper.  The dough stuck to the wax paper but peeled right off the parchment.  So, its been noted on my recipe to use parchment paper instead of wax. Maybe parchment paper wasn't as readily available when Joanna made this recipe but its definitely better to use then the wax paper was.

Like I said, its not pretty!  Maybe next time I will do a better job with the lattice...I realized after I cut it that I should have cut it all the same width and I made the mistake of laying the first way all on the top of the pie and then it got warmed up by the hot filling and I couldn't 'pick' it up to weave...but I'm sure Bill and I will eat it anyway!  We aren't too particular on looks as long as it taste great! This pie plate was a bit too deep but it was the 8 inch size, thus the reason why I attempted the lattice top...just divided the crust about 75/25 instead of 50/50, put the larger piece in the bottom and used the smaller half for the lattice top.

 Here is the recipe if anyone wants it:

Old Fashioned Apple Pie (a Joanna Lund recipe)

1 Pillsbury refrigerated unbaked 9-inch piecrust
1 (4-serving) package JELL-O sugar-free vanilla cook-n-serve pudding mix
1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon Jo's Apple Pie Spice (or any reputable apple pie spice)
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar Twin (I used Splenda Brown Sugar blend)
3 1/2 cups (3 large) cored, peeled and sliced cooking apples

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Meanwhile, let pie crust set at room temperature for 10 minutes. In a large saucepan, combine dry pudding mix, apple juice, and water. Stir in JO's Apple Pie Spice and Brown sugar Twin. Add apples. Mix well to combine. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the apples start to soften, stirring often.  Remove from heat.  Place saucepan on a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut the pie crust in half. Gently roll each half into a ball.  Wipe counter with a wet cloth and place a sheet of waxed paper over damp spot. Place one of the balls on the waxed paper. Cover with another piece of waxed paper and roll out into a 9-inch circle, with rolling pin. Carefully remove waxed paper from one side and place crust into an 8-inch pie plate. Remove other piece of waxed paper. Evenly spoon apple mixture into pie crust. Repeat process of rolling out remaining pie crust half. Place second crust over top of pie and flute edges. Make about 8 slashes with a knife to allow steam to escape. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30 to 35 minutes. Place pie plate on a wire rack and allow to cool completely.  Cut into 8 servings

8 Servings:
167 Calories, 7g Fat, 1g Pr, 25g Ca, 160mg So, 8mg Cl, 1g Fi.

And yes, I realize that those red apples are not Granny Smiths.....unfortunately, all the Granny's went in the pie and when I decided to take a picture, all I had left were the Red Delicious!
And, since I was taking pictures in the kitchen, I decided to take one of the newly remodeled area.  The dishwasher 'finally' made it in yesterday and Bill and I got it installed.  I haven't ran it yet to see how it works. It looks like I might be able to fit more in it than I could my old one.  BTW...did I tell you that I bought two more door shelves for the refrigerator?  Yep, we took the "Beverage Cooler" out and added two more shelves so I can put more stuff on the door.  It still seems like its smaller than the old refrigerator but I'm starting to adjust to it.  Next to replace will be the microwave and the range but that is for another year...maybe next year!  We need to get to work on Bill's bathroom and I'd like new carpeting in the family room...

At this time, we added new Armstrong Luxe Vinyl Plank flooring, bead-board to the back-splash, a new faucet, refrigerator and dishwasher.  I'm looking for new knobs for the cabinets so they match the stainless better.  I know the gold on the ceiling fan should be changed too but I have three of these in this room and hate to change them all....have thought about bronze or nickle spray paint but I'm sure I will hear lots of complaining from Bill when I ask him to take them down to paint...maybe the next person that owns this home can change them out...I'll just do the cabinet pulls. I really, really love my floor even if it does need sweeping every day.  All in all, I'm happy with this minor remodel!  I'm sure the young gals are appalled at the OAK cabinets but no amount of pressure will get me to paint over that lovely wood!  Some day...new counter tops too! I'll just add that to next years list too...  ;)

Have a GREAT day!

>>>

My take on the Poinsettia's

Here is my take on this lovely plant.  I think I got water on the leaves and they left those spots.  I can't believe I've had these for 2 months and they are still alive!  Took this image outside on the deck.  The snowman is painted on a window that is sitting on the deck behind the chair.


.

Happy Independence Day!

I'm not sure this is exactly what I took out to capture but its what I ended up with. I wanted something with red/white/blue but I was too lazy to move anything around. I think I'm one very lazy photographer. I just want to take the camera out and shoot what is there..not stage it. Not that I don't like staged images...I LOVE them but I'm too lazy to do it myself. So....I had put this flag in the pot and decided to use this as my Independence Day image but the blooms were a bit ragged and the colors were a bit off so I did some playing and came up with this...thus, my title of Faded Glory. It's starting to look very stormy here...so figure the fireworks may be in trouble. I was hoping it would hold off till after they were done shooting.

Have 4th of July to all of you! Remember all our guys and gals in the service...pray that they will return to us, safe and sound.

From the Lily Garden

I broke this off yesterday morning when I was putting a hoop around the bunch of them. They were falling over and getting in the way of the shed door. Anyway, this morning, I captured this. Kind of liked the combination!

Missouri Iris

Finally caught a mild, windy day. Luckily, the rain hadn't knock all of them down. It's been so windy around here lately, I can't capture any of the flowers in their prime.

Red Knock Out Rose

I forgot that I promised to post the color version of this beauty. I can't wait to see if they all survive the winter. They have really bloomed pretty this summer.

Geranium 2009

I might have made this one way too small but at least I got the frame around it and still had room to put my title.

It's All About Me

I finally had a chance this morning to get some shots of a few of the flowers still left blooming. The Mandevilla has bloomed non stop this year. I guess it likes all the rain. I can't figure my CS4 out...can't get the shadows to warp like in CS2. So...you can't tell I put any border around this image. If you figure it out, let me know.

2009 Hydrangea

Almost missed this at it's prime. The colors had just started to fade down. I kept walking past it when I was outdoors and thinking I should go in and grab the camera but would get sidetracked doing something else. I think of all my hydrangea's, this is my favorite one.

Green Worm

Wow! It's been so long since I posted, I about forgot how to post. I captured this little beauty in the Spring at our local greenhouse. Just happened to have my camera with me when I went down there. Isn't it a beautiful color?

Grape Hyacinth

Had this started yesterday but didn't really like it....finished it this afternoon. All the elements are by Gina Cabrera from her Twiggy kit except for the frame and it is by Katie Pertiet. The word art is by GC from her Forever Grateful kit and the background is by GC from her Snapshots of Spring kit.

Day 120

The Ernest is blooming in earnest now. It's so lovely this time of year.