Monthly Archives: December 2014

Diva Chllenge #196

iamthedivaczt

This week’s Diva Challenge is  called All Dolled Up. The idea is to use some sort of doll shape for a string to tangle. Here’s one that I did a little bit ago. I cannot remember where I saw the directions for the doll ‘tangle’; it was a video somewhere.

All Dolled Up ~ LifeOfJoy.me

I really wish I could remember all the tangles I used. I know I used Pepper, Printemps, keeko, shattuck, a little knightsbridge, a bit of ahh but I cannot remember the others. I was pleased with the results though.

I think I’d like to tangle a Christmas tree string but I didn’t have time to do it for this post. I’ll post it if I get time to do it.

If you’d like to see what others did with this challenge, click the Diva Challenge link above.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

Apple Crumble Pie

When I first started making the pies for the holidays, I made it simple and bought frozen pie crusts in an aluminum pan. After many years, I decided I’d try making homemade pie crust for my pies. I tried a few different recipes and just found that it didn’t really make any difference in the final product.

I’ve tried the No-Fail Pie Crust, the one with vinegar in it, and the one that you just mix together in the pan. I actually liked the one that you mix directly in the pie pan, but it really wasn’t worth the extra effort and money necessary to make it. I do buy the refrigerator crusts now because they don’t crumble or break apart, they are easy to use.

Apple Crumble Pie ~ LifeOfJoy.me

The first step is to peel, core, and cut five cups of apples. I use the same method to do this as I demonstrated for the Waldorf Salad. I like to use Red Delicious or Gala apples for baking. Frequently I use older apples because my family does not like any crunch in their apple pie, so this is a good way to use up older apples. Actually, I have prepped the apples for my Christmas pie already. They will turn brown in the freezer and be liquidy when they are thawed but I dump it all in and add the other ingredients anyway and it turns out great!

Apple Crumble Pie Filling ~ LifeOfJoy.me

Stir this together and pour into pie crust in pie pan.

Apple Crumble Pie ~ LifeOfJoy.me

Now for the crumble topping. Flour, Sugar, and Butter are mixed together with a pastry blender. This year my butter was a bit too soft and so its consistency was a little off but still tasty.

Ready to Bake ~ LifeOfJoy.me

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of an individual slice. :(  At least I got a picture of the baked pie. :) I’ll try to remember to get a picture at Christmas.

Yummy Apple Crumble Pie ~ LifeOfJoy.me

I hope you will try this pie and enjoy it as much as we do.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients

  • 5 cups peeled, cored, and cubed apples
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 Unbaked pie crust (I use refrigerated)
  • Topping:
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine first five ingredients.
  2. Spoon into pie shell.
  3. For the topping, combine sugar and flour; cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.
  4. Sprinkle over pie
  5. Bake at 400º for 10 minutes.
  6. REDUCE heat to 375º and bake for 40-45 minutes or until topping is browned and apples are tender.
  7. Cover crust edge with foil during the last 15 minutes if it is getting too brown. I use glass pie pans and don't have a problem with this, although I should have baked it a few minutes longer this year.
  8. Cool completely before cutting.
https://lifeofjoy.me/apple-crumble-pie/

Being Silly

Being Silly ~ LifeOfJoy.meI have a couple of things rolling through my mind today, no real topic, as such. I once heard that the couple that can laugh together (and at themselves) is a couple that can stay together. Recently I went over and sat on Mike’s lap on the recliner. Now those that have seen me in person can probably see how illogical that was . . . I am a short rotund woman (who is trying to lose some of that rotundness). I sat on his lap sideways in the chair and put my arms around his neck. He mumbled some unrecognizable word, as he exhaled, and proceeded to chuckle. I then repeated the odd syllables in his ear as we both laughed. This went on for a few minutes . . . until I thought he probably needed the blood to circulate in his legs again. :D

The point is that I did something to intentionally connect with him in a lighthearted manner. So much of the time we are too serious or we communicate when there is something wrong or something that needs to be done. It is good to communicate just for fun. It is good to be silly sometimes.

I think I’ve mentioned before that when I am down Mike will do something intentionally silly to try to make me laugh. Sometimes it is dumb silly and I won’t laugh but he keeps trying until I break and chuckle. It always amazes me how the simple act of laughing can lift the spirits.

I encourage you this week to take a moment this week and do something out of the ordinary. It may be sitting by your beloved or making out in the kitchen or going for a walk together or watching the sunset together or maybe just finding a funny video clip and sharing it with him. Do something intentional to bring a smile to his face. Now, do not force him to do something he doesn’t want to do or you will probably be met with the opposite of the intended results. Sometimes I just sneak up on Mike and tickle him because he is so ticklish but I have to keep this limited as it can frustrate him if he is in the wrong mood, which would be the opposite of my intended results.

Don’t let the holidays sneak up on you. Keep yourself stress free. Help those in your home, especially your honey, enjoy the holidays, week by week.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº