Apples, Apples, Apples

Apple & Pineapple Sauce

5-6 apples washed and sliced
1 can pineapple diced
cinnamon
pumpkin pie spice
1 Tbsp brown sugar


put all ingredients into a pot and turn on medium low heat, until apples are soft. Once they are soft puree in blender.

 

 

 

 

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup apple pineapple sauce *recipe above*
• 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup raisins

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray
In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in raisins. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
Bake for 16-18 minutes.

 

My Friends you are the stars, the moon, the sunshine in my life

"A friend loveth at all times…" –Proverbs 17:17

I have been thinking a lot about my friendships past and present. I have had some of the most amazing experiences with some of the best people ever! My best friend Sarah from elementary school. Man we had some interesting times…sorry my mom left you on the side of the road.

I am thankful for my other elementary school friends as well, Amber & Nicole we had a blast. 

Then there was all of my fabulous friends from high school. Candi, Lacy I love you girls we had great times! 

And I can't forget my friend Justin. Thanks Justin for always being there for me.

Sierra College was GOOD times!!

My mission was an incredible experience and came out with some life long friends. Thanks Christine, Kristy & Nahomy. You are my girls!

And my bestest friend who I miss more and more the longer we are apart. Leslie you mean so much to me. I miss you tons. You are amazing! Love you forever!

I am truly grateful for all of my relationships and my peeps! Thanks for putting up with me and all the good times we have had. I hope that our friendships will last always and always. May God always be with each of you. 

Toasted Apple Dill Havarti pita sandwich

Toasted Apple Dill Havarti wheat Pita sandwich is my new favorite thing. Its soooo yummy. I bought some delicious honey crisp apples the size of my hand and some Dill Havarti. I also use brie. But today I was in a Havarti mood today. I finished off my lunch with the rest of the apple and some brie. It was so delicious and filling. 

There is nothing better than apples on a beautiful fall day. 

They just make me smile.

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life

I am reading this interesting book called: 

 
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh & Dr. Lilian Cheung.

It's interesting because it looks at weight loss as a way of being mindful. But I really like how it isn't just about weight loss. Being mindful can help us in so many other areas of our lives. 
"How can we stop this state of turmoil? How can we stop our fear, our despair, our anger, and our cravings? We have to learn to become solid and stable like an oak tree, and not be blown side to side by the emotional storm. We have to learn the art of stopping–stopping our running so that we can be present for and embrace our habit energies of worry, blame, guilt and fear, and calm the emotions that dictate us. We have to learn to live fully in the present moment…We have to learn to be mindful.
When we are mindful, touching deeply in the present moment, in the here and now, we gain more understanding, acceptance more forgiveness and love of self and others; our aspiration to relieve suffering grows; and we have more chances to touch joy and peace."

I think all too many times I get so busy running around trying to do everything I can possibly do in one day and I don't know how to stop and be mindful of what it is I am doing. I need to stop and take note of what it is I am doing and why. I need to look at what it is I really want to be doing and what steps am I taking to get there. I need to be mindful of the things the Lord has given me, my talents & abilities. I need to stop and look at the world around me and focus on each step I take. I need to breathe in and out. And enjoy each moment of each day.

Grandma's Homemade Potato Noodle Soup

Grandma's Homemade Potato Noodle Soup

Noodles

2 c flour

1 tsp salt

3 large eggs or 4 small eggs

Mix together flour and salt and then add the eggs. Stir together and knead until it forms a ball. Roll out the dough until it is thin, add flour as needed to keep from sticking. Roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll and cut into 1/8" to 1/4" pinwheels. Grab the end and shake each one out and lay them out to dry on a cookie sheet while you prepare the soup.

Potato Soup

8 medium potatoes peeled and diced 1/2" cubes

2 quarts water

2 tsp salt

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp pepper

2 stalks celery chopped

1/3 c butter

2 cans evaporated milk

*can add cooked bacon crumbled on top

Peel and cut potatoes and add to 8 qt pot and cover with water, add spices. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 min. Add the noodles, a little at a time, stirring to keep from sticking. Then add celery and butter. Stir and let boil 10 min. then add evaporated milk. Stir and reduce heat and cook for 5 more minutes. Sere hot. *crumble bacon on top and add more salt if needed. 

Autumn is the most wonderful time of the year

I love everything about the fall.

I have already done a pre-fall post. But now it is fully upon us. 

On Saturday I took Grandma up to a Gluten Free convention. It was quite interesting. Plenty of yummy samples. 

Turns out my body is soooooo not happy with the whole gluten free idea. I spent all day today in bed recovering from oding (over doing it) on gluten free products. 

But afterwards I went down to Third St. in McMinnville and just wandered around photography. The sun was shining just right on all the trees creating colors that were amazing and florescent. It was so intense. I encountered several other photographers out doing just the very same thing as I was.

I LOVE FALL!!!