Lazy Man’s Applesauce

It’s become an annual tradition… truckin’ to the mountains of North Carolina to apple pick with friends.  This year we went back to Justus Orchard- it’s family-run and lots of fun. 


the gang minus the boys

Each year we have a serious and competitive contest for “Best Apple”.  This time, our son Gavin took first place.  Makes a Mama proud.  ;)

So what do you do with bushels of apples and not a whole lot of time or motivation?  Cook up some Lazy Man’s Applesauce!  I call it lazy since there’s no tedious peeling involved.  Which makes it more nutrient rich too (I like to use that excuse):

Cinnamon Applesauce
(Slightly adapted from allrecipes.com)

2 lbs of apples of your choice
1.25 cups of water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 lemon

1. Core and roughly chop apples (I left skin intact for a boost of nutrition)
2. In a medium pot, add apples, water, juice of 1/2 lemon, and cinnamon stick.
3. Cover and bring to a boil.
4. When boiling, turn down to a simmer and partially cover. Let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until apples are soft and begin to break apart.
5. Remove from heat completely, and allow to cool.
6. Remove cinnamon stick. In a blender or food processor, blend apple mixture.
7. Top with additional cinnamon (optional)

Makes about 4 cups.
Recipe and photo found at Tori Takes a Bite.

I freeze my applesauce in gallon sized Ziplock bags.  Easier than canning.  Just make sure they are Ziplock brand.  I ruined a ton of applesauce last year using cheapo bags… they all opened up and created an applesauce skating rink in my freezer. 

Sorry it’s been more recipes than decorating here lately.  But the décor side of my life is slow going at the moment for obvious reasons.  Rest assured, in a few months there should be lots of material!

Table Talk for the New Year (& beyond)

Last time I went perusing through my favorite store Anthropologie, I happened upon this little book sitting on their shelf…   and promptly imagined it on mine.

 
First, I was drawn in by the exquisite design which included gilded edges: 

I could have easily justified the purchase, using it as a desk prop alone.

But when I ventured inside its pages, I realized it was an upgraded version of our Table Talk cards.

The same type of questions, but a way to record everyone’s answers…  for the next 5 years.   

A little book of memories!

Simple Letters

Sometimes we’ll ask our children what their favorite memory has been in their little lives, thus far.  One time our son responded by saying his favorite memory was a simple letter I had written him the week before. 

Obviously it was still fresh on his mind, otherwise I’m sure he would have chosen something a bit more, well, memorable!  Likely he would not even remember that specific letter now.  But it drove home the fact that this small gesture matters a great deal to my children. 

So,  I keep writing letters.  And sometimes I’ll get a sweet letter in return, which makes it all the more worthwhile.

The letter doesn’t have to be reserved for when they are doing everything perfectly or when they’ve accomplished something great.  How often could we, as parents, use a pat on the back when life seems to be crumbling around us?  Our children are no different, except maybe more impressionable. 

Is there someone in your house who could use an encouraging word?  You might just make a favorite memory this week in the life of a child.  :)

Table Talk

We just recently brought this out again for another go-around. It’s a simple concept… just a set of cards with different questions on them.

But it gets the family talking around the table and engaging in something fun together. 

Last night’s question was “what nickname would you choose for yourself?” 

Mom: “Rie” (which *is* my nickname…for Marie)

Dad: “Barnabas” (but we didn’t believe him)

Caleb: “K K” (what his little sister calls him)

Gavin: “G-force” (what Daddy calls him)

Paris: “Pea-Pie the Po-Pum”  (what we all call her)

Haley: “Haley Blossom” (what Mommy calls her)

Evelyn: “Rosaline” (because she’s all about pretty)

Charlotte: “Charlotte” (because she didn’t quite get the question)

And tonight’s question: “Who has the power to shape your ideas and beliefs?”

As you can see, the questions are sometimes silly and sometimes thought provoking.   But always engaging. 

I like how unobtrusive it looks sitting out on the counter.   We got ours from Amazon.

On another note, I wanted to let you in on a great new blog by my favorite childhood friend, Christan.  She’s the same one who gave me the Psalms of David book I posted about here.   That’s her on the left.  This picture was taken after a morning of us turning her son’s loft bed into an army tent.  We share a love of decorating!

We also share the same love for God, our husbands and children.  She encourages me so much in all three areas!   Everyone that knows Christan is encouraged by her in some way or another.  She just has the gift.  She now finds herself in a unique ministry, reaching out to wives and mothers all around the globe. 

She’s putting her gifts to wonderful use in her new blog:  Repurposed Heart.  I know you’ll be encouraged by her refreshing words of wisdom about the things that truly matter in this life. 

1:00-3:00

A frequently asked question is… where do I find the time?

For blogging.

For sewing.

For organizing.

For designing.

For sleeping…sometimes.

It’s called “Rest Time”.  It occurs from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in our house, Monday through Friday.  While the littlest naps, the big kids take on some school reading. 

It’s amazing all that can be accomplished in a two hour period once you set your mind to it.  It’s really as simple as that! 

Tools Not Toys

Our birthday bear was stuffed full this past weekend.  We celebrated our oldest daughter's birthday.  Our sweet Paris is now 11 (going on 16).

Can you guess what her current passion is?  When our kiddies were babes, some older and wiser parents taught us the concept of "tools not toys".  When gift giving time comes around, we remind ourselves of this sage advice. 

We borrowed the (below) dvd months ago from some friends and it started a passion for gardening in Paris.  She lived and breathed gardening for a few months until Spring allowed her to finally plant some seeds. 

 

 The "Art of Gardening" dvd planted the first real seeds however.  And on her 11'th birthday, she harvested her first tomato. 

  

We found out there are more dvd's by the same family.  Homestead Blessings is like Hillbilly Martha Stewart.  Not as polished but definitely more down to earth, these dvd's provide the Home Ec course you always wished you had in school.   We purchased Paris the whole set of 9 "tools" for her birthday, and we are excited to see what new passions and skills develop as a result of them!  

Mornings and Lunch Dates

Every morning, my husband has a special time with one of our children individually. There’s never been a complaint at being woken up earlier than the rest. They each look forward to their special morning of the week with Daddy.

 

The meeting place is the kitchen table and they talk over coffee and hot cocoa. It doesn’t take anything fancy to connect with a child... just time and attention.  And lots of it. They’ve had this tradition now going on 8 years, and I’m betting it will continue into adulthood.

A few years ago I started my own little one-on-one tradition and established lunch dates on Saturdays. The children take turns going out for a slice of pizza with me. Today’s lunch date was with my big boy Gavin.

 

It’s always amazing to me how few words are necessary (on my part) for Gavin to feel he’s had a terrific time with Mom. He really, really likes to talk. So I listen. And funny enough, what he talks about is mostly over my head, which these days revolves 99% around computer programming.

I'm convinced he didn’t inherit a single thing from me except maybe the blond hair. He takes after my husband all the way.  I enjoy watching him grow and engage in the things he’s passionate about.

 

He’s been working a lot lately with his daddy, and together they created his first marketable software program. On today’s lunch date, I promised him a plug on my blog.  So here’s the plug…

 

Before our children ever started a formal math program, we had them learn their math facts backwards and forwards. It’s proven very helpful, and it inspired my husband and son to create a math flashcard software program.

 

It has features we haven’t been able to find in other programs, and we think it will be useful to other children and schools besides our own.

Have your children try out the free 7-day trial and let us know how you like it. Gavin’s just an email away should you have questions about the program. He’d love to answer them. Remember, he loves to talk. :)

For a link to the 7-day free trial click here.

Manners at the Table

Behind the pillow on our dining bench sit two books.


They take turns coming out every night at dinnertime to be read by Mom or Dad, depending. We like to be proactive in teaching manners (rather than REactive). These books help with that. A chapter is read each evening reminding us why manners matter.

Here is one which has a short passage for every day of the year:



We glean much from each chapter of this book as well:


Our children quite enjoy the lessons. We have a laugh most nights, realizing how many times we've gotten things wrong. But we are always encouraged to do things differently the next time around. Together, of course.

A New Birthday Tradition

We've added a little something extra special at birthday time this year... an advent calendar to count down to birthday day. The idea is to fill each pocket with a little note from someone in the family. Each message will be something we appreciate about the birthday child. After reading their blessing for the day, the little birthday bear can move closer to the #1 spot on the calendar.

I was thinking of making my own calendar *until* I found the most wonderfully simple and beautiful advent wall hanging from a woman named Heather Shaw. She has an and Etsy shop called Pi'lo. Everything there is beautiful.

image courtesy Pi'lo

The hanging is linen with felt pockets, and is hung by a twig (included). Could it be any sweeter?

I was so thrilled to have found this calendar as it has all the elements I love. I couldn't wait to get it in the mail, and I was overjoyed when I received it!

I love the details she put into the packaging. Like the corrugated cardboard she used for wrapping.

The straw tie and stamped clothespin are other sweet touches.

And look who was peering up at me when I finally decided to open it up:

This sweet itty bitty bear.



He'll have many happy years of hopping from one pocket to another in anticipation of the big day.

Aside from being as cute as a button, this wall hanging is also beautifully made. The quality is outstanding and I couldn't be happier with my special purchase.

Signature Tablecloth

We have a signature tablecloth at our house. It's an average white cotton tablecloth from Target. But it becomes something increasingly special every time someone comes to dinner. Our table is our guest book, so before anyone departs from our company, they must leave their autograph.

In pencil they sign their name with the date below. If they come back again - and surely they will - they will sign a new date under the old. Some guests (or their children) like to get creative and leave something extra. Flower below courtesy of our friend's 13 year old.

Over the next few days, I have a special project of embroidering over their name and reminiscing on the pleasure of their visit. Off-white on white naturally. A subtle way to show off who's who.

One day, our tablecloth will be filled with delightful off-white letters and it will be time to start again.

Idea: courtesy of my friend Allison