Apples and Such

I've been busy painting this week, so nothing else is getting done.  In a few weeks I am going to help with a little class where we are teaching some ladies how to can apple pie filling.  Here is my mom's recipe.  I just printed it up, so I thought I might as well post it for the rest of you who are trying to preserve apples.  For anyone who wants to come to the class, it will be on the 21'st, at 6:30pm, at the LDS church.  Enjoy!

Canned Apple Pie Filling   - Karren McLean

1. Fill 7 quart jars with peeled, sliced apples. (To prevent browning, I place apples in a large bowl with cold water and lemon juice, as I peel.)
2. In a large kettle, bring 9 cups of water and 3-1/2 cups sugar to a boil
3. In a large bowl, mix together the following:
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. cornstarch
• ½ tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp. cloves
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 c. cold water
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp. lemon juice

4. Stir sugar mixture(#3) into hot liquid(#2).
5. Cook until it turns clear.
6. Pour hot liquid over the apples in the jars.  Leave about ½ in. at the top.
7. Wipe jar rims clean.
8. Place lids and rings on jars.
9. Place jars in a boiling water bath.
10. Process for 25 minutes. 

 One jar of pie filling can be poured into an UNBAKED pie shell.  Then I either put another crust on top, or use a crumb topping.  Bake uncovered at 350* until the crust turns a nice brown color. (about 25 min.)

You can pour one jar of pie filling into a greased, 9in. square pan, and top with your favorite apple crisp topping.  Then bake at 350 for about 15-20 min.

We also like this topping heated in a pan on the stove, and poured over hot pancakes or waffles.  It also makes a yummy ice cream topping. 

Oh My Stars!!

 

I finally got this quilt top finished!! It was all dusty from sitting for so long!  I will call it "Oh My Stars".  I like how it turned out, but I don't know how I will quilt it.  

Jacob's birthday

This is what I was doing 15 years ago!!!  Jacob and I almost didn't make it through his birth... it was not pleasant, but he made up for it!!  Jacob weighed 9lb. 7oz, and he looked like a little papoose.  I was in love! 

Jacob is now a wonderful teenager!  He is so smart and funny.  He has autism, but that is not who HE is.  Jacob teaches me new things all the time and he has a kind and tender soul.  I am so grateful for him and am grateful he is my boy.  Happy Birthday, Big J!!!!

A New Calling

I have been a Primary teacher for a few years.  Today I got a new calling that I am both excited about, and terrified of!  As a Primary teacher, it was fairly predictable... I knew who I would be dealing with each week, how rowdy each child could get, and had sort of figured out how to calm each one down.  I loved the hugs and crayon pictures and "I love you, teacher"s.  I will miss it terribly. 

Now I am the Compassionate Service Leader.  I don't even really know what is expected in this calling, except I will be helping with funerals and new babies!  I will be able to serve with lives leaving this world, coming into this world, and those somewhere in between.  I am really excited to have this chance to be more involved in service, and know it will help me to be a better person.  I'm really scared that I will not know what to do and say.  Hopefully people will be forgiving with me as I try to do this.  Our former Compassionate Service lady was so kind and wonderful... I know that I can't fill her shoes, but I hope mine can at least follow in her footsteps! 

Summer's Final Fruits

With autumn sneaking in the door, I had to take a few pictures of my summer friends. I have to admit that the yard work is getting tedious, and I am looking forward to putting away the lawnmower. But I know that in a few months I'll be sick of cold and snow, so I try to keep my plants from freezing, as long as possible.

I love this Dahlia... the pinks and yellows blend in such a beautiful way. This plant was a splurge last spring, and I have to say it was well worth it!






My pumpkin plants did especially well this year, and I have 5 large pumpkins turning orange! One for each of us to carve for Halloween. They choked out my cucumbers and zuchini, but they are fine looking pumpkins!!






This is one of 8 giant sunflowers that the kids and I planted. They are about 10-12 feet tall, and the heads are between 12-20 inches across! We are excited to try drying and eating some of the seeds. I think we'll leave most of them out for the birds and squirrels to eat during the winter. It's just so much easier to go to the store and buy a nice, packaged bag of sunflower seeds... but... we do have to try doing it ourselves... just for the fun of it!!

Bloggers Block

I haven't been able to think of anything to post all week!  So.... I thought this was kinda funny.  Maybe I'll have a more exciting week ahead!

I Love To See The Temple

I had a lovely time riding to Spokane and going to the temple yesterday. Every year a bunch of ladies in our ward take a Saturday, leave the kids and husbands at home, and drive 4 hours to Spokane. It is really fun to have a "girls day". We talk and laugh, shop and eat. The best part is going to the temple together. I am so grateful for the friendships I have in these women. Each year I think of dozens of excuses why I'm too busy to go, but each time I have a great experience and am glad that I went!