Apple Wrapper Pie

Apple Wrapper Pie

I absolutely love apple pie.  This Apple Wrapper Pie is just like Apple pie, but super duper easy, takes less apples, and only uses one crust.  Yah. I'm just as surprised and excited as you are.

Ingredients:

• Pastry for One-Crust Pie (I buy mine at the store most of the time - yup, I'm lazy.)
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (4 medium)
• 1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine
• Granulated or Brown sugar to sprinkle on top if desired

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Make the pastry (if you're into that sort of thing).  Place the pastry on a large ungreased cookie sheet and cover it with some plastic wrap to keep it moist while making filling.

Peel and cut up the apple.

Mix brown sugar and flour in a large bowl.

Stir in the apples and mound the apple mixture on the center of the pastry.  Leave about 3 inches edges to wrap it up.  Cut butter into small pieces and sprinkle over the apples.  Now take the edges and fold them over the apples, making pleats to it lays flat on apples.  Top with some sugar.

I maybe made my mound just a little too tall.

Oh well, somehow I think I'll live with it.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is light golden brown.  To prevent excessive browning, cover the center of pie with aluminum foil.

Stick it back in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Cool on cookie sheet or wire rack.

Now, cut it up.

Put it on a plate, stick a fork in it

and enjoy!

Bridal Shower goodies

Okay this is the last one on J's Bridal Shower. I couldn't resist this one.

Those are some good lookin' goodies.  But wait. What's this in the middle?

That cake-looking present there.  Let's get a closer look.

Whoops, too close.

Guess what this is? 

Okay, okay, I'll tell you.  It's a towel cake! That's right, a cake made out of towels.  J's mom made this!  How incredible is she?  I can't get over it.  It's amazing.  I might have to copy it.

Giveaway winner!

Congratulations Maggie at The Southern Graduate!

You have 48 hours to claim your prize by e-mailing me your info (including an address to mail your prize!) at cking9365@gmail.com

Bridal showers and my love of cupcakes

I think my favorite part of any party is the thought that everyone puts behind every little details from the decorations to the gift wrappings to the delicious food.  Especially the desserts.

And cupcakes.  Cupcakes are my favorite.

Amazing, sugary cupcakes.

There's nothing like digging in to this sugar-filled goodness and finding a creamy filling.

And who's this taking a big bite?

That would be our bride.  Caught in the act.

Don't worry, dear friend.  You are not the only one who can't resist this goodness.

What can I say?

We're classy broads.

J's Bridal Shower

First, I should tell you a bit about J.

Janelle and I

Janelle and I met about five and a half years ago.  When Jon was first moving in to our apartment over 5 years ago, he brought some friends with him.  I knew that one of the "friends" that was coming along to help him out was his ex-kind-of-still-trying-to-make-things-work girlfriend.  I was excited to meet her.  When Jon arrived, I saw a cute blonde chick get out of the car.  She had on a trendy outfit, some cute heels, and a medium straight cut.  I was so excited - this girl was just like me!  I skipped down the stairs to help Jon unpack some of the things and ran over to the cute blondie to introduce myself.

Janelle with her ribbon bouquet

Janelle extended her hand and introduced herself as Dave's girlfriend.  I was confused and a bit embarrassed.  Woops!  I met Jon's ex-kind-of-still-trying-to-make-things-work girlfriend and Dave as well and helped Jon move his junk into our apartment.  That was the day I met J.

Bridal Party - the girls (minus Andrea)

Over the next few months, Dave and J continued to visit frequently and we all got to be pretty good friends.  In fact, the first night that Jon and I ever kissed, Dave and J were with us (well, not with us with us, but you know).  They were there when Jon and I decided to start dating.  They were among the first people we called when we got engaged.  J was right there by my side as I promised to be true to my love in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.

Jon and my wedding

This year I am excited and honored to stand by J's side as she vows to love and honor the man that has been by her side for the past 9+ years.

The Bride

You've been an amazing friend to me and I can't wait to share this special day with you.  I love you, twin.

A quick preview - J's Bridal Shower

Guess what this is made out of?

Yay for the soon-to-be-married couple and loads of gifts!

But most importantly - YAY FOR THE BRIDE!

Belly pic update - 24 weeks

Can you believe it's been 6 months?  I can't!
PS- please excuse some of the picture quality as my wonderful husband has no idea how to work the camera.

24 weeks

I had a very busy day (more about that later), including a quick trip to Jon's grandparents house for dinner.  They got Peanut this:

I am so super excited for Addi to have her very first official Red Sox outfit!

I am so proud for her to carry on the tradition of being a Red Sox fan.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

How do you walk your dog at night?

I think I should precede by making you aware that I'm what you call a "cool" kid.  Like a wicked cool kid.  So cool in fact that I like to start new trends.  I am not alone in this endeavor of being a cool kid.  My friend Kari is also a "cool" kid.  She likes to support my cool kid habits and encourage the behavior.

In fact, recently Kari decided that we needed to be able to walk our dogs at night without having to hold a flashlight.  How, do you ask, is this possible?

I'm glad you asked. 

That's right.  The cool kids got headlights. 

I know you're jealous.

This one's mine.  It's green and purty.

It is bright!  And hands-free.

You put it on like so (Kari is my Vanna White).

And then we get to look this cool.

I think my neighbors might think we're...uhh...not cool.

On a side note, if you put this on at night and then spin around, you get to look like a light house.  Yup.  Told you I'm cool!

One Lovely Blog Award

This is so freakin' cool! I got an award from a fellow blogger, My Crafty Mom:

How freakin' cool is that?! Thanks Crafty Mom!

Here is the best part - I get to pay it forward.

In order to accept the award,  there are a few steps involved.

1. Accept the award.

Post it on your blog with the name of the person

who has awarded it…along with their blog link).

2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they’ve been chosen.

Here are my 15 new blogs that deserve this award too:
(In no particular order)

1. The Culinary Couple
2.  Blogging Hints
3. Semi Charmed Life
4. Scrapbook Patty
5. Growing with the Greens
6. The Infertility Overachievers
7. The Mommy Diaries
8. A little of this and a little of that
9. Go ahead and snicker
10. 6 in the City
11. Sweet Simplicity
12. Jenna's Journey 
13. Hula Hooping Mom
14. Just my Blog
15. Chat'n'Chow

Congrats and don't forget to pay it forward! 

Sorry peeps that I've been following for a long, long time - but this says for new discoveries only.

Benster

Meet Benny.

This guy has been part of our pack for a year and a half.

Benny and I met last March when I decided to turn my life around and walk more.  I went on craigslist and posted a dog walking availability.  Within a couple of days someone contacted me about a well-behaved Golden Retriever that needed a mid-afternoon walk.  Just what I wanted.  I needed to get out of the office for 30-45 minutes and get some fresh air.  Benny needed someone to walk him around lunch time and he lived less than 10 minutes away from my office. B-I-N-G-O.

Benny and I fell in love instantly.  He was the happiest dog.  He loved our long walks and playing catch.  I loved going for a brisk walk every single day without the ability to make excuses about the weather or my lazy bottom.

Some weekends that his mommy was busy, Benny came with us to the parks and came along for hikes.  He got along perfectly with Cailey and Travis - making my life super easy.

When we got Jas, Benny fell in love with her as much as we were in love with him.  When he was at our house, they wrestled around for hours.  They happily jogged alongside one another.

In the winter, Benny came to our house for doggie daycare.  He loved the company during the day and enjoyed daily walks at lunch and after work with his 3 buddies.  Sometimes his mommy had to take long trips and Benny stayed with us for weekends or even a week or two. 

He fits right in at our house - like he's always been a part of our family.  Unfortunately, I plan to stop walking Benny and pass him on to a fellow dog walker when I get "too" pregnant to run around ever lunch.  I'm dreading that day.

I know I won't be the only one who'll miss him.