Saturday, October 29, 2011

applesauce - homemade

two saturdays ago my husband and i went apple picking. it was the perfect saturday. we both slept in, eased into the day, then we decided to go pick apples while the weather was still nice. then last weekend i decided to make homemade applesauce. i do not enjoy long, drawn-out processed things, but i do enjoy cooking and i do enjoy making homemade things. all that to say i found this super easy recipe on how to make homemade applesauce with very little tools - meaning less mess! below are my instructions on how to make the perfect homemade fall treat:

find a local orchard.
ours is Advanced Tree Technology

pick

wash

dry

core

peal

this process would be so much faster with an apple corer and peeler!

put apples in the crock pot on low for 8-10 hours. (it did NOT take that long so make sure you are home for this process or don't leave the house for more than 3-4 hours)

add lemon juice from one whole lemon. (i find it is easier to squeeze the juice out of the lemon by hand, if i roll it out on the counter a few times) also try and keep the seeds out!

add about a cup of water (this is so the apples won't scorch)

add 2-3 teaspoons of brown sugar if you wish

sprinkle with cinnamon

keep an eye on your apples

after the apples are soft use a potato masher or an immersion blender and mash up the apples. i chose to use the potato masher because i prefer an uneven texture that the masher provides over a smooth even texture which you'll get from the blender. keep the apples in the crock pot. less mess to clean!


yum.





Monday, October 10, 2011

sunshine

I'm officially declaring fall as my favorite season. The mornings and evenings are just the perfect temperature, the leaves are absolutely breathtaking, and the smells are mouthwatering.

Sunday morning I let the dog out and this was one of the first things I saw...


Sunday, September 25, 2011

be impressed

I don't know why I do this to myself but I live my days in such a way that I might just maybe impress someone - the world - and not the right someone - Jesus. I saw this on this site and I stopped reading...I hope you stop reading too.


Monday, September 19, 2011

apple crisp

I am soaking up everything wonderful and beautiful about this new season. I have always been excited about the changing seasons but this is the very first season I have been able to enjoy it, since I am no longer taking classes! One way I enjoyed this change of season was in baking an apple crisp








Friday, September 16, 2011

fashion in fall

I would never call myself trendy or even that up to date with fashion. I think I try to stand out from everyone else by looking and dressing not by what society tells (shows) me, but by dressing in things that make me feel pretty and by wearing things that flatter my body. Not everyone has the same body type so not everyone should be wearing skinny jeans, you get my point? However, I felt a little twing of excitment when I broke down and bought new boots today. I bought them because my olds ones, well, they were literally falling apart and were very embarrassing - my husband thought the dog chewed them up. Nope, I'm just too cheap frugal with our money that I was waiting to buy new boots until I had extra cash.

So I went to our local second-hang store, Clothes Mentor, and spent a whopping $22 on these new (to me) boots. I am a little sad that I broke down and converted to fashion, but another part of me feels a bit more confident in who I am. Isn't that funny? I have to look like every other 20 something year old woman to feel more at peace with who I am as an individual? Someday I think I'll find a balance between being apart of the world yet standing out from it. But for now I am happy with my purchase and I am feeling even more ready for this cool weather...


Monday, September 5, 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

New Camera

I got a new camera one week ago from today. I've been taking lots of photos and because we don't have children I've been getting lots of photos of my child (the dog). I'm very please with the quality of this camera and I am planing on doing a lot of pictures in the fall!
Today I leave you with Reece!


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Sunday, July 31, 2011

photo wall cluster part 2

The Process...


This is what the frames looked like before we painted the wall before I paint the frames. Always test anything you will hang on your walls BEFORE you paint. That way you can move the nail hole, and patch up any mistakes before you paint. We painted this wall a vintage teal (see the last image)



Step 1: Take the backs off of all the frames



Step 2: Layout Newspaper and put the frames on the paper




Step 3: Paint the frames
*Make sure you buy enough paint, I had to go back to the store mid project and will have to go back again tomorrow*




Wallah!

I still need to put a third coat on a little over half of the frames...Final photos coming soon!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

photo wall cluster

I can't remember the first "photo wall cluster" I saw, but I do remember when I saw it, I knew I had to have one in my house someday. My church, Emmanuel Community Church, was having a huge garage sale - all the proceeds go to missions - and I found all of these picture frames for $4! You can't pass up on an opportunity like that. Of course the photos will change, and I'm not sure if they will stay their original color or if they should be painted in a uniform color, but I'm so happy with this project and it is not even done yet!


The cluster looks a little uneven so I want to go back to the church and buy more frames because I just don't think I have enough yet.


I can't wait to paint my living space, soon, and fill these frames with our beautiful moments.

Friday, July 15, 2011

little bits of family history

I've been working on a video of a recent trip I took this summer with my mom and Grandpa. We visited my grandpa's hometown in Arnold PA. We went around to all the places he lived as a child to where he worked as a married man. While we were at these locations I took photos and video of his stories because this is something I think my family needs to know and something we need to hold on to.

We all had such a great time and it was a wonderful experience for me to able to capture my grandpa's stories. He a unique man and everyone that knows him would say that. He is one of those men who brings a certain type to energy to the room, and one who has touched many lives. One of them being mine. Without further ado, I'd like to share a small portion of what makes my grandpa, him.



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

simple food joys

I love food. Who doesn't!? My favorite foods have to be summer foods. That is when the fruit and veggies are at their best and summer foods offer a variety of color! I enjoy cooking but I also enjoy pronouncing my food ingredients, being able to spell them on the grocery list and being able to throw a meal together without spending all day working on it. Yesterday's breakfast was a yummy yogurt and raspberry melody. simple. as. that.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

sunset in indiana

Last night we had the most beautiful sunset. I don't know how else to describe it other than I could actually feel it on my skin. The neighborhood was quite, and I couldn't help but feel at peace. If I ever find myself doubting God's creation I just look to the sky and I can see His magnificent creation. Typically I curse the power lines because they obstruct the sky, but I even found those to be part of the bigger picture, and embraced them. It was slightly eerie, but it was such a beautiful sight that I had to go explore my yard and take pictures.





Thursday, July 7, 2011

gettin' crafty



During my college career I didn't have a lot of time to do crafty things. When I graduated in May I went numb to the idea of being creative and crafty - I think I was just exhausted and depressed not having a job in my field. Right now, I am thankful to have a job, because I believe this is where I need to be, and it is a wonderful company. Anyway, after several weeks of not using my gifts and talents the way I wanted to, I realized how important it is as a creative person to BE CREATIVE!

Last night I finally wrote thank you's to people for my graduation gifts. I made the cards myself by using left over butterflies from my Senior Thesis, card stock I had on hand, thread, and buttons.


left over butterflies


thread



buttons


personalize the cards



There you have it folks, a crafty (yet practical) evening!