31 January 2009

TOD GILES' FAVORITE SOUR CREAM APPLE PIE

TOD GILES 
(1962 - 2007)


This apple pie is awesome!  While visiting our friend Leo over the Christmas holidays in 2007 she shared one of Tod's favorite recipes with us.  

I was very skeptical about the pie while Leo was making it as I had never heard of sour cream being in apple pies.  We sat around the table in the kitchen and chatted while the pie was baking and when it came out of the oven the pie was beautiful.  I was still nervous when I put the first bite in my mouth and my skepticism very quickly went away.  The pie tasted fabulous!  Better than any apple pie I had ever tried, without a doubt!  I hope that you all enjoy it as much as we do.

VEIW FROM THE TOP



ANOTHER VIEW

*I have to say that my photos do not do justice to what this pie looks like.  I also have to say that my pie is not even close to being pretty!*


~RECIPE~

1 9"  PIE SHELL (UNBAKED)
1 EGG
1/2 C SUGAR
2 T FLOUR
1/4 t SALT
2 T LEMON JUICE
1 C SOUR CREAM
4 C PEELED & SLICED GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLES

TOPPING~

1/4 C FLOUR
1/2 C FIRMLY PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
1 T CINNAMON
1/4 C BUTTER

CRUST~

1-1/4 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1/3 C BUTTER FLAVORED SHORTENING
4 - 5  T COLD WATER
PINCH OF SALT

~FOR THE CRUST~

STIR TOGETHER FLOUR AND SALT.  USING A PASTRY BLENDER, CUT IN THE SHORTENING UNTIL THE PIECES ARE PEA SIZED.

SPRINKLE 1 T WATER OVER PART OF THE MIXTURE, GENTLY TOSS WITH FORK.  REPEAT WITH REMAINING WATER USING 1 T AT A TIME UNTIL ALL THE DOUGH IS MOISTENED. 

FORM DOUGH INTO A BALL.  

(ROLL DOUGH BETWEEN LAYERS OF WAX PAPER TO REDUCE MESS)

~FOR PIE FILLING~

PUT APPLES IN PIE SHELL

IN A SMALL BOWL BEAT EGG, FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT AND LEMON JUICE UNTIL WELL MIXED.  ADD SOUR CREAM AND BLEND WELL.  POUR THIS MIXTURE OVER THE APPLES.

~FOR THE TOPPING~

MELT BUTTER (JUST ENOUGH TO SOFTEN), COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS USING A FORK OR PASTRY BLENDER.  SPRINKLE OVER PIE WHEN INDICATED.

~FOR BAKING~

BAKE THE PIE WITHOUT THE TOPPING AT 400 DEGREES FOR 15 MINUTES.  AFTER THE 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED REDUCE THE OVEN TEMP DOWN TO 350 DEGREES, SPRINKLE THE TOPPING ON AND BAKE FOR 30 - 40 MORE MINUTES.

ENJOY


30 January 2009

THE INVITATION THAT NEVER WAS

I have seen a few different examples on how to use the PETAL CARD BIGZ DIE.  My youngest daughter requested cupcakes to take to the park to share with her friends.  I had every intention of making invites for her to pass out last week and I just did not have the time to get them made.  I did get to play for a few minutes this afternoon to see if I could make something quick and I came up with the cutest little cupcake invite.  (at least I think so)

CUPCAKE INVITE CLOSED


CUPCAKE INVITE OPENED


~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

CARD STOCK: PINK PIROUETTE, PINK PASSION AND PIXIE PINK
ACCESSORIES:

BIG SHOT
PETAL CARD BIGZ DIE
TAG PUNCH
SMALL TAG PUNCH
HORIZONTAL SLOT PUNCH
   (non STAMPIN' UP! punch) - MARTHA STEWART - cupcake punch
DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ CANDY LANE
STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS
MINI GLUE DOTS
~retired ORGANDY RIBBON

29 January 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - DINNER CAKE 


I came across the idea of making a meat loaf and mashed potato cake on MARTHA'S website and when I was trying to figure out what to make for my youngest daughters birthday dinner I thought this would be perfect.  We didn't do a real birthday cake because her birthday fell on a school night.  This was decided only because sugar and set bed times do not go together with my girls.  My eldest daughter was looking at the cake with shock and horror, it was too funny!

CLOSE UP OF THE DINNER CAKE

(It was hard to get a good photo while trying to get this to the table without hurting anyone - the cake weighed in at well over 4 pounds)

21 January 2009

LOVE IS IN THE AIR . . .

I am loving the new stamp sets that Stampin' UP! is coming out with.  I just got my newest order in on Monday and of course I had to go and play.  

JUST BUZZIN BY


LOVE BIRDS


LOVE YOU MUCH


LOVE BIRDS TREAT BOX ~ TOP VIEW


LOVE BIRDS TREAT BOX ~ SIDE VIEW


~SUPPLIES~

Stamp sets: JUST BUZZIN BY, LOVE YOU MUCH
Card Stock: PINK PIROUETTE, RIDING HOOD RED, ROSE RED and CHOCOLATE CHIP
Ink / Stampin' Write Markers: PINK PIROUETTE, RIDING HOOD RED, ROSE RED, OLD OLIVE, BLUSH BLOSSOM, REAL RED, CHOCOLATE CHIP

Accessories:  

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ CANDY LANE
 TOP NOTE DIE
HEART TO HEART PUNCH
SPIRAL PUNCH
SCALLOPED CIRCLE PUNCH
1 1/4" SQUARE PUNCH
1 3/8" SQUARE PUNCH
 WORD WINDOW PUNCH
DESIGNER BUTTONS
BRADS
GROSGRAIN RIBBON: ROSE RED, PRETTY IN PINK, WHISPER WHITE and    CHOCOLATE CHIP.
MINI GLUE DOTS
STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS
2-WAY GLUE PEN
STICKY STRIP
SNAIL
CRYSTAL EFFECTS
 CUTTER KIT

18 January 2009

FILING CABINET = AWESOME M & M STORAGE

I found a really cool 3-D project on Toy's Haven
The blog has step by step instructions as well as photographs to use as guidelines for creating this awesome storage container.  

FRONT VIEW
 

SIDE VIEW


ANOTHER VIEW



The only thing I did differently is to actually add card stock supports to the inside flap instead of just using STICKY STRIP.


~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

CARD STOCK  - Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

ACCESSORIES - 
Sweet Always Designer Series Paper
Sticky Strip
4 brads
1/2" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

11 January 2009

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE STAMP SET

It's a dormant set, so it's not out in the catalog but it is still available.  I am excited to see what Stampin' UP! comes out with in their new catalog, hopefully more stamp sets like SUMMER BY THE SEA where I can play with the WATERCOLOR PENCILS, CRAYONS AND AQUA PAINTER more often.

My sister asked me to make a special card for her and this is what I created!

Supplies needed will be listed below.


PAPER PIERCED CREASE FOR THE LINEN THREAD

**I used the paper piercer to put three small holes in the crease of the card to help keep the LINEN THREAD looking clean.  I used the SNAIL to hold the thread in place on the inside of the card and then put a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"  CONFETTI WHITE CARD STOCK panel on the inside of the card to hide the thread. **


I USED A WHOLE SHEET OF WATERCOLOR PAPER

**I stamped the image three times using BLACK STAZ ON and then played around with the colors until I found what I liked.  The images on the page are the ones I decided against.**  


~SUPPLIES NEEDED~

STAMP SETS:

SUMMER BY THE SEA
A BEAUTIFUL THING
BOHO BACKGROUNDS

CARD STOCK:

CONFETTI WHITE
WHISPER WHITE
NIGHT OF NAVY
BORDERING BLUE

INKS / STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS:

BASIC BLACK STAMPIN' WRITE MARKER
NIGHT OF NAVY
BASHFUL BLUE
BORDERING BLUE
OLD OLIVE
BLUSH BLOSSOM
CREAMY CARAMEL
TAKEN WITH TEAL
BASIC BLACK
STAZ ON BLACK

*WATERCOLOR PENCILS FOR THE HAIR*

ACCESSORIES:

LINEN THREAD
PAPER PIERCER
AQUA PAINTER
STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS
SNAIL ~ ADHESIVE


09 January 2009

MY CRAFT ROOM

**IT ROCKS**

MY DESK / WORK TABLE

It's made from two filing cabinets from the local supply store and a solid wood door from the local home improvement store.  It's nice and big!


CARD HANGER

**I found this in Argentina, I think it is meant to be used for hanging small laundry items when traveling but it works so much better as a way to display projects**


CARD STOCK FILED AWAY ALPHABETICALLY

**I got this idea from my friend Whitney R., what a great way to organize the CARD STOCK.  It's very easy to see what is running low before the next order goes out!**


STORAGE BINS UNDER DESK

**An old bookshelf fits perfectly under the desk and it houses all my scrap DESIGNER SERIES PAPER, templates, sample cards, glue, INK PADS, and tissue paper**


PRE-CUT CARD STOCK FOR CARDS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

**My friend Lisa C. uses this system in her card classes and it just rocks!  The first time I attended one of her classes and saw the CARD STOCK pre-cut like this, I ran home and created my own stockpile.**


LONG BOOK SHELF WITH CURRENT STAMP SETS, RIBBONS, PUNCHES & STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS

**This was one of my first attempts at making a book shelf!  I made it almost five years ago and it is still holding up.  The back is made of peg board and that has been just awesome for organizing supplies.  I'm not sure if you can see the rack that the ribbon is on, it is made for pegboard organizers!**


STORAGE CORNER, WITH ORGANIZER FOR BUTTONS, BRADS & CLIPS


ADDITIONAL STORAGE!

**The armoire was too big to fit in the bedroom so "sadly" it had to go into the crafting room.**


AWESOME MADE IN THE U.S.A. STORAGE CUBE

** I have really been trying to purchase items made in the U.S.A. lately and can I say they are super hard to find!  While walking through Target, I was surprised to find that this storage cube was made in America.  The system is pretty cool, you can arrange the shelves four different ways.  You can purchase drawers that are as deep as two shelves.  I will definitely be getting more of these cubes.  The drawers I selected hold the 12 x 12 CARD STOCK and DESIGNER SERIES PAPER perfectly.


ALL OF MY RETIRED STAMP SETS


ANOTHER SHOT OF THE AWESOME DESK!


07 January 2009

THE SWEETEST LETTER EVER!

My six year old wrote me this letter two days ago after I enrolled at the local Community College.  I will translate below.  :)


From Caitlin
To Mom

Happy first month
of the year
for Mommy getting
a chance to get
in college today
was the first 
meeting and tomorrow
is the second
But she is still
the best at this
stuff --> baking
being a great mom
with the rules figured
out and pet
owner having two
children  Thank you
mom for all the 
stuff you do to
make us happy

(a drawing of lips ~ for a kiss) I LOVE YOU

and of course she added lots of hugs and kisses with the X's and O's.

She, of course, melted my heart with this letter!

STATIONARY SET WITH PROTECTIVE COVER

**I saw this on a new blog I have been watching and decided that I would figure out how to make it.  It is toooooo cute.  I forgot to take photos of the cards that fit inside.  It holds six cards on one side and six envelopes on the other.  I used two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" CHOCOLATE CHIP CARDSTOCK for the base pieces and then used the SUMMER HOME SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT for coordinating pieces.  I recommend using STICKY STRIP for this project because its hold is super strong.**



COVER OF STATIONARY SET (DIMENSIONS)


INSIDE POCKET DIMENSIONS (TWO POCKETS ARE NEEDED)
**if you click on the photo it will enlarge and you can see the dimensions better**


INSIDE POCKET, SCORED AND CUT WITH STICKY STRIP APPLIED


BACKSIDE VIEW OF THE INSIDE POCKET


COVER (DECORATED)


INSIDE VIEW WITH POCKETS ATTACHED


PROTECTIVE COVER (DIMENSIONS)


INSIDE VIEW OF PROTECTIVE COVER


STATIONARY SET INSIDE COVER


STATIONARY SET COMPLETELY INSIDE COVER


This project wasn't too hard to make, it was time consuming the first time around because I was figuring out dimensions.  Now that I have them, it will be super easy to make.


03 January 2009

ABUELA'S TORTILLA DE PAPAS

Have you ever wondered what to do with leftover french fries?  Abuela showed us how to make this amazing dish using leftover fries.  It absolutely rocks!  It tastes as good cold as it does warm.  Mmm mm mm mm mmmmmmmm.


ABUELA GATHERING INGREDIENTS

1 Onion ~ chopped
4 Cups French Fries cut into 1/2" sized cubes.
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 - 4 Jumbo eggs, whisked with just a splash of milk


MIXING THE INGREDIENTS

Saute the chopped onions with 1 Tablespoon olive oil.  Let cool.  Combine onions with french fries and whisked eggs.  Mix well enough to coat the potatoes evenly.


COOKING THE FIRST SIDE

Pour into pre-heated skillet with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Let cook over med / high heat until top starts to set.  (About 8 - 10 minutes)


Abuela was using a gas range so she used a metal heat diffuser to help distribute the heat.


ABUELA GETTING READY TO FLIP THE TORTILLA


THE FIRST FLIP IS COMPLETE


ON THE PLATE READY TO GO BACK INTO THE PAN


BACK IN THE PAN

Cook for another 8 - 10 minutes.  When set in the middle, flip onto rack for cooling.

**be careful when flipping, the tortilla is very hot!**


I GOT THE FIRST PIECE!


DOESN'T THIS LOOK GREAT!