Easy Apple Crisp

This is another nostalgic post relating to the time when Echo was born. Really this apple crisp should be added to your new mom survival kit.

Echo was born in late September and the weather was spectacular. The days were warm and the nights were just starting to get nice and cool. We had planned for a Fall birthday for our fist child, not only is it my favorit season but no one else in our families has a Fall birthday so she will have it all to herself.

After we brought Echo home from the hospital our families were nice enough to bring us all kinds of food so we wouldn't have to cook on top of taking care of a new baby. My mom started bringing us seasonal and delicious apple crisp, what could be more comforting than apples, cinnamon, suger and oats? Soon enough we got the recipe from her and have been making it ever since. Every time we whip up this recipe it makes me think of sitting on the back deck with our newborn baby. This is one recipe that will definitely always hold a special place in our hearts.

Ingredients
10 cups apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup white sugar
1 tbs all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water

topping
1 cup quick cook oats
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix white sugar, 1 tbs flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Place apple slices in a 9 by 12 baking dish and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Pour water on top of apples and sugar. In a separate bowl mix together  remaining ingredients and crumble on top of apple dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Healthy(ish) Peach Crumble

We have had to take a break from the farmers market for a few weeks due to having too many weekend plans but we were finally able to return this weekend. Lo and behold, peach season had arrived! We were able to score a huge bag of scratch and dent peaches for cheap and needed to find a way to use them up before they went bad. We make apple crisp all the time in the fall and love it for it's simplicity and deliciousness. Here is a slightly healthier version using peaches, whole grain flour and reduced sugar. It tastes nice and light for Summer!

Ingredients
6 Tbs brown sugar
1/2 cup almond butter
3 Tbs butter
2 Tbs whole grain flour
3 Tbs quick cook oats
1/4 Tsp vanilla
Dash of salt
Dash of cinnamon
10 ripe peaches

Combine all ingredients in except peaches in a medium bowl, cutting in butter and almond butter to dry ingredients until crumbly. Set aside. Slice peaces and arrange in an 8"x8" baking dish (I didn't bother to peel them but if you don't like peels feel free to get rid of them). Sprinkle crumble topping on peaches and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. It doesn't get any easier than that! I couldn't help but think this would be great as an ice cream topping too, mmm....

A Touch of Fall

We are coming up on my very favorite season, Fall! There's something about the crisp weather, the smells of spice and woodsmoke and the golden light makes me feel that there is a bit of magic in the air. I have to say, this time of year puts me in an incredibly good mood. I gather that it's not technically Fall until this Friday but the weather has been so Autumn like that I couldn't resist a little Fall decorating. I have been so looking forward to decorating the house for the Fall and Winter holidays, this place is just crying out for garlands and seasonal decor. Today I made a lovely little leaf garland to hang above the fireplace.

Leaf garland in place

close up leaves

 I've also been collecting pinecones, both big and small, from the yard for quite a while. Right now they are being displayed on a lovely wood platter but I have plans to make  a Christmas garland out of them later this year.

I also walked around our yard today to take some pictures of some signs of early Fall. I love to watch the seasonal changes starting to make themselves apparent.

lots of pinecones showing up on our Eastern Hemlock tree

acorns are starting to fall and the squirrels are having a feat!

the berries on our holly bushes are starting to turn red, can't wait to make decorations out of these for Christmas!

some fall colors are just barely starting to turn up in yard, I can't wait until it is in full swing!

I don't know about you all but I'm ready to take a hay ride and drink some apple cider. Hope you all are enjoying the season as much as I am!