A Fall Favorite--on Friday!!

There are so many things that I love about fall--the colors, the visible change in the landscape, the excitement of regular schedule and routine starting, the anticipation of what the school year will hold, the dull roar of farm machinery, the crispness of the air, and the motivation that I find once again to get back into my kitchen. 

Fall also brings to mind a couple of dishes that are family favorite and always on my list to make at least once as the leaves change.  I will share a few recipes over the next couple of days that are on this list.  First up today my grandma's Apple Crisp.  I have had bites of a few apple crisps in my day and hands down this is my absolute favorite. Of course, I may be biased, but go ahead try it. Maybe add a scoop (or two) of cinnamon ice cream. You will not be disappointed.  I guarantee it. 

Apple Crisp
8-10 medium to large apples, peeled & sliced
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
Mix and place in an 8x8 inch baking pan.  Add topping.
Topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. butter or margarine (I use salted butter.)
1/8 tsp. salt (I skip this since I use the salted butter.)
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
Cut together with fork or pastry blender.  Place over apples.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes-one hour, or until apples are tender.
I do usually make a recipe and a half of the topping--just makes it that much better!  :)
Enjoy!

The Scent of Memories

Do your favorite memories smell?  What scent invokes nostalgia?  For me, one of the strongest is the link between the aroma of diesel and sweet recollections of times spent with my grandparents as a child.   Tomorrow is my grandpa's birthday and I am taking time to be thankful for all these years I've been blessed to have both my grandparents in my life.  They are amazing people, the only grandparents I've ever really known (my paternal grandmother passed before I was born and my paternal grandfather when I was a preschooler).  I have learned many things from their lives, their example and I am full of gratitude for those lessons. My life is more full because of them. I have a more clear understanding of what our Heavenly Father designed families to be. And for that I will be forever grateful.  Happy Birthday, Grandpa.  Love you.

I Got My Vote On, Did You?

I love our country.  Truly.  I am so very thankful and blessed beyond a shadow of a doubt to be able to call it home.  I love days that give me opportunity to have a real-life Civics lesson with our kids.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I know that our right to vote and our freedom has not come easy or free.  And I am never more mindful of that sacrifice than when I go to vote.  It is literally a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes experience for me.  Every single time.  Yesterday was no exception.  I loved being able to stand in that line with my husband and children.  I loved holding the hand of my daughter and showing her the ballot. I loved the precious conversations that we had about how voting works and how important it is as citizens to exercise that right.  Yes, she is only five, but to have these conversations now--Gives me hope that our children will begin to understand the importance of our civic responsibilities.

And this morning, the election process is winding down for the moment. (Well, unless you live in Minnesota, like me.  Then, who knows when we will have a certified result in the Governor's race. But I digress...) Checking Facebook this morning, gave me pause as I reflected on the many status updates with a political message.  Some voicing frustration with the results.  Others, excited by the hope of things to come.  The emotion of the results is powerful and the future pregnant with possibility regardless of the side on which you fall. 

One thing most can agree on, however, today is great day in that the political ads have ceased.  I for one was strangely starting to miss good old regular commercials.  Did I really just type that? 

I hope that you voted, that you participated in the process and that you took a moment to really reflect on it. Thank you to those of you that have fought to protect our freedoms.  I know that our country is truly "The Home of Free BECAUSE of the Brave".  May God continue to bless America. 

Five

Five years have passed too quickly by.  

• In five years I've learned what it is like to have your heart live outside your chest. 
• I've learned the fine art of kissing boo-boos.
• I've learned how to operate a nail clipper while wrestling a small, flailing body.  
• I've learned that no matter what time a small child goes to bed, they almost always get up at the same time. 
• I've learned that there is nothing more sweet than a smile on the face of a sleeping child.
• I've learned the human body can function surprisingly well with substantially less sleep than most doctors recommend.  
• I've learned that ketchup is great on everything.
• I've learned many things, but most importantly, I've learned that just when you think you can't love any one more, God blows you away.

 Happy Birthday, Princess Pigtails.  I love you so very much. 

A Small Gap

Okay, so seven months break from blogging?  Hmm...I'm back.  I think. 

Update on My Mom

Just a quick update on my mom. The surgery went well. She has been moved to a rehab/PT facility and we are hopeful that she will be discharged home soon. God is so good. I just keep praying that each day will be a little easier for her, that she will have energy and determination to work through the pain and that her care givers remain compassionate and encouraging.

From a Distance

Saying loads of prayers for my mama (and her medical team) this morning. In about 45 minutes she is going into surgery. Out of respect for her privacy, I will just say that it is a fairly common procedure, but I'm still nervous for her. I'm hoping to head down there today. I've been trying to get there since Monday but with the recent snow storm, the roads were just not good enough to make the trip with the kids and dog in tow. So, I will have to pray from here. Which is enough. But I so wanted to be there with my dad today. I wanted to be there ahead of surgery to help my mom and so the kids could see her outside of the hospital. It didn't happen and I need to let the disappointment go.
My prayers are equally effective from here. I know that. I just wanted to be with my mom.

^"16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV)