Apple Blueberry Crisp

I recently found this recipe on the Martha Stewart website. I was asked to bring an apple crisp to my son's Blue & Gold dinner. Joe loves cooked apples. However, most canned apples that you buy in the store are full of High Fructose Corn Syrup which is something we avoid at our house. I went searching for a recipe so that I could make an apple crisp from scratch. I liked this recipe because it had blueberries. Did you know that blueberries reduce your risk for some cancers? Did you know that blueberries are also considered a brain food? It is believed that blueberries have a strong impact on reversing memory loss. Blueberries also improve your vision, clear your arteries & strengthen your blood vessels. In the 5 a Day The Color Way for Better Health Program we are encouraged to consume 5 a day of fruits and vegetables and eat our colors. Blueberries is on the top of the list in the blue/purple category. This recipe is definately a keeper.

Apple Blueberry Crisp

2 sticks cold butter

2 1/4 cups flour

3/4 cup dark-brown sugar

1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp mace

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

2 cups blueberries (I used frozen)

8 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, & sliced thin

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tbsp flour

Vanilla ice cream

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place your oven rack in the lower third of your oven. Butter a 3 quart baking dish (I used my 9x13 pampered chef stoneware pan) and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet, set aside. (My pan didn't overflow).

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, mace, & 1/4 tsp salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until large clumps form. Mix in the oats & set aside.

In a large bowl, toss together blueberries, apples, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, flour, and reamaining 1/4 tsp salt to combine. Pour the blueberry apple mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the oatmeal mixture, covering the fruit evenly. Bake until juices are bubbling and the topping is evenly browned, about 50 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm with ice cream. YUM!

Snowflakes

(Photo courtesy of SnowCrystals.com)

I cherish the moments that I have driving my children in the car to & from school. We always have the radio off and we can just talk & I know they are listening. This past year I haven't wanted to carpool with anyone because I value that time with my children. After taking Heather to school. I drive over to Joe's school. We spend about 15 minutes sitting in the car while I read to him. We just finished reading, "What to do when you Grumble too much." It was a good book about dealing with negative thoughts & trying to be positive. There were some wonderful exercises you could do to help your brain think positive thoughts.

As we were sitting there reading, snowflakes were falling. Joe noticed they were landing on our car just outside the window on a piece of black moulding. It was the perfect place to view snowflakes up close before they melted. He commented about how he had always wanted to see a snowflake up close because no two are suppose to be alike. As I took the time to look at the snowflakes, I realized how truly beautiful & unique they really are. Each one a piece of art. Instead of looking at the snow and wishing for a warm, sunny day, I found myself truly appreciating the snow for all its beauty. I think that book was already helping us to think more positively. Such a simple moment in time, but a memory that will last forever.

Valentine's Day

Do you remember when you were young and handed out Valentine's & candy to all of your classmates? Today as I sent Joe off to school he contemplated about whether or not he wanted to even attend his class Valentine's party. I told him that he could call me if he decided not to stay and I would come & pick him up. Apparently he chose to stay because my phone never rang. My heart broke a little as I drove to the school & saw all of the children happily skipping home with their little bag of Valentine goodies. I knew that when I picked Joe up, he would have to hand over his bag of loot. Joe can't eat anything that has food dyes because it causes problems with his ADHD and Tourette's. We also recently discovered that he has an intolerance to corn & citric acid which is corn-based. When he eats it, his tics & his rages become worse and not only is it difficult to live with him, but he finds it difficult to be him. I braced myself for the battle that would ensue when I asked for his candy. However, he was very agreeable & gave it up to me without even a negative thought. He commented on how grateful he was that some of the kids in his class gave him non-food treats because they know that he couldn't eat most candies. Wow! Tomorrow we are going to take him to a play. We need to find an activity that we can enjoy with him outside the home that doesn't involve eating out because that isn't an option with him anymore. Somehow Valentine's day seems different. I feel like I had to cheat Joe out of some of the innocent fun of childhood. However, I am at peace because tonight Joe is happy & not full of anger.

Breadmaker Rolls

My friend Laura shared this recipe with me. This is a recipe that you want to keep to yourself because it is simple and the results are fabulous. It gives everyone the illusion that you are an awesome baker. I am not sure what the secret to this recipe is. Is it the breadmaker? I haven't tried it any other way, but these rolls turn out so soft and fluffy with minimal effort. Breadmaker Rolls

Bring to a boil:

1 cube butter

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

Let cool for 30 minutes and then add 2 eggs.

In the meantime, in another bowl mix:

1/2 cup lukewarm water

2 Tbsp. rapid rise yeast

Let sit until bubbly.

Put all the liquids into your breadmaker and add 4 1/2 cups flour. Use the dough setting. I set my timer and after 1 hour on the dough setting, my dough has risen to the top of my breadmaker and I quickly remove the dough before it makes a mess inside my breadmaker. Flour the counter and roll out your dough. Cut into circles. Fold in half and place on a greased cookie sheet. Spread a little melted butter on top of the rolls. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until golden. Makes 3 dozen.

Decisions I Make Everyday...

Play a game of No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed with Eli or Clean house? We played a lot of games at our house today. Don't mind the little split eyebrow. He is his Father's son after all.

Look Who I caught Standing Up...

My Sweet Baby Girl!

She is growing up so fast.

Special times with Grandma

When Kimball's Mom returned from her 18 month mission to Germany, she found out that she had Cancer. She had been feeling ill for several weeks and thought she had a flu or something. We are so lucky that unforseen circumstances arose so that she was sent home a few weeks early from her mission. If she had stayed longer, she might not have been able to endure the long flight home. Upon arriving home, she soon found out that the headaches and dizzinesss were caused by a fast growing cancer in her lungs that had spread to her brain, and to her bones. She has been receiving treatment in Arizona with an experimental drug while living with Kimball's sister and has responded well. When she came out for a visit at Christmas time, she came down with pancreatitis. She has spent the last month here in the hospital. Although she missed her flight to spend time in Hawaii with family, it has been a nice opportunity for the kids to spend some time with her while she has been recuperating. My older children have enjoyed playing phase 10 with her and her friend Janice. Angelina was born just after Grandma returned from her mission. This is one of the few pictures that we have of her with Grandma. She loves visiting with Grandma in her hospital bed.