I’m so happy! It’s that time of the year again . . . pumpkins and apples and baking, oh my! After spending a relaxing weekend in Mendocino, CA, my husband and I stopped on the way home at Gowan’s Oak Tree Farm, a wonderful fruit stand in Philo where I purchased 20 lbs. of Gravenstein apples. I could hardly wait until the next morning, when I could transform them into a creamy and delicious apple butter. I knew that in addition to getting started on some tasty holiday gifts, my house would smell heavenly for the next 12 hours or so. I love it!
While meeting with my blogging sisters this week, I mentioned that I would be sharing my favorite apple butter recipe with you. They were quick to add their own contributions to my post. Seems like I’m not the only one who enjoys apples, any time of the year. This apple butter recipe comes compliments of my friend Sherry Hutchens and is adapted from an original by allrecipes.com.
As you know from previous posts, Darra has committed to spending creative time each day making her original designs up into 3″ x 5″ fabric collages. Here’s an adorable piece she calls An Apple a Day.
“An Apple a Day”, 3″ x 5″ collage by Darra Williamson.
Pati graciously offered to share her favorite applesauce recipe. She writes: “Homemade applesauce is so easy to make and loved by everyone. This is a favorite in our house for comforting autumn dinners and an absolute must at Channukah to dollop onto potato latkes. The key is adding a few strips of lemon peel to the apples while cooking, and adding a hearty dose of ground cinnamon. The lemon brings out the apple flavor and the cinnamon makes it smell like Grandma’s house! I like a chunky texture, so I use a potato masher.”
Darra’s friend, quilt artist Linda Smith (featured in an earlier post), shares a quilt that she made “a few years back”–one that has always been a hit with viewers. Given its vivid color, Linda has graced it with a most appropriate name: Red Delicious. I love the setting and the use of all the scraps.
“Red Delicious” made by Linda Smith
It wasn’t until I looked closely at the detail shot that I discovered exactly how she pieced it. It’s so creative and not exactly what I expected.
“Red Delicious” (detail).
Thanks so much to all of you for the terrific response to my post about Jennifer Sampou’s new fabric line. A fabric pack will be sent to Jill Brehon. Remember you have until the 15th for a second chance to win a fabric packet by visiting Jennifer’s website and signing up on her mailing list.
That’s it for today everyone. I think next week I may be experimenting with Spiced Pumpkin butter. Enjoy this wonderful season in whatever way you enjoy expressing your creativity.
Comments