Apple Butter

Today I comfortably snuggled into the acceptance that fall is among us.

Last night we turned on the furnace for the first time in months after Vern almost lost me in a pile of blankets,sweatshirts and thick socks.

 I watched it rain outside the window,even the dogs refused to go out..it was wet and cold.

 I headed out for a motivational latte and a trip through Grocery Outlet for some chocolate chips. That latte worked..it motivated to buy lots of things besides the one thing I needed! Oh Grocery Outlet,you got me again!

When I came home I realized I could no longer ignore the pile of fruit on the verge of mush on my counter. Whatta waste I thought...I don't make pies..or jam...or anything with apples,pears or bananas! I can't freeze them..but I just can't sit here and watch them spoil! The idea hit me and I was shocked at my stroke of brilliance...APPLE BUTTER...wait even better...APPLE BUTTER IN THE CROCK POT! I think I saw this online somewhere....Oh and those bananas,I remembered I CAN freeze them and did so immediately.

After a few hours of peeling,coring and chopping pounds of tiny apples,big apples and pears I had a large crock pot full! I combined a few recipes I liked and added a few twists of my own-to my surprise there is o actual butter in apple butter...good thing I read the recipe!

Cara's Apple Butter
3-5 pounds of apples,peeled,cored,sliced or grated (or in my case,throw in a few pears)
1 Tbs of vanilla
1 Tbs cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar (more or less on the sugar depending on what you like)
1/2 cup white sugar (some people said it was great with no sugar)
1 packet of dry apple cider drink mix(this was my idea he he)

*Most recipes I saw called for allspice and cloves. I did not add these because I do not like the taste of them  and had none in my cupboards.

Turn large crock pot on low and add apples and then vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to apples. Stir until apple pieces look coated with sweet goodness. Put the lid on the crock pot and stir every 2-3 hours. After approximately 8 hours,mash the tender apples with a mash potato masher or hand mixer and let cook on low an additional 6-8 hours. Let cool and if needed puree in food processor to consistency you prefer. If you know how to can well...good for you. ha I have no idea how to can but if you do...can it. For those who are not quite that ambitious or domestic you can also freeze it for later use. My house has smelt AMAZING all day and I am hoping the apple butter is as delicious as it smells!

Wow,I feel so domestic! What a great way to kick of the new season of celebrating!

21 Days

21 days is how long it's been since my last post. I figure if I don't start now I may not know where to start...I'm not even sure where to start now..

Our annual Sekiu fishing trip was much better this year. The downside was that the guys didn't catch any fish :( BUT,the food,the mood and the weather was great! This year's guest list included my Parents,my BFF Jessica,Trevor,Vern and I. As Vern patiently paced across the ocean at 2 mph hoping for a bite,us girls indulged in some adventurous beach therapy. It was Jessica's first time out at Sekiu,I always get a kick out of watching a "newbie" on those amazing beaches. It's hard not to want to bring home tons of treasures,especially when it's your fist time and you aren't sure how soon you'll be back! ha ha Over the years I have hauled home my share of rocks,sea glass and driftwood.
Here's a few photos of everyone enjoying the beach...

It always saddens me to leave that magical place...

Thankfully beautiful Mt Ranier is always waiting patiently to welcome us home.

On a side note..Our little Maxine is a bit demanding of my love and attention and I sympathise that the camping thing is still very new to her. She barked,howled and had a fit if I left her in the camper. So one day while I was attempting to make lunch and she was requiring my attention..I came up with a solution that worked out pretty well-

Our Maltese had become a "Bowl" dog! ha ha As long as she could see me she stayed right there all bundled up!

(Notice here that our little Princess was cold so she has on a hooded sweatshirt,a jacket and a blanket...and I wander why she acts so spoiled?! ha ha)

In other puppy news..My friend Shannon's dog Cassidy delivered 9 healthy puppies a few weeks ago! How funny that not ONE is colored like Mama!

 Here is little Trigger (the runt) smiling for the camera!

 These sweet babies are a glorious dose of puppy love and I am soaking it up while I can before they find their forever homes :) If you are interested in adopting one of these sweet babies please let me know,they are labs and will be available mid October for $250-400.

As for our home life,things are good! Trevor is still living with us and we are all getting along great! Chipper and Maxi both got shaved when we got home from Idaho due to a hair crisis (long story). We thought Maxi would look silly with short hair and actually is it super cute! I love the low maintenance of it and I know she appreciates me not having to brush and dematte her all the time. I am not sure if I have shared these photos yet but...this is what happens when the groomer has a few extra minutes to style Maxi's hair..

Here is a before shot of her napping with her favorite toy..

Our little girl turns one in a month,amazing how the time flies! She is still a puppy at heart and at 6 pounds she will stay the size of a puppy too! I am busy looking up recipes for dog cakes and treats and have decided that a small family party will be best. I got her a special pink dress with bows and sparkles for her big day,now let's hope she holds still for a few photos!

As for Vern and I,we are both back to work on some-what normal schedules and we have found a comfortable balance of work,fun and family. Here are the pizzas we made the other night...

They were DEEE-lish! Trevor's pepperoni pizza on the left and my chicken,bacon Alfredo on the right and THEN Vern cooked them on the smoker..best pizza EVER!

Vern and I have also been able to find many opportunities to escape for dinner or a romantic beach walk. We recently became Costco members and I can for see many expensive shopping trips in our future..yikes! Not because the prices aren't good but because there is SO MUCH good stuff there! We walked out shaking our heads and questioning why we hadn't joined a LONG time ago?! I don't think I should be trusted there alone with a large amount of money for a few months..you know,after the newness wears off :p

Other than all the short stories..that pretty much sums it all up. 21 days goes by so quickly when you have good company :)