Sassy Priscilla

A Nice Apple Crisp Recipe

It's that time of year - I'm obsessed with apples. The honeycrisps are at the store (and ready for picking in Wisconsin), we went apple picking, I patched an apple on Aidan's first day of school shirt, and I've made two apple themed desserts lately.

The first of the recipes was a delicious apple crisp based on a recipe on allrecipes.com. 

Below is the recipe. I basically doubled the crisp portion and used a smaller pan.  I can't say I used 4 cups of apples - I just used what was on hand and looked good.  It was delicious!

Awesome Autumn Apple Crisp
adapted form AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

    * 2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
    * 2 cups brown sugar
    * 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    * 1 cup butter, melted
    * 4 cups peeled, cored and sliced apples
    * 1/2 cup white sugar
    * 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    * 1/2 cup water
    * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Stir until crumbly. Press half the oat mixture into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Cover with sliced apples.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine white sugar, cornstarch, water and vanilla. Cook, stirring, until thick and clear, 10 minutes. Pour over apples. Cover apples with remaining crumble mixture.
4. Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
5. Eat.

More pictures here:

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Who Cares if Your Name is Cary or Archibald? You Are Still Smoking Hot.

The ruling is in. After Jeff, Cary Grant defines the most perfect man for me.  I conned Jeff into watching Suspicion, which he enjoyed, and I watched North by Northwest the other day. 

I've always been a Cary Grant fan but this past week I made a decision that he was absolutely perfect looking in his prime (see dreamy photo at left) and pretty darn hot in middle (see North by Northwest) and old age, too.

Part of his appeal is his humor, which seems to show up in many roles he was in. I want to believe he was playing himself.  Have you ever seen Suspicion? Jeff and I were cracking up at him constantly though the Hitchcock movie was supposed to be suspenseful (and was, too).

Anyway, given my feelings toward Daniel Craig, it came as a surprise to me that I would take Cary Grant any day over him.  Now if only Cary Grant would have worn a swimsuit Daniel Craig Casino Royale style...

IMPORTANT UPDATE: According to IMDB, Ian Fleming was supposed to have modeled James Bond with Cary Grant in mind. It is all making sense to me.

Beautiful Monarch Butterflies

Last week we stopped at the Milwaukee Recreation department because the Monarch Butterflies are making their annual stop in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on their way from Canada to Mexico.  I've lived in Wauwatosa for 10 years and didn't know this happened.

During the day, the butterflies flutter around the meadow and in the evening, they cluster on trees. This meadow runs right next to the freeway and is in danger of being lost to economic development in the next year.  This makes me so sad as it is really beautiful and seeing the butterflies in such huge numbers was a thrilling experience.

There are more photos here, including one of me with Aidan. I don't like how I look but might as well face that is who I am. I'm wearing a headband I made using Amy Butler fabric and a pattern from (I think) Romantic Home Sewing. I will have to double-check.  See some milkweed pods, pretty flowers, and a beautiful boy using this link or this one:

 

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The Itsy Bitsy... OH MY GOODNESS

I have what my husband thinks is an irrational fear of spiders.  I know all about how beneficial they are blah, blah, blah. They still creep the heck out of me. However, I am also fascinated by them - outside of course. 

This web kept returning but I never saw the spider.  The web itself isn't huge but its anchors are.  They span across three huge hydrangea bushes which, coincidentally, fill our backyard.

Today, Jeff saw some type of trigger web or something and said the spider was probably hiding under a leaf.  Sure enough it was. You have to bend down to look under the leaf.  After Jeff did, I looked and promptly bolted right into him trying to escape the grasps of the harmless spider.

So, to feed into my fear (I do this with horror movies, too), I visited several times today to see what was going on.  I think it is a garden spider though the colors aren't as brilliant as I've seen.  Surely it is an orb weaver (I already know too much).  One visit, I was gratified with the spider bolting out to the middle of the web, quickly doing some spider thing and bolting back.  The whole experience took .25 seconds.

Did you know that garden spiders eat their webs at night and make new ones in the morning? I find it all fascinating though it does give me the heebs.  Click on the photo to make it bigger and you can see spider food in the web, too.

More pictures here and:

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A Luscious Pear for Your Living Room

There is something about pears that has always been alluring to me. It could be because I grew up with a yard with two generous pear trees, or I think of Janie from Their Eyes Were Watching God and her coming of age under the pear tree, or I think about its symbolic link with fertility. Maybe it is just because they taste so good!

Stacy, the super-organized, talented sewer of Stacy Sews, makes these great pears and guess what? She had the pattern published in the Sew News Holiday issue.  I got this lovely pear from Stacy's Etsy Shop.

I was hoping to wait to post about this until I had made a pear but seeing as it is her birthday and all and I had the pictures ready, I am going with it.  Happy Birthday, Stacy!  Check out Stacy's site if you haven't already--you'll astounded at how much she can get done in a week.

See more photos here: 

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Is there such thing as Too Much Chocolate Cake?

Isn't this the sweetest little cake ever?  I've already blogged about this great recipe but it is so good, it deserves another entry since I made it again in my new Nordic Ware mini-sunflower bake pan.

This cake is so rich and so moist and absolutely loaded with thigh-loving calories.  It needs no frosting or icing, just a huge cup of milk.

I had leftover batter and used some mini pans that my sister Missy gave me (I think). I don't know what they are, frankly, but they worked!

Check out the photos below of the bundt pan, the batter, and the cakes.

Too Much Chocolate Cake

slightly adapted from All Recipes

Ingredients

1 (18.25 oz) package devil's food cake mix
2 (3. oz) packages devil’s food instant chocolate pudding mix
1 16 oz container sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
3. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not overbake so watch closely as your toothpick may insert into a melted chocolate chip.  If using mini-bundt cake pans, bake for 35-45 minutes.
4. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.
5. Eat like crazy.

More pictures here, or here:

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This Cracks Me Up

Saw this on Celebrity Smack and it cracked me up.

Martha Stewart : It's a Bad Thing

As I mentioned the other day, I received an invitation to the Martha Stewart Show for the special Sewing show. I was so, so excited! That is, until I started researching flights, hotels, etc.

Jeff already said that he didn't think we both could go so I started looking into costs for myself and also to go with my sister, Missy.  Well, who knew hotel costs were so crazy in New York ($500 and up!)?  I guess there is a UN Assembly the same day as the show taping so hotel rooms are scarce.  Poor Missy was looking into hotels in Brooklyn and New Jersey.

I guess a decision has been made not to go. I have until Wednesday to decide for sure.

This really smarts.

I know there are more important things in the world but I really love the Martha Stewart products - I receive almost all of the magazines (please bring Kids back!), tape the show and even burn some to DVD.  I have years of issues cataloged by month so I can look at all the October ones together, for instance.  I didn't even give up on her when she went to prison.  As I love to sew, this show would have been a real dream to go to.

As mentioned, there are so many other things in the world to focus on. This comes with the territory of being a stay-at-home mom.  I've been telling myself every night how lucky we are to live in the US and be safe and sound in our lives.  But then the tears come as I have a pity party for myself. We really have had a rough 4 years and it would do Jeff and I wonders to get away for a couple days.

Well, hopefully writing about this will get it off my mind and focus on better things such as Jeff's birthday which officially started an hour ago. Aidan, in all his 4-year-old logic, decided that his daddy loves to play with him so he (Aidan) should get a few toys so Daddy can play with them with him!

Silly and Sweet Pockets for Aidan

Aidan started nursery school this week.  Sniff.  To overcome my bit of heartbreak, I used the opportunity to make him a special outfit. 

I used an easy pants pattern that had patch pockets on the outside. Because the ticking fabric I used is woven and the inside and the outside are the same, I turned the facing of the pocket to the outside (I hope I am saying this correct). I sewed twill tape and stamped the words "silly" on one pocket and "sweet" on the other.  I left the edges to fray.

I then cut out fabric in the shape of an apple and did a similar thing with his top. This time, I used the word "happy" and sewed the apple to an Old Navy shirt.  Again, I left the edges to fray.

Aidan loves his new outfit. He wore it Monday and asked to wear it again today!  It was easy, unique and fun.

More pictures here and after the jump.

OMG, OMG, OMG Martha Stewart!

So the Purl Bee mentioned a Martha show featuring sewers.  I figured what the heck and put my hat in the ring to be in the audience. Today I received confirmation that I have been selected to be an audience member. Yay! Maybe everyone was selected but I will feel special right now.

So now what? I live in Wisconsin. I have very little time to plan a trip to New York (show is in 1 1/2 weeks).  We are a little tight financially but my husband is encouraging me to go but maybe ...solo.  Yikes!

I have actually been to New York by myself on a business trip. This was on June 11, 2001.  I stayed at the Marriott World Trade Center. Lucky, hey?  I had grand time by myself but this time around it may be tough as I will not only miss my husband but also my son.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to stay in New York City that is reasonable but nice?

Wee Bunny for a Wee One

Yay - I actually sewed something!

Today I was supposed to have a rummage sale.  However, Aidan had Nursery School orientation mid-morning, I had to have a blood test, and the sky looked ominous.  So the sale is put off until tomorrow.

I used the free time to be a little creative using Hillary Lang's WeeWonderfuls wee bunny pattern.  I made it for a wee one (couldn't resist having another "wee" in this paragraph) who is yet to be born over in Denmark.

The pattern was perfect for an afternoon of sewing. It doesn't use much fabric, is easy and fun! Mine is a bit bunchy and his ears are droopy so I guess he matches the bunny in our yard that I have nicknamed Van Gogh for his split ear.  My embroidery skills could use some perfecting.  Made with fleece and fabric remnant and a pom pom tail, he is perfect for a little baby.

I put a bell around his neck, added a tag from everyjotandtittle and he is good to go!  I uploaded pictures to Etsy and added him to the weebunny group.

Quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne*

Dang. This is the pits. I had always wanted to see Pavarotti live but didn't have the cash to pay for the tickets and travel to New York.  I did see Jose Carreras in Milwaukee--which was a treat.  I'm very sorry to hear of Pavarotti's struggle with pancreatic cancer.  What a huge loss.

Two of my favorite artists dead in a month's time.  Good thing my iPod is cloaked in black.

* Translation, I hope, from O Sole Mio: When night comes and the sun has gone down.

Get Well Soon, Lightning McQueen!

I've always enjoyed the work of Owen Wilson and his recent suicide attempt was very sad.  I particularly liked him in Zoolander, Meet the Parents, and Starsky and Hutch.  However, as we watched a bit of Cars today, I was overcome with sadness to think that Lightning McQueen might be "no more."

Here's hoping that Owen Wilson recovers soon.

Flood Relief Contest Hosted at Knitty Mama

KnittyMama has been kind enough to host a contest that will benefit Sow the Seeds. This fund raiser will help many of the Wisconsin and Minnesota organic farmers who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to recent floods. Those of you in the Wisconsin/Minnesota can also donate at your local co-op.

You have the chance to win a lovely skein of yarn at KnittyMama's site by helping this worthy cause.

Apple Picking in 85 Degree Weather

Aidan and I went Apple picking today at Barthel's Fruit Farm.  I knew it was warm and not quite the crisp apple-picking weather but I wanted to do something fun with Aidan and once I mentioned it to him, he couldn't keep still he was so excited.

The only available apples were Gingergold and Paula Reds.  We started with the Gingergolds and never made it to the Paula Reds. The mosquitoes were out in full force today and I picked my bag of apples in record time and had Aidan run back to the car.  He didn't mind - he thought we were racing.  I think two or three mosquitoes picked some apples for me, too, with some help from the wasps.

We'll be back for the Honeycrisps and I'm sure one more time later in the season, too.  Hopefully, the mosquitoes will be elsewhere.

Please visit my Flickr slideshow for more pictures of lovely Wisconsin or try the link below. 

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Egads!

Pretty cool, hey? This not-so-little leaf bug hung around for a while on our window ledge.

The second picture shows how long his crazy antennae are. 

The third shows Mucha who, as always, is getting into the action--even if he was inside.*

*See that bowl next to Mucha? I bought it to put fruit in.  However, Toulouse and Mucha both fight over sleeping in it.  Toulouse is too much of a gentleman to sleep on it when it has fruit in it.  A little thing like fruit doesn't bother Mucha who will sleep on anything.

Please Vote!

Well, I think I've had maybe 9 votes for my "what should I do next" survey. Unfortunately, there is a tie. If any of you readers out there haven't voted, could you do so to break the tie?

If I have only 9 blog readers (and this is sad, especially after my recent mention on Chicago Apartment Therapy), can one of you vote twice?

Thanks for your vote!

How Many States Have You Visited?

 
Isn't this cool? I was hoping to add a few more states on this year but it wasn't meant to be (yet).  I found out about this nifty tool from Praiseworthy Things.

Anyone in living in those white states suggest a place to visit?

Create your own map and then blog it.

Blueberry Smoothie for Breakfast - Hurray!

Today we enjoyed one of our favorite breakfast treats - a blueberry smoothie topped with an umbrella straw.  It is very easy, good for you and extremely tasty.  You don't have to use the same brands and you can change the fruit.  Enjoy!

Sarah's Smashing Blueberry Smoothie

1/2 c. Dole Frozen Wild Blueberries
1 Banana
1 c. Stonyfield Farm Fat Free French Vanilla Yogurt
Splash of Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice (no pulp)
2 Dashes of Penzey's Chinese Cassia Cinnamon

Put Blueberries in blender and use the ice setting to crush. I actually add some of the yogurt on top so that the blueberries don't spray everywhere.

Break banana into 2-3 pieces and put in blender.  I use the liquefy setting.

Add rest of ingredients and blend.

Drink it all.