What to do with a box of apples...

So I always think about it and never do it, but this time I caved with the great price and have therefore been on an apple kick! Seriously what does one do with so many apples? Well, my sister had a lady in her ward who was VERY helpful and here goes.

I started off with a quadruple batch of applesauce since my kids LOVE applesauce. And I of course started before realizing I didn't steralize my jars or buy new lids to can it. ooops good thing the kids will eat it...or not. Collin said it was B-A-D and Alexis said it was too chunky (after cooking it extra long and blending it for as long as possible-then gave up). I thought Slade would go for it, but of course Mr. Picky got one small apple chunk in his mouth after the 5th bite and decided he was done too. UGGHH! So what to do with a huge container of applesauce? How about some homemade applesauce muffins? YUMMO!! Devoured I must say!

Applesauce Muffins

1/2 c. oil
1 c. sugar
1 c. applesauce
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. blueberries (or raisins if you prefer)

Combine all ingredients in bowl. Mix on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes.
Spoon into muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until done.
Yields18-24 muffins.

*I didn't add cloves or nutmeg. I added 1/2 tsp. of extra cinnamon instead.

Still having apple issues so I made an apple crisp (not a huge fan of cooked apples myself, but add enough crisp and voila!!)

Apple Crisp

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups butter (melted)
2 quarts peeled, cored and sliced apples (sprinkle with generous amount of cinnamon & sugar)

Put half the crumb mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add apples and drizzle with caramel topping. Crumble remaining dry mixture on top.

How's that for healthy apple eating?? (part of my problem maybe!?)

Still too many apples....so I sliced and peeled 4 cups of apples sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and put them in some Food Saver bags (thanks Lorri) to freeze for later (5 batches so far).

Next recipe is for an apple cake that is supposedly TO DIE for, get your man to do anything for you type of cake...(I'll let you know how it is if I get around to it. I'm almost appled out!)

Apple Cake

Cream together:
½ c. shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs

Add:
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix well. Add:
4 cups diced apples (about 4 med/large apples)
½ c. chopped nuts (optional)

Bake in 9X13 pan in 350 oven for 45 minutes.

Topping
6 Tbsp. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
¼ c. milk 1 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter. Stir in other ingredients. Spread over warm cake. Serve. Enjoy!

Finally, I don't like apple pie, but my sisters friend has the most AMAZING apple pie filling that everyone in their ward swears by and cans like crazy when they can because it is just so good. Figured I would post the recipe in case anyone wanted to try it.

Apple Pie Filling

Peal core and slice enough apples to fill 6 quarts.

Mix:
4 ½ c. sugar
1 c. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. Lemon juice

Stir in 10 cups of water and bring to a boil until mixture thickens. Pour over apples. Process for 25 min. in water bath.

And I only have 1/3 of the box left. Maybe someone will eat a few!

Piano Recital

Logan, Tatum, Noelle, Alexis and Collin
Alexis
Noelle
Tatum

Collin

My mom has been so nice to start Alexis on weekly piano lessons. Once she got started her friends Tatum (Gooch) and Noelle (Brooks) got in on the action and they are all doing so well. It's so nice that Grandma has to make weekly visits to teach these cute girls. (Even Collin and Logan have started to want lessons too.)

So my mom thought it would be fun to do a little recital together so they could all perform for eachother. Alexis made sure they all got dressed up for the occasion and we even had treats to celebrate. Who doesn't need excuses for a party right?

Little Boys

I think it is so fun when kids grow up and can have fun playing together. Logan's new pastime is going outside and calling for Jonah (Brooks) while jumping on the trampoline. His version of a telephone I guess. He does this about 3 or 4 times a day (at least). This morning he got up and first thing he does is look out the window in the kitchen and asks if Jonah is awake yet. Which I reply not yet, he's still sleeping. So we go to the gym and when we get home he runs right outside and starts calling Jonah. So I call Julie and ask if Jonah can come play before I put Logan down for a nap. Of course I am such a sucker and they were being so cute and having such a great time together we bypassed the nap. Oh well, sometimes it's just not worth it. How can you resist these smiles?

Mr. Muscles

So the boys and I were out back playing and since we never charge up the battery to their car Logan was pushing Slade around in it (what a nice brother). Well, he pushed him into the rocks (isn't he nice) and so Slade thought he would try and get himself out. He was of course mad that it wasn't working, but he sure was trying hard. I even tried to help and then he would just push it back in the rocks to do it again. After a few rounds of this I decided I would just take a picture since we would probably be there awhile.