Take ten (seconds)…take a picture

Children are beautiful!  They fill our home with life and goodness and simple pleasures that we sometimes forget as adults.  Children keep us young and alive with a special vibrancy that only they are blessed with.

In the early years with diapers and feedings and baby nostalgia encircling my every hour of living, I found one simple little key for making the days wonderful; my exciting version of  “take ten seconds” in a moment of anxiety. It is a simple little wonder that will serve you well many times over. When your child does something to try your patience, such as pouring soup over their head, “Take ten…take a picture.”  No event is too small, the photo will be useful in more ways than you can imagine:

•    The time to take a picture gives you at least ten seconds.

•    It becomes a discussion piece with your child, later.

•    You can laugh about it together many times over.

•    Depending on the situation, the photo becomes a learning tool.

•    They make great graduation open house photos – sure to be a hit.

Ripping up Mom's patterns

So there you have it, Michelle’s tip of the century.  I am showcasing one of these photos of our son when he was about twelve months old.  Even though three of our children are grown, my advice is still “Take a picture.”  Photos are a remembrance of the faith path we have been on and a nice reminder of many trying situations God has brought us through.

All the best to you and yours this day,
Michelle

 

Fun Apple Pie – just like Grandma’s

Fun Apple Pie – Just like Grandma used to make

Birthday pie for my grateful hubby

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Peel, core and thinly slice 12-13 fresh Macintosh apples
Sprinkle 3 Tablespoons lemon juice over the apples
Combine and toss with the apples:

• 4 Tablespoons flour
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• dash of allspice

In a food processor or with a hand mixer combine the following until crumbly:

• 2 cups cold all-purpose flour
• 1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt
• 2/3 cup cold shortening

Add to machine or by hand if using mixer:

• 7 Tablespoons ice water (this amount varies depending on humidity)
• Gradually form a ball

Divide in half and roll out top and bottom crust separately
Line a 9” pie plate with the bottom crust and pour the apple mixture in
Add 3 Tablespoons of butter on top of apples in slender slices
Put the pie top on and roll the bottom crust over the top
Make a design of choice for venting.  You can use cookie cutters for this, be careful not to remove any crust.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes (this time varies per oven)
Cool and serve with ice cream or whipped cream

Serves 8

Enjoy!

Michelle