DECEMBER BUCKET LIST!

Hello Friends,

The festive Christmas season is officially here!  Christmas carols are being played on the radio, the stores are filled with decorations and the malls are buzzing with shoppers running to and fro.

As you prepare for this holiday season what is on your bucket list?  What do you hope or wish to accomplish this Christmas?  What does your perfect Christmas look like?  Is it filled with moments with family and friends?  Is is helping those less fortunate?  Is it sipping coffee or hot chocolate by an open fire?  Maybe your perfect Christmas is spending a few days in a chalet in the mountains.  Whatever it is...plan to make it happen.  Create a Christmas bucket list.  

My Bucket List includes (but is certainly not limited to)...

Taking a walk in the snow

Sitting by the Christmas tree

Coffee and good friends

Skating on a pond

Donating toys to children

Reading a Christmas novel

Baking cookies

Decorating a gingerbread house

Making handmade Christmas cards

and most importantly....reflecting on the birth of Jesus!

Take the time to decide what will make this season memorable to you and make it happen.  

Christmas only comes around once a year...ENJOY.

NEW COLLECTION KITS!

I have just received two brand new collection kits from Bella Blvd...

Addison Collection...

Alex Collection

Each collection kit comes with 8 (12 x 12) Double Sided Patterned Paper, 2 (12 x 12) Double Sided Border Papers, 2 (12 x 12) Double Sided Daily Details Paper and 1 (12 x 12) Fundamentals Sticker Sheet.

Cost:$20.00 (plus Shipping)

 To purchase either of these kits please visit my Etsy Store! (Click on the Etsy Tab located along the cross bar above at the top of the blog)

PERFECT APPLE PIE

One of the many traditions in our home this time of year is eating homemade apple pie.  There are many recipes for this time honoured tradition but over the years our family has perfected this recipe.

PERFECT APPLE PIE...

INGREDIENTS...

2 1/4 cups of flour
1 tsp salt
1 cup of shortening
5 to 7 Tbs of ice cold water
6 cups of thinly sliced and peeled tart applies such as Granny Smith
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp corn starch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Crust...

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.  Add the shortening with a pastry blender or using your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add the water 1 Tbsp at a time mixing lightly with a fork until the flour mixture is evenly moistened and when pressed together forms a nice ball.  Divide the dough in half.  Shape each into 1/2 inch thick round.  Wrap each dough round in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 to 15 min.

Apple Mixture...

Toss the applies with sugar and add the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice (set aside).  Place 1 dough round between 2 large sheets of plastic wrap, roll out dough with rolling pin to flatten slightly.   Turn over, continue rolling until the dough is about 2 inches larger than the diameter of the pie plate.

Peel off the top piece of plastic wrap and invert the dough into the pie plate.  Peel off the other piece of plastic wrap; press dough evenly into the bottom of the pie plate and up the sides being careful not to stretch the dough too much.  Trim any excess dough hanging over the edge with a sharp knife and reserve the trimmings.

Fill with apple mixture and set aside.  Roll out remaining dough as desired and place over the filling. Trim the top crust about 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the pie plate.  Fold edge of top crust under edge of bottom crust; pinch edges together to form a ridge.  Cut several slits near centre of pie to allow steam to escape.  Bake 45 to 50 min or until juices form bubbles.

ENJOY!

The Beauty of Fall!

I LOVE FALL!

It officially feels like Fall when October rolls around each year.  Now I know Fall actually begins a few weeks sooner, however, October to me is when the beauty of Fall is at it's finest.

Fall brings with it so many changes that I absolutely love...

• The beauty of the outdoors (as seen above)
• Sweater Weather
• Hot Apple Cider
• Fall Decor
• Apple Pie
• Crisp Autumn Air
• Falling Leaves
• Salted Caramel Mocha (you know the one from Starbucks)
• Pumpkin Carving

What do you enjoy about Fall?  Sit by the fire or go on a nature walk and discover what Falls means to you...what do you enjoy the most of this beautiful season?

I enjoy it's BEAUTY the most.

Above photo taken by Michael Biggs.