Treasure Hunting

Saturday, my sister-in-law Debbie and I did a little shopping. We found a couple of flea markets in Canby and Aurora and came home with some great treasures!

Check out these milk cans below...

Now, look at this close up. Two of the milk cans have these cool labels with the name of the farm on them. Debbie and I each took one home...

After all that shopping we got really hungry. In Aurora, they made this fabulous homemade soup and cornbread. The aroma of good old fashioned home cooking just about sent us over the edge...

There is a great salvage store in Aurora. They're a little pricey but always worth a stop. The place is packed full of gorgeous windows, doors, pillars, lighting, hardware, it goes on and on. They even decorated for halloween with old hardware...

Debbie's favorite find of the day...

Laurie's favorite find of the day....

Some of my treasures have already found a home...

Hope your weekend uncovered some great treasures too!!!

Apples

It's that time of year when the leaves are turning and the apples are abundant... We have gone a little apple crazy around here. I have discovered a new apple crisp recipe and it has become a favorite. There is something comforting about the scent of apples and cinnamon wafting through the house on a cool fall evening. It is so good that you need to share in the experience (at least visually)!

Here is the recipe. It's from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook...

Topping:

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 in pieces and softened

3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Filling:

3 pounds apples (6-8), peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch chunks

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1. For the topping: Mix the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together. Add the butter and toss to coat. Pinch the butter chunks and dry mixture between your fingertips until the mixture looks like crumbly wet sand. Add the nuts and toss to incorporate. Refrigerate the topping for at least 15 minutes before baking.

2. For the filling: Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix the apples, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest, together and place in an 8-inch-square glass or ceramic baking dish or 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Distribute the chilled topping evenly over the fruit.

3. Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is deep golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!!!

And don't forget the to save something for the chickens (the ultimate in recycling)!

Vote!

"People often say that in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing." --- Walter H. Judd

Just a reminder that next Tuesday, November 4th is election day. Whether you're a republican, democrat, independent, give yourself a voice and vote! In Oregon we vote by mail so my hubby and I made it fun. We took all of our stuff and went out to dinner and voted while we were waiting. Get creative and make it a memorable experience or just get it done at home. Either way, get out and vote you'll be glad you did!!!

Don't forget to mail your vote! In Oregon it has to be at the Clerk's office by election day (in other words it can't be post marked)...

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done...

Baby Kaden has Arrived!

My niece Bree had Kaden Saturday afternoon. According to Bree he is the cutest baby ever born! A perfect response for any new mom... He is perfect and so cute...

These are my two babies holding Bree's baby...

Grandma Ronda and Great Aunt Laurie...

Kaden's first trick or treat basket...

Welcome to the world Kaden, you are adorable!!!