Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

Quiet

I holler at the kids; interrupt at dinner parties and chat up my mom friends at the park.

Still, I am feeling a vacant sort of quiet in my head.  The noise of my own thoughts seem too loud so I stop listening and keep on doing things anyway.

On auto-pilot and cruise control for parenting, working, family bonding, cleaning, enjoying, creating, worshiping. Until…I found this photo, in my archives, of an apple corer.

Change

A whole apple represents me. Blades of daily life split me apart; tearing pieces away from my very center. All that was left? Fleshy fruit waiting to brown with a pile of seeds standing alone.

Or so I thought.

In reality, I am an apple, willing to nourish and refresh others.

Even when bowls of mac-n-cheese spill over the highchair, or another opportunity for time with my husband gets side-tracked by much needed “to-do” work on the laptop, *cough* see above, I can give a section of hope to my loved ones.

When every slice of me is served up for the taking, I am still centered. God stands with me as the core of my strength.

When I my shiny, red exterior has been sectioned off by the mini-van hustle, job responsibilities, hyper kids, and unmet wants and desires. God provides seeds of regrowth, made just for me.

By Definition

The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength. {2 Timothy 4:1}

Apple Orchard Day with Family

Lil’ Miss Molly sat on her tuffet eating her apples and whey.

Aunt Carly’s “cute” apple Uncle John (Neat Pete’s little brother) heroically jumped to give pick for her in the orchard lane.

Uncle Tim (Neat Pete’s middle brother) and Ry strut their stuff through the orchard.

Aunt Lisa showed Ry the antique tractor.

Uncle John took Ry on a pony ride.

Not enough room for your pickings? Fill your nephew’s hood with apples. Uncles I tell ya!

Applicious I

Applicious II

Making caramel apples was more fun than eating them. Time with friends and candy corn was time well spent.

Ryan and his friend Jack. Really, two peas in a pod.

We used mini yogurt pretzels, sunflower seeds and candy corn to embellish our caramel apples.

Nora and my daughter Molly. Two peas in a basket.

Nora making apples with her Papa Chris and Mama Dawn.

Bin-style candy corn vs. Brach's bagged candy corn. It was a draw! Both types were yummy. Which do you prefer? Could you tell them apart in a blind taste test?

This post was linked up with Org Junkie and Life as a Mom

Instead of planning whole week of meals I am featuring a whole weeks worth of apple recipes!

M: Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings Neat Pete (my new blogging nick name for my darling husband) may try this recipe with our son while I am away at a wedding shower.

T: Warm Apple Pockets

W: Apple Leathers This link calls for an oven. I will be using a dehydrator on 160 degrees for 10 hours.

Th: Apple Sauce

F: Dried Apple Rings

S: Applesauce Honey Rolls (recipe below)

Sun: Apples with Homemade Caramel Dip

Applesauce Honey Rolls

This comes from Apple Lovers’ Cook Book by Shirely Munson, Jo Nelson.

2 loaves (1 lb. each) frozen bread dough
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine
4 Tablespoons melted butter or margarine
1/2 cup applesauce
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins

Allow dough to thaw in plastic bag. Let rise until doubled in bulk.

Mix the 1 cup brown sugar, honey and 3 Tablespoons butter. Sprinkle mixture over the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Place dough on lightly floured pastry board or sheet and roll or pat into a 14×12-inch rectangle.

Combine the 4 Tablespoons melted butter, applesauce, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar and raisins; spread evenly over dough. Roll up and seal.

Cut into slices about 1/2 to 1-inch thick. Place slices on honey mixture in pan.

Bake in 350 degree F. oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and turn over onto a plate or tray.

Makes 12 rolls.