Dutch Apple Pies

Hi there,
A few weeks ago I had an extra day off so I decided to use the apples that I had purchased back in the fall (before they spoiled) to finally make some pies.  It was a cold rainy day, perfect for having the oven on.  My view out the kitchen window:

I found I had enough to do three, 9" pies so I got to work...


Ready get set go:

My trusty mixer that has an attachment that I'm gonna use to slice the apples.  For one pie I would slice it by hand but for 3 it was worth it. 

 

I covered all the apples in this new wrap that is made with vegetable oils.  I really like it.  Now the apples won't get all brown.

 

Look at all that waste.  Wish I had some composting earthworms but I have to wait until we move!  They would love eating this and then making rich soil for my plants.  

I'm cheating and using pre-made shells.  Most of the time I make my own.  I got these to make Thanksgiving pies but I didn't need them for that this year.

The crumb topping for the pies.

 

Ooops!, I forgot to put the sugar in the crumb topping for the first one, darn.  So I spread it on top and it never melted.  I carefully removed some of the sugar after it baked and it still was yummy.

This is what it was supposed to look like!

Well, we had three so I gave one to my (computer guru friend) Danny.  I always love to give him home made goodies and he loves to get them. 

Isn't sharing fun?

My Happy Place

 

I took a much needed 3 day holiday over the Columbus Day weekend.  Since I rarely have a Saturday off I decided to attend the First Annual Fall Plant Sale at my fav place, Descanso Gardens.  It was in cooperation with Monrovia Nursery, Mt. San Antonio College Agri Dept. and Descanso.  They had speakers on Saturday which is why I wanted to attend Sat.  I learned all about the magnificent Oak tree and it's symbiotic relationship with other life forms.  Amazing!

 

 

Descanso has the most Camellia plants of any public garden in California.  They are everywhere throughout the garden but there is one place under the oaks where the majority of them live.  The best show of Camellia flowers is in January through March.  If you've never been there you should go because it's beautiful and peaceful.  They're open everyday except Christmas day.  Check it out www.descansogardens.org .  They have a large rose garden where you can get married.  This is the entrance to the rose garden:

 

On Sat. I also learned about how to graft citrus trees so you can have different citrus fruit on the same tree, new plants that have been hybridized by Monrovia Nursery that will grow well in So. Cal. and added my to my knowledge about vermiculture (worm farming); how to make compost tea that plants just love. Because I'm moving, I didn't buy even one little plant, boo, hoo.   Here's the plant sale on the main lawn:

 

They even have fish (Koi) in their ponds:  They'll swim close to the edge and the kids can reach down and touch them!

I've been going to Descanso Gardens for years; I  used to stroll my babies there.  It has improved over time although, I miss the Japanese arts/crafts/book shop they used to have.  I still have the origami books and some of the special square papers that my daughter just had to have.  I always stop in at the new Gift Shop before leaving:

Have a beautiful day!