Saturday, September 13, 2008

Butter, Butter, Butter; Apple Butter That Is!!!

When apples are plentiful in the fall it seems you can't find enough things to do with them! make a whole pile of apple pies for family get togethers, apple slices for the grandchildren, apple cake, apple cobbler, apple bread or jelly; but here is something old that is new again.....APPLE BUTTER!...What could be more fall-like than apples, sugar and spices slowly cooking all day long? So I made a big batch of apple butter! The aroma that this makes as it cooked away in the crock pot was amazing. It does’t take much to get lots of flavor, it is a mix of sweet, tart and spice all at once; I was also drying apples and my home smelled sooo good...All the neighbors came over to see what I was cooking;
This Apple Butter is so easy to make, using your crock pot!
Now if you don't have Apple trees in your yard or have an orchard nearby, check out your local farmer's market...This time of year they always have Apples & Pumpkins...I am lucky as we have about 4 orchards nearby..
This recipe makes a small batch, so you don't really need to give it a water bath...just store the jars in the fridge...or if you want to give as gifts, then you will need to give them the old water bath treatment for 15 minutes!
SLOW COOKED APPLE BUTTER!

10 t0 12 large cooking apples (14 cups)...I used Winesap apples
2 cups apple juice or cider
3 cups white sugar ( I am diabetic so I used Splenda in one batch)
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

INSTRUCTIONS:

Core and chop unpeeled apples (bite size)
Combine with the apple juice or cider
Mix sugar (splenda) with the cinnamon & ground cloves
Add to the apples in the crock pot
Cover; cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 4 hours (the 10 hour one was better)
Remove cover and drain the apples
Put into blender or food processor and blend on high speed until smooth
Return apples to slow cooker
DO NOT COVER and cook on low for 1 hour or till it is the desired consistency
Mine took 1-1/2 hours;

Storage of Apple Butter:

While the mixture is very hot ladle the cooked Apple Butter into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving a 1/2" head space.
Put the lids on and then tighten the rings but not to tight.
Process in boiling water canner for 15 minutes
Remove from water bath and set on a dry cup towel till cool and lids pop closed..
Store in a cool dark place
OR:
You can just put into the sterilized jars, cover with the lids and rings, let cool and store in fridge...If you like Apple Butter this will go fast!
I got this recipe from Home Cooking and made a few changes;
Next I will do the Slow Cooked Pumpkin Butter and is that good.
Just like having pumpkin pie on your toast!



Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Another Great Give Away!


Char from The Pickled Pepper Patch is giving away this great medium sized breadboard, faux cinnamon rolls that she makes, two aged wooden spoons and a wooden bowel to the very lucky winner. I just love it!!! Stop over for a visit she will draw the name on September 15th. Her link is in my Favorite Blogs...She also has a great tutorial for making luminaries and some freebe graphic images...Be sure to check her out!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Take A Quick Look At My CLEAN Craft Room!!




















Thank goodness that job is done..
Took me over a week to clean and rearrange everything..
Gave away twice as much fabric as you see here, but it went for good causes!!
Chemo Patients Caps were made from the knit fabric..
Somalian Women are being taught to sew..
A Women Church Group is making quilts..
and Disadvantage Kids are learning basic sewing...
My hat goes off to all these Women for giving of their time
and I have a nice clean work space!!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

WSOAPP Market Street Shoppes GRAND OPENING!

Today is the GRAND OPENING of WSOAPP
Market Street Shoppes!!
Grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, relax and browse our Shoppes!!!!!!!!You will be thrilled with our offerings....We are a very talented, diverse group of artists.
Click on the WSOAPP Banner at the right
to view all the Shoppes

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Head Over To The Vintage Palette Art's Blog For A 100th Post Giveaway

Please take a few moments and travel over to her blog and check her 100th post giveaway.....I love her work and know you will also....You will find her link in My Favorite Blogs on the right...

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

How to Remove Washing Machine Mold!!

Ever notice that moldy smell in your front-loading washing machine? Unfortunately, mold growth is a common problem due to tight seals and poor drainage. Learn how to remove mold from your washer….Mold can cause serious health problems!!!
Here a link to help you take care of this problem…

http://www.ehow.com/how_2353143_remove-washing-machine-mold.html

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I AM HONORED!!! I GOT AN AWARD!!!!


Isn't this special!!!!???!!?!?! I have been honored with this wonderful award, by one of my visitors, Jennifer of Rustic Goods & Company !! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!
The rules for this award are that I am to choose 7 bloggers whose blogs I love to visit, let them know that I have chosen them, and post the links here!!
What a hard decision!! I have a giant list of blogs that I love to visit, full of creativity, photos, and all kinds of info that is a joy!! So.....I will randomly choose 7 blogs, in no special order, and will choose those that have not yet received this honor of I Love Your Blog award!!.....I would like to honor these 7 fine bloggers, randomly listed....Please click on their links in My Favorite Blogs, to view their blogs

1-Country Road Primitives
2-Northwind Star
3-Homespun Hearts Primitives
4-Nancy Malay
5-Crows In The Attic Primitives
6-Tales From The Dogpatch
7-Bird In The Hand Primitives