Simply Farmgirl Apple Pie

   The busy bustle of gathering preparations is underway here on the little farm. Today I joined my oldest farmgirl for a bit of baking; pie baking, that is. She took charge of the kitchen while I assisted.

Peeling and coring, chopping and mixing- big messy fun was in order. When farmgirls gather in the kitchen there is always plenty of laughter, a few wild tales, and lots of wonderful messes!

Magic and memories are always accompanied by plenty of dirty dishes, but the results are not only priceless but tasty, too!

SIMPLY FARMGIRL APPLE PIE

Crust:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

12 tablespoons butter, cubed

2 large eggs

scant tablespoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

8 medium baking apples (approx. 4 lbs)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together flour and sugar then cut in the butter until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in eggs and lemon zest. Add water a little at a time until dough comes together a bit; it should look crumbly. Cover with plastic wrap and chill while preparing the filling.

Peel, core and slice apples. Stir in lemon juice, one tablespoon of the sugar and one tablespoon of the cinnamon. 

Reserve approximately one cup of the crumbly dough for topping. Pat the remaining dough into a 10 inch pie dish or an 8 inch square baking pan, being sure it is even on bottom and sides. Place the apples in the prepared dough and top with remaining dough. Gently dust the remaining sugar and cinnamon over the top; place in the preheated oven. The pie bakes for approximately one hour- the dough should be golden and apples should be fork tender. 

Grab a big dollop of whipped cream and enjoy!

Back to the Prairie: Christmas on the Farm

   Cold prairie winds blow snow into glistening drifts- family is gathering. Over night guests have arrived from near and far in preparation for a day of celebrating. Grandma and I have been busy with the aunts baking and cleaning- decorating and wrapping..it's Christmas on the farm.
   The day is filled with visitors and visiting- treats are nibbled while grown ups share coffee and news. Cousins play in the basement with toys our parents played with when they were little. Anticipation grows as the day wears on.
   Around the farm table everyone sets- everyone in their place. Card tables are set for cousins; just off the side of the big table and right next to the treats! Delicious aromas fill the air: roast turkey and buttery mashed potatoes- my mother's clover leaf dinner rolls, jello salads (Watergate and Pretty Pink) set beside a carrot salad and creamy deviled eggs.
   When the children become antsy the family makes their way to the big living room. Seats are taken around the magnificent tree as beautifully wrapped gifts are passed from person to person. Crinkly bows and twirly ribbon sparkly against bright colored paper. Dolls and games, cars and books- some clothes and perfumes  Pots and pans, sparkly 'what-nots'; gifts are opened and shared together in a carol of laughter and awe.
   There are a few quirky little gifts I look forward to like nothing else: the big red stocking and the cardboard story book. The big red stocking made of red netting is filled with silly little 'this-and- thats' that adults consider nonsense any other time of the year. Bouncy little rubber balls and swirly colored marbles; jacks and jump ropes or bubbles and water pistols...odd little 'store bought' candies like chocolate marshmallow Santas and candy coins. The story book is brightly colored cardboard that opens into a book filled with my favorite little hard candy- Lifesavers. A dozen rolls of every flavor they make will surely last me the whole year (not really, but I always think it will).
   With gifts all done we trickle toward the kitchen for pinches and tastes from the desert table. Grandma's poinsettia printed tablecloth covers card tables festively displaying her magical treats. Cherry mash candies sit next to her traditional Christmas pie. Sheets of 'broken glass' shine in red and green- one is cinnamon and one is mint, while toffee and brittle sit beautiful nearby. My mother's pies sparkle with shimmery sweet crust- one cherry and one apple with lattice tops and perfectly crimped edges. Deciding what to have is the challenge.
   Sitting there in the evening glow of colorful lights and soft evening lamps, my gaze wanders to the wild prairie. My eyes fall to the window where plastic candelabras shine with orange lights greeting cars as they pass by. Outside that window my prairie stretches out far and wide beneath a blanket of shimmering lights. Quiet and still the night glistens with beauty and wonder....so magical is the time when it's Christmas on the farm.

The Little Mouse

Here she is, the little mouse

who lives here in the big farmhouse.

Crumb and crust she loves to eat

as she scurries about Farmer's feet.

On holidays the little mouse

appears here in the big farmhouse.

At nooks and crannies we see her peek

her pretty ears and pretty cheeks.

Year after year the little mouse

makes her home in the big farmhouse.

One never knows where she might be

so keep watchful eye so you might see!

   This sweet little mouse ornament has been making her crafty appearance around the farmhouse since the first year we moved in. Great fun and imagination take place through her silly antics and her unusual habits. Watch in corners and in the branches of the tree because you never know just where she might be.

Seeking the Joy of Christmas

   The tree is up, the lights are on the house and a nativity sits under the cross near the farm gate. The joy of Christmas is upon us! Amid the business, we have been striving to keep our priority on serving and learning instead of gifting and gazing. Here are some ways we strive to keep Christ the Joy of our season:

1. Bible study...Isaiah's prophesy mixed with a little Oswald Chambers

2. Live it. Taking opportunities to share with others through donations of toys, food and finance, and visits. Stopping by shelters and giving tree locations to provide a room, meal or gifts,

3. Place Him in our decor. The names of Christ are written on every decoration on the tree. Nativities adorn every corner. He is in our caroling and our card giving; our home and our yard.

4. We share the greeting "Merry Christmas" with everyone we meet.

5. Instead of centering our attention on gifting- we have zoned our focus on special time together. My kids are teens and are becoming more independent by the day so I took a "day out" with each of them, planned a specific candy making afternoon for each one (and a few collective). Each teen chose an outreach activity to do (with me). My husband and I have slipped away for little trips to town with just each other.

6. Prayer. Many around us are hurting; unemployment, homelessness, death of a family member, disrupted family situations, and simple loneliness. Our prayers throughout the day have been for those whose lives are touched by grief- for our servicemen, for our missionaries, for kids in crisis.

7. Planning. Currently we are planning a specific and special time for family that does not live near us, but are able to visit. Large family gatherings can be nice, but for this special season, we decided to make the time more concentrated; personal.

   After publishing this post, a little teen & me road trip will start. Music will be played, stories shared, crazy memories will be brought up (like the time the skin on my fingers was cooked off by the peanut brittle). We'll sip coffee while sharing dreams (and interests). Another special moment tucked away...don't you think they make our Lord smile.
   We pray that you are making memories, sharing laughter, giving the love of our Savior. That you are seeking and finding the joy of Christmas.

Family Traditions: Giving

   Every year we strive and struggle to keep our sweet spirit during the holiday season- it isn't easy. When our children were small, we started a tradition of giving. These simple acts of kindness for others has grown and changed over the years just like our children.
   My tiny sweet kids use to raid my change jar in the car to have something to give to the Salvation Army bell ringers when we went to the store; I loved their generous enthusiasm! They wrote letters to add to gift boxes for soldiers and missionaries, eager to give even just a kind word. 
   From goodies for neighbors and gifts for missionaries to food bank volunteering and adopting a family- gifts to children in other countries and filling food pantries at the local church...it doesn't take a lot of looking to find simple acts of selfless love and giving. 
   Our family has grown and changed so very much this past year; thankfully their gentle giving hearts have grown with them! Today I step back and take the time to enjoy the moment as I watch my teens continue our family tradition- the tradition of giving.