Apple Dumplings

  This is a great time of year to get out and support your local apple orchards. Chances are they are having fun Fall activities- not to mention some great apples.

Apple Dumplings

4 c thinly sliced apples, peeled and cored
1/3 c sugar
2/3 c water
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c all purpose flour
2 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbs butter (or 3 Tbs oil)
1/2 c milk

1)  Combine the 1/3 cup sugar, water and cinnamon and apples in a 2 quart sauce pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium and cover.  Cook apples 12-15 minutes until tender.

2)  Combine flour, 2 Tbs sugar, baking power and salt. Cut or rub in butter (or mix oil in with a fork). Add milk and stir just until a stiff batter forms.

3)  Drop batter by spoonfuls into boiling apple mixture and cover.

4)  Cook 12 minutes without raising lid.

Serve warm.

Note: Use organic or naturally grown ingredients for maximum nutrition.

Some Things I Have Learned Since I Was Born

Photo by my friend Meg McKinney using Lensbaby photography

1) When it comes to my will vs.God's- I need to step aside.

2) Pretty is as pretty does.

3) A soft bed beats a cold cot when camping.

4) Shopping is therapeutically, beneficially good.

5) Sitting on a couch with a good dog and a good movie is alright.

6) A night of good, restful sleep can beat a night on the town.

7) I wish I had taken my Mother's advice when I was 19, 24, etc., etc.

8) Drinking 6-8 ounce glasses of water per day is mandatory.

9) Friends are medicine.

10) Sometimes you don't need something that you really do need.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

This recipe was sent to me by a a very sweet, special lady who also loves all creatures great and small.

Liquid Laundry Soap

4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use (will gel)

Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

Front Load Machines- 1/4 Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Note: A little oxygen cleaner can be added to the wash load also to help brighten white clothes.

This is a great laundry soap formula that smells wonderful and is phosphate free.

To The Pure

"To the pure all things are pure,..." Titus 1:15