Such Pearls & Pie

I'm back, I just had one of those thought provoking weeks. The ones where I let my brain wander a bit and just take it easy. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best. I get to spend them entirely with Ethan as the other members of our family are off at their respective schools getting brainier. Ethan has M,W,F preschool and I cram in the work on those days, hardly stopping until my family comes home. (We are in the middle of revamping an entire floor of our home for my own special work space. It even has a second kitchen!) Anyhow, on Tuesday and Thursday I just take it slow. We read stories, bake cakes, have snowball fights.. you know. Blissful stuff.

I read Camille's blog post the other day and just sat there smiling. She gets it. I remember the first time we met-it was a weird passing of sorts. She was walking by with her mom and I was setting up one of my booths at market. (Can't remember which one, maybe a fall in Houston?) She sort of stopped, I sort of stopped what I was doing and we just introduced ourselves. When we figured out who each other was, we smiled and I remember her saying something about how someone had asked her if we were friends because we would like each other. (or something like that-it's a bit of a blur) And that was it, we met and the next time we saw each other, we just fell into step and conversation. And each time I see her, it's just fun and we pick up where we left off. If you're not reading her blog, you should start!

Ahh let's see, back to the apple pie:

 

You guys had a lot of interesting advice on how to share recipes.  What really brought it home for me was when a few people emailed with a question for me:  "When can I claim your pattern as my own?  How many changes need to be made?"

That made the answer quite easy for me-if you use a part of a sewing pattern, it shouldn't be claimed as your own design.  If you are using a technique you have learned in sewing from a pattern to make your own design, then to me, it's ok to claim it as your own.  That's how we learn!

So in my quest to share some recipes this year, if I start with a recipe, you'll get the source.  If I started from scratch, then I'm claiming it as my own!

So back to that apple pie I raved about.

 

Actually, let back way up..  (this will take a while, which is why this post was a long time coming)

When Dustin and I got married, I had zero cooking skills.  Boiling water was truly a head scratcher for me.  Dustin would get this fond look in his eye as he talked about his mom's applesauce cookies and beef stroganoff.  So I called her up and asked her to send me a few of his favorite recipes.  A few months later, she presented me with not one or two recipes, but an ENTIRE cookbook devoted to the family recipes that her son grew up on.

Over the next few years, I pulled a Julie & Julia and cooked exclusively from that cookbook.  It's how I learned to cook.  The pages are stained with food splotches, and I love it.  So much so that I wanted to start my own book to hand down to my children when they are out on their own. 

So that is what started the thought of sharing recipes here, which led to our discussion in the last post.

NOW-  the book that the apple pie recipe came from is a story in and of itself.  One night I was surfing around on Amazon and found a couple of pretty cookbooks (one on pie, one on jam) and I bought them.  They arrived, and I flipped through them and when I got to the back, I did a double take, because I happened to know the authors.  Everyone in my world knows the authors.  David & Amy Butler.  Well, look at that.

So anyhow, you know the rest, I made the apple pie and fell in love with it.  When I posted the "how to share recipes" question, I shot Amy an email asking what she thought and she said she to go right ahead and share it. (she is sooo much better at answering emails than I am, but I am trying.)

So here you are, a printable recipe page for the pie I made.  Anytime I share a recipe here, I'll give you guys the file that is going into our family recipe book. I've created a new sidebar section for recipes that you can download the file from.  I load my free patterns and the recipes at full print size so they are larger files and may take a moment to open.  Let me know if you have any problems.  I hope you enjoy!

 
Can you tell I had fun putting together the recipe format?  Hey, cherished family recipes deserve the time.

And I would suggest snagging those books.  They were both $5 when I got them and I think they are discontinued (maybe not?) but the jam book has soared in price!

Comments

[Jennifer]

The pie looks scrumptious!

[Heather]

Thank you so much for sharing! I just put my order in for both books on Amazon. I really enjoy baking and cooking with my children too, and I can't wait to get these books to try some new recipes with them!

[Wendy]

Thanks for sharing. I had no clue they wrote cookbooks, too--how in the world do they find the time!

[Carol Spring]

Hi Sandi - you're a mom worth hugging! It's the moms (and mums I know down here... p.s in our part of the world, New Zealand, we say mums not moms ) that share their treats and joys with others. Whether you share something of your own that you value or enjoy, or pass along something of someone else's own... you become a blessing! Now tell me how come you post this so yummy recipe on the early days of my diet!!!

[Molly]

Hi Sandi! Just placed my order for both books as well...along with two quilt books (one is yours!)...that place is seriously dangerous. Thanks for your recipe! :)

[Angel/TaDa! Creations]

Oh how funny. I own that same jam book. Bought it way before I had even heard of Amy. Hmmm...wonder if she sign it for me when she comes to town soon. LOL Can't wait to try the apple pie recipe too.

[amylouwho]

Awesome! I love apple pie! And of course she bakes too. That Amy.

[Carmen]

That pie looks so lush! There must be something in the air. I'm trying to compile a family recipe book for the very same reason. Think it must have something to do with my eldest hitting 13 this year :)

Thank you (and Amy) for sharing the recipe - I'll definitely be trying it out. Must go check out those books now.

[Kim]

Thanks for sharing the delicious looking recipe! I think it's lovely that you're putting together a family cookbook. Such a great idea!
xo~
Kim

p.s. can't WAIT to see pics of the new studio!!

[Kelly]

One year for Christmas my mom lovingly hand copied all of her best recipes into 2 recipe books for my sister and me. It might be the best gift I've ever received. I know your kids will treasure a recipe book like that from you.

[Camille Roskelley]

Well aren't you just the sweetest thing? Geez... I'm blushing. My only complaint is that we hang out far too infrequently. On an unrelated note, we are enjoying gorgeous weather here in Vegas... ;-)

See, I'm still at the boiling water is mind boggling stage. I ruined mac and cheese last week. Ruined.

It really is unfortunate, because that pie is calling my name...

Lets be neighbors?

[sherri]

Love this post! And thanks so much for the recipe!

[Sharon L F]

Thanks for sharing Sandi,

My elder sons and partners had been encouraging me to put our family recipes on computer. They had even given me a new book. I kind of loved the old notebook though with its recipe stains and scribbles left behind by little sons. Unfortunately I didn't take their advice and the book has been missing for 3 months now. I think it may be gone :(.

So I think your idea is a fabulous one.

Hugs, Sharon

[Sandi Henderson]

Ah neighbors sounds like a good thing. :) Ill cook for you anytime!

I really did love your post!

We should do something together-maybe an online class or a pattern or something? Could be fun!

Sandi

[Des]

okay, can someone please help the helpless? I can't for the life of me find where this recipe is at. I click on the picture and it does not make it bigger or ready to print. I go to the food category and it's not there. Where am I not seeing the sidebar info??

Tell me gently...... :D

[pamelawalker]

thanks so much for posting the recipe,love the format for the recipes, can't wait to see more..........funny thing is, I have that cookbook too and have used it often.
Pam