Thursday, November 06, 2008

Cooking Thoughts and Apple Crisp Recipe

Here lately I have lost my desire for cooking. It has become a chore instead of a joy. Part of this has come from me trying to watch what I eat. That takes a lot of the fun of cooking away instantly. However, my family still WANTS a nice dinner and they all would prefer a big breakfast. The other issue for me lately with supper has been football. My family comes home at different times and it is harder than ever to get everyone around the dinner table at the same time. We still eat together on most nights, but I don't want a huge amount of dishes to be cleaned at 9:00 p.m.!

Last night was different... although Michael was late getting in because he had to stop by the funeral home on his way home from work, all of our children were home. It was a quiet evening. One child worked on a writing assignment, another child curled up on the couch reading a good novel. Two children were downstairs and the girl child was in her bedroom enjoying her own quiet time. I started cooking the supper meal and I had that same old feeling of "I would rather be doing anything than this" rise up inside of me. I kept going and praying. Trying to get my mind thinking upon something else. After a short time, I realized that I was enjoying the whole process once again. It was such a good moment for me. We ended up with a wonderful meal and I even threw together an Apple Crisp for dessert! When the kids all came to the table, they were all thrilled to see one of their favorite meals waiting for them. Michael came home just in time to say the blessing. Our dinner conversation was so lively last night. It started with thoughts of the election and went to thoughts on the Constitution. Our oldest son started talking about making the farm more self sustainable. This is a miracle in itself because every since he was 10 years old and grew his first garden he decided that farm life WASN'T for him!

I came to realize last night that I LOVE the cooking when I can also have the fellowship of family and friends around the meal. It isn't any fun to cook and have people grab and scatter. Many families miss the family meal time together. We have experienced this for a short season and I have realized that a family dinner is much more than good food...it is a time for the family to come and share their thoughts, laughter, and days with one another.

APPLE CRISP

Preheat oven to 350. In a 8x8 baking pan, pour 1 quart and 1 pint apple pie filling. For the topping, combine 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 cups brown sugar, 2 cups rolled oats, 1 Tablespoon cinnamon, 2 sticks melted butter. Mix to make a crumbly mixture. Spread the mixture on top of the apple pie filling. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes until the topping is crisp and browned. Serve warm with ice cream!

grace and peace,
julie

10 comments:

Marci said...

Julie, this is another wonderful example of how often when we are obedient to our roles, that God pours out a blessing. Thanks for sharing!!

Black Ice Racing said...

Okay Mee-Maw. Lets not get too tired of cooking until after Thanksgiving and I have eaten my fill of your great food!

Mountain Mama said...

Amen Sister! God blesses us when we are obedient - even when we don't want to be.

We love meal time around our house. We are together and talk about many things. And, we are eating!!
ashley

TnFullQuiver said...

Robbie,
I don't ever imagine that I will be hanging up my apron!!! Grandmom Brown comes to my mind when I think of being old. If I close my eyes long enough and think about it, I can still hear how her cabinets creaked when they were opened...I can still smell the coffee brewing in her perculator...and I stilll smell the smell of her cookie jar...and I too can remember eating Sunday dinner at her table...good memories indeed! Perhaps Morgan will have some of those same memories of coming to Aunt Julie's house!! We are going to have to work on some of these kids to like Tapioca!!! Matthew and Hope are the only ones that enjoy that on a winter's day. I am looking forward to seeing y'all at Thanksgiving and eating some tapioca together!!
love,
julie

Marci and Ashley,
Yes, the Lord does bless us when we are obedient!! Sometimes it is harder than others to walk that out. I guess that is what our own children feel on some days!!!
grace and peace,
julie

Andrea Cherie said...

What a sweet evening! It's great that you are writing these memories down!

Dreamer said...

Sounds yummy. I wish I could have pulled up a chair at your table.

Black Ice Racing said...

Good to know you still plan on cooking for awhile longer. That might have had an impact on me retiring to your neighborhood in 6 years.

Grandmom could cook but you are, and I mean this sincerely, a better cook than she was. Grandmom's pancakes were better but that is about it.

Mom/Jo Lene said...

Your apple pie filling (pictured in a quart Mason jar) looks delicious. Do you have a recipe for it?

Mom/Jo Lene said...

Your apple pie filling (pictured in a quart Mason jar) looks delicious. Do you have a recipe for it?

Mom/Jo Lene said...

Your apple pie filling (pictured in a quart Mason jar) looks delicious. Do you have a recipe for it?