I have to admit that my baking and crafting mojo has been low, if not missing, for the last couple of months. I’ve made a couple of victoria sponge cakes and the odd batch of welsh cakes, but that is about it. There has been a bit of unproductive knitting. The sewing machine has been out once. Even my patchwork is sitting gathering dust, waiting for me to pick up some matching fabric. Ho hum.
Then last night I was cruising around Pinterest and one pin led to another, until I found Bakerella’s pumpkin pies. Dutifully I pinned, thinking that I could use the bowls of pumpkin flesh that result from an afternoon carving pumpkins with the children. The sight of the little pastry cases reminded me of the mini apple pies I usually make each autumn. Hang on. It is autumn. I should be making them.
Apple pies are nice and we love them with custard or ice cream. These pies have traditionally gone into packed lunches for the children. Not easy to pack ice cream or custard, so I made an adaption. Just before I fill the pastry case with apple sauce, I add a generous dollop of custard. I’ve found canned custard works best. Then into the oven.
If I’m all out of custard, then the family soon communicate their disappointment. Yep, custard is popular.
I’m never going to win on appearance with these apple pies. The crit sheet would be too damning. Quite honestly, I cannot make enough of these pies to meet family demand, let alone spend time on the perfect crust.
This time, rather than leave the odd small ball of left-over pastry in the fridge, as I usually do (and end up throwing it away), I cut out hearts to go on top. I was greeted with lots of “ooh”s and smiles this morning. I guess the family doesn’t mind my rough and ready pastry!
Thank you everyone who left such supportive comments about my last post. You guys rock! You helped me to see the bigger picture (pun intended). I have made so many wonderful connections with people through blogging, that I don’t want to give that up. If I’ve never written it before, thank you for all your wonderful comments and the inspiration, and helpful suggestions that you share. I love, love reading them. Every single wonderful one.
Now, just need to find my sewing mojo. Maybe it’s been sulking under my sewing machine all this time, along with the dust bunnnies. With apple pie in hand, I’m going hunt it down. Wish me luck.
Please please PLEASE share the recipe, they look so cute and yummy, and I can’t imagine anything better than an apple pie hot from the oven at the moment.
I’m sorry to hear about the photos being stolen, but please do keep sharing them – the homemade cannot be fully appreciated through words alone, and I take so much inspiration from your site.
Oh my! You know I’m blushing now, Nickie. All the pies have vanished already. Funny how that happens. So I will be making another batch over the weekend. I’ll make sure I take plenty of photos. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
I am an Education student in the heart of South Africa, in a little place called Bloemfontein, and I’ve stumbled across your blog while searching for ideas for a craft project for school.
May I just say that you are a wonderful mother and absolutely inspiring artist! Your craft ideas are easy to understand and quite unique. It seems to me that your entire lifestyle is a celebration of all things pretty and fun and that is SO COOL to see! Many people today only bustle with their day jobs and let the beautiful things in life slip past them, but after seeing some of your posts, I’ve been so inspired to pick up a good book again, restart my teddy bear crafting and give that embroidery pattern another try.
Thank you for sharing your rare talent! (And BOO to those plagiarists who try to box you in with their dishonesty!) 😀
You’ve made my day, Luzanne! Thank you. I think the children, you teach, are so lucky to have a teacher like you. It’s more than just building them up for the next school test. I hope your re-found crafting energy brings you lots of joy. I’d love to see your teddy bear crafting. Have a wonderful week.
I agree with Nickie, Cheryl – please do share the recipe! My boys love apple pies (and custard)and I was just thinking I need something yummy and homemade for lunchboxes…supermarket apple pies just don’t cut it. Love the little hearts on top too…maybe tiny tractors would be good for my little boys (I’m getting ahead of myself here lol)
I have lost my baking mojo too over the last few months…knitting that just doesn’t seem to happen to, but I do need to dust off the baking equipment 🙂 Glad you seem to have found yours again!
xx
Tractors. Oh brilliant. Love the idea. Your right about the supermarket apple pies. They seems more sweet than tasty. Not sure they could be saved even with a mini tractor on top. I’ve got the photos ready, so I will post the recipe next time. It does feel time to be dusting off some of the making equipment. 😀
oh my! those are so completely adorable, and to make it even better… they look *delicious*!!
They are yummy! Not that I get many. They always seem to disappear in minutes. 🙂