Tuesday, May 29, 2012

time? what time?

The other day I received a message stating my blog is lacking in posts compared to last year. This is very true. I can say that chasing my twin 15month old daughters while being 29 weeks pregnant plays a factor, but really... I've just been lazy. I lack the motivation to do any writing. I have been more successful in getting the girls out to more play dates and doing more around Germany, but the trade-off is compromising my writing goals. How to balance it all? Well, when I've figured that one out you will know because you will have the option to purchase my finished book :)

We did get out to the Kaiserslautern Fair before it ended last week. The weather was beautiful and the food delicious. The girls tried cotton candy and we had milkshakes after our chicken dinner. The milkshakes were not at all what I'm accustomed to, but they were okay. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to like desserts in Germany. Many Germans tell me that Americans like their sweets too sweet... WHO SAYS THAT? Well, maybe we do, but what other way is there to enjoy a sweet delectable treat?

The only downside of our outing was dealing with a group of locals who were a bit pushy and rude (no, not here hahahaha). We were sitting down to dinner when a group decided to sit at the table directly behind us. I must preface this by saying that in Germany people are sat (and sit themselves) wherever there is room. If you're sitting at a table that seats four and their are only two of you, then be prepared to share that table with another couple. The problem was not that they wanted to squeeze in behind us, but that they thought it okay to push one of our daughters forward while trying to get through without saying excuse me or ask us to let them pass. Well, I tried to move forward as much as my pregnant belly allowed and I pushed my daughter's chair up as well. My husband actually speaks a bit of German and told the group, "The words are excuse me" in their native tongue. I dont know if it was his tone or the shock that an American spoke German or that someone decided to give them a lesson on manners, but one woman in the group was not particularly pleased. They ended up moving to another area... an area with plenty more space.

Well, I'm off to enjoy this beautiful weather from my couch while the girls finish their nap. I will be visiting a spa soon (part of my awesome Mother's Day gift) and can't wait to tell you all about it.

Ciao!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Warm Apple Pie

I did it! I finally made my husband's favorite dessert...warm apple pie. Not only did I make this pie from scratch, but it turned out delicious. He even had a second helping. I'm all smiles. My husband is not a man of many words, but his actions are always loud and clear. Good job honey, this is the best damn apple pie I've ever tasted. Those were the words his actions sweetly whispered into my ear. I found a recipe on cooks.com and only slightly altered the ingredients. I wish I had more time to bake like before. These days my time is filled with play dates, diaper changes, Sesame Street, and a giant pregnant belly. I wouldn't change any of it for the world.


APPLE PIE WITH STREUSEL TOPPING (my version)

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

PASTRY: 

I frozen pie crust... yep, I didnt make my own crust. Shoot me. :)

FILLING:

2 3/4 lbs. Granny Smith apples (about 4 lg.), pared, cored and thinly sliced
1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

STREUSEL TOPPING:

1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pats
Prepare filling: Combine apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice and cinnamon in large bowl.

Prepare topping: Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut butter until mixture is coarsely crumbled.

Spoon filling evenly into pie shell. Spoon topping evenly over apples.
Bake pie in preheated oven (400 degrees) for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Loosely cover topping with foil to prevent overbrowning. Bake 45 to 55 minutes before slicing.

original recipe can be found @ http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1837,157191-224203,00.html