Pecan Apple Pie
Pastry for double=crust pie (9inches)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (about 10 apples)

TOPPING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine
1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping

Line 2 9 -inch plates with pastry.  Trim and flute edges; set aside.  In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt; add apples and toss to coat.  Pour into pastry shells.  For the topping, combine brown sugar, flour and oats; cut in butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over apples.  Cover edges loosely with foil.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.  Remove foil; bake 25-30 minutes longer or until filling is bubbly.  Sprinkle with pecans; drizzle with caramel topping.  Cool on wire rack. 

Yield:  2 pies ( 6-8 servings each)
Oct/Nov 2000 Taste of Home

Sunday turned out to be a lovely day here in MN.  We went to church, both Erik and Tommy had new classes.  Today was Rally Day so after service we came home and changed clothes and headed back to church for lunch and fun!!  It was great to have time to chat with friends.   Another couple from last year will be joining us for our "families First " program we are starting.   We also got to visit with Amy's mom.  

Paul and I took Tommy home for his nap and Josh, Amy and Erik stayed at the church for  a while to enjoy the rally some more.  It was hot and Tommy was tired.  We came home and Tommy and I both took a 3 hour nap.  AAAAH...I still seem to be recovering from this sinus infection, my energy is really limited.  

Once we got up from our naps.  Hubby, Tommy and I headed to Sam's Club for some needed items.   I found something for Josh's Christmas Present he has been wanting so we got that.  So we spent a bit more than our budgeted amount.  We were out of alot of things!  Tommy picked out his Halloween Constume.....he is going to be.....

Then it was a quick supper and after supper we played Electronic Catch Phrase until Erik was picked up by his mom.  Erik had a bit of an attitude this weekend.  It always happens when he is back living with his mom and only comes here for weekends.  He doesn't have enough time to adjust to our expectations and it makes for a tense weekend. 

Now back to our regular schedule....this week starts Wednesday classes at church.  I think the children and I will be eating at church on Wednesday and then we all have a class to go to.  Hubby isn't able to make it there until about 7:00.  But we really believe church is a family affair we try very hard to show our children that religion is a way of life not just something your parents make you do when your a child. 

I am hiding in my bedroom for the rest of the night!!   I gave Tommy a bath and got him ready for bed.  He is suppose to go to bed at 8:30.   At 8:15 I went to my room with my book and laptop.  I figure hubby can handle watching Erik and Tommy.  He jsut needs to get Tommy into bed and Erik into the shower.   If I stay up it will all be expected that I do it all.  I think Hubby should be in charge some...though it makes me nervous.  His idea of in charge involves Erik watching Tommy for him and he goes to the computer room.  But nothing too bad could happen to Tommy in 15 minutes??  Right???

LEMON & GARLIC MARINADE

This marinade is suppose to be for chicken but I am trying it tonight on shrimp.  Should be good!  

2 cloves chopped garlic
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons chopped Parsley
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1/8 Teaspoons pepper

Yes, yes,,,,,you have to wear a helmet when you ride the electric scooter for the 100,000 time. 

Today not starting off as great either.  Hubby forgot to get Erik's meds...so a weekend with out meds and we plan on going somewhere tomorrow.   So it will be double the amount of reminders about behavior.   I threw out about 300.00 worth of toys that my chidlren lost pieces too and jsut didn't take care of.   I go out to run and get milk for lunch, and my truck doesn't start.....I am a bit crabby....so as a remedy.....I paid the bills...LOL!  That is sure to put you into a better moood, right???

Ok...I am off to make a wonderful supper for my family and improve my mood.  Now, cooking actually does that for me since I love to cook!  Tommy is still napping, Josh is getting ready for his GF to come over and I sent Erik out to play with friends.   PEACE....for a few more minutes!  Tommy should be waking any minute!

Oh yeah...the expense of the day....Josh's car died while he was driving down White Bear Ave.   ARGH!!   I ended up having it towed to a service station.  I wonder how much this will cost me??????????  That child is sooooo expensive!  I have been trying to save up money for the co-pay for his oral surgery which is on the 27th.  I need 400.00 that day to pay that, but now his car is broken down too.  Not good on our very tight budget!

I didn't accomplish a thing today    I started feeling terrible after I took Tommy to daycare.  This sinus junk got the best of me and I had to get some antibiotics.  So took some more meds and am going to bed.  Hope to feel better tomorrow!!   I have alot of things I want to get done this weekend!

Tommy had a great time at school.  He talked alot about his friends.   He went potty while I school, in the potty!  He came home with a dry pull-up.  Plus he went at home again before going to Bonnies.    The teacher Miss Megan said he did great!  She said he will be alot of fun since when she asked questions the other children stared at her and Tommy answered.  He is very verbal for his age, so she was excited about that!   He made a cute drawing of his hands.   

Well I best get some things done aroudn here whiile he is at Bonnies.  This weekend we have all the boys. Hubby will pick up Erik tonight after work.   Later!

I figure I will play on the computer until it is time to pick up Tommy.  I can't wait to go get him and see how his first day of school went.   I am a bit weepy....my last baby is growing up so quickly!!   I have enjoyed the stage of my life raising children, it is something I am pretty good at and enjoy.   But to look forward to a stage where I am not changing diapers or caring for my children??   Hmmm....I'm not there, but my hubby is.   I still long for one more baby....a little girl maybe?  But reality of it is ....I have been raising children for over 16 years.   I have another 16 more years to go until Tommy is out of school.  So that means that 32 years of my life will be raising children.   Hard to believe...

Since I am so impatiently waiting to go get Tommy....I thought I would respond to a comment or two.

HAPPY - Hi ...thanks for subscribing to my site.  As far as OAMC goes, it saves time and money.  You save more money the better you get the shooping and planning.  On Beth's OAMC site she talks about her experience and her cost savings.    I haven't really kept track of the amount I spend.  When we cooked at church with my girlfriends, we ended up spending about 4.00 an entree I think.   The best way I find to save money is to more batch cook.  I look for a good price on hamburger and then buy enough to make all my favorite hamburger recipes.  I do the same with chicken, ham and turkey.  Around Easter and Christmas you can get such good prices on ham and turkey so I  buy a couple and make meals with it.   I know it is less expensive, I just am not so sure how much.  Over the summer I was doing the Menu Mailer, which is great during the summer for us.  But I was spending more on groceries than I usually budget.   But we were eating more fresh produce, etc.   so I think it balanced in the end.  

RANGERWIFE2000 - OAMC might be something to make your life easier!

MISTEY - I rarely buy any more cookbooks.  The internet is a wealth of information on anything you want to learn to do.   I do still get my Quick Cooking and Taste of Home, but I love to lay and bed and browse through them!!

***  20 more minutes until I can go pick up Tommy from school**

Ok...what else can I blab about....I guess it is time for my list for today!!!!   I have been following flylady and her mission and my own detail cleaning schedule so I will share that too!  

FRIDAY TO DO:

ZONE:   KITCHEN - straighten Plastics Cupboard
Check Supplies and Clean under Sink
Purse Boogie
Car Boogie (vacuum)
Financial BLessing - paybills & review budget,
Make a grocery list/Menu from my freezer Inventory!

Laundry - socks and under garments - put rest away!

Cut out my upholstery for my dining room chairs.

Have a great Day I am off to pick up my Tommy from school!     YEAH!!