Fall Favorite Recipe {Bavarian Apple Tart!}

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This has got to be one of my most favorite apple recipes to make in the fall. Several years ago, I made this dessert for my hubby to take into work, and when I got a phone call from one of his co-worker's, later that afternoon, asking me for the recipe, I was a little bit surprised!  Then again, I shouldn't have been.  It IS rather amazing, if I can say so myself.  

And... because it is my hubby's favorite now, too, I make it pretty often this time of year.  I promise you'll fall in love with this simple but decadent (rustic) dessert.

My sister asked me to bring something for dessert for Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow, so of course I decided to make this one...for sure!  I apologize - the lighting in my kitchen isn't so great!

~ Bevy's Bavarian Apple Tart ~

1 cup all-purpose flour (sometimes, I use half whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

* Mix together with pastry cutter, or two knives,  until crumbly.  Press firmly onto bottom and up (1/2") sides of 8x12 baking dish.

12 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp. each of vanilla and (pure) almond flavorings

* Beat together, and spread carefully over pastry.  Leave some of the crust showing.  This can be tricky.  I use a small icing spreader.

4 cups, peeled and thinly sliced apples  (SOMETIME:  You have got to try this recipe using Fresh chunked Peaches - Absolutely divine!!!)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

* Combine and spread over cheese mixture.

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

* Spread over apples.

Bake at 425* for 10 minutes.  Then reduce heat to 375* and continue baking for 25 minutes.  Cool for 5 minutes then cut around the edge of pan with knife to loosen.  Cut in squares.  Great, served warm or cold!

:: Enjoy!  Especially with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream, a hot cup of coffee and of course, your soul mate.  It's great for a "FALLing-in-Love" sort of combination!! ;)

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Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Cup of Talk

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We were at some friends for dinner several years ago now, but I

often think about something my friend mentioned in regards to her family - of while she was a young gal and growing up.

She said that back when they had their dairy farm, AND... this obviously had to happen around

the cows schedule, but that their family would have what they would call:

COFFEE TIME.

This happened everyday at 10:30 am, and again at 4:30 pm in the afternoon.

This what they did. They would all sit down, as a family, around the table
and have a cup of coffee... and talk. Now, that they don't have the dairy farm anymore...one would think this family "ritual" might have changed and gone out with the farm...but, no!
It is a habit that has remained.

I love this!


Quality time; fellowship, talking together, over a good ole cup of hot coffee.
It just might be a good habit to start.

When have you had a good old cup of 'talk', lately??

Let's get together!!

My new mantra - or one, I've been trying to implement - is this:  Phone a friend, at ten!

Drip. Drip. Drip...FULL and Overflowing!

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I have the wonderful privilege of reading to my growing kiddos each morning before school - and this particular morning's reading was all about kindnesses and I immediately thought of a book that they all three read and learned about in school - in their early years!!  And.. I remember doing a post on it - so HERE that one is.   You have to read it - in fact, I CANNOT wait to share this same post with my kids later this afternoon or evening. 

 We NEED the reminder.

WOW!

Okay.

So, this reading this morning from The Life of Samuel Johnson in The Book of Virtues (p. 329) ... is talking about kindnesses shown and keeping our friendships in constant repair.   Here is what else I read:

We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed.  As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there at last one which makes the heart run over.

~~

It's a thought that is very much on my heart and mind.  As our lives ebb and flow and changes come and go - that ultimately bring about a change in our relationships... it is a real challenge to maintain some of those friendships.   And.. yet.  We NEED to keep adding to our friendships or soon we'll have none.  Am I right?

I'm so grateful for the many lovely friends that fill my cup!!  Not to mention, my Lord and Savior. He is the source of it all.

And so... as I keep the constant repair happening... tending to the drip by drip of filling another's heart-vessel with kindnesses - then my saucer will be filled, as well, full and overflowing.

Because, paraphrasing from Luke 6:45, out the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  

I may venture to say it is the only time I care to be known as a "constant drip"... if you know what I mean.   Think about it!   What an opportunity to be a slow and steady blessing, one drip at a time, in someone's life... that at some point... is when their heart is full and BOOM!!  that bucket is filled to the top and overflowing. 

fmf | Stories

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This thought of stories keeps coming to my mind and - you know - you know how a good story will often meet you where you're at... tear at the heart strings and make you really evaluate where you find yourself.  It allows you to step, for a moment, into the shoes of another and walk their road for a bit.  Never mind the unconsciously tightening up of your own shoelaces while you keep walking your own.

Stories do that.

But, as for the uncertainty part, or the unknown, it's real; it's heavy.  I find it truly amazing... how the titles do come later.

As for me.  There has been JOY in the journey.  Trusting the process to the LORD who is authoring the story of our lives.

**

Last evening, my team, had held an info meeting for our home-based business...and there literally were tears in every eye.  As we shared some powerful testimony's ... just to think... how the uncertainty was sooo very real and overwhelming, for these friends whose story we shared, and yet... looking back - they could be confident that the outcome was in God's hands completely, all along.  And now... look where they are?  Life- changing!!  Unbelievable.  Such and act of God to move..

While we "walked along" for a moment... and we have our own stories to share... we are grateful.  Grateful to God for authoring that story.  And.. for sustaining us all through the unknown.

Question is. 

Are you willing to be part of your own story?  Meaning: Owning your life... yet, trusting God, the author and the finisher of our/your faith to pen the details.

It's a captivating place.

***

I chose to follow along with Five Minute Friday link up, today.  Thanks for reading!!

Live Beautifully!

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Let me live in my house by the side of the road
 and be a friend to man...
 ~ Sam Walter Foss

How are those things you are grateful for - coming along?  Mine are slowly being penciled in, in this journal of mine.  I cannot say that I have listed each and every single day - since mentioning it here.. but, let me tell you.  My attitude has been of gratitude... because, I'm truly grateful.

Today it is for:
* first snowflakes - flitting through the air
* the smell of apples - so pungent
* the sip of a hot beverage or two on this cozy day
(Yes! I've had more than one.)

***
Had a chance to read a poem to my kiddos this morning, before school.  It comes from The Book of Virtues.  A book we've been reading from  - pretty near - each morning, that we can.

This poem, by New England poet, Sam Walter Foss, brings to light a picture of a humble house where a weary traveler may find a warm and hospitable welcome.  It's entitled:  The House By The Side of the Road.  I'll let you look up to read for yourself.  (it's worth it!)

And, it brought on the discussion, around the breakfast table - how as siblings; friends, neighbors...etc.  We all are a representation of a "house" - by the side of the road.  Cheering on, sharing the load, bringing on the encouragement that is needed... to one another.   Friends are to be the "help-meets" to one another.  In talking... I borrowed from an old blog post of mine (because, I think of this often, still!) - a few thoughts, as I shared with my kiddos, - about the fact that because we have Jesus in our hearts - our "house" should have obvious glowing windows.   In other words... live beautifully.

You can read that post HERE!!!

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I don't know.  I feel kind of like a bit of a rambler here, but....I hope you were blessed. I hope you go and read that "old blog post" of mine.  I hope you were also (perhaps) challenged...

Live Beautifully.

Gratitude Community

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Welcome to the month of November!

I always think of November as a month set aside for expressing gratitude and time for giving...however, every day should be set aside for just that.  Right?

I found this quote by Daphne Rose Kingma, that says...
Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only to those to whom you can give it easily, but also those who need it so much.

Who would like to join me, that, for each day, this month, we, at best, list three things we are so grateful for?  And, can we share our love??   Can we consider this a type of community?  A gathering, per say.

I dare you to grab a notebook and a favorite pen.. and, on your own, jot down, every day - three things - you're grateful for and if there is some life you've touched!!  I have my "journal", ready to go. :)  If you'd like - you're welcome to share them in the comments. 

And, at the end of the month let's see how amazing life truly is!!   Who knows?!  Maybe, we'll form a new habit.  :)  Blessings on your day!