Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Mini Things!

Sometimes it's the little mini things in life
that are the sweetest!

My wee mini daffodils and violets are finally blooming.
I love to pick them and fill my mini vases
(this happens about once a year)

Tea Cup added for comparison of size
I've been busy creating mini quilts (well not totally mini but baby size quilts)
There are some very special friend's babies on their way (one set of twin boys no less)
and a God Daughter's baby.






For the twins!


















For a sweet little girl?
If it's a boy I might have to 
whip up another ....










The sewing bug was extended to my sweet daughter where I just returned
from a mini visit with her mini family in Alberta.

Her first sewing project! She's a fast learner.

But, I must say that the best mini in my life right now is my darling granddaughter ....
oh what fun and many cuddles we had!

Loved like Crazy by Mommy 


And Daddy!!!!

Becky dubbed this picture "Me and my Mini"


Story Time with Grammie

Noa's Office - notice the mini knee pads for crawling baby!

Saying good-bye for now ...




It has been a fulfilling month and the mini things were the best!

Meanwhile, back at the homestead - we are preparing for the farmer's big 6-6 tomorrow!!!

I found this apple cake recipe and thought I'd give it a go.
It's an Ina Garten recipe so it's got to be good!

I didn't have Granny Smith apples so I substituted with 3 Cortland apples.



Recipe for Apple Cake "Tatin"

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the dish
1 1/4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 12 pieces
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Generously butter a 9-inch glass pie dish and arrange the apples in the dish, cut side down.
Combine 1 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it turns a warm amber color, about 360 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Swirl the pan but don't stir. Pour evenly over the apple slices.
Meanwhile, cream the 6 tablespoons of butter and the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy. Lower the speed and beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the sour cream, zest, and vanilla and mix until combined. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and, with the mixer on low speed, add it to the butter mixture. Mix only until combined.
Pour the cake batter evenly over the apple slices and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a flat plate. If an apple slice sticks, ease it out and replace it in the design on top of the cake. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar.



Till next time .......... trying to catch up with the "home" work - mini steps!

(I'm so far behind reading my favourite blogs dear friends - I'll try to catch up this week)




13 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Rosella. Your quilts are beautiful and your granddaughter is absolutely adorable. Add super pics and a delicious, sweet recipe to the mix and it doesn't get much better than this. Give our best to the farmer on his birthday!

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  2. Sweet, sweet, SWEET!!! You are blessed with the most darling little 'mini'. Happy Birthday Farmer!

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  3. Lovely photos and flowers. Such a sweet family . Wonderful quilts to and your apple desert looks YUMMY . Happy Birthday to the farmer . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

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  4. This post is full of sweetness from the beginning to the end. Your granddaughter is adorable! How good to have had time with the family. Loved seeing your projects...the recipients will be blessed.

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  5. Oh my oh my, so much sweetness here. Your little grand is just the sweetest! Love her smile. I'm so glad you had some fun with her. Wonderful photos of you and her. The quilts will be loved for sure. Ina's cake will be delicious for sure! Blessings!!

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  6. Fun post! Such a beautiful three generation photo and your cake looks so good!!

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  7. Sweet! Let's start with the sweet grand. How fun to have has cuddle time with her. Beautiful quilts. Yummy looking cake!

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  8. Oh, my goodness, your granddaughter is getting so big---and still as darling as ever! LOVE the photos of you two! I love your tarte tatin---any apple dessert is A-OK in my book!

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  9. Such a beautiful post Rosella! Love it all.

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  10. Love all your minis, but I am so enjoying the pictures of your sweet little granddaughter! The photo of the three of you is the best! Happy birthday to the farmer!

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  11. 'Minis' are always adorable!

    Your granddaughter is adorable! You must be very proud.

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  12. That was a lovely catch-up Rosella. I missed this post and when I checked I saw that google had eliminated me from your followers list. This is not the first time that this has happened - so I 're-signed up' so that I won't miss any more posts.
    Your little granddaughter is adorable. It must have been hard to say 'bye bye' to her. I know that I hate to leave our gang in Edmonton.
    That cake certainly looks delicious! I cooked from Ina Garten this weekend too - her Chocolate Cake and her Maple Pecan Pie. They went in a minute!

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