At around four o'clock on several afternoons this week I've gone racing home from wherever I am to grab my camera and then careen back out to the east side of Mt. Tabor to try to catch the alpenglow on Mt. Hood. It's short-lived but so worth the race (I only have a 50% success rate in catching it so far). I've already got the sled, the toddler snowpants, the toddler snow mittens, the toddler snowcoat, all ready for when we actually go up there. Up there, to where the snow lives.
This week has been cold and blustery, nevertheless. To warm up, I made chicken curry and these things we always made when I was a kid, from one of my mom's Pillsbury cookbooks — we called them apple babies:
Apple Babies
Take a can of refrigerated crescent-roll dough and cut the triangles lengthwise so you have sixteen long, skinny triangles. Peel and core two apples and cut them into eight slices each. Starting at the fat end of the triangle, wrap each apple slice in dough. Put them in an 8" x 8" baking pan. Drizzle about 1/4 cup melted butter all over the tops of the babies. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (don't skimp). Add about 1/4 cup apple cider or orange juice or whatever you have to the pan, pouring it around but not on the apples. Bake in a 350-degree (F) oven until nicely browned. Serve plain or with a bit of cream. Try not to inhale all sixteen before other residents get home.
My curry was based on this recipe, though I used the shredded meat from a roasted chicken (I've been roasting or buying one every week, then making stock), didn't add the tomatoes or tomato paste (I'm not super keen on tomatoes), and did add a diced sweet potato, a diced Yukon gold potato, a bag of peas, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Oh, and I used Dean & Deluca yellow curry powder (my favorite). If left to my own devices, I would probably eat some form of chicken and rice every single day. I should have a board for that. I'm still working my way through your suggestions for soups. There are so many amazing-looking ones; the comments on that post are like their own cookbook, I'm so excited. I made this potato-leek soup (photo above) and it was delicious (thank you, commenter Amelia!). You can't imagine how much this inspiration is helping me get back into the kitchen! Thank you all!
Today it's errands and a few chores, and haircuts, and getting a new binder, and getting some magnets, and taking the hose inside for the winter. Yesterday I bought candles and fake autumn flowers for the table (toddler-proof). I got placemats (toddler-proof), and made an appointment to have the windows measured for wooden blinds. A little bit of everything, and not too much at all, just the way I like these days. Slow and cold outside, warm and wooly in.
Have a good weekend, dear friends!
***Yep, that's the water room in the toddler area at (and the view from) our science museum, OMSI; Mimi's crocheted dress pattern is here; and she's showing you her thrifted prairie-girl dress, which I absolutely love and wish I had a pattern for (it's clearly homemade).
Hi Alicia,
Love all of these cozy pictures. A beautiful mountain capture, and what a kick to see Amelia looking all cosmopolitan in her little coat and shoes. My daughter Nora is turning two in a couole of weeks and I am loving her fascination as she notices how things work, it's a great age. Happy cooking! The Apple Babies will be making a (brief) appearance in our kitchen too :)
Such lovely pictures! Your blog posts are always so cozy and inviting:) Is that the children's museum near the zoo? I've always noticed it when we're down there, but never gone in. Thanks for sharing this wonderful little glimpses into your life.
Apple babies! You've made my whole week happy.
Could this being any cozier or more inspiring? I think... Not!
Such a beautiful mountain, it seems to have real grace and dignity. Your days look lovely and warm.
I have been listening to meetings all day long and I thought I'd pop over to see if by chance you had written something new. Those three photos of that sweet girl walking down the road just made my day. So, so sweet.
Oh my gosh: your Denby side plate! I have the matching mug! There are 3 random side plates just like yours in my local antique shop and I've been needing an excuse to buy them for months, but I bought the mug instead because how many side plates do you really need? It's the cosiest mug I've ever seen. I must post a picture of it on my blog one of these days!
Sorry for the pottery geekiness but I'm just thrilled that our homes shares this beautiful design!
Now if only we shared a view of Mt. Hood!
I love Alpenglow on Mt. Hood! I have tried to capture that many times.. with a few successes. We're doing the same cozying in around the fire out here in Corbett. But I'm off to the pool in a few minutes.. oh my it takes gumption to go in the winter! Enjoy your coziness. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Ah yes, it should always be warm and woolly inside in winter shouldn't it. What beautiful long hair your baby has now, so pretty. The photo of the mountain is stunning, lucky you living near such an amazing natural sight. CJ xx
O apple babies, how sweet is that!... thanks for the beautiful pictures... very inspiring!
Oh, that Portland view is nice. Mt. Hood. LOVE. I like it when it's mentioned in the Beverly Cleary books. Curry sounds delicious for a cold day's supper!
Those apple babies look delicious! I'm going to give them a try. And cute little Amelia. What a sweetie!
blessings
~*~
Ah yes these lovely sweet cosy days in and around Portland. Our second Autumn here, and I'm in love. You've captured so perfectly the glow! Your girl is gorgeous as always. I think she and my little fellow (he's two in December!) would have fun. Perhaps we'll bump into you at the museum some day. Happy cosy weekend wishes to you and yours :)
Amelia is now a little girl ,she looks so grown up ,and i just love her coat ,she,s adorable Alicia xx
Oh my, Amelia looks so grown-up in her coat and scarf! The soup looks so good and the chicken, even better! Hope you get to play in the snow soon :)
Hugs,
Deb
Dang. Apple Babies? For real?? They look GOOD! I might have to make those this week and thank the universe that my kids don't eat baked apples. LOL!! That picture of the mountain is freaking awesome. How I would love to be able to see that from my home!! Also, the picture of Amelia in her coat and tights on the sidewalk is too precious for words!!
Apple babies - I love it! i can picture eating them straight from the oven with a cup of tea. Heaven.
Amelia looks adorable in her coat with her beautiful long hair. I can't believe how big she's getting.
your daughter is growing, I could see it in these pictures! God bless and keep warm! Mountains are so beautiful to seek to photograph!
oh. my. goodness. those photos of amelia with her coat and scarf … the colors are too wonderful! and they match her rosy glowing complexion … how can there be so much cuteness in one photo … she looks so grown up … just darling alicia … what a good momma!!
That outfit with the green coat is unbelievable. Never has there been a toddler outfit so perfect! Amazing!
Beautiful, Alicia! Your little sweetie looks adorable in her about-town clothes, soooo chic!!
Please, for those of us living in far away places where 'crescent dough' doesn't exist ... what's it like? Is it a flaky pastry, like a croissant? (thinking about the 'crescent'). I'd love to have a go at making them with local ingredients :-)
Apple babies are on the weekend menu! Thank you for sharing your recipe! And, speaking of babies, your Mimi is just delicious!!!
Quite the little lady in her coat, dress, tights, shoes, and scarf!
Amelia is one of the most stylish little ladies, ever. :) I love all the handmade knits! So adorable.
The water room at The Children's Museum. A real right of passage. Mimi is beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving.