Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars

My father in law brought us a large sack of apples from a local orchard. I was excited to think of everything I would make with them. The first thing I made was Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars. I found the recipe in my "go to" book: a paperback Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. I have used this book so many times it has completely split into 3 sections and pages are starting to flutter to the kitchen floor!

I chose this recipe for it's simplicity and I'm glad I did. I loved it, my kids loved it, my hubby loved it and my BFF Becky loved it. I think I ate about half of the pan! If you've got just 2 apples, some old fashioned oats and some basic baking supplies on hand...you'll be all set!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars

1 C flour
1 C quick cooking rolled oats
2/3 C packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. butter or margarine
2 medium tart cooking apples: peeled, cored and chopped
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
dash ground cloves

Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter or margarine till the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 C. of the crumb mixture. With your fingers, press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of ungreased 8 x 8 or a 9 x 9 square baking pan. In small saucepan, combine apples, 2Tbsp. water, lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves. Bring apple mixture to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes till apples are tender. Next spread softened apples and pan juices over pressed oat mixture in the baking pan. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes approx. 25 bars.

Enjoy!

Crafting the Mayflower

I found a great Thanksgiving craft on a blog that I follow called katydid and kid It's these charming little Mayflower boats made from a paper grocery bag. Here's our version of her paper Mayflower boats.

(my son's friend on left............my son on the right)

When I saw this craft, I instantly fell in love. I knew right away I was going to have my kids make them for our Thanksgiving decorations.



These boats were easy to make and so adorable!



Even if you don't have any youngsters at home, this would still be fun to make by yourself. I couldn't resist making one myself! I love paper projects because they are economical and usually made from recycled materials....there's just something so earthy and raw about it. I'll be putting these on display along with my other Thanksgiving decor. Just click here, katydid and kid.  to get to her blog for this wonderful craft tutorial.

November, a poem by John Updike

The stripped and shapely Maple grieves
The loss of her departed leaves.

The ground is hard
As hard as stone.
The year is old
The birds are flown.

And yet the world,
Nevertheless,
Displays a certain
Loveliness.



The beauty of the bone.
Tall God must see our souls this way, and nod.



Give thanks, we do, each in his place
Around the table during Grace.

Memory Lane Monday

November...my mind automatically goes to Thanksgiving. I wanted to share with you my childhood memories of how we celebrated Thanksgiving in my house.

Every single Thanksgiving, without fail, I awoke to the smell of celery and onion sauteing in butter. My mom was preparing stuffing and this was the first step. The smell was absolutely heaven. I remember feeling very cozy and warm inside as I would stumble dreary eyed into the kitchen for breakfast because I knew that this would be a special day. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade as my Mom would continue to prepare the big meal. I loved the parade. In my mind, I feel like I watched every minute, but being a child maybe I ran around playing half the time...but that parade was on the TV until it was over. As the parade went on, the smells from the kitchen kept getting better and better. As we got closer to meal time, my Mom would ask me to set the table. I was excited about setting the table because I would get to make it look fancy...the gravy boat, the extra salt and pepper shakers, the glass plate for the cranberry sauce from a can (the only thing my mom didn't make from scratch)and the cloth napkins. My dad was at every Thanksgiving meal, but I can't remember him being in the house until it was time to eat. Knowing him, he was probably out in the garage working on something...yes, the meal was entirely up to my mother...but that didn't seem odd, that was normal for us. As far as I can remember, my father worked so much, but the one thing we could count on...he would not work on Thanksgiving, or other major holidays like Christmas and Easter. I remember feeling like "Wow, Dad's not working today, this must be a REALLY special day." We never had relatives over on Thanksgiving, but I do remember we would call Grandma and Grand Pap, Uncle Leo, Aunt Jeanie and my cousins to see how their Thanksgiving was. It was always just us...my Mom and Dad and whatever kids hadn't moved out yet. There were six of us and by the time I was 10, four of my brothers and sisters had already grown up and left the nest. The meal was perfectly delicious...the mashed potatoes and gravy...oh my gosh...I loved that gravy so much. As far back as I remember, our Thanksgiving meal consistently included the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, sweet potatoes, jelled cranberry sauce shaped exactly like the can it came in...grooves and all, white sliced bread, butter...and pumpkin pie. It was a pretty simple day, but so special none the less. Nowadays, the very first thing I do when I wake up Thanksgiving morning is saute the onion and celery in butter...and turn on the Macy's Day Parade. I, now, cook the traditional meal for my Mom and Dad at my house. My sister Karen comes to join the meal as well. My oldest son Everest says the prayer before our meal. I am impressed. My youngest son...well, he's up to his usual shenanigans...and my hubby, he carves the turkey!

Pepperoni Roll...my own version

Hello everyone! 

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! 

Here is my version of a pepperoni roll. It is soooo delicious! 

I have learned that there are some pretty fantastic pepperoni rolls in West Virginia...I would love to try one some day. 

This is just my version...a simple, yummy recipe that I make for my family for dinner once in a while. Everyone I have made this for LOVES it! I hope you give it a try!  

I love pepperoni rolls! I make this every so often and it's pretty tasty.
However, I am telling you though, this is not made from scratch.
But, this is one of those very easy, quick ways to make a pizza roll.
This is obviously not one of those healthful meals...
so eat at your own risk! LOL!
I use pre packaged frozen dough, cheese, pepperoni, some herbs and olive oil.

I like to use Rhodes brand.

(not being paid by Rhodes to say that...I just love their products)



Loosely cover the frozen bread dough with plastic wrap. Allow dough to thaw for a few hours at room temperature.

Roll dough out to approximately 11 x 11 square.


One frozen dough log makes one pepperoni roll.
Brush dough with olive oil or whatever cooking oil you prefer.



Lay pepperoni on dough covering entire surface. I like to use sandwich pepperoni from the deli.



Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.





Next, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. You can use grated from a can if that is what you already have on hand...but you can buy the shredded Parmesan in a bag. You'll find it right next to the other bags of shredded cheese. Wal Mart sells it for $1.99 and it is very good. I like using the shredded Parmesan in the bag because the flavor is so much better!



Lightly sprinkle with Italian herbs...basically, some dried oregano, parsley and basil. Be careful, not too much....oregano can be very strong and you don't want too much!



Add a sprinkling of garlic powder. I was all out of garlic powder, so I used garlic salt.



Roll up dough starting at one edge of square.









Place rolls on baking sheet, leaving space between.



Brush some melted butter on top of uncooked pepperoni roll.



You do not need to let rise. Bake it right away. It will rise up in the oven perfectly.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 15 to 25 minutes.
Oven temps. and times may vary.
When done, top of roll should be golden brown and you should be able to make a tapping sound on the crust with your fingernail...just the same as when baking bread.
Make sure you allow pepperoni roll to cool completely before serving.



As with any baking, keep an eye on your roll. This is just an estimated time. You'll know it's done when the roll is golden and makes a hard tapping sound when you tap it with your fingernail...just like when baking a loaf of bread.



The pepperoni roll will be oozing with cheese and looking quite scrumptious. Let it cool before cutting for heaven's sake! I know it's tempting to dive right in there, but give it time to cool and set up.

**Make sure you allow your pepperoni roll to cool completely before slicing!



Oh my gosh, this is a meal in itself. This makes a great dish to take to a friend's house for watching the football game, or to take on a picnic, or as an office treat for your friends. This definitely can stand alone for dinner with a tossed salad on the side. Everyone in my house LOVES it when I make these for dinner. It's a great leftover to take for lunch the next day too!

P.S. I do not claim this to be a West Virginia pepperoni roll. This is bread dough, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese....all rolled up and baked. :)

Enjoy!