Trent and I went and got his Halloween costume today, and then made a stop at "Under the Pines" to get some apples. I have been wanting to make some homemade applesauce, and today is the perfect day to do it!
The apples (I forgot I wanted to take some pics first, I had already peeled some)

Peeling, coring and slicing ~ love this Pampered Chef gadget!!





in the crock pot waiting for sugar, cinnamon and water

8 to 10 tart apples
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Enjoy!
I am going to have to call the doctor to see if we can get Christopher referred to a dermatologist to see about getting some acne treatments. He is starting to get the cystic ones again. I can only imagine how much they hurt. The little ones I get every now and then on my chin hurt, and these aren't nothing compared to the ones he has. I would like to see his face cleared up, as he is such a nice looking young man.
Last Sunday we had a chili cook-off at our church. I entered, using one of the recipes that we tried in my last cooking class. As I was making it I dumped in the chili powder thinking… Hmmm that might be a tad too much. Oh well, it was already in it. I do have to say it was the hit of the cook off! People kept asking the gal who was in charge of it who made it, as they wanted the recipe. Little do they know it was hers, I just happen to be the one who made it. I will find out this Sunday who the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners are! *fingers crosse* I placed!
Here's the recipe:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp oregano
1 Tbsp beef soup base
¼ c chili powder (I am adjusting this to my taste as it was way to spicy for me)
2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
3 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) cans kidney beans
1 can chili beans in sauce
1 chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce*
2 c water
In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook beef until brown. Stir in onions, bell pepper, celery and jalapenos and cook until tender. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, sugar, salt , pepper and chipolte pepper. Stir in tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef base and water. Let simmer about 1.5 hours. Add kidney beans with their liquid and chili beans. Heat for about 30 minutes.
Yummy with cornbread or fresh rolls.
*Leave out chipotle pepper if you don’t like it hot*
We have way to many electronics in this house. I was rearranging my living room last week, to get ready for winter, and it took me forever to get all the stereo equipment, TV, game systems all unplugged so I could move the entertainment center. Then after I got the room the way I wanted it, it was time to put it all back together. I thought I had memorized where all the plugs went for the stereo, but I guess not. I finally gave up and left it for my husband to do. And wouldn't you know it, he still hasn't done it. I am going to have to get on him so I can listen to the stereo this weekend.
I have made a few hats over the last few days.
My latest, a pumpkin hat


Then Trent wanted a Michigan hat, so I did this one last night.