Crock Pot Apple Butter

Who would have thought it was so EASY?Start with 5-1/2 lbs. of apples (they taste even better when a friend gives them to you!) Feel free to mix and match.

Next, peel and finely chop the apples, putting them in a large bowl. Try to find an assistant as lovely as mine!


Combine 3 cups sugar, 2-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour over apples and mix well. Place in greased crock pot. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Decrease heat to low; cover and cook on low for 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally.

Uncover and cook on low for 1 hour longer. If desired, whisk until smooth. Spoon into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Cover and freeze.


~from Recipezaar

***Update: We made more of this yesterday and took the advice of my dear friend, Nicole, letting it simmer overnight. The consistency was perfect!

Summer in 30 Days....A Mountain Hike

It was a lovely day Monday as we surprised the children with a picnic lunch and a hike in the Sandia Mountains. What a trooper Little Bit was....she kept up with everyone else, skinned knees and all! Here are some highlights...

Slow-cooked Broccoli

Here's another recipe I'm adding to my "Fellowship Meal Arsenal." (also known as FMA :)) Enjoy!

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped broccoli, partially thawed
1 can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1-1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 teaspooon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. crushed butter-flavored crackers (about 25)
2 T. butter

(I doubled this recipe and used a 5 qt. crockpot. It fit perfectly.)

Combine broccoli, soup, 1 cup cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour into greased slow cooker, and sprinkle the crackers on top; dot with butter.

Cover and cook on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, and cook for 10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.

~recipe from Taste of Home

Summer in 30 Days.....The Park and a Picnic

With the arrival of precious Peep and an unexpected trip to Virginia, our school year was a bit extended. So, while most everyone else is welcoming in a new year, we just finished ours last week. We're taking a short break now, which includes taking care of house projects, but also a bit of fun.

I decided to have "summer in 30 days." I'll be surprising the children throughout the next several weeks with fun activities, games, etc.

This past week we enjoyed a visit to a great park and a picnic lunch with some dear friends. Most of the children didn't know what we were doing until we drove up to the park, but the older ones, well, they have a way of figuring things out. :)

Of course, the favorite attraction for the boys was the magnificent trees in the park. Here, Scribe hangs out on one.

Whistler made it to the top, too!
Little Bit loved the swing.
And Boo, too.Peep liked it also, but lasted a mere 15 seconds in it since she needs to work on her sitting up skills and her perception that everything is edible. Yes, she thought this was a gigantic rubber teething toy. The "big" swings were great, too. Who doesn't love to swing?Even I couldn't resist! The climbing equipment was different and lots of fun for everyone.

The Littles especially loved the slides.

Peep did what she could on the play equipment....but she preferred the grass.

Six Marks of Christian Growth

In his chapter on growing as a Christian, Ryle outlines six traits to consider. He reminds us that we are sometimes the most inaccurate judge of ourselves, for others see things in us that we do not. However, we should consider the following and examine ourselves. Are we growing in grace?

(And lest you be discouraged after reading this, think on these encouraging words from Thomas Watson..."Christians may be growing when they think they do not grow. The sight that Christians have of their defects in grace, and their thirst after greater measures of grace, makes them think they do not grow. He who covets a great estate, because he hath not so much as he desires, thinks himself poor." So, perhaps it's also appropriate to say....do you even desire to grow???)

1) Is there increased humility? Are you more and more aware of your sinfulness? Thomas Watson sums it up perfectly..."The nearer he draws to God, and the more he sees of God's holiness and perfection, the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless imperfections."

2) Is there increased faith and love toward our Lord Jesus Christ? We see more things in Christ than we did before, such as His "love and power--His heart and intentions--His offices as Substitute, Intercessor, Priest, Advocate, Physician, Shepherd, and Friend." These "unfold themselves to a growing soul in an unspeakable manner."

(The hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," speaks beautifully of the love of Christ ..."Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art;" As we grow in grace, this is what we think of when we think of our Savior. We love Him more and more. We trust His care for us increasingly.)

3) Is there increased holiness in our lives and conversations? We shall see increased victory over sin and temptations of the world and attempts by Satan to defeat us. Do we hunger more and more to submit to God's will in all things? Are we anxiously looking forward to heaven and a "complete separation of sin?"

"It is a sign of not growing in grace, when we are less troubled about sin. Time was when the least sin did grieve us (as the least hair makes the eye weep), but now we can digest sin without remorse. Time was when a Christian was troubled if he neglected closet prayer; now he can omit family prayer. Time was when vain thoughts did not trouble him; now he is not troubled for loose practices. There is a sad declension in religion; and grace is so far from growing that we can hardly perceive its pulse to beat." (Thomas Watson, 1660)

4) Is there an increased spirituality of taste and mind? Are you more interested in spiritual things with each passing year? Do the things of this world have a diminishing hold on your affections?

"But now our minds are taken off heaven, we dig our comforts out of these lower mines, and with Satan compass the earth. It is a sign we are going downhill apace, and our grace is in a consumption." (T. Watson)

5) Is there an increase in charity? Are we full or more love towards all men, but especially our fellow Christians? Are we more disposed to show kindness to others, to less quarreling, to believing good of others?

6) Is there increased zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls? Do we take a greater interest in the salvation of others and the growth of Christ's kingdom? Are we persistent in our efforts, not growing weary, whatever the results may be?


Consider these thoughts from Thomas Brooks: "If now you would be rich in graces, look to your walking. It is not the knowing soul, nor the talking soul, but the close-walking soul, the obedient soul, that is rich. Others may be rich in notions, but none so rich in spiritual experience, and in all holy and heavenly graces, as close-walking Christians."

Next post on growth: The Means by which we grow in grace.....

She's On the Move