Addicted to Nature

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."~ Albert Einstein



     Utah is filled with extremely beautiful places to visit.  September is a fantastic time to visit Bryce Canyon which happens to be one of those extraordinarily beautiful spots here on this earth.  My husband and I enjoyed our time there.  Beauty in nature feeds your eyes and your soul.

 

       The pictures really don't do this National Park justice.  It is just so beautiful.  My husband was also nice enough to take me to see a quilt shop in Cedar City.  Stitching It Up is right there on Main Street.  Some cute quilts and lovely fabric to see and lots of quilt patterns to buy.

     My mom has a ton of apples on her trees this year and she is begging me to come and take some off of her hands. So this time I am including a couple of easy recipes that include apples.

Sunday Best Fruit Salad

from Allrecipes.com       

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• 2 apples, peeled and cored
• 1 (21 ounce) can peach pie filling

• 2 bananas, peeled and diced
• 3 kiwis
• 1 pint strawberries

Directions

1. In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples in reserved pineapple juice. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine the peach pie filling and pineapple chunks.
3. Remove apples from pineapple juice and add to pie filling and pineapple mixture. Add chopped bananas to reserved pineapple juice and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Peel and slice kiwi and 1/2 of strawberries. Chop the other 1/2 of strawberries and set aside.
5. Remove bananas from pineapple juice and add to pie filling mixture. Add chopped strawberries; toss together.
6. Arrange kiwi slices around the edge of the serving bowl and alternate with strawberry slices. Chill and serve.

Apple Butterscotch Cookies

3 cups flour                                                  1 egg

2 tsp. cinnamon                                          2/3 cup apple juice

1 tsp. baking soda                                      1 cup butterscotch chips

½ tsp. salt                                                     ¾ cup apple, finely chopped

1 cup brown sugar                                      ½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

½ cup butter, softened                            

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease cookie sheets.  Mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.

Beat brown sugar and ½ cup butter in large mixer bowl until creamy.  Beat in egg.  Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with apple juice.  Stir in butterscotch chips, diced apple and walnuts.  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Let stand 2 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool.

While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze by mixing together:

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. apple juice

2 Tbsp. butter, softened

Mix until smooth and spread on cooled cookies.  Makes about 3 dozen.

     Here's a book recommended to me by my niece.  It was a short and insightful read about a teenage boy and girl and how their feelings for each other changed over time.