Apple-Cheddar Pocket Pies

So in my last post, I mentioned I wore that outfit to SarahJean's house to make pies.

This is the recipe we used!

My sister Rachel had given me a pocket pie mold (available at Williams Sonoma) for my birthday, so we had to try it out. 

Next time, I suggest using a softer filling.

The sharp edges of the sliced apples poked holes in the crust when closing the mold.

I'm thinking Maple-Brown Sugar pop-tarts!

P.S. Thanks to Emeril for the recipe! BAM!

Apple-Cheddar Pie

3 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick

3 medium Granny Smith apples (about 1 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Pinch salt

1 cup medium cheddar cheese (4 1/2 ounces), 1/2-inch cubes 

Crust (recipe)*
Follow the recipe in the link above plus adding 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese! (Or use store bought pie dough and sprinkle some cheese on top before baking)

*Can be made as one 8-9" traditional pie*

These go fast! 

My husband, who isn't the biggest fan of sweets, loved these because he loves cheese!

~Naomi

Blue Jean Baby

I hate how I look in jeans.

I have huge birthing mother hips and most jeans are made for the Kate Moss's of the world.

I much prefer dresses and skirts that hide my hips.

But since I love you all and love to torment myself, here is an outfit I wore to bake pies with SarahJean.

What no full body shot?!

Unfortunately, (or fortunately depends on how you look at it), the two full body images were both blurry!

I broke the camera with my birthing hips!

Much love!

~Naomi

Polka-dot shirt: Target

White T: H&M

Jeans: Eddie Bauer thrifted

Necklace and Ring: Silver Moon Gallery

Shoes: Chelsea Crew via Ruche

Those Summer Nights

Just over a week ago, Abe and I went into Lititz for the "Second Friday" festivities.

I honestly think that was the last night of summer.

Every night since then has been too chilly to go sweater-less, let alone bare-legged.

So, so long summer! 

It's been fun while it lasted.

Next up, sweaters and jeans!

~Naomi

Dress, clutch, and Converse All Stars: Target

Belt and necklace: thrifted 

Earrings: Grand Canyon gift shop

Bracelet: gift from Abe via Jared's

Gyros with Tzatziki sauce

 Gyros with Tzatziki sauce

Meat Mixture:

• 1 lb. ground lamb (or beef)
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Sandwich:

• 4 rounds of flat bread or pitas.
• lettuce
• tomato; sliced
• Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki sauce

• 1 (8 oz.) container plain yogurt
• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 Tbsp dill
• 2 cloves minced garlic

Directions:

1. Thoroughly combine meat ingredients in a bowl.
2. Divide into 4-6 equal portions and shape into oblong patties. Refrigerate for an hour.
3. Grill patties over a hot fire (or on a hot skillet) for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Spread tzatziki sauce down the center of a flat bread round, add lettuce and some tomato. Add the patty, fold the bread over the lamb, and enjoy.
5. Serves 2-3

And enjoy, we did!

~Naomi

Murky Water

I used to think there wasn't much to do on a rainy afternoon.

I figured I was supposed to stay inside, read, and drink tea.

While I did end up doing those things, when it was really raining this week, I went out to play!

I had such a great time!

I felt like a kid again, just dancing in the rain.

If there were puddles, I would have splashed.

I thought of water when I bought this dress.

There actually happened to be several dresses in similar style that all look liked swamp water, pond scum, etc.

This was the prettiest watery dress and it had that hi-low hem which I love Oh So Much!

I knew I would have to wear it before it got too cold.

This rain storm was perfect.

If you get the choice, dance!

It's quite delicious!

~Naomi

Dress: MSK via Marshall's
Belt: from a JCP blazer
Boots: Sole Society (Leilani)
Earrings: Grand Canyon gift shop
Umbrella: Raines

Quickly

I didn't plan to take pictures of this outfit.

I didn't think it looked right for the blog.

But it's my blog, not yours!

So my makeup is light, and my hair is already starting to fall down.

We've all had those days.

By hunny! See ya later!

Peace out!

~Naomi

Top: repurposed Francesca's dress

Jeans: Old Navy

Purse: Urban Expressions via TJ Maxx

Shoes: Payless (old)

Tomato Crab Bisque

This is the easiest comfort soup I know.

I make this often because it is so simple, I memorized the recipe!

Tomato Crab Bisque for 2

(from Pillsbury.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 can (19 oz) tomato basil soup
• 1 can (7 oz) chopped green chiles
• 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• 1/2 cup drained refrigerated pasteurized crab-meat (about 3 oz), flaked
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• shredded Parmesan cheese to top

1.  In small saucepan, heat soup and green chiles over medium heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; beat in cream with whisk until blended. Slowly stir in crab meat. Cook just until heated (do not boil).
2.  Ladle soup into individual soup bowls. Top each serving with Parmesan and parsley.

My, How Riveting!

Happy "we made it over the hump" Day!!

It's now closer to the weekend! 

It's also closer to FALL!!

I took these photos on Monday and was surprised at how chilly it is becoming.

Well, that is if you call 75* chilly.

But it is a big change from the 88* or higher we were just experiencing the week before.

I don't know about you, but Fall makes me bring out the denim. 

This chambray dress is a nice transition piece because it has 3/4 sleeves but is still above the knee.

I clung to my last bit of summer by pairing it with yellow espadrilles.

And espadrilles always make me think of retro swim ads... 

So I went retro with my head scarf which = Rosie the Riveter!

There. 

That was my train of thought. 

Be enlightened. :)

Thanks for coming by!

~Naomi

Scarf: vintage

Dress, Earrings, and friendship bracelet: Target

Espadrilles: Baker Shoes

Pirouette, Grand Plié

I never took dance classes.

I think by the time I was old enough to realize I wanted to dance, it was too late.

I was too old, probably 12 or so.

But I love the Ballet.

Growing up in Grand Rapids, MI, we had our own company.

I loved date nights with Abe when we went. 

All the tulle, the white tights, the high buns!

Unless they were dancing the Can-Can. 

But that's a different story.

This outfit reminded me of my love for the ballet.

It started to get windy

Oops! I was holding my key!

Was there anything you ever wish you learned?

~Naomi

Top: H&M with DIY pocket

Skirt: thrifted Calvin Klein

Belt: Francesca's

Sandals: Target 

SarahJean Sunday

Here are the other half of the pictures SJ and I took at the old tin building.

See the first half {here}.

We both rocked the off-shoulder look this day

Mandatory duck face!

Hope your weekend was lovely! 

~Naomi

Tin Roof... Rusted

I love crappy delapidated buildings!

They make such neat back drops.

I had my eye on using this old building for a while but the problem was that it's near where my BFF SarahJean lives, and not near where I live.

So when SJ invited me over last week to work on a DIY project, I took advantage of our time together!

There were abandoned flip flops, McDonald's cups, and Fisher Price toys littering the ground. I cropped them out.

Loving the summer sun!

I had the unfortunate pleasure of being stuck in traffic for over an hour wearing this leather skirt.

I also didn't have A/C!

It was quite sultry to put it mildly. 

But pretty soon I'll be complaining about the snow.

Wah wah wah!

Ha ha.

Have a great day!

~Naomi

Shirt: Wet Seal

Skirt: Express via thrift store

Purse: Urban Expressions via TJ Maxx

Shoes: Madden Girl via Marshall's

Earrings: Tierra shop in NYC

Sunglasses: F21