I made a lot of things yesterday. A pot of tea, a crock of BROCCOLI and POTATO SOUP, a dozen pairs of earrings, a pink crocheted hat, and a bubble gum baby.
Then today, I woke up wanting to bake a pie. I had a frozen pie crust and a bag of apples on hand, and Dave came to the kitchen to help, so we worked together to make a PAPER BAG DUTCH APPLE PIE. The recipe came from a fundraiser cookbook. It’s a basic apple pie, I guess, but it’s baked inside a brown paper bag at 400 degrees. The pie looks scrumptious, though I must admit the smell of the heated paper was somewhat unappealing and a bit scary. We all felt better when Kyle googled the ignition point of paper – 451 degrees. The bag caught the syrup that overflowed and the crust came out golden brown.
I’m writing about making and baking because October’s cooler weather, along with the approaching craft fair and Christmas seasons, energizes me to be creative. Don’t get me wrong. As these days get shorter, I groan about early sunsets and try to cling to summer. But, Oh these sunsets!
And as much as I love a grilled hamburger, or taco salad, or zucchini bread, all common on our summer supper table, the comfort foods of fall are equally welcomed. I’m especially excited about the pie because, as I’ve written, I don’t bake pies.
About yesterday, in the morning I went to a MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) gathering where I have the role of “Mentor Mom.” The meetings always include brunch and the coffee was ready when I arrived. I was in the mood for tea and was happy to make a whole pot to share with the moms. No decaf beverages at these events. About 30 of us enjoyed the meal which included a baby shower cake. We had brought in donations for a local mission, Foster Hope Ohio Valley, that fills diaper bags and backpacks for area babies, kids, and youth who are going into foster homes.
The MOPS leaders formatted the morning like a baby shower, complete with games and prizes. Volunteers could do the baby food tasting challenge, the baby word scramble puzzle, the “hanging clothes on the line while talking on the cell phone and holding the baby” race, AND the “perfect bubble gum baby” contest. Each person was given one piece of bubble gum to shape, unchewed or chewed, into a baby. Try as I might, my “baby” looked more like a pink star fish. A couple girls said it looked like Patrick from Sponge Bob Square Pants.
hint: don’t chew the gum very long before attempting the sculpt
I was much more satisfied with what I made later in the day. The broccoli soup recipe I use is easy and made a nice light supper for Dave and I. While it was in the crock pot, I picked up some pink yarn to try a new crocheted hat pattern, anticipating that our church’s Backpack Ministry will want to include a hat or gloves in each bag this winter.
When the mailman brought an order of jewelry supplies, I donned a sweater and found a sunny spot on our deck to work up some earrings to sell at November 2 Craft Bazaar at church. Again, making the most of the nice weather and sunshine.
the twelfth pair is made with clip earrings for myself
Perhaps you don’t craft or bake. Maybe the thought of making homemade Christmas gifts intimidates you. If you like to give homemade gifts, there are plenty to be purchased. And, at our dining room table, a store-bought rotisserie chicken and a bagged salad are as much a blessing as a gourmet meal prepared in the kitchen.
As I spend some time in the changing season, temperatures turning cooler, days growing shorter, holidays approaching, I realize that there are two things we can make that don’t cost money and have lasting value. Actually, one leads to the other. While I spend time with the MOPS group, friendship grows. Much of life feels rushed and hectic, full of stress or boredom. Making time to write a blog post has become difficult for me to do. Even as I work to finish this one, there is laundry to fold and dinner to get on the table. A few minutes ago, I was in a bit of a panic about that, but my husband reminded me that doing this writing and getting it posted is important, to me and possibly to you.
Take time to do things you love. Things that bless you and others. Make time for people you love or are getting to know. Try something new, maybe a PAPER BAG DUTCH APPLE PIE, rather than a Bubble Gum Baby.