Tuesday, November 30, 2010

from the archives :: {easy as pie}

You may have had your fill of pies this Thanksgiving, but I thought I'd share this with you anyway. Enjoy!

*****

Apple Pie, that is!

Today I thought I'd share my "famous" apple pie recipe with y'all. It may only be famous with the people at my church, but I think it's still pretty good. And it's easy. Which makes it all the better!

When I first started baking pies, I jumped around to several different recipes. They were all pretty simple...but I kept losing the one I had used before and having to find a new one. Pretty pathetic, huh? This recipe (that I've actually hung on to) is kind of a revised version of one I found in the 12th edition Fannie Farmer cookbook. If you cared to know.

Moving on now...

The main thing I do when I make pies is cheat:


Yep, I use the pre-made stuff. And I haven't ever noticed a difference, so it must be pretty good. I've also started pre-baking the bottom crust, because I found that otherwise, it could be pretty raw underneath all the apple goodness. So, to start off, preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Roll out the pie crust in your pie pan (8 or 9 inches), and pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes. Be sure to check on it fairly frequently to prevent burning. When it's lightly browned, take it out and leave it to cool while you move on to the filling.

Even though you pricked holes in the crust, they still might get a little bubbly. Don't worry, it's pretty easy to push the air out with a fork/spoon. Just be careful not to tear a hole in the crust! It doesn't have to be too pretty, cause it will be hidden by the filling.

Next, take 7 or 8 large, tart apples and peel, core and slice them. You can use and apple peeler/corer gadget, or just a good old fashioned knife. Whatever you have handy.

Now for the sugar and spice mixture. You'll need:
  • 3/4 - 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. flour
Use a seperate, smallish bowl and mix all of that together.

Then pour that mixture over the apples, mixing as you go. You may not need all of the sugar/spice mixture, depending on how you like it.

Now pour the apple mixture into the pre-baked pie crust. If you like, you can also soften 2 Tbsp. of butter to dot all over it (before you put the top crust on).

How you do the top crust is perfectly up to you. You can just unroll it, place it over the apples, pinch the edges, cut some holes (decorative, perhaps?), and bake it that way. For apple pies, I usually do a woven top.

If you prefer a woven top, unroll the crust onto a large plate and cut it into similarly sized strips. Then lay over the top of the pie in different directions to give it that woven look.

Trim the edges and pinch it together.

Now all you have to do is bake! Bake it at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30-40 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it; it's done when the apples are tender and the crust lightly browned. The edges of the crust sometimes tend to burn, so be careful!

You know the only thing I forgot? To take a picture of the finished pie. Whoops!

But it's as easy as that. If you have any questions, let me know!

Now it's your turn; do you have any easy recipes you love to make? It doesn't have to be a dessert. Tell me about it, I'd love to hear it!

*****

originally posted September 2009

Monday, November 29, 2010

hello & {blogiversary winners}!

Good morning, lovelies!
I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was just wonderful. :)
Unfortunately, almost all of my cousins were sick this year...fortunately I haven't caught anything {yet!}.

I do enjoy holidays, but I'm ready to get back to my normal "schedule".

*****

Finally, here are the {randomly chosen} winners from the blogiversary giveaways!

Mandipidy - ~Haley~
Moxie Mandie - Prudy
Designs by Jessie - Mandy [Mandipidy]
Hiya Luv Handmade - Ashley Hasty
Sandy a la Mode - Kai Mercado

Winners, please send me an email.
If I don't hear from you by the end of the week, I'll be choosing new winner, so don't delay!

*****

I'm hoping to return to "normal" blogging as of tomorrow...see you then!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

{happy thanksgiving}


Today I will be baking apple pies, cleaning up, crafting Christmas gifts, trying desperately not to listen to Christmas music until Friday, and pondering all the blessings I have.

Hoping you & yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

*****

I'll be back on Monday to announce the giveaway winners!

Monday, November 22, 2010

it's almost thanksgiving {& a discount code!}


I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is this week.
Where has this year gone?!

To celebrate {and because of Etsy's new coupon code feature!},
use the code THANKSGIVING15 to take 15% off your order at Petunia Blooms!
This code will be good until Friday night, the 26th.

Happy shopping!

Friday, November 19, 2010

{hurray!}

The blogiversary giveaways have all been posted...






Take a minute & go enter!

Each giveaway will end one week after it was posted.
Since next week is a holiday, all winners will be post Monday, November 29th.

Have fun!

Sandy A La Mode {giveaway #5}


hello, my name is sandy and i blog over at sandy a la mode! in my spare time i love making accessories, passport covers and bows for my etsy shop. some of my favorite things are bubble tea, cupcakes, my canon 50d, dresses, ruffles, bows, event planning, and traveling.


I just love Sandy's shop. The hairpins are too adorable {someday I'm going to have to snag some for myself!}, and all the other accessories are fabulous!

{You can also keep up with Sandy on twitter.}




{giveaway!}

I'm jealous! I wish I could keep this for myself... :)


felt bow clip - this bow is made out of grey felt, is tied with black/white polka dot fabric tape, and secured onto an alligator clip. bow measures approximately 4.25 x 1.75 inches.

ring - white rose sits atop an antique brass filigree ring. rose measures approximately 1/2 inch in diameter and ring measures approximately 7/8 inch in diameter. ring is adjustable!

earrings - these large charcoal grey mums are set on top of stainless steel posts. mum measures approximately 3/5 inch in diameter.

hairpin - black vintage pearl button on a brass bobby pin. button measures at 3/4 inch in diameter and pin is approximately 2 inches long.
 
{to enter} visit Sandy A La Mode on etsy and leave comment with your favorite thing!
 
{extra entries} blog/tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment.
 
*****
This giveaway will end next Friday.
Winner will be randomly chosen & announced on Monday, the 29th.
 
Be sure to stop by and enter the other blogiversary giveaways!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hiya Luv {giveaway #4}


Gina has been a blog reader of mine for quite awhile now. She's always been super sweet! Her shop, Hiya Luv Handmade, is just starting to fill up with these cute statement necklaces & flutter pins.


Be stylish. Be confident. Be you. Style is all about confidence and being comfortable and happy in your own skin. Hiya Luv Handmade is a little shop full of stylish wares; handmade from gorgeous fabrics and created into wearable fashions especially for you!

You can keep up with Gina on her blog, twitter and Facebook.


{discount!}

You can get 10% off your order (paypal refund) by using the code PETUNIA.


{giveaway!}

Gina's created a special necklace just for The Sweetest Petunia:


Isn't it sweet? And it could be yours! :)

{to enter} visit Hiya Luv Handmade and let me know what your favorite thing is.

{extra entries} blog/tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment.

*****
This giveaway is open until next Thursday.
The winner will be randomly chosen and announced Monday, the 29th.

Be sure to stop by & enter the other blogiversary giveaways!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Designs by Jessie {giveaway #3}

::CLOSED::
winner will be announced on Monday, the 29th


Designs by Jessie is full of fun "electronic" accessories!


about Jessie & her shop:

I love dressing up my gadgets! In my house if its not pink or girly, then its fair play for all the testosterone in the house! And lets face it, with all the testosterone, gifts usually come with someone kind of cable attached!



All of my items are an appreciation for the unique object, for my individual creativity, and for the process of creating. This is why you will always see new things in my store. I started out with Camera Strap Covers, and moved on to actual Camera Straps, You will also find I Phone IPod Pockets, CD Visors, and now my new Large Gadget Sleeves which can be customized from everything from the Kindle to a Laptop and everything in-between!
I'm a mother to 3 wonderful boys, with a very supportive husband, and a very hyper puppy. I am an entrepreneur, crafter, inventor and engineer. I am a published memory artist. Most importantly....I'm just a girl, playing around with pretty things that make me happy...
 

{discount!}

Get 15% off when you shop at Designs by Jessie, along with free shipping!
Use coupon code TSP15OFFDBJ

{giveaway!}

Jessie is giving one of you a $30 gift certificate to spend in her shop!

{to enter} visit Designs by Jessie & leave a comment with your favorite thing.
extra entries for blogging/tweeting about the giveaway.

*****


This giveaway will end next Wednesday morning, the winner randomly chosen & announced here.

Be sure to enter the other giveaways going on this week!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Moxie Mandie {giveaway #2}

::CLOSED::
winner will be announced on Monday, the 29th


I love using cute zippered pouches to stay organized. In fact, I have more than I'd like to admit... :)
Moxie Mandie has some super adorable little pouches!

{this one's my favorite}

I'm Mandie, thus the MoxieMandie, & my shop is just a few weeks old! I began sewing at the beginning of this year after I collected & loved fabric for a very long time. I started my shop for a few reasons- I love fabric & mixing different patterns together, I want a way to be able to give to different causes that I might not be able to afford otherwise, & because my husband will be quitting his job to go to school full time next year, & I'd really love to have an income during that time in addition to my full time job.

Mandie's super sweet - you can keep up with her on her blog, twitter and Facebook.


{free shipping!}

Use the code SWEETP before November 24th for free shipping! (US only, please)


{giveaway!}

Mandie is giving away a $10 shop credit to one of my readers - you could snag a cute little pouch as a gift, or to keep!

{to enter} Hop on over to Moxie Mandie, then leave a comment telling me your favorite item.

{extras} blog/tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment.

*****

This giveaway is open to those in the US only.
The giveaway will end next Tuesday morning.
The winner will be randomly chosen & announced.

Be sure to enter the other celebration giveaways!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Mandipidy {giveaway #1}

::CLOSED::
the winner will be announced next Monday, the 29th!


Mandipidy is an adorable little shop filled with crocheted goodness...see?


I asked Mandy, the cute girl behind Mandipidy, to tell me a little bit about herself:

I'm always crafting.  I live by Proverbs 31:13... nothing gives me greater joy than working with my hands!  And I love using my blog and shop as outlets to share all of my creations.

You can keep up with Mandy on her blog, Twitter or Facebook.


{giveaway!}

One of you will win a $20 Mandipidy gift certificate!

{to enter} visit Mandipidy & leave a comment with your favorite thing.

extra entries for blogging/tweeting about the giveaway.

*****

Open to everyone.
This giveaway will end next Monday morning, the winner randomly chosen & announced here.

{celebrate!}


When I started this blog 2 years ago,
I had no concept of how much I would enjoy it.
The sense of community & acceptance, the inspiration.
It's amazing to me.

So...
thank you.

You mean so much to me.
I so appreciate the love & support.
{{hugs}} to you all!

*****

This week The Sweetest Petunia will be celebrating with 5 giveaways, one each day! Enjoy...

Friday, November 12, 2010

{coming Monday}


This Sunday marks 2 years of blogging for me
and the celebration starts on Monday!

Hope to see you then... :)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

{cozy up!}


I crocheted this neckwarmer for my dear friend {who also happens to be my future sister-in-law}, and I love how it turned out! The picture doesn't quite do it justice...I'm still working on making my photos better. But it's a gorgeous shade of green, and the texture is just lovely. I hope she enjoys it!

For those of you who crochet, I used this pattern from good knits - it's easy and works up very quickly. Have fun!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

{be thankful}

Christmastime is my FAVORITE time of year.
It might have something to do with the fact that Christmas & my birthday are on the same day...
but I love it.

That being said, it's easy for me to skip right on by Thanksgiving.
So I'm reminding myself to {be thankful} this season.

{this adorable printable is from Libby - I love it!}

What are you thankful for today?

Monday, November 8, 2010

{returning}

found via weheartit

{wouldn't you love to live there? it looks magical...}

I enjoyed my break from blogging, really.
But now I'm back in my blog "home", excited to share.

I've been working on projects, planning for Christmas {only 46 days!}, crocheting like crazy.
I haven't been taking any photos {oops!}, so that's next on my list.
Putting together the celebration for next week.
Trying to stay organized & on top of things.

What have you been up to while I was away?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

{celebrate with me?}

update :: I've filled the 5 giveaway spots! Thank you so much!


The Sweetest Petunia's blogiversary is coming up very soon!

I'd love to be able to host a week of giveaways {especially handmade items!}, November 15th - 19th.
Will you help me celebrate?

If you'd like to donate something for a giveaway, please send me an email,
or leave a comment with a way for me to reach you.
If I could get 5 shops {one for each day}, that would be perfect!

See you there!

:: details ::
You'd have your own feature post, links to your shop, blog, twitter, etc.
Great exposure for your handmade items!
Please be sure to ask if you have any questions. :)

Monday, November 1, 2010

{pretties for your hair}

Good morning! I'm not quite returning to the blog world in full force, but I wanted to share this with you...have a happy day!

*****

I adore headbands.
They're the perfect hair accessory when I want my hair to be a little fancy.

I've been making plans to add headbands to the shop for a while, ordering supplies, stitching away...and I'm happy to announce that they are now available!


These are all just lovely, and affordable.
They'd also make fabulous gifts!
{each item purchased from Petunia Blooms is carefully packaged as a gift,
so no extra work for you} :)

Which headband is your favorite?



*****

If anyone is interested in custom orders, I am more than happy to oblige.
I can make zippered pouches, petal pins & headbands in custom colors/fabrics and quantities.
However, I'll only be able to accept a limited number of custom orders.
Please email me if you're interested!

Also, I only have a few petal pins available, so if you'd like to snag a free one {with any purchase}, you'll have to do it soon!