Friday, September 27, 2013

Behold the Apple Peeler...

For the last two years my Dad has gifted me with beautiful apples from a nearby orchard...
 
 
...yummy Johnathan apples...
 
 
...two bags full waiting to be peeled (honestly - I've always dreaded that part - I mean... like I get serious hand cramps after a while - you know what I'm talking about?
 
 
So I'm having this discussion at work about not liking to peel apples - and my friend, Nick says "Debbie and I have an apple peeler, let me bring it to you and you can try it out."  Sounded like a great idea to me and the next day - SHE arrived on my desk!
 
Is SHE ever the trick...well let me tell you!
 
 
This thing peels....
 
 
....slices....
 
 
...and cores in about 3 seconds flat!
 
 
My son thought it was the coolest thing ever!
 
 
I couldn't hardly get him to quit - he said, "Momma, you gotta get one of these - and I want my own too....and we need to get Nana and Papaw one and Meme and Mamaw Ruby and...."  well, you get the picture.
 
 
We had these beautiful lil' apples all stacked up...
 
 
...just cut once down the middle...
 
 
...into the freezer bags they went...
 
 
...22 bags later - they are tucked neatly in the freezer.
 
 
As for all the peelings, well they went to the cows and they were loving that!
 
 
 
I can't tell you how much time this lil' gadget saved me.  I know apple peelers have been around for years but I had never personally used one - well, I'm sold.  Mrs. Evelyn ordered us some at work and I'll be the first in line to purchase one.  Thanks so much Nick and Debbie for sharing with me.
 
 
Now it's time for some fried apples...MMMMMMmmmmmmm good.
 
 

Monday, September 23, 2013

My "Fall" Kitchen Mantel...

Happy Fall Friends! 
 
It's finally here - I'm soooo excited!
 
This is my most favorite time of the year!
From the crisp cool air to wearing sweatshirts, from putting up apples to hauling pumpkins, from planting mums to well, the list goes on and on and on.
 
Oh yeah, I love a lil' fall decorating too, don't you? So this is my mantel in the kitchen - there is no fireplace of course, but I just loved this mantel when I found it and the kitchen is where it has made its home.
It's a great place for some seasonal sprucing up.
 
Now, it is decorated similar to last year with a few tweeks.
 
I placed a bench in front of it..
 

...added a beautiful orange mum and my lil' glass greenhouse - I filled that with a pumpkin in a pot and some flowers.
(NOTE* I do keep my mums outdoors most of the time - they do not thrive inside)


My simple "fall" banner made of drop cloth along with a white platter and some fall leaves.

 
An old wreath I spray painted orange along with my wheat bundles and some of my pitchers.


This week, I'm working on my front door and I've just about finished all my plantings.  That's what is up next!
 
Happy Fall Friends - I can't wait to see what everybody else has been up to!


Linking up to
Fall Mantel Decorating @

Thrifty Decor Chick