Happy Nameday, Cupcake!

So last year, she was only a month and a half old and we were getting ready for her baptism. Wow. I can't believe it's been a year!

Silly snuggles with her sister

So, I decided on another Caramel Apple Crisp but gluten free this year with apple slices and caramel dip for the kids and I've decided to try some homemade Caramel Lattes too. I'll post the recipes and pictures later. I'm also putting the final touches on a tiny little St. Teresa of Avila for Cupcake.

 Why yes, I do paint my saints on the top of a wine bottle! Don't you?

 Happy Feast of St. Teresa of Avila!

 

Caramel Apple Crisp

Oh. My. Goodness! This is my new favorite crisp. It was a perfect grown-up treat on this special day. Recipe below.

The kids prefer their apples crisp, crunchy and cold, so it was Daddy to the rescue when he picked these up on his way home from golf. (He doesn't golf. He's just the chauffeur.)

Simple and tasty!

Caramel Apple Crisp

Apple Filling:

5 large Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (I used Pink Ladies and cut mine into chunks.)

1/4 C. white sugar

1 Tbl. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 Tbl. lemon juice

1/4 C. water

caramel sauce or dip

Crisp Topping:

1 C. all purpose flour

1/4 C. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 C. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375. Toss the apples with the other filling ingredients (except caramel) and place in the bottom of casserole dish. (I use an 8 1/2 x 11 oval dish.) Drizzle caramel sauce over apple mixture. (I used about a 1/4 C but I also tossed in a handful of these just for fun.) Combine flour, 1/4 C. sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add egg; mix with fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle crumb mixture on top of apples and caramel. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and juices are bubbly at the edge. The caramel bits mostly melted during baking but we did come across a few chewy caramelly bits while we were enjoying it. Delish!

 

A New Nameday

We have so much to celebrate coming up! Jessica is coming to Cupcake's baptism and we couldn't be more thrilled! We really wanted to baptize her today, on her nameday, but the church was beyond booked and couldn't squeeze us in anywhere even though we are bringing our own priest. Our dear friend and favorite Cistercian father who married us has also baptized all of our children. So instead, it will be next weekend on my mom's very special something-th birthday! A lady doesn't reveal her age, right?

But since today is still Cupcake's very first nameday, I want to do a little something to let the big kids celebrate. There is, of course, a coloring page, but I also have a recipe for Caramel Apple Crisp that I think sounds perfect for this 60 degree morning. I'll post it later but you can find lots of variations online. The kids asked to make caramel apples, but I think these Caramel Apple Cupcakes sound delicious too... and a lot less messy. Or maybe a Caramel Apple Trifle. (Filing that recipe away for another day!)

Who am I kidding? This year, anything we do is more for us than for her and since taking care of her is our top priority, I think we will just keep it simple. Caramel Lattes sound simple! And a quick minute to read from this book that strengthened me so many times throughout my pregnancy. It's a true gem!

I wish I could explain God's secrets. If it would help anyone, I would utter a thousand foolish comments. Perhaps a few of them will make sense and result in great praise to God.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!