Fast Apple Turnovers with Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

My dad loves almost any dessert that is wrapped around apple slices: Apple pie, apple dumplings, apple fritters, apple turnovers...well, you get the idea! And I didn't, "fall far from the tree"-I love apple desserts, too.

It's Dad's birthday today, and I just called to sing Happy Birthday over the phone (talk about "adding insult to injury"!). He was cruising the "hot spots" of New Martinsville with Mom when I caught him on his cell phone (on your birthday "you can run but you cannot hide!")

New Martinsville is the local shopping destination there, and also where we used to get apple fritters from one of the local grocery store bakeries (although, they didn't last long at our house). I wish I could be with my dad to celebrate his special day and see the snow; he said they are expected to get up to 6 more inches today! I live too far away for that, so instead, I will post an apple recipe in his honor. Love you, Dad! Happy birthday!


Fast Apple Turnovers
(Old magazine clipping)

2 C peeled, finely-chopped apples
1/3 C sugar
2 TBSP flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
Dash nutmeg (opt.)
Two 8 oz. cans refrigerated crescent rolls

Glaze:
1/2 C powdered sugar
2 to 3 tsp water

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together first 5 ingredients; make sure apples are well-coated. Separate dough into 16 triangles. Spoon about 1 rounded TBSP of apple mixture into the center of each. Fold 3 corners of dough over the filling, overlapping. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. Remove from pans to cool. Combine glaze ingredients and mix till smooth. Drizzle over warm rolls.

I will be at:
LifeasMom
JoyofDesserts

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese...Sempre Fi

When my two older sons were in high school, a new family moved into our community and church family, as well. Matt and Tammy were a great couple with two very sweet girls and a lovable Labrador Retriever. Matt was an officer with the Marine Corp and Tammy was a teacher.

Every time that we had a church dinner, Tammy would bring some great-tasting dish and then, later, pass out copies of the recipes to all of us "fans"! Because she had moved around the country a lot, (military families are known for that!)she had swapped recipes with "the best"! Here's her recipe for a delicious version of Macaroni and Cheese (from a friend that she met while living in Charleston, S.C.). Enjoy!


Tammy's Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
(from: Margaret Hoover, Charleston, S.C. Church of Christ)

16 oz. box elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4 C shredded cheddar cheese (can substitute other cheeses of same amount)
1 can evaporated milk
1 1/2 C milk
2 eggs
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp celery salt
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Place macaroni, 3 C of the cheese, and the remaining ingredients in the crock pot. Mix well. Sprinkle top with the remaining cup of cheese. Cover and do not stir while cooking!(Very important!) Cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hrs.


***Book That I'm Reading: Civil War Wives by Carol Berkin***


I will be at these recipe swaps today:
WeareThatfamily
DiningwithDebbie
KrazyKitchen

Mom's 7 Minute Frosting

I am so glad to be back in my closet/office writing my thoughts and recipes down! I really enjoyed the holiday break, but there's something to be said for ordinary days, as well. I guess the everyday-workdays make us appreciate the glitz and whirl of the holidays. I have to say, though, that my very favorite parts of Dec./Jan. were having my family home and the simple traditions that we reenact every year: looking at the lights, listening to carols and decorating cookies together. I know that I appreciated the traditions even more this year because we had Blake home from Japan to enjoy them with us!

My holiday funfest ends every year with my birthday on January 4th. Even as a child, I considered my birthday the final touch on my favorite time of the year. My mom would make anything that I requested for my "birthday dinner" and then, cake with 7 Minute Icing and presents!

Having a January birthday as a kid was like a "safety net" for anything that Santa didn't remember, or you forgot to ask for! The biggest gift that I wished for every birthday was SNOW! Usually God granted the wish, and sometimes not. If we got enough snow, I didn't have to start back to school on my special day. It's funny, but now I'm "over 29" years old... and still wish for snow on my birthday!

Mom's 7 Minute Frosting

2 unbeaten egg whites
1 1/2 C granulated sugar
2 tsp light corn syrup
1/2 C cold water
Dash salt
1 tsp vanilla

Put all ingredients except vanilla in the top of a double broiler (not over heat); beat 1 min. with electric hand mixer. Place over (but not touching) boiling water and cook, beating constantly, until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes (don't overcook).

Remove from boiling water. Pour into mixing bowl. Add vanilla and beat to spreading consistency, about 2 min. This amount frosts tops and sides of two 8 or 9" layers, top of 13x0" cake, or 2 dozen cupcakes (I had a birthday "tea party" one year!)

I will be at these swaps today:

BlessedwithGrace
BalancingBedlamandBeauty.com
Gypsy'sCorner