We tried two painting projects this week- our extension of ‘apple week’ from last week when a sick Mama just couldn’t get around to all the fun things she had planned with her 2 year old. First we tried tried the classic apple printing- cutting an apple in half to reveal the star shaped pattern the seeds make and using that to make prints with paint. That was fun until Jude felt wet paint on his hands and decided that wasn’t alright with him- so we wiped off and started our next painting project with me reminding him that it’s alright to get our hands ooey-gooey! (I have yet to convince him to finger paint with me!!) I drew a picture of a tree and then he made apples on it by dipping the end of a cork into red paint and dotting on the tree. He liked this as well, and then moved on to his watercolor paints which are his favorite these days- especially using the color green which he announced was his favorite recently.

Speaking of apples… I’m working through my last box of apples from our apple picking day and plan on making more dried apple chips, a pie to pop in the freezer for later, and a yummy apple crisp this weekend. Here’s my favorite crisp recipe- easy and delicious. I add cranberries when they are in season and it gives it a perfect tartness.

Easier Than Pie Apple Crisp

4 or 5 medium tart cooking apples
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter, softened
cinnamon & nutmeg

Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan. Spread apples in pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients until well mixed and sprinkle over apples. Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!