Pefect Apple Crisp

So let’s talk about nesting.

As you probably know, it’s the phase of pregnancy where a woman is at her hugest and most uncomfortable, and YET — YET — she is driven to clean and organize like a woman possessed.

It’s a real life thing.

And honestly, I get it.  Like most instincts given to mothers, it’s a necessary part of the process.  Because if left to my own devices, I would be watching Mean Girls and Clueless on Netflix while compulsively eating Laffy Taffy (Stop trying to make “fetch” happen, Gretchen) but instead, something weird happens and next thing you know, it’s 10 am and I’ve made two lasagnas for the freezer.

Everyone is so impressed and I’ve tried to explain, this nesting thing is like a sickness, I couldn’t stop myself if I tried.  But then I remember that one day soon my house will be a mess and people won’t be complimenting me on how great I look with spit up in my hair, so I soak up the compliments while throwing things out like, “Well, my back is killing me, but it had to be done…”  or… “I just want to make sure my family isn’t neglected while I’m busy with the baby…”

Lies.

All of it.

I mean really, Jon David could survive on Uncrustables and Cosmic Brownies for at least a month, he could care less about frozen lasagnas.

Anyways, the WORST thing about nesting is that husbands are not given the same instinct.

Quite the opposite, really.

Instead of being driven to compulsively prepare things for a baby that shouldn’t be here for a good little while yet, they work off of logic.

Logic that tells them they have a good three weeks and even then, a baby swing isn’t exactly an emergency.

So for the past few weeks, I’ve tried to create situations that speak to “logic” such as reading emails out loud from baby professionals stating how important it is to have the nest ready AT LEAST six weeks before the baby’s arrival.

Then my husband looked at my iPhone…I was only checking Facebook.

I also tried inventing a holiday called National Baby Swing Putting Together Day, that was on my “special holiday” calendar.

He wasn’t buying that either.  But between you and me, there are “holidays” for pancakes and donuts, a baby swing isn’t really out of the question, IS IT???

Finally today was the best day ever.  The baby swing was put together.

Now I just need something else to obsess over.

Ideas, anyone??

In exchange for feeding the Obsessive Compulsive Monster currently residing in my body, I am going to feed your face.

Apple Crisp, anyone?

Obviously, Apple Crisp is nothing new or terribly exciting.  But…I love it.

It’s easy, it’s great for Fall,  and it’s perfect for bringing to a potluck or Thanksgiving…especially if you’re pie-making challenged.

(Between you and me, I prefer a crisp to a pie, anyhow)

This recipe is fool proof, and has the perfect topping to fruit ratio.

Perfect Apple Crisp

INGREDIENTS

10 medium sized Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced medium thin

1 cup white sugar

1 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/4 cup water

Topping:

2 cups quick oats

2 cups flour

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 350.

2.  Place sliced apples in a large bowl.  Combine cup of sugar, Tablespoon of flour, and cinnamon and cloves and toss with the apples, coating completely.   Spread apples in a 9×13 pan and sprinkle 1/4 cup water over the top.

3.  In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda.  Pour melted butter over mixture and combine thoroughly until crumbly.  Sprinkle evenly over apple mixture.

4.  Bake for about 45 minutes, until apples are bubbly and topping is lightly browned.

Top with Whipped Cream or Ice Cream while warm.

**adapted from Allrecipes.com

 

Enjoy and have a happy Monday!!

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