Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Winter Fruit Pie

A few days ago, we had dinner plans with family & I was to bring the dessert. I asked Will what he would like and he quickly responded with "a pie!" He then began questioning me about what fruits were in season for a winter pie. I named a few fruits and that sparked my interest so I began researching winter fruit pies. 

As I have mentioned before, I have a horrible habit of trying new recipes on other people at a party or special dinner... and yet again, I went for it. Fortunately, it was fabulous! The pears and apples give it more of the traditional taste, but the cranberries and figs really bring in a wintery feel. AND there is a crumb topping. Could it get any better? 






Ingredients:

Pie crust (or make your own)

Filling:
1 c. dried figs
2 apples (peeled & sliced thin)
3 pears (peeled & sliced thin)
1 c. cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. corn starch
1 c. orange juice

Crumb Topping:
1/2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. pecans, chopped coarsely 
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt (I used sea salt)
6 T. unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375.

Crumb topping: Combine all ingredients, then add melted butter. It is easier to use your hands at this point-- combine everything until it is a crumbly mixture. Place in fridge while you are preparing fruit filling.

Begin by chopping off the stems on the figs, the putting them in 1 c. orange juice & bring to a boil. Let this boil for 5 min. Then, drain and let stand. Once they are cool enough to handle, cut each fig into 4-5 pieces.

In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, pears, figs & cranberries. In a separate smaller bowl, combine sugar and corn starch. Then, put the sugar mixture over the fruit and combine.

Pour the fruit filling into the pie crust, then add the crumb topping. Simple enough, right?

Cook for 60-75 min depending on your oven. Make sure to cover with foil if the crust is getting too dark.

I am already considering making another pie; you should make one too.


Monday, January 14, 2013

Mini Chicken Pot Pies


Chicken pot pie has always been one of my favorite meals. It reminds me of being gathered around the dinner table with my family. I still to this day will not order chicken pot pie at a restaurant because I'm convinced  no one can make it like my mom. I decided to give it a try myself since I can't just stop by my parents house for a chicken pie. 

Mini pies are even better than a regular one because you get lots of crust which is my favorite part.

Heres what you'll need:
1 box refrigerated crust
1/3 c. butter
1/3 c. onion
1/3 all purpose flour
1 3/4 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. cooked chicken
2 c. frozen mixed veggies, thawed
salt & pepper

1. Feel free to use this same recipe to make one regular size pie or be tempted by these cute mini pies and go for it. If you're making mini pies, cut dough into large circles and lay bottom crust down.

2. Melt butter over medium heat, then add onion & cook for 2 min (until tender). Stir in flour, salt & pepper. 

3. Gradually stir in milk and chicken broth. Let this cook and bubble until it thickens. It takes  a little while, but don't give up. It will be clear once its a thick, gooey concoction. 

4. Add veggies & chicken. Remove from heat. Spoon mixture into each little pie.

5. Finally, cut large circles for the top crust making sure to cut slits to let steam out.

6. Bake at 400 for 25 (ish) minutes. I didn't set a timer but just stayed close by and watched until it was getting golden brown. Towards the end, I covered the pie pan with foil to prevent excessive browning.

It will be incredibly difficult to eat just one, I'll go ahead and warn you. It was hard for me to save some for Will; he should feel very loved that I left him plenty. 

Its back to long hours for my sweet guy. He woke up at 4:45 am for work this morning. Heres to hoping he'll be home by 10pm tonight!



Saturday, January 5, 2013

Home is wherever I'm with you.

We have been on what seems to be the longest journey ever to buy a house. I'm sure every home owner felt the exact same way when they were looking. Its exciting, exhausting and pretty much an emotional roller coaster. We have gotten so excited and envisioned ourselves living in about a dozen different houses, only to later realize they weren't quite right.

Over Christmas, we thought we had found the right house. An offer was made, then counter-offer and so on until we reached a meeting point and they accepted our offer. Until yesterday, we were pretty sure this house was OURS & we're beyond excited to begin moving. After reviewing the inspection results and talking with a few experts in the field we slowly, to our dislike, came to realize that this house has some major structural and electrical issues that we did not know of in the beginning. We are trying so hard to make the best financial decisions to protect ourselves, our marriage and our future children; and based on that report this wouldn't be the best decision financially.

Even though my heart so desires to have a sweet home where we can entertain and host, I think I'm realizing that I have put too much emphasis on a worldly item. Will sweetly reminded me of this truth by singing one of our favorite songs- "home is wherever I'm with you." As cheesy as it sounds, the song has it right.

We are trusting in the Lord and his timing. We're singing that song & reminding ourselves that items don't bring you happiness, but rather relationships. So whether are friends are crammed into our little apartment or a more spacious home, who cares? We're just thankful for wonderful friends & family.

Home, let me come home; home is wherever I'm with you.
 (Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros)

You should probably listen to this song. I promise it will bring you a little bit of joy this morning & soon you'll be singing along too.






Hello, 2013!

So I've been really slack about posting. You know why? Will has been OFF!! Its seriously been the best thing ever and clearly I have chosen time with my favorite person over blogging.

We had a wonderful Christmas & a friend-filled New Years. Our first Christmas together was a blast & my favorite part was cooking and hosting for family and friends.

Here's a very brief recap via pictures:

we made a quick trip through chapel hill & visited all of our favorite spots, including Cafe Driade for coffee/tea


we cooked (and cleaned) our first turkey- it was successful!




hello yummy peanut-butter apple pie:

we had family and friends over for brunch:


even patty had a good Christmas:


cast iron skillets can give 2nd degree burns, as i learned on Christmas Eve


a visit to Charlotte to see my family & continue the poppers tradition (she's just the cutest):


reunited with sweet friends:


bowling with my family where my dad whipped out his old bowling team skills:


gingerbread tradition lives on again, cottage style this year :


will enjoyed time off & scaring me with this duck:


ringing in the new year with my love:


and lots of wonderful friends:


and Will continues his outdoor adventures:


We were blessed with a wonderful Christmas and so enjoyed quality time with all of the people we love the most. Looking forward to 2013 and all that it brings!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Blessed.

During this time of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of all that we have been given & the blessings that flow so freely. I have so many things to be thankful for that it can often be easy to become numb to them. We are blessed with wonderful family that pour into us and care so deeply about us individually and our marriage; with friends who will drive miles to see us and support us in important events, with a fruitful year of work for Will and so many more things. Oh, we are so thankful!

I am once again reminded of the blessings we have & pray that we can be a blessing to others. I hope that we can bring joy, happiness & crazy love to all those we encounter. 

Will and I have always said this, but I'll say it again, we are blessed in relationships & somehow the friendships and blessings just keep flowing.

Monday, November 19, 2012

COLOR me

I spent the weekend in Charlotte visiting with wonderful friends and family. Some of my college roommates came into town for a race-- "the color run." We had a sleepover just like old times and spent half the night telling stories and laughing. It was such a blast to be reunited with some of my favorite people! Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to Concord for the race. You may wonder, as Will did, what is the point of this color run... well, basically just to have fun, coat yourself in powder paint and laugh a LOT. Also, it benefitted Habitat for Humanity, which is great.

We danced, skipped and rolled our way through the course. I can always count of these girls to act carefree with me. Oh how I am thankful for these friendships.



It was a bit cold, but no one seemed to care.

pure joy.




... and this is why i love them.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Out of the Darkness

This past weekend, we were joined by family and friends to walk for a cause. Wrightsville Beach hosted their first "Out of the Darkness" walk in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention http://www.afsp.org/. We were walking to bring awareness, raise money for research and remember those whose lives were ended too early. We feel strongly about this cause and want to encourage people to begin talking about suicide. In 2008, Will's mom took her life. From that day forward, we have vowed as a couple & as a family to help others and find anyway to prevent another suicide.

The weather was perfect & we were astounded by how many people came out. Wilmington, as a community, raised over $42,000 which was incredible! We were thankful to be a part of the first (annual) walk & so appreciative for friends and family that traveled long distances to join us.

My first attempt at a panorama shot on my iphone.. kind of worked? But it shows the crowd! 

Walking for sweet Kim


The whole Cooper crew, including Will's aunt



Love all these men

Blessed to have friends that drive down for the day to walk with us

If you are interested in finding an "Out of the Darkness" walk near you, check out the full listing here: