This past Monday, I got off work and walked out to a darkening evening sky. By the time I picked up the girls and got home, it was pitch black outside and I could feel it - like I was slowly sinking into an deep dark ocean. It's a familiar feeling that I get around this time of the year, and I mentally counted the months that we had left until we would see sunlight during this evening time again...5 months. Ugh. "Mom, it's so dark! It makes me tired" Sloane said, and I had to agree. It makes me sad to think of the few hours that I have with my girls at the end of each day being in darkness, but that is what I have to work with. "Isn't it exciting Sloane? It will be dark like this because it is getting ready to be winter. Maybe we can see the stars come out earlier." I took a deep breath and started thinking of things that I could do with Sloane that didn't require sunlight. I want to spend intentional time with her each day if possible, especially during the months where it's so easy to go into autopilot mode during the work week. This week I decided it would be making apple dumplings. Or hand pies. We called them dumplings because it is so adorable hearing Sloane say that word.
She was excited to help and she was able to do most steps by herself with my instruction . She could roll out the dough, cut the circles, and sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg over the apple. She was also meticulous at brushing each one with the egg wash; I was impressed.
They turned out so good I ate mine and also the one that Sloane had designated for Logan. And it was so easy, that we made them again a few days later.
Here's the basic recipe, if you're interested:
Roll out a puff pastry sheet to about 1/4 inch thickness, cut out 8 circles (we used the mouth of a cup), and place 2 thin apple circle slices on four of the circles. Top the slices with a spoonful of brown sugar, sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a pad of butter. Place an unused circle on top of each mound and seal the top and bottom together by imprinting with a fork. Brush with egg yolk, add some more butter pieces if you'd like and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Cut three vents into each and bake in 400 degree oven for 18 minutes.
We are definitely going to make more of these this winter.
Eden and I are going to make these! The other day we were driving home and eden said 'mommy its too dark, i no see no sun'. I was like 'i feel you girl'. i then taught her the song The Sun Will Come Out tomorrow. She made me sing it about 6 times. Then the next morning, when it was dark and rainy AGAIN, she said 'Mama, the sun no come out?!'.. Life
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