Easy Apple Turnover Recipe

       For many people Fall is the season of the Pumpkin, but personally I prefer Apples. I have been craving apple turnovers lately, so I decided to whip some up ... this is a very quick and easy recipe, with just a few ingredients most people have in their cabinets.

 What You'll Need:
-  4 Gala Apples (Granny Smith works too)
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1 pkg frozen Puff Pastry thawed
- Flower for dusting

PREHEAT OVEN TO  400 Degrees

First Peel, Core, and Chop Apples. 

Place applies in a bowl of water with the Lemon Juice to keep from browning.

Next in either a large pot or a large skillet (skillet is preferable, I just don't have one big enough so I use a pot) melt the butter over a medium heat. Remove apples from water and add to the hot buttery pot/skillet. 

Stir together for about 3 minutes, coating the apples in the butter.

                    

Then add Cinnamon and Brown Sugar, stir well for 5 minutes.  

 Once sugar is nicely melted and apples are well coated, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to the mix to thicken. Add more corn starch if needed. 

Remove from heat to allow to cool a bit. 

Meanwhile the puff pastry sheets should be thawed.

Unwrap and spread your first pastry sheet onto flower dusted cutting surface. 

 Then cut into 4 smaller squares. I use a pizza cutter.

Add a scoop of apple mixture to the center of  each square.

Yuuummmmmmmmmmmm... 

Fold the pastry dough into triangles, it should be stretchy but you may need to repair tears. 

I like to use a fork to smoosh edges together.

Coat cookie sheet with non stick baking spray or very light butter. 

Then, using a spatula, carefully place turnovers onto the sheet.

You should have 8 total. 

Place in oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until golden.

 When done remove from oven and allow to cool completely ... 

They smell soooo apple-cinnamony good!

Optional Icing:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon milk

Mix together ... add more milk if needed and drizzle over pastry - a delicious extra treat!

*Be sure the pastry is completely cool before adding icing or you have a huge melty mess! 

I hope you all enjoy this recipe ... they are very quick and easy to throw together.  I do cheat by using the store bought pastry sheets, but they still taste delicious! 

Left over apple mixture would go great on a bowl of vanilla ice cream! ;)

Simple Crochet Hat/Beanie Pattern

I have searched and searched for a basic crochet beanie/hat since I first started crocheting. I have tried several different hat patterns and finally figured the best "recipe" for a simple beanie that worked for me. I could whip one of these up in the course of an evening.  Add frills at your own discretion.

This is my first real attempt at writing out a pattern - it's super simple so that made it feel possible. . .


Simple Beanie Pattern

Materials:
Yarn: Worsted Weight ... I used "I Love This Yarn"
Hook: I
Needle for Darning

Stitches Used:

• Magic Ring
• Chain
• Double Crochet (DC)
• Slip Stitch

The hat is made in rounds, joined at the end of each round. 

Rnd 1: Start with Magic Ring... Chain 2, 9 double crochet. Slip stitch in top of first chain 2 (10 sts)

Rnd 2: Chain 2, double crochet in same stitch. 2 double crochet in each stitch around. Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2. (20 sts)

Rnd 3: Chain 2, 2 DC in next stitch. *1DC in next stitch, 2DC in next stitch* Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2. (30 sts)

Rnd 4: Chain 2, DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch. *1 DC in next 2 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from*  Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2. (40 sts)

Rnd 5: Chain 2, DC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in next stitch. *1 DC in next 3 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from*  Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2. (50 sts)

Rnd 6: Chain 2, DC in next 3 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. *1 DC in next 4 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat from*  Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2. (60 sts)

Rnd 7-16: Chain 2, DC in every stitch.  Join with slip stitch in top of first Chain 2 . Fasten off and weave in yarn. (60 sts)*


*You may need to increase the amount of row depending on the size of the head you are making the hat for. This pattern worked for my head, but if you need a larger size add more rows.

Good Luck! 

Fun Fall Fingerless Gloves!

Fall is quickly approaching I decided to make some fun accessories... The fingerless gloves seemed perfect! I absolutely LOVE how these turned out. 

I got the basic idea from Lucy at Attic 24 ... she called them Wrist Warmers. From Lucy's instructions I kept the edging, basic concept of crocheting in rows and sewing up the edge to finish. I also used her pattern for the little flower establishments. I varied from her pattern though in that I made mine a bit more fitted around the wrist. . . I decreased by 2 for a couple rows near my wrist. This is a much snugger fit - the other way was a bit boxy for me but I guess it helps to accommodate for watches and bracelets ... which I don't wear. 

Here is the basic pattern for making these:
- Chain as many as needed to fit snug around your wrist or forearm. Yarn and hook size don't matter here ... as long as you are happy with the tightness/looseness of the stitches. I find some give is good! 
- Then work in rows back and forth until you have the length desired. The Half Double Crochet stitch is what  most people like to use. Remember if you want a more fitted glove you may want to decrease for a few rows  right where your wrist meets your hand. Just don't forget to increase again for the part that cover your hand! (I only decreased 2 times for mine).
- Sew up the sides - but don't forget the thumb!
- About and inch/inch and half down  is a good measurement for the thumb, but as everyone's hand is different this could be different for you. :)
- Viola! Embellish as desired ... *
I suppose this isn't a real pattern ... Lucy probably explains it better on her site. 
*These can be one solid color or striped - your call! 

I'm still new at writing out patterns or giving instructions.