It all started with the squirt of an aerosol whipped cream can. You know the sound….shirrrrrrrrg. The memories flooded in. Back to the days when the kids would scream with laughter as they filled their mouths with the sweet pillowy stuff and William would impersonate the famous John Belusi Animal House cafeteria scene. Duck for cover, I sure miss that goof-ball.
But where was the shirrrrrrrg coming from? I haven’t bought whipped cream in a can in years. Enter husband and daughter. I find them in the kitchen filling their mouths like back in the old days. They are delighted and I am cracking up that husband smuggled in a can without me knowing.
The kitchen antics remind me that many years ago I represented Connecticut in a recipe contest sponsored by a company that makes aerosol whipped cream. As a winner I was given a set of recipe cards that included all the state winners and their recipes. I dug those out and looking back I am so pleasantly surprised to see some of my dearest contest friends among them. We’ve come a long way and am so humbled to be in your company.
Moving on and creating new memories I took Annabelle to Barnard’s Orchard to pick up some fresh apples. The farm is 74 acres of preserved land that has been in the Barnard family for 4 generations. It’s a real gem of a place open all year long.
Annabelle loved her first farm visit with Kiki (I think) and we were delighted to find some of my favorite heirloom varieties. This grandma will probably have Annabelle cooking before she can even eat solid food let alone stand at the counter, but she watches me in action and you know the best food memories have to do with the aroma of the kitchen.
So, let’s bake some apples and create some warm memories. I love baking with a Stayman apple. These apples are crisp, juicy, spicy and tart, but best of all bake up tender and still hold their shape. This seasonally delicious and memorable recipe is just as easy to bake for two as it is for a whole crowd.
Lisa, I love this idea! I make many a pan of apple crisp in the fall. I think this would be a good way to enforce some portion control!
Portion control and a lot less sugar, butter and fuss. I think some oats added to the crumble would be good, too. Oats makes it healthy, right?
Cool to see familiar names when you dug up those old recipes!
These ladies have turned out to be some of my dearest friends.
What a surprise! Seeing my recipe card pop up there. I have those, as well, Lisa, and will have to dig yours out and try one of these fine days. That was my first Grand Prize winner so early on in my contesting and Paul & I were both shocked. Thanks for posting.
You are right in the front Ms Grand Prize winner, but I had no idea that great recipe was your first. Glad I brought that memory back to you as that sure is one never to forget. <3 You are the best of the best!
You are sweet, Lisa. <3
Lovely memories, Lisa. I’ve been eating a lot of apples so I’ll have to try this recipe soon!
I think you inspired me to go to the apple farm after seeing how much fun you were having with your grandchildren
Lucky, Annabelle! What love in that kitchen.
one day we will get all the cousins together to bake up something good
I remember that contest too! I’ll have to see if I can find those cards. And your Apple recipe sounds soooo good!
It’s been a lot of years. Remember doing the Cooking Light contest in Hershey, PA? That was a fun one