Apple Crisp

This apple crisp is the perfect dessert for a fall afternoon. Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy! 

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of small granny smith apples
• 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, crushed finely
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Chop apples and toss with the juice of 1 lemon; place in greased 9/12 baking pan.
• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, salt and allspice.
• Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over apples and toss gently to evenly distribute. 
• In a separate bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter together using a wooden spoon. work until small even crumbles form. 
• Sprinkle this mixture evenly over apples. 
• Bake 20 minutes until topping is golden brown. 

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

I first made this recipe when it was 12 degrees in Birmingham, Christmas Eve-Eve 2022. My nieces loved the creamy chicken and rice soup, and it quickly became a family favorite! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 box wild rice 
• 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
•  1 cup diced carrots (2 medium) 
• 1 cup diced celery (about 4 ribs) 
• 1 stick of butter, diced, divided 
• 1 TB minced garlic 
• 4 1/2 cups chicken broth 
• 2 tsp greek seasoning 
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste 
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked snd shredded 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 1/2 cups milk 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 

Instructions: 

• Prepare rice according to directions on package. 
• In a separate large pot, melt 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat. 
• Add onion, carrots and celery and sauté 4 minutes, add garlic and sauté 1 minute longer. 
• Add chicken broth, greek seasoning, salt and black pepper to taste. 
• Increase heat to medium-high, add cooked chicken and bring mixture to a boil. 
• Cover pot with lid, reduce to medium-low heat and allow mixture to simmer about 12 - 16 minutes. 
• Meanwhile in a separate medium saucepan, melt remaining 6 Tbsp butter over medium heat. 
• Add flour and cook 2 minutes, whisking constantly. 
• Then while whisking vigorously, slowly pour milk into butter/flour mixture. 
• Whisk in heavy cream. 
• Cook mixture, stirring constantly until it thickens. 
• Add milk mixture to soup mixture in pot along with shredded chicken, cooked rice, stir well and remove from heat.

Cross Country 2023

Daniel participated in cross country again in eighth grade. Overall he had a great season, and the boy’s team ended up winning the metro championship while the girl’s team came in 2nd place. I can’t say enough good things about the coaches, the other athletes, and the parents. If your child is looking for a sport to participate in, I can’t think of a better opportunity to get involved and engaged in a team sport than cross country. 

When asked in a survey by his coach, "Why do you run?" Daniel responded, "For conditioning and for mental and physical toughness." Every race, Daniel pushed himself to set a new personal record. Some races were better than others, and the last race, he achieved his goal of his best PR of the season. I am so proud of Daniel and his teammates and for the coaches! What an amazing season!

Just before the final metro race

On target to PR

First race of the season at the University of Montevallo

Smores at Coach Swope's house

Chickasaw Trails Race 9-9-2023

Daniel's team goal

Prayer before the race at Heardmont Park

Metro Champions!

2nd Place at Berry Backwoods Challenge

2nd Place at Heardmont Park