October Day and Evening in Colorado

This is our first fall in Colorado. This past week was very warm during the day and pretty chilly at night. But today was perfect for blankets in the grass at the park. I got to do some reading in the fragrant shade of a pine tree, Shaun walked Romeo over to the creek and Romeo went wading. Ah, Sundays.

And the sunset was fantastic. Doesn't the cloud in the second photo make you think of something out of a S. Dali painting?

And after a yummy dinner of lemon sage butternut squash soup and garlic toast, I threw together a spiced apple crisp for dessert. Huzzah!

Megan's Mouthwatering Fruit Crisp

Very simple, very rich, and so good that you have to eat it with someone, to share the guilt. Here're your ingredients:

About 4 cups of fruit (3 or four apples, pears, or peaches)

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

Optional = 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice mix (or cinnamon or whatever you like w/ fruit)

1 beaten egg

1 stick (8 T.) melted butter

And remember, this is just an outline! Don't be afraid to experiment here and there. Don't eat dairy and eggs or want to cut out some fat? Then use two egg whites instead of one whole egg (and save the yolk for your canine or feline pal). Or use vegan margarine and egg substitute. If you're watching your sugar intake, I've made this before with Splenda and it turned out fine. Toss in a couple of handfuls of rolled oats to get some whole grain in there. I've made this with berries before and used applesauce to moisten the flour mix with, leaving out the egg altogether. Ta da, turned out delish! I especially love this recipe made with BLACKBERRIES. *Que the Homer Simpson drool sounds*

-Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Butter a small bake ware dish, line it with the fall fruit of your choice (apples, peaches, pears, cherries, any type of berry, or mix 'em up!, etc.)

-Stir the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl, then add the beaten egg and mix until the flour/sugar/powder/spices is moist.

-Spoon the flour mixture on top of the fruit, drizzle the butter over the top, and gently press it into the fruit. Bake for about 25 minutes until crispy and bubbly. If you're in a comfort food mood, serve it warm with cinnamon ice cream. Aaah, Sundays.