Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed

The other day David and I were walking through Aldi when something caught my eye. It wasn’t a sale sign or something I had on my shopping list. Nope! It was the beautiful display of fruit sitting in the produce section. Which I thought about bringing home for Davids and Charlie.

They had apples of every color imaginable, from Granny Smith green to those gorgeous, ripe red apples that practically beg you to take them home. I stood there looking at all those beautiful apples, and before I knew it, my mind had wandered off to apple picking.

You know how that goes, don’t you? One thought leads to another, and before you know it, you’ve fallen so far down the rabbit hole that you’re not even sure how you got there in the first place! That’s exactly what happened to me this morning. As I was thinking about Fall and Autumn outside.

Those apples had me thinking about fall, family, baking, and all the wonderful things we can do with a simple piece of fruit. Then I wandered over to the freezer section and spotted the German foods Aldi had out. Among them was strudel which David had enjoyed in the past when we purchased them for him.

Now, if you’ve followed along with me for any length of time, you know our family has a connection to Germany. David’s father served there, and his family lived in Germany for three years. So naturally, German food catches my attention! I looked at that strudel and thought, Why buy it when I could come home and try making my own apple turnovers?

And that’s when things got interesting. I also remembered that there were pears in the produce section. How could I leave those out? If we’re going to have an apple adventure, why not make room for pears, too? Because David and his mother love Pears. How about you?

Instead of making just one kind of turnover, we can use the same basic pastry recipe and switch out the fruit. Apple turnovers for one person, pear turnovers for another, and maybe one of each for somebody who can’t decide. Now that’s my kind of baking! How about you?

I have to confess something right here at the beginning. I don’t know all the differences between an apple turnover and an apple strudel. I know I want apples, cinnamon, and something delicious coming out of my oven, but I figured this would be a wonderful teaching moment for our family. So, if you’re a baker, come on into my kitchen and help me out!

Since I didn’t know the difference Charlie decided to research a apple turnover for me which is generally made by placing a fruit filling on pastry dough, folding the dough over the filling, sealing the edges, and baking it until golden. You get an individual pastry with the filling tucked inside. And you know what else I want? That sweet white icing drizzled over the top!

An apple strudel is traditionally made by stretching a thin dough, adding the filling, and rolling the whole thing into a long pastry before baking. Depending on the recipe, the filling may include apples, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and other ingredients. They’re both delicious ways to enjoy fruit, but they’re not quite the same thing. As long as you leave raisins out for me and Charlie.

You can learn more about the traditional German pastry through Germany Travel’s information about German cuisine. As for me, I’m starting with turnovers. I want that flaky pastry, the warm fruit-and-cinnamon filling, and the white icing that makes you want to lick your fingers afterward.

And since pears were part of my inspiration, we’re not stopping with apples! Am I going to make a mess? Possibly. Am I going to get everything right on the first try? Probably not. Am I going to try anyway? You bet I am! Because here’s the thing: I’m no Betty Crocker. But I’m a mom and a wife who wants to make something special for her family, and sometimes that’s more than enough.

One of the things I like about this idea is that we don’t have to learn two completely different recipes. We can prepare one pastry, make two fruit fillings, and enjoy both apples and pears. Now for the Apples Granny Smith apples would give us a little tartness, while Gala or Honeycrisp apples would bring a sweeter flavor.

For the pears, I’d choose fruit that’s ripe but still firm enough to hold its shape while cooking. Both fillings will get a little butter, cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice. We’ll cook the fruit until it begins to soften, thicken the filling, and let it cool before spooning it onto the pastry. And, of course, both kinds get that lovely white icing!

I can already picturesetting the two varieties on a plate and asking David and Charlie to decide which one they like best. That sounds like a family taste test to me. Although, Charlie may not try either and I would prefer the Apple and knowing David he would put them together and make a Apple Pie Turnover and tell us he needs more.

We might even have to make notes for a future Greatful Moments article. After all, if I’m going to experiment in the kitchen, I might as well make a little adventure out of it! While I was thinking about what I wanted to bake, another thought popped into my head. Which took me further down into that rabbit hole I’m always falling into.

Charlie loves apple-and-cinnamon fragrances, especially the air fresheners that make a room smell warm and cozy. So I decided I wanted to surprise him with something special for his room. What better time to make a simple autumn simmer pot for him and my mother in law.

With apple peels, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks, I can create a lovely fall fragrance without having to buy another air freshener. I’ll add water to a pot and let everything warm gently on the stove, keeping an eye on it and adding water as needed. It’s a simple way to bring the smell of autumn into our home while the turnovers are baking.

And if you’re wondering why I’m calling this Pup-arri, well, the dogs are part of this apple adventure, too! I know the traditional word is potpourri. But when the dogs are staring at you while you’re thinking about apples, sometimes you have to make up a name that fits the day. At least I do.

Of course, this is a fragrance activity, not a drink or a treat for the dogs. I’ll keep the pot, steam, and ingredients away from them. Pets can be sensitive to fragrances, so I’ll make sure the room is ventilated and skip the simmer pot if the dogs show any signs of irritation. If you have a favorite combination of scents for fall, please share it with me. I’m always happy to learn something new!

Now, you would think I could have one thought without another one jumping into my head, but apparently that’s not how my brain works! As I was thinking about apples, baking, and making the house smell wonderful, I looked down and realized the dogs were watching me.

And that got me wondering: Can dogs eat apples? The answer is yes! Dogs can enjoy small amounts of fresh apple as an occasional treat, provided you wash the fruit, remove the core, seeds, and stem, and cut the apple into pieces appropriate for their size.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we can hand them an apple turnover and call it a day. The sugar, icing, and pastry are meant for the people in the family, not the dogs. Instead, let’s make a simple apple-and-oat biscuit using dog-appropriate ingredients. We can skip the added sugar and icing and keep the recipe simple.

Our dogs are part of the family, too. If we’re celebrating autumn in the kitchen, why shouldn’t they get a little something special? For more information about safely sharing apples with your dogs, the American Kennel Club’s guide to feeding apples to dogs is a helpful place to start.

And don’t worry, buttercup. I haven’t forgotten about the candy apples! Those can be another day’s project. We don’t have to make every apple treat in the world in one afternoon. Or do we David said. LOL Then there is meals made with Apples and Pears like Pork Loin David is now wanting to make for dinner. LORD help me..

If you’re homeschooling your children, don’t overlook the learning opportunities hiding in an afternoon of baking. This little apple adventure can become a hands-on lesson without making the day feel like another assignment. Here are a few ways to incorporate these activities into your students’ lessons.

Math: Measure ingredients, compare fractions, count biscuits, divide turnovers into equal portions, and calculate how many servings each recipe makes. Science: Observe how apples and pears change color after cutting, how heat softens fruit, and how adding a thickener changes the consistency of a filling. Students can compare the texture of the two fruits before and after cooking. Reading and writing: Read a recipe, follow sequential directions, write a review of the finished treats, or keep a kitchen journal describing what worked and what they might change next time. Geography and culture: Find Germany on a map, learn about German apple strudel, and compare strudel with the individual turnovers we’re making at home. Health and safety: Discuss food hygiene, kitchen safety, and why people and dogs cannot always eat the same foods. Art: Draw different apple varieties, design a recipe card, or illustrate the steps involved in making a turnover.

For younger students, identifying fruit colors and counting apple slices can be a lesson all by itself. Older students can practice measurement conversions, research the history of a traditional pastry, or compare the cost of homemade and store-bought treats. You don’t have to complete every activity. Choose the ones that fit your children’s ages, interests, and learning goals. Sometimes the best lessons happen when the family is simply gathered around the kitchen counter.

Now it’s time to get our ingredients together. Remember, I’m not promising that my kitchen will look like something out of a cooking magazine. We’re here to have fun, try something new, and make memories along the way! Come and join us because in my kitchen there is never to many cooks. Are is there?

Recipe No. 1: Apple and Pear Turnovers With Sweet White Icing

For the people in the family!

This recipe makes two fruit fillings with one basic pastry method. You can prepare both fillings, or make a double batch of whichever fruit your family loves most.

Prep time: About 25–30 minutes
Cook time: 18–22 minutes per batch
Makes: Approximately 8 turnovers

Ingredients for the pastry

• 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

Apple filling

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Pear filling

• 2 medium-firm pears, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

For brushing the pastry

• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

For the white icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk or water
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. To make the apple filling, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
3. Cook for about 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until the filling thickens. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool.
4. Repeat the same process with the pears in a separate skillet or after washing out the first skillet. Pears can soften more quickly than apples, so check them frequently. Cook until tender but not mushy and the filling is thickened.
5. Unfold the thawed puff pastry and cut it into eight squares, following the package directions. If you want four apple turnovers and four pear turnovers, divide each filling accordingly.
6. Spoon a small amount of cooled filling onto one half of each square, leaving the edges clear.
7. Fold each square into a triangle. Press the edges together with a fork to seal them.
8. Brush the tops with egg wash and cut two or three small slits in each turnover so steam can escape.
9. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Oven times may vary, so keep an eye on your first batch.
10. Let the turnovers cool on a rack.

Now for that sweet white icing!

Mix the powdered sugar with one tablespoon of milk or water and the vanilla. Add a little more liquid, a few drops at a time, until the icing is thick enough to drizzle.

Once the turnovers have cooled slightly, drizzle that sweet white icing over the tops.

There you go! Homemade apple turnovers and pear turnovers without having to make two separate pastry recipes.

Baker’s tip: Granny Smith apples will give you a tart filling, while Gala or Honeycrisp apples are sweeter. Choose pears that are ripe but still firm. Let both fillings cool completely before adding them to the pastry to help prevent soggy turnovers.

Recipe No. 2: Homemade Apple-and-Oat Treats for the Dogs

Because autumn belongs to our four-legged family members, too!

Before we hand the dogs anything from our baking adventure, let’s make them something specifically for them. These simple apple-and-oat biscuits skip the sugar, icing, and spices used in our human treats.

Prep time: 10–15 minutes
Bake time: Approximately 20–25 minutes
Makes: About 12–18 small biscuits, depending on the cutter

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely ground plain rolled oats or oat flour
• ½ cup finely grated apple, with the core, seeds, and stem removed
• 1 egg
• 1–2 tablespoons water, if needed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Wash the apple thoroughly. Remove the core, seeds, and stem, then grate the apple finely.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground oats, grated apple, and egg.
4. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add water a little at a time if the mixture is too dry.
5. Roll the dough out on a lightly oat-floured surface and cut it into small biscuits. Alternatively, form small, flat rounds by hand.
6. Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, until firm and cooked through. Larger or thicker biscuits may need additional time.
8. Cool completely before offering one to your dog.

A few things to remember

• Start with a small piece to see how your dog tolerates the treat.
• Serve treats in moderation, taking your dog’s size and dietary needs into account.
• Keep the recipe free of added sugar, icing, nutmeg, and artificial sweeteners such as xylitol.
• Refrigerate leftover soft treats promptly and freeze extras for longer storage.

Apples are generally safe for dogs when properly prepared, but they should be an occasional treat rather than a replacement for their regular food. If your dog has dietary restrictions, check with your veterinarian before introducing a new recipe.

And please remember: the dog biscuits are for the dogs. Our turnovers with the sweet white icing are staying on the people side of the kitchen!

Recipe No. 3: Apple-Cinnamon Pup-arri for Charlie’s Room

A homemade autumn fragrance for the house!

When I remembered how much Charlie enjoys apple-and-cinnamon fragrances, I decided I wanted to make something special for his room. Rather than buying another air freshener, I thought a homemade simmer pot would be a fun way to bring the scent of fall into our home.

You’ll need

• Peels from 1–2 washed apples
• 2–3 orange slices
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3–4 cups of water

Directions

1. Place the apple peels, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stove.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the fragrance spread through the house.
4. Check the pot frequently and add water as needed so it never boils dry.
5. When you’re finished, turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely before disposing of it.

Safety first: This is a fragrance recipe, not a drink or a food. Never leave the simmer pot unattended. Keep the hot pot, steam, and ingredients away from children and pets. Use good ventilation, and stop if anyone shows signs of irritation. If your pets are sensitive to fragrances, skip the simmer pot.

And if you’d rather not use the stovetop, you can place fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks in a decorative bowl as an autumn display, somewhere the dogs cannot reach. That won’t scent the house as strongly, but it still looks pretty.

A Few More Apple Ideas for Another Day

As I was thinking about everything we could make, I remembered candy apples. Charlie would probably have enjoyed those, too!

But that’s the beauty of having more than one day to enjoy autumn. We can save candy apples for another time, along with caramel apples, chocolate-dipped apple slices, or even apple nachos.

We don’t have to squeeze every idea into today’s adventure. Sometimes it’s nice to leave ourselves something fun to look forward to.

A Final Thought From My Kitchen

Who knew that walking through Aldi with David would turn into an entire day of apples and pears?

I started with the beautiful colors of the produce stand, wandered down memory lane to apple picking, discovered German strudel in the freezer section, remembered Charlie’s favorite fragrances, and ended up planning apple turnovers, pear turnovers, a simmer pot, and treats for the dogs.

That’s the beauty of letting yourself follow a little inspiration.

Today doesn’t have to be perfect. The turnovers don’t have to look like they came from a bakery, and I certainly don’t have to pretend I’m Betty Crocker. I just have to enjoy trying something new with my family.

And I’ve decided that today is going to be an easy, fun, non-stressful day.

If you’ve got stress, or if you intend to bring drama into my life, pack your bag and walk out the door because I ain’t dealing with it, buttercup! I’ve got too many things to do.

I’ve got apples and pears to turn into snacks, a house to make smell like autumn, dogs to spoil a little, and memories to make.

Move out of the way, buttercup. I’ve got things to do!

Now It’s Your Turn!

Do you have a favorite apple recipe? Maybe you make the best apple strudel in the family, have a secret for getting those turnovers perfectly flaky, or know how to make the prettiest white icing drizzle.

Perhaps pears are your favorite fruit, and you have a recipe we should try next.

I’d love to hear from you!

I’m also looking for recommendations for fun cookbooks about apples, children’s books that feature apples or pears, and movies that would make a lovely addition to an autumn family day.

Share your favorites with me. I’m open to ideas, new recipes, and anything that makes this season a little sweeter.

Until next time, remember to be grateful, thankful, and blessed. And don’t forget to enjoy the little things. Sometimes, they’re the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

Homeschooling note for the printables: Students can measure ingredients, identify fractions, follow

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.

GreatfulMoments.com

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates