Posted by

Stumbling Grace Blog

Posted on

October 23, 2017

Posted under

Foodie, Uncategorized

Comments

2 Comments

Homemade Apple Pie – Recipe

The classic homemade Apple Pie. Today I am going to share with you how to make this Holiday Staple. Start off by picking up some hard, tart apples, Granny Smith or maybe Honey Crisp are great! The best part about this recipe is that there are only 7 steps and you will only need TEN ingredients, and most of these are already sitting on your shelves!

You may also enjoy : The Best Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

2 batches of my one minute homemade pie crust (or 1 if you roll it out very thinly!)
7-8 small granny smith apples, peeled, sliced, and cored
1 stick butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 heaping tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla

1). Place the peeled, cored, and sliced apples in a large bowl. Set aside.

2). Preheat oven to 425F.

3). In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the 3 tbsp of flour and mix well, forming a paste. Add the water, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla and mix well. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, then reduce heat to a simmer for an additional minute.

4). Remove from heat and reserve about 1/3 cup of filling for pie crust. Add remaining filling to apples. Toss well.

5). Pour apples into prepared pie crust, mounding slightly. Top with second pie crust (lattice design, etc). Brush the remaining 1/3 cup caramel filling over the crust.

You may also enjoy : Keepin’ comfy no matter what hat I’m wearing

6). Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil. I lightly spray the foil so it does not stick to the pie. Place the pie on top of a cookie sheet (to catch any drips) and bake at 425F for 10-12 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350F and bake for another 50 minutes (remove the foil the last 10 minutes to let the crust brown), or until done. The pie is done when the crust is golden-brown and the apples are soft when pierced with a fork.

7). Allow the pie to cool before serving. Enjoy!

Serves: 8-10 people.

Recipe adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Pie-by-Grandma-Ople/.

Adapted recipe courtesy of Audrey’s Apron.

Mini Pie Bites (or deceiving sausage rolls)

After I had put the filling in to the pie crust and noticed that I had some left overs of the filling and the dough. I quickly cut up another apple and made little triangles of dough to wrap with filling for small like apple bites. It was a complete on the whim experiment but it worked out! I put them on a small pan beside the pie and let them cook about the same time as the pie – checking on them every 20 minutes or so though!

Enjoy!!

I would LOVE to hear your favorite fall time recipes and if you have ever experimented with your very own apple pies! or better yet, created apple bites yourself lol!

XOX Cass

Posted by

Stumbling Grace Blog

Posted on

October 23, 2017

Posted under

Foodie, Uncategorized

Comments

3 Comments

1-2-3 – Roll! Your easiest pie crust yet!

Homemade Pie Crust? WHO has time for that?! Why you do of corse. With this simple recipe, you’ll be making this pie crust in your sleep, especially after you bite in to it! When I first started thinking about making my first pie a few years back I assumed I would just pick up a ready made pie crust from the grocery store. Nope. Apparently I married in to a connoisseur of all things baked/cooked from scratch.

You may also enjoy : Top ten gifts for the mom who does it all

To get started here, always remember to wash your hands and take off your rings! Does any one else have a small trinket dish that they use when baking/washing hands/doing chores that they use to keep their treasures? Below you will see my place of choice. It is called the ‘Trinket Dish” from Three Corners Artisan.

You can find the Trinket Dish HERE.

Having a husband who avidly searches to cook new things is definitely not a problem for me! My husband is constantly showing and teaching me new ways to cook things, how to tell if something is done (or overdone, whoops!) and that sometimes it really is easier to just make it from scratch! Hence, this simple 3 step pie crust recipe. Don’t be intimidated! If I can do this, you can do this!

You may also enjoy : The Best Butter Chicken Sauce

4 Step Homemade Pie Crust

Ingredients:

1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1-1/2 sticks butter (12 tablespoons), cut into slices
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp ice water

1) Mix flour and sugar in bowl.

2) Add about half of the butter. Add the rest of the butter. Blend until the mixture turns into coarse crumbs (small pea size).

3) Slowly add the ice water and pulse until the dough gathers up into a ball. If it doesn’t after a few seconds, add a few more drops of ice water until it does.

4) Take the dough and flatten it into a disc and place it on a sheet of floured plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before rolling. Remember to use the plastic wrap trick from below!

If you’ve got any tricks up your sleeves on how to make pie crust, different designs or just want to share your experience with this recipe, let me know below in the comments! I would love to hear from you, and get new ideas!

Happy Baking!

XOX – Cass

(Check out my 3 extra tips below to easier pie dough making!)

3 Tips to the easiest pie crust!

Tip #1 : One thing that I did see online, that I did not have but would love to try one day, is someone suggested using a food processor to mix and blend the butter into your flour mixture. I took the rustic path of the pastry blender.

You may also like : Canadiana Styled Shoot

Tip #2 : When rolling out the dough to get it ready for the pan, place a piece of saran wrap overtop and underneath of the dough before pressing the rolling pin down. This will make your life, and washing time, so much easier! The dough will not stick to the rolling pin and will be a nice quick wrap up and toss when done.

Tip #3 : Once you have refrigerated and rolled out your pie crust, you can decide how you would like to form it. I always love the classic look of pinched edges and a lattice crust, but you can be creative! Remember, rustic is okay here: you want your pie to look homemade!

Posted by

Stumbling Grace Blog

Posted on

October 21, 2017

Posted under

Shop Local, Uncategorized

Comments

2 Comments

Keeping comfy, no matter what ‘hat’ I’m wearing

_MG_6386

Oiy Vey. I feel that this past month has hit me like a rock. I recently upped my hours at work and have been going almost all in with 35-40 hours a week. It’s been killing me. The last few days Ez and I have been taking a bit of a break from the rest of the world. Yes the weather has implemented this, and yes, it was a dream. Having these last couple days with her and just the two of us has been good to my mama soul. Not being around this little bean is tearing me apart. So this weather, even though it has force-cancelled exciting plans, it has filled my cup with love and cuddles.

Being a busy mom on the go I often am running around in joggers, tanks and sports bras. (I know you I’m not the only one! Right?) I recently received the Gleaming Bralette from @ethona.casey and am in love! The fun design on the front, criss cross support in the back and extra padding in the front (Mama likey!). This easily brings this bralette to the top of my list of go-to’s for a day at home, on the run for errands or simply going for shoppi… for a run.

I feel like maybe I’ve just never found a sports bras/bralette that fit me just right, thus steering me away from them. Even when I was in high school, I would wear my regular bras during gym / sports (Ew. now that I think of it haha!). When I came across Ethona Active wear and their Gleaming Bralette I was super impressed with not only the quality and modern appeal they brought to their pieces, but the heart and passion behind their company and each and every purchase.

Ethona’s mission statement says it all, “To Inspire Women to Strive for More and Fight for Those Who Can’t.” How does that not make your heart beat right out of your chest?! Their core values are to Inspire, Connect and to Give. Working around the clock to give back to those in need. Ethona has partnered with Saving Innocence to help survivors of human trafficking around the globe. If you would like to support their mission and get your own Ethona Bralette, click here to find out more !

XOX – Cass

Discover more about Ethona here : Instagram | Facebook | Website

Posted by

Stumbling Grace Blog

Posted on

September 27, 2017

Posted under

DIY, Styled Shoots, Uncategorized

Comments

LEGO of your DIY fears!

Here are 3 DIY’s that will make sure, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME, at your Lego party!

A few weeks back, I had the privilege of working along side Chalie from Gold’n’Grasses for a very special birthday party for her son. Being an avid lego collector and enthusiast, he wanted to have nothing more than a party that was completely ENGULFED in the LEGO world!

Now, having a small flash back to when I was a child, my brother, sister and I loved and adored all things Lego, we would want nothing more, for any occasion, than to sit and build, create and imagine for hours on end. When I was first approached for this project, my 6-year-old-Cassandra-heart was jumping for joy and waiting in anticipation for the day this party would come! Just listening to Chalie talk about all she had planned made my heart pitter patter, dreaming alongside her and envisioning what she was about to achieve! And boy, oh boy did his mama deliver!

Continue reading on for FREE printable’s, created by yours truly, and more DIY projects to make your very own LEGO party for your little (or grown up) super fan. I absolutely LOVED being apart of this event with Chalie and being able to help bring her vision to life. I am always looking to collaborate for my next event, whether it be creating or partnering with creators, so don’t be shy! Let’s Chat.

DIY #1 – Lego Building Activity Cards (FREE Printable)

[Click here for LEGO Activity Cards]

___________________________________________________________

DIY #2 City Line Photo Booth Backdrop

This DIY was a 3-part task, now I chose to paint the pieces after I had measured and cut them. I also decided to use spray paint so that made it a lot easier as well! Here is a rough break down of how I made these beautiful, simple but dramatic party decor come to life!

Step 1 : Materials

Find what you are going to use as your base for this project. My hubs went to Costco and grabbed a couple of the pieces of cardboard that sit in-between the giant pallets and brought them home to cut up! (I used 3 pieces of 3ft x 5ft) You can also use cardboard boxes, diaper boxes, or even head over to Michaels or Staples and pick up black poster board.

Step 2: Trace/Sketch

Sketch out the exact shapes that you would like to cut out – here it is not really a big deal if you mess up or have pencil everywhere. You are going to be painting over it soon, but if you are really unsure, take a sharpie or marker and trace the exact lines so you dont make a mistake while cutting!

Step 3: Cutting

This was the most grueling task for this whole project. I used a cutting board underneath while I used my exacto knife and then later on realized that using scissors would be much easier. Just make sure it’s not the cheap-o version!

Step 4: Painting

The paint I found the easiest and quickest to use was spray paint, I placed a large piece of plastic on the ground and did 2 coats of black matte spray paint. You could totally do this with a paint brush, I just imagine it taking 5 times longer!

Step 5: Dry & Set up!

___________________________________________________________

DIY #3 Gift Bag Tags (FREE Printable)

Don’t forget to tag the bag and to say thanks for celebrating the girl/boy of the hour! I designed these awesome tags for Chalie & Tristan to attach to their iconic ‘Money Bag’ goody bags. What an awesome idea, because, well, a bag full of money is a pretty awesome goodie! lol. Follow a long and grab your very own gift tags to use for your next Lego party!

Below is a link to your FREE PRINTABLE for your own gift tags the next time you throw a Lego Party!

[Click here for Lego Favor Bag Tags]

Even MORE Lego DIY’s to keep the party going!

Lego Twister – Created & Crafted by Chalie at GOLDNgrasses
Diamond Pinata – Created & Crafted by Chalie at GOLDNgrasses

If you haven’t had a chance yet, head on over to Gold’n’Grasses and get the FULL layout and run down here of all the shops involved, other DIY’s you won’t want to miss and photos of her big 5 year old boy!! It was such an enormous joy to not only celebrate Tristan in turning 5, but to work alongside someone who is just as passionate and goal driven to see their dream come to fruition. Chalie my girl, you are a true Gem! And not just because you made an awesome Diamond Pinata! ❤

Happy Birthday Tristan, I hope it was a blast and that EVERYTHING WAS AWESOME!!

Xo Cass

You may also enjoy Ezra’s first Flamingo

If there was anything that Chalie had or used in this party and are worried about finding out where she found the perfect pieces for this Lego theme, look no further! Below are all the links you will need to find the local and creative community that poured in to this event.

Styled & Curated by : Chalie at GoldnGrasses

Photographer : Creative Wife & Joyful Worker

Photo editing: GOLDNgrasses

Venue :  High Street Community Room
Food :  Memphis Blues BBQ
Custom cake & macarons :   Super Sweet Sheep
Mini mango cheesecakes & white chocolate ganache pudding: The Wooden Whisk
Night out sprinkle mix : Dainty Sprinkle co.
Sugar cookies : Sweeter with a Cookie
Popsicles : Tubify
Cake toppers : Glitter Paper Scissors
Lego printables : Swirl Creative
Lego head printables : Creative Wife and Joyful Worker (link coming soon)
Lego activity cards & cityscape & gift tags : Stumbling Grace
Art school speckle large plate & tissue diamonds: Bash Party Goods
Canapé grid plate paper ware :  Heather & Gem
Paper straws & candles :Joonie and Joe
Cups & napkins :EZ party
Confetti & small ballons : Oh Happy Day! Party Shop
Customized wooden pendant banner :Sprig West
Lego cutlery & party favors : Oriental trading
High five shirt :Lucky Bum Clothing
Kids tables and chairs :Turkey Party Makers Ltd.
Lego twister DIY : GOLDNgrasses
Diamond piñata DIY : GOLDNgrasses
Lego cop printable : GOLDNgrasses

Posted by

Stumbling Grace Blog

Posted on

July 18, 2017

Posted under

Styled Shoots, Uncategorized

Comments

1 Comment

40’s Lemonade Stand – Styled Shoot

A few months ago, myself and Natalia, The Venture Creative, were having a goals and inspiration girls night and came up for the vision for this shoot. We started to prep and plan different styled shoots, ideas for promotional materials, products we would like to review and companies that made our hearts jump and skip a beat! And thus, the ’40’s Lemonade Stand’ was born.

40’s Lemonade Stand Highlights:

Mason Jar/Lemon Sugar Cookies
Local Shops & Products
14 Lemons
DIY Lemonade Stand
Ethical Visions & Support
Sweet&Sour faces
First Date – Sharing a Sippycup
40’s Themed Outfits

Now my first concern here was, where and how and when am I going to make a Lemonade Stand, and from what? Do I go the route of a large wooden pallet, two wooden crates, or buy one.

Enter Superhero-Handyman-Hubby

I explain my thought process to Kenz and the different ways I could go about making the Lemonade Stand and his response, “I’ll just make one!” I think I just fell in love all over again. He took a bunch of left over wood we had from taking apart a bunk bed a few months back, (he also used this for the backdrop at Ezra’s First Flamingo – check it out), and went to work! I could not believe how perfect and beautiful it is! *insert happy cry* While he was building it, he had the face of it complete and I was thrilled! He then told me he had a lot more to do because he wanted it to be sturdy for Ezra and her cousins to play with for a long time to come. He added extra supports, squared it off and made sure everything was tight and secure. What a great man he is, always bringing my dreams to life! I will be making a separate post for your very own DIY Lemonade Stand in the near future so keep your eyes peeled!

View More: http://nataliareardonphotography.pass.us/lemonadestand

We had so much fun with this shoot, involving all three of our children was difficult but so much fun! Luckily we had both of our husbands there to help rangle the kids and make them smile. We really lucked out with the weather that day, the entire week before and after had been in the high 20’s and this day just happened to be overcast. The perfect day for a summer shoot out in the sun.

You may also like : Donut Grow Up – Styled Shoot

When I first started searching for who I wanted to involve in this project, there was a couple that came to mind right away and a few that I stumbled upon and am absolutely in LOVE with. Seriously, after you’ve looked through all the beautiful photos by Natalia Reardon Photography, scroll down to all the amazing LOCAL shops involved.

Through planning and executing this vision of the Lemonade Stand, I got to meet some of the makers behind the scenes. I had Kara from Nest&co Handcrafted over for a cup of tea when she brought over the adorable romper photographed above. I think this may be one of my favourite parts of organizing these style shoots is meeting and learning about the shops, how they came to fruition and the passion that keeps them going.

You may also like : Canadiana – Styled Shoot

Planning, Prepping and Preparing. 40’s theme, think bonnets, knee high socks and pearls. PEARLS! I remembered I had seen the most adorable mommy and me sets from Baby Bear Design just the other day, I rushed over and behold, there they were, perfect for the girls. Amy has a serious amount of awesome chewellery, teethers, children’s & adult apparel and she has big things coming down the shoot, check her and BabyBearDesign out here!

THE Bonnet. I originally was introduced to Fawn & Lace through Tara Teng, she posted a photo of her little girl in one of her bonnets and I was instantly in love! I contacted Parla and explained the vision behind the 40’s Lemonade Stand and if she would be interested in being involved. Now HERE is the real reason I wanted her beautiful bonnet to be featured in our shoot, to raise awareness and to promote what she is doing behind the scenes. Not only are her bonnets made from recycled materials but for each bonnet that is purchased, she puts $5 of your purchase towards women at risk and survivors of trafficking. Whaaaat? If you can’t already tell, this woman has such a huge heart and is doing amazing things. Go check out her handmade bonnets now and help support not only locally made and sourced items, but for women who need all the help they can get.

Here’s where you can pick up yours, but be quick! They’re only put out in limited releases. Her next release date will be at the end of July.

I got to meet another amazing shop owner along the way, Kim, grandma to Mia and one of the makers behind Mia’s Mocs. They’re goal and driving force is to provide great quality moccasins at affordable prices for new moms, moms with large families, low income families, families with special needs children and military families. You know those moments that just kind of catch you off guard, that you’re not expecting but it is such a joyful surprise when it does? This happened when I ran up to the door to meet Kim, and we ended up chatting for about 20 minutes about her daughter, grand daughter, my little Ez and the goal of Mia’s Mocs. It’s such a joy to get to know the makers, a snippet of who they are and who you are supporting and promoting. So thank you Kim and Alyssia!

The beautiful banner of lemons hung on the Stand was made by Little Sprout Creations and in the midst of her own hustle and bustle of putting together her daughter’s 2nd birthday, her shops 1st Birthday AND a giveaway, she still put time aside to make sure these lemons made it to the shoot. What a gem Jen is, the passion she puts behind her product and customer service is unreal. Thank you Thank you!!

Arn’t these cookies beautiful? Well, if you we’re wondering, yes they tasted even better than they looked! How is that possible? I couldn’t have imagined these cookies looking any other way. DesignerCookies really outdid themselves for this delicious treat for our littles, even though I’m sure they ate way too many during the shoot! Designer Cookies is a cookies company that makes custom sugar cookies to order based in Metro Vancouver. You can order yours here.

Seeing a photoshoot, and very much a project, come together and to fruition filled me with so much joy and excitement for the ones to come. We’ve got some amazing stuff down the shoot and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

XOXO

Here’s a couple post-shoot shots of Ez… How could I resist?! Is there really anything cuter than a naked babe in a basket?