Let me just say that knitting something for 34-ish inches in stockinette can be quite boring…except when you have 5 seasons of DCI Banks to binge. And, that is partially how I got those 34-ish inches knit quickly! I have now moved on to the sleeves, which I am knitting at.the.same.time and it is moving along nicely. Thus far, I am really loving the start of Reagan!
Pie wrapped in wax-paper freezes beautifully and one little square is the most lovely afternoon treat!
But!! It has not been all knitting, all the time around here! Impending autumn, cooler weather, and an abundance of amazing fruits at the local market are just the thing to get me back into the kitchen! I have been feverishly baking to fill the freezer with some goodies. Sunday, I made an Apple Slab Pie, which turned out stunningly and I highly recommend the recipe. And I also made my tried and oh-so-delicious Bottom Crust Plum Pie from Martha Stewart’s Pies and Tarts cookbook. On Monday, I made a batch of Pati’s Salsa Verde and Tuesday I made a double batch of Bourbon Peach Hand Pies (with this pie crust). The freezer is on its way to being replenished, and I still have some apples that I am thinking about what to do with. Perhaps something with puff pastry… hmmm.
Peach Hand Pies… all ready for the oven!
Now, on to the reads!
I managed to finish A Bridge of Clay, Suite Françoise, and The Crossing Places.
I had been on the wait list at the library for A Bridge of Clay for a very long time, and then I saw it was going to be available right about the time that I started War and Peace – so I moved myself back in the queue and I am so glad I did that. This book was one that I did not need to rush though. The story is all about the Dunbar family – and really the Dunbar brothers, especially Clay. I laughed, I cried and cried some more. It was truly an amazing story – and I listened to the audio version, that Markus Zusak read. I highly recommend – 4 stars.
Suite Françoise appeared on my radar thanks again to Carole. I was in luck that it was available at the library. It was a book that I savored – reading a little bit every night. It is a story about the WWII occupation of France. I want to say the story is wonderful, but that might lead you to believe that war occupation is idyllic – which is hardly the case. The writing is wonderful and it kept me wondering what might happen next and how it would unfold. The characters are beautifully developed and the story weaves perfectly between them all. But, for me the most amazing part of this story was the ‘back story’ on the writer – this novel was published 64 years after her death in Auschwitz…and I also highly recommend this book as well – 4 stars. (The movie version is available on Netflix that I might settle in with this week to knit those sleeves!)
Finally – one of you Unraveler’s mentioned The Ruth Galloway Mysteries and I pleasantly raced through The Crossing Places. I enjoyed it and loved how the author lead me along with Ruth as she figured out “who did it” and I have queued up a few more of the mysteries in this series! 4-stars for this first novel!
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I’m so glad that you are enjoying Reagan!! And that you loved Ruth Galloway – me too!! I just want to move into her little cottage!
Wow! You are really getting through Reagan in record time!! I’m still in love with the grey yarn you are using. Thanks for the recipe links – all look so yummy. Nice book finishes too. I’ve read the Ruth Galloway books (in fact the most recent just popped up on Overdrive for me) – they are a pleasant, easy diversion. Bridge of Clay looks very interesting to me.
You are a maker of the highest order! Reagan is looking good, and I really like the idea of having pie in the freezer. I’ve got just a bit of room left among the peas, beans and roasted tomato sauce so I think there will be peach and apple pie baking in the next week, along with getting in the library queue for Suite Francaise and Bridge of Clay. Thanks for the recipes and recommendations!
Oh my do those pies look yummy. And now I am off to see if my library has Bridge of Clay because I have some knitting to do.
Oh dear, those recipes you linked could be dangerous. I might even try my hand at making pastry for that apple slab pie when apples are in season this fall!
Glad to hear that the knitting is going so well, especially given that this is the yarn’s second go-round.
I can knit miles of garter stitch, but somehow balk at the same in stockinette! Haha! I’m averting my eyes in regards to the pie situation… I’m trying to be good! 😉
I didn’t know about the movie version of Suite Francaise – thank you for pointing that out. I want to come raid your freezer!
Somehow, pies (or any other kinds of goodies) never make it to the freezer around here. . . Your baking looks divine! (And so tempting.) And . . . that’s a whole lotta stockinette! 😉
34 inches, wow! Thanks for the book titles. All that baking looks scrumptious!
I once powered through a HP movie marathon while knitting sweater stockinette. I had a great time!! Lovely lovely knitting and your food photos make me hungry.
Soooo many yummy things! 🙂
Those pastries look delicious. A small little hand-held square of pie – oh my. I hope to pick up some locally grown apples in the next week or so. Way to power through all that stockinette. I love Ruth Galloway and her friends. Very intelligent, carving out her own path but never perfect and wonderfully middle-aged.
Those pies look delish! Yum! and it seems that they’ll go well with a few books, too!
Thanks!
I am IN AWE of your baking. I always wish we lived closer so we could connect in person. and now I also wish we could share a cup of coffee and a hand baked pie. sigh. of course I’m sure if we lived closer that would mean I lived in Pittsburgh and then I’d have your library, too. and that would be awesome! I do have Ruth Galloway #1 on hold and thank you for the recommendation!
Gorgeous hand pies!!! I always have trouble getting the edges not to be so…thick. (My 12 y.o. son actually does it best in our house.) Yours look bakery-worthy. And your slice of apple pie!? Are you kidding me? You are so talented! I’d be enjoying a bit of that every day, I think, with zero guilt. Just joy. Happy fall–soon!