Pretty Stones and Apple Pies

I wasn't entirely sure I wanted a gray and drizzly day, but it turned out to be a good one in spite of the lack of sunshine and blue skies. I got up just a little late, but Uncle Joe and Grandpa were downstairs to keep an eye on The Trio while I took a quick shower. While I sipped my morning brew and scrolled Facebook, I made the wonderful discovery that today is National Coffee Day. What could be better on a gray autumn day than coffee? Pie, maybe?

I sent the kids out to find "pretty stones" in the driveway and they returned a little while later with pockets bulging. They didn't know I'd purchased two lovely bags of polished rocks from the Dollar Tree and scattered them about on Saturday afternoon. They were quite delighted by their find and spent a bit of time sitting at the table sorting and classifying. A successful plan implemented. I must remember this trick next summer.

While the grandkids looked at their treasures, I started about baking. First a loaf of banana bread. Aubrey opted to help. She wore an apron, chopped walnuts, and stirred the batter. Once the bread was in the oven, I started on pies. "What do you love doing so much you'd do it for free?" (A line from a movie we recently watched.) Perhaps my answer is baking pies. I was blessed to discover my apple peeler/corer/slicer hiding in the cabinet with my pots and pans. It made short work of what is the longest, most tedious part of apple pies, and the kids loved eating the "apple ropes" that piled up on the table when I turned the crank.

There are now five apple pies cooling on the counter, just waiting for someone to love them. At least two have homes (well, three if I count the one that's staying here... ) and I am conjuring up recipients for the others