TGIF...tomorrow

Whew! It has been ONE LONG week! I'm so glad that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is Friday! Monday morning, after a great weekend spent with my sister, her family, and Scott, I woke up to the absolute worst sore throat ever. Little did I know it would turn out to be strep! Ew. I NEVER and I repeat NEVER get sick! My perfect health record came to an end and I was forced to stay home from work Tuesday. Soooo with no other option, I had to miss work and catch up on my Desperate Housewives episodes. I know, how awful right? :) Well you would think that with it becoming a 4 day work week for me, this week would have flown by...not exactly. This is my moment to vent...have you ever felt like Cinderella while other people just get to sit back on an imaginary chaisse lounge, sipping a glass of their favorite cocktail, watching you do all the work? That's what I feel like almost EVERYDAY at my job. Luckily for me since being in summer school, I'm only part-time but on days when I don't have class, you might as well hand me a broom and a mop and start singing "Cinderella." It's always the SAME people cleaning. I know this might seem like a petty situation but it's very frustrating when there are other people who are there all day not to mention and don't lift a finger! We work at a daycare, I get that there is cleaning that needs to be done, but haven't these ladies ever watched Wonder Pets? "What's gonna work, TEAMWORK" the kids sing it all the time! Anyway, enough of the rambling and beyotching, I just wish everyone knew how to do their job as good as I do ;)

On a brighter note, as you will quickly find out, if you don't already know, I'm COMPLETELY obsessed with fall! The fashion, the food, the smells, the holidays, etc...I am SO incredibly happy to say that the fall season begins Septemeber 23. We are almost a complete month away!! On the 23rd I want to walk out of my front door and feel EXACTLY this way

Highly unlikely, I know, but a girl can dream can't she? Also I'd like to add a few more things to get you in the mood as well 

Worked didn't it? :) I hope and pray it starts to cool off before then. I don't know how much more of this heat I can stand. I honestly feel like the girl in the Perrier commercial

I'd also like to add a recipe that I can't wait to try! With all of these upcoming seasons I really get in the baking mood. After all, Paula deen does say "Baking seasons begin with a Pie!"

Apple Crunch Pie with Red Wine Caramel

Ingredients:

1 pre-made store bought pie dough round
8 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup prepared caramel sauce
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
4 tablespoons red wine

For the Crunch Top:
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Press pie dough into 9 inch pie plate, crimping or fluting the edges. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with flour and cinnamon and set aside. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together prepared caramel sauce and red wine. Set aside.

Prepare the crunch topping by adding all the ingredients into a medium mixing bowl and using your hands to cut in the butter until crumbly looking. Set aside.

Remove pie dough from refrigerator and begin pie assembly by layering the apple slices and the caramel red wine mixture. Put 1/4 of the apple mixture in the bottom of the pie dough. Top with 1/4 of the caramel wine sauce. Repeat process with the remaining apples and caramel sauce.

Dot the top of the pie with the cubed butter and prepared crunch topping. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking an additional 30 minutes or until browned and bubbling. Allow to cool 30 minutes before serving.