An Apple a Day…

Apple season is officially in full swing.  I love this time of year and fresh apples for baking.  My apples this fall just happened to come from my Grandma’s apple tree in Nebraska.  Jamie and mom came out to visit just in time to deliver me some hand picked apples. 

I have made apple crisp a handful of times(of course I didn’t get any pictures of it).  It is my go to dessert this time of year!  Just the other day one of Trent’s players was asking when we were going to have him over for dinner and apple crisp.  :) I also experimented with freezing the apples after I cut and peeled them and it worked surprisingly well.  I am also obsessed with pairing my apple crisp with a quart of Dairy Queen vanilla ice cream.  There is not better treat than warm apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.

Another seasonal favorite is applesauce in the crockpot.  Basically, I will take any excuse to use my crockpot. 

Until next apple season…

{The Launes}

 

Rip…

Nothing like a little reminiscing to tug at the old heart strings…

After twelve energetic, mischievous and loving years, this sweet dog has gone to the spirit in the sky.   Rip was Trent’s first dog that he got from the Humane Society sophomore year of college.  Trent picked Rip (formerly known as Ribs) because he was calmly laying in the kennel at the humane society giving Trent “the look.”  That was the last time Rip was ever the calmest dog around.  However, it would not be the last time he gave “the look.” Over the course of the last eleven years Rip has always been there (except when he would run away…more on that later).

Even though he lived with my mom most of the time after we got married, he still got to come to the apartment for sleepovers.  And of course I was the one that insisted he sleep on the bed…

His mischievousness landed him in the cone of shame a time or two.

This guy took a trip or two around the block.  Even with an underground fence (that was very hit or miss lately) he went for a few joy runs.  One of the most recent joy runs was literally into the neighbor’s house after he managed to open the door and the furthest was when my mom had to pick him up over eight miles from home.  Oh the energy he had!

His favorite place to sit was always your lap…

Seriously…could you resist that face?

The only thing that would make this picture better is if Rip was wearing a Santa hat…

That tongue…lickin’ his chops!

A boy and his pup…

Audrey loved the pup pup!

In a digital media class I took while working on my Master’s, Rip even starred in his own documentary made by yours truly!   I cut out the actual interviews to share on here, but this really captures his true personality!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5wXYZPfM4w

(You’ll have to click on the link if you want to see this little masterpiece because it wouldn’t let me upload it…)

I could tell you a hundred stories about Rip.  Stealing a piece chicken off of a neighbor’s grill when Trent lived in Staplehurst.  Riding in Trent’s old truck.  Running away. Sleepovers.  The list goes on and on…

Pets really become part of the family.  He was crazy.  He was fun.  He was oh so lovable!  Rest in peace sweet Rip…

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened…Anatole France

 

{The Launes}