Celebrate the Simple Things

The sun, the beach, my Aunt Cyndy and my dog Dublin are 4 of my most favourite things! Last Sunday as I walked my dog along the beach, the sun warming my face chatting to my Aunt Cyndy I smiled life was good! We spent the afternoon walking along the beach remembering my grandmother.  Later as we drank tea and shared a apple crisp I had brought her still hot out of the oven, I looked at my Aunt who has been courageously battling cancer for almost 5 years and thought what an amazingly positive person. Nobody had to remind her to celebrate the simple things in life, it was her daily practice. 
I went to sleep that night thinking the smell of apple crisp will always remind me of this perfect afternoon!

I thought I would share my recipe for my apple crisp .. a recipe for the perfect afternoon! 

8-12 apples peeled and sliced
cinnamon to taste
1 1/2 cups of oats ( gluten free)
1 cup of oat flour ( ground oats)
3-5 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup of coconut sugar or brown sugar ( add more sugar if you like it sweeter)

• slice and peel the apples.. place them in a pie plate or small glass dish... sprinkle with cinnamon ( your apples should resemble a small mountain)
• in a bowl mix the oats, oat flour and sugar until it resembles a crumble 
• spread the mixture on top of apples

place in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until the top is brown and the apples are slightly mushy 

MY SECRET INGREDIENT
I bake my crisp in a pie plate that belonged to my gramma. It's liking getting a big hug from gramma every time you take a bite!

My Aunt Cyndy and my daughter Molly  ( an old photo but a favourite!)