#21 Forever and Criss Cross Apple Crowns

It's Friday evening in Spain.  Two of my children are sitting here on the couch eating a grocery store bought pizza.  We are getting ready to watch a Christmas movie online.  This morning we had chocolate and churros with our Sara (our tutor) and Santi.  I got a two hour nap (will regret that later tonight since I slept from 4 - 6 PM).  Our home is warm (although quite expensive to keep really warm so we are all under a blanket).  

We have new friends and we are beginning many new relationships.  Our Spanish improves a little every day (or at least we are praying that it is).  

Scott got his driver's license yesterday.  I have prayed since October that he would get it before Christmas, although everyone told us it was highly unlikely.  

Although we are feeling the results of the financial crisis, both in Spain and America, today we are cared for.  We have had some financial partners have to stop giving, but so far, we are holding on.

One of our children is in the United States and not with us for Christmas.  Our parents are far away and family and friends are definitely missed at this time of the year.  Traditions are just not the same in Spain and our hearts feel that twinge of missing the familiar.

Yet, we can count on the promise of God that "His love endures forever." 

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.

to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.

to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.

to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.

He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Criss Cross Apple Crowns

A favorite recipe from my Pampered Chef days

(first in English - makes 12, then in Spanish - makes 6)

In English

• 4 small Granny Smith apples 
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 3 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, divided
• 3/4 c sugar, divided
• 12 grand-size flaky or buttermilk biscuits (will have to buy 2 packages)
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• Optional - ice cream, cool whip, caramel ice cream topping

1. Peel, core, and slice apples.
2. Combine apples, walnuts, raisins, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl.  Mix well.
3. Microwave on high 3 minutes, or until hot.
4. Roll each biscuit into a 5" disk.
5. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.
6. Using 1/4 cup of the cinnamon and sugar mixture, sprinkle over biscuits.
7. Divide apple mixture into the center of each biscuit.
8. Gather up edges over filling, pinching to seal.
9. Holding each biscuit at sealed end, dip into butter then cinnamon-sugar mixture.
10. Place biscuits, seam side down, into a muffin pan.  Do not press down.
11. Using a serrated bread knife, cut an "x" into the top of each biscuit.
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until gold brown.
13. Dump from pan while hot.
14. If desired, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.

In Spanish

• 2 manzanas pequeña
• 35 g pasas
• 14 g harina
• 85 g azúcar
• 15 ml canela
• 15 g mantequilla
• ½ coja Masa de Hojaldre

1.     Precalentar el horno a 175⁰ C

2.     Pelar las mazanas y corta en pedazos pequenos.

3.     Mezclar las manazanas, pasas, harina, 30 g del azúcar, y 5 ml de la canela en un recipiente apto para microondas.

4.     Calentar en micro por 3 minutos o hasta caliente.

5.     Extender la masa y cortar  en 6 piezas.

6.     Mezclar el resto (55 g) del azúcar y el resto (10 ml) de la canela en cuenco pequeño.

7.     Derretir la mantequilla en cuenco pequeño.

8.     Pon una cucharilla de azácar y canela en el centro de una pieza de masa.

9.     Pon una cucharada de la mezcla de manzana en el centro de una pieza de masa.

10.  Reunir borde de la masa y pellizcar para cerrar.

11.  Mantener la masa ocupada por los bordes y mojar en mantequilla y mezcla de azúcar y canela.

12.  Colocar la masa en un molde para hornear.

13.  Hornear por 25 minutos.