I just found out something extraordinary! There is a thing called Apple Dumplings! I stumbled on this purely be accident. It all started with the Boysenberry Pie Panic. You see, Wizard wants me to make Boysenberry Pie for Thanksgiving. It’s a childhood favorite of his.
This wouldn’t be a problem—if I could find frozen boysenberries. However I can’t. Not anywhere, I went to several stores and found tons of frozen berries, but no boysenberries. So I began searching online when I found out about Apple Dumplings. OMG they look awesome! Especially with caramel pecan sauce! I must try these. So in my excitement, I told Wizard about Apple Dumplings, and he…I’m not kidding…had a meltdown.
He blinked once like a toddler, then yelled, “I WANT BOYSENBERRY PIE!!! Not Apple Dumplings. What are those anyway? I’m not eating those!”
I’m staring at him in total confusion. First I wasn’t suggesting Apple Dumplings in place of Boysenberry Pie. And second, I’m the ONLY one allowed to have meltdowns in this marriage. And okay…I laughed. Hard. I mean he had a meltdown over Boysenberry Pie! Ranting that if I couldn’t find the berries, he’d buy a frozen pie and cook it himself and I’d never know the difference.
Picture me still laughing! Sure, I should have poured him some wine and been all nice, but I was having way too much fun.
Finally, once I could breathe again, I explained that boysenberries are a hybrid of blackberries and raspberries, and I’m willing to test bake a pie made out of those two berries to see if it’s good enough (otherwise known as Razzleberry Pie, but shhh, don’t tell him that, he might melt down again.) Once I told him that, he got all happy again.
But now I’m thinking about Apple Dumplings smothered in caramel pecan sauce and I’d totally add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to that. I must resist!!!
In other news, I’m trying to write, and whining about how slow I’m writing. Wizard rolled his eyes and said I’m not slow, and I’m being silly. HA! I wish I had a video of his meltdown about Boysenberry Pie!
So this weekend, I’m working, cleaning bathrooms and testing out the pie recipe to satisfy Wizard.
What are your weekend plans?
November 13th, 2015 at 7:26 am · Link
Apple Dumplings are great. We have an orchard that makes their own and they are some of the best I’ve ever tried. Also, really easy to make.
Razzleberry pie is good too, Wizard won’t be disappointed.
Have a wonderful weekend.
November 13th, 2015 at 7:50 am · Link
I totally love boysenberries. They used to grow wild near my childhood home. Mmmm. I hope you find them or that your razzleberry pie mixture satisfies Wizard. Have you considered canned boysenberries? http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Fruit-Boysenberries-Syrup-15-Ounce/dp/B000I62E82
Too funny about his meltdown, though. Geez, Wizard, get a grip. ;o)
Weekend plans – getting this damn book uploaded for pre-order. Then I have to get with my cover artist to discuss cover ideas for the sequel to Wish in One Hand – In Deep Wish. And I have to start editing for that. I’ll probably play in the woods some and read some and watch football, too.
November 13th, 2015 at 7:51 am · Link
I grew up surrounded by orchards in Ohio. Every sept we had the Apple festival. Oh yea Apple Dumplings. Even here in WV the band makes and sells Apple Dumplings as it’s fund raiser. The FFA has cornered the market on making and selling apple butter. The Kids learn all about Johnny Appleseed in school.
Make Wizard one sometime and I promise he will not think about any other type of pie again. Although I make a great apple pie and my mom’s prize winning apple cake.
Thank you for the post that brought back some good memories for me.
I have been following the Wing Slayers and I am not surprised at their success. Or at Your success Jen.
November 13th, 2015 at 9:20 am · Link
My first thought while reading this was, if he could buy a frozen pie and you couldn’t tell the difference, why do you have to go through all this effort?
My second (and enduring) thought is, apple dumplings? YUMMMMMM!!!!
November 13th, 2015 at 10:38 am · Link
Not a fan of boysenberry. My off-the-wall pick is rhubarb pie. NOT rhubarb/strawberry, just plain ol’ rhubarb. I’m the only one who will eat it so I don’t make. You could totally use canned boysenberries though. Apple dumplings are a thing. A very good thing.
I want to make possum grape dumplings now. And the new recipe on my radar is Pecan Pie Muffins. Getting only 4 hours of sleep and facing a weekend of catch-up writing, the funeral of a family friend, and cooler weather, I’m thinking I have great needs of Pecan Pie Muffins. *nods* Have a great weekend, everyone!
November 13th, 2015 at 12:35 pm · Link
Labrat11, I’m so going to try apple dumplings but it may have to wait until after Christmas. They sound delicious!
It’s so funny about Boysenberry Pie, it’s really NOT that big a deal, but **someone** thinks it is
Have a great weekend!
November 13th, 2015 at 12:39 pm · Link
B.E., I’m not a fan of canned, frozen generally retains more of the flavor, while canned ones are soaked in syrup. I know–I’m being picky
Wizard was pretty funny, and he got me to make a test pie this weekend so…possibly he wins here, LOL!
Cover art is so fun! I get stressed too, but I love seeing what my cover artists come up with.
Yay on the pre-order! Have a great weekend!
November 13th, 2015 at 12:43 pm · Link
Kat, I swear I’m the ONLY person in the universe that didn’t know about apple dumplings. I suspect whenever I heard the name, I thought they were something else. But these looks awesome!
I’m happy to bring back memories of your childhood, growing up surrounded by orchids is great thing for kids. I can picture how much fun that must have been.
Thank you so much on the Wing Slayer Hunters! It started very slow, so this uptick is really wonderful and I’m very grateful.
Enjoy your weekend!
November 13th, 2015 at 12:45 pm · Link
Laura, Wizard probably couldn’t tell a difference with a frozen pie, but I like to bake, so I want to do it my way
Wizard is used to my quirks 
Right there with you on apple dumplings!!
Have a great weekend!
November 13th, 2015 at 12:50 pm · Link
Silver, I’m so sorry you all lost a family friend. That’s so hard.
On the good news side of things: Congratulations in placing third in the International Digital Awards!! That’s awesome!
I’ve never had rhubarb pie. Is it tart? Pecan pie muffins sound good too.
Hope you can get some sleep and relax a bit this weekend.
November 13th, 2015 at 5:10 pm · Link
I’m sure you’ll love the apple dumplings but there is nothing that compares with Boysenberry Pie. I grew up with them growing in my Gram’s yard. They can ripe right around my birthday so I would pick them and Gram would make me a birthday pie – HEAVEN :). So I’m with Wizard on this one.
Boysenberries are super tart so I’m not too sure about trying to get Wizard to accept the blackberry/raspberry combo ;).
I love how you explain him having a meltdown :).
How is CPA boys doing?
I hope you have a great weekend :).
November 13th, 2015 at 9:37 pm · Link
Viki, I suspect you are right on the pies. I made the pie today and we’re going to try it later tonight, but boysenberry is very specific. And like you, Wizard really loves it. And what a lovely memory of your Gram!
CPA Boy is doing fine. He’s now sporting a cast with dinosaurs. This totally cracks up Wizard, who loves thinking of CPA Boy meeting clients wearing his tailored suits and a dinosaur cast. But that’s just how CPA Boy is, LOL! Anyway, the orthopedic thinks the cast might be able to come off in three weeks. He has very little pain and swelling, so overall, doing very well. It’s a small fracture and should heal fine.
Hope you have a great weekend!
November 14th, 2015 at 11:28 am · Link
You have to let me know how the pie was.
Great news on CPA boy. The dinosaur cast has me smiling too. That’s just too funny :).