autumn.apple.

autumn is here. that's what you realize when you start driving in the lowland.  just before you enter to the church yesterday. you saw the foliage on the ground

 it's too good a moment not to be missed. you didn't have your dlr with you, but your cellphone camera would do the work of capturing the moment.  it's brown, yellow on the green grass...

lowland doesn't have a profound or breathtaking foliage, but this is really good enough for now unless you chance into an even beautiful scene....

back at home, you bake an apple tart. your third apple bakes so far, but first dutch style apple tart with triple A's (apple, almond and apricot). it has a typical pie crust and almond cake batter. as usual you twist the recipe a little, replace the apricot jam with home made ume jam (so technical only double A's). reduce the sugar by one third, add extra nuts (assorted) for the crunch. it's not as pretty as the typical dutch apple tart with the crossed strips on top but the smell is heavenly.

 the cake holds up! well according to british bake off, the success of an apple pie is when it holds up and a non soggy bottom.  though you think you could have a little more apple as most of the space is now filled by the almond cake... an sought after combination but really this is what you have been looking for, a cakey apple pie that not just have a pie crust.

it's good to bake again.  it's certainly good to be home and most importantly he is now back from asia.  and you are going to enjoy your time with each other for the full week ^^.