Baby Showers and Applesauce

Tonight’s post has two parts: an etiquette question about baby showers and my mom's homemade applesauce recipe

Part I

While most of us 20-somethings have the most questions about etiquette for weddings, some of our friends and family members are already blessed with children.  The other day, my best friend asked me whether she is obligated to send a gift to a baby shower she cannot attend.  After some research, yes research, the general rule about gifts for baby showers is simple; you are under no obligation to give a gift, and you should make your decision in light of your relationship to the mom-to-be.

The lovely Emily Post has an entire website dedicated to etiquette and a helpful section about how to behave at a baby shower.  She advises if you live far away, and you cannot attend the shower, it is up to you to determine whether you need to send a gift based on your  relationship with the mom-to-be.  Simply receiving an invitation does not obligate you to send a gift.

So in the situation where you are not an out of town guest, but are unable to attend the baby shower, do you still need to send a gift?  Although there are no hard and fast answers, I believe the answer is no, you are not obligated to send a gift.  Again, it really depends on your relationship to the mom-to-be, so trust your judgment!  If you do want to send a gift, you don't need to break the bank.  Remember, the most important part about giving a gift is making sure it is thoughtful.

Hope this helps!  If you have a different view about gift giving, please share!

Part II

Now that fall is officially here, there are a variety of foods that go great with the weather.  My first favorite fall food is homemade applesauce.  My mom always makes when the apples are in season, and it's a relatively easy treat.

My mom doesn't use strict measurements, everything is done to taste.  I'll give you my best approximations in the recipe, so feel free to make changes according to taste

Ingredients

• 6 apples, peeled and sliced- I recommend using 3 Macintosh and 3 more firm apples (Gala, Honey Crisp, Pink Lady)
• 1 1/4 cup of water
• Brown Sugar- about 1/4 of a cup
• White Sugar- a little less than 1/4 of a cup
• Ground Cinnamon- 3 shakes
• Ground Nutmeg- 1 shake

Peel the apples and slice them into a medium saucepan.  

Apples!

Add about 1 and 1/4 cup of water and heat on medium.  When the apples start to break down, mash them using a masher, or a wooden spoon will work fine if that is what you have available.  Add your sugars, and spices, and taste along the way.  You may need to add more of a certain ingredient based on the flavors of your apples.  

The final product!

When you are satisfied with the flavor, serve hot and enjoy!

Does your mom make applesauce, or other fall food that goes great with cold weather?  Share your recipes!

-Best Wishes for a Wonderful Week!