Hot Apple Pie...

Christmas lights twinkling up and down the Main St by late afternoon, able to see your own breath every time you speak, wrapping up toasty warm in winter gear and an excuse to eat hot apple pie and custard... what's not to like about this time of year?!

Last weekend my brother invited us all up to his house for Sunday Dinner and a spot of apple picking in his back garden. He has several miniature apple trees so they're the perfect height for Libby and Isaac.

After a quick team talk on the best way to pick an apple (Daddy is a self-proclaimed expert after a summer of fruit picking in New Zealand many moons ago...) and a last-minute good luck hug between brother and sister, the ace picking team were ready for action.

Twenty minutes later and the strategically placed bucket was brimming over with the fruits of their labour... Back in the kitchen these were divided up between three households and mouth-watering recipes were swiftly exchanged. Twenty-four hours later and with the house full of the sweet smells of freshly baked apples, Team Thompson were tucking into Apple & Blackberry (from the previous morning's hedge picking) pie... "Lovely pie" says Isaac, and "Scrummy" says Libby!