Eleanor’s very last birthday celebration was a combination birthday party with Josh’s family and Hanukkah dinner. We did separate parties for my family and Josh’s because they don’t get along. Just kidding! Our apartment is just too small for all of the family. Just my immediate family is twelve people! So with Josh’s extra six, it’s just too many. So we decided to do separate parties and combine it with our annual Hanukkah dinner with Josh’s family.

After reading this post, by one of my favorite photographers, I decided to make an apple pie for dessert. I have said repeatedly that I don’t really bake very well, but I like to try to get better at it. I’ve never made a pie of any kind before, but making an apple pie seemed so incredibly simple I totally thought I could do it!

I started by peeling a bunch of apples.

Then I threw on some sugar and salt as per the recipe in Jasmine’s post.

Then I ran into a little trouble. I started making the dough, but discovered that I was out of regular baking flour. All we had in the house was whole wheat flour. I thought, well, I’ll just make a healthier pie crust (I don’t know anything about baking). It started out okay, it was looking pretty good. Until I started to roll it out. Then it just crumbled into pieces. Woops!

Oh well! At least I tried. I didn’t have any time left since I had to get the latkes ready for dinner, so I sent Josh to the store to pick up some white flour (for next time) AND some frozen pie crusts.

The pie crusts worked just fine.

After I stuck the pie in to bake we prepared the rest of the dinner. I made latkes and Josh made some delicious veggie dishes (a garlic broccoli and a green bean gratin) that everyone raved about.

After dinner Eleanor opened her presents.

She got the most awesome light-up fairy wings and wand and the Tinkerbell movie from her Aunts Beth and Jenny! Such good gifts!

And from Grandpa Gross and (soon-to-be-Grandma) Raisa she got a collection of Dr. Seuss stories and a Jessie doll! (I say soon-to-be because after being together as long as Josh and I have been, they are getting married the day after Christmas! And I’m shooting the wedding! Wish me luck!)

After presents we had my very first ever apple pie!

And, you know what?! It was awesome!

I guess I can bake something! Sorta! At least I tried to make the crust! I think I’ll make another for Christmas and actually make the crust myself this time!