DIY MP3 Player Armband

To reward myself for exercising every day last week I decided it was time to make an armband for my MP3 player. I usually have to stuff it in my pocket or just hold it if I don't have any pockets, which is really annoying. 

I basically followed this tutorial but I zig zagged the edges so they look a little nicer and don't get in the way of the velcro.  I have a sansa fuze and my end product was about 12 inches by 4 inches. I also used an old t-shirt which is perfect because it is soft and has a little stretch. I used masking tape as a guide for the lines I sewed. That way you can easily adjust and remove it (unlike using a white pencil).

Caramel Apple Pie (with really soft apples)

One of the reasons I don't usually pick apple pie is because often the apples are hard and the crust is on the burned side. This is probably because people have to cook the pie forever to try and soften the apples. After having a caramel apple empanada at Taco Bell I wanted to make my own caramel apple pie, so I created this recipe and figured out a way to solve the problem, cook the apples first! I have also used pears and it was excellent too. Make it for Thanksgiving this year!

I cut each round apple slice into 6-8 pieces so they are bite size and you can cut your pie pieces more easily. Can also use pears instead of apples. Can reduce or omit citrus juice if apples are extra tart.

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4-5 cups chopped apple slices

2 tablespoons lemon, lime, or orange juice

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

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I cut each round apple slice into 6-8 pieces so they are bite size and you can cut your pie pieces more easily. Can also use pears instead of apples. Can reduce or omit citrus juice if apples are extra tart.

Preheat oven at 425.

Combine apples through cinnamon in medium to large sauce pan. Heat over medium heat and stir until sugars dissolve and juices run from fruit and it begins to simmer. Reduce to medium low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3 T flour mixed with 3-4 T cold water

Slowly stir in above mixture and cook for an additional 10 minutes, on medium low to low, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile prepare a double crust.

Remove from heat and let filling cool for 5-10 minutes.

1 egg white mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water

Pour into pie crust, top with top crust, being sure to seal the edges by pressing the two layers of crust together before fluting. Cut 8 slits in top of pie crust with thin sharp knife. Brush crust with egg white mixture to give the crust a nice glossy finish and prevent burning.

Place pie pan on cookie sheet before baking in oven (just in case the filling spills out). Bake for 20-30 minutes until crust is golden brown.