5 Star Peach Crumble

We live on the third floor in an apartment complex right now. Why on Earth would we move from a little home straight towards apartment-life? I mean, we're now sharing walls with neighbors, we have to climb three flights of stairs with groceries, and I feel like we're living out in the boons!

But there's something close to my heart that weighs out all those "problems":

we have the best view of the sky. 

no, really. 

it's incredible. 

Because we're centered out in what seems the-middle-of-nowhere, there aren't any other buildings or tall trees in the way of that shimmering blue above us. The view is endless. We can watch the storms roll in from all directions - clear on the other side of the valley, even. 

It's breathtaking. 

As afraid of thunderstorms I am, nothing is more beautiful than seeing those gorgeous puffy white clouds slowly turn dark blue and roll across the sky above us. The mornings are beautiful, the evenings are astonishing, and I always take a little peek off our balcony to breathe it all in. It's what I imagine heaven is like. 

It's peaceful. It's serene. It's perfect. 

The cool breeze of Fall replaces our man-made-air-cooler in the apartment. We can leave the doors wide open on both balconies (Yes, two. My husband knows me well.) and the breeze flows freely through our cozy living space. The smell is intoxicating, and it adds another depth of beauty for the senses to enjoy.

I couldn't adore living in an apartment more than I do because of it. That daily dose of that wide-open- astonishing sky and refreshing breeze is enough to replenish the soul with something special. It almost has a way of making everything better; restoring a pure belief in absolute good, reassuring an unwavering hope, and creating a deeper sense of joy. That's sometimes all we need.

And it's 100% free.

Just look up. 

. 

.

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Now add a bowl of piping hot crumbly cobbler, warm gooey fresh & Fall spiced peaches, and a dollop of peach ice cream? 

I didn't think heaven could get any better. 

5 Star Peach Crumble

ingredients:

filling:

10 medium peaches, pitted and cut into chunks

l lemon, zested and juiced

3 T all-purpose flour

1/4 C tightly packed brown sugar

2 T sugar

1/2 t vanilla extract 

pinch of salt

crumble:

1 1/4 C all-purpose flour

1/2 C rolled oats 

1/2 C brown sugar

1/2 C sugar

1 1/4 stick cold butter, cut into small pea-sized pieces

1/2 C sliced almonds

pinch of salt

1-2 T cold water

method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. make filling: Toss the peaches in a bowl with the zest and lemon juice. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and gently stir to combine. Pour filling into the bottom of a large white ramekin, (roughly a 9x9). 

3. make topping: Combine all ingredients in a food processor except the water. Pulse until combined - it will be almost a powder, about 30 seconds. Add water until mixture becomes crumbly, but not dough-like. You may or may not need all the water. 

4. Top peach mixture with crumble - sprinkle crumble loosely and don't pack it down. Place the dish on a cookie sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes, until filling is piping hot and the crumble is brown and crispy all over. 

5. Serve with cinnamon peach ice cream or white chocolate peach ice cream. 

recipe adapted from: Anne Burrell, Food Network