I am a happy Nana of 3 Grandkids. I love spending time with them & I have always loved cooking. My relatives we're of southern desent but I being a Northerner, couldn't take the hot spices so I have adapted recipes for the North. I love to cook any food that interests me but am especially fond of stews. So much can be done with them & so many taste variations. The only family southern recipe I've never tampered with was my Gramma's Vegetable stew ( as there was no need to ). Everyone who has a love of vegetables fell totally in love with this stew. Again, that would have to be my Gramma's Stew. I followed the recipe to a T for apple pie, except for the fresh apples. There was just too many so I used just enough to fill my pie tin level. I had just the right flavors & was so thrilled when I removed it from the oven. I never expected it to rise and be so beautifully golden brown. I was so proud, I couldn't wait for my family to arrive. I made a fresh pot of coffee & made sure everyone saw how beautiful my pie was before I cut into it. Finally, the time had arrived. I carefully sliced into my pie & placed the first serving on a saucer. Imagine my horror when I looked inside & saw that my fresh apples had baked down to nothing & my crust was a good 4 inches high. I learned that day why you need to pile the apples high & use all the recipe calls for.