Sweet tea by Lori Frank

Busy Day Dinners For The Week

I was making out my schedule of activities for this week and almost started crying...

It will truly be a miracle if it all gets done.  But I spent some time praying, prioritizing and planning (in that order) and I think I'm ready to hit the ground running (literally, I have to fit some exercise in somehow) tomorrow. ;)

Guess what!?! I have dinner prepared in advance for 3 nights this week, 4 if you count leftover night.  I even made dinner for another family that I know is moving this week.  I'm not super-woman!  But I do have a slow-cooker and that's my secret weapon.  The following meal recipes are make ahead, freeze, and toss it in the crockpot easy.  Each recipe makes 2 meals to feed 4 people.  So in one afternoon I made 6 meals.  It cost me $80 including supplies and took 1 hour.  But the true value lies in the fact that it's done and ready for the week.  6 gallon size freezer baggies and 6 slow cooker liners are needed to make clean up a breeze too.  Toss the contents of each bag into the crockpot frozen and cook 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.  

Polysesian Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 C scallions sliced

4 cloves garlic chopped

1 bag family size frozen corn

2 bags frozen sugar snap peas

1 red bell pepper chopped 

Divide veggies and meat in half and place in 2 baggies

Sauce:  1/2 tsp salt, 4 T honey, 4 T OJ concentrate frozen, 1/4 C soy sauce, 1T ground ginger, 1/2 tsp. sesame oil opt.  Mix and pour half over each bag of meat and veggies.  Squeeze out all air, label, and freeze.  Excellent served with rice.

BBQ Chicken Hash

4 small sweet potatos peeled and chopped

2 green bell peppers chopped

1 red bell pepper chopped

1 zucchini sliced

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic smashed

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1/2 tsp salt

Divide in half and put into 2 gallon baggies.  

Pour favorite BBQ bottled sauce over in mix up.  Sqeeze out air, label, freeze.  This is great with fresh apple sauce and yeast rolls.

Beef It Up

2 large jars of Pepperoccini peppers juice and all 

2 packets of Dry Good Seasons Italian Dressing 

2 two pound chuck roasts

1 Chopped white onion

Empty each jar of peppers into a Baggie, put half of the onion into each bag.  Sprinkle the onions and peppers with the Good Seasons packet.  Mix up and add the beef, coat well.  Squeeze out air, label,  and seal.  Freeze.  I shed this and serve it on hoaggie rolls with melted cheese on top.  

Here is the finished product ready to freeze:

I also wrapped up one of these meals to share with the family I mentioned.  She can use it whenever she's ready.  Each meal/gift cost less than $13.  

Got a busy week?  Maybe an hour of prep could help your routine a little.  Give it a try.:)

 

 

Be-Deviled Eggs

    Today I am spending the better part of the day in the kitchen.  I ran out this morning to the farmer's market to get fresh peaches and strawberries to cut up and freeze while they are ripe and cheap.  Of coarse I am now wearing a shirt with peach juice dripped on it because they are so succulent that when I ate one, it ran down my chin. :)  

    I also found some fresh eggs... So I decided to make a popular family favorite :  Deviled Eggs!

    I took a tray of two dozen of these babies to the hospitality room for our Vacation Bible School Volunteers last week and they disappeared in minutes.  These creamy delights are a staple at church picnics, and special occasions in the south.  Everyone loves them!  

    And yet, a young mom, southern to the core, and a fellow Baptist Preacher's wife was lamenting to me that anytime she ask someone for their recipe she went away in defeat.  You see, she would ask how to make them and got this reply every time, "Oh, I don't even know.  I just start putting stuff in."

    I was abashed.  I didn't have a recipe either.  I had more like a mental ingredient list and took the 'just squirt stuff in until it looks about right' approach too.  From years of making these little bites of yummy, I had just been fixing them by feel.  

    So today as I made them I tried to compose a rough recipe based on my usual mixture:

Ingredients:

12 eggs hard boiled, cooled, peeled and sliced horizontally

1/2 cup Duke's Mayonaise

1 T prepared yellow mustartd

2-3 teaspoons of sweet pickle relish

3 shakes of Tabasco

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp. onion powder

Pinches of cheyenne pepper

Gently push the yolks out of the egg halves into a mixing bowl.  Place the white "Boats" on a tray.  Add all ingredients to the yolks except the cheyenne.  Use the tines of a fork to mash the yolks as you stir until creamy.  Taste and add more of any spices you like.  Spoon the yolk mixture into the whites, about 1 1/2 tsp. each.  Sprinkle little pinches of Cheyenne Pepper on each egg to garnish and provide the "Devil" part of the recipe. 

        So now the Deviled Eggs have an official recipe card in my kitchen and I can share it anytime!  

     One of the greatest privileges of my life is being able to focus on my home and my ministry full-time.  I love getting to create meals and make our home a refuge and a solace.   I am grateful for mentors and a godly mother who have shown me the way to be a homemaker.  These eggs are proof that I was paying attention at least part of the time.  :)  If you know a young wife who needs a kind word and a quick mothering or housekeeping lesson, share your skills.  If you know one who needs a shoulder or a cup of coffee, or a prayer partner, make the first move.  If you are that young women, feeling overwhelmed and isolated, or "bedeviled",  reach out to a woman who has seen the light at the other end and has found the foundations of God's word are firm to the end.

" That they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children ... to be workers at home..."  Titus 2:4-5 

 

Groovy Granola

        Our whole family enjoys eating granola with berries and yogurt for breakfast and snack.  I try to keep it on hand at all time.  If I have no time to bake it, I buy the Bare Naked brand.  But by far, our favorite is homemade.  My recipe is quite large since we go through it so fast, but you could halve it easily.  Or you could make the whole thing and share with others.  It is not low fat or low calorie for sure, but it is very filling and full of fiber and whole grains.  This recipe turns out chewy and moist.  You will also enjoy how fragrant it is while baking.  I put 1/2 cup portions in snack baggies too to keep in my purse for a healthy snack along with a sliced apple.  I sure hope you try it and like it.  This recipe also makes wonderful gifts!  As I was mixing this up today, I was reminded of the power of kind and encouraging words.  Proverbs 16: 24 says : "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones."  When you are pouring the golden sweet honey in your mix think about how you could also bring health to your loved ones with words that will edify their souls as well as their hearts.  =)  Thanks for sharing this sweet tea moment with me.  Have a blessed week.  

 Ingredients

• 15 cups old-fashioned oats (about 3 pounds)
• 1 pound each walnut and pecan halves, and slivered almonds
• 2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 2 cup sunflower kernels (toasted and salted)
• 1  1/2 package (14 ounces) flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups honey
• 1 cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins or 1 cup chocolate chips, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, wheat germ, sunflower kernels and coconut. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, oil, and flavorings; cook and stir until butter is melted and mixture is blended.
• Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat evenly. Pour into three baking sheets lined with parchment and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Bake at 275° for 60-70 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes. Add raisins if desired. Cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 28 cups.

 

Doing The Ugly Face Cry

I did the ugly cry today... in public... on the treadmill.  My running group and I have just completed week 4 of C25K together.  I wasn't crying because my body was hurting or because my lungs were about to burst at the end of the run, even though both of these were true.  The tears just came welling up from deep inside where I had been storing up a lot of emotional pain.  Most of which I brought on myself.  It was as if pushing myself beyond the boundaries of what was physically possible a week ago released a flood of dammed up junk.  Years of self loathing and disappointment, hurt feelings over other's callous comments, and spiritual brokenness just came pouring out as if my sweat glands were already too busy so my eyeballs were the only exit point left.  A huge lump swelled in my throat during those awful last 3 minutes of agony in my run as I thought about what a miracle was taking place in that gym and nobody around even realized it but me.  I was running and I was making progress.  I had actually stuck with the plan for a whole month.  All the sore shins, blistered feet, early mornings and breathless gasping prayers for help were suddenly worth it.

The start of 2011 has kind of been like the perfect storm for me where I fell into an accountability group for exercise and found a book that has been revolutionary for my diet choices.  Both of these have helped me find motivation to persevere. They've inspired me to try one more time to find lasting change in the area of my physical fitness.  The book is by Lysa TerKeurst and called "Made to Crave: Satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food."  The change in me really began with the introduction of this book.  You see, I got the legs knocked out from under me and my long list of rationalizations for why my weight problem did not matter, because I was doing to well in most other areas.  So I am back on the path of repentance, walking by faith and clinging desperately to Christ for grace to make this a lasting change in my lifestyle.  And I'm tasting victory, which is waaaaay better than cookies.  Thank you Jesus!  I'm living free of my former addiction to Diet Coke and eating a balanced diet of whole foods.  I feel clean inside. 

In Matthew 19 Jesus talks with a young man who seems to have it all together.  They talked about this fellow's life looking pretty great on the outside.  Yet something was lacking in his pursuit of God. He wanted to experience maximum intimacy with God, maximum power, maximum fulfillment.  So Jesus told him to go and sell everything he owned and them come follow Him.  The young man went away sad, because he was very wealthy.  Jesus cut right to the real truth in the man's life.  Jesus was saying, "you need to let go of the one thing you crave more than Me".  For me it was comfort in not getting sweaty or out of breath and claiming my rights to enjoy junk food when I wanted it.  To follow christ we must deny ourselves.  For me, that looks like sliding out of my warm bed and into my workout clothes at 5:30 a few mornings a week.  For me, that looks like saying no to that 4pm craving for a diet coke and a little debbie oatmeal pie and checking who's on Oprah.  For you it may look like something different.  But if anything at all is keeping you from forsaking it ALL for the Pearl of Great Price, don't delay like I did.  Follow hard after Him.  Jesus is "... Your very great reward"  Genesis 15:1  Like I said...The Bread of Life is WAY better than cookies. =D  

Crazy for Quinoa

As you can tell from most of the recipes I post, I love old-fashioned southern cooking.  I was raised on meat and potatoes and green beans with bacon grease.  Ha ha!  I love this kind of food.  But, I'm trying to learn to love some healthier options too.  I've found a dish that is delicious, satisfying and only 5 WW points.  It uses a seed called quinoa.  I'd never heard of it.  But It's better than rice, grains or pasta.  I had this dish for lunch yesterday.  It was easy and combined with a clementine was a delightful mid-day treat.  

The quinoa seed (pronounced Keen-wah) is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. It is exceptionally high in lysine, cystine and methionine-amino acids typically low in other grains. It is a good complement for legumes, which are often low in methionine and cystine. The protein in quinoa is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids. Some types of wheat come close to matching quinoa's protein content, but grains such as barley, corn, and rice generally have less than half the protein of quinoa. Quinoa is 12% to 18% protein and four ounces a day, about 1/2-cup, will provide a childs protein needs for one day. The 6-7% fat of quinoa is relatively high when compared to other grains, but it boasts a low sodium content and also provides valuable starch and fiber. Quinoa also contains albumen, a protein that is found in egg whites, blood serum, and many plant and animal tissues. The seeds are gluten-free which makes this a nutritious and flavorful alternative grain for those with gluten sensitivity.  It is a tiny seed and when it's cooked it has a little "tail" which is actually a part of the seed coat.

Warm Quinoa Salad

1 cup quinoa (rinsed)

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1/4 cup each diced red,yellow,green,orange bell peppers

1/4 cup diced purple onion

1 finely diced carrot

2 Tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds

 

Bring broth to a boil and add all ingredients but the almonds.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 12 minutes.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.  fluff with a fork and add almonds.  May be eaten warm or served cold on a bed of baby spinach leaves.  This recipe makes 4 main dish servings or 6 sides.  Hope you give it a try.  Enjoy.

 

 

 

Texas BBQ Brisket

I LOVE living in the beautiful state of North Carolina!  In fact there are only three things I miss about Texas:  The people we came to love and adore, Tex-mex food, and real barbeque...

Today we have another round of teens coming to visit from Texas.  It has got me pining for some BBQ.  In NC when you say you want barbeque people assume you mean pork .  Um- NO!

Here is my recipe for Beef Brisket, Texas style, Yum!

This is an oven recipe, I don't have a smoker.

5-8# Beef brisket, fat trimmed

2 sticks unsalted Butter

1/4 cup Dale's marinate

1/8 cup liquid smoke

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp minced onion

1/2 tsp black pepper

Melt butter and add all other ingredients and stir together.  Place meat, fat side up in baking bag and pour butter mixture over it.  Close bag and cut 4 tiny slits.  Bake at 225 degrees for 6 hours.  

Slice against the grain and serve with a side of hot BBQ sauce.

Best enjoyed with Spicy dill pickles, sliced onions, potato salad and baked beans. =)

Been smelling this all day...is it dinner time yet?

 

 

Crockpot Keeper

Hi Friends, I am just doing a quick post today to share one of my favorite E-Mealz recipes that is easy to throw in the crockpot and forget about while you are busy with your Christmas preparations.  It is inexpensive, and the whole meal is only 6 Weight Watchers Points if you care about that. =)  

Oriental Chicken

2 Pounds chicken breast cut in 1 inch cubes

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 Cup sugar free apricot preserves

1/2 Cup orange juice

1/4 Cup dry red cooking wine

3 Cups brown rice

2 Bags Bird's Eye Asian Medley Veggies

Place chicken into crockpot and season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Combine remaining ingredients (except rice and veggies) and pour over chicken.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Serve over rice with veggies on the side.   Feeds 4-6. 

I'm cooking this very dish today and I love knowing it will be ready tonight and I don't need to give it another thought.  It smells great too.  I hope you find some sense of balance this season and won't let the meaning of Christmas get lost in the busy schedule.  Perhaps your family could discuss what Jesus means to them this season over a plate of Oriental Chicken and rice around the table tonight. And of course don't forget the sweet tea! :)  

More Money In Your Pocket

There for a while, with the house constantly full of teenagers, I was buying my groceries mostly at Sam's.  And, when I did go to the grocery store I broke into a sweat at the checkout as I saw the total rising.  Even with clipping coupons and buying the store brand, the amount of money I was spending on groceries was obscene.  One of my problems was not planning my menus in advance.   I would just fly through the store while out running errands and buy stuff for dinner that night.  In the process I would see other things I wanted and buy unnecessary items that were impulse buys.  I also found that on many nights, without a plan, I would stand in my pantry and have no idea what to fix for dinner, or forget to thaw anything to cook.  So it was just easier to go out.  This was a costly bad habit in money spent and pounds gained.  I'm so grateful that I have the blessing of being able to spend money for food.  However, I am convinced that I need to be a good steward of the money my husband earns and of the health of my family.  That's why I was so thrilled to find a meal planning resource to share with you.  I have been using it for about a year now. ( with a couple of months where I fell off the wagon with my cooking when my first son left for college.  Just setting the table for one less each night was an invitation to tears.)   I love it.  I save money.  The shopping is a breeze.  I always have a plan and all the ingredients I need.  The food is delicious and healthy.  

Ok!  Enough of the "why" and on to the "how".  The service is called E-mealz.  

You join it online.   At the end of the blog I will give you a link to the website.  By the way, I want to mention that the plan is endorsed by financial guru Dave Ramsey and is $15.00 for a three month subscription.  I spend about $80.00 a week on seven complete dinners that feed 4-6.  Here is how I use it:  

First you choose your plan based on your dietary goals and your family size.  They have plans that are for families up to 8 and down to 2.  They also have plans that are for Low Carb, Low Fat, Points System, Vegatarian, Gluten Free, and Regular.  You also choose the store where you want to shop.  The menus are based on what is on sale that week at that store and what is in season.    For example:  I chose Walmart, Points System , for 4-6 people.  We only have 3 at home now but I like to have leftovers for lunch and plenty if my son has a friend over.  

After you choose the plan you get your menu, recipes, and shopping list all on two pages.  I keep mine on a clipboard on a hook in my pantry.  Here is a sample of a week's list and menu.

Download Sample-walmart

Basically, I just wanted to share something that has been helpful for our family.  We are all rushing around and our schedules are crazy.  We may not always be able to sit down to eat together, but there is always a healthy meal prepared and we don't break the bank to do it.  =) So here is a recap of what you get for the $15.00 based on the Walmart Family plan as an example:

The total cost at the store for this weekly Wal-Mart plan ranges from $75-$85.

• Consistent savings, week to week
• Delicious family friendly complete dinner menus
• Serves 4-6 people
• Easy recipes and instructions consolidated to one page
• Comes with a complete, aisle by aisle grocery list 
  (which includes side dishes all on one page)
• Saves time and money
• For only $1.25 per week, we will be your "Mental Maid"
• The cost of your subscription will pay for itself many times over

In these difficult economic times I know every little bit of savings can help.  I hope, if you struggle with meal planning like I do, you will find this helpful.  Oh yeah, If you get a friend to sign up and she puts your email down when she registers you will get a free subscription. =) So here is a link to the website.  Take time to read and think about whether or not this plan could help you.  Let me know what you think!  

Visit the website at:    E-Mealz Homepage

 

Bake it Pretty

Every once in a while my friend and I have to take a quick adventure.  Today was one of those days.  We were on our way back to south Asheville from a taste sampling holiday party at the Fresh Market.

Fresh Market Taste of the Holidays

But on our way back we decided to find the Bake it Pretty store on Wall Street in downtown Asheville.

Bake it Pretty website

Now you know I am not a fantastic baker but I do love it.  But, this quaint little boutique is such fun to shop in.  I only purchased a set of cookie cutters and some adorable Christmas Cupcake wraps.  But we had such a good time looking at all the pretty things and dreaming of a cute cupcake project.  I highly recommend a stop by this charming little shop.  It is located right down the block from The Early Girl Eatery.  It would sure make a fun little girlfriend's trip for brunch.  Check it out.  

 Such a cute storefront.  Love pink and black!

 

 

 

 

 

Every inch is decorated festively!  

 

 

 

 

 

Not a huge building but tons of precious baking project ideas.  The cutest apron collection I've ever seen.  They also have many pretty ways to package homemade treats for gifts.

 

 

 

 

Lots and lots of extracts and colorings and things to "Bake it Pretty".   Amazing assortment of toppings and edible decorations.  

 

 

 

 

 

Every imaginable size and shape of cookie cutter.  I LOVE mine!  They also have a gazillion different cupcake toppers.  So cute.

 

 

 

 

 

They even had fresh baked goods for trying and cake decorations ready to take home.  Did I mention they were just beginning to unpack their Christmas things.  'Tis the Season!

 

 

 

 

Here are the owners, a dynamic little business partnership that seems to be thriving.  They even agreed to pose for a picture.  You must visit their website and drop in the store.  Even if you are not a baker, you will love this quirky little shop.  I, for one, am very inspired. :)

Chocolate Satisfaction

I have really enjoyed studying Psalm 145 this week.  I have particularly been meditating on Psalm 145:15-16, "The eyes of all look to You, and You open Your hand and give them their food in due time.   You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing".   I'm so grateful that the Lord knows how to satisfy His children with good things.  One of His greatest creations of all is the cocao plant!  I am a true chocolate lover. And, today is National Chocolate day!  I feel like celebrating!  So, in honor of this glorious day, as God opens His hands to meet our needs, I wanted to make a chocolaty treat.  I chose to adapt a recipe I found online to create a new and special delight.  This gooey yumminess is best enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee.  

Here's my recipe for

Chocolate Satisfaction

1 (8 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand milk
1/4 tsp. of coarse kosher salt
1/2 to 1 c. Stuckey's honey roasted pecans chopped

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1  cup mini marshmallows

Melt chocolate chips in milk over a double boiler, remove from heat and add nuts and vanilla.  Mix well.  Spread marshmallows in bottom of lightly buttered 9 inch pan, pour chocolate mixture on top; chill until firm, cut. Remove from pan. Store at room temperature. Better after 24 hours.

Thanks for sharing this occasion with me.  Have a terrific day,  from my kitchen to yours.  :)

Ginger Me

I don't know if it is because of my hair or what but I love all things ginger!  Ginger-ale, ginger snaps, ginger tea, and Ginger Rogers.  I've also always had a feeling I would have gotten along better with Ginger than MaryAnn on Gilligan's Island.

But, as the fall leaves are changing to a mind-blowing hue and the temperatures are settling in for sweater weather, I'm in the mood for Ginger snaps.  Last night my friend michelle mentioned a recipe she used so I tried it.  Oh My!  My house smells wonderful!  These are crisp on the outside with that famous crackled top, but light and chewy on the inside.  Now all I need is some eggnog or apple cider and I'm set!  Oh how I love a Ginger cookie!  Takes one to know one...so here's the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Additional sugar

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt and nutmeg; gradually add to creamed mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
2. Roll into 1-in. balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-12 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks.

I hope you have a beautiful and uplifting afternoon.  I'm praying for all my readers.  Peace.

Hope Renewed

I sure did have a good time this weekend.  I had the privilege to attend the Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina.  As you know, I love apples.  This little town is famous for its apple harvest and the way they choose to celebrate and share the bounty of goodness with everyone.  There was every type of fresh picked apple, barbeque, roasted corn, apple cider, and carmel apples too.  All of main street was lined with booths and people.  It was like stepping back in time.  Like stepping back in to a time when you could let your kids play outside until the street-lights came on.  Like a time when ladies would chat over the back fence as they hung out their wash to dry.  Like a time when daddies came home each night at five. Like a time when TV only had 3 channels and the phone was in the hall, not in your purse.  

There were all kinds of folks there.  Families and friends were celebrating and enjoying all the festivities.

 
 

Great entertainment on the main stage in the town square.  Patriotism was running high.

Look who else we ran into!  Like I said, It was like stepping into Mayberry. 

All the great food and fun around me in the name a celebrating the joy and gratitude of a harvest had me thinking of Nehemiah's speech to his people.  Their land and way of life was under siege.  But they had just found a book of scripture and Ezra had read it to them and all at once they returned to the Lord.  So Nehemiah ordered them to celebrate.  In Nehemiah 8:10 he says, " Go, eat of the fat, and drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared."  This was after they had set out to rebuild their city walls.  They were fearful and frustrated when they said, in Nehemiah 4:10, " There is too much rubble.  We are not able to rebuild it".  I too, was feeling overcome with worry and fear for the future of our country,lots of rubble there too.  I needed a reminder that our land is made up of hard-working, common sense, enterprising, personally responsible folks who are the back bone of this great country.  Far removed from the liberal elite, yet ripe with hope in God and Country.  We all stood around the town square as "God bless America" was sung.  I know that if recovery is to be, it will be due to the lavish grace of God who rules over all!  He provided a rich harvest from this land of ours. He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers with robes of splendor.  I know he cares about the souls of men enough to send His Son.  His sovereignty can be trusted.  He's coming back someday to defeat evil and death and give us a New Earth to rule with Him.  

So I washed my apple treasures and made some turnovers to share with a friend.  

I went walking with my friend in her pasture and fed carrots to her horses.  Then we sat in the shade on her porch and watched the kids play tag with a kite. :)

My friends and I shopped at the Mast General Store sidewalk sale, and hit the Labor Day sale at the Dillard's clearance center.  Another friend also spent a morning with me in my kitchen canning fresh applesauce with me from my apple loot.  Thanks Gina. We canned 12 pints and I have had the pleasure of giving 5 away and keeping the rest.  Gonna be great on peanut butter toast!  

So, on this lovely crisp fall holiday monday, my heart is full as I write. I can hear my son laughing at cartoons on TV in the basement.   Worship and rest on Sunday was a benediction to my soul.  But so have been the festivities of the Apple harvest.  I love this land.  I love these people God has given me to make a home with, and serve.  I love the Giver of Good Things.

I feel like I am living out Nehemiah 8:12, " And all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them."    

check out all the fun at: www.ncapplefestival.org 

Here is the applesauce recipe I used:  www.pickyourwon.org/applesauce

This is the recipe for the turnovers. I used Fuji:  www.allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-turnovers

A is for Apple

When I was a little girl my Mom taught me a song that she would use in her preschool class and we would sometimes use it as a prayer.  It was always a treat to get to "sing" the blessing at mealtime.  The song was simple.  It said "Oh the Lord is good to me.  And so I thank the Lord.  For giving me the things I need, the sun, and the rain and the apple seed.  The Lord is good to me."  But, for a girl from Oklahoma apples were something Johnny Appleseed dropped off at the grocery store not a gift found dripping off trees all around town like we have here in the mountains of North Carolina.  

Today Me and a few girlfriends took the afternoon and went to a local orchard to pick fresh apples.  My favorite apple to eat is a local variety called "Honey Crisp".  Their growing season is very short and now is the time to get them.  I picked a half bushel so I could share with friends.  Ok, I admit that I ate one already.  

We went to Stepp's orchard.  This is the orchard featured in the Duggar's show last season.  The Stepp family showed us around and waited on us with cheerful smiles.  The whole place feels like a visit to Mayberry.  

Amanda tried the Honey crisp after me.  There is nothing like a fresh picked apple ripened in the sun.  We all had sticky fingers and chins as the juice went dripping down.

We also picked some Fuji apples and Red Delicious.  We found out later that the Red Delicious were not supposed to be picked or handled because they had just been sprayed with pesticide.  Ooops!

I was astonished at the size of the fruit.  The ones we picked were way bigger than our fist and more perfect than any I had ever seen in a store.

Mister Stepp took Brundi and Amanda to a secret row of trees that he was saving for the Apple Festival next weekend.   She picked a half bushel of those that were his prize winning best! You should have smelled the car when we loaded the loot!  It smelled like an apple scented candle.

I love to visit farmer's market and local places that sell what they have grown right here close to home.  I'm amazed at the creativity and care the Creator put into designing each species of plant to bear food for us on Earth.  It's beautiful, good for us, and tastes amazing!  This orchard is old.  The trees are very mature and it has veggies and grapes too.  

My basket was full.  It got heavy toward the end.  But I was so proud of the collection of fruit I had.  Each one was hand selected and inspected for blemish or bug.  It made me think about the expression "The apple of my eye".  

 

I plan to make and can some applesauce and bake with the Fujis.  But the Honey Crisps are for eating!  If "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"  I'll be in great health for weeks to come.  These apples are sweet, juicy, thin skinned, and the flesh is pure white.  The texture is crisp and not even a trace of mealiness.  Apple perfection!

    I'll remember this day for years to come.  The cool breezes through the trees, the giggles of my friends, the taste, and feel and smell of the fruit, and the beauty of the land are tucked away in my heart.  I don't think I can ever eat a grocery store apple again without wishing it was fresh picked that day.  

There in my heart is that little song from childhood sung with folded hands and bowed head.  I mean it as sincerely now as I ever did then.  Oh, the Lord is good to me.  And so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the APPLE seed.  The Lord is good to me...Indeed...Amen.