NATIONAL FOOD DAY - October 24th

 by Judy Ann Davis

When October inches into Central Pennsylvania, she brings with her frosty mornings and the brilliant hues of autumn. The golds, reds, and oranges of the maples, oaks, birches, and sumac cover our hillsides. 

October 24th has been annually proclaimed as National Food Day focusing on healthy and nutritious foods. For me, it's the month when my favorite foods appear--those warm and cozy dishes like soups, roasts, puddings, and favorite drinks like cider and hot chocolate. 

Growing up, I always looked forward to October meals on the farm. My parents were from immigrant Polish parents, and my mother was an exceptional cook and baker. She made traditional dishes such as stuffed cabbage rolls (golumpki), beet soup (borscht), and dumplings stuffed with cheese or  mashed potatoes (pierogies).

The other day I found some fall mushrooms popping up in our yard. It reminded me of my childhood days when my mom and dad would set off on a foggy morning into the woods to collect them. Mushroom hunting is an old Polish tradition handed down when the first Polish immigrants came to America and brought their knowledge with them. These gilled fungi are hunted in both the spring and fall. One of my favorite dishes to this day is steak served with fried mushrooms and onions.

Apple cake (szarlotka) and cheesecake (sernik) are the most frequently served sweets in Polish homes. For those who love sweets, here is a easy fall favorite of mine, passed down by my mother.

NOBBY APPLE CAKE
 
6 TBSP butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups sifted flour
6 cups diced apples
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Cream margarine, sugar, and eggs.
Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture.
Stir in diced apples, nuts, and vanilla. 
Pour in greased pan.
Bake: 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

 JUNE - The Pianist

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MAGICAL SEPTEMBER

 by Judy Ann Davis

“By all these lovely tokens, September days are here.

With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”

– Helen Hunt Jackson

 Magical September waltzed in with her cooler temperatures and autumn splendor.

 Let’s remember to:

      Admire September’s magical sunsets and the harvest moon

      Enjoy the beauty of goldenrod along our roadways.

      Appreciate the last green leaves before Jack Frost hauls out his paint box

      Take a few minutes to watch the rolling fog lift itself from the land.

      Drink a glass of refreshing apple cider.

      Call a friend and grab lunch to share in the fall merriment.

If I were to ponder the summer of 2022, I’d have to admit Central Pennsylvania had a hot humid season with temperatures rolling upward near ninety degrees many days. We received enough rain to encourage every weed in our flowerbeds to flourish. I grew a horse weed plant taller than I am. I filled buckets with purslane, plantain, dandelion, dollar weed, quack grass and clover. Humid conditions during the day and hot muggy nights encouraged white mold on many plants’ leaves, but our ferns went crazy, loving the humidity. Ironically, my tomato plants were stubbornly lazy and didn’t produce as well as they had in other years.

But now, it’s time to watch September spin the last of its magic as it blows a farewell kiss to us in less than a week. The hummingbirds have disappeared. Crows gather in noisy flocks. Geese honk farewell as they wing their way south.

Hans - Pixabay

  Acorns plummet to the earth with a plop. Mushroom 

  silently pop up from the ground. Milkweed pods 

  burst open sending seeds sailing into the air on 

  fluffy floss. Pleasing scents fill the air: smoky wood 

  fires, hot chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg spices, 

  roasts in the oven, and apple   and pumpkin pies. 

  Oh, and let’s not forget pumpkin spice coffee

  sold in every establishment in town

                                   

JIMaro Morales - Pixabay

In many northern states,  September delivers the first frost of the season and signals autumn is approaching. I love autumn because of the exquisite colors it brings. Maple trees cover our landscape in gold, scarlet, and orange. It’s a painter’s paradise.                                

 

September is also jacket weather on cool nights. It’s the season when we dig into the back of our closets and pull out those jeans, flannel shirts, and fleece coats. Dry leaves rustle beneath our feet when we take a walk in the brisk outdoors.

Do you have a favorite sign of the autumn season? Share it with others in the comments below. And watch out for those falling acorns!

JUNE - The Pianist

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This Life by Kara O'Neal

At night, when I pray, I start by thanking God for all the good things in my life. 

He's blessed me so many times over -- my family is in good health, we have what we need, my children are happy, my husband and I have stable jobs, we have wonderful friends...

But over the last several years, I've also thanked Him for the peace He has given us. And that would not have been possible if others hadn't made the ultimate sacrifice. There are even soldiers out there right now keeping us safe. Even the Ukrainian men and women who are fighting daily are doing it for more than just their own kin.

And here I sit, peaceful, writing this post to share with y'all.

I'm glad we have this day where we can remember and honor those who have fallen. It grounds us, makes us acknowledge that there are things more important than the next television series or Marvel movie. (Although, my cousin who is a veteran would scold me and say, "Kara, we fight for your ability to enjoy your life without fear. So enjoy it and don't feel guilty.")

He's right. I know it.

So...yes. I will spend time with my family. We will play cards, and we will eat good food and be silly together. And we will give thanks to the soldiers.

And....I will make Apple Butter today! (For those of you who don't know, it's a kind of jelly.)

Now, it's not apple pie -- and I do make a glorious apple pie -- but it's the next best thing. Apple Butter is a staple in my father's family. My grandpa loved it and always had butter and jelly on the table at EVERY meal. 

So, today I will be up to my elbows in apple peelings, sugar, maple syrup and a few other ingredients. And I will be singing this lovely poem I made up many, many, many years ago...

Oh, apple butter. 

Oh, how I love you.
Your apple cinnamony sweetness gives happiness so true.

The way you melt with peanut butter is so fine,
I cannot wait until you get in that mouth of mine.

When I see you sittin' on my grandma's table,
my stomach growls and is unstable.

Until I can spread you on a biscuit so fluffy,
my temperament is terrible and I'm a little huffy.

Oh, apple butter.
Oh, how I love you.

Thank you for the sweetness that always rings true.

Visit Kara O'Neal at www.karaoneal.com

THE MIGHTY APPLES OF AUTUMN

by Judy Ann Davis

Hello, Autumn! And here she comes with the wonderful fall harvest of foods and desserts. My favorites are pies. Although pumpkin is my favorite, my husband is a fan of apple. He is also the biggest fan of applesauce, and a jar sits in our refrigerator year ‘round.

Here in the Northeast, Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated twice a year. On both March 11^th and September 26^th.  September 26, 1774, was actually the day when John Chapman or Johnny Appleseed was born. It coincides with the season of apple harvest. His date of death was not formally recorded, but it is believed he died on March 11, 1845, from the “winter plague.” History tells us that John Chapman was deeply religious person, often preaching during his many travels.

A nurseryman by trade, John Chapman initially started planting trees in New York and here in Pennsylvania. He was also know for going “West” to plant, but we must remember that “West” was Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. It is estimated that he traveled 10,000 square miles of frontier country. As he traveled, he sold apple trees and seeds to settlers and planted many trees and seeds himself along the way during a forty-year span. He also started a string of nurseries spreading from western Pennsylvania across Ohio and into Indiana. When he died in 1845, he owned 1,200 acres of land.

No matter what the legends tell us about John Chapman, one thing is certain. He brought about the recognition of the apple and its versatility whether eaten fresh, stewed, baked or fermented. The food list that includes the mighty apple is exhausting—applesauce, pie, cider, crisp, cake, pancakes, apple butter, juice, and even vinegar, to name a few. Early settlers dried apples to use on their trip to West as we know it today.

When I was growing up, we had apple trees around our farmhouse and MacIntosh was my favorite for taking in my school lunch bag. We also had apple trees in what we called “the old orchard” in a pasture on the edge of our farm. It was an orchard planted by early settlers of the 1800s (or before) and had heirloom varieties like Northern Spy, Strawberry, Baldwin, and Winesap. Our dairy cattle loved to scout the old orchard and look for any fallen ones for a delicious treat.

Are you a fan of apples? After an extremely rainy summer here in Central Pennsylvania, I’m excited about the arrival of a drier autumn and the rich scent of apples, sugar, and cinnamon baking in the oven or cooking on my stove top. 

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        Here's a peek of the cover for my Christmas novella,"A Maple Cookie Homecoming," making its appearance on December 7th

 

COMING OR GOING?

By Caroline Clemmons

Today, I'm late getting this post up. I'm in a tizzy and don't know if I'm coming or going. Honestly, things will be progressing along well and...ZAP!....life happens. All because I'm trying to accomplish too much in too short a time and think I have everything under control, only to learn--whoa--I SO don't.

I have several deadlines looming. Here I was writing away toward achieving them when life sneaked in and slapped me upside the head and suddenly I'm pulling out my hair. You've had times like that, I'm sure. We all do, which is why we call it LIFE.

Not that you're probably interested, but the reason for my dither is our eldest daughter broke her leg badly and has been in the hospital a week and rehab in the same hospital two weeks. Being the sort of overprotective parents we are, Hero and I spent a good deal of time going back and forth to stay with her in the hospital which is two hours away. Friday, she will come to stay with us until she can walk safely on her own, which should be about three months. Yes, she's an independent grown woman, but she's still our kid to us.

I hope you attended the Sooper Sekrit Facebook Party on Sunday evening. Truthfully, that was the most fun of any online party of which I've been a part. I'm so grateful to Kween Kirsten Osbourne for inviting me to be a part of this amazing record-setting endeavor. Forty-five authors are writing books in the American Mail-Order Bride Series for the fifty states and territories in 1890. Several authors have two books, which accounts for the difference in the numbers.

The American Mail-Order Bride Series books begin releasing one a day on November 19th, but you can pre-order them now. My book is number 42 on December 30th and is PATIENCE: BRIDE OF WASHINGTON. Here's the cover designed by Erin Dameron Hill:

What do I know about Washington state? Not much. My husband was visiting right after Mount St. Helens erupted several decades ago. I think we have a jar of the ashes somewhere.  I have three nieces living there in addition to their parents (my sister in law and brother in law). My good friend Jacquie Rogers lives there. So, I do have resources for assistance. Then there's always the writer's friend, Google. ☺

Usually, I try to write Texas settings because I live here and have traveled over most of the state. But, writers have to stretch ourselves a little to keep growing in our craft. You may remember that THE SURPRISE BRIDES: JAMIE was set in Colorado. At least I've traveled in Colorado several times. By the way, I still need a sweater or blanket when I think about a particular scene in that book. ☺

Fortunately, this book, PATIENCE: BRIDE OF WASHINGTON, takes place in spring, so the weather is great. In fact, Patience arrives in Destiny, Washington when the apple trees are in blossom. If you like big band swing music as I do, you may have heard the song "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time". I am reminded of that tune when I think of this book.

Another help for me is the fact that Hero and I used to own an orchard of several hundred trees peach trees, four plum trees, sixteen Delicious apple trees, one Granny Smith apple tree, one crabapple tree, a pecan tree, and some grape vines. Writing about orchards is a lot more fun than owning one. Trust me!

Anyway, please think about pre-ordering PATIENCE: BRIDE OF WASHINGTON, American Mail-Order Brides 42. Don't you love those pre-orders? I forget about ordering the book but then open my Kindle and, Voila!, there it is waiting for me. Technology actually can be our friend at times.

Here's the link:  http://amzn.com/B017HLR6CE

BETH TRISSEL'S PLANTS AND HERBS TEACH US IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY!

By Caroline Clemmons

Beth Trissel has had a conflict, so I’m filling in for her. Beth always has such beautiful photos and interesting blogs, I’m a bit nervous.

I’ve taken several of Beth’s workshops on herbs. From those came her book, PLANTS FOR A MEDEIVAL HERB GARDEN IN THE BRITISH ISLES. Don’t let the title fool you because most of the plants are found in the U.S. and many other countries.

Beth's book is available in print and e-book

One of the entries is the apple, which is universal, right? Beth says that the history of the apple is closely linked with the history of man. She mentions the Johnny Appleseed blessing, but doesn’t give the words, so I’m including them after the photo below:

Apples being gathered in an orchard

The Johnny Appleseed Blessing

Anonymous

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.

When I read those words, the tune pops into my head from the Disney movie about Johnny Appleseed. But John Chapman, "Johnny Appleseed", was a real person who planted apples across the country. Today, there are many, many varieties of apples. I don't know how many were around when the great herbalist Culpepper was alive. Beth quotes A MODERN HERBAL:

"The chief dietetic value of apples lie in the mailic and tartaric acids. These acids are of benefit to persons of sedentary habits, who are liable to liver derangements, and they neutralize the acid products of gout and indigestion."

Chickweed

When we lived in a rural area, chickweed was a nuisance. I didn't like touching it to pull it from the lawn and only did so when wearing gloves. But the juice of this "weed" is valuable against scurvy. Boiled in lard, the plant becomes a soothing green ointment.

Pennyroyal

After the wet spring we had this year, fleas and other insects were abundant. We should have had a bounty of pennyroyal planted strategically around the yard. According to Beth, in addition to chasing fleas, pennyroyal smells lovely when trod upon.

Rosebuds

My favorite flowers are various roses. Beth included them in her book. One uses the petals and the rose hips. Beth also shares that she gets old-time rosebud salve from the American-based Rosebud Perfume Company, founded in 1895 by George F. Smith. All their products are gluten-free.

Creeping Thyme

Many years ago when Hero and I lived between San Francisco and San Jose, California we grew a thyme groundcover which was very nice and had tiny lavender flowers. However, that dwarf groundcover was a newer variety. According to medieval herbalist Culpepper:

"Thyme is a noble strengthener of the lungs, as notable one as grows, nor is there a better remedy growing for whooping cough. It purgeth the body of phlegm and is an excellent remedy for shortness of breath. It is so harmless you need not fear the use of it. An ointment made of it takes away hot swellings and warts, helps the sciatica and dullness of sight and takes away any pains and hardness of the spleen; it is excellent for those that are troubled with the gout and the herb taken anyway inwardly is of great comfort to the stomach."

And we thought it was just pretty and smelled good.

If you read Beth's book, you'll learn a great deal about plants you may have thought only decorative or even a nuisance. She invites readers to "Journey back to the days when herbs figured into every facet of this realm and protection from evil in all its guises."

The book is available in print and e-book. Buy link is http://amzn.com/B00IOGHYVU

Photos from free commons