a sunday afternoon

Sunday morning I was in a fog.  It was one of those mornings, and into the early afternoons, when I really didn't have much to do and at the same time could have come up with a long list of things that needed to be done.  But my soul seemed a little sad and ignored.  I haven't felt crafty in a while, or in tune with nature, or at one with my kitchen.  Everything has seemed so routine instead of fun lately.  I decided to go online for a moment which thanks goodness can be full of inspiration.  Luckily, I found it.  A small weaving project that luckily I already had all the ingredients for... I just needed to go outside for the stick frame.

I found a couple of sticks, in the shape of a Y, pretty close to the house.  Honestly they just didn't seem sturdy enough for what I needed them for.  So I searched on.  

Kate and I went towards the woods and to my delight our path was no longer grown up and was very walk-able.  I guess all those evenings of taking Black Rose into the woods paid off.  So we trotted on.  It was pretty muddy so we ventured to the left instead of the right that would lead us down to the creek.

 I suddenly knew why we made a left.  Not only did we find a great branch with lots of Y's but also the little persimmon tree told us that a lot of her fruit was ready to be picked.  I tasted one off the ground and after looking up decided I needed the four wheeler to stand on for the rest.  We headed back to the house.

I quickly looked up a recipe or two to get an idea of how many I needed and if we may have enough.  I came across a recipe for persimmon bread.  At this point I remembered the baskets of apples and pears that Uncle Randy brought me and Granny last week.  I decided to try out the recipe for apple bread instead that I mentioned to you a couple of weeks ago.  

After the bread was in the oven, and needed an hour to cook, Kate and I snagged the side by side and headed back to the persimmon tree.  I stood in the back and wound up picking a maybe two cups worth which isn't much enough to make anything with.  I decided to freeze them and go back next weekend to pick more when the rest are ripe enough.  

We got back to the house and I finally sat on the front porch in one of the rocking chairs to work on my weaving project.  It was so nice to relax and work with my hands for a bit surrounded by my friends, Tommy, Kitty, Kate and Cotton... who came running across the front yard to join the fun.  

I finished my project after supper and Shaun and I enjoyed the apple bread for dessert.  It turned out delicious and I will say that Shaun isn't a huge sweet eater but had two pieces of the bread!  

My soul at last felt good and full too.  I tapped into my craftiness, nature and the nourishment of working in my kitchen to create something delicious.  

Inspiration for branch weaving from freepeople blog

Inspiration and recipe for  the fantastic apple bread found on Mommycoddle.com

Spiced Apple Cider

I should have titled this Spiced and Spiked Apple Cider!  I love a little spiced rum added to a warm mug of cider when it's holiday time and cold outside.  This is an easy recipe that I kinda threw together as I thought of what may taste good infused with the store bought apple cider.  And after visiting a couple of barn sales on a cold day with my friend Christal where we picked up a cup of hot cider that tasted so good on the cold day as we walked around all the crafts at the barn sale at Bottom View Farms.  After I got home I was still craving a cup!

 

 



Hulsey Apple Pie

Having a Fall party?  Want a cider-punch recipe?  Well here it is.  This shot-style sipper is best served at room temperature and in moderation.  I served this drink at our last get together.  I borrowed a glass gallon jug with a tap from my Mom… you know, one of those summer tea jugs, and purchased the smallest plastic cups I could find at Walmart.  This isn’t the type of adult beverage that you need a Solo cup full of.  Just a dab’ll do ya!

 

Hulsey Apple Pie

1 gallon apple cider (non-pasturized!)

1 handful red hots

4-5 cinnamon sticks

2-3 packets powdered apple cider drink mix

1 750ml bottle Ever Clear

1 750ml bottle Bacardi 151

 

In a large stock pot bring apple cider, red hots, cinnamon sticks and powdered mix to a slight boil stirring until red hots are melted and powdered mix has dissolved.  Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.  After cooled, add alcohol and stir together.  Pour into large mason jars to store.  Serve as you wish… and beware! 

This one will sneak up on you quickly and is oh-so good.

 

 

 

 

 

It's Finally Here!!!

Let's talk Christmas tree ornaments... please, please, please! I have been waiting since July for Christmas time to arrive and FINALLY!!! IT'S HERE! (I'm capitalizing because I'm shouting) I have been so excited about decorating our new home for the first time although it's really just putting the same stuff up in a new place. But I want it to be special for me and my Mr.

I am the type that enjoys a touch of holiday in each room. This week I want to talk about my kitchen. I have a small, four foot Christmas tree in a corner of my kitchen. Usually I will put items on it such as cookie cutters and kitchen-y items. This year I wanted smells of Christmas and more natural items that would also make the room smell of holiday when you walk into it. Let me tell you, after this past weekend the poor little thing is just full!

The first thing that I thought of to decorate my kitchen tree was fruit. I knew there were a couple of oranges and at least one apple in the refrigerator. When I found those I also found a lemon that I had used some of the zest off of on some asparagus last week. Here's what I did:


I preheated the oven at it's lowest temperature which was 170 degrees. Next I sliced the oranges, apple and lemon cross-wise into pretty thin slices. I took whole cloves and gently pushed them into the fruit and sprinkled the apples with a little cinnamon. I placed them onto a cookie cooling rack and popped them into the oven. You can place them directly onto the oven rack but keep an eye on them because they could fall through. I let them cook for about 40 minutes.


When they cool you can easily poke a hole through the citrus with a toothpick and thread ribbon or twine through them for hanging. It adds a touch of Christmas into the air when you walk into the kitchen. If you try this I am sure you'll enjoy it too!