I've been thinking about Fall and Winter lately, but then again, it is supposed to be 91 degrees today.  At first I was thinking it was kind of crazy for me to think so far ahead since we have something so big happening in three months.  But really, it's natural to look ahead to Winter in the middle of Summer.  Or first third.  There is much preparation to do this time of year.

We picked up a bushel of peaches in South Carolina on our way back from visiting Mike's parents.  I've spent the past two days working through them and this weekend will prove to be even peachier.  Dad bought the peaches for us and we'll really enjoy them over the Winter.  This year, instead of jamming so much, I prepared these just for the freezer.  That way, we'll be able to thaw them out and throw them in smoothies, pies and cobblers at any time.  My jam stores are still quite hefty.

This year, we'll be concentrating on the freezer that Mom and Dad gave us.  They bought a smaller one and gave us their big one and I am really quite excited.  I've been working hard at filling it up, slowly stockpiling what I've picked from the garden or been able to afford from the store.  I found organic butter on close-out a couple of weeks ago, so I got five pounds!  I've also been accumulating grains from a local bulk foods store for all of the granola I plan to make in the coming months.  I can't wait to add blackberries in the next week.  Blackberries in pancakes and puddings will be so wonderful.

It's beginning to feel a lot like baby around here since most of my diapers came this week.  They were a special gift from my grandmother and I am super-thrilled about them.  I decided to go with Kissaluvs and found a reasonably good deal here.  They're soft and fleecy and I'll be spending as much time with them as I will with the baby.  Mike's mother took me to do a little baby shopping during our visit and I believe I've rounded out the first three months worth of clothes, maybe even six.  It's going to be cold for that long, so I've planned to keep the baby in sleepers and gowns.  We're not high fashion around here. 

Function in bulk.  That's us.

There's an important theme in all of this--provision.  We haven't been in want of our needs through all of the challenges and uncertainty in the past month.  People have been immensely generous to us and we are immensely appreciative.  It's a little funny sometimes to have a new baby coming and not be able to buy anything, but it's a huge blessing not to need to.  We will look back on these days, glad we made it through, and remember how much we were helped.  Hopefully, we'll be able to do the same thing for our little ones when they need us.

Mike continues to look for jobs and I am trying to get back into the groove of sewing for the shop.  We'll be packing up our wares and heading to the farmers' market today, so if the Fiber Frolic looks empty, it's only temporary.  Now it's time for a weekend of weenie roasts at the cabin and more peaches.  Cobbler, this time, I think.

Thursday, after the bad news, I made up a batch of Strawberry Lemonade that pearlibuttons suggested.  My mom had brought me fresh strawberries from her garden and they were wonderful in it.  We did not sieve out the seeds and, really, they just sink to the bottom anyway.  

It is indeed very yum, Emily, and if I could pour you a glass and hand it to you in your hospital bed, I would. In fact, I'd bring you the whole jug.  You deserve proper refreshment keeping those babies safe and sound for so long. 

So if the rest of you need a pick-me-up after a tough Summer's day, try this recipe and prepare to drink sunshine. :-)

I'm so glad to be free of all the commitments of May.  Only one this month--to show up at a trail work day this Saturday.  I'll be in charge of pruning (I hope) and looking cute.  I think I can handle it. ;-)

It's been a hot one this past week, but we've managed to get lots done.  Operation High Security continues on as today I planted watermelons, more cucumbers and loofas.  Mike and I covered the area with newspapers and rocks just before a short storm came and drenched them.  Success!  I've fortified the little hills where the seeds are with tomato cages to discourage any deposits of the feline variety.  I've covered the other cucumber plants (which I ended up buying) with bird netting.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Saturday, I went on a baking frenzy and made two loaves of my Famous Sourdough-which-is-not-Sour, another big batch of Tammy's Cinnamon Crunch Granola and the first Peachy Blueberry Pie of the season.  Whew!  That ought to do us for a week or two.  I love to bake and somehow, it being 95 outside is very enticing.  Either that, or I had temporary insanity and wanted to really heat up the house.

Speaking of things in the oven, the baby is doing really well at being super active.  Her movements are much stronger than when I started to feel them around seven weeks ago.  I can feel her somersault around in my tummy and can really tell when she settles in for a moment right above my bladder. Sometimes it feels like I'm either at the mercy of my hungry tummy or my super-productive bladder.  No matter, I love every flicker of life I get to feel.  Even at 4:00 AM after my fifth bathroom break.

I've been churning out the custom orders for etsy and am really glad to have reached a point where sitting down to sew six or twelve napkins at a time is no longer daunting.  That's one of the things no one tells you about crafting--sewing, knitting ,crochet, or otherwise--you have to have time to get used to the pace of the work.  When you find your pattern, things go much more smoothly.  I've moved the ironing board into the part of the house with the air conditioner and now things are even more productive.  Who can sit down to sloth in front of the Food Network with dozens of anxious napkins staring back?

So, yeah.  Here's the obligatory crafting shot.



I'm really liking the lavender hankies.

Say prayer for us at the bungalow--I'm still waiting for some important news and may get it later in the week.

Let me add a big thanks to Tammy for giving me a free ad on her blog.  I'm so thankful for her generosity during uncertain times.  Check it out--Mike designed it.  He's so clever!

This past week has been BIG--big berries, big surprises, big cooking, big concert choir reunion, big photo show. . .



BIG batch of Tammy's Cinnamon Crunch Granola--this will last us about 2-3 weeks.  I'm a cereal glutton and when I'm pregnant--watch out!!



BIG batch of cupcakes for Mike's reception--5 dozen.  In some sort of kitchen miracle I got these done very quickly (a mix doesn't hurt). ;-)  Mike's show was a big hit and he's got pictures over here.



BIG 50th concert choir reunion.  I've never been to church with this many people.  Ours has about 25-30 a week.  The Emory UMC had about 190 nostalgic choir members and I'm guessing 300 or so attendees for this extra special service.  Mike had a great time and I sat in the back because I have supersonic ears and they had a BIG sound.

For krusig, who was probably missing all my -ification jokes.



Inspiration!



Gratification!

3 pints went into jam, 7 went into the freezer, 2 went into Mike and me.

Though posts may be meager, I'm still here.  Still thinking about the blog and what I want to blog about.  Mike even renewed my paid account.  Some ideas in the works:

• Lessons on Simple Living from the Little House books
• Better Off: Life After Cable with a Cruddy Set of Rabbit Ears
• More of The Forgotten Virginia
• The exciting announcement that my etsy shop will finally be open (soon)

So, see?  I'm still chugging along, I just happen to feel like I'm on a train that's climbing a very steep hill.  Sort of like the ye olde Virginia Creeper.

This past weekend Mike's sister Mandy came to visit.  We drove around desolate places in Wythe County, visited with some of my most friendly coworkers (who are also men), went to a wonderful sunrise service at church, and had lots of eggs and bacon in various forms.  I felt energetic and made Tammy's Whole Wheat Strawberry Shortcake.  Something about heart-shaped cakes just makes me feel all happy inside.  Heart-shaped pizzas, too.

We visited with neighbors on Sunday afternoon after Mandy left and just had the best time.  Our neighbors Debbie and Benny are thrilled to become "grand-neighbors" in six months.  They told us lots of funny stories from their youth and early marriage.  Benny told us about his pastime of jumping trains and riding them.  Once, he rode the train from Tazewell all the way to Bluefield!  He had counted on it slowing down at the top of the mountain, but when the time came, the train was going sixty!  Had to hitchhike all the way home.  Debbie and I concluded that we were much more dull.  There's a lot of pleasure to be had from visiting one's neighbors.  Maybe I'll start something like the Homebody Liberation Front, that forces people outdoors and across the yard.  I'm guessing that wetkneefarm won't be one of my charter members, though. ;-)

Yesterday there was an icing-on-the-cake snow, but today there is sunshine galore.  The maple syrup festival is this weekend and Mike and I are super excited.  Any takers?  Anna? Mark? Rebecca?  Plenty o' pancakes for all!

Here's a parting shot from Miller's Creek, Northeast Wythe County.   Mallard on the pond of one eccentric, friendly guy, Joe Hale.  Yeah, there's a lot to be said for meeting your neighbors. :-)

No, I haven't totally given up over here. ;-)  It seems that when you are having a life change, there's so much to think about and not much to write about.  Well, maybe that's not true.  I just don't know quite how to put it all down, or what to put down.  For fear of scaring off men readers, I hesitate to post what I'm experiencing right now.  But then again, the only men I know who read this blog are my dad and my husband.  They can probably take it.

Let's just recap, shall we?

This past weekend, Mike and I entertained two days in a row!  We don't have visitors but once a month or so, so things like this are quite exciting.  Anna and Mark braved bitter, bitter cold and wind and snow to come over on Saturday.  I had promised Mark the World's Best Cheeseburger from Little's Quick Check in Seven Mile Ford, so he came willingly.  Returning home, or blowing in as it were, we enjoyed some of Tammy's Cream Cheese Brownies.  Absolute heaven.  Absolute.  We also played Clue by candlelight and Anna beat Mike.  Mark and I played, but you know, we're not quite as advanced in devious-ness as they are.

In the night, the storm windows totally iced over and made for a lovely effect when I raised the shades.  Sunday, we had breakfast at church and I made the World's Best French Toast using Tammy's Challah and a recipe taken from the Splendid Table.  Wondrous!  Orange Zest and Anna's fresh eggs.  The slightly sweet challah.  It was great.  After, I made lunch for our friends Jody and Katharine.  I made Swedish Meatballs using Tammy's Oven Method and it was quite a relief.  Energy is not hitting an all-time high around here lately.

So there.  Got that covered.  Seems it was a Very Tammy Weekend.  :-D

How've I been?  That's the favorite question of people lately.  They love to call me "Little Mama" and ask me if I'm getting enough vitamins or if I'm having weird cravings.  I usually say, "Fine."  Really?  Well, the nausea is easing up, but still makes itself known.  I'm thankful for this, it's God's little reminder everything's moving along.   My face is now that of a 13-year-old's.  Well, when I was 13.  Not too pimply, but oily for me.  One day I woke up with dark circles under my eyes and they haven't gone away since.  Should have known I was pregnant right then.  The waistline is getting a little bulgy, but noticeable only to Mike and me and those who have the right to see my tummy.  I'm also learning the simple joys of utilitarian bras.  Enough said.  Might just burn anything that's got a wire in it.  Now, enough said.

I'm pregnant and I'm happy.

Sunday evening, Mom and I bonded over baby stuff.  We went through all the stuff she had saved from me and made a list of what else I'll need.  I was pleased and surprised at all the things we won't have to buy.  I've got a baby bath tub, portable bassinette (for the grandparents at the cabin), loads of baby blankets and quilts, a good number of sleepers, some hooded towels, and several unisex super-cute outfits.  There's also a walker, swing, baby carrier (not of the car seat kind) and crib, all still in great shape.  Leave it to my mother to have a high chair reupholstered.  ;-) 

Knowing I have these things reassures me, though there's still a good bit left to get--cloth diapers, clothes, and such.  It's just great to know that I'll be consuming less with this baby.  It also thrills my mother to no end to know I'll be using some of the same things she did for me.  We found the most adorable sleeper, which should be just right for the baby--it's covered in little jolly Santa's and should fit just right come Christmas.  I've got visions of a tiny green knitted pixie hat dancing in my head. . .

Wow, I must be going through a real blogging drought.  After posting nearly every day for months, I'm a little short on words lately.  What I've not been short on is preparations for Brandy's Fiber Frolic.  I've sewn dozens of napkins and handkerchiefs and nearly felted my self into submission.  Here's a little sneak-ety peek for all those curious blog friends:



Sunshiny Garden Napkins: There are two sets of six that will be available. I adore the fabric.  Mike picked it out--he's got the best taste. :-)



Cork Mushrooms: A recycled craft turning the bubbly into the whimsical.  Modeled after the Fly Agaric mushroom so often seen in storybooks.  Don't know if I'll have more of these later or not.



Blue Mountain Sunrise: Inspired by my West Virginia blog friend and the two stained glass panels that hang in our living room.



Blue Mountain Moonrise: Simplicity at is best, and because I'm obsessively even. ;-)

Mike's in bed with a sore back (not from the photos!) talking on the phone to his friend who's also in bed recovering from surgery.  I sewed most of the day and have about made myself crazy.  However, not nearly as crazy as I would have been if I didn't have Sally the new Singer. :-)

Oh, I forgot one more picture. . .



Doughnuts I made yesterday for my great-grandmother's 101st birthday!  We had to cut them out with a Coca-Cola glass and a champagne flute. :-P  They were a hit and we had such a good time. :-)

There are eighteen laptops sitting in my house right now.  Mike (and me, too) has been doing a bit of overtime to get them all set up.  So, we spent the evening eating soup, knitting (well, only me) and following the bouncing ball through Windows Vista.  I've just about finished the lavender hat and have got some knitted leaf embellishments blocking as we speak.

Has anyone else noticed it's cold? 

Well, I have.  I'm sitting here typing under a woolly moose blanket and counting the minutes until the furnace says it endearing "womph!"  We've been enjoying all the comforts of cold weather--giant parkas with furry hoods (well, Mike only on the fur), loads of hot tea and hot chocolate, soup, and rich foods like the quiche I made on Monday.  Classic bacon and cheese.  So, so good.

I got inspired by Felicia's savory pies she made back around Christmas and Turkey Feather's A-Z Quiches.  With the local homemade bacon we got a few weeks ago, the quiche was wonderful.  I also had the first occasion to use my frozen parsley from the garden.  I had chopped it and stuck it in a freezer bag as the summer went along.  When I took it out, it was all perky and green.  Just a little cold, but who isn't?

Since I'm doing all this linkety linking, here's a few more.  Sorry to be a little partial to the knitters. ;-)

• Knitted leaf embellishment pattern at Knitty, just scroll on down the page.  This is the one I used for my forthcoming hat.  So easy, krusig could do it.  :-)
• Whitney's 70's Ski Hat--exactly like the one I'm wearing right now, with links to a better provisional cast on (now they tell me).  This one was my dad's from the 60's, but now I have a pattern to make one for Mike (of which he has made me quite aware).
• Longing for spring?  Get your fill of forced bulbs and other blossoms in Yarnstorm's garden category.  Right now Ms. Brockett is focusing her camera on the Amaryllis.
• As if the cork mushrooms and mushroom box (in which there are baby mushrooms!) weren't enough, Kathryn Ivy is featuring free patterns for a myriad of felted mushrooms.  All that yarn I got at Christmas is calling. . .

Ooooh. . . heat. :-)

There was a good deal of cold and merry making today, 'round these parts.  I woke up early to bake apple ladder loaves for our ladies Christmas party for work.  You make the dough ahead of time, so the forming and baking only takes about two hours.  It's always a hit and last year it was decided that it should be a part of every Christmas here at the Nichols' Homestead.

After driving over rain-soaked dirt roads and returning home, Mike and I made up a double batch of Swedish meatballs for Christmas (act surprised later, Dad).  We used Tammy's oven technique and it was great!  I was amazed at how fast I could make a large batch of meatballs and even more amazed that there was no frying or grease.  Tammy's got great tips and I always seem to learn something from the Kitchen Tip Tuesdays she hosts.  The meatballs are packed away in big freezer boxes to be wrapped in paper at the last minute.

Remember the Tree Incident?  Well, this afternoon as I was tidying up, Mike asked if the tree appeared to be leaning.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Well, yes.  So, we set to work trying to straighten it and prevent another fall.  As we were working on this, the tree took a dive and we caught in just in time. 

Well, in time for another ornament to fall and break.

Mike worked to right the tree, but to no avail.  So, we took off all the ornaments and all the lights.  Mike hauled the tree out to the porch and trimmed the end and put the tree in our old metal stand.  It had originally been too big to fit, so we'd bought a new "fancy" one from Voldemart that claimed flexibility and a level tree every year.  It's only level if your floors are level and you haven't picked up the tree from the floor yet.  The holdy-in screw thingys kept bending under the pressure and our tree is by no means huge.

So, with a few more inches off the bottom, the tree was properly in our old, FREE stand from Grandy's basement.  Sure, it doesn't hold a gallon of water.  Sure it doesn't have foot petal adjustment.  But, it does have one important feature--it does actually hold a tree upright--as in, perpendicular to your floor.  We took the fancy stand back and got a refund.

If decorating the tree is your favorite Christmas tradition, buy one of these new-fangled stands and go to town.  You'll be doing it all over again in a few days.  Emily was right, stuff demands attention and the less we've got the better off we are.  Leaves me yearning for the first Christmas tree in the Ritchie family. . .

"Down by the branch across from our house were growing some little sycamore saplings, and Mom took the hatchet and cut down one of them. It didn't have any leaves, but the little woolly winter tags were hanging right pretty all through the limbs of it.

We took that tree home and propped it up in the front room, and that night after supper we decorated it.  Let's see, we cut colored paper out of old catalogues and tied them here and there with bright wool threads and we strung popcorn around. . .

As I look back on it now, it was kind of a quare Christmas tree, but to us all then it was the prettiest thing we'd ever laid eyes on.  We just couldn't get away from it. . .  That was the happiest Christmas!"

~ "The Ritchies Take Christmas" :: Singing Family of the Cumberlands

The Advent season finally began at the Nichols' Homestead.  Whew!  What a weekend!

Saturday morning I set to work on my panettone for my secret pal.  Seeing as it was a Martha Stewart recipe, I was certain I was in for bizarre challenges.  Turned out, it wasn't so bad after all.  The dough was sticky, so I was very thankful for my stand mixer.  I hardly use it, but when I do, it earns its keep.  The bread involved setting a sponge, mixing up lots of eggs and 1 1/2 sticks of butter, lots of lemon and orange zest, and two very long proofing periods.  I ended up using paper bags that were larger than those requested in the recipe and think that fate was on my side.  Clearly my yeast (which I have now bought in bulk) was rather perky.

I do believe I had a little thing called success, which is much better than I can say for last year's Buche de Noel.

Once the bread was out of the oven to cool and I had taken the proper time to take in its absolutely wonderful aroma, Mike and I headed off to get the Christmas tree.  As we drove up to Whitetop, I had every plan of doing a Forgotten Virginia post about all the tree farms we have in this area, but that soon fell by the wayside.

We found our trusty tree farm proprietor asleep in his pick-up truck in the warm sun.  We hopped out ready for fun and he told us we'd come at the wrong time and interrupted his nap.  ;-)  He told us we could have any tree we wanted for $25 and asked that we leave some stump in hopes of sprouting more trees.  He said he needed to clear out the big trees and handed us a saw.

Well, bleeding heart that I am, and seeing all his overgrown trees (10'-12') I felt compelled to help him out.  So, I grabbed another saw and set to work picking a "spare" tree.  During this time, serendipitously, more families showed up to pick their trees.  A cartoony sort of man wearing plaid came with his wife and daughter and borrowed our wood-cutting saw (that we keep in the car for cutting wood).  I could hear his overwhelming jolliness as Mike and dragged our two trees down to the tree baler.

Mike packed Tree 1.0 in the car while I worked with the old man to bale the other.  No such luck.  I managed to start the baler and he managed to break it.  So, the old man gave us some twine and we tied Tree 2.0 to the roof.  After chasing his money in the wind, we got the change for our trees and took off down the mountain.  I was crammed in the car on the passenger side, vying for space with Tree 1.0 while Mike was carefully watching the shadow of the car to ensure that Tree 2.0 didn't blow off.  The whole time I fretted about what we would do with two trees and who we could give Tree 2.0 to.

Well, my worries were soon put to rest.  Mike insisted on stopping at a craft center along the way that we have never seen open.  I thought it was run by lazy hippies, but that's another story.  Going inside, it was snug and warm, as the friendly non-lazy hippies had a fire going in the wood cookstove.  Inside, there were beautiful turned wood bowls, candle holders, goblets, lazy susans, and cutting boards everywhere.  The people were engaging and seemed to be more interested in conversation than sales.  I found some gorgeous note cards with native wildflowers (sorry, Anna) for Mike's sister Mandy and we bought those. 

They noticed the tree on our car and we told them we had another one stuffed inside.  One thing led to another and we sold them Tree 2.0 for the wife's mother.  Fabulous!  They wouldn't have to make the trip and we wouldn't have to worry about dealing with two trees.  The shop we visited is part of the 'Round the Mountain network of artisans, but I cannot remember the name.  Maybe Mike will help me. . .

So, after 5 hours of tree selection and transit (the selection took about 2 minutes) and another hour of finding the right stand, we had a tree.  Just one.  And it was beautiful.

Sunday, I set to work on non pareils, also a Martha Stewart recipe from Handmade Christmas.  The little round discs of chocolate with purple sugar balls on top were super easy and fun to make.  They didn't require much and I'll be sure to include at least one more session making them before Christmas.  They'll be a hit with the dark chocolate lovers in our lives.  They do melt a little easier, so I'm keeping them in the fridge until I'm ready to give them out.

At church, we found out that our church was hosting the parish choir that very night and that I would need to be on hand to light the Advent candle.  Since I was planning to bake snickerdoodles for tonight's Friends of Mount Rogers meeting, I had the snacks afterwards covered.  Instead of plain white sugar and cinnamon, I used red and green sanding sugar with the cinnamon for a festive touch.  It was a very busy day of rushing around, to say the least

The house is all decorated, most of the greens have been hung, and I've got leftovers to make up for our busy schedule.  Now, I just have to work on my St. Lucia kit from Posie Gets Cosy that came on Saturday.  I'm so excited to make her and her attendants!

My friend Catrina came over today to enjoy a small Thanksgiving with Mike and me--and to make her very first loaf of yeast bread.  The results were stunning.  She's a kitchen natural. . .

It's been a simple weekend here--lots of chores and tying up loose ends before the cold really sets in.  Mike cleaned off the garden, leaving the strawberries and parsley and planting the collard greens.  He cleared off our sincere pumpkin patch and discovered blackberries growing in it.  I've hemmed a work friend's pants, made a Winter table cloth and set out my next projects for Christmas.

Today I made pizza after church and Mike sucked up dirt in the basement with the shop vac.  Then, it was off to the Hurricane and Grindstone area for some fading Fall scenery.  The leaves are quickly blowing away and the forest has transformed into a sleeping grove of trees.  Treasures like ferns and club moss are still found lurking in the newly fallen leaves, and lone hemlocks make me think of cutting a Christmas tree in a month.

Tonight, Mike and I indulged ourselves in the ultimate comfort food.  And no, it's not macaroni and cheese.  It's Moosewood's Apple Onion Cheese Gratin.  I cracked the walnuts and peeled the apples while Mike chopped onion and grated cheese.  While it baked, I sat and read Christmas books.  Mike put on Bill Monroe's greatest hits and we conversed in the candlelight, salivating at the thought of our yummy meal to come.  Alongside the last ripe tomato and tiny baked sweet potatoes, the gratin was heavenly.  Sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy, spicy with nutmeg and cozy with cheese. . .

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• a pinch of ground cloves
• 4 cups peeled and cubed apples
• 1 cup (or less, in my opinion, since that's what we did) chopped onion
• 2 cups grated Gruyere or Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup bread crumbs (or teeny tiny cubes--may be seasoned with 2 tbsp. brown sugar; YUM!)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 11 x 7 baking dish.  Heat the milk in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, or until scalded.  Melt butter over medium heat in a small pot.  Add flour and stir until smooth and bubbly.  Stir the milk into the butter and flour and cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.  Add nutmeg, salt and cloves.  Stir until well combined.  Remove from heat.  Spread the apples, onions and cheese in the pan.  Cover with the sauce.  Top with the seasoned bread crumbs and nuts.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Instructions modified by me.  Taken from the Moosewood Restaurant New Classics cookbook.

Not healthy, but heavenly.

The frost lies heavy on the ground and the roofs are white with icy cold.  Can it be?  Has the cold really come to stay?  Is it really so near Thanksgiving and Christmas?  Yes?  Oh, good!  I've been waiting for this all season.  A sweater for every day of the week and slipper socks to warm my toes.  For you?  A recipe perfect for snuggly meals.

Oven Apple Oats from the Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

• 3 1/2 cups 2% milk
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (my modification)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups diced apples
• 2/3 dried currants (or blueberries!)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.  On the stove, heat the milk to near boiling.  Add the oats, syrup, nutmeg and apples.  Stir constantly and return to boiling.  Add currants and salt (the salt adds creaminess).  Pour into a two quart baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the oatmeal is puffed and creamy-looking.  Stir and serve hot.

Serves 4 to 6.  Great leftover.

The specs:

• Super easy. 
• Super fast for impromptu Autumn get-togethers.
• Works with canned or fresh roasted pumpkin. 
• Loves Fall colored sanding sugars. 
• So good!!

The word on the street is that some of you have blueberries in your freezers, or at least on your minds.  Since I can't send you some Blueberry Buckle (we ate it all and I don't feel guilty!), I present the recipe.

Blueberry Buckle

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar (may be raw sugar)
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no sauce)

Cream shortening and sugar well using a mixer or the back of a sturdy spoon (for the non-electricity set).  Blend in egg.  Sift together dry ingredients and mix in alternately with milk.  Spread in greased 9x12 (or something) pan, remembering that a thinner buckle cooks more quickly.  Cover the top with blueberries and crumb topping.

For the topping:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar (may be raw)
• 1 teaspoon (or more!) cinnamon
• nutmeg if you please
• 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut butter in the dry ingredients until it is the consistency of small peas (or pie crust).  Top the buckle and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

A breakfast hit.  Or anytime, for that matter.  :-)

This recipe was originally taken from the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook, 1973 edition.

Not in the cookie department, though!  Thanks to my winnings in Felicia's contest a couple weeks ago, my cookie cutter collection continues to expand.  My mother taught me all her baking skills and I think baking is what I'd rather be doing, second to being in the woods.  Mike was quite excited at the proposition of Harry Potter sugar cookies.  He's been reading the last book all day--in between chores.



Mike demanded to be the one to cut out the first cookies.  ;-)



The finished products.  We didn't have wizard sprinkles, so we went with a Halloween and Fall theme.  Well, I threw in a few Christmas sprinkles, because that's my favorite time of year at Hogwart's.  Note the two Gryffindor scarves in the lower right.  They're magically delicious!

These cookies are guaranteed to be House-Elf labor free, certified by the House Elf Liberation Front.

In between thunderstorms last night, I stirred up some peach jam.  Used to having to pick the fruit we put into jams and jellies, it was very novel to just go to the produce market and buy the peaches.  Never occurred to me before.  So easy.  Never would have found a peach tree around these parts, anyway.  :-)