A day of apples ♥

Hello Friends!

 

 

As you can see from the picture above I have been enjoying my cozy Saturday October mornings.  After crazy-busy weeks I look forward to the slow pace of the weekends more than you can imagine.

 

 

This past week my mother had to go into the hospital to have surgery. Thank God she is recovering beautifully and came home today! The word home takes on a new meaning when you are away from it.  And suddenly it becomes even better when you get there ♥

 

 

I took both of these photos from my mother's hospital window.

I knew in my heart that she was being taken care of and I felt at peace ♥

 

 

 

She's doing great and very thankful to be home.  It's no fun in there. 

 

 

And now back to your regular scheduled programming.....  

 

 

The first Friday in October we always reserve for our trip to the apple orchid.  John had a half day of school so we met up with some friends and headed to the farm. 

The weather was nice, still warm but not too hot. I would have preferred it a bit cooler, but I'm not complaining : ) 

 Off we go....

John and I know that Rob loves Macon apples so that's what we were hunting for.  

We found them and they were huge!  

Eating them right off the trees. 

This is real life...:)

 

After a while we filled our bag.  I was dreaming of apples pies the whole time! 

Walking back through the orchard to the country store we came upon some friends. 

And some gorgeous mums! I came home with one of these. 

And a pumpkin of course.

John picked out a little one for his desk.  

I'm always curious about these jellies and relishes but I've never bought one.  

Candy apples on the other hand... YUM! 

The Halloween train is our favorite!

We like to linger around the table and look for all the spooky details. 

 

Boo!

 

Halloween is coming! Do you have your costume yet? 

Now with so many apples in the house I have to think up things to do with them all.  I'll be making pies and freezing them for the holidays and I know I want to make my mom's

 

apple swirl cake. 

 

 

It has orange juice in the batter and is absolutely delicious! (click here if you want the recipe)

 

 

Tonight on a whim I decided to make a quick batch of apple sauce.  Have you ever made homemade applesauce?  Its easy-peasy and taste so fresh!

Are you having pork chops for dinner tonight? If so, please make this apple sauce to go with them.  It's a must!

Start with 4 medium size apples. Peel and chop into chunks. 

Put them in a large sauce pan with  1 cup of water.  Heat over med-high until boiling. 

Reduce to simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. 

 

 

Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and 1 tbsp. butter.  Simmer for a few more minutes until all the flavors are incorporated.  Remove from heat.  Cool. 

 

 

That's it! 

 

 

Serve ice cold as a side dish to your pork chops or roast chicken, or for an instant tummy warmer stir some into your oatmeal on a chilly morning (that's what we're having tomorrow!) 

 OR you could be like John and put some over vanilla ice cream and top with whip cream : ) 

Either way...yum. 

What do you like to bake with apples? I still have so many and are looking for ideas.

 

Thank you for stopping by today! 

 

There's no place like home ♥

 

One more thing...

Here's a picture of the full Harvest moon over my neighbor's house the other night. 

Isn't she a beauty?! I think she outdid herself this month!


Happy October!


xoxo

By the light of the moon ♥

 

 

When I was a little girl I thought the moon followed me.  I remember the strangest feeling I had riding in a car and watching the moon all the way home.  She was watching over me. My good luck charm. ♥

 

 

 

 

 I can always count on the moon.  No matter what kind of day I've had - she will be there for me, letting me know that all will be OK. She reminds me that beautiful things will always exist in the world if you just look up.  I'm in awe of her beauty.  I guess I would call myself a moon stalker.  As she used to follow me, now I follow her. 

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On the coldest of winter nights I bundle up and scan the starry sky until I find her. Moonlight in the winter is simply spectacular. In the summer it feels more serene . I make my wishes just the same, and she never disappoints me. I feel a sense of contentment under the moon. I've never seen a shooting star, but the moon is always there.   

 

 

Through the ages, folklore and traditions have been associated with the moon. It has been said, contrary to belief, that a full moon is Not a negative omen. With all that beauty, how could it be?! From planting crops to conceiving children, there are many superstitions around the moon. 

The light of a full moon is considered a better time to plant vegetables which are grown underground. It is said the moonlight pulls the crops upwards from the ground to result in a bumper harvest! Well done!

The time of the full moon is also said to be a time for curing many illnesses. Standing in her light brings luck. ♥

She can also predict the weather. A ring around the moon means rain will come in three days. Expect Fine weather if there is a single ring around the moon that vanishes quickly.

 

If a person without fortune stands in the moonlight of the New Moon it is to be considered bad luck. But if he has coins in his pocket and he turns them without revealing them to the moon he will have plenty of money in the months ahead. Also, the wish he's made while turning the coins will be fulfilled!

 

 

She's also a hopeless romantic! According to superstitions if a girl wants to know when she is to marry she should hold a silk handkerchief up in front of a full moon. The number of moons she can see through the handkerchief represents the number of months she has to wait before getting married. 

 

 

Another superstition says that under the New Moon, lovers should glance over their right shoulder, take three steps backwards, and say the following verse:

 

"new moon, new moon - true and bright"

"if I have a lover, let me dream of him tonight"

"if I am to marry far, let me hear a bird cry"

"if I am to marry near, let me hear a cow low"

"if I am to marry never, let me hear a hammer knock"

 

 

A full moon is believed to rejuvenate feelings of love and stimulate pent up passions. There is nothing more romantic than moonlight, so I have to agree with that one! ; ) I think it's also helpful that moonlight is the most becoming of lights.  We all look like we are in soft focus.  Thank you, dear Moon!

 

My favorite sentiment about the moon is that the moon I see is the same moon You see. It's the same moon all our loved ones in Heaven and on Earth see.  The same moon that followed me home is the same moon that my son makes his wishes on.  It will be the same moon that follows his children home and their children too.  We can't look directly at the sun, but we can gaze lovingly at the moon and say "thank you" for being there for us. ♥

 

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The next full moon is on August 10th.  For Good Luck just say these words in her moonlight:

 

"Lady of Luck come out of your hidden course,

Bless your light upon me as the light of the Moon shines above,

and in the Light of Luck will be blessed I, when the Moon is next to be full."

 

 

The way I see it, we need all the help we can get, so why not ask the moon?

 

 

"Aim for the moon, if you miss you may hit a star."