Arkansas Apple Pie

When Carol and I were on our way back home after picking up the sewing machine in Mena and after the delicious homemade coconut pie - oh, and lunch. ;o) , we stopped at a roadside stand and purchased some locally grown Arkansas apples: Jonathans and Arkansas Blacks. Jonathans can be eaten 'out-of-hand' and baked. We were assured that the Arkansas Blacks would make a good apple pie.

The flavor of these two varieties was extremely similar. Sam said he couldn't taste a difference, but there was a difference in texture. They cooked down a bit more than I like, but still had a little tiny bit of 'bite'...just not much.

I always use at least two different varieties of apples using Granny Smiths as one of them. I don't like a smushy apple pie...that's like pouring a jar of applesauce into a crust, baking it, and calling it an apple pie. That's not an apple pie, that's an applesauce pie.

I had found a new recipe for apple pie and decided to try it with these apples.

First, start with a good crust: My Recipe Here

Pie Recipe
Peel, core, slice your apples...I use one of these to simplify things. Some slices I cut in half, some I don't...varies the amount of cooking and some of the apple slices will have a bit of a 'bite' to them. The recipe called for 6 cups...I used 8. Pour the apples into the bottom crust. Make a lattice top and cover the apples...crimp the edge of the crust.

Now, combine 1 stick butter, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to a boil, turn down and simmer stirring until sugars are dissolved. Add a bit of cinnamon here if desired. Pour this over the lattice top completely covering the pie.

Put the pie in the oven on a rack below halfway down. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 and bake for 25-35 minutes. If the edges are not overly browned, cook another 10 or so minutes...you want that bottom crust completely baked and not doughy.

(The two smaller apples are the Arkansas blacks.)

Library Open House

I worked today. Hard manual labor...IMHO. ;o) The Daingerfield Public Library is getting ready for an Open House tomorrow (Saturday, November 14) commemorating the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the current building.

Earlene's mother had doctors' apppointments so I filled in for her. Another Friends member showed up this morning and we started 'cleaning house.' Earlene hates to throw anything away. So, we do it. Of course, we try to catch her when she's gone to do the dirty deed. ;o) What didn't need to be thrown away, we moved to another member's unoccupied office building. Harthia lets us store the donated books that we save for our yearly book sale in her building...along with anything else we need to stash to get it out of the library. (Our library has no storage space and the work area is out for all to see.)

We had another Friend to come help this morning. Then, about mid-afternoon, we had plenty of help to finish cleaning the shelves, straightening books, and setting up the silent auction items. Chairs and the sofa were rearranged to facilitate 'flow' space. Tablecloths were spread. Coffeepot and other items were staged for tomorrow. When I left at 5 p.m, the ladies were sweeping, running the dustmop and vacuum, and getting ready to mop.

If you're in town, drop by to see us between 2 and 4 p.m.

Willcox & Gibbs

She got it! This may be the oldest sewing machine I've ever touched. We drove to Mena today and picked it up.

I could hardly get the photos for her polishing on it! ;o)

Riding the Talimena Drive

Sam, Elton and Carol (Sam's brother and his wife), and I drove to Mena Arkansas last Friday. We got to town a little too early for lunch so just drove around a bit. Carol spotted an estate sale sign. Sam nicely followed the signs, turned around and parked right out front. Carol didn't find anything to die for, but would you believe that Sam pointed out a couple of items to me...the first I passed on. It was a really good buy, a nearly new Osterizer blender for $10, but I don't use the one I have but maybe once every six months. I passed on that. Then he found a Rival saladmaster still in the box for only $4. I have my mother's but just had to have this one. My justification is that one of the 'kids' may want it. This 'new' one is a bit different from Mama's...I think a different brand. (This is similar, but not exact to either one that I have. Mama's does not have the white coating on the base.)

After lunch, we started out on the Talimena Drive stopping at Queen Wilhimena Lodge. We also made a stop at the fire tower. A sign said that it was open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after lunch, weather permitting. Well, weather wasn't permitting. Carol was so disappointed...she did so want to climb it.

The colors were just about gone on top of Rich Mountain, but down the hillsides - breath-taking!

Best of all, Carol spotted this beauty in an antique store. She had to have it. Since we were in a car, she passed. Before we left the store though, she got a business card. This morning she called me to ask when I was available to go back to Mena. Then she called the store, bargained with them a bit. We go back to Mena in the morning!

BTW, it is a Willcox & Gibbs. The patent date is July 4-71 (That's 1871!) We thought the bobbin was missing. Over the weekend, I did a search on its value (Found only one with a cabinet and it was pricey!) and sent Carol what I found. When she got a chance, she researched the history of the machine. It doesn't have a bobbin. It does what is called a chain stitch. Not as stable as a machine with the bobbin. But advertised as running silent.

Sunday Morning Ride

I had a wonderful time! The Longview L.O.H. (Ladies of Harley) met in Longview today for a ride. Sam rode with me to Longview - it's about 40 miles. Then he went on his merry way and a wonderful group of ladies babysat me. They are so patient and gave me many pointers even to tell me where there was a good parking lot near me where I can practice going slow and turns. I was put behind the road captain in second place.

I do pretty good until I slow down. That's bad...LOL I can stop decently - have a tendency to sneak up on the stop sign and am working on that. I got thumbs up several times towards the end of my ride. Starting up from a stop is no fun at all, especially if a turn is involved. I'll get there though. I did ride solo for a few miles. The ladies were going to continue their ride by going around Lake o' the Pines, but when we passed within a few miles of my home, I rode on home...they knew of course.

Sam said that he'd not been home long when he heard me. He was waiting in front of the garage when I pulled up. I now have over 500 miles on my bike having put about 143 on it today. ;o)

Stuff

I purposely have not posted anything the week so that I could keep my first anniversary blog give-away up front (top) and center. Quite a bit has gone on this past week.

My views of the election: Bummer

These photographs are from my property.

The neighbor's horse enjoying the day. MOF, this is the only thing that neighbor has that doesn't bother or irritate us.

When we first moved in, Sam caught their son skateboarding on our front porch. When Sam opened the door and startled the kid he said, "Oh, I didn't know anyone was home." Yep, raise your eyebrow here.

Their two big dogs are never put up and come onto our property to do their dirty work: poop-piles not two feet from the front porch, new shrubs dug up, $200 pool cover clawed and torn. The little dog yaps at us when we are in our yard. We have ten acres - he yaps at us even if we are on the back corner. Gimme a break! After the two big dogs killed another neighbor's little dog, I called to let them know that my son was coming in with his dachshund and would they please put their dogs up for two days/one night. Nope. Sigh...

These two big oaks are the same variety. Look at the green leaves! (That tree lost half of itself when the storm from Hurricane Rita passed through.)

We have leaves falling all winter into...

This went on all winter last year as Sam wanted to see how much trouble it would be to not cover the pool. Talk about a nuisance! When the skimmer basket gets full of leaves, water can't flow so it gurgles and burps until you dump the basket. Thirty minutes later, you've got to clean it out again. I kept asking him even through January and February before the catkins (blossoms) started falling in the spring to puleeze cover the pool. The cover is still not on the pool...

Clouds behind the front this Thursday.

And The Winner Is...

I woke at 6:30 this morning and got straight to work. After double checking the names and verifying that no one is a relative of mine or an employee of my company (oops....I don't have a company) or any of my subsidiaries (oh, no company - no subsidiaries), no one sent any bribe money or goodies or even chocolate - rats! I then started the ardous task of hand-writing all the names of the many people who entered this fabulous give-away opportunity.

After breakfast and watching my three quilting/sewing programs on PBS this morning, I read a chapter in a Sharon Sala book (my favorite new author). When I saw how late it had become, I showered and sorted laundry.

Oh, back to the task at hand. And the winner - drum roll - is.

Congratulations, Lindsay aka Saved Sinnr!!!

1st Anniversary Giveaway

I knew the competition would be hot and heavy! ;o) We are coming down to the wire. Friday, when we return from the drive across the Talimena Drive - yeah!!! - I will check back and have the names ready for Sam to do the drawing. Thanks for the compliments on my blog. I told "Your Son" about being called "fascinating." He laughed and said he had another word in mind. I know...he's not to far off from getting cut out of the will.

To celebrate the first birthday of my blog, I've decided to have a blog giveaway. For a chance at a machine embroidered patch for your motorcycle vest, just leave a comment. For a second chance, mention this on your blog (let me know so that I can come take a look). This is one of only four that I've made. While I 'designed' the layout, the embroidery designs were from http://www.annthegran.com/ .

I know that this will be a heavily sought after prize (LOL) and that the competition will be hot and heavy. I will do my best to keep up with your comments. Last date to enter will be Friday, November 7.

This is Sam's sewn on his vest.

Beautiful Day

What an absolutely beautiful fall day! We woke to temps in the mid-50s and it just got better - no higher than 77. After lunch, Sam and I took a ride and rode about a hundred miles. Before hitting the main roads, I told Sam I wanted to stop in the 'bottom' before getting to the farm-to-market road and 'shoot landings.' Well, the landings aren't the problem, it's the take-offs I'm having trouble with. I am so tired of stuttering, stumbling, burping, and killing the engine when I get started. Sure enough. First time I stopped and tried to start, I killed the bike three times. THEN, I realized that I wasn't in first gear. Sigh. Finally got going and was able to repeat several good starts until we got to the stop sign and the main road. I even did decent there! On the whole trip, I didn't have but two bad starts. Improving by baby steps - one at a time. Most importantly - I haven't dropped my bike since the first outing!

The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. So many trees are changing colors. Sam and I want to take a day car trip to Mena AR, drive across the Talimena Drive and then back home. We better hurry and do it before the color is gone. I don't think I could hold up to riding my bike that far right now...just one hour does me in. I also need to get something to exercise my clutch hand. It gets so tired; especially on winding farm-to-market roads like we were on today.

We stopped at a Sonic in Atlanta (TX not GA!). While we were sitting at one of the tables, one of the 'courtesy' employees asked if we needed napkins, mints, anything. Then she looked at me and asked if I road my own bike. I told her, "Yes." She smiled and said, "You go, girl!"

Oh, before I forget and I should've already posted this...friends in our H.O.G. chapter...their 17-year old son was killed in an auto accident earlier this week. Such a tragic loss. Please be praying for this family.

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

Delicious! No photo today, just too lazy to get the camera out. My first mother-in-law, Dorothy Jordan, taught me to make bread pudding with leftover biscuits...the cheap-o kind in the whampum cans in the dairy case at the grocery store. You need about a dozen of them. After breakfast, IF you have any left, just put them in a bag in the freezer until you have enough. If you don't have leftover biscuits, or if you are like me and make homemade biscuits, then just bake a can full. Wait until they are a day old before making the pudding.

BREAD PUDDING
12 buttered biscuits, day old
2 lightly beaten eggs
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch or two of salt
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
cinnamon sugar

Tear the biscuits into several pieces and place in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon, salt, milk, and water and pour over biscuits. Let stand for 20 minutes. Add more milk if it's not mushy enough. (Mushy is a technical terms we domestic goddesses use.) Add vanilla and stir. Sprinkle with a good covering of cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

RUM SAUCE
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cream
2 tablespoons rum
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Stir sugar and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add cream, rum, and cinnamon and bring to a simmer. Simmer until sauce thickens and is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 5 minutes. Serve warm. Can be prepared a couple of days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Warm before serving.

Sam also like this over two scoops of Blue Bell's homemade vanilla flavored ice cream.