Monthly Archives: September 2013

A Warm Welcome

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One of the reasons I love the fall season is because it feels so welcoming. We cozy in, snuggle up, and fill our homes with delicious scents like apple cinnamon and spiced pumpkin. It’s my favorite time of year to have guests.

So, with company often dropping by unannounced, I decided to get a jump start on fall decorating.

It’s fun to decorate the mantel, but the fireplace has always felt a little dark to me. I wanted to brighten things up a bit, and luckily, I saw a great idea in a nearby shop that I frequent. The shop owner had placed a salvaged wooden window screen in front of an old fireplace surround and attached a few tiny light strings to the front with mini ornament hooks.

It was simple and cheerful, so I decided to put my own spin on it for my house. I wrapped white birch logs with tiny lights and suddenly things looked a lot brighter!

It added the warmth and sparkle I wanted, and makes the whole house feel festive.

Join me for a cup of mulled cider?

– Debra

Noteworthy.

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Along with a handwritten letter (a rare find these days), I’ve always appreciated a good note. Whether strictly informational, or filled with emotion, notes are usually welcome and often thoughtful. A simple thing to show you care.

When we were old enough to be home alone after school, Mom would often greet us with a note. “Went to the grocery store. Be back soon! Love, Mom” or “Running errands. Snacks in fridge. (smiley face) Mom.” We loved those little notes. And although we wouldn’t have admitted it in our teen years, we were secretly disappointed on the few occasions we came home to an empty, noteless, house. (So very sad.)

To carry on this “noteworthy” tradition (pun intended), and invite notes from all who enter, I hung a chalkboard in my side entryway.

chalkboard

Mom stopped by the other day while I was at work and left this behind:

DSCN0486

How nice is that to come home to? A simple smiley face and a nod to the season. No words necessary.

Notes are friendly. Notes are fun. Notes have the power to brighten someone’s day.

So . . . leave a little note . . . chalk up some cheer . . . scribble up a smile for those you hold dear . . . (It could even rhyme!)

Ok. Do you think I’ve rambled on long enough about notes?

Duly noted.

Late bloomer.

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What a nice surprise to find this pretty clematis flower happily blooming on the corner of the garage.

flower

After an unfortunate lawnmower incident (don’t look at me!), I didn’t expect to see flowers until next spring . . .

But that’s the thing about late bloomers, they often exceed our expectations.

A simple reminder to sit back, relax, and take your own sweet time.

The air is crisp, and so are the apples!

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How about them apples?!

apple tree

Mom and Dad have a cute little apple tree that drops tons of apples each fall. Dad picks them, and Mom bakes them into a sweet, cinnamon apple crisp. Yum!

apple crisp

“It’s like pie with a cookie on top!” Mom says. And heaven knows how we feel about cookies around here. We love this apple crisp so much that she has to make two batches on holidays so everyone can take some home. (Shhh . . . the secret is the double crumb topping.)

Mom’s Apple Crisp

6 c. apples; sliced
3 tbsp. flour
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of salt

Mix together evenly and spread into a lightly greased 9 x 12 cake pan.
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Crumb Topping:

1-1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1-1/2 c. quick oatmeal
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1 c. butter

Mix dry ingredients together and cut in butter with a pastry blender into small, coarse crumbs. Spread over top of apples and press down.
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Bake at 350° for 30-45 minutes until apples are tender. Chill and serve with ice cream.

Be prepared to fight over the last piece!

Lost and Found

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The year I turned sixteen, Dad paid a visit to a locally owned jewelry store and purchased necklaces for my two sisters and me. Not only was it my first piece of real gold jewelry, it was the first time Dad had chosen gifts for us all by himself. That alone made it extra special.

You see, Mom is a master gift giver. She can figure you out, size you up, and come up with a perfect fit nearly every single time. So for Dad to get it right on the very first try is pretty amazing. I get sentimental when I picture him browsing the glass cases and thinking of us while he made his selections.

I wore my necklace constantly, and of course, took it with me when I moved away for college. It was such a treasure.

Shortly after I moved back home, I reached into my jewelry box for my necklace, but it wasn’t there! My heart dropped. I searched high and low for days and came up with nothing. I could only surmise that I had lost it, as girls of that age tend to do. I was so disappointed in myself, and felt like I had betrayed Dad. How could I have been so careless?

Years later, as I was checking the inside of my now dated luggage set and readying it for donation, I saw a little sparkle in the pocket of the cosmetics case. And there . . . nestled in the silken folds . . . was my necklace. (I could cry just thinking about it.)

butterfly

I hadn’t been careless! I had tucked my beautiful butterfly necklace into the pocket for safe keeping, but in my haste to unpack, I had left it behind. I don’t know what made me check the luggage so carefully that day, but I am so happy I did.

In the end, it isn’t really as much about the necklace as it is about the fact that Dad chose it just for me. I still love it dearly, and will treasure it always.

What are some of your little treasures?

– Debra

Mrs. Drentell’s Molasses Sugar Cookies

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I have a vague childhood memory of Mrs. Drentell standing at the door of her house, which was kitty corner from my grandparents’ house on South Main Street. I have vivid memories, however, of my mother making batch after batch of this tried and true cookie. Soft and chewy with the perfect combination of spices, you’re gonna love this one! (And thank you, Mrs. Drentell, for being so generous in sharing your recipe.)

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg
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2 c. flour; sifted
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine butter and sugar. Add molasses and egg. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, and add to mixture.

Chill dough. Roll into balls. Press on greased cookie sheet with a sugar dipped glass.

Bake at 375° for 8 minutes.

UPDATE: Mom just informed me that Mrs. Drentell didn’t live across the street; she lived next door. And I had never met her. Well, I did say “vague” memory . . .