Chappel apple orchard

Ferndale has a beauty all it's own.

One very special spot is God's apple orchard down the lane. We call it the above in honor of our grandson, Joseph Andrew. Fall, being a favored season, can't come soon enough. Joey's birthday is in September, he turned 9 years old (many happy returns). Missed your party this year (allergies), sorry babe (oink,oink).
Also our anniversary is in October (how do I love thee? Let me count the ways).

My favorite day is Friday, a fun-filled day at Nana's, especially during apple picking time. God's blessed us by creating three trees, one (grande) for Joey; one (chiquito) for Davey; and a green-granny apple tree, too.

We love choosing the best red delicious apples. Once collected, I soak them in cold water; wash the dirt off; drain and refrigerate. Early this morning, I began the process: Remove 6 apples from frig, wash & scrub each apple, slice in thin (half-moon shapes). Next, swiftly remove the core area, then gently peel edges. In a cooking bowl, mix apple slices with 1/2 cup melted butter; 1 tablespoon of cinnamon; a tablespoon of flour; 1 tablespoon of brown sugar; two capfuls of apple cider; microwave 10 min. on 50%(2x), then 5 min. on 70%(1x).
To prepare topping: In separate bowl, mix 1 cup of flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, melt 1/2 cup of butter, pour lightly over dry mix, creating crumbs.
Place cooked apples in 9-inch glass plate, top with crumbs, microwave 5 minutes on 50%(2x). Sprinkle with white sugar(optional)

Cool, serve and mangia (Italian for eat)...

Enjoy this recipe from Our 'sweetened' Front Porch...Ana & Andy

Some reasons for thanks

It has been a while since I've posted; my wife has been handling things in the last two posts...hello again, for a while.

I have been on a "natural high" lately, since my Boston Red Sox won their second World Series in four years! After decades of frustration, near misses, heart-break and more, there seems to be genuine hope in "Red Sox Nation". This is a team not used to playing in the post-season almost every year, unlike a certain pin-striped team who play in the Bronx, New York. Let's hope these World Champs get used to being post-season regulars. I just had to get that out of my system, folks, I don't have any "Sox" fans way out here with whom to share baseball news. For those who are bored to tears with sports, baseball or Red Sox news.

I'll move on to another subject...the weather here has turned a lot cooler and much wetter as our version of winter is introducing itself once again. This is not my favorite time of the year, but there is no place else to go that would be more accomodating, unless we packed up and headed for inland California. But that is not a practical solution for us, so we will spend another "winter" here and make the best of a soggy situation.
We will dress in layers, wear headgear to keep our heads dry and warm, because we are used to much colder weather: snow, sleet, ice and everything else a New England winter threw our way.

Well, I just wanted to share a few tidbits with you, so I'll sign off for now.

Before I go, my wife and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day. We are spending the day with our son, Joe, his precious wife Rebekah and their two very special sons, Joey and Davey. We plan to spend a quiet day but an enjoyable one, as well, with lots of good food and good company. We hope that you have someone with whom to spend this unique day.

Enjoy, eat well and remember, it is called "Thanksgiving" Day for a reason and, really, it is also America's original holiday...

All the best from Our Front Porch to yours.

Anchors away

Yesterday, my husband Andrew surprised me again.
He took me back (online) to South County, Rhode Island, our old stomping grounds.

I especially enjoyed THE BLUE BIRD CAFE site, where we'd go for Sunday brunch. Ah, the menu made our taste buds melt. I said, "I can do that dish" out loud.
We also went to the shores of Narragansett Beach, what a thrill, remembering the scent of the Atlantic Ocean. We miss beautiful Mystic,Ct., too.

There was a free e-mail link (this is all new to me) and we sent Joseph, our son, an autumn postcard from South County...He loved it. Precious are the memories.

Thank the Lord, God we may, in our old age, remember the good life...In Church of Christ fellowship.

Remember: Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another, in brotherly love, honor one another above yourselves"...