Where the Grapes Grow Sweet

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In this post, I mentioned that we brought a book back from California. The Grapes Grow Sweet is the story of a family bringing in California grapes at harvest time. Beautifully illustrated with rich, watercolor pictures, the book tells the story of Julian and Adrienne Rossi, two children growing up in the fourth generation on a Napa vineyard. The story is tenderly told and every time I read it aloud to my children, I'm drawn into the warmth of this family and the love and respect they have for the people who work with them. As I mentioned in this post, I'm particularly fascinated by organic and biodynamic farming. In this book, the ecology of the vineyard comes alive, showing the insects and other creatures among the grapevines. The pictures are incredibly detailed and with each reading so far, we've noticed something new. There are some extension resources for the book here that have delighted us in the past week.

My girls were so inspired by this book that we took off last week for an impromptu visit to some Virginia vineyards, hoping to see the harvest gondolas. We headed to Loudoun County vineyards first. I found that people in the two places we stopped weren't terribly responsive to the presence of children, despite their website assurances that they were family friendly.

The next week, we went apple picking in Front Royal and then, popped around the corner to Rappahanock Cellars, a vineyard recommended by Janine in the comments of that post. Rappahanock Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery run by the the Delmare family. Since there are twelve kids in that family, they didn't bat an eye when I arrived with six.

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We had a wonderful time. We picnicked and ran around and breathed in mountain air scented with grapevine. We had an abbreviated tour (it's harvest season), but then we got to stand at the big picture windows and watch huge mounds of grapes be transported to the hopper for pressing. 

The book absolutely came to life! We plan to go back in October because I have hunch it's a particularly wonderful place when the leaves change color. (And because we joined the wine club and opted to pick up our selections;-).

For more about our Storybook Year, please visit  here

 

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Jottings from Our Time with "A" along the Alphabet Path

~Apple Prints~

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~Painting A~    

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~Chalkboard  and Sandpaper~

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~Wooden A~   

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~ Sculpting A~

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    Sculpted with lavender play-doh.

~An Apple Poem~ 

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~Wool Fleece Angels~

    Tutorial here.

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~Fleece A~

 

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~The Annunciation~

 

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Playset available from St. Luke's Brush.

 ~Apple Picking~

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 Much more here.

~Apple Crisp~

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Recipe here.

 

 

~Apple Pie

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Recipe here.

 

Detailed lesson plans and lots of book suggestions here.

~A~ is for Apple (picking and pies)

First, there is apple picking.

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And then,

 

~Apple Crisp~

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Grain-free, recipe:

In a greased 8X8 pan, toss:

  • 6 - 8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1/2 c sugar (substitute  2 TBS maple syrup if you want sugar-free)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 T arrowroot powder
  • 2 T almond flour
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind

Toss all ingredients together well and put in greased 8" X 8" pan. 

Mix together in a medium bowl:
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/3  cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

Crumble over the top of the apple mixture. Bake at 350* for about 45 minutes.

 and

~Apple Pie~

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  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 1/2 pounds firm, tart apples  peeled, cored, and sliced 
  • 1/2 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in an iron skillet saute pan over medium heat. Add the apple wedges and saute until slightly softened, but holding their shape, just 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook. They're going to be baked. Add the 1/2 cup of sugar and stir to combine. Add the sugar and spices and stir.

In a bowl, combine the lemon juice and cornstarch. Stir  into the apple mixture and remove the pan from the heat. Let cool completely.

Use refrigerated pie crusts. They usually come two per pack. For the bottom crust, follow the package directions to put it in the pie pan. Fill with the cooled filling. Dot the top with the other 3 tablespoons of butter, cut into little pieces.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll out the other refrigerated crust and help your little learners cut the letter "A" with cookie cutters. Arrange on top and lightly brush with egg wash and sprinkle with about a teaspoon of sugar.  

Put the pie on a cookie sheet to catch any dripping and bubbling. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Rotate the pie 180 degrees to move the front edge of the pie to the back of the oven. Bake until the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Watch carefuly throughout to ensure that the crust doesn't burn. Cover loosely with foil if it seems to be browning too quickly.

Remove the pie from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes before slicing and serving. If you slice and serve to soon, it will be runny.

 

~Happy Appling!~

 

needle & thREAD

needle and thREAD

 

Well, hello there! Is it really Thursday already? I'm afraid I haven't any sewing to show you. I've been creating in my sewing space, but nary a stitch was sewn. I have, however learned a very important lesson.

If you find a fabric you love and you want to design a project around it, buy everything you need right away. Everything. Really. Even extra is a good idea. What I didn't know about the modern designer fabric sewing world is that a fabric might be available only for a season before the designer introduces the next thing and the first fades into oblivion.  Well, now, that is certainly an excellent reason for a stash. Having been well schooled in this fact, I now understand all those serious sewing ladies who have shelves crammed full of fabric. One must hoard, I think.

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Remember last spring--early spring it was--when I asked you about a fabric to make an anniversary quilt? I decided upon California Girl. I ordered my fat quarters, but I left the borders and sashing and binding and backing fabric to wait for another payday. My initial thought was to embroider the centers of every log cabin block. I made three. Then I realized that I could do this or I could finish the quilt sometime this year. And then, we went to California for our anniversary. Not only that, we went to the very same places that inspired this fabric--the very same San Francisco Bay area where the designer lives. (Click. it's really cool.) Serendipitously, my choice all those months ago became even more perfect. I would cover our bed in California hues, keeping memories fresh forever. Happy, happy thought.

Last week, all aflutter with renewed zeal for this project, I consulted my notes and went to order the remaining fabric. I could find it no where. Actually, I found and ordered it at Fabric.com, planned everything around the whole 9 yards (literally) of backing fabric only to learn that they didn't really have the backing fabric. They have messed up every order I've ever made. No more from them. Ever.

Now, I had sashing and borders coming from elsewhere and no backing any where. I spent a ridiculous number of hours searching. In the end, it was the Fat Quarter Shop who came to my rescue. [Note: They are a blog sponsor. Also note: I am eternally grateful and would have told you this story any way.]. So, now I have a stash of adequate backing fabric (different from my original plan but still good) and I can sleep at night.

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After my anniversary quilt fabric experience, I cast a wary eye at the fabric stashed for Mary Beth's quilt. I'd originally planned to make this quilt to throw over the back of the couch in the family room. Mike was not a fan. Mary Beth, however, loves this fabric. So, it was decided that we'd make her bed quilt from it. The problem? I bought enough fabric for a 64"X 64" square quilt. Standard double bed quilt size: 80" X 80". I have yet to solve this problem because--again--I'm learning that I should have over-stashed when it was hot. My plan is to get the whole thing cut and see how much fabric I have left. I'm open to suggestions. Actually, I'm begging for suggestions!

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Finally, a new fabric:-). This time, I think I overbought from Leisl Gibson's new line, The Ladies Stitching Club. I was treated to gracious kindness by the proprietor of the Intrepid Thread who supplied me speedily. This fabric is intended for Fairy Tale Dresses--one in each colorway. Right now, I'm only at the sit and stare at it stage. I can't even bring myself to wash it. It's so lovely. I bought some of the border print. I haven't decided on it. Bows? Collars? I don't know. And... all the reading this week? The instructions inside those patterns--I'm reading and re-reading and working up the courage to begin. 

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Does autumn call you into your sewing space? Are you thinking flannel pjs or cozy quilts? Or are you embroidering? Pulling a needle with thread through lovely fabric to make life more beautiful somehow? Would you share with us just a single photo (or more) and a brief description of what you're up to? Will you tell us about what you're reading, also? Would you talk sewing and books with us? I'd love that so much.

Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your blog post or your specific Flickr photo and not your main blog URL or Flickr Photostream. Please be sure and link to your current needle and thREAD post below in the comments, and not a needle and thREAD post from a previous week. If you don't have a blog, please post a photo to the needle & thREAD group at Flickr
       Include a link back to this post in your blog post or on your flickr photo page so that others who may want to join the needle and thREAD fun can find us! Feel free to grab a button here (in one of several colors) so that you can use the button to link:-)

 

That Sweet Sunday Sweater: Pictures & Knitting Notes

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Hi, there! What you see above is my progress on the Sunday Sweater. I wanted to test knit the sweater for Ginny, but I wasn't quite at the ready. The yarn you see? I purchased it 18 months ago for a sweater for Sarah. But 18 months ago? Sarah was 18 months smaller. I'm awaiting more of that really wonderful yarn and I'm praying the dye lots won't be too terribly off. When one is limited to plant fibers for knitting, yarn acquisition can take awhile. (Oh, and I'm reading Christopher's Harvest Time every chance I get. I love, love, love this book, this time of year.)

What Ginny really wanted, less than a week ago, was someone to test knit the smallest size. And I knew just the person. I made an introduction between two of my favorite, most creative people and in return I had all the fun of watching Ginny's pattern come alive in my dear friend's hands.

Since there aren't too many completed Sunday Sweaters in the world just yet, my friend--who doesn't blog--has graciously agreed to let me show you her Sunday Sweater. 

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Knitting notes from this finished sweater:
~Yarn: Wooly Wonka Aerten DK, a merino, cashmere, and nylon blend. The color is Dark Roast.
~ The pattern leaves no guess work. Each step is fully explained; even when telling you to look at right or left side of the garment, Ginny tells you whether you're looking at "my left or your left."

~The stitch count is given throughout. You won't knit rows and rows and then suddenly realize you're off count. She calculates the count after every increase row.

-~There is very little finishing work since it's knitted top down and seamless.

~ It's so easy to size! Ginny gives industry standards for arm length and tells you how to get just the right fit.

~Beautifully laid out and easy to read:-).  (I honestly thought no one could write a pattern more clearly than Georgie Hallam...Ginny's is right up there with her.)

- My friend will be knitting another.

...and I can't wait to start my first!

Join Ginny for more knitting and reading yarns here.