Stillmeadow Friends

Dearest Susan...

It's here...it's here!!  The very best time of the year.  Autumn has arrived in the Hudson Valley.  It is the season of rich colors.  The trees, once an endless sea of green are now sporting their Joseph's Coats of fall. 

Erik and I and The Sweet Potatoes have had our annual Apple Outting at Wilkins Farm, well within driving distance.  Row on row of apple trees and a steady row of families there with the same purpose - APPLES!!

There is something homey and good about an apple orchard.  Perhaps it's the knowledge that there are no mistakes there.  Whether you go home and bake the most complicated pie or if you just sit down and crunch into one of those apples it will bring you the same sort of pleasure. 

I think Gladys Taber knew that, don't you??  I like to think of her and Eleanor enjoying crisp apples by the fireplace.  What lovely memories they made - memories by the bushel.

I have a special apple recipe that is scrumptious...so much so that I make it only once a year.  Here it is...

Apple Dabble Cake 

•                                                         3 Cups Flour
• 2 Cups Sugar                                     1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Vegetable Oil                            1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3 Eggs                                               2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon Vanilla                              4 Raw Apples, Chopped

Mix ingredients by hand in order given.  Pour into 13" X 9" pan.  Bake at 350 Degrees F for 30 - 40 mins.  Meanwhile in saucepan, combine 1 Cup brown sugar, 1/4 Cup cream or milk, 1/4 lb. butter.  Boil 4 minutes.  Pour over baked cake, and return to oven for a few minutes. 

Susan, this is one of the most delicious cakes you'll ever taste.  You'll have to let me know how Mike and Sarah and Craig like it.

Now, I should get myself to bed.  It's past midnight here and I've never been good at burning midnight oil. 

I'll talk with you soon.

Love from New York...

Shelley