Applefest Weekend in Hilton New York

Apple Country.

That's what they call our segment of Western New York, nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario. We get cool, damp springs and warm, gorgeous autumns (most of the time) and that allows the apples just the right amount of time to grow... ripen... sweeten... and then the frost brings them to the bags and baskets of pickers.


Our town is famous for its Apple Fest.

The Applefest is put together each year by a dedicated committee of people who oversee the scheduling, the positioning and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering to engineer a festival that draws tens of thousands of people to our little town of Hilton... 

Over a two-day festival on a plot of land that's centered around the Community Center, an old high school building ripe with memories and nostalgia.

Here's a glimpse of this year's brochure. 

Vendors come from all over. Farmer Dave's mother and sisters showcase beautiful tables of crocheted and knitted items. For babies, for kitchens, for wearing, blankets, afghans, washcloths... Over a hundred vendors bring their wares and goods to the festival site and pray for good weather... which can be an iffy proposition here in Western New York in October!

A few area farms take part in the ring of farm wagons along the blacktop... Food of all kinds, from licensed vendors and food trucks to local agencies and non-profits selling everything from hot dogs to cannolis.... and anything you can make with apples! Apple sundaes... apple cider... hot apple cider.... apple pie.... apple cake.... apple fried cakes... cider donuts... apple crisp.... apple dumplings.... I'm beginning to feel like Forrest Gump and Bubba and the SHRIMP routine in Forrest Gump.

It's a crazy fun, busy, turn-the-town-over-to-others time because you can't get near the pharmacies or grocery stores, or the gas stations, or the restaurants until early evening. Every parking space is full and folks who can't find one, park at the high school and take the shuttle bus in.

It's a wonderful way to celebrate the amazing bounty of our land... our town, famous for its apple farms... our climate... and our willingness to work together. The committee holds a "logo" contest each year, and chooses a new logo for that particular year... I love this one from 2002...

Local men and women sell goods and wares, families sell things along the sidewalks, and there's a joy that pervades the whole affair... but why not?

It's all about APPLES!!!! 

#mustloveapples

And once we realized we were meant to be a pumpkin farm in the midst of fall, the Apple Fest brings us lots of business. We're already firing up the ovens to get baked goods ready for Saturday. Whoopie pies, cookies, and breads... And jams. The Very Berry Cherry is the crowd-pleasing favorite, so I'll make and bottle two batches of that today.... that way they're ready for the weekend sales!

It's fun to live in a small town. It's a glimpse into the world of today through the looking glass of yesterdays.... old buildings, new customs, old men bearing flags, young women pushing strollers. 

It's part of the fabric, part of the tradition, and when we talk apple pie around here, well... it's a serious conversation!

So that's what's happening this week and this weekend. Thousands of pumpkins for sale... Indian corn, so varied and pretty! Gourds, squash, butternut, buttercup, acorn, spaghetti.... 

And a festival celebrating the humble fruit that began it's heyday as a VERY TEMPTING orb in the Garden of Eden... But a welcome fruit here, at our table, any time!

And in three weeks, this beautiful story hits the shelves across America... and I'm delighted to see it happen. My 20th book with Love Inspired, and it's been a wonderful partnership from the beginning... Keep watch for it, I love to hear when people first spot it... and where!


Multi-published author Ruthy Logan Herne has over 40 published novels and novellas... she's living her dream of being a published author and can be found knee-deep in pumpkins this time of year on their pumpkin farm in Western New York... you can find Ruthy on Facebook, on Twitter or visit her website ruthloganherne.com  She loves to hear from readers! 

By the Pricking of my Thumbs, Something Delicious This Way Comes! Lemon Zucchini Cake!

First, yes. You should try this. Don't make some lame excuse about why you shouldn't, because why live with regret???

THAT'S PLAIN SILLY, MY FRIENDS!

This is simple and straightforward: Mix the Dry together in a bowl. Set aside.

5 1/2 cups flour
6 Tablespoons corn starch
3 3/4 teaspoons baking powder (same as 1 Tablespoon and 3/4 teaspoon)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Mix the wet together in a bowl:

3 3/4 Cups sugar
1 1/4 cups oil
6 eggs
1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
6 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon almond

Mix wet with dry just until blended. Add in 4 1/2 cups shredded zucchini and 6 Tablespoons lemon zest (The rind of two lemons, and the juice of two lemons is just about enough to make your lemon juice requirement! Wonderful!)

Grease and flour loaf pans (or cake pans).

Fill 1/2 full.

Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Cake may still be pale when done, that's okay... or it might be golden... that's okay, too!

Cool.

Glaze:

3 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons lemon juice

Whisk together. Use more juice if needed. Drizzle glaze over cakes.

This recipe makes six loaves, plenty to freeze for those times when  you need a quick something to take with! And amazingly delicious, just marvelous!

This has become a favorite at our produce stand... it's a tender, moist, delicious confection with just the right bit of tang.... and everyone seems to love it!

And here are a couple of things going on at the farm (now that I have my camera AND my cord!) New playground area being put into place.... Huge farm tires we got from a daycare in the next town, free on Craigs List... and our wonderful neighbor Brian, on the Cat!

And a little saucy help in the kitchen:

We were grinding cherries for Sour Cherry Jam, another favorite at the roadside stand...

And more helpers, making zucchini bread!

And a KITCHEN FAIL!!!!! I tried to make sugared lemon peel to put on top of the cakes... HORRIBLE.

Not just bad.

Wretched. Really bad. Stinky bad. Horrid. I don't even have the words to tell you how bad it was... so no lemon peel adorning the cakes, and a good lesson learned!

And a full moon!

Oh, what would summer be without a full moon????

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruthy Logan Herne loves writing sweet books that touch hearts... and soothe souls.... and she has lots of fun (with limited success!) in the kitchen!  Visit her website ruthloganherne.com or friend her on facebook... where she loves to chat things up with folks! Or hunt her up on Twitter or over at Seekerville or Petticoats & Pistols. If there's a good convo to be had, Ruthy's on board!

And this is her latest release from Guideposts Books.... a delightful mystery launching Guideposts new Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard series! And don't forget to put the code MMV30 into the "discount code" box to save 30%!

Ruthy goes rogue... Ruthy goes mystery!

Snow and Cold and Gloom vs. Sweet Potato Pomegranate Goodness

I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe here before. I really thought I did. It's sooooo delicious.
So, since pomegranate season is drawing to a close, today seems like the perfect time.

But first -

Just because it's been so gloomy and cold and I stumbled across these photos while I was looking for my sweet potato - pomegranate bake;

Spring will eventually come back.

And then summer. Ahhhhh, the warmth.

Early morning waves.

Okay, back to reality.
Snow. Cold. Gloom.

Maybe a touch of sun.

We can hope.

But in the meantime, does all that cold have you craving citrus?

Here's a great filling side dish that is sooooo good. Did I say that already.

My daughter found the recipe several years ago on this website - Keepin' It Kind.
I wouldn't want to steal credit for her recipe, so I'll just show you two quick photos of our batch in progress and then refer you  back to her for the glorious finished photos.

Ingredients:
 three large sweet potatoes cut into medallions, pomegranate arils, orange juice, maple syrup, sea salt, chopped pecans, coconut sugar or brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.

You may notice in the picture that my daughter chose an assortment of colored sweet potatoes. Who knew there were purple ones?

 Sprinkle with pomegranate arils and shopped pecans.

Bake.

Enjoy.

Okay, go on over to the site and look at the glorious after photos taken by her husband. Pomegranate Orange Sweet Potato Bake.   Kristy tells a lovely story too about getting recipes from her grandma. I love family stories like this, so I was sold even before I tasted the deliciousness.

But please come back. I'll give you more summer waves and flowers.

Fenway loves the beach.

So, how are you dealing with the cold? Snuggled up with a good book? So many releases this month - Jan's released yesterday and Ruthy has one on the shelf too.


















I spent a cozy weekend snuggled in on the sofa with the cute dog, hot tea, scones and a great story. It was perfectly fitting for the snowy cold weather.

So help yourself to a cup of coffee or tea and let's chat.

Labor Day Transition

The GAL here.  I am going to keep it short and sweet this weekend. It's a holiday and all. Plus stories by Mindy, Tina, and Ruth are downloaded on my Kindle. It isn't just a great holiday for reading.  I love because it screams things like:

"Back to School!"  

My grandkidlets started preschool. My granddaughter attended her first ever class. They must really work em in the two year old class. She was a zombie, a cute little zombie when I picked her up. I'd show you a picture of the "after" but it's too scary. 


"Fall Fashion"

My white jeans and Hawaiian tops are packed away. My new dark wash jeans and long sleeved tops are in the closet. Still can't wear them because it is 90 degrees but, it's official, I can dream now. You still aren't over the fact I wear Hawaiian shirts, are you?


"No more zucchini or tomatoes but the pumpkins are coming in."


Didn't expect that one, did you? It has been a rough summer here. Too much water. Too cool for too long. The Farmer's Market was sad. But they are eeking things out. DJ's farm down the road has a field filled with the promise of great pumpkins. You can already see them from the road. A few more weeks and the fall crops will be planted, pumpkins harvested.

It's tough cooking fresh during this time of year. But the farmer's market still has potatoes and I broke down and bought broccoli at the local grocery. Labor Day is a great time for grilling before I switch over to soup season. So here is my last of summer/beginning of fall side dish for ya.

Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes

5 small yukon, red or other potatoes, cubed
2 crowns broccoli, cut into florets
olive oil
salt to taste

Put your potatoes in a plastic storage bag with oil and salt. SHAKE your booty. Repeat with broccoli florets.

Put potatoes in pyrex dish at 425 for 30 minutes.

Toss broccoli on top of potatoes in same glass dish.  Continue to cook for 10 minutes.

Serve with your favorite grilled object!

Hope your autumn starts off with a bang? What do you love best about Labor Day weekend and what it represents?