A family drive this week-end took us past a large vineyard. The rows went on for miles and miles. The fragrance of Concord grapes filled the air and because of the lateness and the coolness of the season, many of the leaves on the vine were withered and yellowing. This only enhanced the fully ripened grape clusters that still clung to the vine, missed by the automatic harvesting machines. We stopped to gather a sack filled with this fragrant fruit. Have you ever eaten a 'fresh off the vine' Concord grape? The skins are deep purple and have a whitish haze on the surface. Once squeezed, the skins crack open easily and the juicy, fragrant insides can be popped into your mouth with ease. Because seeds grace the center, they are meant to be swallowed nearly whole and enjoyed for their sweet flavor. Local news tells that the juice plant that has been a part of our community for years and years is closing it's doors. Evidentially it will be more cost efficient to ship this fragrant fruit to other ports than to process it here where the farmers grow this crop. What will happen to this local farm? We are hoping their fruit really is desired yet and that it will ship safely to new ports instead of the vines being ripped out of the ground and another less fragrant crop planted instead.
Have you ever had raisin pie? Here's a recipe that's full of wonderful nutrition and natural sweeteners. The essence of 'all things grape' shines through in this delicious dish! Enjoy!
Autumnal Raisin Pie
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups grape juice
sprinkle of salt
2/3 cup grape juice
2/3 cup raisins
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
In a saucepan, cook the raisins, grape juice and salt until the raisins are plump. In a blender, blend the additional raisins, grape and lemon juices. Add mixtures together, add cornstarch and continue stirring until thickened. Cool and add to cooled baked pie crusts. Keep in refrigerator until served.
Note: Instead of grape juice, you can use apple juice.
"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world. . ."~ John Evelyn ~
A cozy cabin day was enjoyed yesterday. Several inches of snow on the ground and a temperature of 31 degrees F. made the fire in the wood stove even more appealing! Embroidery tasks filled my day. Coco, my Schnauzer puppy, and I enjoyed the comfort of a shared overstuffed chair by the fire as I stitched.
"Reinforce the stitch that ties us, and I will do the same for you."
~ Doris Schwerin
Our Creator created us to create.
Living artistically, aesthetically, and creatively means that we develop sensitivity to beauty and use our practical abilities and skills to create an environment that nurtures those around us and speaks to our soul. Living artistically is a talent that can be incorporated into our homemaking each day, for homemaking truely is an art.
Homemaking is an art that communicates our love to those around us. It provides an outlet for the one who creates and provides nurture and a cocoon of tranquility to those the homemaker creates for. The beauty, organization, and development of the home environment is enhanced by a gracious, gentle spirit of hospitality --- the final brush stroke on the palate of a beautiful home. Hospitality is the essence of true homemaking.
May your visits to this site help you envision creative and gracious hospitality.
