SUGAR, CINNAMON, CLOVES, NUTMEG...HEAVEN

I tried my hand at making apple butter. I made it in the crock pot. I peeled about seven apples...a little overly ripe, added enough water to cover the bottom comfortably, two cups sugar, a lot of cinnamon, a sprinkle of ground cloves, dusting of nutmeg and a pinch of ginger. I set the crock pot on low for twelve hours. I put the brown mush into the blender and gave if a whirl. Out poured a very thick mixture. Back in the crock pot for more sugar and spices for another twelve hours. I sampled the apple butter and realized it lacks something that the store brands have...I think I must be out of artificial flavors.

BEAUTIFUL

I have this beautiful background on my computer. It's a stream cuddled by large pale boulders, blackened with moss. Fiery leaves that burn with orange & red, like splattered paint on a canvas. I love to imagine the sound of the gentle stream, slowly pouring & stirring itself over the land.

AN INSULT

Wheat grass juice...sounds like an insult. :) But if you've ever has wheat grass juice you'd prefer the insult. Actually it's really not that bad, its comparable to eating a mouth full of grass. It has a kick that grass does not offer. You can experience the finer taste of chlorophyll at most any juice bar...the some places that make smoothies. Generally they are served in 1 oz. or 2 oz. shot grasses. Did you know a 1 oz. shot of this juice - extracted directly from wheat grass right behind the counter - is purported to contain nutritional value equivalent to 2.5 pounds of fresh vegetables and is supposed to provide an energy boost? Seeing how much wheat grass is actually used for the 1 oz. glass is of fairly good proportion...until you think of eating 2.5 pounds. And supposed you get more of an energy boost than coffee in my opinion. I would advise against downing a shot on an empty stomach though.

MY CHILDHOOD

I have this wonderful memory of my childhood. During summer all the fruit trees were filled with fruit, their branches hanging with the weight of glorious summer bounty. I loved the peaches, their fuzzy, beautiful complexion. Their branches were so full of huge peaches that they would have to be propped up with stakes. I remember many a morning going out to the peach trees and picking off my breakfast. Peeling the fuzzy skin with my Swiss Army knife and indulging in a juicy meal. There was two peach trees not far from our back door...the easiest victims! :) But there was one other peach tree...it was a little farther. This was "the grandfather" peach tree...old and sturdy. There was wild mint growing up beneath the tree. How wonderful to step up to the tree, with cool dirt on my toes and the scent of crushed mint underneath. Slowly making way for the warm smell of peaches, ready to eat.