November

I had a burst of house cleaning fever yesterday, rare for me anymore. I used to clean "top to bottom" several days a week, but these days I put off the big chores. I stay ahead of the wash and the clutter, but deep cleaning where I wash windows, polish silver or move furniture is set aside for seasonal cleaning.... that means Spring and Fall. So yesterday I started out with cleaning the windows, got my Don Aslett microfiber cloths and my spray bottle of Windex and went after all the streaks and fly specks and spider webs. We live in the woods... so do bugs and we have a lot of them.

I had to displace a garden spider that had decided to take up residence outside a bedroom window. I leave them as they build in late summer, their sole purpose to lay eggs and reproduce. They in turn eat lots of bugs for me and I appreciate that. They totally creep out my daughters, but I have a fondness for them... as long as they are out of my path, tucked up under an eave or  high on a tree limb. Probably from seeing them in my Grandma's garden and she left them be, so I do too.

One thing led to another yesterday and I eventually got the whole kitchen cleaned. Wiped and swiped as Mom used to say! I had a pot of ham and beans on the stove so dinner was cooking and smelled so good as the sun began to dip low in the west. I'm looking forward to the time change this weekend. When November rolls around I'm ready for winter and being inside. I love the way the house feels, all cozy and warm. We are on the holiday countdown now, it's just 3 weeks until Thanksgiving, lots to do before then!

Something to make the house smell good...

Apple Bread

1/3 c. shortening

1 c. sugar
1 egg
2 c. sifted flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 c. orange juice
1 c. finely chopped or grated apples
3/4 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped nuts
1 Tblsp. grated orange rind
1. Cream the shortening and sugar together thoroughly.
2. Add egg and beat well.
3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
4. Add sifted dry ingredients and orange juice alternately to creamed mixture. Blend only until all the flour is moistened.
5. Stir in the grated apples, raisins, nuts, and orange rind.
6. Pour into well greased, 9" x 5" x 3" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 50 to 60 minutes.

PRINT RECIPE