Apple Harvest Blessings Exchange

This has been a very special fall for me. Having my friend LaVonne here was just fantastic! I love this season so much, I almost can't stand it! I participated in another gift exchange so I want to share my treats.
My Tasha Tudor group~TAKE PEACE~had a great exchange this year. It was called APPLE HARVEST BLESSINGS and I thought that was a great theme. I was born in Yakima, Washington-apple country-and I just love apples.
This sweet Tasha sticker was on the front of my package. SOOOO cute! I was paired up with a newer member this time. Cindy did a fantastic job! So, let me show you what she sent!

When I opened the box, everything was packaged so nicely and it was like Christmas!!! Pretty exciting. I almost didn't want to unwrap my goodies.

I tried to get everything tucked into the box so I could take a photo. Cindy lives in CT, so it was fun to receive a package from across the country.

Yummy granola...with apples and cinnamon! I love granola.

There was a cute tote bag from an orchard back east and look at this sweet little apple hanging goodie. Can you see the little magazine in the back? It's a vintage one called Yankee and it is just loaded with all kinds of pictures, articles and advertising from the past. I love it. Cindy said she found some and thought I would enjoy reading it! YES YES YES Cindy!

A darling Tasha postcard that I have never seen...perfect for fall!

This is a sweet advertising postcard from New Home sewing machines. Cindy was pretty good at figuring out what I like. Isn't it a great card?

I adore the fabric on this kitchen towel. It's a great print.

And then you just HAVE to see this! WOW WOW WOW! She made this and the stitches are so tiny I just can't imagine working on something so small. It is beautiful and I absolutely love it. How do you thank someone for something so special that was made by hand for you? Thank you so much Cindy!

She made it for Annabelle, but I think Sylvie Ann has latched onto it. They will have to be nice and share.

Anyway dear Cindy, thank you so very much for such a wonderful and personal package. I appreciate all the thought that went into my lovely box. Happy Fall! 

A Sunday Drive

Last Sunday after a drive down to Salem for a few sales, we stopped at our friend's farm stand for some apples and veggies. Pat and Bernie own the stand....THE HITZ FARM. They are such nice people and it's always a kick to stop and visit. Pat was manning the shoppe as Bernie was getting some firewood in back at home. I love all the different kinds of apples. I got some for eating and some for making some apple sauce later this week.

Jim and Pat were enjoying some laughs and just a bit of serious talk about the economy and politics.
Looks like they are having fun, huh? It was wet and chilly but Pat was dressed for the weather.
They make the best apple cider I have ever tasted! Of course, we had to get another jug of that!

They sell filberts and walnuts too. Their walnuts don't look pretty, but they are really good and never bitter.

Lots of apples to choose from! I love apples. Pat and Bernie work so hard and it is a joy to support them. Great prices too.

Teacup Thursday #29

A chilly fall evening and I'm tempted to start a fire in the woodstove! My husband has been gone for two weeks, helping his family in Springfield, Illinois with his 93 year old mother. He was more than ready to come home this morning. Jim comes in tonight at 11:45 PM...yawn.I made him some pumpkin muffins this afternoon and our home smells spicy and yummy. Of course I had to try them out and decided it was time to get my Teacup Thursday things together. Recently, I found a little set of Johnson Brothers Apple Harvest that I had forgotten all about.  It's a cute little farm scene, somewhat whimsical.

I love apples and found this apple cookbook~yum! I think I've commented on the fact that I was born in Yakima, Washington and I love apples. I found a recipe in this book for Apple Kuchen. My German grandmother made the best Kuchen. She used to make it for my dad when she came to visit and I have to confess, I kind of nibbled it away. Sorry dad but it was just too delicious. Unfortunately, Grandma never wrote down her recipe and no one really knows how she made it. I do remember how it taste.

I had to settle for tea and a pumpkin muffin...not bad for  Miss Spenser's Teacup Thursday. Are you enjoying this autumn?

"Anyone  can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in the seeds."
Robert H. Schuller