Mixed bag of weekend goodies

The palate has experienced great pleasure this weekend, as have the eyes. Hard to sum it all up in adequate terms to match the overall eloquence of each delightful visual and edible tidbit, so I'll just be practical.

First, the apple cobbler recipe. I did receive some interesting solutions to yesterday's call for cracked-hand relief. I liked the wine idea, wondered about the hot wax (was that a sadist out there?), wondered enough to look it up and found my hickster lifestyle has not taken me to the world of wax and its possibilities for skin improvement. It may be a while.

I did receive an email, however, from a partner in cracked-finger pain. She suggested coconut oil, but she also told me that I had to earn the advice by providing the apple cobbler recipe, submitted to the St. Joseph's Centennial Cookbook by Sally Reynolds.

So, here goes:

Apple Cobbler

Filling----
1 cup sugar, 1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon
4-5 tart apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup butter

Combine the sugar and the cinnamon and mix with the apples to "coat." Place in 8 by 8 pan and dot with butter. Cover apples with crumb mixture below.

1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup cold butter

Combine sugar, flour, sal and baking powder. Add beaten egg, then cut in butter with fork or pastry blender until crumbly. Spoon over the apples. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Yummy!

So, there ya go. If you try it and like it as much as I do, let me know.

Now, I must talk about yesterday's trip to Bonners Ferry. I dropped off my St. Joseph's apple cobbler to St. Ann's craft sale. Talked to Liz Wood for a few minute about Gary Finney's longhorn steer who spent the summer with Liz and Bert's cow herd. Apparently, some good stories ensued when it was time for the longhorn to get separated from the Wood herd. I'm sure I'll hear Gary's version one of these days when he stops by.

I told Liz I was going to the Menonnite craft sale, and a lady standing near us said, "You may be too late." So, I scurried.

Thank goodness, the lady's assumption was wrong, although it was obvious, the sale had attracted half of North Idaho. It was difficult to find a parking spot, but I squeezed in and headed for the school house. Its regular occupants will benefit from the profits of yesterday's event.

I walked past two large kettles where people stood working and conversing with passerby. One was cooking up kettle corn, while the other, apple butter. Inside the school, amidst a large crowd, I could see pies, beautifully crafted wood products---tables, hutches, chairs, etc., handiwork, and lots of hands grabbing items from the displays.

It was obvious people came to buy.

One table was filled with loaves of homemade white bread. I bought three and started heading back outside to the car. Then, I realized that I had no receipt. What if someone wanted proof of purchase? I walked back, and the young man said not to worry. A sense of trust ruled the proceedings, adding to the comfort!

I went back inside and selected a container of Amish peanut butter, pulled out four more dollars and plunked them down on the table.

Outside, I spotted the huge bags of kettle corn and knew Bill would love one. Seven more dollars and another trip to the car.

On my way, I asked the man with the big wooden ladle at the steaming kettle what he was preparing. That's when I learned of the old method for making apple butter. I asked if it was okay to take a picture. Bill and Sarah Byler were more than generous with their information and their hospitality as the nosy lady asked all those questions.

They told me about cane sorghum, which they've prepared in past years at past Menonnite craft sales held every year at the school, always on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. While we talked other visitors were climbing aboard for a wagon ride with the Arabian-Haflinger team.

Bill and Sarah's son Ed came by and we talked about Arabians and Percherons, and speaking of Gary Finney and his longhorn steer, he also has Percherons. Ed Byler bought his first Percheron from Gary.

Bill and Sarah convinced me that I needed to purchase a quart of that apple butter, which was also available in the jar inside. I did. To assess the event: it was priceless.

I also visited the craft show at Bonners Ferry Middle School, where basket-maker Sharon Gunter (also a teacher at Farmin Elementary) enjoyed yakking.

After dropping off two loaves of bread to my sisters and my mother, I came home, sliced off a piece from my loaf, toasted it, dabbed on Imperial margarine, scooped up a big glob of that Amish peanut butter and coated it all with apple butter.

All I've got to say is "Yummy," and where do I get more of the same without waiting for a whole year for the Menonnites to have their annual sale?

fun day and good food. Oh, and I can't forget the few minutes snapping a few shots of Laurie and Barbara's eye-appealing young horses. Enjoy the photos.

Happy Sunday.