Cozy On Up!

The frost is on the pumpkin and the chill is in the air! It's soon time to cozy on up by the fireplace here at Applejack Lane. So pull out those afghans that were lovingly made by family and friends as special gifts. I thought I would share an afghan knitted by my mother-in-law over 30 years ago. She used three different shades of yarn to especially coordinate in her living room at the time. Lucky for me, the color fits into our house as well...A close up of her work...I am very proud to have this in our home today.
Come back to Applejack Lane again. Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday and Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday for more participants.

My, My, What Big Pots We Have!

I passed these flower pots at the entrance of Village Garden Center on my way to work this afternoon and thought I would share them with you on Outdoor Wednesday. It is more work by local artist Willie Ferguson.
Willie thinks big...
The pansy plantings were simply gorgeous.
Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for more Outdoor Wednesday fun. Stop by Applejack Lane soon.

And The Secret Ingredient Is...

It's Foodie Friday on this October morn. When the weather gets cool and damp, I like to sit by the fire with a bowl of chili. What makes this chili a little different from the rest-SALSA! Just add a jar of your favorite salsa-mild, medium, or hot- to your recipe to give it a little zing. Here is the recipe that I use the most:
1 pound ground chuck
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 16 ounce cans red kidney beans
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 beef bouillon cube
1 jar salsa

In a Dutch oven, cook meat with onion and green pepper until the ground chuck is cooked and the veggies are tender. Stir in the tomatoes, salsa, beans,and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Makes 6-8 servings.

Join Michael at Designs By Gollum for more Foodie Friday fun!

Today Is A Special Day!

Here she is-the Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday to you, Ann!

Our fun loving Ann...

our serious Ann...our wonderful friend Ann...
May all good things come to you on your special day now and always.

Love you!

A Metamorphosis in the Making-A Visit To Rachel's Quilt Patch

It's Metamorphosis Monday, and mine is in the making-literally. On Friday, Valerie of Snap Peas and I went to The Depot for my birthday lunch.
After lunch, we walked over to Rachel's Quilt Patch, a most delightful place to visit, look at fabric, and order dinner napkins for Tablescape Thursdays.

Rachel soon opened her shop when The Wharf area of our town was renovated in the late 1980's-early 90's. Many of the fixtures are not original with the building, but are indicative of the era.
A cashier's counter and bookkeeper's window from a tobacco warehouse in North Carolina...


















The resident cat of 14 years is a local celebrity...
Lots of quilting fabric to see..all colors and prints...
and so many choices for beautiful, soft dinner napkins...
Wall art and quilts by Rachel and her students...

Here, Rachel is cutting fabric...A large work area with lots of activity and people browsing...
So, on Saturday, I arrive with dishes in hand to pick out fabric for new napkins. You can see my reflection in the door clutching my dishes in one hand and taking pictures with the other...
an Azalea Trail green for my Lenox Winter Greetings...
a colorful stripe for a whimsical set of plates and soup mugs...
and amazingly, Valerie picked out this fabric to go with my Bittersweet dishes sight unseen! That girl, she has a fabulous sense of color!
While Rachel morphs my fabric into napkins, I plan how to use the results in tablescapes!.
Please stop by Between Naps on the Porch hosted by Susan to visit more Metamorphosis Monday fun.

A Pink Present

It's a great Pink Saturday here at Applejack Lane! You see, I had my 60th birthday this week, and I was wined and dined by family and friends, and bepresented with gift cards to some of my very favorite stores and restaurants. I heard from friends and family by telephone and mail. I got a new book, a Cuisinart ice cream freezer, a rooster teapot, and two Bundt pans. And then, I learned I had a pink present. What could it be?



I am going to see and hear the Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller in November! Yeah, me!!!
Happy Pink Saturday. Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun.

A Little Pink Card

Today on Pink Saturday, I want to tell you about a little free card you can get at your local participating Gold Crown Hallmark store...
that you can send to a friend. The message is to remind her that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that we all need to have our mammograms!
Thanks for visiting Applejack Lane. Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday participants.

Cranberry-Pecan Chicken Salad

For Foodie Friday, I am posting one of my very favorite recipes-Cranberry-Pecan Chicken Salad. I found this recipe by chance in Southern Living 2005 Annual Recipes when I was getting ready for my niece's baby shower, and it is definitely a keeper. I use it all the time.
Here are the ingredients:
8 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 celery ribs, chopped
5 green onions, thinly chopped
1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, chopped into small pieces
1 6 oz. package sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup honey mustard dressing

Stir all ingredients together. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Sometimes, I add more mayo and honey mustard dressing. I also chop the cranberries into smaller pieces.

And here is the finished product.

This chicken salad can be served on croissants or on a lettuce leaf. The secret ingredient is definitely the honey mustard dressing. It is great for a luncheon, when company comes, or just anytime! Yum-Yum!

I hope I will be able to join you next week. I must begin my marathon cookie baking for my Open House at the store in November. Join Michael at Designs by Gollum for more Foodie Friday fun.

My Pumpkin People

It's Three or More Tuesday here at Applejack Lane. Today, I thought I would share some of my pumpkin people with you. These guys just love to put on a happy face.

Mr. Pumpkin Angel just got some new duds recently...
Mr. Pumpkin Scarecrow sits guard in the dining room...
while Priscilla Pumpkin Angel holds her cat close at heart in our kitchen.
Thanks for stopping in today. Now visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more Three or More Tuesday fun.

The Simple Pleasure of Friendship

It was only a matter of time that my friends knew that they would find themselves on Applejack Lane. Last Saturday, Linda, Ronda, and I had the pleasure to lunch and visit with our dear friend Ann at her home. It was an opportunity to Live, Love, and Laugh-a lot. Some of us have been friends for over 55 years! But all four of us have had a connection since eighth grade which has been about 47 years now. All of us entered the field of education in various degrees and graduated from Madison College-now James Madison University. Linda drove. There is a story behind that one. Right, Ronda?

When we arrived at Ann's house, we were greeted by lovely Fall decor in an antique wheelbarrow...
and a gorgeous Fall swag on the front door.
Ann had the table set as we entered her keeping room...
She is a wonderful gardener and talented floral arranger whether or not she wants to believe it. She has massive flower beds and made the table arrangements from her bounty...These nosegays were the table favors...
and clam corn chowder, fried green tomato with bacon sandwiches, and green iced tea were parts of the menu...
served on her mother's Haviland wedding china and crystal pattern. D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!
Ronda and Linda...
Ann and me-a little dark there, but you get the idea...
Deep in conversation for hours that moved along much too quickly...
Linda sneaks in an extra homemade sugar cookie before leaving...
A couple of snapshots before we leave...

A fun day to live, love, and laugh with friends. It all ends too soon! Thanks, Ann, for a wonderful day!