Ever since beginning teaching third grade, ahem, we wont determine how long ago that was, but anyway, September meant it was time to do a Johnny Appleseed bulletin board.... the students names were written on laminated juicy red apple cutouts, and that memory sticks with me....
so when mom sold her house and I inherited her Fransiscan apple dishes out they come every September!

Mama had cut out and painted these adorable napkin rings, and when I found the gorgeous blue fabric for napkins and runner, I decided what a lovely way to use the dishes for other seasons besides Thanksgiving when Mama always used them.... Ive always loved them so!
These dishes go way back with me, at say over 50 years.... gee, I never thought of them as antiques, but... let's not go there! Mama must have bought them the very first time she saw them come out in the stores for I remember growing up with them using them only on special occasions...otherwise they always graced the shelves of mama's pine hutch in the dining room!
Instead of an apple arrangement this time of year, I prefer to use this amazing planter that Amanda gave me for my birthday a couple of years ago... That was such a God thing.... I first saw this planter while on a bus trip to Lancaster, PA and loved it so much, but it is heavy and I hesitated having to care for it on the bus, so I just decided to live without it. Imagine my surprise when unknowingly
Amanda saw it, ordered it and sent to me in the post from Boston a few months later. God is so good!
The wonderful teacups are such a delight in which to savor apple spice tea, cider, or coffee!
Just to let you know I am planning a gathering this month with an apple theme... one of my favorite appetizers for fall is
so when mom sold her house and I inherited her Fransiscan apple dishes out they come every September!
Mama had cut out and painted these adorable napkin rings, and when I found the gorgeous blue fabric for napkins and runner, I decided what a lovely way to use the dishes for other seasons besides Thanksgiving when Mama always used them.... Ive always loved them so!
These dishes go way back with me, at say over 50 years.... gee, I never thought of them as antiques, but... let's not go there! Mama must have bought them the very first time she saw them come out in the stores for I remember growing up with them using them only on special occasions...otherwise they always graced the shelves of mama's pine hutch in the dining room!
Instead of an apple arrangement this time of year, I prefer to use this amazing planter that Amanda gave me for my birthday a couple of years ago... That was such a God thing.... I first saw this planter while on a bus trip to Lancaster, PA and loved it so much, but it is heavy and I hesitated having to care for it on the bus, so I just decided to live without it. Imagine my surprise when unknowingly
Amanda saw it, ordered it and sent to me in the post from Boston a few months later. God is so good!
The wonderful teacups are such a delight in which to savor apple spice tea, cider, or coffee!
Just to let you know I am planning a gathering this month with an apple theme... one of my favorite appetizers for fall is
Three-Cheese Walnut Spread
You can use light cream cheese
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
Apple wedges, pear wedges or assorted crackers (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place walnuts in a Baker.
Bake 18-20 minutes or until lightly toasted.
2. Meanwhile, in Bowl, microwave cream cheese
on HIGH 1 minute or until softened. Add blue cheese,
mozzarella cheese and black pepper; mix well.
3. Remove baker from oven to Cooling Rack.
Carefully pour walnuts into cheese mixture;
mix well. Spoon cheese mixture back into baker,
spreading evenly.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted.
Garnish with parsley. Place baker on serving platter;
surround with apple or pear wedges or assorted
crackers, if desired. Serve spread using Spreader.
Yield: 16 servings
©The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2003
This hot spread is delicious on crackers
and fruit slices.... it always gets rave reviews
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