Long Live the Delete Key by Liz Flaherty

I just wrote an entire post in one sitting on Friday morning. I researched what I was writing, gave good quotes to prove my point, thought about what pictures I'd use, and went in to eat my breakfast. (Egg sandwich, in case you're looking for ideas. I love them with a little Dijon mustard.)

I came out an hour or so later, a faint mustard-colored spot on the front of my tee shirt, and deleted the whole post. 

Because sometimes that's just the right thing to do. Like everyone else, I have opinions, and I'm lucky enough that here on this blog, I also have a platform on which to present them. Occasionally, though, stating opinions crosses a line into pontification (another great word--I love words!) and the writer gets to believing what she says is more important than it is. I crossed that line and I then crossed it all out. You're welcome.  

I hope you've had a wonderful week. That you've enjoyed the beautiful colors of autumn and the warm days that have slipped in as an extra little something from October. 

Mary Morgan

Since I have virtually nothing new to say today, here is a cookie recipe I stole borrowed from Mary Morgan. I haven't made them yet, but I've been salivating ever since I read it. 

Apple Spice Cookies

Ingredients

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup of nuts (your preference and optional)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

 2 eggs

 1 cup brown sugar

½ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider or apple juice

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and nuts, if using.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat until combined.

3. Beat in the molasses and apple cider.

4. Stir in the flour mixture until smooth.

5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

7. Place parchment paper on two baking pans.

8. Drop one heaping tablespoon of dough onto the baking pans.

9. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove onto wire racks to cool.

Makes approximately 35 cookies.

I sincerely love cookies. They are just one of the most satisfying things in the world. Actually, they are synonymous with grandchildren. They're sweet, with rich flavors and differences. They always make you feel better, but time with them goes so fast. You're left with an empty plate and memories of just the best times--as well as the hope of having more soon.

Have a great week. It is the time of year of great music, delicious fundraiser dinners for local causes, orchard visits, and craft shows (Nancy Masten and I'll be at the fairgrounds on November 4 from 9 to 3--I hope to see you there.) Get out and about if you're able--friends and neighbors are wonderful gifts. Not quite as good as grandkids, but you get my drift. 

Be nice to somebody.

These Precious Days by Liz Flaherty

Welcome, September! We're heading into one of my favorite times of year right now, when the view out the west window changes every day, the air is fresh and crisp and smelling of harvested grain and apples and everything pumpkin. (If you don't like apples and/or everything pumpkin, that's fine, but we don't discuss that here.)

I took the title of this week's blog from "September Song." While the song itself doesn't fit, these are indeed precious days. All days are, something we discover when we realize how fast they go.

It's also the season of holidays. While big-box store displays would lead us to think Halloween is in June and Christmas is at the end of July, we know better. However, I admit to looking at holiday fabric and thinking of projects I'm not nearly skilled enough to complete. I print out recipes I'll never bake, although I'll look at the pictures a lot and sometimes I'll buy the ingredients. 

It's the best time of the year at the orchards! McClure's and Doud's are both open and perfect places to while away a few hours. 

It's a giving time, isn't it? Churches will be having soup suppers, harvest suppers, and bake-and-craft sales on their premises. There will be vendor sales  at every available venue, complete with food trucks. Anita's Boutique and Gallery 15  and other local stores will have so many pretty things and things that sparkle and things that you don't know how you can possibly go on without. I mean, things you know someone on your gift list wants or needs. 

It's time for Football Friday Nights, too. Be on guard for fundraisers. Be generous when they catch you. 

Have you noticed yet that I really don't have a subject this week? I do have a question for you. Readership on the Window is decreasing. This isn't a terrible thing; after all, it's been around in one incarnation or other since the 1980s, and I've talked a lot during those years. I'm not ready to stop writing the blog/column, but maybe it's time to write it less often. Or to change it. What do you think? Is it time? All ideas--including Just shut up, Liz; you're boring!--accepted. 

Speaking of the Window, the ebooks of Window Over the Sink and Window Over the Desk are 99 cents this week at all electronic retailers. I still have paper copies and so does Anita at the boutique. 

Then, just giving you a heads-up, Rose Cousins, Joe DeRozier, Debby Myers, and I are having a books signing at Gallery 15. Ryan Record will provide music and there will be light refreshments. The Gallery is always a treat to visit, and Sarah and Ron Luginbill are great hosts.

I hope to see you out and about and that you're having wonderful times on these beautiful, precious days we've been seeing lately. Have a good week. Be nice to somebody.