Pinch me! Today is a super-special day for me, it's our oldest grandson, Jack's, 8th birthday and therefore the day I wanted to release my very first Sweet Christmas Novella: Christmas Comes to Apple Grove.
For those of you who've read my Small Town USA Series, the patriarch of the Mulcahy family, Joe, has been widowed for more than a decade. Christmas is a time for miracles, and Joe deserves that miracle--a second chance at love.
~ ~ ~
Joe
Mulcahy’s Second Chance at Love…or is it?
Now
that his three daughters are settled and busy with families of their own, he’s
ready to declare himself to the lovely widow, Mary Murphy. But timing in life
is everything…and Joe’s plans go awry.
Christmas
is a Time for Miracles
Apple
Grove’s residents are in on the plan to keep Mary and Joe from letting pride
and bruised feelings get in the way of what’s really important—their love for
one another.
~ ~ ~
Recipe Share ~ C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
Recipe Share ~ C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
Since my stories are set in the fictional town of Apple Grove, I decided to share my go-to super easy applesauce recipe. And since I couldn't find the pictures of the last time I made applesauce with Macs, I had to cook some up! No hardship for my guys--grandsons included--they love homemade applesauce. ;)
By far my favorite apples to use are McIntosh and in a pinch Rome apples. They are sweet enough without having to add any sugar, and in my darling hubby's case a Godsend since he's diabetic and has to watch his carbs and sugars very carefully.
And...now to the recipe, which is kindof like my Grandmother Purcell's stuffing recipe in that I don't really use quantities, I do it by eye.
C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
6 McIntosh Apples* (or the apple of your choice, but remember if they are not sweet on their own, you may have to do the taste-test and add sugar as needed)
*I cut them in half and half again, cutting out the core--DO NOT SKIN THEM--and then cut the quarters into smaller pieces. (they cook more uniformly)*
Place in saucepan and add in enough water to cover the bottom to about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch or so.
Cook on low heat, checking to see if you need a dash more water, so the apples do not burn. NOTE: some apples are a bit drier if they are older.
Using your potato masher squish the apples down as they cook. Don't worry about the skins, they turn the applesauce a lovely pinkish color ;)
When they apples have cooked down and are soft, I put them through my mini food mill, it collects any random apple seeds that I missed along with the skins, which I don't like in my apple sauce. Just need the fabulous flavor and color ;)
Optional: add cinnamon to your own bowl...at least that's what I tell my guys. I think the apple is perfect on it's own sans sugar or cinnamon, but that's just me. LOL.
Enjoy!
~ ~ ~
For those of you who've spent time in Apple Grove, I'll be releasing the Sweet Version of my series beginning in January 2020. Love, love my new covers, created by author and graphic artist, Sahara Kelly.
Coming January 17, 2020
Coming February 17, 2020
Coming March 9, 2020
To celebrate, I'm giving away three (3) copies of Christmas Comes to Apple Grove--Reader's choice of print or e-book!
To enter, leave a comment...Do you believe in miracles?
May your life be filled with Christmas
blessings all year long!
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Yes, I do believe in miracles. Things have happened where you say wow. Good luck on your releases.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Terryscar! And in those moments I get goosebumps ;) Thank you for the kind words, my friend ;)
DeleteI strongly believe in miracles. I worked as an RN. I saw patients both adults and children survive or overcome handicaps that boggled the medical staff's minds. One's strong will to survive also helped.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie G, I can only imagine the number of times, you've witnessed these miracles. I think miracles happen when they have the aid of dedicated RNs such as yourself and the doctors doing all they can for those adults and children in need. I absolutely believe that a strong will may tip the scales...and you never know how many people were praying for those who overcame odds that were baffling. My Mom had the Last Rites 6 times in the space of a few years, and every time there were a group of people who stood around her hospital bed, hands joined, praying for her recovery. My Dad told me about it and then my Mom when we were able to travel down to see her. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI do believe... love homemade apple sauce! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen C. It's amazing the number of people that do believe in miracles...probably equal to those that do not. But I agree and believe in them, too. Homemade applesauce is our go-to snack around here, especially now that my hubby has watch to his sugar. The trick I've found is the type of apple you use. I've made it with a wide variety of apples and have found the sweetest--without adding any sugar at all--is the MacIntosh apples ;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes I do because there are some things that have happened that don't have any other explanation.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when this has happened in my life, too and I know that if I didn't have faith...well...I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle ;)
DeleteThanks for stopping by Rita!
Hey there Pat!! Thank you so much for loving Apple Grove. Sorry I missed seeing you this year at RAGT. I have more planned for this little town, but have to put the anthology on hold while I meet my deadlines with the 4 Regency Historicals I'm writing for Dragonblade Publishing. Pinch me...Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteHey there bn...I do too! So nice to see you. Thanks for stopping by the blog today!
ReplyDeleteFor sure, always welcome.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Calvin F.--it is always wonderful when miracles occur, isn't it ;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOf course, I believe in miracles. Always.
ReplyDeleteHomemade applesauce - yummy! Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful! You're welcome for the applesauce share...it smells wonderful when it's simmering on the stovetop ;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes I do believe in miracles.
ReplyDeleteWaving to Mary Preston! Don't know where I'd be if I didn't believe in them ;) Thanks for dropping by!
Deleteoh my goodness i sure do I went from being in a abusive foster home to my grandmas and I prayed every time i got to visit her that there would be a time where I could live with her and it happened. One day I got off from the bus with other foster kids and out came the new foster moms daughter who said this is no longer a foster home so we looked at each other i took everyone to the phone they had in the shed by the pool and they called someone to pick them up I called my grandma she not only picked me up but also my foster sister who was the same age as she had no where to go well that next day she told us we were going to live with her. I then knew that miracles came true that was 50+ years ago. peggy clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOh Peggy! I agree it was a miracle and how wonderful that you were able to live with your grandma with your foster sister. I've never underestimated the power of prayer. Miracles do come true. Thank you so much for sharing your story and stopping by!
DeleteWhat a great recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Starzine ;) You're welcome and I hope you like the recipe. If you're using other apples, I'd start with 1/4 cup of sugar and add more to taste. The same with the cinnamon. My hubby likes to put a bunch in his! Me not so much, so we compromised and he adds his cinnamon after. ;) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteCongrats on the new release. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I saw this post in the Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 edition of The BookTube Your Shelf Daily Reader.
ReplyDeleteHi Mayor Sonni! Thank you for the kind words. You're very welcome and I hope you enjoy making the applesauce. Thank you for sharing where you saw the post. I'll have to check out The BookTube Your Shelf Daily Reader. Thanks for stopping by!
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