NEWSLETTER FROM AMERICA
Late September and early October are harvest times in the U.S. Grains have already been brought in during the summer months along with various berries and vegetables, but now is the time to pick tomatoes, corn, string beans, onions, potatoes and orchard fruits including APPLES! You've heard the saying, It's as American as apple pie. It's true; apples are a great American favorite. We love apple recipes from pies to turnovers, betties (cobblers) to fritters.
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1 http://allrecipes.albertsons.com
2 http://allrecipes.albertsons.com
3 http://allrecipes.albertsons.com
http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com
http://www.mt-rainier.com
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Across the country families either pick apples from their own yards, travel to farmers markets to buy them, or take a day trip to orchards to bring home a box or bag of the beautiful fruit. Red delicious, yellow transparents, juicy red-striped galas or tangy green granny smiths, each variety is treasured for its distinct characteristics such as sweetness, texture, size and storage capabilities. If you can gather a pound or two of apples, here are some fun recipes to try with the grandkids.
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On your next trip to the library or bookstore look for these books full of bright fall pictures and themes:
The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
One Fall Day by Molly Bang
Why Do Leaves Change Color? By Betsy Maestro
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Picking Apples and Pumpkins by Amy and Richard Hutchings
The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
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Check out this website for pictures of the above books and for more great fall titles:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com
A more recent fall family activity in America is visiting farms for the adventure of navigating a corn maze. Mazes come in all shapes and sizes and have been known to confound even the most savvy Grandma or Grandpa. Better take the grandchildren along to help you find your way!!! Here is a sample of Corn Maze offerings across the states. You can find them everywhere.
http://www.cornmazesamerica.com
http://www.agry.purdue.edu
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Fall isn't complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch. Traditionally children keep their pumpkins and transform them into Halloween jack o'lanterns. But Moms and Grandmas like to decorate their front porches or dining room tables with them as centerpieces too.
Though the larder may be full with the fall harvest, we are all mindful of the need to spend less money these days. Here are lots and lots of ideas for enjoying long fall days with your families without spending at all. Sound interesting?
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And finally an apt quote from one of our American authors:
There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Here's wishing you and your family many pleasant and sunny spots this season.
Granny Look in America
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