The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

I was the naughtiest girl in third grade

October 19, 2010

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. I'm having a hard time focusing on what I'm supposed to be doing because it's just so dang beautiful outside. It's the tail end of the colorful time, and there are few things more pleasurable than walking through leaves on an autumn afternoon. The cool musky scent of the fields, the tang of fresh apples, the smoky orange of pumpkin piles, the light wind on the skin, the darkening skies to the west, the sound of children playing in the yard a few houses down.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about what I'm supposed to be doing. Not like the laundry and such, and cooking and getting the kids going and so on, but purpose-wise. The Big What I'm Supposed To Be Doing. The Meaning of My Life kind of thing. Big picture thinking.

Never one for lofty vision-type thoughts or grand horizon plans or such, I'm not thinking I'm on a world-changing path. Leave that to Mr. Gates and his wife and the great humanitarians and thinkers and philanthropic livers of life and heroes and scientists, who are doing just fine. John Wesley, the great Methodist, said once to simply, "Do all the good you can." I can aspire to that, but I'm only human and don't always use the best judgment. I remember being told I was the naughtiest girl in third grade. I've been incarcerated for being disrespectful to a police officer. I've coveted gardens and stolen my share of tomatoes, and a few times I've even wished things would fall on Mr. Sundberg so he'd stop talking.

I read somewhere that you'll find your purpose at the crossroads where the needs of the world and what you can offer meet up. Seems to me the world needs just about everything, so I ought to be able to come up with something. Maybe a little bit every day will add up to a life of purpose. Today we'll start with a pie for my neighbor. Pumpkin, I think, with a bit of nutmeg and clove. I'll see about tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Focus on today, Mrs. Sundberg. Pie.

Fried Apple Pielets
I've always enjoyed things fried, and deep fried pie has got to be one of the great inventions of the modern kitchen. Try this one on your dearest friends, and you're sure to be the talk of the bridge game. Or the book club. Wherever your friends may be.

2 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold water
2 apples
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup vegetable oil

Peel and dice apples. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cook in a saucepan on low heat until soft, then mash with fork to form a thick sauce.

Sift flour and salt together. Cut in the shortening. Add water and mix with fork. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut with a large cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter). In each round, place 1 heaping T fruit. Moisten edges with cold water, fold and press edge with a fork.

Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fry pies, a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown, Drain on paper towels.

Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

Makes 8 small pies.

Enjoy!

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