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It’s apple season! Apples, apples everywhere. I live in a somewhat rural area where there is definitely no shortage of apples or the orchards where local farmers grow them. You don’t have to drive far to get a box full of apples for a few dollars. I stock up when they are cheap. So now I have a house full apples. There’s no limit to the different ways you can use them. Applesauce, apple pie, apple cake, sliced apples, diced apples, and fried apples! Delicious with cinnamon! No need to worry about eating the apples before they go bad. They freeze wonderfully and are extremely healthy! Here is one of my favorite ways to fix apples.

Skillet Fried Apples

Ingredients:

8 apples sliced in wedges

2 tablespoons of butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

3 tablespoons water

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat while preparing apples. After slicing apples into wedges, toss in skillet and stir until tender. Turn heat up to medium high then add brown sugar and water. Toss apples until coated well. Remove pan from heat. Stir in cinnamon.

This recipe is a southern favorite and absolutely delicious. It makes a great side dish, healthy snack, or can be used as topping on vanilla icecream

We all need to make and effort to eat more fruits and veggies. This is a great start. And always remember…  “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

We hear it every Christmas and if you listen closely you may even win a prize. This has been a common song for a radio station to ask the words for in order for you to win a gift of some sort. So what are those words that we can never seem to remember and what do they mean?

12 Drummers drumming

11 Piper’s piping

10 Lord’s a leaping

9   Ladies dancing

8  Maid’s a milking

7  Swan’s a swimming

6  Geese a laying

5  Golden rings

4  Calling birds

3  French hens

2  Turtle doves

1  Partridge in a pair tree

No one knows for sure when the song was first performed. Perhaps around the 16th century. What we do know is that is an extremely popular old english christmas carol that doesn’t seem to lose any of its flair year after year. You have to admit the song sounds a little silly. What does Lord’s a leaping mean anyway? You may be surprised to learn that the song actually does has significant spiritual meaning. Each day stands for something:

1 True Love: God
2 Turtle Doves: Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens: Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds: the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings: the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying: the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming: seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking: eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing: nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping: ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping: eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming: twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

Maybe this song will make a little more sense this year

Well I’ve been sick for the past week and battled with a fever in the midst of it. So what did I do? Well, it may not be what you think. I didn’t take a tylenol or an antibiotic. I simply let it run its course. Everyone seems to think you must knock a fever out at all cost. Do we think differently? Not usually. The doctor will give you the same advice. Take a tylenol and get plenty of rest and whatever infection will go away in time. But is a fever truly that bad?

Yes, there are nasty symptoms of a fever. A fever can be accompanied by headaches, nausea, rash, and the dreaded runs. But have you ever stopped to think why you’re body is taking on a fever? The fever isn’t what makes you sick. The fever is simply one of your bodies many defense systems put in place to knock out a bug or a virus.

Should you let a fever run its course. In most cases, YES.

When your body takes on a fever, the higher temperature creates an unfavorable environment for most unwanted viral and bacterial strains. White blood cells rapidly multiply and get to work on wiping out the ‘intruders’. Therefore the body stands a better chance of recovering quickly from the infection.

However, any fever is cause for concern and you should contact your doctor if you have  symptoms. If you’re pretty sure you just have a little bug and your temp isn’t up above 101, I would recommend staying the course and letting your body get to work on eliminating the infection. Of course, in all instances keep an eye on your body temp by regularly checking it every few hours. If your temp. is above 101 or reaches that point at any time contact a doctor immediately. A fever at 103 or above left unchecked is extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal.