Criss Cross Apple Sauce

Criss Cross Applesauce

         By Deborah J Lindsey

Eleven-year-old Anna woke up eager and happy.  Today was another cooking lesson with her Grandmother Hilda.   Anna was ready.  Granny supplied the topic-meats, salads, vegetables, breads or desserts and Anna decided what she would like to ty.  Todays’topic was desserts and Anna had chosen Old-Fashioned Apple Sause Cake.

Granny greeted her with a welcome kiss and hug and handed her a pink and white checked apron. 

“Why do I need to wear an apron?  Nobody else ever does?”

Granny laughed.

“It will keep your clothes clean, it looks cool hanging in the kitchen.”

Okay, let’s get started.  Check your ingredient list.  I have some things out already- raisins are soaking in hot water.”

Anna checked her list, flour, baking soda, sugar, shortening, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves.  She read down her list and then checked it again.

“Granny, I don’t see any apple sauce. What kind do you use?  Mama uses “Moots.”

“Criss Cross Apple Sauce is the best, Dear.  I’ve used it for years.”

“Criss Cross Apple sauce,” Anna giggled and plopped down in the middle of the kitchen floor.

“What in the world are you doing?”

Anna looked puzzled.

“You know Granny, Criss Cross Apple Sauce?”

“Yes, it’s in the pantry-top shelf-left.  Be careful with the step stool.”

Anna got up and wet to the pantry and came back with two cans of apple sauce.

“Yes, there you see- Criss Cross Apple Sauce!

Now, young Miss, explain why you were sitting on the floor like an Indian.”

          C Copyright July 2017 by Deborah J Lindsey

Bruno

Bruno

By Deborah J Lindsey

It was Friday and I couldn’t wait to get home.

You see, learning to play the Saxophone was a dream of mine and I’d found a nice one in a pawn shop and I couldn't wait to get started.

The owner of the shop raved and declared it was the beginner Sax belonging to the late Bennie B.  He claimed Bennie was a cousin of some other famous Sax player.  I had never heard of either one but the price was right so I bought it.

I ordered a “How To” on the internet- “Learn to Play the Sax In Two Days”- it sounded promising. 

The first indication that learning the Sax may not have been the best idea was Bruno.

Bruno was an unusual dog.  He always acting crazy. I guess that’s why I liked him so much but tonight, he was really acting crazy. 

When I blew “Twinkle Twinkle” he covered both ears and once he tried to drag my Sax away.

About one o’clock in the morning, I noticed Bruno was gone.  I figured he’d grown tired and went to bed.

I practiced a long while and finally felt confident enough to move past “Twinkle, Twinkle” to “Mary Had a Lamb”.  I took a deep breath and the next thing I knew someone was beating on my door. It was the cops! 

“You got a dog?”

I nodded.

“Well he’s disturbing the peace.”

“Bruno?”

“Yeah, call him.”

Bruno padded into the room looking sheepishly guilty.

He held a large sign in his mouth.  It read, “HELP”.

“Your dog has been pacing up and down the fire escape for the past hour.”

I did mention that Bruno was an unusually crazy dog but did I mention how smart he is?

 C Copyright July 2017 by Deborah J Lindsey

written for:. 

Out of the box prompt:Take these 3 "clues" - arranged in any order - and weave a story under 300 words:

1: the title of a self-help book
2: a dog acting crazy
3: police at the door at 1 AM

Preheat Oven To 350

Preheat Oven To 350

   By Deborah J  Lindsey

“Preheat Oven to 350.

 Okay, that’s done.”

“What ‘cha up to Bunny?’

‘I’m cooking a turkey.  Would you like to stay for lunch?”

“I don’t think this bird will be ready that soon. It’s still frozen.  Have you ever cooked a turkey before?”

“No, but it’s easy as pie.  I saw it done on a cooking show.  All I need to do is preheat the oven to 350, pop the bird in and then take it out when the oven dings, It’s very simple. I think you could probably manage it if you tried.”

“Well, I don’t know?”

“Sure, look here.  The ovens’ flashing 350 and in goes the bird-like so and now START and now we wait.”

“But Hon, I think you should be using the range- not the microwave.”

“Oh, I didn’t get a free range one.  I told them I just wanted a plain turkey.

Set the table, won’t you Dear?”

“I’m so sorry Bunny, I just remembered I have a lunch date.  I really need to run.”

“Okay Dear, I understand but do stop in later for coffee and Easy pie.”

                                                                                                 C Copyright July 2017 By Deborah J Lindsey

First Line Prompt for 7/2/17: "Preheat oven to 350"