Apples for America

You can't help but feel extremely patriotic today, the day before election day. I have been volunteering making phone calls for the Barack Obama Campaign for Change here in West Chester and feeling extremely inspired by the scores of fellow volunteers and the excitement I hear in the voices of the strangers I call. College students voting for the first time, so thrilled to be part of this historic election. 70- and 80-year olds living in the nearby retirement village re-energized by their chance to help redirect the country they love so dearly.

My friend Margaret has been volunteering in Ohio even though she works full time. My Aunt Mary in Albany has carved time out of her busy schedule as a doctor. In my lifetime, I have never seen a candidate motivate and enliven so many people. I was a staunch Hillary supporter (and still am!), but Barack Obama has won me over. I've never felt so hopeful for America.


It seems fitting to mark the day with apples, America's iconic fruit, which served as the simple and fitting decoration at a recent fundraiser I attended. The varieties available at Pete's Produce last week tempted me into buying an array from Mutsus to Honey Crisps. Every year my sister and I love to bake Grandma Smyth's apple cake (recipe below).

Monday is a crazy afternoon here every week: we have a cello lesson, two orchestra rehearsals, and a Boy Scout Venture Crew meeting. I always need to make a dinner that can be prepared before 3:00 and eaten later. So tonight will be a quick spinach and tortellini soup from Sarah Lee Chase's Cold Weather Cooking.

Apple cake after school, a warm filling soup tonight, and a good night's sleep from feeling so hopeful for America's future, beginning tomorrow.

Grandma Smyth's Apple Cake

5 apples, peeled, cored, chopped 1/2"
2 c. sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt
1 c. melted shortening
2 eggs
1 c. raisins
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Combine the apples with 1/2 c. of the sugar and let stand 10 minutes. Sift dry ingredients together. Blend shortening, eggs, and rest of sugar into apples. Add dry ingredients. Add nuts and raisins. Turn into a greased 13x9x2 pan. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with more granulated sugar. Freezes beautifully.