FruitFromWashington.com Web-Letter

November, (in case you haven't heard) is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Month. It's a sorry comment on the state of most kitchens if we need a national month of observance to remind us to tackle this kitchen chore! It seems that "Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day" was a commercial "holiday" designated by the Whirlpool company a few years ago, to increase awareness of food safety.

The day was set for a week before Thanksgiving. That did have a certain logic. Who knows? Leftovers from last year's Turkey Day Feast might still linger in the deep recesses of the fridge, pushed back behind that scraped out jar of peanut butter and, hmmm, looks like sauerkraut....Even those famous "Car Guys" could not resist poking fun at it. You can find a clean out your refrigerator day greeting card on cartalk.com! However, one day apparently wasn't time enough to get the procrastinators among us to throw out and scrub up, so we now have all of November as "National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Month."

Well, the cause is a good one even if national day or month designation is a tad absurd. All agree that most fridges could use a good cleaning before the holidays when they get their heaviest use. It's a good idea to clear out old food every two weeks and wash the inside of the refrigerator with soap and water. Doesn't sound like much to celebrate though, does it? Don't worry, we won't be sending cards!

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” - W.T. Purkiser

Here is our menu recommendation for a Traditional Thanksgiving Day Feast.
Main Course and Side Dishes - Turkey with Bread Dressing and Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy, Green Beans, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Green Salad and Fruit Salad, Dinner Rolls. Condiments - all kinds. Desserts - Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Minced Pear Pie, Carrot Pudding (with optional Whipping Cream) & Coffee

Tired of Tradition? Here's another option for a Thanksgiving meal with just a bit more pizzazz!
For Starters - Crudité with Blue Cheese
Main Course and Side Dishes -
Roast Turkey Glazed with Cilantro and Lime, Cornbread-Herb Dressing with Dried Tomatoes and Pancetta Tequila, Apple and Dried Cranberry Compote, Green Bean Casserole, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes with Country Mustard, Baked Sweet Potatoes and Cameo® Apples, Fall Endive Salad
Desserts - Traditional Selection Harvest Pies & Coffee.

Parkin & Harcake sounds like the name of a law partnership. The Brits know otherwise. These are regional types of gingerbread traditionally served on special nights in England during early November. Parkin is a sticky gingerbread made with oatmeal, served on November 5, during Bonfire Night, in remembrance of Guy Fawkes' foiled gunpowder plot against King James I of England. Harcake is a dense, dark gingerbread, made around Halloween time, in remembrance of the dead. Some believe that recipe, also called "Hearth Cake" or "Soul Cake," was made to be laid on the graves of departed loved ones, to nourish them in the afterlife. Link to: Parkin Recipe - Traditional North England Cake, Other Recipe Variations of Parkin, Harcake Recipe.

Household Hint - Wood oil or Block oil is handy for many jobs. It's good for more than just treating such items as wooden salad bowls, knife handles, and breadboards. Use it to clean and protect knives, kitchen scissors, garden clippers and pruners. When your favorite garden tools get gunky, soak them in block oil and wipe with steel wool. Blades get sparkly and the coating will help prevent rust.

Land for sale. Here is the ideal location for the one who dreams of settling down on rural acreage in a northwest farming community. This open field tract, sloped view lot offers a panoramic view of valley farms and mountain vistas which takes in the dramatic Cascade Mountain Range and Mt. Stuart. It is approximately 7.16 acres (more or less), located on the southern edge of Kittitas Valley, Washington; about 14 miles southeast of Ellensburg, Washington. (Click for more).

Hay Buyers Wanted—Select Kittitas County Timothy and Orchard Grass Horse Hay For Sale! We can ship to most areas. Free delivery available for small loads within Kittitas County, Washington (see details).

Quick Click Highlights for Autumn
• Fruit crate label screensaver • Fall Garden Tips • Garden Links • Cooking Links • Fruit Drying • Making Preserves - Jams, Jellies and More • Searchable recipe database • Computer wallpaper • Calorie Search • Fruit Calorie Search • Blessings, Graces & Toasts • Celebration Meal Links
• Americana Farm Scenes Digital Postcards

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