Looking Out the Window: Jewels for the Kingdom by Delia Latham Part of the New Heart's Haven Series. Read about the Series. Delia Gives Away a PDF Copy of her Book, Shares a Recipe and Bible Verses
Nourish the Body
Wow! A Delicious Recipe for Apple Pie from the 1800's
From Delia:
I’d like to share a recipe from Heart’s Haven, if I may…
Back in the 1800s, when Hart House was operational as a boarding facility, Lily Hart’s apple pie was famous. She made the best in the entire area, possibly the whole state of Texas! Lots of things have changed in the intervening years, but one thing that has not changed is that most single men will go anywhere and do anything to at the right place, at the right time, when a home-cooked meal—and, in particular, homemade desserts—are being served. Yet die-hard bachelors in Angel Falls would not step foot inside Hart House, even for Lily Hart’s mouth-watering apple pie. Can you guess why?
Here’s the recipe, and I have it on good authority that it is every bit as good as Lily’s reputation said it was.
Lily Hart’s Apple Pie
Crust
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening or butter
1 cup milk
Filling
6-8 tart apples, cored peeled, sliced bite size
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1½ tsp. cinnamon
Combine flour and salt for crust. Cut shortening into mixture with a pastry cutter or fork until the flour is in pea-sized balls. Add the milk. Crust should be wet. Rolling out the pastry will add flour to the crust, giving it a drier consistency that will be easier to handle. Divide mixture into two even balls. Place one ball on the well- floured pastry cloth or board. Roll out into a thin circle. Place in 9 inch pie pan. Press into edges. Using fork tines, poke holes in the bottom of the crust to let out steam and prevent bubbles.
Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon for filling. Pour over apples. Stir until all the apples are coated and flour mixture is absorbed. Pour into pie crust. Roll out remaining ball of crust. Place over the top of the apples. Crimp edges. Slice off excess crust. Pierce crust top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Optional Crumb Topping (instead of top crust):
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
6 T butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Thoroughly blend first 5 ingredients. Add chilled butter cubes; cut in until mixture resembles wet sand. Pack topping over and around mounded apples in bottom crust. Bake pie on baking sheet until apples in center are tender when pierced and filling is bubbling thickly at edges. Cool until warm, about 1 hour. Delicious served with ice cream.
Scrumptious, right? So what could have possibly been the problem with those Angel Falls bachelors? You can find out for sure in the pages of Jewels for the Kingdom—Book One in the Heart’s Haven collection.
A bit about Heart's Haven:
Heart's Haven is a one-of-a-kind apartment complex located just outside the fictional town of Angel Falls, TX, on the outskirts of the Angelina National Forest. It's owned by Andrew Hart, a crusty old guy who is rumored to have the ability to see and speak with angels. Does he? Well, who knows? But there is, without a doubt, some kind of divine presence that makes itself felt by every tenant. The complex consists of eight small cottages, each with its own tiny yard and trellised gate. Over each gate, a hand-carved sign proclaims: May love find all who enter here. And it usually does...
About Delia's new book, Jewels for the Kingdom
Pia Peretti’s past could destroy her future. Thanks to her pre-Christian lifestyle, she can’t marry a believer, and she won’t marry a non-believer. Minister David Myers wants to help Pia release her guilt and trust that God has forgiven her...but the young minister is working through his own trial of faith.
After a failed counseling session with a wounded soul, David's confidence is shaken. He accepts a new pastorate, and moves to Angel Falls to find a haven for his wounded heart.
Is it possible these two hurting hearts are meant to mend each other’s brokenness with some divine intervention?
Excerpt from Jewels for the Kingdom:“So you live in one of my uncle’s little houses.”
“Yes. At the bottom point of the heart.” Her low murmur of laughter shivered its way up his spine, and he forced a chuckle past his throat.
“Oh, yes, the heart. Uncle Andy is nothing if not romantic.” He’d been amused at the taciturn bachelor’s whimsical arrangement of the small apartments. From an aerial view, it would look like a loosely drawn heart.
“Romantic?” Pia’s head snapped his way, making her hair swing around her face like a silky curtain in a playful breeze. She fixed him under an incredulous stare. “Are we talking about the same Andrew Hart?”
He laughed. “Well, he’s apparently doing a good job of keeping you from knowing it, but the old guy really is a softie at heart.”
She arched one perfect, wing-shaped brow. “Deep at heart, perhaps. So deep it might never be seen again.”
He studied her for a moment. “Did you know he sees angels…talks to them?”
Pia slanted him a doubtful look before returning her gaze to the road. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am. He speaks with his guardian angel on a regular basis. Other folks’ angels, as well, from time to time.”
She hesitated, and then spoke softly. “That’s why I sometimes see him deep in conversation with…no one.”
“It’s someone. Trust me.”
“You really believe that?”
He cocked his head, watching her absorb his words. “He gives His angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways. That’s biblical.”
She tugged at her lip with teeth like small white pearls, and David’s stomach did an unexpected cartwheel. “Oh, I absolutely believe in angels. But do you really think they can be seen?”
“I believe some people are open enough to the idea to make it possible. For instance, children see many things adults do not because we’ve ceased to be open to the possibility. Some people come face to face with God’s messengers and never realize it. And other especially sensitive, faith-filled folks, like Uncle Andy, converse with them often.”
Her head moved up and down again, but she said nothing. David touched her arm. “Want to know something else?”
“I’m not sure. Do I?”
Delia’s bio:
Born and raised in Weedpatch, California, Delia Latham moved to Oklahoma in '08, making her a self-proclaimed California Okie. She loves to read and write in her country home, and gets a kick out of watching her husband play Farmer John. She's a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. She loves Dr. Pepper and hearing from her readers. Contact her through her website (www.delialatham.net) or send an e-mail to: delia AT delialatham DOT net.
Delia writes inspirational romance and women's fiction, and is currently contracted through White Rose Publishing and Vinspire Publishing.
Nourish the Soul
Delia's Favorite Bible Verses
Psalm 51:10—Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
I love this verse because it’s a prayer I need to pray all over again every day, and sometimes more than once a day. I keep it close to my heart, so I’ll be reminded to keep my heart pure and my spirit sweet.
Philippians 4:8— Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This scripture amazes me, because there’s so much talk about what we, as Christians, should and should not allow into our minds. Well…there’s really no need to question it, is there? It’s all spelled out right here in these 43 words—exactly where our thoughts should be. Could it be any clearer? God lays things out for us so beautifully!
Given the direction God has been taking my storylines, and my writing as a whole, there’s another scripture that’s becoming increasingly meaningful to me. It is:
Psalm 91:11— For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Without any planning or foreknowledge on my part, angels keep appearing in my books. I have no clue what God’s up to with that, but who am I to question His leading? And there’s something more than a little comforting to me in knowing that He cares so much about me—yes, ME, as an individual—that He’s assigned a special angel to watch over me, lead me, guide me, and keep me—in all my ways. Without going into a lot of elaboration, may I just say…wow! God is utterly and completely AWESOME!
Other Heart's Haven Authors and Books
Marianne Evans (Heart’s Haven, Book 2, Operation Breathless)Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.
Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, the Ancient City Romance Writers Heart of Excellence contest where two of her novels earned distinction as finalists and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.
Connect with Marianne:
Website: www.marianneevans.com
Blog: www.marianneevans.blogspot.com
Facebook Reader Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Marmo212
Tanya Stowe has had an eclectic career in market research, arts education and event coordination. She has written for television, publicity firms, national publications, and even collaborated on a Christmas musical. Tanya has been married to her high school sweetheart for thirty-eight years. They have four children and eighteen grandchildren. Recently her husband retired from government work to take a new position. They are living in the Middle East and have had many adventures!
Mary Manners (Heart’s Haven, Book 4, Dance with Me)Mary’s debut novel, Mended Heart, was nominated Best Inspirational Romance 2010, and was finalist for the Bookseller’s Best Award and her follow-up, Tender Mercies, was awarded an outstanding 4 ½ star rating from The Romantic Times Book Reviews and was also a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Buried Treasures, her third novel, was named Book of the Year by The Wordsmith Journal. Light the Fire, her fourth novel, took top honors for the 2012 Inspirational Readers Choice Award while her fifth, Wisdom Tree, continues to garner top ratings. Mary was named Author of the Year by Book and Trailer Showcase. She writes romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels—something for everyone.
Learn more about Mary Manners at her website:
www.MaryMannersRomance.com
and at her author pages:
www.PelicanBookGroup.com
www.Amazon.com
More about Heart's Haven on facebook http://www.facebook.com/HHFriends?ref=hl
Delia's Web site www.delialatham.net
Comments
Readers, I hope you enjoy Lily's apple pie. Just remember, if there's a bachelor in your life, and you'd like to keep him around awhile, definitely serve him the pie - just don't tell him a lot about Heart's Haven if he's skittish... :)
Having you is my pleasure!
Gay, do have your daughter bring Lily's pie. I'd love to hear how your family likes it. And, by the way, you are a lovely pastor's wife! :)
Good luck on your series, it sounds uplifting, inspirational and wonderful.
Gail you continue to have a fabulous
Blog, thank you
Gina, thank you! I hope it is uplifting, inspirational and wonderful! :D
Thank you for saying hello!
Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com