The Trunk
The Trunk
(part 4 of 13)
The three women went downstairs into the kitchen where
wonderful smells were all around permeating the air.
Grandmas recipe for Apple Turnovers was framed
and hanging on the wall on the side of the stove.
Anna's Apple Turnovers
3 c. pared apples, coarsely chopped
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Pinch of salt
1/3 c. butter
FLAKY CRUST:
4 1/2 c. flour, sifted
11/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
6 to 8 tbsp. cold water
MIX FLAKY CRUST: Sift flour and salt.
Cut in shortening, add water.
Roll 1/8 inch thick and cut into 4 inch squares. Set aside.
Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt.
Place 1 heaping tablespoon apple mixture in center of each square. Dot with 1/2 teaspoon butter.
Moisten edges with water, fold into triangle and press edges together with fork.
Place on greased cookie sheet. Prick top with fork.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
After cooled drizzle icing sparingly and
sprinkle red hot cinnamon candies on top.
Icing Recipe:
2 c. powdered sugar
1/ 4c. melted butter
1/4 T. water
1 t. vanilla
red hot candies
Makes 16 turnovers.
"Oh,my goodness there is Grannie Moons recipe....I know it by heart." exclaimed Anna.
Amelia introduced Anna and Linda to everyone in the kitchen and they all sat down for tea and turnovers. When they were finished Amelia took the two ladies out to the court yard to see the grounds.
Almost one fourth of the area was a vegetable garden and a very neat one. Everything was weeded and the straggly plants tied up or trimmed to look like a picture in a garden catalog.
In another part of the garden there was a wonderful herb garden. Everything was neatly marked and the plants were well tended. Next to the herb garden was a small shelf with cutting baskets so the fresh herbs could be used in the kitchen.
There were miniature fruit trees sprinkled in various parts of the garden with small concrete benches near each tree. In the very center of the garden was a round picnic table big enough to seat thirteen people and surrounding the table were Lavender plants. Beautiful Lavender that was Grannie Moon's favorite herb. She not only wore Lavender but she used it everyday in some form for food, such as salads and stews or baking usage.
Everyone who was at tea were so nice to Anna and told her how they loved her Grannie.
It seemed that everyone that lived in the apartment house on 714 Mulberry Street was a friend of Grannie Moon.
Amelia told the ladies she would take them back to Anna's apartment and see them in a few days. They exchanged phone numbers and started out the gate...but had to wait until a blue 1937 Citroen came speeding through the gate. Linda asked Amelia "Who was that driving?" Amelia replied "It is the tenant in apartment eight."
Amelia drove the ladies to Anna's apartment and they went upstairs to Anna's place.
"Anna you're awfully quiet what are you thinking about now?" asked Linda.
"Grannie Moon had a blue 1937 Citroen automobile just like the one that drove through the gate."
"It can't be the same, Anna, there are still a few left you know and why would you think it was the same anyway?"
"I know because there were two Lavender sprays painted on the hood!"
Linda, seeing that Anna was not in a talkative mood, said she was going home and that she would see Anna the next morning.
Later on that evening Anna got a call from the delivery service that they would be delivering the trunk in the morning at 8 am. She went to bed early but had some strange and vivid dreams that did not make a bit of sense.
"Anna, they delivered the trunk, why didn't you call me ?"yelled Linda.
"Oh, you scared the stuffing out of me, I forgot you had a key to get into my place."
"Sorry I did ring the buzzer first but I knew you were home and you didn't answer."
"That's alright, I was absorbed in the the contents of the trunk."
"Look at this paper Linda it's about my Grandpa Moon. His real last name was Ooljee which is Navajo meaning Moon. I knew that but I did not know he was a Marine code breaker in the second world war." Linda looked at another paper and squeeled out
"Anna your Grannie Moon was one of the Maquis groups in the French Resistance !"
"Can you imagine little Grannie Moon blowing up railroads and attacking German Army equipment ?"
"Actually yes I can because she spoke fluent German and French but her Navajo dialect was only spoken to Grandpa Moon."
"Now I understand why they got along so well."
" I am so happy your Grannie Moon did not get captured because it would have meant death for her not prison camp."
©Julia A Knaake