Momma laughed and sat up. Glancing over at the clock on the mantle, above the fireplace, she said “We have time for one book. I believe it is Kylie’s turn to pick a book tonight, Piper.”
“It is!” I said as I hopped off the sofa and went to the bookshelf. Let’s read Cindy Lou and Sammy’s new book.”
Piper said, “Oh that’s great, Kylie.” I always like hearing what Cindy and Sammy are up to next.
“We get to see and learn about different animals in this book.” As I ran and leaped back onto the sofa, I handed the book to Momma.
Chapter Eleven
After reading our favorite book, Momma stood up and held out her hands. We each took a hand, and then Momma led us up the stairs.
We brushed our teeth and changed into our pajamas. We knelt by our bunk beds to pray.
Piper prayed, “Dear God, Thank you for this day. Thank you for our house and for our family and for our life. Help all the people that are sick in the world and that are sad. And thank you for an awesome little sister!”
My turn, I said. “Dear God. Thank you for this fun day. Thank you for my family and thank you for everything you give us. And thanks for my awesome sister.”
Momma said, “Thank you for my beautiful girls and their adventurous spirits. Help us to keep learning and growing as we treat others as we would like them to treat us. We are also learning to help each other without complaining. Thank you again for Piper and Kylie.”
“Amen.” We all said together.
Sissy climbed up to her bunk bed. I snuggled into mine and waited for Momma’s kisses. She first kissed Piper, and then leaned down to kiss me.
Before Momma turned out our light, she looked over her shoulder and said, “Sleep well my girls. I love you.”
We both said, “Goodnight Momma. Love You too.”
Shortly after Momma left the room, Piper hung down over the bed, giggling. “I love you, Kylie.”
I smiled up at her and said, “I love you too Sissy.”
“Sweet dreams.” Piper said, as she swung back into her bed. As I drifted off to slumber, I wondered what Piper would come up with next!
THE END ~ for now!
Grammie's Apple Pie
6 cups apple slices, (Grammie likes to mix two different types of apples. She says it tastes better.)
3/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
A dash of nutmeg
2 tablespoons of butter
Put apples in a large bowl. Combine all dry ingredients and pour over apples. Mix lightly.
Line a 9 inch pie pan with crust and fill with apple mixture. Put a few drops of butter on top then add top crust. Crimp edges and poke top with fork so steam escapes.
BAKE at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.
Cool and enjoy! Tastes real good with ice cream!
Grammie's Best Pie Crust
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup Crisco shortening
5-7 tablespoons ice water
In a large bowl mix flour and salt. Use a pastry blender to cut shortening into flour. Work until dough is the size of peas. Make a well in the middle of the dough and add ice water a little at a time while mixing with a fork. Roll into a ball, cut it in half. On a floured surface roll dough with a rolling pin to the size you need. This makes enough for a two crust pie, like Grammie’s Apple Pie.
Piper and Kylie’s Baked Apples
This is our favorite because you can make it with one apple or a bunch. We’ll tell you how to make it with 6 apples so you can share it with your family. Ask an adult to help you whenever you are using the stove and always remember to wear your oven mitts.
6 apples (peeled, cored and sliced) We like our Apple Peeler, Corer & Slicer. It’s really fast. You need to use firm apples or apples that have been in the refrigerator. Soft apples won’t work with peeler, slicer, and corer. They break up and get messy.
Spray a pan with cooking spray. We use the olive oil spray, but you can use the one you have at home. If you don’t have spray, you can grease your pan or baking dish with butter.
Put your apples in the pan or baking dish.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. You can get the cinnamon and sugar already mixed in a shaker.
Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Spoon them into a dish while they are warm. Add ice cream and Wha-La! You have Yummy-in-Your-Tummy.
Momma told us we needed to put this in our story, so you wouldn’t get in trouble. If you want to play Whack-the-Apple, ask your parents and play outside. Love Piper and Kylie.
Acknowledgment
Thank you Maureen Dwyer, for your friendship, editing and recipes.
Thank you Jo-Ann Romanik, for your friendship and editing.
Thank you Anika Bel for bringing our story to life. Your illustrations capture the essence of Piper and Kylie.
Thank you to all of you for your support and patronage. Piper and Kylie will see you again soon.
Believe in Dreams My Friends. I'm Living Mine.
About the Author
Cheryl McNeil Fisher is someone who knows about life’s challenges. In study after study it has been shown that adjusting to blindness is the most difficult experience we as humans can go through. But beyond just getting by, in Cheryl we find someone who had good vision and a lucrative career, having to tap into inner and spiritual resources to not be stopped when others well might give up. She has earned a four year degree in counseling from the State University of NY as well as many education certificates. A resident of the Hudson Valley area of NY, Cheryl has expanded her scope of motivational and educational initiatives beyond the northeast to a nation-wide outreach. You can find her speaking about finding the strength to face setbacks and then excel, plus she is an advocate for children and adults with a full spectrum of differently special traits.
But her vision expands to include writing and publishing her own books, for children but with a message for adults there too. Cheryl is the author of Cindy Lou and Sammy Too Go to the Mall, The Adventure of a Guide Dog Team (2014) and the SPECIAL EDITION with Discussion Questions (2016), Apple Batter-Up (Sister Series) (2015), Bolter Lightning in NABBED (2016)' Cindy Lou and Sammy Too Meet New Friends at the Zoo (2016) and the owner of Doggoneit Publishing, a private book label dedicated to producing quality books. She also focuses on literacy and writing, sharing her love of reading and encouraging students to develop the same love. In addition, Cheryl offers workshops for children about how to develop a story, write a book, and illustrate a book. In her storybook workshop students produce a 12-page book with personalized front and back covers. She hopes to engender the love of reading and writing in children and to foster creativity while learning about special needs individuals at the same time.
Contact Cheryl for a visit~
Watch for HISTORY MYSTERY IN PHILADELPHIA with Cindy, Sammy and Friends to be released in July 2018, and the second in the Sister Series. You can find more about Cheryl at her website: www.cherylmcneilfisher.com
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