Monday, October 11, 2021

Lets Meet Ferdinand Frankenstein

Eek!!!  Don't be frightened.  Welcome to The Little Yellow Corner Store....let me introduce you to my eerie but affectionate friend, Ferdinand Frankenstein.  He decided to drop in for a visit.  Fall is his favorite time of year to travel and since my grandson is just over a year old, he was anxious to meet him and get acquainted.   To my little peapod........this is Ferdinand Frankenstein and this special tablescape and story is for you.

I am also happy to mention that along with this introduction to Ferdinand, we are participating in the Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by our dear friend, Rita from Panoply beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2021.  Please visit each of the blog links listed below starting October 12th and enjoy all of the hair-raising and spine-chilling tablescapes from some of the most talented designers.  You will have a wickedly good time browsing through them all.  Now that you are here visiting The Little Yellow Corner Store, lets begin with Ferdinand Frankenstein.

Ferdinand is a gentle old soul who is generous, kind and very considerate.  His smile is contagious and he makes friends very easily.  Children gravitate to him and are taken in by his playfulness, good-humor and politeness, not to mention, his good looks.    He is so well-known for his cuddly hugs and infectious positive demeanor. Nothing is really scary about Ferdinand.  He loves everyone.





When Ferdinand was a little boy, his favorite time of the year was Fall because of Halloween.  You can say he was very fond of this season because he was "born" or put together during this time.  Many of his cherished childhood memories were of this cool weather season.  During Fall he would play with his toy spiders and bats from morning to night.  Just before bedtime, the ominous moon would appear in the night sky and shine though the spooky clouds and twinkling stars. At that time, his mother would remind him to get ready for bed.  He was to wash up, put on his bat pattern pajamas and brush his green teeth with his prized slime toothpaste.  After night time prayers, Ferdinand would burrow down into his soft and fluffy comforter and drift into a deep sleep for the entire Fall night.



As he was growing up, Ferdinand was very excited to visit his friends in caves to play, but they all loved to visit the local apple orchards even more during this special season.  They would spend hours playing peek-a-boo in the corn mazes, picking apples and joy-riding in hay wagons throughout the area.  




His spider friends just love to hang out with Ferdinand.



And who could resist leaping into huge piles of gathered leaves.  The best fun was for Ferdinand, his spider friends and bat friends to hide in the leaf piles with other children and pop out when unexpected adults were near.  Ferdinand never frightened children.  To them, Ferdinand is an oversize lovable child himself.  






Ferdinand always enjoyed asking his spider and bat friends to join him to carve pumpkins into jack o'lanterns, make sweet, crunchy peanut caramel apples, cinnamon apple pie, creamy pumpkin pie and hot apple cider.  






And for some of his spider and bat friends, he would conjure up a bubbling cauldron of witches brew for a night time beverage.  



Ferdinand adores the Fall weather since it gives him a chance to wear his warm and cozy lime green and pink laboratory sweater with matching pink neck bolts. Fall is a time to dress up in sweaters or snuggle up with blankets beside a flickering indoor or outdoor fire.  He never forgets to bring the marshmallows for roasting around the campfire.  Ferdinand says the smell of burning wood of the campfire reminds him of his grandparents who loved the outdoors and did plenty of camping and hiking, especially in Fall when the leaves would have changed a brilliant shade of red, orange, yellow and burgundy and nights become cool and nippy.

 










Of course, Halloween trick or treat is a huge celebration for Ferdinand.  It is a chance to gather with friends and have a party after going door-to-door visiting the neighbors.  Ferdinand inspires others to go "all out" and decorate for the event.  Orange and purple lights and lit jack o'lanterns are every where around his abode.  He adorns his front door with smiling ghosts and cackling witches who help welcome all the children to the front porch.  Boiling cauldrons, curious black cats and witches brooms are placed on either side of the spider-webbed door along with a huge bowl of fun Halloween candy for trick or treaters.  All are welcomed to Ferdinand's haunted castle.  







If you ever tasted one of Ferdinand's dutch apple pies, you would never want to taste any other.  It is loaded with slightly tart and slightly sweet sliced apples from the orchard and mixed with spices, sugars and lemon juice to form a caramel sauce.  His scrumptious cinnamon dutch apple pie is award-winning each year at the Monster Fair.  The aroma of this delectable pie brings all of the ghouls in the neighborhood to his house.  The pie is topped with a crunchy cinnamon topping and served with a scoop of smooth and creamy vanilla ice cream.  Ferdinand really knows how to bake and make everyone feel at home.  Below is his recipe that he is willing to share with friends like you.



Ferdinand's Dutch Apple Pie


1 homemade or refrigerated pie crust
12 apples (peeled, cored and sliced into pieces 1/8 inch thick) (Assorted apples such as Granny Smith and Gala)
2 T lemon juice
1/4 tsp of lemon zest
3/4 C brown sugar
3/4 C granulated sugar
5 T flour, all purpose
1/3 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamom (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:

1 C flour
1/3 C brown sugar
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/2 C cold, cubed butter
1 tsp. cinnamon


Peel, core and slice apples into pan with lemon juice.  cook over medium heat.  Add sugars, flour, salt and spices.  Cover and cook gently for approximately 15 to 20 minutes stirring very often.  Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.  Cool it down completely.  

In the meantime, slightly pre-bake refrigerated pie crust in 350 degree oven for 5 to 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and add chilled apple pie filling.  

Now mix the topping ingredients until it forms crumbs.  Sprinkle on top of the apple filling.   Bake at 375 for approximately 50 -60 minutes.  Cool down and cut into slices.  Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Enjoy!











Would you like Ferdinand as a friend?  He says "thank you" for the visit, a chance to share his story and the opportunity to get acquainted and become your friend too.  He and his friends send their best wishes for a Happy Halloween.  Come visit with him again.




The story about the life of Ferdinand Frankenstein is much loved by children and adults alike.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Adults at any age love to celebrate Halloween too.  

So with that acknowledgment and the end of the story of Ferdinand Frankenstein, we offer a little refreshment for adults...a glass of apple cider sangria.  The recipe includes apple cider (2 or 3 C) mixed with 1 bottle white wine (750ml.), 1 bottle of ginger beer (12 oz.), apple, lemon and orange slices and star anise, cinnamon sticks and ice cubes in the shape of skulls and bones for embellishment.  It is cold, slightly sweet and has the refreshing flavors of Fall.  Lets make a toast to Ferdinand!

















Now let's continue with more chilling, spooky Halloween fun by visiting the following table designers in the Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop.  (Remember the links below will be active starting Tuesday, October 12, 2021.)





Pandora's Box - Black, White and BOO
The Little Yellow Corner Store - Let's Meet Ferdinand Frankenstein
Home is Where the Boat Is - Happy Haunting Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul - Whooo's Ready for Halloween
The Sweet Sensations - Ghoulish Glam for Halloween
Everyday Living - No Tricks, Only Treats
Life and Linda - Happy Hallow-Queens Party
Tablescapes at Twenty-One - The Spider & the Fly
The Bookish Dilettante - Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop
Red Cottage Chronicles - Black Magic Halloween Tablescape
Me and My Captain - Trick or Treat


Happy Halloween to All!

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for your Ferdinand story! Definitely a treat and not a trick. Your Frankenstein plates are so unique and perfect on your table. The skulls and bones ice cubes are so clever along with your sprinkling of anise. You always manage to come up with a clever item that we don't see every day. I am still marveling at your "little lamb butter" from several tables ago.
    I appreciate your recipes and who doesn't like apple pie? Have a wonderful Halloween with your littles.

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  2. It's nice to meet you, Ferdinand, along with your creepy crawly spider friends! I love the neon colors in the plates...they remind me of the 80s! They have a cute shape, too. Your table is adorable, and I appreciate the recipe: You're inspiring me to bake because usually I've already baked something delicious and apple by this time. Also: I liked Ferdinand's story!

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  3. What a fun post! Your Ferdinand is such a cute theme. My little nieces would love your colorful table. I would love a slice of that yummy apple pie. Happy Halloween!

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  4. Ferdinand is adorable with his toothy smile. Such a cute story. Love the skull and crossbones ice cubes. I do have the skulls ones. Love the bright colors. Your cocktail sounds wonderful and the apple pie is always welcome. A pleasure hopping along with you.

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  5. Spooktacular to meet Ferdinand and read his fun and friendly Halloween story. I’m sure your grandson must love him. Like Ferdinand, I’m a little green (with envy) of those who have a seat at your table with the delicious looking pie and tasty beverage. Always appreciate your recipes!

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  6. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog via the Blog Hop, and it's nice to visit on a day when we're treated to such a delightful and well told story! (Were you a teacher at one time?) I have a friend named Ferdinand - no relation to this one...at least not to my knowledge!😁...and I will encourage him to stop by to see this. He'll get a kick out of it! You did an outstanding job of creating a tablescape and atmosphere that your grandson and ALL little ones would embrace without fear. With all the sparkle and glitz, it's a tablescape for adults, too! And the pie...LET'S NOT FORGET THE PIE!!!!!!!! I'll take my adult beverage in a supersized cauldron, please!😉 Nicely done! Best of the Halloween season to you and yours!!

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  7. Aww, what a sweet story and I love that Ferdinand is so friendly and not scary! The plates are adorable and I love the bubbling cauldrons... you always have so many cute details plus delicious recipes, the cocktails and pie sound so Fall perfect! Much fun thank you Marsha!
    Jenna

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  8. Using Ferdinand's story is a fun way to add personality to the your table. And, I really liked that you use Xmas ornaments as part of the table. Nice to be able to use what we own and not have it all tucked away for 11 months!
    Thanks for including the pie recipe - it looks yummy.
    Happy Halloween!

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  9. OH wow, was that Apple pie a nice surprise in your cute post! We will be apple picking in the next few days. I love the Ferdinand dishes - so fun! The ice cubes are cute! This was a fun read and a great table.

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  10. Marsha, I will begin at the end, with a nice apple cider sangria and piece of that wonderful pie. Ferdinand is a delightful, gentle giant of a character. His cauldron with cubes (😉) is perfect, and he himself a very playful guy. I know O will love this story. I can see myself playing with my baby J and having lots of fun in the future. Happy Halloween!

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  11. Please ask Ferdinand to save a slice of that delicious looking pie for me, and a glass of sangria. Ferdi looks like a lovable guy and I love his story, it was beautifully written. Happy Halloween!

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  12. I love to keep the ‘Happy’ in Halloween so I’m glad to know that Ferninand is a gentle giant. : ) I love that he is an award-winning baker too. I had to chuckle at his ‘green and pink laboratory sweater with matching pink neck bolts’…so creative Marsha! Thanks for the grins this morning. I’ll take a slice of pie for my coffee and come back after 5:00 for my glass of apple cider sangria. As always it’s a treat to hop with you. Happy Haunting!

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  13. Marsha, how I would love a slice of your Dutch apple pie! Ferdinand is a sweet little story that I will share with my granddaughters. I really am so glad that Ferdinand is not scary, but a gentle and friendly one. I love your creativity!

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  14. Marsha, Ferdinand is so cute! I love your fun and kid friendly table setting. The purple and green color scheme is perfect. My favorite touch is the centerpiece of glass ornaments with twinkle lights. I always enjoy how you include a recipe or two, and the pie and sangria both sound amazing! It's always a pleasure to hop with you. Happy Halloween!

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  15. Very cute! Trick-or-treaters everywhere will enjoy his story and your grandson is very lucky to meet him in person. Great hopping with you! Happy Haunting

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  16. Marsha, I'm partial to Frankenstein myself. Enjoyed your cute table setting and your purple and green color scheme.
    Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland

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  17. I just pinned your awesome tablescape and we featured your post on Full Plate Thursday, 559. Thank so much for sharing with us and hope you come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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