The Orchard House: Little Women 1868

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents, grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.It's so dreadful to be poor! sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.

I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all, added little Amy, with an injured sniff.  We've got Father and Mother, and each other, said Beth contentedly from her corner.

The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time. She didn't say perhaps never, but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.

Louisa May Alcott

"Little Women" (1868)

Photograph:  The Orchard House in "Little Women" Concord, Ma.

Louisa May Alcott's Apple Slump

Louisa May Alcott's Apple Slump

6 cups apples, pared, cored, and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
About 1/2 cup milk

Combine apple slices, sugar, cinnamon and water in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Heat to the boiling point.

Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Stir in enough milk to make a soft dough. Drop dough from a tablespoon onto apple mixture. Cover tightly and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.

Serve warm with New England Nutmeg Sauce or rich cream. This dessert can also be made with fresh or frozen berries. Serves 6.

New England Nutmeg Sauce:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon butter

Mix together sugar and flour. Stir in boiling water and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce bubbles and thickens slightly. Add 1 tablespoon butter and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg. Serve hot.

"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary." Louisa May Alcott

"Stay" is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary."

Louisa May Alcott

Jennifer R. Bernard

Photography by Jennifer

"Little Women" series:   Amy at The Orchard House (2010)

"In the Sunshine Are My Highest Aspirations" Louisa May Alcott

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. 

I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, 

believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."  

Louisa May Alcott