Just imagine, Miss Blue, the delightful taste of Dandelion Wine.  I have found the recipe and will have to wait for the early morning to pick the dandelions, and like the Van Gogh painting of Dandelions, I am carried away by the beauty of the yellow flowers.

Dandelion Wine Recipe

Early in the morning when the dew is on the flowers, pick one gallon of of perfect open dandelion blossoms. Put the flowers in a two gallon open crock and pour boiling waer over them.  Cover the crock with cheesecloth and let it sit at room temperature for three days. Then squeeze all of the juice out of the flowers, throw them away and save the liquid.  Put the liquid into a big pot and add honey, 3 or 4 lemons, juice, skin, seeds, all chopped up and 3 or 4 oranges, chopped, Then boil for 30 minutes, cool to lukewarm, pour into crock, add 2 tablespoons of yeast and cover with cheesecloth and let brew for two or three weeks until the bubbling stops. Filter through cheesecloth to strain out chunks and save vitamins. 

I will have to find the perfect fancy wine bottles, Miss Blue. and then store them in some cool place.  A perfect way to entertain friends and family, Miss Blue, so when you visit we will sit on the porch and toast to each other our best wishes for all things as friends do.

When will you be able to visit?

Love, Pearl

Melba had Louise make her a pumpkin skirt for the Harvest Moon Festival.  It's sure to start a rage, Melba is such a leader that way! 

Dear Miss Blue

The Harvest Moon Festival again this year!  I will tell you that the Potato Bobbing Booth is different this time. We will be featuring Sweet Potatoes as they are slightly smaller and more twisted in shape and just more fun to bob for! The water should be very cold as that is better for the life of the potatoes.  And on second thought, the Bobbers might like to take some of the potatoes home to roast in the oven with honey and butter for a late night supper.

Fanny and Melba making paper mache pumpkin masks?  I never thought Melba was very artistic, Miss Blue, although maybe Fanny  with her little girl imagination will help Melba with her mask. I would like to make a Harvest Moon mask, just to join in the festivities although paper mache is not one of my gifts.

I can hardly wait to see you, dear Miss Blue, and hope the weather for the Harvest Moon is just right for the Festival.

Until then, your loving Pearl 

Dear Pearl,

Just a word of warning, Pearl.  The Harvest Moon Festival is scheduled for the very evening of the harvest moon!  Remember what happened the last time the unfortunate events lined up?  All the cats!  The horror of it!  Thank goodness we are not planning to be on an ocean liner this time!  No chance of running into any rogue celebrations aboard orphan schooners! Still, it does give one pause.

The planning committee is simply determined to repeat your wonderful Potato Bobbing Booth again this year. Would you be a dear and describe how it goes again?  What sort of potatoes, is the bobber blindfolded, should the bobbing water be hard or soft, how many volunteers will we need to man it, and so forth.  Any advice will be so very appreciated!  Do you think you will be able to attend?  If so, remember there is a prize for best costume. Fanny and Melba are planning to come as gourds and have ruined Louise's kitchen with their papier mache pumpkin masks!  Louise has that temper, you will recall.  
I Remain as Always,
Your Devoted Miss Blue

Dear Miss Blue,

Your letter came just this morning and brought back so many memories. . .   Just A Song at Twilight . . . harmonizing with you, Miss Blue. I am sure the dogs could have been taught to harmonize with a little encouragement. Songs always sound so beautiful when sung in two parts! And a toast with Vernor's Ginger Ale! How touching, Miss Blue!  I do so wish I could have been with you, bowing and blowing kisses to everyone. Birthdays are our own personal stories and always reason for celebration. Now I will also add, in answer to your request about the Harvest Moon Festival, Yes, Yes, Yes! I will be so happy to help you and I am already checking ways to put my fundraising ideas in motion.

I remember that Melba was never a very inspired cook and the red velvet cake is otherwise so delicious.  Why, I make it so often, the food coloring tube is almost empty!  Everyone loves it when they are served my cake on special little blue and yellow plates there on my porch.
I will send this  letter on to you, Miss Blue, in hopes of hearing from you soon.

Your forever friend, Pearl 

Dearest Pearl,

What a beautiful day it was to celebrate Birthdays Past!  We stood in a circle holding hands and singing 'Just a Song at Twilight' until the caretaker knocked on the patio window and respectfully requested that we wrap up the festivities sooner than later as the many dogs who live here were howling in unison. So we did and adjourned to Melba's apartment for a slice of her famous red velvet cake which none of us like (please don't tell her, Pearl, she's so proud of it).  We raised a toast to you with Vernor's Ginger Ale and wished you were here with us.  Please write to let me know when you'd be able to help me plan the Harvest Moon Festival.  Your fundraising ideas are always so unique!  The Potato Bobbing booth was a knock-out last year!  Thanks again for the inspiration!

I Remain as Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue