sweet. . . and robust

hmmm. . .our Sunday afternoon-sweet and robust. . .
John planned lunch after Sunday worship for the men who share the Bible teaching at the homeless shelter every Tuesday-the men and the wives, Ralph and Vanessa, John and Roseann, Gary and Elizabeth. He ordered in Texas barbecue- I couldn't resist preparing a seasonal dessert to share, here's the recipe which includes my favorite things: apples, cranberries, oats, cream.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

8 cups sliced apples (I used 7 galas and 3 granny smith), 1 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen), 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tbls. flour, 1 tsp. vanilla, splash of lemon or lime juice.
Combine all of the above in 9 by 12 baking dish. Sprinkle with topping: 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup butter cut into dry ingredients, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Bake at 375 for about 50 minutes. serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Sweet dessert, robust coffee. . .
but really, the robust part-the conversation- began when the eating was over, when only the crumbs remained- it began with a simple question to Ralph and Vanessa, "So tell us. . .what's one thing you've learned about each other in your first year of marriage?"
then the flurry of worthy talk unfolded, talk focused on the Lord, strong to save- and me? I listened, just listened -imagine that?
So-apples, cranberries, sweet cream, personal stories of God's grace, dear saints. . . Sunday afternoon couldn't be better.