Fall Bucket List

 Fall is finally here! 

Fall is my favorite season. With the crisp air, caramel latte, sweaters, fun socks, and do not forget pumpkin spice everything, there’s little not love.

As the day shorten and the temperatures cool. It’s still warm enough for outdoor activities, such as Taking walks and visiting festivals and farmer markets.

At the same time, we find ourselves indoors more. We make fall, comfort foods, make hot drinks, such as hot chocolate or pumpkin spice lattes.  Put on for movies to watch is a favorite at our house.

The colors of fall make me happy. Bold oranges, red and earth tones are everywhere. The Sunset in fall are very specific. The color pallets are a lot richer. I am so glad to see fall has arrived.

If you’re wanting to make this autumn special check out my list of fall activities.

Attend a fall festival

Go on a hayride

Go apple picking

Carve a pumpkin

Decorate for fall      

Bake a apple pie

Have fall candles burning

Bake pumpkin bread

Sit around the fire pit and have S’mores

Cozy up with a hot tea and a good book

Go to the drive-in movie

Indulge in your favorite Halloween candy

Visit a farmers market

Make a homemade pumpkin pie

Binge watch Harry Potter movies

Take a scenic drive in the fall foliage

Fill a Blessing box

Purchase an advent calendar for December

Go to the craft show

Make homemade hot chocolate

Visit a graveyard

Go to a fair

Attend a local football game

Make a cider Bellini

Make a fall wreath   ( my fall wreath is pictured above) 

Whatever you choose to do just get out enjoy the fall season.  I may not get all of these done this season, but I hope to get several of these accomplished.  I really want to do more baking this year.  Am going to be looking for fall recipes that is healthier for us. 

Let me know your favorite recipes.  Would love to hear what you have on your bucket list.

Dorito Casserole

We enjoy the Dorito Casserole.  We are having Alisha and Jonathan over for lunch today.  So we went with a family favorite. These are the ingredients we used along with a can of rotel (not pictured.) 

Browning the hamburger meat and onion first.  Then we open the cans and crush up the chips into a mixing bowl.  I also add a handful of cheese to mixture.  Once the meat is brown dump into the casserole dish.  We bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Then we cover top with cheese and let it melt. Takes about 10 minutes.  

This is the completed casserole.  We usually add jalapeños on top or even black olives.  Luther didn’t want to make it spicy since Alisha had been sick this past week.  

We also made a small pan to take over to Brody’s.  He absolutely loves our Dorito Casserole.  

I’ve been taking this to potluck dinners for many years.  I love how simple it is to make and it feeds a small crowd.  

 

A slice of Comfort: Homemade Apple Pie

 

There is something about a homemade apple pie that feels like comfort in a dish. The smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven makes the whole house feel warm and inviting- it’s like a hug you can eat. 

What I love most about baking apple pie from scratch is how simple it really is. A buttery crust, a pile of fresh apples, a sprinkle of sugar, and a dash of cinnamon come together, to create pure magic. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because you need a cozy treat for yourself, apple pie never disappoints. 

Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or let it cool and savor it with a hot cup of coffee. Either way, homemade apple pie has a way of turning an ordinary day into something special. 

So grab those apples and let’s bake some memories! 

Apple Pie was sooo good….

Ingredients 

1 package of pastry for a 9 inch double-crust pie

3/4 cup white sugar, or more to taste

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

6 cups thinly sliced apples

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

Directions 

*Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C)

*Line a 9 inch pie dish with one pastry crust; set second one aside.

*Combine 3/4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add more sugar if your apples are tart. 

*Layer apple slices in the prepared pie dish, sprinkling each layer with cinnamon sugar mixture. 

*Dot top layer with small pieces of butter. Cover with top crust and flute the edges to seal.

*Beat egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash; brush the top crust with the egg wash. Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. 

*Bake pie on the lowest rack of the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking until golden brown and filling bubbles, 30 to 35 minutes more. 

*Serve warm or cold.

DIY canvas print project

I have needed to add several pictures to my family wall.  I had 3 8x10 pictures printed at Walmart for this project.  I also picked up 10 canvas’s for a great price of $11.97.  That will give extra to keep wall updated.  The black paint also came from Walmart for only 97 cents. 

I painted the edges black.  As you can see it doesn’t have to be perfect as the picture will be covering most of it up. Be sure to prep your space, I placed a clear trash bag to keep mess at a minimal level.  I am always quite a messy crafter. 

Then you use modge podge on the canvas using a foam brush.  Sweeping it on with long strokes. Once that has dried then you will apply two coats of modge podge on top of the picture.  If you choose you can seal with a clear acrylic sealant. 

This is a super easy project that anyone can do.  Give it a try and you will see how easy it is to produce the look of the expensive canvas prints on a budget.  

 

Brooks meeting football players

Brooks acting shy.  PK3 had a blast with their football buddies today and at the pep rally!  Go Donkeys!!! Brooks really enjoyed meeting all the football guys. 

Love our small school system.  They love our children. 

 

Hattie in Dance Program

Hattie has began our local dance program.  Isn’t she the cutest little girl ever?  I know she is going to excel in this program.  She will enjoy interacting with the other students as well. She is full of sass, am so proud of her.  

I am so excited to watch her progress with her dance lessons.  She is so full of  joy and laughter.  I know if they have a recital I will be there as well.  

Blessing Box Monday

This was what was in box Monday after work.  Yikes not much at all. Am glad I kept some food back to add today.  Sure pray the people who need food gets something.   I know I can’t fill the box every week.  Wish I could but like everyone else we are on a budget. 

Of course what food I added today did not fill the box but there is a few good items to help. One of the spaghetti meal kits and bean burrito meal kit was in this blessing box reload.  Did see where all hygiene products was gone except for the playtex. I have more hygiene products I need to add to the box.