A Day at the Orchard

This past weekend we spent a day at a nearby apple orchard. I know I've said it over and over, but Calvin really really reeeeeally loves apples. He asks for one with every single meal. And of course, because I'm a pushover and apples are healthier than anything else he begs for, he receives one. 

Cal enjoyed our day at the orchard to the fullest, picking and taste testing every apple he could get his hands on. An apple addicts paradise. We had a great afternoon and have already enjoyed homemade apple crisp, applesauce and apple pulled pork thanks to our big harvest. Oh how I love fall!!

Here are a few photos from our day..

Fall Boy

Because it's too cute not to share..

My boy loves him some fall! 

Pumpkin Muffins

I have been to Trader Joes three times in the past few weeks looking for their seasonal pumpkin muffin mix with no success. Three times! Such disappointment. Today I decided it was time to move on to the next best place to fill the muffin sized hole in my heart stomach- Pinterest. Pumpkin obsessed Pinterest. Just as expected, eight thousand recipes matched my search. Thankfully, I found a winner on the first try! 

I used a combination of this recipe and this recipe and made a few healthy-ish substitutions so I wouldn't feel so guilty eating three of them right out of the oven.

Pumpkin Muffins

(makes approx 18 muffins)

Muffin Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup butter (melted)

1/4 cup applesauce

3 eggs

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 1/4 cup flour

Streusel Topping:

1 Tbs sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 Tbs quick oats

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1 Tbs butter (melted)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix pumpkin puree, butter, applesauce and eggs. Add sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Stir in flour until just combined.

Divide batter into muffin cups.

Mix streusel ingredients together and sprinkle over muffins.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy!! 

Apple Fest

Today we hit up Apple Fest in Lincoln Square. 

Fresh apples, cider, and lots of delicious food on a beautiful fall morning- I'll take it. Cal's favorite part of the day was dancing. Dancing by the band, dancing by the fountain.. the boy can shake it!

We used the fest as an excuse to get together and celebrate Sarah's birthday as well. Cal LOVES his Auntie "Saaa" and is such a lucky boy to get to spend his afternoons with his aunt and cousin Jack. I need to get some photos of those wild two together- they are a hilarious duo lately! We love you Sarah!!! You are such a blessing in our lives!

And what's an Apple Fest without a few apples? Just like last fall, Calvin couldn't get enough.

Happy fall everyone! Hope yours is off to a nice start!!

 

Happy Halloween!

In honor of Calvin's first Halloween he carved his very first pumpkin all my himself.

Okay, maybe not. But the family pumpkin did turn out quite cute.

Taking the safer and slightly more age appropriate route, Calvin decorated his own tiny pumpkin with stickers. Although I figured he was a little young to enjoy crafting, he actually seemed to have fun with the project and had a great time peeling stickers off the sheet and giving them a taste.

The finished product.

Due to the fact that we are getting up to leave for MEXICO in FIVE hours I have no time to post pictures of Cal in his Halloween costume but trust me, he looked scary!! And by scary, I mean adorable. Here's a sneak peek..

..with many more photos to come.

Lastly, I just wanted to say that our prayers are with those on the east coast this week. It has felt so surreal to watch the devastation unfold on the television these past few days. So terribly sad. So close to family and friends. More than ever, I am  incredibly thankful that we are able to go to sleep in a warm, dry home and will be praying for those who are less fortunate tonight.

Apple Festival

We had a great time in Syracuse visiting Taylor and Rebecca earlier this month. It was so nice to see where they live and spend some quality time catching up and hanging out together. One of the highlights of the trip was heading to a local apple festival. The fest had everything my fall lovin' heart could desire.

Petting zoo. Check.

(Okay, maybe this one was more for Cal's fall lovin' heart)

Fresh apple cider. Check.

Delicious food. Check. Check. Check. 

(Here's the crew sizing up an ENORMOUS plate of homemade potato chips. This came after the apple cider donuts, apple pie popcorn, maple cotton candy....!!)

One giant pumpkin. Check.

And it all took place on the most gorgeous fall day!

Thanks again Uncle Taylor and Aunt Rebecca!

 We had such a fun weekend with you and can't wait for our next visit!!

One more for the road...

Crock Pot Applesauce

Simple.
Delicious.
And don't even get me started on the smell.

Crock Pot Applesauce

8 of your favorite apples- peeled and cubed

3 Tbs brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp vanilla

Everything goes in the pot.
Crock pot goes on low.
Sit back and enjoy the amazing aroma for 6 hours.
Stir- no need to mash or blend.
Enjoy!
Repeat again and again...

Apple Picking

Following our camping adventures a few weeks ago, we stopped at an apple orchard to stock up on the must have ingredient for all of our fall favorites. We no joke left with 100 apples! Calvin fell in LOVE with them (see evidence below). We would give him a head start by taking a big ole bite out of the apple and he would do the rest. The little guy would chisel away at the juicy thing with his two bottom teeth and probably consumed more apples at the end of the day than either Jakob or myself. He ended up a sticky disaster but I couldn't deny the kid (again- see below). Not that I needed another reason to love fall but I think I found one...

First Time Camper

This past weekend, we traveled to Wisconsin with a large group of our church friends for some quality time outdoors. I have to be honest, the idea of camping with an 8 month old made me more than anxious but we had a blast. Marshall was in heaven. Cal licked explored every thing Mother Nature had to offer and we enjoyed relaxing outside on a beautiful fall weekend. Great conversation. Great food. Great. Great. Great. 

And then came the night. And the night was cold. And the night was long. And we were up. Every hour.

And then came the morning and the greatness resumed. 

Overall, I would say that the weekend was a success and everyone enjoyed themselves. I dare say we will even be back next year for the annual event- with earplugs in tow for all of our fellow campers! 

After trying out dozens of others, this pine cone won the taste test.

 

Nothing better than a nice nap outside on a fall day.

A little quality time with Uncle TK

and Dad

and Marshy.

We may have a future Cub Scout on our hands.