To Market, To Market...

I know it's been on your mind. Am I capable of celebrating Autumn in a way that doesn't include baking and stuffing my face? Well, that tends to be the cheapest option. Here in Florida at least.

But this weekend was Fall Break and I ventured out West with some friends. Okay, by "West" I mean Boynton. Which is technically more South than West. Anyhow. In a search for an in-state (and in-hour-radius) way to celebrate, I looked up pumpkin patches in the area. I came across a place called Bedner's Market and saw that they were hosting a Fall Fest over the weekend, complete with a pumpkin patch, haunted house, corn maze, and hayrides.

I ecstatically shared the information with friends, and we set off that Sunday. I'm not gonna lie, I was quite skeptical of a South Florida corn maze. But it turned out to be so legit! We stayed till closing and hit the cornmaze, hay ride, pumpkin patch (where they gave us a free bag or decorative gourds... I know, some people are just lucky ;-), and the market itself. Though it ended up pouring, it was THE most beautiful afternoon.

So if you happen to live in South Flordia, I highly recommend you venture to this quaint little fall spot next year!
http://www.bedners.com/

So happy together!

 

Take the best gourd from the best season, mix it into the batter of the best food of the best meal of the day, and pair it with your favorite hot beverage in a mug of the best color. 

You can't go wrong. 

You

Just 

Can't.

DIY Autumn Coasters

Jenny found this idea via Pinterest. 

The beauty of this crafty little project:

1. It's cheap. You literally spend pennies.

2. It turns out beautiful, despite your level of artistic ability.

3. Its fun. And easy. You could redo for every season or use as a gift idea.

8 Tiles = 80 cents

Scrapbook Paper = 40 cents

Modge Podge  = $8 (but you get a ton and use a miniscule amount)

Bodda bing, bodda boom. My type of DIY project.

What?? A Fall-themed recipe that doesn't include pumpkin?!

I know. I'm trying to branch out. Here in Florida it is understated, but part of the whole fall package up North includes apple orchards, apple picking, apple cider, apple pies... basically, apple season. Which means you get delicious, locally grown apples for a great price. 

Anyhow, the other evening I was hungry and low on groceries, but inspired by my recently acquired fall spices. (Yes, it is acceptable to use the word "fall" as an adjective). This took just minutes to make but was DElicious. 

1. Slice an apple.

2. Drizzle with a tiny bit of butter.

3. Sprinkle with cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves 

or allspice or pumpkin pie spice

4. Microwave for 2 minutes or so (just keep an eye on it).

 

Voilà!

 

Potential you can almost smell...

Pumpkin Cookies!!

One of my favorite pumpkin recipes! Only takes about a half a can of pumpkin, and if you don't have all the spices on hand, you can just buy "pumpkin pie spice" if you want to keep it simple.

Combine and set aside:

    * 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 1 teaspoon baking soda
    * 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt

In second bowl--
Cream together:
    * 1/2 cup butter, softened
    * 1 1/2 cups white sugar
Add:
    * 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
    * 1 egg
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Slowly mix first mixture into second.
Drop on greased cookie sheet by tablespoon, flatten slightly.

Bake at 350˚ for 15-20 min.

Drizzle with glaze when cool.

Glaze-- Combine:

* 2 cups confectioners' sugar

* 3 tablespoons milk

* 1 tablespoon melted butter

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract