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Appletize Me!

apple logoOctober is National Apple Month.

How exciting is that? (Come on, it’s pretty darn exciting! Apple cider, apple crisp, apple pie, caramel apples…)

Living across the road from an orchard, the pickers have already stripped the trees and I miss seeing the bright red, juice-packed orbs amidst all those green leaves.

If you were an apple, what type of apple would you be?

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) helps you get to the core of the matter with AppletizeMe, a fun website that matches your personality traits to your ideal apple variety.

Are you a social butterfly? That makes you a Gala apple.

How about an intellectual? Easy as Pi. You’re a Ginger Gold.

Fitness fanatic? Then you’re a Fuji, living proof that crunches are worth the effort.

girly-girl

This will come as a surprise… to no one – I’m a Girly Girl!

According to the site: “No matter the occasion, you’re always polished with a snazzy dress and just the right amount of makeup. You’re not afraid to show off your feminine side—including a tendency to blush. But, you always keep it classy.”

What do you think? Is that a good fit?

Apparently, this makes me a Cripps Pink  A.K.A. Pink Lady. Naturally sweet with a juicy crunch.

*blush*

In addition to the fun little personality link, there are “perfect pairings” with tips on pairing different varieties of apples.

You can also click on the “Varieties” tab and choose a specific type of apple to learn all about it.

honeycrisp

Like Honeycrisp, my all-time favorite apple. You’ll  find details about the apple, its personality and suggested pairings.

If you love apples, or just want to spend a few minutes having a little fun, check out Appletizeme.com

She Who’ll be Telling Captain Cavedweller about being  Naturally Sweet  – the Apple Said So!

Fall Scents

Announcing fall has arrived!

There is no denying the fact fall is upon us.

Who’d want to anyway… that would be denying all that delicious apple and pumpkin goodness just waiting to be tasted as well as the spicy smell in the air, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and the glorious turning of the leaves.

If you really want to make your home feel like autumn inside, think about some wonderful fall scents.

Through candles or wall-plug-ins, you can create the most wonderful, inviting atmosphere inside your home that says “Ahh, autumn is here.”

Just think about walking into a home where the scents of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon or spices fill the air. It makes you think about fall and hayrides and pumpkin pie and all sorts of wonderful, comforting experiences.

My favorite, favorite scent right now is Apple Pumpkin from Yankee Candle. A couple of friends came over recently and one of them was convinced I was baking some decadent treat. Nope. It was just the candle – but my gracious, it packs a lot of scent.

The main thing to remember as you fill your home with the scents of fall is to stick with one scent at a time.

If you’re burning a sweet pumpkin candle in the kitchen, don’t light a heavily spiced candle a few feet away in the family room. Before you know it, you’ve got warring scents and quite possibly a headache.

When possible, I try to buy the same scent in varying sizes (a few big jar candles for larger rooms and votives for smaller areas).

Have fun finding your signature fall scent and see if the warm smell doesn’t make you (and everyone else who comes through your door) smile.

She Who Is Off to Light Her Candle

 

dining out cookbook If you’ve ever wished you could have a recipe for a dish from your favorite restaurant, check out the  CopyKat.com’s Dining Out at Home Cookbook 2 by Stephanie Manley.

This cookbook has everything from the Olive Garden’s much coveted salad dressing to the yummy Cinnamon Honey Butter from the Texas Roadhouse.

If you love Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, Dairy Queen’s Peanut Butter Parfait Bars or KFC’s Coleslaw, this book has got the scoop on how to create these at home.

You’ll find Drinks, Appetizers, Soups, Main Dishes, Sides, Desserts, Breakfast, Sauces & Dressings, and Favorites. She also share a conversion chart and recipe index, sorted alphabetically and by restaurant.

Manley is the creator and author of CopyKat.com. Since 1995, she has written recipes for restaurant-style dishes that anyone can create at home

Published through Ulysses Press, CopyKat.com’s Dining Out at Home Cookbook 2 retails for $14.95.

Sunflower Cupcakes

sunflower cupcakes finished

As the finale for the sunflower themed party I hosted last week, I made sunflower cupcakes.

I started with a basic chocolate cupcake (you can make whatever flavor you like) then mixed up a bowl of buttercream frosting (see recipe below) and tinted it yellow.

sunflower cupcake base coat

Cover the cupcakes with a thin layer of frosting then fill a decorating bag or tube with frosting. I used Wilton Tip #101.

sunflower cupcake petalStarting in the center, pipe “petals” all around the cupcake. Just keep layer them one on top of another going around in circles.

sunflower cupcake frostedIt will use a lot of frosting, so be prepared.

sunflower cupcakePlace a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the center and ta-da! You are ready to go!

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter

5 cups powdered sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla

4 (or so) tbsp. milk

Beat butter on medium speed until light and creamy. Slowly incorporate four cups of sugar. Add in vanilla then mix in two tablespoons of milk and beat for about three minutes. If the frosting is too stiff, add more milk. If it seems thin, add more sugar.

She Who Had Too Much Fun Making These