The leaves are turning colors. The temps are getting lower. It’s finally fall. My absolute favorite time of year!
You know what that means right?! PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING!
Wait? What? No, not that!
It’s Apple Season!
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE all the pumpkin spice stuff. It’s such a great fall treat. But what I REALLY love is the apple.
Apple picking. Making applesauce. Even apple crafts!
Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy my favorite part of my favorite season:
Apple Picking
There are quite a few apple picking farms in the Dayton area. Our favorite is Tuken’s Farm. They have a few animals to pet. Most places have wagons to pull your haul (or your kids) around in. And depending on the week you go, different apple varieties may be in season. There is something about eating a fresh apple that you’ve picked that just makes you feel good! (Pro Tip: Go on a weekday afternoon and avoid the weekend crowds!)
Making Apple Treats
Now that you’ve bought all those apples, what are you going to do with them? My favorite is applesauce. Peel and slice the apples, put them in a crockpot and add a splash of water and some cinnamon if you want. Let it cook all day on low. Not only does your home smell amazing, but you get to eat fresh applesauce. YUM! Another quick favorite of mine is baked apples. Peel, halve and core apples. Place in a baking dish topped with butter and brown sugar. Let bake until tender. Perfect!
Drinking Apple Treats
If you’re a Starbucks fan like me, you have to try their Caramel Apple Spice. They add caramel to warmed apple juice. It’s definitely fall in a mug. If you are having any sort of fall get-together, warm some apple cider in a crockpot with a couple of cinnamon sticks. It smells amazing and it makes it extra special. And if a particular fall day is unseasonably warm, head over to Kleather’s for an ice-cold apple cider slushie!
Crafting Apple Fun
Some fall days are a bit rainy or cooler and you may need some indoor fun! I remember making this craft in elementary school and thought it was fun! You draw a tree trunk and give your kids some squares of red and green tissue paper (or other colors if you want it to look more like fall). Have them fold the square around a pencil end and dip in a bit of glue and stick the tree branches. It’s such an easy but cute apple craft. There is also one where you take apples, cut them in half and used them as stamps. Dip in paint and press on paper for a cute apple design.
What other ways do you enjoy apples in the fall? And always remember, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”
