Time to pick Apples!

Each year about this time we try to make a trip to Tree-Mendus Fruit Orchards in Southwest Michigan to pick fresh Apples.  We ride the hay wagon out to the orchard, fill the buckets with Golden Delicious, Gala and Red Delicious apples and eat a few right off the tree.  We have to buy the Honey Crisp apples in the farmstand.  They aren't available as a "U Pick" variety.  A stop or two along the way and lunch at Redemak's in New Buffalo make a perfect day for us.

Source: Cindy Rippe - Seasonal Treats - Apples on Pinterest

 

 

I've been wanting to make Pie Pops since seeing them for the first time at http://luxirare.com. There are great tips and recipes on the Pillsbury and Bakerella web sites if you want bake them too.  I don't know if I'll go as far as making my own Apple Pie filling like Cindy at Skip to My Lou but it does look delicious! 

Now if the weather would just cooperate we could actually plan the trip.  Wish me luck!

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking 
if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.   
                                                                                                                              ~ Voltaire

Cookies and Sneak Peek #2 - Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 5

Here's the 2nd hint about my project for this week's Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop.  For the first clue (if you missed it yesterday).  Click HERE.

Sneak Peek #2

 Peanut Butter Kisses!  Yummy chocolate on a chewy peanut butter cookie!  They are easy to make and great for gifts.  If you want them for a special occasion; make extras.  They are DELICIOUS warm!  You'll find the recipe here.

So.......what do these cookies have to do with a Blog Hop challenge with Sizzix die cuts?  Come back tomorrow for another hint!

Cookies and Sneak Peek #1 - Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 5

I'm working on the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop project for this week and thought you might a few hints to see what I'm making.  (no.....not the cookies....they are just a clue)  Here's the first clue -

Sneak Peek #1 

Snickerdoodles!  Really simple cookies that are a little crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  You just mix up the dough, roll it into balls and coat with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.  Yummy goodness!  For the recipe click here and come back tomorrow for another hint.

Chicken Fajita Love

I made Chicken Fajitas for lunch today.  Lee decided to make himself a salad/taco dip.  Before he ate it he said "Maybe this would be a good picture for your blog!"   Yep!  You are correct sweetie!

BTW, Lee is our expert on cutting up veggies, making the cheese and cracker plates and foods like that for parties and pot luck meals.  The fact that he thought of me using his plate for my blog - well that's just LOVE!

Lemonade and Funnel Cakes

I loved the retro style of the professional food booths at the County Fair.  This one, Classic Cafe, sold a variety of yummy treats.

 We ended up at the Classic Bakery in search of the perfect funnel cake. Loved the pink and white polka dots.

Delicious!  We didn't think we would be able to eat it all.....we were wrong!  While watching the little kids try to win a goldfish it disappeared.  The lemonade was so refreshing in the hot afternoon sun!

You don't have to visit a Fair to enjoy these classic treats.  Click for the recipes.  Lemonade and Funnel Cake
 I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Sweet Treats at the Fair

Have you ever gone to a County Fair with plans to "eat food on a stick"?  That's exactly what Lee and I did.  We didn't have lunch yet so we started with grilled corn on the cob from the local Boy Scout booth and then headed for the "professional" stands.  Lee bought "Steak on a Stick" and I chose a corn dog.  Yum!

I bought my corn dog from Clair's  Classic Treats which was right across the aisle from Chuck's Smokeshouse.

While waiting I couldn't help but notice their assortment of Caramel Apples.

I wasn't ready for dessert yet but it sure got me interested!  We'll be picking apples soon so I look forward to experimenting with some of these additions to a traditional caramel apple.
Caramel Apple Recipes, tips and ideas.

Playing with Food

I like to do food projects when I babysit for the kids in the family.  This week Xander, Cooper and I made up a story about "Stretchy" the man made of pizza.

They had fun playing with the dough and Aunt Cindy usually lets them help with the stove, electric mixer, etc. so that part is a little exciting for them I guess. I use the time to teach them about food prep safety, colors, and more but I'm not sure if they'll remember any of that. This time I wrote down the story as we went along (well not everything - I forgot that little boys like toilet humor :). This morning I created a book for them. It's only 9 pages long. I hope they like it!