snapshot of fall: 03

snapshot of fall: 02

snapshot of fall: 01

snapshot of fall 13

It is not officially fall yet, but it sure feels like it outside.

snapshot of fall 12

We spent a lot of time in the park this weekend. The weather perfect for long walks and the kids love finding trails that are off the beaten path.

I am gearing up for the craziness of the next few weeks.

snapshot of fall 10

We are having a nice relaxing family weekend. A much needed change of pace.

snapshot of fall 09

I took lots and lots of pictures on our trip to the park. Crazy amounts of pictures for the card and a few others. I liked this one of the covered bridge.

snapshot of fall 08

We took the kids to the park yesterday. It was a bit chilly, but not awful. I was able to get our picture for the holiday card done. Last night I spent some time working on it. The sample is done, so now I just need to make them.

snapshot of fall 07

A boy enjoying his day off from school.

snapshot of fall 06

A spot of color left in the garden.

pumpkins

We got all of our decorative pumpkins (along with some more mums) last week. I usually fill my porch urns with mums and put the pumpkins on the porch. However, this year I decided to switch it up a bit. We got three different types of pumpkins for each urn and made a pumpkin pyramid. The kids had fun picking out the different pumpkins to use. We will head out this weekend to pick our carving pumpkins.

snapshot of fall 05

snapshot of fall 04

Number four had his field trip this week. The pre-school went to a local farm and did the hayride, apple and pumpkin picking thing. He had a ton of fun!

apple cake

Last Friday I was a bit burned out from making the cards and a bit bored as well. While looking on the Smitten Kitchen blog I came across a recipe for apple cake. Feeling a need to fill some time in my day I decided to make it.

The cake seemed to be a success, everyone said that they liked it (I do not care for cake, therefore not a valid tester). It is perfect for a fall day. As a treat I served it to the kids with some vanilla ice cream.

Apple Cake
adapted from smitten kitchen

6 apples, Mom uses McIntosh apples
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 tablespoons sugar

2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a tube pan. Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, melted butter, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into the dry ones, then add eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.

Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a tester comes out clean.

snapshot of fall 03

All of the apples are gone. I am planning another trip to pick this week. Perhaps we need thirty pounds...

snapshot of fall 02

snapshot of fall 01

I stuck some of the apples that were to small to eat in this nice silver bowl that I just got.

fall

I am in the process of getting the outside ready for fall. The planters on the back patio are filled with mums. This week I plan to get our decorative pumpkins and mums for the front porch. I love this time of year.