Squirrelling :-)

It's autumn.

Isn't it lovely?

One of my favorite things about autumn is the smell.

I know, that sounds a little weird,

but the crispness in the air brings about a scent that notes the season.

The other thing that begins to happen is the oven can be used again.

During summer months, we do more barbequing or simple meals 

that don't require a lot of cooking time. 

Now we can bring out the crockpot or

put a roast in the oven.
We tend to start nesting
or as I like to call it "Squirrelling."
I am hesitant to even use that word as folks go straight in their mind to women.
But men nest too, it just looks different.
Women tend to bring the throws out of storage and clean and arrange certain areas of the home for the upcoming season.
While men tend to sharpen blades, store certain things until next spring and
prepare for upcoming weather and tasks.
So you see it's the same really. . . . but different.
And there are scents that go along with those activities.
Woodsmoke, pot roast, a favorite candle~

And even better - spices.

I love spiced cookies.

I finally made a batch of speculaas which I hadn't made in about 7 years.

They are so good, I could eat the whole batch.

Woe is me!

I put most of them in the freezer to keep them out of easy reach.

Another favorite is spiced apple anything.

It's apple season.

Hubby likes when I slice them, sprinkle them with cinnamon and dehydrate them.

My mother-in-law tried them a while back.

I gave her a jar.

She later informed me she ate the whole jar before she got home.

I told her she should stay close to home for a day ;-)

There is a recipe I have that is actually scribed into the bottom of an apple shaped dish.

I usually do make it with apples, but have also made it with other fruits.

One more thing about autumn is we tend to begin gathering.

Critters do this as well this time of year.

I always find it interesting when people follow suit with nature unknowingly.

If you have a gathering to host or attend,

this recipe has served me well.

I hope you enjoy it also.

Oh yea, if you would like some spiced cider to go with it,

you can find my recipe for that here.

Apple Torte~

Before you get too far, let me share.  

I don't actually mix the apples in with the dough.

They don't really"mix" well.

The dough is a little dry-ish but never fear, 

the juice from the apples moistens it.

I just put down a layer of apples then some dough crumbles, 

then apples then dough, etc. 

One other warning~

I measure generously when I am making the dough,

because I'm pretty sure it is physically impossible not to snitch a bite of the dough :-)

That is some cinnamon apple goodness right there.
Serve with Homemade Vanilla Icecream and enjoy!

Happy Fall~