I’ve been running around trying to do too many things at once lately that all of a sudden when I finally stopped to smell the roses, I realized that autumn is definitely here. The crisp, cool air, the reddish-orange and yellow leaves, the non-stop football and the shorter days and dark, early nights have all signaled that it is fall. I LOVE this time of year, from everything to cozying up in sweaters, slippers and Snuggies by a warm, toasty fire…
To enjoying a leisurely walk with colorful leaves crunching beneath my feet.
Or having a tailgating picnic with hot soups, fresh apples, cheeses and hot cocoa…
And taking a hayride to a pumpkin patch to admire all of the fall colors and also pick up a few fresh pumpkins…
To decorating and carving pumpkins for your home and then roasting the seeds for a tasty snack…
And going to an apple orchard to pick fresh apples…
Then sipping on hot, spiced, apple cider…
While snacking on some delicious and hot, apple cider doughnuts…
And then making homemade carmel apples…
Are just a few reasons that I LOVE fall. And speaking of food and apples, Hannah from honey & jam posted about her recent trip to an apple orchard yesterday and this delicious apple pie yesterday…
For the recipe and more pics, check it out here.
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I LOVE fall too. One of my favorite things about fall is drinking spiced wine. Here’s the recipe. It’s perfect for tailgating or other chilly outdoor events. Especially if you drink it in a stemless wine glass; it will keep your hands warm.
I large container of 100% cranberry juice ( *I have also used cranberry/pomegranate or cran-apple and its pretty dang tasty!)
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 whole cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
Jug of red wine – any type (I get the cheapy jug of burgundy or paisano by Carlos something…there are so many flavors in the drink a nice wine isn’t really necessary)
In a large pot, add cranberry juice, lemon juice and sugar. Bring to a simmer and make sure the sugar has dissolved into the juice. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves (preferably in a spice bag or cheesecloth so that the cloves don’t dissolve into the drink and fog it up) and bring to a low boil. Let this simmer for at least 30 minutes (longer for more ‘spice’), then remove from heat. Add wine and stir well so that the wine can heat through.
*TIPS*
If you can, make ahead of time and store. The longer the drinks sits, the more the flavors come together. It does not need to be refrigerated.
Wow, you just made me hungry, nostalgic, chilly and happy all at once 🙂