A New Season!

Welcome Fall! I've been patiently waiting for your arrival... with your crisp weather, beautiful colors and clean smell. This past summer has been good to us, but I know we are ready to move on. 


In honor of the arrival of fall, my children were surprised with Apple Struesel Muffins for breakfast this morning. A delicious muffin treat, topped with a cinnamon crust- they began their day with happy smiles. I did make them the night before, so I went to bed dreaming of cinnamon treats, but they were perfect this morning after we rewarmed them. 


I have been cleaning the house in preparation for fall, and the pumpkin/leaf decor will be soon brought up from the basement. However, today I do believe will be the day for creating some of my most favorite decorations- cinnamon ornaments. It doesn't take long to make them and they are easily shaped into seasonal decors- and fill the house with the scent of cinnamon, a wonderful fall flavor.


Historically, homes have been scented during the colder seasons as a way of masking smells- from people and animals... the tradition has long since been carried on, though we no longer have the same need for hiding unpleasant odors- now, the wonderful smells of spice is a mental trigger to all that we believe essential to the season.


Today, I celebrate that season... and hope it brings you as much joy as it does for me and mine.

Apple Struesel Muffins-

Preheat Oven to 400*

In Medium bowl, Mix-

• 1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 2 Tsp baking powder
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg

In smaller bowl, Mix-

• 1 egg
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

Also needed-

• 1 Cup diced apple chunks
  

In another small bowl, Mix-

• 1/3 Cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp butter, softened

Directions-


Spray or line muffin tin with papers. Fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined, fold in apples. Spoon ingredients into pan... sprinkle cinnamon mix on top of each muffin, patting to ensure it melts into the top of the muffin while baking. Bake for 20-25 minutes, check with a toothpick. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before moving muffins to wire rack to finish cooling. *Caution- apples will be VERY hot*

Cinnamon/Spice Ornament Dough-

What you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup white school glue (like Elmer's)
• Bowl
• Plastic food wrap
• Rolling pin
• Wax paper
• Cookie cutters or a knife
• Ribbon or yarn for hanging
• Straw

How to make it:

1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl. The dough should be as thick as cookie dough. Add a bit of water if the dough is too stiff.
2. Remove from bowl and knead. Put it back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for at least a half hour.
3. Remove the dough, knead again to make sure it's smooth. Flatten/roll the dough between waxed paper until it's between 1/4" thick and 1/8" thick.
4. Cut out desired shapes, use a straw to punch a hole for the ribbon to hang. The circle of dough will pull out with the straw.
5. Gently place the shapes on a piece of clean wax paper. They will take 3-5 days to dry, and you will need to turn them over a couple of times a day for them to dry evenly and flat.

Don't be surprised to see that the ornaments get smaller during the drying process. Keep this in mind when you pick out the cookie cutters for your designs. You will also notice that if you do not turn the ornaments over often enough while they are drying, the edges of the ornaments will curl.

When dry, thread a piece of ribbon or yarn through the hole to hang.