Apple Fun

Capturing Fall Charming Apple Suncatchers

words and photos by Krissy Millar September is the month where a welcomed crisp breeze makes you breathe in a little deeper, exhale a little longer. Fading sunshine bathes trees as they begin their metamorphosis into their fall glory. Apples, symbols of both fall and school days, are ready to be picked. This craft celebrates September and can easily be enjoyed and completed with your children. With just a few supplies, you can create apple-shaped suncatchers topped off, literally, with the subtle scent of cinnamon. Note: I highly recommend using an outdoor grill instead of an oven for this craft, because the smell of melting plastic will overwhelm your home if you do it indoors. If you must do it inside, your oven should be set at 400° for 20–25 minutes. MATERIALS • Translucent pony beads (a large multipack from your local craft store) • Muffin pan • Outdoor grill • Oven mitts • Skewer or toothpick • Cinnamon sticks • Washi tape, green • Scissors • Suction-cup hooks (optional) DESIGN Have your child arrange pony beads by desired color and pattern in the muffin pan. Add a few clear to make the apples “glisten” more in the sun. Heat your grill on medium-high. Place the muffin pan over the grill. Watch the melting beads, which will take about 10–12 minutes on the grill to melt completely. Once the beads are melted, but before you remove them from the heat, use a skewer to make a small hole at the top of each apple. (You will string your apples through this hole.) Use oven mitts to remove the muffin pan from heat. After the muffin pan cools completely, turn the pan over and pop out your apples. SECURE & HANG Your cooled apples are ready to hang! Cut an 8- to 12-inch piece of string for each suncatcher. Tie one end to the apple with a double knot and the other end to a

Local Apple Picking Guide

For a list of local orchards for picking your own, see our online

MELT

guide at CharlottesvilleFamily.com cinnamon stick. To hang two suncatchers to one cinnamon stick, first tie two strings of different lengths to the suncatchers and then tie towards the ends of the stick.

EMBELLISH & ENJOY Add leaves by folding a 3-inch piece of green washi tape in half around the string near the top of each apple. Use scissors to trim the tape to look more like a leaf by rounding the edges. Hang with a suction-cup hook or tape to a window and enjoy the gorgeous September light.

Krissy has come to peace with the fact that, although she tries, she will never have it all together, especially while mothering and homeschooling two girls, being a wife and running a business. Her work can be seen at krissymillar.com.

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Apple Slaw with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Freshen up your coleslaw with crisp apple and green onions, tossed in a simple dressing featuring honey and spicy brown mustard!

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 teaspoon Gulden’s® Spicy Brown Mustard ½ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons Pure Wesson® Canola Oil 1 cup tri-color coleslaw mix 1 cup chopped Gala or other red skin apple 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

INSTRUCTIONS

Stir together honey, vinegar, mustard and salt in large bowl until combined. Whisk in oil until blended. Add all remaining ingredients; toss gently to mix. Keep chilled.

Quick & Easy Apple Cookies

Try these quick and easy festive treats!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups All-Purpose Flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup softened butter 1 ½ cups brown sugar 1 egg 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup chopped apples 1 cup raisins

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. In a large bowl, cream softened butter until light and fluffy. Mix in brown sugar and egg, beaten. Stir in flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Fold in walnuts, apples and raisins. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon onto prepared cookie sheets about 1 ½ inches apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Sweeten them with a sugar glaze! In a small bowl, mix 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar with 1 tablespoon milk to make a thin glaze. Drizzle over cooled cookies.