Autumn Kitchen

My favorite way to warm our home on a chilly Autumn morning is by turning the oven on and baking something pleasing to the senses. That is how my mom made our house a home and I want my children to be blessed with the same sweet memories that I now hold so dear.

With rain, wind, and cooler temperatures on the forecast for this past weekend, I built up the anticipation with my boys in advance since I knew we'd be stuck inside for three days straight.

First up was Apple Pie complete with a nut pastry crust and a buttery crumble top.

We are attending a Fall Festival this weekend and I am entering the Apple Pie Baking Contest so I figured I could use a little practice session. 

According to my boys (those old enough to taste test, that is) this recipe is a winner!

(Crayons and sketch pads keep those little hands busy and little eyes distracted while I roll out the pie crust. ;)

For Saturday morning breakfast we made Apple Spice Muffins decked in nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and allspice and topped with freshly whipped Cinnamon Sugar Butter. All those spices made our entire little house smell like heaven.

Now my kitchen is now officially 'broken in'. May the cozy cooler months of baking commence.