Awesome Apples! Five Things to Make or do...

I just love the Fall!  Those first cool days, God's splendor displayed in the changing color of the leaves, and in our area apples start to ripen on the trees.  Apples are awesome! They are delicious, healthy, lovely to look at, and at this time of year available in abundance in Charlottesville.  Here are five fun things to make or do with apples:

1. Pick them!  Take the family on a trip to a local apple orchard for morning of apple picking.  Kids will love learning where apples really come from.  One local orchard is Carter Mountain Orchard.  Be sure to take your camera to capture those memories!

2.  Eat them!  There are so many delicious recipes using apples.  Apple pie, apple butter, apple muffins, pork chops with apples...What is your favorite apple dish?  Head over to our facebook group to share your favorite apple recipe!

3. Use them to decorate your home!  A bowl filled with apples makes an easy centerpiece for your table.  Insert some pretty fall leaves and acorns your kids collect to let them in on the fun. You can also core an apple and insert a taper candle for more festive occasions.

4. Craft with them!  Cut an apple in half, dip in paint and go wild!  You can stamp inexpensive cotton t-shirts, canvas bags, or tea towels. Let your kids stamp the apples on newsprint and use it for wrapping paper.

Apple print tutorial from CraftyStylish, Photo: Kayte Terry

5. Make your home smell wonderful!  Place some apple slices and a couple of cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan.  Add water and simmer on low for an inexpensive and easy "air freshener".

So what are your favorite uses for apples?  Let's post our favorites (either on facebook or on the comments section of this post).  Happy picking!