Add a little bit of whimsical and fun twist to homemade caramel apples this fall season. Instead of popsicle sticks or wooden skewers for the handles, I decided to use apple branches. To give height and attention to this yummy grouping of caramel apples, the branches were cut a little longer with some leaves still attached. This is a wonderful idea to use as a centerpiece on a table or as a part of the decoration.
It’s apple season and our apple trees are brimming with apples ready for picking. This bucket was filled in no time at all.
It is late into the summer and a whisper of chill is in the air. Harvest season is upon us as evident from our plum tree that is laden with tiny yellow plums. For the next few weeks there will be more than enough plums for picking, canning, and baking. The birds will soon be making regular visits there to enjoy the fruit. Last year there had to have been hundreds of birds in the plum tree everyday during those weeks. The sounds from the birds in the tree was incredible to hear.
It’s summertime and an afternoon of fun activities outside, swimming in the pool or playing in the sprinkler are great pastimes for the kids to do. In between activities is a good time to bring out refreshments and sweet treats. I decided to put together a little refreshment center for them to have and share with friends. To make it festive and summertime, I decorated the empty picture frame to look like water. I used tissue paper cut in strips with scallop edges layered together with double sided tape to look like waves. A decorative flag banner {diy here} was added to the top of the picture frame.
A local candy shop, The Confectionery was the source for gummies and chocolate treats. Not everyone lives nearby, so I included internet sources at the end of the blog post. Other than treats, bubbles are always fun, and the BEST bubbles that will last a long time before they pop are the ones sold by Gymboree.
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My garden is thriving this year which has me thinking I must have done something extra to it. I didn’t realized the obvious answer until recently when, Lynne {from Dreams On34th Street} commented to me about the fruits and vegetables ripening earlier than normal and the “amazing summer” we are having. Normally, the temperature in the Northwest will be in the mild 70s and 80s and any hotter doesn’t occur until August. If this weather is here to stay through September, I will be harvesting more tomatoes than usual. I’m Looking forward to that!
Here are some ways I’ve been using tomatoes this season by incorporating them in simple mixed greens and roasting to use in appetizers, with pastas, and quinoa salads.
