Top Tips For Enjoying Halloween & Autumn Stress Free!

Halloween is upon us, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. A nip is in the air, and it is that wonderful time of year when we traditionally enjoy the abundant harvest of summer and the respite from the hard work involved in it.

Even though times are different now, it seems people still have an innate need to enjoy the fruits of the season and take the opportunity to socialize and share with others.

Here are a few ideas for enjoying this festive and exciting season in simple, everyday ways that will fit seamlessly into your busy life.

Halloween can be an expensive holiday. Enjoy it in simple, inexpensive ways. If you have not had a chance to get decorations or do much at this late date, don't despair. A jack-o-lantern is a traditional decoration that is inexpensive and provides lots of fun! If you have little ones, a trip to the store or pumpkin patch to select the perfect pumpkin provides an outing. Planning and carving provides an activity. The final result is sure to be cherished and enjoyed for the few days around Halloween.

Note: This is also a surprisingly fun activity to do all on your own!

Another traditional, free and easy Autumn decoration is the "Straw Man". Similar to the scarecrow, the Straw Man is made of your yard trimmings. Assemble limbs and branches and brush into the shape of a man (or a woman, if you prefer) and tie with twine or jute for a yard decoration that will last through November. When you are ready to do away with your Straw Man, if your neighborhood allows, you can have a bonfire. Your burning Straw Man will carry all of your regrets for the year away so that you can move into winter light and free.

Note: If you are not allowed to have a bonfire, you can always just toss him on the compost heap!

Take a little time to celebrate the season in small ways every day. Here are a few quick, simple ideas to try:

You can make spiced apple cider for yourself in just a few minutes by placing a spiced tea bag into a cup of apple juice or cider. Microwave it for one to two minutes (depending upon your microwave). Cover the cup for about five minutes to let the teabag steep. Remove the teabag, and add honey if you wish.

Serve classic fall foods that include nuts, apples and spices. Be sure to enjoy fresh apples. They are delicious plain this time of year. Have a bit of fun by peeling your apple in a continuous spiral. If you succeed, toss the peel over your left shoulder. If you are lucky, it will fall in the shape of the initial of your true love!

For a very simple and easy dessert, slice and bake or microwave apples with a bit of honey and cinnamon. You can bake one sliced apple on high in the microwave in about a minute. If you want to bake more than one apple in the oven, slice them (peeled or not) and arrange them is a casserole dish. Dot with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar or honey to taste. Cover and bake at 350 to 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender and aromatic.

Use fresh apples to make tasty Cinnamon-y Apple Rings:

• 1/2 cup of cinnamon candies
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 3 medium apples
• 2 cups of water

Core the apples and cut them crosswise into 1/2 inch rings.

Combine sugar, cinnamon candies, and 2 cups of water in a skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the candies and sugar dissolve. Add the apple rings and simmer gently until the apples becom transparent but are not soft. Cool the apples in the syrup. These make a nice addition to an autumn meal or a good homemade Halloween treat.

Try it instead of (or in addition to) cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving!

• 1 tbsp butter
  1 tsp honey
  1/2 tsp curry powder
  1 20 ounce can of pie sliced apples, drained
  

Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat and add the honey and the curry. Add the apples and stir gently to coat them with the spiced butter and honey mixture. Cook them over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are heated through.

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown sugar
  2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
  (blend with whole wheat or use whole wheat flour entirely if desired)
  1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  1 tsp salt
  1 tsp ground cinnamon
  1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  1/4 tsp ground allspice
  

Moist Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soft butter
  2 eggs
  16 ounces of applesauce

Additions

• 1/2 cup raisins
  1/2 cup chopped pecans
  

Toss the flour to fluff it up and break down any lumps. Toss in all of the other dry ingredients. Gently blend the moist ingredients together and add them gradually to the dry ingredients. Blend until smooth. Add the pecans and raisins to the batter and pour the batter into a greased and lightly floured 13x9x2 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan.

oast chopped walnuts or pecans in your oven or toaster oven by spreading them in a pan with just enough melted butter to coat the nuts. Heat your oven to 375 degrees, and stir and check the nuts frequently. Remove them from the oven when they are uniformly browned (10-15 minutes). Mix the nuts with honey, vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, or softened cream cheese. Experiment to see which you like best. This is a quick and easy compliment to your homemade spicy apple cake or store-bought spice cake.

Copyright:SuzanneBennett:October 29, 2010